GARMENT LAUNDERING SYSTEM

Abstract

An anti-aging laundering system for fabrics comprising complementary laundering system components (a) a detergent composition, (b) a fabric rinse conditioner, and (c) an ancilliary laundry agent wherein the (b) or (c) provides a combination of (i) a fabric shape retention agent (ii) a fabric drape improver, and (iii) at least one perfume, and wherein said complementary laundering components bear common visual indicia and corresponding instructions to launder fabrics with components (a) and (b) and (c).

Claims

1. An anti-aging laundering system for fabrics comprising complementary laundering system components: (a) a detergent composition, (b) a fabric rinse conditioner, and (c) an ancillary laundry agent, wherein the (b) or (c) provides a combination of: (i) a fabric shape retention agent, (ii) a fabric drape improver, (iii) at least one perfume, wherein said complementary laundering components bear common visual indicia and corresponding instructions to launder fabrics with components (a) and (b) and (c); wherein the system further includes a further complementary component being a fabric refresh spray, which also bears said common visual indicia; wherein the system includes instructions to treat the fabrics with the fabric refresh spray following use of said laundered fabrics, and then subsequently to re-wear the laundered fabrics; and wherein the fabric refresher comprises a fabric refreshing composition and a hand-held spray device which is manually operable to produce a spray of said composition in the form of a fine aerosol; said composition comprising at least one of: an anti-malodour agent, an anti-wrinkle agent, and a perfume; and said spray device comprising a reservoir containing said composition and a spray mechanism.

2. (canceled)

3. An anti-aging laundering system for fabrics according to claim 1, wherein the laundering system includes a further complementary component being at least one colour care agent.

4. An anti-aging laundering system for fabrics according to claim 1, wherein said laundering system components are provided in outer packaging which connects the components but more preferably wholly or partly encloses said components.

5. An anti-aging laundering system for fabrics according to claim 1, wherein the detergent composition comprises one or more unit doses.

6. An anti-aging laundering system for fabrics according to claim 1, wherein the fabric rinse conditioner comprises at least 8 wt % of a fabric conditioning active.

7. An anti-aging laundering system for fabrics according to claim 1, wherein the ancilliary laundry agent comprises the combination of a shape retention agent and drape improver.

8. An anti-aging laundering system for fabrics according to claim 1, wherein shape retention agent and drape improver comprise a silicone.

9. An anti-aging laundering system for fabrics according to claim 1, wherein the components are contained in dispensers having respective dispensing orifices, said ancillary laundry agent being contained in a squeeze or pump dispenser having a narrower dispensing orifice than the orifice of the dispenser for (b) and preferably also than (a).

10. (canceled)

11. An anti-aging laundering system for fabrics according to claim 1, wherein the anti-malodour agent is selected from the group consisting of: uncomplexed cyclodextrin; odour blockers; reactive aldehydes; flavanoids; zeolites; activated carbon; and mixtures thereof.

12. An anti-aging laundering method for fabrics comprising the steps of: (a) selecting from an anti-aging system comprising complementary components (i) detergent composition, (ii) fabric rinse conditioner, and (iii) laundry ancilliary liquid wherein the (b) or (c) provides a combination of: (a) a fabric shape retention agent, (b) a fabric drape improver, and (c) at least one perfume, and wherein said complementary laundering components bear common visual indicia (b) carrying out an aqueous washing operation in which (i) detergent composition, (ii) a fabric rinse conditioner, and (iii) an ancilliary laundry agent are added to a wash liquor, (c) laundering said fabrics, and (d) refreshing the laundered fabrics after use with refresh spray (d).

13. An anti-aging laundering method for fabrics according to claim 12, further comprising the step of adding the laundry ancillary liquid via a dosing device.

14. A anti-aging laundering method for fabrics according to claim 12 wherein either (a) detergent composition or (b) fabric rinse conditioner are liquid, and wherein the method of dosing the ancillary laundry agent comprises the following steps: i. pouring liquid (a) or (b) into a washing machine draw or a dosing shuttle, and then ii. pouring the ancillary laundry composition on top of (a) or (b).

15. A anti-aging laundering method for fabrics and/or system substantially as in herein described.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLES

[0103] So that the invention may be more readily understood, and so that further features thereof may be appreciated, embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0104] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a package according to one aspect of the invention

[0105] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the package shown in FIG. 1.

[0106] The exemplary system 1 comprises an outer package 3 comprising a box 5 in which the following components are contained:

[0107] (a) a pouch indicated at 7 containing a plurality of water soluble capsules (not shown) containing unit doses of non-biological (enzyme free) detergent composition,

[0108] (b) a bottle 9 containing a liquid fabric rinse conditioner (not shown) comprising a perfume and a colour care agent

[0109] (c) a squeezable dispensing bottle 11 containing a laundry anciliary liquid (not shown) in the form of a serum which comprises a fabric shape retention agent and fabric drape improver,

[0110] (d) a non-aerosol sprayer 13 containing a fabric refresh spray.

[0111] The box 5 is designed having a flat base 15 to be placed on a countertop or similar. For example, it may be placed on a countertop in a kitchen or utility room, or may be placed on top of a washing machine for ease of access.

[0112] The box and all the complementary laundering components bear common visual indicia 17 and corresponding instructions to launder fabrics with system components (a) and (b) and (c) and (d). An inlay card 30 summarises the instructions.

[0113] The complementary laundering components are stored in the box 5 in a layered manner, such that the pouch 7 of capsules forms one layer and the bottles 9, 11, 13 of fabric conditioner, serum and refresh spray are carried by a tray 19 above the capsules pouch. The tray has recesses 21 and each bottle is stored in a respective recess. In this way the flexible pouch can nest in the areas between the recesses. This configuration affords a pleasing experience for the consumer whilst ensuring greater stability in transit particularly for postal delivery direct to the consumer. In further embodiments the capsules are rigid and this further improves the stability of the pack for transport.

[0114] The squeeze or pump dispenser 11 has a narrow dispensing orifice not shown, which is preferably less than 10 mm and suitably 3 mm. This orifice is narrower than the orifice (not shown) of the dispenser bottle 9 for the fabric rinse conditioner liquid.

[0115] The fabric refresher 13 comprises a hand-held spray device which is manually operable to produce a spray of said refresh composition in the form of a fine aerosol. In in further embodiments, not shown, the spray device 13 is adapted for more effective and convenient operation by the provision of a shroud surrounding the spray mechanism, the shroud being aligned with the reservoir of the device. The shroud is elongate and the spray direction of the device is substantially orthogonal to a longitudinal axis of the shroud.

[0116] The spray mechanism has a discharge orifice is configured to produce a fine aerosol spray having a comparatively large cone angle, suitably in the range of 55 to 80 degrees.

[0117] The spray mechanism is configured to produce a fine aerosol having a small average droplet size, suitably in the range of 20 to 200 m.

[0118] Illustrative compositions suitable for use in the devices of FIGS. 1 to 2 include one or more of the following.

[0119] Laundry Detergent Composition

[0120] As described below in Table 1

[0121] Laundry Fabric Conditioning Composition

[0122] Compositions A and B below were made by adding a melt comprising the fabric softening active (TEAQ) to a heated (about 40-60 C.) aqueous phase comprising the minors, perfume microcapsules, acid and antifoam. A proportion of CaCl.sub.2) was added to the water before the addition of the melt to the water, and the remaining CaCl.sub.2) was added after the addition of the melt. Free oil perfume was then added upon cooling.

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Fabric Conditioning Compositions Amount (wt % by wt perfume in the encap) Ingredient Composition A Composition B TEAQ.sup.1 20 20 Antifoam.sup.2 0.02 0.02 Hydrochloric acid 0.03 0.03 CaCl.sub.2 0.21 0.21 Perfume V 1.04 Perfume W 1.31 .sup.5Microcapsule Type 2, perfume Z 0.35 0.325 .sup.4Microcapsule Type 1, perfume X 0.35 .sup.4Microcapsule Type 1, perfume Y 0.325 water & minors.sup.3 balance balance .sup.1Softening active - Palm based soft TEA Quat; ex Stepan .sup.2Comprising silicone; Ex Basildon .sup.3Preservative, sequestrant .sup.4Microcapsule Type 1 = cured for 1 hr at 125 C. .sup.5MicroCapsule Type 2 = cured for 1 hr at 80 C.

[0123] Microcapsule Preparation.

[0124] The following procedure was used to prepare the microcapsules as used in these examples:

[0125] Fragrance was admixed with NEOBEE-M5 and 40% ethylene urea solution thereby forming a fragrance/solvent composition. The uncoated capsules were prepared by creating a polymeric wall to encapsulate the fragrance/solvent composition droplets. To make the microcapsule slurry, a co-polyacrylamide/acrylate (ALCAPSOL 200) was dispersed in water together with a high imino methylated melamine crosslinker (CYMEL 385, Cytec Industries, Belgium). The microcapsule components were allowed to react under acidic conditions. The fragrance/solvent composition was then added into the solution and droplets of the desired size were achieved by high shear homogenization.

[0126] Composition of the resulting microcapsules is shown in Table 2 below.

TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Composition of core and wall of microcapsules prepared as described above. Component Weight % Core Fragrance 28 NEOBEE-M5 7 40% Ethylene Urea Solution 5.7 Wall ALCAPSOL 200 5.7 3.1% CYMEL 385 3.1

[0127] In this way, two different types of microcapsules were produced, Type 1 and Type 2, which differed in the fragrance composition (as shown in Table 3) and also the curing temperature: Type 1 was cured for 1 hour at 125 C. and Type 2 was cured for 1 hour at 80 C. Microcapsules prepared as described above are summarized in Table 1.

TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 Composition of fragrance used to prepare Type 1 and Type 2 microcapsules. Oil with High Oil with Low saturated apor Saturated vapor Fragrance vpressure at 23 C. pressure at 23 C. Commercial (>0.01 mmHg) (<0.01 mmHg) Microcapsule name [wt %] [wt %] Type 1 Jillz* 81% 18% Type 2 Greenfields* 53% 46% *Fragrance commercially available from International Flavors & Fragrances Inc.

[0128] Type 1 and Type 2 microcapsules had different curing times and different perfume component oils.

[0129] Laundry Ancillary Composition As described below in Table 1.

[0130] Refresh Composition:

[0131] 0.01 to 5 wt % anti-malodour compound (e.g. cyclodextrin or zinc ricinoleate)

[0132] 0.01 to 2% surfactant

[0133] 0.001 to 0.8% antimicrobial

[0134] 0.01 to 3% low molecular weight polyol

[0135] 0.001 to 0.3% aminocarboxylate chelator

[0136] 0.1 to 10% metallic salt

[0137] 0.0001 to 0.5% enzyme

[0138] 0.0001 to 0.5% antimicrobial preservative

[0139] 0.1 to 2.5 wt % anti-wrinkle compound (e.g. a silicone anti-wrinkle compound)

[0140] 0.001 to 5 wt % perfume (especially encapsulated perfume such as PMCs)

[0141] Balance: water

[0142] Experimental

[0143] Method of Preparing Example Laundry Formulations:

[0144] Water and hydrotropes were mixed together at ambient temperature for 2-3 minutes at a shear rate of 150 rpm using a Janke & Kunkel IKA RW20 overhead mixer. Salts and alkalis were added and mixed for 5 minutes prior to addition of surfactants and fatty acid. The mixture was exothermic and allowed to cool to <30 C. The deposition polymer.sup.2 (when present), silicone emulsion.sup.1 (when present) and any remaining components such as perfume, preservatives and dyes are added.

[0145] Method of Producing Example Serum:

[0146] Demineralised water was added to the silicone emulsion.sup.1 and mixed for 15 mins at 250 rpm using a Janke & Kunkel IKA RW20 overhead mixer. The solid deposition polymer.sup.2 was added slowly over the top and mix for further 20 mins increasing the rotor speed to effect visible bulk mixing.

TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 1 Example Compositions Laundry detergent Laundry detergent Serum with silicone without silicone Composition Ingredient (w.t. %) (w.t. %) (w.t. %) Glycerol 3.5 3.5 TEA 1.25 1.25 Citric acid 1.0 1.0 Neodol 25-7 4.75 4.75 LAS acid 4.0 4.0 Fatty Acid 0.7 0.7 Lauryl ether 2.0 2.0 sulphate - Sodium salt Silicone.sup.1 0.6 0 5 Deposition polymer.sup.2 0.3 0 2 NaOH to pH 8-8.5 to pH 8-8.5 to pH 7-8 Minors <5 <5 <5 Water to 100 to 100 to 100 Silicone.sup.1 - Silicone added as a 30% emulsion ex. Wacker Silicone. The silicone comprised a carboxy group in a mid-chain pendent position. Deposition polymer.sup.2 - Ucare polymer LR400 ex. Dow

[0147] Comparison of Formulations:

[0148] A wash cycle was carried out using 6 (20 cm20 cm) pieces of terry towelling and a polycotton ballast. The total wash load was 2.0 kg. The towelling was mixed with the ballast fabric in a random order before adding into a Miele front loading washing machine. Detergent was added as follows:

[0149] Wash A: 100 g Laundry detergent with silicone

[0150] Wash 1: 100 g Laundry detergent without silicone and 10 g serum to the wash drawer

[0151] The machine was programmed to a standard 40 C. cotton cycle. The towelling swatches were line dried between wash cycles. 5 wash cycles were performed.

[0152] The towels were measured for softness using a Phabrometer ex. Nu Cybertek, Inc.

TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 2 Softness measurements results Average softness Standard deviation Pre-wash sample 9.887 0.272 Wash A 9.654 0.155 Wash 1 9.193 0.220

[0153] Despite having slightly lower levels of silicone and deposition polymer in Wash 1, the fabric is significantly softer.

[0154] When used in this specification and claims, the terms comprises and comprising and variations thereof mean that the specified features, steps or integers are included. The terms are not to be interpreted to exclude the presence of other features, steps or integers.

[0155] The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or in the following claims, or in the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for obtaining the disclosed results, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

[0156] While the invention has been described in conjunction with the exemplary embodiments described above, many equivalent modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art when given this disclosure. Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments of the invention set forth above are considered to be illustrative and not limiting. Various changes to the described embodiments may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.