GB2353807A

GB2353807A - Clear fabric conditioning fluid

Info

Publication number: GB2353807A
Application number: GB9920639A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Olivier Chevalier
Original assignee: Robert McBride Ltd
Current assignee: Robert McBride Ltd
Priority date: 1999-09-02
Filing date: 1999-09-02
Publication date: 2001-03-07
Also published as: GB9920639D0

Abstract

A substantially transparent fabric conditioner fluid comprises a quaternary ammonium salt, a nonionic surfactant with a HLB greater than 13 and a mix of the two solvents propylene carbonate and di propylene glycol n-butyl ether. The two solvents are preferably used at a similar level to one another and provide product clarity, whilst also having low odour and flammability characteristics.

Description

2353807 Clear Fabric Conditioninq Composition The present invention

relates to liquid clear and low coloured fabric softener compositions.

Fabric conditioner liquid compositions are well known in the art and recent market trends have been towards clear products which have improved consumer appeal. The formulation of such products is restricted by the combined constraints of flammability, odour, clarity, surfactant content and cost. These arise primarily because the cationic surfactants typically used are opaque as are their solutions and solvent materials are typically added to dissolve the components and disperse any surfactant mesophases. Various routes to work within these constraints have been disclosed:

WO 96/09365 (Quest Int.) describes a clear fabric softener composition based on Butyl Carbitol as main solvent.

WO 96/14375 (Henkel) from describes clear fabric softener compositions with anti- microbial properties.

WO 96/19552 and WO 97/47723 (Colgate Palmolive) describes clear fabric softener aqueous microemulsion concentrated compositions. These compositions contain a diester quaternary ammonium salts, an organic solvent, a perfume and a co-softener. The compositions become turbid while diluting.

WO 97/03169 (Procter & Gamble) describes alcohols and diols having a ClogP of from about 0.15 to 0,64 as main solvent for a clear fabric softener composition.

WO 97/03172 (Procter & Gamble) describes a clear fabric softener comprising a biodegradable fabric softener active, a principal solvent having a ClogP of from 0.15 to 0.64, a chelating material, water-soluble solvents as clarifiers and water.

WO 97/34972 (Procter & Gamble) describes a process for the preparation of a new fabric softener active useful as active base for clear fabric softener.

However, whilst the above compositions are substantially clear they either err on the side of flammability or utilise low molecular weight solvents which give rise to 'solvent' odours. This is particularly undesirable in a consumer products as safety and perfume are key attributes for a fabric conditioner composition. Surprisingly it has been found that a judicious choice of solvents combines to give low flammability, low odour and high clarity when combined with fabric conditioner components. In particular the samples remain clear even under adverse storage conditions.

The present invention claims a fabric conditioner fluid comprising, a quaternary ammonium salt, a nonionic surfactant with a HLB greater than 13 characterised in 2 that it also contains a mix of the two solvents propylene carbonate and di propylene glycol n-butyl ether.

Summary of the invention

Compositions in accordance with the invention comprise A) a quaternary ammonium salt B) a high HLB hydrotropic nonionic surfactant C) a mix of two specific solvents propylene carbonate (PC) di propylene glycol nbutyl ether (DPNB). optional components to improve appearance and secondary effects may also be included.

A) a quaternary ammonium salt Compositions in accordance with the invention include 1 to 90% w/w of a quaternary ammonium salt which is a blend of compounds having the formula:

xl 1 + X2 N - X4 Y 1 X3 Where Xn CH 3 CH3(CH2)n Or 2Kn = HO - CH 2 - CH 2 - Or 1(n = R - COO - CH 2 - CH 2 - and combinations thereof where n = 1 to 4.

Where Y is selected from C1-, Br-, F-, SO 4 2 -, CH 3 so 4_ NO 3_ 1' NO 2 or CH 3 C 6 H 4 so 4 and mixtures thereof.

The preferred quaternary ammonium salt is the di-alkyl ester of triethanol amine ammonium salt:

R - COO - CH2 - CH2 1+ HO - CH2 - CH2 - - CH3 Y R - COO - CH2 - CH2 Where R is C 8 to 20, more preferably from C 12 to 18, most preferably average C18.

3 An example of a suitable quaternary ammonium salt is the '7ETRANYL A01" available from the KAO Corporation or the 'REWOQUAT WE 1W available from WITCO S.A. Both raw materials are sold with 10% w/w of isopropyl alcohol for handling facilities. In this case, this is a part of the invention that isopropyl alcohol from raw materials could be a part of the formulation. The preferred quaternary ammonium salt is the "TETRANYL AW' The preferred clear fabric softener compositions contains 1 to 50% w/w and more preferably 15 to 25% w/w of di-alkyl ester of triethanol ammonium sulphate.

B) high HLB hydrotropic nonionic surfactant Compositions in accordance with the invention include a hydrotropic nonionic surfactant or a blend of hydrotropic nonionic surfactants having a hydrophiliclypophilic balance (HLB) greater than 13, more preferably greater than 16. The nonionic surfactant is used in an amount of 1 -10%, more preferably 2-8% and most preferably 3-5%. The nonionic surfactant is preferably an alkoxylated alkanol. The alkanol (from which the product is derived) is preferably a primary alcohol (C8-22) condensation product of fatty alcohols with ethylene oxide and/or propylene oxide. A suitable nonionic surfactant is for example the LUTENSOL ON 70 available from the BASIF, which is a condensation product of a Cl 0 fatty alcohol with 7 moles of ethylene oxide.

It is an aspect of the present invention that the preferred nonionic surfactant is the BEROL 185 available from AKZO NOBEL, Because of the low odour and low irritation potential of this surfactant. This nonionic surfactant is a condensation product of Cl O-Cl 4 fatty alcohol with 5 to 9 moles of ethylene oxide and 1 to 3 mole of propylene oxide. The preferred clear fabric softener compositions contain 1 to 5% w/w of the hydrotropic surfactant or hydrotropic surfactant blend.

C) A mix of two specific solvents propylene carbonate (PC) and dipropylene glycol n-butyl ether (DPNB).

Compositions in accordance with the invention include 1 to 30% w/w, preferably from 10 to 25% w/w, most preferably from 15 to 20% of a mix of two solvents PC and DPN13.

Propylene carbonate is available from LYONDELL under the name of AROSOLV PC/HP. Di propylene glycol n-butyl ether are available from LYONDELL under the name of ARCOSOLV DPN13.

It is an aspect of the invention that the weight ratio PC to DPN13 is from 1:10 to 10:1. The preferred ratio is about from 1:2 to 2:1 and more preferable from 1:1.2 to 1.2:1 in order to obtain a clear finished fabric softener. The preferred clear fabric softener compositions contain of the solvent mixture.

4 In addition to the above components compositions in accordance with the invention may include:

Additives to improve the performance, visual aspect and the clarity of the finished product. For example, 1 - An Optical Brightening Agent like the TINOPAL CBS - X available from CIBA - GEIGY, which improve the uncoloured aspect of the finished fabric softener. The preferred clear fabric softener compositions contain 0 to 1. 0% w/w and more preferable 0,01 to 0,50% w/w of this O.B.A.; 2 - A violet dye as for example the "C.I. Acid Violet 17 " (triphenyl type dye) available from CEPEA S.A. (BELGIUM) under the trade name VIOLET CEPACIDE X413 in order to compensate the yellowish coloration of the finished fabric softener compositions. The preferred clear fabric softener compositions contain 0 to 1 ppm and more preferable 0 to 0,5 pprn of this specific dye.

3 - Clarity improvers to improve the uncoloured aspect and the clarity of the finished product. These specific raw materials are the calcium and magnesium ions sequestering agents like, for example, phosphonates available under the trade name DEQUEST from SOLUTIA. The preferred clear fabric softener compositions contain 0 to 1 % w/w sequestering agents.

4- Hydrochloric acid as pH adjusting agent. The pH of the finished clear fabric softener should be from 1.0 to 4.0 and preferably 2.5 to 3.5; Preservatives, e.g. Benzisothiazoli none available under the trade name PROXEL GLX from ZENECA; 6 - Fragrance oils 7 - Other additives like additives for improved softening properties, perfume enhancers, rheology modifiers, bactericidal agents, anti- microbial agents or other additives -like the ones that are used in formulations of non-clear fabric softener.

The compositions will typically be provided as an aqueous solution of the above components. i.e. with from 1 to 70% w/w of water. The preferred clear fabric softener compositions contain 30 to 60% w/w of softened water and more preferably from 50 to 60% w/w of softened water, The invention is illustrated by the following non-limiting examples.

EXAMPLE A: (percent of weight) %W/W ARCOSOLVDPN13 9.000 ARCOSOLV PC/HP 8.000 BEROL 185 4.000 TETRANYLA01 20.000 PROXEL GLX 0.025 TINOPAL CBS-X 0.050 VIOLET CEPACIDE X413 0.100 WATER to 100% ARCOSOL PC/HP 1.000 FRAGRANCE 1.000 The components are optimally added in the order disclosed while stirring. Water should be added very slowly in order to maintain the limpidity of the non-aqueous starting base. The final adjunct of propylene carbonate improves the clarity of the fabric softener.

The finished composition have a pH of 3.0 and is clear and with low colour.

The finished composition has low solvency odours.

Clarity of sample Temperrature Example A Branded product 00C Clear Clear -40C Clear Clear -80C Clear Cloudy Stability on storage Storage condition Example A Branded product 6 weeks at 40C Clear Clear 6 weeks at ambient temperature Clear Clear 6 weeks at 400C Clear Some separation 6 weeks of a temperature cycle Clear Some haziness with even ramping of 8h00 at -50C and 16h00 at +300C.

6

Claims

1) A fabric conditioner fluid comprising, a quaternary ammonium salt, a nonionic, surfactant with a HLB greater than 13 characterised in that it also contains a mix of the two solvents propylene carbonate and di propylene glycol n-butyl ether.

2) A composition as described in claim 1 containing from 1 to 30% of a 1:10 to 10:1 mixture of Propylene carbonate and Di propylene glycol nbutyl ether.

3) A composition as described in claim 2 containing from 10 to 25% of a 1:2 to 2:1 mixture of Propylene carbonate and Di propylene glycol n-butyl ether.

4) A composition as described in claims 2 or 3 wherein the nonionic surfactant is an alkoxylated alkanol used in an amount of from 1 to 10%.

5) A composition as described in claims 2 or 3 wherein the quaternary ammonium salt if of the formula:

R - COO - CH2 -,H2 HO - CH2 - CH2 CH3 Y R - COO - CH2 - CH2 Where R is a hydrocarbon from C 12 to 18 and Y is selected from a mesylate, tosylate, chloride, bromide, Fluoride, sulphate, nitrate or nitrite.

6) A composition as described in both claims 4 and 5.

7) A composition as described in claim 6 containing from 10 to 25% w/w solvents in a ratio of from 1:2 to 2A.

8) A composition as described in claim 6 or 7 with a solvent ratio of from M.2 to 1.2A. -- 9) The use of a composition as described in claim 8 for the process of softening fabrics by its inclusion in an aqueous medium at a level of from 0.5 to 2g/1 in contact with fabric and the subsequent rinsing and drying thereof.