EP0177183A1
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pre-wash compositions containing enzymes
Assignee: Clorox Co
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Filing: 1985-09-02
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2005-09-02
Abstract
Abstract Compositions effective in removing protein, fat and/or starch based stains as well as oil and grease based stains from fabrics comprise organic solvents admixed with surfactants and an enzyme component wherein the enzymes are dissolved in aqueous solution and the aqueous solution is, in turn, dispersed as reversed micelles within the solvent' surfactant mixture. Encapsulating the enzymes in reversed micelles protects them from degradation by the solvents and thereby prolongs the effectiveness of the enzymes for extended periods of time. The total water content of the compositions is kept below 5 weight% so that the compositions' oil and grease stain removal ability remains unimpaired.
Inventors
- 👤 Barbara H. Munk
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 02:34
CPC Classifications
C; C11; C11D; C11D3/00; C11D3/16; C11D3/38; C11D3/386; C11D3/38618; C11D3/38663
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
37 words
A soil- or stain-removal composition comprising at least one enzyme dissolved in aqueous solution encapsulated within reversed micelles, said micelles being a dispersion of the aqueous enzyme solution within a medium comprising a surfactant and organic solvent.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
37 words
A soil- or stain-removal composition comprising at least one enzyme dissolved in aqueous solution encapsulated within reversed micelles, said micelles being a dispersion of the aqueous enzyme solution within a medium comprising a surfactant and organic solvent.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
A composition according to claim 1 of which the water content is not more than 5% by weight.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
A composition according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the enzyme is or are a protease, lipase, or amylase, or mixtures of the same.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
A composition according to claim 1, claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the surfactant is a nonionic surfactant.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
A composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the organic solvent is a hydrocarbon, for example a paraffinic hydrocarbon.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
A composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the aqueous enzyme solution further includes an enzyme stabilizer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
A composition according to claim 6, wherein the enzyme stabilizer is sodium chloride.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
A composition according to any one of the preceding claims, which includes organic solvents and surfactants for removing oil and grease based stains, and enzymes for removing protein, starch, and fat based stains.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
A composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the surfactant forms the micelle interface between said aqueous enzyme solution and the surfactant/ organic solvent mixture.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
74 words
A soil removal composition comprising about 60 to 70 weight % of a paraffinic hydrocarbon solvent in admixture with about 25 to 35 weight % of a nonionic surfactant, less than 5 weight % of an aqueous solution of one or more proteolytic, lipolytic or amylolytic enzymes, said aqueous solution consisting essentially of water, sodium chloride and the enzyme(s), said aqueous solution further dispersed in the solvent-surfactant mixture in the form of reversed micelles.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
74 words
A soil removal composition comprising about 60 to 70 weight % of a paraffinic hydrocarbon solvent in admixture with about 25 to 35 weight % of a nonionic surfactant, less than 5 weight % of an aqueous solution of one or more proteolytic, lipolytic or amylolytic enzymes, said aqueous solution consisting essentially of water, sodium chloride and the enzyme(s), said aqueous solution further dispersed in the solvent-surfactant mixture in the form of reversed micelles.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
A composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the enzyme(s) comprise(s) several tenths of one percent by weight of the composition.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
38 words
A method for making a soil remover composition consisting essentially of organic solvent, surfactant and at least one enzyme, comprising encapsulating an aqueous solution of said enzyme(s) in reversed micelles within a mixture of said solvent and surfactants.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
38 words
A method for making a soil remover composition consisting essentially of organic solvent, surfactant and at least one enzyme, comprising encapsulating an aqueous solution of said enzyme(s) in reversed micelles within a mixture of said solvent and surfactants.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method of claim 12, wherein said aqueous enzyme solution is combined with the surfactants, and the solvent is then added.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
DE2633601A1
Cited
DE3003766A1
Cited
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