CZ20021239A3 - Preparation for treating textile materials - Google Patents

Abstract

A fabric care composition comprises a polymeric material which is capable of self cross-linking and/or of reacting with cellulose together with one or more textile compatible carriers, wherein the polymeric material comprises one or more poly(oxyalkylene) groups having an end group which comprises one or more amino groups or derivatives of said amino groups. The compositions may be used to treat fabric as part of a laundering process and improve the surface colour definition of the fabric following multiple washings.

Description

Means for treating textile materials

Technical field

The present invention relates to fabric care compositions and to a method of fabric treatment using compositions or polymeric materials contained therein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The washing process generally has several advantages for textiles; the most common of these is to remove dirt and stains from the fabric during the wash cycle and to soften the fabric during the rinse cycle. Of course, there are many drawbacks associated with the reuse of conventional laundry detergents and / or simultaneous washing processes; one of them is a rather rough treatment of the fabric in the washing process.

The fabrics can be damaged in several ways due to repeated washing and / or wearing. Pilling of the fabric and loss of the original surface appearance of the fabric, such as furry, shrinkage (or withdrawal), loss of color, or dyeing of fabrics (usually called dye transfer) are some of the common problems associated with repeated washing. These problems can only arise from repeated hand washing and a more thorough washing process in the machine.

In addition, problems related to textile damage over time in normal wear, such as loss of shape and increased likelihood of creasing, are also significant.

The present invention is directed to alleviating one or more of the problems mentioned above.

«•« «« «« «« «« «« «« «« «« «« «« «« «« « ·····

The main advantage of the present invention relates to improving the surface sharpness of the fabric colors after multiple washings and / or providing the fabric's resistance to pilling and / or hairiness during washing. The invention may also have other advantages in fabric treatment, for example, other aspects of the overall fabric appearance may be improved, such as reducing the tendency of the fabric to become crumpled or crumpled.

Laundry detergent compositions containing polyamide-polyamine fabric conditioning agents are disclosed in WO 98/29530. Compositions are provided which provide an improved overall appearance of fabrics washed using such laundry compositions in terms of surface appearance properties, such as reducing pilling and / or hair and prevention. color fading. Detergent compositions containing similar polyamide-polyamine type conditioning agents are disclosed in WO 97/42287.

Detergent compositions containing polyamide-polyamine fabric conditioning agents may exhibit increased color retention (i.e., increased dye transfer) and poor stain removal properties compared to other conventional laundry detergents.

US 5,571,286 (Connell et al.) Discloses certain polyoxyalkylene amine-derived polymers and prepolymers and their use in a process that prevents the coagulation of wool. The treated wool may also be softer to the touch than the untreated wool. However, the document does not mention the treatment of cellulosic fabrics or the problems of loss of the surface appearance of the fabric which may occur after washing. In addition, it is fully concerned with industrial scale wool treatment and does not mention the application of fabrics to fabrics in connection with the washing process.

The present invention is based on the surprising finding that certain polymeric materials, including those described in US 5,571,286, can provide improved surface appearance to cellulosic textiles.

- 2 • ·

Polymeric materials may have the additional advantage of reduced adverse side effects, such as increased dye transfer and poor stain removal, compared to certain compositions containing polyamide-polyamine fabric conditioning agents.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention there is provided a fabric care composition comprising a polymeric material that is capable of self-crosslinking and / or reacting with cellulose together with one or more of a textile-compatible carrier and wherein, if it is a textile-compatible carrier water, an additional additive suitable for use in laundry detergents is present, characterized in that the polymeric material comprises one or more of poly (oxyalkylene) groups having a terminal group containing one or more of amino groups or one or more of derivatives of said amino groups.

The invention further provides, as part of a washing process, a fabric treatment method comprising the steps of applying a fabric care composition of the invention or a polymeric material that is a component of the composition of the invention to the fabric.

The invention in another aspect also provides the use of the fabric care composition of the invention, or of a polymeric material that is a component of the fabric care composition of the invention, to improve the surface sharpness of the fabric colors after multiple laundering.

In another aspect, the invention provides the use of the fabric care composition of the invention, or of a polymeric material that is a component of the fabric care composition of the invention, to improve resistance to pilling or hairy fabrics during washing. Moreover, the invention can

- 4 textiles provide other beneficial properties, such as reduced creasing and / or creasing of the fabric during washing.

The compositions of the present invention comprise a polymeric material capable of self-crosslinking and / or reacting with cellulose together with one or more of a textile-compatible carrier, wherein the polymeric material comprises one or more of poly (oxyalkylene) groups having an end group containing one or more amino groups or one or more derivatives of said amino groups.

The compositions of the invention have the surprising advantage of providing textiles with wear resistance and thereby providing improved surface sharpness of the fabric color after washing, especially after multiple washing. Furthermore, the polymeric materials contained in the compositions may not cause unacceptable dye transfer and / or stain removal problems.

The polymeric material that can be used in the present invention can be any of the polyoxyalkylenamine-derived polymers or prepolymers described in U.S. Patent No. 5,571,286. Methods of making polymeric materials are also described in U.S. Patent No. 5,571,286. for example, the reaction product of a diamine or triamine of a poly (oxyalkylene) polymer having a degree of polymerization of from 4 to 50 or a mixture thereof with epichlorohydrin in a ratio of epichlorohydrin to amino nitrogen of from 1: 1 to 3: 1.

The amino groups in the polymeric material used in the invention may be wholly or partially in the form of amino group derivatives. Derivatives include, for example, adducts formed by alkylation or hydroxyalkylation at the nitrogen atom or by formation of an amide group at the nitrogen atom. Derivatives can be created • · ··· · ···· · * ·

by reacting the amino groups with a bifunctional bridging agent or a crosslinking agent.

The polymeric material is preferably obtained by reacting a polymer of formula B (R) _n , wherein n is from 1 to 20, B is a backbone group to which each R is covalently bonded, and R is a poly (oxyalkylene) chain group ; this chain contains an amino-terminated group and the polymer is optionally allowed to react with a bridging agent or cross-linking agent. Thus, it will be appreciated that the polymeric material of the invention is a relatively complex mixture comprising a number of different compounds, some or all of which may be crosslinked.

The poly (oxyalkylene) chain that forms part of the R group can be, for example, a poly (oxyethylene), poly (oxybutylene) or poly (oxyprop-1,2-ylene) chain. The chain length can vary from 2 to 100 repeating units.

The value of n is preferably 2 or 3. It will be appreciated that n need not be an integer if the polymeric material of the invention comprises a mixture of different polymers of formula B (R) _n .

In some of the polymeric materials that can be used in the invention, B is

- O - CH ₂ - (CH) _m - CH ₂ - OO (ie, if m is 1, B is a glycerol residue) and m is n-2.

- 6 • to «to this ·········································· ·· This ····

However, B may also represent other values, such as the residue of other trioles or the residue of a di-, tetra-, penta- or hexahydroxyl compound. Alternatively, B may be a di-, tri- or polyamine residue.

Preferably, at least one R group has the formula:

(CH ₂ CH (R ') (CH ₂ ) _and O) _p -A-NHR wherein R' is H or CH ₃ ; a is 0, 1 or 2; p is an integer from 5 to 30; A is an alkylene group and R is H or alkyl. More preferably, p has a value of from 10 to 25.

The term allyl, as used herein, includes C ₁ -C ₆ alkyl, optionally substituted on an alkyl chain, which may be branched or unbranched, and, for C ₃ -C ₆ alkyl, may be cyclic. The term alkylene is defined similarly, but refers to a divalent (divalent) radical.

It will be understood that the term terminal group refers to a group at or near the end of a poly (oxyalkylene) chain, which end, when the polymer has the formula B (R) _n , is the opposite end of the polymer chain to that which is bound to B.

Suitable polymers of formula B (R) _n include those having the following structure:

H ₂ C - O (CH ₂ CH (R ') O) _p - A - nh ₂

AND

HC-O (CH ₂ CH (R ') O) _q -A-NH ₂

H ₂ C-O (CH ₂ CH (R ') O) _r -A-NH ₂

A A A

- 7 AA AA AA AA

A A A A A A

AAAAA AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA.A And A is a branched or unbranched lower alkylene.

Other suitable polymers of formula B (R) _n wherein n is 2 include those having the following formula:

H ₂ N - (CH ₂ ) _b - (O (CH ₂ ) ₄ ) _d -O (CH ₂ ) _c O - ((CH ₂ ) ₄ O) _{d 2} - (CH ₂ ) _b - NH ₂ where b is whole a number from 1 to 6, preferably 3; c is an integer from 1 to 6, preferably 4; and d2 are the same or different and are integers from 10 to 15.

The crosslinking agent that is used to form the polymeric material used in the invention by reaction with the polymer, or the polymer after the previous reaction with the bridging agent, preferably comprises epihalohydrin. A suitable epihalohydrin is epichlorohydrin.

The molar ratio of crosslinking agent to polymer of formula B (R) _n is preferably from 0.5: 1 to 4: 1. Other amounts of crosslinking agent may also be present in the polymeric material used in the invention.

Suitable bridging agents (bridging agents) comprise two epoxy groups or two carboxylic acid groups. Epoxy or carboxyl groups may be linked by a linker comprising alkylene, arylene, poly (oxyalkylene) or siloxane groups, or combinations of such groups. Thus, examples of bridged compounds include benzene-1,4-dicarboxylic acid, hexane-1,6-dicarboxylic acid, and polyoxyethylene compounds terminated at both ends of the molecule with an epoxy group. Other suitable bridged compounds are disclosed in U.S. Patent 5,571,286.

- 8 · «4 4 4 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 4 4 4 4 4 4 ·· · · · ··· · · · · Mt ·

The composition used in the invention may comprise a polymeric material, optionally together with other polymeric materials. The compositions may further comprise a silicone capable of reacting with the polymeric material. Suitable reactive silicones include those having amino or hydroxyl groups and are well known to those skilled in the art.

Preferably, the polymeric material is capable of increasing the wet strength of the paper to about 200% compared to the untreated paper when applied to a paper of 80 gm ^-1 in an amount of 1% by weight of solids relative to the paper weight, according to the test method described below. .

Polymeric materials suitable for use in the present invention are available from Precision Processes Textiles (Ambergate, Derbyshire, UK) under the registered trademarks POLYMER AM and POLYMER MRSM. The polymeric materials used in the invention are preferably in the form of aqueous solutions.

AM polymer is a polymer having the following structure:

The MRSM polymer has the same structure as the AM polymer, but silicone is added to the polymer blend.

- 9 · · • * 9 9 9

The nature of the textile-compatible carrier will largely be determined by the stage at which the composition of the present invention is used in a laundry process, wherein the compositions are in principle capable of being used at any stage of the process.

For example, when the compositions are intended for use as handwashing detergent compositions, one or more of the textile-compatible carriers comprise a detergent-active compound. When the compositions are intended for use in the rinse step of the washing process, one or more of the fabric-compatible carriers may comprise a fabric softener and / or conditioner.

The compositions of the invention preferably contain perfume of the type commonly used in fabric care compositions. The compositions may be packaged and labeled for use in a domestic laundry process.

Preferably, the polymeric material is present in the product in an amount sufficient to provide an amount on the fabric of 0.0005% to 5% by weight based on the weight of the fabric, and more preferably 0.001 to 2% by weight based on the weight of the fabric. The amount of polymeric material required in the composition to achieve the abovementioned percentages by weight of the fabric will typically be in the range of 0.01% to 35% by weight, and preferably 0.1% to 13.5% by weight.

When applied to the fabric, the compositions of the invention can provide benefits to the fabric without curing. However, they may be cured in a home curing step which includes ironing and / or home drying in a tumble dryer, preferably drying in a tumble dryer. Curing is preferably carried out at a temperature in the range of from 50 ° C to 100 ° C, and more preferably from 80 ° C to 100 ° C.

♦ · ♦

- 10 · # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # * «···

In the context of the present invention, the term " textile compatible carrier " refers to a component that may assist the interaction of the first component with the textile. The carrier may also provide advantages in addition to those provided by the first component, such as softening, cleaning, and the like.

The carrier may be water, in which case the composition of the invention will contain another additive suitable for use in laundry detergents such as perfume, or the carrier may be a detergent-active compound or fabric softener or conditioner or other suitable detergent or fabric conditioning agent. .

If the composition of the invention is to be used in the laundry process as part of a conventional fabric treatment product such as a laundry detergent, the textile compatible carrier will typically be a detergent-active compound. Whereas, if the fabric conditioning product is a rinse conditioner, the fabric-compatible carrier will be a fabric softener and / or conditioner.

If the composition according to the invention is to be used before or after the washing process, it may be in the form of a spray or foam product.

Fabrics that can be treated in the present invention include those containing cellulosic fibers, preferably from 1% to 100% cellulosic fibers (more preferably from 5% to 100% cellulosic fibers and most preferably from 40% to 100% cellulosic fibers) . The fabrics may be in the form of a garment, in which case the method of the invention may be a method of laundering the garment. If the fabric contains less than 100% cellulosic fibers, the remainder includes other fibers or fiber blends suitable for use in garments, such as polyester.

- 11 · F * 4

4 ·> 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 «Α« »« · ····

Preferably, the cellulose fibers are cotton or regenerated cellulose such as viscose.

The washing process of the present invention includes large-scale and small-scale cleaning of textiles (e.g., home cleaning). Preferably, the processes are domestic processes.

In the invention, the polymeric material or composition of the invention may be used at any stage of the washing process. Preferably, the composition or polymeric material is used to treat the fabric in the rinse cycle of the washing process. Preferably, the rinse cycle is followed by treatment of the fabric with a detergent.

Detergent active compounds

When the fabric care composition of the present invention is in the form of a detergent composition, the textile-compatible carrier can be selected from soap and non-soap anionic, cationic, nonionic, amphoteric and zwitterionic detergent active compounds, and mixtures thereof.

Many suitable detergent-active compounds are available and fully described in the literature, for example, in Surface-Active Agents and Detergents, Parts I and II by Schwartz, Perry and Berch.

Preferred textile-compatible carriers that may be used are soaps and synthetic non-soap anionic and nonionic compounds.

Anionic surfactants are well known to those skilled in the art. Examples include alkylbenzene sulfonates, especially straight alkylbenzene sulfonates having an alkyl chain length of from

- 11 • ·

C ₈ to C ₁₅ ; primary and secondary alkyl sulfates, especially C ₈ to C ₁₅ primary alkyl sulfates; alkyl ether sulfates; olefin sulfonates;

alkylxylene sulfonates; dialkylsulfosuccinates and sulfonates of fatty acid esters. Sodium salts are generally preferred.

Nonionic surfactants which may be used include primary and secondary alcohol ethoxylates, especially C ₈ to C ₂₀ aliphatic alcohols, ethoxylated on average 1 to 20 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol, and in particular C ₁₀ to C ₁₅ primary and secondary aliphatic alcohols, ethoxylated on average 1 to 10 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol. Non-ethoxylated nonionic surfactants include alkyl polyglycosides, glycerol monoethers and polyhydroxyamides (glucamide).

Cationic surfactants which can be used include the quaternary ammonium salts of the general formula R ₁ R ₂ R ₃ R ₄ N ⁺ X ', wherein the R groups are independently C ₁ -C ₂₂ hydrocarbon chains, typically alkyl, hydroxyalkyl or ethoxylated alkyl groups and X is a solubilizing cation (for example, those compounds wherein R ₁ is a C ₈ to C ₂₂ alkyl group, preferably a C ₈ to C ₁₀ or C ₁₂ to C ₁₄ alkyl group, R ₂ is methyl a group and R ₃ and R ₄ , which may be the same or different, are methyl or hydroxyethyl groups); and cationic esters (e.g. choline esters) and pyridinium salts.

The total amount of detergent surfactant in the composition suitably represents from 0.1% to 60% by weight, for example from 0.5% to 55% by weight, such as 5 to 50% by weight.

The amount of anionic surfactant, if present, ranges from 1 to 50% by weight

- 13 to the weight of the whole composition. More preferably, the amount of anionic surfactant is in the range of 3% to 35% by weight, for example 5 to 30% by weight based on the total composition.

The amount of nonionic surfactant, if present, preferably ranges from 2% to 25% by weight, and more preferably from 5% to 20% by weight, based on the total composition.

Amphoteric surfactants such as amine oxides or betaines can also be used.

The compositions may suitably contain from 10 to 70% by weight, and more preferably from 15 to 70% by weight, of a detergency builder. The amount of builder preferably ranges from 15% to 50% by weight.

The detergent composition may contain as builder a crystalline aluminosilicate, preferably an alkali metal aluminosilicate, and more preferably sodium aluminosilicate.

The aluminosilicate may generally be incorporated in amounts of from 10% to 70% by weight (based on the anhydrous compound) and preferably from 25% to 50% by weight. Aluminosilicates are materials having the general formula:

0.8-1.5 M ₂ O. AI ₂ O ₃ . 0.8-6 SiO ₂ wherein M is a monovalent cation, preferably sodium. These materials contain some bound water and are required to have a calcium ion exchange capacity of at least 50 mg CaO / g. Preferred aluminosilicates contain 1.5 to 3.5 units in the above formula.

- 14 · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · ·

SiO ₂ . They can be readily prepared by reacting sodium silicate and sodium aluminate, as is amply described in the literature.

Fabric softening compounds and / or fabric conditioners

When the fabric care composition of the present invention is in the form of a fabric conditioner, the fabric-compatible carrier will be a fabric softener compound and / or a fabric conditioner (hereinafter referred to as a fabric softener), which may be a cationic or nonionic compound.

The emollient and / or conditioner compounds may be water-insoluble quaternary ammonium compounds. These compounds may be present in amounts up to 8% by weight (based on the total amount of the composition), in which case the compositions are considered to be diluted, or in amounts of 8% to about 50% by weight, when the compositions are considered as concentrates.

Compositions suitable for delivery during the rinse cycle, when used in a suitable form, may also be provided on the fabric in a tumble dryer. Thus, another form of product is a composition (e.g., paste) suitable for coating on a fabric and supplied from a substrate, such as a flexible sheet, sponge, or a suitable dispenser during the drum dryer cycle.

Suitable cationic compounds softening fabrics are substantially water-insoluble quaternary ammonium materials comprising a single long alkyl or alkenyl chain having an average chain length greater than C ₂₀ or equal to C ₂₀ or, more preferably, compounds comprising a polar head group and two alkyl or alkenyl chains having an average chain length greater than or equal to C ₁₄ ;

- 15 9 99

C ₁₄ . (A compound having two hydrocarbon chains and a polar warhead group is an amphiphilic compound formed by a hydrophobic portion of the hydrocarbon chains and a polar end, called a warhead for the shape it assumes. .

A compound, fabric softening, preferably having two long alkyl or alkenyl chains, each of which has an average chain length greater than C or equal to ₁₆ C, _16th Preferably, the chain length of _C18 or greater is at least 50% of long chain alkyl or alkenyl groups. It is preferred that the long-chain alkyl or alkenyl groups of such a fabric softening compound are predominantly straight.

Quaternary ammonium compounds having two long chain aliphatic groups, such as distearyldimethylammonium chloride and di (alkanoyl of hydrogenated tallow dimethyl ammonium chloride), are widely used in commercially available rinse conditioner compositions. I, II, Schwartz, Perry, and Berch Any of the conventional types of such compounds may be used in the compositions of the present invention.

Preferably, the fabric softening compounds are compounds that provide excellent softening and are characterized by a chain melting point transition from β-La to greater than 25 ° C, preferably greater than 35 ° C, and most preferably greater than 45 ° C. This transition from LP to La can be measured by DSC, differential scanning calorimetry, as defined in Handbook of Lipid Bilayers, D. Marsh, CRC Press, Boca Raton, Florida, 1990 (pages 137 and 337).

• ·

- 16 · · · 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 ···· · ·· ti ·· ····

Substantially water-insoluble fabric softening compounds are defined as fabric softening compounds having a solubility of less than 1. 10 ^-3 wt% in demineralised water at 20 ° C. Preferably the fabric softening compounds have a solubility less than about 1.10 ^'4 wt% and more preferably less than 1.10 ^"8% by weight to 1.10' ⁶ wt%.

Particularly preferred are cationic fabric softening compounds which are water-insoluble quaternary ammonium materials having two C ₁₂ to C ₂₂ alkyl or alkenyl groups attached to the molecule via at least one ester bond and preferably two ester bonds. A particularly preferred ester-linked quaternary ammonium material may be represented by Formula II:

Ri

AND

R ₁ - N ⁺ - R ₃ -TR ₂ (II) (CH ₂ ) _p - t - r ₂ wherein each R _d is independently selected from up to C ₄ alkyl or hydroxyalkyl groups or from C ₂ to C ₄ alkenyl groups; each R ₂ is independently selected from C ₈ -C ₂₈ alkyl or alkenyl groups and R ₃ is a straight or branched alkylene group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms; T is

O O

AND!

- O - C - or - C - O -;

and p is 0 or an integer from 1 to 5.

• · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · ·

Of the compounds of formula (II), particularly preferred is di (aikanoyl-oxyethyl) -dimethylammonium chloride, wherein the alkane is derived from fatty acids of tallow oil and / or an analogue thereof, wherein the alkane is derived from fatty acids of hardened tallow oil.

The second preferred type of quaternary ammonium material may be represented by formula (III):

OCOOR ₂ (RJX- (CH ₂ ) _p - CH (III)

CH ₂ OOCR ₂ where R _in p and R ₂ are as defined above.

Preferably, the quaternary ammonium material is biocompatible.

Preferred materials of this class, such as chloride

1,2-bis (alkanoyloxy) -3-trimethylammonium, wherein the alkane is derived from fatty acids of hardened tallow oil and their methods of preparation are described, for example, in U.S. Patent 4,137,180 to Lever Brothers Co.. These materials preferably contain small amounts of the corresponding monoester as described in US 4,137,180, for example chloride

1-alkanoyloxy-2-hydroxy-3-trimethylammonium, wherein the alkane is derived from a fatty acid hardened tallow oil.

Other suitable cationic emollients are alkylpyridinium salts and substituted imidazoline types. Primary, secondary and tertiary amines and condensation products of fatty acids with alkyl polyamines are also suitable.

- 18 · · • 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 ·· · ·· * · · ♦ · * ··

The compositions may in addition or alternatively comprise water-soluble cationic fabric softeners as described in GB 2,039,556B (Unilever).

The compositions may comprise a cationic fabric softening compound and an oil, for example as described in EP-A-0829531.

The compositions may also contain, or alternatively, contain nonionic fabric softeners such as lanolin and derivatives thereof.

Lecithins are also suitable emollients.

Nonionic plasticizers include sugar esters that form the β-phase (as described by M. Hat and co-authors in Langmuir 12, 1659, 1666, 1996) and related materials such as glycerol monostearate or sorbitan esters. These materials are often used in conjunction with cationic materials to aid deposition (see, for example, GB 2 202 244). Silicones are used in a similar manner as cationic softener auxiliary softeners in rinse treatments (see, for example, GB 1 549 180).

The compositions may also suitably contain a nonionic stabilizing agent. Suitable nonionic stabilizing agents are C ₈ to C ₂₂ alcohols, alkoxylated with 10 to 20 moles of alkylene oxide, C ₁₀ to C ₂₀ alcohols, or mixtures thereof.

Preferably, the nonionic stabilizing agent is a C ₈ to C ₂₂ alcohol, alkoxylated with 10 to 20 moles of alkylene oxide. The amount of nonionic stabilizer is preferably in the range of from 0.1 wt% to 10 wt%, more preferably from 0.5 wt% to 5 wt%, and most preferably from 1 wt% to 4 wt%. Molar ratio

- 19 • 4 4 · * w w w ·

44444 The quaternary ammonium compound and / or other cationic softener relative to the nonionic stabilizer is suitably in the range of 40: 1 to 44444. about 1: 1, and preferably about 18: 1 to about 3: 1.

The composition may also contain fatty acids, for example, C ₈ to C ₂₄ alkyl or alkenyl monocarboxylic acids or polymers thereof. Preferably, saturated fatty acids are used, in particular _C16 to _C18 fatty acids of hardened tallow oil. The fatty acid is preferably unsaponified, and more preferably the fatty acid is free, for example oleic, lauric or tallow. The amount of fatty acid material preferably exceeds 0.1% by weight and more preferably exceeds 0.2% by weight. The concentrated compositions may contain from 0.5 wt% to 20 wt% fatty acid, and more preferably from 1 wt% to 10 wt%. The weight ratio of the quaternary ammonium material or other cationic plasticizer to the fatty acid material is preferably from 10: 1 to 1:10.

The fabric conditioners may comprise silicones, such as predominantly straight polydialkylsiloxanes, for example polydimethylsiloxanes or amino silicones, containing amino-functional side chains; soil release polymers such as block copolymers of polyethylene oxide and terephthalate; amphoteric surfactants; inorganic clays of smectite type; zwitterionic quaternary ammonium compounds and nonionic surfactant compounds.

The fabric conditioners may also contain a pearlescent agent, for example an organic pearlescent compound, such as ethylene glycol distearate, or inorganic pearlescent pigments, such as microfine mica or titanium dioxide (TiO ₂ ) coated mica.

- 20 · ♦ 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20

The fabric conditioners may be in the form of emulsions or emulsion precursors thereof.

Other optional ingredients include emulsifiers, electrolytes (e.g., sodium chloride or calcium chloride), preferably in the range of from 0.01% to 5% by weight, pH buffering agents and perfumes (preferably from 0.1% to 5% by weight). % by weight).

Other optional ingredients include anhydrous solvents, perfume carriers, fluorescent agents, dyes, hydrotropes, antifoams, anti-redeposition agents, enzymes, optical brighteners, opacifiers, dye transfer inhibitors, anti-shrinkage agents, anti-wrinkle agents, anti-wrinkle agents anti-staining, germicides, fungicides, antioxidants, sunblocking agents, heavy metal sequestering agents, chlorine scavengers, dye fixers, anti-corrosion agents, dandruffing agents, antistatic agents and agents helping ironing. This list is not intended to be exhaustive.

Textile finishing products

The fabric care products of the invention may be in the form of a liquid, solid (e.g., powder or tablet), gel or paste, spray, stick or foam or whipped foam. Examples include a soaking product, a rinse aid article (for example, a conditioning or finishing agent) or an article added to the main wash. The composition may also be deposited on a substrate, for example on a flexible label, or placed in a dispenser that can be used in a wash cycle, a rinse cycle, or during a drying cycle.

- 21 * »♦ 999 999 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99

98 9 · 9 9 9 9

99

9 9 9

9 9

9 • 99

9999

The example will now be described by way of example and in relation to the following examples, which are not intended to limit it.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

POLYMER AM (registered trademark) and POLYMER MRSM (registered trademark) are polymeric materials of the invention and were obtained from Precision Processes Textiles of Ambergate, Derbyshire, UK).

Test method for the evaluation of wet strength resins by tensile strength

The testing procedure used was as follows:

The paper of choice was 80 g / m ² White Copier Bond, 210 x 297 mm, order number Universal Office Supplies UCOP40. The dry weight of one A4 sheet was 4.91 g. The weight after 30 minutes of soaking and after removal of excess water was 7.30 g. The water capture was thus determined to be 50%.

For the untreated standard, the paper was soaked in deionized water for 10 minutes using a shallow dish. Then the leaves were removed and excess water was removed by gently tapping with paper towels until all surface water was removed. The paper was then dried for 10 minutes at 110 ° C in a fan-equipped oven.

For the treated sample, a solution of Polymer AM or Polymer MRSM (Registered Marks) with water was prepared, together with 2 g / l sodium bicarbonate to provide an application amount for fabrics by trapping 1% by weight relative to the weight of the fabric.

- 22 99 9 99 99

9999 9 9999

9999 98 99

9999

As with the reference sample, the treated samples were soaked in solution for 10 minutes, the excess water was removed and then dried / cured as previously described.

The paper was then allowed to stand for at least 24 hours (since tensile strength measurements are performed with saturated paper, it is not necessary to adjust the paper at 65% relative humidity).

The samples were cut using a 270 x 67 mm cutter and lines were drawn in parallel at a distance of 35 mm to guide the specimen in the jaws of the Testometric.

Then the samples were soaked in deionized water for 30 minutes.

After this time, most of the water dripped so that the paper was saturated during the measurement. Before the test, excess water was removed in the same manner as described above.

Testometric setup: load 25 kg, speed 100 mm / min, preload 0.1 kg, sample length 200 mm, sample width 67 mm.

The test results were as follows:

sample preparation wet strength (kg) raw paper 1,069 Polymer AM 4,920 Polymer MRSM 4,017

- 22 4 · 4

4444

Example 1

Inhibition of dye transfer

Five application (s) of 0.2% Kenores 1440 ™, a polyamine-epichlorohydrin (PAE) resin (from Akzo Nobel) described in WO 97/42287 (polymer outside the scope of the present invention) on white woven cotton sheets were made via a home washing machines (Zanussi ™ automatic washing machines, washing cycle for cotton at 40 ° C, using Persil ™ powder added during the washing cycle), with a theoretical maximum load of 1.0% PAE by weight of the fabric. A similar procedure was used using 0.2% Polymer AM ™ and 0.2% Polymer MRSM ™. The treated fabrics were then washed together with a fabric dyed with Direct Red 80, which is known to discolour. The resulting fabrics were measured on a Spectroflash ™ spectrophotometer to determine the degree of dye transfer. A clean fabric sample was used as a comparative sample.

AL AE 0.2% Kenores 1440 - 3,47 6.20 0.1% Kenores 1440 - 1,05 2.32 Polymer AM 0.93 2.21 Polymer MRSR 0.28 1.47

AL = change in brightness ΔΕ = change in color

Thus, the polymer treated fabrics of the present invention exhibited less color change and hence less dye transfer.

- 24 * · · · · · 24 a a a a a a a a a a 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 ··· · * · ·· ··

Example 2

Clothing care skills

Measurements of a standard test fabric having black areas and red areas with a Spectraflash ™ spectrophotometer showed that the fabrics treated with Polymer AM ™ and Polymer MRSM ™ according to Example 1 showed reduced damage.

Black area:

ΔΙ_ ΔΕ uninfluenced textiles 9.98 10,07 Polymer AM 1.81 1.95 Polymer MRSR 3.00 3.09

Red area:

ΔΙ_ ΔΕ uninfluenced textiles 3.30 12.62 Polymer AM 1.20 5.39 Polymer MRSR 1.19 4.84

In both examples, the test areas showed less tone change than the untreated sample, as evidenced by the smaller ΔΙ_ and ΔΕ values.

Example 3

Remove stains

- 25 »» 9 »t # 999

9999 9 9 99 9

9

9999 9 9

9

9

9

999 9 ml of red wine was applied to the treated cotton fabric as described in Example 1 (5 rinses of 0.2% quantity / wash). The stain was measured with a Spectroflash ™ spectrophotometer before and after washing at 40 ° C using Persil Performance Biological ™ powder. The change in color saturation of the stains relative to the pre-wash sample was as follows:

ÁL ΔΕ Untreated textiles - 17,93 22.10 Polymer AM - 20,26 23.98 Polymer MRSR - 23,36 26.37 Kenores 1440 - 19,38 22.37

After washing, the color measurements were as follows:

AL ΔΕ Untreated textiles - 3,97 5.94 Polymer AM - 3,65 5.10 Polymer MRSR - 5,70 7.98 Kenores 1440 - 8.42 10.45

Polymer AM ™ has nearly the same stain removal capabilities as untreated, while MRSR ™ is among Polymer AM ™ and Kenores 1440 ™.

The background area of the fabric was also measured to provide data on the tendency of the treatments to induce dirt re-settling. The smaller the reading from the spectrophotometer, the less the color change and thus the less dirt re-settling.

- 26 ♦ * · 4 · 9 · 9 9 9 9 9 9

9999 9 99 99

9 9 9

9 9

9 9 9 · 9

9999

ΔΙ_ Untreated textiles - 0.20 Polymer AM - 0,02 Polymer MRSM - 0,19 Kenores 1440 - 0,27 Standard Rinse conditioner* - 0.05

* Comfort ™ (Unilever plc, UK)

Although the differences are minor, there are still indications that these polymers do not increase the fabric's ability to reposition stains as much as PAE-type polymers do. Polymer AM ™ showed less repositioning than the rinse conditioner.

Example 4

Means for conditioning textiles

The fabric conditioning compositions were made by preparing a standard fabric conditioner composition comprising components 2 to 8, see below, and adding component 1 with stirring. The compositions were prepared in both diluted and concentrated form.

The composition was as follows:

dilute agent concentrate 1. Polymer AM 15,10% 48,79% 2. water 80.04% 35,86% 3. anti-foaming agent 0.01% 0,03%

- 27 # 9 9 9 999

9999 99 99

99 9 9 · «** ** ** ♦

4. Genapol * 0.25% 0.75% 5. HEQ 4,20% 13.50%. 6. preservative 0,03% 0,06% 7. dye 0,07% 0.15% 8. perfume 0,30% 0,95%

* C ₁₂ primary alcohol, ethoxylated with 20 moles of ethylene oxide

Example 5

The AM polymer was applied to a 2% resin treated cotton ash sample of 40 x 40 cm in size to provide a captured weight on the fabric of 0.5% by weight relative to the weight of the fabric. The samples were then drum dried. This was done four times to obtain a total deposition of 2% by weight relative to the weight of the fabric. A similar procedure was used for Polymer MRSM and Kenores 1440. The samples were soaked, creased (to mimic the crease in the wash procedure) and then placed in a Miele household tumble dryer with wet cotton bed linen as a load (1 kg dry). The load was then dried until the anti-crease setting of the dryer was achieved. The samples were then evaluated by comparison with AATCC smoothness standards to determine the wrinkle level. The samples were then ironed and the crease procedure was repeated.

polymer 0.5% w / w * before ironing 0.5% w / w * after ironing 2% wt. before ironing 2% w / w * after ironing raw control 1.4 1.38 1.64 1.54 PAE 1.3 1.44 2.26 1.94 Kenores 1440 2.28 2.06 2.3 2.52 Polymer MRSM 2.1 2.34 2.38 2.8

- 28 AAA AAA AAA AAA AA AAA AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA * · AA * · AA «ΑΑΑ * based on fabric weight

Polymer AM and Polymer MRSM are significantly less creased than untreated controls. The samples treated with the MRSM polymer became even less creased than if an ironing step was included.

Polymer AM and Polymer MRSM provide significantly less crumpled samples than Kenores 1440, and in particular in an amount of 0.5% by weight relative to the weight of the fabric.

Claims (22)

PATENT CLAIMS Use of fabric conditioning compositions to improve the surface color sharpness of textiles after multiple laundering and / or resistance to pilling and / or hairy fabrics during laundering, wherein the composition comprises a polymeric material capable of self-crosslinking and / or reacting with cellulose together with one or with a plurality of textile-compatible carriers, wherein the polymeric material comprises one or more poly (oxyalkylene) groups having an end group containing one or more amino or derivatives of said amino groups, and wherein, when used as a textile-compatible carrier, water, an additional additive suitable for use in laundry detergents is present. Use of a fabric conditioning composition according to claim 1, wherein the polymeric material is obtainable by reacting a polymer of formula B (R) _n , wherein n is from 1 to 20, B is a backbone group to which each R group is covalently bonded and R is a poly (oxyalkylene) chain comprising a terminal amino group with a cross-linking agent, wherein the polymer is optionally reacted with a bridging compound prior to reaction with the cross-linking agent. Use of a fabric conditioning composition according to claim 2, wherein n is 2 or 3. Use of a fabric conditioning composition according to claim 2 or 3, wherein B is -O-CH ₂ (CH) _m -CH ₂ -O- and _m is n-2. - 30 fí xxu -tíj, S toto • • • • toto toto toto toto * * * * * * * * to to to to to to to to «· ♦ · · a a a a a a a * * * * * Use of a fabric conditioning composition according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein at least one R group has the formula - (CH ₂ CH (R ') (CH ₂ ) _and O) _p -A-NHR wherein R' is H or CH ₃ ; a is 0, 1 or 2; p is an integer from 5 to 30; A is an alkylene group and R is H or alkyl. The use of the fabric conditioning composition of claim 5, wherein p is from 10 to 25. Use of a fabric conditioning composition according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the polymer of formula B (R) _n is: H ₂ C - O (CH ₂ CH (R ') O) _p - A - nh ₂ AND HC-O (CH ₂ CH (R ') O) n-a-nh ₂ AND H ₂ C - O (CH ₂ CH (R ') O) _r - A - NH ₂ where p, q, r are integers which can be the same or different and can have a value from 5 to 30 and A is branched or unbranched lower alkylene. Use of a fabric conditioning composition according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the polymer of formula B (R) _n is: H ₂ N - (CH ₂ ) _b - (O (CH ₂ ) ₄ ) _d -O (CH ₂ ) _c O - ((CH ₂ ) ₄ O) _{d 2} - (CH ₂ ) _b - NH ₂ where b is whole a number from 1 to 6; c is an integer from 1 to 6; The series d2 are the same or different and are integers from 10 to 15. Use of the fabric treatment composition of claim 8, wherein b is 3 and / or c is 4. 7 Ψ - U19 »t 4 4 4» 4. 4. • · · · · · · · · · · · · 04 · ····················· 4 -ol- · · <<<a a a a a Use of a fabric conditioning composition according to any one of claims 2 to 9, wherein the crosslinking agent comprises epihalohydrin. Use of a fabric conditioning composition according to any one of claims 2 to 10, wherein the molar ratio of crosslinker to polymer of formula B (R) _n is from 0.5: 1 to 4: 1. Use of a fabric conditioning composition according to any one of claims 2 to 11, wherein the bridging compound comprises two epoxy or carboxylic acid groups. Use of a fabric conditioning composition according to claim 12, wherein the epoxy or carboxylic acid groups are joined by a linker comprising alkylene, arylene, poly (oxyalkylene) or siloxane groups or combinations thereof. Use of a fabric conditioning composition according to any one of claims 1 to 13, further comprising a silicone capable of reacting with the polymeric material. Use of a fabric treatment composition according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the polymeric material is capable of increasing the wet strength of the paper to at least 200% compared to untreated paper when applied to a paper weighing 80 g / m ² in an amount of 1. % solids by weight of the paper. Use of a fabric conditioning composition according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein one or more of the textile-compatible carriers comprises a detergent-active compound. - 32 ··· 4 * «99 9 9 * 9 * * 4 4 9 9 9 9 9 Use of a fabric conditioning composition according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein one or more of the textile compatible carriers comprises a fabric softening compound and / or a fabric conditioner. Use of a fabric conditioning composition according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein perfume is further included. Use of fabric treatment compositions according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fabric comprises cellulose fibers. 20. A method of treating textiles, as part of a washing process, to improve the surface color sharpness of textiles after multiple washings and / or resistance to pilling and / or shaggy fabrics during washing, characterized in that a care care composition is applied to the fabric. a fabric and / or a polymeric material as defined in any one of claims 1 to 15 18. 21. The method of claim 20, wherein the composition is applied to the fabric during the wash cycle. The method of claim 20, wherein the composition is applied to the fabric during a rinse cycle.