DE69626985T2 - Fabric softener compositions - Google Patents

Description

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to Fabric softening compositions and especially diluted fabric softening compositions.

Background of the Invention

Fabric softener compositions are in the department for it known benefits such as softness and / or antistatic properties to give the treated textiles.

Nevertheless, acceptance is nowadays towards the consumer Textile softening compositions not only because of these Products achieved performance, but also with that associated aesthetics reached. The viscosity of the product is therefore an important aspect of the successful formulation of such commercial products, with stable viscosities in the middle to medium / high range highly preferred by consumers are. With viscosities in the medium high range are viscosities from 50 cps to 150 cps meant when the fabric softening composition is in a diluted form is present, d. i.e. less than 10% by weight of the fabric softener contains and viscosities from 30 cps to 90 cps when the fabric softening composition is in a concentrated form, d. that is, they are 10 to 80 % By weight of the fabric softener contains.

To meet such a need, fatty acids have been incorporated into fabric softening compositions. Such disclosure can be found in the pending application EP 95 870 104.7 being found.

Nevertheless, it turned out that, although satisfactory viscosity stability with the compositions was obtained in a concentrated form, the diluted compositions still regarding certain conditions were deficient. In fact it was under Shear conditions, such as in the process, handling and transportation, a loss in viscosity the diluted Softener compositions. detected.

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to a diluted one To provide plasticizer composition comprising fatty acids, which a suitable viscosity stability under Shows shear conditions.

The registrant found out that the provision of specific nonionic compounds overcomes the problem.

It is therefore an advantage of the invention diluted Compositions with a low sensitivity to shear provide.

With "sensitivity to shear" means the viscosity of the freshly made product is not at its initial Value remains after shear.

With "low sensitivity to shear" means the viscosity of the sheared product is essentially the same as that viscosity of the freshly made product.

Summary of the invention

The present invention is one diluted A fabric softening composition comprising:

• a) a cationic fabric softener in an amount less than 10% by weight;
• b) a fatty acid; and
• c) a nonionic compound selected from the group consisting of out:
• i) block copolymers of terephthalate and ethylene oxide or propylene oxide;
• ii) block copolymers of propylene oxide and ethylene oxide, in which the middle block is polypropylene oxide; and
• iii) mixtures thereof.

In another aspect of the invention a method for treating textiles is provided which the step of contacting the fabrics in the rinse cycle with an aqueous Medium containing the composition.

 Exact description of the invention

Cationic fabric softener

A cationic fabric softener is an integral part of the invention. Typical proportions of Fabric softener components within the dilute softener compositions are less than 10% by weight, preferably from 1% to 9% by weight, and stronger preferably from 2 to 7% by weight of the composition.

The preferred, typically cationic Fabric softener components include those that are insoluble in water Quaternary fabric softener Ammonium one, being the most common used those two long ammonium chlorides or methyl sulfates Are alkyl chains.

Preferred cationic plasticizers close among these the following one:

• 1) ditallow dimethyl ammonium chloride (DTDMAC);
• 2) dihydrogenated tallow dimethyl ammonium chloride;
• 3) dihydrogenated tallow dimethyl ammonium methyl sulfate;
• 4) distearyldimethylammonium chloride;
• 5) dioleyldimethylammonium chloride;
• 6) dipalmitylhydroxyethylmethyl ammonium chloride;
• 7) stearylbenzyldimethylammonium chloride;
• 8) tallow trimethyl ammonium chloride;
• 9) hydrogenated tallow trimethyl ammonium chloride;
• 10) C _{12- 14} -Alkylhydroxyethyldimethylammoniumchlorid;
• 11) C _{1 2} _ _18- alkyldihydroxyethylmethylammonium chloride;
• 12) di (stearoyloxyethyl) dimethylammonium chloride (DSOEDMAC);
• 13) di (tallowoyloxyethyl) dimethylammonium chloride;
• 14) ditalgimidazolinium methyl sulfate;
• 15) 1- (2-tallowylamidoethyl) -2-tallowylimidazolinium methyl sulfate.

Nevertheless, in recent years the need for stronger environmentally friendly materials have risen, and are rapidly biodegradable quaternary Ammonium compounds were. as alternatives to the traditionally used Ammonium chlorides and methyl sulfates with two long alkyl chains submitted. Such quaternaries Ammonium compounds contain long-chain alk (en) yl groups, which are interrupted by functional groups such as carboxy groups. These materials and fabric softening compositions which these contained, are described in numerous publications, such as the EP-A-0 040 562 and EP-A-0 239 910.

worin Q gewählt ist aus -O-C(O)-, -C(O)-O-, -O-C(O)-O-, -NR⁴-C(O)-, -C(O)-NR⁴-;
R¹(CH₂)_n Q-T² oder T³ ist;
R²(CH₂)_m-Q-T⁴ oder T⁵ oder R³ ist;
R³ C₁–C₄-Alkyl oder C₁–C₄-Hydroxyalkyl oder H ist;
R⁴ H oder C₁–C₄-Alkyl oder C₁–C₄-Hydroxyalkyl ist;
T¹, T²; T³, T⁴, T⁵ unabhängig C₆–C_{2 2}-Alkyl oder -Alkenyl sind;
n und m ganze Zahlen von 1 bis 4 sind; und
X^– ein Weichmacher-verträgliches Anion ist.The quaternary ammonium compounds and amine precursors herein have formula (I) or (II) below:

wherein Q is selected from -OC (O) -, -C (O) -O-, -OC (O) -O-, -NR ⁴ -C (O) -, -C (O) -NR ⁴ -;
R ^{1 is} (CH ₂ ) _n QT ² or T ³ ;
R ^{2 is} (CH ₂ ) _m -QT ⁴ or T ⁵ or R ³ ;
R ^{3 is} C ₁ -C ₄ alkyl or C ₁ -C ₄ hydroxyalkyl or H;
R ^{4 is} H or C ₁ -C ₄ alkyl or C ₁ -C ₄ hydroxyalkyl;
T ¹ , T ² ; T ³ , T ⁴ , T ^{5 are} independently C ₆ -C _{2 2} alkyl or alkenyl;
n and m are integers from 1 to 4; and
X ^{- is} a plasticizer-compatible anion.

Nonlimiting examples of plasticizer compatible anions conclude Chloride or methyl sulfate.

The alkyl or allcenyl chain T ¹ , T ² , T ³ , T ⁴ , T ⁵ must contain at least 6 carbon atoms, preferably at least 11 carbon atoms, more preferably at least 16 carbon atoms. The chain can be straight or branched.

Tallow is a convenient and affordable source of long chain alkyl and alkenyl material. The compounds in which T ¹ , T ² , T ³ , T ⁴ , T ⁵ stand for the mixture of materials with a long chain, typically for tallow, are particularly preferred.

Specific examples of quaternary ammonium compounds, those for use in the aqueous fabric softening compositions described herein are suitable to close following one:

• 1) N, N-di (tallowoyloxyethyl) -N, N-dimethylammonium chloride,
• 2) N, N-di (tallowoyloxyethyl) -N-methyl, N- (2-hydroxyethyl) ammonium methyl sulfate;
• 3) N, N-di (2-tallowoyloxy-2-oxoethyl) -N, N-dimethylammonium chloride;
• 4) N, N-di (2-tallowoyloxyethylcarbonyloxyethyl) -N, N-dimethylammonium chloride;
• 5) N- (2-tallowoyloxy-2-ethyl) -N- (2-tallowyloxy-2-oxoethyl) -N, N-dimethylammonium chloride;
• 6) N, N, N-tri (tallowoyloxyethyl) -N-methylammonium chloride;
• 7) N- (2-tallowoyloxy-2-oxoethyl) -N- (tallowyl-N, N-dimethylammonium chloride; and
• 8) 1,2-ditalgoyloxy-3-trimethylammoniopropane chloride; and mixtures of any of the above materials.

Of these, the connections are 1 to 7 examples of the compounds of formula (I); Connection 8 is a connection of formula (II).

N, N-Di (tallowoyloxyethyl) -N, N-dimethylammonium chloride is particularly preferred, the sebum chains are at least partially unsaturated.

The degree of unsaturation The sebum chain can be measured by the iodine number (IV) of the corresponding fatty acid which in the present case are preferably in the range of 5 to 100 should be the two categories to be distinguished of compounds have an IV below or above 25.

Indeed, for connections of formula (I), which consists of tallow fatty acids with an IV of 5 to 25, preferably 15 to 20, found that a Cis / trans isomer weight ratio of more than 30/70, preferably more than 50/50 and more preferably more than 70/30; leads to optimal concentratability.

For Compounds of the formula (I) which are derived from tallow fatty acids with an IV of more than 25 has been found that the ratio of Cis to trans isomers is less critical; unless that is very high Concentrations are required.

Other examples of suitable ones quaternary Ammonium species of the formula (I) and (II) are obtained, for. B. by:

• - replace of "tallow" in the above compounds by e.g. B. coco, palm trees, Lauryl, oleyl, ricinoleyl, stearyl, palmityl or the like, wherein the fatty acyl chains are either completely saturated or preferably at least partially unsaturated are;
• - replace of "methyl" in the above compounds by ethyl, ethoxy, propyl, Propoxy, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl or t-butyl;
•  - replace of "chloride" in the above compounds by bromide, methyl sulfate, Formate, sulfate, nitrate and the like.

In fact, the anion lies only as one Counterion of the positively charged quaternary ammonium compounds. The nature of the counterion is general not critical regarding the execution of the present invention. The scope of this invention is not as limited viewed by a particular anion.

With "amine precursors thereof" are the secondary or tertiary Amines, which correspond to the above quaternary ammonium compounds, wherein the amines are essentially in the present compositions are protonated due to the pH values.

For the previous textile softener is especially with the biodegradable fabric softeners the pH of those herein described liquid Compositions a preferred parameter of the present invention. In fact, it affects the stability of quaternary ammonium or amine precursor compounds, especially with extended ones Storage conditions. The pH as defined in the present context is measured for pure compositions at 20 ° C. For an optimal hydrolytic stability of these compositions, the pure pH, measured below the conditions mentioned above, are in the range of 2.0 to 4.5. Preferably when the liquid fabric softening compositions of the invention in a concentrated form, is the pH of the pure composition in the range from 2.0 to 3.5, where, when diluted in a Form are present, the pH of the pure composition in the range from 2.0 to 3.0. The pH of these compositions described herein can be regulated by adding a Bronsted acid.

Examples of suitable acids include the inorganic mineral acids, carboxylic acids, especially the low molecular weight (C ₁ -C ₅ ) carboxylic acids and alkylsulfonic acids. Suitable inorganic acids include HCl, H ₂ SO ₄ , HNO ₃ and HP ₃ O ₄ . Suitable organic acids include formic, acetic, citric, methylsulfonic and ethylsulfonic acids. Preferred acids are citric acid, hydrochloric acid, phosphoric acid, formic acid, methylsulfonic acid and benzoic acids.

fatty acid

Another essential component the invention is a fatty acid compound.

Suitable fatty acids include those containing a total of 10 to 25, preferably 12 to 25, carbon atoms with the fat residue containing 10 to 22, preferably 16 to 22, carbon atoms. The shorter radical contains 1 to 4, preferably 1 to 2, carbon atoms.

The degree of unsaturation The sebum chain can be measured by the iodine number (IV) of the corresponding fatty acid which, in the present case, are preferably in the range. of 5 to 100, stronger preferably in the range from 0 to 25.

Specific examples of fatty acid compounds, the for use in the fabric softening compositions described herein are suitable to close Compounds, which of lauric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, arachidic acid, behenic acid, oleic acid, coconut fatty acid, tallow fatty acid, partially hydrogenated tallow fatty acid and mixtures thereof are.

The most preferred fatty acid compound is tallow fatty acid with an iodine number (N) of 18.

The fatty acids are preferably in one weight ratio of biodegradable textile softeners to fatty acid compounds from 25: 1 to 6.5: 1, stronger preferably from 20: 1 to 10: 1 and most preferably from 20 : 1 to 15: 1 available. In fact, in these ratios, that the diluted Fabric softening compositions of the invention have the best storage stability as well viscosity demonstrate.

Nonionic connection

Another essential part for the Purpose of the invention is a nonionic compound, which from the Group selected is, which from block copolymers of terephthalate and ethylene oxide or propylene oxide; Block copolymers of propylene oxide and ethylene oxide, in which the middle block is polypropylene oxide; and mixtures thereof consists.

i) block copolymers of terephthalate and ethyleneogide or propylene oxide

Block copolymers of terephthalate and polyethylene oxide or polypropylene oxide for use herein those commonly known as soil release polymers and typically in an amount of 0.005% to 1% by weight, preferably from 0.01% to 0.5% by weight of the composition.

A preferred block copolymer for Use herein is a copolymer with blocks of terephthalate and polyethylene oxide. More specifically, these polymers consist of repeating ones Units of ethylene terephthalate and polyethylene oxide terephthalate in a mole ratio from ethylene terephthalate units to polyethylene oxide terephthalate units from 25:75 to 35:65, the polyethylene oxide terephthalate having blocks of polyethylene oxide Contains molecular weights of 200 to 2,000. The molecular weight of this polymeric dirt release agent is in the range of 600 to 55,000.

Another preferred polymer Dirt release agent is a crystallizable polyester with it repeating units of ethylene terephthalate units containing 10% to 15% by weight of ethylene terephthalate units together with 10 up to 50 wt .-% polyoxyethylene terephthalate units, derived from a medium molecular weight polyoxyethylene glycol from 300 to 6,000, and being the molar ratio of ethylene terephthalate units to polyoxyethylene terephthalate units in the crystallizable polymeric compound is between 2: 1 and 6: 1. Examples of this Close polymer the commercially available materials Zelcon 4780 (from Dupont) and Milease T (from the ICI).

worin jedes T eine O- oder NH-Verknüpfung, vorzugsweise eine O-Verknüpfung ist, jedes X eine geeignete Verkappungsgruppe sein kann, wobei jedes X typischerweise aus der Gruppe gewählt wird, die aus H und Alkyl- oder Acylgruppen mit 1 bis 4 Kohlenstoffatomen besteht. p wird zur Wasserlöslichkeit gewählt und liegt im allgemeinen zwischen 6 und 113, vorzugsweise zwischen 8 und 50. u ist kritisch in Bezug auf die Formulierung in einer flüssigen Zusammensetzung mit einer relativ hohen Ionenstärke. Es sollte nur sehr wenig Material vorhanden sein, in dem u größer als 10 ist. Ferner sollte mindestens 20%, vorzugsweise mindestens 40%, an Material vorliegen, in dem u im Bereich von 1 bis 6 liegt.Highly preferred soil release agents are polymers of the general formula:

wherein each T is an O or NH linkage, preferably an O linkage, each X can be a suitable capping group, each X typically being selected from the group consisting of H and alkyl or acyl groups having 1 to 4 carbon atoms , p is chosen for water solubility and is generally between 6 and 113, preferably between 8 and 50. u is critical with regard to the formulation in a liquid composition with a relatively high ionic strength. There should be very little material in which u is greater than 10. Furthermore, at least 20%, preferably at least 40%, of material in which u is in the range from 1 to 6 should be present.

The R ¹⁴ residues are essentially 1,4-phenylene residues. As used herein, the term "the R ¹⁴ residues are essentially 1,4-phenylene residues" refers to compounds in which the R ¹⁴ residues consist entirely of 1,4-phenylene residues or partially with others Arylene or alkarylene residues, alkylene residues, allcenylene residues or mixtures thereof are substituted. Arylene and alkarylene radicals, which can be partially substituted for 1,4-phenylene, include 1,3-phenylene, 1,2-phenylene, 1,8-naphthylene, 1,4-naphthylene, 2,2-biphenylene, 4,4-biphenylene and mixtures thereof. Alkylene and allcenylene residues, which may be partially substituted include 1,2-propylene, 1,4-butylene, 1,5-peetylene, 1,6-hexamethylene, 1,7-heptamethylene, 1,8-octamethylene, 1,4-cyclohexylene and mixtures of it.

For the R ¹⁴ residues, the degree of partial substitution with residues other than 1,4-phenylene, which can generally be tolerated, depends on the backbone length of the compound, ie longer backbones can have a larger partial substitution for 1,4- Have phenylene residues. In general, compounds in which the R ¹⁴ comprises 50 to 100% 1,4-phenylene residues (from 0 to 50% residues other than 1,4-phenylene) are appropriate. For example, polyesters with a 40:60 molar ratio to isophthalic acid (1,3-phenylene) to terephthalic acid (1,4-phenylene) can be used. Since most of the polyesters used in fiber manufacture include ethylene terephthalate units, it is usually desirable to minimize the degree of partial substitution with residues other than 1,4-phenylene for the best soil release activity. Preferably the R ¹⁴ residues consist entirely of (ie comprise 100%) 1,4-phenylene residues, ie each R ¹⁴ residue is 1,4-phenylene.

Suitable radicals for the R ¹⁵ radicals are ethylene or substituted ethylene radicals, which include ethylene, 1,2-propylene, 1,2-butylene, 1,2-hexylene, 3-methoxy-1,2-propylene and mixtures thereof , R ¹⁵ residues are preferably essentially ethylene residues, 1,2-propylene residues or mixtures thereof. Surprisingly, a larger percentage of 1,2-propylene residues leads to an improvement in the water solubility of compounds. That is why it is used. of 1,2-propylene residues or a similar branched equivalent is desirable for the incorporation of any substantial portion of the component into the liquid fabric softening compositions. 75 to 100% of 1,2-propylene radicals are preferred.

The value for each p is at least 6 and preferably at least 8. The value for each n is usually in Range from 6 to 113. Typically, the value is for each p in the range from 6 to 113.

A more complete disclosure of the soil release agents is in US 4,661,267, 4,711,730, 4,749,596, 4,818,569, 4,877,896, 4,956,447 and 4 976 879 contain.

Commercially available block copolymers made from terephthalate and polyethylene oxide or polypropylene oxide, for use herein suitable are those copolymers sold under the trade name HOE S3639, HOE S3702-Type 566 from Hoechst and Zelcon 7201 from Dupont to be expelled.

ii) block copolymers Propylene oxide and ethylene oxide, in which the middle block is polypropylene oxide is

Block copolymers of propylene oxide and ethylene oxide, in which the middle block is poly (propylene oxide) for use is typically in an amount of 0.005 to 1 % By weight, stronger preferably from 0.01 to 0.5% by weight of the composition is present.

The copolymers for use herein preferably have an average molecular weight of at least 4,000 and contain 5 to 30%, preferably 5 to 20%, and more preferably 10% by weight, poly (ethylene oxide), based on the weight of the copolymer.

Suitable examples of such copolymers include PLURADYNE (trade name) FL-11, BASF-Wyandotte Corporation, a product reported to have an average molecular weight of 3,800, a density of 1.02 at 25 ° C and a Brookfield- Has viscosity of 800 cP at 25 ° C; PLURONIC (trade name) PE 10100, BASF, Great Britain, Ltd., a product which is reported to have an average molecular weight of 3,600, a density of 1.02 at 20 ° C and a viscosity of 300 mm ² / s at 40 ° C; and, SYNPERONIC (trade name) PE L-121, Imperial Chemical Industries, PLC, a product reported to have an average molecular weight of 4,400, a density of 1.02 at 25 ° C and a viscosity of 1,600 cP at 25 ° C. Each such copolymer has been reported to contain 10% poly (ethylene oxide).

Other commercially available block copolymers made of propylene oxide and ethylene oxide, in which the middle block is poly (propylene oxide) which are suitable for use herein are the copolymers, which under the trade names Pluronic PE 4300 and Pluronic PE 10400 available from BASF are.

Mixtures of any of the above The nonionic compounds described can also be used herein become.

By using the specific mentioned above the resulting diluted fabric softening composition shows nonionic compounds a low sensitivity to shear.

The determination of the shear sensitivity was done as follows:

A 150 ml sample of a composition the regarding the shear sensitivity was tested was placed in a glass jar and with a magnetic stirrer sheared at maximum speed (about 1,000 rpm). The measurement the viscosity was then sheared at 0 and after 5, 15, 30 and 60 minutes Using a Brookfield viscosity meter, the was set to a speed of 60 rpm (1 hertz).

Products that have a low sensitivity to shear are those with a viscosity that is substantially the same as the viscosity of the unsheared sample, ie at 0 minutes. By "substantially" it is meant that the viscosity of the sheared product does not vary by more than 20% after each of the above-mentioned time measurements when compared to the viscosity of the unsheared product, ie at 0 minutes.

The diluted plasticizer composition the invention also comprises a liquid carrier. Suitable liquid carriers from water, organic solvents and mixtures thereof. The liquid Carrier, which is used in the present compositions, is preferably at least primarily water due to the low Costs, comparative availability, safety and environmental compatibility. The proportion of water in the liquid carrier is preferably at least 60%, most preferably at least 80%, based on the weight of the carrier. Mixtures of water and low molecular weight, e.g. B. <200, organic solvents z. B. lower alcohol, such as ethanol, propanol, or isopropanol Butanol, are more liquid carrier useful. Low molecular weight alcohols include monohydric, divalent (glycol etc.), trivalent (glycerol etc.) and higher multivalent (Polyols) alcohols.

optional

The composition can also optional components included, which for further improvement the aesthetic Appearance of the textiles treated with it may be suitable. suitable close optional components a polyethylene glycol, additional Fabric softener components, enzymes, cyclodextrin / perfume complexes and feeding systems of free perfume and mixtures thereof.

polyethylene glycol

A polymeric material, which is optional may be included is polyethylene glycol (PEG). If used is leads PEG contributes to an increase in viscosity stability, the storage of the composition the invention. Typical molecular weight ranges for these Purposes are between 500 and 100,000, preferably between 1 000 and 50 000, stronger preferably between 1,500 and 10,000. A most preferred Molecular weight is 4,000. If present, typical levels are of polyethylene glycols between 0.01 and 1 wt .-%, preferably of 0.05 and 0.5% based on the weight of the composition.

Additional components

Additional fabric softening materials can be used in addition to or as an alternative to the cationic fabric softener. These can be chosen from nonionic, amphoteric or anionic textile softening material. The description of such materials can be found in US 4,327,133 , U.S. 4,421,792, U.S. 4,426,299, U.S. 4,460,485, U.S. 3,644,203, U.S. 4,661,269, U.S. 4,439,335, U.S. 3,861,870, U.S. 4,308,151, U.S. 3,886,075, U.S. 4,233,164 , US 4,401,578, US 3,974,076, US 4,237,016 and EP 472,178.

They typically have nonionic ones Textile softening materials have an HLB value of 2 to 9, more typically of 3 to 7. Such nonionic fabric softening materials tend to be easily dispersed either by itself, or when combined with other materials such as cationic surfactants a single long alkyl chain, described in more detail below, be combined. The dispersibility can be determined using more cationic surfactant with single long alkyl chain, mix with other materials, as shown below, use of hot Water and / or more exercise can be improved. In general should the elected Materials are relatively crystalline, have a higher melting point (e.g.> 40 ° C) and in Water relatively insoluble his.

Preferred nonionic plasticizers are partial fatty acid esters of polyhydric alcohols or anhydrides thereof, the alcohol or the anhydride contains 2 to 18, preferably 2 to 8, carbon atoms, and any fatty acid residue Contains 12 to 30, preferably 16 to 20, carbon atoms. Typically included such plasticizers 1 to 3, preferably 2, fatty acid groups per molecule.

The portion of polyhydric alcohol of the ester can be ethylene glycol, glycerol, poly (e.g. di-, tri-, tetra-, penta- and / or hexa-) glycerol, xylitol, sucrose, erythritol, pentaerythritol, Be sorbitol or sorbitan. Sorbitan esters and polyglycerol monostearate are particularly preferred.

The fatty acid part of the ester is usually of fatty acids derived from 12 to 30, preferably 16 to 20, carbon atoms, with typical examples of the fatty acids lauric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid and behenic are.

Highly preferred optional nonionic Plasticizer for use in the present invention are the sorbitan esters, which are esterified dehydration products of sorbitol, and the glyaerol esters.

Commercial sorbitan monostearate is a suitable material. Mixtures of sorbitan stearate and Sorbitan palmitate with stearate / palmitate weight ratios in the range of 10: 1 and 1:10, and 1,5-sorbitan esters are also useful.

Glyerol and polyglycerol esters, in particular Glycerol, diglycerol, triglycerol and polyglycerol mono- and / or diesters, preferably mono-, are preferred herein (e.g., polyglycerol monostearate with the trade name Radiasurf 7248).

Usable glycerol and polyglycerol esters conclude Monoesters with stearin, olein, palmitin, laurin, isostearin, Myristic and / or behenic acids and the diesters of stearin, olein, palmitin, laurin, isostearin, Behenic and / or myristic acids on. It is understood that the typical monoester is somewhat di- and triester etc. contains.

The "glycerol esters" also close the polyglycerol, e.g. B. diglycerol to octaglycerol esters. The Polyglycerol polyols are made by condensing glycerin together or epichlorohydrin for linking of the glycerol residues over ether linkages be formed. The mono- and / or diesters of the polyglycerol polyols are preferred, with the fatty acyl groups typically being those the above for Sorbitan and glycerol esters have been described.

Other textile softener components, which are suitable for use herein are the plasticizer clays, such as those with low ion exchange capacity, which are described in EP-A-0 150 531 are.

enzymes

Enzymes can also be found in the composition of the invention are optionally included. Enzymes which are used for Suitable for use herein are proteases, amylases, lipases, Cellulases, peroxidases and mixtures thereof selected. A preferred enzyme for use herein is a cellulase.

Cellulases that may be useful herein include both bacterial and fungal types. The US 4,435,307 describes suitable fungal cellulases from Humicola insolens or from the Humicola strain DSM1800 or a cellulase 212-producing mushroom belonging to the genus Aeromonas and cellulase extracted from the hepatopancreas of a marine mollusk, Dolabella Auricula Solander. Suitable cellulases are also described in GB-A-2 075 028, GB-A-2 095 275 and DE-OS-2 247 832. CAREZYME ^® and CELLUZYME ^® (Novo) are particularly useful. See also WO 9117243 from Novo.

Typical amounts of enzymes are up to 5 mg by weight, typically 0.01 mg to 3 mg of active enzyme per gram of the composition. If unless otherwise specified, the compositions described herein include typically 0.001% to 5%, preferably 0.01% to 1% by weight, one commercial enzyme preparation.

Optional cyclodextrin / perfume complexes and feeding systems on free perfume

The products described herein also contain 0.5% to 60%, preferably 1% to 50%, of cyclodextrin / perfume inclusion complexes, and / or free perfume, as in US Pat US 5,139,687 and 5 234 610 described. Perfumes are highly desirable, can usually benefit from protection, and can be complexed with cyclodextrin. Fabric softener products typically contain perfume to provide them with an olfactory aesthetic benefit and / or to serve as a signal that the product is effective.

worin R aus der Gruppe gewählt ist, die aus einer substituierten oder unsubstituierten geraden, verzweigten oder cyclischen C₁–C_{3 0}-Alkyl-, -Alkenyl-, -Alkinyl-, -Allcylaryl- oder Arylgruppe besteht; R' ist ein Parfumallcohol mit einem Siedepunkt bei 760 mm Hg von weniger als 300°C; und n und m sind einzeln eine ganze Zahl von 1 oder mehr.A suitable perfume component for use in the present invention includes compounds with an ester of a perfume alcohol. The ester includes at least one free carboxylate group and has the following formula

wherein R is selected from the group branched from a substituted or unsubstituted straight or cyclic C ₁ -C _{3 0} is alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, -Allcylaryl- or aryl group; R 'is a perfume alcohol with a boiling point at 760 mm Hg of less than 300 ° C; and n and m are individually an integer of 1 or more.

The perfume component can be from 0.01% to 10% by weight of the composition. Preferably, R is selected from the group consisting of a substituted straight or Vrzubstituierten, branched or cyclic _{C10-2 0} alkyl, alkenyl, -Allcinyl-, alkylaryl, aryl group or ring containing a heteroatom contains exists. R 'is preferably a perfume alcohol selected from the group consisting of Gera niol, nerol, phenoxanol, floralol, β-citronellol, nonadol, cyclohexylethanol, phenylethanol, phenoxyethanol, isoborneol, fenchol, isocyclogeraniol, 2-phenyl-l-propanol, 3,7-dimethyl-l-octanol and combinations thereof, and the Ester is preferably selected from maleate, succinate adipate, phthalate, citrate or pyromellitate esters of perfume alcohol. The most preferred esters with at least one free carboxylate group are then selected from the group consisting of geranyl succinate, neryl succinate, (b-citronellyl) maleate, nonadol maleate, phenoxanyl maleate, (3,7-dimethyl-l-octanyl) succinate, (cyclohexylethyl) maleate, floralyl succinate, (b-citronellyl) phthalate and (phenylethyl) adipate.

The optional perfume ingredients and compositions of this invention are the most common in the art. The selection of the perfume component, or the amount of the perfume, is based solely on aesthetic considerations. Suitable perfume compounds and compositions can be found in the art, including US 4,145,184, 4,209,417, 4,515,705 and 4 152 272. Many of the perfume compositions recognized in the art are relatively substantive in order to maximize their odor effect on substrates. Nevertheless, it is a special advantage of perfume delivery via perfume / cyclodextrin complexes that non-substantive perfumes are also effective.

If a product is both free and also contains complex perfume, carries that Perfume released from the complex to the total intensity of the perfume smell at, causing a longer lasting perfume smell impression arises.

Like in the US 5,234,610 described, by adjusting the proportion of free perfume and perfume / CD complex, it is possible to provide a wide range of unique perfume profiles in terms of timing (release) and / or perfume identity (character).

worin R aus der Gruppe gewählt wird, die aus einer nichtionischen oder anionischen, substituierten oder unsubstituierten, geraden, verzweigten oder cyclischen C₁–C_{3 0}-Alkyl-, -Alkenyl-, -Alkinyl-, -Alkylaryl- oder -Arylgruppen besteht; jedes von R', R'' und R''' wird unabhängig voneinander aus der Gruppe gewählt, die aus Wasserstoff, oder einer nichtionischen oder anionischen, substituierten oder unsubstituierten C₁–C_{2 5}- geraden, verzweigten oder cyclischen Alkyl-, Alkenyl-, Alkinyl-, Alkylaryl- oder Arylgruppe besteht; und n ist eine ganze Zahl von 1 oder mehr. Der am meisten bevorzugte nichtionische oder anionische Ester eines allylischen Alkoholparfums wird dann aus der Gruppe gewählt, die aus Digeranylsuccinat, Dinerylsuccinat, Geranylnerylsuccinat, Geranylphenylacetat, nerylphenylacetat, Geranyllaurat, Neryllaurat und Mischungen davon besteht. Sofern verwendet, kann die Parfumkomponente in einer Menge von 0,01 bis 10 Gew.-% der Zusammensetzung vorhanden sein.Optionally, a longer lasting perfume odor impression can also be provided by using nonionic or anionic esters of an allylic alcohol perfume described in WO 96/02625, with the following formula:

wherein R is selected from the group consisting of substituted of a nonionic or anionic or unsubstituted, straight, branched or cyclic C ₁ -C _{3 0} alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkylaryl or aryl groups is; each of R ', R''andR''' is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, or a nonionic or anionic, substituted or unsubstituted C ₁ -C _{2 5} - straight, branched or cyclic alkyl, alkenyl -, Alkynyl, alkylaryl or aryl group; and n is an integer of 1 or more. The most preferred nonionic or anionic ester of an allylic alcohol perfume is then selected from the group consisting of digeranyl succinate, dineryl succinate, geranylneryl succinate, geranylphenyl acetate, nerylphenylacetate, geranyl laurate, neryl laurate and mixtures thereof. If used, the perfume component can be present in an amount of 0.01 to 10% by weight of the composition.

Additional components

The composition can be optional additional Contain components such as surfactant concentration aids, electrolyte concentration aids, Stabilizers, such as well known antioxidants and reductive ones Agents, emulsifiers, bacteriocides, colorants, perfumes, preservatives, optical brighteners, anti-ionizing agents and anti-foaming agents. These components, in particular the secondary components, can be found in more useful Be added in a manner and preferably by "carrier materials", like zeolites, starch, Cyclodextrin or wax, protected become.

stabilizers

Stabilizers can also be used optionally become. If used, the stabilizer will help the desired ultimate product viscosity to achieve and stabilize the finished product during storage. Stabilizers are typically made from cationic surfactants a single long alkyl chain, non-ionic alkoxylated surfactants, Amine oxides, fatty acids and mixtures thereof, being for usually used in a proportion of 0 to 15 wt .-% of the composition become.

1) Cationic surfactants with a single long alkyl chain

Such single long alkyl chain cationic surfactants useful in the present invention are preferably quaternary ammonium salts of the general formula: [R 2 N + R 3 ] X wherein the R ² group is a C ₁₀ -C ₂₂ hydrocarbon group, preferably a C ₁₂ -C ₁₈ alkyl group, of the corresponding ester linkage interruption group with a short alkylene (C ₁ -C ₄ ) group between the ester linkage and the N. , and which have a similar hydrocarbon group, e.g. For example, a fatty acid ester of choline, preferably C ₁₂ -C _{1 4} - (coco) choline ester and / or C ₁ -C _{6 1 8} tallow choline ester at 0.1% to 20 wt .-% of the softener active. Each R is a C ₁ -C ₄ alkyl or substituted (e.g. hydroxy) alkyl or hydrogen, preferably methyl, and the counter ion X ^- is a plasticizer compatible anion, e.g. B. chloride, bromide, methyl sulfate etc.

Other cationic materials with ring structures such as Allcylimidazolin, imidazolinium, pyridine, and pyridinium salts having a single C ₁ -C _{2 3 0} alkyl chain can also be used. A very low pH is required, e.g. B. Stabilize imidazoline ring structures.

worin Y² -C(O)-O-, -O-(O)C-, -C(O)-N(R⁵)- oder N(R⁵)-C(O)-, worin R⁵ Wasserstoff oder ein C₁–C₄-Alkylrest ist, ist; R⁶ ein C₁–C₄-Alkylrest oder H ist (z. B. Imidazolinvorläufer); R⁷ und R⁸ jeweils unabhängig aus R und R², wie vorstehend für ein kationisches Tensid mit einer einzelnen langen Kette beschrieben, gewählt wird, wobei nur eines R² ist.Some alkylimidazolinium salts and their imidazoline precursors which are useful in the present invention have the general formula:

wherein Y ² -C (O) -O-, -O- (O) C-, -C (O) -N (R ⁵ ) - or N (R ⁵ ) -C (O) -, wherein R ^{5 is} hydrogen or is a C ₁ -C ₄ alkyl group; R ^{6 is} a C ₁ -C ₄ alkyl or H (e.g. imidazoline precursor); R ⁷ and R ^{8 are} each independently selected from R and R ² as described above for a single long chain cationic surfactant, with only one being R ² .

worin R² und X^– wie oben definiert sind. Ein typisches Material dieses Typs ist Cetylpyridiniumchlorid.Some alkyl pyridine salts useful in the present invention have the formula:

wherein R ² and X ^{- are} as defined above. A typical material of this type is cetyl pyridinium chloride.

2) -Nonionic alkoxylated surfactant

Suitable nonionic alkoxylated Surfactants for use herein include ethylene oxide addition products and optionally propylene oxide with fatty alcohols, fatty acids and Fatty amines.

Suitable compounds are essentially water-soluble surfactants of the general formula: R ² -Y- (C ₂ H ₄ O) ₂ -C ₂ H ₄ OH wherein R ² consists of primary, secondary and branched chain alkyl and / or acyl hydrocarbon groups; primary, secondary and branched chain alkenyl hydrocarbon groups; and primary, secondary and branched chain alkyl and alkenyl substituted phenolic hydrocarbon groups; wherein the hydrocarbon groups have a hydrocarbon chain length of up to 20, preferably from 10 to 18, carbon atoms.

Y is typically -O-, -C (O) O-, -C (O) N (R) - or -C (O) N (R) R-, wherein R ² and R, if present, are the above have the meanings indicated, and / or R can be hydrogen, and z is 5 to 50, preferably 1 to 30.

The nonionic described herein Surfactants are characterized by an HLB value (hydrophilicity-lipophilicity balance) from 7 to 20, preferably 8 to 15.

Examples of particularly suitable nonionic Close surfactants

• - straight chain, primary Alcohol alloxylates, such as tallow alcohol EO (11), tallow alcohol EO (18) and tallow alcohol EO (25);
• - straight-chain, secondary alcohol alkoxylates, such as 2-C ₁₆ EO (11); 2-C ₂₀ EO (11) and 2-C ₁₆ EO (14);
• - alkylphenol alloxylates, such as p-tridecylphenol-EO (11) and p-pentadecylphenol-EO (18), and
• - olefinic alkoxylates and branched chain alkoxylates, such as branched chain primary and secondary alcohols obtain which are available from the well known "OXO" process.

3) amine oxides,

Suitable amine oxides include those one with an alkyl or hydroxyalkyl radical of 8 to 28 carbon atoms, preferably 8 to 16 carbon atoms, and two alkyl radicals, those of alkyl groups and hydroxyalkyl groups with 1 to 3 carbon atoms chosen are.

Examples include dimethyloctylamine oxide, Diethyldecylamine oxide, bis (2-hydroxyethyl) dodecylamine oxide, dimethyldodecylamine oxide, Dipropyltetradecylamine oxide, methylethylhexadecylamine oxide, dimethyl-2-hydroxyoctadecylamine oxide and coconut fat alkyl dimethyl amine oxide.

A preferred stabilizer for Use herein is a nonionic alkoxylated surfactant. If used, such a nonionic alkoxylated surfactant is in an amount from 0.01% to 10% by weight, preferably from 0.05 to 2% by weight, of the Composition before.

electrolyte stabilizers

Inorganic viscosity regulators, which can work the same way How the stabilizers or enhancing the effect thereof include water soluble, ionizable salts, which are also optional in the compositions the present invention can be introduced. Introducing this Components in the composition must be processed at a very low rate become.

A wide variety of ionizable Salting can be used. Examples of suitable salts are Group IA and IIA metal halides of the periodic table of the elements, e.g. B. calcium chloride, magnesium chloride, sodium chloride, Potassium bromide and lithium chloride. The ionizable salts are special useful during the process of mixing the ingredients to make up the compositions to manufacture here and later the desired viscosity to obtain. The amount of ionizable salts used depends on the amount of active ingredients used in the compositions from and can according to the wishes of the Formulator. Typical proportions of salts that to regulate the viscosity The composition used is between 20 and 2,000 Parts per million (ppm), preferably from 20 to 1100 ppm on the weight of the composition.

Alkylene polyammonium salts can be found in the composition can be introduced to regulate viscosity additionally to the above water-soluble, ionizable salts, or instead. Furthermore can this means as a catcher act, having inner pairs with anioic detergent, which from the Main wash, in the rinse and on the textile, and can improve the softness performance. These funds can the viscosity over a Stabilize a wider range of temperatures, especially at low temperatures compared to the inorganic ones Electrolyte.

Specific examples of alkylene polyammonium salts conclude L-lysine monohydrochloride and 1,5-diammonium-2-methylpentane dihydrochloride on.

The present invention encompasses a process for treating textiles, which includes the step of Contacting the textiles in the rinse cycle with an aqueous one Medium which contains a composition as defined above. The aqueous is preferably located Medium at a temperature between 2 and 40 ° C, preferably between 5 and 25 ° C.

The invention is as follows Non-limiting Illustrated examples, where all percentages are based on% of active weight unless otherwise stated.

In the examples, the abbreviated component identifications have the following meanings:
DEQA di (tallowyloxyethyl) dimethylammonium chloride
Fatty acid: tallow fatty acid with an IV = 18
PEG polyetylene glycol 4000
Nonionic substance 1: block copolymers of terephthalate and ethylene oxide or
Propylene oxide, commercially available from Hoechst under the trade
Name HOE S3639 available
Nonionic Substance 2: Block copolymers of propylene oxide and ethylene oxide, the middle block being polypropylene oxide, commercially available from BASF under the trade name Pluronic PE 4300
Nonionic substance 3: oxyalkylated amines, commercially available from BASF under the trade name Pluronic PE 10400

example

The following compositions are in accordance with the present invention:

Claims (11)

diluted A fabric softening composition comprising: a) a cationic Fabric softeners in an amount less than 10% by weight; b) a fatty acid and c) a nonionic compound selected from the group consisting of out: i) block copolymers of terephthalate and ethylene oxide or propylene oxide; ii) block copolymers of propylene oxide and ethylene oxide, where the middle block is polypropylene oxide; and iii) mixtures hereof. The composition of claim 1, wherein the cationic fabric softener and the fatty acid in a weight ratio from textile softener to fatty acid from 25: 1 to 6.5: 1, preferably 20: 1 to 10: 1. The composition of claim 1 and / or 2, wherein the cationic fabric softener is a biodegradable fabric softener selected from:

wherein Q is selected from -OC (O) -, -C (O) -O-, -OC (O) -O-, -NR ⁴ -C (O) -, -C (O) -NR ⁴ -; R ^{1 is} (CH ₂ ) _n -ƍ-T ² or T3; R2 is (CH ₂ ) _m -ƍ-T ⁴ or T ⁵ or R ³ ; R3 is C ₁ -C ₄ alkyl or C ₁ -C ₄ hydroxyalkyl or H; R4 is H or C ₁ -C ₄ alkyl or C ₁ -C ₄ hydroxyalkyl; T ¹ , T ² , T ³ , T ⁴ , T ^{5 are} independently C ₁₁ -C ₂₂ alkyl or alkenyl; n and m are integers from 1 to 4; and X ^{- is} a plasticizer compatible anion. The composition of at least one of claims 1-3, wherein the fabric softener in an amount of less than 10% by weight, preferably 1 to 9% by weight, and more preferably 2 to 7% by weight of the Composition is present. The composition of at least one of claims 1-4, wherein the block copolymer of terephthalate and ethylene oxide or propylene oxide has the formula:

wherein each T is an O or NH bond, preferably an O bond; wherein each X is selected from the group consisting of H, alkyl or acyl groups having 1 to 4 carbon atoms; wherein p is at least 6 and preferably at least 8, n is in the range 6 to 113, u is less than 10; wherein the R ¹⁴ units are essentially 1,4-phenylene units; and wherein the R ¹⁵ units are ethylene or substituted ethylene units. Composition according to at least one of claims 1-5, wherein the block copolymer of terephthalate and ethylene oxide or propylene oxide in an amount of 0.005 to 1% by weight, preferably 0.01 to 0.5 % By weight of the composition is present. The composition of at least one of claims 1-6, wherein the block copolymer of propylene oxide and ethylene oxide, wherein the middle block Is polypropylene oxide, has a molecular weight of at least 4000, and wherein the copolymer contains 50 to 30% by weight of poly (ethylene oxide). The composition of at least one of claims 1-7, wherein the block copolymer of propylene oxide and ethylene oxide, wherein the middle block Polypropylene oxide is further in an amount of 0.005 to 1% by weight preferably 0.01 to 0.5% by weight of the composition is present. The composition of at least one of claims 1-8, wherein the composition further comprises a polyethylene glycol. Process for treating textiles, comprising the step contacting the textiles in the rinse cycle with an aqueous one Medium that defined one as in at least one of claims 1-9 Contains composition. The method of claim 10, wherein the aqueous medium is at a Temperature between 2 and 40 ° C, preferably between 5 and 25 ° C located.