AU614073B2

AU614073B2 - Fabric softening composition

Info

Publication number: AU614073B2
Application number: AU12067/88A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Eunice Sheila Blackmore; Brian William Topping
Original assignee: Unilever PLC
Current assignee: Unilever PLC
Priority date: 1987-02-27
Filing date: 1988-02-23
Publication date: 1991-08-22
Anticipated expiration: 2008-02-23
Also published as: BR8800833A; TR24515A; AU1206788A; JPS63282373A; CA1291302C; DE3860842D1; EP0280550A2; ZA881382B; MY103215A; ES2018338B3; EP0280550A3; KR880010184A; KR910009652B1; EP0280550B1; GB8704711D0

Description

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11111- I

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AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1952 Form COMPLETE SPECIFICATION

(ORIGINAL)

FOR OFFICE USE 614073 Short Title: Int. Cl: Application Number: Lodged: 00 4 o r Complete Specification-Lodged: Accepted: Lapsed: Published: Priority: Related Art: TO BE COMPLETED BY APPLICANT Name of Applicant: SAddress of Applicant: UNILEVER PLC UNILEVER HOUSE

BLACKFRIARS

LONDON EC4

ENGLAND

Actual Inventor: Address for Service: CLEMENT HACK CO., 601 St. Kilda Road, Melbourne, Victoria 3004, Australia.

Complete Specification for the invention entitled: FABRIC SOFTENING COMPOSITION The following statement is a full description of this invention including the best method of performing it known to me:- 1

A

C.3163 *o ant e The present invention relates to a fabric softening 5 composition, in particular a fabric softening composition 0 O containing a water-insoluble cationic fabric softening agent, a fatty acid and other nonionic surfactants.,

S

o 00 storage occurs at various cycling temperatures including those below the freezing point, since irreversible gels can be formed.

a :15 0 0 It has been proposed (European Patent Specification No 21476) to add a protonated di-polyethoxy monoalkyl amine, a lower alcohol and, optionally, a nonionic fabric conditioning agent to control the physical stability of a composition containing a quaternary ammonium fabric softener, the alcohol being additional to that present in the softener raw material. The disadvantage with the compositions disclosed is that the physical stability is cmpoitios wen tore. Tis roblm i acentutedif ocur atvrosccigtmeaue nldn i. ii~ i. FOR AND ON BEHALF OF UNILEVER PLC -2 only achieved if both the amine and alcohol are added to the composition.

We have now found that the addition of a nonionic surfactant to a composition containing a cationic fabric softening agent and a fatty acid gives a composition which is stable after one and multiple freeze thaw cycles without the necessity of adding additional alcohol.

Thus, according to the invention there is 8provided a liquid fabric softening composition comprising an aqueous base; (ii) from 1% to 6% by weight of a o00 e0 water-insoluble cationic fabric softening 0 t S* agent; (iii) at least 0.2% by weight of a C 8

-C

24 alkyl or alkenyl monocarboxylic acid; and (iv) a nonionic surfactant, wherein the mole ratio of the cationic fabric softening agent to the nonionic surfactant is within the Srange from 40:1 to 3:1 and wherein the mole ratio of the cationic fabric softening agent to the fatty acid is at least 1:1.

The water-insoluble cationic fabric softening 0 agent can be any fabric-substantive cationic compound which 0o has solubility in water at pH 2.5 and 20 0 C of less than g/l. Highly preferred materials are quaternary ammonium salts having two C12-C2 alkyl or alkenyl chains, optionally substituted or interrupted by functional groups such as -OH, -CONH-, -COO-, etc..

3 C.3163 Well known species of substantially water-insoluble quaternary ammonium compounds have the formula R1 R3 N X

R

2

R

4 oo o2 o oo wherein R and R 2 represent hydrocarbyl groups having from S 0 1 2 about 12 to about 24 carbon atoms; R 3 and R 4 represent 15 hydrocarbyl groups containing from 1 to about 4 carbon o atoms; and X is an anion, preferably selected from halide, methyl sulfate and ethyl sulfate radicals.

Representative examples of these quaternary softeners 20 include ditallow dimethyl ammonium chloride; ditallow dimethyl ammonium methyl sulfate; dihexadecyl dimethyl amr-ionium chloride; di(hydrogenated tallow alkyl) dimethyl ammonium chloride; dioctadecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride; dieicosyl dimethyl ammonium chloride; didocosyl dimethyl ammonium chloride; di(hydrogenated tallow) dimethyl S ammonium methyl sulfate; dihexadecyl diethyl ammonium I chloride; di(coconut alkyl) dimethyl ammonium chloride.

Also suitable are dialkyl ethoxyl methyl ammonium sulphates based on soft or hard fatty acids. Ditallow dimethyl ammonium chloride, di(hydrogenated tallow alkyl) dimethyl ammonium chloride, di(coconut alkyl) dimethyl ammonium chloride and di(coconut alkyl) dimethyl ammonium methosulfate are preferred.

4 C.3163 Another class of preferred water-insoluble cationic materials are the alkylimidazolinium salts believed to have the formula: CH2 CH 2 N N--C 2H N-C--R 7 24 7 C 19 04) 00 4004) 0 4) 4 *0 0 4) 04 0 04 0 4)0 4) p. 04) 0 0 0 000 wherein R 6 is an alkyl or hydroxyalkyl group containing from 1 to 4, preferably 1 or 2 carbon atoms, R 7 i's an alkyl or alkenyl group containing from 8 to 25 carbon atoms, R 8 is an alkyl or alkenyl group containing from 8 to 25 carbon atoms, and R 9 is hydrogen or an alkyl 20 containing from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and A is an anion, preferably a halide, methosulfate or ethosulfate.

Preferred imidazolinium salts include 1-methyl-1- (tallowylamido-) ethyl -2-tallowyl- 4,5-dihydro imidazolinium methosulfate and 1-methyl-l- (palmitoylamido)ethyl 25 -2-octadecyl-4,5- dihydro- imidazolinium chloride. Other useful imidazolinium materials are 2-heptadecyl-lmethyl-l- (2-stearylamido)- ethyl-imidazolinium chloride and 2-lauryl-l-hydroxyethyl- 1-oleyl-imidazolinium chloride. Also suitable herein are the imidazolinium fabric softening components of US Patent No 4 127 489, incorporated by reference. Mixtures of various cationic fabric softening agents can also be used.

The level of the cationic fabric softening agent in the composition is preferably more than 1% by weight, most preferably from 3% to 6% by weight.

1 1 L 5 C.3163 Suitable fatty acids which can be used in the present invention are C 8

-C

24 alkyl or alkenyl linear or branched chain monocarboxylic acids or polymers thereof.

Preferably saturated fatty acids are used, in particular, hardened tallow C 16

-C

18 fatty acids. Mixtures of various fatty acids can also be used.

The level of the fatty acid in the composition is preferably less than 8% by weight, most preferably from 0.2% to 2.5% by weight.

900 The mole ratio of the cationic fabric softening agent O to the fatty acid is at least 1:1, and preferably is within the range 4:1 to 9:1.

o o a Suitable nonionic surfactants which can be used include in particular the reaction products of compounds 0 having a hydrophobic group and a reactive hydrogen atom, for example aliphatic alcohols, acids, or alkyl phenols 20 with alkylene oxides, especially ethylene oxide either a alone or with propylene oxide. Specific nonionic surfactants are alkyl (C 6

-C

2 2 phenols-ethylene oxide 2 condensates, generally up to 25 EO, ie up to 25 units of ethylene oxide per molecule, the condensation products of aliphatic (C 8

-C

2 2 primary or secondary linear or branched o o° alcohols with ethylene oxide, generally up to 40 EO, and products made by condensation of ethylene oxide with the reaction products of propylene oxide and ethylenediamine.

Other so-called nonionic surfactants include amine oxides, alkyl polyglycosides, ethoxylated castor oils, and sorbitan esters.

Preferably, the level of the nonionic surfactant is within the range from 0.1 to 4.5% by weight, most preferably from 0.15% to 3% by weight. The mole ratio of the cationic fabric softening agent to the nonionic

I:

11 6 surfactant is within the range from 40:1 to 3:1, preferably within the range from 18:1 to about 3:1.

The composition can also contain one or more optional ingredients selected from non-aqueous solvents such as CI-C 4 alkanols and polyhydric alcohols (although the benefits of this invention can be obtained without the addition of these materials), pH buffering agents, such as weak acids eg. phosphoric, benzoic or citric acids (the pH of the compositions is preferably less than rewetting agents, viscosity modifiers, such as electrolytes and C-C24 o. fatty acids included at levels from about 20 to 6000 ppm, o* antigelling agents, perfumes, perfume carriers, fluorescers, colourants, hydrotropes, antifoaming agents, S 0 Santiredeposition agents, enzymes, optical brightening agents, opacifiers, stabilisers such as guar gum and polyethylene glycol, anti-shrinking agents, anti-wrinkle agents, fabric crisping agents, anti-spotting agents, 0 soil-release agents, germicides, fungicides, anti-oxidants, 0 anti-corrosion agents, preservatives such as Bronopol s (Trade Mark), a commercially available form of 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-l,3 diol, dyes, bleaches and bleach precursors, drape imparting agents, antistatic agents and ironing aids, such as silicones.

00" These optional ingredients, if added, are each a; present at levels up to 5% by weight of the composition.

Suitable silicones for use in the compositions according to the invention include predominantly linear polydialkyl or alkylaryl siloxanes in which the alkyl groups contain one to five carbon atoms. The siloxanes can be amido or amino substituted. When the siloxane is amine substituted the amine group may be quaternised. Ti r r 1 01 m 7 C.3163 The compositions may also contain, in addition to the cationic fabric softening agent, other non-cationic fabric softening agents, such as nonionic fabric softening acents. Suitable nonionic fabric softening agents include lanolin and derivatives thereof. Suitable materials are disclosed in European Patent Applications SE 520 (Unilever), the disclosure of which is inorporated herein by reference. Typically such materials are included at a level within the range of from 0.5% to 10% by weight of the composition.

In use, the fabric conditioning composition of the o in.,ention may be added to a large volume of water to form a liquor with which the fabrics to be treated are S" 15 contacted. Generally, the total concentration of the cationic fabric softening agent, the fatty acid and the nonionic surfactant in this liquor will be between about ppm and 500 ppm. The weight ratio of the fabrics to liquor will preferably be less than about 25:1, most 20 preferably between about 10:1 and about 4:1.

0 0 0 The compositions of the invention may be prepared by a variety of methods. One suitable method is to form a r.:lten mixture of the cationic fabric softening agent and 9 25 the fatty acid, add this molten mixture to water with 0 stirring to form a dispersion and thereafter add the Sor ncnionic surfactant and any optional ingredients.

Another suitable method is to add the nonionic surfactant tc the molten mixture before the dispersion is formed.

The invention will now be illustrated by the fcllowing non-limiting examples. In the examples all weights are expressed as weight of the active material.

8 C.3163 EXAMPLE 1 A liquid fabric softening composition was made as follows.

The cationic fabric softening agent and the fatty acid were premixed and heated together until clear (6C-75 0 The molten mixture thus formed was added over a period of at least one minute, via a dip pipe, to water at 45-60 0 C, with constant stirring to form a dispersion.

Other minor ingredients including perfume were added with go constant stirring whilst the temperature of the dispersion Swas greater than 35°C. The nonionic surfactant was most preferably added after the mixture had cooled to 35 0 C or 15 below.

C 0 •In this Example, the amounts of component materials used were such that the final product had the following composition expressed as weight oo Arquad 2HT 3.6% Pristerene 4916 0.6% 0 Nonidet LE 6T 0.25% Perfume 0.13% Approx. mole ratio of 0 cationic:nonionic 11.1 For comparison purposes Example 1 was repeated except that the Nonidet LE 6T was excluded from the composition (Example 1A).

Both products were assessed visually after recovery from 1,3 and 6 freeze thaw cycles.

A freeze thaw cycle in this context involves storing 100g of product in a screw-capped polvethylene bottle for ~a~u~u~uw :--l--ra3,i-uuPua~ 9 C.3163 16 hours at a-temperature of -12 0 C or less. Such low temperatures are essential to ensure that the products are completely frozen. The product is then allowed to thaw at ambient temperatures for 8 hours.

After 1-freeze thaw cycle Example 1 gave a composition which was slightly thicker than normal.

After 3 and 6 freeze thaw cycles Example 1 gave a composition which had normal rinse conditioner rheology ie. was mobile and could be poured in a continuous stream.

Example 1A after 1, 3 and 6 freeze thaw cycles gave a o composition which was just mobile but which did not pour 9 in a continuous stream.

4 00 ooo. 15 The results show that the addition of a small amount 0 o of a nonionic surfactant to a composition containing a cationic fabric softening agent and a fatty acid gives a product with improved appearance and flow characteristics which are maintained even after 6 freeze thaw cycles.

a o 0 c EXAMPLE 2 0 0 0 This Example demonstrates the effect of replacing Nonidet LE 6T by other nonionic surfactants.

Compositions with the following formulations expressed as 0oo weight were prepared by the method previously described.

Arquad 2HT 3.6% Pristerene 4916 0.6% Nonionic 0.4% Perfume 0.13% For comparison purposes a composition containing no nonionic (Example 2L) was prepared and tested. In Example 2A a level of APG 300 of 0.2% rather than 0.4% was .4.

10 C.3163 used. Each composition was subjected to the following cap dispenser test after 1 and 3 freeze thaw cycles.

9 Products were allowed to recover from freezing and a known amount (usually 20 grams) was weighed into an internally screw threaded cap with a total capacity of 3 approximately 25 cm and of known weight. The cap was then inverted over a waste container for 10 seconds and re-weighed. The results obtained are expressed as a percentage of the amount of product weighed into the cap.

Prior to freezing, the samples were found to leave up to o approximately 10% residue in the cap.

S0, 0 o The results were as follows.

a oo o Ex No Nonionic Cap Dispenser Approx Mole Surfactant Test residue) ratio of No. of freeze/thaw Cationic to cycles Nonionic 20 1 3 2A APG 300 69 31 13:1 SB DMC AO 27 16 4:1 C Dobanol 91-6 34 29 7:1 D Dobanol 45-18 85 45 16:1 SE Etocas 35 80 45 39:1 o F Genapol 0-050 83 36 8:1 G Genapol 0-200 59 53 18:1 H Nonidet LE 6T 36 36 7:1 I Nonyl phenol 20EO 24 46 17:1 J Tergitol 15-S-7 49 38 8:1 K Tween 20/Span (50:50) 46 42 10:1 L None 73 68 *i 11 C.3163 The results obtained show that the beneficial effect of adding a small amount of nonionic surfactant to a composition containing a cationic fabric softening agent and a fatty acid is retained if the Nonidet LE 6T is replaced by one of a variety of other nonionic surfactants. For some nonionic surfactants the optimum effect is achieved after several freeze thaw cycles.

Similar beneficial results can also be obtained if the Nonidet LE6T is replaced by Tween 20, Alfol 1214-7, Alfol 1214-11, Alfol 1214-13, Brij 30, Brij 35, Lutensol o AO7, Lutensol A08, and Synperonic All.

o EXAMPLE 3 .o 1 This example demonstrates the effect of increasing levels of nonionic surfactant on the freeze-thaw stability of a 4.2% active with a ratio of Arquad 2HT:Pristerene 4916 of 6:1 by weight and a perfume level of 0.13%. The 20 compositions were prepared by the method previously 0o described. The levels of nonionic are expressed in terms of wt% of the final formulation. The products re o assessed after one freeze thaw cycle via the cap dispenser test described above.

4 1 1 .9 12 Level wt Residue Ex No Nonionic Approx.

Mole Ratio Cationic Nonionic 0 099 O 0* 00 099'9 0*400 o 0 09*49 0'0 0 .0 00 6*44*9* *40400 0 4 0040 0 4* *0 o 99 0 0 004 0 9* 4 0 *4 00 6 6 o 04

G

H

M

N

0

R

S

T

w x

Y

z

AA

*BB

Etocas 35 APG 300 Dobanol 45-18 Genapol 0-200 I 9 Nonidet LE 6T 0.4 0.2 0.5 0.4 1.0 2.0 0.4 1.0 2.0 0.1 0.25 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 39: 1 15.6: 1 7. 8:1 3.9:1 2. 6:1 13:1 5.1: 1 16: 1 6.4: 1 3.2: 1 18:1 7. 2:1 3. 6: 1 100 53 36 33 19 Sep 27: 1 11: 1 6.6: 1 4.4: 1 3.3: 1 2.7-.1 where Sep Phase Separation Comparative example t p9

:I

13 C.3163 The results show that high levels of nonionic surfactant, (low mole ratios of cationic to nonionic) promote instability to freeze thaw cycling.

EXAMPLE 4 This example demonstrates the effect of low levels of Nonidet LE 6T on formulations other than those containing 4.2% active and a 6:1 weight ratio of cationic fabric softening agent to fatty acid. The compositions were prepared as described above and the percentage ingredient refers to their weight in the final product.

00 0 o 0a 0 a0 0 0D 0 o t0 0 0 00 0 0a o o Q 0 0 0 0 #0 0 0 0 sJ fr Ex No A B C D ingr ingredient

DMDHTAC

HTFA

Perfume Nonidet LE 6T Approx. Mole ratio Cationic to Nonionic 3.2 3.2 4.8 4.8 0.3 0.3 1.2 1.2 0.12 0.12 0.33 0.33 0.2 0.4 12:1 9:1 The compositions were evaluated according to the cap dispenser test as described above.

Ex No Residues 38 gel 14 C.3163 In both cases the addition of the nonionic surfactant was found to improve the appearance and flow characteristics of the product.

EXAMPLE Compositions with the following formulations were prepared as described above. Once again the amount of each ingredient refers to weight in the final product comoosition.

.0 o 0 o 0 o 0 0 0 o aop 0 0 0 00 0 0 0 0 0 00 o a a ace a, b P a a a a a a 3 a o 4 a a a a a a a a a V a aca a a o a 0 ac cpa 00 a a 0 9 0 a 0 a a 00 a a a *30 a a aa a a aaa 000 a a a 15 C 3 16 3 Example 5B 5C 5D 5E 5F 5G Ingredient Arquad 2HT Stepantex Q185 Stepantex Varisoft 222 Pristerene 4916 Iso Stearic acid Lauric acid Nonidet LE 6T Per fume 5 5

I-

0.3 1 1 1 0.3 0.2 0.3 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2

I.

K

I~&j

I-

16 C.3163 The compositions were assessed visually after recovery from 1 freeze thaw cycle. In each case the addition of a nonionic surfactant improved the appearance and flow characteristics of the composition. This Example demonstrates that the beneficial effect of adding nonionic surfactant is not restricted to compositions containing Arquad 2HT and Pristerene 4916.

EXAMPLE 6 In this example the softening performance of the a* following compositions were examined.

0 oo 00oo Example No.

Ingredient 6A 6B* Arquad 2HT 3.6 3.6 Pristerene 4916 0.6 0.6 Dobanol 14-18 0.21 Perfume 0.13 0.13 Smole ratio of S' Aruad 2HT:Dobanol 14-18 30.1 25 comparative example o a S° The softening performance was assessed after one freeze/thaw cycle by subjective evaluation by a panel of expert graders.

The compositions were dispersed in tap water to give dilute aqueous dispersions containing 0.01% of active ingredients. Four pieces of cotton towelling (50 grams) were rinsed in a tergotometer with one litre of the aqueous dispersion at ambient temperature for 5 minutes.

r 17 C.3163 The fabrics were then spun-dry and line dried over night. The compositions were found to give a similar softening benefit. However, after one freeze/thaw cycle the composition containing no nonionic surfactant (Example 6B) was just mobile but did not pour in a continous stream whereas the composition according to the invention was slightly thicker than normal rinse conditioner rheology but could still be poured in a continuous stream.

S0 00 0 0Q 0 o 0 0 0 BO 18 C.3163

NOTES

Alfol 1214-7: Alfol 1214-11: o0 0 nr o0 0 0> 0 0o 0 00 0 a a 00 0 0 0 00 a 0 0 0 00 0 00 0 «0 99 Alfol 1214-13: APG 300: C12-C 14 straight chain alcohol (with an even number of carbon atoms), ethoxylated with an average of 7 ethylene oxide groups per molecule.

As Alfol 1214-7, but with an average of 11 ethylene oxide groups per molecule.

As Alfol 1214-7, but with an average of 13 ethylene oxide groups per molecule.

Alkyl Polyglycoside based on a C9-C11 alcohol and having an average of 1.6 glycosidic rings per mole of alcohol (supplied as a 51% active solution).

Commercially available form of dihardened tallow dimethyl ammonium chloride (DMDHTAC)(supplied as a 75% active paste).

C

12 -C14 straight chain alcohol (with an even number of carbon atoms and of natural origin) ethoxylated with an average of 4 ethylene oxide groups per molecule.

As Brij 30, but with an average of 23 ethylene oxide groups per molecule.

Dimethyl coco amine oxide supplied as solution.

Arquad 2HT: Brij 30: Brij 35: DMC AO: 11: _p 19 C.3163 Dobanol 91-6: Dobanol 45-18: Etocas 35: o c o P on 0 4 94 aa 4 o O 44 o 4 4 *4 4 04 go 4r 4 44 Genapol 0-050: Genapol 0-200: C9-C11 branched chain primary alcohol, ethoxylated with an average of 6 ethylene oxide groups per molecule.

C14-C15 branched chain alcohol, ethoxylated with an average of 18 ethylene oxide groups per molecule.

Castor oil ethoxylated with an average of ethylene oxide groups per molecule.

Oleyl alcohol ethoxylated with an average of 50 ethylene oxide groups per molecule.

Oleyl alcohol ethoxylated with an average of 200 ethylene oxide groups per molecule.

C13-C15 branched chain alcohol ethox'ylated with an average of 7 ethylene oxide groups per molecule.

As Lutensol OA7, but with an average of 8 ethylene oxide groups per molecule.

Similar material to Dobanol 91-6 except that it is topped to remove volatile materials.

Lutensol OA7: Lutensol OA8: Nonidet LE 6T: Nonyl phenol 20EO: Nonylphenol ethoxylated with ethylene oxide groups per molcule.

Pristerene 4916: Commercially available form of hardened tallow fatty acid (HTFA).

Span 20: Sorbitan monolaurate.

20 C. 3163 Stepantex Q185: Stepantex VP85: Synperonic All: A dialkylethoxymethyl ammonium methosuiphate based on soft fatty acid.

A dialkylethoxymethyl ammnonium methosuiphate based on hard fatty acid.

C 1- C15branched chain alcohol ethoxylated with an average of 11 ethylene oxide groups per ma ecule.

C 11

C

15 secondary alcohol ethoxylated with an average of 7 ethylene oxide groups per molecule.

Polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate containing 20 ethylene oxide groups per molecule.

4.4, u~340 4 o 4* 04~4 4 U '3 a 4 '34 00 '3 '3 04 '3 44 4 '3 04 40 4 4 04 '3 43 TergitO3 15-S-7: Tween 20: Tween 20/Span (50 Varisoft 222: 20: A 50/50 weight mixture.

Diamidouuaternary based on soft tallow.

44 04 1 4 4 08 3 0 4 1 '3 0*

Claims

1. A liquid fabric softening composition comprising an aqueous base; (ii) from 1% to 6% by weight of a water-insoluble cationic fabric softening agent; (iii) at least 0.2% by weight of a C 8 -C 2 4 alkyl or alkenyl monocarboxylic acid; and (iv) a nonionic surfactant wherein the mole ratio of the cationic fabric 00 sn softening agent to the nonionic surfactant is within the o o range from 40:1 to 3:1 and wherein the mole ratio of the 88 cationic fabric softening agent to the fatty acid is at a least 1:1. S2. A liquid fabric softening composition according to Claim 1 wherein the nonionic surfactant is selected from: alkylene oxide adducts of aliphatic alcohols, and alkyl phenols; (ii) amine oxides; (iii) alkyl polyglycosides; (iv) ethoxylated castor oil; sorbitan esters, and ethoxylated Sderivatives thereof; and (vi) mixtures of the foregoing materials. a oa o o6

3. A liquid fabric softening composition according to Claim 2 wherein the nonionic surfactant is selected from: -o i L I ~L rl ;II I 22 C.3163 11 4 O. 4b 4 15 0s 4 20 4 oo c. 4t 44 b 4 44 i) dimethyl coco amine oxide; ii) nonyl phenol ethoxylated with an average of ethylene oxide groups per molecule; iii) polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate ethoxylated with an average of 20 ethylene oxide groups per molecule; iv) a mixture of polyethylene sorbitan monolaurate ethoxylated with an average of 20 ethylene oxide groups per molecule and sorbitan monolaurate in a 50/50 weight ratio. v) a branched chain primary alcohol having 9 to 11 carbon atoms and ethoxylated with an average of 6 ethylene oxide groups per molecule; vi) a straight chain primary alcohol having 1'2 to 14 carbon atoms and ethoxylated with an average of 4, 7, 11, 13 or 23 ethylene oxide groups per molecule; and vii) a branched chain primary alcohol having 13 to carbon atoms and ethoxylated with an average of 7, 8 or 11 ethylene oxide groups per molecule. 4r 4 4 4 O4 A P Op

4. A liquid fabric softening composition according to Claim 1 wherein the level of the nonionic surfactant is from 0.1 to 4.5% by weight. A liquid fabric softening composition according to Claim 1 wherein the mole ratio of the cationic fabric softening agent to the nonionic surfactant is within the range 18:1 to 3:1. I 23

6. A liquid fabric softening composition according to Claim 1 wherein the composition comprises at least 1% of the cationic fabric softening and less than 8% of the fatty acid. DATED THIS 27TH DAY OF MAY, 1991 UNILEVER PLC By Its Patent Attorneys: GRIFFITH HACK CO., Fellows Institute of Patent o Attorneys of Australia o 0 0 0 I I L ii