Classifications

• • 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
  • C11D3/50—Perfumes
• • 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
  • C11D1/00—Detergent compositions based essentially on surface-active compounds; Use of these compounds as a detergent
  • C11D1/38—Cationic compounds
  • C11D1/58—Heterocyclic compounds
• • 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

Definitions

• the present invention relates to stable concentrated perfume emulsions. Particularly it relates to such stable concentrated perfume emulsions which are useful as additives to liquid fabric treatment compositions.
• Fabric softening compositions have found wide acceptance with consumers for virtually all fabrics and washing circumstances. There are two ways most widely used for softening treatment of fabrics. One being the washing of fabrics using a "softening through the wash" detergent. The other way is to apply a liquid softening composition to one or several rinse cycles after the cleaning of the fabrics. This latter way of softening is particularly useful when the softening composition or its additives display limited compatibility with the detergents used during the wash. Regardless which softening treatment of fabrics is used, preferred additives to softening compositions are perfumes. There are several drawbacks if the fabric softener composition is supplied to the consumer already containing a perfume. A particular perfume scent may not be appealing to one consumer but have a most appealing smell to another consumer. Also the amount of perfume contained in a fabric softener may not coincide with the specific consumer desire regarding the strength of scent.
• supplying a fabric softener composition and a perfume composition separately meet a so far unsatisfied consumer demand. More generally separating the scenting from the other functions of fabric treatment compositions allows the consumer to decide which perfume scent and which perfume amount to use.
• the separation allows to formulate fabric treatment compositions containing ingredients which have limited tolerance or which are even destructive towards perfumes upon longer term storage.
• concentrated perfume emulsions which are a subject of the present invention, may be formulated utilizing perfume compounds which so far have not found wide spread utilization for reasons of compatibility, stability or commercial reasons.
• EP-A- 397 296 perfume particles are disclosed which are incorporated in a polywax and then coated in a fryable coating.
• the solid perfume particles contain up to 70% perfume and are useful in detergent or softening compositions since the protective coating eliminates compatibility problems.
• European Patent Application EP-A- 392 607 also discloses fabric treatment compositions comprising perfume.
• the perfume is provided in a solid cyclodextrin complex for protection and compatibility with fabric softening compositions.
• European Patent Application EP-A- 199 382 describe liquid fabric softeners and methods for their use during the rinse cycle of home laundry operations.
• the liquid fabric softeners disclosed in this patent contain up to 2% of perfume.
• the present invention relates to stable concentrated perfume emulsions and their use as perfume additive to fabric treatment compositions which are essentially perfume free.
• the present invention is based on the discovery of the stabilization effect of certain compounds in a particular pH range relative to high perfume concentrations and their ability to blend with fabric treatment compositions. Therefore, in its product aspect the present invention discloses a pourable, stable, concentrated perfume emulsion comprising between 2% and 24% by weight of the emulsion of perfume, a miniumum of 5% by weight of emulsifying compound and being adjusted to have a pH-10% in the range from 2.9 to 4.0 and a viscosity in the range from 0.2 to less than 2.0 Pa.s.
• the preferred emulsifying compounds are ditallowimidazolines or ditallowimidazoline esters, which represent 55% to 100% by weight of the amount of emulsifying compound.
• the concentrated perfume emulsions further comprise quaternary ammonium salts as emulsifying compound at 0% to 45% by weight of the emulsifying compound, but usually not exceeding 5% by weight of the emulsion. If quaternary ammonium salts are present the pH-10% range is from 3.4 to 4.0.
• perfume encompasses individual perfume components and compositions of perfume components. Selection of any perfume is based solely on aesthetical considerations.
• Perfume in the sense of perfume components or compositions of perfume components, can be any odorifirous materials or any materials which act as a malodour counteragent.
• the perfume will most often be liquid at ambient temperatures, but also can be liquified solid such as the various camphoraceous perfumes known in the art.
• the perfume can be relatively simple in composition or can comprise highly sophisticated, compact mixtures of natural or synthetic chemical components, all chosen to provide any desired odour.
• perfumes are those odorous materials that deposit on fabrics during the laundry process and are detectable by people with normal olfactory sensitivity. Many of the perfume ingredients along with their odor corrector and their physical and chemical properties are given in "Perfume and Flavor chemicals (aroma chemicals)", Stephen Arctender, Vols. I and II, Aurthor, Montclair, H.J. and the Merck Index, 8th Edition, Merck & Co., Inc. Rahway, N.J. Perfume components and compositions can also be found in the art, e.g. US Patent Nos. 4,145,184, 4,152,272, 4,209,417 or 4,515,705.
• perfume use includes materials such as aldehydes, ketones, esters and the like. More commonly, naturally occurring plant and animal oils and exudates comprising complex mixtures of various chemical components are known for use as perfume, and such materials can be used herein.
• Typical perfumes can comprise e.g. woody/earthy bases containing exotic materials such as sandalwood oil, civet and patchouli oil.
• the perfume also can be of a light floral fragrance e.g. rose or violet extract. Further the perfume can be formulated to provide desirable fruity odours e.g. lime, limon or orange.
• perfume components and compositions are anetole, benzaldehyde, benzyl acetate, benzyl alcohol, benzyl formate, iso-bornyl acetate, camphene, cis-citral (neral), citronellal, citronellol, citronellyl acetate, paracymene, decanal, dihydrolinalool, dihydromyrcenol, dimethyl phenyl carbinol, eucalyptol, geranial, geraniol, geranyl acetate, geranyl nitrile, cis-3-hexenyl acetate, hydroxycitronellal, d-limonene, linalool, linalool oxide, linalyl acetate, linalyl propionate, methyl anthranilate, alpha-methyl ionone, methyl nonyl acetaldehyde, methyl phen
• the perfume compound of the invention is included in the emulsion from 2% to 24%, preferably from 4% to 20%, most preferably from 4% to 10%.
• the most appropriate amount of perfume will easily be identified by knowing the dillution and the desired final amount in the fabric treatment composition.
• the other essential compound of the present invention is the emulsifing compound.
• the emulsifying compound is present at a minimum amount of 5%, preferably at an amount from 6% to 15%.
• the preferred emulsifying compound is ditallowimidazoline, ditallowimidazoline ester or mixtures thereof, which represent 55% to 100% by weight of the amount of emulsifying compound.
• Ditallowimidazoline or ditallowimidazoline ester can be described by the general formula : wherein n is 2 or 3, preferably 2; R1 and R2 are, independently, a C8-C30 alkyl or alkenyl, preferably C12-C20 alkyl, more preferably C15-C18 alkyl, or mixtures of such alkyl radicals.
• alkyl radicals obtained from coconut oil, "soft” (non-hardened) tallow and hardened tallow; Q is CH2 or N, preferably N; X is wherein T is O or NR5, R5 being H or C1-C4 alkyl, preferably H; R4 is a divalent C1-C3 alkylene group or (C2H4O)m, wherein m is an integer of from 1 to 8; or X is R4.
• Most preferred softening agents according to the above formula are ditallowimidazolines of the following formula: or ditallowimidazoline esters of the following formulas : wherein R6, R7 are tallow groups.
• ditallowimidazoline and ditallowimidazoline esters or mixtures thereof are equally preferred for technical reasons it is most preferred to have ditallowimidazoline esters or mixtures containing a majority of ditallowimidazoline esters, since ditallowimidazoline esters are known for their environmental compatibility.
• the emulsifying compound contains other materials than ditallowimidazoline, ditallowimidazoline ester or mixtures thereof, then it further comprises quaternary ammonium salts.
• Quaternary ammonium salts are present in an amount of up to 5%, preferably they are present from 1% to 4% of the composition.
• quaternary ammonium salts can provide 0% to 45% by weight of the emulsifying compound.
• Quaternary ammonium salts are well known in the art of fabric softening and can be described by the general formula : R1R2R3R4-N+X ⁇ . Any of the well-known substitution groups R1, R2, R3, R4 disclosed in the prior art can be used in the present invention. Most imminent examples of the prior art are EP-A- 397 296, EP-A- 392 607 or EP-A- 199 382, supra.
• the most preferred quaternary ammonium salts are ditallowdimethylammoniumchlorides (DTDMAC) and quaternary ester ammonium compounds.
• X ⁇ in above general formula represents any suitable anion, preferably alkali-metal anions or methyl sulfate anions.
• the emulsifying compounds described herein above are suitable provided they are present in the concentrated perfume emulsion in their protonated or quaternized form; a suitable mean to protonate or quaternize these compounds is described for instance in EP 199 383.
• the concentrated perfume emulsion further must satisfy the criterium of having a pH-10% from 2.9 to 4.0, preferably from 3.0 to 3.6. If the emulsifying compound also contains quaternary ammonium salts, the pH-10% range is from 3.4 to 4.0, preferably from 3.4 to 3.6. The pH-10% can be adjusted with hydrochloric acid or any other suitable acid.
• Another characteristic of the concentrated perfume emulsion is a viscosity in the range from 0.2 kg/m/sec to less than 2.0 Pa.s. Viscosity values below 2.0 Pa.s, preferably below 1.0 Pa.s, most preferably below 0.5 Pa.s ensure good pourability of the concentrated perfume emulsion. On the other hand very low viscosity is also undesirable for phase stability of the concentrated perfume emulsion as well as for consumer appeal reasons. Viscosity values from 0.2 Pa.s are useful. Adjusting the viscosity to the desired value between 0.2 Pa.s and 2.0 Pa.s can be accomplished by adding commercially available, innert viscosity enhancers like for example Lutensol (trademark).
• a variety of optional ingredients can be comprised in the concentrated perfume emulsion to include additional technical or aesthetical benefits.
• emulsion stabilizers emulsion stabilizers, viscosity stabilizers, blending aids, dyes, pH-buffers, bactericites and any other compounds which are common in fabric treatment compositions and compatible to the concentrated perfume emulsion.
• the total quantity of optional ingredients or mixtures thereof usually will not exceed 10%.
• the use of the concentrated perfume emulsion as an additive during the home fabric treatment is also part of the present invention.
• the amount of concentrated perfume emulsion is usually mixed with an essentially unperfumed, liquid fabric treatment composition which then can be used by the consumer.
• the essentially unperfumed fabric treatment composition can be any kind of liquid fabric treatment composition which allows homogeneous mixing of the concentrated perfume emulsion.
• Most preferred is the use of the concentrated perfume emulsion as additive to essentially unscented, liquid fabric softening compositions or liquid fabric softening concentrate compositions.
• the amount of concentrated perfume emulsion to be used as an additive to fabric treatment compositions is solely dependent on aesthetic desires of the consumer. However, it has been found that a preferred range of the ratio of concentrated perfume emulsion to fabric treatment composition can be defined to accomplish usual perfume concentrations in fabric treatment compositions. Therefore, the preferred range of concentrated perfume emulsion to fabric treatment composition is from 0.5:100 to 50:100, most preferably from 3:100 to 20:100.
• the fabric treatment composition to which the concentrated perfume emulsion is added is essentially unperfumed.
• Essentially unperfumed or essentially unscented does describe that the added perfume amount in the composition is below the detection level for people with normal olfactory sensitivity. For practical purposes and many perfume compositions this detection level is around a concentration of 0.01% of the fabric treatment composition. However, this does not apply to masking perfumes which are often required to overcome undesirable odours of fabric treatment composition ingredients. Even essentially unperfumed fabric treatment compositions therefore may contain a certain added perfume amount to mask malodour of the fabric treatment composition however without providing the aesthetical benefit of a scented fabric treatment composition.
• viscosity values of the concentrated perfume emulsion of clearly less than 2 Pa.s are required to allow easy pouring and mixing of the concentrated perfume emulsion with the fabric treatment composition.
• Fabric treatment compositions as such are well-known in the art and do not need particular explanations. However, since the concentrated perfume emulsion is designed as an additive to such fabric treatment compositions an essential criterium is the compatibility of the fabric treatment composition with the concentrated perfume emulsion.
• the preferred liquid fabric softening compositions and the liquid concentrated fabric softening compositions are also well-known in the art. Again the essential criterium for their selection is the compatibility with the concentrated perfume emulsion.
• Some of the preferred compounds for these liquid fabric softening compositions and concentrated fabric softening compositions are : softening clays, softening ammonium compounds including cationic softening ammonium compounds, softening enzymes, softening enhancers, like e.g. flocculating agents, or softening siloxanes which are all well-known in the art. Most preferred are such fabric softening composition compounds which are disclosed in EP-A-199382, EP-A-392607 or EP-A-397296 or which are referred to in the examples.
• the viscosity was measured with a commercial Brookfield Viscometer type LV (Trademark) using the spindel No. 2 at room temperature and a shear rate of 60 rounds per minute.
• composition IX and X of Table I provide examples of the present invention while the other compositions of Table I allow a comparison of each of the individual components of composition IX.
• Compositions I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII and VIII are not providing phase stability. From composition X, it can be derived that DTI/E is the critical compound to phase stability .
• compositions I to X provide comparisons of compositions I to X .
• Compositions I to IX do not comprize the required amount of emulsifying compound. Even at a viscosity of 9.9 Pa.s and 10% DTDMAC as in composition VIII phase stability cannot be achieved but is provided by composition X with less emulsifying compound. It can also be seen that ammonium compounds like DTDMAC alone are not capable of providing a stabilizing effect.
• composition is evaluated for phase stability, pH-10 % and viscosity confirming that it meets the criteria of the invention.
• composition A B Concentrated perfume emulsion of example III 100 g 100 g Composition A* 900 g - Composition B* - 300 g Water - 600 g Total amount 1000 g 1000 g Total perfume concentration 0.75 % 0.75 %
• the concentrated perfume emulsion is added first into a beaker and the other ingredients are poured on top. No further agitation is necessary showing that the concentrated perfume emulsion easily blends with fabric treatment compositions.
• compositions A or B as usual in home laundring provides the desired perfume level on fabrics.

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• Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
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• 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)

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Cited By (6)

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Citations (4)

• 1991
  • 1991-10-07 EP EP91202607A patent/EP0536444A1/fr not_active Withdrawn
• 1992
  • 1992-10-07 CA CA 2080108 patent/CA2080108A1/fr not_active Abandoned

Patent Citations (4)

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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