Classifications

• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C11—ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE OILS, FATS, FATTY SUBSTANCES OR WAXES; FATTY ACIDS THEREFROM; DETERGENTS; CANDLES
  • C11D—DETERGENT COMPOSITIONS; USE OF SINGLE SUBSTANCES AS DETERGENTS; SOAP OR SOAP-MAKING; RESIN SOAPS; RECOVERY OF GLYCEROL
  • C11D17/00—Detergent materials or soaps characterised by their shape or physical properties
  • C11D17/04—Detergent materials or soaps characterised by their shape or physical properties combined with or containing other objects
  • C11D17/041—Compositions releasably affixed on a substrate or incorporated into a dispensing means
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C11—ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE OILS, FATS, FATTY SUBSTANCES OR WAXES; FATTY ACIDS THEREFROM; DETERGENTS; CANDLES
  • C11D—DETERGENT COMPOSITIONS; USE OF SINGLE SUBSTANCES AS DETERGENTS; SOAP OR SOAP-MAKING; RESIN SOAPS; RECOVERY OF GLYCEROL
  • C11D3/00—Other compounding ingredients of detergent compositions covered in group C11D1/00
  • C11D3/40—Dyes ; Pigments
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
  • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
  • G01N21/00—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of optical means, i.e. using sub-millimetre waves, infrared, visible or ultraviolet light
  • G01N21/17—Systems in which incident light is modified in accordance with the properties of the material investigated
  • G01N21/25—Colour; Spectral properties, i.e. comparison of effect of material on the light at two or more different wavelengths or wavelength bands
  • G01N21/29—Colour; Spectral properties, i.e. comparison of effect of material on the light at two or more different wavelengths or wavelength bands using visual detection

Definitions

• the present invention concerns a whiteness guide for monitoring whiteness of a fabric.
• Fabric whiteness is often extremely valuable to consumers. Indeed, for some garments (e.g. expensive whitenessed suit shirts, uniforms) a high whiteness level is necessary so that any reduction is perceived as unacceptable. Many white garments yellow over multiple wash wear cycles. In order to maintain the white appearance shading dyes may be used.
• An objective is to provide a highly accurate device and method for in-home consumer monitoring of the changes in fabric whiteness and evaluation of the benefits of a laundry composition.
• the present invention provides a whiteness measurement system comprising an outer package containing a detergent composition comprising a build-up shading agent, and at least one pair of corresponding fabric whiteness guides, the or each pair comprising a first fabric whiteness guide to be washed with the detergent composition and a second fabric whiteness guide to be dry-stored, wherein the guides comprise corresponding white fabric.
• a whiteness guide together with the washing powder comprising a build up shading agent enables the consumer to effectively monitor the effectiveness of the laundry formulation comprising the build up shading agent after each wash despite incremental benefits.
• the monitoring is effected simply by adding the first whiteness guide to a laundry load, whilst storing the second whiteness guide and then comparing the two guides after the wash has completed.
• the dedicated guides are provided with the packaged composition simple to use, portable and realistic to the washing situation, the substrate is a washable fabric rather than printed card or plastic, and so colour comparison is more realistic.
• the invention provides a method of consumer measurement of fabric whiteness using the system of the first aspect and following a washing operation involving the build up shading agent, the method using the fabric whiteness guide of the first aspect and including the steps of:
• dry storing and “dry-stored” as used herein, means storing in any suitable place but not washing or wetting. Preferably storage takes place out of sunlight, more preferably out of direct sunlight.
• the outer package and optionally the inner package comprise instructions for use according to the second aspect of the invention.
• the step of comparing may take place after other events which affect washing, for instance drying of washed fabrics in a tumble dryer, outside.
• the first whiteness guide is washed in an aqueous solution, which further preferably contains from 0.3 to 2.5g/L surfactant.
• the build up shading agent is an agent for improving rejuvenating or maintaining whiteness.
• the agent may comprise one or more dyes or pigments for increasing perceived whiteness.
• the agent or agents together has/have a peak absorption wavelength on the substrate fabric of 540 nm to 650 nm, and further preferably from 570 nm to 630 nm.
• These build-up dyes may comprise a direct dye so as to be substantive to cotton or they may comprise disperse and solvent dyes which are substantive to synthetic fibres e.g., polyester and nylon.
• the composition may contain a mixture of dyes so as to be substantive to both fibres.
• the dyes may comprise one or more hydrophobic dyes selected from benzodifuranes, methine, triphenylmethanes, napthalimides, pyrazole, napthoquinone, anthraquinone and mono-azo or di-azo dyes.
• Hydrophobic dyes are dyes which do not contain any charged water solubilising group. Hydrophobic dyes may be selected from the groups of disperse and solvent dyes.
• the hydrophobic dyes are preferably blue or violet. Blue and violet anthraquinone and mono-azo dye are preferred.
• Preferred dyes include Solvent Violet 13, disperse violet 27 disperse violet 26, disperse violet 28, disperse violet 63 and disperse violet 77. Most preferred hydrophobic dyes, are solvent violet 13 or disperse violet 27. These dyes give benefits to synthetic fibres such as elastane and polyester.
• Direct violet and direct blue dyes are particularly useful for shading cotton containing fabrics.
• the dyes are bis or tris - azo dyes.
• the carcinogenic benzidene based dyes are not preferred.
• the direct dye is a direct violet of the following structure: - A -
• Ri is hydrogen or alkyl
• R 2 is hydrogen, alkyl or substituted or unsubstituted aryl, preferably phenyl R 3 and R 4 are independently hydrogen or alkyl
• n is O, 1 or 2, preferably 1 or 2.
• Preferred dyes are direct violet 7, direct violet 9, direct violet 11 , direct violet 26, direct violet 31 , direct violet 35, direct violet 40, direct violet 41 , direct violet 51 , and direct violet 99.
• the direct dye may be covalently linked to a photobleach, for example as described in WO2006/024612.
• Cu containing direct dyes such as direct violet 66 may also be used.
• Shading pigments which deposit onto fabrics in the wash to give a blue, violet, blue/green or blue/violet hue may also be used.
• Pigments are coloured particles preferably of 0.05 to 10 micron size, which are practically insoluble in aqueous media that contain surfactants.
• Inorganic pigments such as pigment blue 29 or pigment violet 15 may be used, however, organic pigments are preferred.
• Preferred organic pigments are pigment violet 1, 1:1, 1:2, 2, 3, 5:1, 13, 19, 23, 25, 27, 31, 32, 37, 39, 42, 44, 50 and Pigment blue 1, 2, 9, 10, 14, 15, 15:1, 15:2, 15:3, 15:4, 15:6, 16, 18, 19, 24:1, 25, 56, 60, 61, 62, 66, 75, 79 and 80.
• More preferred pigments are pigment violet 3, 13, 23, 27, 37, 39, pigment blue 14, 25, 66 and 75.
• pigment violet 23 The most preferred is pigment violet 23.
• the shading dye may comprise a photobleach covalently linked to another blue or violet chromophore.
• the shading dye may comprise a reactive dye covalently linked to a polymer or a solid particle.
• the product may also contain a non hueing dye which enables colouration of the product.
• the shading dye may comprise a dye adsorbed onto a solid particle, such as clay.
• the laundry composition preferably comprises one or more surfactants.
• the laundry composition may contain predominately anionic surfactants.
• dyes containing acid groups are preferred.
• dyes containing basic groups are preferred. This is to prevent precipitation between the dye and surfactant.
• Suitable dyes for use in products containing predominately anionic surfactants include those listed in the Colour Index as Direct Violet Dyes Direct Blue dyes, Acid Blue and Acid Violet dyes.
• Dyes which may be metabolised to carcinogenic amines should not be used.
• dyes which when reduced release benzidene, 3,3'-dimethoxybenzidene, 3,3'- dimethybenzidene or 3,3'-dichlorobenzidene should not be used.
• the laundry composition may contain predominately cationic surfactants.
• Suitable dyes here include those listed in the Colour Index as Basic Blue and Basic Violet Dyes.
• the level of dye in the laundry composition may be in the range from 0.000001 wt % to 0.01 wt % preferably in the range from 0.0001 to 0.01 , and preferably 0.0002 to 0.005 wt%.
• the dyes are preferably added to granular products via the surfactant slurry or via post- dosed granules.
• both guides have (before use) substantially common whiteness and preferably texture and further preferably the guides have (before use) identical whiteness and/or texture.
• the guides may comprise white portions along with coloured portions. The white portions preferably comprise 50% or more, and more preferably 75% or more of the total area of the guides.
• both guides are of a common material, and/or shape and/or size for ease of comparison.
• the guides may be two parts of a common piece of fabric so that the first guide is dipped into a washing receptacle and washed, whilst the second guide simply hangs over the edge of the receptacle and remains unwashed.
• first and second guides of one pair comprise identical fabrics.
• the fabric preferably comprises a fibre based on cellulosics, polyester, nylon elastane, acrylic, cotton. Most preferably it comprises cellulosic cotton and polyester.
• the fabric has a woven construction.
• Woven fabrics are classified as to weave or structure according to the manner in which warp and weft cross each other.
• the three fundamental weaves, of which others are variations, are the plain, twill, and satin. Further preferably the weave is plain and/or twill (as is used for denim fabrics).
• the fabric is preferably washable preferably can withstand temperatures of the wash up to 90 degrees and drying temperature up to 150 degrees.
• the or each guide is shaped and/or sized to be visually distinct from remaining laundry items, so it can be easily picked out from the laundry load after washing. Accordingly it may be substantially smaller or may be a visually distinct shape. Visually interesting shapes such as those defined by a perimeter of undulating curves distinguish the guide from remaining laundry items.
• the preferred size of the or each guide is less than 30 cm (height and/or width). This size allows ease of inclusion in a wash load, prevents the guides becoming lost in the washing load but is small enough to allow ease of handling for comparison.
• the guides may be shaped to visually distinct from remaining laundry items; so the first guide can be easily picked out from the laundry load after washing and to enable easy dry-storage of the second guide. Accordingly they may be shaped to resemble known shapes: e.g. a horseshoe shape or iconic articles of clothing such as the T-shirt or a pair of trousers, jeans, shirt, jacket etc.
• the guides could be flat or 3D and include single or multiple layers of substrate.
• the waist line should be less than 15 cm and further preferably less than 10cm, any may be even less than 5 cm.
• At least the first whiteness guide comprises one or more apertures.
• Such aperture or apertures may be defined by a strip of the guide so as to create a hook or loop. This offers the advantage of enabling the guide to be attached to a larger article which aids locating the guide at the end of the washing process.
• the second whiteness guide may comprise a hook for ease of dry storage.
• a * is the red-green value (negative values indicate green while positive values indicate red)
• b * is the yellow-blue value (negative values indicate blue and positive values indicate yellow.
• L * max is in the range 70-100, preferably 85-99, more preferably 92-99.
• a * m a ⁇ is in the range -5 to +5, preferably -2 to + 2, more preferably -1 to +1.
• b * m a ⁇ is in the range -10 to +10, preferably -2 to +8 and more preferably 0 to +5.
• the guide may be constructed with a 3-dimensional section or sections. This can aid retrieval after the washing process has been completed.
• the 3-dimensional section/s may be formed by an arrangement of sections or panels attached e.g. by stitching.
• the guide is sufficiently flexible so it can flex to lie against a flexible substrate such as fabric. This has the advantage that the guide can be easily flexed to conform to the shape of a garment to carry out the whiteness comparison.
• the guide may be perfumed, and the perfume of the guide may be the same as or correspond with the perfume of the laundry composition.
• Perfumed guides (either as provided in the package or after washing with a perfumed laundry composition) may be hung in wardrobes etc to fragrance stored fabrics or clothes.
• the invention provides use of one or more guides of the first aspect, as a fragrancing device to improve the fragrance of stored fabrics and/or articles.
• a perfumed guide incorporating a hook or aperture to enable hanging up of the guide is especially advantageous in this regard.
• the shading dye is supplied in a liquid form.
• the level of dye in the laundry composition may be in the range from 0.000001 wt % to 0.01 wt % preferably in the range from 0.0001 to 0.01 wt%.
• the composition may comprise a fluorescent agent (optical brightener).
• fluorescent agents are available commercially.
• the fluorescent agent may be supplied and used in the form of their alkali metal salts, for example, the sodium salts.
• the total amount of the fluorescent agent or agents used in the composition may be generally from 0.005 to 2 wt %, preferably 0.01 to 0.1 wt %.
• Preferred classes of fluorescer are: Di-styryl biphenyl compounds, e.g. Tinopal (Trade Mark) CBS-X, Di-amine stilbene di-sulphonic acid compounds, e.g. Tinopal DMS pure Xtra and Blankophor (Trade Mark) HRH, and Pyrazoline compounds, e.g. Blankophor SN.
• Di-styryl biphenyl compounds e.g. Tinopal (Trade Mark) CBS-X
• Di-amine stilbene di-sulphonic acid compounds e.g. Tinopal DMS pure Xtra and Blankophor (Trade Mark) HRH
• Pyrazoline compounds e.g. Blankophor SN.
• Preferred fluorescers are: sodium 2 (4-styryl-3-sulfophenyl)-2H-napthol[1 ,2-d]trazole, disodium 4,4'-bis ⁇ [(4-anilino-6-(N methyl-N-2 hydroxyethyl) amino 1 ,3,5-triazin-2- yl)]amino ⁇ stilbene-2-2' disulfonate, disodium 4,4'-bis ⁇ [(4-anilino-6-morpholino-1 ,3,5- triazin-2-yl)]amino ⁇ stilbene-2-2' disulfonate, and disodium 4,4'-bis(2-sulfoslyryl)biphenyl.
• the laundry composition and whiteness guide may include a common shading dye or fluorescer, as described above.
• compositions which are used to treat laundry items such as clothes are preferably laundry detergent compositions used for washing (especially particulate detergents, liquid detergents, laundry bars, pastes, gels or tablets), laundry fabric conditioners used for softening fabrics, pre-treatment products, post-treatment products, tumble dryer products, ironing products etc.
• laundry treatment products which are applied in an aqueous environment.
• Figure 1 shows, schematically, a fabric whiteness measurement system according to embodiments of the invention, together with a laundry load
• Figure 2 shows a package and a pair of whiteness guides of figure 1 ;
• Figure 3 shows an alternative shaped whiteness guide.
• a fabric whiteness measurement system comprising one pair of corresponding whiteness guides 2,4 comprising a first whiteness guide 2 to be washed ( with "wash me” indicia, which may be in text or by other visual indicia) and a second whiteness guide 4 to be dry stored (in a dry place, without be washed or wetted and out of direct or strong sunlight).
• Visual indicia could be included on the second whiteness guide to inform the consumer of the storage requirements.
• the measurement system comprises a package 30 containing a laundry composition (not shown) in combination with a fabric whiteness measurement system of the invention.
• the pack 30 contains 1 kg of laundry composition A or B or C or D (detailed hereinbelow).
• the arrangement allows the consumer to compare the washing/conditioning compositions of the compositions.
• the monitoring is effected simply by adding the first whiteness guide to a laundry load, whilst storing the second whiteness guide and then comparing the two guides after the wash has completed.
• the step of comparing may take place after events which follow a washing operation, for instance drying of washed fabrics in a tumble dryer, outside, in sunlight or in shade.
• Both guides 2,4 shown are visually identical. They of identical size and shape and texture, comprise identical fabric (weft, warp, weave construction), and identical whiteness.
• the guides comprise a washable fabric, and preferably cotton and polyester. This has a woven construction, the weave being plain.
• the fabric can withstand (physically) temperatures of the wash up to 90 degrees and drying temperature up to 150 degrees.
• the guides are shaped to be visually distinct from remaining laundry items, allowing the first guide to be easily picked out from the laundry load after washing and the second guide to be easily dry-shaped. Accordingly they are shaped to resemble iconic articles of clothing such as the T-shirt (or a pair jeans etc.) but very small size as compared with the normal size of such articles.
• the waist and height is less than 30cm and in this embodiment is 10cm.
• FIG 3 An alternatively visually interesting shape for guides 2 and 4 is shown in figure 3, and this comprises a perimeter of undulating curves with resultant projections. This configuration visually distinguishes the guide from normal laundry items and the projections enable the user to more easily grasp the guide and pull it from a pile of wet or dry laundry which may have become tangled.
• the first whiteness guide of figures 2 and 3 comprises a hole 40 for attachment to e.g. button of larger article to aid retrieval after the washing process has finished.
• the second guide has a loop 42 to aid dry storage (e.g. on a clothes horse or frame or door knob).
• a * is the red-green value (negative values indicate green while positive values indicate red)
• b * is the yellow-blue value (negative values indicate blue and positive values indicate yellow.
• the dye was added via a zeolite/non-ionic (7EO) granule, which contained 0.25% by weight solvent violet 13 dissolved in the non-ionic.
• NI(7EO) refers to R-(OCI-I 2 CI-I 2 ) H OI-I, where R is an alkyl chain of C12 to C15, and n is 7.
• NaLAS linear alkyl benzene sulphonate (LAS)
• SLES(3EO) Ci 2 -Ci 8 alkyl polyethoxylate (3.0) sulphate.

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Cited By (54)

Citations (4)

• 2009
  • 2009-11-06 WO PCT/EP2009/064740 patent/WO2010057784A1/en active Application Filing
  • 2009-11-10 AR ARP090104331 patent/AR074099A1/es unknown

Patent Citations (4)

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