# US 6,297,206 B2 · Combination surfactant systems for use in carbon dioxide-based cleaning formulations

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- Number: US 6,297,206 B2
- Document ID: US6297206B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 09/767,937
- Filed: 2001-01-23
- Published: 2001-07-26
- Granted: 2001-10-02
- Earliest claimed: 1998-05-28
- Assignees: Micell Technologies, Inc.
- Inventors: Timothy J. Romack; James P. DeYoung
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US6297206B2

## CPC

- D06L 1/04: combined with specific additives (D06L1/06 takes precedence)
- D06L: DRY-CLEANING, WASHING OR BLEACHING FIBRES, FILAMENTS, THREADS, YARNS, FABRICS, FEATHERS OR MADE-UP FIBROUS GOODS; BLEACHING LEATHER OR FURS

## Abstract

A method for dry-cleaning garments or fabrics in carbon dioxide comprises contacting a garment or fabric article to be cleaned with a liquid dry cleaning composition for a time sufficient to clean the article, said liquid dry-cleaning composition comprising a mixture of carbon dioxide, water, a first surfactant, and a second surfactant, and then separating the article from the liquid dry cleaning composition. The first surfactant comprises a CO2-philic group covalently joined to a hydrophilic group; and the second surfactant comprising a CO2-philic group covalently joined to a lipophilic group. In the alternative, a single surfactant containing all three of a CO2-philic group, a lipophilic group, and a hydrophilic group covalently joined to one another may also be employed. Systems useful for carrying out the foregoing are also disclosed.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method for dry-cleaning garments or fabrics in carbon dioxide, comprising:
contacting a garment or fabric article to be cleaned with a liquid dry cleaning composition for a time sufficient to clean the article, said liquid dry-cleaning composition comprising a mixture of carbon dioxide, water, and a surfactant;
said surfactant comprising a CO2-philic group, a hydrophilic group, and
a lipophilic group covalently joined to one another; then
separating the article from the liquid dry cleaning composition.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

A method according to claim 1, wherein said liquid dry cleaning composition is at a temperature of 0° C. to 30° C.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

A method according to claim 1, said composition further comprising an organic co-solvent.

### Claim 4

A liquid dry-cleaning composition, said composition comprising:
(a) from 0.1 to 10 percent water;
(b) carbon dioxide;
(c) from 0.1 to 10 percent of a surfactant, wherein said surfactant comprises a CO2-philic group, a hydrophilic group, and a lipophilic group covalently joined to one another; and
(e) from zero to 50 percent of an organic co-solvent.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

A liquid dry-cleaning composition according to claim 4, said composition comprising:
(a) from 0.1 to 4 percent water;
(b) carbon dioxide;
(c) from 0.5 to 5 percent of said surfactant; and
(d) from 4 to 30 percent of an organic co-solvent.