Color-safe, fast drying, aqueous wrinkle relaxing and reducing composition spray-applied on casual to fine clothing and fabrics

Abstract

This invention is a wrinkle relaxing and reducing composition that mimics the dewrinkling effects of steam. Quality water is used as the primary fabric relaxant and wrinkle reducer. A surfactant or combination of surfactants super-wets the fabric allowing the water to work. An acid or several acids lower the pH to ensure that composition is color-safe. Optional hydrophillic fragrance(s) mask the alcohol odor and helps to identify the product. An alcohol or alcohols lower viscosity and hastens the drying process. The mechanical action of gently shaking or brushing fabric with free hand or forming fabric just after application of composition further enhances wrinkle elimination or reduction. Adding optional odor eliminating compounds and/or optional quaternary ammonium compounds keeps fabrics fresh longer, or refreshes malodorous garments by eliminating odorous compounds and/or reduces static cling, respectively, without significantly increasing residues. The composition is applied in any reasonable manner but preferably spray applied using a commercially available pre-compression sprayer or aerosol pressure container on fabrics in the home or in a commercial setting to relax and reduce wrinkles in casual to fine clothing and/or fabrics, respectively. It is color-safe, extremely fast drying, environmentally friendly and safe for use commercially and in the home. The invention also includes the application of the composition on a “forgotten load” garment or reusable or individually packaged fabric carrier sheet which is placed in the home dryer to relax and reduce wrinkles in casual to fine clothing in “forgotten” dryer loads and for “bulk” or commercial dewrinkling.

What we claim as our invention is:  
     
         1 . A wrinkle relaxing and reducing composition to be applied on casual to fine clothing and commercial fabrics, comprised of water ranging from 67 to 93 percent by volume; a surfactant or surfactants ranging between 0.005 and 5.0 percent by volume; an acid or acids added in a percent by volume sufficient to lower the pH of the composition to a range from between 3 to 6; one or more alcohols in a percent by volume ranging from 6 to 18; and, a water soluble fragrance or combination of water soluble fragrances useful to mask the alcohol odor and help the consumer to identify the product.  
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1. , wherein said water is distilled, deionized or softened quality water ranging from 77 to 92 percent by volume.  
     
     
         3 . The composition of claim  2 ., wherein said surfactant is a linear alcohol ethoxylate non-ionic surfactant ranging from 0.2 to 0.05 percent by volume, preferably at 0.01 percent by volume.  
     
     
         4 . The composition of claim  3 ., wherein the acid is pure glycolic acid in a percent by volume between 2.0 and 0.001, preferably between 1.0 and 0.001 percent by volume, more preferably at 0.025 percent by volume and n-Propanol from 7.9 to 14.9 percent by volume.  
     
     
         5 . The composition of claim  4 ., wherein said acid is selected from a group that consists of (1) pure glycolic acid in a percent by volume between 2.0 and 0.005, preferably between 0.5 and 0.01 percent by volume and (2) a lower aliphatic alcohol mixture in a percent by volume from between 4 and 1; preferably from between 3 and 0.5 percent by volume and (3) n-Propanol from 5.9 to 14.9 percent by volume, whereby the pH is approximately 4.5 ensuring that the composition is color safe.  
     
     
         6 . The composition of claim  4 ., wherein said acid is selected from a group that consists of (1) pure glacial acetic/hydroxy acetic acid in a percent by volume between 0.9 and 0.001, preferably between 0.09 and 0.01 percent by volume and (2) a lower aliphatic alcohol mixture in a percent by volume from between 4 and 1; preferably from between 3 and 0.5 percent by volume and (3) n-Propanol from 5.9 to 14.9 percent by volume, whereby pH of the composition is approximately 4.5 ensuring that the composition is color safe.  
     
     
         7 . The composition of claim  4 ., wherein said acid is selected from a group that consists of (1) pure citric acid in a percent by volume between 3.0 and 0.001, preferably between 1.7 and 0.002 percent by volume and (2) a lower aliphatic alcohol mixture in a percent by volume from between 3 and 1; preferably from between 2 and 0.5 percent by volume and (3) n-Propanol from 5.9 to 12.9 percent by volume, whereby pH of the composition is approximately 4 to 5 ensuring that the composition is color safe.  
     
     
         8 . The composition of claim  4 ., wherein said acid is selected from a group that consists of (1) pure tartaric acid in a percent by volume between 2.0 and 0.001, preferably between 1.0 and 0.005 percent by volume and (2) a lower aliphatic alcohol mixture in a percent by volume from between 4 and 1; preferably from between 2 and 0.5 percent by volume and (3) n-Propanol from 7.9 to 11.9 percent by volume, whereby pH of the composition is approximately 4 to 5 ensuring that the composition is color safe.  
     
     
         9 . The composition of claim  4 ., wherein said acid is selected from a group that consists of (1) pure phosphoric acid in a percent by volume between 0.09 and 0.001, and (2) a lower aliphatic alcohol mixture in a percent by volume from between 4 and 1; preferably from between 2 and 0.5 percent by volume and (3) n-Propanol from 9.9 to 14.9 percent by volume, whereby pH of the composition is approximately 4 to 5 ensuring that the composition is color safe.  
     
     
         10 . The composition of claim  4 ., wherein said acid is selected from a group that consists of (1) a combination of sulfuric, sulfamic, citric, glacial acetic, glycolic, tartaric, oaxalic and phosphoric acids in a percent by volume between 4.0 and 0.001, preferably between 3.4 and 0.01 percent by volume and (2) a lower aliphatic alcohol mixture in a percent by volume from between 3 and 0. 1; preferably from between 2 and 0.5 percent by volume and (3) n-Propanol from 5.9 to 12.9 percent by volume, whereby pH of the composition is approximately 4 to 5 ensuring that the composition is color safe.  
     
     
         11 . Optionally, the composition of claim  4 ., wherein a pure concentrated odor eliminating compound is added in a percent by volume between 5.0 and 0.001, preferably between 0.4 and 0.09 percent by volume; and even more preferably in a percent by volume of 0.1 of Ordenone #987-260C, developed by Belle Aire Fragrances, to keep fabrics smelling fresh longer, or to refresh malodorous garments by eliminating malodorous compounds.  
     
     
         12 . Optionally, the composition of claim  4 ., wherein a pure quaternary ammonium compound, preferably Hyamine #1622, a product of Lonza, the only quaternary ammonium compound that dries to a non-tacky solid, is added in a percent by volume of between 2.0 and 0.001, preferably between 1.0 and 0.09 percent by volume; and even more preferably in a percent by volume from between 0.2 and 0.05 to reduce or eliminate static cling without significantly increasing residues.  
     
     
         13 . Optionally, the composition of claim  4 ., wherein a pure quaternary ammonium compound, preferably Hyamine #1622, is combined with a linear alcohol ethoxylate added in an equal combined percent by volume between 2.0 and 0.001, preferably between 0.4 and 0.09 percent by volume; and even more preferably in a percent by volume of 0.05 percent by volume each to wet and reduce static cling.  
     
     
         14 . A method of applying the composition of claim  4 ., on household or commercial fabrics uniformly to a fabric, more preferably to spray apply the composition uniformly to fabric, and even more preferably to apply a uniform fine mist using a pre-compression sprayer on fabrics or garments from approximately eight to twenty four inches, preferably from eight to sixteen inches; and, then allowing the fabric to dry in a relaxed state.  
     
     
         15 . The method and composition of claim  14 ., wherein the step of applying a uniform mist spray employs a commercially available pre-compression sprayer applying approximately one ml per stroke, even more preferably applying a uniform mist spray employs a multiple volume-per-stroke, constant particle size, pre-compression trigger sprayer, having settings marked specifically for a range of fabrics from casual wear at large volume spray to silks at small volume spray and to off at no volume for traveling without leaking.  
     
     
         16 . The method and composition of claim  14 ., wherein a step for enhanced wrinkle relaxation, reduction or elimination after applying a uniform mist spray on a fabric or garment consists of a mechanical action on the fabric just after application of the composition that consists of the applicator/consumer's “free hand” brushing across the fabric.  
     
     
         17 . The method and composition of claim  14 ., wherein a step for enhanced wrinkle relaxation, reduction or elimination after applying a uniform mist spray on a fabric or garment consists of a mechanical action on the fabric just after application of the wrinkle reducing composition that consists of the applicator/consumer gently shaking the clothes hanger upon which a treated garment is hanging.  
     
     
         18 . The method of claim  14 ., wherein a fifth step for enhanced wrinkle relaxation, reduction of elimination after applying a uniform mist spray consists of the applicator/consumer's hand forming the fabric (pleats are an example).  
     
     
         19 . A “forgotten” dryer load and/or “bulk” dewrinkling method of applying the present composition on a delivery mechanism comprising the steps of applying the composition to any “forgotten load” garment, a woven carrier and/or delivery sheet and placing same in household clothes dryer with the “forgotten load” or with the “bulk” load and volatizing the present composition through dryer load or bulk load, penetrating fabric which is then removed to dry in a relaxed state.  
     
     
         20 . The composition of claim  4 ., packaged in various sized containers to include but not be limited to: commercial, refill, standard household, travel, aerosols, hotel/motel and complimentary.