JP4402060B2 - Transparent or translucent aqueous fabric softening composition comprising a high content of electrolyte and optionally a phase stabilizer - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a special transparent or translucent fabric softener composition. In particular, as described below, high levels of electrolytes are used to provide dilution viscosity properties and / or to reduce the main solvent and / or allow additional use, so that transparent or translucent liquids A composition is produced. If desired, but preferably, the composition can also include phase stabilizers used optionally, such as nonionic, ethoxylated cationic, and other surfactants to improve properties.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A concentrated clear composition comprising an ester and / or amide bonded fabric softening active ingredient and a special primary solvent is described in US Pat. No. 5,759,990, June 1998. Promulgated Concentrated Fabric Softening Composition With Good Freeze / Thaw Recovery and Highly Unsaturated Fabric Softener Compound Therefore under the names EH Wahl, HB Tordil, T. Trinh, ER Carr, RO Keys, and LM Meyer No. 5,747,443, published May 5, 1998 in the name of Wahl, Trinh, Gosselink, Letton and Sivik, with respect to Fabric Softening Compound / Composition. The fabric softener active ingredient in the patent is preferably a biodegradable ester-linked material and contains long hydrophobic groups with unsaturated chains. Similar transparent fabric softening compositions are described in International Patent Publication No. WO 97/03169, which is hereby incorporated by reference, which is a liquid fabric softening composition using the special primary solvent. Is disclosed.

  Lowering the primary solvent / softener ratio below the critical point may cause an increase in viscosity and / or gelation of the fabric softener composition when diluted in water, which may cause fabric dyeing. Increases residue left on the input device that is attached to the machine and independent of the machine, decreases the adhesion of the active ingredient of the fabric softener, and makes the adhesion of the active ingredient of the fabric softener non-uniform Therefore, the performance is adversely affected. Although this critical ratio varies from solvent to solvent, it is generally believed that the solvent / softening agent ratio at which gelation occurs is high for solvents that are relatively immiscible with water to solvents that are miscible with water. Gelling and / or viscosity increase due to dilution is particularly problematic when it occurs at a dilution ratio of about 1: 1 to about 1: 5 (fabric softener composition and water), but this can lead to high consumption. This is because it is customary to pre-dilut the fabric softener composition at these ratios. This practice is typical and recommended by many washing machine manufacturers for consumers using automatic dosing devices supplied with the washing machine. The increase in viscosity or gelation of the fabric softener by dilution may be a predilution in which the dilution is performed by the consumer or machine, or the dilution is performed by the consumer, by the machine, or by the machine during the rinse cycle. Thus, even if it is carried out by rinsing in rinsing water, it may adversely affect the dispersion of the fabric softener composition in the rinsing water and cause performance deterioration including dyeing of the fabric.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A transparent or translucent liquid fabric softener composition of the present invention comprises:
A. From about 2 to about 80%, preferably from about 13 to about 75%, more preferably from about 17 to about 70%, more preferably from about 19 to about 65% by weight of the composition of fabric softness as described below Agent active ingredient, more preferably biodegradable fabric softener active ingredient (the phase transition temperature of the softener active ingredient or mixture of active ingredients comprising less than 5% organic solvent or water is preferably less than 50 ° C., More preferably about 35 ° C., more preferably less than about 20 ° C., more preferably less than about 10 ° C. or indefinite, as measured by differential scanning calorimetry as described below, from −50 ° C. to 100 ° C. No significant endothermic phase transition in the range of ° C),
B. At least an effective amount, typically less than about 40% by weight of the composition, preferably from about 1 to about 25%, more preferably from about 3 to about 10% by weight of ClogP as defined below A primary solvent that is from 2.0 to about 2.6, more preferably from about -1.7 to about 1.6, and even more preferably from about -1.0 to about 1.0;
C. From about 0.5 to about 10%, preferably from about 0.75 to about 2.5%, more preferably from about 1 to about 2% by weight of the composition of an electrolyte as defined below;
D. Optionally, but preferably, comprises from 0 to about 15%, preferably from about 0.1 to about 7%, more preferably from about 1 to about 6% by weight of the phase stabilizer, preferably alkoxylation, of the composition. Preferably from about 8 to about 20, more preferably from about 10 to about 18, even more preferably from about 11 to about 15, more preferably a surfactant as described below, and E.I. It comprises the water that makes up the rest.

A transparent or translucent liquid fabric softener composition may optionally be
(A) optionally, but preferably from 0 to about 15%, more preferably from about 0.1 to about 8%, and even more preferably from about 0.2 to about 5% perfume,
(B) Main solvent extender,
(C) a cationic charge booster (booster),
(D) Other optional ingredients such as brighteners, chemical stabilizers, enzymes, soil release agents, bactericides, chelating agents, silicones, color protectants, and (e) mixtures thereof may also be included. .

  Preferably, the compositions of the present invention are aqueous, translucent or transparent, preferably transparent compositions, from about 10% to about 95%, preferably from about 20% to about 80%, more preferably about 30. % To about 70%, more preferably about 40% to about 60% water. These products (compositions) are usually not translucent or transparent without the main solvent B.

  The main solvent and / or electrolyte level, as well as the main solvent itself, is related to the softener level and the softener itself. The higher the level of softening agent, surprisingly, the greater the choice of levels and types of major solvents, electrolytes, and phase stabilizers that give a clear and stable composition. Electrolytes and phase stabilizers are typically used at the lowest levels that will produce the desired results.

  The pH of the composition, particularly a composition comprising a preferred softener active ingredient comprising an ester linkage, is from about 1 to about 5, preferably from about 2 to about 4, more preferably from about 2.7 to about 3.5. Should be.

Detailed Description of the Invention
A. The typical blending level of the softening compound (active ingredient) in the fabric softener active ingredient softening composition is 2 to 80%, preferably 5 to 75%, more preferably 15% of the composition. ~ 70 wt%, more preferably 19-65 wt%, preferably biodegradable as described below.

  Previously US Patent No. 5,759,990, Concentrated Fabric Softening Composition With Good Freeze on June 2, 1998 under the names EH Wahl, HB Tordil, T. Trinh, ER Carr, RO Keys, and LM Meyer / Thaw Recovery and Highly Unsaturated Fabric Softener Compound Therefore promulgated and US Pat. No. 5,747,443, May 5, 1998 under the names of Wahl, Trinh, Gosselink, Letton and Sivik Fabric Softening Compound / Composition Softener active ingredients that are unsaturated or contain branched alkyl chains, as described in Promulgation with respect to, may be particularly suitable for transparent or translucent aqueous fabric softener compositions. I know it. A characteristic that indicates the suitability of the softener active ingredient for the composition of the present invention is the phase transition temperature. Preferably, the phase transition temperature of the softener active ingredient or active ingredient mixture comprising less than 5% organic solvent or water is less than 50 ° C, more preferably less than about 35 ° C, more preferably less than about 20 ° C, more preferably Below about 10 ° C or indefinite, there is no significant endothermic phase transition within the range of -50 ° C to 100 ° C.

  The phase transition temperature can be measured with a Mettler TA 3000 differential scanning calorimeter equipped with a Mettler TC 10A Processor.

  The softening compound can be selected from cationic, nonionic and / or amphoteric fabric softening compounds. A typical cationic softening compound is a quaternary ammonium compound or amine precursor thereof as defined below.

Preferred Diester Quaternary Ammonium Fabric Flexibility Active Compound (DEQA) (1) The first type of DEQA preferably comprises a [DEQA (1)] compound having the following formula as the main active ingredient.

^{_{{R 4-m -N + -}} [(CH 2) n -Y-R 1] m} X -
Wherein each R substituent is hydrogen, short chain C ₁ -C ₆ , preferably C ₁ -C ₃ alkyl or hydroxyalkyl groups such as methyl (most preferred), ethyl, propyl, hydroxyethyl, etc., poly (C _2-3 alkoxy), preferably a polyethoxy group, benzyl, or a mixture thereof, each m is 2 or 3, each n is 1 to about 4, preferably 2, and each Y is —O— ( O) C-, -C (O) -O-, -NR- (O) C-, or -C (O) -NR-, and the sum of carbons in each R ¹ (Y is -O- ( O) C- or -NR- (O) if a C- +1) is _C 12 _{-C 22,} and preferably _C 14 _{-C 20,} each ^{R 1} is hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl group, , X ^- is all that is softener compatible anion ion , Preferably chloride, bromide, methyl sulfate, ethyl sulfate, sulfate, and nitrate, more preferably chloride or methyl sulfate) (As used herein, the particular R ¹ group " “Percentage of softener active ingredient” is based on the percentage of total active ingredient based on the percentage of specific R ¹ groups to total R ¹ groups present).

  (2) The second type of DEQA active ingredient [DEQA (2)] has the following general formula.

[R ₃ N ⁺ CH ₂ CH (YR ¹ ) (CH ₂ YR ¹ )] X ⁻
In the formula, each Y, R, R ¹ and X ⁻ have the same meaning as described above. Such compounds include compounds having the following formula:

[CH ₃ ] ₃ N ⁽⁺⁾ [CH ₂ CH (CH ₂ O (O) CR ¹ ) O (O) CR ¹ ] Cl ⁽⁻⁾
In the formula, each R is a methyl or ethyl group, and preferably each R ¹ is C _{15 to} C ₁₉ . As used herein, when a diester is specified, it can include the monoester present. The amount of monoester that can be present is equal to the amount in DEQA (1).

These types of materials and their general methods of manufacture are described in US Pat. No. 4,137,180, Naik et al., Promulgated January 30, 1979, which is hereby incorporated by reference. . An example of a preferred DEQA (2) is a “propyl” ester having the formula 1,2-di (acyloxy) -3-trimethylammoniopropane, wherein the acyl is the same as the acyl of FA ¹ described below Quaternary ammonium fabric softener active ingredient.

  Preferred transparent fabric softening compositions of the present invention comprise from about 2 to about 75%, preferably from about 8 to about 70%, more preferably from about 13 to about 65% by weight of the composition as essential ingredients. Preferably from about 18 to about 45% by weight of a softener active ingredient of the formula

[R ¹ C (O) OC ₂ H ₄ ] _m N ⁺ (R) _4-m X ⁻
Wherein each R ¹ in the compound is a C ₆ -C ₂₂ hydrocarbyl group, preferably having an IV of about 70 to about 140 derived from the IV of the corresponding fatty acid having the cis / trans ratio described below. , M is a weight average number of 1 to 3 for all mixtures of compounds, each R in the compound is a C _1-3 alkyl or hydroxyalkyl group, and m is the number of R groups that are hydroxyethyl groups And X is an anion compatible with the softening agent, preferably methyl sulfate. Preferably, the cis / trans ratio of fatty acids (of C18: 1 component) is at least about 1: 1, preferably about 2: 1, more preferably 3: 1, more preferably about 4: 1, or more. is there.

  These preferred compounds, or mixtures of compounds, have (a) Hunter “L” permeability of at least about 85, typically about 85 to about 95, preferably about 90 to about 95, more preferably possible Over about 95, (b) isopropyl acetate, 2,2′-ethylidenebis (oxy) bispropane, 1,3,5-trioxane at a very low and relatively undetectable level under the conditions of use And / or having an odorous compound selected from the group consisting of short chain fatty acids (4-12, in particular 6-10) esters, in particular methyl esters, or (c) preferably both.

  HunterL permeability: (1) Mixing softener active ingredient with solvent in an amount of about 10% of the active ingredient to ensure transparency (preferred solvent is ethoxylated (1 mol EO) 2,2,4 (It is trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol), (2) The L color value is measured against distilled water using a Hunter Color QUEST (trade name) colorimeter manufactured by Hunter Associates Laboratory, Reston, Virginia.

The level of odorant is determined by measuring the level of odorant in the headspace above the sample of softener active ingredient (about 92% active). A chromatogram is created using about 200 mL of headspace sample on about 2.0 gram of sample. A headspace sample is captured on the solid absorbent and thermally desorbed directly onto the column by cryofocusing at about -100 ° C. The substance is confirmed by the peak in the chromatogram. Certain impurities are related to the solvents used in the quaternization process (eg, ethanol and isopropanol). Ethoxy and methoxy ethers typically have a sweet scent. Typical samples of presently marketed products is observed C ₆ -C ₈ methyl esters, but not found in typical softener active ingredient of the present invention. These esters contribute to the malodor perceived in samples of products currently on the market. The level (ng / L) of each odorant found in the headspace above the preferred active ingredient is shown below. Isopropyl acetate - <1,1,3,5- trioxane -5,2,2'- ethylidene bis (oxy) - oxybispropane - <1, _{C 6} methyl ester - <1, _{C 8} methyl ester - <1, and C ₁₀ methyl ester - <odorants.

  The acceptable levels of each odorous substance are as follows. Isopropyl acetate should be less than about 5 nanograms / liter (ηg / L.), Preferably less than about 3 ηg / L., More preferably less than about 2 ηg / L., And 2,2′-ethylidenebis (oxy) Bispropane should be less than about 200 nanograms / liter (ηg / L.), Preferably less than about 100 ηg / L., More preferably less than about 10 ηg / L., And even more preferably less than about 5 ηg / L. 1,3,5-trioxane is less than about 50 nanograms / liter (ηg / L.), Preferably less than about 20 ηg / L., More preferably less than about 10 ηg / L., And even more preferably less than about 7 ηg / L. And / or each short chain fatty acid (4-12, especially 6-10) ester, especially methyl ester, is less than about 4 nanograms / liter (ηg / L.), Preferably about 3 ηg / L Less, more preferably less than about 2 ηg / L. That.

Removal of color and odorous substances can be achieved after compound formation or, preferably, by selection of reactants and reaction conditions. Preferably, the reactants are selected to have a good odor and color. For example, at the source of long fatty acyl groups, fatty acids or their esters having good color and aroma and having very low levels of short chain (C _4-12 , especially C _6-10 ) fatty acyl groups are obtained. be able to. Also, the reactants can be purified before use. For example, the fatty acid reactant is double or triple distilled to remove substances that cause color or odor and remove short chain fatty acids. In addition, the color of the triethanolamine reactant (if used) must be adjusted to a low color level (eg, a color reading of about 20 or less on the APHA scale). The degree of cleaning required depends on the amount used and the presence of other components. For example, the addition of dyes can hide certain colors. However, for clear and / or light colored products, the color should be hardly detectable. This is because the level of active ingredient is high, for example the softener active ingredient is about 2 to about 80% by weight of the composition, preferably about 13 to about 75%, more preferably about 17 to about 70%, This is especially true when it is about 19 to about 65 weight percent. Similarly, odors can be masked by high levels of perfume, but if the level of softener active ingredient is high, such methods have a relatively low cost, especially at the expense of aroma quality. Get higher. The aroma quality can be further improved by using ethanol as the quaternization reaction solvent.

A preferred biodegradable fabric softener compound comprises a quaternary ammonium salt, where the quaternary ammonium salt is
a) fractions of saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched fatty acids or derivatives of said acids, each of which has a hydrocarbon chain and the number of atoms in the chain is 5 to 21 And b) a quaternized condensation product between triethanolamines, wherein the condensation product has an acid number measured by titrating the condensation product against a phenolphthalein indicator with a standard KOH solution. It is less than about 6.5.

  The acid value is preferably about 5 or less, more preferably about 3 or less. In fact, the lower the AV, the better the flexibility imparting performance.

  The acid value is measured by titrating the condensation product against phenolphthalein indicator with standard KOH solution according to ISO # 53402.

  For optimum flexibility imparting properties, it is preferred that the reactants be present in a molar ratio of fatty acid fraction to triethanolamine of about 1: 1 to about 2.5: 1.

  It has been found that optimal softening performance is also affected by laundry conditions carrying detergents, and more particularly by the presence of anionic surfactant in the solution using the softening composition. In fact, the presence of anionic surfactants that are typically carried over from laundry interacts with the softener compound, reducing its performance. For this reason, depending on the conditions of use, the fatty acid / triethanolamine molar ratio can be very important. Therefore, if no rinsing is performed between the wash cycle and the rinse cycle containing the softening compound, a large amount of anionic surfactant is carried over to the rinse cycle containing the softening compound. In this case, the molar ratio of fatty acid fraction / triethanolamine is preferably about 1.4: 1 to about 1.8: 1. A large amount of anionic surfactant means that during the rinsing cycle, the anionic surfactant has an anionic surfactant / cationic softener compound molar ratio of at least about 1/10. Is present in an amount.

  These fabric softener compounds used in the present invention are typically a mixture of materials. The weight percentage of compounds in which one (monoester), two (diester), or three (triester) of the triethanolamine hydroxyl group is esterified with a fatty acyl group is from about 12% to about 22% monoester Diesters from about 43% to about 57% and triesters from about 13% to about 28%. These compounds are typically formed and used in the formulation of fabric softener compositions, typically from about 6 to about 20% by weight solvent, such as from about 3 to about 10% by weight low molecular weight alcohol, such as Ethanol and about 3 to about 10% by weight of a more hydrophobic solvent such as hexylene glycol.

  The method of treating a fabric comprises the step of contacting the fabric with an aqueous medium comprising the above-described softening compound or softening composition, wherein the molar ratio of fatty acid / triethanolamine in the softening agent compound is about 1 .4: 1 to about 1.8: 1, preferably about 1.5: 1, and the molar ratio of the anionic surfactant to the softener compound of the present invention in an aqueous medium is at least about 1. : 10.

  When an intermediate rinsing cycle is performed between the wash and the subsequent rinsing cycle, less anionic surfactant is carried over, i.e. the molar ratio of the anionic surfactant to the cationic compound of the present invention is about 1. : Less than 10. Accordingly, the fatty acid / triethanolamine molar ratio is preferably about 1.8: 1 to about 2.2: 1. That is, the method for treating a fabric comprises a step of bringing the fabric into contact with an aqueous medium containing the softening compound of the present invention or the softening composition thereof, and the molar ratio of fatty acid / triethanolamine in the softening agent compound. The ratio is from about 1.8: 1 to about 2: 1, preferably about 2.0: 1, most preferably about 1.9, and the anionic surfactant and the present invention in an aqueous medium. The molar ratio of the softener compound is less than about 1:10. In a preferred embodiment, the fatty acid fraction and triethanolamine are present in a molar ratio of about 1: 1 to about 2.5: 1.

Preferred cationic systems, preferably biodegradable quaternary ammonium fabric softening compounds, include a —C (O) R ¹ group, which is an animal fat, unsaturated, and polyunsaturated fatty acid, For example, oleic acid and / or partially hydrogenated fatty acids, vegetable oils and / or partially hydrogenated vegetable oils such as canola oil, safflower oil, peanut oil, sunflower oil, corn oil Derived from soybean oil, tall oil, rice bran oil, and the like. Non-limiting examples of fatty acids (FA) are described in US Pat. No. 5,759,990, paragraphs 4, 45-66. Mixtures of fatty acids and mixtures of FAs derived from various fatty acids can be used and are preferred. Examples of FA that can be mixed to form the FA of the present invention are listed below, but are not limited thereto.

Fatty acyl group FA ¹ FA ² FA ³
C ₁₄ 0 0 1
C ₁₆ 3 11 25
C ₁₈ 3 4 20
C14: 1 0 0 0
C16: 1 1 1 0
C18: 1 79 27 45
C18: 2 13 50 6
C18: 3 1 7 0
Unknown component 0 0 3
Total 100 100 100
IV 99 125-138 56
Cis / Trans (C18: 1) 5-6 Unknown 7
TPU 14 57 6
FA ¹ is a partially hydrogenated fatty acid produced from canola oil, FA ² is a fatty acid produced from soybean oil, and FA ³ is a slightly hydrogenated tallow fatty acid.

Preferred softener active ingredients comprise an effective amount of a molecule comprising two ester-linked hydrophobic groups [R ¹ C (CO) —] (hereinafter the active ingredient is referred to as “DEQA”) and a fatty acid An active ingredient produced as a single DEQA from a mixture of all the different fatty acids represented (the whole fatty acid mixture), not from individual finished DEQA mixtures produced from various parts of the whole mixture.

At least a majority of the fatty acyl groups, such as from about 50% to 100%, preferably from about 55% to about 99%, more preferably from about 60% to about 98%, are unsaturated and contain polyunsaturated fatty acyl groups The total amount of active ingredient (TPU) is preferably 0% to about 30%. The cis / trans ratio of the unsaturated fatty acyl group is generally important, with the cis / trans ratio being from about 1: 1 to about 50: 1, with a minimum of about 1: 1, preferably at least about 3: 1, more preferably from about 4: 1 to about 20: 1. (As used herein, "percentage of softener active ingredient" containing specific R ¹ group, the same R ¹ group, to the total R ¹ groups used to form all of the softener active ingredient Same as percentage)
Fatty acyl and / or alkylene groups, including unsaturated and preferred polyunsaturations described above and below, provide surprisingly effective flexibility, but better rewet characteristics, good Anti-static properties, and in particular, better recoverability after freezing and thawing.

  Highly unsaturated materials are easy to formulate into a concentrated premix that maintains the low viscosity of the pure material composition and are therefore easy to process, eg, pump, mix, etc. These highly unsaturated materials (the total amount of active ingredients containing polyunsaturated fatty acyl groups (TPU) is typically from about 3% to about 30%, with the small amounts of softening normally associated with such materials, ie, softening From about 5 to about 20%, preferably from about 8 to about 25%, more preferably from about 10 to about 20% by weight of the total agent / solvent mixture). The formulated composition is easily formulated even at room temperature. This ability to process the active ingredient at low temperatures is particularly important for polyunsaturated groups as it minimizes degradation. When the compound and softener composition includes an effective amount of an antioxidant, chelating agent and / or reducing agent as described below, it is further protected against degradation.

Of course, the substituents R and R ¹ can be substituted with various groups as desired, for example alkoxyl or hydroxyl groups, as long as R ¹ maintains their basic hydrophobicity and may be linear or branched. .

  A preferred long chain DEQA is DEQA made from a source containing high levels of polyunsaturation, ie, methyl sulfate N, N-di (acyl-oxyethyl) -N, N-methylhydroxyethylammonium, Acyl is derived from fatty acids with sufficient polyunsaturation, such as tallow fatty acids and soy fatty acids. Another preferred long chain DEQA is dioleyl (nominal) DEQA, ie DEQA based on N, N-di (oleoyl-oxyethyl) -N, N-methylhydroxyethylammonium methyl sulfate. Preferred fatty acid sources for such DEQAs are unsaturated, for example, high oleoyl group content vegetable oils and / or partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.

As used herein, when DEQA diester (m = 2) is specified, it can include the monoester (m = 1) and / or triester (m = 3) present. Preferably, at least about 30% of DEQA may be in diester form and 0% to about 30% may be DEQA monoester, eg, there are 3 R groups and 1 R ¹ group. With regard to softening, under no laundry carry / less laundry conditions, the monoester percentage should be as low as possible, preferably about 15% or less. However, some monoesters may be preferred under conditions where anionic detergent surfactants or detergent builders are often carried over. The overall ratio of diester “quaternary ammonium active ingredient” (quaternary material) to monoester quaternary material is about 2.5: 1 to about 1: 1, preferably about 2.3: 1. About 1.3: 1. Under conditions of high detergent carryover, the di / monoester ratio is preferably about 1.3: 1. The level of monoester present can be adjusted by changing the ratio of fatty acid or fatty acyl source to triethanolamine during DEQA production. The overall ratio of diester quaternary material to triester quaternary material is from about 10: 1 to about 1.5: 1, preferably from about 5: 1 to about 2.8: 1.

The above compounds can be prepared using standard reaction chemistry. In one synthesis method of the DDTMAC diester variant, triethanolamine of formula N (CH ₂ CH ₂ OH) ₃ is esterified with an acid chloride of formula R ¹ C (O) Cl, preferably with two hydroxyl groups. Form an amine and acidify it into a cationic system (one R is H) to make it a kind of softener, or subsequently quaternized with an alkyl halide RX to give the desired reaction The product (R and R ¹ are as defined above) can be obtained. However, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art, a wide range of reagents to be prepared can be selected in this reaction sequence.

In preferred DEQA (1) and DEQA (2) softener active ingredients, each R ¹ is a hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl group, preferably an alkyl, monounsaturated alkenyl, and polyunsaturated alkenyl group, Preferably, the softener active ingredient containing saturated alkenyl groups is preferably at least about 3%, more preferably at least about 5%, more preferably at least about 10%, even more preferably, of the total softener active ingredient present. Is at least about 15% by weight and the active ingredient preferably comprises a mixture of R ¹ groups, especially in individual molecules.

  The DEQA of the present invention originates from the unreacted components of the starting material used to form DEQA and / or occurs as a by-product of partial degradation (hydrolysis) of the softener active ingredient in the finished composition. Small amounts of fatty acids can also be included. The amount of free fatty acid is preferably low, preferably less than about 15%, more preferably less than about 10%, and even more preferably less than about 5% by weight of the softener active ingredient.

  The fabric softener active ingredient of the present invention is produced by a process of adding a chelating agent, preferably diethylenetriaminepentaacetate (DTPA) and / or ethylenediamine-N, N′-disuccinate (EDDS) to the process. preferable. Another usable chelating agent is tetrakis- (2-hydroxypropyl) ethylenediamine (TPED). It is also preferred to add the antioxidant to the fatty acid immediately after distillation and / or fractionation and / or during the esterification reaction and / or later to the finished softener active ingredient. The resulting softener active ingredient has less discoloration and associated malodor.

  The total amount of chelating agent added is preferably from about 10 ppm to about 5,000 ppm, more preferably from about 100 ppm to about 2500 ppm, based on the weight of the softener active ingredient formed. The source of triglycerides is preferably selected from the group consisting of animal fats, vegetable oils, partially hydrogenated vegetable oils, and mixtures thereof. More preferably, the vegetable oil or partially hydrogenated vegetable oil is canola oil, partially hydrogenated canola oil, safflower oil, partially hydrogenated safflower oil, peanut oil, partially Hydrogenated peanut oil, sunflower oil, partially hydrogenated sunflower oil, corn oil, partially hydrogenated corn oil, soybean oil, partially hydrogenated soybean oil, tall oil, part Selected from the group consisting of partially hydrogenated tall oil, rice bran oil, partially hydrogenated rice bran oil, and mixtures thereof. Most preferably, the source of triglycerides is canola oil, partially hydrogenated canola oil, and mixtures thereof. The process also includes adding from about 0.01 to about 2% by weight of the composition of the antioxidant compound to any or all of the steps in the treatment of triglycerides until forming the fabric softener active ingredient. can do.

  By the said manufacturing method, the fabric softener active component which reduced coloring and malodor is manufactured.

  The production of the fabric flexibility-imparting premix composition involves the production of the above-mentioned fabric flexibility-imparting active ingredient, and the fabric flexibility-improving active ingredient (optionally including a low molecular weight solvent). Mixing with a primary solvent that is about -2.0 to about 2.6 to form a fabric softener premix. The premix can comprise from about 55 to about 85% by weight of the fabric softening active ingredient, and from about 10 to about 30% by weight of the main solvent. This process can also include adding about 0.01 to about 2% by weight of the composition of the antioxidant compound to any or all of the processing steps.

（式中、各Ｒ、Ｒ^１およびＡ⁻は上に定義した通りであり、各Ｒ^２はＣ_１−６アルキレン基、好ましくはエチレン基であり、Ｇは酸素原子であるか、または−ＮＲ−基である）、
（３）下記の式を有する柔軟化剤

（式中、Ｒ^１、Ｒ^２およびＧは上に定義した通りである）、
（４）実質的に不飽和および／または分岐鎖の高級脂肪酸とジアルキレントリアミンの、例えば分子比約２：１の反応生成物［該反応生成物は下記の式
Ｒ^１−Ｃ（Ｏ）−ＮＨ−Ｒ^２−ＮＨ−Ｒ^３−ＮＨ−Ｃ（Ｏ）−Ｒ^１
（式中、Ｒ^１、Ｒ^２は上に定義した通りであり、各Ｒ^３はＣ_１−６アルキレン基、好ましくはエチレン基である）
を有する化合物を含む］、
（５）下記の式を有する柔軟化剤
[Ｒ^１−Ｃ(Ｏ)−ＮＲ−Ｒ^２−Ｎ(Ｒ)_２−Ｒ^３−ＮＲ−Ｃ(Ｏ)−Ｒ^１]^＋ Ａ⁻
（式中、Ｒ、Ｒ^１、Ｒ^２、Ｒ^３およびＡ⁻は上に定義した通りである）、
（６）実質的に不飽和および／または分岐鎖の高級脂肪酸とヒドロキシアルキルアルキレンジアミンの、分子比約２：１の、反応生成物［該反応生成物は、下記の式
Ｒ^１−Ｃ（Ｏ）−ＮＨ−Ｒ^２−Ｎ（Ｒ^３ＯＨ）−Ｃ（Ｏ）−Ｒ^１
（式中、Ｒ^１、Ｒ^２およびＲ^３は上に定義した通りである）
を有する化合物を含む］、
（７）下記の式を有する柔軟化剤

（式中、Ｒ、Ｒ^１、Ｒ^２およびＡ⁻は上に定義した通りである）、および
（８）それらの混合物
から選択される。 Other softener active ingredient compositions are usually other minor, typically fabric softener active ingredients, usually in small amounts, typically 0 to about 35%, preferably about 1 to about 20%. More preferably from about 2 to about 10%, the other fabric softener active ingredient may be
(1) Softening agent having the following formula
_{^{[R 4-m -N (+}} ) -R 1 m] A -
[Wherein each m is 2 or 3 and each R ¹ is C ₆ -C ₂₂ , preferably C ₁₄ -C ₂₀ , where two or more are not less than about C ₁₂ and the other is at least about 16 some) hydrocarbyl, or substituted hydrocarbyl substituent, preferably C ₁₀ -C ₂₀ alkyl or alkenyl (poly unsaturated alkyl encompassing unsaturated alkyl, sometimes referred to as "alkylene"), most preferably C ₁₂ ~ The iodine number (hereinafter referred to as “IV”) of the fatty acid that is C ₁₈ alkyl or alkenyl and contains this R ¹ group is from about 70 to about 140, more preferably from about 80 to about 130, most preferably from about 90 to about was 115 (the term "iodine value" as used herein means a "parent" fatty acid, or "corresponding" iodine value of a fatty acid, an unsaturated level of the R ¹ group Constant, and it will be present in the fatty acid is the same as the unsaturated level) containing the same R ¹ group, preferably, a cis / trans ratio of about 1: 1 to about 50: 1, minimum 1: 1, preferably from about 2: 1 to about 40: 1, more preferably from about 3: 1 to about 30: 1, and even more preferably from about 4: 1 to about 20: 1, each R ¹ being , Preferably a branched C ₁₄ -C ₂₂ alkyl group, preferably a branched C ₁₆ -C ₁₈ group, each R being H or short chain C ₁ -C ₆ , preferably C ₁ -C ₃ alkyl or hydroxy An alkyl group such as methyl (most preferred), ethyl, propyl, hydroxyethyl, etc., benzyl, or (R ² O) _2-4 H, where each R ² is a C _1-6 alkylene group, ^- the softener compatible anion, preferably Products, bromide, methyl sulfate, ethyl sulfate, sulfate, and nitrate, more preferably chloride and methyl sulfate,
(2) Softening agent having the following formula

Wherein each R, R ¹ and A ^— is as defined above, each R ² is a C _1-6 alkylene group, preferably an ethylene group, and G is an oxygen atom or —NR -Group),
(3) Softening agent having the following formula

In which R ¹ , R ² and G are as defined above,
(4) a reaction product of a substantially unsaturated and / or branched higher fatty acid and a dialkylenetriamine, for example with a molecular ratio of about 2: 1 [the reaction product is represented by the formula R ¹ -C (O)- NH—R ² —NH—R ³ —NH—C (O) —R ¹
(Wherein R ¹ and R ² are as defined above, and each R ³ is a C _1-6 alkylene group, preferably an ethylene group)
Including a compound having
(5) Softening agent having the following formula
[R ¹ —C (O) —NR—R ² —N (R) ₂ —R ³ —NR—C (O) —R ¹ ] ⁺ A ⁻
Where R, R ¹ , R ² , R ³ and A ⁻ are as defined above,
(6) a reaction product of a substantially unsaturated and / or branched higher fatty acid and a hydroxyalkylalkylene diamine having a molecular ratio of about 2: 1 [the reaction product is represented by the formula R ¹ -C (O ^{) -NH-R 2 -N (R} 3 OH) -C (O) -R 1
(Wherein R ¹ , R ² and R ³ are as defined above)
Including a compound having
(7) Softening agent having the following formula

Wherein R, R ¹ , R ² and A ⁻ are as defined above, and (8) selected from mixtures thereof.

（式中、Ｒ^７は水素またはＣ_１〜Ｃ_４飽和アルキルまたはヒドロキシアルキル基であり、Ｒ^１およびＡ⁻は上に定義した通りである）、
（１０）下記の式を有する置換されたイミダゾリニウム塩

（式中、Ｒ^５はＣ_１〜Ｃ_４アルキルまたはヒドロキシアルキル基であり、Ｒ^１、Ｒ^２およびＡ⁻は上に定義した通りである）、
（１１）下記の式を有するアルキルピリジニウム塩

（式中、Ｒ^４は非環式脂肪族Ｃ_８〜Ｃ_２２炭化水素基であり、Ａ⁻は陰イオンである）および
（１２）下記の式を有するアルカンアミドアルキレンピリジニウム塩

（式中、Ｒ^１、Ｒ^２およびＡ⁻は上に定義した通りである）
およびそれらの混合物からなる群から選択される。 Can be used in combination with the above softener active ingredient will be used, if desired, highly preferred other cationic compounds, compounds containing one long chain acyclic C ₈ -C ₂₂ hydrocarbon group And (8) an acyclic quaternary ammonium salt having the formula:
_{^{[R 1 -N (R 5)}} 2 -R 6] + A -
In which R ⁵ and R ⁶ are C ₁ -C ₄ alkyl or hydroxyalkyl groups, R ¹ and A ⁻ are as defined above,
(9) Substituted imidazolinium salts having the formula

(Wherein R ⁷ is hydrogen or a C ₁ -C ₄ saturated alkyl or hydroxyalkyl group, R ¹ and A ⁻ are as defined above),
(10) Substituted imidazolinium salts having the formula

In which R ⁵ is a C ₁ -C ₄ alkyl or hydroxyalkyl group, R ¹ , R ² and A ⁻ are as defined above,
(11) Alkylpyridinium salt having the following formula

(Wherein R ⁴ is an acyclic aliphatic C _{8 to} C ₂₂ hydrocarbon group and A ⁻ is an anion) and (12) an alkanamide alkylene pyridinium salt having the formula:

(Wherein R ¹ , R ² and A ⁻ are as defined above)
And a mixture thereof.

Examples of compound (8) are monoalkenyltrimethylammonium salts, such as monooleyltrimethylammonium chloride, monocanolatrimethylammonium chloride, and soyatrimethylammonium chloride. Monooleyltrimethylammonium chloride and monocanolatrimethylammonium chloride are preferred. Another example of compound (8) is soy trimethyl ammonium chloride, commercially available from Witco Corporation under the trade name Adogen 415, and L ¹ is a C ₂₂ hydrocarbon group derived from a natural source. Syltrimethylammonium, R ¹ is a C _{16 to} C ₁₈ hydrocarbon group, R ⁵ is a methyl group, R ⁶ is an ethyl group, and A ⁻ is an ethyl sulfate anion. , And R ¹ is a C ₁₈ hydrocarbon group, R ⁵ is a 2-hydroxyethyl group, and R ⁶ is a methyl group methylbis (2-hydroxyethyl) oleylammonium chloride.

  Other fabric softeners that can be used here are at least generally in terms of basic structure, U.S. Pat. No. 3,861,870, Edwards and Diehl, 4,308,151, Cambre, 3,886,075, Bernardino, 4,233,164, Davis, 4,401,578, Verbruggen, 3,974,076, Wiersema and Rieke, And 4,237,016, Rudkin, Clint and Young, all of which are hereby incorporated by reference. The other softener active ingredient is preferably a highly unsaturated version of the traditional softener active ingredient, i.e. a double long chain alkyl nitrogen derivative, usually a cationic material, e.g. described below Dioleyldimethylammonium chloride and imidazolinium compounds. Examples of more biodegradable fabric softener compounds are described in US Pat. No. 3,408,361, Mannheimer, promulgated Oct. 29, 1968, 4,709,045, Kubo et al. , November 24, 1987, No. 4,233,451, Pracht et al., Promulgated November 11, 1980, No. 4,127,489, Pracht et al., 1979 Promulgated on November 28, 3,689,424, Berg et al., Promulgated on September 5, 1972, 4,128,485, Baumann al., Promulgated on December 5, 1978 No. 4,161,604, Elster al., Promulgated on July 17, 1979, No. 4,189,593, Wechsler al., Promulgated on February 19, 1980, and 4,339. 391, Hoffman al., Promulgated on July 13, 1982. It has been, but included as a reference to the patent here.

  Examples of compound (1) are dialkylene dimethyl ammonium salts such as dicanola dimethyl ammonium chloride, dicanola dimethyl ammonium methyl sulfate, di (partially hydrogenated soybean, cis / trans ratio about 4: 1) dimethyl Ammonium, dioleyldimethylammonium chloride. Dioleyl dimethyl ammonium chloride and di (canola) dimethyl ammonium chloride are preferred. An example of a commercially available dialkylenedimethylammonium salt that can be used in the present invention is dioleyldimethylammonium chloride available from Witco Corporation under the trade name Adogen 472.

An example of compound (2) is 1-methyl-1-oleylamidoethyl-2-oleylimidazolinium methylsulfate, where R ¹ is an acyclic aliphatic C ₁₅ -C ₁₇ hydrocarbon group. , R ² is an ethylene group, G is an NH group, R ⁵ is a methyl group, A ⁻ is a methyl sulfate anion, and is commercially available from Witco Corporation under the trade name Varisoft 3690.

An example of compound (3) is 1-oleylamidoethyl-2-oleylimidazoline, wherein R ¹ is an acyclic aliphatic C ₁₅ -C ₁₇ hydrocarbon group and R ² is an ethylene group. , G is an NH group.

  An example of compound (4) is a reaction product of oleic acid and diethylenetriamine having a molecular ratio of about 2: 1, and the mixture of reaction products contains N, N ″ -dioleyldiethylenetriamine of the formula

R ¹ —C (O) —NH—CH ₂ CH ₂ —NH—CH ₂ CH ₂ —NH—C (O) —R ¹
Where R ¹ -C (O) is an oleyl group of commercially available oleic acid derived from plant or animal sources, such as Emersol (trade name) 223LL or Emersol (trade name) 7021 from Henkel Corporation; R ² and R ³ are divalent ethylene groups.

  An example of the compound (5) is a difatty amidoamine softening agent having the following formula.

^{[R 1 -C (O) -NH} -CH 2 CH 2 -N (CH 3) (CH 2 CH 2 OH) -CH 2 CH 2 -NH-
C (O) —R ¹ ] ⁺ CH ₃ SO ₄ ⁻
In the formula, R ¹ -C (O) is an oleyl group and is commercially available from Witco Corporation under the trade name Varisoft 222LT.

  An example of the compound (6) is a reaction product of oleic acid and N-2-hydroxyethylethylenediamine having a molecular ratio of about 2: 1, and the mixture of the reaction products includes a compound of the following formula.

R ¹ —C (O) —NH—CH ₂ CH ₂ —N (CH ₂ CH ₂ OH) —C (O) —R ¹
Wherein R ¹ -C (O) is an oleyl group of commercially available oleic acid derived from plant or animal sources, such as Emersol® 223LL or Emersol® 7021 from Henkel Corporation.

  An example of compound (7) is a diquaternary compound having the formula:

式中、Ｒ^１はオレイン酸に由来し、この化合物はWitco Company から市販されている。

Where R ¹ is derived from oleic acid and this compound is commercially available from Witco Company.

Examples of the compound (11), ^{R 1} is _{C 17} hydrocarbon group, ^{R 2} is ethylene group, ^{R 5} is an ethyl group, A ^- ethyl 1-ethyl-sulfate ethyl sulfate anions -1- (2-hydroxyethyl) -2-isoheptadecylimidazolinium.

Anion A
In cationic nitrogen salts of the invention are all anions which have softening agent compatible anion A ^- is, provide electrical neutrality. Among these salts, the anions used to impart electrical neutrality are derived from strong acids, most commonly halides such as chloride, bromide, or iodide. However, other anions such as methyl sulfate, ethyl sulfate, acetate, formate, sulfate, carbonate, etc. can be used. Chloride and methyl sulfate are preferred here as anions A. Anion has a double charge, in which case, A ^- is also possible to represent a half of the group, this is less preferred.

B. The major solvent system major solvent is typically used in an effective amount of up to about 40%, preferably from about 1 to about 25%, more preferably from about 3 to about 8% by weight of the composition. An advantage of the high electrolyte levels and / or phase stabilizers disclosed herein is that transparency can be obtained using low levels of primary solvents and / or a wide range of primary solvents. For example, if a high level of electrolyte is not used, the main solvent system ClogP described below is limited to a range of about 0.15 to about 0.64 as described in the '443 specification. Will be done. Higher compounds with ClogP up to about 1 are described in pending applications 60 / 047,058, HB Tordil, EH Wahl, T. Trinh, M. Okamoto, and DL Duval. When combined with other solvents as described in the 19th of May (currently PCT / US98 / 10167, filed 18 May 1998), and in particular with nonionic surfactants, document no. 7039P, 1998 Filed Mar. 2, 1980, application 60 / 076,564, inventors DL Duval, GM Frankenbach, EH Wahl, T. Trinh, HJM Demeyere, JH Shaw and M. Nogami, titles Concentrated, Stable, Translucent or It has been found that it can be used in combination with the phase stabilizer disclosed herein, as described in Clear Fabric Softening Compositions (both of these applications are incorporated herein by reference). In the presence of an electrolyte, the level of the main solvent may be low and / or extend the usable ClogP range from about −2.0 to about 2.6, more preferably from about −1.7 to about 1.6. More preferably from about -1.0 to about 1.0.

  In the presence of an electrolyte, a level of primary solvent well below about 15% by weight of the composition can be used, which is preferred for odor, safety and economic reasons. By combining the phase stabilizers defined below with very low levels of the main solvent, good transparency and / or stability of the composition is sufficiently obtained when an electrolyte is present. In preferred compositions, the primary solvent level is insufficient to obtain the required transparency, and the addition of electrolytes and / or phase stabilizers provides the desired clarity / stability. The electrolyte and / or the phase stabilizer can be added to make the composition translucent or transparent, or can be used to increase the temperature range in which the composition is translucent or transparent.

  Accordingly, a method of making a composition translucent or transparent by adding a main solvent to a composition that is not translucent or transparent, or a composition that is too hot to cause phase instability, or a composition that is Or when added to reduce the temperature causing phase instability, preferably by at least about 5 ° C., more preferably at least about 10 ° C. Can be used at the above levels.

  The primary solvent is efficient in giving maximum advantage to a specific weight of solvent. Of course, the term “solvent” as used herein refers to the effect of the primary solvent, not the physical form of the primary solvent at a particular temperature, since certain primary solvents are solid at room temperature.

  The primary solvent that may be present is selected to minimize the effects of solvent odor in the composition and to give the final composition a low viscosity. For example, isopropyl alcohol is flammable and has a strong odor. N-propyl alcohol is more effective but still has a clear odor. Certain butyl alcohols also have odors, but can be used to obtain effective transparency / stability if they are used as part of the main solvent system and their odors are minimized. The alcohol is also selected for optimal low temperature stability, ie, the alcohol has a reasonably low viscosity up to about 50 ° F. (about 10 ° C.), more preferably up to about 40 ° F. (about 4.4 ° C.). And a translucent, preferably transparent liquid, that can form a composition that can be recovered after storage at temperatures up to about 20 ° F. (about 6.7 ° C.).

  Other suitable solvents can be selected depending on their octanol / water partition coefficient (P). The octanol / water partition coefficient of a solvent is the ratio between the equilibrium concentration of that solvent in octanol and water. The partition coefficient of the solvent component of the present invention is conveniently expressed in the form of logarithmic log P with respect to the base 10.

  Many components of logP have been reported, for example, the Pomona92 database available from Daylight Chemical Information Systems, Inc. (Daylight CIS), Irvine, California, which describes many with reference to the original literature. However, the log P value can be most conveniently calculated by the “CLOGP” program, also available from Daylight CIS. This program also lists experimental logP values if they are in the Pomona92 database. “Calculated log P” (Clog P) is derived from Hansch and Leo (A. Leo, Comprehensive Medical Chemistry, Vol. 4, C. Hansch, PG Sammens, JB Taylor and CA Ramsden, Eds., P. This can be determined by the fragment approach by Pergamon Press, 1990). The fragment approach considers the number and type of atoms, atomic connectivity, and chemical bonds based on the chemical structure of each component. For the selection of the main solvent component useful in the present invention, it is preferable to use the ClogP value, which is the most reliable and widely used evaluation for this physicochemical property, instead of the experimental logP value. . Other methods that can be used to calculate ClogP include, for example, the Crippen fragment method described in J. Chem. Inf. Comput. Sci., 27, 21 (1987), J. Chem. Inf. Comput. Sci. , 29, 163 (1989) and the Broto method described in Eur. J. Med. Chem.-Chim. Theor., 19, 71 (1984).

  Suitable primary solvents here are selected from those having ClogP -2.0 to 2.6, preferably -1.7 to 1.6, more preferably -1.0 to 1.0.

  The most preferred primary solvent can be identified by the appearance of the diluted treatment composition used to treat the fabric. These dilute compositions have a fabric softener dispersion that exhibits a more monolayer appearance than conventional fabric softener compositions. The closer the appearance is to a single layer, the better the composition will be. These compositions provide surprisingly good fabric softness compared to similar compositions made by conventional methods using the same fabric softener active ingredient.

  The main solvents that can be used are disclosed in various items such as aliphatic and / or cycloaliphatic diols, monools, glycerin derivatives, alkoxylates of diols, and mixtures of all of the above. US Pat. Nos. 5,759,990 and 5,747,443 and PCT application WO 97/03169, published on Jan. 30, 1997 (the patents and applications are hereby incorporated by reference) The most suitable disclosure is described in WO 97/03169, pages 24-82 and 94-108 (production method) and paragraph 11 of the '443 specification. -54 and 66-78 (manufacturing method). These '443 and PCT disclosures include reference numbers for compounds having a Chemical Abstracts Service Registry number (CAS number), and other compounds describe methods that can be used to make those compounds. Yes. Certain non-usable solvents listed in the disclosure of '443 are used in mixtures with major usable solvents and / or high levels of electrolytes and / or phase stabilizers and are described herein. Concentrated fabric softener compositions can be made that meet the stability / transparency requirements.

  Many diol major solvents having the same chemical formula can exist as many stereoisomers and / or optical isomers. Each isomer is usually indicated by a different CAS number. For example, the various isomers of 4-methyl-2,3-hexanediol have at least the following CAS numbers: 146452-51-9, 1464552-50-8, 146452-49-5, 146452-48-4, 123807-34-1, 123807-33-0, 123807-32-9, and 123807-31-8.

  In the '443 and PCT specifications, each chemical formula is listed with only one CAS number. This disclosure is for illustrative purposes only and is sufficient to practice the invention. This disclosure is not intended to limit the invention. Thus, of course, other isomers having other CAS numbers, and mixtures thereof are also included. In addition, if the CAS number represents a molecule containing certain special isotopes, such as deuterium, tritium, carbon-13, etc., it will of course also include materials containing naturally distributed isotopes and vice versa. Is also true.

There is a clear similarity between the availability (predictability) of saturated diols and their unsaturated homologues or analogues with higher molecular weights. An unsaturated homologue / analogue has the same formulation as its parent saturated solvent if the unsaturated solvent has one additional methylene (ie, CH ₂ ) group for each double bond in the chemical formula. Have. That is, one or more CH ₂ groups are added to each of the good saturated solvents of the present invention, suitable for formulating a transparent concentrated fabric softener composition, with _{2 for} each additional CH ₂ group. Hydrogen atoms are removed from adjacent carbon atoms in the molecule to form a single carbon-carbon double bond, whereby the number of hydrogen atoms in the molecule is reduced to the formula of the “parent” saturated solvent. There is an obvious “additional rule” that there exists a suitable unsaturated solvent that remains constant against. This is because adding a —CH ₂ — group to the solvent chemical formula has the effect of increasing its ClogP value by about 0.53, while removing two adjacent hydrogen atoms to form a double bond. The formation is due to the surprising fact that it has the effect of reducing its ClogP value by about the same amount, ie about 0.48, offsetting the addition of —CH ₂ —. Therefore, by inserting one double bond for each additional CH ₂ group from one preferred saturated solvent, thereby keeping the total number of hydrogen atoms equal to the parent saturated solvent, the ClogP value of the new solvent is effective. As long as it is within this range, preferred higher molecular weight unsaturated analogs / congeners containing at least one more carbon atom are obtained. Some examples are given below.

  As long as an effective amount of the main solvent of the present invention is still present in the liquid concentrated clear fabric softener composition, a portion of the main solvent mixture cannot itself be used as the main solvent of the present invention. It can be replaced by a secondary solvent or a secondary solvent mixture. When at least about 15% of the softener active is also present, the effective amount of the primary solvent of the present invention is greater than at least about 1%, preferably greater than about 3%, more preferably about 5% of the composition. %.

  Preferred primary solvents for improving transparency at 50 ° F. are 1,2-hexanediol, 1,2-pentanediol, hexylene glycol, 1,2-butanediol, 1,4-cyclohexanediol, pinacol, 1,5-hexanediol, 1,6-hexanediol, and / or 2,4-dimethyl-2,4-pentanediol.

C. Electrolyte electrolytes are not expected to provide benefits, even when used in large quantities, particularly in clear fabric softener formulations. Electrolytes and high levels of water-insoluble compounds are considered incompatible. The compositions of the present invention are at relatively high levels, such as from about 0.5 to about 10%, preferably from about 0.75 to about 3%, more preferably from about 1 to about 2% by weight of the composition. Contains electrolyte. By increasing the level of electrolyte, (a) reducing the amount of primary solvent required to provide transparency with a ClogP of about 0.15 to about 0.64 or 1 (for such primary solvents) ClogP of a reasonable main solvent that can change the viscosity / elasticity profile by dilution, reduce viscosity and / or elasticity, and (c) provide transparency / translucency At least one advantage selected from changing the range of. US Pat. No. 5,759,990, incorporated herein by reference, discloses that the primary solvent should have a ClogP of about 0.15 to about 0.64. With higher levels of electrolyte, progressively more favorable lower limits of -2.0, -1.7, -1.0 and 0.15 and progressively more favorable upper limits of 2.6, 2.0, 1.6 Major solvents having ClogP in the range having 1.0, 1.0, and 0.64 can be used. This is a very important advantage that is difficult to understand at all because many of the solvents encompassed within this broad range have lower odor and are more effective. Existing primary solvents are also more effective at the high electrolyte level, and therefore the usage of such primary solvents can be recommended. If ClogP is greater than about 1.6, the use of additional solvents and / or other materials to increase transparency is highly preferred.

  Compared to products that do not contain electrolytes or that contain low levels of electrolytes, electrolytes are believed to significantly change the microstructure and / or phase through which the product is diluted. Cryogenic transmission electron microscopy and freeze-fracture transmission electron microscopy result in the formation of highly concentrated, closely packed vesicle dispersions in products that gel upon dilution or exhibit excessive viscosity increases. I know you get. Such vesicle dispersions are found to have high elasticity by rheological measurements. Because these solutions are highly elastic, they are believed to resist mechanical stresses that can be effectively mixed with water and provide good dilution.

Thus, fabric softener compositions with very favorable dilution and metering characteristics are those in which the fabric softener composition is diluted with water and evaluated for a series of viscoelastic behaviors, or the highest viscosity peak in a series of dilutions. It can be confirmed by evaluating viscoelastic properties. The viscoelastic behavior of the fabric softener composition provides information regarding the tendency of the fabric softener composition to flow and disperse in the desired manner when used by the consumer. Viscosity is a measure of the ability of a fluid to flow (ie dissipate heat) when energy represented by a loss modulus G ″ is applied. Elasticity, commonly referred to as dynamic modulus G ′, is energy Is a measure of the tendency of a fabric softener composition to easily deform when added. G 'and G "are generally measured as a function of applied strain and stress. For the purposes of the present invention, G ′ and G ″ are general consumer tasks such as machine and manual washing processes, hand or machine predilution processes, use of machine input devices and machine independent. Measured over the entire energy input range, including the energy that would be added during use of the dosing device. Preferred by measuring G ′ and G ″ for the diluted composition having the maximum viscosity, and A fabric softener composition having a highly favorable dilution and dispersion behavior is effectively distinguished from a fabric softener composition having a less favorable behavior. For the selection of rheological parameters and instrumentation and implementation of rheological measurements, see Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology 3rd Edition , 1982, John Wiley & Sons Publ. Article Rheology Measurements, RS Rounds Rheology of Liquid Detergents, Surfactant Series Vol. 67, Liquid Detergents ed. K.-Y. Lai, Marcel Dekker, Inc. 1997 and Introduction to Rheology, Elsevier, 1989, HA Barnes, JF Hutton and K. Walters.

  It has been discovered that there are previously unrecognized problems that appear when diluting certain clear formulations. Previously, it was believed that the primary solvent facilitated the clear concentrated formulation to be easily diluted in the rinsing liquid by a less concentrated dispersion. However, when diluting certain formulations, especially those containing low levels of major solvents, or formulations based on non-major solvents, those formulations have an unfavorable viscosity / elastic profile. Have The rheological parameters describing the preferred formulations are preferably G ′ ≦ about 20 Pa and G ″ ≦ about 6 Pa sec, more preferably G ′ ≦ about 3 Pa and G ″ ≦ about 2 Pa sec, as measured in the diluted formulation having the maximum viscosity. More preferred G ′ ≦ about 1 Pa and G ″ ≦ about 1 Pa. Preferred, more preferred and even more preferred formulation dilutions are as described above over a range of applied strains of about 0.1 to about 1. G ′ and G ″ must be maintained.

  Microscopes also show that high electrolyte levels can produce formulations that dilute through different microstructures and / or phases with much lower viscoelasticity at much lower solvent / softener levels. A much less elastic microstructure can be obtained by stirring water in a washing machine, an automatic washing machine charging device, or an automatic charging device that is not attached to a mechanical stirrer, for example, Downy ("Ball"). It is thought to yield easily to the slight stress caused. This allows the fabric softener composition to mix well with water, resulting in a good dispersion, reducing the possibility of fabric dyeing, and leaving the fabric softener in the machine or machine-independent dosing device. Less residue of the agent composition, less fabric softener that accumulates in the dosing device, more fabric softener in the rinse water, more adhesion to the fabric, It adheres more uniformly on the surface.

  The electrolytes of the present invention include conventional electrolytes found in opaque, dispersion-type liquid fabric softener compositions, and other electrolytes not commonly used in such compositions. Previously, the main solvent increased flexibility in both the fabric softener region and the water region, thereby increasing the fluidity, optically clear, bicontinuous fabric softener active ingredient It was believed that the formation of a composition containing phases was promoted. Unexpectedly, it has been found that the electrolyte has the function of breaking hydrogen bonding interactions and increasing the flexibility of the water region by forming a complex with water molecules. This seems to be a mechanism by which the amount of main solvent used can be reduced by using a high level of electrolyte, and the range of main solvents that can be used increases.

  The electrolyte is thought to function by forming a complex with water and breaking the hydrogen bonding structure of the water, but the head group of the fabric softener active component and the phase stabilizer forms a complex with water and forms a steric structure. Rebound, which prevents the fusion of separated bicontinuous phases of the fabric softener active ingredient, thereby presenting the typical two existing when the fabric softener active ingredient is in a clear composition. It is also possible to improve the stability of the bicontinuous phase. Electrolytes with anions called “soft” or “polarizable” anions, as discussed in Surfactants and Interfacial Phenomena, Second Edition, MJ Rosen, pp. 194-5, are “hard” or “polarizable”. This is preferred over the “low” anion because polarizable anions are believed to be effective in destroying water structures without dehydrating the fabric softener and phase stabilizer head groups. is there. Another reason why soft and polarizable anions are preferred is that these anions are not as strongly complexed with fabric softener cations as hard anions, so in the presence of soft anions We believe that a stronger cationic charge is maintained on the fabric softener head group. The stronger the cationic charge on the fabric softener, the more likely it is to stabilize the bicontinuous phase by maintaining greater electrostatic repulsion and preventing fusion. A typical series of soft to hard anions is iodide, bromide, isocyanate, orthophosphate, chloride, sulfate, hydroxide, and fluoride. Hard anions tend to lower the cloud point of normal ethoxylated nonionic detergent surfactants and hard anions tend to dehydrate the head group of ethoxylated surfactants used as phase stabilizers It shows that there is.

  For example, salts that lower the cloud point of a 1% solution of Neodol (trade name) 91-8 to less than about 65 ° C. tend to cloud fabric softener compositions made with these salts at room temperature, so the present invention The fabric softener composition is less preferred. Typical approximate cloud points for such solutions are sodium sulfate-about 54.1 ° C, potassium sulfate-64.4 ° C, ammonium sulfate-about 64.4 ° C, calcium sulfate (uncharged-insoluble), magnesium sulfate. -About 58.7 ° C, sodium chloride-about 63-66.9 ° C, potassium chloride-about 73.4 ° C, ammonium chloride-about 73.8 ° C, calcium chloride-about 73.8 ° C, and magnesium chloride-about 69.8 ° C. Potassium acetate gives a cloud point of about 69.8 ° C., so the acetate anion is somewhere between the chloride and sulfate anions.

Inorganic salts suitable for reducing the dilution viscosity include MgI ₂ , MgBr ₂ , MgCl ₂ , Mg (NO ₃ ) ₂ , Mg ₃ (PO ₄ ) ₂ , Mg ₂ P ₂ O ₇ , MgSO ₄ , magnesium silicate , NaI, NaBr, NaCl, NaF, Na ₃ (PO ₄ ), NaSO ₃ , Na ₂ SO ₄ , Na ₂ SO ₃ , NaNO ₃ , NaIO ₃ , Na ₃ (PO ₄ ), Na ₄ P ₂ O ₇ , Si Sodium phosphate, sodium metasilicate, sodium tetrachloroaluminate, sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP), Na ₂ Si ₃ O ₇ , sodium zirconate, CaF ₂ , CaCl ₂ , CaBr ₂ , CaI ₂ , CaSO ₄ , Ca (NO ₃₎ ) ₂ , Ca, KI, KBr, KCl, KF, KNO ₃ , KIO ₃ , K ₂ SO ₄ , K ₂ S O ₃ , K ₃ (PO ₄ ), K ₄ (P ₂ O ₇ ), potassium pyrosulfate, potassium pyrosulfite, LiI, LiBr, LiCl, LiF, LiNO ₃ , AlF ₃ , AlCl ₃ , AlBr ₃ , AlI ₃ , Al ₂ (SO ₄ ) ₃ , Al (PO ₄ ), Al (NO ₃ ) ₃ , aluminum silicate, including hydrates of these salts, combinations of these salts and mixed cations, For example, potassium alum AlK (SO ₄ ) ₂ and combinations of salts and mixed anions such as potassium tetrachloroaluminate and sodium tetrafluoroaluminate. Salts containing cations from the IIIa, IVa, Va, VIa, VIIa, VIII, Ib, and IIb groups of atomic number> 13 on the periodic table are also useful in reducing dilution viscosity, Salts are less preferred because they tend to change the oxidation state and thus adversely affect the odor or color of the formulation or reduce weight efficiency. Salts with cations of atomic number> 20 coming from group Ia or IIa, as well as salts with cations from the lactinide or actinide series are useful for reducing dilution viscosity but reduce weight efficiency And is not very preferable from the viewpoint of toxicity. Mixtures of the above salts are also useful.

Organic salts useful in the present invention include formate, acetate, propionate, pelargonate, citrate, gluconate, lactate of magnesium, sodium, lithium, potassium, zinc, and aluminum Carboxylates, aromatic acid salts such as benzoates, phenolates and substituted benzoates or phenolates such as phenolates, salicylates, polyaromatic acid terephthalates, and polyacids Salts such as oxylate, adipate, succinate, benzenedicarboxylate, benzenetricarboxylate. Other useful organic acids include carbonates and / or bicarbonates (HCO ₃ ^-1 ), alkyl and aromatic sulfates and sulfonates, such as sodium methyl sulfate, benzenesulfonate, if pH is preferred And derivatives such as xylene sulfonate, and amino acids if pH is preferred. The electrolyte comprises a mixed salt as described above, a salt neutralized with a mixed cation, such as potassium / sodium tartrate, a partially neutralized salt, such as sodium hydrogen tartrate or potassium hydrogen phthalate, and one cation. It can comprise a salt comprising a mixed anion.

  In general, an inorganic electrolyte is preferable to an organic electrolyte in order to improve the weight efficiency and reduce the cost. Mixtures of inorganic and organic salts can be used. Typical levels of electrolyte in the composition are less than about 10%, preferably from about 0.5 to about 5% by weight of the fabric softener composition, more preferably from about 0.75 to about 2. 5% by weight, most preferably about 1 to about 2% by weight.

D. Phase stabilizers Phase stabilizers are highly preferred and may be essential for formulating transparent or translucent fabric softener compositions (products) that contain high levels of electrolytes. Transparent and translucent products comprise a surfactant structured in two layers, and it is believed that there is an aqueous region between these two layers. Oily substances, such as hydrophobic perfumes, can be incorporated in the two layers between the surfactant tails. In fact, these oily substances can act to stabilize the bilayer if the amount present is not in excess. Water-soluble compounds, such as the electrolytes described above, tend to stay in the aqueous region between the two layers.

  In cationic softener products that do not contain electrolytes or contain low levels of electrolytes, it is usually believed that the surfactant structure is stabilized by electrostatic repulsion between the two layers. Electrostatic repulsion prevents fusion of the two layers of surfactant, thereby dividing it into separate phases. It is believed that the addition of a high level of electrolyte to the formulation eliminates electrostatic repulsion between the two layers and promotes the fusion of the two layers of surfactant. When this fusion occurs, one or more phase stabilizers are added to the formulation to increase stability, for example by steric repulsion between the two layers.

  Typical amounts of phase stabilizer in the softening composition range from an effective amount up to about 15% by weight of the composition, preferably from about 0.1 to about 7%, more preferably from about 1 to about 5%. %.

  The phase stabilizer compounds described herein differ from the primary solvents described above by their ability to impart steric repulsion at the interface. These phase stabilizers are not the primary solvents described herein.

  Phase stabilizers useful in the compositions of the present invention are specific surfactants that generally comprise hydrophobic and hydrophilic moieties. Preferred hydrophilic moieties are polyalkoxylated groups, preferably polyethoxylated groups.

  Preferred phase stabilizers are derived from saturated and / or unsaturated primary, secondary, and / or branched, amine, amide, amine oxide fatty alcohol, fatty acid, alkylphenol, and / or alkylaryl carboxylic acid compounds. Non-ionic surfactants, each having a hydrophobic chain, preferably from about 6 to about 22, more preferably from about 8 to about 18 carbon atoms, more preferably an alkyl or alkylene chain, At least one active hydrogen of the compound is ethoxylated with ≦ 50, preferably ≦ 30, more preferably about 5 to about 15, even more preferably about 8 to about 12 ethylene oxide moieties, about 8 to about 20, Preferably about 10 to about 18, more preferably about 11 to about 15 HLB is provided.

  Suitable phase stabilizers also include nonionic surfactants having a large head group selected from the following group.

（式中、Ｙ”＝ＮまたはＯであり、各Ｒ^５は独立して、基−Ｈ、−ＯＨ、−（ＣＨ_２）_ｘＣＨ_３、−Ｏ（ＯＲ^２）_ｚ−Ｈ、−ＯＲ^１、−ＯＣ（Ｏ）Ｒ^１、および−ＣＨ（ＣＨ_２−（ＯＲ^２）_ｚ”−Ｈ）−ＣＨ_２−（ＯＲ^２）_ｚ’−Ｃ（Ｏ）Ｒ^１から選択され、ｘおよびＲ^１は上に定義した通りであり、５≦ｚであり、ｚ’およびｚ”≦２０であり、より好ましくは５≦ｚ＋ｚ’＋ｚ”≦２０であり、最も好ましくは複素環はＹ”＝Ｏの５員環であり、１個のＲ^５は−Ｈであり、２個のＲ^５は−Ｏ（Ｒ^２Ｏ）_ｚ−Ｈであり、少なくとも１個のＲ^５は構造−ＣＨ（ＣＨ_２−（ＯＲ^２）_ｚ”−Ｈ）−ＣＨ_２−（ＯＲ^２）_ｚ’−Ｃ（Ｏ）Ｒ^１であり、８≦ｚ＋ｚ’＋ｚ”≦２０であり、Ｒ^１は炭素数が８〜２０である炭化水素であり、アリール基ではない）、
ｃ．下記の式を有するポリヒドロキシ脂肪酸アミド界面活性剤
Ｒ^２−Ｃ（Ｏ）−Ｎ（Ｒ^１）−Ｚ
（式中、各Ｒ^１はＨ、Ｃ_１〜Ｃ_４ヒドロカルビル、Ｃ_１〜Ｃ_４アルコキシアルキル、またはヒドロキシアルキルであり、Ｒ^２はＣ_５〜Ｃ_３１ヒドロカルビル部分であり、各Ｚは、少なくとも３個のヒドロキシルが鎖に直接接続した直線状ヒドロカルビル鎖を有するポリヒドロキシヒドロカルビル部分であるか、またはそのエトキシル化誘導体であり、各Ｒ’はＨまたは環状単糖または多糖であるか、またはそのアルコキシル化誘導体である）、および
ｄ．それらの混合物。 a. Surfactant having the formula: R ¹ —C (O) —Y ′ — [C (R ⁵ )] _m —CH ₂ O (R ₂ O) _z H
Wherein R ¹ is selected from the group consisting of saturated or unsaturated, primary, secondary or branched alkyl or alkyl-aryl hydrocarbons, wherein the hydrocarbon chain length is from about 6 to about 22 , Y ′ is selected from the group —O—, —N (A) — and mixtures thereof, where A is the group H, R ¹ , — (R ² —O) _z —H, — (CH ₂ ) _x CH _3. , Phenyl, or substituted aryl, wherein 0 ≦ x ≦ about 3, z is about 5 to about 30, and each R ² is a group — (CH ₂ ) _n — (where n is about 1 to about 4) and / or — [CH (CH ₃ ) CH ₂ ] —, or a combination thereof, wherein each R ⁵ is a group —OH and —O (R ² O) _z —. H is selected and m is from about 2 to about 4),
b. Surfactant having the formula

Wherein Y ″ = N or O and each R ⁵ is independently a group —H, —OH, — (CH ₂ ) _x CH ₃ , —O (OR ² ) _z —H, —OR ^1. , —OC (O) R ¹ , and —CH (CH ₂ — (OR ² ) _{z ″} —H) —CH ₂ — (OR ² ) _{z ′} —C (O) R ¹ , x and R ¹ Is as defined above, 5 ≦ z, z ′ and z ″ ≦ 20, more preferably 5 ≦ z + z ′ + z ″ ≦ 20, most preferably the heterocycle is Y ″ ═O. A 5-membered ring, one R ⁵ is —H, two R ⁵ are —O (R ² O) _z —H, and at least one R ⁵ has the structure —CH (CH ₂ — (OR ² ) _{z ″} —H) —CH ₂ — (OR ² ) _{z ′} —C (O) R ¹ , 8 ≦ z + z ′ + z ″ ≦ 20, and R ¹ has 8 to 20 carbon atoms. Some carbonization Hydrogen, not an aryl group),
c. Polyhydroxy fatty acid amide surfactant having the formula: R ² —C (O) —N (R ¹ ) —Z
Wherein each R ¹ is H, C ₁ -C ₄ hydrocarbyl, C ₁ -C ₄ alkoxyalkyl, or hydroxyalkyl, R ² is a C ₅ -C ₃₁ hydrocarbyl moiety, and each Z is at least 3 A polyhydroxyhydrocarbyl moiety having a linear hydrocarbyl chain with one hydroxyl directly connected to the chain, or an ethoxylated derivative thereof, each R ′ being H or a cyclic monosaccharide or polysaccharide, or an alkoxylation thereof A derivative), and d. A mixture of them.

  A preferred phase stabilizer is a surfactant complex formed by a surfactant ion having an opposite charge or a surfactant ion neutralized with a suitable electrolyte ion to reduce dilution viscosity. And block copolymer surfactants comprising polyethylene oxide and propylene oxide moieties.

  The following materials are mentioned as an example of a typical phase stabilizer.

(1) -Alkyl or alkyl-arylalkoxylated nonionic surfactants Suitable alkylalkoxylated nonionic surfactants are generally saturated or unsaturated primary, secondary, and branched fatty alcohols. , Fatty acids, alkylphenols, or alkylaryl (benzoic acid) carboxylic acids, wherein the active hydrogen is alkoxylated with ≦ about 30 alkylene, preferably ethylene, oxide moieties (eg ethylene oxide and / or propylene oxide) . These nonionic surfactants for use in the present invention preferably have about 6 to about 22 carbon atoms in the alkyl or alkenyl chain, and have a linear or branched structure, preferably about 18 to about 8 carbon atoms. The alkylene oxide is preferably in the primary position, preferably in the primary position alkylene oxide average ≦ about 30 moles per alkyl chain, more preferably about 5 to about 15 moles of alkylene oxide, most preferably alkylene The oxide is present in an amount of about 8 to about 12 moles. Preferred materials of this type have a pour point of about 70 ° F. and / or do not solidify in these clear formulations. Examples of linear alkylalkoxylated surfactants include Neodol (trade names) 91-8, 25-9, 1-9, 25-12, 1-9, and 45-13 commercially available from Shell, BASF Commercially available Plurafac (trade name) B-26 and C-7, and ICI Surfactants commercially available Brij (trade name) 76 and 35. Examples of branched alkyl alkoxylated surfactants include Tergitol 15-S-12, 15-S-15, and 15-S-20 commercially available from Union Carbide, and Emulphogene commercially available from GAF. ) BC-720 and BC-840. Examples of alkylarylalkoxylated surfactants include Igepal (trade name) CO-620 and CO-710, commercially available from Rhone Poulenc, Triton (trade name) N-111 and N-150, commercially available from Union Carbide, from Dow Commercially available Dowfax (trade name) 9N5 and BASF commercially available Lutensol (trade name) AP9 and AP14.

(2) -Alkyl or alkyl-arylamine or amine oxide nonionic alkoxylated surfactants Suitable alkylalkoxylated nonionic surfactants with amine functionality are generally saturated or unsaturated, primary Secondary, branched and branched fatty alcohols, fatty acids, fatty methyl esters, alkylphenols, alkylbenzoates, alkylbenzoic acids converted to amines, derived from amine-oxides, optionally substituted with secondary alkyl or alkylaryl hydrocarbons Each having 1 or 2 alkylene oxide chains appended with an amine functionality having ≦ about 50 moles of alkylene oxide moieties (eg, ethylene oxide and / or propylene oxide) per mole of amine. The amine or amine-oxide surfactant used herein is a single carbonization having from about 6 to about 22 carbon atoms, in a linear or branched structure, preferably from about 8 to about 18 carbon atoms. The amount of hydrogen in the straight chain structure and one or two alkylene oxide chains on the amine moiety, on average ≦ about 50 moles of alkylene oxide per amine moiety, more preferably about 5 to about 15 moles of alkylene oxide. There is a single alkylene oxide chain on the amine moiety, most preferably comprising from about 8 to about 12 moles of alkylene oxide per amine moiety. Preferred materials of this type have a pour point of about 70 ° F. and / or do not solidify in these clear formulations. Examples of ethoxylated amine surfactants include Berol (trade names) 397 and 303 commercially available from Rhone Poulenc and Ethomeens (trade names) C / 20, C25, T / 25, S / 20, S / 25 and Ethodumeens (trade names) T / 20 and T25.

  Preferably, the alkyl or alkyl-arylalkoxylated surfactant and the alkyl or alkyl-arylamine and alkoxylated amine-oxide compound have the general formula:

^{_{R 1 m -Y - [(R}} 2 -O) z -H] p
Wherein each R ¹ is selected from the group consisting of saturated or unsaturated, primary, secondary or branched alkyl or alkyl-aryl hydrocarbons, said hydrocarbon chains preferably having from about 6 to about carbon atoms 22, more preferably from about 8 to about 18, more preferably from about 8 to about 15, preferably linear and free of aryl moieties, each R ² being a group — (CH ₂ ) _n — and / or -[CH (CH ₃ ) CH ₂ ]-or a combination thereof (about 1 <n <about 3), Y is a group —O—, —N (A) _q —, —C ( O) O -, - (O ←) N (A) q -, - B-R 3 -O -, - B-R 3 -N (A) q -, - B-R 3 -C (O) O —, —B—R ³ —N (→ O) (A) —, and mixtures thereof, where A is a group H, R ¹ , — (R ² —O) _z —. Selected from H, — (CH ₂ ) _x CH ₃ , phenyl, or substituted aryl, where 0 ≦ x ≦ about 3, and B is a group —O—, —N (A) —, —C (O) O— , And mixtures thereof, A is as defined above, and each R ³ is selected from the group R ² , phenyl, or substituted aryl. The terminal hydrogen in each alkoxy chain can be replaced with a short chain C _1-4 alkyl or acyl group to “cap” the alkoxy chain. z is from about 5 to about 30. p is the number of ethoxylate chains, typically 1 or 2, preferably 1, m is the number of hydrophobic chains, typically 1 or 2, preferably 1. q is a number that completes the structure, and is usually 1.

  A preferred structure is a structure of m = 1, p = 1 or 2, 5 ≦ z ≦ 30, and q may be 1 or 0, but when p = 2, q must be 0, more preferably Is a structure of m = 1, p = 1 or 2, 7 ≦ z ≦ 20, and more preferably a structure of m = 1, p = 1 or 2, 9 ≦ z ≦ 12. Preferred y is 0.

(3) -alkoxylated and non-alkoxylated non-ionic surfactants with large head groups Suitable alkoxylated and non-alkoxylated phase stabilizers with bulky head groups are generally carbohydrate groups or Derived from saturated or unsaturated, primary, secondary, and branched fatty alcohols, fatty acids, alkylphenols, and alkylbenzoic acids, amine-oxides derivatized with heterocyclic head groups. This structure can then be optionally replaced with more alkyl or alkyl-arylalkoxylated or non-alkoxylated hydrocarbons. The heterocyclic compound or carbohydrate is alkoxylated with one or more alkylene oxide chains (eg, ethylene oxide and / or propylene oxide) having ≦ about 50, preferably ≦ about 30 moles per mole of heterocyclic compound or carbohydrate, respectively. To do. The hydrocarbon group on the carbohydrate or heterocyclic surfactant used herein has from about 6 to about 22 carbon atoms and is in a linear or branched structure, preferably from about 8 to about 18 carbon atoms. There is one hydrocarbon and contains 1 or 2 alkylene oxide chain carbohydrates or heterocyclic moieties, each alkylene oxide chain having an average ≦ about 50, preferably ≦ about 30 moles of carbohydrate or heterocyclic moiety. More preferably from about 5 to about 15 moles of alkylene oxide per alkylene oxide chain, most preferably including the alkylene oxide on both the hydrocarbon chain and on the heterocyclic or carbohydrate moiety. A total of about 8 to about 12 moles of alkylene oxide is present per activator molecule. Examples of this type of phase stabilizer are Tween (trade names) 40, 60, and 80 commercially available from ICI Surfactants.

  Preferably, the alkoxylated and non-alkoxylated nonionic surfactant compounds having a large head group have the general formula:

R ¹ —C (O) —Y ′ — [C (R ⁵ )] _m —CH ₂ O (R ₂ O) _z H
Wherein R ¹ is selected from the group consisting of saturated or unsaturated, primary, secondary or branched alkyl or alkyl-aryl hydrocarbons, wherein the hydrocarbon chain length is from about 6 to about 22 , Y ′ is selected from the group —O—, —N (A) — and mixtures thereof, where A is the group H, R ¹ , — (R ² —O) _z —H, — (CH ₂ ) _x CH _3. , Phenyl, or substituted aryl, wherein 0 ≦ x ≦ about 3, z is about 5 to about 30, and each R ² is a group — (CH ₂ ) _n — and / or — [CH (CH ₃ ) CH ₂ ] — or a combination thereof, wherein each R ⁵ is selected from the group —OH and —O (R ² O) _z —H, and m is from about 2 to about 4. is there),
Another useful general formula for this type of surfactant is:

（式中、Ｙ”＝ＮまたはＯであり、各Ｒ^５は基−Ｈ、−ＯＨ、−（ＣＨ_２）_ｘＣＨ_３、−Ｏ（ＯＲ^２）_ｚ−Ｈ、−ＯＲ^１、−ＯＣ（Ｏ）Ｒ^１、および−ＣＨ（ＣＨ_２−（ＯＲ^２）_ｚ”−Ｈ）−ＣＨ_２−（ＯＲ^２）_ｚ’−Ｃ（Ｏ）Ｒ^１から選択される。ｘ、Ｒ^１およびＲ^２は上記のＤ項で定義した通りであり、ｚ、ｚ’およびｚ”はすべて約５≦から約≦２０である。この構造の最も好ましい形態では、複素環はＹ”＝Ｏの５員環であり、１個のＲ^５は−Ｈであり、２個のＲ^５は−Ｏ（Ｒ^２Ｏ）_ｚ−Ｈであり、少なくとも１個のＲ^５は構造−ＣＨ（ＣＨ_２−（ＯＲ^２）_ｚ”−Ｈ）−ＣＨ_２−（ＯＲ^２）_ｚ’−Ｃ（Ｏ）Ｒ^１であり、約８≦ｚ＋ｚ’＋ｚ”≦約２０であり、Ｒ^１は炭素数が約８〜約２０である炭化水素であり、アリール基ではない）、
使用可能な別の群の界面活性剤は、下記の式を有するポリヒドロキシ脂肪酸アミド界面活性剤である。

Wherein Y ″ = N or O and each R ⁵ is a group —H, —OH, — (CH ₂ ) _x CH ₃ , —O (OR ² ) _z —H, —OR ¹ , —OC ( O) R ¹ and —CH (CH ₂ — (OR ² ) _{z ″} —H) —CH ₂ — (OR ² ) _{z ′} —C (O) R ^1. X, R ¹ and R ² Is as defined in Section D above, and z, z ′ and z ″ are all from about 5 ≦ to about ≦ 20. In the most preferred form of this structure, the heterocycle is a 5-membered ring of Y ″ ═O. Wherein one R ⁵ is —H, two R ⁵ are —O (R ² O) _z —H, and at least one R ⁵ has the structure —CH (CH ₂ — (OR ² _{Z ″} —H) —CH ₂ — (OR ² ) _{z ′} —C (O) R ¹ , about 8 ≦ z + z ′ + z ″ ≦ about 20, and R ¹ has about 8 to about 20 carbon atoms. Is carbonized water Prime, not aryl groups),
Another group of surfactants that can be used are polyhydroxy fatty acid amide surfactants having the formula:

^{R 6 -C (O) -N (} R 7) -Z
Wherein each R ⁷ is H, C ₁ -C ₄ hydrocarbyl, C ₁ -C ₄ alkoxyalkyl, or hydroxyalkyl such as 2-hydroxyethyl, 2-hydroxypropyl, etc., preferably C ₁ -C ₄ alkyl, more preferably C ₁ or C ₂ alkyl, most preferably C ₁ alkyl (ie methyl) or methoxyalkyl, where R ⁶ is a C ₅ C- ₃₁ hydrocarbyl moiety, linear C ₇ -C ₁₉ alkyl or alkenyl More preferably a straight chain C ₉ -C ₁₇ alkyl or alkenyl, most preferably a straight chain C ₁₁ -C ₁₇ alkyl or alkenyl, or a mixture thereof, where Z is at least 3 hydroxyls directly connected to the chain Is a polyhydroxyhydrocarbyl moiety with a linear hydrocarbyl chain Or an alkoxylated derivative thereof (preferably ethoxylated or propoxylated) Z is preferably derived from a reducing sugar in a reductive amination reaction, more preferably Z is a glycityl moiety. _{-CH 2 (CHOH) n -CH 2} OH, -CH (CH 2 OH) - (CHOH) n -CH 2 OH, -CH 2 (CHOH) 2 (CHOR ') (CHOH) group consisting of _-CH 2 OH N is an integer from 3 to 5 and R ′ is H or a cyclic mono- or polysaccharide, and alkoxylated derivatives thereof, glycityl where n is 4, especially —CH ₂ (CHOH) ₄ —CH Most preferred is ₂ O. A mixture of the above Z moieties is desirable.

R ⁶ is, for example, N-methyl, N-ethyl, N-propyl, N-isopropyl, N-butyl, N-isobutyl, N-2-hydroxyethyl, N-1-methoxypropyl, or N-2-hydroxypropyl It's okay.

R ⁶ —CO—N <may be, for example, cocamide, stearamide, oleamide, lauramide, myristamide, capricamide, palmitamide, tallowamide, and the like.

  Z is 1-deoxyglucityl, 2-deoxyfructityl, 1-deoxymultityl, 1-deoxylactide, 1-deoxygalactyl, 1-deoxymannityl, 1-deoxymaltotrioctyl, etc. It's okay.

(4) -Alkoxylated cationic quaternary ammonium surfactants Alkoxylated cationic quaternary ammonium surfactants useful in the present invention are generally fatty alcohols, fatty acids, fatty methyl esters, alkyl-substituted phenols. , Alkyl-substituted benzoic acids, and / or alkyl-substituted benzoates, and / or fatty acids that are converted to amines, which amines can optionally be further reacted with other long chain alkyl or alkyl-aryl groups. The amine compound can then be alkoxylated with 1 or 2 alkylene oxide chains, each having ≦ about 50 moles of alkylene oxide moieties (eg, ethylene oxide and / or propylene oxide) per mole of amine.

Typical materials of this type are products obtained by quaternization of aliphatic saturated or unsaturated, primary, secondary or branched amines, which amines are on the amine atom, ≤ 1 or 2 hydrocarbon chains having from about 6 to about 22 carbon atoms, alkoxylated with 1 or 2 alkylene oxide chains each having less than about 50 alkylene oxide moieties. The amine hydrocarbon used herein has about 6 to about 22 carbon atoms, is in a straight chain or branched structure, and preferably has one alkyl hydrocarbon group having about 8 to about 18 carbon atoms. In the chain structure. Suitable quaternary ammonium surfactants have an average of ≦ about 50 moles of alkylene oxide per alkyl chain, more preferably about 3 to about 20 moles of alkylene oxide, with one or two alkylene oxide chains in the amine moiety. Most preferably a hydrophobic group, for example an alkyl group, is added in an amount of about 5 to about 12 moles of alkylene oxide per one. Preferred materials of this type have a pour point of less than about 70 ° F. and / or do not solidify in these clear formulations. Examples of suitable phase stabilizers of this type are Ethoquad (trade names) 18/25, C / 25 and O / 25, commercially available from Akzo, and Variquat (trade name) -66, commercially available from Witco (about 16 ethoxy in total). Soft tallow alkyl bis (polyoxyethyl) ammonium ethyl sulfate containing units).

  Preferably, the ammonium alkoxylated cationic surfactant has the general formula:

^{_{{R 1 m -Y - [(}} R 2 -O) z -H] p} + X -
In the formula, R ¹ and R ² are as defined in the above section D, and Y is a group = N ⁺ -(A) _q ,-(CH ₂ ) _n -N ⁺ -(A) _q ,- ^{_{B- (CH 2) n -N +}} - (A) 2, - ( _{^{phenyl) -N + - (A) q}} , - (B- _^phenyl) -N + - ^(A) is selected from _q, n is from about 1 to about 4, m is 1 or 2, p is 1 or 2, and m + p + q = 4.

Each A is independently selected from the groups H, R ¹ , — (R ² O) _z —H, — (CH ₂ ) _x CH ₃ , phenyl, and substituted aryl, where 0 ≦ x ≦ about 3, B is Selected from the groups —O—, —NA—, —NA ₂ , —C (O) O—, and —C (O) N (A) —, wherein R ² is as described above and q = 1 or 2 And X ⁻ is an anion compatible with the fabric softener active and auxiliary ingredients.

  Preferred structures are m = 1, p = 1 or 2, and about 5 ≦ z ≦ about 50, more preferably m = 1, p = 1 or 2, and about 7 ≦ z ≦ about 20. Most preferred are structures where m = 1, p = 1 or 2, and about 9 ≦ z ≦ about 12.

(5) -Surfactant complex A surfactant complex is a substance in which a surfactant ion is neutralized with a surfactant ion having an opposite charge, or an electrolyte suitable for reducing dilution viscosity, ammonium. It is considered to be a surfactant neutralized with a salt or a polycationic ammonium salt. For the purposes of the present invention, when a surfactant complex is formed by surfactants having opposite charges, the surfactants clearly have different chain lengths, such as long chain interfaces. It is preferable that the active agent and the short-chain surfactant form a complex and increase the solubility of the complex, and it is more preferable that the long-chain surfactant is a surfactant containing amine or ammonium. Long chain surfactants are defined as including alkyl chains having from about 6 to about 22 carbon atoms. These alkyl chains can include an optionally phenyl or substituted phenyl group or alkylene oxide moiety between the chain and the head group. Short chain surfactants include alkyl chains having less than 6 carbon atoms, and optionally these alkyl chains include a phenyl or substituted phenyl group or alkylene oxide moiety between the alkyl chain and the head group. it can. Examples of suitable surfactant complexes include Armeen (trade name) APA-10 and calcium xylene sulfonate, Armeen APA-10 and magnesium chloride, lauryl carboxylate and triethanolamine, linear alkyl benzene sulfonate and C _5-. Examples thereof include dimethylamine or a mixture of alkylethoxylated sulfate and tetrakis N, N, N ′, N ′-(2-hydroxypropyl) ethylenediamine.

  Preferably, the long chain surfactant for producing the composite has the following general formula:

R ¹ -Y ²
In the formula, R ¹ is as described in the above section D, and Y ² is a structure —N (A) ₂ , —C (O) N (A) ₂ , — (O ←) N (A) ₂ , -BR ³ -N (A) ₂ , -BR ³ -C (O) N (A) ₂ , -BR ³ -N (→ O) (A) ₂ , -CO ₂ ^- ,- _{^{SO 3 -2, -OSO 3 -2,}} -O (R 2 O) x CO 2 -, from _{^{-O (R 2 O) x SO}} 3 -2, and _{^{-O (R 2 O) x OSO}} 3 -2 And B and R ³ are as described in section D above, where 0 <z ≦ 4.

  Preferably, the short chain surfactant for producing the composite has the general formula:

R ⁴ -Y ²
Wherein R ¹ , R ³ , B and Y ² are as described above, and R ⁴ is — (CH ₂ ) _y CH ₃ ,
It can be selected from — (CH ₂ ) _y -phenyl or — (CH ₂ ) _y -substituted phenyl, where 0 ≦ y ≦ 6.

(6) -Block copolymer obtained by copolymerization of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide Suitable polymers include copolymers having blocks of terephthalate and polyethylene oxide. More particularly, these polymers comprise ethylene and / or propylene terephthalate and polyethylene oxide terephthalate repeat units in a preferred molar ratio of ethylene terephthalate units to polyethylene oxide terephthalate units of from about 25:75 to about 35:65. The polyethylene oxide terephthalate comprises a polyethylene oxide block having a molecular weight of about 300 to about 2000. The molecular weight of this polymer is from about 5,000 to about 55,000.

  Another preferred polymer is a crystalline polyester having repeating units of ethylene terephthalate units comprising about 10 to about 15% by weight of ethylene terephthalate units with about 10 to about 50% by weight of polyoxyethylene terephthalate units, and having an average molecular weight It is derived from about 300 to about 6,000 polyoxyethylene glycol, and the molar ratio of polyester ethylene terephthalate units to polyoxyethylene terephthalate units in the crystalline polymer compound is 2: 1 to 6: 1. Examples of this polymer include the commercially available materials Zelcon (trade name) 4780 (from DuPont) and Milease (trade name) T (from ICI).

  Highly preferred polymers have the general formula:

X— (OCH ₂ CH ₂ ) _n — [O—C (O) —R ¹ —C (O) —R ² ) _u — [O—C (O) —R ¹ —C (O) —O) — (CH ₂ CH ₂ O) _n -X (1)
Wherein X may be any suitable cap group, each X being selected from the group consisting of H and an alkyl or acyl group having from about 1 to about 4 carbon atoms, preferably methyl, and n is a water-soluble Selected to confer sex, generally from about 6 to about 113, preferably from about 20 to about 50, u is very important for formulation in liquid compositions with relatively high ionic strength. Materials with u> 10 should be very low. Furthermore, the material in which u is about 3 to about 5 should be at least 20%, preferably at least 40%.

The R ¹ moiety is substantially a 1,4-phenylene moiety. As used herein, the term “R ¹ moiety is substantially a 1,4-phenylene moiety” means that the R ¹ moiety consists entirely of a 1,4-phenylene moiety or is partially other arylene or alkenyl. It relates to compounds that are replaced by a rylene moiety, an alkylene moiety, an alkenylene moiety, or mixtures thereof. Arylene and alkali-lene moieties that can partially replace 1,4-phenylene include 1,3-phenylene, 1,2-phenylene, 1,8-naphthylene, 1,4-naphthylene, 2,2-biphenylene. 4,4-biphenylene, and mixtures thereof. Alkylene and alkenylene moieties that can be partially substituted include ethylene, 1,2-propylene, 1,4-butylene, 1,5-pentylene, 1,6-hexamethylene, 1,7-heptamethylene, 1,8- Octamethylene, 1,4-cyclohexylene, and mixtures thereof.

With respect to the R ¹ moiety, partial substitution with moieties other than 1,4-phenylene should be such that the desired properties of the compound are not significantly adversely affected. In general, the allowable degree of partial substitution varies depending on the length of the skeleton of the compound, that is, the longer the skeleton, the greater the degree of substitution of the 1,4-phenylene moiety. In general, compounds comprising 1,4-phenylene moieties where R ¹ is from about 50% to about 100% (0-50% other than 1,4-phenylene) are sufficient. Preferably, the R ¹ moieties consist entirely of 1,4-phenylene, ie each R ¹ moiety is 1,4-phenylene.

With respect to the R ² moiety, suitable ethylene or substituted ethylene moieties include ethylene, 1,2-propylene, 1,2-butylene, 1,2-hexylene, 3-methoxy-1,2-propylene and mixtures thereof. Is mentioned. Preferably, the R ² moiety is substantially an ethylene moiety, a 1,2-propylene moiety or a mixture thereof. Surprisingly, the higher the 1,2-propylene moiety content, the better the water solubility of the compound.

Thus, the use of 1,2-propylene moieties or similar branched equivalents is preferred for incorporating significant amounts of polymer in liquid fabric softener compositions. Preferably, about 75% to about 100%, more preferably about 90% to about 100% of the R ² moiety is a 1,2-propylene moiety.

  The value for each n is at least about 6, preferably at least about 10. The value for each n is typically about 12 to about 113. Typically, the value for each n is from about 12 to about 43.

  These polymers are described in more detail in European Patent Application No. 185,427, Gosselink, published June 25, 1986, incorporated herein by reference.

  Other preferred copolymers include surfactants such as polyoxypropylene / polyoxyethylene / polyoxypropylene (PO / EO / PO) reverse block polymers.

  The copolymer can optionally include propylene oxide in an amount up to about 15% by weight. Other preferred copolymer surfactants may be prepared by the process disclosed in US Pat. No. 4,223,163, published September 16, 1980, Builloty, which is hereby incorporated by reference. it can.

  Suitable block polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene polymeric compounds meeting the above requirements are ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, glycerol, trimethylolpropane and compounds based on ethylenediamine as initiator reactive hydrogen compounds. Include. For the composition of the present invention, certain block polymer surfactant compounds called PLURONIC (trade name) and TETRONIC (trade name) manufactured by BASF-Wyandotte Corp., Wyandotte, Michigan are suitable.

  A particularly preferred copolymer comprises from about 40 to about 70% by weight of a polyoxypropylene / polyoxyethylene / polyoxypropylene block polymer mixture, comprising about 75% by weight of the mixture of 17 moles of ethylene oxide and propylene. About 25% by weight of the polyoxyethylene and polyoxypropylene reverse block copolymer containing 44 moles of oxide, starting with trimethylolpropane, 99 moles of propylene oxide and 24 moles per mole of trimethylolpropane A block copolymer of polyoxyethylene and polyoxypropylene containing the ethylene oxide.

  It is preferred to use a material having a relatively high hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) as the copolymer.

  Other polymers useful in the present invention include polyethylene glycol having a molecular weight of about 950 to about 30,000, available from Dow Chemical Company, Midland, Michigan. For example, such compounds have a melting point of about 30 ° C. to about 100 ° C. and molecular weights of 1,450, 3,400, 4,500, 6,000, 7,400, 9,500, and 20,000. Obtainable. Such compounds are formed by polymerizing ethylene glycol with the number of moles of ethylene oxide necessary to give the desired molecular weight and melting point of the respective polyethylene glycol. Other block copolymers include polyalkylene oxide polysiloxanes having a dimethylpolysiloxane hydrophobic moiety and one or more hydrophilic polyalkylene side chains and having the general formula:

^{_{R 1 - (CH 3) 2}} SiO - [(CH 3) 2 SiO] a - [(CH 3) (R 1) SiO] b -
Si (CH ₃ ) ₂ —R ¹
Wherein a + b is from about 1 to about 50, preferably from about 3 to about 30, more preferably from about 10 to about 25, and each R ¹ is the same or different and is methyl and formula _{- (CH 2) n O (} C 2 H 4 O) c (C 3 H 6 O) d R 2
Selected from the group consisting of poly (ethylene oxide / propylene oxide) copolymer groups having at least one R ¹ is a poly (ethyleneoxy / propyleneoxy) copolymer group and n is 3 or 4 , Preferably 3, and the sum of c (for all polyalkyleneoxy side groups) has a value of 1 to about 100, preferably about 6 to about 100, and the sum of d is 0 to about 14 , Preferably 0 to about 3, more preferably d is 0, and the sum of c + d is about 5 to about 150, preferably about 9 to about 100, and each R ² is the same, or Different, selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and acetyl groups, preferably hydrogen and methyl. Each polyalkylene oxide polysiloxane has at least one R ¹ that is a poly (ethylene oxide / propylene oxide) copolymer group.

An example of this type of surfactant is, but is not limited to, Silwet (trade name) surfactant available from OSi Specialties, Inc., Danbury, Connecticut. Representative Silwet surfactants containing only ethyleneoxy (C ₂ H ₄ O) groups are as follows:

Name Average molecular weight Average a + b Average total c
L-7608 600 1 9
L-7607 1,000 2 17
L-77 600 1 9
L-7605 6,000 20 99
L-7604 4,000 21 53
L-7600 4,000 11 68
L-7657 5,000 20 76
L-7602 3,000 20 29
L-7622 10,000 88 75
Examples of ethyleneoxy (C 2 _{H 4 O)} and propyleneoxy (C 3 _{H 6 O)} a surfactant containing both groups is as follows, not limited thereto.

Name Average molecular weight EO / PO ratio
Silwet L-720 12,000 50/50
Silwet L-7001 20,000 40/60
Silwet L-7002 8,000 50/50
Silwet L-7210 13,000 20/80
Silwet L-7200 19,000 75/25
Silwet L-7220 17,000 20/80
The molecular weight of the polyalkyleneoxy group (R ¹ ) is about 10,000 or less. Preferably, the molecular weight of the polyalkyleneoxy group is about 8,000 or less, most preferably about 300 to about 5,000. Thus, the values of c and d may be numbers that give molecular weights within these ranges. However, the number of ethyleneoxy units — (C ₂ H ₄ O) in the polyether chain (R ¹ ) must be sufficient to impart water dispersibility or water solubility to the polyalkylene oxide polysiloxane. If propyleneoxy groups are present in the polyalkyleneoxy chain, these groups can be randomly distributed in the chain or present as blocks. Surfactants that contain only propyleneoxy groups and no ethyleneoxy groups are not preferred. Preferred Silwet surfactants are L-7600, L-7602, L-7604, L-7605, L-7657, and mixtures thereof. In addition to surface activity, polyalkylene oxide polysiloxane surfactants can also impart other properties to the fabric, such as lubricity and flexibility.

  The production of polyalkylene oxide polysiloxanes is well known in the art. The polyalkylene oxide polysiloxanes of the present invention can be prepared by the procedures described in US Pat. No. 3,299,112, incorporated herein by reference. Typically, the polyalkylene oxide polysiloxane of the surfactant mixture of the present invention comprises a hydrosiloxane (ie, a siloxane containing silicon-bonded hydrogen) and an alkenyl ether of an alkoxy or hydroxy end-blocked polyalkylene oxide (eg, (Vinyl, allyl, or methallyl ether) can be easily produced. The reaction conditions used for this type of addition reaction are well known in the art, and generally the reaction is heated (eg, about a temperature of about 1 hour) in the presence of a platinum catalyst (eg, chloroplatinic acid) and a solvent (eg, toluene). 85 ° C. to 110 ° C.).

(7) -Alkylamidoalkoxylated nonionic surfactants Suitable surfactants have the following formula:

_{^{R-C (O) -N (}} R 4) n - [(R 1 O) x (R 2 O) y R 3] m
_Where R is C _7-21 linear alkyl, C _7-21 branched alkyl, C _7-21 linear alkenyl, C _7-21 branched alkenyl, and mixtures thereof. Preferably R is C _8-18 linear alkyl or alkenyl.

R ¹ is —CH ₂ —CH 2 —, R ₂ is C ₃ -C ₄ linear alkyl, C ₃ -C ₄ branched alkyl, and mixtures thereof, preferably R ² is —CH (CH ₃ ). -CH ₂ - is. The surfactant comprising a mixture of R1 and R2 units preferably comprises from about 4 to about 12 —CH ₂ —CH ₂ — units, from about 1 to about 4 —CH (CH ₃ ) —CH _2. -In combination with units. These units may be present in all combinations suitable for the prescriber, alternately or in groups. Preferably, the ratio of R ¹ units to R ² units is from about 4: 1 to about 8: 1. Preferably, the R ² unit (ie —C (CH ₃ ) H—CH ₂ —) is attached to the nitrogen atom, with the remainder of the chain comprising about 4-8 —CH ₂ —CH ₂ — units remaining Continue.

R ³ is hydrogen, C ₁ -C ₄ linear alkyl, C ₃ -C ₄ branched alkyl, and mixtures thereof, preferably hydrogen or methyl, more preferably hydrogen.

R ⁴ is hydrogen, C ₁ -C ₄ linear alkyl, C ₃ -C ₄ branched alkyl, and mixtures thereof, preferably hydrogen. If the index m is 2, the index n is 0 and there are no R ⁴ units.

The index m is 1 or 2, and the index n is 0 or 1, provided that m + n is equal to 2, preferably m is 1, n is 1, and one-[(R ¹ O ) _x (R ² O) _y R ³ ] units, the R ⁴ units being present on the nitrogen. The index x is from 0 to about 50, preferably from about 3 to about 25, more preferably from about 3 to about 10. The index y is 0 to about 10, preferably 0, but when the index y is not 0, y is 1 to about 4. Preferably all alkyleneoxy units are ethyleneoxy units. Examples of suitable ethoxylated alkylamide surfactants are Rewopal (trade name) C ₆ commercially available from Witco, Amidox (trade name) C5 commercially available from Stepan, and Ethomid (trade name) HT / 60 commercially available from Akzo. is there.

(8)-With regard to the reduction of the main solvent of the mixture, the composition according to the present invention has a reduction of at least 30% without impairing the performance of the composition, compared to the composition without the phase stabilizer described above. Can be done. By using the preferred subgroup, a reduction of more than 50% is possible. These phase stabilizers improve the range of temperatures at which the composition is transparent and stable. Also, these phase stabilizers do not become unstable even when more electrolyte is used. Finally, these phase stabilizers can reduce the amount of primary solvent needed to achieve transparency and / or stability.

  Preferred phase stabilizers for reducing the amount of primary solvent used are alkoxylated alkyls, alkoxylated acyl amides, alkoxylated alkyl amines or alkoxylated quaternary alkyl ammonium salts, surfactant complexes, and mixtures thereof. is there. Various stabilizers have various advantages. For example, alkoxylated cationic materials or cationic surfactant complexes improve flexibility and provide wrinkle removal properties.

  In systems where the softener active compound is di (acyloxyethyl) (2-hydroxyethyl) methylammonium sulfate and the acyl group is derived from a partially hydrogenated canola fatty acid, optimal transparency and stability are obtained. It has been found that the preferred amount of stabilizer increases with increasing amounts of the primary solvent and optionally the perfume used and decreases with increasing amounts of the softener active ingredient.

  A fabric softener composition having highly favorable dilution and metering characteristics is the composition disclosed above.

Ingredients optionally used (a) perfume The present invention can include any perfume that is compatible with the softening agent. Suitable perfumes are disclosed in US Pat. Nos. 5,500,138 and 5,652,206, Bacon et al., Promulgated March 19, 1996, and 1997, respectively, incorporated herein by reference. 29th month promulgation.

  As used herein, perfumes may be natural (ie, obtained by extraction of flowers, herbs, leaves, roots, bark, wood, fruit tree flowers or grass), artificial (ie, various natural oils or oil components). And scented substances or mixtures of substances, including synthetic (ie synthetically produced) fragrant substances. Such materials are often accompanied by auxiliary materials such as fixatives, extenders, stabilizers and solvents. These auxiliary ingredients also fall within the meaning of “fragrance” as used herein. Typically, a fragrance is a complex mixture of a plurality of organic compounds.

  Examples of perfume ingredients useful in the perfume of the present invention include, but are not limited to, the materials disclosed in the patent.

  Perfumes useful in the compositions of the present invention are substantially free of halogenated materials and nitromasks.

  Suitable solvents, diluents or carriers for the above perfume ingredients are, for example, ethanol, isopropanol, diethylene glycol, monoethyl ether, dipropylene glycol, diethyl phthalate, triethyl citrate and the like. The amount of such solvent, diluent or carrier incorporated into the perfume is preferably kept to the minimum required to provide a homogeneous perfume solution.

  The perfume can be present in an amount of 0 to about 15%, preferably about 0.1 to about 8%, more preferably about 0.2 to about 5% by weight of the finished composition. The fabric softener composition of the present invention has excellent perfume adhesion to fabric.

(B) Main Solvent Extender The compositions of the present invention can optionally include a main solvent extender to increase the stability and transparency of the formulation, and optionally enhance the benefits of flexibility. The solvent extender is typically formulated in an amount of about 0.05 to about 10%, more preferably about 0.5 to about 5%, most preferably about 1 to about 4% by weight of the composition. .

  The primary solvent extender can encompass a range of materials, but that material reduces the amount of primary solvent and typically provides stability and transparency to compositions with reduced levels of fragrance or fragrance. There is a need. Such materials typically include hydrophobic materials such as polar and non-polar oils, and highly hydrophilic materials such as hydrotropes and the above electrolytes such as those of Groups IIB, III and IV of the Periodic Table Electrolytes, particularly IIB and IIIB electrolytes, such as aluminum, zinc, tin chloride electrolytes, sodium EDTA, sodium DPTA, and other electrolytes used as other metal chelators.

  Polar hydrophobic oils are derived from emollients such as fatty esters such as methyl oleate, Wickenols (trade name), derivatives of myristic acid such as isopropyl myristate, and triglycerides such as canola oil, free fatty acids such as canola oil Fatty acids, fatty alcohols such as oleyl alcohol, bulky esters such as benzyl benzoate and benzyl salicylate, diethyl or dibutyl phthalate, bulky alcohols or diols, and fragrance oils, especially low-odor fragrance oils such as linalool, mono Alternatively, it can be selected from polysorbitan esters, and mixtures thereof. Non-polar hydrophobic oils can be selected from petroleum-based oils such as hexane, decane, pentadecane, dodecane, isopropyl citrate, and bulky perfume oils such as limonene, and mixtures thereof. In particular, free fatty acids such as partially hardened canola oil can increase the advantage of flexibility.

  Particularly preferred hydrophobic oils include polar hydrophobic oils. In particular, a polar hydrophobic oil having a freezing point of less than about 22 ° C., more preferably less than about 20 ° C., as measured by a 20% solution of an extender in 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol. Preferred oils of this type include methyl oleate, benzyl benzoate and canola oil.

  Suitable hydrotropic agents include sulfonate electrolytes, particularly alkali metal sulfonates, and carboxylic acid derivatives such as isopropyl citrate. In particular, sodium cumene sulfonate and calcium and sodium toluene sulfonate. Other hydrotropic agents include benzoic acid and its derivatives, benzoic acid electrolytes and their derivatives.

(C) Cationic charge enhancer If necessary, a cationic charge enhancer can be added to the fabric flexibility-imparting composition added during rinsing according to the present invention. Certain charge enhancers perform other functions as previously described. Ethanol is used to produce many of the ingredients listed below and is therefore a source of solvent for inclusion in the final product formulation. The formulator is not limited to ethanol, but can add other solvents, particularly hexylene glycol, to help formulate the final composition.

  Preferred cationic charge enhancers of the present invention are described below.

(i) Quaternary ammonium compounds Preferred compositions of the present invention comprise at least about 0.2% by weight, preferably about 0.2 to about 10% by weight, more preferably about 0.2 to about 5% by weight. And a cationic charge enhancer having the formula:

式中、Ｒ^１、Ｒ^２、Ｒ^３およびＲ^４は、それぞれ独立してＣ_１〜Ｃ_２２アルキル、Ｃ_３〜Ｃ_２２アルケニル、Ｒ^５−Ｑ−（ＣＨ_２）_ｍ−であり、Ｒ^５はＣ_１〜Ｃ_２２アルキル、およびそれらの混合物であり、ｍは１〜約６であり、Ｘは陰イオンである。

In the formula, R ¹ , R ² , R ³ and R ⁴ are each independently C ₁ -C ₂₂ alkyl, C ₃ -C ₂₂ alkenyl, R ⁵ -Q- (CH ₂ ) _m- , and R ⁵ Is C ₁ -C ₂₂ alkyl, and mixtures thereof, m is 1 to about 6, and X is an anion.

Preferably, R ¹ is C ₆ -C ₂₂ alkyl, C ₆ -C ₂₂ alkenyl, and mixtures thereof, more preferably C ₁₁ -C ₁₈ alkyl, C ₁₁ -C ₁₈ alkenyl, and mixtures thereof; R ² , R ³ and R ⁴ are each preferably C ₁ -C ₄ alkyl, more preferably each R ² , R ³ and R ⁴ is methyl.

The prescriber can similarly select R ⁵ -Q- (CH ₂ ) _m- as R ¹ , where R ⁵ is an alkyl or alkenyl moiety having 1 to 22 carbon atoms, preferably The alkyl or alkenyl moiety is combined with the Q unit, preferably tallow, partially hydrogenated tallow, lard, partially hydrogenated lard, vegetable oil and / or partially hydrogenated. Acyl derived from a source of triglycerides selected from the group consisting of vegetable oils such as canola oil, safflower oil, peanut oil, sunflower oil, corn oil, soybean oil, tall oil, rice bran oil, etc., and mixtures thereof Unit.

An example of a fabric softening agent cationic enhancer comprising R ⁵ —Q— (CH ₂ ) _m — has the following formula:

式中、Ｒ^５−Ｑ−はオレオイル単位であり、ｍは２である。

In the formula, R ⁵ -Q- is an oleoyl unit, and m is 2.

  X is an anion compatible with the softening agent, preferably a strong acid anion, such as chloride, bromide, methyl sulfate, ethyl sulfate, sulfate, nitrate and mixtures thereof, more preferably Chloride and methyl sulfate.

(ii) Polyvinylamine A preferred composition of the present invention comprises at least about 0.2% by weight, preferably about 0.2 to about 5% by weight, more preferably about 0.2 to about 2% by weight One or more polyvinylamines having the formula.

式中、ｙは約３〜約１０，０００、好ましくは約１０〜約５，０００、より好ましくは約２０〜約５００である。本発明で使用するのに好適なポリビニルアミンは、BASFから市販されている。

In the formula, y is about 3 to about 10,000, preferably about 10 to about 5,000, more preferably about 20 to about 500. Suitable polyvinylamines for use in the present invention are commercially available from BASF.

If desired, one or more polyvinylamine skeleton —NH ₂ unit hydrogens can be replaced with alkyleneoxy units having the formula:

-(R ¹ O) _x R ²
Wherein R ¹ is C ₂ -C ₄ alkylene, R ² is hydrogen, C ₁ -C ₄ alkyl, and mixtures thereof, and x is 1-50. In one embodiment of the invention, polyvinylamine is first reacted with a base that directly adds 2-propyleneoxy units to nitrogen, followed by reaction with one or more moles of ethylene oxide to form units having the general formula: .

式中、ｘは１〜約５０の値を有する。上記の様な置換基は略記した式ＰＯ−ＥＯ_ｘ-により代表される。しかし、２個以上のプロピレンオキシ単位をアルキレンオキシ置換基の中に取り入れることができる。

Where x has a value from 1 to about 50. Such substituents are represented by the abbreviated formula PO-EO _x- . However, two or more propyleneoxy units can be incorporated into the alkyleneoxy substituent.

  Polyvinylamine is particularly preferred for use as a cationic charge enhancer in a liquid fabric softening composition, since more amine moieties per unit weight give significant charge density. Furthermore, the cationic charge is generated in situ and the prescriber can adjust the level of the cationic charge.

(iii) Polyalkylenimines Preferred compositions of the present invention comprise at least about 0.2% by weight, preferably about 0.2 to about 10% by weight, more preferably about 0.2 to about 5% by weight A polyalkyleneimine charge enhancer having the formula:

H
｜ ｜
_{[H 2 N-R] n} + 1 - [N-R] m - [N-R] n -NH 2
In the formula, the value of m is 2 to about 700, and the value of n is 0 to about 350. Preferably, the compounds of the invention comprise polyamines with an m: n ratio of at least 1: 1 and up to 10: 1, but can comprise linear polymers (where n is 0). Preferably, the ratio is 2: 1. m: 1, the first primary: the ratio of n is 2 secondary ratio of tertiary amine moiety, i.e. -RNH _2, -RNH, and -RN moieties ratio, the 1: 2: 1 It is.

R units are _C 2 -C _{8 alkylene,} C 3 -C ₈ alkyl substituted alkylene, and mixtures thereof, preferably ethylene, 1,2-propylene, 1,3-propylene, and mixtures thereof More preferably, it is ethylene. The R unit serves to connect the backbone amine nitrogen.

If desired, one or more polyvinylamine skeleton —NH ₂ unit hydrogens can be replaced with alkyleneoxy units having the formula:

-(R ¹ O) _x R ²
Wherein R ¹ is C ₂ -C ₄ alkylene, R ² is hydrogen, C ₁ -C ₄ alkyl, and mixtures thereof, and x is 1-50. In one embodiment of the invention, polyvinylamine is first reacted with a base that directly adds 2-propyleneoxy units to nitrogen, followed by reaction with one or more moles of ethylene oxide to form units having the general formula: .

式中、ｘは１〜約５０の値を有する。上記の様な置換基は略記した式ＰＯ−ＥＯ_ｘ-により代表される。しかし、２個以上のプロピレンオキシ単位をアルキレンオキシ置換基の中に取り入れることができる。

Where x has a value from 1 to about 50. Such substituents are represented by the abbreviated formula PO-EO _x- . However, two or more propyleneoxy units can be incorporated into the alkyleneoxy substituent.

  Preferred polyamine cationic charge enhancers suitable for use in the fabric softening composition added during rinsing include a backbone in which less than 50% of the R groups comprise 4 or more carbon atoms. It becomes. The use of 2 and 3 carbon spacers as R moieties between the nitrogen atoms in the backbone is advantageous for tuning the charge enhancer properties of the molecule. In a more preferred embodiment of the invention, less than 25% of the moieties have 4 or more carbon atoms. Further preferred skeletons have 4 or more carbon atoms in less than 10%. Most preferably, the skeleton comprises a 100% ethylene moiety.

  The cationic charge-enhancing polyamine of the present invention comprises a homogeneous or heterogeneous polyamine skeleton, preferably a homogeneous skeleton. For the purposes of the present invention, the term “homogeneous polyamine backbone” is defined as a polyamine backbone having the same R units (ie all ethylene). However, this definition of identity does not exclude polyamines comprising other units comprising a polymer backbone present for the selected artificial chemical synthesis method. For example, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art, ethanolamine can be used as an “initiator” in polyethyleneimine synthesis, so a sample of polyethyleneimine comprising a single hydroxyethyl moiety resulting from a polymerization “initiator” is For the purposes of the present invention, it is believed to constitute a homogeneous polyamine skeleton.

  For the purposes of the present invention, a “heterogeneous polymer backbone” is a composite of one or more alkylene or substituted alkylene moieties, such as ethylene and 1,2-propylene units combined as R units. Means a polyamine skeleton.

  However, not all suitable charge enhancers belonging to this class of polyamines comprise the above polyamines. The other polyamines constituting the skeleton of the compound of the present invention are generally polyalkyleneamines (PAA), polyalkyleneimines (PAI), preferably polyethyleneamine (PEA), or polyethyleneimine (PEI). A common polyalkyleneamine (PAA) is tetrabutylenepentamine. PEA is obtained by reacting ammonia and ethylene dichloride followed by fractional distillation. Common PEAs obtained are triethylenetetramine (TETA) and tetraethylenepentamine (TEPA). It appears that similarly derived mixtures of pentamine, i.e. hexamine, heptamine, octamine and optionally nonamine are not separated by distillation and may contain other substances such as cyclic amines, in particular piperazine. There may also be cyclic amines having side chains containing nitrogen atoms. The manufacture of PEA is disclosed. See U.S. Pat. No. 2,792,372, issued May 14, 1957.

  PEI comprising a preferred backbone of the charge enhancer of the present invention is obtained by polymerizing ethyleneimine in the presence of a catalyst such as carbon dioxide, sodium sulfite, sulfuric acid, hydrogen peroxide, hydrochloric acid, acetic acid, etc. Can be manufactured. A specific method for producing PEI is described in US Pat. No. 2,182,306 (all incorporated herein by reference), Ulrich et al., Promulgated December 5, 1939, US Pat. No. 3,033,746. Mayle et al., Issued May 8, 1962, U.S. Pat. No. 2,208,095, Esselmann et al., Issued July 16, 1940, U.S. Pat. No. 2,806,839. No., Crowner, issued September 17, 1957, and U.S. Pat. No. 2,553,696, Wilson, issued May 21, 1951. In addition to linear and branched PEI, the present invention also encompasses cyclic amines that are typically formed as synthetic artifacts. The presence of these materials may increase or decrease depending on the conditions selected by the prescriber.

(iv) Poly-quaternary ammonium compounds Preferred compositions of the present invention comprise at least about 0.2% by weight, preferably about 0.2 to about 10% by weight, more preferably about 0.2 to about 5% by weight. A cationic charge enhancer having the following formula:

式中、Ｒは置換された、または置換されていないＣ_２〜Ｃ_１２アルキレン、置換された、または置換されていないＣ_２〜Ｃ_１２ヒドロキシアルキレンであり、各Ｒ^１は独立してＣ_１〜Ｃ_４アルキルであり、各Ｒ^２は独立して、Ｃ_１〜Ｃ_２２アルキル、Ｃ_３〜Ｃ_２２アルケニル、Ｒ^５−Ｑ−（ＣＨ_２）_ｍ−（ここでＲ^５はＣ_１〜Ｃ_２２アルキル、Ｃ_３〜Ｃ_２２アルケニル、およびそれらの混合物であり、ｍは１〜約６であり、Ｑは前に定義したカルボニル単位である）、およびそれらの混合物であり、Ｘは陰イオンである。

Wherein R is a substituted or unsubstituted C ₂ -C ₁₂ alkylene, substituted or unsubstituted C ₂ -C ₁₂ hydroxyalkylene, and each R ¹ is independently C _1- C ₄ alkyl, each R ² is independently C ₁ -C ₂₂ alkyl, C ₃ -C ₂₂ alkenyl, R ⁵ -Q- (CH ₂ ) _m- (where R ⁵ is C ₁ -C ₂₂ Alkyl, C ₃ -C ₂₂ alkenyl, and mixtures thereof, m is 1 to about 6, Q is a carbonyl unit as defined above), and mixtures thereof, X is an anion .

Preferably, R is ethylene, R ¹ is methyl or ethyl, more preferably methyl, and at least one R ² is preferably C ₁ -C ₄ alkyl, more preferably methyl. Preferably, at least one R ² is C ₁₁ -C ₂₂ alkyl, C ₁₁ -C ₂₂ alkenyl, and mixtures thereof.

The prescriber can similarly select R ⁵ —Q— (CH ₂ ) _m — as R ² , where R ⁵ is an alkyl moiety having 1 to 22 carbon atoms, preferably an alkyl moiety. In combination with the Q unit, preferably tallow, partially hydrogenated tallow, lard, partially hydrogenated lard, vegetable oil and / or partially hydrogenated vegetable oil, eg canola Acyl units derived from a source of triglycerides selected from the group consisting of oil, safflower oil, peanut oil, sunflower oil, corn oil, soybean oil, tall oil, rice bran oil, and the like, and mixtures thereof.

An example of a fabric softening agent cationic enhancer comprising R ⁵ —Q— (CH ₂ ) _m — has the following formula:

式中、Ｒ^１はメチルであり、１個のＲ^２はメチルであり、他のＲ^２単位はＲ^５−Ｑ−（ＣＨ_２）_ｍ−であり、Ｒ^５−Ｑ−はオレオイル単位であり、ｍは２である。

In which R ¹ is methyl, one R ² is methyl, the other R ² unit is R ⁵ -Q- (CH ₂ ) _m- , and R ⁵ -Q- is an oleoyl unit. Yes, m is 2.

  X is an anion compatible with the softening agent, preferably a strong acid anion, such as chloride, bromide, methyl sulfate, ethyl sulfate, sulfate, nitrate and mixtures thereof, more preferably Chloride and methyl sulfate.

(v) Cationic polymer Preferred compositions of the present invention comprise about 0.001 to about 10% by weight, preferably about 0.01 to about 5% by weight, more preferably about 0.1 to about 2% by weight. The polymer typically has a molecular weight of about 500 to about 1,000,000, preferably about 1,000 to about 500,000, more preferably About 1,000 to about 250,000, more preferably about 2,000 to about 100,000, and a charge density of at least about 0.01 meq / gm, preferably about 0.1 to about 8 meq / gm, more preferably Is from about 0.5 to about 7, more preferably from about 2 to about 6.

The cationic polymer of the present invention may be an amine salt or a quaternary ammonium salt. Quaternary ammonium salts are preferred. These cationic polymers, natural polymers, for example, certain polysaccharides, gums, starch and certain cationic synthetic polymers such as polymers and copolymerization of cationic vinyl pyridine or vinyl pyridinium halides Coalescence . The polymer is preferably water soluble, for example at 20 ° C. to the extent of at least 0.5% by weight. Preferably, the polymer has a molecular weight of from about 600 to about 1,000,000, more preferably from about 600 to about 500,000, more preferably from about 800 to about 300,000, especially from about 1000 to about 10,000. . As a general rule, the lower the molecular weight, the higher the degree of substitution (DS) with a cationic system, usually a quaternary group (which is preferred), or correspondingly, the lower the degree of substitution, the higher the molecular weight. High (which is preferred), but there seems to be no exact relationship. Generally, the cationic polymer has a charge density of at least about 0.01 meq / gm, preferably from about 0.1 to about 8 meq / gm, more preferably from about 0.5 to about 7, and even more preferably about 2. Should be about ~ 6.

  Suitable and desirable cationic polymers are disclosed in the CTFA International Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary, Fourth Edition, editor JM Nikitakis, et al, osmetic, Toiletry, and Fragrance Association publication, 1991, incorporated herein by reference. This list includes the following materials:

  Among the polysaccharide gums, guar gum and wax cast bean gum, which are galactomannan gums, are commercially available and are preferred. For example, guar gum is commercially available from Meyhall and Stein-Hall under the trade names CSAA M / 200, CSA 200/50, and hydroxyalkylated guar gum is also commercially available from the same supplier. Other polysaccharide gums that are commercially available include xanthan gum, gati gum, tamarind gum, gum arabic, and agar.

  Cationic gums and methods for their production are described in British Patent 1,136,842 and US Pat. No. 4,031,307. Preferably, these gums are D.I. S. Is 0.1 to about 0.5.

  An effective cationic guar gum is Jaguar C-13S (Meyhall trade name). Cationic guar gum is a highly preferred group of cationic polymers in the composition of the present invention, which acts as a collecting agent for residual anionic surfactants and contains almost no residual anionic surfactant. Even if it is used in a bath containing no or at all, the softening effect of the cationic fabric softening agent is increased. Other polysaccharide gums can be quaternized as well, and act in various ways with substantially the same manner. Suitable starches and derivatives are natural starches such as corn, wheat, barley, etc. and starches obtained from roots such as potato, tapioca, etc., and dextrins, especially pyrodextrins such as British gum and white dextrin. .

  Very effective cationic polymers include polyvinylpyridine (molecular weight about 40,000, about 60% of the pyridine nitrogen present is quaternized), 70/30 molar ratio of vinylpyridine / styrene. Copolymer (molecular weight about 43,000, as above, about 45% of the pyridine nitrogen present is quaternized), vinylpyridine / acrylamide 60/40 molar ratio copolymer (above As well as about 35% of the pyridine nitrogen present is quaternized), vinylpyridine / methyl methacrylate 77/23 and 57/43 molar ratio copolymers (molecular weight about 43,000, above As well as about 97% of the pyridine nitrogen present is quaternized).

  These cationic polymers are effective at very low concentrations in the composition, for example 0.001-0.2% by weight, especially about 0.02-0.1% by weight. In some cases, efficiency appears to decrease when the content exceeds some optimal level, for example, about 0.05% for polyvinylpyridine and its styrene copolymers.

  Other effective cationic polymers include the following materials. Copolymer of vinylpyridine and N-vinylpyrrolidone (63/37) (about 40% of the pyridine nitrogen present is quaternized), copolymer of vinylpyridine and acrylonitrile (60/40) (above And a copolymer of N, N-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate and styrene (55/45) (about 75% of the amino nitrogen atoms present are quaternary as above). ). Eudragit E (trade name of Rohm GmbH) (about 75% of the amino nitrogen present is quaternized as above). Eudragit E is a copolymer of N, N-dialkylaminoalkyl methacrylate and a neutral acrylate ester, and is considered to have a molecular weight of about 100,000 to 1,000,000. Copolymer of N-vinylpyrrolidone and N, N-diethylaminomethyl methacrylate (40/50) (about 50% of the amino nitrogen present is quaternized). These cationic polymers can be produced by quaternizing the basic polymer in a known manner.

  Yet another cationic polymeric salt is quaternized polyethyleneimine. These materials have at least 10 repeating units, some or all of which are quaternized. An example of this type of commercial polymer is also sold by Allied Colloids under the general trade name Alcostat.

  Typical examples of polymers are disclosed in US Pat. No. 4,179,382, incorporated herein by reference.

  Each polyamine nitrogen is either a primary, secondary or tertiary, as a member of any of the three general categories: simply substituted, quaternized and oxidized. Further limited.

The polymers can be water soluble anions such as chlorine (Cl ⁻ ), bromine (Br ⁻ ), iodine (I ⁻ ), or other negatively charged groups such as sulfate (SO ₄ ²⁻ ) and metasulfate (CH ₃ SO ₃ ⁻ ).

  Specific polyamine skeletons are described in US Pat. No. 2,182,306 (all incorporated herein by reference), Ulrich et al., Promulgated December 5, 1939, US Pat. No. 3,033,746. Mayle et al., Issued May 8, 1962, U.S. Pat. No. 2,208,095, Esselmann et al., Issued July 16, 1940, U.S. Pat. No. 2,806,839. Crowther, issued September 17, 1957, and U.S. Pat. No. 2,553,696, Wilson, issued May 21, 1951.

An example of a modified polyamine cationic polymer of the invention comprising PEI is that all replaceable nitrogens are modified by replacing hydrogen with polyoxyalkyleneoxy units — (CH ₂ CH ₂ O) ₇ H. Comprising a PEI skeleton. Other suitable polyamine cationic polymers comprise this molecule, which subsequently oxidizes all oxidizable primary and secondary nitrogens to N-oxides and / or some Such skeletal amine units are modified by quaternization, for example with a methyl group.

  Of course, any mixture of the above-mentioned cationic polymers can be used, and the physical properties of the composition, for example their viscosity, and the stability of the aqueous dispersion can be adjusted by selecting individual polymers or specific mixtures. can do.

(D) Brighteners The compositions of the present invention can comprise from about 0.005 to about 5% by weight of certain hydrophilic optical brighteners that also exhibit an anti-dye transfer effect. When used, the composition of the present invention preferably comprises from about 0.001 to about 1% by weight of such an optical brightener.

  The hydrophilic optical brightener useful in the present invention is the brightener described in US Pat. No. 5,759,990, paragraphs 21, 15-60.

(E) Mono-alkyl cation based quaternary ammonium compounds When present, the single long chain alkyl cation based quaternary ammonium compound, when present, is about 2 to about 25% by weight of the typical composition, preferably about 3%. Present in an amount of from about 17% by weight, more preferably from about 4 to about 15% by weight, and even more preferably from about 5 to about 13% by weight. The total amount of mono-alkyl cationic quaternary ammonium compounds is The amount is at least effective to improve flexibility imparting in the presence of an ionic surfactant.

  Such mono-alkyl cation quaternary ammonium compounds useful in the present invention are preferably quaternary ammonium salts having the general formula:

[R ⁴ N ⁺ (R ⁵ ) ₃ ] A ⁻
Wherein R ⁴ is a C ₈ -C ₂₂ alkyl or alkenyl group, preferably a C ₁₀ -C ₁₈ alkyl or alkenyl group, more preferably a C ₁₀ -C ₁₄ or C ₁₆ -C ₁₈ alkyl or alkenyl group,
Each R ⁵ is a C ₁ -C ₆ alkyl or substituted alkyl (eg, hydroxyalkyl), preferably a C ₁ -C ₃ alkyl group, eg, methyl (most preferred), ethyl, propyl, etc., a benzyl group, hydrogen, about 2 Polyethoxylated chains having about 20 oxyethylene units, preferably about 2.5 to about 13 oxyethylene units, more preferably about 3 to about 10 oxyethylene units, and mixtures thereof. ,
A ⁻ is as defined above for (formula (I)).

Particularly preferred materials are monolauryl trimethyl ammonium chloride and mono tallow trimethyl ammonium chloride commercially available under the trade name Varisoft 471 from Witco and monooleyl trimethyl ammonium chloride commercially available under the trade name Varisoft 417 from Witco.

The R ⁴ group can be attached to the cationic nitrogen atom through a group containing one or more ester, amide, ether, amine, etc. linking groups. Such linking groups are preferably within about 1 to about 3 carbon atoms of the nitrogen atom.

Mono - alkyl cationic quaternary ammonium compounds also _includes C 8 _{-C 22} alkyl choline esters. Preferred compounds of this type have the following formula:

[R ¹ C (O) —O—CH ₂ CH ₂ N ⁺ (R) ³ ] A ⁻
In which R ¹ , R and A ⁻ are as previously defined.

Highly preferred compounds include C ₁₂ -C ₁₄ cococholine esters and C ₁₆ -C ₁₈ tallow choline esters.

  Suitable biodegradable single long chain alkyl compounds containing ester linkages in the long chain are described in US Pat. No. 4,840,738, Hardy and Walley, promulgated June 20, 1989, which is hereby incorporated by reference. Are listed.

Suitable single long chain materials correspond to the preferred biodegradable softener active ingredients described above, where there is only one R ¹ group in the molecule. The R ¹ group or YR ¹ group is usually substituted by an R group.

  These quaternary compounds with only a single long alkyl chain are cationic softening due to their interaction with anionic surfactants and / or detergent builders carried from the laundry solution into the rinse. Protect the agent. It is highly preferred to have a single long chain quaternary compound or cationic polymer sufficient to bind the anionic surfactant. This improves flexibility and wrinkle prevention. The ratio of the fabric softener active ingredient to the single long chain compound is typically about 100: 1 to about 2: 1, preferably about 50: 1 to about 5: 1, more preferably about 13: 1 to about. 8: 1. Under conditions where detergent carryover is high, this ratio is preferably about 5: 1 to about 7: 1. Typically, single long chain compounds are present in the rinse solution in an amount from about 10 ppm to about 25 ppm.

(F) Stabilizer A stabilizer can be present in the composition of the present invention. As used herein, the term “stabilizer” includes antioxidants and reducing agents. These agents are 0% to about 2%, preferably about 0.01% to about 0.2%, more preferably about 0.035% to about 0.1% for antioxidants and about reducing agents. Is preferably present in an amount of about 0.01% to about 0.2%. These drugs ensure good odor stability under long-term storage conditions. Stabilizers, which are antioxidants and reducing agents, are particularly important for products that have no or low fragrance (no or low fragrance).

It can be added to the compositions and treatments of the present invention. Examples of antioxidants include mixtures of ascorbic acid, ascorbic palmitate, propyl gallate, Eastman Chemical Products, Inc., commercially available from Eastman Chemical Products, Inc. under the names Tenox PG and Tenox S-1. A mixture of BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene), BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole), propyl gallate, and citric acid, commercially available under the trade name Tenox-6 from UOP Process Division under the trade name Sustane BHT Commercially available butylated hydroxytoluene, t-butylhydroquinone commercially available as Tenox TBHQ from Eastman Chemical Products, Inc., natural tocopherol commercially available as Tenox GT-1 / GT-2 from Eastman Chemical Products, Inc. And butylated hydroxyhydroxyanisole commercially available as BHA from Eastman Chemical Products, Inc., gallic Long chain esters _(C 8 _{~C 22),} for example, dodecyl gallate, Irganox (tradename) 1010, Irganox (tradename) 1035, Irganox (trade name) B 1171, Irganox (tradename) 1425, Irganox (trade name ) 3114, Irganox (trade name) 3125 and mixtures thereof, preferably Irganox (trade name) 3125, Irganox (trade name) 1425, Irganox (trade name) 3114, and mixtures thereof, more preferably Irganox (trade name) 3125 alone or in a mixture with citric acid and / or other chelating agents such as isopropyl citrate, Dequest (trade name) 2010, Monsanto under the chemical name 1-hydroxyethylidene-1,1-diphosphonic acid (etidronic acid) Commercially available, and commercially available under the chemical name of 4,5-dihydroxy-m-benzenesulfonic acid / sodium salt from Tiron (trade name), Kodak, and diethylenetriamine from DTPA (trade name), Aldrich Commercially available under the chemical name of pentaacetic acid.

(G) Soil Release Agent Suitable soil release agents are described in US Pat. No. 5,759,990, paragraph 23, line 53 to paragraph 25, line 41. The soil release agent can be added in combination with the premix, in combination with the acid / water sheet, before or after electrolyte addition, or after production of the final composition. The softening composition produced by the method of the present invention can comprise 0% to about 10%, preferably 0.2% to about 5%, of a soil release agent. Preferably, such soil release agent is a polymer. The polymeric soil release agents useful in the present invention include copolymeric blocks such as terephthalate and polyethylene oxide or polypropylene oxide.

  A preferred soil release agent is a copolymer having blocks of terephthalate and polyethylene oxide. More particularly, these polymers comprise ethylene terephthalate and polyethylene oxide terephthalate repeat units in a molar ratio of ethylene terephthalate units to polyethylene oxide terephthalate units of 25:75 to about 35:65, wherein the polyethylene oxide terephthalate is A polyethylene oxide block having a molecular weight of about 300 to about 2000.

  Another preferred polymeric soil release agent is a crystallizable polyester comprising ethylene terephthalate repeat units comprising about 10 to about 15 weight percent ethylene terephthalate units with about 10 to about 50 weight percent polyoxyethylene terephthalate units. The molar ratio of ethylene terephthalate units to polyoxyethylene terephthalate units in a polymer compound derived from polyoxyethylene glycol having an average molecular weight of about 300 to about 6,000 and capable of crystallizing is 2: 1 to 6: 1. Examples of this polymer include the commercially available materials Zelcon (trade name) 4780 (from Dupont) and Milease T (trade name) (from ICI).

  The soil release agent can also act as a flotation disperser.

(H) Bactericides Examples of bactericides used in the compositions used in the present invention include about 1 to about 1,000 ppm by weight of glutaraldehyde, formaldehyde, trade name Bronopol from Inolex Chemicals of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 2-bromo-2-nitro-propane-1,3-diol and 2-chloro-2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one commercially available under the trade name Kathon from Rohm and Haas Company Mention may be made of a mixture of methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one.

(I) Chelating Agents The compositions and methods of the present invention can optionally include one or more copper and / or nickel chelating agents (“chelators”). Such water soluble chelating agents can all be selected from the group consisting of aminocarboxylates, aminophosphonates, polyfunctionally substituted aromatic chelating agents and mixtures thereof described below. The whiteness and / or gloss of the fabric is greatly improved or restored by such chelating agents, and the stability of the material in the composition is also improved. The chelating agents described in US Pat. No. 5,759,990, paragraph 26, line 29 to paragraph 27, line 38 are preferred.

  Chelating agents are used in the rinsing method of the present invention, typically in an amount of about 2 ppm to about 25 ppm for 1 minute to several hours of immersion.

  A preferred EDDS chelating agent (also referred to as ethylenediamine-N, N′-disuccinate) that can be used here is the material described in the above-mentioned US Pat. No. 4,704,233, which has the formula (Shown in acid form).

HN (L) C ₂ H ₄ N (L) H
In the formula, L is a CH ₂ (COOH) CH ₂ (COOH) group.

  A great variety of chelating agents can be used here. In fact, simple polycarboxylates such as citrate, oxydisuccinate, etc. can be used, but such chelating agents are not as effective as aminocarboxylates and phosphates on a weight basis. Therefore, the amount used may be adjusted in consideration of various chelation efficiencies. The chelating agent used here preferably has a stability constant (of the fully ionized chelating agent) for copper ions of at least 5, preferably at least 7. Typically, the chelating agent comprises 0.5 to 10%, more preferably 0.75 to 5% by weight of the composition of the present invention, in addition to the chelating agent that is a stabilizer. Preferred chelating agents include DETMP, DETPA, NTA, EDDS, TPED and mixtures thereof.

(J) The color protectant composition can optionally comprise from about 0.1 to about 50% by weight of the composition of a color protectant having the formula:

(R ₁ ) (R ₂ ) N (CX ₂ ) _n (R ₃ ) (R ₄ )
Wherein X is hydrogen, linear or branched, substituted or unsubstituted, alkyl having 1 to 10 carbons, and substituted or unsubstituted, aryl having at least 6 carbons N is an integer from 0 to 6 and R ₁ , R ₂ , R ₃ and R ₄ are independently alkyl, aryl, alkaryl, arylalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, polyhydroxyalkyl , Formula ((CH ₂ ) _y O) _z R ₇ , wherein R ₇ is hydrogen or a linear, branched substituted or unsubstituted alkyl chain having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, y Is an integer from 2 to 10 and z is an integer from 1 to 30) polyalkyl ether, alkoxy, polyalkoxy having the formula — (O (CH ₂ ) _y ) _z R ₇ , the group —C (O) R ₈ (wherein R ₈ is , R ₁ , R ₂ , R ₃ and R ₄ are alkyl, alkaryl, arylalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, polyhydroxyalkyl and polyalkylether), (CX ₂ ) _n N (R ₅ ) (R ₆ And two or more of R ₁ , R ₂ , R ₃ and R ₄ are not (CX ₂ ) _n N (R ₅ ) (R ₆ ), R ₅ and R ₆ are R ₁ , R ₂ , R ₃ and R ₄ , alkyl, alkaryl, arylalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, polyhydroxyalkyl, polyalkylether, alkoxy and polyalkoxy, R ₁ + R ₃ or R ₄ or R ₂ + R ₃ Or R ₄ can be combined to form a cyclic substituent.

Preferred agents are R ₁ , R ₂ , R ₃ and R ₄ are independently an alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms and a hydroxyalkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, preferably ethyl, methyl, A drug selected from the group consisting of hydroxyethyl, hydroxypropyl and isohydroxypropyl. The color protectant has more than about 1%, preferably more than 7%, nitrogen by weight of the compound. A preferred agent is tetrakis- (2-hydroxypropyl) ethylenediamine (TPED).

(K) Silicone The silicone of the present invention may be polydimethylsiloxane (polydimethylsilicone or PDMS), or derivatives thereof, such as aminosilicone, ethoxylated silicone, and the like. PDMS is preferably a low molecular weight material, such as a material having a viscosity of about 2 to about 5000 cSt, preferably about 5 to about 500 cSt, more preferably about 25 to about 200 cSt. Silicone emulsions can be conveniently used in preparing the compositions of the present invention. However, the silicone is preferably not emulsified at least initially. That is, the silicone should be emulsified in the composition itself. In the manufacturing process of the composition, it is preferred to add the silicone to a “water sheet” comprising water and optionally other ingredients that normally remain in the aqueous phase.

  It is preferred to use low molecular weight PDMS in the fabric softener composition of the present invention. Low molecular weight PDMS can be easily formulated without pre-emulsification.

  Silicone derivatives such as amino-functional silicones, quaternized silicones, and silicone derivatives containing Si—OH, Si—H, and / or Si—Cl bonds can be used. However, these silicone derivatives are usually highly adherent to the fabric and can accumulate on the fabric during repeated processing, reducing the absorbency of the fabric.

  When added to water, the fabric softener composition causes the biodegradable cationic fabric flexibility-imparting active ingredient to adhere to the fabric surface and exerts a fabric flexibility-improving effect. However, in typical washing methods using automatic washing machines, the water absorbency of the cotton fabric can be greatly reduced with a high level of softening agent and / or after many cycles. Silicone improves the water absorbency of fabrics, especially for freshly treated fabrics, when used with this level of fabric softener, without adversely affecting the fabric's softening performance. Since silicone is inherently hydrophobic, the mechanism by which this water absorption is improved has not been elucidated. It is very surprising that the water absorption is improved, not lost. The amount of PDMS required to significantly improve water absorption depends on the initial rewet performance, which depends on the type of detergent used in the laundry. An effective amount is from about 2 ppm to about 50 ppm, preferably from about 5 to about 20 ppm in the rinse water. The ratio of PDMS to softener active ingredient is from about 2: 100 to about 50: 100, preferably from about 3: 100 to about 35: 100, more preferably from about 4: 100 to about 25: 100. As previously mentioned, this requires about 0.2% to about 20%, preferably about 0.5% to about 10%, more preferably about 1% to about 5% of silicone.

  In addition to improving the rewet characteristics of the fabric, PDMS also improves the ease of ironing. When the fabric protection composition includes a soil free polymer that is optionally used, the amount of PDMS that adheres to the cotton fabric surface increases and PDMS improves the soil release properties for the polyester fabric. PDMS also improves the rinsing properties of the fabric protection composition by reducing the tendency of the composition to foam during rinsing. Surprisingly, as a result of the relatively large amount of PDMS, there is little, if any, degradation in the softening properties of the fabric protection composition.

  The present invention typically includes other ingredients that are typically used in textile treatment compositions, such as colorants, preservatives, surfactants, shrinkage inhibitors, fabric shrinkage treatment agents, dyeing agents, disinfectants, fungicides, Corrosion inhibitors, enzymes such as protease, cellulase, amylase, lipase, etc. can be included.

  The present invention is described in US Pat. No. 5,686,376, which is hereby incorporated by reference, Rusche, et al., Promulgated on November 11, 1997, Shaw, et al., And US Pat. No. 5,536,421. Other compatible ingredients can also be included, including the materials described in the specification, Hartman, et al., Promulgated 16 July 1996.

  Unless otherwise indicated, all parts, percentages, ratios and proportions herein are expressed in weight and all numbers are approximate based on normal confidence limits. All references cited are relevant and are included here for reference.

  Examples of softener compounds useful in the present invention are shown below.

TEA di-ester quaternary material: methyl sulfate di (acyloxyethyl) (2-hydroxyethyl) methylammonium (acyl group is derived from partially hydrogenated canola fatty acid)
1) -Esterification
A special grade Industrene fatty acid commercially available from Witco Corporation, 536 grams of a partially hydrogenated tallow fatty acid having an IV of about 98, a cis / trans ratio (C18: 1), and an acid number of about 198.5 is placed in a reactor and reacted. The vessel is purged with N ₂ and 149 grams of triethanolamine is added with stirring. The molar ratio of fatty acid to triethanolamine is about 1.9: 1. The mixture is heated to a temperature above about 150 ° C. and depressurized to remove condensed water. The reaction is continued until the acid number reaches about 4.

2)-About 122 grams of dimethyl sulfate is added to 645 grams of the quaternized condensation product with continuous stirring. The reaction mixture is kept at a temperature above 50 ° C. and the residual amine value is checked after the reaction. 767 grams of softener compound are obtained.

  The quaternized material is optionally diluted, for example, with about 68 g of ethanol and about 68 g of hexylene glycol to lower the melting point of the material and make the material easier to handle. At this point, other ingredients can be added including chelating agents, antioxidants, perfumes, and the like. Such materials and the benefits of blending them are described in US Pat. No. 5,747,443, Wahl, Trinh, Gosselink, Letton, and Sivik, published May 5, 1998, and US No. 5,686,376, Rusche, Baker and Maashlein, promulgated on November 11, 1997.

  Although the softening agent compound synthesize | combined as mentioned above is demonstrated also in the example of the following fabric softness | flexibility provision composition, it is not limited to these examples.

  The following non-limiting examples show clear or translucent products with reasonable viscosity. In the production of the composition in the following example, an oil sheet of a softener active ingredient is first produced at room temperature. If the softener active ingredient is not a fluid at room temperature, the softener active ingredient can be heated and melted if necessary. Using an IKA RW 25 (trade name) mixer, mix the softener active ingredients at about 150 rpm for about 2 to about 5 minutes. Separately, a water sheet is produced with deionized (DI) water at room temperature, but if necessary, the acid used is added as desired to adjust the pH. If the softener active ingredient and / or the main solvent is not fluid at room temperature and needs to be heated, the acid / water sheet is also heated to a suitable temperature, for example about 100 ° F. (about 38 ° C.) Maintain temperature in water bath. The main solvent (melted at a suitable temperature if the melting point is above room temperature) is added to the softener premix and the premix is mixed for about 5 minutes. The optional phase stabilizer is then added and mixed for about 1 minute. The electrolyte is then added and mixed for about 1 minute. The water sheet is then added to the softener premix and mixed for about 20 to about 30 minutes or until the composition is clear and homogeneous. Finally, add perfume, add perfume and mix until the composition is clear and homogeneous. Allow the composition to cool to room temperature in air.

  Alternatively, in a system where all components are liquid at room temperature, the composition is prepared as follows. The ingredients are added in the order of softener active ingredient, primary solvent, optional phase stabilizer, water, fragrance, and electrolyte (as a concentrated aqueous solution), but hand enough or Lightnin (trade name) ) Stir with a 77 mixer at about 150 rpm for about 2 to about 5 minutes.

^１ メチル硫酸ジ（アシルオキシエチル）（２−ヒドロキシエチル）メチルアンモニウム（アシル基は部分的に水素化されたカノラ脂肪酸に由来する）
^２ ２，２，４−トリメチル−１，３−ペンタンジオール
^３ アルキルアルコキシル化界面活性剤、Shellの商品名
アルキルアルコキシル化界面活性剤、例えばNeodol（商品名）、の効率は、ＨＬＢ（親水性／親油性バランス）値と良く相関している。ＨＬＢが高い程、組成物に必要なNeodol（商品名）の重量％は低い。 Table 1. Efficiency of alkyl ethoxylated surfactants as phase stabilizers

¹ methyl di (acyloxyethyl) (2-hydroxyethyl) methylammonium sulfate (acyl group is derived from partially hydrogenated canola fatty acid)
² 2,2,4-Trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol
³ alkyl alkoxylated surfactant, trade name alkyl alkoxylated surfactants Shell, for example, Neodol (trade name), the efficiency, HLB correlates well with (hydrophilic / lipophilic balance) value. The higher the HLB, the lower the weight percent Neodol (trade name) required for the composition.

^１ メチル硫酸ジ（アシルオキシエチル）（２−ヒドロキシエチル）メチルアンモニウム（アシル基は部分的に水素化されたカノラ脂肪酸に由来する）
^２ ２−エチル−１，３−ヘキサンジオール
^３ エトキシル化アルキルアルコール、Shell
^４ ポリオキシエチレン、ポリオキシプロピレンブロック共重合体、BASFの商品名^５ ジエチレントリアミンペンタアセテート
表３．各種相安定剤の重量効率

表３（続き）．各種相安定剤の重量効率

表３（続き）．各種相安定剤の重量効率

^１ メチル硫酸ジ（アシルオキシエチル）（２−ヒドロキシエチル）メチルアンモニウム（アシル基は部分的に水素化されたカノラ脂肪酸に由来する）
^２ エトキシル化アルキルアルコール、Shellの商品名
^３ エトキシル化ソルビタンエステル、ICI Americasの商品名
^４ エトキシル化塩化アルキルアンモニウム、Akzo Nobelの商品名
^５ エトキシル化アルキルアミン、Akzo Nobelの商品名
^６ エトキシル化アルキルアミド、Witcoの商品名
^７ エトキシル化アルキルアミノプロピルアミン、Akzo Nobelの商品名
^８ エトキシル化エチル硫酸モノアルキルアンモニウム、Witcoの商品名
^９ エトキシル化アルキルアルコール、Union Carbideの商品名
^１０エトキシル化アルキルフェノール、GAFの商品名
^１１アルキルアミドプロピルアミン、Akzo Nobelの商品名
^１２ジエチレントリアミンペンタアセテート
表４．各種溶剤系を含む３０％ＭＤＥＡ第４級物質柔軟化剤

^１ メチル硫酸ジ（アシルオキシエチル）（２−ヒドロキシエチル）メチルアンモニウム（アシル基は部分的に水素化されたカノラ脂肪酸に由来する）
^２ エトキシル化アルキルアルコール、Shellの商品名
表５．低レベルの溶剤および各種主要溶剤を含む布地柔軟化剤組成物

^１ メチル硫酸ジ（アシルオキシエチル）（２−ヒドロキシエチル）メチルアンモニウム（アシル基は部分的に水素化されたカノラ脂肪酸に由来する）
^２ エトキシル化アルキルアルコール、Shellの商品名
^３ エトキシル化アルキルアミド、Witcoの商品名
^４ ポリオキシエチレン、ポリオキシプロピレンブロック共重合体、BASFの商品名表６．４５％布地柔軟化剤活性成分および各種電解質および溶剤系を含む布地柔軟性付与組成物

^１ メチル硫酸ジ（アシルオキシエチル）（２−ヒドロキシエチル）メチルアンモニウム（アシル基は部分的に水素化されたカノラ脂肪酸に由来する）
^２ エトキシル化アルキルアミド、Witcoの商品名
表７．主要溶剤としてヘキシレングリコールおよび相安定剤としてRewopal（商品名）C-6を含む布地柔軟性付与組成物

^１ メチル硫酸ジ（アシルオキシエチル）（２−ヒドロキシエチル）メチルアンモニウム（アシル基は部分的に水素化されたカノラ脂肪酸に由来する）
^２ エトキシル化アルキルアミド、Witcoの商品名
表８．主要溶剤としてヘキシレングリコールおよび相安定剤としてNeodol（商品名）91-8を含む布地柔軟性付与組成物

^１ メチル硫酸ジ（アシルオキシエチル）（２−ヒドロキシエチル）メチルアンモニウム（アシル基は部分的に水素化されたカノラ脂肪酸に由来する）
^２ エトキシル化アルキルアルコール、Shellの商品名
表９．主要溶剤としてヘキシレングリコールおよびヒドロトロピー剤を含む布地柔軟性付与組成物

^１ メチル硫酸ジ（アシルオキシエチル）（２−ヒドロキシエチル）メチルアンモニウム（アシル基は部分的に水素化されたカノラ脂肪酸に由来する）
^２ エトキシル化アルキルアミド、Witcoの商品名
^３ エトキシル化アルキルアルコール、Shellの商品名
表１０．混合主要溶剤系を含む布地柔軟化剤組成物

^１ メチル硫酸ジ（アシルオキシエチル）（２−ヒドロキシエチル）メチルアンモニウム（アシル基は部分的に水素化されたカノラ脂肪酸に由来する）
^２ エトキシル化アルキルアルコール、Shellの商品名
^３ ジエチレントリアミンペンタアセテート
表１１．布地柔軟性付与組成物

^１ メチル硫酸ジ（アシルオキシエチル）（２−ヒドロキシエチル）メチルアンモニウム（アシル基は部分的に水素化されたカノラ脂肪酸に由来する）
^２ エトキシル化アルキルアルコール、Shellの商品名
^３ エトキシル化アルキルアルコール、Union Carbideの商品名
^４ ジエチレントリアミンペンタアセテート
^５ テトラキス−（２−ヒドロキシプロピル）エチレンジアミン
表１２．高電解質処方物と低電解質処方物に対する、投入装置中の布地柔軟化剤の低残留物を立証するデータ

布地柔軟化剤組成物および 投入装置中に残された
希釈 平均Amt.組成物＋水
高電解質組成物と水の重量比 （投入装置中に残された
組成物＋水の平均％）

１：１高電解質／水 ２．３２ｇ（３．９％）
１：１低電解質／水 ２３．０８ｇ（３８．５％）

１：２高電解質／水 ７．３８ｇ（６．２％）
１：２低電解質／水 １２．５２ｇ（１０．４％）

１：５高電解質／水 １．１ｇ（０．７％）
１：５低電解質／水 ３．０７ｇ（１．７％）
表１３．高電解質処方物と低電解質処方物に対する、布地の染形成が少ないことを立証するデータ

布地柔軟化剤組成物および希釈 サイクル毎の布地の
染形成の平均数

１：１高電解質／水 １．６
１：１低電解質／水 ０．６

１：２高電解質／水 １．２
１：２低電解質／水 ０．２

１：５高電解質／水 １．２
１：５低電解質／水 ０．４
表１４．様々なレベルの布地柔軟化剤および溶剤系を含む布地柔軟化剤組成物

^１ メチル硫酸ジ（アシルオキシエチル）（２−ヒドロキシエチル）メチルアンモニウム（アシル基は部分的に水素化されたカノラ脂肪酸に由来する）
^２ メチル硫酸ジ（オレオイルオキシエチル）（２−ヒドロキシエチル）メチルアンモニウム
^３ ２−エチル−１，３−ヘキサンジオール
^４ エトキシル化アルキルアルコール、Shellの商品名
^５ ポリオキシエチレン、ポリオキシプロピレンブロック共重合体、BASFの商品名^６ ジエチレントリアミンペンタアセテート
商業的目的には、上記の組成物を容器、特にビン、より具体的にはポリプロピレン製（ガラス、延伸ポリエチレン、等も代用できる）の透明なビン（半透明なビンも使用できる）に入れる。ビンは、存在する、または貯蔵中に生じることがある黄色を相殺するために明青色に着色し（ただし、短時間または完全に透明な製品には、着色しない、または他の色を有する、透明な容器を使用できる）、ビンの中に紫外光吸収剤を配合し、内部の物質、特に高不飽和活性成分、に対する紫外光の影響を最小に抑える（吸収剤は表面上にあってもよい）。透明性およびビンの全体的な効果が組成物の透明性を示し、消費者に製品の品質を確信させる。布地軟化剤が受け入れられるためには、特に高レベルの布地柔軟化剤が存在する場合には、透明性および芳香が決定的である。 Table 2. Fabric softener compositions comprising various amounts of fabric softener and solvent system

¹ methyl di (acyloxyethyl) (2-hydroxyethyl) methylammonium sulfate (acyl group is derived from partially hydrogenated canola fatty acid)
² 2-Ethyl-1,3-hexanediol
^3- Ethoxylated alkyl alcohol, Shell
⁴ Polyoxyethylene, polyoxypropylene block copolymer, trade name of BASF ⁵ Diethylenetriaminepentaacetate
Table 3. Weight efficiency of various phase stabilizers

Table 3 (continued). Weight efficiency of various phase stabilizers

Table 3 (continued). Weight efficiency of various phase stabilizers

¹ methyl di (acyloxyethyl) (2-hydroxyethyl) methylammonium sulfate (acyl group is derived from partially hydrogenated canola fatty acid)
Trade name of ^2- ethoxylated alkyl alcohol, Shell
³ ethoxylated sorbitan ester, a trade name of ICI Americas
^4- Ethoxylated alkyl ammonium chloride, trade name of Akzo Nobel
Trade name of ^5- ethoxylated alkylamine, Akzo Nobel
^6- ethoxylated alkylamide, trade name of Witco
⁷ Ethoxylated alkylaminopropylamine, trade name of Akzo Nobel
^8- Ethoxylated monoalkylammonium sulfate, trade name of Witco
⁹ Ethoxylated alkyl alcohol, trade name of Union Carbide
Trade name of ¹⁰ ethoxylated alkylphenol, GAF
¹¹ alkylamidopropylamine, trade name of Akzo Nobel
¹² diethylenetriamine pentaacetate
Table 4. 30% MDEA quaternary material softener containing various solvent systems

¹ methyl di (acyloxyethyl) (2-hydroxyethyl) methylammonium sulfate (acyl group is derived from partially hydrogenated canola fatty acid)
Trade name of ^2- ethoxylated alkyl alcohol, Shell
Table 5. Fabric softener compositions containing low levels of solvents and various major solvents

¹ methyl di (acyloxyethyl) (2-hydroxyethyl) methylammonium sulfate (acyl group is derived from partially hydrogenated canola fatty acid)
Trade name of ^2- ethoxylated alkyl alcohol, Shell
Trade name of ^3- ethoxylated alkylamide, Witco
^4. Polyoxyethylene, polyoxypropylene block copolymer, BASF trade name table 6.45% Fabric softening composition comprising 45% fabric softener active ingredient and various electrolytes and solvent system

¹ methyl di (acyloxyethyl) (2-hydroxyethyl) methylammonium sulfate (acyl group is derived from partially hydrogenated canola fatty acid)
^2- Ethoxylated alkylamide, trade name of Witco
Table 7. Fabric softening composition containing hexylene glycol as main solvent and Rewopal C-6 as phase stabilizer

¹ methyl di (acyloxyethyl) (2-hydroxyethyl) methylammonium sulfate (acyl group is derived from partially hydrogenated canola fatty acid)
^2- Ethoxylated alkylamide, trade name of Witco
Table 8. Fabric softening composition containing hexylene glycol as main solvent and Neodol (trade name) 91-8 as phase stabilizer

¹ methyl di (acyloxyethyl) (2-hydroxyethyl) methylammonium sulfate (acyl group is derived from partially hydrogenated canola fatty acid)
Trade name of ^2- ethoxylated alkyl alcohol, Shell
Table 9. Fabric softening composition comprising hexylene glycol and hydrotropic agent as main solvent

¹ methyl di (acyloxyethyl) (2-hydroxyethyl) methylammonium sulfate (acyl group is derived from partially hydrogenated canola fatty acid)
^2- Ethoxylated alkylamide, trade name of Witco
Trade name of ³ ethoxylated alkyl alcohol, Shell
Table 10. Fabric softener compositions containing mixed primary solvent systems

¹ methyl di (acyloxyethyl) (2-hydroxyethyl) methylammonium sulfate (acyl group is derived from partially hydrogenated canola fatty acid)
Trade name of ^2- ethoxylated alkyl alcohol, Shell
^3- diethylenetriaminepentaacetate
Table 11. Fabric softening composition

¹ methyl di (acyloxyethyl) (2-hydroxyethyl) methylammonium sulfate (acyl group is derived from partially hydrogenated canola fatty acid)
Trade name of ^2- ethoxylated alkyl alcohol, Shell
Trade name of ^3- ethoxylated alkyl alcohol, Union Carbide
^4- diethylenetriaminepentaacetate
^5- tetrakis- (2-hydroxypropyl) ethylenediamine
Table 12. Data demonstrating low residue of fabric softener in dosing equipment for high and low electrolyte formulations

Fabric softener composition and left in dosing device
Dilution Average Amt. Composition + Water Weight ratio of high electrolyte composition to water (remaining in the dosing device
(Composition + water average%)

1: 1 high electrolyte / water 2.32 g (3.9%)
1: 1 low electrolyte / water 23.08 g (38.5%)

1: 2 high electrolyte / water 7.38 g (6.2%)
1: 2 Low electrolyte / water 12.52 g (10.4%)

1: 5 high electrolyte / water 1.1 g (0.7%)
1: 5 low electrolyte / water 3.07 g (1.7%)
Table 13. Data demonstrating low fabric dyeing for high and low electrolyte formulations

Fabric softener compositions and fabrics per dilution cycle
Average number of dye formation

1: 1 high electrolyte / water 1.6
1: 1 low electrolyte / water 0.6

1: 2 high electrolyte / water 1.2
1: 2 low electrolyte / water 0.2

1: 5 high electrolyte / water 1.2
1: 5 low electrolyte / water 0.4
Table 14. Fabric softener compositions comprising various levels of fabric softener and solvent system

¹ methyl di (acyloxyethyl) (2-hydroxyethyl) methylammonium sulfate (acyl group is derived from partially hydrogenated canola fatty acid)
^2- methyl di (oleoyloxyethyl) (2-hydroxyethyl) methylammonium sulfate
³ 2-Ethyl-1,3-hexanediol
^4- Ethoxylated alkyl alcohol, trade name of Shell
⁵ Polyoxyethylene, polyoxypropylene block copolymer, BASF trade name ⁶ Diethylenetriaminepentaacetate For commercial purposes, the above composition is made into containers, especially bottles, more specifically made of polypropylene (glass, stretched polyethylene, Etc.) can be used in a transparent bottle (translucent bottles can also be used). The bottles are colored light blue to offset the yellow that may be present or occur during storage (however, for short-time or completely transparent products, they are not colored or have other colors, clear A container can be used) and an ultraviolet light absorber is incorporated into the bottle to minimize the effects of ultraviolet light on internal materials, especially highly unsaturated active ingredients (the absorber may be on the surface) ). Transparency and the overall effect of the bottle indicate the transparency of the composition and convince the consumer of the product quality. For fabric softeners to be accepted, transparency and aroma are critical, especially when high levels of fabric softeners are present.

Claims (10)

A transparent or translucent liquid fabric softening composition comprising:
A. 2 to 80% by weight of the composition of a fabric softener;
B. 1 to 25% by weight of the main solvent of the composition having a ClogP of -2.0 to 2.6;
C. 0.75 to 3% by weight of electrolyte of the composition;
D. From 0.1 to 7% by weight of the composition of a phase stabilizer;
Saturated and / or unsaturated primary, secondary, and / or branched amines, amides, amine oxide fatty alcohols, wherein the phase stabilizer has a hydrophobic chain having 6 to 22 carbon atoms A nonionic surfactant derived from a fatty acid, an alkylphenol, and / or an alkylarylcarboxylic acid compound,
Wherein at least one active hydrogen of the compound is ethoxylated with 30-50 ethylene oxide moieties to give 8-20 HLB;
E. 0-15% fragrance, and F.I. Water and
Here, when the electrolyte and the phase stabilizer are present, a lower dilution viscosity, a stability equal to or greater than that of a small main solvent, and / or a main solvent having a ClogP outside the range of 0.15 to 0.64. A transparent or translucent liquid fabric softening composition that provides at least one improvement selected from use. ClogP of the main solvent is less than 0.15 or more than 0.64,
The transparent or translucent liquid fabric softening composition of claim 1, wherein the electrolyte improves the transparency or translucency of the composition.   In order for the electrolyte to measure G ′ and G ″ for a diluted composition having a maximum viscosity and to give a composition having G ′ ≦ 20 Pa and G ″ ≦ 6 Pa over the entire strain range of 0.1-1. The transparent or translucent liquid fabric softening composition according to claim 1 or 2, which is necessary for the preparation.   The primary solvent has a ClogP of -2.0 to 2.6 and is present in an amount that does not form a stable composition in the absence of the electrolyte and / or the phase stabilizer. A transparent or translucent liquid fabric softening composition according to any one of the above. (1) the fabric softener is present in an amount of 13% to 75% and has a phase transition temperature of less than 35 ° C;
The primary solvent is present in an amount of 1% to 25% and has a ClogP of −1 to 1.6;
The amount of the electrolyte is from 0.75 to 2.5% by weight of the composition, or (2) the fabric softener has a phase transition temperature of less than 20 ° C;
The primary solvent is present in an amount of 3% to 8% and has a ClogP of −1 to 1;
The amount of the electrolyte is 1-2% by weight of the composition, or (3) the fabric softener has a phase transition temperature of less than 10 ° C.,
The transparent or translucent liquid fabric softening composition as described in any one of Claims 1-4. The fabric softener is
1. A compound having the formula:

[In the above formula,
Each R substituent is hydrogen, a short chain C ₁ -C ₆ alkyl or hydroxyalkyl group, benzyl or mixtures thereof,
Each m is 2 or 3,
Each n is 1-4,
Each Y is —O— (O) C—, —C (O) —O—, —NR—C (O) —, or —C (O) —NR—, wherein each R ¹ is hydrocarbyl or substituted The sum of the carbons in each R ¹ is C ₁₂ -C ₂₂ (+1 if Y is —O— (O) C—),
The average iodine value of the R ¹ parent fatty acid is 40-140,
Counterion X ^- is all the anion is softener compatible]
2. A softening agent having the formula:

[In the above formula,
Each Y, R, R ¹ and X ⁽⁻⁾ has the same meaning as above]; A biodegradable softener selected from the group consisting of: and a mixture thereof; and / or the fabric softener (1) a softener having the formula:
^{_{R 4-m -N (+)}} -R 1 m A -
[In the above formula,
Each m is 2 or 3,
Each R ¹ is C ₆ -C ₂₂ , where two or more are not less than C ₁₂ and the other is at least 16 and is a hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl substituent and has an iodine number of 70 to 140; The cis / trans ratio is 1: 1 to 50: 1;
Each R is H or a short chain C ₁ -C ₆ alkyl or hydroxyalkyl group, benzyl, or (R ² O) _0-4 H, where each R ² is a C _1-6 alkylene group, ^- is a softener compatible anion]
(2) a softening agent having the formula:

[In the above formula,
Each R, R ¹ and A ⁻ is as defined above,
Each R ² is a C _1-6 alkylene group;
G is an oxygen atom or a —NR— group]
(3) a softening agent having the formula:

[Wherein R ¹ , R ² and G are as defined above]
(4) a reaction product of an unsaturated and / or branched higher fatty acid and a dialkylenetriamine, for example in a molecular ratio of 2: 1;
(5) a softening agent having the formula:
[R ¹ —C (O) —NR—R ² —N (R) ₂ —R ³ —NR—C (O) —R ¹ ] ⁺ A ⁻
[Wherein R, R ¹ , R ² , R ³ and A ⁻ are as defined above]
(6) a reaction product of a 2: 1 molecular ratio of unsaturated and / or branched higher fatty acid and hydroxyalkylalkylenediamine;
Here, the reaction product comprises a compound having the following formula:
^{R 1 -C (O) -NH-} R 2 -N (R 3 OH) -C (O) -R 1
[Wherein R ¹ , R ² and R ³ are as defined above]
(7) a softening agent having the formula:

[Wherein R, R ¹ , R ² and A ⁻ are as defined above], and (8) mixtures thereof, selected from the group consisting of: A transparent or translucent liquid fabric softening composition according to any one of the preceding claims. The fabric softener is
1. A compound having the formula:

[In the above formula,
Each R substituent is hydrogen, a short chain C ₁ -C ₆ alkyl or hydroxyalkyl group, benzyl or mixtures thereof,
Each m is 2 or 3,
Each n is 1-4,
Each Y is -O- (O) C-, -C (O) -O-,
Each R ¹ is a hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl group, the sum of carbons in each R ¹ is C _{12 to} C ₂₂ (+1 if Y is —O— (O) C—), and R The average iodine value of ^one parent fatty acid is 40-140,
Counterion X ⁻ is any anion compatible with the softening agent]
2. A softening agent having the formula:

[In the above formula, each Y, R, R ¹ and X ⁽⁻⁾ has the same meaning as above]
3. A softening agent having the formula:
^{_{R 4-m -N (+)}} -R 1 m A -
[In the above formula,
Each m is 2 or 3,
Each R ¹ is a C ₆ -C ₂₂ hydrocarbyl (but not less than 2 is less than C ₁₂ and the other is at least 16), or a substituted hydrocarbyl substituent, with an iodine number of 70-140; The cis / trans ratio is 1: 1 to 50: 1;
Each R is H or a short chain C ₁ -C ₆ alkyl or hydroxyalkyl group, benzyl, or (R ² O) _0-4 H, where each R ² is a C _1-6 alkylene group,
A ⁻ is an anion compatible with the softening agent]
4). A softening agent having the formula:

[In the above formula,
Each R, R ¹ and A ⁻ is as defined above,
Each R ² is a C _1-6 alkylene group;
G is an oxygen atom or a —NR— group]
5). A softening agent having the formula:

[Wherein R ¹ , R ² and G are as defined above]
6). A reaction product of an unsaturated and / or branched higher fatty acid and a dialkylenetriamine, for example in a 2: 1 molecular ratio
7). A softening agent having the formula:
[R ¹ —C (O) —NR—R ² —N (R) ₂ —R ³ —NR—C (O) —R ¹ ] ⁺ A ⁻
[Wherein R, R ¹ , R ² , R ³ and A ⁻ are as defined above]
8). A reaction product of an unsaturated and / or branched higher fatty acid and a hydroxyalkylalkylenediamine in a molecular ratio of 2: 1;
Here, the reaction product comprises a compound having the following formula:
^{R 1 -C (O) -NH-} R 2 -N (R 3 OH) -C (O) -R 1
[Wherein R ¹ , R ² and R ³ are as defined above]
9. A softening agent having the formula:

[Wherein R, R ¹ , R ² and A ⁻ are as defined above], and 2. A transparent or translucent liquid fabric softening composition according to claim 1 selected from a mixture thereof. The main solvent has its ClogP
(1) -2 to less than 0.15,
(2) -1.7 to less than 0.15,
(3) -1 to less than 0.15,
(4) Exceeding 0.64 to 2.6,
(5) 0.64 over 2.0,
(6) 0.64 over 1.6,
(7) Over 1 to 2.6,
The transparent or translucent liquid fabric softening composition according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the composition is (8) 1 over 2.0 or (9) 1 over 1.6. The electrolyte is MgI ₂ , MgBr ₂ , MgCl ₂ , Mg (NO ₃ ) ₂ , Mg ₃ (PO ₄ ) ₂ , Mg ₂ P ₂ O ₇ , MgSO ₄ , magnesium silicate, NaI, NaBr, NaCl, NaF, Na ₃ (PO ₄ ), NaSO ₃ , Na ₂ SO ₄ , Na ₂ SO ₃ , NaNO ₃ , NaIO ₃ , Na (PO ₄ ) ₃ , Na ₄ P ₂ O ₇ , sodium silicate, sodium metasilicate, tetrachloro sodium aluminate, sodium _{tripolyphosphate,} Na 2 _Si 3 _{O 7,} sodium _{zirconate, CaF 2, CaCl 2, CaBr} 2, CaI 2, CaSO 4, Ca (NO 3) 2, KI, KBr, KCl, KF, KNO _{3, KIO 3, K 2 SO} 4, K 2 SO 3, K (PO 4) 3, K 4 (P 2 O ), Potassium pyrosulfate, potassium _{pyrosulfite, LiI, LiBr, LiCl, LiF} , LiNO 3, AlF 3, AlCl 3, AlBr 3, AlI 3, Al 2 (SO 4) 3, Al (PO 4), Al (NO ₃ ) ₃ , selected from the group consisting of ₃ , aluminum silicates, hydrates of these salts, mixed sodium, potassium, magnesium and / or calcium cation salts, and mixtures thereof A transparent or translucent liquid fabric softening composition according to any one of the preceding claims. Over the entire strain range of 0.1 to 1.0, as measured against a dilute solution having the maximum viscosity of the composition.
(1) G ′ ≦ 20 Pa and G ″ ≦ 6 Pa sec,
The transparent or translucent according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein (2) G ′ ≦ 3 Pa and G ″ ≦ 2 Pa sec, or (3) G ′ ≦ 1 Pa and G ″ ≦ 1 Pa sec. Liquid fabric softening composition.