JP2951778B2 - Liquid soft finish - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a soft finish, and more particularly to a liquid soft finish for domestic use which can impart excellent flexibility and elasticity (fluffiness) to various fibers.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art
Most of the products marketed as household softeners are mostly 1
The composition is mainly composed of a quaternary ammonium salt having 1 to 2 long-chain alkyl groups in the molecule. The reason for this is that the quaternary ammonium salt has a good softening effect on various fibers in a small amount.

[0003] The above quaternary ammonium salts have a remarkable softening effect on cotton, but acrylic,
It is hard to say that the effect is sufficient for synthetic fibers such as polyester-based and polyamide-based fibers. If the treatment is performed at a higher concentration, the elasticity of the garment may be reduced and the texture may be impaired. In the case of long-term storage, the viscosity may increase, the gel may be formed, or the polymer may be separated, particularly at a low temperature.
For this reason, various polyoxyethylene-based nonionic activators, electrolytes, and solvents other than the soft component are required, and many of them require stabilization by blending them, but the effect is still insufficient.

[0004] Soft finishes based on the above quaternary ammonium salts are usually marketed as 4-20% dispersions,
in use. However, since the quaternary ammonium salt has a strong hydrophobicity, when it is poured into rinse water, if the stirring power is weak, the quaternary ammonium salt has poor dispersibility in water, and thus may be uneven to clothing. Commercially available softeners incorporate various additives in addition to the above quaternary ammonium salts to improve dispersibility in water, but their effects are still insufficient.

[0005] In addition, liquid softeners based on various amines as softer bases have been known. For example, JP-A-52-59
JP-A-7965 discloses a composition for imparting flexibility to a fiber containing a long-chain alkylamine such as methyldi (hardened tallowalkyl) amine. JP-A-58-60070 discloses an acylated alkanolamine, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Sho 61-167083 discloses a fiber material finishing agent which imparts smoothness and a comfortable hand to fibers containing a quaternary ammonium salt and a fatty acid ester. A good dispersing softener containing a polyamine polyglycol ether is disclosed in JP-A-61-275474. A stable aqueous dispersion for treating textiles containing a di (higher alkyl) cyclic amine and Bronsted acid is disclosed in JP-A-61-275474. , JP
JP-A 64-85368 discloses a softening composition comprising a dilong-chain alkylamine-anionic surfactant ion-pair complex, a non-silicone wax and a liquid carrier, and JP-A-2-6662 discloses a hydroxy lower alkyl group. A fabric conditioning composition containing an amine such as a condensate of an alkylenediamine and a higher fatty acid and an amphoteric fabric conditioning agent is disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 2-14076, a softener containing a dilong chain alkylamine-polyfunctional carboxylic acid complex. And fabric conditioning compositions that impart antistatic properties. Further, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 52-5394 describes a fabric conditioning composition containing an antistatic agent containing a mono- or dilong-chain alkylalkylenediamine and a quaternary ammonium softener.

Although these amine-containing softeners are relatively better in dispersibility and storage stability than quaternary ammonium salt-containing softeners, their softening performance is still insufficient. In recent years, there has been an increasing worldwide concern about the impact on the environment, and a base material having excellent biodegradability and the like has also been desired for a soft finish. However, the above-mentioned softeners containing amines are still not sufficiently effective in this regard.

[0007]

Means for Solving the Problems The inventors of the present invention have conducted intensive studies on amine-containing softeners to solve the above-mentioned problems, and as a result, a neutralized product of a specific (dilong chain type) amine compound or a quaternary amine compound It has been found that the compound has excellent flexibility and can impart elasticity (fluffiness) to clothing, and has reached the present invention.

[0008] That is, the present invention provides a liquid softener comprising, as an essential component, a neutralized or quaternized inorganic or organic acid of a compound represented by the following general formula (A). Is provided.

[0009]

Embedded image

Wherein R ₁ and R ₂ are straight-chain or branched saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon groups having 11 to 23 carbon atoms, preferably 13 to 21 carbon atoms, particularly preferably 15 to 19 carbon atoms, and R is a hydroxyl group or the like. A linear or branched saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon group having 1 to 24, preferably 1 to 3 carbon atoms, which may have a substituent;
8, n represents a number of 1 to 6, preferably 1 to 3. ].

Representative examples of the amine represented by the general formula (A) used in the present invention include amine compounds such as N-methyl-N-hydroxylpropylaminoethylamine and fatty acids having 12 to 24 carbon atoms or fatty acid methyl. And esteramines obtained by reaction with esters. The fatty acids or long-chain alcohols and long-chain amines used in this reaction are generally of natural origin such as coconut oil, palm oil, tallow, rapeseed oil, fish oil, etc. It may be a chain alcohol or a long chain amine. Examples of the acid for obtaining the neutralized product of the amine represented by the general formula (A) include inorganic acids such as hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, nitric acid, and phosphoric acid, acetic acid, lactic acid, glycolic acid, citric acid, and maleic acid. Organic acids such as acid, fumaric acid, and toluenesulfonic acid are exemplified. Further, as a quaternizing agent for obtaining a quaternized product, CH ₃ Cl or the like can be mentioned. In the present invention, the general formula
The neutralized or quaternized amine represented by (A) is incorporated in the liquid softener in an amount of 4 to 40% by weight, preferably 6 to 30% by weight, particularly preferably 10 to 25% by weight. desirable.

The liquid softening agent of the present invention is, for example, a compound represented by the general formula
(A) is obtained by slowly adding a melt or a concentrated solution of the amine compound represented by (A) to an aqueous solution containing a neutralizing agent under stirring or shear mixing, but is not limited to this method. It can also be obtained by a method in which a neutralized product is produced in advance or a neutralized product is added later.

The amine compound represented by the general formula (A) has an ester group in the molecule, so that it is excellent in biodegradability and is a new flexible base which is also considered in the natural environment. This is one of the features.

The soft finish of the present invention may further comprise a silicone compound such as dimethylpolysiloxane, dimethylpolysiloxane partially modified with an amino group or a polyoxyalkylene group, particularly preferably partially modified with a polyoxyalkylene group. By blending the dimethylpolysiloxane thus obtained, it is possible to improve the feel of soft-treated clothing without impairing water absorption. These silicone compounds react with neutralized or quaternized amines represented by the general formula (A).
It is preferable to add 0.3 to 5% by weight.

The softening agent of the present invention has almost the same softening effect as the hardened tallow alkyldimethylammonium chloride which has been widely used in the past, but surprisingly, it can obtain elastic softness. Do you get it.

When the composition of the present invention is used as an aqueous liquid softening agent, an inorganic electrolyte such as sodium chloride, calcium chloride or magnesium chloride is used in an amount of 0.05 to 0.4 to adjust the viscosity.
It is desirable to add by weight.

Although the liquid softener of the present invention has high stability for long-term storage, it is also preferable to use polyoxyethylene (5 to 50 mol) alkyl or alkenyl (C ₁₂ ) for stabilization under severe storage conditions. -C ₂₄₎ ethers or polyoxypropylene (5-50 moles) alkyl or alkenyl (C ₁₂ -C ₂₄₎
Ether, polyoxyethylene (5-50 mol) alkyl
A nonionic surfactant such as (C ₁₂ -C ₂₄ ) amine , a solvent such as ethanol, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, and glycerin, or urea can be blended. Further, known esters, nonionic or cationic compounds, long-chain alcohols, long-chain fatty acids and the like may be used in combination as a soft base. Also, pigments or dyes can be compounded for the appearance of the product, optical brighteners for the whiteness of the finished product, and fragrances can be added to improve the taste at the time of use and after the finished product.

[0018]

As described above, the softening agent of the present invention can impart sufficient flexibility and antistatic properties to various fibers, can provide excellent elasticity, and is excellent in biodegradability.

[0019]

Next, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to examples, but the present invention is not limited to these examples.

Examples 1 to 6 and Comparative Example 1 Liquids prepared using neutralized or quaternized compounds of the general formula (A) having the structure shown in Table 1 in the amounts shown in Table 2 The following evaluation was performed using the soft finish.

[0021]

[Table 1]

<Method for Preparing Liquid Soft Finish> A melt of the amine (a) is added to water at 50 ° C. with stirring.
Then, an acid was added to obtain a dispersion of the neutralized amine. In the case of a quaternized product, a melt of the amine quaternized product (a) is added to 50 ° C. water with stirring.
A graded dispersion was obtained. 1) Evaluation of flexibility and elasticity (1) Treatment method 2 kg of commercially available cotton towel and 1 kg of acrylic jersey are 3.5 °
After washing 5 times repeatedly (30 liter washing machine) with a commercially available detergent attack (manufactured by Kao Corporation, registered trademark) in DH hard water to remove the fiber treating agent attached to each fiber, the composition of Table 2 was used. 1.5 g of the active ingredient was added, and the mixture was treated under stirring at 25 ° C. for 1 minute. (2) Evaluation method The cloth treated by the above method was air-dried in a room, and then left in a constant temperature and humidity room at 25 ° C. and 65% RH for 24 hours. These fabrics were evaluated for flexibility and elasticity. The evaluation of flexibility and elasticity was performed by comparing one pair of fabrics treated with 10 cc of a soft finishing agent comprising 15% by weight of dihydrogenated tallow alkyldimethylammonium chloride as a control. The evaluation is expressed as follows. +2; softer or more elastic than control +1; slightly softer or slightly more elastic than control 0; same as control -1; control slightly softer or slightly less elastic than control -2; control Is soft or less elastic than control

[0023]

[Table 2]

Examples 7 to 9 and Comparative Example 2 In order to evaluate the elasticity of the compositions having the compositions shown in Table 3, the pile height of cotton towels was measured. <Evaluation of Elasticity> Cotton towels treated in the same manner as in Examples 1 to 6 were folded in eight, three sheets were stacked and stacked, and 5 g / cm ^2.
After 5 minutes of pressurizing, the pressure was removed and the height of the towel was measured. The higher the height of the towel, the better the elasticity.

[0025]

[Table 3]

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A liquid softener comprising, as an essential component, a neutralized or quaternized inorganic or organic acid of a compound represented by the following general formula (A). Embedded image [Wherein, R ₁ and R ₂ are linear or branched saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon groups having 11 to 23 carbon atoms, and R is linear or branched having 1 to 24 carbon atoms which may have a substituent. A is a saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon group, m is 4 to 8, n is 1
Represents the number of ]