Fabric Care Compositions

Abstract

An ironing aid fabric treatment composition comprising: a) a nanoparticle dispersion comprising particles having an average particle size in the range 5 to 500 nm, b) a lubricant phase comprising a lubricant selected from silicone oil, sucrose polyester oil and mixtures thereof, and c) water wherein the weight ratio of a):b) is in the range 4:1 to 1:4, with the proviso that when the colloidal nanoparticle dispersion comprises a silicone resin the composition is not delivered through an iron.

1 . An ironing aid fabric treatment composition comprising:
 a) a nanoparticle dispersion comprising particles having an average particle size in the range 5 to 500 nm,   b) a lubricant phase comprising a lubricant selected from silicone oil, sucrose polyester oil and mixtures thereof, and   c) water   wherein the weight ratio of a):b) is in the range 4:1 to 1:4.   with the proviso that when the colloidal nanoparticle dispersion comprises a silicone resin the composition is not delivered through an iron.   
     
     
         2 . An ironing aid fabric treatment composition as claimed in  claim 1  in which all the particles of the nanoparticle dispersion have a particle size less than 500 nm. 
     
     
         3 . An ironing aid fabric treatment composition as claimed in  claim 2  in which all the particles of the nanoparticle dispersion have a particle size less than 100 nm. 
     
     
         4 . An ironing aid fabric treatment composition as claimed in  claim 1  in which the particles of the nanoparticle dispersion have an average particle size in the range 15 to 50 nm. 
     
     
         5 . An ironing aid fabric treatment composition as claimed in  claim 1  in which the nanoparticles are selected from silica, titania, alumina, zinc oxide and silicone resin. 
     
     
         6 . An ironing aid fabric treatment composition as claimed in  claim 5  in which the nanoparticle dispersion is a cationic, anionic or neutral colloidal dispersion of silica. 
     
     
         7 . An ironing aid fabric treatment composition as claimed in  claim 5  in which the particles of the colloidal nanoparticle dispersion comprise silicone resin. 
     
     
         8 . An ironing aid fabric treatment composition as claimed in  claim 1  in which the silicone oil comprises polydimethyl siloxane. 
     
     
         9 . An ironing aid fabric treatment composition as claimed in  claim 1  in which the-weight ratio of a):b) is in the range 3:1 to 1:3. 
     
     
         10 . An ironing aid fabric treatment composition as claimed in  claim 9  in which the weight ratio of a):b) is in the range 2:1 to 1:2. 
     
     
         11 . An ironing aid fabric treatment composition as claimed in  claim 1  which comprises:
 0.1 to 50 weight percent of component a),   0.1 to 50 weight percent of component b)   up to 99.8 weight percent water.   
     
     
         12 . An ironing aid fabric treatment composition as claimed in  claim 10  which comprises:
 0.5 to 20 weight percent component a),   0.5 to 20 weight percent component b),   0.1 to 15 weight percent surfactant,   0.1 to 5 weight percent perfume, and   up to 70 percent deionised water.   
     
     
         13 . An ironing aid fabric treatment product comprising a reservoir containing a composition as claimed in  claim 1  and a spray dispensing valve. 
     
     
         14 . A cartridge for insertion into a steam iron comprising a reservoir containing a formulation as claimed in  claim 1 , with the proviso that the colloidal nanoparticle dispersion does not comprise a silicone resin. 
     
     
         15 . A method of treating a fabric which comprises applying to the fabric an iron aid fabric treatment composition comprising:
 a) a colloidal nanoparticle dispersion comprising particles having an average particle size in the range 1 to 500nm,   b) a lubricant phase,   c) water   wherein the ratio of a):b) is in the range 4:1 to 1:4, and   simultaneously with said application or thereafter, ironing said fabric under elevated temperature and pressure, with the proviso that when the colloidal nanoparticle dispersion comprises a silicone resin the fabric treatment composition is not delivered through an iron.   
     
     
         16 . A method as claimed in  claim 15  in which the composition is applied in an amount to deposit from 0.25 to 2 percent by weight of the total of the particulate phase and lubricant phase. 
     
     
         17 . A method as claimed in  claim 16  in which the composition is applied in an amount to deposit from 0.5 to 1 percent by weight of the total of the particulate phase and lubricant phase. 
     
     
         18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . A method as claimed in  claim 15  in which the composition is applied from a steam iron, with the proviso the composition does not comprise a nanoparticle dispersion comprising silicone resin particles. 
     
     
         20 . A method as claimed in  claim 15  in which the composition is applied by spraying prior to ironing. 
     
     
         21 . The use of a composition as claimed in  claim 1  to treat fabric to provide anti-wrinkle benefit.