JPH0649772A - Method for softening finish of cloth to be washed and softener therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a favorably biodegradable softening composition capable of affording washed cloths with excellent softening effect through washing or rinsing cloths with water incorporated therewith, and causing no environmental pollution after discharged in the form of effluents. CONSTITUTION:Various kinds of cloths comprising natural or synthetic fibers are washed or rinsed with water incorporated with (A) at least one kind of sulfofatty acid ester salt of the formula [R is 8-18C alkyl or alkenyl; R' is 2-4C alkylene or hydroxyl group-substituted 2-4C alkylene; M is H, alkali (alkaline earth) metal or organoammonium; Z is 8-20C alkyl or alkenyl; n is 0-20] and, pref. (B) a cation-modified (poly)hydroxyalkyl cellulose, etc., thus imparting the cloths with excellent softness. The above softener is also favorable in biodegradability, causing no environmental pollution after discharged in the form of effluents.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a soft finishing method for imparting flexibility to a cloth to be washed during washing or rinsing, and a soft finishing agent used therefor.

[0002]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Generally, household softeners are mainly composed of long-chain dialkyl type quaternary ammonium salts. However, conventional household softeners are as follows. It has such a problem.

(1) Although it is possible to impart flexibility to natural fibers such as cotton, it is impossible to impart this effect to synthetic fibers. (2) Since the long-chain dialkyl type quaternary ammonium salt is a nitrogen-containing compound, it has extremely low biodegradability. (3) When used in combination with a detergent at the time of washing, the effect of imparting flexibility is significantly lost due to the anionic surfactant contained in the detergent.

Therefore, there is no such disadvantage in use, and it is possible to develop a soft finish which can impart flexibility to various kinds of cloth to be washed by using a small amount both in washing and rinsing. Is requested.

[0005]

Means and Actions for Solving the Problems The present inventors have
As a result of intensive studies to meet the above-mentioned demand, a sulfo fatty acid ester salt represented by the following formula (1) having excellent biodegradability was used in combination with a detergent containing an anionic surfactant not only during rinsing but also during washing. Even in such a case, it has been found that a small amount of it imparts excellent flexibility to various types of cloth to be washed such as synthetic fibers, semi-synthetic fibers and natural fibers. Further, in this case, it has been found that when a cationic polymer compound is used in combination with this sulfo fatty acid ester salt, the effect is further enhanced, and even if the amount of the sulfo fatty acid ester salt is small, a sufficient flexibility imparting effect is provided.

That is, by forming vesicles in which the sulfo fatty acid ester salt of the formula (1) is sufficiently hydrated, it exhibits an excellent effect of imparting flexibility to various kinds of cloth to be washed, and also has high cationicity. When a molecular compound is used in combination, the cationic polymer compound and a sulfo fatty acid ester salt form a complex, which improves the adhesion to various cloths that are negatively charged in an aqueous solution. Therefore, the inventors of the present invention found that the effect of imparting flexibility is exerted, and thus completed the present invention.

Therefore, the present invention provides: One or two of sulfo fatty acid ester salts represented by the following formula (1) in washing water or rinsing water during washing or rinsing
Addition of more than one species, a method of softening the cloth to be washed, characterized by imparting flexibility to the cloth to be washed,

[0008]

[Chemical 3](However, R is an alkyl group having 8 to 18 carbon atoms or alkenyl
Lu group, R ′ Is an alkylene group having 2 to 4 carbon atoms or a substituent
And an alkylene group having 2 to 4 carbon atoms having a hydroxyl group, M is
Hydrogen atom, alkali metal atom, alkaline earth metal atom,
Organic ammonium, Z is an alkyl group having 8 to 20 carbon atoms or
Represents an alkenyl group, and n is a number from 0 to 20. ) 2. Cation in the sulfo fatty acid ester salt of the above formula (1)
1. A method in which a hydrophilic polymer compound is used in combination; With the sulfo fatty acid ester salt of the above formula (1) as the main component
3. A softening agent for the cloth to be washed, Sulfo fatty acid ester salt of formula (1) and cation
A flexible finishing agent comprising 3 as a main component of an organic polymer compound.

The present invention will be described in more detail below.
The present invention uses the sulfo fatty acid ester salt of the following formula (1) as a softening active ingredient.

[0010]

[Chemical 4]

In the above formula (1), R is the number of carbon atoms.
An alkyl group or an alkenyl group of 8 to 18 and R
May be linear or branched, but especially has 1 carbon atom.
An alkyl group or an alkenyl group of 0 to 16 is preferable. Well
R ′ Is an alkylene group having 2 to 4 carbon atoms or a substituent
Is an alkylene group having 2 to 4 carbon atoms and having a hydroxyl group
But R 'O as oxyethylene, oxypropylene,
Oxybutylene, preferably glyceryl group residue
Yes. In addition, R 'O consists of only one of these residues
However, it may be a mixture of two or more kinds of residues.

M is a hydrogen atom, an alkali metal atom, an alkaline earth metal atom or an organic ammonium, and sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium are particularly preferable.

Further, Z represents an alkyl group or alkenyl group having 8 to 20 carbon atoms, preferably an alkyl group or alkenyl group having 12 to 18 carbon atoms. n is a number from 0 to 20, but 0 to 10 is particularly preferable.

The compound represented by the general formula (1) is α
It can be synthesized by a usual esterification reaction of a sulfo fatty acid with an alcohol or a polyoxyethylene alkyl ether, or a sulfonation reaction of the fatty acid ester. In the present invention, the sulfo fatty acid ester salt is particularly myristyl sulfolaurate. Ester sodium salt, sulfolauric acid palmityl sodium salt, sulfolauric acid stearyl ester salt, sulfomyristic acid lauryl ester sodium salt, sulfomyristic acid palmityl ester sodium salt, sulfopalmitic acid lauryl ester sodium salt, sulfopalmitic acid palmityl salt Ester sodium salt, sulfopalmitic acid lauryl ester triethanolamine salt, sulfopalmitic acid lauryl ester 1/2 calcium salt,
Preferred are sulfostearic acid lauryl ester sodium salt, sulfostearic acid polyoxyethylene (p = 3) lauryl ester sodium salt, and the like.

In the present invention, it is preferable to use a cationic polymer compound in combination with the above sulfo fatty acid ester salt.
Examples of the cationic polymer compound include cation-modified (poly) hydroxyalkyl cellulose or cation-modified starch represented by the following general formula (2); cationic acrylic acid ester and methacryl represented by the following general formula (3). Polymers of acid ester, substituted acrylamide or substituted methacrylamide or copolymers with acrylamide; polymers of diallyldialkylammonium chloride or copolymers with acrylamide; the following general formula (4)
Containing 0.01 to 10 mol% of a monomer unit represented by
And a cation-modified polyvinyl alcohol having a saponification degree of 60 to 100%; further, quaternary nitrogen-containing guar gum, fourth
Cationic polymer compounds such as graded nitrogen-containing polyvinylpyrrolidone can also be used.

[0016]

[Chemical 5]

[0017]

[Chemical 6] (In the formula, R ⁴ is a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, R ⁵ , R ⁶ , and R ⁷ are a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms or a substituted alkyl group, and they may be the same or different from each other. Is an oxygen atom or NH, m is an integer of 1 to 10, and X ⁻ is a monovalent anion.)

[0018]

[Chemical 7] [In the formula, R ⁸ is a hydrogen atom or a lower alkyl group, and D is -N.
R ⁹ R ¹⁰ or ^{-N + R 9 R 10 R 11} Y - (R 9, R 10, R 11 is either have a substituent or without a lower alkyl group, Y ^- is a negative to form an ammonium nitrogen and salt B) is a group connecting the nitrogen atom in D and the nitrogen atom of the amide group, for example, an alkylene group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms or a hydroxyalkylene group. ]

Among these, cation-modified (poly) hydroxyalkyl cellulose represented by the above general formula (2) is particularly preferable. This cellulose has a molecular weight of 10,000 to 3
It is preferably, 000,000, particularly 50,000 to 2,000,000, and the degree of cationization is 0.01 to 0.8, particularly 0.1.
It is preferably ˜0.5.

The cation-modified (poly) hydroxyalkyl cellulose or cation-modified starch represented by the above formula (2) is, for example, (poly) hydroxyalkyl cellulose or starch and glycidyltrialkylammonium chloride or 3-halogenohydroxypropyl. It can be produced by reacting with trialkylammonium chloride.

The soft finishing method of the present invention comprises the sulfo fatty acid ester salt of the above formula (1), preferably the above-mentioned cationic polymer compound in combination with the washing water for washing the cloth to be washed or the rinsing water for rinsing. And imparts flexibility to the cloth to be washed at the same time as washing or rinsing.

Here, as the cloth to be washed, regardless of natural fiber, synthetic fiber or the like, cloth to be washed of various fibers can be used.

The amount of the sulfo fatty acid ester salt of the formula (1) added to washing water or rinsing water is 0.001 to 1%.
(% By weight, the same applies hereinafter), particularly preferably 0.003 to 0.1%.

When the cationic polymer compound is added in combination, the amount of the cationic polymer compound is preferably 1 to 100 parts by weight, particularly 5 to 50 parts by weight, based on 100 parts by weight of the sulfo fatty acid ester salt. . If the amount of the cationic polymer compound is less than 1 part by weight, the combined effect is extremely low, and if it exceeds 100 parts by weight, precipitation of a complex of both components may occur.

The softening agent of the present invention is mainly composed of the sulfo fatty acid ester salt of the above formula (1), preferably a combination of this with a cationic polymer compound, but the softening agent is in liquid form. In this case, it is preferable to use an ethylene oxide adduct such as stearyl alcohol, oleyl alcohol, beef tallow amine, nonylphenol, beef tallow fatty acid, stearyl amide, or oleyl amide as the dispersant (the ethylene oxide addition mole number is preferably 3 to 150). preferable. The blending amount of these ethylene oxide adducts is preferably 0.1 to 20%, and if the blending amount exceeds 20%, thickening or separation may occur during storage.

Further, when the softening agent of the present invention is made into a liquid form, known components which are usually added to a liquid softening agent can be optionally added within a range that does not impair the effects of the present invention. As such optional components, higher fatty acids such as stearic acid and oleic acid, esterified products of 2-ethylhexanoic acid and glycerin, sodium chloride, calcium chloride, ethanol, ethylene glycol, silicone,
Examples include bactericides, pigments, dyes, and fragrances.

[0027]

EXAMPLES The present invention will be specifically described below with reference to Examples and Comparative Examples, but the present invention is not limited to the following Examples. The preparation, treatment and evaluation of the softening agent in each example were carried out as follows.

Preparation of Aqueous Dispersion A 3% dispersion of each active agent tested was heated to 80 ° C., uniformly dispersed with stirring, and then cooled to room temperature. Further, when the cationic polymer substance was blended, a cationic polymer solution was prepared at an arbitrary concentration, and a predetermined amount was mixed with the above components and used for the evaluation of the softening agent.

Softening Method A predetermined amount of the sample solution was added to 700 ml of tap water, and after uniform dispersion, a cotton cloth was softened for 15 minutes at a predetermined temperature and a bath ratio of 20 times. After dehydrating for 1 minute, at 25 ℃, 50
After being dried for 24 hours under the condition of% RH, the effect of imparting flexibility was evaluated.

Softness Evaluation Method The feeling of cotton cloth before and after the treatment was compared by touch, and judged according to the following criteria. +5; Very soft +4: Fairly soft +3: Soft +2: Slightly soft +1: Slightly soft 0: Same as before treatment

[Examples 1 to 12, Comparative Examples 1 to 3] The effect of softening a cotton cloth in a water bath at 80 ° C containing 0.05% of various softening agents shown in Table 1 was evaluated. The results are shown in the table.

[0032]

[Table 1]

From the results shown in Table 1, it is understood that the long-chain ester salt of α-sulfofatty acid gives the same flexibility-imparting effect as the quaternary ammonium salt.

[Examples 13 to 17] α as the component (A)
A 0.01% aqueous solution of sodium myristyl sulfomyristic acid, the degree of cationization as the component (B) (cation equivalent ratio per cellulose monomer unit).
4. Addition effect of quaternary nitrogen-containing cellulose having an average molecular weight of 120,000 (reaction product of hydroxyethyl cellulose and glycidyl trimethyl ammonium chloride) at a water temperature of 25
It was evaluated at ° C. The results are shown in Table 2.

[0035]

[Table 2]

From the results shown in Table 2, the samples containing quaternary nitrogen-containing cellulose and 1 to 100 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of α-sulfo fatty acid ester salt (Examples 1 to 5) were α-
It can be seen that the amount of the sulfo fatty acid ester salt used gives at least an excellent effect of imparting flexibility.

[Examples 18 to 22, Comparative Examples 4 to 6]
The effect of using 0.01% of α-sulfomyristic acid myristyl ester sodium salt as the component (A) and various cationic polymer compounds shown in Table 3 as the component (B) was evaluated at a water temperature of 25 ° C. did. Here, the blending amount of the component (B) was 10 parts by weight with respect to 100 parts by weight of the component (A). The results are shown in Table 3.

[0038]

[Table 3]

From the results in Table 3, it is understood that the sample containing the cationic polymer compound having a molecular weight of 10,000 to 2,000,000 gives an excellent softening effect. On the other hand, when an anionic polymer substance was added, the effect did not appear, and it was shown that the influence of electric charge was large.

[Examples 23 to 34, Comparative Examples 7 to 11]
As the component (B), the same nitrogen-containing cellulose as in Examples 13 to 17 was used, and when the 0.01% aqueous solution of the sulfo fatty acid ester salt shown in Table 4 was used as the component (A), the flexibility imparting effect was obtained at a water temperature of 25. It was evaluated at ° C. Here, the blending amount of the component (B) was 10 parts by weight with respect to 100 parts by weight of the component (A). The results are shown in Table 4.

[0041]

[Table 4]

From the results in Table 4, it can be seen that the α-sulfofatty acid ester has the same excellent flexibility-imparting effect as the quaternary ammonium salt even if the alkyl long chain and the counterion species are changed (Examples 23 to 23). 34, Comparative Example 11). On the other hand, it is also understood that other long-chain dialkyl type anionic activators having similar molecular structures have low effects (Comparative Examples 7 to 10).

[Examples 35 to 37, Comparative Example 12] (B)
The same quaternary nitrogen-containing cellulose as in Examples 13 to 17 was used as a component, and the component (A) was dispersed in 5 liters of tap water to prepare a 0.01% aqueous solution. added. Here, the compounding amount of (B) is 10 parts of (A).
It is 10 parts by weight with respect to 0 parts by weight. Furthermore, 4.2 g of granular detergent having the composition shown in Table 5 was added, and the water temperature was 25 ° C. and the bath ratio was 3
A cotton cloth was placed at 0 times, washed for 10 minutes, dehydrated for 1 minute, rinsed for 3 minutes, repeated twice, dried, and evaluated. The results are shown in Table 6.

[0044]

[Table 5] * 1) Linear alkylbenzenesulfonate sodium having 12 carbon atoms * 2) C10-16 sodium alkylsulfate * 3) C14-18 sodium α-olefinsulfonate * 4) Distyrylbiphenyl type optical brightener * 5) The enzyme was powder-blended after spray drying.

[0045]

[Table 6]

From the results shown in Table 6, it is understood that the softening finish of the present invention exhibits an excellent effect of imparting flexibility even in the washing cycle (Examples 35 to 37). On the other hand, it can be seen that the effect of the quaternary ammonium salt, which was effective in the treatment in the rinse cycle, was completely lost in the wash cycle (Comparative Example 12).

[0047]

EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, a cloth having various fibers is provided with a softening effect which is equal to or more than that obtained when a conventional quaternary ammonium salt is used, and an anion activator is used not only during rinsing. It has an excellent softening effect even when it is used for washing, has good biodegradability, and has excellent characteristics that there is no concern about its persistence in the environment after wastewater.

Further, the combined use of the cationic polymer compound further enhances the flexibility-imparting effect, and the amount of the α-sulfofatty acid ester salt used exhibits at least an excellent flexibility-imparting effect.

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. Washing water or rinsing water at the time of washing or rinsing
The following formula (1)(However, R is an alkyl group having 8 to 18 carbon atoms or alkenyl
Lu group, R ′ Is an alkylene group having 2 to 4 carbon atoms or a substituent
And an alkylene group having 2 to 4 carbon atoms having a hydroxyl group, M is
Hydrogen atom, alkali metal atom, alkaline earth metal atom,
Organic ammonium, Z is an alkyl group having 8 to 20 carbon atoms or
Represents an alkenyl group, and n is a number from 0 to 20. )so
One or more of the indicated sulfo fatty acid ester salts
It is characterized by being added to impart flexibility to the cloth to be washed.
How to softly wash cloth. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein a cationic polymer compound is used in combination with the sulfo fatty acid ester salt of the formula (1). 3. The following formula (1):(However, R is an alkyl group having 8 to 18 carbon atoms or alkenyl
Lu group, R ′ Is an alkylene group having 2 to 4 carbon atoms or a substituent
And an alkylene group having 2 to 4 carbon atoms having a hydroxyl group, M is
Hydrogen atom, alkali metal atom, alkaline earth metal atom,
Organic ammonium, Z is an alkyl group having 8 to 20 carbon atoms or
Represents an alkenyl group, and n is a number from 0 to 20. )so
One or more of the indicated sulfo fatty acid ester salts
A softening agent for cloth to be washed, which is mainly composed of a main component. 4. A sulfo fatty acid ester salt of the formula (1)
Species or two or more species and one or two kinds of cationic polymer compounds
The softening agent according to claim 3, wherein the softening agent is mainly composed of one or more species.