Abstract: The present application relates to encapsulated benefit agents, compositions comprising such encapsulated benefit agents and processes for making and using compositions comprising such encapsulated benefit agents that do not require or require a reduced amount of scavenger materials. Such encapsulated benefit agents, compositions comprising such encapsulated benefit agents are processed such that no or lower levels of scavenger materials are required.

Abstract: A solvent filtration and recovery system for filtration and recovery of a solvent-based liquid used in dry cleaning includes filtration tank having filter chamber with motor-driven spin filters which are selectively operated. A valve and conduit arrangement allows the liquid from dry cleaning to enter the filter chamber for filtering and flows out as filtered liquid while the spin filters are not rotating. The arrangement allows initial at least partial draining of the solvent-based liquid in the filter chamber after such filtration procedure. A recovery tank is in communication with the filtration tank through a main drain. A motor drives the spin filters during a recovery procedure, in which centrifugal force caused by the rotating spin filters for a predetermined amount of time removes by-product from the spin filters, which is drained off from the filtration tank. A reservoir stores the solvent-based liquid and receives the liquid from both the recovery tank and the filtration tank.

Abstract: A drycleaning method is disclosed. The method uses a composition comprising 30 to 90 wt. % of a dipropylene glycol C3-C4 alkyl ether, 5 to 65 wt. % of one or more C10-C15 hydrocarbons, and 1 to 10 wt. % of water. The method combines acceptable stain removal with faster-than-expected evaporability, particularly at the elevated temperatures used in commercial drycleaning.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of disposing waste from an in-home dry cleaning machine using a disposable containment system.

Abstract: A fabric cleaning system, especially a system for use in the consumer's home, utilizing down the drain detergent composition for a non-aqueous, lipophilic fluid based washing process and automatic laundry machines useful for this process.

Abstract: A method for purifying dry cleaning solvents containing laundry soils. The method employs membrane filtration to enhance the separation of the contaminants from the dry cleaning solvent.

Abstract: Warp size lubricants are disclosed. Processes of making and using the warp size lubricants are also disclosed. Methods of reclaiming one or more components of a warp sizing composition are also disclosed.

Abstract: A solvent separator apparatus having a vertical accumulator tank with a top end and a bottom end, the accumulator tank being serially connected to a vertical reservoir tank having a top end and a bottom end; a down tube vertically positioned in the accumulator tank having a top end nearest the top end of the accumulator tank and a bottom end nearest the bottom end of the accumulator tank, with an inlet at the top end of the down tube and an outlet at the bottom end of the down tube; an inlet conduit connected to the inlet of the down tube, the inlet conduit entering the bottom end of the accumulator tank and defining an upward flow path within the accumulator tank to the inlet at the top end of the down tube; a heat exchanger in communication with the down tube for withdrawing heat therefrom; and a transfer conduit defining a downward flow path from the top end of the accumulator tank to the bottom end of the reservoir tank.

Abstract: A process for washing laundry is provided in which a washing alkali component and a surfactant component are combined with water to form a wash liquor, the wash liquor is combined with laundry in a standard washing machine for institutional laundries, and the wastewater from the wash is treated by membrane filtration, where the throughflow rate is reduced by less than 10 percent over an operating time of 120 hours. The washing alkali component is composed of an anionic surfactant and a water-soluble silicate; an alkali metal hydroxide and a complexing agent; or an anionic surfactant and water-soluble silicate and an alkali metal hydroxide, a complexing agent, or a mixture of an alkali metal hydroxide and a complexing agent.

Abstract: A nonionic surfactant having cyclic 1,3-dioxane and/or 1,3-dioxolane functionality which is irreversibly splittable by lowering the pH of its aqueous solution is useful in various processes requiring the removal of emulsified hydrophobic contaminants or other hydrophobic materials from an aqueous stream. After splitting of the surfactant into its component aldehyde and polyol, the hydrophobic components phase-separate and can be removed from the aqueous stream by routine means.

Abstract: A method of washing textiles in an institutional washing machine wherein soil-containing wastewater is regenerated through a nanofiltration membrane and recycled to the washing process.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for separating water from a solvent during dry cleaning. Included is an inlet capable of receiving a mixture of dry cleaning fluid and water from a basket of a dry cleaning apparatus. The dry cleaning fluid includes a siloxane composition. Also provided is a flow controller for urging a flow of the mixture received from the outlet. Coupled to the flow controller is a coalescent media that receives the mixture urged by the flow controller. A chamber is coupled to the coalescent media for receiving the mixture from the coalescent media to separate the water and the dry cleaning fluid. Also coupled to the chamber is an outlet to remove the dry cleaning fluid from the chamber in the absence of the water.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for dry cleaning articles utilizing a siloxane solvent. The system includes a cleaning basket for receiving articles therein and a one or more tanks for containing a siloxane solvent. Coupled between the tank and the cleaning basket is a pump for immersing the articles in the cleaning basket with the siloxane solvent. Also included is a still for distilling the dirty siloxane solvent to recover the pure siloxane solvent. A condenser is coupled to the cleaning basket and/or the still for recovering condensed vapors. For decanting any water in the siloxane solvent received from the condenser, a separator is coupled to the condenser. A fan is coupled to the cleaning basket for circulating air past the condenser, then the heater coils and into the cleaning basket for drying and cooling the articles.

Abstract: A nonionic surfactant having cyclic 1,3-dioxane and/or 1,3-dioxolane functionality which is irreversibly splittable by lowering the pH of its aqueous solution is useful in various processes requiring the removal of emulsified hydrophobic contaminants or other hydrophobic materials from an aqueous stream. After splitting of the surfactant into its component aldehyde and polyol, the hydrophobic components phase-separate and can be removed from the aqueous stream by routine means.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a dry cleaning system and method, in which dry cleaning machinery is used in conjunction with a specific solvent which is derived from an organic/inorganic hybrid (organo silicone). In this class of organo silicones is a group known as cyclic siloxanes. The cyclic siloxanes present the basis for material composition of the solvent chemistry which allows this dry cleaning system to be highly effective. The cyclic-siloxane-based solvent allows the system to result in an environmentally friendly process which is, also, more effective in cleaning fabrics and the like than any known prior system. The siloxane composition is employed in a dry cleaning machine to carry out the method of the invention.

Abstract: An economical process for reducing water consumption and, therefore, water discharge during the dyeing of textile goods is disclosed. Processing baths during dyeing, which can be reused directly or after minimal treatment, are segregated from baths which contain a high level of pollutants and color. The reuse baths are combined and stored separately from baths which are to be discharged. The reuse baths are then recycled directly or after minimal treatment to the dyeing process. Baths containing a high level of pollutants and color are either discharged directly to the local public treatment works or are treated in a conventional wastewater treatment plant. The process results in substantial economic benefits because the operating costs of recycling reuse baths are low and because the quantity of wastewater discharged is substantially reduced.

Abstract: A method for cotton purification is described, where the cotton is subject to a purification process in water. The process solution contains calcium hydroxide and a non-ionic detergent wetting agent. Following this processing the cotton is rendered hydrophilic. The cotton is carried in a net with simultaneous removal of the adsorbed processing solution. It is then washed and bleached with H.sub.2 O.sub.2 or ClONa in a two-stage process. The effluent water is processed by anaerobic digestion in the thermophilic region for the production of biogas. The effluent water from the anaerobic digestion process is further processed by aerobic biological treatment. The whole process operates with energy self-sufficiency without resulting in environment pollution. Finally, a high purity cotton is produced with high water absorptivity which is suitable for spinning for the production of quality cotton yarns suitable for weaving quality fabrics or dyeing.

Abstract: A novel technique to treat post-consumer polyester for reuse in food-contact applications is described. The process comprises contacting contaminated post consumer polyester flake with at least one extraction solvent which is soluble in said contaminated flake at a temperature sufficient to allow rapid diffusion of contaminants from said polyester flake; and removing said extraction solvent containing said contaminants from said polyester flake.

Abstract: A treated solvent composition for washing mechanical parts or the like. The solvent contains not more than about 25% aromatic solvents with the balance being aliphatic and other non-aromatic solvents having a flashpoint of at least 100.degree. F. The solvent is treated with up to 10 parts of an additive composition selected from the group consisting of C.sub.14 and lower alcohols, diols, polyols, lower glycols, and lower glycol ethers and mixtures thereof. In use, finely dispersed contaminant particles settle from the body of the solvent more rapidly than in untreated solvent and the resulting clarified appearance enables the solvent to be used longer and more effectively in a cleaning operation.

Abstract: Improved separation of emulsified hydrophobic organic soils can be obtained from aqueous effluents using an amphoteric dicarboxylate surfactant material in combination with cationic destabilizer or flocculent materials. Such a treatment in combination with an acidic pH adjustment causes the rapid separation of hydrophobic organic soils from the aqueous stream. The treated aqueous stream is environmentally compatible.Improved laundry detergents comprising an organic amphoteric carboxylate surfactant and selected nonionic surfactants provide both cleaning for fiber and fabric containing items soiled with substantial quantities of hydrophobic soil. The pH of an effluent generated in such cleaning processes can be adjusted to an acid pH and treated with a cationic material causing a break that permits rapid and substantially complete separation of the hydrophobic organic soils from the effluent. Residual concentrations of organic soil in effluent water can be less than 250 ppm and can be as low as 10 ppm.

Abstract: A process of producing purified fabric substantially free of polyolefin contamination comprising the steps of supplying a fabric containing polyolefin contamination, selecting a solvent which selectively solubilizes the polyolefin wherein said solvent solubilizes polyolefin at temperatures and pressures that do not degrade the fabric, treating the fabric with said selected solvent to solubilize the polyolefin and removing the solvent containing solubilized polyolefin contamination and recovering purified fabric.

Abstract: Method of disposing aqueous-alkali disposable articles is disclosed. The articles are made from films or non-woven webs or composites of films and webs where the film or non-woven web comprises a hydrolytically degradable polymer and preferably also comprises a water soluble polymer. Multilayer microfibers of at least one layer of a hydrolytically degradable polymer and at least one layer of a water soluble polymer are particularly disclosed. The articles have water resistance during preparation, storage, and use with mammals but are dispersible when submersed in water at conditions of elevated temperature, elevated pH, and during a single commercial laundry cycle. The articles solve both the problem of solid waste disposal prevalent with single use garments and the problem of repeated cleansing and recycling of multiple use garments. Contamination associated with the articles of the invention after their use will be disinfected during the commercial laundry cycle that is utilized to disperse the article.

Abstract: A method for flocculating finely divided particles suspended in nonpolar liquids, thereby facilitating the removal of these particles by sedimentation or filtration, by treating the contaminated nonpolar liquids with from about 0.01% to about 5% by weight of a flocculant comprising a water soluble organic compound having a cationic quaternary nitrogen or ammonium group. The flocculants useful in the method of the invention are desirably miscible or dispersible in the nonpolar liquid, and a carrier solvent or surfactant may be used to improve dispersibility of the flocculant.

Abstract: A system and process for recycling alkaline aqueous cleaners for electronic components. Such cleaners generally contain saponifiers which react with rosin flux on the electronic components to form rosin soaps. Spent cleaner is concentrated, the pH is lowered to cause a separation between the cleaner and the soils within the cleaner. The cleaner then is filtered to further remove any soils. The filtered cleaner is then reconstituted to a determined concentration and pH level and returned to the cleaning system.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for capturing solvent vapors from around the access opening of dry cleaning apparatus. The method and apparatus include the use of one or more collars positioned adjacent to the access opening. Vapors from the access opening are drawn through apertures in the collar(s) by suction. Condensed water is received in a reservoir and then atomized.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a technique which comprises the steps of stopping the rotation of a treating drum in a deodorizing step, introducing the outside air into a treating tank through an upper opening provided in the upper portion of the treating tank or the upper portion of a recovery air duct, simultaneously exhausting a solvent gas from the treating tank through a lower opening provided in the lower portion of the treating tank or a button trap portion so slowly as not to agitate the solvent gas in the treating tank by an exhaust means connected to a solvent recovery device in the condition that the treating drum is stopped, in order to replace the solvent gas in the treating tank with the outside air, and reusing the solvent gas through the solvent recovery device once or several times. In addition, the present invention is further directed to an improvement of the above-mentioned technique.

Abstract: Garments contaminated with radioactive, toxin, biological and/or chemical contaminants are deposited in a cleaning drum and the drum is agitated during a wash cycle. A dry cleaning solvent is added to the drum during the initial wash cycle and then drained to a distillation means. Within the distillation means, there is a neutralizing agent which deactivates the biological and toxin contaminants and chemically breaks down the chemical contaminants removed with the dry cleaning solvent from the cleaning drum. Dry cleaning solvent is then continuously added to the drum during the secondary wash cycle and continuously removed from the drum. After the dry cleaning solvent is removed from the drum, and before it is pumped back to the drum, the dry cleaning solvent is filtered to remove remaining trace particulate contaminants. The dry cleaning solvent is also passed through an absorber where remaining trace chemical contaminants dissolves in the dry cleaning solvent are removed.

Abstract: In this process the organic solvents which are obtained in a liquid state in the drying phase are pumped away. The solvents present in the form of a solvent vapor/air mixture are partially condensed by cooling and the fractions of solvent still remaining in vapor form are adsorbed by active charcoal. These adsorbed solvents are recovered by setting up a saturation partial pressure of the solvent in the solvent vapor/air mixture of not more than 0.25 bar. The fractions of solvent adsorbed in the active charcoal are desorbed by means of a solvent vapor/air mixture of the same concentration as in the adsorption process and at temperatures of approx. 100.degree. to 150.degree. C.

Abstract: In wool scouring systems in which scouring liquor is continuously withdrawn from the scouring bowls for separation of solid contaminants and wool grease and then recycled to the bowls, improved separation of solids is achieved by adding a soluble silicate, and preferably also a polyelectrolyte to the liquor before solids separation. Silicate can advantageously replace soda as scouring agent. Improved operation can also be obtained by controlled flow down from the circulatory system, as at 27, and by passing the jet phase from a disc centrifuge 17 to a decanter centrifuge 15 for further separation of solids. Alternatively, the entire liquor circulation may be passed first to the disc centrifuge and only the jet phase to the decanter, the middle liquor phase being recycled.

Abstract: A hot-melt warp yarn size composition and a method for applying, desizing, and disposing of it which essentially eliminates atmospheric and water pollution at all stages of the process. The size is a melt blend of ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymer with microcrystalline, paraffin, or hydrogenated tallow wax. It is applied as a melt to warp yarn, desized with hot petroleum solvent, and the extracted size and unrecovered solvent burned to non-polluting carbon dioxide and water.

Abstract: Garments are deposited in a cleaning drum and the drum is agitated during a wash cycle. A dry cleaning solvent is continuously added to the drum during the wash cycle and continuously removed from the drum during the wash cycle to flush the radioactive particulate material separated from the garments into a sump. The solvent is pumped from the sump for addition to the drum during the wash cycle and the pumped solvent is filtered to remove substantially all of the radioactive particulate material suspended in the solvent.The apparatus for decontaminating the radioactive garments comprises a sump for supporting a dry cleaning solvent. A drum for supporting the radioactively contaminated garments during a wash cycle which separates the radioactive particulate material from the garments means are provided for continuously pumping the dry cleaning solvent from the sump to the drum and for continuously removing the solvent and separated particulate material from the drum into the sump.

Abstract: An aqueous solution containing impurities such as size is applied to a textile material and the textile material subsequently is exposed to treatment by an organic. solvent. Between the application of the aqueous solution and the exposure of the material to the solvent, the material is exposed to a saturated steam treatment in which the impurities are dissolved or degraded.

Abstract: A process for the machine washing and cleaning of solid materials, in particular textiles, using low phosphate or phosphate-free detergents, in which the wash liquor, which contains at least 0.05 gm/l of a water-soluble calcium-binding sequestrant and customary surface-active compounds, is continuously or intermittently circulated through a cation-exchanging, water-insoluble, bound-water containing aluminosilicate having a calcium binding power of at least 50 mg CaO/gm corresponding to the following formula:(Cat.sub.2/n O).sub.x.Al.sub.2 O.sub.3.(SiO.sub.2).sub.yin which Cat represents a cation of valence n which is exchangeable with calcium, x represents a number from 0.7 to 1.5 and y represents a number of from 0.8 to 6, and in which the aluminosilicate has a particle size of from 0.

Abstract: A process comprising the steps of (1) sizing a warp with an aqueous solution containing a partially hydrolyzed polyvinyl acetate, having a degree of hydrolysis of 50% to 80% by mole and an average degree of polymerization of not less than 400, and an anionic surface active agent capable of solubilizing the hydrolyzed polyvinyl acetate in water or capable of raising the cloud point of the hydrolyzed polyvinyl acetate, and then weaving, (2) subjecting the woven cloth to desizing in a scouring bath, and washing the cloth, and then (3) treating the desizing and washing waste water with an agent selected from polyvalent metal salt chelate-forming agents, strong acids and cationic compounds by adding the agent to the waste water to deposit the hydrolyzed polyvinyl acetate, and separating the deposited hydrolyzed polyvinyl acetate. The sizing work efficiency is good, the weaving efficiency is high, the desizing is smooth, and the waste water treatment is easy.

Abstract: Fabrics of which the warp is sized with water-soluble polymers of acrylic acid and/or their alkali metal salts or ammonium salts, are desized by treating the sized fabric with from 30 to 300 percent by weight of water, based on the dry weight of the fabric, and separating the resulting size solution from the fabric. The recovered size solution can be directly re-used for sizing.

Abstract: Peracids and a water-soluble inorganic polyphosphate salt are used in the treatment of dirty dry cleaning baths to permit longer operation between distillation.