EP0596968A1

EP0596968A1 - Agent for treating washed clothes in a clothes drier

Info

Publication number: EP0596968A1
Application number: EP92916357A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Rolf Puchta; Peter Sandkühler; Jutta Schreiber; Theodor Völkel
Original assignee: Henkel AG and Co KGaA
Current assignee: Henkel AG and Co KGaA
Priority date: 1991-08-03
Filing date: 1992-07-27
Publication date: 1994-05-18
Also published as: WO1993003132A1; DE4125847A1; US5399271A

Abstract

Un produit contient sur un support plat flexible une combinaison de glycérides d'acides gras, d'acides gras et/ou d'alcools gras d'une part et d'alcoxylates d'alcools gras et/ou d'esters d'acides gras d'alcools monovalents d'autre part, servant de mélange adoucissant de matières textiles.A product contains on a flexible flat support a combination of glycerides of fatty acids, fatty acids and / or fatty alcohols on the one hand and alkoxylates of fatty alcohols and / or esters of fatty acids monovalent alcohols on the other hand, serving as a softening mixture of textile materials.

Description

"Means for treating washed laundry in a tumble dryer"

The present invention relates to an agent for treating washed laundry in a tumble dryer consisting of a flexible surface that is loaded with an active substance mixture for laundry treatment.

With the development of automatic tumble dryers, in which washed laundry is dried by heated air, it became possible to carry out the laundry in the tumble dryer, which was generally carried out in the washing machine during the last rinse cycle. Treating washed laundry in this way generally aims to give the laundry a pleasantly soft and full feel, as well as anti-electrostatic properties and a good fragrance. While the treatment of the laundry in the rinsing bath relied on the use of active substances which are transferred as completely as possible to the textiles to be treated in an aqueous liquor, the fact that the treatment process was relocated to the tumble dryer made it possible to also use such active substances which were difficult or impossible to use in an aqueous liquor. Although it is possible in principle to use laundry agents in the tumble dryer to use other active substances than those used in the treatment in the rinsing bath, the active substances of the type which have also been used almost exclusively in the treatment in the rinsing bath have hitherto been used Quaternary ammonium compounds with 1, 2 or 3 long residues in the molecule which are derived from ammonia or imidazoline are also used in the treatment of laundry in the clothes dryer. The reason for this is that such quaternary ammonium compounds are relatively easily accessible by synthetic means and, above all, that they are extremely effective as textile softeners. Various proposals have become known for the application of the softening active ingredients to the textiles in the tumble dryer; it has been proposed, for example, to transfer the active ingredients, if desired together with additional auxiliaries, to the laundry from rigid containers which are added to the laundry in the tumble dryer. Instead of the rigid containers, flexible containers, for example bags, which have been filled with the active substances have also been proposed. The simplest and therefore also the most common in general is the delivery of the active ingredients from flexible fabrics. The treatment of laundry in a tumble dryer by flexible fabrics impregnated with active ingredients is described, for example, in German patent application DE-A 19 55 803. Depending on the type of textile fabrics used, which are impregnated with the active ingredient, the problem arises that in the case of substrates with a low adsorption capacity, the fatty active ingredient is transferred unevenly to the textiles and in the process leads to grease-stained disorders. Other substrate materials with a high adsorption capacity, such as, for example, sponge cloths or foam sheets, release the active substances to an insufficient extent, so that when they are used as active substance carriers, active substance losses due to unused active substances occur.

According to the teaching of DE-A 1965470, the disadvantages described are to be avoided by using substrates with a medium adsorption capacity as carriers for the quaternary ammonium compounds. It was later found, however, that under certain conditions it is also possible to use substrates with a low adsorption capacity, which have the advantage of the high release of active ingredient, without the formation of stains. DE-A 3003249 relates to agents for treating washed laundry in a laundry dryer, the carriers of which for the softening active ingredients comprise a substrate with a low adsorption capacity.

According to the teaching of DE-A 2700512, up to 60% of the plasticizing quaternary ammonium compounds can be replaced by fatty acid esters of a polyhydric alcohol. This leads to the advantage that one does not appear to a certain adsorption capacity of the substrates used as active substance carriers is bound.

There are also known textile treatment agents to be used in the tumble dryer, the active ingredients of which are free of quaternary ammonium compounds. For example, DE-A 25 16 104 describes products whose active ingredient components are partly or completely sorbitan esters. However, like the quaternary ammonium compounds, these tend to form stains or to give off insufficient active ingredient if materials with an average adsorption capacity are not used as the substrate.

Other textile-softening active ingredients which are not quaternary ammonium compounds are the fatty acid esters of polyhydric alcohols known for example from DE 27 00 512. According to the teaching of this patent application, however, they must be used together with significant amounts (40 to 95% by weight) of cationic textile plasticizers of the quaternary ammonium compound type. Quaternary ammonium compounds, however, according to newer knowledge, pollute the wastewater due to their more or less pronounced toxic properties and their low biodegradability, into which they get through the rinse cycle or with the washing liquor of the washing process following the aftertreatment process. It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide textile-softening active substance mixtures for the treatment of washed laundry in a tumble dryer, the active substance mixtures in turn being emitted without stains and at a high release rate from a flexible fabric serving as a carrier for the active substances and being transferred to the textiles to be treated and wherein the active ingredient mixtures are free of quaternary ammonium compounds. Another object is to provide a textile-softening active substance or mixture of active substances which, during production after application to the flexible fabric, solidifies quickly, that is to say at a relatively high temperature, to a dry-feeling active substance layer and the textiles treated therewith have good antielectrostatic properties Gives properties. It has now surprisingly been found that the fatty acid glycerides which are unsuitable as the sole fabric softening active ingredient can be combined with other fatty alcohol or fatty acid derivatives which are likewise unsuitable as the sole fabric softener to form active ingredient mixtures which do not have the disadvantages described of the known active ingredient mixtures of the prior art and meet the other desirable requirements.

The present invention therefore relates to agents for treating washed laundry in a tumble dryer, consisting of a flexible sheet loaded with active ingredient mixtures for laundry treatment, the active ingredient mixtures containing a fat component which are characterized in that the mono-, di Fat component a) in a mixture with b) fatty alcohol alkoxylates and / or fatty acid esters of monohydric alcohols is present - or trifatty acid glycerides and / or fatty acids and / or fatty alcohols.

The constituents of the fat component a) are known per se as softening active ingredients, but these alone or in combination do not meet the requirements which are described in more detail in the description of the object of the present invention. They are either difficult to process because they solidify too slowly or too quickly when they are applied to the flexible surface; or they do not impart sufficient softness or sufficient anti-electrostatic properties to the textiles treated with them; or the flexible sheets coated with it feel uncomfortable, which prevents the consumer from using them; or the drug delivery rate is too low. Therefore, combining the fat component a) with component b), the monovalent of fatty alcohol alkoxylates and / or Fettsäureestern alcohols is, in such a way that the active ingredient mixtures formed have a crystallization onset is _r at a temperature of 40 ° C or higher. The start of crystallization in the sense of this patent application is determined by DSC measurement using a device from Mettler, type FP 84. The active substance mixture to be tested is heated at a heating rate of 2 ° C. per minute until the melting end temperature is reached. During the subsequent cooling of the active ingredient mixture, the Temperature at which crystallization begins, the heat of crystallization given off. The temperature at which the heat of crystallization begins to be given is called the start of crystallization below. Mixtures of active ingredients from components a) and b) which are suitable for the treatment agents according to the invention have an onset of crystallization at a temperature of 40 ° C. or higher.

In a preferred embodiment, the active ingredient mixtures contain a fat component a) which contains mono- and di-fatty acid glyceride, preferably mono-fatty acid glycerides. The fatty acid residue of these mono- and diglycerides is derived from fatty acids which can be straight-chain or branched, saturated or unsaturated and contain 10 to 24 carbon atoms. A typical example of suitable glyceride mixtures is, for example, a mixture consisting of mono- and di-fatty acid glyceride which predominantly contains mono-fatty acid glyceride and whose fatty acid residue is derived from stearic acid. A glycerol mono-di-palmitate / stearate is also suitable, the proportion of monoglyceride being 40 to 60%.

A preferred embodiment of the agents according to the invention contains in fatty component a) fatty acids with a melting point in the range from 40 to 80, preferably in the range from 45 to 65 ° C. The fatty acids can be of natural and synthetic origin and are generally straight-chain and in particular saturated. Natural fatty acids are derived from triglycerides, for example from coconut oil, palm kernel oil, olive oil or also from animal fats such as beef tallow, fish oil or lard. Depending on their origin, the fatty acids derived therefrom are mixtures of different fatty acids and are also preferred if, after hydrogenation if necessary, they have a melting point in the range from 40 to 80, in particular in the range from 45 to 65 ° C.

In addition to the fatty acid glycerides or fatty acids already mentioned, the fat component a) can also contain fatty alcohols. Fatty alcohols preferred for the agents according to the invention have 10 to 22 carbon atoms in the molecule. The same applies to the origin of the fatty alcohols as stated above for the fatty acids. That means the fatty alcohols can likewise of synthetic or natural origin and, if appropriate after hydrogenation, represent mixtures of different fatty alcohols. Fatty alcohols having 10 to 22 carbon atoms are preferred.

The fatty alcohol alkoxylates suitable for component b) are generally based on the fatty alcohols, as are also suitable for the fatty component a). They contain 1 to 15 moles of ethylene oxide and / or 1 to 15 moles of propylene oxide per mole of fatty alcohol. Fatty alcohol alkoxylates in which ethylene oxide and propylene oxide are simultaneously attached to the fatty alcohol are preferred. In particular, suitable fatty alcohol alkoxylates contain 2 to 8 moles of ethylene oxide and / or propylene oxide per mole of fatty alcohol.

In addition to fatty alcohol alkoxylates, component b) may contain fatty acid esters of monohydric alcohols. Preferred fatty acid esters of monohydric alcohols contain a total of 15 to 44 carbon atoms. Monovalent ^"alcohol component in particular methyl alcohol, ethyl alcohol are n-propyl and iso-propyl alcohol in question. For the Fettsäurekompo¬ the appropriate fatty acid ester component of monovalent alcohols, the same applies as already explained above for the fatty acids. Under fatty acid ester of monohydric alcohols are within the scope of The present invention is also understood to mean mixtures of fatty acid esters of various compositions, for example carnauba wax obtainable from the leaves of the Brazilian fan palm Copernica prunivera, candeliol wax obtained from the leaves of Euphorbiaceae, jojoba oil and natural or synthetic beeswax ¬ a mixture in question, the 40 parts by weight of a fatty acid onoglyceride, the acid component of which is a 3: 1 mixture of hydroxystearic acid and hardened castor oil, and 35 parts by weight of palmitic acid, 20 Parts by weight of micro wax, 10 parts by weight of hydroxystearic acid and other constituents in minor amounts. Such natural ester mixtures are also counted among the fatty acid esters of monohydric alcohols in the context of the present invention.

So that the effect _. Mixtures have the preferred start of crystallization at a temperature of 40 ° C or higher, the active ingredient mixtures consist of component a) and component b) in a weight ratio of 3: 1 to 1: 3, preferably in a weight ratio of 2: 1 to 1: 2. Agents according to the invention in which the active compound mixtures contain component a) and component b) in the weight ratio mentioned are preferred moves. Occasionally, it may be appropriate to modify the start of crystallization by adding organic solvents. The addition of an effective amount of glycerol, which generally makes up 1 to 15% by weight, based on the active ingredient mixtures, is particularly suitable for this purpose.

Although it is fundamentally possible for the flexible sheet materials used as carriers for the active substance mixture to contain an amount of the active substance mixtures which is sufficient for a single application or for repeated use, it is preferred that the agents have an amount which is sufficient for a single application contain components a) + b). This is preferably an amount of 1 to 5 g, which is applied to the flexible fabric on one or both sides.

For the application of the active ingredient mixtures to the flexible fabric, the active ingredient mixtures are liquefied by heating. Particularly suitable mixtures of active ingredients have a viscosity of 5 to 100 mPas at 60 ° C .; they are therefore preferred.

Because the constituents of the active substance mixtures of the compositions according to the invention, because of their origin from natural and renewable raw materials, do not contain any noteworthy amounts of flammable liquids, the flash point of the active substance mixtures is significantly higher than that for the known compositions for the treatment of washed laundry in general Dryer mixtures used active ingredients. This is a further advantage of the agents according to the invention. Agents according to the invention, the active ingredient mixtures of which have a flash point of more than 55 ° C., preferably more than 100 ° C., are therefore particularly preferred. Such a high flash point has a particularly favorable effect on the production of the agents according to the invention, in which the active substance mixtures are applied to the flexible fabric at elevated temperature.

The flexible surface structure of the agents according to the invention can be a fibrous surface structure and accordingly a woven, a knitted one textile material or a non-woven fabric. Foam or sponge-like materials of natural or synthetic origin, such as foamed synthetic polymers, which are preferably in sheet form, are also suitable as flexible fabrics. The textile fabrics generally have a lower adsorption capacity than the foam or sponge-like materials. The lower adsorption capacity is usually associated with a high rate of release of the active ingredient mixtures, whereas the foam or sponge-like materials can absorb more of the active ingredient mixture, but generally release it less completely when used in the tumble dryer. Above all, the flexible textile fabrics, and in particular the non-woven fabrics, have proven successful. Compared to the foam or sponge-like materials, these have a low to medium adsorption capacity and are preferred for the agents according to the invention. Particularly preferred as a carrier for the active ingredient mixtures are flexible fabrics which are a nonwoven made of synthetic and natural fiber materials.

Although the compositions according to the invention do not contain any salt-like constituents, such as quaternary ammonium salts, in their active ingredient mixtures, the textiles treated with the compositions according to the invention have surprisingly good antielectrostatic properties after treatment in a tumble dryer, which takes place at temperatures of about 50 to 80 ° C. ¬ shafts. In addition, the agents according to the invention convince through the sum of the desirable properties present. They are easy to manufacture, do not feel uncomfortable after manufacture, have the property of releasing the active substance mixtures almost completely when used in the tumble dryer and transferring them to the textiles to be treated, and they give the textiles to be treated a pleasantly soft and full grip and excellent anti-electrostatic properties. Since the active ingredient mixtures are also free of quaternary ammonium compounds, the environmental impact from the active ingredients which enter the sewer system with the washing water of the laundry following treatment in the tumble dryer is extremely low. Another advantage of the agents according to the invention is the fact that the in the components present in the active ingredient mixture are produced from natural and renewable raw materials.

In addition to the constituents mentioned, the active substance mixtures can additionally contain customary auxiliaries and additives in agents for treating washed laundry in a tumble dryer. These are, for example, fragrances, dyes, heavy metal complexing agents, clay materials or finely divided silica.

B e i s p e l e

3 g of a mixture of active ingredients of the two following compositions A and B were uniformly applied to a "Keybak 02" non-woven fabric "Keybak 02" from Chicopee, the Netherlands, consisting of polyester and cellulose fibers.

The start of crystallization for mixture A was 42 ° C, that for mixture B at 46 ° C. For commercially available 75% by weight distearyldimethylammonium chloride (DSDMAC) with the same amount of perfume oil, the start of crystallization was 27 ° C.

The flash point of mixture A was 166 ° C, for mixture B 156 ° C, whereas for the DSDMAC mixture it was 28 ° C. Accordingly, the DSDMAC mixture is to be treated as dangerous goods, but the active substance mixtures A and B of the agents according to the invention are not. Textiles treated with this had an approximately equally good grip in all cases. The anti-electrostatic properties, measured as the half-life of the dissipation of an applied electrical charge, were 7.6 seconds (A) and 10.6 seconds (B) and 36 seconds DSDMAC.

In all cases, drug delivery was virtually complete (over 96% delivery rate).

Despite the use of a carrier material with the relatively low adsorption capacity of approx. 6, measured according to the method described in US Federal Specifications UU-T-595 b and modified according to DE-A 27 00 512, the treated textiles showed no staining .

The toxicological, ecological and ecotoxicological behavior of the active substance mixtures A and B was better than that of DSDMAC in every respect.

Claims

Patent claims

1. Means for treating washed laundry in a tumble dryer consisting of a flexible fabric loaded with active ingredients for laundry treatment, the active ingredients containing a fat component, characterized in that the mono-, di- or trifatty acid glycerides and / or fatty acids and / / or fatty component a) comprising fatty alcohols in a mixture with b) fatty alcohol alkoxylates and / or fatty acid esters of monohydric alcohols.

2. Composition according to claim 1, characterized in that the active ingredient mixtures have a start of crystallization at a temperature of 40 ° C or higher.

3. Composition according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the Fett¬ component a) contains mono- and di-fatty acid glyceride, preferably mono-fatty acid glycerides.

4. Composition according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the fat component a) contains fatty acids with a melting point in the range of 40-80 ° C, preferably 45-65 ° C.

5. Composition according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the fat component a) contains fatty alcohols with 10 to 22 carbon atoms.

6. Composition according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that component b) contains fatty alcohol to which ethylene oxide and propylene oxide is attached.

7. Composition according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that component b) contains fatty acid esters of monohydric alcohols with 15 to 44 carbon atoms.

8. Composition according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it contains component a) and component b) in a ratio of 3: 1 to 1: 3, preferably in a ratio of 2: 1 to 1: 2.

9. Composition according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it contains a sufficient amount for a single use of the components a) + b), preferably an amount of 1 to 5 g.

10. Agent according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the active substance mixtures have a viscosity of 5 to 100 mPas at 60 ° C.

il. Agent according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the active substance mixtures have a flash point of more than 55 ° C, preferably of more than 100 ° C.

12. Composition according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the serving as a carrier for the active substance mixtures flexible surface structure is a nonwoven made of synthetic and natural fiber materials.