Abstract:
The invention provides a cleaning method in which a solvent such as densified carbon dioxide can be used for rapid and efficient cleaning, but with decreased damage to solid components such as buttons. The method comprises contacting a substrate to be cleaned with a first fluid, removing the first fluid from contact with the substrate while replacing with a second fluid, and recovering the substrate substantially free of the first and second fluids and from the contaminant. The first fluid is a densified gas while the second fluid is a compressed gas. A preferred embodiment of the method includes the use of a pretreatment designed for compatibility with the densified first fluid.
Abstract:
A dry cleaning system particularly suited for employing supercritical CO2 as the cleaning fluid consisting of a sealable cleaning vessel (10) containing a rotatable drum (110) adapted for holding soiled substrate, a cleaning fluid storage vessel (12), and a gas vaporizer vessel (11) for recycling used cleaning fluid is provided. The drum (110) is magnetically coupled to a motor (120) so that it can be rotated during the cleaning process. The system is adapted for automation which permits increased energy efficiency as the heating and cooling effect associated with CO2 gas condensation and expansion can be channeled to heat and cool various parts of the system.
Abstract:
Nitrile activators, such as N-alkyl ammonium acetonitrile activators, are combined with a source of active oxygen as cleaning and bleaching compositions. Preferred activator embodiments of the invention include salts of N-methyl morpholinium acetonitrile, N-butylmorpholinium acetonitrile, N-hexyl morpholinium acetonitrile, and N-octyl morpholinium acetonitrile. A particularly preferred activator embodiment is an N-methyl morpholinium acetonitrile salt. The nitrile and active oxygen react to form a bleaching agent which is applied to a stain on an article. The treated stain is coctacted with dense gas so as to provide substantially non-aqueous stain removal. One embodiment is a composition in which the nitrile and active oxygen are disposed in the dense carbon dioxide.
Abstract:
The invention provides a cleaning method in which a solvent such as densified carbon dioxide can be used for rapid and efficient cleaning, but with decreased damage to solid components such as buttons. The method comprises contacting a substrate to be cleaned with a first fluid, removing the first fluid from contact with the substrate while replacing with a second fluid, and recovering the substrate substantially free of the first and second fluids and from the contaminant. The first fluid is a densified gas while the second fluid is a compressed gas. A preferred embodiment of the method includes the use of a pretreatment designed for compatibility with the densified first fluid.
Abstract:
A dry cleaning system particularly suited for employing supercritical CO2 as the cleaning fluid consisting of a sealable cleaning vessel containing a rotatable drum adapted for holding soiled substrate, a cleaning fluid storage vessel, and a gas vaporizer vessel for recycling used cleaning fluid is provided. The drum is magnetically coupled to a motor so that it can be rotated during the cleaning process. The system is adapted for automation which permits increased energy efficiency as the heating and cooling effect associated with CO2 gas condensation and expansion can be channeled to heat and cool various parts of the system.
Abstract:
The invention provides a cleaning agent and method for removing stains from fabrics comprising a combination of dense gas, a source of hydrogen peroxide and an organic bleach activator therefor.
Abstract:
Storage-stable, low temperature-active liquid hydrogen peroxide laundry bleaching compositions are provided. The compositions contain a dispersion of a solid particulate peracid activator in acidic aqueous hydrogen peroxide. The activator is insoluble at the acidic conditions of storage but dissolves and activates the hydrogen peroxide at the alkaline conditions of use in laundry. Optionally the bleaching compositions can contain optical brighteners, surfactants, and/or fabric softeners.
Abstract:
The invention provides a cleaning agent and method for removing stains from fabrics comprising a combination of dense gas, a source of hydrogen peroxide and an organic bleach activator therefor.
Abstract:
The invention provides a method and composition for the removal of nonpolar stains from a fabric comprising: contacting said stains with densified carbon dioxide and a cleaning adjunct in mixture with said carbon dioxide.
Abstract:
A dry cleaning system particularly suited for employing supercritical CO2 as the cleaning fluid consisting of a sealable cleaning vessel containing a rotatable drum adapted for holding soiled substrate, a cleaning fluid storage vessel, and a gas vaporizer vessel for recycling used cleaning fluid is provided. The drum is magnetically coupled to a motor so that it can be rotated during the cleaning process. The system is adapted for automation which permits increased energy efficiency as the heating and cooling effect associated with CO2 gas condensation and expansion can be channeled to heat and cool various parts of the system.