Patent ID: 6299652
Filing Date: 2001-10-09
Classification: D06L

Abstract:
A method for dry cleaning fabric comprising the steps of:loading stained or soiled fabric into a cleaning vessel;supplying carbon dioxide to the cleaning vessel;supplying 0.001 to 10 wt % surfactant to the cleaning vessel;supplying a modifier to the cleaning vessel;pressurizing the cleaning vesselwherein stain or soil is removed from the stained or soiled fabric within the cleaning vessel, and the surfactant has a CO.sub.2 -philic portion and a CO.sub.2 -phobic portion, the CO.sub.2 -philic portion is soluble in carbon dioxide at greater than 10 wt % and the CO.sub.2 -phobic portion is obtained either by a hydrophilic or a hydrophobic functional group which is less than 10 wt. % soluble in carbon dioxide and i) the carbon dioxide is present at a temperature from about 0.degree. C. to 40.degree. C. and pressure from about 500 psi to about 10,000 psi; ii) the CO.sub.2 -phobic portion of the surfactant is a polyalkylene oxide, and the surfactant has an HLB of less than about 15; iii) a reverse micelle is formed.