GB1595903A - Detergent composition - Google Patents

Description

(54) IMPROVED DETERGENT COMPOSITION (71) We, CARR & DAY & MARTIN LIMITED, a British Company of Newton Works, Great Dunmow, Essex CM6 1SQ., do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: The present invention relates to a detergent composition for use in cleaning textile materials and more especially articles of clothing. The composition of the present invention is particularly suitable for cleaing denim articles such as jeans.

Detergent compositions in powder form are well known and widely used for washing articles of clothing. It is also known to treat washed articles with textile softening agents to improve the handle of the finished article, but such a softening treatment has to be carried subsequent to the washing operation, for example by being combined with the rinsing stage, because conventional fabric softeners are quaternary ammonium compounds and are incompatible with conventional powder detergents which are based on anionic surface active agents.

The present invention provides a detergent for use in the simultaneous cleaning and softening of textile fabrics and articles and which comprises essentially a non-ionic detergent compound, a quaternary ammonium softening agent, a tertiary amine oxide and an alkali metal phosphate and/or silicate.

The preferred detergent compositions according to the invention are dry powder compositions comprising from 10 to 20% non-ionic detergent, from 5 to 15% quaternary ammonium softening agent, from 1 to 5% teriary amine oxide and from 40 to 84% alkali metal phosphate and/or silicate. The composition may also contain soluble inorganic compounds as fillers, together with pigment and perfume as desired.

The preferred non-ionic detergents are biodegradable condensates of ethylene oxide with higher fatty alcohols and may be represented by the general formula RO(C2H4O)nH where R is a long chain aliphatic group, for example with at least 10 carbon atoms.

The quaternary softening agents may be of the alkyl or dialkyl quaternary ammonium halide type, for example distearyldimethylammonium chloride or cetyltrimethylammonium chloride or a mixture of these.

The tertiary amine oxide is preferably a bis-(2-hydroxyethyl) cocoamine or tallow amine oxide and serves to stabilize the mixture of non-ionic detergent and quaternary compound as well as acting as a coupler to prevent separation or sedimentation occurring as a result of reaction with residual anionic detergent from a previous wash or such detergent to which the garment or article in question may subsequently be exposed. The amine oxide also acts as a foam booster, for which purpose such compounds have previously been used in liquid detergent compositions. more especially shampoos.

The alkali metal phosphates or silicates are preferably complex phosphates or silicates, and it is preferred that the detergent composition should contain from 20 to 50% by weight phosphate and from 20 to 50% silicate. Examples of suitable phosphates include sodium tripolyphosphate, tetrasodium pyrophosphate or potassium tetrapyrophosphate or a mixture of any of these. Preferred silicates include anhydrous sodium metasilicate either alone or in combination with sodium silicate. The phosphates and silicates in the composition are responsible for its cleaning action in conjunction with the non-ionic surface active agent.

Examples of suitable inorganic fillers include sodium sulphate and sodium carbonate, which may be used singly or in admixture. The preferred amount of such fillers is from 0 to 20% by weight.

As already mentioned, pigment and perfume are optional, but may be used at concentrations of up to 30% by weight pigment and 1% by weight perfume. An example of a suitable pigment is ultramarine and the preferred perfumes have a citrus or floral bouquet.

Suspending agents such as soluble cellulose derivatives may be included to prevent redeposition of soil, as well as anti-corrosion agents and oxidizing agents to serve as a mild bleach or stain remover. Examples of suspending agents include carboxymethyl cellulose, which may be included at a level of 1% by weight, and examples of mild bleaching agents include sodium perborate.

The composition of the present invention in powder form may be packaged in sachets for individual use or in bulk where required for multiple washings. The compositions may be used either in washing by hand or by conventional washing machine systems.

The following is an example of a preferred detergent formulation in accordance with the present invention and of typical conditions of use.

Anhydrous sodium metasilicates 40% by weight Sodium tripolyphosphate 30% Nonionic detergent 5% Anhydrous sodium sulphate 7.5% Dimethyldistearylammonium chloride 5% Trimethylcetylammonium chloride 5% Bis-(2-Hydroxyethyl) tallow amine oxide 5% Ultramarine 2% Lemon perfume 0.5% Between 2 and 4 oz. of the above composition is added to the main wash programme of a domestic washing machine corresponding to a ' "4" setting, i.e. a cotton wash at 50do. The normal wash procedure is followed with minimum spin, and the garments are dried normally. Ironing will be found to be easier to perform and the resultant article softer to touch and to wear.

Ironing may be carried out while the garment is still damp without adversely affecting the soft finish.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. A detergent composition for cleaning and softening textile fabrics and articles which comprises a non-ionic detergent compound, a quaternary ammonium softening agent. a tertiary amine oxide and an alkali metal phosphate and/or silicate.

2. A composition according to claim 1 in the form of a dry powder comprising from 10 to 20% non-ionic detergent, from 5 to 15% quaternary ammonium softening agent, from 1 to 5% tertiary amine oxide and from 40 to 84inc alkali metal phosphate and/or silicate.

3. A composition according to claim 2 wherein a complex alkali metal phosphate and a complex alkali metal silicate are present each in an amount within the range 20 to 50% by weight of the total composition.

4. A composition according to claim 2 or 3 additionally containing up to 20% by weight inorganic filler.

5. A composition according to claim 2, 3 or 4 additionally containing by weight up to 3% pigment, up to 1% perfume and up to 1% suspending agent.

6. A composition according to any preceding claim wherein the non-ionic detergent is a biodegradable condensate of ethylene oxide with a higher fatty alcohol.

7. A composition according to any preceding claim wherein the quaternary softening agent is an alkyl or dialkyl quaternary ammonium halide.

8. A composition according to any preceding claim wherein the tertiary amine oxide is a bis-(2-hydroxyethyl) cocoamine or tallow amine oxide.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (9)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. which may be used singly or in admixture. The preferred amount of such fillers is from 0 to 20% by weight. As already mentioned, pigment and perfume are optional, but may be used at concentrations of up to 30% by weight pigment and 1% by weight perfume. An example of a suitable pigment is ultramarine and the preferred perfumes have a citrus or floral bouquet. Suspending agents such as soluble cellulose derivatives may be included to prevent redeposition of soil, as well as anti-corrosion agents and oxidizing agents to serve as a mild bleach or stain remover. Examples of suspending agents include carboxymethyl cellulose, which may be included at a level of 1% by weight, and examples of mild bleaching agents include sodium perborate. The composition of the present invention in powder form may be packaged in sachets for individual use or in bulk where required for multiple washings. The compositions may be used either in washing by hand or by conventional washing machine systems. The following is an example of a preferred detergent formulation in accordance with the present invention and of typical conditions of use. Anhydrous sodium metasilicates 40% by weight Sodium tripolyphosphate 30% Nonionic detergent 5% Anhydrous sodium sulphate 7.5% Dimethyldistearylammonium chloride 5% Trimethylcetylammonium chloride 5% Bis-(2-Hydroxyethyl) tallow amine oxide 5% Ultramarine 2% Lemon perfume 0.5% Between 2 and 4 oz. of the above composition is added to the main wash programme of a domestic washing machine corresponding to a ' "4" setting, i.e. a cotton wash at 50do. The normal wash procedure is followed with minimum spin, and the garments are dried normally. Ironing will be found to be easier to perform and the resultant article softer to touch and to wear. Ironing may be carried out while the garment is still damp without adversely affecting the soft finish. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A detergent composition for cleaning and softening textile fabrics and articles which comprises a non-ionic detergent compound, a quaternary ammonium softening agent. a tertiary amine oxide and an alkali metal phosphate and/or silicate.

2. A composition according to claim 1 in the form of a dry powder comprising from 10 to 20% non-ionic detergent, from 5 to 15% quaternary ammonium softening agent, from 1 to 5% tertiary amine oxide and from 40 to 84inc alkali metal phosphate and/or silicate.

3. A composition according to claim 2 wherein a complex alkali metal phosphate and a complex alkali metal silicate are present each in an amount within the range 20 to 50% by weight of the total composition.

4. A composition according to claim 2 or 3 additionally containing up to 20% by weight inorganic filler.

5. A composition according to claim 2, 3 or 4 additionally containing by weight up to 3% pigment, up to 1% perfume and up to 1% suspending agent.

6. A composition according to any preceding claim wherein the non-ionic detergent is a biodegradable condensate of ethylene oxide with a higher fatty alcohol.

7. A composition according to any preceding claim wherein the quaternary softening agent is an alkyl or dialkyl quaternary ammonium halide.

8. A composition according to any preceding claim wherein the tertiary amine oxide is a bis-(2-hydroxyethyl) cocoamine or tallow amine oxide.

9. A detergent composition substantially as specifically described in the example

herein.