EP3775142A1 - Use of fabric conditioner composition - Google Patents

Use of fabric conditioner composition

Info

Publication number
EP3775142A1
EP3775142A1 EP19709510.2A EP19709510A EP3775142A1 EP 3775142 A1 EP3775142 A1 EP 3775142A1 EP 19709510 A EP19709510 A EP 19709510A EP 3775142 A1 EP3775142 A1 EP 3775142A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
clothes
fabric conditioner
conditioner composition
perfume
treated
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
EP19709510.2A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Peter Graham
Margaret Jean Scott MYERS
Emma Michelle SHAW
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Unilever Global IP Ltd
Unilever IP Holdings BV
Original Assignee
Unilever PLC
Unilever NV
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Unilever PLC, Unilever NV filed Critical Unilever PLC
Publication of EP3775142A1 publication Critical patent/EP3775142A1/en
Pending legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C11—ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE OILS, FATS, FATTY SUBSTANCES OR WAXES; FATTY ACIDS THEREFROM; DETERGENTS; CANDLES
    • C11D—DETERGENT COMPOSITIONS; USE OF SINGLE SUBSTANCES AS DETERGENTS; SOAP OR SOAP-MAKING; RESIN SOAPS; RECOVERY OF GLYCEROL
    • C11D7/00—Compositions of detergents based essentially on non-surface-active compounds
    • C11D7/22—Organic compounds
    • C11D7/32—Organic compounds containing nitrogen
    • C11D7/3209—Amines or imines with one to four nitrogen atoms; Quaternized amines
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C11—ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE OILS, FATS, FATTY SUBSTANCES OR WAXES; FATTY ACIDS THEREFROM; DETERGENTS; CANDLES
    • C11D—DETERGENT COMPOSITIONS; USE OF SINGLE SUBSTANCES AS DETERGENTS; SOAP OR SOAP-MAKING; RESIN SOAPS; RECOVERY OF GLYCEROL
    • C11D1/00—Detergent compositions based essentially on surface-active compounds; Use of these compounds as a detergent
    • C11D1/38—Cationic compounds
    • C11D1/62—Quaternary ammonium compounds
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C11—ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE OILS, FATS, FATTY SUBSTANCES OR WAXES; FATTY ACIDS THEREFROM; DETERGENTS; CANDLES
    • C11D—DETERGENT COMPOSITIONS; USE OF SINGLE SUBSTANCES AS DETERGENTS; SOAP OR SOAP-MAKING; RESIN SOAPS; RECOVERY OF GLYCEROL
    • C11D3/00—Other compounding ingredients of detergent compositions covered in group C11D1/00
    • C11D3/16—Organic compounds
    • C11D3/26—Organic compounds containing nitrogen
    • C11D3/30—Amines; Substituted amines ; Quaternized amines
    • C11D2111/12—

Definitions

  • the present invention is in the field of uses of a fabric conditioner composition.
  • Clothes fulfil a basic purpose of protection from the elements, however, for many consumers their clothes represent much more than their basic function. Clothes can also be a tool for self-expression or individuality. Alternatively selecting certain garments can make the consumer feel confident, sexy or comforted. Clothes can stimulate memories and can even effect attention span.
  • items of clothing can be used to either reflect or influence the mood of the wearer. For example, when consumers feel happy, they may choose to wear bright colours to reflect their mood, or alternatively when they feel unhappy they may choose bright colours to lift their mood.
  • a fabric conditioner composition comprising a fabric softening active to treat clothes, wherein the treatment of the clothes results in increased positivity in the wearer of the clothes.
  • a method of treating clothes wherein the treatment of the clothes with a fabric conditioner composition comprising a fabric softening active results in increased positivity in the wearer of the treated clothes.
  • clothes treated with a fabric conditioner composition comprising a fabric softening active for use as a medicament.
  • clothes treated with a fabric conditioner composition comprising a fabric softening active for use in increasing positivity of the wearer of the treated clothes.
  • Positivity may be embodied by feelings or emotions such as: energised, full of life, vibrant, relaxed, happy, presentable, bright, cheerful, peculiar, calm and collected, composed, joyful, pleased, bold or brave. Positivity may be the absence of negative feelings such as anxiety, irritability or annoyance. Increased positivity may equally be the maintenance or prolonging of a positive feeling or attitude.
  • the composition of the present invention is a fabric conditioner or fabric softener.
  • Fabric conditioners comprise active materials which soften or condition fabric. These are fabric softening compounds.
  • the fabric softening compounds (also referred to herein as a fabric softening or conditioning actives or agents) may be any material known to soften fabrics. These may be polymeric materials or compounds known to soften materials.
  • the fabric softening compounds may preferably be cationic or non-ionic.
  • the fabric softening compounds of the present invention are cationic. Suitable cationic fabric softening compounds are described below.
  • Fabric conditioning compositions for use in accordance with the invention may be dilute or concentrated.
  • Dilute products typically contain up to about 8 %, generally about 2 to 6 % by weight of softening compounds, whereas concentrated products may contain up to about 50 wt %, preferably from about 8 to about 50 %, more preferably from 8 to 25 % by weight active.
  • the products of the invention may contain from 2 to 50 wt %, preferably from 3 to 25 wt % of softening compounds, more preferably 5 to 22 wt % of softening compounds.
  • the preferred softening compounds for use in fabric conditioner compositions of the invention are quaternary ammonium compounds (QAC).
  • the QAC preferably comprises at least one chain derived from fatty acids, more preferably at least two chains derived from a fatty acids.
  • fatty acids are defined as aliphatic monocarboxylic acids having a chain of 4 to 28 carbons.
  • the fatty acid chains are palm or tallow fatty acids.
  • the fatty acid chains of the QAC comprise from 20 to 40 wt % of saturated C18 chains and from 20 to 40 wt % of monounsaturated C18 chains by weight of total fatty acid chains.
  • the fatty acid chains of the QAC comprise from 20 to 35 wt %, preferably from 25 to 35 wt % of saturated C18 chains and from 20 to 35 wt %, preferably from 25 to 35 wt % of monounsaturated C18 chains, by weight of total fatty acid chains.
  • the preferred quaternary ammonium fabric softening compounds for use in compositions of the present invention are so called "ester quats".
  • Particularly preferred materials are the ester-linked triethanolamine (TEA) quaternary ammonium compounds comprising a mixture of mono-, di- and tri-ester linked components.
  • TAA ester-linked triethanolamine
  • TEA-based fabric softening compounds comprise a mixture of mono, di- and tri ester forms of the compound where the di-ester linked component comprises no more than 70 wt% of the fabric softening compound, preferably no more than 60 wt% e.g. no more than 55%, or even no more that 45% of the fabric softening compound and at least 10 wt% of the monoester linked component.
  • a first group of quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) suitable for use in the present invention is represented by formula (I):
  • each R is independently selected from a C5 to C35 alkyl or alkenyl group;
  • R1 represents a C1 to C4 alkyl, C2 to C4 alkenyl or a C1 to C4 hydroxyalkyl group;
  • T may be either O-CO. (i.e. an ester group bound to R via its carbon atom), or may alternatively be CO-O (i.e. an ester group bound to R via its oxygen atom);
  • n is a number selected from 1 to 4;
  • m is a number selected from 1 , 2, or 3; and
  • X is an anionic counter-ion, such as a halide or alkyl sulphate, e.g. chloride or methylsulfate.
  • Suitable actives include soft quaternary ammonium actives such as Stepantex VT90, Rewoquat WE18 (ex-Evonik) and Tetranyl L1/90N, Tetranyl L190 SP and Tetranyl L190 S (all ex-Kao).
  • TEA ester quats actives rich in the di-esters of triethanolammonium methylsulfate, otherwise referred to as "TEA ester quats".
  • PreapagenTM TQL Ex-Clariant
  • TetranylTM AHT-1 Ex-Kao
  • AT-1 di-[hardened tallow ester] of triethanolammonium methylsulfate
  • L5/90 di-[palm ester] of triethanolammonium methylsulfate
  • RewoquatTM WE15 a di-ester of triethanolammonium methylsulfate having fatty acyl residues deriving from C10-C20 and C16-C18 unsaturated fatty acids
  • a second group of QACs suitable for use in the invention is represented by formula (II): (R')iN— (CH y ), r CH-TR i ’ X (II)
  • each R 1 group is independently selected from C1 to C4 alkyl, hydroxyalkyl or C2 to C4 alkenyl groups; and wherein each R 2 group is independently selected from C8 to C28 alkyl or alkenyl groups; and wherein n, T, and X are as defined above.
  • Preferred materials of this second group include 1 ,2 bis[tallowoyloxy]-3- trimethylammonium propane chloride, 1 ,2 bis[hardened tallowoyloxy]-3- trimethylammonium propane chloride, 1 ,2-bis[oleoyloxy]-3-trimethylammonium propane chloride, and 1 ,2 bis[stearoyloxy]-3-trimethylammonium propane chloride.
  • Such materials are described in US 4, 137,180 (Lever Brothers).
  • these materials also comprise an amount of the corresponding mono-ester.
  • a third group of QACs suitable for use in the invention is represented by formula (III): wherein each R 1 group is independently selected from C1 to C4 alkyl, or C2 to C4 alkenyl groups; and wherein each R 2 group is independently selected from C8 to C28 alkyl or alkenyl groups; and n, T, and X are as defined above.
  • Preferred materials of this third group include bis(2-tallowoyloxyethyl)dimethyl ammonium chloride, partially hardened and hardened versions thereof.
  • a forth group of QACs suitable for use in the invention are represented by formula (IV) and (V).
  • Ri and R 2 are independently selected from C10 to C22 alkyl or alkenyl groups, preferably C14 to C20 alkyl or alkenyl groups.
  • X- is as defined above.
  • the iodine value of the quaternary ammonium fabric conditioning material is preferably from 0 to 80, more preferably from 0 to 60, and most preferably from 0 to 45.
  • the iodine value may be chosen as appropriate.
  • Essentially saturated material having an iodine value of from 0 to 5, preferably from 0 to 1 may be used in the compositions of the invention. Such materials are known as "hardened" quaternary ammonium compounds.
  • a further preferred range of iodine values is from 20 to 60, preferably 25 to 50, more preferably from 30 to 45.
  • a material of this type is a "soft" triethanolamine quaternary ammonium compound, preferably triethanolamine di-alkylester methylsulfate. Such ester- linked triethanolamine quaternary ammonium compounds comprise unsaturated fatty chains.
  • the iodine value represents the mean iodine value of the parent fatty acyl compounds or fatty acids of all of the quarternary amonium materials present.
  • the iodine value represents the mean iodine value of the parent acyl compounds of fatty acids of all of the quaternary ammonium materials present.
  • Iodine value refers to, the fatty acid used to produce the QAC, the measurement of the degree of unsaturation present in a material by a method of nmr spectroscopy as described in Anal. Chem. , 34, 1 136 (1962) Johnson and Shoolery.
  • a further type of softening compound may be a non-ester quaternary ammonium material represented by formula (VI):
  • each R 1 group is independently selected from C1 to C4 alkyl, hydroxyalkyl or C2 to C4 alkenyl groups; R 2 group is independently selected from C8 to C28 alkyl or alkenyl groups, and X is as defined above.
  • Co-softeners and fatty complexing agents are independently selected from C1 to C4 alkyl, hydroxyalkyl or C2 to C4 alkenyl groups; R 2 group is independently selected from C8 to C28 alkyl or alkenyl groups, and X is as defined above.
  • Co-softeners may be used. When employed, they are typically present at from 0.1 to 20% and particularly at from 0.5 to 10%, based on the total weight of the composition.
  • Preferred co-softeners include fatty esters, and fatty N-oxides.
  • Fatty esters that may be employed include fatty monoesters, such as glycerol monostearate, fatty sugar esters, such as those disclosed WO 01/46361 (Unilever).
  • compositions of the present invention may comprise a fatty complexing agent.
  • Suitable fatty complexing agents include fatty alcohols and fatty acids. Of these, fatty alcohols are most preferred.
  • the fatty complexing material improves the viscosity profile of the composition by complexing with mono-ester component of the fabric conditioner material thereby providing a composition which has relatively higher levels of di-ester and tri-ester linked components.
  • the di-ester and tri-ester linked components are more stable and do not affect initial viscosity as detrimentally as the mono-ester component.
  • compositions comprising quaternary ammonium materials based on TEA may destabilise the composition through depletion flocculation.
  • depletion flocculation is significantly reduced.
  • the fatty complexing agent at the increased levels as required by the present invention, "neutralises” the mono-ester linked component of the quaternary ammonium material. This in situ di-ester generation from mono-ester and fatty alcohol also improves the softening of the composition.
  • Preferred fatty acids include hardened tallow fatty acid (available under the trade name PristereneTM, e Croda).
  • Preferred fatty alcohols include hardened tallow alcohol (available under the trade names StenolTM and HydrenolTM, ex BASF and LaurexTM CS, ex
  • the fatty complexing agent is preferably present in an amount greater than 0.3 to 5% by weight based on the total weight of the composition. More preferably, the fatty component is present in an amount of from 0.4 to 4%.
  • the weight ratio of the mono-ester component of the quaternary ammonium fabric softening material to the fatty complexing agent is preferably from 5:1 to 1 :5, more preferably 4:1 to 1 :4, most preferably 3:1 to 1 :3, e.g. 2:1 to 1 :2.
  • compositions may further comprise a nonionic surfactant.
  • a nonionic surfactant typically these can be included for the purpose of stabilising the compositions.
  • Suitable nonionic surfactants include addition products of ethylene oxide and/or propylene oxide with fatty alcohols, fatty acids and fatty amines. Any of the alkoxylated materials of the particular type described hereinafter can be used as the nonionic surfactant.
  • Suitable surfactants are substantially water soluble surfactants of the general formula (VII):
  • R is selected from the group consisting of primary, secondary and branched chain alkyl and/or acyl hydrocarbyl groups; primary, secondary and branched chain alkenyl hydrocarbyl groups; and primary, secondary and branched chain alkenyl-substituted phenolic hydrocarbyl groups; the hydrocarbyl groups having a chain length of from 8 to about 25, preferably 10 to 20, e.g. 14 to 18 carbon atoms.
  • Y is typically:
  • R has the meaning given above for formula (VII), or can be hydrogen; and Z is at least about 8, preferably at least about 10 or 1 1 .
  • the nonionic surfactant has an HLB of from about 7 to about 20, more preferably from 10 to 18, e.g. 12 to 16.
  • GenapolTM C200 (Clariant) based on coco chain and 20 EO groups is an example of a suitable nonionic surfactant.
  • the nonionic surfactant is present in an amount from 0.01 to 10%, more preferably 0.1 to 5 by weight, based on the total weight of the composition.
  • a class of preferred non-ionic surfactants include addition products of ethylene oxide and/or propylene oxide with fatty alcohols, fatty acids and fatty amines. These are preferably selected from addition products of (a) an alkoxide selected from ethylene oxide, propylene oxide and mixtures thereof with (b) a fatty material selected from fatty alcohols, fatty acids and fatty amines.
  • Suitable surfactants are substantially water soluble surfactants of the general formula (VIII):
  • R-Y-(C 2 H 4 0) ⁇ CH 2 -CH 2 -0H (VIII) where R is selected from the group consisting of primary, secondary and branched chain alkyl and/or acyl hydrocarbyl groups (when Y -C(0)0, R 1 an acyl hydnocarbyl group); primary, secondary and branched chain alkenyl hydrocarbyl groups; and primary, secondary and branched chain alkenyl-substituted phenolic hydrocarbyl groups; the hydrocarbyl groups having a chain length of from 10 to 60, preferably 10 to 25, e.g. 14 to 20 carbon atoms.
  • Y is typically:
  • R has the meaning given above for formula (VIII), or can be hydrogen; and Z is at least about 6, preferably at least about 10 or 11 .
  • LutensolTM AT25 (BASF) based on coco chain and 25 EO groups is an example of a suitable non-ionic surfactant.
  • suitable surfactants include Renex 36 (Trideceth-6), ex Croda; Tergitol 15-S3, ex Dow Chemical Co.; Dihydrol LT7, ex Thai Ethoxylate ltd; Cremophor CO40, ex BASF and Neodol 91-8, ex Shell.
  • the laundry composition of the present invention may comprise a cationic polymer. This refers to polymers having an overall positive charge. These may be used for structuring the compositions or for delivering benefit agents to a fabric.
  • the cationic polymer may be naturally derived or synthetic.
  • suitable cationic polymers include: acrylate polymers, cationic amino resins, cationic urea resins, and cationic polysaccharides, including: cationic celluloses, cationic guars and cationic starches.
  • the cationic polymer of the present invention may be categorised as a polysaccharide- based cationic polymer or non-polysaccharide based cationic polymers.
  • Polysacchride based cationic polymers include cationic celluloses, cationic guars and cationic starches.
  • Polysaccharides are polymers made up from monosaccharide monomers joined together by glycosidic bonds.
  • the cationic polysaccharide-based polymers present in the compositions of the invention have a modified polysaccharide backbone, modified in that additional chemical groups have been reacted with some of the free hydroxyl groups of the polysaccharide backbone to give an overall positive charge to the modified cellulosic monomer unit.
  • a preferred polysaccharide polymer is cationic cellulose. This refers to polymers having a cellulose backbone and an overall positive charge.
  • Cellulose is a polysaccharide with glucose as its monomer, specifically it is a straight chain polymer of D-glucopyranose units linked via beta -1 ,4 glycosidic bonds and is a linear, non-branched polymer.
  • the cationic cellulose-based polymers of the present invention have a modified cellulose backbone, modified in that additional chemical groups have been reacted with some of the free hydroxyl groups of the polysaccharide backbone to give an overall positive charge to the modified cellulose monomer unit.
  • a preferred class of cationic cellulose polymers suitable for this invention are those that have a cellulose backbone modified to incorporate a quaternary ammonium salt.
  • the quaternary ammonium salt is linked to the cellulose backbone by a hydroxyethyl or hydroxypropyl group.
  • the charged nitrogen of the quaternary ammonium salt has one or more alkyl group substituents.
  • Example cationic cellulose polymers are salts of hydroxyethyl cellulose reacted with trimethyl ammonium substituted epoxide, referred to in the field under the International Nomenclature for Cosmetic Ingredients as Polyquatemium 10 and is commercially available from the Amerchol Corporation, a subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Company, marketed as the Polymer LR, JR, and KG series of polymers.
  • Other suitable types of cationic celluloses include the polymeric quaternary ammonium salts of hydroxyethyl cellulose reacted with lauryl dimethyl ammonium- substituted epoxide referred to in the field under the International Nomenclature for Cosmetic Ingredients as Polyquatemium 24. These materials are available from Amerchol Corporation marketed as Polymer LM- 200.
  • Typical examples of preferred cationic cellulosic polymers include
  • cocodimethylammonium hydroxypropyl oxyethyl cellulose cocodimethylammonium hydroxypropyl oxyethyl cellulose, lauryldimethylammonium hydroxypropyl oxyethyl cellulose, stearyldimethylammonium hydroxypropyl oxyethyl cellulose, and stearyldimethylammonium hydroxyethyl cellulose; cellulose 2-hydroxyethyl 2- hydroxy 3-(trimethyl ammonio) propyl ether salt, polyquaternium-4, polyquaternium-10, polyquaternium-24 and polyquaternium-67 or mixtures thereof.
  • the cationic cellulosic polymer is a quaternised hydroxy ether cellulose cationic polymer. These are commonly known as polyquaternium-10. Suitable commercial cationic cellulosic polymer products for use according to the present invention are marketed by the Amerchol Corporation under the trade name UCARE.
  • the counterion of the cationic polymer is freely chosen from the halides: chloride, bromide, and iodide; or from hydroxide, phosphate, sulphate, hydrosulphate, ethyl sulphate, methyl sulphate, formate, and acetate.
  • a non-polysaccharide-based cationic polymer is comprised of structural units, these structural units may be non-ionic, cationic, anionic or mixtures thereof.
  • the polymer may comprise non-cationic structural units, but the polymer must have a net cationic charge.
  • the cationic polymer may consist of only one type of structural unit, i.e., the polymer is a homopolymer.
  • the cationic polymer may consist of two types of structural units, i.e., the polymer is a copolymer.
  • the cationic polymer may consist of three types of structural units, i.e., the polymer is a terpolymer.
  • the cationic polymer may comprise two or more types of structural units.
  • the structural units may be described as first structural units, second structural units, third structural units, etc.
  • the structural units, or monomers, may be incorporated in the cationic polymer in a random format or in a block format.
  • the cationic polymer may comprise a nonionic structural units derived from monomers selected from: (meth)acrylamide, vinyl formamide, N, N-dialkyl acrylamide, N, N- dialkylmethacrylamide, C1-C12 alkyl acrylate, C1-C12 hydroxyalkyl acrylate, polyalkylene glyol acrylate, C1-C12 alkyl methacrylate, C1-C12 hydroxyalkyl methacrylate, polyalkylene glycol methacrylate, vinyl acetate, vinyl alcohol, vinyl formamide, vinyl acetamide, vinyl alkyl ether, vinyl pyridine, vinyl pyrrolidone, vinyl imidazole, vinyl caprolactam, and mixtures thereof.
  • monomers selected from: (meth)acrylamide, vinyl formamide, N, N-dialkyl acrylamide, N, N- dialkylmethacrylamide, C1-C12 alkyl acrylate, C1-C12 hydroxyalkyl
  • the cationic polymer may comprise a cationic structural units derived from monomers selected from: N, N-dialkylaminoalkyl methacrylate, N, N-dialkylaminoalkyl acrylate, N, N- dialkylaminoalkyl acrylamide, N, N-dialkylaminoalkylmethacrylamide, methacylamidoalkyl trialkylammonium salts, acrylamidoalkylltrialkylamminium salts, vinylamine, vinylimine, vinyl imidazole, quaternized vinyl imidazole, diallyl dialkyl ammonium salts, and mixtures thereof.
  • the cationic monomer is selected from: diallyl dimethyl ammonium salts (DADMAS), N, N-dimethyl aminoethyl acrylate, N,N-dimethyl aminoethyl methacrylate (DMAM), [2-(methacryloylamino)ethyl]trl-methylammonium salts, N, N- dimethylaminopropyl acrylamide (DMAPA), N, N-dimethylaminopropyl methacrylamide (DMAPMA), acrylamidopropyl trimethyl ammonium salts (APTAS), methacrylamidopropyl trimethylammonium salts (MAPTAS), quaternized vinylimidazole (QVi), and mixtures thereof.
  • DADMAS diallyl dimethyl ammonium salts
  • N N-dimethyl aminoethyl acrylate
  • DMAM N,N-dimethyl aminoethyl methacrylate
  • AZAMA acrylamidopropy
  • the cationic polymer may comprise a anionic structural units derived from monomers selected from: acrylic acid (AA), methacrylic acid, maleic acid, vinyl sulfonic acid, styrene sulfonic acid, acrylamidopropylmethane sulfonic acid (AMPS) and their salts, and mixtures thereof.
  • AA acrylic acid
  • methacrylic acid maleic acid
  • vinyl sulfonic acid vinyl sulfonic acid
  • styrene sulfonic acid styrene sulfonic acid
  • AMPS acrylamidopropylmethane sulfonic acid
  • stabilisers i.e. materials which will exhibit a yield stress in the ancillary laundry composition of the present invention.
  • Such stabilisers may be selected from: thread like structuring systems for example
  • the cationic polymer is selected from; cationic polysaccharides and acrylate polymers. More preferably the cationic polymer is a cationic acrylate polymer.
  • the molecular weight of the cationic polymer is preferably greater than 20 000 g/mol, more preferably greater than 25 000 g/mol.
  • the molecular weight is preferably less than 2 000 000 g/mol, more preferably less than 1 000 000 g/mol.
  • compositions according to the current invention preferably comprise cationic polymer at a level of 0.001 to 5 w.t % of the formulation, preferably 0.01 to 3 w.t. % of the formulation, more preferably 0.1 to 2 w.t. % of the formulation.
  • compositions of the present invention preferably comprise 0.01 to 30 w.t. % perfume materials, i.e. free perfume and/or perfume microcapsules.
  • free perfumes and perfume microcapsules provide the consumer with perfume hits at different points during the wash cycle. It is particularly preferred that the compositions of the present invention comprise a combination of both free perfume and perfume
  • compositions of the present invention comprise 0.1 to 10 w.t.% perfume materials, more preferably 0.1 to 5 w.t.% perfume materials, most preferably 0.15 to 3 w.t. % perfume materials.
  • Useful perfume components may include materials of both natural and synthetic origin. They include single compounds and mixtures. Specific examples of such components may be found in the current literature, e.g., in Fenaroli's Handbook of Flavor Ingredients, 1975, CRC Press; Synthetic Food Adjuncts, 1947 by M. B. Jacobs, edited by Van
  • compositions of the present invention preferably comprise 0.05 to 15 w.t.%, more preferably 0.1 to 10 w.t.%, most preferably 0.1 to 5 w.t.% free perfume.
  • Particularly preferred perfume components are blooming perfume components and substantive perfume components.
  • Blooming perfume components are defined by a boiling point less than 250°C and a LogP or greater than 2.5.
  • Substantive perfume components are defined by a boiling point greater than 250°C and a LogP greater than 2.5. Boiling point is measured at standard pressure (760 mm Hg).
  • a perfume composition will comprise a mixture of blooming and substantive perfume components.
  • the perfume composition may comprise other perfume components.
  • perfume components it is commonplace for a plurality of perfume components to be present in a free oil perfume composition.
  • compositions for use in the present invention it is envisaged that there will be three or more, preferably four or more, more preferably five or more, most preferably six or more different perfume components.
  • An upper limit of 300 perfume components may be applied.
  • compositions of the present invention preferably comprise 0.05 to 15 w.t.%, more preferably 0.1 to 10 w.t.%, even more preferably 0.1 to 5 w.t.% perfume microcapsules and most preferably 0.05 to 4 w.t. % perfume microcapsules.
  • microcapsules is of the material as supplied.
  • suitable encapsulating materials may comprise, but are not limited to; aminoplasts, proteins, polyurethanes, polyacrylates, polymethacrylates, polysaccharides, polyamides, polyolefins, gums, silicones, lipids, modified cellulose, polyphosphate, polystyrene, polyesters or combinations thereof.
  • Particularly preferred materials are aminoplast microcapsules, such as melamine formaldehyde or urea formaldehyde microcapsules.
  • Perfume microcapsules of the present invention can be friable microcapsules and/or moisture activated microcapsules.
  • friable it is meant that the perfume microcapsule will rupture when a force is exerted.
  • moisture activated it is meant that the perfume is released in the presence of water.
  • the compostions of the present invention preferably comprise friable microcapsules. Moisture activated microcapsules may additionally be present. Examples of a microcapsules which can be friable include aminoplast microcapsules.
  • Perfume components contained in a microcapsule may comprise odiferous materials and/or pro-fragrance materials.
  • Particularly preferred perfume components contained in a microcapsule are blooming perfume components and substantive perfume components.
  • Blooming perfume components are defined by a boiling point less than 250°C and a LogP greater than 2.5.
  • Substantive perfume components are defined by a boiling point greater than 250°C and a LogP greater than 2.5. Boiling point is measured at standard pressure (760 mm Hg).
  • a perfume composition will comprise a mixture of blooming and substantive perfume components.
  • the perfume composition may comprise other perfume
  • microcapsules may comprise perfume components and a carrier for the perfume ingredients, such as zeolites or cyclodextrins.
  • compositions may comprise other ingredients of fabric conditioner liquids as will be known to the person skilled in the art.
  • antifoams e.g. bactericides
  • pH buffering agents perfume carriers, hydrotropes, anti-redeposition agents, soil-release agents, polyelectrolytes, anti-shrinking agents, anti-wrinkle agents, anti-oxidants, dyes, colorants, sunscreens, anti-corrosion agents, drape imparting agents, anti-static agents, sequestrants and ironing aids.
  • the products of the invention may contain peariisers and/or opacifiers.
  • a preferred sequestrant is HEDP, an abbreviation for Etidronic acid or 1-hydroxyethane 1 ,1-diphosphonic acid.
  • the fabric conditioner composition is preferably in an aqueous form.
  • the compositions preferably comprise at least 80 w.t.% water.
  • clothes are treated with a fabric conditioner composition.
  • the treatment is preferably during the washing process. This may be hand washing or machine washing.
  • the fabric conditioner is used in the rinse stage of the washing process.
  • the clothes are treated with a 10 to 100 ml dose of fabric conditioner for a 4 to 7 kg load of clothes. More preferably, 10 to 80 ml for a a 4 to 7 kg load of clothes.
  • Test garments cotton, twill, white, shirts. A simple design was selected so that participants were not influenced by style, colour, patterns etc.
  • Garments 1 were washed with the Detergent Composition A and the Fabric Conditioner Composition 1.
  • the participants where then taken into a hot room. After 7 and 22 minutes a supervisor entered the room and lead the series of movements. After 30 minutes, the participants left the hot room and performed the series of movements one last time.
  • results demonstrate that participants felt more positive when wearing clothes treated with Composition 1.
  • results also show that participants maintained a feeling of positivity throughout the sensory stressors when wearing clothes treated with
  • Composition 1 The reduction of positivity over time is greater when the participants are wearing clothes treated with Composition A.
  • Test garments 100% cotton, long sleeved, white, close fitting jumpers. A simple design was selected so that participants were not influenced by style, colour, patterns etc.
  • Table 5 Detergent Composition B
  • Washing machine type Front loading automatic washing machines
  • Detergent 35g of Detergent Composition B
  • Washing machine type Front loading automatic washing machines
  • Detergent 35g of Detergent Composition B
  • Each participant attended a fitting session to ensure that the garments that they were to wear were appropriate in terms of fit and so that a consistent sizing protocol for all wearers could be established. They then attended 2 different data collection sessions, one for each garment type.
  • the participants first undertook a movement activity. During this activity, the panellists were asked to perform a series of movements. It was intended that this help the panellists to differentiate the garment in a relatively realistic way.
  • the Affect Grid is a simple grid which uses two dimensions to capture how a person is feeling in that moment.
  • the horizontal axis represents negative to positive emotions and the vertical axis represents Sleepy to Alert state.
  • participants place a cross on the grid to show how they are currently feeling. It is a quick, simple and validated method that can withstand repeats.
  • the centre of the grid serves as a reference point and reflects a neutral emotional state.
  • the participants were provided with a 20 by 20 grid and asked to put a cross on it which indicates how they were feeling in the moment.
  • the centre of the grid acts as point 0, to the right of centre is positive and to the left of centre is negative, the further from centre, the more extreme the emotion.
  • Each participants’ grids were reviewed and a number allocated to the location of their cross on the x axis for the first and second grid.
  • Table 6 and Figure 1 demonstrate that participants feel more positive when wearing clothes treated with a fabric softening active, than without.

Abstract

Use of a fabric conditioner composition comprising a quaternary ammonium compound to increase positivity, wherein the fabric conditioner composition is used to treat clothes and results in the wearer of the treated clothes having increased positivity. Method of treating clothes wherein the treatment of the clothes with a fabric conditioner composition comprising a quaternary ammonium compound results in increased positivity in the wearer of the treated clothes. Clothes treated with a fabric conditioner composition comprising a quaternary ammonium compound for use as a medicament. Clothes treated with a fabric conditioner composition comprising a quaternary ammonium compound for use in increasing positivity of the wearer of the treated clothes.

Description

USE OF FABRIC CONDITIONER COMPOSITION
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is in the field of uses of a fabric conditioner composition.
BACKGROUND
Consumers have a complex relationship with their clothes. Clothes fulfil a basic purpose of protection from the elements, however, for many consumers their clothes represent much more than their basic function. Clothes can also be a tool for self-expression or individuality. Alternatively selecting certain garments can make the consumer feel confident, sexy or comforted. Clothes can stimulate memories and can even effect attention span.
It is known that items of clothing can be used to either reflect or influence the mood of the wearer. For example, when consumers feel happy, they may choose to wear bright colours to reflect their mood, or alternatively when they feel unhappy they may choose bright colours to lift their mood.
A number of psychology studies have been carried out investigating how different clothes may make people behave differently or change their mood.
“Enclothed cognition” is a phenomenon documented by Hajo Adam and Adam D.
Galinsky in the Journal of experimental Social Psycology 48 (2012) 918-925.“Enclothed cognition” is a term to describe the systematic influence that clothes have on the wearer’s psychological processes. In particular that clothes can have profound and systematic psychological and behavioural consequences.
In a publication by the University of Hertfordshire‘Happiness: it’s not in the jeans’, Professor Pine said:“This finding shows that clothing doesn’t just influence others, it reflects and influences the wearer’s mood too. Many of the women in this study felt they could alter their mood by changing what they wore. This demonstrates the psychological power of clothing and how the right choices could influence a person’s happiness.” However, consumers may not have the resources to obtain clothes which make them feel more positive and therefore have to make do with the clothes which they have already available to them. There is a need for a way in which consumers can treat their clothes which will result in them feeling more positive when wearing their clothes.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a use of a fabric conditioner composition comprising a fabric softening active to treat clothes, wherein the treatment of the clothes results in increased positivity in the wearer of the clothes.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of treating clothes wherein the treatment of the clothes with a fabric conditioner composition comprising a fabric softening active results in increased positivity in the wearer of the treated clothes.
In an alternate embodiment there is provided clothes treated with a fabric conditioner composition comprising a fabric softening active for use as a medicament. Specifically, clothes treated with a fabric conditioner composition comprising a fabric softening active for use in increasing positivity of the wearer of the treated clothes.
DESCRIPTION
These and other aspects, features and advantages will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from a reading of the following detailed description and the appended claims. For the avoidance of doubt, any feature of one aspect of the present invention may be utilised in any other aspect of the invention. The word“comprising” is intended to mean“including” but not necessarily“consisting of” or“composed of.” In other words, the listed steps or options need not be exhaustive. It is noted that the examples given in the description below are intended to clarify the invention and are not intended to limit the invention to those examples per se. Similarly, all percentages are weight/weight percentages unless otherwise indicated. Except in the operating and comparative examples, or where otherwise explicitly indicated, all numbers in this description indicating amounts of material or conditions of reaction, physical properties of materials and/or use are to be understood as modified by the word“about”. Numerical ranges expressed in the format "from x to y" are understood to include x and y. When for a specific feature multiple preferred ranges are described in the format "from x to y", it is understood that all ranges combining the different endpoints are also contemplated.
Definition
By increased positivity it is meant that the person wearing the treated clothes feels more positive or has a more positive outlook on life, than they would have wearing the same clothes without treatment with a fabric conditioner composition i.e. the use of the fabric conditioner composition to treat clothes to provide the wearer of the clothes with a more positive or optimistic attitude, outlook or view of the world. Positivity may be embodied by feelings or emotions such as: energised, full of life, vibrant, relaxed, happy, presentable, bright, cheerful, courageous, calm and collected, composed, joyful, pleased, bold or brave. Positivity may be the absence of negative feelings such as anxiety, irritability or annoyance. Increased positivity may equally be the maintenance or prolonging of a positive feeling or attitude.
Softening active
The composition of the present invention is a fabric conditioner or fabric softener. Fabric conditioners comprise active materials which soften or condition fabric. These are fabric softening compounds. The fabric softening compounds (also referred to herein as a fabric softening or conditioning actives or agents) may be any material known to soften fabrics. These may be polymeric materials or compounds known to soften materials.
The fabric softening compounds may preferably be cationic or non-ionic. Preferably, the fabric softening compounds of the present invention are cationic. Suitable cationic fabric softening compounds are described below.
Fabric conditioning compositions for use in accordance with the invention may be dilute or concentrated. Dilute products typically contain up to about 8 %, generally about 2 to 6 % by weight of softening compounds, whereas concentrated products may contain up to about 50 wt %, preferably from about 8 to about 50 %, more preferably from 8 to 25 % by weight active. Overall, the products of the invention may contain from 2 to 50 wt %, preferably from 3 to 25 wt % of softening compounds, more preferably 5 to 22 wt % of softening compounds.
The preferred softening compounds for use in fabric conditioner compositions of the invention are quaternary ammonium compounds (QAC).
The QAC preferably comprises at least one chain derived from fatty acids, more preferably at least two chains derived from a fatty acids. Generally fatty acids are defined as aliphatic monocarboxylic acids having a chain of 4 to 28 carbons. Preferably the fatty acid chains are palm or tallow fatty acids. Preferably the fatty acid chains of the QAC comprise from 20 to 40 wt % of saturated C18 chains and from 20 to 40 wt % of monounsaturated C18 chains by weight of total fatty acid chains. In a further preferred embodiment, the fatty acid chains of the QAC comprise from 20 to 35 wt %, preferably from 25 to 35 wt % of saturated C18 chains and from 20 to 35 wt %, preferably from 25 to 35 wt % of monounsaturated C18 chains, by weight of total fatty acid chains.
The preferred quaternary ammonium fabric softening compounds for use in compositions of the present invention are so called "ester quats". Particularly preferred materials are the ester-linked triethanolamine (TEA) quaternary ammonium compounds comprising a mixture of mono-, di- and tri-ester linked components.
Typically, TEA-based fabric softening compounds comprise a mixture of mono, di- and tri ester forms of the compound where the di-ester linked component comprises no more than 70 wt% of the fabric softening compound, preferably no more than 60 wt% e.g. no more than 55%, or even no more that 45% of the fabric softening compound and at least 10 wt% of the monoester linked component.
A first group of quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) suitable for use in the present invention is represented by formula (I):
[{CH2)n(TR)]rn wherein each R is independently selected from a C5 to C35 alkyl or alkenyl group; R1 represents a C1 to C4 alkyl, C2 to C4 alkenyl or a C1 to C4 hydroxyalkyl group; T may be either O-CO. (i.e. an ester group bound to R via its carbon atom), or may alternatively be CO-O (i.e. an ester group bound to R via its oxygen atom); n is a number selected from 1 to 4; m is a number selected from 1 , 2, or 3; and X is an anionic counter-ion, such as a halide or alkyl sulphate, e.g. chloride or methylsulfate. Di-esters variants of formula I (i.e. m = 2) are preferred and typically have mono- and tri-ester analogues associated with them. Such materials are particularly suitable for use in the present invention.
Suitable actives include soft quaternary ammonium actives such as Stepantex VT90, Rewoquat WE18 (ex-Evonik) and Tetranyl L1/90N, Tetranyl L190 SP and Tetranyl L190 S (all ex-Kao).
Also suitable are actives rich in the di-esters of triethanolammonium methylsulfate, otherwise referred to as "TEA ester quats".
Commercial examples include Preapagen™ TQL (ex-Clariant), and Tetranyl™ AHT-1 (ex-Kao), (both di-[hardened tallow ester] of triethanolammonium methylsulfate), AT-1 (di- [tallow ester] of triethanolammonium methylsulfate), and L5/90 (di-[palm ester] of triethanolammonium methylsulfate), (both ex-Kao), and Rewoquat™ WE15 (a di-ester of triethanolammonium methylsulfate having fatty acyl residues deriving from C10-C20 and C16-C18 unsaturated fatty acids) (ex-Evonik).
A second group of QACs suitable for use in the invention is represented by formula (II): (R')iN— (CHy),rCH-TRi’ X (II)
wherein each R1 group is independently selected from C1 to C4 alkyl, hydroxyalkyl or C2 to C4 alkenyl groups; and wherein each R2 group is independently selected from C8 to C28 alkyl or alkenyl groups; and wherein n, T, and X are as defined above.
Preferred materials of this second group include 1 ,2 bis[tallowoyloxy]-3- trimethylammonium propane chloride, 1 ,2 bis[hardened tallowoyloxy]-3- trimethylammonium propane chloride, 1 ,2-bis[oleoyloxy]-3-trimethylammonium propane chloride, and 1 ,2 bis[stearoyloxy]-3-trimethylammonium propane chloride. Such materials are described in US 4, 137,180 (Lever Brothers). Preferably, these materials also comprise an amount of the corresponding mono-ester. A third group of QACs suitable for use in the invention is represented by formula (III): wherein each R1 group is independently selected from C1 to C4 alkyl, or C2 to C4 alkenyl groups; and wherein each R2 group is independently selected from C8 to C28 alkyl or alkenyl groups; and n, T, and X are as defined above. Preferred materials of this third group include bis(2-tallowoyloxyethyl)dimethyl ammonium chloride, partially hardened and hardened versions thereof. A forth group of QACs suitable for use in the invention are represented by formula (IV) and (V).
Ri and R2 are independently selected from C10 to C22 alkyl or alkenyl groups, preferably C14 to C20 alkyl or alkenyl groups. X- is as defined above.
The iodine value of the quaternary ammonium fabric conditioning material is preferably from 0 to 80, more preferably from 0 to 60, and most preferably from 0 to 45. The iodine value may be chosen as appropriate. Essentially saturated material having an iodine value of from 0 to 5, preferably from 0 to 1 may be used in the compositions of the invention. Such materials are known as "hardened" quaternary ammonium compounds.
A further preferred range of iodine values is from 20 to 60, preferably 25 to 50, more preferably from 30 to 45. A material of this type is a "soft" triethanolamine quaternary ammonium compound, preferably triethanolamine di-alkylester methylsulfate. Such ester- linked triethanolamine quaternary ammonium compounds comprise unsaturated fatty chains.
If there is a mixture of quarternary ammonium materials present in the composition, the iodine value, referred to above, represents the mean iodine value of the parent fatty acyl compounds or fatty acids of all of the quarternary amonium materials present. Likewise, if there is any saturated quaternary ammonium materials present in the composition, the iodine value represents the mean iodine value of the parent acyl compounds of fatty acids of all of the quaternary ammonium materials present.
Iodine value as used in the context of the present invention refers to, the fatty acid used to produce the QAC, the measurement of the degree of unsaturation present in a material by a method of nmr spectroscopy as described in Anal. Chem. , 34, 1 136 (1962) Johnson and Shoolery.
A further type of softening compound may be a non-ester quaternary ammonium material represented by formula (VI):
wherein each R1 group is independently selected from C1 to C4 alkyl, hydroxyalkyl or C2 to C4 alkenyl groups; R2 group is independently selected from C8 to C28 alkyl or alkenyl groups, and X is as defined above. Co-softeners and fatty complexing agents
Co-softeners may be used. When employed, they are typically present at from 0.1 to 20% and particularly at from 0.5 to 10%, based on the total weight of the composition.
Preferred co-softeners include fatty esters, and fatty N-oxides. Fatty esters that may be employed include fatty monoesters, such as glycerol monostearate, fatty sugar esters, such as those disclosed WO 01/46361 (Unilever).
The compositions of the present invention may comprise a fatty complexing agent.
Especially suitable fatty complexing agents include fatty alcohols and fatty acids. Of these, fatty alcohols are most preferred.
Without being bound by theory it is believed that the fatty complexing material improves the viscosity profile of the composition by complexing with mono-ester component of the fabric conditioner material thereby providing a composition which has relatively higher levels of di-ester and tri-ester linked components. The di-ester and tri-ester linked components are more stable and do not affect initial viscosity as detrimentally as the mono-ester component.
It is also believed that the higher levels of mono-ester linked component present in compositions comprising quaternary ammonium materials based on TEA may destabilise the composition through depletion flocculation. By using the fatty complexing material to complex with the mono-ester linked component, depletion flocculation is significantly reduced.
In other words, the fatty complexing agent at the increased levels, as required by the present invention, "neutralises" the mono-ester linked component of the quaternary ammonium material. This in situ di-ester generation from mono-ester and fatty alcohol also improves the softening of the composition.
Preferred fatty acids include hardened tallow fatty acid (available under the trade name Pristerene™, e Croda). Preferred fatty alcohols include hardened tallow alcohol (available under the trade names Stenol™ and Hydrenol™, ex BASF and Laurex™ CS, ex
Huntsman).
The fatty complexing agent is preferably present in an amount greater than 0.3 to 5% by weight based on the total weight of the composition. More preferably, the fatty component is present in an amount of from 0.4 to 4%. The weight ratio of the mono-ester component of the quaternary ammonium fabric softening material to the fatty complexing agent is preferably from 5:1 to 1 :5, more preferably 4:1 to 1 :4, most preferably 3:1 to 1 :3, e.g. 2:1 to 1 :2.
Non-ionic surfactant
The compositions may further comprise a nonionic surfactant. Typically these can be included for the purpose of stabilising the compositions. Suitable nonionic surfactants include addition products of ethylene oxide and/or propylene oxide with fatty alcohols, fatty acids and fatty amines. Any of the alkoxylated materials of the particular type described hereinafter can be used as the nonionic surfactant.
Suitable surfactants are substantially water soluble surfactants of the general formula (VII):
R-Y-(C2H40)^CH2-CH2-0H (VII) where R is selected from the group consisting of primary, secondary and branched chain alkyl and/or acyl hydrocarbyl groups; primary, secondary and branched chain alkenyl hydrocarbyl groups; and primary, secondary and branched chain alkenyl-substituted phenolic hydrocarbyl groups; the hydrocarbyl groups having a chain length of from 8 to about 25, preferably 10 to 20, e.g. 14 to 18 carbon atoms.
In the general formula for the ethoxylated nonionic surfactant, Y is typically:
-O- , -C(0)0- , -C(0)N(R)- or -C(0)N(R)R- in which R has the meaning given above for formula (VII), or can be hydrogen; and Z is at least about 8, preferably at least about 10 or 1 1 .
Preferably the nonionic surfactant has an HLB of from about 7 to about 20, more preferably from 10 to 18, e.g. 12 to 16. Genapol™ C200 (Clariant) based on coco chain and 20 EO groups is an example of a suitable nonionic surfactant.
If present, the nonionic surfactant is present in an amount from 0.01 to 10%, more preferably 0.1 to 5 by weight, based on the total weight of the composition.
A class of preferred non-ionic surfactants include addition products of ethylene oxide and/or propylene oxide with fatty alcohols, fatty acids and fatty amines. These are preferably selected from addition products of (a) an alkoxide selected from ethylene oxide, propylene oxide and mixtures thereof with (b) a fatty material selected from fatty alcohols, fatty acids and fatty amines.
Suitable surfactants are substantially water soluble surfactants of the general formula (VIII):
R-Y-(C2H40)^CH2-CH2-0H (VIII) where R is selected from the group consisting of primary, secondary and branched chain alkyl and/or acyl hydrocarbyl groups (when Y = -C(0)0, R ¹ an acyl hydnocarbyl group); primary, secondary and branched chain alkenyl hydrocarbyl groups; and primary, secondary and branched chain alkenyl-substituted phenolic hydrocarbyl groups; the hydrocarbyl groups having a chain length of from 10 to 60, preferably 10 to 25, e.g. 14 to 20 carbon atoms.
In the general formula for the ethoxylated nonionic surfactant, Y is typically:
-O- , -C(0)0- , -C(0)N(R)- or -C(0)N(R)R- in which R has the meaning given above for formula (VIII), or can be hydrogen; and Z is at least about 6, preferably at least about 10 or 11 .
Lutensol™ AT25 (BASF) based on coco chain and 25 EO groups is an example of a suitable non-ionic surfactant. Other suitable surfactants include Renex 36 (Trideceth-6), ex Croda; Tergitol 15-S3, ex Dow Chemical Co.; Dihydrol LT7, ex Thai Ethoxylate ltd; Cremophor CO40, ex BASF and Neodol 91-8, ex Shell.
Thickening polymer
The laundry composition of the present invention may comprise a cationic polymer. This refers to polymers having an overall positive charge. These may be used for structuring the compositions or for delivering benefit agents to a fabric.
The cationic polymer may be naturally derived or synthetic. Examples of suitable cationic polymers include: acrylate polymers, cationic amino resins, cationic urea resins, and cationic polysaccharides, including: cationic celluloses, cationic guars and cationic starches.
The cationic polymer of the present invention may be categorised as a polysaccharide- based cationic polymer or non-polysaccharide based cationic polymers.
Polysacchride based cationic polymers include cationic celluloses, cationic guars and cationic starches. Polysaccharides are polymers made up from monosaccharide monomers joined together by glycosidic bonds.
The cationic polysaccharide-based polymers present in the compositions of the invention have a modified polysaccharide backbone, modified in that additional chemical groups have been reacted with some of the free hydroxyl groups of the polysaccharide backbone to give an overall positive charge to the modified cellulosic monomer unit.
A preferred polysaccharide polymer is cationic cellulose. This refers to polymers having a cellulose backbone and an overall positive charge. Cellulose is a polysaccharide with glucose as its monomer, specifically it is a straight chain polymer of D-glucopyranose units linked via beta -1 ,4 glycosidic bonds and is a linear, non-branched polymer.
The cationic cellulose-based polymers of the present invention have a modified cellulose backbone, modified in that additional chemical groups have been reacted with some of the free hydroxyl groups of the polysaccharide backbone to give an overall positive charge to the modified cellulose monomer unit.
A preferred class of cationic cellulose polymers suitable for this invention are those that have a cellulose backbone modified to incorporate a quaternary ammonium salt.
Preferably the quaternary ammonium salt is linked to the cellulose backbone by a hydroxyethyl or hydroxypropyl group. Preferably the charged nitrogen of the quaternary ammonium salt has one or more alkyl group substituents.
Example cationic cellulose polymers are salts of hydroxyethyl cellulose reacted with trimethyl ammonium substituted epoxide, referred to in the field under the International Nomenclature for Cosmetic Ingredients as Polyquatemium 10 and is commercially available from the Amerchol Corporation, a subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Company, marketed as the Polymer LR, JR, and KG series of polymers. Other suitable types of cationic celluloses include the polymeric quaternary ammonium salts of hydroxyethyl cellulose reacted with lauryl dimethyl ammonium- substituted epoxide referred to in the field under the International Nomenclature for Cosmetic Ingredients as Polyquatemium 24. These materials are available from Amerchol Corporation marketed as Polymer LM- 200.
Typical examples of preferred cationic cellulosic polymers include
cocodimethylammonium hydroxypropyl oxyethyl cellulose, lauryldimethylammonium hydroxypropyl oxyethyl cellulose, stearyldimethylammonium hydroxypropyl oxyethyl cellulose, and stearyldimethylammonium hydroxyethyl cellulose; cellulose 2-hydroxyethyl 2- hydroxy 3-(trimethyl ammonio) propyl ether salt, polyquaternium-4, polyquaternium-10, polyquaternium-24 and polyquaternium-67 or mixtures thereof.
More preferably the cationic cellulosic polymer is a quaternised hydroxy ether cellulose cationic polymer. These are commonly known as polyquaternium-10. Suitable commercial cationic cellulosic polymer products for use according to the present invention are marketed by the Amerchol Corporation under the trade name UCARE.
The counterion of the cationic polymer is freely chosen from the halides: chloride, bromide, and iodide; or from hydroxide, phosphate, sulphate, hydrosulphate, ethyl sulphate, methyl sulphate, formate, and acetate.
A non-polysaccharide-based cationic polymer is comprised of structural units, these structural units may be non-ionic, cationic, anionic or mixtures thereof. The polymer may comprise non-cationic structural units, but the polymer must have a net cationic charge.
The cationic polymer may consist of only one type of structural unit, i.e., the polymer is a homopolymer. The cationic polymer may consist of two types of structural units, i.e., the polymer is a copolymer. The cationic polymer may consist of three types of structural units, i.e., the polymer is a terpolymer. The cationic polymer may comprise two or more types of structural units. The structural units may be described as first structural units, second structural units, third structural units, etc. The structural units, or monomers, may be incorporated in the cationic polymer in a random format or in a block format.
The cationic polymer may comprise a nonionic structural units derived from monomers selected from: (meth)acrylamide, vinyl formamide, N, N-dialkyl acrylamide, N, N- dialkylmethacrylamide, C1-C12 alkyl acrylate, C1-C12 hydroxyalkyl acrylate, polyalkylene glyol acrylate, C1-C12 alkyl methacrylate, C1-C12 hydroxyalkyl methacrylate, polyalkylene glycol methacrylate, vinyl acetate, vinyl alcohol, vinyl formamide, vinyl acetamide, vinyl alkyl ether, vinyl pyridine, vinyl pyrrolidone, vinyl imidazole, vinyl caprolactam, and mixtures thereof.
The cationic polymer may comprise a cationic structural units derived from monomers selected from: N, N-dialkylaminoalkyl methacrylate, N, N-dialkylaminoalkyl acrylate, N, N- dialkylaminoalkyl acrylamide, N, N-dialkylaminoalkylmethacrylamide, methacylamidoalkyl trialkylammonium salts, acrylamidoalkylltrialkylamminium salts, vinylamine, vinylimine, vinyl imidazole, quaternized vinyl imidazole, diallyl dialkyl ammonium salts, and mixtures thereof. Preferably, the cationic monomer is selected from: diallyl dimethyl ammonium salts (DADMAS), N, N-dimethyl aminoethyl acrylate, N,N-dimethyl aminoethyl methacrylate (DMAM), [2-(methacryloylamino)ethyl]trl-methylammonium salts, N, N- dimethylaminopropyl acrylamide (DMAPA), N, N-dimethylaminopropyl methacrylamide (DMAPMA), acrylamidopropyl trimethyl ammonium salts (APTAS), methacrylamidopropyl trimethylammonium salts (MAPTAS), quaternized vinylimidazole (QVi), and mixtures thereof.
The cationic polymer may comprise a anionic structural units derived from monomers selected from: acrylic acid (AA), methacrylic acid, maleic acid, vinyl sulfonic acid, styrene sulfonic acid, acrylamidopropylmethane sulfonic acid (AMPS) and their salts, and mixtures thereof.
Some cationic polymers disclosed herein will require stabilisers i.e. materials which will exhibit a yield stress in the ancillary laundry composition of the present invention. Such stabilisers may be selected from: thread like structuring systems for example
hydrogenated castor oil or trihydroxystearin e.g. Thixcin ex. Elementis Specialties, crosslinked polyacrylic acid for example Carbopol ex. Lubrizol and gums for example carrageenan.
Preferably the cationic polymer is selected from; cationic polysaccharides and acrylate polymers. More preferably the cationic polymer is a cationic acrylate polymer.
The molecular weight of the cationic polymer is preferably greater than 20 000 g/mol, more preferably greater than 25 000 g/mol. The molecular weight is preferably less than 2 000 000 g/mol, more preferably less than 1 000 000 g/mol.
Compositions according to the current invention preferably comprise cationic polymer at a level of 0.001 to 5 w.t % of the formulation, preferably 0.01 to 3 w.t. % of the formulation, more preferably 0.1 to 2 w.t. % of the formulation.
Perfumes
The compositions of the present invention preferably comprise 0.01 to 30 w.t. % perfume materials, i.e. free perfume and/or perfume microcapsules. As is known in the art, free perfumes and perfume microcapsules provide the consumer with perfume hits at different points during the wash cycle. It is particularly preferred that the compositions of the present invention comprise a combination of both free perfume and perfume
microcapsules.
Preferably the compositions of the present invention comprise 0.1 to 10 w.t.% perfume materials, more preferably 0.1 to 5 w.t.% perfume materials, most preferably 0.15 to 3 w.t. % perfume materials.
Useful perfume components may include materials of both natural and synthetic origin. They include single compounds and mixtures. Specific examples of such components may be found in the current literature, e.g., in Fenaroli's Handbook of Flavor Ingredients, 1975, CRC Press; Synthetic Food Adjuncts, 1947 by M. B. Jacobs, edited by Van
Nostrand; or Perfume and Flavor Chemicals by S. Arctander 1969, Montclair, N.J. (USA). These substances are well known to the person skilled in the art of perfuming, flavouring, and/or aromatizing consumer products.
The compositions of the present invention preferably comprise 0.05 to 15 w.t.%, more preferably 0.1 to 10 w.t.%, most preferably 0.1 to 5 w.t.% free perfume.
Particularly preferred perfume components are blooming perfume components and substantive perfume components. Blooming perfume components are defined by a boiling point less than 250°C and a LogP or greater than 2.5. Substantive perfume components are defined by a boiling point greater than 250°C and a LogP greater than 2.5. Boiling point is measured at standard pressure (760 mm Hg). Preferably a perfume composition will comprise a mixture of blooming and substantive perfume components. The perfume composition may comprise other perfume components.
It is commonplace for a plurality of perfume components to be present in a free oil perfume composition. In the compositions for use in the present invention it is envisaged that there will be three or more, preferably four or more, more preferably five or more, most preferably six or more different perfume components. An upper limit of 300 perfume components may be applied.
The compositions of the present invention preferably comprise 0.05 to 15 w.t.%, more preferably 0.1 to 10 w.t.%, even more preferably 0.1 to 5 w.t.% perfume microcapsules and most preferably 0.05 to 4 w.t. % perfume microcapsules. The weight of
microcapsules is of the material as supplied.
When perfume components are encapsulated, suitable encapsulating materials, may comprise, but are not limited to; aminoplasts, proteins, polyurethanes, polyacrylates, polymethacrylates, polysaccharides, polyamides, polyolefins, gums, silicones, lipids, modified cellulose, polyphosphate, polystyrene, polyesters or combinations thereof. Particularly preferred materials are aminoplast microcapsules, such as melamine formaldehyde or urea formaldehyde microcapsules.
Perfume microcapsules of the present invention can be friable microcapsules and/or moisture activated microcapsules. By friable, it is meant that the perfume microcapsule will rupture when a force is exerted. By moisture activated, it is meant that the perfume is released in the presence of water. The compostions of the present invention preferably comprise friable microcapsules. Moisture activated microcapsules may additionally be present. Examples of a microcapsules which can be friable include aminoplast microcapsules.
Perfume components contained in a microcapsule may comprise odiferous materials and/or pro-fragrance materials.
Particularly preferred perfume components contained in a microcapsule are blooming perfume components and substantive perfume components. Blooming perfume components are defined by a boiling point less than 250°C and a LogP greater than 2.5. Substantive perfume components are defined by a boiling point greater than 250°C and a LogP greater than 2.5. Boiling point is measured at standard pressure (760 mm Hg). Preferably a perfume composition will comprise a mixture of blooming and substantive perfume components. The perfume composition may comprise other perfume
components.
It is commonplace for a plurality of perfume components to be present in a microcapsule. In the compositions for use in the present invention it is envisaged that there will be three or more, preferably four or more, more preferably five or more, most preferably six or more different perfume components in a microcapsule. An upper limit of 300 perfume components may be applied. The microcapsules may comprise perfume components and a carrier for the perfume ingredients, such as zeolites or cyclodextrins.
Further Optional Ingredients
The compositions may comprise other ingredients of fabric conditioner liquids as will be known to the person skilled in the art. Among such materials there may be mentioned: antifoams, insect repellents, shading or hueing dyes, preservatives (e.g. bactericides), pH buffering agents, perfume carriers, hydrotropes, anti-redeposition agents, soil-release agents, polyelectrolytes, anti-shrinking agents, anti-wrinkle agents, anti-oxidants, dyes, colorants, sunscreens, anti-corrosion agents, drape imparting agents, anti-static agents, sequestrants and ironing aids. The products of the invention may contain peariisers and/or opacifiers. A preferred sequestrant is HEDP, an abbreviation for Etidronic acid or 1-hydroxyethane 1 ,1-diphosphonic acid.
Form of the invention
The fabric conditioner composition is preferably in an aqueous form. The compositions preferably comprise at least 80 w.t.% water.
Treatment of clothes
In one aspect of the present invention, clothes are treated with a fabric conditioner composition. The treatment is preferably during the washing process. This may be hand washing or machine washing. Preferable the fabric conditioner is used in the rinse stage of the washing process.
Preferably the clothes are treated with a 10 to 100 ml dose of fabric conditioner for a 4 to 7 kg load of clothes. More preferably, 10 to 80 ml for a a 4 to 7 kg load of clothes.
EXAMPLES
These studies were designed to assess how positive a person felt wearing a treated garment. Study 1 Perfume free:
19 participants took part in the study.
Test garments: cotton, twill, white, shirts. A simple design was selected so that participants were not influenced by style, colour, patterns etc
Table 1 : Detergent Composition A:
Water and hydrotropes were mixed together at ambient temperature (approximately 22°C) for 2-3 minutes at a shear rate of 150 rpm using a Janke & Kunkel IKA RW20 overhead mixer. Salts and alkalis were added and mixed for 5 minutes prior to addition of surfactants and fatty acid. The mixture will exhibit a slight exotherm at this point. After allowing to cool to <30°C, the acrylate copolymer thickener solution and any remaining components were added. Table 2: Fabric Conditioner Composition 1
Water was heated to about 50°C. The minors and acid were added and mixed thoroughly. Separately the softening active was melted at around 65°C and slowly added to the main mixture over a period of 10 minutes with stirring. The dyes and salt were then added and continued to stir. The mixture was then slowly cooled.
Test garments:
Garments A were washed with the Detergent Composition A.
Garments 1 were washed with the Detergent Composition A and the Fabric Conditioner Composition 1.
Protocol:
Each participant attended a fitting session to ensure that the garments that they were to wear were appropriate in terms of fit and so that a consistent sizing protocol for all wearers could be established. They then attended 4 different data collection sessions, two for each garment type.
Participants were asked to wear the same shoes, leggings or jeans and hair style for all the data collection sessions. Upper under-garments were not permitted (except a bra) to ensure maximum upper garment to skin contact. A freshly washed and treated garment was worn at each of the data collection sessions. Each participant wore a Garment 1 at two separate sessions and Garment A at two separate data collection sessions. Garments were worn in an undisclosed and random order.
On arrival at each session, participants were given verbal instructions for the session. They then changed into the garment.
When the participants first put the shirt on, they were asked:“Are you feeling X” to which they answered Yes/No. X was‘Relaxed’,‘Irritable’ and‘Content’.
The participants then undertook a movement activity. During this activity, the panellists were asked to perform a series of movements. It was intended that this help the panellists to differentiate the garments in a relatively realistic way.
1 ) Arms folded away from body, twist from Right to Left x 10
2) Shoulder rolls; Forward x 10, Backwards x 10
3) Stretch up, hands placed behind head, twist from Right to Left x 10
4) Fold arms close to body and rock in seat with back breaking then remaking contact with the back of the chair x 10
5) Stand up, adjust jumper, sit down.
The participants where then taken into a hot room. After 7 and 22 minutes a supervisor entered the room and lead the series of movements. After 30 minutes, the participants left the hot room and performed the series of movements one last time.
After the movements were complete they were asked again:“Are you feeling X” to which they answered Yes/No. X was‘Relaxed’,‘Irritable’ and‘Content’. Results:
Table 3: Beginning of study
Table 4: End of study
The results demonstrate that participants felt more positive when wearing clothes treated with Composition 1. The results also show that participants maintained a feeling of positivity throughout the sensory stressors when wearing clothes treated with
Composition 1. The reduction of positivity over time is greater when the participants are wearing clothes treated with Composition A.
Study 2 with Perfume:
42 participants took part in the study. Test garments: 100% cotton, long sleeved, white, close fitting jumpers. A simple design was selected so that participants were not influenced by style, colour, patterns etc. Table 5: Detergent Composition B
Water and hydrotropes were mixed together at ambient temperature (approximately 22°C) for 2-3 minutes at a shear rate of 150 rpm using a Janke & Kunkel IKA RW20 overhead mixer. Salts and alkalis were added and mixed for 5 minutes prior to addition of surfactants and fatty acid. The mixture will exhibit a slight exotherm at this point. After allowing to cool to <30°C, the acrylate copolymer thickener solution and any remaining components are added.
Table 6: Fabric Conditioner Composition 2
Water was heated to about 50°C. The minors, acid, encapsulated perfume and some of the salt were added and mixed thoroughly. Separately the softening active was melted at around 65°C and slowly added to the main mixture over a period of 10 minutes with stirring. The rest of the salt was then added and continued to stir. The mixture was then slowly cooled, the free perfume was mixed in and the mixture further cooled.
Wash conditions for Garments B:
Washing machine type: Front loading automatic washing machines
Load size: 2.5kg load
Water hardness: 27FH
Wash cycle: 40°C cotton program
Detergent: 35g of Detergent Composition B
Fabric conditioner: none
Drying: Line dried ready for panellists to wear
Wash conditions for Garments 2:
Washing machine type: Front loading automatic washing machines
Load size: 2.5kg load
Water hardness: 27FH
Wash cycle: 40°C cotton program
Detergent: 35g of Detergent Composition B
Fabric conditioner: 58g Fabric Conditioner Composition 2
Drying: Line dried ready for panellists to wear
Protocol:
Each participant attended a fitting session to ensure that the garments that they were to wear were appropriate in terms of fit and so that a consistent sizing protocol for all wearers could be established. They then attended 2 different data collection sessions, one for each garment type.
Participants were asked to wear the same shoes, leggings or jeans, hair style, jewellery and undergarments for all the data collection sessions. Upper under-garments were not permitted (except a bra) to ensure maximum upper garment to skin contact. Participants were also asked to avoid wearing perfume and strong fragrances. A freshly washed and treated garment was worn at each of the data collection sessions. Each participant wore Garment 2 at one session and Garment B at different data collection session. Garments were worn in an undisclosed and random order.
On arrival at the session, participants were given verbal instructions for the session. They then changed into the garment.
The participants first undertook a movement activity. During this activity, the panellists were asked to perform a series of movements. It was intended that this help the panellists to differentiate the garment in a relatively realistic way.
1 ) Arms folded away from body, twist from Right to Left x 10
2) Shoulder rolls; Forward x 10, Backwards x 10
3) Stretch up, hands placed behind head, twist from Right to Left x 10
4) Fold arms close to body and rock in seat with back breaking then remaking contact with the back of the chair x 10
5) Stand up, adjust jumper, sit down.
Participants then completed an Emotion Questionnaire and an Affect grid. These are T=1 .
The participants then took part in two activities designed to make them conscious or aware of their clothing. One activity was watching videos which were selected to provide a professional, working atmosphere. The other activity was a response task. The
participants were presented with a bar which flashed a light and made a noise. Depending on whether the liqht or noise came first, the participants had to reach and press different buttons. This lead to a heightened sense of awareness and required movement in the clothes, allowing skin on cloth contact.
Finally, 20 to 30 minutes after the first questionnaire and affect grid, participants repeated the Emotion Questionnaire and Affect grid. These are T=2. Emotional Questionnaire:
The participants were asked to fill in a questionnaire.
/ am feeling ... right now.’
The participants were asked whether they were feeling various different emotions. These were: relaxed, happy, irritable and annoyed.
Affect grid:
Published by Russell, Weiss & Mendelsohn (1989) the Affect Grid is a simple grid which uses two dimensions to capture how a person is feeling in that moment. The horizontal axis represents negative to positive emotions and the vertical axis represents Sleepy to Alert state. Using these descriptors, participants place a cross on the grid to show how they are currently feeling. It is a quick, simple and validated method that can withstand repeats. The centre of the grid serves as a reference point and reflects a neutral emotional state.
The participants were provided with a 20 by 20 grid and asked to put a cross on it which indicates how they were feeling in the moment.
Results:
Emotional questionnaire
A number was attributed to each box of the questionnaire to enable data manipulation. Strongly disagree = 1 and Strongly agree = 7. A mean of the two emotional
questionnaires (T=1 and T=2) was calculated for each participant and a mean average of these calculated. Table 7: Emotional questionnaire
Participants wearing garments treated with a fabric softening active felt more relaxed and happy and less irritable and annoyed. This clearly indicates a more positive outlook when wearing clothes treated with a fabric softening active.
Affect Grid
To assess the positive and negative emotions, the centre of the grid acts as point 0, to the right of centre is positive and to the left of centre is negative, the further from centre, the more extreme the emotion. There are 10 squares on either side of zero. This provides a scale of -10 to +10. Each participants’ grids were reviewed and a number allocated to the location of their cross on the x axis for the first and second grid.
Table 8: Affect Grid scores
These results are presented in Figure 1.
Table 6 and Figure 1 demonstrate that participants feel more positive when wearing clothes treated with a fabric softening active, than without.

Claims

1 ) Use of a fabric conditioner composition comprising a quaternary ammonium
compound to increase positivity, wherein the fabric conditioner composition is used to treat clothes and results in the wearer of the treated clothes having increased positivity.
2) Use according to claim 1 , where in the fabric softening composition comprises 2 to 50 w.t.% fabric softening active.
3) Use according to any preceding claim, wherein the fabric conditioner composition further comprises 0.01 to 30 wt. % perfume.
4) Use according to claim 3, wherein the fabric conditioner composition further
comprises 0.05 to 15 wt.% free perfume.
5) Use according to claim 3, wherein the fabric conditioner composition further
comprises 0.05 to 15 wt.% encapsulated perfume.
6) Use according to any preceding claim wherein the fabric conditioner composition is an aqueous composition.
7) Method of treating clothes wherein the treatment of the clothes with a fabric
conditioner composition comprising a quaternary ammonium compound results in increased positivity in the wearer of the treated clothes.
8) Method according to claim 7, wherein the fabric conditioner composition is used in the rinse stage of the washing process.
9) Method according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the clothes are treated with a 10 to 100 ml dose of the fabric conditioner for a 4 to 7 kg load of clothes.
10) Clothes treated with a fabric conditioner composition comprising a quaternary ammonium compound for use as a medicament. 1 1 ) Clothes treated with a fabric conditioner composition comprising a quaternary ammonium compound for use in increasing positivity of the wearer of the treated clothes.
EP19709510.2A 2018-03-29 2019-03-13 Use of fabric conditioner composition Pending EP3775142A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP18165103 2018-03-29
EP18165099 2018-03-29
PCT/EP2019/056273 WO2019185353A1 (en) 2018-03-29 2019-03-13 Use of fabric conditioner composition

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Family Cites Families (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1567947A (en) 1976-07-02 1980-05-21 Unilever Ltd Esters of quaternised amino-alcohols for treating fabrics
GB9930435D0 (en) 1999-12-22 2000-02-16 Unilever Plc Fabric softening compositions
CA2763216A1 (en) * 2009-07-09 2011-01-13 Colgate-Palmolive Company Method for reducing wrinkles using a fabric care composition
BR112014013660A2 (en) * 2011-12-16 2017-06-13 Unilever Nv use of a particle
BR112014014504A2 (en) * 2011-12-16 2017-06-13 Unilever Nv particle use
JP5709969B1 (en) * 2013-11-29 2015-04-30 花王株式会社 Fragrance composition

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