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
  • C11D3/16—Organic compounds
  • C11D3/20—Organic compounds containing oxygen
  • C11D3/2003—Alcohols; Phenols
  • C11D3/2041—Dihydric alcohols
  • C11D3/2048—Dihydric alcohols branched
• • 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
  • C11D1/66—Non-ionic compounds
  • C11D1/835—Mixtures of non-ionic with cationic 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
• • 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
  • C11D3/20—Organic compounds containing oxygen
  • C11D3/2003—Alcohols; Phenols
  • C11D3/2041—Dihydric alcohols
  • C11D3/2044—Dihydric alcohols linear
• • 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
  • C11D3/43—Solvents
• • 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
  • C11D1/42—Amino alcohols or amino ethers
  • C11D1/44—Ethers of polyoxyalkylenes with amino alcohols; Condensation products of epoxyalkanes with amines
• • 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
  • C11D1/00—Detergent compositions based essentially on surface-active compounds; Use of these compounds as a detergent
  • C11D1/66—Non-ionic compounds
  • C11D1/72—Ethers of polyoxyalkylene glycols
• • 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
  • C11D1/66—Non-ionic compounds
  • C11D1/722—Ethers of polyoxyalkylene glycols having mixed oxyalkylene groups; Polyalkoxylated fatty alcohols or polyalkoxylated alkylaryl alcohols with mixed oxyalkylele groups
• • 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
  • C11D1/66—Non-ionic compounds
  • C11D1/74—Carboxylates or sulfonates esters of polyoxyalkylene glycols
• • 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
  • C11D3/20—Organic compounds containing oxygen
  • C11D3/2003—Alcohols; Phenols
  • C11D3/2041—Dihydric alcohols
  • C11D3/2055—Dihydric alcohols unsaturated
• • 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
  • C11D3/20—Organic compounds containing oxygen
  • C11D3/2003—Alcohols; Phenols
  • C11D3/2041—Dihydric alcohols
  • C11D3/2058—Dihydric alcohols aromatic

Definitions

• the present invention relates to fabric softening composition useful for softening fabrics. It especially relates to fabric softening compositions suitable for use in the rinse cycle of a textile laundering operation.
• the compositions of the invention are translucent or clear liquid softening compositions.
• EP-0 043 547 discloses fabric softener compositions comprising (a) from 30% to 70% wt. of a cationic softener; (b) from 5% to 50% wt. of a nonionic softener; (c) from 5% to 20% wt. of a nonionic alkoxylated dispersant; (d) from 5% to 30% wt. of a C 1 -C 3 alkanol; (e) from 5% to 30% wt. of a liquid glycol, polyglycol or alkylether derivative thereof; and (f) the balance being water, perfume and colorants.
• WO 97/03169 describes the formulation of liquid fabric softening compositions using specific solvents.
• the compositions of WO 97/03169 are said to provide excellent fabric-softening/static-control benefits, reduced staining of fabric, excellent water dispersibility, rewettability, and/or storage and viscosity stability at sub-normal temperatures, i.e., temperatures below normal room temperature, e.g., 25°C.
• the formulator of softening compositions is faced with the dual challenge of formulating a clear or tranluscent composition without being detrimental to the stability and clarity of the liquid softening compositions.
• Still another advantage of the invention is that the use of this nonionic surfactant enables a reduction in the solvent level in the softening composition whilst not impairing the performance of the softening compositions.
• a further advantage of the invention is that the use of this nonionic surfactant enables the use of wide range of solvents. Indeed, typical solvent for use in clear formulations have a Clog P between 0.15 to 0.64. It has now been found that the level reduction of solvent by use of the nonionic surfactant is also applicable to solvents having a higher Clog P.
• the softening composition of the invention also provides similar benefit to those of WO 97/03169, i.e. fabric-softening/static-control benefits, reduced staining of fabric, excellent water dispersibility, rewettability, and/or storage and viscosity stability at sub-normal temperatures, i.e., temperatures below normal room temperature, e.g., 25°C.
• the present invention relates to a clear fabric softening composition
• a clear fabric softening composition comprising
• a nonionic alkoxylated surfactant is an essential component of the invention. Not to be bound by theory, it is believed that the nonionic alkoxylated surfactants help to achieve clear products at low solvents levels by helping to maintain a flexible, yet stable interface with zero curvature.
• the nonionic surfactants will reduce the interfacial tension at the hydrophobic-water interface, thus promoting flexibility, while enhancing packing efficiency at the interface and therefore promoting interfacial stability. Due to the tendency of the nonionic surfactant head group to become highly hydrated, the surfactant will help to get to net zero curvature by filling void spaces in the pallisade layer.
• hydrophobic layer it is meant the area between hydrophilic groups and the first few carbon atoms in the hydrophobic layer (M.J Rosen, Surfactants and interfacial phenomena, Second Edition, page 172).
• Typical levels of incorporation of the nonionic alkoxylated surfactant in the softening compositions are of less than 10% by weight, preferably from 0.1% to less than 10% by weight preferably from 0.1% to 7% by weight, more preferably from 2% to 5% by weight of the composition.
• nonionic alkoxylated compounds described herein differ from the principal solvents described hereinafter by their surfactancy properties. Of course, for the purpose of the present invention, these nonionic alkoxylated compounds are not principal solvent as defined herein.
• surfactant it is meant a substance which, when present at low concentrations in a system, has the property of adsorbing onto surfaces or interfaces of the system and of altering to a marked degree the surface or interfacial free energies of those surfaces or interfaces.
• the nonionic alkoxylated surfactants have a critical micelle concentration (CMC) of less than 10 -2 M.
• CMC critical micelle concentration
• the CMC being defined in M.J.ROSEN. Surfactants and interfacial phenomena, 1988, p. 215.
• the nonionic alkoxylated surfactant for use herein is selected from:
• alkyl phenol alkoxylated with less than 9 alkoxy moieties are the polyethylene oxide condensates of alkyl phenols, e.g., the condensation products of alkyl phenols having an alkyl or alkenyl group containing from 6 to 20 carbon atoms in a primary, secondary or branched chain configuration, preferably from 8 to 12 carbon atoms, with ethylene oxide, the said ethylene oxide being preferably present in amounts equal to 3 to less than 9 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alkyl phenol.
• the alkyl substituent in such compounds may be derived from polymerized propylene, diisobutylene, octane, and nonane. Examples of this type of nonionic surfactants include Triton N-57® a nonyl phenol ethoxylate (5EO) from Rohm & Haas, Dowfax® 9N5 from Dow and Lutensol® AP6 from BASF.
• Nonionic alkoxylated surfactants are the alcohols alkoxylated with less than 9 alkoxy moieties.
• Typical of this class are the aliphatic alcohols having from 6 to 22 carbon atoms alkoxylated with less than 9 alkoxy moieties.
• the aliphatic alcohols for use herein have from 6 to 22 carbon atoms, and are in either straight chain or branched chain configuration, preferably from 8 to 18 carbon atoms, with less than 9 moles of ethylene oxide, preferably from 2 to 7, and more preferably is from 3 to 6 on the average.
• the condensation product of aliphatic alcohols compounds of this class are surfactants of the general formula: R 2 - Y - (C 2 H 4 O) z - H wherein R 2 is selected from the group consisting of primary, secondary and branched chain alkyl and/or acyl hydrocarbyl groups; primary, secondary and branched chain alkenyl hydrocarbyl groups; said hydrocarbyl groups preferably having a hydrocarbyl chain length of from 6 to 20, preferably from 8 to 18 carbon atoms. More preferably the hydrocarbyl chain length is from 10 to 15 carbon atoms.
• Y is -O-, -C(O)O-
• z is less than 9, preferably from 2 to 7, and more preferably is 3 to 6 on the average.
• nonionic surfactants of this class follow.
• the integer defines the number of ethoxy (EO) groups in the molecule.
• the tri-, penta-, hepta-ethoxylates of dodecanol, and tetradecanol are useful surfactants in the context of this invention.
• the ethoxylates of mixed natural or synthetic alcohols in the "coco" chain length range are also useful herein.
• Commercially available straight-chain, primary alcohol alkoxylates for use herein are available under the tradename Marlipal® 24170 from Huls, and Genapol® C-050 from Hoechst.
• tri-, penta-, hepta-ethoxylates of 3-hexadecanol, 2-octadecanol, 4-eicosanol, and 5-eicosanol are useful surfactants in the context of this invention.
• a commercially available straight-chain secondary alcohol ethoxylate for use herein is the material marketed under the tradename Tergitol 15-S-7 from Union Carbide, which comprises a mixture of secondary alcohols having an average hydrocarbyl chain length of 11 to 15 carbon atoms condensed with an average of 7 moles of ethylene oxide per mole equivalent of alcohol.
• alkenyl alcohols both primary and secondary, and alkenyl phenols corresponding to those disclosed immediately hereinabove can be ethoxylated and used as surfactants.
• Commercially available olefinic alkoxylates for use herein are available under the tradename Genapol O-050 from Hoechst.
• Branched chain primary and secondary alcohols which may be available from the well-known "OXO" process or modification thereof can be ethoxylated.
• Particularly preferred among these ethoxylates of the primary OXO alcohols are the surfactants marketed under the name Lutensol® by BASF or Dobanol ® by the Shell Chemicals, U.K., LTD.
• the preferred Dobanols are primary alcohols with hydrocarbyl groups of 9 to 15 carbon atoms, with the majority having a hydrocarbyl group of 13 carbon atoms.
• Particularly preferred are Dobanols with an average degree of ethoxylation of 3 to less than 9, and preferably 5 on the average.
• this type of material is an aliphatic alcohol ethylene oxide condensate having from 3 to less than 9 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of aliphatic alcohol, the aliphatic alcohol fraction having from 9 to 14 carbon atoms.
• Other examples of this type of nonionic surfactants include certain of the commercially available Dobanol®, Neodol® marketed by Shell or Lutensol® from BASF. For example Dobanol® 23.5 (C12-C13 EO5), Dobanol® 91.5 (C9-C11 EO 5) and Neodol® 45 E5.
• alkyl amines alkoxylated with at least 5 alkoxy moieties are alkyl amines alkoxylated with at least 5 alkoxy moieties.
• Typical of this class of compounds are the surfactants derived from the condensation of ethylene oxide with an hydrophobic alkyl amine product.
• the hydrophobic alkyl group has from 6 to 22 carbon atoms.
• the alkyl amine is alkoxylated with 10 to 40, and more preferably with 20 to 30 alkoxy moieties.
• Example of this type of nonionic surfactants are the alkyl amine ethoxylate commercially available under the tradename Genamin from Hoechst. Suitable example for use herein are Genamin C-100, Genamin O-150, and Genamin S-200.
• nonionic surfactant among this class are the N,N',N'-polyoxyethylene (12)-N-tallow 1,3 diaminopropane commercialised under the tradename Ethoduomeen T22 from Akzo, and Synprolam from ICI.
• the block co-polymers obtained by copolymerisation of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide is another suitable class of nonionic alkoxylated surfactants suitable for use in the present invention.
• Typical compounds among this class are the condensation products of ethylene oxide with a hydrophobic base formed by the condensation of propylene oxide with propylene glycol.
• the hydrophobic portion of these compounds will preferably have a molecular weight of from 1500 to 1800 and will exhibit water insolubility.
• polyoxyethylene moieties to this hydrophobic portion tends to increase the water solubility of the molecule as a whole, and the liquid character of the product is retained up to the point where the polyoxyethylene content is 50% of the total weight of the condensation product, which corresponds to condensation with up to 40 moles of ethylene oxide.
• examples of compounds of this type include certain of the commercially available PluronicTM surfactants, marketed by BASF. For example Pluronic PE 4300.
• nonionic surfactant encompasses mixed nonionic surface active agents.
• a preferred class of compound for the purpose of the invention is that of condensation product of aliphatic alcohol defined under i), in particular the sub-class of branched chain alkoxylates. Indeed, this particular sub-class of compound has been found more efficient for reducing the level of solvent.
• a reduction of at least 30% can be made without impairing the performance of the composition compared to compositions without the nonionic alkoxylated surfactant hereinbefore described.
• Using the preferred sub-class a reduction of more than 50% was obtained.
• composition of the invention also comprise a fabric softening compound as an essential component.
• Typical levels of incorporation of the softening compound in the softening composition are of from 1% to 80% by weight, preferably from 5% to 75%, more preferably from 15% to 70%, and even more preferably from 19% to 65%, by weight of the composition.
• the fabric softener compound is a cationic fabric softening component, selected from a quaternary ammonium fabric softening active compound having the formula or the formula: wherein Q is a carbonyl unit having the formula: each R unit is independently hydrogen, C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 1 -C 6 hydroxyalkyl, and mixtures thereof, preferably methyl or hydroxy alkyl; each R 1 unit is independently linear or branched C 11 -C 22 alkyl, linear or branched C 11 -C 22 alkenyl, and mixtures thereof, R 2 is hydrogen, C 1 -C 4 alkyl, C 1 -C 4 hydroxyalkyl, and mixtures thereof; X is an anion which is compatible with fabric softener actives and adjunct ingredients; the index m is from 1 to 4, preferably 2; the index n is from 1 to 4, preferably 2.
• An example of a preferred fabric softener active is a mixture of quaternized amines having the formula: wherein R is preferably methyl; R 1 is a linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl chain comprising at least 11 atoms, preferably at least 15 atoms.
• the unit -O 2 CR 1 represents a fatty acyl unit which is typically derived from a triglyceride source.
• the triglyceride source is preferably derived from tallow, partially hydrogenated tallow, lard, partially hydrogenated lard, vegetable oils and/or partially hydrogenated vegetable oils, such as, canola oil, safflower oil, peanut oil, sunflower oil, corn oil, soybean oil, tall oil, rice bran oil, and mixtures of these oils.
• the preferred fabric softening actives of the present invention are the Diester and/or Diamide Quaternary Ammonium (DEQA) compounds, the diesters and diamides having the formula: wherein R, R 1 , X, and n are the same as defined herein above for formulas (1) and (2), and Q has the formula:
• DEQA Diester and/or Diamide Quaternary Ammonium
• These preferred fabric softening actives are formed from the reaction of an amine with a fatty acyl unit to form an amine intermediate having the formula: wherein R is preferably methyl, Z is -OH, -NH 2 , or mixtures thereof; followed by quaternization to the final softener active.
• Non-limiting examples of preferred amines which are used to form the DEQA fabric softening actives according to the present invention include methyl bis(2-hydroxyethyl)amine having the formula: methyl bis(2-hydroxypropyl)amine having the formula: methyl (3-aminopropyl) (2-hydroxyethyl)amine having the formula: methyl bis(2-aminoethyl)amine having the formula: triethanol amine having the formula: di(2-aminoethyl) ethanolamine having the formula:
• the counterion, X (-) above can be any softener-compatible anion, preferably the anion of a strong acid, for example, chloride, bromide, methylsulfate, ethylsulfate, sulfate, on nitrate , more preferably chloride or methyl sulfate.
• the anion can also, but less preferably, carry a double charge in which case X (-) represents half a group.
• Tallow and canola oil are convenient and inexpensive sources of fatty acyl units which are suitable for use in the present invention as R 1 units.
• R 1 units The following are non-limiting examples of quaternary ammonium compounds suitable for use in the compositions of the present invention.
• tallowyl indicates the R 1 unit is derived from a tallow triglyceride source and is a mixture of fatty acyl units.
• canolyl refers to a mixture of fatty acyl units derived from canola oil.
• Fabric Softener Actives N,N-di(tallowyl-oxy-ethyl)-N,N-dimethyl ammonium chloride; N,N-di(canolyl-oxy-ethyl)-N,N-dimethyl ammonium chloride; N,N-di(tallowyl-oxy-ethyl)-N-methyl, N-(2-hydroxyethyl) ammonium chloride; N,N-di(canolyl-oxy-ethyl)-N-methyl, N-(2-hydroxyethyl) ammonium chloride; N,N-di(2-tallowyloxy-2-oxo-ethyl)-N,N-dimethyl ammonium chloride; N,N-di(2-canolyloxy-2-oxo-ethyl)-N,N-dimethyl ammonium chloride N,N-di(2-tallowyloxyethylcarbonyloxyethyl)-
• quaternary ammoniun softening compounds are methylbis(tallowamidoethyl)(2-hydroxyethyl)ammonium methylsulfate and methylbis(hydrogenated tallowamidoethyl)(2-hydroxyethyl)ammonium methylsulfate; these materials are available from Witco Chemical Company under the trade names Varisoft® 222 and Varisoft® 110. respectively.
• the level of unsaturation contained within the tallow, canola, or other fatty acyl unit chain can be measured by the lodine Value (IV) of the corresponding fatty acid, which in the present case should preferably be in the range of from 5 to 100 with two categories of compounds being distinguished, having a IV below or above 25.
• IV lodine Value
• fabric softener actives are derived from fatty acyl groups wherein the terms “tallowyl” and canolyl” in the above examples are replaced by the terms “cocoyl, palmyl, lauryl, oleyl, ricinoleyl, stearyl, palmityl,” which correspond to the triglyceride source from which the fatty acyl units are derived.
• These alternative fatty acyl sources can comprise either fully saturated, or preferably at least partly unsaturated chains.
• R units are preferably methyl, however, suitable fabric softener actives are described by replacing the term "methyl” in the above examples in Table II with the units "ethyl, ethoxy, propyl, propoxy, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl and t-butyl.
• the counter ion, X in the examples of Table II can be suitably replaced by bromide, methylsulfate, formate, sulfate, nitrate, and mixtures thereof.
• the anion, X is merely present as a counterion of the positively charged quaternary ammonium compounds. The scope of this invention is not considered limited to any particular anion.
• the pH of the compositions herein is an important parameter of the present invention. Indeed, it influences the stability of the quaternary ammonium or amine precursors compounds, especially in prolonged storage conditions.
• the pH as defined in the present context, is measured in the neat compositions at 20 °C. While these compositions are operable at pH of less than 6.0, for optimum hydrolytic stability of these compositions, the neat pH, measured in the above-mentioned conditions, must preferably be in the range of from 2.0 to 5, preferably in the range of 2.5 to 4.5, preferably 2.5 to 3.5.
• the pH of these compositions herein can be regulated by the addition of a Bronsted acid.
• Suitable acids include the inorganic mineral acids, carboxylic acids, in particular 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 H 3 PO 4 .
• Suitable organic acids include formic, acetic, citric, methylsulfonic and ethylsulfonic acid.
• Preferred acids are citric, hydrochloric, phosphoric, formic, methylsulfonic acid, and benzoic acids.
• the diester when specified, it will include the monoester that is normally present in manufacture. For softening, under no/low detergent carry-over laundry conditions the percentage of monoester should be as low as possible, preferably no more than 2.5%. However, under high detergent carry-over conditions, some monoester is preferred.
• the overall ratios of diester to monoester are from 100:1 to 2:1, preferably from 50:1 to 5:1, more preferably from 13:1 to 8:1. Under high detergent carry-over conditions, the di/monoester ratio is preferably 11:1.
• the level of monoester present can be controlled in the manufacturing of the softener compound.
• One preferred fabric softening compound for use in the present invention is a compound derived from the reaction product of (partly) unsaturated fatty acid with Triethanolamine, di-Me sulfate quatemised (as described in co-pending application WO 98/52907).
• Branched chain fatty acids that can be used in the preparation of the DEQA fabric softening compounds herein and examples of their synthesis are described in US 5,747,443 of Errol H. Wahl, Toan Trinh, Eugene P. Gosselink, and Mark R. Sivik, filed July 11, 1996 for FABRIC SOFTENING COMPOUND/COMPOSITIONS.
• DEQA fabric softening compounds as described herein before and their synthesis are described in WO 97/03169.
• Other DEQA fabric softening compounds described herein that can be used in the preparation of the fabric softening composition herein and having desirable levels of unsaturation, and their syntheses, are described in U.S. 5,759,990 of Errol H. Wahl, Helen B. Tordil, Toan Trinh, and Eugene R. Carr, filed March 22, 1996 for CONCENTRATED FABRIC SOFTENING COMPOSITION WITH GOOD FREEZE/THAW RECOVERY AND UNSATURATED FABRIC SOFTENER COMPOUND THEREFOR.
• Mixtures of actives of formula (1) and (2) may also be prepared.
• a principal solvent is another essential ingredient for use in the present composition invention.
• the principal solvent is typically used at a level of less than 12% by weight, preferably from 6% to 12%, by weight of the composition.
• An advantage of the present invention is that the use of the specific nonionic enables the use of a lower level of solvents, that is of less than 15% by weight of the composition, which is preferred for odour, safety and economy reasons.
• this low level of principal solvent is insufficient to provide good clarity of the composition.
• the nonionic is used in addition to this low level of principal solvent, a composition with good clarity is obtained.
• the level of principal solvent is insufficient to provide the required degree of clarity and/or stability and the addition of the nonionic surfactant provides the desired clarity/stability.
• the principal solvent is selected to minimize solvent odor impact in the composition and to provide a low viscosity to the final composition.
• isopropyl alcohol is not very effective and has a strong odor.
• n-Propyl alcohol is more effective, but also has a distinct odor.
• butyl alcohols also have odors but can be used for effective clarity/stability, especially when used as part of a principal solvent system to minimize their odor.
• the alcohols are also selected for optimum low temperature stability, that is they are able to form compositions that are liquid with acceptable low viscosities and translucent, preferably clear, down to 40°F (4.4°C) and are able to recover after storage down to 20°F (6.7°C).
• any principal solvent for the formulation of the liquid, preferably clear, fabric softener compositions herein with the requisite stability is surprisingly selective.
• Suitable solvents can be selected based upon their octanol/water partition coefficient (P).
• Octanol/water partition coefficient of a principal solvent is the ratio between its equilibrium concentration in octanol and in water.
• the partition coefficients of the principal solvent ingredients of this invention are conveniently given in the form of their logarithm to the base 10, logP.
• the logP of many ingredients has been reported; for example, the Pomona92 database, available from Daylight Chemical Information Systems, Inc. (Daylight CIS), Irvine, California, contains many, along with citations to the original literature. However, the logP values are most conveniently calculated by the "CLOGP” program, also available from Daylight CIS. This program also lists experimental logP values when they are available in the Pomona92 database.
• the "calculated logP” (ClogP) is determined by the fragment approach of Hansch and Leo (cf., A. Leo, in Comprehensive Medicinal Chemistry, Vol. 4, C. Hansch, P. G. Sammens, J. B. Taylor and C. A. Ramsden, Eds., p. 295, Pergamon Press, 1990).
• the fragment approach is based on the chemical structure of each ingredient, and takes into account the numbers and types of atoms, the atom connectivity, and chemical bonding. These ClogP values, which are the most reliable and widely used estimates for this physicochemical property, are preferably used instead of the experimental logP values in the selection of the principal solvent ingredients which are useful in the present invention.
• Other methods that can be used to compute ClogP include, e.g., Crippen's fragmentation method as disclosed in J. Chem. Inf. Comput. Sci., 27, 21 (1987); Viswanadhan's fragmentation method as disclose in J. Chem. Inf. Comput. Sci., 29, 163 (1989); and Broto's method as disclosed in Eur. J. Med. Chem.
• the principal solvents herein are selected from those having a ClogP of from 0.15 to 1.0, preferably from 0.15 to 0.64, more preferably from 0.25 to 0.62, and most preferably from 0.40 to 0.60, said principal solvent preferably being at least somewhat asymmetric, and preferably having a melting, or solidification, point that allows it to be liquid at, or near room temperature. Solvents that have a low molecular weight and are biodegradable are also desirable for some purposes.
• the more assymetric solvents appear to be very desirable, whereas the highly symmetrical solvents such as 1,7-heptanediol, or 1,4-bis(hydroxymethyl) cyclohexane, which have a center of symmetry, appear to be unable to provide the essential clear compositions when used alone, even though their ClogP values fall in the preferred range.
• the most preferred principal solvents can be identified by the appearance of the softener vesicles, as observed via cryogenic electron microscopy of the compositions that have been diluted to the concentration used in the rinse. These dilute compositions appear to have dispersions of fabric softener that exhibit a more unilamellar appearance than conventional fabric softener compositions. The closer to uni-lamellar the appearance, the better the compositions seem to perform. These compositions provide surprisingly good fabric softening as compared to similar compositions prepared in the conventional way with the same fabric softener active.
• Operable principal solvents are disclosed and listed below which have ClogP values which fall within the requisite range. These include C6 diols, C7 diols, octanediol isomers, butanediol derivatives, trimethylpentanediol isomers, ethylmethylpentanediol isomers, propyl pentanediol isomers, dimethylhexanediol isomers, ethylhexanediol isomers, methylheptanediol isomers, nonanediol isomers, alkyl glyceryl ethers, di(hydroxy alkyl) ethers, and aryl glyceryl ethers, aromatic glyceryl ethers, alicyclic diols and derivatives, C 3 C 7 diol alkoxylated derivatives, aromatic diols, and unsaturated diols
• Particularly preferred principal solvents include hexanediols such as 1,2-hexanediol; and C8 diols such as 2-ethyl-1,3-hexanediol and 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol, ethoxylates of 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol and ethoxylates of 2-ethyl-1,3-hexanediol; phenoxyethanol and 1,2 cyclohexanedimethanol.
• hexanediols such as 1,2-hexanediol
• C8 diols such as 2-ethyl-1,3-hexanediol and 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol, ethoxylates of 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol and ethoxylates of 2-ethyl
• Most preferred principal solvents for use herein are selected from 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol, ethoxylates of 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol, 1,2 hexanediol, 2-ethyl-1,3-hexanediol, phenoxyethanol, butyl carbitol and mixtures thereof.
• principal solvents for use herein are selected from 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol, ethoxylates of 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol, 1,2 hexanediol, 2-ethyl-1,3-hexanediol, phenoxyethanol, and mixtures thereof. Mixtures of principal solvents can also be used for the purpose of the present invention.
• the principal solvents are desirably kept to the lowest levels that are feasible in the present compositions for obtaining translucency or clarity.
• the presence of water exerts an important effect on the need for the principal solvents to achieve clarity of these compositions.
• the softener active-to-principal solvent weight ratio is preferably from 55:45 to 95:5, more preferably from 60:40 to 90:10.
• the softener active-to-principal solvent weight ratio is preferably from 45:55 to 90:10, more preferably from 55:45 to 85:15. But at high water levels of from 70% to 80%, the softener active-to-principal solvent weight ratio is preferably from 30:70 to 80:20, more preferably from 35:65 to 75:25. At even higher water levels, the softener to principal solvent ratios should also be even higher.
• compositions can also inherently provide improved perfume deposition of certain perfume components, especially for those that are poorly fabric substantive as compared to conventional fabric softening compositions, especially when the perfume is added to the compositions at, or near, room temperature.
• More preferred for use herein is a combination of principal solvents. Most preferred combinations are 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol (TMPD) in combination with 1,2 hexanediol or 2- ethyl 1,3 hexanediol. With the above preferred combinations, lower total levels of solvents can be achieved thereby further reducing the overall cost of the formulation.
• TMPD 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol
• the resulting products have increased phase stability and fully recover from freezing down to 0°F (-18°C).
• the resulting products have also been surprisingly found to have excellent water dispersibility.
• the softening compositions When in such clear or transluscent liquid forms, it has been found most preferred, in order to improve the stability of the softening composition according to the invention, that the softening compositions have a pH of from 2 to 5, preferably 2.5 to 4.
• Fully formulated fabric softening compositions may contain, in addition to the hereinbefore described components, one or more of the following ingredients.
• Low molecular weight water soluble solvents can also be used at levels of from 0% to 12%, preferably from 1% to 10%, more preferably from 2% to 8% by weight.
• the water soluble solvents cannot provide a clear product at the same low levels of the principal solvents described hereinbefore but can provide clear product when the principal solvent is not sufficient to provide completely clear product.
• Such solvents include: ethanol; isopropanol; propylene glycol; 1,2-propanediol; 1,3-propanediol; propylene carbonate; 1.4 cyclohexanedimethanol; but do not include any of the principal solvents (A).
• These water soluble solvents have a greater affinity for water in the presence of hydrophobic materials like the softener compound than the principal solvents.
• 1,4 cyclohexanedimethanol and/or ethanol are preferred cosolvents.
• compositions herein can also optionally contain from 0.005% to 5% by weight of certain types of hydrophilic optical brighteners which also provide a dye transfer inhibition action. If used, the compositions herein will preferably comprise from 0.001% to 1% by weight of such optical brighteners.
• the hydrophilic optical brighteners useful in the present invention are those having the structural formula: wherein R 1 is selected from anilino, N-2-bis-hydroxyethyl and NH-2-hydroxyethyl; R 2 is selected from N-2-bis-hydroxyethyl, N-2-hydroxyethyl-N-methylamino, morphilino, chloro and amino; and M is a salt-forming cation such as sodium or potassium.
• R 1 is anilino
• R 2 is N-2-bis-hydroxyethyl and M is a cation such as sodium
• the brightener is 4,4',-bis[(4-anilino-6-(N-2-bis-hydroxyethyl)-s-triazine-2-yl)amino]-2.2'-stilbenedisulfonic acid and disodium salt.
• This particular brightener species is commercially marketed under the tradename Tinopal-UNPA-GX® by Ciba-Geigy Corporation. Tinopal-UNPA-GX is the preferred hydrophilic optical brightener useful in the rinse added compositions herein.
• R 1 is anilino
• R 2 is N-2-hydroxyethyl-N-2-methylamino
• M is a cation such as sodium
• the brightener is 4,4'-bis[(4-anilino-6-(N-2-hydroxyethyl-N-methylamino)-s-triazine-2-yl)amino]2,2'-stilbenedisulfonic acid disodium salt.
• This particular brightener species is commercially marketed under the tradename Tinopal 5BM-GX® by Ciba-Geigy Corporation.
• R 1 is anilino
• R 2 is morphilino
• M is a cation such as sodium
• the brightener is 4,4'-bis[(4-anilino-6-morphilino-s-triazine-2-yl)amino]2,2'-stilbenedisulfonic acid, sodium salt.
• This particular brightener species is commercially marketed under the tradename Tinopal AMS-GX® by Ciba Geigy Corporation.
• compositions containing both saturated and unsaturated diester quaternary ammonium compounds can be prepared that are stable without the addition of concentration aids.
• the compositions of the present invention may require organic and/or inorganic concentration aids to go to even higher concentrations and/or to meet higher stability standards depending on the other ingredients.
• concentration aids which typically can be viscosity modifiers may be needed, or preferred, for ensuring stability under extreme conditions when particular softener active levels are used.
• the surfactant concentration aids are typically selected from the group consisting of (1) single long chain alkyl cationic surfactants; (2) nonionic surfactants; (3) amine oxides; (4) fatty acids; and (5) mixtures thereof. These aids are described in P&G Copending Application U.S.
• the total level is from 2% to 25%, preferably from 3% to 17%, more preferably from 4% to 15%, and even more preferably from 5% to 13% by weight of the composition.
• These materials can either be added as part of the active softener raw material, (I), e.g., the mono-long chain alkyl cationic surfactant and/or the fatty acid which are reactants used to form the biodegradable fabric softener active as discussed hereinbefore, or added as a separate component.
• the total level of dispersibility aid includes any amount that may be present as part of component (I).
• the mono-alkyl cationic quaternary ammonium compound When the mono-alkyl cationic quaternary ammonium compound is present, it is typically present at a level of from 2% to 25%, preferably from 3% to 17%, more preferably from 4% to 15%, and even more preferably from 5% to 13% by weight of the composition, the total mono-alkyl cationic quaternary ammonium compound being at least at an effective level.
• Such mono-alkyl cationic quaternary ammonium compounds useful in the present invention are, preferably, quaternary ammonium salts of the general formula: [R 4 N + (R 5 ) 3 ] X - wherein R 4 is C 8 -C 22 alkyl or alkenyl group, preferably C 10 -C 18 alkyl or alkenyl group; more preferably C 10 -C 14 or C 16 -C 18 alkyl or alkenyl group; each R 5 is a C 1 -C 6 alkyl or substituted alkyl group (e.g., hydroxy alkyl), preferably C 1 -C 3 alkyl group, e.g., methyl (most preferred), ethyl, propyl, a benzyl group, hydrogen, a polyethoxylated chain with from 2 to 20 oxyethylene units, preferably from 2.5 to 13 oxyethylene units, more preferably from 3 to 10 oxyethylene units, and mixtures thereof; and X -
• Especially preferred dispersibility aids are monolauryl trimethyl ammonium chloride and monotallow trimethyl ammonium chloride available from Witco under the trade names Adogen® 412 and Adogen® 471, monooleyl or monocanola trimethyl ammonium chloride available from Witco under the tradename Adogen ® 417, monococonut trimethyl ammonium chloride available from Witco under the trade name Adogen® 461, and monosoya trimethyl ammonium chloride available from Witco under the trade name Adogen® 415.
• the R 4 group can also be attached to the cationic nitrogen atom through a group containing one, or more, ester, amide, ether, amine, linking groups which can be desirable for increased concentratability of component (I).
• Such linking groups are preferably within from one to three carbon atoms of the nitrogen atom.
• Mono-alkyl cationic quaternary ammonium compounds also include C 8 -C 22 alkyl choline esters.
• the preferred dispersibility aids of this type have the formula: R 1 C(O)-O-CH 2 CH 2 N + (R) 3 X - wherein R 1 , R and X - are as defined previously.
• Highly preferred dispersibility aids include C 12 -C 14 coco choline ester and C 16 -C 18 tallow choline ester.
• Suitable biodegradable single-long-chain alkyl dispersibility aids containing an ester linkage in the long chains are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,840,738, Hardy and Walley, issued June 20, 1989.
• the compositions also contain a small amount, preferably from 2% to 5% by weight of the composition, of organic acid.
• organic acids are described in European Patent Application No. 404,471, Machin et al., published on Dec. 27, 1990, supra.
• the organic acid is selected from the group consisting of glycolic acid, acetic acid, citric acid, and mixtures thereof.
• Ethoxylated quaternary ammonium compounds which can serve as the dispersibility aid include ethylbis(polyethoxy ethanol)alkylammonium ethyl-sulfate with 17 moles of ethylene oxide, available under the trade name Variquat® 66 from Witco Corporation; polyethylene glycol (15) oleammonium chloride, available under the trade name Ethoquad® 0/25 from Akzo; and polyethylene glycol (15) cocomonium chloride, available under the trade name Ethoquad® C/25 from Akzo.
• Quaternary compounds having only a single long alkyl chain can protect the cationic softener from interacting with anionic surfactants and/or detergent builders that are carried over into the rinse from the wash solution.
• Suitable nonionic surfactants to serve as the viscosity/dispersibility modifier include addition products of ethylene oxide and, optionally, propylene oxide, with fatty alcohols, fatty acids, fatty amines, They are referred to herein as ethoxylated fatty alcohols, ethoxylated fatty acids, and ethoxylated fatty amines. Any of the alkoxylated materials of the particular type described hereinafter can be used as the nonionic surfactant.
• the nonionics herein, when used alone, in liquid compositions are at a level of from 0% to 5%, preferably from 0.1% to 5%, more preferably from 0.2% to 3%.
• Suitable compounds are substantially water-soluble surfactants of the general formula: R 2 - Y - (C 2 H 4 O) z - C 2 H 4 OH wherein R 2 for both solid and liquid compositions is selected from the group consisting of primary, secondary and branched chain alkyl and/or acyl hydrocarbyl groups; primary, secondary and branched chain alkenyl hydrocarbyl groups; and primary, secondary and branched chain alkyl- and alkenyl-substituted phenolic hydrocarbyl groups; said hydrocarbyl groups having a hydrocarbyl chain length of from 8 to 20, preferably from 10 to 18 carbon atoms.
• the hydrocarbyl chain length for liquid compositions is from 16 to 18 carbon atoms and for solid compositions from 10 to 14 carbon atoms.
• Y is typically -O-, -C(O)O-, preferably -O-, and in which R 2 , when present, have the meanings given hereinbefore, and z is at least 8, preferably at least 10-11. Performance and, usually, stability of the softener composition decrease when fewer ethoxylate groups are present.
• the nonionic surfactants herein are characterized by an HLB (hydrophilic-lipophilic balance) of from 7 to 20, preferably from 8 to 15.
• the HLB of the surfactant is, in general, determined.
• the nonionic ethoxylated surfactants useful herein, for concentrated liquid compositions contain relatively long chain R 2 groups and are relatively highly ethoxylated. While shorter alkyl chain surfactants having short ethoxylated groups can possess the requisite HLB, they are not as effective herein. Nonionic surfactants as the viscosity/dispersibility modifiers are preferred over the other modifiers disclosed herein for compositions with higher levels of perfume.
• Suitable amine oxides include those with one alkyl or hydroxyalkyl moiety of 8 to 22 carbon atoms, preferably from 10 to 18 carbon atoms, more preferably from 8 to 14 carbon atoms, and two alkyl moieties selected from the group consisting of alkyl groups and hydroxyalkyl groups with 1 to 3 carbon atoms.
• Examples include dimethyloctylamine oxide, diethyldecylamine oxide, bis-(2-hydroxyethyl)dodecyl-amine oxide, dimethyldodecylamine oxide, dipropyl-tetradecylamine oxide, methylethylhexadecylamine oxide, dimethyl-2-hydroxyoctadecylamine oxide, and coconut fatty alkyl dimethylamine oxide.
• Stabilizers can be present in the compositions of the present invention.
• the term "stabilizer,” as used herein, includes antioxidants and reductive agents. These agents are present at a level of from 0% to 2%, preferably from 0.01% to 0.2%. more preferably from 0.035% to 0.1% for antioxidants, and more preferably from 0.01% to 0.2% for reductive agents. These assure good odor stability under long term storage conditions. Antioxidants and reductive agent stabilizers are especially critical for unscented or low scent products (no or low perfume).
• antioxidants examples include a mixture of ascorbic acid, ascorbic palmitate, propyl gallate, available from Eastman Chemical Products, Inc., under the trade names Tenox® PG and Tenox® S-1; a mixture of BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene), BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole), propyl gallate, and citric acid, available from Eastman Chemical Products, Inc., under the trade name Tenox®-6; butylated hydroxytoluene, available from UOP Process Division under the trade name Sustane® BHT; tertiary butylhydroquinone, Eastman Chemical Products, Inc., as Tenox® TBHQ; natural tocopherols, Eastman Chemical Products, Inc., as Tenox® GT-1/GT-2; and butylated hydroxyanisole, Eastman Chemical Products, Inc., as BHA; long chain esters (C 8 -C 22 ) of gallic acid, e.g., do
• an optional soil release agent can be added.
• the addition of the soil release agent can occur in combination with the premix, in combination with the acid/water seat, before or after electrolyte addition, or after the final composition is made.
• the softening composition prepared by the process of the present invention herein can contain from 0% to 10%, preferably from 0.2% to 5%, of a soil release agent.
• a soil release agent is a polymer.
• Polymeric soil release agents useful in the present invention include copolymeric blocks of terephthalate and polyethylene oxide or polypropylene oxide.
• a preferred soil release agent is a copolymer having blocks of terephthalate and polyethylene oxide.
• these polymers are comprised of repeating units of ethylene terephthalate and polyethylene oxide terephthalate at a molar ratio of ethylene terephthalate units to polyethylene oxide terephthalate units of from 25:75 to 35:65, said polyethylene oxide terephthalate containing polyethylene oxide blocks having molecular weights of from 300 to 2000.
• the molecular weight of this polymeric soil release agent is in the range of from 5,000 to 55,000.
• Another preferred polymeric soil release agent is a crystallizable polyester with repeat units of ethylene terephthalate units containing from 10% to 15% by weight of ethylene terephthalate units together with from 10% to 50% by weight of polyoxyethylene terephthalate units, derived from a polyoxyethylene glycol of average molecular weight of from 300 to 6,000, and the molar ratio of ethylene terephthalate units to polyoxyethylene terephthalate units in the crystallizable polymeric compound is between 2:1 and 6:1.
• this polymer include the commercially available materials Zelcon 4780® (from Dupont) and Milease T ® (from ICI).
• Highly preferred soil release agents are polymers of the generic formula: in which each X can be a suitable capping group, with each X typically being selected from the group consisting of H, and alkyl or acyl groups containing from 1 to 4 carbon atoms.
• p is selected for water solubility and generally is from 6 to 113, preferably from 20 to 50.
• u is critical to formulation in a liquid composition having a relatively high ionic strength. There should be very little material in which u is greater than 10. Furthermore, there should be at least 20%, preferably at least 40%, of material in which u ranges from 3 to 5.
• the R 14 moieties are essentially 1,4-phenylene moieties.
• the term "the R 14 moieties are essentially 1,4-phenylene moieties” refers to compounds where the R 14 moieties consist entirely of 1,4-phenylene moieties, or are partially substituted with other arylene or alkarylene moieties, alkylene moieties, alkenylene moieties, or mixtures thereof.
• Arylene and alkarylene moieties 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 alkenylene moieties which can be partially substituted include 1,2-propylene, 1,4-butylene, 1,5-pentylene, 1,6-hexamethylene, 1,7-heptamethylene, 1,8-octamethylene, 1,4-cyclohexylene, and mixtures thereof.
• R 14 moieties the degree of partial substitution with moieties other than 1,4-phenylene should be such that the soil release properties of the compound are not adversely affected to any great extent.
• the degree of partial substitution which can be tolerated will depend upon the backbone length of the compound, i.e., longer backbones can have greater partial substitution for 1,4-phenylene moieties.
• compounds where the R 14 comprise from 50% to 100% 1,4-phenylene moieties have adequate soil release activity.
• polyesters made according to the present invention with a 40:60 mole ratio of isophthalic (1,3-phenylene) to terephthalic (1,4-phenylene) acid have adequate soil release activity.
• most polyesters used in fiber making comprise ethylene terephthalate units, it is usually desirable to minimize the degree of partial substitution with moieties other than 1,4-phenylene for best soil release activity.
• the R 14 moieties consist entirely of (i.e., comprise 100%) 1,4-phenylene moieties, i.e., each R 14 moiety is 1,4-phenylene.
• suitable ethylene or substituted ethylene moieties include ethylene, 1,2-propylene, 1,2-butylene, 1,2-hexylene, 3-methoxy-1,2-propylene, and mixtures thereof.
• the R 15 moieties are essentially ethylene moieties, 1,2-propylene moieties, or mixtures thereof. Inclusion of a greater percentage of ethylene moieties tends to improve the soil release activity of compounds.
• 1,2-propylene moieties or a similar branched equivalent is desirable for incorporation of any substantial part of the soil release component in the liquid fabric softener compositions.
• the value for each p is at least 6, and preferably is at least 10.
• the value for each n usually ranges from 12 to 113. Typically the value for each p is in the range of from 12 to 43.
• a more complete disclosure of soil release agents is contained in U.S. Pat. Nos.: 4,661,267; 4,711,730; 4,749,596; 4,818,569; 4,877,896; 4,956,447; and 4,976,879. These soil release agents can also act as scum dispersants.
• the premix can be combined with an optional scum dispersant, other than the soil release agent, and heated to a temperature at or above the melting point(s) of the components.
• the preferred scum dispersants herein are formed by highly ethoxylating hydrophobic materials.
• the hydrophobic material can be a fatty alcohol, fatty acid, fatty amine, fatty acid amide, amine oxide, quaternary ammonium compound, or the hydrophobic moieties used to form soil release polymers.
• the preferred scum dispersants are highly ethoxylated, e.g., more than 17, preferably more than 25, more preferably more than 40, moles of ethylene oxide per molecule on the average, with the polyethylene oxide portion being from 76% to 97%, preferably from 81% to 94%, of the total molecular weight.
• the level of scum dispersant is sufficient to keep the scum at an acceptable, preferably unnoticeable to the consumer, level under the conditions of use, but not enough to adversely affect softening. For some purposes it is desirable that the scum is nonexistent.
• the amount of anionic or nonionic detergent surfactant and detergency builder (especially phosphates and zeolites) entrapped in the fabric (laundry) will vary.
• the minimum amount of scum dispersant should be used to avoid adversely affecting softening properties.
• scum dispersion requires at least 2%, preferably at least 4% (at least 6% and preferably at least 10% for maximum scum avoidance) based upon the level of softener active.
• Preferred scum dispersants are: Brij 700®; Varonic U-250®; Genapol T-500®, Genapol T-800®; Plurafac A-79®; and Neodol 25-50®.
• bactericides used in the compositions of this invention include glutaraldehyde, formaldehyde, 2-bromo-2-nitro-propane-1,3-diol sold by Inolex Chemicals, located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, under the trade name Bronopol®, and a mixture of 5-chloro-2-methyl-4-isothiazoline-3-one and 2-methyl-4-isothiazoline-3-one sold by Rohm and Haas Company under the trade name Kathon 1 to 1,000 ppm by weight of the agent.
• the present invention can contain any softener compatible perfume.
• perfumes are disclosed in U.S. Pat. 5,500,138.
• perfume includes fragrant substance or mixture of substances including natural (i.e., obtained by extraction of flowers, herbs, leaves, roots, barks, wood, blossoms or plants), artificial (i.e., a mixture of different nature oils or oil constituents) and synthetic (i.e., synthetically produced) odoriferous substances.
• natural i.e., obtained by extraction of flowers, herbs, leaves, roots, barks, wood, blossoms or plants
• artificial i.e., a mixture of different nature oils or oil constituents
• synthetic i.e., synthetically produced odoriferous substances.
• Such materials are often accompanied by auxiliary materials, such as fixatives, extenders, stabilizers and solvents. These auxiliaries are also included within the meaning of "perfume", as used herein.
• perfumes are complex mixtures of a plurality of organic compounds.
• perfume ingredients useful in the perfumes of the present invention compositions include, but are not limited to, hexyl cinnamic aldehyde; amyl cinnamic aldehyde; amyl salicylate; hexyl salicylate; terpineol; 3,7-dimethyl- cis -2,6-octadien-1-ol; 2,6-dimethyl-2-octanol; 2,6-dimethyl-7-octen-2-ol; 3,7-dimethyl-3-octanol; 3,7-dimethyl- trans -2,6-octadien-1-ol; 3,7-dimethyl-6-octen-1-ol; 3,7-dimethyl-1-octanol; 2-methyl-3-(para-tert-butylphenyl)-propionaldehyde; 4-(4-hydroxy-4-methylpentyl)-3-cyclohexene-1-carbox
• fragrance materials include, but are not limited to, orange oil; lemon oil; grapefruit oil; bergamot oil; clove oil; dodecalactone gamma; methyl-2-(2-pentyl-3-oxo-cyclopentyl) acetate; beta-naphthol methylether; methyl-beta-naphthyiketone; coumarin; decylaldehyde; benzaldehyde; 4-tert-butylcyclohexyl acetate; alpha,alpha-dimethylphenethyl acetate; methylphenylcarbinyl acetate; Schiff's base of 4-(4-hydroxy-4-methylpentyl)-3-cyclohexene-1-carboxaldehyde and methyl anthranilate; cyclic ethyleneglycol diester of tridecandioic acid; 3,7-dimethyl-2,6-octadiene-1-nitrile; ion
• perfume components are geraniol; geranyl acetate; linalool; linalyl acetate; tetrahydrolinalool; citronellol; citronellyl acetate; dihydromyrcenol; dihydromyrcenyl acetate; tetrahydromyrcenol; terpinyl acetate; nopol; nopyl acetate; 2-phenylethanol; 2-phenylethyl acetate; benzyl alcohol; benzyl acetate; benzyl salicylate; benzyl benzoate; styrallyl acetate; dimethylbenzylcarbinol; trichloromethylphenylcarbinyl methylphenylcarbinyl acetate; isononyl acetate; vetiveryl acetate; vetiverol; 2-methyl-3-(p-tert-butylphenyl)-propanal; 2-methyl-3-(
• Suitable solvents, diluents or carriers for perfumes ingredients mentioned above are for examples, ethanol, isopropanol, diethylene glycol, monoethyl ether, dipropylene glycol, diethyl phthalate, triethyl citrate.
• the amount of such solvents, diluents or carriers incorporated in the perfumes is preferably kept to the minimum needed to provide a homogeneous perfume solution.
• Perfume can be present at a level of from 0% to 10%, preferably from 0.1% to 5%, and more preferably from 0.2% to 3%, by weight of the finished composition.
• Fabric softener compositions of the present invention provide improved fabric perfume deposition.
• compositions and processes herein can optionally employ one or more copper and/or nickel chelating agents ("chelators").
• chelators can be selected from the group consisting of amino carboxylates, amino phosphonates, polyfunctionally-substituted aromatic chelating agents and mixtures thereof, all as hereinafter defined.
• the whiteness and/or brightness of fabrics are substantially improved or restored by such chelating agents and the stability of the materials in the compositions are improved.
• Amino carboxylates useful as chelating agents herein include ethylenediaminetetraacetates (EDTA), N-hydroxyethylethylenediaminetriacetates, nitrilotriacetates (NTA), ethylenediamine tetraproprionates, ethylenediamine-N,N'-diglutamates, 2-hyroxypropylenediamine-N,N'-disuccinates, triethylenetetraaminehexacetates, diethylenetriaminepentaacetates (DETPA), and ethanoldiglycines, including their water-soluble salts such as the alkali metal, ammonium, and substituted ammonium salts thereof and mixtures thereof.
• EDTA ethylenediaminetetraacetates
• NDA nitrilotriacetates
• ethylenediamine tetraproprionates ethylenediamine-N,N'-diglutamates
• Amino phosphonates are also suitable for use as chelating agents in the compositions of the invention when at least low levels of total phosphorus are permitted in detergent compositions, and include ethylenediaminetetrakis (methylenephosphonates), diethylenetriamine-N,N,N',N",N"-pentakis(methane phosphonate) (DETMP) and 1-hydroxyethane-1,1-diphosphonate (HEDP).
• these amino phosphonates to not contain alkyl or alkenyl groups with more than 6 carbon atoms.
• the chelating agents are typically used in the present rinse process at levels from 2 ppm to 25 ppm, for periods from 1 minute up to several hours' soaking.
• the preferred EDDS chelator used herein (also known as ethylenediamine-N,N'-disuccinate) is the material described in U.S. Patent 4,704,233, cited hereinabove, and has the formula (shown in free acid form):
• EDDS can be prepared using maleic anhydride and ethylenediamine.
• the preferred biodegradable [S,S] isomer of EDDS can be prepared by reacting L-aspartic acid with 1,2-dibromoethane.
• the EDDS has advantages over other chelators in that it is effective for chelating both copper and nickel cations, is available in a biodegradable form, and does not contain phosphorus.
• the EDDS employed herein as a chelator is typically in its salt form, i.e., wherein one or more of the four acidic hydrogens are replaced by a water-soluble cation M, such as sodium, potassium, ammonium, triethanolammonium.
• the EDDS chelator is also typically used in the present rinse process at levels from 2 ppm to 25 ppm for periods from 1 minute up to several hours' soaking At certain pH's the EDDS is preferably used in combination with zinc cations.
• a wide variety of chelators can be used herein. Indeed, simple polycarboxylates such as citrate, oxydisuccinate, can also be used, although such chelators are not as effective as the amino carboxylates and phosphonates, on a weight basis. Accordingly, usage levels may be adjusted to take into account differing degrees of chelating effectiveness.
• the chelators herein will preferably have a stability constant (of the fully ionized chelator) for copper ions of at least 5, preferably at least 7. Typically, the chelators will comprise from 0.5% to 10%, more preferably from 0.75% to 5%, by weight of the compositions herein.
• Preferred chelators include DETMP, DETPA, NTA, EDDS and mixtures thereof.
• compositions and processes herein can optionally employ one or more enzymes such as lipases, proteases, cellulase, amylases and peroxidases.
• a preferred enzyme for use herein is a cellulase enzyme. Indeed, this type of enzyme will further provide a color care benefit to the treated fabric.
• Cellulases usable herein include both bacterial and fungal types, preferably having a pH optimum between 5 and 9.5. U.S.
• 4,435,307 discloses suitable fungal cellulases from Humicola insolens or Humicola strain DSM1800 or a cellulase 212-producing fungus belonging to the genus Aeromonas , and cellulase extracted from the hepatopancreas of a marine mollusk, Dolabella Auricula Solander .
• Suitable cellulases are also disclosed in GB-A-2.075.028; GB-A-2.095.275 and DE-OS-2.247.832.
• CAREZYME® and CELLUZYME® (Novo) are especially useful.
• compositions herein will typically comprise from 0.001% to 5%, preferably 0.01%-1% by weight of a commercial enzyme preparation.
• activity units are preferred (e.g. CEVU or cellulase Equivalent Viscosity Units).
• compositions of the present invention can contain cellulase enzymes at a level equivalent to an activity from 0.5 to 1000 CEVU/gram of composition.
• Cellulase enzyme preparations used for the purpose of formulating the compositions of this invention typically have an activity comprised between 1,000 and 10,000 CEVU/gram in liquid form, around 1,000 CEVU/gram in solid form.
• the present invention can include optional components conventionally used in textile treatment compositions, for example: colorants; preservatives; surfactants; anti-shrinkage agents; fabric crisping agents; spotting agents; germicides; fungicides; anti-oxidants such as butylated hydroxy toluene, anti-corrosion agents.
• the present invention can also include other compatible ingredients, including those as disclosed in copending applications: WO 96/21714, filed January 12, 1995, Rusche, et al.; WO 96/21715, filed January 12, 1995, Shaw, et al.; and WO 96/02625, filed July 19, 1994, Hartman, et al.,
• Processing of the softening composition of the invention is made conventionally.
• a typical example for processing said softening composition can be found in WO 97/03169.
• the abreviated component identification have the following meanings: TMPD 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol TEA DiEsterQuat reaction product of (partly) unsaturated fatty acid with Triethanolamine, di-Me sulfate quaternised (as described in co-pending application WO98/52907, page 41 synthesis Example 3) DEA DiEsterQuat reaction product of (partly) unsaturated fatty acid with Methyl di-Ethanolamine, MeCl quatemised (as described in WO97/03169 at page 108-109 under DEQA 4 ) Praepagen 3445 DiTallowDimethyl Ammonium Chloride, 72% solution in water and Isopropanol, supplied by Hoechst Lutensol TO5 C13EO5 commercially available from BASF Lutensol AO5 C13C15EO5 commercially available from BASF Dowfax 9N5 nonylphenol 5EO commercially available from Dow
• the quaternized material is optionally diluted with e.g. 15% of a 50:50 ethanol/hexyleneglycol mixture which lower the melting point of the material thereby providing a better ease in the handling of the material.
• compositions are in accordance with the invention.
• 1 2 3 4 5 6* TEA DiEsterQuat (100% active) 26% 26% 26% 26% 26% 26% 26% Ethanol 2.5% 2.5% 2.5% 2.5% 4.5% Hexyleneglycol 2.5% 2.5% 2.5% 2.5% 2.5% 2.5% TMPD 8% 8% 6% 8% 5% - 2- ethyl 1,3 hexanediol - - - - - 10% Lutensol T05 3% - - - - - 4% Dowfax 9N5 - - - - - Genamin C200 - - 2% - - - Genapol0-050 - - - - 4% - - Lutensol AO5 - - - - 3% - Perfume 2% 2% 2% 2% 2% 2% 2% 2% 2% 2% 2% 2% 2% 2% 2% 2% 2% 2% 2% 2%
• compositions are in accordance with the invention 7* 8 9 10 TEA DiEsterQuat (100% active) 26% 8% - - DEA DiEsterQuat (100% active) - - - 26% Praepagen 3445 (72% active) - - 36% - Ethanol 2.5% 0.6% - 2.5% Hexyleneglycol - 0.6% - 2.5% Dipropyleneglycol 3% - - - Butyl carbitol 10% - - - TMPD - - 8% 8% 1,2 hexanediol - 9% - - Lutensol TO5 3% 2% 4% 3% Perfume 2% 0.7 % 2% 2% demin water Balance Balance Balance Balance Balance Balance Balance Balance Balance Balance Balance Balance Balance Balance Balance Balance Balance Balance Balance Balance Balance Balance Balance Balance Balance Balance Balance Balance Balance Balance Balance Balance Balance Balance Balance Balance Balance Balance Balance Balance Balance Balance Balance Balance Balance Balance Balance Balance Balance Balance Balance Balance Balance Balance Balance Balance Balance Balance Balance Balance Balance Balance Balance Balance Balance Balance Balance

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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)
• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Emergency Medicine (AREA)
• Treatments For Attaching Organic Compounds To Fibrous Goods (AREA)
• Cosmetics (AREA)

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• 1997
  • 1997-08-18 AT AT97940563T patent/ATE297975T1/de not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 1997-08-18 JP JP2000509789A patent/JP4049996B2/ja not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 1997-08-18 EP EP97940563A patent/EP1009788B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 1997-08-18 WO PCT/US1997/014470 patent/WO1999009122A1/en active IP Right Grant
  • 1997-08-18 DE DE69733579T patent/DE69733579D1/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 1997-08-18 AU AU42314/97A patent/AU4231497A/en not_active Abandoned
  • 1997-08-18 CA CA002300403A patent/CA2300403A1/en not_active Abandoned

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