Compositions and methods for cleaning textile substrates

Abstract

This invention relates to new compositions and methods for cleaning textile substrates, especially carpet and upholstery fabrics. More particularly, this invention relates to liquid compositions that contain absorbent particles in a flowable fluid dispersion, which dries to a soil ladened powder, that can be removed by vacuuming, brushing, and/or laundering methods. The composition includes dispersion stabilizing additives such that the composition is presented as a stable dispersion or as a composition that may be easily redispersed prior to application.

1 . A liquid cleaning composition for a textile substrate consisting essentially of: 
 (a) less than about 75 parts by weight of at least one absorbent particulate selected from the group consisting of a urea formaldehyde polymeric material, polyurethane, polystyrene, phenol-formaldehyde resin particles, water insoluble inorganic salt adjuvants, cellulosic particles, diatomaceous earth particles, wood particles, particles made from grains and other vegetable matter, cellulosic particles, inorganic particles and mixtures thereof, wherein said absorbent particulate has an average particle size of from about 10 to about 300 microns in diameter and an oil absorption value of at least 40;    (b) at least 35 parts water, wherein said water contains a surfactant sufficient to provide a surface tension of less than about 40 dynes per centimeter; and    (c) from about 0.01 to about 50 parts by weight of a dispersion stabilizing agent selected from the group consisting of air, cellulosic polymers, starches, clay compounds, xanthan gums, polyacrylic acids and esters, polyacrylamide, polyvinyl alcohol and mixtures thereof, wherein said dispersion stabilizing agent is present in an amount sufficient to produce a stable or easily redispersed dispersion.    
   
   
       2 . The liquid cleaning composition of  claim 1 , wherein said average particle size of said absorbent particulate is from about 10 to about 200 microns.  
   
   
       3 . The liquid cleaning composition of  claim 1 , wherein said average particle size of said absorbent particulate is from about 10 to about 105 microns.  
   
   
       4 . The liquid cleaning composition of  claim 1 , wherein said average particle size of said absorbent particulate is from about 35 to about 105 microns.  
   
   
       5 . The liquid cleaning composition of  claim 1 , wherein said absorbent particulate is urea formaldehyde polymeric material.  
   
   
       6 . The liquid cleaning composition of  claim 1 , wherein said water insoluble inorganic salt adjuvant is selected the group consisting of sulfates, carbonates, borates, citrates, phosphates, metasilicates and mixtures thereof.  
   
   
       7 . The liquid cleaning composition of  claim 6 , wherein said water insoluble inorganic salt adjuvant is calcium carbonate.  
   
   
       8 . The liquid cleaning composition of  claim 1 , wherein said liquid cleaning composition comprises at least 50 parts water.  
   
   
       9 . The liquid cleaning composition of  claim 1 , wherein said liquid cleaning composition comprises at least 75 parts water.  
   
   
       10 . The liquid cleaning composition of  claim 1 , wherein said surfactant is selected from the group consisting of nonionic surfactants, anionic surfactants, cationic surfactants, and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       11 . The liquid cleaning composition of  claim 10 , wherein said surfactant is a nonionic surfactant, and wherein said nonionic surfactant has the formula:  
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     where n is 0 or 1, m is 3 to 20, R 1  is OH or OCH 3 , R is C 12  to C 22  alkyl or phenyl or naphthyl optionally substituted by C 1  to C 10  alkyl groups.  
   
   
       12 . The liquid cleaning composition of  claim 10 , wherein said surfactant is an anionic surfactant, and wherein said anionic surfactant is a long chain alcohol sulfate ester or an alkylene oxide additive of C 6 -C 10  mono and diesters of ortho-phosphoric acid.  
   
   
       13 . The liquid cleaning composition of  claim 1 , wherein said liquid cleaning composition further includes an organic liquid.  
   
   
       14 . The liquid cleaning composition of  claim 13 , wherein said organic liquid is selected from the group consisting of C 1  to C 4  aliphatic alcohols, high boiling hydrocarbon solvents and mixtures thereof.  
   
   
       15 . The liquid cleaning composition of  claim 14 , wherein said organic liquid is a high boiling hydrocarbon solvent.  
   
   
       16 . The liquid cleaning composition of  claim 1 , wherein said liquid cleaning composition further includes an acrylic stain resist agent.  
   
   
       17 . The liquid cleaning composition of  claim 1 , wherein said liquid cleaning composition further includes a biocide.  
   
   
       18 . The liquid cleaning composition of  claim 17 , wherein said biocide is selected from the group consisting of potassium sorbate, an isothiazolone compound and mixtures thereof.  
   
   
       19 . The liquid cleaning composition of  claim 17 , wherein said liquid cleaning composition further includes an aerosol propellant.  
   
   
       20 . The liquid cleaning composition of  claim 1 , wherein said aerosol propellant is selected from the group consisting of propane, butane, carbon dioxide and mixtures thereof.  
   
   
       21 . The liquid cleaning composition of  claim 14 , wherein said liquid cleaning composition further includes a static reducing additive.  
   
   
       22 . The liquid cleaning of  claim 21 , wherein said static reducing additive Is aluminum silicate clay.  
   
   
       23 . The liquid cleaning composition of  claim 1 , wherein said liquid cleaning composition further includes a dust suppressing additive.  
   
   
       24 . The liquid cleaning composition of  claim 23 , wherein said dust suppressing additive is selected from the group consisting of polyoxyalkylene materials, non-volatile organic solvents, and mixtures thereof.  
   
   
       25 . The liquid cleaning composition of  claim 24 , wherein said dust suppressing additive is dipropylene glycol.  
   
   
       25 . (canceled)  
   
   
       26 . The liquid cleaning composition of  claim 1 , wherein said liquid cleaning composition further includes a vacuum retrieval additive.  
   
   
       27 . The liquid cleaning composition of  claim 26 , wherein said vacuum retrieval additive is selected from the group consisting of polyoxyalkylene materials, aluminum silicate clay, hydrolyzed styrene maleic anhydride, and mixtures thereof.  
   
   
       28 . The cleaning composition of  claim 1 , wherein said cleaning composition further includes a metal ion chelator.  
   
   
       29 . The cleaning composition of  claim 1 , wherein said cleaning composition further includes a pH adjuster.  
   
   
       30 . The cleaning composition of  claim 1 , wherein said cleaning composition further includes a fragrance.  
   
   
       31 . A liquid cleaning composition for a textile substrate comprised of: 
 (a) less than about 75 parts by weight of at least one absorbent particulate selected from the group consisting of a urea formaldehyde polymeric material, polyurethane, polystyrene, phenol-formaldehyde resin particles, water insoluble inorganic salt adjuvants, cellulosic particles, diatomaceous earth particles, wood particles, particles made from grains and other vegetable matter, cellulosic particles, inorganic particles and mixtures thereof, wherein said absorbent particulate has an average particle size of from about 10 to about 300 microns in diameter and an oil absorption value of at least 40;    (b) at least 35 parts water, wherein said water contains a surfactant sufficient to provide a surface tension of less than about 40 dynes per centimeter;    (c) from about 0.01 to about 50 parts by weight of a dispersion stabilizing agent selected from the group consisting of air, cellulosic polymers, starches, clay compounds, xanthan gums, polyacrylic acids and esters, polyacrylamide, polyvinyl alcohol and mixtures thereof, wherein said dispersion stabilizing agent is present in an amount sufficient to produce a stable or easily redispersed dispersion; and    (d) from about 0.01 to about 50 parts by weight of a vacuum retrieval additive selected from the group consisting of polyoxyalkylene materials, aluminum silicate clay, hydrolyzed styrene maleic anhydride, and mixtures thereof.    
   
   
       32 . The liquid cleaning composition of  claim 31 , wherein said liquid cleaning composition further includes an organic liquid selected from the group consisting of C 1  to C 4  aliphatic alcohols, high boiling hydrocarbon solvents, and mixtures thereof.  
   
   
       33 . The liquid cleaning composition of  claim 31 , wherein said liquid composition further includes a dust suppressing additive.  
   
   
       34 . A liquid cleaning composition for a textile substrate comprised of: 
 (a) less than about 75 parts by weight of at least one absorbent particulate selected from the group consisting of a urea formaldehyde polymeric material, polyurethane, polystyrene, phenol-formaldehyde resin particles, water insoluble inorganic salt adjuvants, cellulosic particles, diatomaceous earth particles, wood particles, particles made from grains and other vegetable matter, cellulosic particles, inorganic particles and mixtures thereof, wherein said absorbent particulate has an average particle size of from about 10 to about 300 microns in diameter and an oil absorption value of at least 40;    (b) at least 35 parts water, wherein said water contains a surfactant sufficient to provide a surface tension of less than about 40 dynes per centimeter;    (c) from about 0.01 to about 50 parts by weight of a dispersion stabilizing agent selected from the group consisting of air, cellulosic polymers, starches, clay compounds, xanthan gums, polyacrylic acids and esters, polyacrylamide, polyvinyl alcohol and mixtures thereof, wherein said dispersion stabilizing agent is present in an amount sufficient to produce a stable or easily redispersed dispersion;    (d) from about 0.01 to about 50 parts by weight of a vacuum retrieval additive selected from the group consisting of polyoxyalkylene materials, aluminum silicate clay, hydrolyzed styrene maleic anhydride, and mixtures thereof; and    (e) from about 0.01 to about 50 parts by weight of an organic liquid selected from the group consisting of C 1  to C 4  aliphatic alcohols, high boiling hydrocarbon solvents, and mixtures thereof.    
   
   
       35 . The liquid cleaning composition of  claim 34 , wherein said liquid composition further includes a pH adjuster.  
   
   
       36 . The liquid cleaning composition of  claim 34 , wherein said liquid composition further includes a fragrance.  
   
   
       37 . A liquid cleaning composition for a textile substrate comprised of: 
 (a) less than about 75 parts by weight of at least one absorbent particulate selected from the group consisting of a urea formaldehyde polymeric material, polyurethane, polystyrene, phenol-formaldehyde resin particles, water insoluble inorganic salt adjuvants, cellulosic particles, diatomaceous earth particles, wood particles, particles made from grains and other vegetable matter, cellulosic particles, inorganic particles and mixtures thereof, wherein said absorbent particulate has an average particle size of from about 10 to about 300 microns in diameter and an oil absorption value of at least 40;    (b) at least 35 parts water, wherein said water contains a surfactant sufficient to provide a surface tension of less than about 40 dynes per centimeter; and    (c) from about 0.01 to about 50 parts by weight of a dispersion stabilizing agent selected from the group consisting of air, cellulosic polymers, starches, clay compounds, xanthan gums, polyacrylic acids and esters, polyacrylamide, polyvinyl alcohol and mixtures thereof, wherein said dispersion stabilizing agent is present in an amount sufficient to produce a stable or easily redispersed dispersion; and    (d) from about 0.01 to about 50 parts by weight of an acrylic stain resist agent.    
   
   
       38 . The liquid cleaning composition of  claim 24 , wherein said dust suppressing additive is mineral oil.