EP0863970A1 - Composition assouplissante - Google Patents

Composition assouplissante

Info

Publication number
EP0863970A1
EP0863970A1 EP96927620A EP96927620A EP0863970A1 EP 0863970 A1 EP0863970 A1 EP 0863970A1 EP 96927620 A EP96927620 A EP 96927620A EP 96927620 A EP96927620 A EP 96927620A EP 0863970 A1 EP0863970 A1 EP 0863970A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
fabric softening
fabric
compound
composition according
softening compound
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP96927620A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Stuart Bernard Fraser
William Frederick Soutar Neillie
Jacqueline Marie Thorpe
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 EP0863970A1 publication Critical patent/EP0863970A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

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
    • C11D1/00—Detergent compositions based essentially on surface-active compounds; Use of these compounds as a detergent
    • C11D1/38—Cationic compounds
    • C11D1/62—Quaternary ammonium 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 fabric softening compositions, in particular the invention relates to fabric softening compositions that give excellent absorbency properties to fabrics.
  • Rinse added fabric softener compositions are well known.
  • a disadvantage associated with conventional rinse conditioners is that although they increase the soft feel of a fabric they decrease the fabric's absorbency.
  • a decrease in the absorbency properties of a fabric means that its ability to take up water decreases, this is particularly disadvantageous with towels, where the consumer requires the towel to be soft and yet to have a high absorbency.
  • Conventional liquid fabric softening compositions are in the form of dispersed colloidal particles of the fabric softening compound.
  • the rinse added fabric softening compositions of the prior art soften by depositing dispersed colloidal particles of softening compound onto fabrics.
  • These dispersed colloidal particles have a lamellar phase structure, that is the rinse conditioners of the prior art are structured such that they have only one-dimensional long range order.
  • Typical fabric softening compositions contain a water insoluble fabric softening agent dispersed in water at a level of softening agent of up to 7% by weight in which case the compositions are considered dilute, or at levels from 7% to 30% in which case the compositions are considered concentrates.
  • fabric softening compositions formed from dispersed colloidal particles have complex, unstable structures. Because of this instability there are many problems associated with conventional fabric softening compositions. The principal problems are; physical instability at high and low temperatures; when frozen they are converted [irreversibly] to gels.
  • US 3 892 669 discloses a clear, homogeneous, aqueous based liquid fabric softening composition and is limited to solubilised tetraalkyl quaternary ammonium salts having two short-chain alkyl groups and two long-chain alkyl groups, the longer chain groups having some methyl and ethyl branching.
  • the solubilisers comprise aryl sulphonates, diols, ethers, low molecular weight quaternaries, sulphobetaines, and nonionic surfactants.
  • nonionic surfactants and phosphine oxides are not suitable for use alone and only have utility as auxiliary solubilizers.
  • the present invention discloses fabric softening compositions having excellent softening properties yet which also give excellent absorbency to fabrics.
  • composition of this invention also exhibits excellent hydrolytic stability.
  • a liquid fabric conditioning composition comprising a substantially water insoluble fabric softening compound and characterised in that the composition has a phase structure with greater than one-dimensional long range order as defined by x-ray crystallography.
  • a further aspect of the invention provides the use of a fabric conditioning composition
  • a fabric conditioning composition comprising a dispersed fabric softening compound and characterised in that the composition has a phase structure with greater than one-dimensional long range order as defined by x-ray crystallography to aid water absorbency by a fabric.
  • the invention also provides a process for preparing a rinse conditioner according to the invention which comprises the steps of:
  • a further process for preparing rinse conditioners of the invention comprises the steps of:
  • X-ray diffraction is commonly used to investigate the structure of crystalline materials.
  • X-ray diffraction of crystalline materials give diffraction patterns which consist of a series of peaks, and it is possible from the separation and inter-relationship of these peaks to define the structure of the crystalline material.
  • the term 'd-spacing' is ascribed to the distance between each peak observed.
  • the structure of the crystalline material is assessed by its d-spacing (also called D-spacing) .
  • the term d-spacing ascribed to each peak is defined mathematically by Bragg's law:
  • ⁇ is the wavelength (of X-ray source) ; ⁇ is the angle over which the radiation is scattered (Bragg angle) ; d is a regular repeating distance between the layers, n is the number of orders of reflection
  • the dispersed fabric softening particles in the fabric conditioning composition of the present invention are structured in more than one dimension, preferably in three dimensions, and have short and long range order compared with the compositions of the prior art in which the dispersed fabric softening particles are structured in one dimension and have short range order.
  • the dispersed fabric softening compound found in conventional liquid fabric conditioning products have liquid crystalline structures.
  • the liquid crystalline structure found in fabric conditioning products when subject to X-ray diffraction, produce characteristic X-ray scattering patterns typical of lamellar phases (only one-dimensional long range order) .
  • a simple method for detecting the lamellar phase present in conventional rinse conditioners is that on dilution the d- spacings in the lamellar phase system become larger.
  • the d-spacings remain constant on dilution.
  • the d-spacings of the dispersed fabric softening compound within the fabric conditioning composition can be measured in two ways using laboratory X-ray equipment.
  • One method is to undertake the X-ray diffraction using a small angle of radiation (SAX) .
  • SAX small angle of radiation
  • This method detects short range order which is present in both crystalline and liquid crystalline (ie lamellar systems) structures. Information regarding the periodic (repeating) structure in both types of system can be obtained.
  • the second method of X-ray diffraction is using a wide angle of radiation (WAX) .
  • WAX wide angle of radiation
  • WAX lamellar systems structured in only one dimension yield only a single Bragg reflection.
  • Systems with more than one-dimensional order yield more complex X-ray diffraction patterns.
  • WAX can be used to distinguish systems with more than one-dimensional order (greater than one long range order) from systems with only one-dimensional long range order (ie lamellar) .
  • the fabric conditioning compositions of the present invention can easily be distinguished from those of the prior art in that when assessed using wide beam X-ray (WAX) crystallography and structural information can be obtained whilst the rinse conditioners of the prior art only show one Bragg reflection and no long range structural information can be obtained
  • the fabric softening compounds in the compositions of the present invention have a d-spacing value of less than 85 A, more preferably less than 70 A.
  • Particle sizes of the fabric softening compound in the conditioning composition should be less than lOOu , preferably less than 50um, more preferably less than 20um. It is especially preferred if 90 wt% of the fabric softening compound has a particle size of less than 3um.
  • the fabric softening compound is either a compound comprising a polar head group and a single alkyl or alkenyl chain of chain length greater than C 20 or more preferably a compound comprising a polar head group and two alkyl chains each having an average chain length greater than C 14 or a single chain length greater than C 20 .
  • the polar head group is cationic such as a quaternary ammonium group.
  • the fabric softening compound of the invention has two long chain alkyl or alkenyl chains with an average chain length greater than C 14 . More preferably each chain has an average chain length greater than C 16 , and more preferably at least 50% of each long chain alkyl or alkenyl group has a chain length of C 18 .
  • the long chain alkyl or alkenyl groups of the fabric softening compound are predominantly linear.
  • the fabric softening compositions of the invention are compounds molecules which provide excellent softening, characterised by chain melting -L ⁇ to L ⁇ - transition temperature greater than 25°C, preferably greater than 35°C, most preferably greater than 45°C.
  • This L ⁇ to L ⁇ transition can be measured by DSC as defined in "Handbook of Lipid Bilayers, D Marsh, CRC Press, Boca Raton Florida, 1990 (Pages 137 and 337) .
  • Substantially water-insoluble fabric softening compounds in the context of this invention are defined as fabric softening compounds having a solubility less than 1 x IO "3 wt% in demineralised water at 20°C.
  • the fabric softening compounds Preferably have a solubility less than 1 x 10 "4 wt * , most preferably the fabric softening compounds have a solubility of from 1 x 10 "8 to 1 x IO "6 -
  • the fabric softening compound is a water insoluble quaternary ammonium material which comprises a compound having two C 12 . 18 alkyl or alkenyl groups connected to the molecule via at least one an ester link. It is more preferred if the quaternary ammonium material has two ester links present.
  • a preferred ester-linked quaternary ammonium material for use in the invention can be represented by the formula:
  • each R 1 group is independently selected from alkyl, hydroxyalkyl or C 2 . 4 alkenyl groups;
  • X " is a suitable anion and wherein each R 2 group is independently selected from C 8 _ 28 alkyl or alkenyl groups;
  • O O
  • T is -C-O- or -O-C-; and n is an integer from 0-5.
  • a preferred material of this class is N-N-di(tallowoyl-oxy- ethyl) N,N-dimethyl ammonium chloride.
  • a second preferred type of quaternary ammonium material can be represented by the formula:
  • R 1 , n, R 2 and X " are as defined above.
  • Preferred materials of this class such as 1,2 bis [hardened tallowoyloxy]-3- trimethylammonium propane chloride and their method of preparation are, for example, described in US 4 137 180 (Lever Brothers) .
  • Preferably these materials comprise small amounts of the corresponding monoester as described in US 4 137 180 for example 1-hardened tallowoyloxy -2-hydroxy trimethylammonium propane chloride.
  • the quaternary ammonium material is biologically degradable.
  • the fabric softening compound of the composition may also be compounds having the following formula:
  • R 4 wherein X is an anion, A is an (m+n) valent radical remaining after the removal of (m+n) hydroxy groups from an aliphatic polyol having p hydroxy groups and an atomic ratio of carbon to oxygen in the range of 1.0 to 3.0 and up to 2 groups per hydroxy group selected from ethylene oxide and propylene oxide, m is 0 or an integer from 1 to p-n, n is an integer from 1 to p-m, and p is an integer of at least 2,
  • B is an alkylene or alkylidene group containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms
  • R 1 , R 2 , R 3 and R 4 are, independently from each other, straight or branched chain C ⁇ C ⁇ alkyl or alkenyl groups, optionally with substitution by one or more functional groups and/or interruption by at most 10 ethylene oxide and/or propylene oxide groups, or by at most two functional groups selected from
  • R 2 and R 3 may form a ring system containing 5 or 6 atoms in the ring, with the proviso that the average compound either has at least one R group having 22-48 carbon atoms, or at least two R groups having 16-20 carbon atoms, or at least three R groups having 10-14 carbon atoms.
  • the level of fabric softening compounds is preferably from 3 to 60 wt% more preferably from 8 to 50 wt%, most preferably from 8 to 30 wt%.
  • composition may also contain nonionic fabric softening agents such as lanolin and derivatives thereof.
  • compositions of the invention preferably have a pH of at least 1.5, and more preferably less than 5.
  • the fabric softening composition may also contain a nonionic stabilising agent, it is preferred if the nonionic stabilising agent is present at a level of from 0.1 to 10.0 % by weight and preferably at a level of from 0.2 to 2.5% by weight. Most preferred nonionic stabilising agents are the ethoxylated long chain fatty alcohols.
  • the composition may also contain long chain fatty acid material for example C 8 - C 24 alkyl or alkenyl monocarboxylic acids or polymers thereof.
  • long chain fatty acid material for example C 8 - C 24 alkyl or alkenyl monocarboxylic acids or polymers thereof.
  • saturated fatty acids are used, in particular hardened tallow C 16 - C 18 fatty acids.
  • the fatty acid is non-saponified, more preferably the fatty acid is free for example oleic acid, lauric acid or tallow fatty acid.
  • the level of fatty acid material is preferably at least 0.1%, more preferably at least 0.2% by weight. Especially preferred are dilutes in which the fatty acid material is present in an amount of from 0.25 wt% to 20 wt%.
  • the weight ratio of quaternary ammonium compound to fatty acid material is preferably from 1:10 to 50:1.
  • the viscosities of these fabric compositions lie in the range of from 1 mPa.s to 400 mPa.s at a shear rate of 110s "1 , preferably in the range of from 5 to 250 mPa.s and most preferably from 10 to 150 mPa.s.
  • the composition can also contain one or more optional ingredients, selected from non-aqueous solvents, pH buffering agents, perfumes, perfume carriers, fluorescers, colorants, hydrotropes, antifoaming agents, antiredeposition agents, polymeric thickeners enzymes, optical brightening agents, opacifiers, anti-shrinking agents, anti-wrinkle agents, anti- spotting agents, germicides, fungicides, anti-oxidants, anti- corrosion agents, drape imparting agents, antistatic agents and ironing aids.
  • optional ingredients selected from non-aqueous solvents, pH buffering agents, perfumes, perfume carriers, fluorescers, colorants, hydrotropes, antifoaming agents, antiredeposition agents, polymeric thickeners enzymes, optical brightening agents, opacifiers, anti-shrinking agents, anti-wrinkle agents, anti- spotting agents, germicides, fungicides, anti-oxidants, anti- corrosion agents, drape imparting agents, antistatic agents and ironing
  • compositions designed for use in the main wash cycle of a washing machine are also suitable for use in compositions designed for use in the main wash cycle of a washing machine.
  • Such compositions would preferably have a high level of nonionic surfactant and include a builder material.
  • Nonionic surfactant was warmed until molten and added to water containing antifoam at ambient temperature, the resulting mixture was cooled. Coarsely ground cationic active and other solid material was gradually added and the dispersion was mixed using high shear. Finally liquid minor ingredients were added.
  • Examples 1 to 4 had the following compositions:
  • HT TMAPS 1,2 bis[hardened tallowoyloxy]-3 trimethylammonium propane methylsulphate
  • HT TMAPC 1,2 bis[hardened tallowoyloxy]-3 trimethylammonium propane chloride
  • Nonionic is coco alcohol ethoxylated with 20 ethylene oxide groups.
  • n 1.7 and " COR is modified tallowoyl such that 90% of the unsaturation remains.
  • DEEDMAC N,N"di(tallowoyl-oxy-ethyl)N, -dimethyl ammonium chloride. Comparative Examples A-D
  • Comparative Examples A-D had the following composition:
  • the wicking properties of fabrics treated with the compositions were evaluated by adding 1ml of softening composition to 1 litre of tap water (10°FH) , at ambient temperature containing 0.001% (w/w) sodium alkyl benzene sulphonate (ABS) in a tergotometer. Three pieces of terry towelling (standard 8(20cm long by 3cm wide)) were added to the tergotometer pot. The cloths were treated or 5 minutes at 65 rpm, spin dried to remove excess liquor and line dried overnight. The strips of treated fabric were held vertically and lowered into a dish containing a 0.02% solution of direct red 81 dye, so that ca. 0.5cm of the fabric was below the surface of the water. The height to which the liquid rose up the strip was measured at intervals of time for a total of 15 minutes. The average height for each treatment was calculated. Higher values are indicative of better absorbency
  • Table 3 demonstrates the results of the wicking test.

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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)

Abstract

Cette composition liquide assouplissante donne aux tissus une bonne capacité d'absorption d'eau et comprend un composé assouplissant, essentiellement insoluble dans l'eau, caractérisé en ce qu'il possède une structure de phase comportant plus d'un ordre dimensionnel, comme déterminé par cristallographie aux rayons X.
EP96927620A 1995-09-04 1996-07-26 Composition assouplissante Withdrawn EP0863970A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GBGB9518012.1A GB9518012D0 (en) 1995-09-04 1995-09-04 Fabric softening composition
GB9518012 1995-09-04
PCT/EP1996/003325 WO1997009403A1 (fr) 1995-09-04 1996-07-26 Composition assouplissante

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0863970A1 true EP0863970A1 (fr) 1998-09-16

Family

ID=10780158

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP96927620A Withdrawn EP0863970A1 (fr) 1995-09-04 1996-07-26 Composition assouplissante

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0863970A1 (fr)
AU (1) AU6738396A (fr)
GB (1) GB9518012D0 (fr)
WO (1) WO1997009403A1 (fr)

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2188653A (en) * 1986-04-02 1987-10-07 Procter & Gamble Biodegradable fabric softeners
GB8914054D0 (en) * 1989-06-19 1989-08-09 Unilever Plc Fabric softening composition
GB8916307D0 (en) * 1989-07-17 1989-08-31 Unilever Plc Fabric softening composition
GB9115255D0 (en) * 1991-07-15 1991-08-28 Unilever Plc Fabric softening composition
US5288417A (en) * 1992-07-06 1994-02-22 Lever Brothers Company, Division Of Conopco, Inc. Fabric conditioning compositions and process for making them

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See references of WO9709403A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB9518012D0 (en) 1995-11-08
WO1997009403A1 (fr) 1997-03-13
AU6738396A (en) 1997-03-27

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