MXPA00005118A - Fabric softening compositions - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a fabric softening composition comprising a fabric softener having at least two long chains and a cellulose reactive dye fixing agent, said composition providing effective dye fixing properties and softening properties to the treated fabric. Also provided herein is a method for the domestic treatment of a fabric to reduce the amount of dye released from the fabric during wet treatments and comprising the step of contacting the fabrics with a cellulose reactive dye fixing agent or a fabric softening composition as defined herein;and thereafter subjecting the treated fabrics with a heating source in a dry medium.

Description

FABRIC SOFTENERS COMPOSITIONS FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a sizing softening composition and more particularly to a method and composition that reduce the amount of dyes released from dyed fabrics after subsequent wet treatments such as those that occur in a laundry operation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Domestic treatment of fabrics with color is a problem known in the art by the formulator of laundry compositions. Very particularly, the problem of formulating laundry compositions that reduce the amount of dyes released from dyed fabrics after wet treatment is a particular challenge for the formulator. This problem is now even more acute with consumer trends towards fabrics with more color. Numerous solutions in the art have been proposed to solve this problem, such as treating the fabric with a dye scrubber during the washing process as exemplified by EP 0,341, 205, EP 0,033,815 or with a polyvinyl substance as exemplified by WO 94/11482. However, all these solutions focus on preventing the final result of dye bleeding, ie the redeposition of the dye on the fabrics. An object of the invention is now to take the problem of the colorant as its origin, that is, to avoid the bleeding of dyes. Another object of the invention is to formulate compositions that provide effective smoothing benefits on the treated fabrics. One solution to these problems is by the preparation of specific dye fixing agents such as REWIN SRF having dye fixing properties as well as smoothing properties as described in Textilveredlung, Vol 25, no.2., 1990, pp 12. Yet another solution to these problems would be to use an interleaver such as Arkofix NZF commercially available from Hoechst. The interlayers are known in the dye field to provide effective protection of the dyed fabrics by their property of being reactive with cellulose. However, these compounds do not have a dye fixing property. In addition, solutions can be found for use in industrial treatments. However, these solutions are not usually transferable to home treatments. In fact, in industrial processes a strict control is possible on parameters such as pH, electrolyte concentration, water hardness, temperature, etc., while in a domestic washing machine this high level of control is not possible.

Furthermore, in a domestic process, and in particular in a domestic rinsing process, it is not practical to rely on high treatment temperatures such as those used in industrial processes, i.e. of more than 40 ° C. Moreover, industrial processes use high concentrations of fixing agents that are required for industrial scale treatment, while for domestic treatment a low level is preferred for economic reasons. Accordingly, notwithstanding advances in the art, there is still a need for a composition that provides an effective and durable reduction in the amount of dyes released from dyed fabrics after subsequent domestic wet treatments, still providing effective fabric softness. EP 462806 provides the use of a cationic dye fixing agent in domestic treatment, which helps to bind the dye retained loosely in the fabric. However, the dye fixing agents described in this patent provide for the fixation of the dye by electrostatic interactions with the dye and the cellulose fiber. These interactions are by definition reversible, and therefore possible. The applicant has now found that this need is met by the use of a composition comprising a fabric softener having two long chains, and a cellulose reactive dye fixing agent.

The reactive dye fixing agents used in the present invention react covalently with cellulose fibers, that is, they form a chemical bond that is more irreversible than the ionic interactions themselves, thus providing more longevity to the treatment with dye fixative. It has also been advantageously found that the cellulose-reactive dye fixing agents for use in the present invention provide even better performance than dye fixing agents of EP 0,462,806. By a cellulose-reactive dye binding agent it is meant that a reactive functionality, to which it is grafted onto the binding agent, can form covalent bonds with cellulose. The reactivity can be further improved after the heat treatment. A test method to define which compounds are reactive dye fixing agents in cellulose is given hereinafter. Accordingly, it is therefore an advantage of the invention to provide compositions with effective and durable dye fixing properties together with smoothing properties. Another advantage of the invention is that said compositions provide an increased yield of the benefit mentioned above after subjecting the dyed fabrics to a heating source. A further advantage of the invention is that the treated fabrics will subsequently show a reduced tendency to release dyes in subsequent washes. Said benefit is observed more particularly after several washing cycles.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a fabric softening composition comprising fabric softener having at least two long chains and a cellulose-reactive dye fixing agent. In another aspect of the invention a method is provided for the domestic treatment of a fabric to reduce the amount of dye released from the fabric during wet treatments, and comprising the step of contacting the fabrics with a reactive dye fixing agent. of cellulose or composition containing said agent; and subsequently contacting the treated fabrics with a heating source in a dry environment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION According to one aspect of the invention, a fabric softening composition is provided with effective and durable dye fixing properties together with smoothing properties.

Fabric softeners An essential component of the composition according to the invention is a fabric softening component having at least two long chains. By component having at least two long chains it is intended to mean a component containing at least two alkyl or alkenyl chains, each comprising from 10 to 25 carbon atoms. Said fabric softener provides an effective fabric softening benefit to the treated fabrics. Typical levels of said fabric softening components within the liquid softening compositions are from 1% to 80% by weight of the compositions. Depending on the performance of the composition which can be diluted with a preferred level of fabric softening components of 1% to 5%, or concentrated, with a preferred level of fabric softening components of 5% to 80%, preferably 10% at 50%, most preferably 15% to 35% by weight. When the fabric softening composition is applied on a substrate such as a dryer sheet, the preferred level of fabric softening components will preferably be from 20% to 99%, preferably from 30% to 90% by weight and most preferably from 35% to 80% by weight. The softening cationic components of typical fabrics having two long chains include the water-insoluble quaternary ammonium fabric softeners, the ammonium chloride of two long alkyl chains being most commonly used. Preferred cationic softeners include the following: 1) ditallow dimethyl ammonium chloride (DTDMAC); 2) dihydrogenated sebodimethylammonium chloride; 3) dihydrogenated sebodimethylammonium methylsulfate; 4) distear chloride Idimethylammonium; ) dioleyldimethylammonium chloride; 6) dipalmitylhydroxyethylmethyl ammonium chloride; 7) stearylbenzyldimethylammonium chloride; 8) sebotrimethylammonium chloride; 9) hydrogenated sebotrimethylammonium chloride; 10) C12-14 alkylhydroxyethyldimethylammonium chloride; 11) alkyldihydroxyethylmethylammonium chloride of C-] 2-18¡ 12) di (stearoyloxyethyl) dimethylammonium chloride (DSOEDMAC); 13) di (tallowoyloxyethyl) dimethylammonium chloride; 14) diseboimidazolinium methylsulfate; 15) 1- (2-tallowamemidoethyl) -2-tallowylamdazolinium methylsulfate. However, in recent years the need for less environmentally aggressive materials has grown, and rapidly biodegradable quaternary ammonium compounds have been presented as alternatives for the ammonium chlorides of two traditionally used long alkyl chains. Said quaternary ammonium compounds contain alkyl (en) yl groups interrupted by functional groups such as carboxyl groups. Such materials and fabric softening compositions containing them are described in numerous publications such as EP-A-0,040,562 and EP-A-0,239,910. Preferred fabric softening agents to be used in the compositions of the present invention are the quaternary ammonium compounds or amine precursors herein having the formula (I) or (II), below: 2 X (I I) (l l l) Q is -O-C (O) - or -C (0) -O- or -0-C (0) -O- or NR4-C (O) - O C (0) -NR4-; R1 is (CH2) n-Q-T2 or T; R2 is (CH2) m-Q-T4 or T ^ or t; R 3 is C 1 -C 4 alkyl or C 1 -C 4 hydroxyalkyl or H; R 4 is H or C 1 -C 4 alkyl or C 1 -C 4 hydroxyalkyl; T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5 are independently alkyl or alkenyl of C- | 1-C22; n and m are integers from 1 to 4; and X "is an anion compatible with fabric softener, such as chloride, methylsulfate, etc. The alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl chain t1, T2, T ^, T4 and T5 must contain at least 11 carbon atoms, preferably at least 16 atoms The chain can be straight or branched.Q, n, T1 and T2 can be the same or different when more than one is present in the molecule.The sebum is a convenient and inexpensive source of material alkyl and alkenyl chain The compounds in which T1, T2, T ^, T4 and T ^ represent the mixture of long chain materials typical for sebum are particularly preferred, specific examples of quaternary ammonium compounds suitable for use in aqueous fabric softening compositions. of the present include: N, N-di (tallowyl-oxy-ethyl) -N, N-dimethylammonium chloride; N, N-di (canolol-oxy-ethyl) -N, N-dimethylammonium chloride; N, N-di (tallowyl-oxy-ethyl) -N-methyl, N- (2-hydroxyethyl) ammonium chloride; N, N-di (canolyl-oxy-ethyl) chloride; l) -N-methyl, N- (2-hydroxyethyl) ammonium; N, N-di (2-tallowyl-oxy-2-oxo-ethyl) -N, N-dimethylammonium chloride; N, N-di (2-canolyl-oxy-2-oxo-ethyl) -N, N-dimethylammonium chloride; N, N-di (2-tallowoxyethylcarbonyloxyethyl) -N, N-dimethylammonium chloride N, N-di (2-canolyloxyethylcarbonyloxyethyl) -N, N-dimethylammonium chloride N- (2-tallowoxy) chloride -2-ethyl) -N- (2-tallowyl-oxy-2-oxo-ethyl) -N, N-dimethylammonium; N- (2-canolyl-oxy-2-ethyl) -N- (2-tallowyloxy-2-oxo-ethyl) -N, N-dimethylammonium chloride; N, N, N-tri (tallowyloxyethyl) -N-methylammonium chloride; N, N, N-tri (canolyl-oxy-ethyl) -N-methylammonium chloride; N- (2-tallowyl-oxy-2-oxoethyl) -N- (tallowyl) -N, N-dimethylammonium chloride; N- (2-canolyl-oxy-2-oxoethyl) -N- (canolyl) -N, N-dimethylammonium chloride; 1,2-Disteboyl-oxy-3-trimethylammoniopropane chloride; 1, 2-canolyl-oxy-3-trimethylammoniumpropane chloride and mixtures of any of the foregoing actives. Particularly preferred is N, N-di (tallowyloxyethyl) -N, N-dimethylammonium chloride, wherein the tallow chains are at least partially unsaturated. The level of unsaturation of the sebum chain can be measured by the Iodine (IV) value of the corresponding fatty acid, which in the present case should preferably be in the range of 5 to 100, distinguishing two categories of compounds that have an IV below or above 25. In fact, for compounds of formula (I) made from tallow fatty acids having an IV of 5 to 25, preferably 15 to 20, it has been found that a cis / trans isomer weight ratio of more than 30/70, preferably more of 50/50 and most preferably more than 70/30 provides optimum concentration capacity. For compounds of the formula (II) made from tallow fatty acids having an IV of more than 25, it has been found that the ratio of cis to trans isomers is less critical unless very high concentrations are required. Other examples of suitable quaternary ammoniums of formula (I) and (II) are obtained, eg: - replacing "tallow" in the above compounds with, for example, coconut, palm, lauryl, oleyl, ricinoleyl, stearyl, palmityl or the like, said fatty acyl chains being either fully saturated or preferably at least partially unsaturated; - replacing "methyl" in the above compounds with ethyl, ethoxy, propyl, propoxy, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl or t-butyl; - replacing "chloride" in the above compounds with bromide, methylsulfate, formate, sulfate, nitrate and the like. In fact, the anion is present merely as a counter-ion of the positively charged quaternary ammonium compounds. The nature of the counterion is not critical at all for the practice of the present invention. The scope of this invention is not considered to be limited to any particular anion. By "amine precursors thereof" is meant the secondary or tertiary amines corresponding to the above quaternary ammonium compounds, said amines being substantially protonated in the present compositions due in part to the pH values. The quaternary ammonium or amine precursor compounds herein are present at levels from 1% to about 80% of the compositions herein, depending on the performance of the composition which can be diluted with a preferred level of active of about 5% to about 15%, or concentrated, with a preferred level of active from about 15% to about 50%, most preferably about 15% to about 35%. For the preceding fabric softening agents, the pH of the compositions herein is an essential parameter of the present invention. In fact, it has an influence on the stability of the quaternary ammonium compounds or amine precursors, especially under conditions of prolonged storage. The pH, as defined in the present context, is measured in the concentrated compositions at 20 ° C. Although these compositions operate at pH of less than about 6.0, for optimum hydrolytic stability of these compositions, the concentrated pH, measured under the aforementioned conditions, should be in the range of 2.0 to 4.5, preferably about 2.0 to about 3.5. The pH of these compositions can be regulated by the addition of a Bronsted acid. Examples of suitable acids include inorganic mineral acids, carboxylic acids, in particular low molecular weight (C 1 -C 5) carboxylic acids, and alkylsulfonic acids. Suitable inorganic acids include HCl, H2SO4, HNO3 and H3PO4. Suitable organic acids include formic, acetic, citric, methylsulfonic and ethylsulphonic acids. The acids that are preferred with citric, hydrochloric, phosphoric, formic, methylsulphonic and benzoic acids.

Cellulose reactive dye fixing agents The other essential component of the invention is a dye binding agent reactive with cellulose. Typical levels of said agents are from 0.01% to 50%, preferably from 0.01% to 25%, most preferably from 0.05 to 10% by weight, most preferably from 0.5 to 5% by weight of the composition.

By "cellulose-reactive dye fixing agent" it is meant that the agent reacts with the cellulose fibers after the heat treatment. Suitable agents for use herein can be defined by the following test procedure, called cellulose reactivity test measurement.

Measurement of reactivity test with cellulose Two pieces of colored fabrics (for example 10 x 10 cm of cotton fabric dyed with Direct Red 80) are soaked for 20 minutes in an aqueous solution of 1% (w / w) of the agent candidate dye fixative reactive with cellulose. The pH of the solution is how it is obtained at this concentration. The samples are dried afterwards. One of the dry samples, as well as a non-soaked sample (control 1) are passed 10 times through an ironing roller set for linen. A control sample 2 is also used in this measurement test which is a sample not soaked and not ironed. The four samples are washed separately in Launder-o-meter containers under typical conditions with a commercial detergent used at the recommended dose for half an hour at 60 ° C, followed by a careful rinse four times with 200 ml of cold water and then tend to dry. The wear by washing in the samples is then measured by determining their so-called delta-E values against a new and untreated sample. The delta E's are defined, for example, in ASTM D2244. Delta E is the difference in color calculated as defined in ASTM D2244, that is, the magnitude and direction of the difference between two psychophysical color stimuli defined by tristimulus values, or by chromaticity coordinates and luminance factor, as calculated by means of a specific set of color difference equations defined in the CIELAB CIÉ 1976 opponent-color space, Hunter's opponent-color space, the Friele-Mac Adam-Chickering color space or any equivalent color space. Consequently, the lower the Delta E against the new, the better the wash wear will be. If the improvement in the wash setting of the soaked and pressed sample is better than that of the soaked non-ironed sample and also better than that of the respective controls 1 and 2, then the candidate is a cellulose-reactive dye fixing agent for the purpose of the invention. Cellulose-reactive dye fixing agents are products containing the reactive group of the reactive dye classes selected from halogen-triazine products, vinylsulfone compounds, epichlorohydrin derivatives, hydroxyethylene urea derivatives, formaldehyde condensation products, polycarboxylates, derivatives of glyoxal and glutaraldehyde and mixtures thereof. Other reactive functionalities for cellulose can be found in Textile Processing and Properties, Elsevier (1997) by Tyrone L. Vigo on pages 120 to 121, which provides the use of specific electrophysical groups with affinity for cellulose.

Preferred hydroxyethyleneurea derivatives include dimethyloldihydroxyethyleneurea and dimethylurea glyoxal. The formaldehyde condensation products that are preferred include the condensation products derived from formaldehyde and a group selected from an amino group, an imino group, a phenol group, a urea group, a cyanamide group and an aromatic group. Compounds commercially available in this class are Sandofix WE 56 from Clariant, Zetex E from Zeneca and Levogen BF from Bayer. Preferred polycarboxylate derivatives include butane tetracarboxylic acid derivatives, citric acid derivatives, polyacrylates and derivatives thereof. A cellulose-reactive dye fixing agent which is preferred is one of the class of hydroxyethyleneurea derivatives marketed under the trade name Indosol CR from Clariant. Other more preferred cellulose-reactive dye fixing agents are marketed under the tradename Rewin DWR and Rewin WBS by CHT R. Beitlich. The compositions of the invention also comprise optional ingredients, such as additional fabric softening materials, liquid carrier, concentration aids, other ingredients and mixtures thereof. 1. Additional fabric softening materials Additional fabric softening materials can be used in addition to the cationic fabric softener. These can be selected from non-ionic, amphoteric or anionic fabric softening materials. The description of said materials can be found in E.U. 4,327,133; E.U. 4,421, 792; E.U. 4,426,299; E.U. 4,460,485; E.U. 3,644,203, E.U. 4,661, 269; E.U. 4,439,335; E.U. 3,861, 870; E.U. 4,308,151; E.U. 3,886,075; E.U. 4,233,164; E.U. 4,401, 578; E.U. 3,974,076; E.U. 4,237,016 and EP 472,178. Typically, said nonionic fabric softening materials have an HLB of about 2 to 9, very typically from 3 to 7. Such nonionic fabric softening materials tend to be easily dispersed either by themselves or when combined with other materials such as these. as the single and long alkyl chain cationic surfactant described in detail hereinafter. The dispersion capacity can be improved by using more single and long alkyl chain cationic surfactant, mixing with other materials as set forth hereinafter, use of warmer water and / or more agitation. In general, the selected materials should be relatively crystalline, higher melting (e.g.,> 40 ° C) and relatively insoluble in water. Preferred nonionic softeners are the partial fatty acid esters of polyhydric alcohols, or anhydrides thereof, wherein the alcohol, or anhydride, contains from 2 to 18, preferably from 2 to 8, carbon atoms, and each fatty acid portion contains from 12 to 30, preferably from 16 to 20, carbon atoms. Typically, such softeners contain from one to 3, preferably 2 fatty acid groups per molecule. The polyhydric alcohol moiety of the ester can be ethylene glycol, glycerol, poly (eg, di-, tri-, tetra-, penta-, and / or hexa-) glycerol, xylitol, sucrose, erythritol, pentaerythritol, sorbitol or sorbitan. Particularly preferred are sorbitan esters and polyglycerol monostearate. The fatty acid portion of the ester is usually derived from fatty acids having from 12 to 30, preferably from 16 to 20 carbon atoms, typical examples of said fatty acids being lauric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid and behenic acid . The highly preferred optional nonionic softening agents for use in the present invention are the sorbitan esters, which are esterified dehydration products of sorbitol and the glycerol esters. The commercial sorbitan monostearate is a suitable material. Also useful are mixtures of sorbitan stearate and sorbitan palmitate having stearate / palmitate weight ratios ranging from about 10: 1 to about 1: 10., and the esters of 1, 5-sorbitan. Preferred herein are glycerol and polyglycerol esters, especially glycerol, diglycerol, triglycerol, and polyglycerol mono- and / or diesters, preferably mono- (e.g., polyglycerol monostearate with a trade name Radiasurf 7248). Useful glycerol and polyglycerol esters include monoesters with stearic, oleic, palmitic, lauric, isostearic, myristic and / or behenic acids, and the diesters of stearic, oleic, palmitic, lauric, isostearic, myristic and / or behenic acids. It is understood that the monoester contains a little di- and triester, etc. The "glycerol esters" also include the polyglycerol esters, eg, diglycerol to octaglycerol. The polyglycerol polyols are formed by condensing glycerin or epichlorohydrin with one another to link the glycerol moieties via ether linkages. The mono- and / or diesters of the polyglycerol polyols are preferred, typically the fatty acyl groups being those described hereinabove for the sorbitan and glycerol esters. 2. Liquid Vehicle Another optional but preferred ingredient is a liquid vehicle. The liquid vehicle used in the present compositions is preferably at least mainly water thanks to its low cost, relative availability, safety and environmental compatibility. The water level in the liquid vehicle is preferably at least 50%, most preferably 60% by weight of the vehicle. Mixtures of water and an organic solvent of low molecular weight, for example, less than 200, for example, lower alcohols such as ethanol, propanol, isotropanol or butanol are useful as the liquid vehicle. Low molecular weight alcohols include monohydric, dihydric (glycol, etc.), trihydric (glycerol, etc.), and higher polyhydric (polyols) alcohols. 3. Concentration Aids The concentrated compositions of the present invention may require organic or inorganic concentrating aids to go to even higher concentrations and / or to meet higher stability standards depending on the other ingredients. The surfactant concentration aids are typically selected from the group consisting of individual long chain alkyl cationic surfactants; nonionic surfactants; amine oxides; fatty acids or mixtures thereof, typically used at a level of 0 to 15% of the composition.

Longer single chain alkyl cationic surfactants Such individual long chain alkyl cationic surfactants useful in the present invention are preferably the quaternary ammonium salts of the general formula: [R2N + R3] X 'wherein the R2 group is a C10-C22 hydrocarbon group, preferably a C-? 2-C-? 8 alkyl group of the interrupted group with corresponding ester linkage with a short alkylene group (CC) between the ester bond and the N, and has a similar hydrocarbon group, e.g., a fatty acid ester of choline, preferably ester of (coconut) choline C? 2-C- | and / or sebum ester choline C-16-C18 at from 0.1% to 20% by weight of the softening active. Each R is a CC alkyl or substituted alkyl group (e.g., hydroxyl) or hydrogen, preferably methyl, and the counterion X "is an anion compatible with softener, for example, chloride, bromide, methyl sulfate, etc. It can also be used. other cationic materials with ring structures such as alkylimidazoline, imidazolinium, pyridine and pyridinium salts having an individual C 12 -C 30 alkyl chain Very low pH is required to stabilize, e.g., the imidazoline ring structures. Some alkylimidazolinium salts and their imidazoline precursors useful in the present invention have the general formula: wherein Y2 is -C (O) -0-, - (O) C-, -C (0) -N (R5) - or -N (R5) -C (0) - wherein R5 is hydrogen. or an alkyl radical of CrC4; R6 is an alkyl radical of C? .C4 or H (for imidazoline precursors); R7 and R8 are each independently selected from R and R2 as defined herein above for the long individual alkyl chain cationic surfactant, only one being R2. Some alkylpyridinium salts useful in the present invention have the general formula: R2 -. N / + r? X where R2 and X- are as defined above. A typical material of this type that is preferred is cetylpyridinium chloride.

Nonionic Surfactant (Alkoxylated Materials) The nonionic surfactants for use herein include the addition products of ethylene oxide and, optionally, propylene oxide, with fatty alcohols, fatty acids and fatty amines. Suitable compounds are substantially water-soluble surfactants of the general formula: R2-Y- (C2H40) 2-C2H4OH wherein R2 is selected from primary, secondary and branched chain alkyl and / or acyl hydrocarbyl groups; primary, secondary and branched chain alkenyl hydrocarbyl groups and primary and secondary branched chain alkyl and alkenyl substituted hydrocarbyl groups; said hydrocarbyl groups have a hydrocarbyl chain length of 8 to 20, preferably 10 to 18 carbon atoms. Y is typically -O-, -C (0) 0-, -C (0) N (R) - or -C (0) N (R) R-, wherein R2 and R, when present, have the meanings given above, and / or R can be hydrogen, and z is from 5 to 50, preferably at least 10-11. The nonionic surfactants herein are characterized by a HLB (hydrophilic-lipophilic balance) of 7 to 20, preferably 8 to 15. Examples of particularly suitable nonionic surfactants include - straight chain alcohol alkoxylates such as tallow alcohol-EO (11), tallow alcohol-EO (18) and tallow alcohol-EO (25); - Straight chain secondary alcohol alkoxylates such as 2-C16EO (11); 2-C20EO (11) and 2-C16EO (14); - Alkylphenol alkoxylates, such as p-tridecylphenol EO (11) and p-pentadecylphenol EO (18), as well as - olefinic and branched chain alkoxylates such as branched chain primary and secondary alcohols which are available from the "OXO" processes "well-known.

Amine Oxides Suitable amine oxides include those with an alkyl or hydroxyalkyl portion of 8 to 28 carbon atoms, preferably 8 to 16 carbon atoms, and two selected portions of alkyl groups or hydroxyalkyl groups with 1 to 3 carbon atoms . Examples include dimethyloctylamine oxide, diethyldecylamine oxide, bis- (2-hydroxyethyl) dodecylamine oxide, dimethyldodecylamine oxide, dipropyltetradecylamine oxide, methylethylhexadecylamine oxide, dimethyl-2-hydroxyoctadecylamine oxide and coconut fatty acid alkyldimethylamine oxide.

Fatty Acids Suitable fatty acids include those containing from 10 to 25, preferably from 12 to 25 total carbon atoms, the fatty portion containing from 10 to 22, preferably from 16 to 22, carbon atoms. The shortest portion contains from 1 to 4, preferably from 1 to 2 carbon atoms. The level of unsaturation of the sebum chain can be measured by the corresponding iodine (IV) value of the fatty acid, which in the present case should preferably be in the range of 5 to 100, most preferably in the range of 0 to 25. Specific examples of fatty acid compounds suitable for use in the liquid fabric softening compositions herein include compounds selected from lauric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, arachidic acid, behenic acid, oleic acid, coconut fatty acid , tallow fatty acid, partially hydrogenated tallow fatty acid and mixtures thereof. A fatty acid compound that is most preferred is tallow fatty acid with an Iodine (IV) value of 18. Inorganic viscosity control / dispersion-ability agents that can also act or increase the effect of the concentration aids. Surfactants include water-soluble and ionizable salts which may also optionally be incorporated into the compositions of the present invention. A wide variety of ionizable salts can be used. Examples of suitable salts are the halides of the metals of Group IA and HA of the Periodic Table of the Elements, e.g., calcium chloride, magnesium chloride, sodium chloride, potassium bromide and lithium chloride. Ionizable salts are particularly useful during the process of mixing the ingredients to make the compositions herein, and later to obtain the desired viscosity. The amount of ionizable salts used depends on the active ingredients used in the compositions and can be adjusted according to the wishes of the formulator. Typical levels of salts used to control the viscosity of the composition are from 20 to 20,000 parts per million (ppm), preferably from 20 to 11,000 ppm, by weight of the composition. The alkylene polyammonium salts can be incorporated into the composition to give viscosity control, in addition to or in place of the above water-soluble and ionizable salts. In addition, these agents can act as scavengers, forming pairs of ions with the anionic detergent that comes from the main wash, during rinsing and on the fabrics, and can improve the yield of softness. These agents can stabilize the viscosity on a broader scale of temperatures, especially at low temperatures, compared to inorganic electrolytes. Specific examples of alkylene polyammonium salts include l-lysine monohydrochloride and 1,5-diammonium 2-methylpentandichlorohydrate. 4. Other Ingredients Other optional ingredients include, but are not limited to enzymes, soil release agents, perfumes, preservatives / stabilizers, chelators, bactericides, colorants, optical brighteners, antifoaming agents, non-reactive dyeing agent with cellulose such as ammonium compounds policuatemario (for example, Sandofix WE56 commercially available from Hoechst, or Rewin SFR commercially available from CHT R), polyamino functional polymer such as that described in co-pending application EP 97201488.0, dispersible polyolefin such as Velustrol® as described in the PCT co-pending application / US 97/01644, and the like.

Enzymes The compositions herein may optionally employ one or more enzymes such as lipases, proteases, cellulase, amylases and peroxidases. An enzyme that is preferred for use herein is a cellulase enzyme. In fact, this type of enzyme will also provide a color care benefit to the treated fabric. Cellulases that can be used herein include both bacterial and fungal types, preferably having an optimum pH of between 5 and 9.5. The patent of E.U. 4,435,307 describes suitable fungal cellulases of Humicola insolens or strain DSM1800 of Humicola or a cellulase-producing fungus 212 belonging to the genus Aeromonas, and a cellulase extracted from the hepatopancreas of a marine mollusk, Dolabella Auricular Solander. Suitable cellulases are also described in GB-A-2,075,028; GB-A-2,095,275 and DE-OS-2,247,832. CAREZYME® and CELLUZYME® (Novo) are especially useful. Other suitable cellulases are also described in WO 91/17243 to Novo, WO 96/34092, WO 96/34945 and EP-A-0,739,982. In practical terms, for current commercial preparations, typical amounts are up to about 5 mg by weight, very typically 0.01 mg to 3 mg, of active enzyme per gram of the detergent composition. In other words, the compositions herein will typically comprise about 0.001 to 5%, preferably 0.01% -1% by weight of a commercial enzyme preparation. In particular cases in which the activity of the enzyme preparation can be defined differently, such as with cellulase, the corresponding activity units are preferred (eg, CEVU or Cellulase Equivalent Viscosity Units). For example, the compositions of the present invention may contain cellulase enzymes at a level equivalent to an activity of about 0.5 to 1000 CEVU / gram of the composition. The cellulase enzyme preparations used for the purpose of formulating the compositions of this invention typically have an activity between 1, 000 and 10,000 CEVU / gram in liquid form and about 1, 000 CEVU / gram in solid form.

Dirt releasing agents Dirt releasing agents are desirably used in fabric softening compositions of the present invention. Suitable soil release agents include those of the U.S.A. 4,968,451, November 6, 1990 by J. J. Scheibel and E.P. Gosselink, such as ester oligomers that can be prepared: (a) ethoxylating allyl alcohol; (b) reacting the product of (a) with dimethyl terephthalate ("DMT") and 1,2-propylene glycol ("PG") in a two step transesterification / oligomerization process; and (c) reacting the product of (b) with sodium metabisulfite in water; the polyesters of 1, 2-propylene / polyoxyethylene terephthalate of non-ionic blocked ends of the U.S. patent. No. 4,711, 730, of December 8, 1987 to Gosselink and others, for example those produced by the transesterification / oligomerization of polyethylene glycol methyl ether, DMT, PG and polyethylene glycol ("PEG"); the oligomeric esters of anionic blocked ends partially and completely of the U.S. patent. No. 4,721, 580, from January 26, 1988 to Gosselink, such as oligomers of ethylene glycol ("EG"), PG, DMT and Na-3,6-dioxa-8-hydroxyoctansulfonate; the non-ionic blocked block polyester oligomeric compounds of the U.S.A. 4,702,857, from October 27, 1987 to Gosselink, for example produced from DMT, PEG and EG and / or PG (Me) -blocked methyl or a combination of DMT, EG and / or PG, PEG Me-blocked and Na-dimethyl-5-sulfoisophthalate; and the blocked terephthalate esters of the anionic ends, especially of sulfoaroyl of the U.S. patent. No. 4,877,896 of October 31, 1989 to Maldonado, Gosselink and others, the latter being a typical SRA's useful in both fabric conditioning and laundry products with one example being an ester composition made from the monosodium salt of acid m Sulfobenzoic acid, PG and DMT, optionally but preferably further comprising added PG, e.g., PEG 3400. Another preferred soil release agent is a sulfonated and end blocked type described in US 5,415,807.

Perfumes Perfume can also be incorporated into the compositions of the invention to provide fully formulated fragrance and thus fragrance in packaging and in use (laundry time) desirable. In the formulation of the present fabric softening compositions, the fully formulated perfume composition can be prepared using numerous perfume components of known natural or synthetic origin. The scale of natural raw materials can encompass not only easily volatile components, but also moderately volatile and slightly volatile; and the scale of synthetic substances can include materials representative of practically all kinds of fragrant substances, as will be evident from the following illustrative compilation: natural products, such as absolute of tree moss, basil oil, citrus fruit oils ( such as bergamot oil, mandarin oil, etc.) absolute mastix, myrtle oil, palmarrosa oil, patchouli oil, petigran oil from Paraguay, wood worm oil; alcohols, such as farnesol, geraniol, linalool, nerol, phenylethyl alcohol, rodinol, cinnamic alcohol; aldehydes, such as citral, Helional ™, alphahexylcinnamaldehyde, hydroxycitronellal, Lilial ™ (p-tert-butyl-alpha-methyldihydrocinnamaldehyde), methiinonylacetaldehyde; ketones such as allylonone, alfayonone, betayonone, isoraldein (isomethyl-alpha-yonone), metilyonone; esters, such as allyl phenoxyacetate, benzyl salicylate, cinnamyl propionate, citronellyl acetate, citronellyl ethoxide, decyl acetate, dimethylbenzylcarbinyl acetate, dimethylbenzylcarbinyl butyrate, ethyl acetoacetate, ethyl acetylacetate, hexenyl isobutyrate, ethyl acetate, linalyl, methyl dihydrojasmonate, styrallylacetate, vetyveryl acetate, etc., lactones, such as gamma-undecalactone, ^ several components commonly used in perfumery, such as ketone musk, indole, p-menthane-8-thiol-3-one and methyl-eugenol. Likewise, any conventional fragrant acetal or ketal known in the art can be added to the present composition as an optional component of the fully formulated perfume (c). Such conventional fragrant acetals and ketals include the well-known acetals and ketals of methyl and ethyl, as well as the acetals or ketals based on benzaldehyde, those comprising portions of phenylethyl, or more recently developed specialties such as those described in a U.S. patent. entitled "Acetáis and Ketals of Oxo-Tetralins and Oxo-lndanes", see patent of E.U. No. 5,084,440, issued on January 28, 1992, assigned to. Givaudan Corp. Of course, other synthetic specialties can be included recent in the perfume compositions for the fabric care composition of the invention. These include the enol ethers of oxo-tetralins and alkyl-substituted substitutes such as those described in the U.S. patent. 5,332,725, July 26, 1994, assigned to Givaudan; or Schief bases described in the US patent. No. 5,264,615, December 9, 1991, assigned to Givaudan. It preferred that the profragance material can be added separately from conventional fragrances to the fabric softening compositions of the invention.

Stabilizers Stabilizers may also be present in the compositions of the present invention. The term "stabilizer", as used herein, includes antioxidants and reducing agents. These agents are present in the final composition at a level of from 0% to about 2%, preferably from about 0.01% to about 0.2%, most preferably from about 0.035% to about 0.1% for antioxidants, and more preferably about 0.01% to approximately 0.2% for reducing agents. These ensure adequate odor stability under long-term storage conditions for the compositions and compounds stored in molten form. The use of antioxidant stabilizers and reducing agents is especially critical for products without aroma or low aroma (without or with low perfume content). Examples of antioxidants that can be added to the fabric softening compositions of this invention include a mixture of ascorbic acid, ascorbic palmitate and propylgalate, available from Eastman Chemical Products, Inc., under the trade names Tenox® PG and Tenox® S-1; a mixture of BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene), BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole), propylgalate and citric acid, available from Eastman Chemical Products, Inc., under the trade name Tenox®-6; butylated hydroxytoluene available from UOP Process Division under the trade name Sustane® BHT; tertiary butylhydroquinone, Eastman Chemical Products, Inc., as Tenox® TBHQ; natural tocopherols, Eastman Chemical Products, Inc., as Tenox® GT-1 / GT-2; and butylated hydroxyanisole, Eastman Chemical Products, Inc., as BHA; long chain esters (C8-C22) of gallic acid, e.g., dodecylgalate; Irganox® 1010; Irganox® 1035; Irganox® B 1171; Irganox® 1425; Irganox® 3114; Irganox® 3125 and mixtures thereof; preferably Irganox® 3125, Irganox® 1425, Irganox® 3114 and mixtures thereof; most preferably Irganox® 3125 alone or mixed with citric acid and / or other chelating agents such as isopropyl citrate, Dequest® 2010, available from Monsanto with a chemical name of 1-hydroxyethylidene-1,1-diphosphonic acid (etidronic acid) and Pull ®, available from Kodak with a chemical name of 4,5-dihydroxy-m-benzenesulfonic acid / sodium salt and DTPA®, available from Aldrich with a chemical name of diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid. The chemical names and CAS numbers for some of the above stabilizers are listed in the following Table II.

TABLE II Antioxidant CAS No Chemical name used in the Federal Regulatory Code lrganox® 1010 6683-19-8 Tetrakis (methylene (3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyhydrocinnamate)) methane Irganox, ® ^ lOSd 41484-35-9 Bis (3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyhydrocinnamate) of thioethylene lrganox, ® ^ 1098 23128-74-7 (3,5-Di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyhydrocinnamamide of N, N'-hexamethylene lrganox® B 1171 31570-04-4 Mixture 1: 1 of Irganox® 1098 and Irgafos® 23128-74-7 168 lrganox® 1425 65140-91-2 Bis (monoethyl (3,5-di-ter- calcium butyl-4-hydroxy-benzyl) lrganox® 3114 65140-91-2 Bis (calcium monoethyl (3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl) phosphonate lrganox® 3125 34137-09-2 Tri-ester of 3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyhydrocinnamic acid with 1, 3,5-tris (2-hydroxyethyl) -S-triazino-2,4,6- (1 H, 3H, 5H) -triona lrgafos® 168 31570-04-4 Tris (2,4-di-tert-butyl-phenyl) phosphite Examples of effective reducing agents include sodium borohydride, hypophosphoric acid, Irgafos® 168 and mixtures thereof .

FORM OF COMPOSITION The fabric softening composition can have a variety of physical forms, including liquid such as aqueous or non-aqueous compositions, and solid forms such as solid particulate forms. Said compositions may be applied on a substrate such as a dryer sheet product, used as an add-on product during the rinse, or as a spray or foam product.

Accordingly, a method is provided for the domestic treatment of a fabric to reduce the amount of dye released from the fabric during wet treatment, and comprising the step of: a) contacting the fabrics with a reactive dye fixing agent with cellulose or a composition thereof as defined hereinbefore; and b) subsequently subjecting the treated fabrics to a heating source, said heating source being provided in a dry environment. Preferably, the contact of the fabrics with a cellulose-reactive dye fixing agent or a composition incorporating said fixing agent occurs during the rinsing cycle of a washing process. Preferably, the cellulose-reactive dye fixing agent in the above method is incorporated in a fabric softening composition. The resulting fabric softening composition is as described hereinabove. The heating source that is preferred to be used herein is one in which a temperature of at least 60 ° C, most preferably at least 80 ° C, such as those commonly known in domestic processes, for example, is used. dryer drying process, ironing procedure or even a combination of both procedures. The dry medium is an important feature of the method aspect of the invention. In contrast, the use of the heating source in an aqueous medium would not provide sufficient covalent binding of the cellulose-reactive dye-binding agent to the dye. It has been found that preferably to occur in bond, the presence of water should be reduced to a minimum, ie not less than the moisture retention content of the fabric being treated. The moisture retention content is defined as in D2654-89a which provides Standard Test Methods for Textile Moisture, page 724-733. Of course, the value for moisture retention content is specific to relative humidity, ambient temperature and type of fabric. By varying at least one of these characteristics, the value of the moisture retention content will also vary. However, what is preferred for the purpose of the invention is that the water content in the fabric is below its moisture retention content for proper chemical bonding to take place. Reducing the amount of water in the fabrics less than the moisture retention content is easily achieved by drying the fabrics in a dryer and / or ironing these dried fabrics.

Procedure The fabric softening composition can be conveniently made according to procedures well known to the skilled person. An exemplary description is given in EP-A-0, 668,902.

The invention is illustrated in the following non-limiting examples, in which all percentages are on a weight basis unless otherwise indicated. In the examples, the identifications of the abbreviated components have the following meanings: DEQA: Di- (seboyl-oxy-ethyl) dimethylammonium chloride DOEQA: Di- (oleyloxyethyl) dimethylammonium methylsulfate DTDMAC: Disodbodimethylammonium chloride DHEQA: Methylsulphate di- (soft tallow-oxyethylethyl) hydroxyethylmethanolamium Fatty acid: Fatty tallow fatty acid IV = 118 Electrolyte: Calcium chloride DTDMAMS: Disodbodimethylammonium meilsulphate SDASA: 1: 2 ratio of stearyldimethylamine: triple-pressed stearic acid. Glicoesperse S-20 Polyethoxylated sorbitan monostearate available from Lonza Clay Clay bentonite clay, Bentonite L, sold by Southern Clay Products TAE25 Ethoxylated tallow alcohol with 25 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol PEG Polyethylene glycol 4000 Dye fixative 1 Fixing agent of cellulose-reactive dyes available under the trade name Indosol CR from Clariant Dye fixative 2 Cellulose-reactive dye fixing agent available under the tradename Rewin WBS from CHT R. Beitlich EXAMPLE 1 The following compositions are in accordance with the invention. 160 g of fabrics were treated with composition A. The fabrics were subsequently dried on a clothesline and then subjected to a laid ironing procedure for linen. It is observed after an additional washing cycle that the fabrics treated in this manner exhibit a better dye fixing performance than the fabrics which were not subjected to an ironing process.

The same results were obtained with compositions B through F. EXAMPLE 2 ^ ßr- The following compositions for use as sheets added in a dryer are in accordance with the invention. fifteen

Claims (9)

NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION CLAIMS

1. A fabric softening composition comprising a cationic fabric softener having at least two long chains and a cellulose reactive dye fixing agent.

2. A fabric softening composition according to claim 1, further characterized in that said fabric softening component is a biodegradable cationic fabric softener of the formula: (II) (ni) wherein Q is selected from -OC (O) -, -C (0) -0-, -0-C (0) -0-, NR4-C (0) -, C (O ) -NR4-; R1 is (CH2) n-Q-T2 or T3; R2 is (CH2) m-Q-T4 or T5 or T3; R 3 is C 1 -C 4 alkyl or C 1 -C 4 hydroxyalkyl or H; R 4 is H or C 1 -C 4 alkyl or hydroxyalkyl of C1-C4; T1, T2, t3, T4 and T ^ are independently alkyl or alkenyl of C-11-C22; n and m are integers from 1 to 4; and X "is an anion compatible with softener.

3. - A fabric softening composition according to claim 2, further characterized in that said fabric softener is present in an amount of 1% to 80% by weight.

4. A fabric softening composition according to any of claims 1-3, further characterized in that said cellulose-reactive dye fixing agent is a product containing the reactive group of the reactive dye classes selected from halogen products. triazine, vinyl sulfone compounds, epichlorohydrin derivatives, hydroxyethyleneurea derivatives, formaldehyde condensation products, polycarboxylates, glyoxal and glutaraldehyde derivatives and mixtures thereof.

5. A fabric softening composition according to claim 4, further characterized in that said cellulose-reactive dye fixing agent is a condensation product of formaldehyde which is They prefer to include the condensation products derived from formaldehyde selected from the condensation products derived from formaldehyde and a group selected from an amino group, a methyl group, a phenol group, a urea group, a cyanamide group and an aromatic group.

6. A fabric softening composition according to claim 5, further characterized in that said cellulose-reactive dye fixing agent is present in an amount of 0.01% to 50% by weight, preferably 0.01% to 25% by weight of the composition.

7. A method for the domestic treatment of a fabric to reduce the amount of dye released from the fabric during wet treatments and comprising the step of: a) contacting the fabrics with a dye-binding agent reactive with cellulose and b ) subsequently subjecting the treated fabrics to a heating source in a dry environment.

8. A method for the domestic treatment of a fabric to reduce the amount of dye released from the fabric during wet treatments and comprising the step of: a) contacting the fabrics with a fabric softening composition as defined in any of claims 1-6 and b) subsequently subjecting the treated fabrics to a heating source in a dry environment.

9. A method according to any of claims 7 or 8, further characterized in that said source of heating is provided by a method selected from a dryer drying process, ironing process and mixtures thereof.