EP0371534B1 - Fabric treatment composition - Google Patents

Fabric treatment composition Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0371534B1
EP0371534B1 EP89202890A EP89202890A EP0371534B1 EP 0371534 B1 EP0371534 B1 EP 0371534B1 EP 89202890 A EP89202890 A EP 89202890A EP 89202890 A EP89202890 A EP 89202890A EP 0371534 B1 EP0371534 B1 EP 0371534B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
water
fabric
cationic
insoluble
weight
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 - Lifetime
Application number
EP89202890A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0371534A3 (en
EP0371534A2 (en
Inventor
Zia Haq
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Unilever PLC
Unilever NV
Original Assignee
Unilever PLC
Unilever NV
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Unilever PLC, Unilever NV filed Critical Unilever PLC
Publication of EP0371534A2 publication Critical patent/EP0371534A2/en
Publication of EP0371534A3 publication Critical patent/EP0371534A3/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0371534B1 publication Critical patent/EP0371534B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C11—ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE OILS, FATS, FATTY SUBSTANCES OR WAXES; FATTY ACIDS THEREFROM; DETERGENTS; CANDLES
    • C11D—DETERGENT COMPOSITIONS; USE OF SINGLE SUBSTANCES AS DETERGENTS; SOAP OR SOAP-MAKING; RESIN SOAPS; RECOVERY OF GLYCEROL
    • C11D3/00—Other compounding ingredients of detergent compositions covered in group C11D1/00
    • C11D3/0005—Other compounding ingredients characterised by their effect
    • C11D3/001—Softening compositions
    • C11D3/0015—Softening compositions liquid
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C11—ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE OILS, FATS, FATTY SUBSTANCES OR WAXES; FATTY ACIDS THEREFROM; DETERGENTS; CANDLES
    • C11D—DETERGENT COMPOSITIONS; USE OF SINGLE SUBSTANCES AS DETERGENTS; SOAP OR SOAP-MAKING; RESIN SOAPS; RECOVERY OF GLYCEROL
    • C11D3/00—Other compounding ingredients of detergent compositions covered in group C11D1/00
    • C11D3/16—Organic compounds
    • C11D3/18—Hydrocarbons

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a fabric-treatment composition, which is especially suitable for use in the rinse cycle of a fabric washing process.
  • the present invention relates to a fabric-treatment composition comprising a water-insoluble, cationic fabric-conditioning material and a hydrocarbon material.
  • EP-A-0032267 discloses concentrated textile treatment compositions containing a water-insoluble cationic softener, and a long chain hydrocarbon. A specific mono-long chain amine or amine derived compound is included for viscosity control.
  • It is an object of the present invention to provide a fabric-treatment composition comprising a water-insoluble, cationic fabric treatment material and a hydrocarbon material. It is another object of the present invention to provide a fabric-treatment composition for enhanced anti-wrinkling of fabrics treated with this composition. Further objects of the present invention are the provision of a fabric-treatment composition which is easy to manufacture at low material costs, which is stable at storage conditions and which is of satisfactory viscosity, especially at high active levels.
  • the present invention relates to a liquid fabric-treatment composition
  • a liquid fabric-treatment composition comprising an aqueous base, a water-insoluble, cationic fabric-conditioning material and a fabric-substantive hydrocarbon material, wherein the total level of water-insoluble, cationic material and hydrocarbon material is more than 12% and preferably up to 60% by weight of the composition and wherein the weight ratio of water-insoluble, cationic material to hydrocarbon material is between 1:4 and 1:10 as defined in the appended claim 1.
  • the water-insoluble, cationic fabric softener can be any fabric-substantive cationic compound that has a solubility in water at pH 2.5 and 20°C of less than 10 g/l.
  • Highly preferred materials are quaternary ammonium salts having two C12-C24 alkyl or alkenyl chains, optionally substituted or interrupted by functional groups such as -OH, -O-, -CONH and -COO-.
  • R1 and R2 represent hydrocarbyl groups of from 12 to 24 carbon atoms
  • R3 and R4 represent hydrocarbyl groups containing from 1 to 4 carbon atoms
  • R1 ⁇ 4 may optionally be substituted or interrupted by functional groups such as -OH, -O-, -CONH- or -COO-
  • X is an anion, preferably selected from halide, methyl sulphate and ethyl sulphate radicals.
  • quaternary softeners include ditallow dimethyl ammonium chloride, ditallow dimethyl ammonium methyl sulphate, dihexadecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, di(hydrogenated tallow alkyl) dimethyl ammonium chloride, dioctadecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, dieicosyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, didocosyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, di(hydrogenated tallow) dimethyl ammonium methyl sulphate, dihexadecyl diethyl ammonium chloride and di(coconut alkyl) dimethyl ammonium chloride.
  • Ditallow dimethyl ammonium chloride, di(hydrogenated tallow alkyl) dimethyl ammonium chloride, di(coconut alkyl) dimethyl ammonium chloride and di(coconut alkyl) dimethyl ammonium methosulphate are preferred.
  • Other preferred quaternary ammonium compounds are disclosed in EP-A-239 910.
  • alkyl imidazolinium salts believed to have the formula: wherein R6 is an alkyl or hydroxyalkyl group containing from 1 to 4, preferably 1 or 2 carbon atoms, R7 is an alkyl or alkenyl group containing from 8 to 25 carbon atoms, R8 is an alkyl or alkenyl group containing from 8 to 25 carbon atoms, and R9 is hydrogen or an alkyl group containing from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and A ⁇ is an anion, preferably a halide, methosulphate or ethosulphate.
  • Preferred imidazolinium salts include 1-methyl-1-(tallowylamido) ethyl-2-tallowyl-4,5-dihydroimidazolinium methosulphate and 1-methyl-1-(palmitoylamido) ethyl-2-octadecyl-4,5-dihydroimidazolinium chloride.
  • Other useful imidazolinium materials are 2-heptadecyl-1-methyl-1-(2-stearylamido) ethyl-imidazolinium chloride and 2-lauryl-1-hydroxyethyl-1-oleyl-imidazolinium chloride.
  • Also suitable herein are the imidazolinium fabric-softening components of U.S. Patent N° 4,127,489.
  • Suitable cationic softener materials for use in compositions of the present invention are amines which are used at relatively low pH values to effect at least the partial protonation thereof.
  • Suitable water-insoluble amine fabric softeners have, in protonated form, a solubility in water at pH 2.5 and 20°C of less than 10 g/l.
  • the relatively insoluble amine materials are selected from the following groups:
  • R15 is a C6 to C24, hydrocarbyl group
  • R16 is a C1 to C24 hydrocarbyl group
  • R17 is a C1 to C10 hydrocarbyl group.
  • Suitable amines include those materials from which the quaternary ammonium compounds disclosed above are derived, in which R15 is R1, R16 is R2 and R17 is R3.
  • the amine is such that both R15 and R16 are C6-C20 alkyl preferably C12 ⁇ 20 with C16-C18 being most preferred and with R17 as C1 ⁇ 3 alkyl, or R15 is an alkyl or alkenyl group with at least 22 carbon atoms and R16 and R12 are C1 ⁇ 3 alkyl.
  • these amines are protonated with hydrochloric acid, orthophosphoric acid (OPA), C1 ⁇ 5 carboxylic acids or any other similar acids suitable for use in the fabric conditioning compositions of the invention.
  • hydrochloric acid orthophosphoric acid (OPA)
  • OPA orthophosphoric acid
  • C1 ⁇ 5 carboxylic acids or any other similar acids suitable for use in the fabric conditioning compositions of the invention.
  • the hydrocarbon material can be any fabric-substantive hydrocarbon material suitable for inclusion in fabric treatment compositions.
  • Suitable hydrocarbon materials include hydrocarbon materials comprising a linear or branched alkyl chain and comprising an average of from 12 to 50 carbon atoms per molecule, preferably from 12 to 30 carbon atoms.
  • the hydrocarbon materials are either alkanes or alkenes or mixtures thereof; relatively small amounts of non-alkyl substituent groups may be present, provided the hydrocarbon nature of the product is not substantially affected.
  • the softening temperature of the hydrocarbon material should preferably be less than 60°C, more preferably less than 50°C, most preferably less than 40°C.
  • the hydrocarbon material can be either solid, semi-solid or liquid at room temperature.
  • suitable hydrocarbon materials are the liquid hydrocarbon materials of natural source and other liquid hydrocarbon materials including the liquid fractions derived from crude oil, such as mineral oil or liquid paraffins and branched hydrocarbons.
  • solid or semi-solid hydrocarbon materials are the paraffinic materials of longer average chain length and the hydrogenated version of the liquid materials mentioned above.
  • a particularly useful combination of hydrocarbon materials is a mixture of mineral oil (M85 ex Daltons) and petroleum jelly (Silkolene 910 ex Daltons).
  • Mineral oil is a liquid mixture of linear and branched hydrocarbons having an average number of 26 carbon atoms per molecule.
  • Petroleum jelly is a semi-solid mixture of linear and branched hydrocarbons having an average number of 26 carbon atoms per molecule and having a softening temperature of about 50°C.
  • Fabric-treatment compositions according to the present invention will generally have a total level of water-insoluble, cationic material and hydrocarbon material of from more than 12 to 60% by weight, the remaining of the composition being predominantly water optionally plus minors.
  • the total amount of water-insoluble, cationic material and hydrocarbon material is more than 14% by weight, more preferably between 14 and 50% by weight, most preferably between 16 and 45%, typically from 20 to 35 % by weight.
  • the pH of the composition is preferably between 2 and 7, more preferably from 3 and 6, especially preferred from 3 to 4.5; the viscosity of the composition is preferably less than 200 cPs at 110 S-1 (Haake viscometer).
  • the fabric-treatment composition may comprise one or more ingredients which are suitable for incorporation in fabric-treatment compositions.
  • these optional ingredients are nonionic, amphoteric or zwitterionic fabric-treatment materials.
  • compositions may also contain, in addition to the cationic fabric softening agent, other non-cationic fabric softening agents, such as nonionic fabric softening agents.
  • Suitable nonionic fabric softening agents include glycerol esters, such as glycerol mono-stearate, fatty alcohols, such as stearyl alcohol, alkoxylated fatty alcohols C9-C24 fatty acids and lanolin and derivatives thereof.
  • Suitable materials are disclosed in European Patent Application 88 520 (Unilever PLC/NV case C 1325), 122 141 (Unilever PLC/NV case C 1363) and 79 746 (Procter and Gamble). Typically such materials are included at a level within the range of from 0.5% to 10% by weight of the composition.
  • compositions may also contain one or more ingredients selected from non-aqueous solvents such as C1-C4 alkanols and polyhydric alcohols, pH-buffering agents such as weak acids, e.g. phosphoric, benzoic or citric acid (the pH of the compositions being preferably less than 6.0), rewetting agents, viscosity modifiers, silicones, anti-gelling agents, perfumes, perfume carriers, fluorescers, colourants, hydrotropes, anti-foaming agents, anti-redeposition agents, enzymes, optical brightening agents, opacifiers, stabilizers such as guar gum and polyethylene glycol, anti-shrinking agents, anti-wrinkle agents, fabric-crisping agents, spotting agents, soil-release agents, germicides, silicones, fungicides, antioxidants, anti-corrosion agents, preservatives, dyes, bleaches and bleach precursors, drape-imparting agents and antistatic agents.
  • pH-buffering agents such as
  • the level of solvent materials as referred to above is less than the level of cationic fabric softener materials in the composition. More preferably the level of solvents is less than 75 %, more preferred less than 50 % based on the weight of the cationic fabric softener material. Typically compositions of the invention are substantially free from solvents.
  • the fabric-treatment composition according to the invention also comprises a small amount of water-soluble, cationic material.
  • suitable materials of this nature are given in GB-A-1,601,360.
  • Other suitable water-soluble cationic materials include polyamine materials, preferably diamine materials, wherein each nitrogen atom is connected to three other atoms.
  • a preferred diamine, water-soluble, cationic material of this nature is Ethoduomeen T13 (ex AKZO) which comprises an N,N',N'-tris (2-hydroxyethyl) N-tallow 1,3-diaminopropane.
  • the amount of water-soluble, cationic material is preferably less than the amount of water-insoluble, cationic material.
  • the amount of water-soluble, cationic material will preferably be from 0.5 to 10% by weight of the composition.
  • compositions according to the invention can be prepared by any method suitable for preparing dispersed, emulsified systems.
  • a preferred method involves the forming of a molten pre-mixture of the active materials in water at an elevated temperature, adding additional water to obtain the desired active concentration, and then cooling to ambient temperature. When desired, some minor ingredients such as electrolytes, colouring agents, etc. may be post-dosed.
  • a second preferred method involves the forming of the product by phase inversion of a water in hydrocarbon emulsion, wherein the cationic softener is either part of the hydrocarbon phase or is added as a separate dispersion after phase inversion. This method is especially advantageous, because this provides very finely divided hydrocarbon particles in the final product.
  • the fabric-treatment compositions according to the invention are preferably used in the final rinse of the washing cycle of an ordinary washing machine.
  • the amount of fabric-treatment composition to be added is mainly dependent on the active concentration of the composition and the volume of the water used in the rinsing cycle.
  • the dose is chosen such that the concentration of active material (softener plus hydrocarbon material) in the rinse water is from 0.05 to 3.0 g/l, preferably from 0.5 to 2.0 g/l.
  • Fabric-treatment compositions A-D were prepared as follows: The cationic materials and the hydrocarbon materials were mixed, melted and heated to a temperature of 70°C. The molten actives were added to water of 70°C while mixing at a high speed with a Silverson mixer. After being mixed for 10 minutes, the compositions were cooled to room temperature by rapid chilling in an ice bath while being gently stirred.
  • compositions were tested as follows :
  • the viscosity of the compositions was measured by a Haake viscometer at ambient temperature. Values are quoted at 110 S ⁇ 1.
  • Fig. 1 The results of the tested compositions are represented in Fig. 1.
  • This Figure clearly shows that the creasing score increases by decreasing the ratio water-soluble cationic material to hydrocarbon material. From the Figure it is clear that at ratios of 1:2 or higher, the viscosity of the compositions is unacceptably high. At ratios from 1:2 to 1:3, a significant decrease in creasing score is observed. At ratios of 1:4 and lower, a satisfactory creasing score in combination with an adequate viscosity is obtained.
  • Fabric-treatment compositions were prepared according to the method as described in Example I. The following compositions were obtained :
  • compositions were tested according to the method of Example I.
  • the results of the tests are represented in Fig. 2. These results clearly illustrate a relatively high viscosity for compositions of a ratio water-insoluble cationics to hydrocarbon mixture of 1:3 and higher. An acceptably low viscosity is obtained when ratios lower than 1:3 are used.
  • the results also illustrate a consistent decrease in wrinkling score in lowering the ratio from 1:2 to 1:3, and an unexpected increase in creasing score at ratios of 1:4 and lower. The combination of acceptable viscosity and adequate creasing score is only found at ratios of 1:4 and lower.
  • compositions were made by preheating the Sirius 85, the Silkolene 920, the Adogen 462, the GMS and the Dobanol 25-3 to 60°C and adding water to this premix under stirring.
  • This provides a water in oil type emulsion, which upon further addition of water is phase reversed to a oil in water type emulsion, wherein the oil phase is very finely dispersed.
  • a predispersion of the Adogen 442 and the Etoduomeeen T13 which had been prepared by heating the two materials to 60°C followed by the addition to water under stirring.
  • the final product is obtained by adding the remaining ingredients to the mixture of the two dispersions.

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  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Oil, Petroleum & Natural Gas (AREA)
  • Wood Science & Technology (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Treatments For Attaching Organic Compounds To Fibrous Goods (AREA)
  • Chemical Or Physical Treatment Of Fibers (AREA)
EP89202890A 1988-11-28 1989-11-15 Fabric treatment composition Expired - Lifetime EP0371534B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB888827698A GB8827698D0 (en) 1988-11-28 1988-11-28 Fabric-treatment composition
GB8827698 1988-11-28

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0371534A2 EP0371534A2 (en) 1990-06-06
EP0371534A3 EP0371534A3 (en) 1991-08-28
EP0371534B1 true EP0371534B1 (en) 1996-04-24

Family

ID=10647557

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP89202890A Expired - Lifetime EP0371534B1 (en) 1988-11-28 1989-11-15 Fabric treatment composition

Country Status (9)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0371534B1 (ja)
JP (1) JPH02191766A (ja)
AU (1) AU626352B2 (ja)
BR (1) BR8905986A (ja)
CA (2) CA2003494C (ja)
DE (1) DE68926334T2 (ja)
ES (1) ES2085861T3 (ja)
GB (1) GB8827698D0 (ja)
ZA (1) ZA899065B (ja)

Families Citing this family (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2281316A (en) * 1993-08-24 1995-03-01 Sasol Chemical Ind Fabric treatment composition
GB9926560D0 (en) 1999-11-09 2000-01-12 Unilever Plc Improving the crease recovery of fabrics
EP1279726A1 (en) * 2001-07-27 2003-01-29 Givaudan SA Fabric softener composition
GB0623005D0 (en) * 2006-11-17 2006-12-27 Unilever Plc Fabric treatment method and composition

Family Cites Families (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0013780B2 (en) * 1979-01-11 1988-08-31 THE PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY Concentrated fabric softening composition
EP0018039B2 (en) * 1979-04-21 1988-08-24 THE PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY Fabric softening composition
JPS56148970A (en) * 1980-01-11 1981-11-18 Procter & Gamble Composition for treating thick clothes
EP0032267A1 (en) * 1980-01-11 1981-07-22 THE PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY Concentrated textile treatment compositions and method for preparing them
US4454049A (en) * 1981-11-14 1984-06-12 The Procter & Gamble Company Textile treatment compositions
US4464273A (en) * 1982-02-10 1984-08-07 Lever Brothers Company Fabric softening composition
AU605825B2 (en) * 1987-01-29 1991-01-24 Unilever Plc Fabric conditioning composition

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE68926334T2 (de) 1996-09-19
CA2003494A1 (en) 1990-05-28
EP0371534A3 (en) 1991-08-28
ZA899065B (en) 1991-07-31
ES2085861T3 (es) 1996-06-16
CA2003494C (en) 1996-12-17
JPH02191766A (ja) 1990-07-27
CA2003493A1 (en) 1990-05-28
BR8905986A (pt) 1990-06-19
EP0371534A2 (en) 1990-06-06
DE68926334D1 (de) 1996-05-30
AU4553189A (en) 1990-05-31
CA2003493C (en) 2001-01-09
AU626352B2 (en) 1992-07-30
GB8827698D0 (en) 1988-12-29

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