CA1042614A - Softener and bleaching composition - Google Patents
Softener and bleaching compositionInfo
- Publication number
- CA1042614A CA1042614A CA199,959A CA199959A CA1042614A CA 1042614 A CA1042614 A CA 1042614A CA 199959 A CA199959 A CA 199959A CA 1042614 A CA1042614 A CA 1042614A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- cationic
- fabric
- composition
- softening
- softener
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06M—TREATMENT, NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE IN CLASS D06, OF FIBRES, THREADS, YARNS, FABRICS, FEATHERS OR FIBROUS GOODS MADE FROM SUCH MATERIALS
- D06M13/00—Treating fibres, threads, yarns, fabrics or fibrous goods made from such materials, with non-macromolecular organic compounds; Such treatment combined with mechanical treatment
- D06M13/322—Treating fibres, threads, yarns, fabrics or fibrous goods made from such materials, with non-macromolecular organic compounds; Such treatment combined with mechanical treatment with compounds containing nitrogen
- D06M13/46—Compounds containing quaternary nitrogen atoms
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06L—DRY-CLEANING, WASHING OR BLEACHING FIBRES, FILAMENTS, THREADS, YARNS, FABRICS, FEATHERS OR MADE-UP FIBROUS GOODS; BLEACHING LEATHER OR FURS
- D06L4/00—Bleaching fibres, filaments, threads, yarns, fabrics, feathers or made-up fibrous goods; Bleaching leather or furs
- D06L4/10—Bleaching fibres, filaments, threads, yarns, fabrics, feathers or made-up fibrous goods; Bleaching leather or furs using agents which develop oxygen
- D06L4/12—Bleaching fibres, filaments, threads, yarns, fabrics, feathers or made-up fibrous goods; Bleaching leather or furs using agents which develop oxygen combined with specific additives
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06L—DRY-CLEANING, WASHING OR BLEACHING FIBRES, FILAMENTS, THREADS, YARNS, FABRICS, FEATHERS OR MADE-UP FIBROUS GOODS; BLEACHING LEATHER OR FURS
- D06L4/00—Bleaching fibres, filaments, threads, yarns, fabrics, feathers or made-up fibrous goods; Bleaching leather or furs
- D06L4/10—Bleaching fibres, filaments, threads, yarns, fabrics, feathers or made-up fibrous goods; Bleaching leather or furs using agents which develop oxygen
- D06L4/15—Bleaching fibres, filaments, threads, yarns, fabrics, feathers or made-up fibrous goods; Bleaching leather or furs using agents which develop oxygen using organic agents
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06M—TREATMENT, NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE IN CLASS D06, OF FIBRES, THREADS, YARNS, FABRICS, FEATHERS OR FIBROUS GOODS MADE FROM SUCH MATERIALS
- D06M13/00—Treating fibres, threads, yarns, fabrics or fibrous goods made from such materials, with non-macromolecular organic compounds; Such treatment combined with mechanical treatment
- D06M13/10—Treating fibres, threads, yarns, fabrics or fibrous goods made from such materials, with non-macromolecular organic compounds; Such treatment combined with mechanical treatment with compounds containing oxygen
- D06M13/184—Carboxylic acids; Anhydrides, halides or salts thereof
- D06M13/196—Percarboxylic acids; Anhydrides, halides or salts thereof
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Textile Engineering (AREA)
- Treatments For Attaching Organic Compounds To Fibrous Goods (AREA)
- Detergent Compositions (AREA)
- Chemical Or Physical Treatment Of Fibers (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT
A non-yellowing fabric softening composition having improved whitening properties comprising a cationic softener, preferably a quaternary ammonium softener, and a perphthalic acid in the weight ratio of 4:1 to 1:1 of cationic:perphthalic acid.
A non-yellowing fabric softening composition having improved whitening properties comprising a cationic softener, preferably a quaternary ammonium softener, and a perphthalic acid in the weight ratio of 4:1 to 1:1 of cationic:perphthalic acid.
Description
~04Z614 The present lnvention relates to a softenlng composltion which effectively prevents the discolora-tion and/or yellowing Or fabric~ with no differentia-tion ln the ~oftènlng properties thereof.
me use of variou~ and diverse chemical materlals, and particularly cationic compounds as softeners for textile products, is very well known in the art. It is also well known to employ such materials ~or their softening effect during the laundering operatlon ~ lO and partlcularly ln the rinse cycle Or the laundering process. This technlque has been necessitated by the ract that the softeners heretofore employed, belng malnly catlonlc in nature, are not compatible with the maJor type Or detergent used in the washing cycle. By ~ar, the predominatlng type of detergent used ln home launderlng processes ls anionlc in ~ture. It has been iound that even trace~ of anlonlc materials results ln a predlpltate which greatly reduces the effective-ness of ~ald catlonlc ~abric softeners. This manifesta-tlon o~ incompatlblllty has necessitated the use of cationlc quaternary so~teners during laundering in the rin~e cycle arter several rinscs to free said laundered-rabrlcs Or traces of anionlc detergent.
~nother serlous disadvantage of cationic sortenlng aBents and partlcularly the quaternary a~monlum compounds is the well known tendency of textilett~ treated therewith to yellow and di~color.
1~4Z6~4 It has now been found that the addition of minor amounts of perphthalic acid to cationic softening agents eliminates aforesaid yellowing and discoloration and enhances the wh~eness of fabrics treated therewith, without adversely affecting the softening properties thereof. Thus, according to the present invention, there is provided a non-yellowing fabric-softening composition having improved whitening properties comprising a cationic softener and a perphthalic acid bleach in the weight ratio of 4:1 to 1:1 of cationic:perphthalic acid.
In another aspect, the invention provides a method of softening fabrics which comprises applying to said fabrics in an aqueous bath, an amount sufficient to soften the fabric, of the composition defined above.
Instant composition may be used either in the wash or rinse cycle, but optimum results are obtained with rinse cycle use.
The cationic fabric softening compounds useful in the composition of the present invention are commercially known and comprise cationic nitrogen containing compounds, such as quaternary ammonium compound and amines con-taining one or two '~,,~, ~04'~614 straight chain organic radicals of at least 8 carbon atoms and preferably containing at least one straight chain organic radical containing from 12 to 22 carbon atoms.
Generally, the quaternary ammonium softening agents have the following formulas:
Rl R3 +
\ /
N X-/\
Rl (CH2 2 )n +
\/
N X-\N ~ 1 R2/ ( CH2CH2) H¦ X-wherein Rl is a long chain aliphatic radical having from 8 to 22 carbon atoms, R2 is a long chained aliphatic radical having from 8 to 22 carbon atoms or is a lower aIkyl radical having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms or an aryl or aralkyl radical, R~ and R4 are lower alkyl radicals, n is a number between 1 and 15 and X is a water soluble salt forming anion, such as a halide, i.e. chloride, bromide, iodide, a sulfate, acetate, hydroxide metho~ulfate or similar inorganic or organic solubilizing mono-or dibasic radical. Examples of quaternary ammonium softening agents suitable for use in the composition of the present 1~4'~6~4 invention include the following: hydrogenated ditallow dimethyl ammonium chloride, ethoxylated distearyl dimethyl ammonium chloride l-hydroxyethyl-l-methyl-2-heptadecyl imidazolinium chloride; dimethyl distearyl ammonium chloride;
trimethyl stearyl ammonium bromide; cetyl trimethyl ammonium chloride, di-coco dimethyl ammonium chloride; cetyl pyridinium chloride; higher alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride; di-isobutyl phenoxy ethoxy ethyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride;
lauryl isoquinolinium bromide; distearyl dimethyl quaternary ammonium bromide; distearyl dimethyl quaternary ammonium methylsulfate; dicoco dimethyl quaternary ammonium chloride;
dimethyl arachidyl, behenyl quaternary ammonium chloride; di-(soya) dimethylammonium chloride, and di(coco) dimethylammonium chloride, benzyl dimethyl stearyl ammonium chloride, etc.
Examples of amines which may be utilized in the composition of the present invention include primary tallow amine, primary coco amine, primary halogenated tallow amine, n-tallow 1,3-propylene diamine, oleyl 1,3-propylene diamine, and coco 1,3-propylene diamine.
The term "coco" when utilized refers to fatty acid groups formed in coconut oil fatty acids. Such acids contain from about 8 to 18 carbon atoms per molecule predominating in the C12-14 acid-An essential ingredient in instant softening composition is an organic peroxygen compound such as a perphthal-ic acid, more specifically diperisophthalic acid (DIPA). The encapsulated DIPA is available (Suprox Trade Mark~ as a white, free-flowing odorless, granular solid containing 4% active oxygen, about 25% DIPA, about 48% MgS04 and about 27% water of hydration, 104~14 with a particle size such that 98% passes through a 14 mesh sieve while 95%
is retained on an 80 mesh sieve (sieve sizes are U.S. standard).
A particularly useful form of the DIPA is the stabilized material containing an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal salt of a highly ionized acid, such as the sulfate, and especially the material encapsulated with a hydrated salt as described in Lund and Nielson United States Patent 3,494,787 and Nielsen Patent 3,494,786, both issued February 10, 1970. A product of this type is sold under the name "Suprox" and is described in a 39 page bulletin entitled "Suprox Active-Oxygen Bleach" issued May 1970 by the Commercial Development Department, PPG Industries, Industrial Chemical DivisionO
These patents and bulletin mention that the encapsulated DIPA may be mixed with detergent formulations such as heavy-duty household laundering products.
However, its use with cationic fabric softeners to effect a non-yellowing softening composition is unexpected.
Another patent describing stabilized percarboxylic acids and ad-mixtures thereof with synthetic detergents is French 1,181,892.
Although it is well known that conventional cationic fabric soften-ers tend to cause yellowing and discoloration of fabrics, it has nevertheless been found that minor amounts of aforesaid perphthalic acid admixed with afore-said cationic softeners unexpectedly reduces and/or eliminates said fabric yellowing and discoloration and enhances the whitening properties thereof, with-out interfering with the softening properties of said cationic fabric soften-ers. The strong affinity of cationic fabric softeners to fabric yields superior softening properties but has the disadvantage of building up on the fabric, thereby causing undesirable yellowing normally associated therewith. It has been found that the presence of minor amounts of perphthalic acid substantial-ly decreases the tendency of build-up of the cationic agent on the fabric, thereby eliminating yellowing. Similarly, the presence of organometallic complexes (color bodies) in the wash and/or rinse water, which is believed to 104'~614 be the major cause of fabric discoloration, is effectively prevented from depositing on the fabric due to the presence of minor amounts of perphthalic acid in the cationic softening composition. Weight ratios of 4:1 to 1:1 of cationic: perphthalic acid appear to be most effective as a non-yellowing softening composition.
The process of treating fabrics with instant softening composi-tions is not dependent on temperature and performs well with either cold or warm rinse solutions. Also, the process can be conducted using water of any reasonable degree of hardness, although obviously, the use of softer rinse water is preferredO
The softening composition of instant invention may also include minor amounts of brighteners, bluing, germicides, perfumes, diluents or other additives which do not interfere with the softening and whitening properties of said composition.
This product may be prepared simply by dry blending the ingredients.
It also may be prepared in liquid form such as an aqueous solution. The amount of cationic softener present in the liquid composition may be within the range of 2-20%, and preferably about 4-15% by weight. The liquid composi-tion may be sprayed on, or otherwise agglomerated with particles of carrier materials such as borax, sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbGnate, sodium sesquicarbonate, sodium sulfate, sodium chloride, phosphate salts, or the like to form granular or powdered compositions. This solid product may also be formed into a pellet or other suitable shape. The amount of cationic softener present in the powdered form may be 2-30%, and preferably 4-20% by weight.
The invention has found its greatest utility thus far in the soften-ing of cotton fabrics, fabrics made of other cellulosic fibers, e.g., rayon or other textile fibers, e.g., nylon, silk, wool, polyethylene terephthalate, cellulose acetate, acrylonitrile polymers or copolymers, or blends of any two or more of these fibers (e.g.,cotton-polyester blends). This softening com-1~4Z614 position may be applied to the fabric in an aqueous bath, either as a final rinse during laundering, or as a separate and distinct softening operation.
In addition, since this softening composition is compatible with anionic and non-ionic detergents~ it may be added to the wash water during laundering.
However, optimum whiteness is obtained when utilized in the rinse cycle of laundering. In use~ 30 to 60 g of the softening composition is added to an automatic washing machine or similar treating both containing 17 gallons (35 litters) of water, and an average load of fabrics (about 6 to 8 pounds).
However~ lesser or greater amounts may be utilized to obtain the desired de-gree of softness and whiteness~ depending on the water temperature, the amountof water and clothes, etc.
The following Examples are given to further illustrate this invent-ion. All parts given are by weight unless otherwise indicated. In the Examples, the pressure is atmospheric unless otherwise indicated.
Several swatches of cotton terry towel, cotton PP and Polyester/
cotton PP (PP = Permanent Press finish) are washed and rinsed in water con~ain-ing 1 ppm each of Fe~ Cu~ Mn; 150 ppm of Ca/Mg as CaC03 and 5 ppm Tannin (impurities found in water) at 120 F. Said swatches are washed with an aqueous solution of a heavy duty detergent comprising 10% sodium linear tri-decyl benzene sulfonate, 2% C14-C15 fatty alcohol with an average of 11 ethylene oxide groups, 2% mixed sodium coconut/tallow fatty acid soap, 35%
pentasodium tripolyphosphate, 7% sodium silicate (Na20: SiO2 ratio 1:2.35), 0.5% sodium carboxymethyl cell~lose and the balance sodium sulfate in the concentration of lg/liter of aforedefined water. Said washed fabrics-are subsequently rinsed with instant softening composition comprising O.lg dis-tearyl dimethyl ammonium chloride and O.lg "Suprox" (25% diperisophthalic acid encapsulated in 75% hydrated magnesium sulfate) per liter of water. The Z~;14 effectiveness of the rinse composition is determined by reflectance readings (Rd) on the fabrics after rinsing, using a Gardner Color Difference Meter, wherein higher Rd values is indicative of increased whiteness and higher "+b" values indicates greater yellowness whereas higher "-b" values represents more whitening. The b scale goes from blue to white to yellow (-b ---~ +b).
TABLE I
distearyl dimethyl quarternary ammonium quaternary +
Fabric chloride suprox Final Rd Final Rd Cotton Terry Towel 67.1 76.2 Polyester/cotton PP 75.1 82.6 Cotton PP 74-6 81.1 The increased whiteness is clearly evident with the composition of instant invention, wherein the amount of DIPA is as low as .025 g/l of rinse water and the weight ratio of cationic to perphthalic acid is 4:1 respec-tively.
The softening composition comprising a 4:1 ratio of cationic:
DIPA in the concentration of 0.125 g/l water is added to the wash cycle to-gether with lg/l of the heavy duty detergent composition of Example 1. The artificial water of Example 1 is used. Tab~e II records the Rd and b values after wash and rinse.
~1~)4Z~14 TABLE II
Cotton Terry Polyester/
Towel Cotton PP Cotton PP
Rd b Rd b Rd b detergent ~ quaternary 75.7 -2.6 82.1 -0.1 79.3 -4.0 softener of Example 1 74.8 -2.9 81.7 -0.0 79.4 -3.9 detergent + quaternary 76.9 -1.2 83.3 -0.3 79.9 -4.1 softener of Example 1 Suprox 7S.6 -1.1 82.6 -0.2- 79.3 -4.0 The above results are indicative of only a slight improvement in whiteness when utilizing the "Suprox" in the wash cycle during laundering.
Terry towel swatches were rinsed in the artificial water of Example 1 at 120F. containing I-O.lg/l distearyl dimethyl quaternary ammonium chloride; II-O.lg/l said quaternary plus O.lg/l magnesium sulfate; or III-0.1 g/l quaternary +O.lg/l "Suprox" and were evaluated on the RD scale.
TABLE III
I II III
67.8 65.8 80.6 This clearly shows the superior whiteness obtained by the composit-ion containing Suprox plus cationic as against the cationic per se. It further shows that the superior whiteness is due to the DIPA constituent of Suprox and not the magnesium sulfate content therein. The terry towel rinsed with the Suprox + cationic exhibited greater softness than the other rinsed towels.
Prewashed swatches, in accordance with the procedure of Example 1 were rinsed with a composition containing O.lg/l cationic of Example 1 and 0.1 g/l perborate; and another composition containing O.lg/l cationic and O.lg/l per 1~4Z~;14 carbonate (inorganic per-oxygen bleaches) compared with a swatch rinsed in a composition containing O.lg/l "Suprox" plus O.lg/l cationic.
TABLE IV
distearyl dimethyl cationic + cationic + cationic +
quaternary ammonium Suprox perborate percarbonate chloride (cationic) Fabric Rd b Rd b Rd b Rd b Terry 67.9 1.4 76.3 2.6 64.1 5.7 67.8 6.3 towel 68.6 1.3 77.4 2.6 66.2 5.1 70.8 5.0 Polyester/72.1 o.8 78.7 1.2 72.9 3.2 76.5 2.9 cotton PP
71.2 o.8 77.9 1.7 74.2 3.1 74.6 3.5 The superior whitening effect of instant composition comprising the cationic quaternary compound and the organic per-oxygen bleach, such as diis~perphthalic acid in comparison to the in-organic per-oxygen bleach such as perborate and percarbonate is clearly evident from the results in Table IV.
Tallow alkyl propylene diamine was substituted for the distearyl dimethyl quaternary ammonium chloride in the rinse water of Example 1. Some beneficial effect on reducing color body deposition (fabric disco~oration)iis noted herewith. However, the composition containing the quaternary and DIPA
exhibits greater whitening propensities.
As is apparent from the foregoing examples, the composition and process of the present invention provides a softening composition which reduces the yellowing caused by cationic softening agents and increases whiteness with no apparent differentiation in ~he degree of softening.
While various preferred embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated by means of specific examples, it is to be understood that the present invention is in no way to be deemed as limited thereto, but should be con~trued as- broadly as all or any equivalents thereof.
me use of variou~ and diverse chemical materlals, and particularly cationic compounds as softeners for textile products, is very well known in the art. It is also well known to employ such materials ~or their softening effect during the laundering operatlon ~ lO and partlcularly ln the rinse cycle Or the laundering process. This technlque has been necessitated by the ract that the softeners heretofore employed, belng malnly catlonlc in nature, are not compatible with the maJor type Or detergent used in the washing cycle. By ~ar, the predominatlng type of detergent used ln home launderlng processes ls anionlc in ~ture. It has been iound that even trace~ of anlonlc materials results ln a predlpltate which greatly reduces the effective-ness of ~ald catlonlc ~abric softeners. This manifesta-tlon o~ incompatlblllty has necessitated the use of cationlc quaternary so~teners during laundering in the rin~e cycle arter several rinscs to free said laundered-rabrlcs Or traces of anionlc detergent.
~nother serlous disadvantage of cationic sortenlng aBents and partlcularly the quaternary a~monlum compounds is the well known tendency of textilett~ treated therewith to yellow and di~color.
1~4Z6~4 It has now been found that the addition of minor amounts of perphthalic acid to cationic softening agents eliminates aforesaid yellowing and discoloration and enhances the wh~eness of fabrics treated therewith, without adversely affecting the softening properties thereof. Thus, according to the present invention, there is provided a non-yellowing fabric-softening composition having improved whitening properties comprising a cationic softener and a perphthalic acid bleach in the weight ratio of 4:1 to 1:1 of cationic:perphthalic acid.
In another aspect, the invention provides a method of softening fabrics which comprises applying to said fabrics in an aqueous bath, an amount sufficient to soften the fabric, of the composition defined above.
Instant composition may be used either in the wash or rinse cycle, but optimum results are obtained with rinse cycle use.
The cationic fabric softening compounds useful in the composition of the present invention are commercially known and comprise cationic nitrogen containing compounds, such as quaternary ammonium compound and amines con-taining one or two '~,,~, ~04'~614 straight chain organic radicals of at least 8 carbon atoms and preferably containing at least one straight chain organic radical containing from 12 to 22 carbon atoms.
Generally, the quaternary ammonium softening agents have the following formulas:
Rl R3 +
\ /
N X-/\
Rl (CH2 2 )n +
\/
N X-\N ~ 1 R2/ ( CH2CH2) H¦ X-wherein Rl is a long chain aliphatic radical having from 8 to 22 carbon atoms, R2 is a long chained aliphatic radical having from 8 to 22 carbon atoms or is a lower aIkyl radical having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms or an aryl or aralkyl radical, R~ and R4 are lower alkyl radicals, n is a number between 1 and 15 and X is a water soluble salt forming anion, such as a halide, i.e. chloride, bromide, iodide, a sulfate, acetate, hydroxide metho~ulfate or similar inorganic or organic solubilizing mono-or dibasic radical. Examples of quaternary ammonium softening agents suitable for use in the composition of the present 1~4'~6~4 invention include the following: hydrogenated ditallow dimethyl ammonium chloride, ethoxylated distearyl dimethyl ammonium chloride l-hydroxyethyl-l-methyl-2-heptadecyl imidazolinium chloride; dimethyl distearyl ammonium chloride;
trimethyl stearyl ammonium bromide; cetyl trimethyl ammonium chloride, di-coco dimethyl ammonium chloride; cetyl pyridinium chloride; higher alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride; di-isobutyl phenoxy ethoxy ethyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride;
lauryl isoquinolinium bromide; distearyl dimethyl quaternary ammonium bromide; distearyl dimethyl quaternary ammonium methylsulfate; dicoco dimethyl quaternary ammonium chloride;
dimethyl arachidyl, behenyl quaternary ammonium chloride; di-(soya) dimethylammonium chloride, and di(coco) dimethylammonium chloride, benzyl dimethyl stearyl ammonium chloride, etc.
Examples of amines which may be utilized in the composition of the present invention include primary tallow amine, primary coco amine, primary halogenated tallow amine, n-tallow 1,3-propylene diamine, oleyl 1,3-propylene diamine, and coco 1,3-propylene diamine.
The term "coco" when utilized refers to fatty acid groups formed in coconut oil fatty acids. Such acids contain from about 8 to 18 carbon atoms per molecule predominating in the C12-14 acid-An essential ingredient in instant softening composition is an organic peroxygen compound such as a perphthal-ic acid, more specifically diperisophthalic acid (DIPA). The encapsulated DIPA is available (Suprox Trade Mark~ as a white, free-flowing odorless, granular solid containing 4% active oxygen, about 25% DIPA, about 48% MgS04 and about 27% water of hydration, 104~14 with a particle size such that 98% passes through a 14 mesh sieve while 95%
is retained on an 80 mesh sieve (sieve sizes are U.S. standard).
A particularly useful form of the DIPA is the stabilized material containing an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal salt of a highly ionized acid, such as the sulfate, and especially the material encapsulated with a hydrated salt as described in Lund and Nielson United States Patent 3,494,787 and Nielsen Patent 3,494,786, both issued February 10, 1970. A product of this type is sold under the name "Suprox" and is described in a 39 page bulletin entitled "Suprox Active-Oxygen Bleach" issued May 1970 by the Commercial Development Department, PPG Industries, Industrial Chemical DivisionO
These patents and bulletin mention that the encapsulated DIPA may be mixed with detergent formulations such as heavy-duty household laundering products.
However, its use with cationic fabric softeners to effect a non-yellowing softening composition is unexpected.
Another patent describing stabilized percarboxylic acids and ad-mixtures thereof with synthetic detergents is French 1,181,892.
Although it is well known that conventional cationic fabric soften-ers tend to cause yellowing and discoloration of fabrics, it has nevertheless been found that minor amounts of aforesaid perphthalic acid admixed with afore-said cationic softeners unexpectedly reduces and/or eliminates said fabric yellowing and discoloration and enhances the whitening properties thereof, with-out interfering with the softening properties of said cationic fabric soften-ers. The strong affinity of cationic fabric softeners to fabric yields superior softening properties but has the disadvantage of building up on the fabric, thereby causing undesirable yellowing normally associated therewith. It has been found that the presence of minor amounts of perphthalic acid substantial-ly decreases the tendency of build-up of the cationic agent on the fabric, thereby eliminating yellowing. Similarly, the presence of organometallic complexes (color bodies) in the wash and/or rinse water, which is believed to 104'~614 be the major cause of fabric discoloration, is effectively prevented from depositing on the fabric due to the presence of minor amounts of perphthalic acid in the cationic softening composition. Weight ratios of 4:1 to 1:1 of cationic: perphthalic acid appear to be most effective as a non-yellowing softening composition.
The process of treating fabrics with instant softening composi-tions is not dependent on temperature and performs well with either cold or warm rinse solutions. Also, the process can be conducted using water of any reasonable degree of hardness, although obviously, the use of softer rinse water is preferredO
The softening composition of instant invention may also include minor amounts of brighteners, bluing, germicides, perfumes, diluents or other additives which do not interfere with the softening and whitening properties of said composition.
This product may be prepared simply by dry blending the ingredients.
It also may be prepared in liquid form such as an aqueous solution. The amount of cationic softener present in the liquid composition may be within the range of 2-20%, and preferably about 4-15% by weight. The liquid composi-tion may be sprayed on, or otherwise agglomerated with particles of carrier materials such as borax, sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbGnate, sodium sesquicarbonate, sodium sulfate, sodium chloride, phosphate salts, or the like to form granular or powdered compositions. This solid product may also be formed into a pellet or other suitable shape. The amount of cationic softener present in the powdered form may be 2-30%, and preferably 4-20% by weight.
The invention has found its greatest utility thus far in the soften-ing of cotton fabrics, fabrics made of other cellulosic fibers, e.g., rayon or other textile fibers, e.g., nylon, silk, wool, polyethylene terephthalate, cellulose acetate, acrylonitrile polymers or copolymers, or blends of any two or more of these fibers (e.g.,cotton-polyester blends). This softening com-1~4Z614 position may be applied to the fabric in an aqueous bath, either as a final rinse during laundering, or as a separate and distinct softening operation.
In addition, since this softening composition is compatible with anionic and non-ionic detergents~ it may be added to the wash water during laundering.
However, optimum whiteness is obtained when utilized in the rinse cycle of laundering. In use~ 30 to 60 g of the softening composition is added to an automatic washing machine or similar treating both containing 17 gallons (35 litters) of water, and an average load of fabrics (about 6 to 8 pounds).
However~ lesser or greater amounts may be utilized to obtain the desired de-gree of softness and whiteness~ depending on the water temperature, the amountof water and clothes, etc.
The following Examples are given to further illustrate this invent-ion. All parts given are by weight unless otherwise indicated. In the Examples, the pressure is atmospheric unless otherwise indicated.
Several swatches of cotton terry towel, cotton PP and Polyester/
cotton PP (PP = Permanent Press finish) are washed and rinsed in water con~ain-ing 1 ppm each of Fe~ Cu~ Mn; 150 ppm of Ca/Mg as CaC03 and 5 ppm Tannin (impurities found in water) at 120 F. Said swatches are washed with an aqueous solution of a heavy duty detergent comprising 10% sodium linear tri-decyl benzene sulfonate, 2% C14-C15 fatty alcohol with an average of 11 ethylene oxide groups, 2% mixed sodium coconut/tallow fatty acid soap, 35%
pentasodium tripolyphosphate, 7% sodium silicate (Na20: SiO2 ratio 1:2.35), 0.5% sodium carboxymethyl cell~lose and the balance sodium sulfate in the concentration of lg/liter of aforedefined water. Said washed fabrics-are subsequently rinsed with instant softening composition comprising O.lg dis-tearyl dimethyl ammonium chloride and O.lg "Suprox" (25% diperisophthalic acid encapsulated in 75% hydrated magnesium sulfate) per liter of water. The Z~;14 effectiveness of the rinse composition is determined by reflectance readings (Rd) on the fabrics after rinsing, using a Gardner Color Difference Meter, wherein higher Rd values is indicative of increased whiteness and higher "+b" values indicates greater yellowness whereas higher "-b" values represents more whitening. The b scale goes from blue to white to yellow (-b ---~ +b).
TABLE I
distearyl dimethyl quarternary ammonium quaternary +
Fabric chloride suprox Final Rd Final Rd Cotton Terry Towel 67.1 76.2 Polyester/cotton PP 75.1 82.6 Cotton PP 74-6 81.1 The increased whiteness is clearly evident with the composition of instant invention, wherein the amount of DIPA is as low as .025 g/l of rinse water and the weight ratio of cationic to perphthalic acid is 4:1 respec-tively.
The softening composition comprising a 4:1 ratio of cationic:
DIPA in the concentration of 0.125 g/l water is added to the wash cycle to-gether with lg/l of the heavy duty detergent composition of Example 1. The artificial water of Example 1 is used. Tab~e II records the Rd and b values after wash and rinse.
~1~)4Z~14 TABLE II
Cotton Terry Polyester/
Towel Cotton PP Cotton PP
Rd b Rd b Rd b detergent ~ quaternary 75.7 -2.6 82.1 -0.1 79.3 -4.0 softener of Example 1 74.8 -2.9 81.7 -0.0 79.4 -3.9 detergent + quaternary 76.9 -1.2 83.3 -0.3 79.9 -4.1 softener of Example 1 Suprox 7S.6 -1.1 82.6 -0.2- 79.3 -4.0 The above results are indicative of only a slight improvement in whiteness when utilizing the "Suprox" in the wash cycle during laundering.
Terry towel swatches were rinsed in the artificial water of Example 1 at 120F. containing I-O.lg/l distearyl dimethyl quaternary ammonium chloride; II-O.lg/l said quaternary plus O.lg/l magnesium sulfate; or III-0.1 g/l quaternary +O.lg/l "Suprox" and were evaluated on the RD scale.
TABLE III
I II III
67.8 65.8 80.6 This clearly shows the superior whiteness obtained by the composit-ion containing Suprox plus cationic as against the cationic per se. It further shows that the superior whiteness is due to the DIPA constituent of Suprox and not the magnesium sulfate content therein. The terry towel rinsed with the Suprox + cationic exhibited greater softness than the other rinsed towels.
Prewashed swatches, in accordance with the procedure of Example 1 were rinsed with a composition containing O.lg/l cationic of Example 1 and 0.1 g/l perborate; and another composition containing O.lg/l cationic and O.lg/l per 1~4Z~;14 carbonate (inorganic per-oxygen bleaches) compared with a swatch rinsed in a composition containing O.lg/l "Suprox" plus O.lg/l cationic.
TABLE IV
distearyl dimethyl cationic + cationic + cationic +
quaternary ammonium Suprox perborate percarbonate chloride (cationic) Fabric Rd b Rd b Rd b Rd b Terry 67.9 1.4 76.3 2.6 64.1 5.7 67.8 6.3 towel 68.6 1.3 77.4 2.6 66.2 5.1 70.8 5.0 Polyester/72.1 o.8 78.7 1.2 72.9 3.2 76.5 2.9 cotton PP
71.2 o.8 77.9 1.7 74.2 3.1 74.6 3.5 The superior whitening effect of instant composition comprising the cationic quaternary compound and the organic per-oxygen bleach, such as diis~perphthalic acid in comparison to the in-organic per-oxygen bleach such as perborate and percarbonate is clearly evident from the results in Table IV.
Tallow alkyl propylene diamine was substituted for the distearyl dimethyl quaternary ammonium chloride in the rinse water of Example 1. Some beneficial effect on reducing color body deposition (fabric disco~oration)iis noted herewith. However, the composition containing the quaternary and DIPA
exhibits greater whitening propensities.
As is apparent from the foregoing examples, the composition and process of the present invention provides a softening composition which reduces the yellowing caused by cationic softening agents and increases whiteness with no apparent differentiation in ~he degree of softening.
While various preferred embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated by means of specific examples, it is to be understood that the present invention is in no way to be deemed as limited thereto, but should be con~trued as- broadly as all or any equivalents thereof.
Claims (6)
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. A non-yellowing fabric-softening composition having improved whiten-ing properties comprising a cationic softener and a perphthalic acid bleach in the weight ratio of 4:1 to 1:1 of cationic:perphthalic acid.
2. A fabric-softening composition of Claim 1, wherein the cationic softener is a quaternary ammonium compound.
3. A fabric-softening composition of Claim 2, wherein the cationic quarternary softener is distearyl dimethyl quaternary ammonium chloride.
4. A fabric-softening composition of Claim 1, wherein the perphthalic acid is diperisophthalic acid.
5. A method of softening fabrics which comprises applying to said fabrics in an aqueous bath, an amount sufficient to soften the fabric, of the composition of Claim 1.
6. me method of Claim 5, wherein the softening composition of Claim 3 is added as a final rinse during laundering.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US36632973A | 1973-06-04 | 1973-06-04 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1042614A true CA1042614A (en) | 1978-11-21 |
Family
ID=23442564
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA199,959A Expired CA1042614A (en) | 1973-06-04 | 1974-05-15 | Softener and bleaching composition |
Country Status (10)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| AU (1) | AU497498B2 (en) |
| BE (1) | BE815890A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1042614A (en) |
| CH (1) | CH592732A5 (en) |
| DE (1) | DE2424855C2 (en) |
| DK (1) | DK275274A (en) |
| ES (1) | ES426850A1 (en) |
| FR (1) | FR2231804B1 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB1475149A (en) |
| IT (1) | IT1013329B (en) |
Families Citing this family (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB1557568A (en) * | 1976-09-20 | 1979-12-12 | Procter & Gamble | Laundry composition comprising an agglomerate of a cationic surfactant and a bleach activator |
| US4166794A (en) * | 1978-05-25 | 1979-09-04 | Colgate-Palmolive Company | Liquid bleach-softener compositions |
| US4445901A (en) * | 1981-10-09 | 1984-05-01 | Lever Brothers Company | Fabric conditioning composition |
| SE8502752L (en) * | 1984-06-22 | 1985-12-23 | Colgate Palmolive Co | WHITE AND WASHABLE COMPOSITION, FREE FROM WATER-SOLUBLE SILICATES |
Family Cites Families (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3749673A (en) * | 1971-02-22 | 1973-07-31 | Procter & Gamble | Bleach-fabric softener compositions |
-
1974
- 1974-05-14 AU AU68913/74A patent/AU497498B2/en not_active Expired
- 1974-05-15 CA CA199,959A patent/CA1042614A/en not_active Expired
- 1974-05-20 DK DK275274A patent/DK275274A/da not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1974-05-22 DE DE2424855A patent/DE2424855C2/en not_active Expired
- 1974-05-29 GB GB2382074A patent/GB1475149A/en not_active Expired
- 1974-05-30 FR FR7418830A patent/FR2231804B1/fr not_active Expired
- 1974-05-31 IT IT51333/74A patent/IT1013329B/en active
- 1974-06-01 ES ES426850A patent/ES426850A1/en not_active Expired
- 1974-06-04 BE BE145054A patent/BE815890A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1974-06-04 CH CH759374A patent/CH592732A5/xx not_active IP Right Cessation
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| IT1013329B (en) | 1977-03-30 |
| GB1475149A (en) | 1977-06-01 |
| DE2424855A1 (en) | 1974-12-19 |
| BE815890A (en) | 1974-09-30 |
| AU497498B2 (en) | 1978-12-14 |
| ES426850A1 (en) | 1976-09-16 |
| CH592732A5 (en) | 1977-11-15 |
| FR2231804B1 (en) | 1978-06-02 |
| DK275274A (en) | 1975-01-20 |
| DE2424855C2 (en) | 1986-01-09 |
| AU6891374A (en) | 1975-11-20 |
| FR2231804A1 (en) | 1974-12-27 |
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