JP3235935B2 - Liquid softener composition - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a softening agent, and more particularly, it imparts excellent flexibility to various fibers.
The present invention also relates to a liquid soft finish that gives a texture with a reduced squeaky feeling.

[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.

[0004] For this reason, various polyoxyethylene-based nonionic activators, electrolytes and solvents other than the soft component are required, and many of them are blended for stabilization, but the effect is still insufficient.

The above softeners based on quaternary ammonium salts are usually marketed as 4-20% dispersions,
It is used.

However, since the quaternary ammonium salt has a strong hydrophobicity, the dispersibility in water is poor when the stirring power is low when the quaternary ammonium salt is put into rinse water, and therefore, there is a possibility that the clothes may be uneven. 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.

[0007] In addition, liquid softening finishes based on softening bases of various amines have been conventionally known. For example, JP-A-52-59
JP-A-7965 discloses a composition for imparting flexibility to fibers containing a long-chain alkylamine such as methyldi (hardened tallowalkyl) amine, and JP-A-58-60070 discloses an acylated alkanolamine, A textile material finishing agent which imparts smoothness and a comfortable hand to fibers containing a quaternary ammonium salt and a fatty acid ester is disclosed in JP-A-61-167083. A softener having good dispersibility containing an alkyl polyamine polyglycol ether is disclosed in JP-A-61-275474. A stable aqueous dispersion for treating a substance containing a di (higher alkyl) cyclic amine and a Bronsted acid is disclosed. However, 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. JP-A-2-6662 discloses a fabric conditioning composition containing an amine such as a condensate of a hydroxy lower alkylalkylenediamine and a higher fatty acid, and an amphoteric fabric conditioning agent.
JP-A-2-14076 describes a softener containing a dilong-chain alkylamine-polyfunctional carboxylic acid complex and a fabric conditioning composition for imparting 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. However, the effects of softeners containing these amines are not yet sufficient.

[0008] Recently, there has been an increasing worldwide concern about the effects on the environment, and a base having excellent biodegradability and the like has also been desired for a soft finish.

[0009] However, the above-mentioned softeners containing amines are still not sufficiently effective in this regard.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-327270 discloses (A)
Neutralization of inorganic or organic acids of amines having one or two ester groups in the molecule and containing two or more linear or branched saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon groups having 11 to 23 carbon atoms. Things and
(B) A compound having one long-chain hydrocarbon group and one nitrogen atom in the molecule, and further having an ester group and / or an amide group and / or an imidazoline skeleton is added to the component (a) by one component. Although a liquid soft finish containing about 150% by weight as an essential component is disclosed, depending on the number of carbon atoms in the long-chain hydrocarbon group, a squeaky feeling may be given to the garment, and the texture is not necessarily preferred in the garment treated with the soft finish. Turned out not to give.

[0011] It is an object of the present invention to provide a liquid soft finish which imparts excellent softness to clothing and gives a texture with suppressed squeaky feeling.

[0012]

Means for Solving the Problems The present inventors have conducted intensive studies to solve the above-mentioned problems, and as a result, determined that the number of carbon atoms of the hydrocarbon group in the acid-neutralized product of the amine having an ester group in the molecule was determined to be a specific ratio. As a result, it has been found that the above object can be achieved, and the present invention has been completed.

That is, the present invention provides the following (a) component and (b)
It is intended to provide a liquid soft finish composition containing the components. (a) Ingredient: An amine having 1 to 3 ester groups in the molecule and having 2 to 3 linear and saturated long-chain hydrocarbon groups having 11 to 23 carbon atoms, which is an inorganic or organic acid. A mixture of the long-chain hydrocarbon groups having 17 carbon atoms in the mixture.
A mixture of amine neutralized products having a weight ratio of the above hydrocarbon groups] / [hydrocarbon groups having less than 17 carbon atoms] of 65/35 to 40/60,
3-30% by weight in the composition. (b) Ingredient: The molecule contains one straight-chain or branched-chain saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon group having 11 to 23 carbon atoms, contains at least one nitrogen atom, and further contains an ester group and / or An amine containing an amide group is neutralized with an inorganic or organic acid in an amount of 3 to 120% by weight based on the component (a). Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail.

[Component (a)] As the component (a) of the composition of the present invention, preferably, the component (a) has an ester group in the molecule.

[0015]

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Wherein R ¹ , R ² and R ^{3 are the} same or different and represent a straight-chain and saturated hydrocarbon group having 11 to 23 carbon atoms. And a neutralized product of an amine containing 1 to 3 amines with an inorganic acid or an organic acid.

Representative examples of the component (a) used in the present invention include triethanolamine, tripropanolamine, N-methyldiethanolamine, N-methylpropanolamine, N-methyl-N-hydroxyethyl-1,
An esteramine obtained by reacting an alkanolamine such as 3-propanediamine with a fatty acid or a fatty acid methyl ester having 12 to 24 carbon atoms is converted to an inorganic acid such as hydrochloric acid or sulfuric acid, or acetic acid, glycolic acid, lactic acid, citric acid, or maleic acid. Compounds obtained by neutralization with an organic acid such as an acid, fumaric acid, and toluenesulfonic acid are exemplified. Fatty acids used in this reaction are generally derived from natural fats and oils such as coconut oil, palm oil, beef tallow, rapeseed oil and fish oil, but may be chemically synthesized fatty acids. The chain length of the hydrocarbon group of these fatty acids is usually determined by the operation of fractionation, distillation, top cut, bottom cut, etc., and the saturated carbon number of the amine neutralized mixture constituting the component (a) is 11 to 23. [Hydrocarbon group having 17 or more carbon atoms] /
It is adjusted so that [hydrocarbon group having less than 17 carbon atoms] (hereinafter referred to as hydrocarbon group ratio) = 65/35 to 40/60.

In this case, the hydrocarbon group ratio is 65 /
It is important that the ratio is in the range of 35 to 40/60. If the ratio is out of this range, the effect of preventing squeak of the soft finish-treated garment desired by the present invention is insufficient.

Preferred examples of the component (a) include one or more neutralized products of amines represented by the following general formulas (I) to (IV) with an inorganic acid or an organic acid.

[0020]

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[Wherein, R ¹ and R ^{2 have the} above-mentioned meanings. R: represents an alkyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, a hydroxyethyl group or a hydroxypropyl group. m, n: 2, 3 or 4 respectively. ]

[0022]

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[Wherein, R ¹ , R ² , and R ^{3 have the} above-mentioned meanings. m, n, p: 2, 3 or 4 are the same or different. ]

[0024]

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[In the formula, R ¹ , R ² , R, m, and n have the above-mentioned meanings. ]

[0026]

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[Wherein, R ¹ , R ² , R and m have the above-mentioned meanings. Among them, the most preferable is an acid neutralized product of an amine represented by the general formula (III).

[Component (b)] The component (b) used in the present invention can be easily synthesized from alkanolamines serving as raw materials.

Typical examples of the component (b) include those derived from N-methyldiethanolamine and those derived from triethanolamine. Particularly preferred are the following formulas (V) to (VIII). A neutralized product of an amine represented by an inorganic acid or an organic acid may be mentioned, and two or more kinds may be mixed.

[0030]

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Of these, the most preferred are those represented by the general formula (V
It is an acid neutralized product of the amine represented by I).

[Liquid soft finish composition]
Component (a) is incorporated in the composition at 3 to 30% by weight, and component (b) is
(a) 3 to 120% by weight based on the components. (a) If the amount of the component is less than 3% by weight, the softening effect is insufficient, while if it exceeds 30% by weight, the fluidity of the composition is impaired, and the usability is inconvenient. When the amount of the component (b) is out of the above range, the effect of imparting flexibility is reduced.

In the composition of the present invention, the total content of the components (a) and (b) is preferably from 4 to 40% by weight, particularly preferably from 5 to 35% by weight, in consideration of the viscosity and the handleability.

In the composition of the present invention, most preferably, a neutralized product of the amine represented by the above general formula (III) with an inorganic acid or an organic acid is used as the component (a), and the above component is used as the component (b). A case where a neutralized product of an amine represented by the general formula (VI) with an inorganic acid or an organic acid is used.

The composition 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 dimethylpolysiloxane, it is possible to improve the feel of soft-treated clothing without impairing the water absorption performance. These silicone compounds are preferably incorporated in an amount of 0.3 to 5% by weight based on the total amount of the components (a) and (b) of the present invention.

When the composition of the present invention is used as an aqueous liquid softener, it is desirable to add 0.05 to 0.4% by weight of an inorganic electrolyte such as sodium chloride, calcium chloride or magnesium chloride for adjusting the viscosity.

The composition of the present invention contains a polyoxyethylene (5 to 50 mol) polyoxyethylene (5 to 50 mol) such as an alkyl or alkenyl (C _12-24 ) ether, which is used for ordinary liquid softeners. A nonionic surfactant such as alkyl or alkenylamine, a solvent such as ethanol, isopropanol, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, or glycerin, or urea can be added. In addition, a known nonionic or cationic compound as a softener base, a long-chain alcohol, or the like may be used in combination. Also, a pigment or dye for the appearance of the product, a fluorescent whitening agent for the whiteness of the finish, or a defoaming agent such as silicone for defoaming at the time of production, transportation and handling, and Flavors can also be incorporated to enhance taste during use and after finishing.

The composition of the present invention can be produced, for example, by the following method. A method in which the components (a) and (b) are pre-mixed and added to the aqueous phase.A method in which the component (a) is added to the aqueous phase, and then the component (b) is added.The component (b) is added to the aqueous phase. Then, a method of adding the component (a) A method of adding water to a premixed product of the components (a) and (b) A method of simultaneously adding the components (a) and (b) to the aqueous phase (a )) A method of adding the component to water and then adding the component (b) A method of adding the component (b) to water and then adding the component (a).

In the above production method, the component (a) may be used as a neutralized product of the amines (I) to (IV), or the amines (I) to (IV) and the acid are separately added, A neutralized product can be obtained by performing a neutralization reaction in the composition. At that time, the acid
The component (b), water, or the third component may be previously mixed and added, or may be added separately. When a third component such as a nonionic surfactant is added, the third component may be mixed with the above components in advance and may be added separately.

[0040]

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a liquid soft finish composition which imparts good texture and sufficient flexibility to various fibers.

[0041]

EXAMPLES 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 12 and Comparative Examples 1 to 7 Using the component (a) shown in Table 1 and the component (b) shown in Table 2, soft finish compositions having the formulations shown in Table 3 were prepared. .

In each case, 1% by weight of polyoxyethylene (20 mol) lauryl ether was added to the total weight of the components (a) and (b), and CaCl ₂ was added.
0.2% by weight was added, and the pH was adjusted to 2.0 to 2.5 with the remainder being water.

The resulting soft finish composition was evaluated for flexibility and texture of clothing by the following methods. Table 3 shows the results.

<Evaluation of flexibility and texture of clothing> (1) Treatment method 2 kg of a commercially available cotton towel and 1 kg of an acrylic jersey were 3.5 °
Repeatedly wash (30 liter washing machine) five times with a commercially available detergent attack (Kao Corporation, registered trademark) in DH hard water,
After removing the fiber treating agent attached to each fiber, 3.0 g of the soft finish composition shown in Table 3 was used as the component (a) + (b).
It was charged and 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 of 25 ° C. and 65% RH for 24 hours. These fabrics were evaluated for flexibility and texture of clothing.

The evaluation of the softness and the texture of the clothing was made by comparing a pair of cloth treated with 20 cc of a softening agent comprising 15% by weight of di-hardened tallow alkyldimethylammonium chloride as a control. The evaluation criteria were as follows. The texture of the clothing is indicated by + when the texture of the acrylic jersey is smaller than that of the control and by-when the texture is large.

+2: Softer than control or less sensitive than control +1: Slightly softer than control or less sensitive than control 0: Same as control −1: Control slightly softer or slightly more sensitive than control − 2: The control is softer or squeezed than the control

[0049]

[Table 1]

[0050]

[Table 2]

[0051]

[Table 3]

────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (56) References JP-A-4-327270 (JP, A) JP-A-52-59796 (JP, A) JP-A-6-228870 (JP, A) JP-A-6-228870 228868 (JP, A) JP-A-7-3647 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) D06M 13/00-13/535

Claims (6)

(57) [Claims] 1. A liquid softener composition comprising the following components (a) and (b): (a) Ingredient: An amine having 1 to 3 ester groups in the molecule and having 2 to 3 linear and saturated long-chain hydrocarbon groups having 11 to 23 carbon atoms, which is an inorganic or organic acid. A mixture of the long-chain hydrocarbon groups having 17 carbon atoms in the mixture.
A mixture of amine neutralized products having a weight ratio of the above hydrocarbon groups] / [hydrocarbon groups having less than 17 carbon atoms] of 65/35 to 40/60,
3-30% by weight in the composition. (b) Ingredient: The molecule contains one straight-chain or branched-chain saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon group having 11 to 23 carbon atoms, contains at least one nitrogen atom, and further contains an ester group and / or A neutralized product of an amine containing an amide group with an inorganic or organic acid is 3 to 120% by weight based on the component (a). (2) The component (a) has an ester group in the molecule, and [Wherein, R ¹ , R ² , and R ^{3 are the} same or different and represent straight-chain and saturated hydrocarbon groups having 11 to 23 carbon atoms. The liquid softener composition according to claim 1, wherein the composition is a neutralized product of an amine containing 1 to 3 amines with an inorganic acid or an organic acid. 3. The liquid softener according to claim 1, wherein the component (a) is one or more of neutralized amines represented by the following general formulas (I) to (IV) with an inorganic acid or an organic acid. Finishing composition. Embedded image [Wherein, R ¹ and R ^{2 have} the meanings described above. R: represents an alkyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, a hydroxyethyl group or a hydroxypropyl group. m, n: 2, 3 or 4 respectively. [Chemical formula 3] [Wherein, R ¹ , R ² , and R ^{3 have the} above-mentioned meanings. m, n, p: 2, 3 or 4 are the same or different. [Formula 4] [Wherein, R ¹ , R ² , R, m, and n have the above-mentioned meanings. [Chemical formula 5] [Wherein, R ¹ , R ² , R and m have the above-mentioned meaning. ] 4. The liquid softener composition according to claim 1, wherein component (b) is one or more of the compounds represented by formulas (V) to (VIII). Embedded image 5. The component (a) is a mixture of a neutralized product of an amine represented by the following general formula (III) with an inorganic acid or an organic acid, and the component (b) is represented by the following general formula (VI). The liquid soft finish composition according to claim 1, which is a neutralized product of an amine with an inorganic acid or an organic acid. Embedded image 6. The liquid soft finish composition according to claim 1, wherein the total content of the component (a) and the component (b) is 4 to 40% by weight in the composition.