Abstract: A method for efficiently reducing water content of an object to be treated that contains water without requiring a high-temperature environment such as one exceeding the boiling point of water, and a method for efficiently extracting an oil-soluble substance from an object to be treated that contains water and the oil-soluble substance. A method for reducing water content of an object to be treated and/or extracting an oil-soluble substance in the object to be treated into oil is performed by mixing the object to be treated containing water or water and the oil-soluble substance with an oil at a temperature that is lower than the boiling point of water, at which temperature the oil is a liquid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for wet-cleaning, in professional or household washing machine equipment, and subsequent drying in a tumbler dryer, of garments made of protein-fibers (animal based fibers) such as wool, cashmere, silk and other sensitive fibers. Using water and certain additives instead of organic solvents, these compositions enable the cleaning, including oil stains removal, and subsequent drying without incurring dimensional changes, shrinkage, surface damages, dye or color loss of dry clean only labeled garments or other delicate garments labeled for special care.

Abstract: Dry cleaning and fabric-treatment compositions, methods and articles incorporating the same that are suitable for use in drying machines, such as hot air drying machines found in households, apartments, and laundromats, which are normally adapted to dry wet garments and the like from a washing machine. In some embodiments, the composition includes at least one organic solvent, with the at least one organic solvent forming the greatest weight percentage of the active components in the composition. In some embodiments, the composition also may include water and/or at least one surfactant, emulsifier, perfume, and/or application-specific composition. In some embodiments, the article includes a dispenser from which the composition is selectively dispensed onto a dry garment or other object to be cleaned. In some embodiments, the dispenser includes an internal chamber containing the composition, and the composition is dispensed onto objects prior to placing the objects in a drying machine.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for stabilizing liquid enzyme-containing liquid formulations by adding at least one boron compound and at least one alpha-hydroxy-mono-carboxylic acid or the salt of an alpha-hydroxy-mono-carboxylic acid capable of forming an enzyme-stabilizing compound. An enzyme-stabilized formulation is disclosed comprising an alpha-hydroxy-mono-carboxylic acid or the salt of an alpha-hydroxy-mono-carboxylic acid, a boron containing compound capable complexing with an alpha-hydroxy-mono-carboxylic acid, the complex formed by the boron compound and the an alpha-hydroxy-mono-carboxylic acid, and an enzyme. The invention applies to both enzyme concentrate raw materials, and to useful product formulations.

Abstract: Fatty branched polyalkoxylates, particularly of the formula: R1O(AO)mR2 (I) where R1 is C8 to C30 aliphatic hydrocarbyl or acyl; AO is predominantly branched alkyleneoxy, particularly propyleneoxy; m is from 2 to 50; and R2 is H or a is C1 to C4 aliphatic hydrocarbyl or acyl, are used as fabric conditioners in CO2 based dry cleaning systems. The cleaning medium may include detergent surfactant and/or non surfactant cleaning additive or may be free from such additives in which case the treatment can be provided in a rinse cycle in a cleaning process.

Abstract: Dry cleaning and fabric-treatment compositions, methods and articles incorporating the same that are suitable for use in drying machines, such as hot air drying machines found in households, apartments, and laundromats, which are normally adapted to dry wet garments and the like from a washing machine. In some embodiments, the composition includes at least one organic solvent, with the at least one organic solvent forming the greatest weight percentage of the active components in the composition. In some embodiments, the composition also may include water and/or at least one surfactant, emulsifier, perfume, and/or application-specific composition. In some embodiments, the article includes a dispenser from which the composition is selectively dispensed onto a dry garment or other object to be cleaned. In some embodiments, the dispenser includes an internal chamber containing the composition, and the composition is dispensed onto objects prior to placing the objects in a drying machine.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for stabilizing liquid enzyme-containing liquid formulations by adding at least one boron compound and at least one alpha-hydroxy-mono-carboxylic acid or the salt of an alpha-hydroxy-mono-carboxylic acid capable of forming an enzyme-stabilizing compound. An enzyme-stabilized formulation is disclosed comprising an alpha-hydroxy-mono-carboxylic acid or the salt of an alpha-hydroxy-mono-carboxylic acid, a boron containing compound capable complexing with an alpha-hydroxy-mono-carboxylic acid, the complex formed by the boron compound and the an alpha-hydroxy-mono-carboxylic acid, and an enzyme. The invention applies to both enzyme concentrate raw materials, and to useful product formulations.

Abstract: Dry cleaning and fabric-treatment compositions, methods and articles incorporating the same that are suitable for use in drying machines, such as hot air drying machines found in households, apartments, and laundromats, which are normally adapted to dry wet garments and the like from a washing machine. In some embodiments, the composition includes at least one organic solvent, with the at least one organic solvent forming the greatest weight percentage of the active components in the composition. In some embodiments, the composition also may include water and/or at least one surfactant, emulsifier, perfume, and/or application-specific composition. In some embodiments, the article includes a dispenser from which the composition is selectively dispensed onto a dry garment or other object to be cleaned. In some embodiments, the dispenser includes an internal chamber containing the composition, and the composition is dispensed onto objects prior to placing the objects in a drying machine.

Abstract: A dry cleaning process for in-home dry cleaning comprising a dry cleaning step of contacting a laundry article stained with particulate soil with a dry cleaning composition wherein the liquor to cloth ratio (w/w) (LCR) is at most 20, and wherein the composition comprises a) a non-flammable, non-chlorine containing organic dry cleaning solvent; b) a cleaning effective amount of an acid surfactant.

Abstract: A dry cleaning process for in-home dry cleaning comprising a low aqueous dry cleaning step of contacting a laundry article with a low aqueous dry cleaning composition wherein the liquor to cloth ratio (w/w) (LCR) is at most 20, and wherein said low aqueous composition comprises: a) at least one non-flammable, non-chlorine containing organic dry cleaning solvent; b) 0.01 to 0.9 wt. % water and c) a cleaning effective amount of a surfactant wherein said surfactant comprises at least one anionic headgroup.

Abstract: A dry cleaning process for in-home dry cleaning comprising a low-aqueous dry cleaning step of contacting a laundry article with a low-aqueous dry cleaning composition, wherein said composition comprises a non-flammable, non-chlorine containing organic dry cleaning solvent, water and surfactant, whereby the water to cloth ratio (w/w) is less than 0.45 and the water to surfactant ratio (w/w) is at most 1.5, wherein said organic dry cleaning solvent is selected from hydrofluorocarbon, hydrofluoroether and siloxane solvent.

Abstract: Dry cleaning and fabric-treatment compositions, methods and articles incorporating the same that are suitable for use in drying machines, such as hot air drying machines found in households, apartments, and laundromats, which are normally adapted to dry wet garments and the like from a washing machine. In some embodiments, the composition includes at least one organic solvent, with the at least one organic solvent forming the greatest weight percentage of the active components in the composition. In some embodiments, the composition may also include water and/or at least one surfactant, emulsifier, perfume, and/or application-specific composition. In some embodiments, the article includes a sheet onto which the composition is permeated. In some embodiments, the article includes the composition and a carrier.

Abstract: The present invention relates to cleaning sheets that resist folding, especially refolding upon themselves even after an initial fold has been formed in the sheet.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods to treat fabrics with lipophilic fluid, a polar phase and bleach system. The present invention is also directed to compositions containing lipophilic fluid, a polar phase and a bleach system.

Abstract: Dry cleaning and fabric-treatment compositions, methods and articles incorporating the same that are suitable for use in drying machines, such as hot air drying machines found in households, apartments, and laundromats, which are normally adapted to dry wet garments and the like from a washing machine. In some embodiments, the composition includes at least one organic solvent, with the at least one organic solvent forming the greatest weight percentage of the active components in the composition. In some embodiments, the composition may also include water and/or at least one surfactant, emulsifier, perfume, and/or application-specific composition. In some embodiments, the article includes a sheet onto which the composition is permeated. In some embodiments, the article includes the composition and a carrier.

Abstract: A method of laundering a fabric load is disclosed including the steps of processing a fabric load in an aqueous-based working fluid, substantially replacing the aqueous-based working fluid with a non-aqueous working fluid of the type which extracts some of the aqueous-based working fluid from the fabric load.

Abstract: A dry cleaning process for in-home dry cleaning comprising a non-aqueous dry cleaning step of contacting a laundry article with a non-aqueous dry cleaning composition whereby the liquor to cloth ratio (w/w) (LCR) is at most 20, and the composition comprises a) a non-flammable, non-chlorine containing organic dry cleaning solvent; b) from 0 to 0.1 wt. % water by weight of the composition; and c) less than 0.9 wt. % of a surfactant wherein the surfactant comprises at least one anionic headgroup.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with post-foaming cleaning compositions which may be dispensed from a pressurised container. The compositions contain a post-foaming agent, for example a volatile hydrocarbon which boils and causes the composition to fizz on the surface of a fabric to be cleaned thereby enhancing the cleaning effect. The compositions contain high amount of volatile hydrocarbon, i.e. about 20 to 40% by weight, and a surfactant component consisting of or comprising a fatty alcohol ethoxylate.

Abstract: The present invention comprises methods and compositions for affecting indoor air quality, such as by reducing particulates in indoor air and providing allergen control comprising using surfactant-free cleaning compositions to remove particulate matter such as soils and stains from fibers and surfaces comprising fibers such as indoor carpeting and upholstery, and to prevent redeposition of particles and other soil or stain components on indoor environmental surfaces.

Abstract: The present invention relates to process and methods, as well as compositions and systems for use in laundering smoke-damaged garments. In particular, the present invention utilizes ozonated water to treat the smoke-damaged garments.

Abstract: A drycleaning method is disclosed. In the method, a composition that comprises dipropylene glycol n-propyl ether (DPnP) and is essentially free of siloxanes or polysulfonic acids is used. The composition contains at least about 80 wt. % DPnP and up to about 15 wt. % of water. The method enables superior stain removal while avoiding excessive fabric shrinkage or soil redeposition.

Abstract: Compositions for dry-cleaning garments containing dipropylene glycol tertiary-butyl ether (DPTB), water, and at least one other solvent selected from cyclic siloxanes and glycol ethers other than DPTB suitable for use as dry-cleaning solvents, wherein the water is present at a level of about 10% by weight or less.

Abstract: Surfactant-free cleaning compositions are provided for use in removing soil and stains from fiber surfaces such as carpets, upholstery and the like as well as for preventing redeposition of soil and stains on such surfaces. Additionally, processes are provided for cleaning such soiled and/or stained fiber surfaces utilizing aqueous forms of such surfactant-free cleaning compositions having a surface tension of greater than about 38 dynes per centimeter.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for treating a lipophilic fluid contained in an emulsion of water and lipophilic fluid. The process includes the steps of pre-treating the emulsion, removing lipophilic fluid from the emulsion, and purifying the lipophilic fluid to remove at least a portion of the impurities collected during the use of the emulsion. Method options are provided for each of the aforementioned steps.

Abstract: An organic solvent-based dry cleaning composition, method and articles incorporating the same that are suitable for use in drying machines, such as hot air drying machines found in households, apartments, and laundromats, which are normally adapted to dry wet garments and the like from a washing machine. The composition includes at least one organic solvent and water, with the at least one organic solvent forming the greatest weight percentage of the active components in the composition. In some embodiments, the composition may also include at least one surfactant, emulsifier, perfume, and/or application-specific stain remover.

Abstract: Surfactant-free cleaning compositions are provided for use in removing soil and stains from fiber surfaces such as carpets, upholstery and the like as well as for preventing redeposition of soil and stains on such surfaces. Additionally, processes are provided for cleaning such soiled and/or stained fiber surfaces utilizing aqueous forms of such surfactant-free cleaning compositions having a surface tension of greater than about 38 dynes per centimeter.

Abstract: A cleaning system that utilizes an organic cleaning solvent and pressurized fluid solvent is disclosed. The system has no conventional evaporative hot air drying cycle. Instead, the system utilizes the solubility of the organic solvent in pressurized fluid solvent as well as the physical properties of pressurized fluid solvent. After an organic solvent cleaning cycle, the solvent is extracted from the textiles at high speed in a rotating drum in the same way conventional solvents are extracted from textiles in conventional evaporative hot air dry cleaning machines. Instead of proceeding to a conventional drying cycle, the extracted textiles are then immersed in pressurized fluid solvent to extract the residual organic solvent from the textiles. This is possible because the organic solvent is soluble in pressurized fluid solvent. After the textiles are immersed in pressurized fluid solvent, pressurized fluid solvent is pumped from the drum.

Abstract: Perfluorobutyl methyl ether forms azeotropic or pseudoazeotropic compositions with esters. These compositions can be used in particular as solvent for cleaning and defluxing electronic components, for degreasing metals, for removing water adsorbed at the surface of solids and for fixing a toner to a printing substrate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for cleaning, rinsing, and/or antimicrobial treatment of medical carts, medical cages, and other medical instruments, devices or equipment. The method for cleaning employs a solid alkaline, for example a solid carbonate, cleaning composition for cleaning the medical cart, cage, instrument, device, or equipment. The method for rinsing employs a solid neutral or neutralizing rinse composition for rinsing the medical cart, cage, instrument, device, or equipment. The method for antimicrobial treatment employs a solid, for example a solid quaternary ammonium or solid halogen, antimicrobial composition, for antimicrobial treatment of the medical cart, cage, instrument, device, or equipment.

Abstract: Articles designed to clean/refresh soiled fabrics are improved by means of texturing at least one surface and/or by applying tackiness agents. In use, the articles rub against the fabrics, whereupon lint removed from the fabrics is trapped and retained by the tackiness agent. Refolding of the articles during use is substantially minimized by imparting texture to one or more of the article's surfaces.

Abstract: A cleaning system that utilizes an organic cleaning solvent and pressurized fluid solvent is disclosed. The system has no conventional evaporative hot air drying cycle. Instead, the system utilizes the solubility of the organic solvent in pressurized fluid solvent as well as the physical properties of pressurized fluid solvent. After an organic solvent cleaning cycle, the solvent is extracted from the textiles at high speed in a rotating drum in the same way conventional solvents are extracted from textiles in conventional evaporative hot air dry cleaning machines. Instead of proceeding to a conventional drying cycle, the extracted textiles are then immersed in pressurized fluid solvent to extract the residual organic solvent from the textiles. This is possible because the organic solvent is soluble in pressurized fluid solvent. After the textiles are immersed in pressurized fluid solvent, pressurized fluid solvent is pumped from the drum.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a liquid bleaching composition comprising a peroxygen bleach, a zwitterionic betaine surfactant, a sulphonated hydrotrope, and a nonionic surfactant. This composition is suitable to deliver excellent stain removal performance and bleaching performance on various surfaces including fabrics and hard-surfaces, with improved physical stability, especially at low temperatures.

Abstract: A system for dry cleaning soils from fabrics comprising densified carbon dioxide and a surfactant in the densified CO2. The densified carbon dioxide is in a temperature range of about −78.5° C. to about 100° C. and a pressure range of about 14.7 to about 10,000 psi. At least 0.1% by volume of a modifier is preferably present. The surfactant has a polysiloxane a branched polyalkylene oxide or a halocarbon group which is a functional CO2-philic moiety connected to a CO2-phobic functional moiety. The surfantant either exhibits an HLB of less than 15 or has a ratio of siloxyl to substituted siloxyl groups of greater than 0.5:1.

Abstract: A system for dry cleaning soils from fabrics comprising densified carbon dioxide and a surfactant in the densified CO2. The densified carbon dioxide is in a temperature range of about −78.5° C. to about 100° C. and a pressure range of about 14.7 to about 10,000 psi. At least 0.1% by volume of a modifier is preferably present. The surfactant has a polysiloxane, a branched polyalkylene oxide or a halocarbon group which is a functional CO2-philic moiety connected to a CO2-phobic functional moiety. The surfactant either exhibits an HLB of less than 15 or has a ratio of siloxyl to substituted siloxyl groups of greater than 0.5:1.

Abstract: A method for dry-cleaning articles such as fabrics and clothing in carbon dioxide while concurrently applying a sizing agent to the articles comprises contacting an article to be cleaned with a liquid dry cleaning composition for a time sufficient to clean the fabric. The liquid dry-cleaning composition comprises a mixture of carbon dioxide, a surfactant, a sizing agent. An organic co-solvent is preferably included. After the contacting step, the article is separated from the liquid dry cleaning composition. The method is preferably carried out at ambient temperature. Preferred sizing agents are low molecular weight hydrocarbon resins. The surfactant is preferably one that does not contain a CO2-philic group. The organic co-solvent is preferably an alkane and has a flash point above 140° F.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses an article for treating fabrics, comprising a) an absorbent carrier substrate; and b) a liquid cleaning/refreshment composition releasably absorbed in said substrate; said substrate being wholly or partly covered by; c) a fibrous coversheet which is permeable to said cleaning/refreshment composition in the liquid and/or vapor state, said coversheet having a minimum thickness of about 7 mil (0.18 mm). The coversheet helps reduce water spotting on the fabrics being treated and picks up lint and solid soils. The article is useful in an in-home process which is conducted in a clothes dryer.

Abstract: A method for dry-cleaning articles such as fabrics and clothing in carbon dioxide comprises contacting an article to be cleaned with a liquid dry cleaning composition for a time sufficient to clean the fabric. The liquid dry-cleaning composition comprises a mixture of carbon dioxide, a surfactant, and an organic co-solvent. After the contacting step, the article is separated from the liquid dry cleaning composition. The method is preferably carried out at ambient temperature. The surfactant is preferably one that does not contain a CO2-philic group. The organic co-solvent is preferably an alkane and has a flash point above 140° F.

Abstract: A method for dry-cleaning articles such as fabrics and clothing in carbon dioxide comprises contacting an article to be cleaned with a liquid dry cleaning composition for a time sufficient to clean the fabric. The liquid dry-cleaning composition comprises a mixture of carbon dioxide, water, and an end-functional polysiloxane surfactant. After the contacting step, the article is separated from the liquid dry cleaning composition. The method is preferably carried out at ambient temperature.

Abstract: A liquid composition useful for suspending and dispensing a solid particulate comprises carbon dioxide, a surfactant, an organic co-solvent, and the solid particulate to be suspended. The composition may optionally contain water. The composition is useful as a propellant in an aerosol container for spraying the solid particulate from the container.

Abstract: A method for dry-cleaning articles such as fabrics and clothing in carbon dioxide comprises contacting an article to be cleaned with a liquid dry cleaning composition for a time sufficient to clean the fabric. The liquid dry-cleaning composition comprises a mixture of carbon dioxide, a surfactant, and an organic co-solvent. After the contacting step, the article is separated from the liquid dry cleaning composition. The method is preferably carried out at ambient temperature. The surfactant is preferably one that does not contain a CO2-philic group. The organic co-solvent is preferably an alkane and has a flash point above 140° F.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a dry-cleaning article suitable for use in the home. The article is characterized by a sheet that is permeated with a composition including 51-98% by weight of organic solvent such as paraffins, olefins, acetylenes or mixtures thereof, 1-35% by weight of water, and 1-14% by weight of emulsifier to allow the water to be uniformly mixed into the solvent. The composition can also include 1-5% by weight of perfume for scenting clothing, and 1-5% by weight of nonionic and/or anionic surfactant to provide additional stain removal capability of the composition. The invented composition is thus organic-solvent-based and is particularly effective to remove body or cosmetic oil stains from garments. The invention is also directed to the composition and methods for using the sheet in a drying machine.

Abstract: A shrinkage prevention agent for water washing of clothing that would conventionally have been dry cleaned. The shrinkage prevention agent is compromised of a steam or vacuum dry-distilled liquid of two or more plants selected from sagebrush, beefsteak plant, tea, plantaginales, aloe, chrysanthemum, pine, cedar, cypress. The shrinkage prevention agent is used in a wet cleaning system that includes water washing.

Abstract: This invention relates to dry-cleaning systems which include anhydrous dry-cleaning compositions which contain polysulfonic acid, and a bag for the cleaning and containment of soiled fabric articles. In a first embodiment, the dry-cleaning compositions includes organic solvents, polysulfonic acid, and not more than about 10 wt % water. In a second embodiment, the dry-cleaning compositions includes organic solvents and polysulfonic acid, and not more than 1 about wt % water. The invention also relates to methods of using the dry-cleaning system and dry-cleaning composition.

Abstract: The invention provides dry cleaning compositions comprising hydrofluoroether, a cosolvent selected from the group consisting of glycol ethers, fluorocarbon surfactants, alkanols, and mixtures thereof, and water present in an amount of less than 1 percent by weight. In another aspect, the invention provides a method of cleaning fabric articles comprising the step of contacting an effective amount of the above dry cleaning composition with a fabric for a length of time sufficient to clean the article.

Abstract: A method of dry-cleaning garments which comprises treating the garments with a mixture of propylene glycol tertiary-butyl ether or propylene glycol n-butyl ether and water.

Abstract: A system for dry cleaning soils from fabrics comprising densified carbon dioxide and a surfactant in the densified CO.sub.2. The densified carbon dioxide is in a temperature range of about -78.5.degree. C. to about 100.degree. C. and a pressure range of about 14.7 to about 10,000 psi. At least 0.1% by volume of a modifier is preferably present. The surfactant has a polysiloxane, a branched polyalkylene oxide or a halocarbon group which is a functional CO.sub.2 -philic moiety connected to a CO.sub.2 -phobic functional moiety. The surfactant either exhibits an HLB of less than 15 or has a ratio of siloxyl to substituted siloxyl groups of greater than 0.5:1.

Abstract: A bag for the cleaning and containment of soiled fabric articles is provided which comprises a fastening system that, when fastened provides a vapor impermeable container and an interior surface releasably impregnated with an effective amount of a gelled liquid dry-cleaning composition.

Abstract: A system for dry cleaning soils from fabrics comprising densified carbon dioxide and a surfactant in the densified CO.sub.2. The densified carbon dioxide is in a temperature range of about -78.5.degree. C. to about 100.degree. C. and a pressure range of about 14.7 to about 10,000 psi. At least 0.1% by volume of a modifier is preferably present. The surfactant has a polysiloxane, a branched polyalkylene oxide or a halocarbon group which is a functional CO.sub.2 -philic moiety connected to a CO.sub.2 -phobic functional moiety. The surfactant either exhibits an HLB of less than 15 or has a ratio of siloxyl to substituted siloxyl groups of greater than 0.5:1.

Abstract: A system for dry cleaning soils from fabrics is described which contains densified carbon dioxide combined with a selected surfactant. The densified carbon dioxide is used in a temperature range of about -78.5.degree. C. to about 100.degree. C. and a pressure range of about 14.7 psi to about 10,000 psi. The surfactant is selected from one of two groups of compounds having a formula ##STR1## as described in the text or a second group of siloxane compounds having a formula [AB].sub.y as described. A process for using the dry cleaning system is also described.

Abstract: This invention relates to dry-cleaning systems which include dry-cleaning compositions which contain polysulfonic acid and water, and a bag for the cleaning and containment of soiled fabric articles. The invention also relates to methods of using the dry-cleaning system and dry-cleaning composition.