Fabric treatment for stain release

Abstract

A fabric treatment composition that includes at least one zeta potential modifier and a hydrophobic agent with a melting point or glass transition temperature below 100° C. that imparts fabric protection benefits, including improved stain and soil resistance, oil repellency, water repellency, softness, wrinkle and damage resistance, and better handfeel to treated fabrics. Particularly preferred compositions include at least one zeta potential modifier in an amount sufficient to adjust the zeta potential of the composition to be positive and greater than zero millivolts. Particularly preferred compositions also include a fluoropolymer. The composition can be used as a pretreatment prior to washing, through soaking or direct spray application, or added to the treatment liquor, that is either the wash or rinse cycle of an automatic washing machine, or used prior to or during the drying cycle of an automatic drying machine or refresher machine, or used prior to or in conjunction with an ironing device. The fabric treatment is complete when the fabric is cured by drying and/or heating.

1 . A method of increasing the fabric protective properties of a fabric that comprises the steps of: 
 (a) depositing a composition onto the fabric in a treatment liquor wherein the composition comprises a hydrophobic agent having a melting point or glass transition temperature of less than 100° C. and an effective amount of a zeta potential modifier so that the treatment liquor has a zeta potential that is positive and greater than zero millivolts; and    (b) curing said fabric at a temperature above ambient temperature but less than 100° C.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the composition further includes a fluoropolymer.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the treatment liquor has a zeta potential of less than about +150 millivolts.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the treatment liquor has a zeta potential of less than about +100 millivolts.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said treatment liquor comprises an aqueous liquor.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said treatment liquor comprises the wash liquor of a washing machine.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said treatment liquor comprises the rinse liquor of a washing machine.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said step (a) is achieved through the use of one of a dispensing device, a bottle, a device to release the composition, a water soluble or water insoluble sachet, a water soluble or water insoluble package, a water soluble or water insoluble tablet, a water soluble or water insoluble powder, an aqueous liquid carrier, any one of which provides release of the composition into the treatment liquor.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said step (a) saturates said fabric with said composition, wherein said composition is effectively diluted into the treatment liquor during use.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of rinsing said fabric prior to curing said fabric.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the treatment liquor of step (a) comprises the neat composition.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said step (a) comprises placing the fabric in a treatment liquor containing said composition in combination with a laundry detergent, laundry additive product, or combinations thereof.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein said step (a) comprises placing the fabric in a treatment liquor containing said composition and also an additive selected from the group consisting of emulsifiers, pH adjusters, silicones, non-ionic surfactants, cationic surfactants, amphoteric surfactants, zwitterionic surfactants, anionic surfactants, soil release agents, soil release polymers, antistatic agents, fragrances, fragrance extenders antimicrobial actives, preservatives, dyes, colorants, viscosity control agents, antifoaming agents, pearlizing agents, opacifying agents, antioxidants, sunscreens, dye transfer inhibitors, dye fixative agents, dispersants, chlorine scavengers, wetting agents, electrolytes, enzymes, bleaching agents, brighteners, heavy metal chelating agents, fabric softener actives, soil suspending agents, soil release agents, and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the fabric is selected from the group consisting of natural fibers, synthetic fibers, and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the natural fibers comprise cellulose, cotton, wool and fur and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the natural fibers comprise cotton.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the synthetic fibers are selected from the group consisting of polyester, polyamide, nylon and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1  wherein step (b) comprises drying the fabric at a temperature above about 45° C.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said hydrophobic agent is 0.5 to 60 weight % of the composition.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said zeta potential modifier is 0.1 to 30 weight % of the composition.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 2  wherein said fluoropolymer is 0.5 to 60 weight % of the composition.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said zeta potential modifier is a cationic material.  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22  wherein the cationic material is a cationic surfactant selected from the group consisting of mono and di-methyl fatty amines, alkyl trimethyl ammonium salts, dialkyl dimethyl ammonium salts, alkyl amine acetates, trialkylammonium acetates, alkyldimethylbenzyl ammonium salts, dialkylmethylbenzyl ammonium salts, alkylpyridinium halide and alkyl (alkyl substituted)pyridinium salts, alkylthiomethylpyridinium salts, alkylamidomethylpyridinium salts, alkylquinolinium salts, alkylisoquinolinium salts, N,N-alkylmethylpyrollidinium salts, 1,1-dialkylpiperidinium salts, 4,4-dialkylthiomorpholinium salts, 4,4-dialkylthiomorpholinium-1-oxide salts, methyl bis(alkyl ethyl)-2-alkyl imidazolinium methyl sulfate (and other salts), methyl bis(alkylamido ethyl)-2-hydroxyethyl ammonium methyl sulfate (and other salts), alkylamidopropyl-dimethylbenzyl ammonium salts, carboxyalkyl-alkyldimethyl ammoniurn salts, alkylamine oxides, alkyldimethyl amine oxides, poly(vinylmethylpyridinium) salts, poly(vinylpyridine) salts, polyethyleneimines, trialkyl phosphonium bicarbonates (and other salts), trialkylmethyl phosphonium salts, alkylethylmethylsulfonium salts, and alkyldimethylsulfoxonium salts.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 22  wherein the cationic material is selected from the group consisting of cationically modified materials including cationically modified organic polymers, biopolymers, clays, silicas, nanoparticles, and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said hydrophobic agent is at least partly insoluble in water at a temperature of about 20° C.  
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said hydrophobic agent is selected from the group consisting of hydrophobic waxes, polymers produced from ethylenically unsaturated monomers, low molecular weight polyethylene, low density polyethylene, polypropylene, oxidized polyethylene, oxidized polypropylene, polyolefin, polyurethane, ethyl vinyl acetate, polyvinyl chloride, co-polymers, and emulsifiable waxes.  
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the composition comprises an aqueous liquid carrier that optionally includes a low molecular weight organic solvent.  
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27  herein said aqueous liquid carrier is between 20% and 80% weight of the composition.  
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the composition used in step (a) further comprises an additive selected from the group consisting of emulsifiers, pH adjusters, silicones, non-ionic surfactants, cationic surfactants, amphoteric surfactants, zwitterionic surfactants, anionic surfactants, soil release agents, soil release polymers, antistatic agents, fragrances, fragrance extenders, antimicrobial actives, preservatives, dyes, colorants, viscosity control agents, antifoaming agents, pearlizing agents, opacifying agents, antioxidants, sunscreens, dye transfer inhibitors, dye fixative agents, dispersants, chlorine scavengers, wetting agents, electrolytes, enzymes, bleaching agents, brighteners, heavy metal chelating agents, fabric softener actives, soil suspending agents, soil release agents, and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the hydrophobic agent used in the composition in step (a) has a melting point or glass transition temperature between 45° C. and 100° C.  
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the composition used in step (a) comprises: (i) 5 to 30 weight % of a fluoropolymer; (ii) 5 to 30 weight % of said hydrophobic agent; and (iii) a liquid carrier.  
     
     
         32 . A method of treating a fabric that is laundered that comprises the steps of: 
 (a) immersing the fabric in a treatment liquor;    (b) adding a composition comprising a hydrophobic agent having a melting point or glass transition temperature of less than 100° C.; and    an effective amount of a zeta potential modifier so that the treatment liquor has a zeta potential that is positive and greater than zero millivolts;    (c) rinsing said fabric with water;    (d) removing excess water from said fabric;    (e) curing said fabric at a temperature above ambient temperature but less than 100° C.    
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 32  wherein step (a) further includes adding a detergent or a laundry additive composition, or combination thereof, to the treatment liquor.  
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 32  wherein step (a) further includes adding a fluoropolymer.  
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 32  wherein said hydrophobic agent used in step (b) is 0.5 to 60 weight o/o of the composition.  
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 32  wherein said zeta potential modifier used in step (b) is 0.1 to 30 weight % of the composition.  
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 32  wherein said zeta potential modifier used in step (b) is a cationic material.  
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 37  wherein the cationic material is a cationic surfactant selected from the group consisting of mono and di-methyl fatty amines, alkyl trimethyl ammonium salts, dialkyl dimethyl ammonium salts, alkyl amine acetates, trialkylammonium acetates, alkyldimethylbenzyl ammonium salts, dialkylmethylbenzyl ammonium salts, alkylpyridinium halide and alkyl (alkyl substituted)pyridinium salts, alkylthiomethylpyridinium salts, alkylamidomethylpyridinium salts, alkylquinolinium salts, alkylisoquinolinium salts, N,N-alkylmethylpyrollidinium salts, 1,1-dialkylpiperidinium salts, 4,4-dialkylthiomorpholinium salts, 4,4-dialkylthiomorpholinium-1-oxide salts, methyl bis(alkyl ethyl)-2-alkyl imidazolinium methyl sulfate (and other salts), methyl bis(alkylamido ethyl)-2-hydroxyethyl ammonium methyl sulfate (and other salts), alkylamidopropyl-dimethylbenzyl ammonium salts, carboxyalkyl-alkyldimethyl ammonium salts, alkylamine oxides, alkyldimethyl amine oxides, poly(vinylmethylpyridinium) salts, poly(vinylpyridine) salts, polyethyleneimines, trialkyl phosphonium bicarbonates (and other salts), trialkylmethyl phosphonium salts, alkylethylmethylsulfonium salts, and alkyldimethylsulfoxonium salts.  
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 37  wherein the cationic material is selected from the group consisting of cationically modified materials including cationically modified organic polymers, biopolymers, clays, silicas, nanoparticles, and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 32  wherein said hydrophobic agent used in step (b) is at least partly insoluble in water at a temperature of about 20° C.  
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 32  wherein said hydrophobic agent used in step (b) is selected from the group consisting of hydrophobic waxes, polymers produced from ethylenically unsaturated monomers, low molecular weight polyethylene, low density polyethylene, polypropylene, polyolefin, polyurethane, ethyl vinyl acetate, polyvinyl chloride, co-polymers, and emulsifiable waxes.  
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 32  wherein the composition used in step (b) comprises an aqueous liquid carrier that optionally includes a low molecular weight organic solvent.  
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 42  wherein said aqueous liquid carrier is between 20% and 80% weight of the composition.  
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 32  wherein the composition used in step (b) further comprises an additive selected from the group consisting of emulsifiers, pH adjusters, silicones, non-ionic surfactants, cationic surfactants, amphoteric surfactants, zwitterionic surfactants, anionic surfactants, soil release agents, soil release polymers, antistatic agents, fragrances, fragrance extenders, antimicrobial actives, preservatives, dyes, colorants, viscosity control agents, antifoaming agents, pearlizing agents, opacifying agents, antioxidants, sunscreens, dye transfer inhibitors, dye fixative agents, dispersants, chlorine scavengers, wetting agents, electrolytes, enzymes, bleaching agents, brighteners, heavy metal chelating agents, fabric softener actives, soil suspending agents, soil release agents, and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 32  wherein the hydrophobic agent used in step (b) has a melting point or glass transition temperature between 45° C. and 100° C.  
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 32  wherein the composition used in step (b) comprises: (i) 5 to 30 weight % of a fluoropolymer; (ii) 5 to 30 weight % of said hydrophobic agent; (iii) 0.1 to 30 weight % said zeta potential modifier, and; (iv) a liquid carrier.  
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 32  wherein the fabric is selected from the group consisting of natural fibers, synthetic fibers, and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 47  wherein the natural fibers comprise cellulose, cotton, wool and fur and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 47  wherein the synthetic fibers comprise polyester, polyamide, nylon and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         50 . A method of increasing the water repellency properties of a fabric that comprises the steps of: 
 (a) depositing a composition onto the fabric in a treatment liquor wherein the composition comprises a hydrophobic agent having a melting point or glass transition temperature of less than 100° C. and an effective amount of a zeta potential modifier so that the treatment liquor has a zeta potential that is positive and greater than zero millivolts; and    (b) curing said fabric at a temperature above ambient temperature but less than 100° C., wherein increasing the water repellancy of said fabric comprises increasing the initial water contact angle to an angle greater than 0 degrees.    
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 50  wherein said initial water contact angle of step (b) is greater than 30 degrees.  
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 50  wherein said initial water contact angle of step (b) is greater than 70 degrees.  
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 50  wherein said initial water contact angle of step (b) is greater than 100 degrees.  
     
     
         54 . A method of increasing the oil repellency properties of a fabric that comprises the steps of: 
 (a) depositing a composition onto the fabric in a treatment liquor wherein the composition comprises a hydrophobic agent having a melting point or glass transition temperature of less than 100° C., an effective amount of a zeta potential modifier so that the treatment liquor has a zeta potential that is positive and greater than zero millivolts, a fluoropolymer; and    (b) curing said fabric at a temperature above ambient temperature but less than 100° C., wherein increasing the oil repellancy of said fabric comprises increasing the initial oil contact angle to an angle greater than 0 degrees.    
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 54  wherein said initial oil contact angle of step (b) is greater than 30 degrees.  
     
     
         56 . The method of  claim 54  wherein said initial oil contact angle of step (b) is greater than 40 degrees.  
     
     
         57 . The method of  claim 54  wherein said initial oil contact angle of step (b) is greater than 70 degrees.  
     
     
         58 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said fabric protective properties of the fabric are increased without effectively decreasing the breathability of said fabric.  
     
     
         59 . The method of  claim 58  wherein said breathability of the fabric is not decreased below about 0.40 grams of water in column as measured by the breathability test.  
     
     
         60 . The method of  claim 1  or  2  wherein said fabric protective properties increased by said method comprise increasing both the initial water contact angle and the initial oil contact angle to angles both greater than 0 degrees.  
     
     
         61 . The method of  claim 60  wherein said initial water contact angle is greater than 30 degrees and said initial oil contact angle is greater than 30 degrees.  
     
     
         62 . The method of  claim 60  wherein said initial water contact angle is greater than 70 degrees and said initial oil contact angle is greater than 40 degrees.  
     
     
         63 . The method of  claim 60  wherein said initial water contact angle is greater than 100 degrees and said initial oil contact angle is greater than 70 degrees.  
     
     
         64 . The method of  claim 60  wherein said fabric protective properties further comprise improved handfeel, improved softness and improved resistance to damage.  
     
     
         65 . The method of  claim 60  wherein said fabric protective properties increased by said method comprise increasing soil, stain and particulate soil repellency, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         66 . The method of  claim 60  wherein said fabric protective properties of the fabric are increased without effectively decreasing the breathability of said fabric.  
     
     
         67 . The method of  claim 66  wherein said breathability of the fabric is not decreased below about 0.40 grams of water in column as measured by the breathability test.  
     
     
         68 . A method of treating fabrics in a washing machine to increase the fabric protective properties of said fabric, comprising the steps of: 
 (a) depositing a composition onto the fabric in a treatment liquor wherein the composition comprises a hydrophobic agent having a melting point or glass transition temperature of less than 100° C. and an effective amount of a zeta potential modifier so that the treatment liquor has a zeta potential that is positive and greater than zero millivolts; and    (b) curing said fabric at a temperature above ambient temperature but less than 100° C.;    wherein said composition optionally includes a fluoropolymer, and wherein said fabric protective properties comprise increased water repellancy, increased oil repellancy, improved handfeel, improved softness, improved resistance to damage, and any combination thereof.    
     
     
         69 . The method of  claim 68  wherein the treatment liquor of step (a) comprises the wash liquor, the rinse liquor, or both.  
     
     
         70 . The method of  claim 69  wherein said composition of step (a) further comprises an additive selected from the group consisting of emulsifiers, pH adjusters, silicones, non-ionic surfactants, cationic surfactants, amphoteric surfactants, zwitterionic surfactants, anionic surfactants, soil release agents, soil release polymers, antistatic agents, fragrances, fragrance extenders, antimicrobial actives, preservatives, dyes, colorants, viscosity control agents, antifoaming agents, pearlizing agents, opacifying agents, antioxidants, sunscreens, dye transfer inhibitors, dye fixative agents, dispersants, chlorine scavengers, wetting agents, electrolytes, enzymes, bleaching agents, brighteners, heavy metal chelating agents, fabric softener actives, soil suspending agents, soil release agents, and mixtures thereof.