EP1153119A1

EP1153119A1 - Fabric enhancement compositions

Info

Publication number: EP1153119A1
Application number: EP00908669A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Shulin Zhang; Sherri Lynn Randall; Rajan Keshav Panandiker
Original assignee: Procter and Gamble Co
Current assignee: Procter and Gamble Co
Priority date: 1999-02-19
Filing date: 2000-02-16
Publication date: 2001-11-14
Also published as: JP2002537492A; WO2000049125A1; AU2997100A; BR0008955A; CA2359457A1

Abstract

The fabric care compositions comprising: A) from 0.1%, to 10% by weight amino acid based which are alkoxylated with an average of 0.1 to 30 alkyleneoxy units; B) from 1 % to 80 % by weight, of a fabric softening active; and C) the balance carriers and adjunct ingredients wherein said compositions provide colored fabric with protection against the deleterious effects of mechanical wear and exposure to laundry-added ingredients inter alia bleaching materials or water-borne materials inter alia heavy metal ions.

Description

FABRIC ENHANCEMENT COMPOSITIONS

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present application relates to fabric care compositions which comprise one or more lysine and/or ornithine based polymers which provide enhanced fabric appearance benefits. The high molecular weight polyamino acids of the present invention which mitigate fabric damage and improve fabric appearance can be combined with other fabric softener actives to provide more complete mitigation of fabric damage.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The domestic treatment of fabric is a problem known in the art to the formulator of laundry compositions. Hence, It is well known that alternating cycles of using and laundering fabrics and textiles, such as articles of worn clothing and apparel, will inevitably adversely affect the appearance and integrity of the fabric and textile items so used and laundered. Fabrics and textiles simply wear out over time and with use. Laundering of fabrics and textiles is necessary to remove soils and stains which accumulate therein and thereon during ordinary use. However, the laundering operation itself, over many cycles, can accentuate and contribute to the deterioration of the integrity and the appearance of such fabrics and textiles.

Deterioration of fabric integrity and appearance can manifest itself in several ways. Short fibers are dislodged from woven and knit fabric/textile structures by the mechanical action of laundering. These dislodged fibers may form lint, fuzz or "pills" which are visible on the surface of fabrics and diminish the appearance of newness of the fabric. Such a problem of fabric abrasion is even more acute after multiwash cycles.

There exists a long felt need for compositions which provide fabric with protection against damage done due to fabric abrasion. In addition, there is a long felt need to provide compositions which provide a remedy for fabric abrasion damage.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention meets the aforementioned needs in that it has been surprisingly discovered that polymers comprising lysine and/or ornithine and other compatible amino acid and carboxylic acid residues are suitable for use in rinse-added fabric care compositions to provide provide fabric appearance benefits inter aha mitigation of fabπc damage, prevention of fabπc mechanical damage.

A first aspect of the present invention relates to nnse-added fabπc enhancement or fabric care compositions compπsmg. A) from about 0 1%, preferably from about 1%, more preferably from 2.5% to about

30%, preferably to about 20%, more preferably to about 10% by weight, of a polymeπc mateπal selected from the group consisting of a) homo-condensates of basic ammo acids, said ammo acids selected from the group consisting of lysine, ornithine, argmine, and tryptophan. b) co-condensates of basic ammo acids, said ammo acids selected from the group consisting of lysine, ornithine, argmine, and tryptophan, c) co-polymers produced from the reaction of one or more basic ammo acids with one or more co-condensable compounds, d) co-polymers produced from the reaction of one or more homo- condensates from (a) or co-condensates from (b) with one or more co- condensable compounds, e) crosslinked basic ammo acid-contammg polymers, said crosslinked polymers compπsmg l) one or more basic ammo acids; π) co-polymers of (l) and one or more co-condensable compounds, in) optionally co-polymers produced from the reaction of one or more homo-condensates from (a) or co-condensates from (b) with one or more co-condensable compounds; and IV) one or more crosslinking unit, wherein at least one crosslinking unit is deπved from a crosslmker which comprises at least two functional groups, f) co-condensates formed from the reaction of one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of: l) basic ammo acids; n) co-condensable compounds; m) crosslinking agents; and g) mixtures thereof,

B) from about 1% to about 80% by weight, of a fabπc softening active; and

C) the balance earners and adjunct ingredients A second aspect of the present invention relates to fabric care compositions comprising:

A) from about 0.1%, preferably from about 1%, more preferably from 2.5% to about 30%, preferably to about 20%, more preferably to about 10% by weight, of a polymeric material selected from the group consisting of: a) homo-condensates of basic amino acid, said amino acids selected from the group consisting of lysine, ornithine, arginine, and tryptophan; b) co-condensates of basic amino acids, said amino acids selected from the group consisting of lysine, ornithine, arginine, and tryptophan; c) co-polymers produced from the reaction of one or more basic amino acids with one or more co-condensable compounds: d) co-polymers produced from the reaction of one or more homo- condensates from (a) or co-condensates from (b) with one or more co- condensable compounds; e) crosslinked basic amino acid-containing polymers, said crosslinked polymers comprising: i) one or more basic amino acids; ii) co-polymers of (i) and one or more co-condensable compounds; iii) optionally co-polymers produced from the reaction of one or more homo-condensates from (a) or co-condensates from (b) with one or more co-condensable compounds; and iv) one or more crosslinking unit; wherein at least one crosslinking unit is derived from a crosslinker which comprises at least two functional groups; f) co-condensates formed from the reaction of one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of: i) basic amino acids; ii) co-condcnsable compounds; iii) crosslinking agents; g) optionally said homo-condensates from (a), co-condensates from (b). co- polymers from (c) and (d), crosslinked polymers from (e), and co- condensates from (f). are alkoxylated with from an average of 0.1 to about 30 alkyleneoxy units; and h) mixtures thereof;

B) optionally from about 0.01% by weight, of a fabric anti-abrasion polymer comprising: 1) at least one monomeπc unit compns g an amide moiety, n) at least one monomeπc unit compnsmg an N-oxide moiety, in) and mixtures thereof;

C) optionally from about 1%, preferably from about 10%, more preferably from about 20%) to about 80%, preferably to about 60%, more preferably to about 45% by weight, of a fabnc softening active;

D) optionally less than about 15% by weight, of a pπncipal solvent, preferably said pπncφal solvent has a ClogP of from about 0.15 to about 1,

E) optionally from about 0.001% to about 90% by weight, of one or more dye fixing agents,

F) optionally from about 0.01% to about 50% by weight, of one or more cellulose reactive dye fixing agents,

G) optionally from about 0.01% to about 15% by weight, of a chlonne scavenger, H) optionally about 0 005% to about 1% by weight, of one or more crystal growth inhibitors;

I) optionally from about 1% to about 12% by weight, of one or more liquid earners; J) optionally from about 0.001% to about 1% by weight, of an enzyme;

K) optionally from about 0 01% to about 8% by weight, of a polyolefin emulsion or suspension;

L) optionally from about 0.01% to about 0.2% by weight, of a stabilizer,

M) from about 0.01% by weight, of one or more linear or cyclic polyammes which provide bleach protection, and N) the balance earner and adjunct ingredients. Another aspect of the present invention relates to nnse-added fabric enhancement or fabric care compositions compnsmg:

A) from about 0.1%, preferably from about 1%, more preferably from 2.5% to about 30%, preferably to about 20%, more preferably to about 10% by weight, of a polymenc mateπal selected from the group consisting of: a) homo-condensates of basic ammo acid, said ammo acids selected from the group consisting of lysine, ornithine, argmine, and tryptophan; b) co-condensates of basic amino acids, said ammo acids selected from the group consisting of lysme, ornithine, argmine, and tryptophan; c) co-polymeis pioduced from the reaction of one or more basic ammo acids w ith one or more co-condensable compounds. d) co-polymers produced from the reaction of one or more homo- condensates from (a) or co-condensates from (b) with one or more co- condensable compounds; e) crosslinked basic amino acid-containing polymers, said crosslinked polymers comprising: i) one or more basic amino acids; ii) co-polymers of (i) and one or more co-condensable compounds; iii) optionally co-polymers produced from the reaction of one or more homo-condensates from (a) or co-condensates from (b) with one or more co-condensable compounds; and iv) one or more crosslinking unit; wherein at least one crosslinking unit is derived from a crosslinkcr which comprises at least two functional groups; t) co-condensates formed from the reaction of one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of: i) basic amino acids: ii) co-condensable compounds: iii) crosslinking agents; g) optionally said homo-condensates from (a), co-condensates from (b), co- polymers from (c) and (d). crosslinked polymers from (e), and co- condensates from (f), arc alkoxylated with from an average of 0.1 to about 30 alkyleneoxy units; and h) mixtures thereof; wherein said polymers from (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), or (g) have one or more backbone hydrogen atoms substituted with an alkyleneoxy unit having the formula -(RO)_xH wherein R is C₂-C₃₀ alkylene and x has an average value of from 0.1 to about 100;

B) from about 1% to about 80% by weight, of a fabric softening active; and

C) the balance carriers and adjunct ingredients. A further aspect of the present invention provides a method for enhancing the color fidelity of fabric while reducing the damage to fabric due to the interaction of laundry adjunct ingredients and damage due to mechanical wear. This method comprise the step of contacting an article of fabric with the compositions of the present invention in an aqueous solution.

The present invention further provides laundry pre-soak compositions which are used to pre-treat fabric which have not been previously treated with a composition of the present invention. The disclosed pre-treatment compositions provide fabnc and fabric color protection though the wash to the treated articles

These and other objects, features and advantages will become apparent to those of ordinary skill m the art from a reading of the following detailed descnption and the appended claims. All percentages, ratios and proportions herein are by weight, unless otherwise specified All temperatures are in degrees Celsius (° C) unless otherwise specified. All documents cited are m relevant part, incorporated herein by reference.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to fabric enhancement compositions which comprise from about 0 1%, preferably from about 1%, more preferably from 2.5% to about 30%, preferably to about 20%, more preferably to about 10% by weight, of one or more polymenc matenals compπsmg lysme, ornithine, argmine, tryptophan, and mixtures thereof.

The basic ammo acid-contammg polymers of the present invention are selected from the group consisting of: a) homo-condensates of basic ammo acid, said ammo acids selected from the group consisting of lysine, ornithine, arginine, and tryptophan; b) co-condensates of basic ammo acids, said ammo acids selected from the group consisting of lysine, ornithine, argmine, and tryptophan; c) co-condensate co-polymers produced from the reaction of one or more homo- condensates from (a) or co-condensates from (b) with one or more co- condensable compounds, d) crosslinked basic ammo acid-contaming polymers, said crosslinked polymers compnsmg: I) homo-condensates, n) optionally co-condensates; in) optionally co-polymers produced from the reaction of one or more basic amino acids with one or more co-condensable compounds; IV) optionally co-polymers produced from the reaction of one or more homo-condensates from (I) or co-condensates from (n) with one or more co-condensable compounds; said compound or mixtures thereof further reacted with: v) at least one crosslmker which comprises at least two functional groups as defined herein below; e) co-condensates lormed from the reaction of one 01 more compounds selected from the group consisting of

1) basic amino acids, n) co-condensable compounds. in) crosslinking agents. f) mixtures thereof; and g) polymers (a), (b), (c), (d) or (e) which have one or more backbone hydrogen atoms substituted with an alkyleneoxy unit having the formula -(RO).H wherein R is C₂-C₃₀ alkylene and x has an average value of from 0 1 to about 100, said alkyleneoxy unit substitution taking place duπng any step of the process for producing said alkyleneoxy substituted polymers For the purposes of the present invention the term "condensates" is used to refer to the polymers of groups (l), (n), and (in) separately or collectively The following is a description of the polyammes suitable for use in the fabric enhancement compositions of the present invention Homo-condensates (a)

One aspect of the present invention relates to fabπc enhancement compositions which comprise homo-condensates of "basic ammo acids", said basic ammo acids are selected from the group consisting of lysme, ornithine, arg me, tryptophan, and mixtures thereof Homo- condensates, which are polyammes of type (a), for the purposes of the present invention compnse one amino acid, for example, all lysine amino acids Typically the homo-condensates are linked via the ω-ammo unit, however, linkage via the α-ammo unit is also an embodiment of the present invention as well as homo-condensates which are mixtures of both α and ω linkages Co-condensates (b)

Another aspect of the present invention relates to co-condensates which are a mixture of two or more basic ammo acids, for example, a mixture of lysme and ornithine ammo acids Typically the homo-condensates are linked via the ω-amino unit, however, linkage via the α- amino unit is also an embodiment of the present invention as well as co-condensates which are mixtures of both α and ω linkages Typically the co-condensates are linked via the ω-amino unit, however, linkage via the α-amino unit is also an embodiment of the present invention as well as homo-condensates which are mixtures of both α and ω linkages.

In order to produce homo-condensates or co-condensates, basic ammo acids are preferably condensed thermally Other methods for the production of basic ammo acid- contammg polymers are based on chemical methods (e.g. via N-carboxy anhydrides of the basic ammo acids) or on microorganisms The basic amino acids, as defined herein above, are lysine, argmine, ornithine, tryptophan, and mixtures thereof These compounds may be used m the form of their hydrates, ester of lower alcohols, or salts , for instance their sulfates, hydrochlondes or acetates The esters of the basic ammo acids are preferably deπved from monovalent C,-C₄ alcohols inter aha methanol, ethanol. When hydrochlondes are use, approximately equivalent quantities of a base should be added to the reaction mixture for neutralization of hydrogen chlonde. Sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide are the preferred bases. If a monohydrochloπde of a basic am o acid is used, one equivalent of a base is necessary whereas m case of dihydrochorides two equivalents are required. Lysine hydrate and aqueous solutions of lysme are preferably used as basic ammo acid Lysine can also be used m form of its cyclic lactam, i.e., α-amme-ε-caprolactam

For the purposes of the present invention the term "weight average molecular weight", M_w, is defined herein as "the average molecular weight of a polymer admixture" Those skilled in the art will recognize that a homo-condensate with a M_Λ equal to 1000 daltons will compnse some amount of homo-condensates having a molecular weight less than 1000 daltons and some having a molecular weight greater than 1000 daltons

The homo-condensates of the present invention have a M_Λ of from about 300 daltons to about 1,000,000 (million) daltons, preferably to about 20,000 daltons, more preferably to about 2,000 daltons Basic Ammo Acid/Co-Condensable Compound Co-polymers (c) A further aspect of the present invention relates to fabric enhancement compositions which comprise co-polymers which are the reaction product of one or more basic amino acids and one or more "co-condensable compounds" In their basic form these compounds are copolymers produced from the reaction of one or more basic ammo acids with one or more of the co-condensable compounds descnbed herein below. "Co-condensable compounds" are defined herein as "compounds which are capable of reacting with basic ammo acids or other co- condensates to form polymenc materials having desirable properties". For the purposes of the present invention the term "basic amino acid/co-condensable compound co-polymers" are defined herein as "the reaction product of one or more a basic ammo acids pnor to polymerization and one or more of the co-condensable compounds further descnbed herein". For the purposes of the present invention the term "ethyle cally unsaturated" is defined herein as "a compound, aliphatic or otherwise, which comprises one double bond, for example, an olefin moiety". A preferred example of a single "ethylemcally unsaturated" compound suitable for use in forming the condensable compounds and crosslinked compounds of the present invention is acrylic acid and denvatives therefrom, ter aha, methyl acrylate, acrylamide. Non-limiting examples of compounds which are co-condensable with basic ammo acids include:

1) compounds having at least one carboxyl group; n) carboxylic acid anhydndes, in) diketenes;

IV) amines; v) lactams, vi) alcohols, vn) alkoxylated alcohols; and vni) alkoxylated ammes

Carboxyl group-containing compounds (l

Suitable carboxyl group-containing compounds include saturated mono basic carboxylic acids (alkyl carboxylic acids), unsaturated monobasic carboxylic acids (alkenyl carboxylic acids), poly basic carboxylic acids (di-carboxyhc acids); mono hydroxycarboxyhc acids; mono basic polyhydroxy carboxylic acids; non-protemogemc ammo acids, inter a a ammo butyπc acid, and mixtures thereof.

Non-limiting examples of saturated mono basic carboxylic acids (alkyl carboxylic acids) include C,-C_3n linear alkyl carboxylic acids, inter alia, formic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, butyπc acid, valenc acid, caproic acid (hexanoic acid), capryhc acid (octanoic acid), nonanoic acid, capric acid (decanoic acid), undecanoic acid, lauπc acid (dodecanoic acid), mynstic acid (tetradecanoic acid), palmitic acid (hexadecanoic acid), steaπc acid (octadecanoic acid), arachidic acid (eicosanoic acid), behemc acid (docosanoic acid), C^-C^ branched alkyl carboxylic acids, inter aha, 2-ethyl hexanoic acid, as well as all other naturally occunng fatty acids and mixtures thereof. Non-hmrtmg examples of unsaturated mono basic carboxylic acids include C₃-C₃₀ alkenyl carboxylic acids, inter aha, acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, crotomc acid, sorbic acid, oleic acid, hnolenic acid, and erucic acid

Non-hmitmg examples of polybasic carboxylic acids include C₂-C₃₀ dicarboxyhc acids, inter aha, oxalic acid, fumanc acid, maleic acid, malonic acid, succimc acid, ltacomc acid, adipic acid, acomtic acid, subenc acid, azeleic acid, pyridmedicarboxylic acid, furandicarboxylic acid, phthahc acid, terephthahc acid, diglyco c acid, glutaπc acid, substituted C₄-dιcarboxylιc acid, sulfosuccmic acid, C,-C₂₆ alkylsuccmic acids, C₂-C₂₆ alkenylsuccmic acids, 1,2,3- propanetncarboxyhc acids, 1,1,3.3-propanetetracarboxylιc acids, 1 , 1 ,2,2-ethanetetracarboxyhc acid, 1, 2,3, 4-butanetetracarboxylιc acid, 1,2,2,3-propanetetracarboxyhc acid, 1,3,3,5- pentanetetracarboxylic acid, 1,2,4-benzene-tricarboxylic acid, and 1,2,4.5-benzenetetracarboxylic acid.

Non- limiting examples of mono- and polyhydroxy saturated and unsaturated carboxylic acids include C₃-C₃₀ dicarboxylic acids, inter alia, malic acid, tartaric acid, citric acid, isocitric acid, tartaric acid, mucic acid, glyceric acid, bis(hydroxymethyl)propionic acid, gluconic acid, and dihydroxystearic acid.

Non-limiting examples of non-proteinogenic amino acids include anthranilic acid, N- methylamino substituted acids, wter alia, N-methylglycine and dimethylaminoacetic acid, ethanolaminoacetic acid, N-carboxymethylamino acids, nitrilotriacetic acid, ethylene- diamineacetic acid, ethylenediaminotetraacetic acid, diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid, hydroxyethylenediaminotriacetic acid, diaminosuccinic acid, C₄-C₂₆ aminoalkyl-carboxylic acids, inter alia, 4-aminobutyric acid, 6-aminocaproic acid, and 11-aminoundecanoic acid.

Non-limiting examples of carboxyl group-containing compounds which are not "basic amino acids" or other α-amino acids but which are suitable for condensation with the basic amino acids of the present invention include mono-saccharide carboxylic acids, inter alia, gluconic acid, glutaric acid, gluconolactone, and glucuronic acid.

Carboxylic acid anhydrides (if)

Carboxylic anhydrides are also suitable as co-condensable compounds non-limiting Examples of which include succinic anhydride, mono and di-anhydride of butanetetracarboxylic acid, phthalic anhydride, acetylcitric anhydride, maleic anhydride, itaconic anhydride, and aconitic anhydride.

Diketenes (iii)

Diketenes which are suitable co-condensable compounds according to the present invention include C,-C₃₀ substituted diketenes having the formula:

wherein R¹ and R^: are each independently hydrogen, C,-C₃₀ saturated or ethylenically unsaturated alkyl. Non-limiting examples of diketenes include diketene, methyl diketene, hexyl diketene, cyclohexyl diketene, octyl diketene, decyl diketene, dodecyl diketene, palmityl diketene, stearyl diketene, oleyl diketene, eicosyl diketene, docosyl diketene, and behenyl diketene. Amines (iv Non-limitmg examples of amines which are suitable co-condensable compounds according to the present invention include C,-C₃o aliphatic and cycloahphatic ammes. preferably methylamme, ethylamme, propylamme, butylamine, pentylamme, hexylamme, heptylamme, octylamme, nonylamme, decylamme, undecylamme, dodecylamme, tπdecylamme, stearylamine, palmitylamme, 2-ethylhexylamme, isononylamine, hexamethyleneamme, dimethylamme. diethylamine, dipropylam e, dibutylamine, dihexylamme, ditndecylamme, N- methylbutylamme, N-ethylbutylamme, ahcychc amines, preferably cyclopentylamme, cyclohexylam e, N-methylcyclohexylamme, N-ethylcyclohexylamme, dicyclohexylamme. Also suitable for use as co-condensable compounds according to the present invention are diammes, tπam es, and tetraamines, non-limiting examples of preferred polyammes include ethylenediamme, propylene-diamme, butylenediamme, neopentyldiamme, hexamethylenediamme, octamethylene-diamme, lmidazole, 5-amιno-l,3- tπmethylcyclohexylmethylamme, diethylenetπamme, dipropylenetπamme, tnpropyltetra-amine. 4,4'-methylenebιscyclohexylamιne, 4,4'-methyneιbιs(2-methylcyclohexylamme). 4,7-dιoxa- decyl- 1 , 10-dιamme, 4,9-dιoxadodecyl- 1 , 12-dιamme, 4,7, 10-tnoxatπdecyl- 1 , 13-dιamme, 2-

(ethylammo)-ethylam e, 3-(methylammo)propylamme, 3-(cyclohexylammo)ethylamme, 3-(2- amιnoethyl)ammo-propylamme, 2-(dιethylammo)ethylamme, 3-(dιmethylammo)propylamme, dimethyldipropylene-tπamme, 4-amιnomethyloctne- 1 ,8-dιamme. 3-(dιethylammo)-propylamme, N,N-dιethyl-l ,4-pentanedιmane, diethylenetnamine, dipropylenetπamme, bιs(hexamethylene)tπamιne. aminoethyl-piperazine, ammopropylpiperazme, N,N- bιs(ammopropyl)methylamιne, N,N-bιs(amιnopropyl)-ethylamme, N.N-bιs(ammopropyl)- hexylamine, N,N-bιs(ammopropyl)octylamme, N,N-dιmethyldι-propylenetnamme, N,N-bιs(3- dιmethylammopropyl)amme, N,N'- 1 ,2-ethanedιylbιs-( 1 ,3-propane-dιamme), N- (ammoethyl)pιperazme, N-(2-mιdazole)pιperazme, N-ethylpiperazme, N-(hydroxyethyl)- piperazme, N-(ammopropyl)pιperazme, N-(amιnoethyl)morpholme, N-(ammopropyl)- morpholme, N-(ammoethyl)ιmιdazole, N- ammopropyl)ιmιdazole, N-(amιnoethyl)hexa- methylenediamme, N-(ammopropyl)hexamethylenedιamme, N-(ammoethyl)ethylene-dιamme, N-(ammopropyl)ethylene-dιamme, N-(ammoethyl)butylenedιamme, N- (ammopropyl)butylenedιamme, bιs(ammoethyl)pιperazιne, bιs(ammopropyl)pιperazme, bιs(amιnoethyl)hexamethylenedιamme, bιs(ammopropyl)hexamethylene-dιamιne, bιs(amιnoethyl)ethylenedιamme, bιs(ammopropyl)ethylenedιamme, bιs(ammoethyl)- butylenediamme, and bιs(ammopropyl)butylenedιamιne.

Included within the category of "ammes" which are suitable for use as co-condensates are ammo alcohols, non-limitmg examples of which include 2-ammoethanol, 3-amιno-l- propanol, 1 -amιno-2-propanol, 2-(2-ammoethoxy)ethanol, 2-[2-ammoethyl)-ammo]ethanol, 2- methylam oethanol, 2-(ethylamιno)ethanol. 2-butylammoethanol, ethanolamme, 3- [(hydroxyethyl)-amιno]- 1 -propanol, dnsopropanolamme, bιs(hydroxy-ethyl)ammoethylamme, bιs(hydroxypropyl)ammo-ethylamme, bιs(hydroxyethyl)ammo-propylamme, and bιs(hydroxypropyl)ammopropylamme Also included in the category of "ammes" which are suitable for use as co-condensates are amino-sacchandes, non-limitmg examples of which include chitosan. chitosamme, and compounds which are obtained from reducing sugars (carbohydrates) by reductive animation, inter aha, ammosorbitol and glucoseamme.

Further included m the category of "amines^" which are suitable for use as co-condensates are other amino-group containing compounds, inter aha. melamme, urea, guamdme. polyguamdes, pipeπdme, morphohne, 2,6-dιmetylmorpholιn, tryptamme

Lactams (v)

Non-limitmg examples of lactams which are suitable co-condensable compounds according to the present invention are those which compnse from 5 to 13 carbon atoms in the lactam ring, non-limiting examples of which include butyrolactam, caprolactam, valerolactam, and laurolactam.

Alcohols (vi)

Non-limitmg examples of C,-C₂₂ pnmary. secondary, and tertiary alcohols which are suitable co-condensable compounds according to the present invention include methanol, ethanol, n-propanol, isopropanol, n-butanol, isobutanol, t-butanol, pentanol, hexanol. 2- ethylhexanol, cyclohexanol, octanol, decanol, dodecanol, palmityl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, and behenyl alcohol Further suitable alcohols include polyols. for example, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, glycerol, polyglycerols having for 2 to 8 glycerol units, erythntol, pentaerythπtol, and sorbitol. Other alcohols which are suitable co-condensable compounds according to the present invention include carbohydrates, inter aha, glucose, sucrose, dextnns, starch and degraded starch and maltose.

Alkoxylated alcohols (vn)

Non-limitmg examples of alkoxylated alcohols which are suitable co-condensable compounds according to the present invention are the addition products of from 1 to 200 moles of C₂-C₄ alkylene oxides with one mole of the hereinbefore descnbed alcohols (vi) Suitable alkylene oxides include ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, and butylene oxide, preferably ethylene oxide and propylene oxide, more preferably ethylene oxide. A further preferred embodiment comprises mixtures of propylene oxide and ethylene oxide wherein said oxides are added in any order. Also suitable for use m the present application are addition products of from 3 to 30 moles of ethylene oxide with 1 mole of C,₃-C|₅ oxo process alcohols or with fatty alcohols. The alcohols may also be alcohols which comprise double bonds inter alia oleyl alcohol. Alkoxylated amines (viii)

Non-limiting examples of alkoxylated amines which are suitable co-condensable compounds according to the present invention are the addition products of from 5 to 30 moles of ethylene oxide with 1 mole of an aliphatic amine, inter alia, stearylamine, oleylamine or palmitylamine. Homo-condensate/Co-condensate Condensable Compound Co-polvmers (d)

A further aspect of the present invention relates to fabric enhancement compositions which comprise homo-condensates or co-condensates of basic amino acids and "co-condensable compounds^". In their basic form these compounds are co-polymers produced from the reaction of one or more homo-condensates from (i) or co-condcnsatcs from (ii) with one or more co- condensable compounds. "Condensable compounds" are defined herein as compounds which are capable of reacting with pre-foπned homo-condensates or co-condensates to form polymeric materials having desirable properties. For the purposes of the present invention the term "ho o- condensate/co-condensate condensable compound co-polymer" is defined herein as "the reaction product of a homo-condensate or co-condensate and one or more co-condensable compound as described herein".

Crosslinked basic amino acid-containing polymers (e) A further aspect of the present invention relates to crosslinked basic amino acid- contammg polymers wherein homo-condensates and/or co-condensates are further crosslinked with a suitable crosslmker described herein below. In general, the crosslinked polymers of the present invention comprise: i) homo-condensates; ii) optionally co-condensates; iii) optionally co-polymers produced from the reaction of one or more basic amino acids with one or more co-condensable compounds; iv) optionally co-polymers produced from the reaction of one or more homo-condensates from (i) or co-condensates from (ii) with one or more co-condensable compounds; which are further reacted together to form a basic amino acid containing polymer, said polymer with: v) at least one crosslinker which comprises at least two functional groups as defined herein below. For the purposes of the present invention the term "functional group" is defined herein as "a moiety which serves to form a bond between the crosslinking unit and the basic ammo acid- containmg polymer units which are being crosslinked." Non-limitmg examples of functional groups are halogen units, which are for example, displaced by the ammo units of the polyamme backbone, dunng the process of forming the crosslinks. An example of a preferred functional group is the ethylene or olefin unit referred to throughout the present specification as an "ethylenically unsaturated" unit This functional group serves during crosslinking reactions as a Michael addition acceptor thereby forming a bond between the ammo unit of the condensates and the crosslinking unit The crosslinked polyammes of the present invention can be formed by the reaction of the selected polyamme with a suitable crosshnker non-limitmg examples of which include the α-, ω- , or vicinal dichloroalkanes 1 ,2-dιchloroethane, 1,2-dιchlorpropane, 1,3-dιchloropropane, 1,4- dichlorobutane, and 1 ,6-dιchlorohexane Another example of a suitable crosshnker, but wherein the two functional groups are different, are the glycidyl hahdes non-limitmg examples of which include epichlorohydrm, bis-chlorohydnns ethers of polyols, polychlorohydnn ethers of polyols, bis-chlorohydπn ethers of polyalkylene glycols, chloroformic acid esters. Another suitable crosslinking agent is phosgene.

Examples of preferred crosslinking units according to the present invention include epichlorohydnn, bis-chlorohydπn ethers of ethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol having 2 to 100, preferably 2 to 40 ethylene glycol units, propylene glycols, polypropylene glycols, copolymers of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide, glycerol, diglycerol, polyglycerol having up to 8 glycerol units, pentaerythntol and sorbitol

The preferred crosslmkers of the present invention are halogen-free crosslmkers. Non- limit g examples of preferred bifunctional crosslmkers of the present invention are selected from the group consisting of:

I) ethylene carbonate, propylene carbonate, urea, or mixtures thereof; n) monoethylemcally unsaturated carboxylic acids and their esters, amides, and anhydndes; dibasic saturated carboxylic acids, polycarboxylic acids and the esters, amides, and anhydndes denved therefrom; m) reaction products of: a) polyether diammes, alkylene diammes, polyalkylene polyammes, alkylene glycols or polyalkylene glycols, and mixtures thereof; and b) monoethylemcally unsaturated carboxylic acids, esters, amides, or anhydndes wherein the reaction products compnse at least two units selected from the group consisting of ethylemcally unsaturated double bonds, carboxamide, carboxyl, ester groups, and mixtures thereof,

IV) reaction products of dicarboxylic acid esters with ethyleneimme, wherein said products compnse at least two aziπdmo units; v) di-epoxies, polyepoxides, α,ω-dnsocyanates hexamethylene dnsocyanate, inter aha, and polyisocyanates; vi) and mixtures thereof.

Crosshnker group d)

The crosslmkers of group (I) comprise cyclic carbonates non-limiting examples of which include ethylene carbonate and propylene carbonate, as well as other carbonyl compnsmg crosslinking units, urea, inter aha. A preferred crosshnker from (l) is propylene carbonate.

Crosshnker group (u)

Non-limiting examples of suitable crosslmkers from (n) include monoethylemcally unsaturated monocarboxyhc acids, inter aha, acrylic acid, methacryhc acid, crotomc acid, an m addition the amides, esters and anhydndes denved therefrom. The esters can be denved from alcohols having from 1 to 22, preferably up to 18 carbon atoms, While the amides are preferably unsubstituted, they can, however, compnse a C,-C₂₂ alkyl radical as the nitrogen substituent.

Halogen free crosslmkers from (n) also include dibasic saturated carboxylic acids, their salts, diesters, and diamides derived therefrom having the formula:

X— C— (CH₂)_n-C— X II II o o wherein X is -OH, -OR, -N(R')₂, and mixtures thereof; R is C,-C₂₂ alkyl, and mixtures thereof; R¹ is hydrogen, C,-C₂₂ alkyl, and mixtures thereof; the index n if from 0 to 22. In addition, monoethylemcally unsaturated dicarboxylic acids, non-limitmg examples of which include maleic acid and ltacomc acid, are suitable for use m forming the group (n) crosslmkers.

Dicarboxylic acids which are preferred as crosslmkers are denved from C,-C₄ alcohols, inter aha, methyl esters, non-limiting example of which include dimethyl oxalate, diethyl oxalate, dnsopropyl oxalate, dimethyl succmate, diethyl succinate, dnsopropyl succinate, di-n- propyl succinate, di-isobutyl succinate, dimethyl adipate, diethyl adipate, and di-isopropyl adipate, dimethyl maleate, diethyl maleate, di-isopropyl maleate, dimethyl itaconate, di-isopropyl itaconate, dimethyl tartrate, and diethyl tartrate. In the case of carboxylic acids having more than one optical isomer, inter aha, tartaπc acid, all optical forms and the racemic mixture are equally suitable. Non-limitmg examples of suitable dicarboxylic acid anhydrides include maleic anhydride, ltacomc anhydnde, and succmic anhydride. Azindmes are crosslinked with the herein above descnbed halogen-free crosslmkers with the formation of amide groups or, in the case of amides such as adipic acid diamide, by means of transamidation. Maleic esters, and monoethylemcally unsaturated dicarboxylic acids, and also their anhydndes, can effect crosslinking both by forming carboxamide groups and also by adding -NH groups by means of a

Michael addition.

Also suitable for use as group (n) crosslmkers are tncarboxyhc and tetracarboxyhc acids non-limitmg examples of which include citπc acid, propanetncarboxyhc acid, ethylenediammetetraacetic acid and butanetetracarboxylic acid, as well as, their salts, esters, amides, and anhydndes.

Polycarboxyhc acids which can be obtained by polymeπzmg mono-ethylemcally unsaturated carboxylic acids or anhydrides are also suitable group (n) crosslmkers Non- miting examples of suitable mono-ethylemcally unsaturated carboxylic acids include acrylic acid, methacryhc acid, crotomc acid, maleic acid, itaconic acid, and mixtures thereof Thus, for example, polyacryhc acids, copolymers of acrylic acid and methacryhc acid or copolymers of acrylic acid and maleic acid are suitable for use as crosslmkers.

Further suitable crosslmkers from group (n) are prepared, for example, by polymenzmg anhydndes, such as maleic anhydnde, in an inert solvent, such as toluene, xylene, ethylbenzene, isopropyl benzene, or mixtures thereof m the presence of free radical-forming initiators

Preference is given to using peroxy esters, such as tert-butyl per-2-ethylhexanoate, as initiators.

Copolymers of maleic anhydride for example copolymers of acrylic acid and maleic anhydnde or copolymers of maleic anhydnde and a C₂-C₃₀ olefin, are also suitable m addition to the homopolymers. Further preferred crosslmkers are copolymers of maleic anhydnde and isobutene or copolymers of maleic anhydnde and di-isobutene. The anhydride group-containing copolymers may, where appropπate, be modified by reacting them with C,-C₂₀ alcohols or ammonia, amines, or mixtures thereof, and be employed m this form as crosslmkers.

The molar mass, M_w, of the homopolymers and copolymers which is subsequently crosslinked is preferably from about 500 daltons to about 10,000 daltons, preferably to about

5,000 daltons.

When the carboxylic acids of group (n) are used as crosslinking agents, they may be used in the form of their alkali metal salts or ammonium salts, preferably the sodium salt. Optionally, the polycarboxyhc acids can be partially neutralized, e.g., up to from 10 to 50 mol%, or else completely neutralized. The preferred group (n) crosslmkers are dimethyl tartrate, diethyl tartrate, dimethyl adipate, diethyl adipate, dimethyl maleate, diethyl maleate, maleic anhydride, maleic acid, acrylic acid, methyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate, acrylamide, methacrylamide, and mixtures thereof

Crosshnker group (mi Examples of halogen-free group (in) crosslmkers are the reaction products of polyether diammes, alkylene diammes, polyalkylene polyammes, alkylene glycols, polyalkylene glycols, and mixtures thereof, together with: a) monoethylemcally unsaturated carboxylic acids; b) esters of monoethylemcally unsaturated carboxylic acids; c) amides of monoethylemcally unsaturated carboxylic acids; d) anhydndes of monoethylemcally unsaturated carboxylic acids; and e) mixtures thereof.

The polyether diammes are prepared, for example, by reacting polyalkylene glycols with ammonia The polyalkylene glycols can contain from 2 to 50, preferably to 40, alkylene oxide units The polyalkylene glycols can, for example, be polyethylene glycols, polypropylene glycols or polybutylene glycols, or block copolymers of ethylene glycol and propylene glycol, block copolymers of ethylene glycol and butylene glycol or block copolymers of ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, and butylene glycol Apart form the block copolymers, copolymers which are randomly assembled form ethylene oxide and propylene oxide and also, where appropnate, butylene oxide are also suitable for prepanng the polyether diammes In addition, polyether diammes are derived from polytetrahydro-furans which possess from 2 to 75 tetrahydrofuran units The polytetrahydrofurans are likewise converted by reaction with ammonia into the corresponding α- ω- polyether diammes. Preference is given to using polyethylene glycols or block copolymers of ethylene glycol and propylene glycol for preparing the polyether diammes. Non-limitmg examples of suitable alkylene diammes include ethylenediamme, propylenediamme, 1 ,4-dιamιnobutane, and 1 ,6-dιamιnohexane. Non-limitmg examples of suitable polyalkylene polyammes include diethylenetπamme, tnethylenetetramme, dipropylenetnamme, tnpropylenetetramme, dihexamethylenetπamme, ammopropylethylenediamme, bis-aminopropylethylenediamme, and polyethyleneimmes having M_w up to about 5000 daltons. The herein above described ammes are reacted with monoethylemcally unsaturated carboxylic acids, esters, amides or anhydndes of monoethylemcally unsaturated carboxylic acids, such that the resulting products possess at least 2 ethylenically unsaturated double bonds, carboxamide, carboxyl, or ester group, as functional groups. Thus, for example, when the ammes or glycols under consideration are reacted with maleic anhydnde, compounds are obtained which can, for example, be charactenzed with the aid of the formula: wherein X, and Z are each independently oxygen, -NH-, and mixtures thereof, Y is oxygen, -NH- , -CH₂-, and mixtures thereof, m and n are each independently from 0 to 4 and p and q are each independently form 0 to 45,000.

Polyether diammes, alkylene diammes and polyalkylene polyammes can also react with maleic anhydride, or the ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acids or their deπvatives, while adding onto the double bond by means of a Michael addition. Crosslmkers having the formula-

wherein X, and Z are each independently oxygen, -NH-, and mixtures thereof; Y is oxygen, -NH- , -CH₂-, and mixtures thereof; R¹ is hydrogen, methyl, and mixtures thereof; R² is hydrogen, - CO₂R⁴, -C0₂M, -CONH₂, and mixtures thereof; R³ is -OR⁴, -NH₂, -OH, -OM, and mixtures thereof; R⁴ is C_rC₂₂ alkyl, M is hydrogen or a salt forming cation, preferably Na, K, Mg, Ca, and mixtures thereof; m and n are each independently from 0 to 4 and p and q are each independently form 0 to 45,000.

The herein above descnbed crosslmkers, due to their terminal carboxyl or ester units, and with the formation of an amide function, a crosslinking with the ammo groups of the polymers which are produced dunng the polymerization. This class of crosslmkers also includes the reaction products of monoethylemcally unsaturated carboxylic esters with alkylene diammes and polyalkylene polyammes; for example the products which result from the addition of ethylenediamine, diethylenetnamine, having molar masses from 129 to 50,000 to acrylic esters or methacryhc esters, with at least 2 mole of the acrylic ester or methacryhc esters being employed. An example of a crosslinking unit compnsmg a polyamme which is reacted with a compound having the formula:

O

II

H₂C=CH— C— X are compounds having the formula: wherein X is -NH₂, -OH, -OR', and mixtures thereof, R¹ is C_rC₂₂ alkyl. Crosshnker group riv)

A preferred example of a crosshnker which is the reaction product of dicarboxylic acid esters with ethyleneimme, wherein said crosslmkers compnse at least two azindmo units has the formula:

wherein n is from 0 to 22. Crosshnker group (v)

Crosshnker group (v) comprises di-epoxies, polyepoxides, α,ω-dnsocyanates hexamethylene dnsocyanate, inter aha, and polyisocyanates. Non-limitmg examples of compounds which compnse the crosslmkers of group (v) include bis-glycidyl ethers of ethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol having 2 to 40 ethylene glycol units, propylene glycol, polypropylene glycol ethers, co-polymers of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide and diisocyanates, inter aha, hexamethylene dnsocyanate. Crosshnker group (vi)

It is also preferred, according to the present invention to use a mixture of crosslinking units, non limiting examples of which include: a) mixtures of di-glycidyl ethers of ethylene glycol and bis-chlorohydrm ethers of ethylene glycol; b) mixtures of di-glycidyl ethers of polyethylene glycols having form 2 to 40 ethylene glycol units with bis-chlorohydrm ethers of polyethylene glycols having from 2 to 40 ethylene glycol units; c) mixtures of hexamethylene di-isocyanate with propylene carbonate.

The following are non-limitmg examples of basic-ammo acid containing polymers according to the present invention.

Co-condensates of one or more Basic Ammo Acids. Co-Condensable Compounds, or Crosslinking units (f) A further aspect of the present invention relates to fabric enhancement compositions which compnse co-condensates of one or more basic amino acids, homo-condensates ot co-condensates of basic ammo acids, "co-condensable compounds" as defined herein above, and "crosslinking units^" as described herein above. In their basic form these compounds are co-polymers produced from the reaction of one or more basic amino acids, homo-condensates or co-condensates of basic amino acids, "co-condensable compounds^" as defined herein above, and "crosslinking units" taken in any order or m any relative amount. For example, the first step may comprise the reaction of one or more basic ammo acids with a crosslinking unit which is subsequently followed by the addition of one or more co-condensable compounds. As described herein below , the resulting co-polymers may be optionally alkoxylated. Alkoxylated basic amino acid-containing polymers

A preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises homo-condensates, co- condensates, co-polymers produced from the reaction of one or more homo-condensates from (i) or co-condensates from (ii) with one or more co-condensable compounds, and mixtures thereof which are further reacted with one or more alkylene oxides to form alkoxylated polyamines which are suitable for use in the fabric enhancement compositions of the present invention.

The condensed basic amino acid-containing compounds which can be further modified by alkoxylati on comprise: a) condensates of basic amino acids: i) homo-condensates comprising a single basic amino acid; ii) co-condensates comprising a mixture of two or more basic amino acids; b) co-polymers produced from the reaction of one or more basic amino acids and one or more co-condensable compounds; c) co-polymers produced from the reaction of one or more of the homo-condensates (i) or co-condensates (ii) with one or more co-condensable compounds; d) crosslinked polymers as described herein; and e) co-condensates formed from the reaction of one or more compounds from (a), (b), (c), or (d).

Non-limiting examples of preferred basic amino acid-containing polymers which are subsequently alkoxylated include polymers which are obtained by reaction of: a) lysine; and b) at least one compound selected from the group consisting of palmitic acid, stearic acid, lauric acid, octanoic acid, propionic acid, acetic acid, 2- ethylhexanoic acid, adipic acid, succinic acid, citric acid, and mixtures thereof. The products which are formed from the reaction of the above components preferably comprise a molar ratio of lysine to compounds of group (b) of from 100: 1 to 1 :10. More preferably it is desirable that the pre-alkoxylated basic amino acid-containing polymer comprise a greater amount of lysine, or any other basic amino acid which comprises group (a), inter alia, ornithine, to have a ratio of the amino acid from (a) to be present m a ratio of at least 1.5 1 Yet more preferably the elements which compnse (a) are present with respect to the elements which comprise (b) in a ratio greater than or equal to 2:1.

A further non-limitmg example of preferred basic ammo acid-contammg polymers which are subsequently alkoxylated include polymers which are obtained by reaction of a) lysine; and b) at least one compound selected from the group consisting of 1 ,6-hexandιamιne, octylam e, aminocaproic acid, ammolaunc acid, ε-caprolactam, laurolactam, and C,₄-C₂₂ alkyldiketenes. The formulator may substitute for the basic ammo acid, lysine, in (a) above, any of the other basic ammo acids ornithine, argmine, tryptophan, or mixtures of any or all of the basic ammo acids according to the present invention

The above descnbed preferred basic ammo acid-con tainmg polymers which are subsequently alkoxylated can be suitably obtained by any means chosen by the formulator, a non- limiting example of which includes carrying out the reaction in an organic solvent or in an aqueous medium It is of advantage to conduct the condensation m water at a concentration of the compounds to be condensed of from 10 to 98% by weight, at a temperature of from 120 °C to 300 °C In a preferred embodiment of the process the condensation is carried out in water at a concentration of the compounds to be condensed of from 20 to 70% by weight, under pressure at a temperature of from 140 °C to 250 °C The condensation of these compounds can also be carried out in an organic solvent such as dimethylformamide, dimethylsulfoxide, dimethylacetarmde, glycol, polyethylene glycol, propylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, monovalent alcohols, addition products of ethylene oxide and/or propylene oxide to monovalent alcohols, to ammes of to carboxylic acids Some of these solvents may react with the basic ammo acids.

Depending upon which elements are selected from groups (a) and (b) and the process chosen by the formulator, the ammo group-^, of the starting mateπal can be present as free am es or m form of their ammonium salts which can be obtained by partial or complete neutralization with a mineral acid, e.g., hydrochlonc acid, phosphoric acid, or sulfunc acid, or with an organic acid such as methane sulfomc acid, acetic acid, formic acid, propionic acid, or citπc acid

The prefered basic ammo acid-containmg polymers of the present invention pπor to alkoxylation have a M_Λ of from about 300 daltons to about 1,000,000 (million) daltons, preferably to about 20,000 daltons. more preferably to about 2,000 daltons.

The basic ammo acid compnsmg polymers once formed, are suitably modified by alkoxylation such that they comprise alkyleneoxy units obtained by the reaction of said polymers with C₂-C_3ϋ alkylene oxides, styrene oxide, and mixtures thereof The alkylene oxides are preferably selected from the group consisting of ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, butylene oxide, and mixtures thereof. The "alkoxylates" defined herein as "basic ammo acid-containmg polymers wherein the hydrogen atoms of pπmary ammo units, -NH, units, and secondary ammo units, -NH units, are replaced by alkyleneoxy units having the formula -(RO) H wherein R is C₂- C₃₀ alkylene and x has an average value of from 0.1, preferably from 0.5 to 100, preferably to 30". These values of alkoxylation can be suitably obtained by reaction of the starting polyamme with from 0.1 moles, preferably 0.5 moles to 100, preferably to 30 moles of an alkylene oxide added, i.e., in condensed form. The most preferred alkylene oxides are ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, and mixtures thereof Most preferred are polymers which compnse from about 0.7 to about 2.5 alkyleneoxy units per replaced hydrogen atom and polymers which comprise from about 17 to about 25 alkyleneoxy units per replaced hydrogen atom.

In addition, crosslinked basic ammo acid-contammg polymers according to the present invention may be suitably alkoxylated, or alternatively, basic ammo acid-contammg polymers may be suitably alkoxylated then subsequently crosslinked according to the herein described procedures.

The following are non-limitmg examples of alkoxylated basic-ammo acid containing polymers according to the present invention.

EXAMPLE 1 Homo-condensate of L-lvsme

L-lysme monohydrate (821 g, 5.0 mol) and sodium hypophosphite (0.1 g) are placed m a pressuπzable 2.5 1 reaction vessel and blanketed with nitrogen. The reaction vessel is then sealed and the contents heated at 200 °C for 6 h, dunng which time the internal pressure rose to 11.2 bar. The pressure is then slowly released to remove water from the reaction mixture. The reaction temperature is maintained at 200 °C for 0.5 h to remove residual amounts of solvent and volatile products. The reaction mixture is then stirred at 200 °C for 25 minutes at 20 mbar of pressure, after which the viscous melt is cooled to 115 °C, removed from the reaction vessel and subsequently cooled to ambient temperature. The resulting lysine homo-condensate has a M_w of 4300 daltons. EXAMPLE 2

Co-polvmer compnsmg L-lvsme and ammocaproic acid m molar ratio of 1 : 1 L-lysme monohydrate (656.8 g, 4.0 mol), ammocaproic acid (524.7 g, 4.0 mol) and sodium hypophosphite (0.1 g) are placed in a pressunzable 2.5 1 reaction vessel and blanketed with nitrogen. The reaction vessel is then sealed and the contents heated at 196 °C for 7 h, duπng which time the internal pressure rose to 8.2 bar. The pressure is then slowly released to remove water and volatile products from the reaction mixture. The resulting viscous melt is removed from the reaction vessel and subsequently cooled to ambient temperature. The resulting co- condensate has a M_κ of 7400 daltons.

EXAMPLE 3 Co-polvmer compnsmg L-lvsme and hexamethylenediamme m molar ratio of 5 : 1

L-lysme monohydrate (492.6 g, 3.0 mol), hexamethylenediamme (69.6 g, 0.6 mol) and sodium hypophosphite (0.1 g) are placed in a pressunzable 2.5 1 reaction vessel and blanketed with nitrogen. The reaction vessel is then sealed and the contents heated at 180 °C for 6 h, during which time the internal pressure rose to 4.1 bar. The pressure is then slowly released to remove water and volatile products from the reaction mixture. The reaction mixture is then stirred at 180 °C for 30 minutes at atmospheric pressure, after which the viscous melt is cooled to 90 °C, removed from the reaction vessel and subsequently cooled to ambient temperature. The resulting lysine homo-condensate has a M, of 5140 daltons.

EXAMPLE 4 Crosslinking of (5:1) L-lvsme/ hexamethylenediamme co-polvmer with bis-glvcidyl ether of polyethylene glycol having 14 ethylene glycol units A 25% by weight aqueous solution bis-glycidyl ether of polyethylene glycol having 14 ethylene glycol units (12 g) is added slowly to a 25% by weight aqueous solution of the co- condensate from Example 3 (40 g) at 25 °C. The reaction mixture is heated to 65 °C and stirred for 1 h The resulting viscous solution is cooled to ambient temperature and the pH adjusted to 7.5 by the addition of 1 g of sulfuπc acid to yield a highly viscous, orange solution.

EXAMPLE 5 Homo-condensate of L-lvsme having an average of 2 ethyleneoxy units per -NH unit A 56.8% by weight aqueous solution of the homo-condensate from Example 1 (400 g) is charged to a pressunzable 3.5 1 reaction vessel and blanketed with nitrogen. The reaction vessel is heated to 120 °C. Ethylene oxide (100 g, 2.27 mole) is added dunng which time the internal pressure rises to 8.0 bar. The reaction solution is held at 120 °C for 2 h, cooled to ambient temperature then opened to the atmosphere. Removal of water and volatile products in vacuo yields 317 g of a viscous, orange solution. EXAMPLE 6

Homo-condensate of L-lvsme having an average of 20 ethyleneoxy units per -NH unit The homo-condensate from Example 1 (150 g) and potassium hydroxide (5.3 g) are charged to a pressunzable 3.5 1 reaction vessel and blanketed with nitrogen. The reaction vessel is heated to 120 °C. Ethylene oxide (916 g, 20.8 mole) is added over a penod of 2 h duπng which time the internal pressure rises to 8.0 bar. The reaction solution is held at 120 °C for 18 h, cooled to ambient temperature then opened to the atmosphere. Removal of water and volatile products in vacuo yields 1051 g of a viscous, dark orange solution oil.

EXAMPLE 7 Co-polvmer compnsmg L-lvsme and ammocaproic acid m molar ratio of 1 1 having an average of 1.6 propyleneoxy units per -NH unit

The co-condensate from Example 2 (300 g) is dissolved m methanol (300 mL), charged to a pressunzable 3.5 1 reaction vessel and blanketed with nitrogen. The reaction vessel is then heated to 100 °C/ Propylene oxide (115 g, 1.98 mol) is added dunng which time the pressure rises to 4.6 bar. The reaction mixtures is held at 100 °C for 18 h, cooled to ambient temperature and the pressure released. Removal of water and volatile products in vacuo yields 374 g of a viscous, dark orange solution oil.

FABRIC ENHANCEMENT COMPOSITIONS The present invention relates to fabπc enhancement compositions which comprise: A) from about 0.1 %, preferably from about 1 %, more preferably from 2.5% to about

30%, preferably to about 20%, more preferably to about 10% by weight, of a polymeπc matenal selected from the group consisting of: a) homo-condensates of basic ammo acid, said ammo acids selected from the group consisting of lysine, ornithine, arg ine, and tryptophan, b) co-condensates of basic ammo acids, said amino acids selected from the group consisting of lysine, ornithine, arginine, and tryptophan, c) co-polymers produced from the reaction of one or more basic ammo acids with one or more co-condensable compounds. d) co-polymers produced from the leaction of one or more homo- condensates from (a) or co-condensates from (b) w ith one or more co- condensable compounds; e) crosslinked basic ammo acid-contaming polymers, said crosslinked polymers comprising-

I) one or more basic ammo acids; n) co-polymers of (l) and one or more co-condensable compounds; in) optionally co-polymers produced from the reaction of one or more homo-condensates from (a) or co-condensates from (b) with one or more co-condensable compounds; and

IV) one or more crosslinking unit; wherein at least one crosslinking unit is derived from a crosshnker which comprises at least two functional groups; f) co-condensates formed from the reaction of one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of: i) basic amino acids; ii) co-condensable compounds; iii) crosslinking agents; g) optionally said homo-condensates from (a), co-condensates from (b), copolymers from (c) and (d). crosslinked polymers from (e). and co- condensates from (t). are alkoxylated with from an average of 0.1 to about 30 alkyleneoxy units; and h) mixtures thereof;

B) optionally from about 0.01% by weight, of a fabric abrasion polymer comprising: i) at least one monomeπc unit comprising an amide moiety; ii) at least one monomeric unit comprising an N-oxide moiety; iii) and mixtures thereof;

C) optionally from about 1%, preferably from about 10%, more preferably from about 20% to about 80%, preferably to about 60%, more preferably to about 45% by weight, of a fabric softening active;

D) optionally less than about 15% by weight, of a principal solvent, preferably said principal solvent has a ClogP of from about 0.15 to about 1;

E) optionally from about 0.001 % to about 90% by weight, of one or more dye fixing agents; F) optionally from about 0.01% to about 50% by weight, of one or more cellulose reactive dye fixing agents; G) optionally from about 0.01% to about 15% by weight, of a chlorine scavenger; H) optionally about 0.005% to about 1% by weight, of one or more crystal growth inhibitors; I) optionally from about 1% to about 12% by weight, of one or more liquid carriers; J) optionally from about 0.001% to about 1% by weight, of an enzyme;

K) optionally from about 0.01% to about 8% by weight, of a polyolefin emulsion or suspension; L) optionally from about 0.01% to about 0.2% by weight, of a stabilizer,

M) from about 0.01% by weight, of one or more linear or cyclic polyammes which provide bleach protection; and N) the balance carrier and adjunct ingredients. The fabnc care compositions of the present invention compnse one or more polyamino acid polymers as described herein. For the purposes of the present invention the terms "fabπc enhancement compositions" and "fabπc care compositions" are used interchangeably throughout the present specification and stand equally well for one another and are defined as "compositions which provides care or enhancement to the fabπc non-limitmg examples of which include stand- alone compositions, detergent adjuncts, fabnc softening compositions inter aha nnse-added softening composition, dryer-added softening compositions". The compositions of the present invention provide an efficient fabnc abrasion reduction. The term "efficient fabπc abrasion reduction" is defined herein as "fabric which has been treated by the herein descnbed compositions have an improved appearance relative to fabncs which have been un-treated by the herein disclosed compositions.

The following are non-limitmg examples of ingredients which can be combined with the polyamino acid polymers of the present invention. Fabric Abrasion Reducing Polymers

The compositions of the present invention comprise from about 0.01%, preferably from about 0 1% to about 20%, preferably to about 10% by weight, of a fabπc anti-abrasion reducing polymer.

The prefered reduced abrasion polymers of the present invention are water-soluble polymers. For the purposes of the present invention the term "water-soluble" is defined as "a polymer which when dissolved in water at a level of 0.2% by weight, or less, at 25° C, forms a clear, isotropic liquid".

The fabπc abrasion reducing polymers useful m the present invention have the formula:

[-P(D)_m-]_n wherein the unit P is a polymer backbone which comprises units which are homopolymeπc or copolymeπc. D units are defined herein below. For the purposes of the present invention the term "homopolymenc" is defined as "a polymer backbone which is compnsed of units having the same unit composition, i.e., formed from polymerization of the same monomer". For the purposes of the present invention the term "copolymenc" is defined as "a polymer backbone which is compnsed of units having a different unit composition, i.e., formed from the polymenzation of two or more monomers". P backbones preferably compnse units having the formula-

[CR₂-CR₂] or [(CR₂) -L]— wherein each R unit is independently hydrogen, C,-C₁₂ alkyl, C₆-C₁₂ aryl, and D units as described herein below; preferably C,-C₄ alkyl.

Each L unit is independently selected from heteroatom-contammg moieties, non-limitmg examples of which are selected from the group consisting of:

R¹ 0 0 0 0

I II II II II

— N- -O- O—C— —C—o —o—C- -o— —

0 0 0 0 0

II II II II II

^■s —s— —o—s —s—o— —o—s—o

II II II II o 0 o 0 polysiloxane having the formula:

wherein the index p is from 1 to about 6, units which have dye transfer inhibition activity

and mixtures thereof; wherein R¹ is hydrogen, C,-C_I2 alkyl, C₆-C₁₂ aryl, and mixtures thereof R² is C,-C₁₂ alkyl, C,-C₁₂ alkoxy, C₆-C₁₂ aryloxy, and mixtures thereof; preferably methyl and methoxy. R³ is hydrogen C,-C₁₂ alkyl, C₆-C₁₂ aryl, and mixtures thereof; preferably hydrogen or C,-C₄ alkyl, more preferably hydrogen. R⁴ is C,-C₁₂ alkyl, C₆-C₁₂ aryl, and mixtures thereof.

The backbones of the fabπc abrasion reducing polymers of the present invention comprise one or more D units which are units which comprise one or more units which provide a dye transfer inhibiting benefit The D unit can be part of the backbone itself as represented in the general formula: [-P(D)_m-]„ or the D unit may be incorporated into the backbone as a pendant group to a backbone unit having, for example, the formula:

[CR-CR₂] or [(CR) -L]—

D D

However, the number of D units depends upon the formulation. For example, the number of D units will be adjusted to provide water solubility of the polymer as well as efficacy of dye transfer inhibition while providing a polymer which has fabric abrasion reducing properties. The molecular weight of the fabπc abrasion reducing polymers of the present invention are from about 500, preferably from about 1,000, more preferably from about 100,000 most preferably from 160,000 to about 6,000,000, preferably to about 2,000,000, more preferably to about 1,000,000, yet more preferably to about 500,000, most preferably to about 360,000 daltons. Therefore the value of the index n is selected to provide the indicated molecular weight, and providing for a water solubility of least 100 ppm, preferably at least about 300 ppm, and more preferably at least about 1 ,000 ppm in water at ambient temperature which is defined herein as 25°C.

Polymers Compnsmg Amide Units

Non-limitmg examples of preferred D units are D units which comprise an amide moiety. Examples of polymers wherein an amide unit is introduced into the polymer via a pendant group includes polyvmylpyrrohdone having the formula:

[CH-CH₂]_n-

polyvmyloxazohdone having the formula:

_n-

polyvmylmethyloxazohdone having the formula: [CH-CH₂]_n

H₃C polyacrylamides and N-substituted polyacrylamides having the formula:

[CH-CH₂]_n

C=0

I ,

N(R)₂ wherein each R' is independently hydrogen, C,-C₆ alkyl, or both R' units can be taken together to form a ring compnsmg 4-6 carbon atoms; polymethacrylamides and N-substituted polymethacrylamides having the general formula:

CH₃ [C-CH₂]_n

C=0

I ,

N(R)₂ wherein each R' is independently hydrogen, C,-C₆ alkyl, or both R' units can be taken together to form a ring comprising 4-6 carbon atoms; poly(N-acrylylglycιnamιde) having the formula-

[CH-CH₂]_n

C=0 o

I II

NH— CH₂-C— N(R*)₂ wherein each R' is independently hydrogen, C,-C₆ alkyl, or both R' units can be taken together to form a ring compnsmg 4-6 carbon atoms; poly(N-methacrylylglycmamιde) having the formula:

CH₃ [C-CH₂]_n

C=O O

I II

NH— CH₂-C— N(R')₂ wherein each R' is independently hydrogen, C,-C₆ alkyl, or both R' units can be taken together to form a ring compnsmg 4-6 carbon atoms; polyvinylurethanes having the formula: [CH-CH₂]_n

O

I

C=O

I

N(R')₂ wherein each R' is independently hydrogen, C_rC₆ alkyl, or both R' units can be taken together to form a πng compnsmg 4-6 carbon atoms.

An example of a D unit wherein the nitrogen of the dye transfer inhibiting moiety is incorporated into the polymer backbone is a poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazohne) having the formula

[CH₂-CH₂-N]_n—

C=O

I

CH₂CH₃ wherein the index n indicates the number of monomer residues present.

The fabπc abrasion reducing polymers of the present invention can compnse any mixture of dye transfer inhibition units which provides the product with suitable properties.

The preferred polymers which compnse D units which are amide moieties are those which have the nitrogen atoms of the amide unit highly substituted so the nitrogen atoms are m effect shielded to a varying degree by the surrounding non-polar groups. This provides the polymers with an amphiphihc character. Non-limitmg examples include polyvmyl-pyrrohdones, polyvmyloxazo dones, N,N-dιsubstιtuted polyacrylamides, and N,N-dιsubstιtuted polymethacrylamides. A detailed descnption of physico-chemical properties of some of these polymers are given in "Water-Soluble Synthetic Polymers: Properties and Behavior", Philip Molyneux, Vol. I, CRC Press, (1983) included herein by reference.

The amide containing polymers may be present partially hydrolyzed and/or crosslinked forms. A preferred polymenc compound for the present invention is polyvmylpyrrolidone

(PVP) This polymer has an amphiphihc character with a highly polar amide group conferring hydrophilic and polar-attractmg properties, and also has non-polar methylene and methine groups, the backbone and/or the πng, confernng hydrophobic properties. The nngs may also provide planar alignment with the aromatic nngs m the dye molecules. PVP is readily soluble in aqueous and organic solvent systems. PVP is available ex ISP, Wayne, New Jersey, and BASF Corp., Parsippany, New Jersey, as a powder or aqueous solutions in several viscosity grades, designated as, e.g., K-12, K-15, K-25, and K-30. These K-values indicate the viscosity average molecular weight, as shown below:

PVP K-12, K-15, and K-30 are also available ex Polysciences, Inc. Warnngton, Pennsylvania, PVP K-15, K-25, and K-30 and poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazolme) are available ex Aldnch Chemical Co., Inc., Milwaukee, Wisconsin. PVP K30 (40,000) through to K90 (360,000) are also commercially available ex BASF under the tradename Luviskol or commercially available ex ISP. Still higher molecular PVP like PVP 1.3MM, commercially available ex Aldnch is also suitable for use herein. Yet further PVP-type of matenal suitable for use m the present invention are polyvmylpyrrohdone-co-dimethylammoethylmethacrylate, commercially available commercially ex ISP in a quatermsed form under the tradename Gafquat® or commercially available ex Aldnch Chemical Co. having a molecular weight of approximately 1.0MM; polyv ylpyrrolidone-co-vmyl acetate, available ex BASF under the tradename Luviskol®, available in vιnylpyrrohdone-vιnylacetate ratios of from 3:7 to 7:3.

Polymers Comprising N-oxide Units

Another D unit which provides dye transfer inhibition enhancement to the fabnc abrasion reducing polymers descnbed herein, are N-oxide units having the formula:

wherein R', R², and R³ can be any hydrocarbyl unit (for the purposes of the present invention the term "hydrocarbyl" does not include hydrogen atom alone). The N-oxide unit may be part of a polymer, such as a polyamme, i.e., polyalkyleneamme backbone, or the N-oxide may be part of a pendant group attached to the polymer backbone. An example of a polymer which comprises an the N-oxide unit as a part of the polymer backbone is polyethyleneimme N-oxide. Non-limitmg examples of groups which can comprise an N-oxide moiety include the N-oxides of certain heterocycles inter aha pyπdme, pyrrole, lmidazole, pyrazole, pyrazme, pyπmidine, pyπdazme, pipendme, pyrrohdine, pyrro done, azohdme, morpholme. A preferred polymer is poly(4- vmylpyndmg N-oxide, PVNO). In addition, the N-oxide unit may be pendant to the πng, for example, aniline oxide.

N-oxide comprising polymers of the present invention will preferably have a ration of N- oxidized amme nitrogen to non-oxidized amine nitrogen of from about 1:0 to about 1 :2, preferably to about 1 :1, more preferably to about 3:1. The amount of N-oxide units can be adjusted by the formulator. For example, the formulator may co-polymenze N-oxide compnsmg monomers with non N-oxide comprising monomers to arnve at the desired ratio of N-oxide to non N-oxide ammo units, or the formulator may control the oxidation level of the polymer dunng preparation. The amme oxide unit of the polyamme N-oxides of the present invention have a Pk_a less than or equal to 10, preferably less than or equal to 7, more preferably less than or equal to 6. The average molecular weight of the N-oxide compnsmg polymers which provide a dye transfer inhibitor benefit to reduced fabric abrasion polymers is from about 500 daltons, preferably from about 100,000 daltons, more preferably from about 160,000 daltons to about 6,000,000 daltons, preferably to about 2,000,000 daltons, more preferably to about 360,000 daltons. Polymers Compnsmg Amide Units and N-oxide Units

A further example of polymers which are fabnc abrasion reducing polymers which have dye transfer inhibition benefits are polymers which compnse both amide units and N-oxide units as described herein above. Non-limiting examples include co-polymers of two monomers wherein the first monomer compnses an amide unit and the second monomer comprises an N- oxide unit. In addition, oligomers or block polymers comprising these units can be taken together to form the mixed amide/N-oxide polymers. However, the resulting polymers must retain the water solubility requirements described herein above. Molecular weight

For all the above described fabπc abrasion reducing polymers of the invention, it is most preferred that they have a molecular weight the range as descnbed herein above. This range is typically higher than the range for polymers which render only dye transfer inhibition benefits alone. Indeed, the higher molecular weight of the abrasion reducing polymers provides for reduction of fabric abrasion which typically occurs subsequent to treatment, for example during garment use, especially in a later washing procedure. Not to be bound by theory, it is believed that the high molecular weight enables the deposition of the polymer on the fabric surface and provides sufficient substantivity so that the polymer is capable of remaining on the fabnc dunng subsequent use and subsequent laundenng of the fabπc. Further, it is believed that for a given charge density, increasing the molecular weight will increase the substantivity of the polymer to the fabnc surface. Ideally the balance of charge density and molecular weight will provide both a sufficient rate of deposition onto the fabπc surface and a sufficient attraction to the fabnc dunng subsequent wash cycles. Increasing molecular weight is considered preferable to increasing charge density as it allows a greater choice the range of matenals which can provide the desired benefit and avoids the negative impact that increasing charge density may have inter alia the attraction of soil and residue onto treated fabrics. It should be noted, however, that a similar benefit may be predicted from the approach of increasing charge density while retaining a lower molecular weight matenal. Dye Fixing Agents

The compositions of the present invention optionally compnse from about 0.001%, preferably from about 0.5% to about 90%, preferably to about 50%, more preferably to about 10%), most preferably to about 5% by weight, of one or more dye fixing agents.

Dye fixing agents, or "fixatives", are well-known, commercially available matenals which are designed to improve the appearance of dyed fabπcs by minimizing the loss of dye from fabncs due to washing. Not included withm this definition are components which can some embodiments serve as fabric softener actives.

Many dye fixing agents are cationic, and are based on quaternized nitrogen compound or on nitrogen compounds having a strong cationic charge which is formed in situ under the conditions of usage. Cationic fixatives are available under vaπous trade names from several suppliers. Representative examples include- CROSCOLOR PMF (July 1981, Code No 7894) and CROSCOLOR NOFF (January 1988, Code No. 8544) ex Crosfield; LNDOSOL E-50

(February 27, 1984, Ref. No. 6008.35.84; polyethyleneamme-based) ex Sandoz; SANDOFIX TPS, ex Sandoz, is a preferred dye fixative for use herein. Additional non-limitmg examples include SANDOFIX SWE (a cationic resinous compound) ex Sandoz, REWLN SRF, REWLN SRF-O and REWLN DWR ex CHT-Beithch GMBH; Tmofix® ECO, Tmofix® FRD and Solfin® ex Ciba-Geigy. A preferred dye fixing agent for use in the compositions of the present invention is CARTAFLX CB® ex Claπant.

Other cationic dye fixing agents are descnbed in "Aftertreatments for Improving the Fastness of Dyes on Textile Fibres", Chnstopher C. Cook, Rev Prog Coloration, Vol. XII, (1982). Dye fixing agents suitable for use in the present invention are ammonium compounds such as fatty acid-diamme condensates inter aha the hydrochloπde, acetate, metosulphate and benzyl hydrochlonde salts of diamme esters. Non-limitmg examples include oleyldiethyl aminoethylamide, oleylmethyl diethylenediamme methosulphate, monostearylethylene diammotnmethylammonium methosulphate. In addition, the N-oxides of tertiary amines; derivatives of polymenc alkyldiamines, polyamine-cyanunc chloride condensates, and aminated glycerol dichlorohydnns are suitable for use as dye fixatives in the compositions of the present invention. Cellulose Reactive Dve Fixing Agents

Another dye fixing agent suitable for use in the present invention are cellulose reactive dye fixing agents. The compositions of the present invention optionally comprise from about 0.01%), preferably from about 0.05%, more preferably from about 0.5% to about 50%, preferably to about 25%, more preferably to about 10% by weight, most preferably to about 5% by weight, of one or more cellulose reactive dye fixing agents. The cellulose reactive dye fixatives may be suitably combined with one or more dye fixatives descnbed herein above in order to compnse a "dye fixative system". The term "cellulose reactive dye fixing agent" is defined herein as "a dye fixative agent which reacts with the cellulose fibers upon application of heat or upon a heat treatment either in situ or by the formulator". The cellulose reactive dye fixing agents suitable for use in the present invention can be defined by the following test procedure.

Cellulose Reactivity Test (CRT) Four pieces of fabπc which are capable of bleeding their dye (e.g. 10 x 10 cm of knitted cotton dyed with Direct Red 80) are selected. Two swatches are used as a first control and a second control, respectively. The two remaining swatches are soaked for 20 minutes in an aqueous solution containing 1% (w/w) of the cellulose reactive dye fixing agent to be tested. The swatches are removed and thoroughly dried. One of the treated swatches which has been thoroughly dried, is passed ten times through an ironing calender which is adjusted to a "lmen fabnc" temperature setting. The first control swatch is also passed ten times through an ironing calender on the same temperature setting.

All four swatches ( the two control swatches and the two treated swatches, one of each which has been treated by the ironing calender) are washed separately m Launder-O-Meter pots under typical conditions with a commercial detergent used at the recommended dosage for Vi hour at 60°C, followed by a thorough nnsmg of 4 times 200 ml of cold water and subsequently line dπed.

Color fastness is then measured by compaπng the DE values of a new untreated swatch with the four swatches which have undergone the testing. DE values, the computed color difference, is defined m ASTM D2244. In general, DE values relate to the magnitude and direction of the difference between two psychophysical color stimuli defined by tπstimulus values, or by chromaticity coordinates and luminance factor, as computed by means of a specified set of color-difference equations defined in the CIE 1976 CIELAB opponent-color space, the Hunter opponent-color space, the Fπele-Mac Adam-Chickeπng color space or any equivalent color space. For the purposes of the present invention, the lower the DE value for a sample, the closer the sample is to the un-tested sample and the greater the color fastness benefit. As the test relates to selection or a cellulose reactive dye fixing agent, if the DE value for the swatch treated m the ironing step has a value which is better than the two control swatches, the candidate is a cellulose reactive dye fixing agent for the purposes of the invention. 35

Typically cellulose reactive dye fixing agents are compounds which contain a cellulose reactive moiety, non limiting examples of these compounds include halogeno-tπazmes, vmyl sulphones, epichlorhydnne deπvatives, hydroxyethylene urea denvatives, formaldehyde condensation products, polycarboxylates, glyoxal and glutaraldehyde denvatives, and mixtures thereof. Further examples can be found in "Textile Processing and Properties", Tyrone L Vigo, at page 120 to 121, Elsevier (1997), which discloses specific electrophihc groups and their corresponding cellulose affinity.

Preferred hydroxyethylene urea denvatives include dimethyloldihydroxyethylene, urea, and dimethyl urea glyoxal. Preferred formaldehyde condensation products include the condensation products denved from formaldehyde and a group selected from an ammo-group, an lmmo-group, a phenol group, an urea group, a cyanamide group and an aromatic group Commercially available compounds among this class are Sandofix WE 56 ex Claπant, Zetex E ex Zeneca and Levogen BF ex Bayer. Preferred polycarboxylates denvatives include butane tetracarboxihc acid denvatives, citπc acid denvatives, polyacrylates and denvatives thereof. A most preferred cellulosic reactive dye fixing agents is one of the hydroxyethylene urea denvatives class commercialized under the tradename of Indosol CR ex Claπant. Still other most preferred cellulosic reactive dye fixing agents are commercialized under the tradename Rewm DWR and Rewin WBS ex CHT R. Beithch Chlorine Scavengers The compositions of the present invention optionally comprise from about 0 01%, preferably from about 0.02%, more preferably from about 0.25% to about 15%, preferably to about 10%, more preferably to about 5% by weight, of a chloπne scavenger In cases wherein the cation portion and the anion portion of the non-polymenc scavenger each react with chloπne, the amount of scavenger can be adjusted to fit the needs of the formulator. Suitable chlonne scavengers include ammonium salts having the formula:

[(R)₃R^]N] ⁺ X - wherem each R is independently hydrogen, C,-C₄ alkyl, C,-C₄ substituted alkyl, and mixtures thereof, preferably R is hydrogen or methyl, more preferably hydrogen R¹ is hydrogen C,-C₉ alkyl, C,-C₉ substituted alkyl, and mixtures thereof, preferably R is hydrogen. X is a compatible anion, non-limitmg examples include chloπde, bromide, citrate, sulfate; preferably X is chlonde.

Non-limitmg examples of preferred chloπne scavengers mclud ammonium chloπde, ammonium sulfate, and mixtures thereof; preferably ammonium chlonde. Crystal Growth Inhibitor The compositions of the present invention optionally compnse from about 0.005%, preferably from about 0.5%, more preferably from about 0.1% to about 1%, preferably to about 0.5%). more preferably to about 0.25%, most preferably to about 0.2% by weight, of one or more crystal growth inhibitors. The following "Crystal Growth Inhibition Test" is used to determine the suitability of a matenal for use as a crystal growth inhibitor.

Crystal Growth Inhibition Test CCGiD

The suitability of a matenal to serve as a crystal growth inhibitor according to the present invention can be determined by evaluating in vitro the growth rate of certain inorganic micro- crystals The procedure of Nancollas et al., descnbed m "Calcium Phosphate Nucleation and Growth m Solution", Prog Crystal Growth Charact , Vol 3, 77-102, (1980), incorporated herein by reference, is a method which is suitable for evaluating compounds for their crystal growth inhibition The graph below serves as an example of a plot indicating the time delay (t-lag) m crystal formation afforded by a hypothetical crystal growth inhibitor.

The observed t-lag provides a measure of the compound's efficiency with respect to delaying the growth of calcium phosphate crystal. The greater the t-lag, the more efficient the crystal growth inhibitor. Exemplary Procedure Combine m a suitable vessel, 2.1M KC1 (35 mL), 0.0175M CaCl₂ (50mL), 0.01M

KH₂PO₄ (50mL), and de-ionized water (350mL). A standard pH electrode equipped with a Standard Calomel Reference electrode is inserted and the temperature adjusted to 37° C while purging of the solution of oxygen. Once the temperature and pH are stabilized, a solution of the crystal growth inhibitor to be test is then added. A typical inhibitor test concentration is 1 x 10⁶ M The solution is titrated to pH 7.4 with 0.05M KOH. The mixture is then treated with 5 mL's of a hydroxyapatite slurry. The hydroxyapatite slurry can be prepared by digesting Bio-Gel^® HTP hydroxyapatite powder (100 g) m 1 L of distilled water the pH of which is adjusted to 2.5 by the addition of sufficient 6N HC1 and subsequently heating the solution until all of the hydroxyapatite is dissolved (heating for several days may be necessary). The temperature of the solution is then maintained at about 22° C while the pH is adjusted to 12 by the addition of a solution of 50% aqueous KOH. Once again the solution is heated and the resulting slurry is allowed to settle for two days before the supernatant is removed. 1.5 L of distilled water is added, the solution stirred, then after settling again for 2 days the supernatant is removed. This rmsmg procedure is repeated six more time after which the pH of the solution is adjusted to neutrality using 2N HC1 The resulting slurry can be stored at 37°C for eleven months.

Crystal growth inhibitors which are suitable for use m the present invention have a t-lag of at least 10 minutes, preferably at least 20 minutes, more preferably at least 50 minutes, at a concentration of 1 x 10⁶M Crystal growth inhibitors are differentiated form chelatmg agents by the fact that crystal growth inhibitors have a low binding affinity of heavy metal ions, i.e., copper For example, crystal growth inhibitors have an affinity for copper ions a solution of 0 1 ionic strength when measured at 25° C, of less than 15, preferably less than 12.

The preferred crystal growth inhibitors of the present invention are selected from the group consisting of carboxylic compounds, organic diphosphomc acids, and mixtures thereof. The following are non-limitmg examples of preferred crystal growth inhibitors

Carboxylic Compounds

Non-limitmg examples of carboxylic compounds which serve as crystal growth inhibitors include glycohc acid, phytic acid, polycarboxyhc acids, polymers and co-polymers of carboxylic acids and polycarboxyhc acids, and mixtures thereof. The inhibitors may be m the acid or salt form. Preferably the polycarboxyhc acids compnse matenals having at least two carboxylic acid radicals which are separated by not more than two carbon atoms (e.g., methylene units). The preferred salt forms include alkali metals; lithium, sodium, and potassium; and alkanolammomum. The polycarboxylates suitable for use m the present invention are further disclosed in U.S. 3,128,287, U.S. 3,635,830, U.S. 4,663,071, U.S. 3,923,679; U.S. 3,835,163; U.S. 4,158,635; U.S 4,120,874 and U.S. 4,102,903, each of which is included herein by reference.

Further suitable polycarboxylates include ether hydroxypolycarboxylates, polyacrylate polymers, copolymers of maleic anhydnde and the ethylene ether or vinyl methyl ethers of acrylic acid. Copolymers of 1,3,5-tnhydroxybenzene, 2, 4, 6-tnsulphomc acid, and carboxymethyloxysuccimc acid are also useful. Alkali metal salts of polyacetic acids, for example, ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid and nitπlotnacetic acid, and the alkali metal salts of polycarboxylates, for example, melhtic acid, succimc acid, oxydisuccmic acid, polymaleic acid, benzene 1,3,5-tncarboxyhc acid, carboxymethyloxysuccimc acid, are suitable for use in the present invention as crystal growth inhibitors. The polymers and copolymers which are useful as crystal growth inhibitors have a molecular weight which is preferably greater than about 500 daltons to about 100,000 daltons, more preferably to about 50,000 daltons.

Examples of commercially available matenals for use as crystal growth inhibitors include, polyacrylate polymers Good-Rite® ex BF Goodnch, Acrysol® ex Rohm & Haas, Sokalan® ex BASF, and Norasol® ex Norso Haas. Preferred are the Norasol® polyacrylate polymers, more preferred are Norasol® 4 ION (MW 10,000) and Norasol® 440N (MW 4000) which is an ammo phosphomc acid modified polyacrylate polymer, and also more preferred is the acid form of this modified polymer sold as Norasol® QR 784 (MW 4000) ex Norso-Haas Polycarboxylate crystal growth inhibitors include citrates, e.g., citπc acid and soluble salts thereof (particularly sodium salt), 3,3-dιcarboxy-4-oxa- 1 ,6-hexanedιoates and related compounds further disclosed in U.S. 4,566,984 incorporated herein by reference, C5-C20 alkyl, C5-C20 alkenyl succimc acid and salts thereof, of which dodecenyl succinate, lauryl succinate, myπstyl succinate, palmityl succinate, 2-dodecenylsuccmate, 2-pentadecenyl succinate, are non- hmitmg examples Other suitable polycarboxylates are disclosed m U.S. 4,144,226, U.S. 3,308,067 and U.S 3,723,322, all of which are incorporated herein by reference Organic Phosphomc Acids Organic diphosphomc acid are also suitable for use as crystal growth inhibitors. For the purposes of the present invention the term "organic diphosphomc acid" is defined as "an organo- diphosphonic acid or salt which does not compnse a nitrogen atom". Preferred organic diphosphomc acids include C,-C₄ diphosphomc acid, preferably C₂ diphosphomc acid selected from the group consisting of ethylene diphosphomc acid, α-hydroxy-2 phenyl ethyl diphosphomc acid, methylene diphosphomc acid, vinyhdene- 1,1 -diphosphomc acid , l,2-dιhydroxyethane-l,l- diphosphomc acid, hydroxy-ethane 1,1 diphosphomc acid, the salts thereof, and mixtures thereof. More preferred is hydroxyethane- 1,1 -diphosphomc acid (HEDP). A more preferred phosphomc acid I 2-phosphonobutane-l ,2,4-tncarboxyhc acid (PBTC) available as Bayhibit^® AM ex Bayer. Fabnc Softening Actives

The compositions of the present invention optionally compnse at least about 1%, preferably from about 10%, more preferably from about 20% to about 80%, more preferably to about 60%, most preferably to about 45% by weight, of the composition of one or more fabric softener actives.

The preferred fabnc softening actives according to the present invention are amines having the formula:

quaternary ammonium compounds having the formula:

and mixtures thereof, wherein each R is independently Ci -Cg alkyl, Ci -Cg hydroxyalkyl, benzyl, and mixtures thereof; R^ is preferably C\ \ -Cri hnear alkyl, Ci 1 -C22 branched alkyl, C1 1 -C22 linear alkenyl, C\ \ -C22 branched alkenyl, and mixtures thereof; Q is a carbonyl moiety independently selected from the units having the formula:

O O R² O O R^

II II I II II I

— o— c — . — c— o — . — N— c- -C— N-

wherem R^ is hydrogen, Ci -C4 alkyl, preferably hydrogen; R- IS CI -C4 alkyl. preferably hydrogen or methyl; preferably Q has the formula:

O O

II II O— C or — NH-C • X is a softener compatible anion, preferably the anion of a strong acid, for example, chlonde, bromide, methylsulfate, ethylsulfate, sulfate, nitrate and mixtures thereof, more preferably chlonde and methyl sulfate. The anion can also, but less preferably, carry a double charge, in which case x'^") represents half a group. The index m has a value of from 1 to 3; the index n has a value of from 1 to 4, preferably 2 or 3, more preferably 2. One embodiment of the present invention provides for ammes and quatemized ammes having two or more different values for the index n per molecule, for example, a softener active prepared from the starting amme methyl(3-ammopropyl)(2-hydroxyethyl)amιne.

More preferred softener actives according to the present invention have the formula:

wherein the unit having the formula:

O — O— C— R¹ is a fatty acyl moiety. Suitable fatty acyl moieties for use the softener actives of the present invention are derived from sources of tπglycendes including tallow, vegetable oils and/or partially hydrogenated vegetable oils including inter aha canola oil, safflower oil, peanut oil, sunflower oil, corn oil, soybean oil, tall oil, nee bran oil. Yet more preferred are the Diester Quaternary Ammonium Compounds (DEQA's) wherein the index m is equal to 2. The formulator, depending upon the desired physical and performance properties of the final fabric softener active, can choose any of the above mentioned sources of fatty acyl moieties, or alternatively, the formulator can mix sources of tπglycende to form a "customized blend". However, those skilled in the art of fats and oils recognize that the fatty acyl composition may vary, as in the case of vegetable oil, from crop to crop, or from vanety of vegetable oil source to vaπety of vegetable oil source. DEQA's which are prepared using fatty acids derived from natural sources are preferred.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention provides softener actives compnsmg R! units which have at least about 3%, preferably at least about 5%, more preferably at least about 10%), most preferably at least about 15% C\ 1-C22 alkenyl, including polyalkenyl (polyunsaturated) units inter alia oleic, hnoleic, linolenic.

For the purposes of the present invention the term "mixed chain fatty acyl units" is defined as "a mixture of fatty acyl units compnsmg alkyl and alkenyl chains having from 10 carbons to 22 carbon atoms including the carbonyl carbon atom, and m the case of alkenyl chains, from one to three double bonds, preferably all double bonds in the cis configuration". With regard to the R^ units of the present invention, it is preferred that at least a substantial percentage of the fatty acyl groups are unsaturated, e.g., from about 25%, preferably from about 50%) to about 70%, preferably to about 65%. The total level of fabric softening active containing polyunsaturated fatty acyl groups can be from about 3%, preferably from about 5%, more preferably from about 10% to about 30%, preferably to about 25%, more preferably to about 18%. As stated herein above cis and trans isomers can be used, preferably with a cisl trans ratio is of from 1 :1, preferably at least 3: 1, and more preferably from about 4: 1 to about 50:1, more preferably about 20: 1 , however, the minimum being 1: 1.

The level of unsaturation contained within the tallow, canola, or other fatty acyl unit chain can be measured by the Iodme Value (IV) of the corresponding fatty acid, which m the present case should preferably be m the range of from 5 to 100 with two categories of compounds being distinguished, having a IV below or above 25.

Indeed, for compounds having the formula:

+

(R)- -N- (CH₂)_n-Q-R' X

4-m

derived from tallow fatty acids, when the Iodme Value is from 5 to 25, preferably 15 to 20, it has been found that a cisl trans isomer weight ratio greater than about 30/70, preferably greater than about 50/50 and more preferably greater than about 70/30 provides optimal concentrabihty.

For compounds of this type made from tallow fatty acids having a Iodine Value of above 25, the ratio of cis to trans isomers has been found to be less cntical unless very high concentrations are needed. A further preferred embodiment of the present invention compnses DEQA's wherein the average Iod e Value for R^ IS approximately 45.

The R! units suitable for use in the lsotropic liquids present invention can be further charactenzed m that the Iodme Value (IV) of the parent fatty acid, said IV is preferably from about 10, more preferably from about 50, most preferably from about 70, to a value of about 140, preferably to about 130, more preferably to about 115. However, formulators, depending upon which embodiment of the present invention they choose to execute, may wish to add an amount of fatty acyl units which have Iodme Values outside the range listed herein above. For example, "hardened stock" (IV less than or equal to about 10) may be combined with the source of fatty acid admixture to adjust the properties of the final softener active.

A prefered source of fatty acyl units, especially fatty acyl units having branching, for example, "Guerbet branching", methyl, ethyl, etc. units substituted along the pnmary alkyl chain, synthetic sources of fatty acyl units are also suitable. For example, the formulator may with to add one or more fatty acyl units having a methyl branch at a "non-naturally occunng" position, for example, at the third carbon of a Ci 7 chain. What is meant herein by the term "non-naturally occuπng" is "acyl units whihc are not found in significant (greater than about 0.1%) quantities is common fats and oils which serve as feedstocks for the source of tnglycendes descnbed herein." If the desired branched chain fatty acyl unit is unavailable from readily available natural feedstocks, therefore, synthetic fatty acid can be suitably admixed with other synthetic matenals or with other natural tnglyceπde denved sources of acyl units.

The following are examples of preferred softener actives according to the present invention.

N,N-dι(tallowyl-oxy-ethyl)-N,N-dιmethyl ammonium chloπde; N,N-dι(canolyl-oxy-ethyl)-N,N-dιmethyl ammonium chloπde;

N,N-dι(tallowyl-oxy-ethyl)-N-methyl, N-(2-hydroxyethyl) ammonium methyl sulfate, N,N-dι(canolyl-oxy-efhyl)-N-methyl, N-(2-hydroxyethyl) ammonium methyl sulfate, N,N-dι(tallowylamιdoethyl)-N-methyl, N-(2-hydroxyethyl) ammonium methyl sulfate, N,N-dι(2-tallowyloxy-2-oxo-ethyl)-N,N-dιmethyl ammonium chloπde; N,N-dι(2-canolyloxy-2-oxo-ethyl)-N,N-dιmethyl ammonium chloπde;

N,N-dι(2-tallowyloxyethylcarbonyloxyethyl)-N,N-dιmethyl ammonium chloπde; N,N-dι(2-canolyloxyethylcarbonyloxyethyl)-N,N-dιmethyl ammonium chlonde; N-(2-tallowoyloxy-2-ethyl)-N-(2-tallowyloxy-2-oxo-ethyl)-N,N-dιmethyl ammonium chloπde; N-(2-canolyloxy-2-ethyl)-N-(2-canolyloxy-2-oxo-ethyl)-N,N-dιmethyl ammonium chlonde; N,N,N-tπ(tallowyl-oxy-ethyl)-N-methyl ammonium chlonde; N,N,N-tn(canolyl-oxy-ethyl)-N-methyl ammonium chloride; N-(2-tallowyloxy-2-oxoethyl)-N-(tallowyl)-N,N-dιmethyl ammonium chloride; N-(2-canolyloxy-2-oxoethyl)-N-(canolyl)-N,N-dιmethyl ammonium chloride; l,2-dιtallowyloxy-3-N,N,N-tπmethylammomopropane chloride; and 1 ,2-dιcanolyloxy-3-N,N,N-tnmethylammonιopropane chlonde; and mixtures of the above actives. Particularly preferred is N,N-dι(tallowoyl-oxy-ethyl)-N,N-dιmethyl ammonium chlonde, where the tallow chains are at least partially unsaturated and N,N-dι(canoloyl-oxy-ethyl)-N,N- dimethyl ammonium chlonde, N,N-dι(tallowyl-oxy-ethyl)-N-methyl, N-(2-hydroxyethyl) ammonium methyl sulfate; N,N-dι(canolyl-oxy-ethyl)-N-methyl, N-(2-hydroxyethyl) ammonium methyl sulfate; and mixtures thereof.

Additional fabnc softening agents useful herein are descnbed in U.S. 5,643,865 Mermelstem et al., issued July 1, 1997; U.S. 5,622,925 de Buzzaccanni et al., issued Apnl 22, 1997; U.S. 5,545,350 Baker et al., issued August 13, 1996; U.S. 5,474,690 Wahl et al, issued December 12, 1995; U.S. 5,417,868 Turner et al., issued January 27, 1994; U.S. 4.661,269 Trmh et al, issued Apnl 28, 1987; U.S. 4,439,335 Burns, issued March 27, 1984; U.S. 4,401,578 Verbruggen, issued August 30, 1983; U.S. 4,308,151 Cambre, issued December 29, 1981; U.S. 4,237,016 Rudkm et al, issued October 27, 1978; U.S. 4,233,164 Davis, issued November 11, 1980; U.S. 4,045,361 Watt et al, issued August 30, 1977; U.S. 3,974,076 Wiersema et al, issued August 10, 1976; U.S. 3,886,075 Bernadmo, issued May 6, 1975; U.S. 3,861,870 Edwards et al, issued January 21 1975; and European Patent Application publication No. 472,178, by Yamamura et al., all of said documents being incorporated herein by reference. Pnncipal solvent

The compositions of the present invention, preferably the isofropic liquid embodiments thereof, may also optionally comprise a principal solvent. The level of pnncipal solvent present in the compositions of the present invention is typically less than about 95%, preferably less than about 50%, more preferably less than about 25%, most preferably less than about 15% by weight Some embodiments of isofropic liquid embodiments of the present invention may compnse no pnncipal solvent but may substitute instead a suitable nomonic surfactant.

The pnncipal solvents of the present invention are pnmaπly used to obtain liquid compositions having sufficient clanty and viscosity. Pnncipal solvents must also be selected to mmmize solvent odor impact in the composition. For example, isopropyl alcohol is not an effective principal solvent in that it does not serve to produce a composition having suitable viscosity. Isopropanol also fails as a suitable pnncipal solvent because it has a relatively strong odor.

Pnncipal solvents are also selected for their ability to provide stable compositions at low temperatures, preferably compositions compnsmg suitable pnncipal solvents are clear down to about 4° C and have the ability to fully recover their clanty if stored as low as about 7° C.

The pnncipal solvents according to the present invention are selected base upon their octanol/water partition coefficient (P). The octanol/water partition coefficient is a measure of the ratio of the concentrations of a particular pnncipal solvent m octanol and water at equihbπum. The partition coefficients are conveniently expressed and reported as their loganthm to the base 10; logP.

The logP of many pnncipal solvent species has been reported; for example, the Ponmona92 database, available from Daylight Chemical Information Systems, Inc.(Dayhght CIS), contains many, along with citations to the oπgmal literature. However, the logP values are most conveniently calculated by the "CLOGP" program, also available from Daylight CIS. This program also lists expenmental logP values when they are available m the Pomona92 database. The "calculated logP" (ClogP) is determined by the fragment approach of Hansch and Leo ( cfi, A. Leo, m Comprehensive Medicinal Chemistry, Vol. 4, C. Hansch, P. G. Sammens, J. B Taylor and C. A. Ransden, Eds., p. 295, Pergamon

Press, 1990, incorporated herein by reference). The fragment approach is based on the chemical structure of each HR species, and takes into account the numbers and types of atoms, the atom connectivity, and chemical bonding. ClogP values are the most reliable and widely used estimates for octanol water partitioning. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that experimental log P values could also be used. Expenmental log P values represent a less preferred embodiment of the invention Where expenmental log P values are used, the one hour log P values are preferred. Other methods that can be used to compute ClogP include, e.g., Cnppen's fragmentation method as disclosed m J Chem Inf Comput Set , 27a,21 (1987); Viswanadhan's fragmentation method as disclosed m J Chem Inf Comput. Sci , 29, 163 (1989), and Broto's method as disclosed m Eur J Med Chem - Chim. Theor., 19, 71 (1984).

The pnncipal solvents suitable for use in the present invention are selected from those having a ClogP of from about 0.15 to about 1, preferably from about 0.15 to about 0.64, more preferably from about 0.25 to about 0.62, most preferably form about 0 4 to about 0.6. Preferably the pnncipal solvent is at least to some degree an asymmetric molecule, preferably having a melting, or solidification point which allows the pnncipal solvent to be liquid at or near room temperature. Low molecular weight principal solvents may be desirable for some embodiments. More preferred molecules are highly asymmetπcal.

A further descnption of pnncipal solvents suitable for use m the isofropic liquid compositions of the present invention are thoroughly descnbed in WO 97/03169 "Concentrated, Stable Fabnc Softening Composition", published January 30, 1997 and assigned to the Procter & Gamble Co.; WO 97/03170 "Concentrated, Water Dispersible, Stable, Fabπc Softening Composition", published January 30, 1997 and assigned to the Procter & Gamble Co.; and WO 97/34972 "Fabπc Softening Compound/Composition", published September 25, 1997 and assigned to the Procter & Gamble Co. all included herein by reference. Hvdrophobic Dispersant

A preferred composition of the present invention compnses from about 0.1%, preferably from about 5%, more preferably form about 10% to about 80%, preferably to about 50%, more preferably to about 25% by weight, of a hydrophobic polyamme dispersant having the formula: wherein R, R¹ and B are suitably descnbed in U.S. 5,565,145 Watson et al., issued October 15, 1996 incorporated herein by reference, and w, x, and y have values which provide for a backbone prior to substitution of preferably at least about 1200 daltons, more preferably 1800 daltons R¹ units are preferably alkyleneoxy units having the formula:

-(CH₂CHRO)_m(CH₂CH2θ)_nH wherein R' is methyl or ethyl, m and n are preferably from about 0 to about 50, provided the average value of alkoxylation provided by m + n is at least about 0.5. A further descnption of polyamme dispersants suitable for use in the present invention is found in U.S. 4,891,160 Vander Meer, issued January 2, 1990; U.S.4,597,898, Vander Meer, issued July 1 , 1986, European Patent Application 111 ,965, Oh and Gossehnk, published June 27, 1984, European Patent Application 111,984, Gossehnk, published June 27, 1984, European Patent Application 112,592, Gossehnk, published July 4, 1984; U.S. 4,548,744, Connor, issued October 22, 1985; and U.S. 5,565,145 Watson et al., issued October 15, 1996; all of which are included herein by reference However, any suitable clay/soil dispersent or anti-redepostion agent can be used in the laundry compositions of the present invention. Electrolyte

The fabnc softening embodiments of the compositions of the present invention, especially clear, isotropic liquid fabπc softening compositions, may also optionally, but preferably compnse, one or more electrolytes for control of phase stability, viscosity, and/or clanty. For example, the presence of certain electrolytes inter a a calcium chlonde, magnesium chlonde may be key to insuπng initial product clarity and low viscosity, or may affect the dilution viscosity of liquid embodiments, especially isotropic liquid embodiments. Not wishing to be limited by theory, but only wishing to provide an example of a circumstance wherein the formulator must insure proper dilution viscosity, includes the following example. Isotropic or non-isotropic liquid fabnc softener compositions can be introduced into the rmse phase of laundry operations via an article of manufacture designed to dispense a measured amount of said composition. Typically the article of manufacture is a dispenser which delivers the softener active only dunng the nnse cycle. These dispensers are typically designed to allow an amount of water equal to the volume of softener composition to enter into the dispenser to insure complete delivery of the softener composition. An electrolyte may be added to the compositions of the present invention to insure phase stability and prevent the diluted softener composition from "gelling out" or from undergoing an undesirable or unacceptable viscosity increase. Prevention of gelling or formation of a "swelled", high viscosity solution insures thorough delivery of the softener composition.

However, those skilled m the art of fabnc softener compositions will recognize that the level of electrolyte is also influenced by other factors inter aha the type of fabnc softener active, the amount of pnncipal solvent, and the level and type of nomonic surfactant. For example, tnethanol amine denved ester quaternary ammes suitable for use as softener actives according to the present invention are typically manufactured m such a way as to yield a distribution of mono- , di-, and tπ- estenfied quaternary ammonium compounds and amme precursors. Therefore, as in this example, the vaπabihty in the distnbution of mono-, di-, and tπ- esters and ammes may predicate a different level of electrolyte. Therefore, the formulator must consider all of the ingredients, namely, softener active, nomonic surfactant, and m the case of isotropic liquids, the pnncipal solvent type and level, as well as level and identity of adjunct ingredients before selecting the type and/or level of electrolyte

A wide vanety of lomzable salts can be used. Examples of suitable salts are the hahdes of the Group IA and IIA metals of the Penodic Table of the elements, e.g., calcium chloride, sodium chloride, potassium bromide, and lithium chloπde. The lomzable salts are particularly useful during the process of mixing the ingredients to make the compositions herein, and later to obtain the desired viscosity. The amount of lomzable salts used depends on the amount of active ingredients used in the compositions and can be adjusted according to the desires of the formulator. Typical levels of salts used to control the composition viscosity are from about 20 to about 10,000 parts per million (ppm), preferably from about 20 to about 5,000 ppm, of the composition.

Alkylene polyammomum salts can be incorporated into the composition to give viscosity control m addition to or m place of the water-soluble, lomzable salts above, In addition, these agents can act as scavengers, forming ion pairs with anionic detergent carried over from the mam wash, in the πnse, and on the fabncs, and can improve softness performance. These agents can stabilized the viscosity over a broader range of temperature, especially at low temperatures, compared to the inorganic electrolytes. Specific examples of alkylene polyammomum salts include L-lysme, monohydrochloπde and 1,5-dιammonιum 2-methyl pentane dihydrochloπde. Cationic Charge Boosters

The compositions or the present invention may optionally compnse one or more cationic charge boosters, especially to the nnse-added fabnc softening embodiments of the present invention. Typically, ethanol is used to prepare many of the below listed ingredients and is therefore a source of solvent into the final product formulation. The formulator is not limited to ethanol. but instead can add other solvents inter aha hexyleneglycol to aid in formulation of the final composition. This is especially true m clear, translucent, isotropic compositions

The preferred cationic charge boosters of the present invention are descnbed herein below. l) Quaternary Ammonium Compounds

An optional composition of the present invention compnses at least about 0.2%, preferably from about 0.2% to about 10%, more preferably from about 0.2% to about 5% by weight, of a cationic charge booster having the formula:

wherein R , R^, R^, and R^ are each independently C1 -C22 alkyl, C3-C22 alkenyl, R^-Q- (CH2)_m-, wherein R^ is C1 -C22 alkyl, and mixtures thereof, m is from 1 to about 6, X is an anion.

Preferably R^ is C5-C22 alkyl, Cg-C22 alkenyl, and mixtures thereof, more preferably C 1 1 -C 1 g alkyl, C 1 1 -C \ g alkenyl, and mixtures thereof; R^, R3 , and R^ are each preferably C \ - C4 alkyl, more preferably each R^, R3, and R^ are methyl.

The formulator may similarly choose R* to be a R^-Q-(CH2)_m- moiety wherein R^ is an alkyl or alkenyl moiety having from 1 to 22 carbon atoms, preferably the alkyl or alkenyl moiety when taken together with the Q unit is an acyl unit denved preferably derived from a source of tnglycende selected from the group consisting of 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, nee bran oil, etc. and mixtures thereof.

An example of a fabπc softener cationic booster compnsmg a R^-Q-(CH2)_m- moiety has the formula:

wherein R^-Q- is an oleoyl units and m is equal to 2. X is a softener compatible anion, preferably the anion of a strong acid, for example, chloride, bromide, methylsulfate, ethylsulfate, sulfate, nitrate and mixtures thereof, more preferably chlonde and methyl sulfate. ii) Polwinyl Ammes

A preferred embodiment of the present invention contains at least about 0.2%, preferably from about 0.2% to about 5%, more preferably from about 0.2% to about 2% by weight, of one or more polyvmyl ammes having the formula

wherein y is from about 3 to about 10,000, preferably from about 10 to about 5,000, more preferably from about 20 to about 500. Polyvmyl amines suitable for use in the present invention are available from BASF.

Optionally, one or more of the polyvmyl amme backbone -NH2 unit hydrogens can be substituted by an alkyleneoxy unit having the formula:

— (RlO)_xR2 wherein R* is C2-C4 alkylene, R^ is hydrogen, Ci -C4 alkyl, and mixtures thereof; x is from 1 to 50 In one embodiment or the present invention the polyvmyl amme is reacted first with a substrate which places a 2-propyleneoxy unit directly on the nitrogen followed by reaction of one or more moles of ethylene oxide to form a unit having the general formula:

CH₃ I (CH₂CHO) — (CH₂CH₂O)_xH wherein x has the value of from 1 to about 50. Substitutions such as the above are represented by the abbreviated formula PO-EO_x-. However, more than one propyleneoxy unit can be incorporated into the alkyleneoxy substituent.

Polyvmyl amines are especially preferred for use as cationic charge booster m liquid fabnc softening compositions since the greater number of amme moieties per unit weight provides substantial charge density. In addition, the cationic charge is generated in situ and the level of cationic charge can be adjusted by the formulator. 111) Polv-Ouaternarv Ammonium Compounds A preferred composition of the present invention compnses at least about 0.2%, preferably from about 0.2% to about 10%, more preferably from about 0.2% to about 5% by weight, of a cationic charge booster having the formula:

wherein R is substituted or unsubstituted C2-C12 alkylene, substituted or unsubstituted C2-C12 hydroxyalkylene; each R IS independently C1 -C4 alkyl, each R^ IS independently Ci -C22 alkyl, C3-C22 alkenyl, R⁵-Q-(CH2)_m-, wherein R$ is Ci -C22 alkyl, C3-C22 alkenyl, and mixtures thereof; m is from 1 to about 6; Q is a carbonyl unit as defined hereinabove; and mixtures thereof; X is an anion.

Preferably R is ethylene, Rl IS methyl or ethyl, more preferably methyl, at least one R^ is preferably Ci -C4 alkyl, more preferably methyl. Preferably at least one R^ is Ci 1 -C22 alkyl, Ci 1-C22 alkenyl, and mixtures thereof.

The formulator may similarly choose R^ to be a R^-Q-(CH2)_m- moiety wherein R^ is an alkyl moiety having from 1 to 22 carbon atoms, preferably the alkyl moiety when taken together with the Q unit is an acyl unit derived preferably derived from a source of tnglycende selected from the group consisting of 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, com oil, soybean oil, tall oil, πce bran oil, etc. and mixtures thereof.

An example of a fabnc softener cationic booster compnsmg a R^-Q-(CH2)_m- moiety has the formula:

where in R IS methyl, one R^ units is methyl and the other R^ unit is R^-Q-(CH2)_m-whereιn R^-Q- is an oleoyl unit and m is equal to 2. X is a softener compatible anion, preferably the anion of a strong acid, for example, chloπde, bromide, methylsulfate, ethylsulfate, sulfate, nitrate and mixtures thereof, more preferably chloπde and methyl sulfate. Dispersibilitv Aids Relatively concentrated compositions containing both saturated and unsaturated diester quaternary ammonium compounds can be prepared that are stable without the addition of concentration aids. However, 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. These concentration aids which typically can be viscosity modifiers may be needed, or preferred, for ensunng 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) nomonic surfactants; (3) amme oxides; (4) fatty acids; and (5) mixtures thereof. These aids are descnbed in P&G Copendmg Application Senal No. 08/461,207, filed June 5, 1995, Wahl et al., specifically on page 14, line 12 to page 20, line 12, which is herein mcoφorated by reference.

Preferred dispersibihty aids are GENAMLNE^® and GENAPOL^® ex Claπant. When PVP is present in the compositions of the present invention, a preferred embodiment compnses both a cocoyl ethoxylated amine and a cocoyl ethoxylated alcohol, wherein the ethoxylation is approximately 10, each of which are available as GENAMLNE^® and GENAPOL^®. A preferred example of the use of this admixture is a composition which compnes, for example, 0.2% GENAMLNE^® and 0.1% GENAPOL^®.

When said dispersibihty aids are present, the total level is from 0.1%), preferably from 0.3%, more preferably from 3%>, even more preferably from 4%, and most preferably from 5% to 25%, preferably to 17%, more preferably to 15%, most preferably to 13% by weight, of the composition. These matenals can either be added as part of the active softener raw matenal, e.g., the mono-long chain alkyl cationic surfactant and or the fatty acid which are reactants used to form the fabπc softener active as discussed hereinbefore, or added as a separate component. The total level of dispersibihty aid includes any amount that may be present as part of the softener active. Soil Release Agents

Particular to the embodiments of the nnse-added fabric softeners according to the present invention, certain soil release agents provide not only the below descnbed soil release properties but are added for their suitability m maintaining proper viscosity, especially in the dispersed phase, non-isotropic compositions. Any polymeric soil release agent known to those skilled in the art can optionally be employed m the compositions and processes of this invention. Polymenc soil release agents are charactenzed by having both hydrophilic segments, to hydrophihze the surface of hydrophobic fibers, such as polyester and nylon, and hydrophobic segments, to deposit upon hydrophobic fibers and remain adhered thereto through completion of the nnsmg cycle and, thus, serve as an anchor for the hydrophilic segments. This can enable stains occurnng subsequent to treatment with the soil release agent to be more easily cleaned m later washing procedures.

If utilized, soil release agents will generally compnse from about 0.01%> to about 10.0%, by weight, of the detergent compositions herein, typically from about 0.1 % to about 5%, preferably from about 0.2% to about 3.0%.

The following, all included herein by reference, descnbe soil release polymers suitable for us m the present invention. U.S. 5,728,671 Rohrbaugh et al., issued March 17, 1998; U.S. 5,691,298 Gossehnk et al , issued November 25, 1997; U.S. 5,599,782 Pan et al, issued February 4, 1997; U.S. 5,415,807 Gossehnk et al , issued May 16, 1995; U.S. 5,182,043 Morrall et al, issued January 26, 1993; U.S. 4,956,447 Gossehnk et al, issued September 11, 1990; U.S.

4,976,879 Maldonado et al issued December 11, 1990; U.S. 4,968,451 Scheibel et al, issued November 6, 1990; U.S. 4,925,577 Borcher, Sr. et al, issued May 15, 1990; U.S. 4,861,512 Gossehnk, issued August 29, 1989; U.S. 4,877,896 Maldonado et al, issued October 31, 1989; U.S. 4,721,580 Gossehnk issued January 26, 1988; U.S. Patent 4,702,857 Gossehnk, issued October 27, 1987; U.S. 4,711,730 Gossehnk et al., issued December 8, 1987; U.S. 4,000,093 Nicol et al, issued December 28, 1976; U.S. 3,959,230 Hayes, issued May 25, 1976; U.S. 3,893,929 Basadur, issued July 8, 1975; and European Patent Application 0 219 048, published Apnl 22, 1987 by Kud et α/.

Further suitable soil release agents are descnbed in U.S. 4,201,824 Voilland et al; U.S. 4,240,918 Lagasse et al; U.S. 4,525,524 Tung et al; U.S. 4,579,681 Ruppert et al; U.S.

4,220,918; U.S. 4,787,989; EP 279,134 A, 1988 to Rhone-Poulenc Chemie; EP 457,205 A to BASF (1991); and DE 2,335,044 to Unilever N.V., 1974; all mcoφorated herein by reference. Bleach Protection Polyammes

The compositions of the present invention optionally compnse from about 0.01%, preferably from about 0.75%, more preferably from 10%>, most preferably from about 15% to about 50%, preferably to about 35%, more preferably to about 30%, most preferably to about 5% by weight, of one or more linear or cyclic polyammes which provide bleach protection. Linear Polyammes The bleach protection polyammes of the present invention have the formula: R²

(R')₂N— R— [N— Rl— N(R^!)₂ n wherein R is 1 ,2-propylene, 1,3 -propylene, and mixtures thereof; preferably 1,3 -propylene. R' is hydrogen, C,-C₄ alkyl, or an alkyleneoxy unit having the formula:

-(R³O)-R⁴ wherein R³ is ethylene, 1 ,2-propylene, 1 ,2-butylene, or mixtures thereof; preferably R³ is ethylene or 1 ,2-propylene, more preferably 1,2-propylene. R⁴ιs hydrogen, C,-C₄ alkyl, and mixtures thereof; preferably hydrogen. R¹ may compnse any mixture of alkyleneoxy units. R² is hydrogen, R¹, -RN(R')₂, and mixtures thereof; preferably at least one R² is hydrogen when n is equal to 2. The integer n is 1 or 2.

A prefered bleach protection linear polyamme has a backbone wherein R is 1,3- propylene, R² is hydrogen, or alkoxy, and n is equal to 2 is N,N'-bιs(3-ammopropyl)-l,3- propylenediamme (TPTA). Cvchc Amines

The bleach protection cyclic polyammes of the present invention compnse polyamme backbones having the formula:

R— L— R wherein L is a linking unit, said linking unit compnsmg a πng having at least 2 nitrogen atoms; R is hydrogen, -(CH₂)_kN(R')₂, and mixtures thereof; wherein each index k independently has the value from 2 to 4, preferably 3. Preferably the backbone of the cyclic ammes including R units is 200 daltons or less.

R¹ is hydrogen or an alkyleneoxy unit having the formula:

-(R³O)-R⁴ wherein R³ is ethylene, 1,2-propylene, 1 ,2-butylene, or mixtures thereof; preferably R³ is ethylene or 1,2-propylene, more preferably 1,2-propylene. R⁴ιs hydrogen, C,-C₄ alkyl, and mixtures thereof; preferably hydrogen. R¹ may compnse any mixture of alkyleneoxy units. Examples of preferred optional polyammes of the present invention have the formula:

wherein the indices k each have the same value and each R¹ is the same unit. It has been suφrisingly found that bleach protection is enhanced when the backbone nitrogens are substituted with one or more modifications which comprise an alkyleneoxy unit having the general formula:

R

I — CH₂CHO — wherein said unit is R³ as defined herein above.

METHOD OF USE

The present invention also relates to a method for enhancing the fabric integrity inter alia dye fidelity while reducing the damage to fabric due to the interaction of laundry adjunct ingredients and damage due to mechanical wear. The method includes the step of contacting fabric with an aqueous solution containing a least 50 ppm, preferably at least about 100 ppm, more preferably at least about 200 ppm, said composition comprising

A) from about 0.1%, preferably from about 1%, more preferably from 2.5% to about 30%, preferably to about 20%, more preferably to about 10% by weight, of a polymeric material selected from the group consisting of: a) homo-condensates of basic amino acid, said amino acids selected from the group consisting of lysine, ornithine, arginine, and tryptophan; b) co-condensates of basic amino acids, said amino acids selected from the group consisting of lysine, ornithine, arginine, and tryptophan; c) co-polymers produced from the reaction of one or more basic amino acids with one or more co-condensable compounds: d) co-polymers produced from the reaction of one or more homo- condensates from (a) or co-condensates from (b) with one or more co- condensable compounds; e) crosslinked basic amino acid-containing polymers, said crosslinked polymers comprising: i) one or more basic amino acids; ii) co-polymers of (i) and one or more co-condensable compounds; iii) optionally co-polymers produced from the reaction of one or more homo-condensates from (a) or co-condensates from (b) with one or more co-condensable compounds; and iv) one or more crosslinking unit; wherein at least one crosslinking unit is derived from a crosshnker which comprises at least two functional groups; f) co-condensates formed from the reaction of one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of: i) basic amino acids; ii) co-condensable compounds; iii) crosslinking agents; g) optionally said homo-condensates from (a), co-condensates from (b). copolymers from (c) and (d), crosslinked polymers from (c). and co- condensates from (t). are alkoxylated with from an average of 0.1 to about 30 alkyleneoxy units; and h) mixtures thereof;

B) the balance carriers and adjunct ingredients.

For the puφoses of the present invention the term "contacting" is defined as "intimate contact of a fabric with an aqueous solution of the hereinabove described composition which comprises a fabric abrasion reducing polymer." Contacting typically occurs by soaking, washing, rinsing, spraying the composition onto fabric, but can also include contact of a substrate inter alia a material onto which the composition has been absorbed, with the fabric. Laundering is a preferred process, for example during the wash cycle, preferably during the rinse cycle. Temperatures for laundering can take place at a variety of temperatures, however, laundering typically occurs at a temperature less than about 30° C, preferably from about 5° C to about 25° C.

A preferred method of the present invention comprises contacting fabric with a composition which comprises: A) from about 1% to about 30% by weight, of a polymeric material selected from the group consisting of: a) homo-condensates of basic amino acid, said amino acids selected from the group consisting of lysine, ornithine, arginine, and tryptophan; b) co-condensates of basic amino acids, said amino acids selected from the group consisting of lysine, ornithine, arginine, and tryptophan; c) co-polymers produced from the reaction of one or more basic amino acids with one or more co-condensable compounds; d) co-polymers produced from the reaction of one or more homo- condensates from (a) or co-condensates from (b) with one or more co- condensable compounds; e) crosslinked basic amino acid-containing polymers, said crosslinked polymers comprising: i) one or more basic amino acids; ii) co-polymers of (i) and one or more co-condensable compounds; iii) optionally co-polymers produced from the reaction of one or more homo-condensates from (a) or co-condensates from (b) with one or more co-condensable compounds; and iv) one or more crosslinking unit; wherein at least one crosslinking unit is derived from a crosshnker which comprises at least two functional groups; f) co-condensates formed from the reaction of one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of: i) basic amino acids; ii) co-condensable compounds; iii) crosslinking agents; g) optionally said homo-condensates from (a), co-condensates from (b). copolymers from (c) and (d), crosslinked polymers from (e). and co- condensates from (f), are alkoxylated with from an average of 0.1 to about 30 alkyleneoxy units; and h) mixtures thereof:

B) from about 1%, preferably from about 10%, more preferably from about 20% to about 80%, preferably to about 60%>, more preferably to about 45% by weight, of a fabric softening active; and

C) the balance carrier and adjunct ingredients. The following are non-limiting examples of compositions which illustrate the present invention.

TABLE I

Weight %

Ingredients 9 10 11

1. N,N-di(canoyloxyethyl)-N-2-hydroxyethyl-N-methyl ammonium methyl sulfate available from Witco.

2. Polyamino acid polymer formed from L-lysine and ε-caprolactam (1 : 1).

3. Polyamino acid polymer formed from L-lysine, ε-caprolactam, lauric acid (5:5: 1). 4. Polyamino acid polymer formed from L-lysine, and lauric acid (5: 1).

5. N,N'-(3-aminopropyl)ethylenediamine.

6. N,N'-(3-aminopropyl)butylenediamine.

7. Tripropylenetetraamine.

8. Trimethyl pentanediol available from Eastman Chemical. 9. 1 ,4-cyclohexane dimethanol available from Eastman Chemical. 10. Minors can include perfume, dye, acid, preservatives, etc.

TABLE II

Weight %

Ingredients 12 13 14 15

1. N,N-dι(canoyloxyethyl)-N-2-hydroxyethyl-N-methyl ammonium methyl sulfate available from Witco.

2. Polyamino acid polymer formed from L-lysme and ε-caprolactam (1 :1).

3. Polyamino acid polymer formed from L-lysme, ε-caprolactam, launc acid (5:5:1).

4. Polyamino acid polymer formed from L-lysme, and launc acid (5:1). 5 Tnmethyl pentanediol available from Eastman Chemical.

6. 1 ,4-cyclohexane dimethanol available from Eastman Chemical.

7 Minors can include perfume, dye, acid, preservatives, etc.

TABLE III

Weight %

Ingredients 16 17 18 19

1 Polyamino acid polymer formed from L-lysme and ε-caprolactam (1 :1).

2. Polyamino acid polymer formed from L-lysme, ε-caprolactam, lauπc acid (5:5:1).

3. Polyamino acid polymer formed from L-lysme, and launc acid (5:1).

4. N,N'-bιs(3-ammopropyl)-l,4-pιperazme. 5 Cartafix CB.

6. Bayhibit AM.

7. Luviskol K90 ex BASF.

8. Minors can include perfume, dye, acid, preservatives, etc. TABLE IV

Weight %

ethylene oxide to an average EO of 1. 2. Polyamino acid polymer formed from L-lysme, ε-caprolactam, launc acid (5:5: 1) which is subsequently alkoxylated with ethylene oxide to an average EO of 1.

3 Polyamino acid polymer formed from L-lysme, and launc acid (5: 1) which is subsequently alkoxylated with ethylene oxide to an average EO of 1.

4 N,N'-bιs(3-ammopropyl)-l ,4-pιperazme.

5 Cartafix CB.

6. Bayhibit AM.

7. Luviskol K90 ex BASF.

8. Minors can include perfume, dye, acid, preservatives, etc.

TABLE V

Weight %

Water/Minors balance balance balance balance

1. Polyamino acid polymer formed from L-lysme and ε-caprolactam (1 :1) which is subsequently alkoxylated with ethylene oxide to an average EO of 1.

2. Polyamino acid polymer formed from L-lysme, ε-caprolactam, launc acid (5:5: 1) which is subsequently alkoxylated with ethylene oxide to an average EO of 1.

3 Polyamino acid polymer formed from L-lysme which is subsequently alkoxylated with ethylene oxide to an average EO of 1. 4. Cartafix CB. 5 Bayhibit AM.

6. Luviskol K90 ex BASF.

7. Minors can include perfume, dye, acid, preservatives, etc.

TABLE VI

Weight %

2. Polyamino acid polymer formed from L-lysine, ε-caprolactam, lauπc acid (5:5:1).

3. Polyamino acid polymer formed from L-lysme, and lauπc acid (5:1). 4 Tnmethyl pentanediol available from Eastman Chemical.

5. 1,4-cyclohexane dimethanol available from Eastman Chemical.

6. Minors can include perfume, dye, acid, preservatives, etc.

TABLE VII weight %

2. Polyamino acid polymer formed from L-lysme and ε-caprolactam (1:1).

3. PEG-6 cocamide, (Rewopal C6 ex Witco Chemical).

4. PEG-5 lauramide (Amidox L-5, ex Stepan Chemical).

TABLE VIII weight %

1. N,N-dι-(canolyl-oxy-ethyl)-N-methyl-N-(2-hydroxyethyl) ammonium methyl sulfate. 2 Polyamino acid polymer formed from L-lysme and ammo caproic acid (1 : 1).

3. PEG-6 cocamide, (Rewopal C6 ex Witco Chemical).

4. PEG-5 lauramide (Amidox L-5, ex Stepan Chemical).

TABLE LX weight %

2 Polyamino acid polymer formed from L-lysme and amino caproic acid (1 : 1).

3 PEG-6 cocamide, (Rewopal C6 ex Witco Chemical).

4 PEG-7 oleamide (Ethomid 0/17, ex Akzo Chemical). 5. Adogen 417, ex Witco Chemical.

TABLE X weight %

50).

2. Ν,Ν-dι(tallowyl-oxy-ethyl)-Ν,Ν-dιmethyl ammonium chloride (tallowyl having an I.V. of 18).

3. l,2-Ditallowyloxy-3-N,N,N-tnmethylammomopropane chlonde.

4. Ditallow dimethyl ammonium chloride.

5. Methyl bιs(tallow amιdoethyl)-2-hydroxyethyl ammonium methyl sulfate.

6. 1 -Tallowamιdoethyl-2-ιmιdazolme.

7. Polyamino acid polymer formed from L-lysme and ε-caprolactam (1 :1).

8. Polyamino acid polymer formed from L-lysme, ε-caprolactam, launc acid (5:5:1).

9. Polyamino acid polymer formed from L-lysme, and launc acid (5:1).

10. N,N,N',N'-terakιs(2-hydroxypropyl)ethylenedιamιne.

11. Dimethyl terephthalate, 1,2-propylene glycol, methyl capped PEG polymer.

12. N,N'-bιs(3-ammopropyl)-l,3-propylenedιamme. 13 N,N'-bιs(3-ammopropyl)-l,3-propylenedιamme wherein each N-H unit is replaced by a 1.2- propyleneoxy unit.

14. Pentrol^® available ex

15. Bιs(hexamethylene)tnamme wherein each N-H unit is replaced by an ethyleneoxy unit.

16. N.N'-bιs(2-hydroxybutyl)-N,N'-bιs[3-N,N-bιs(2-hydroxybutyl)ammopropyl]-l,3- propylenediamme, which is N,N'-bιs(3-ammopropyl)-l,3-propylenedιamme wherein each hydrogen of the backbone is replaced by a 2-hydroxybutyl moiety.

The following are examples of compositions which prevent the fading of dye from fabric, especially cotton fabnc.

TABLE XI weight %

2. Selected from REWLN SRF, REWIN SRF-0 and REWIN DWR ex CHT-Beitlich GMBH

3. Polyalkyleneimme having a molecular weight of 1800 and an average ethoxylation per backbone nitrogen of approximately 4.

4. Polyalkyleneimme having a molecular weight of 1800 and an average ethoxylation per backbone nitrogen of approximately 1.

5. Polyalkyleneimme having a molecular weight of 1800 and an average ethoxylation per backbone nitrogen of approximately 7. 6. Hydroxyethanediphosphonate (HEDP).

7. BAYHIBIT AM ex Baeyer.

8. Suitable enzymes include cellulase, lipase, protease, peroxidase, and mixtures thereof.

9. N,N'-bis(propyleneamino)- 1 ,4-piperazine.

10. N,N'-bis(propyleneamino)-l,4-piperazine El.

1 1. N,N'-bis(propyleneamino)-l ,4-piperazine PI .

12. Polyamino acid polymer formed from L-lysine and ε-caprolactam (1 :1).

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A fabric enhancement composition comprising: A) from about 0.1% to about 30%> by weight, of a polymeric material selected from the group consisting of: a) homo-condensates; b) co-condensates; c) co-polymers produced from the reaction of one or more basic amino acids with one or more co-condensable compounds; d) co-polymers produced from the reaction of one or more homo- condensates from (a) or co-condensates from (b) with one or more co- condensable compounds; e) crosslinked basic amino acid-containing polymers, said crosslinked polymers comprising the reaction product of: i) one or more basic amino acids; ii) co-polymers of (i) and one or more co-condensable compounds; iii) optionally co-polymers produced from the reaction of one or more homo-condensates from (a) or co-condensates from (b) with one or more co-condensable compounds; and iv) one or more crosslinking unit; wherein at least one crosslinking unit is derived from a crosshnker which comprises at least two functional groups; f) co-condensates formed from the reaction of one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of: i) basic amino acids; ii) co-condensable compounds; iii) crosslinking agents; and g) mixtures thereof; B) from about 1% to about 80% by weight, of a fabric softening active; and

C) the balance carriers and adjunct ingredients.

2. A composition according to Claim 1 wherein said homo-condensate, co-condensate, co- polymer, or crosslinked polymer further comprises alkyleneoxy units wherein the average number of alkyleneoxy units per backbone nitrogen is from 0.1 to about 30.

3. A composition according to Claim 1 wherein said homo-condensate comprises lysine.

4. A composition according to Claim 1 wherein said polymeric material is a co-polymer comprising a homo-condensate of lysine and one or more co-condensable compounds selected from the group consisting of: i) compounds having at least one carboxyl group; ii) carboxylic acid anhydrides; iii) diketenes; iv) amines; v) lactams; vi) alcohols; vii) alkoxylated alcohols; viii) alkoxylated amines; and xi) mixtures thereof.

5. A composition according to Claim 4 wherein said co-polymer comprises lysine and aminocaproic acid.

6. A composition according to Claim 4 wherein said co-polymer is further alkoxylated with an average of from about 0.1 to about 30 alkyleneoxy units per backbone nitrogen.

7. A composition according to Claim 1 wherein said polymeric material comprises a crosslinking unit selected from the group consisting of: i) ethylene carbonate, propylene carbonate, urea, or mixtures thereof; ii) monoethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acids and their esters, amides, and anhydrides; dibasic saturated carboxylic acids, polycarboxyhc acids and the esters, amides, and anhydrides derived therefrom; iii) reaction products of: a) polyether diamines, alkylene diamines, polyalkylene polyamines, alkylene glycols or polyalkylene glycols, and mixtures thereof; and b) monoethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acids, esters, amides, or anhydrides wherein the reaction products comprise at least two units selected from the group consisting of ethylenically unsaturated double bonds, carboxamide, carboxyl, ester groups, and mixtures thereof; iv) reaction products of dicarboxylic acid esters with ethyleneimme, wherein said products comprise at least two aziridino units; v) di-epoxides, polyepoxides, α,ω-diisocyanates hexamethylene diisocyanate, inter alia, and polyisocyanates; vi) and mixtures thereof

8. A composition according to Claim 7 wherein said co-polymer is further alkoxylated with an average of from about 0.1 to about 30 alkyleneoxy units per backbone nitrogen.

9. A composition according to Claim 6 wherein said crosslinking unit has the formula:

wherein X, and Z are each independently oxygen, -NH-, and mixtures thereof; Y is oxygen, -NH-, -CH₂-, and mixtures thereof; R¹ is hydrogen, methyl, and mixtures thereof; R² is hydrogen, -C0₂R⁴, -CO₂M, -CONH₂, and mixtures thereof; R³ is -OR⁴, -

NH₂, -OH, -OM, and mixtures thereof; R⁴ is C,-C₂₂ alkyl, M is hydrogen or a salt forming cation, and mixtures thereof; m and n are each independently from 0 to 4, and p and q are each independently form 0 to 45,000.

10. A composition according to Claim 1 wherein said polymeric material is the co-polymer formed from the reaction of a C,-C₂₂ mono-carboxylic acid and an amino acid selected from the group consisting of ornithine, lysine and mixtures thereof.

11. A composition according to Claim 1 further comprising adjunct ingredients selected from the group consisting of electrolytes, stabilizers, low molecular weight water soluble solvents, chelating agents, cationic charge boosters, dispersibihty aids, soil release agents, nonionic fabric softening agents, concentration aid, perfume, preservatives, colorants, optical brighteners, opacifiers, fabric care agents, anti-shrinkage agents, anti- wrinkle agents, fabric crisping agents, spotting agents, germicides, fungicides, anti- corrosion agents, antifoam agents, and mixtures thereof.

12. A composition according to Claim 1 further comprising a chelant having the formula: R*

(R')₂N— R— [N— - RR]— N(R^!)₂ ^■ n wherein R is ethylene, 1,2-propylene, 1,3-propylene, and mixtures thereof; R¹ is hydrogen, C_rC₄ alkyl, 2-hydroxypropyl, alkyleneoxy having the formula:

~(R³0)-R⁴ wherein each R³ is independently ethylene, 1,2-propylene, 1 ,2-butylene, or mixtures thereof, R⁴is hydrogen, C,-C₄ alkyl, or mixtures thereof, and mixtures thereof; R² is R¹, RN(R')₂, and mixtures thereof; n is from 0 to 3.

13. A composition according to Claim 1 wherein said fabric softener active comprises a quaternary ammonium compound having the formula:

(R): -N - (CH₂)_n-Q-R' X

4-m

an amine having the formula:

(R): ^■N- (CH₂)_n-Q-R^]

3-m and mixtures thereof; wherein each R is independently C_rC₆ alkyl, C,-C₆ hydroxyalkyl, benzyl, and mixtures thereof; R¹ is C,-C₂₂ alkyl, C₃-C₂₂ alkenyl, and mixtures thereof; Q is a carbonyl moiety having the formula:

O 0 R² O O R²

II II o— , 1 II II I o— C — . — c- — N— C -C— N-

O

O R^J o O— C— R¹ O

II I O— C— O _s — CH-O— C _> — CH-CH₂-0— C wherein R² is hydrogen, C_rC₄ alkyl, C,-C₄ hydroxyalkyl, and mixtures thereof; R³ is hydrogen, C_rC₄ alkyl, and mixtures thereof; X is a softener compatible anion; m is from

14. A composition according to Claim 13 wherein said fabric softening active comprises an acyl moiety which is derived from a source of triglyceride selected from the group consisting of tallow, hard tallow, lard, canola oil, partially hydrogenated canola oil, safflower oil, partially hydrogenated safflower oil, peanut oil, partially hydrogenated peanut oil, sunflower oil, partially hydrogenated sunflower oil, corn oil, partially hydrogenated corn oil, soybean oil, partially hydrogenated soybean oil, tall oil, partially hydrogenated tall oil, rice bran oil, partially hydrogenated rice bran oil, synthetic triglyceride feedstocks, and mixtures thereof.

15. A composition according to Claim 1 further comprising a principal solvent wherein said principal solvent has a ClogP of from about 0.15 to about 1.

16. A composition according to Claim 15 wherein said principal solvent is selected from the group consisting of mono- alcohols, Cg diols, Cη diols, the isomers of octanediol, derivatives of butanediol, the isomers of trimethylpentanediol, the isomers of ethylmethylpentanediol, the isomers of propylpentanediol, the isomers of dimethylhexanediol, the isomers of ethylhexanediol, the isomers of methylheptanediol, the isomers of octanediol, the isomers of nonanediol, alkyl glyceryl ethers, di(hydroxy alkyl) ethers, aryl glyceryl ethers, the derivatives of alicyclic diols, derivatives of alkoxylated C3-C7 diols, aryl diols, and mixtures thereof.

17. A composition according to Claim 16 comprising 2,2,4-trimethyl-l,3-pentandiol, 1,2- hexandiol, 2-ethyl-l,3-hexanediol, phenoxyethanol, butyl carbitol, and mixtures thereof.

18. A fabric enhancement composition comprising:

A) from about 0.1% to about 30% by weight, of a polymeric material selected from the group consisting of: a) homo-condensates; b) co-condensates; c) co-polymers produced from the reaction of one or more basic amino acids with one or more co-condensable compounds; d) co-polymers produced from the reaction of one or more homo- condensates from (a) or co-condensates from (b) with one or more co- condensable compounds; e) crosslinked basic amino acid-containing polymers, said crosslinked polymers comprising: i) one or more basic amino acids; ii) co-polymers of (i) and one or more co-condensable compounds; iii) optionally co-polymers produced from the reaction of one or more homo-condensates from (a) or co-condensates from (b) with one or more co-condensable compounds; and iv) one or more crosslinking unit; wherein at least one crosslinking unit is derived from a crosshnker which comprises at least two functional groups; f) co-condensates formed from the reaction of one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of: i) basic amino acids; ii) co-condensable compounds; iii) crosslinking agents; and g) mixtures thereof; wherein said homo-condensates from (a), co-condensates from (b), co-polymers from (c) and (d), crosslinked polymers from (e), and co-condensates from (f), are alkoxylated with from an average of 0.1 to about 30 alkyleneoxy units; B) optionally from about 0.01% by weight, of a fabric anti-abrasion polymer comprising: i) at least one monomeric unit comprising an amide moiety; ii) at least one monomeric unit comprising an N-oxide moiety; iii) and mixtures thereof; C) optionally from about 1% to about 60% by weight, of a fabric softening active;

D) optionally less than about 15% by weight, of a principal solvent, said principal solvent has a ClogP of from about 0.15 to about 1;

E) optionally from about 0.001% to about 90% by weight, of one or more dye fixing agents; F) optionally from about 0.01% to about 50% by weight, of one or more cellulose reactive dye fixing agents; G) optionally from about 0.01% to about 15% by weight, of a chlorine scavenger; H) optionally about 0.005% to about 1% by weight, of one or more crystal growth inhibitors; I) optionally from about 1%> to about 12%> by weight, of one or more liquid carriers; J) optionally from about 0.001% to about 1% by weight, of an enzyme;

K) optionally from about 0.01%> to about 8% by weight, of a polyolefin emulsion or suspension; L) optionally from about 0.01% to about 0.2%> by weight, of a stabilizer;

M) from about 0.01% by weight, of one or more linear or cyclic polyamines which provide bleach protection; and N) the balance carrier and adjunct ingredients.

19. A fabric enhancement composition comprising:

A) from about 0.1% to about 30% by weight, of a polymeric material selected from the group consisting of: a) homo-condensates; b) co-condensates; c) co-polymers produced from the reaction of one or more basic amino acids with one or more co-condensable compounds; d) co-polymers produced from the reaction of one or more homo- condensates from (a) or co-condensates from (b) with one or more co- condensable compounds; e) co-condensates formed from the reaction of one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of: i) basic amino acids; ii) co-condensable compounds; iii) crosslinking agents; and f) mixtures thereof; wherein said homo-condensates from (a), co-condensates from (b), co-polymers from (c) and (d), and co-condensates from (e), are alkoxylated with from an average of 0.1 to about 30 alkyleneoxy units; B) optionally from about 0.01% by weight, of a fabric anti-abrasion polymer comprising: i) at least one monomeric unit comprising an amide moiety; ii) at least one monomeric unit comprising an N-oxide moiety; iii) and mixtures thereof; C) optionally from about 1% to about 60%> by weight, of a fabric softening active;

D) optionally less than about 15%> by weight, of a principal solvent, said principal solvent has a ClogP of from about 0.15 to about 1;

E) optionally from about 0.001% to about 90% by weight, of one or more dye fixing agents;

F) optionally from about 0.01% to about 50% by weight, of one or more cellulose reactive dye fixing agents;

G) optionally from about 0.01% to about 15% by weight, of a chlorine scavenger; H) optionally about 0.005% to about 1%> by weight, of one or more crystal growth inhibitors;

I) optionally from about 1% to about 12% by weight, of one or more liquid carriers;

J) optionally from about 0.001% to about 1% by weight, of an enzyme;

K) optionally from about 0.01% to about 8% by weight, of a polyolefin emulsion or suspension;

L) optionally from about 0.01% to about 0.2% by weight, of a stabilizer;

M) from about 0.01% by weight, of one or more linear or cyclic polyamines which provide bleach protection; and

N) the balance carrier and adjunct ingredients.