MXPA98008114A - Softening compositions of te - Google Patents

Abstract

A liquid fabric softening composition is provided which exhibits excellent phase stability and viscosity, as well as softness performance and which comprises: a) from 0.01% to 10% by weight of a fabric softening component, b) at least 0.001% of a thickening agent selected from the group consisting of: 1) associative polymers having a hydrophilic base structure and at least two hydrophobic groups per molecule to the hydrophilic base structure, ii) crosslinked cationic polymers which are derivable from a cationic monomer water-soluble ethylenically unsaturated or monomer mixture which are entangled by 5 to 45 ppm of an entanglement agent comprising polyethylene functions, and iii) mixtures thereof, c) a component capable of sequestering metal ions and selected from the group consisting of: i) chelating components selected from the group consisting of aminocarboxylic acid, organo-aminophosphonic acid components, and mixtures thereof, ii) polycarboxylic builder components, other than those defined as i) chelating components, comprising at least two carboxylic radicals separated from each other by no more than two carbon atoms, and iii) mixtures thereof;

Description

SOFTENING COMPOSITIONS OF FABRICS FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to fabric softening compositions that exhibit excellent storage stability. Very particularly, it relates to liquid fabric softening compositions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The softening compositions, in particular the fabric softening compositions that will be used in the rinse cycle of the laundry washing processes, are well known to the consumer because they provide the fabrics with a smooth and pleasant feel. Said compositions are provided in two forms: concentrated compositions comprising more than 10% by weight of fabric softening agents and diluted compositions comprising less than 10% by weight of fabric softening agents. However, the acceptance of said compositions by the consumer is determined not only by the performance achieved with these products, but also by the aesthetics associated with them. Therefore, the viscosity of the product is an important aspect of the successful formulation of said commercial products; the medium to medium-high stable viscosities are highly preferred by the consumer. For medium-high viscosities, it is tried to say viscosities of 50cps to 150cps when the fabric softening composition is in dilute form and viscosities of 30cps to 90cps when the fabric softening composition is in concentrated form. However, a problem encountered with the diluted compositions is that, contrary to the concentrated compositions exhibiting a "self-constituted viscosity" due to their high amount of active, the diluted compositions show a phase instability, as well as a viscosity problem. . This problem can be found either with a diluted product already made or with a concentrated product as it is diluted. To date, thickeners such as polyacrylamide, polysaccharide or polyurethanes have been widely used in such compositions. The description of said compounds can be found in EP 0,422,179 and EP 0,309,052. However, a problem encountered with such thickeners is the need for them to be present at high levels to provide effective thickening. Although the use of such high levels would provide an adequate remedy for the problem, this would increase the cost of the formulation. Compound polymeric or intercalated cationic polymeric type compounds are effective as thickeners, even at low levels. The description of said compounds can be found in EP 0,385,789 and EP 0,422,179.

However, it has been found that the use of such compounds is detrimental to the phase stability and viscosity performance of the product under storage and thus to the fabric softening performance of the product. Without being limited to the theory, it is believed that said compounds are provided with anionic charges that destabilize the equilibrium of the formulation. The potential of said problem is increased when the softening composition comprises electrolytes. The applicant has now discovered that the addition of a component capable of sequestering metal ions, preferably in specific amounts, overcomes the problem. A thickener is intended to mean a component that has thickening properties, that is, a compound that when incorporated into a softening composition produces compositions with a higher viscosity in the presence of the polymer than in the absence thereof. Components that have soil release properties such as those defined in US 4,702,857 are not included within the scope of this term. Therefore, an advantage of the invention is to provide compositions with suitable phase stability and viscosity. Another advantage of the invention is to provide softening compositions with an effective smoothness performance. A further advantage of the invention is to provide softening compositions that allow the use of electrolytes without being harmful to the balance of the formulation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a liquid fabric softening composition comprising: a) from 0.01% to 10% by weight of a fabric softening component, b) at least 0.001% of a thickening agent selected from the group consisting of: i) associative polymers having a hydrophilic base structure and at least two hydrophilic groups per molecule bonded to the hydrophilic base structure, ii) crosslinked cationic polymers that are derivable from a water-soluble ethylenically unsaturated cationic monomer or mixture of monomers that are entangled for 5 a 45 ppm of an entanglement agent comprising polyethylene functions, and iii) mixtures thereof, c) a component capable of sequestering metal ions and selected from the group consisting of: i) chelating components selected from the group consisting of aminocarboxylic acid, organo-aminophosphonic acid components and mixtures thereof, ii) polycarboxylic builder components, other than those defined as i) chelating components, comprising at least two carboxylic radicals separated from each other by not more than two carbon atoms and iii) ) mixtures thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Fabric softeners An essential component of the invention is a fabric softening component. The fabric softening materials may be selected from the group consisting of a cationic, nonionic, amphoteric or anionic fabric softening material. The softener components of fabrics herein are at levels of 0.01% to 10% by weight, with a level of fabric softening components being preferred from 1% to 5% by weight of the composition. Typically such compositions contain an active water-insoluble quaternary ammonium fabric softener, the most commonly used being the ammonium chloride di-long alkyl chain. In recent years the need for less environmentally-aggressive materials has been created, and rapidly biodegradable quaternary ammonium compounds have been presented as alternatives for ammonium chlorides of di-long alkyl chain. 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. The quaternary ammonium compounds and amine precursors of the present have the formula ( I) or (II), below: R3 R2 R3 R3 / + N - (CH2) n - Q - T1 X + N-- (CH2) n - CH - X RJ r J_ rp -? (I) (II) wherein Q is selected from -O-C (O) -, -C (0) -0-, -0-C (0) -0-, NR4-C (0) -, C (0) -NR4-; R1 is (CH2) n-Q-T2 or T3; R2 is (CH2) m-Q-T4 or T5 or T3; R is C 1 -C 4 alkyl or C 1 -C 4 hydroxyalkyl or H; R is H or C 1 -C 4 alkyl or C 1 -C 4 hydroxyalkyl; T, T2, T, T4 and T5 are independently C11-C22 alkyl or alkenyl; n and m are integers from 1 to 4; and X "is an anion compatible with softener.Non-limiting examples of anions compatible with softener include chloride or methylsulfate.The T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5 chain of the alkyl or alkenyl must contain at least 11 carbon atoms, preferably at least 16 carbon atoms The chain can be straight or branched Sebum is a convenient and inexpensive source of long chain alkyl and alkenyl material Particularly preferred are compounds in which T, T, T, T and T5 represent the mixture of long chain materials typical for tallow Specific examples of quaternary ammonium compounds for use in the aqueous fabric softening compositions herein include: 1) N, -di (tallowyl-oxy-ethyl) -N chloride , N-dimethylammonium; 2) N, N-di (tallowyloxyethyl) -N-methyl, N- (2-hydroxyethyl) ammonium chloride; 3) N, N-di (2-tallowyloxy) chloride; -2-oxo-ethyl) -N, N-dimethylammonium; 4) N, N-di (2-tallowyl-oxy-ethylcarbonyl-oxy-ethyl) -N, -dimethylammonium chloride 5) N- (2-tallowyloxy-2-ethyl) -N- (2-tallowyl) oxy-2-oxo-ethyl) -N, N-dimethylammonium; 6) N, N, N-tri (tallowyloxyethyl) -N-methylammonium chloride; 7) N- (2-tallowyl-oxy-2-oxo-ethyl) -N- (tallowyl-N, N-dimethylammonium chloride and 8) 1,2-disodium-oxy-3-trimethylammoniopropane chloride and mixtures of any of the above materials. Of these, compounds 1-7 are examples of compounds of formula (I); Compound 8 is a compound of formula (II). 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 the 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 than 50/50 and most preferably more than 70/30 provides optimum concentration capacity. For compounds of the formula (I) 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 needed. Other examples of suitable quaternary ammoniums of the formula (I) and (II) are obtained, e.g. : replacing "sebum" 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. For the preceding biodegradable 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. 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, when the liquid fabric softening compositions of the invention are in concentrated form, the pH of the concentrated composition is in the range of 2.0 to 3.0. 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 acid, »Hydrochloric, phosphoric, formic, methylsulfonic and benzoic. Other fabric softening materials can be used in addition or alternatively to the biodegradable fabric softener. These can be selected from the group consisting of cationic fabric softening materials, such as di-long alkyl chain ammonium chloride and non-ionic, amphoteric or anionic fabric softening materials. The description of said materials can be found in E.U. 4,327,133; 4,421,792; 4,426,299; 4,460,485; 3,644,203 and 4,661,269. Typically, said nonionic fabric softening materials have an HLB of from about 2 to about 9, very typically from about 3 to about 7.

Such nonionic fabric softening materials tend to be easily dispersed either by themselves or when combined with other materials such as the long and simple 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, said 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 1,5-sorbitan esters. 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.

Thickening agent The second essential component of the invention is a thickening agent. Typical levels of said thickener are at least 0.001%, preferably from 0.001% to 3%, most preferably from 0.01% to 1% and more preferably from 0.1% to 0.5% by weight of the composition. Suitable thickening agents are selected from the group consisting of associative polymers having a hydrophilic base structure and at least two hydrophobic groups per molecule attached to the hydrophilic base structure, crosslinked cationic polymers which are derivable from a water-soluble ethylenically unsaturated cationic monomer or mixtures of monomers that are entangled by 5 to 45 ppm of an entanglement agent comprising polyethylene functions, and mixtures thereof.

Associative polymers having a hydrophilic base structure and at least two hydrophobic groups per molecule attached to the hydrophilic base structure It is believed that for associative polymers only polymeric molecules having at least two hydrophobic portions contribute to the thickening effect. However, for practical reasons, a reaction mixture of polymer molecules will generally be used, in which case it is not necessary that in said mixture the molecules contain on average two hydrophobic portions; satisfactory results can also be obtained when the average is less than two, as long as a significant part of the molecules comprises two or more hydrophobic portions. It is, however, preferred to use polymer reaction mixtures comprising on average two or more hydrophobic portions per molecule. The polymeric thickeners for use in the fabric softening compositions according to the invention preferably have a non-ionic or cationic hydrophilic base structure. Preferably, polymeric thickeners are hydrophobically modified nonionic polymers.

The hydrophobically modified nonionic polymers are based on polyoxyalkylene or polyvinyl alcohol base structures, to which a small number of alkyl groups have been fixed. Examples of these materials are: (i) copolymers of ethylene oxide and / or propylene oxide with small amounts of side chains of Cg-c24 '? R example having the basic formula: [R4] (4_x) -C- [ CH20- (CH (R5) -CH20) and -CH (Rg) -CH (R7) OH]? wherein each R 4, independently, is a C 1 -C 4 alkyl group, preferably an C 2 alkyl group; wherein each R5, independently, is hydrogen or a methyl group; wherein each Rg and R7, independently, is selected from the group consisting of H, a Cg-C4 alkyl group and a group containing C3-C24 alkyl, preferably an alkyl group of C] _g or a group containing alkyl of C] _g; with the proviso that for each chain, one of Rg or R7 is H and the other of Rg or R7 is an alkyl group of Cs-C24 and a group containing C3-C24 alkyl, preferably an alkyl group of C] _g or a group containing C? _g alkyl; where y is an integer that is on the scale of 20 to 1000, preferably on a scale of 50 to 500, most preferably on a scale of 200 to 400; wherein x is an integer which is on the scale of 2 to 4 and preferably has the value of 3. Preferably, the above associative thickener has hydrophilic groups constituting less than 10% by weight, preferably less than 6% by weight. Weight of the polymeric material. The associative thickeners of the formula (i) can be prepared by first reacting ethylene oxide or propylene oxide and generally a lower alkylene oxide with at least one active hydrogen-containing compound containing at least one active and subsequent hydrogen or simultaneously reacting with it at least one long-chain aliphatic alpha-olefin oxide or glycidyl ether. Said long chain aliphatic alpha-olefin oxide or glycidyl ether has a carbon chain length of 8 to 24 aliphatic carbon atoms, preferably 12 to 18 carbon atoms. The proportion of said long-chain aliphatic alpha-olefin oxide or glycidyl ether present in the polyether thickener is from 1 to 20% by weight, based on the total weight of the thickener. The suitable active hydrogen-containing compound containing at least one active hydrogen includes monohydric and polyhydric alcohol initiators. Useful polyhydric alcohol initiators are selected from alkane polyols, alkene polyols, alkyne polyols, aromatic polyols and oxyalkylene polyols. The monohydric alcohol initiators that are useful include aliphatic monohydric alcohols and alkylphenols containing 12 to 18 carbon atoms in the aliphatic or alkyl group. In addition, aliphatic mercaptans having 12 to 18 carbon atoms are useful initiators. A preferred example of a thickener is the associative polymer of the formula (i), whereby said thickener is a polymer with a central part made up of oxide chains of "Polyalkylene (80% ethylene oxide and 15% propylene oxide) on which 5% of hydrophobic chains (1,2-epoxyhexadecane) are branched. Most preferably, the thickener of the formula (i) is mixed with an ethoxylated surfactant. In this case, the ethoxylated alcohols can vary in chain length and degree of ethoxylation or any mixtures thereof. A preferred example of ethoxylated surfactant is Lutensol T08 MR, an ethoxylated C] _3 alcohol with an average degree of ethoxylation of 8, available from BASF. The thickener of the formula (i) and the ethoxylated surfactant are preferably present in a polymer ratio to Lutensol T08MR of 25:75. A preferred example for preparing said thickener is as follows: A liquid copolymer containing 80% by weight of the ethylene oxide residue, 15% by weight of the 1,2-propylene oxide residue and 5% by weight was prepared of the residue of an alpha-olefin oxide having an aliphatic carbon chain length of 15 to 18 carbon atoms, according to the following procedure. A polyether derived from ethylene oxide and 1,2-propylene oxide in the weight ratio of 75% ethylene oxide and 25% 1,2-propylene oxide was prepared by reaction with trimethylolpropane in two stages in a stainless steel autoclave. A first intermediate product was prepared by reacting a mixture of trimethylol, potassium hydroxide, 1,2-propylene oxide and ethylene oxide over a period of 18 hours at 120 ° C. The final product was prepared in a second step by reacting the previously prepared intermediate with a mixture of 1,2-propylene oxide and ethylene oxide under a nitrogen atmosphere of 115 ° for 22 hours. The product had a molecular weight of 23,000. A glass flask was charged with 1410 grams of the final polyether product prepared above and heated to 105 ° C while maintaining the nitrogen atmosphere. 10.2 grams of sodium was then added with stirring and the mixture was reacted for a period of 24 hours. The intermediate product obtained in this way was cooled to room temperature before its subsequent use. Subsequently, a 250 ml centrifuge bottle was charged with 100 grams of this intermediate product together with 3.3 grams of 1,2-propylene oxide and 19 grams of ethylene oxide. The contents of the bottle were mixed at room temperature and then the bottle was plugged with a rubber stopper and placed in a steam bath for 24 hours. This product was cooled to room temperature before further use. To the centrifuge bottle containing this product was added 2.5 grams of an alpha-olefin oxide with an aliphatic carbon chain length of 15 to 18 carbon atoms together with 3.3 grams of 1,2-propylene oxide and 19 grams of ethylene oxide. The contents of the bottle were further mixed and the bottle was plugged and placed in a steam bath for 21 hours, after which a viscous product was obtained. (ii) copolymers of ethylene oxide and / or propylene oxide with small amounts of Cg-24 side chains, for example having the basic formula: HO- (CH2CH20) n (CpH2pCH20) m-CHCH20H R2 wherein the group - (CH2CH20) n (CpH2pCH 0) m- is substituted by a minimum of two R ^ groups which can be substituted in any CH2 group along the base structure of the polymer; (iii) hydrophobically modified polyethylene oxide and / or propylene oxide / urethanes, for example of the following formula: H O O H I II II IR? -NC- (CH2CH20) n (CpH2pCH20) mCN-R1 wherein the group - (CH2CH20) n (CpH2pCH2?) M- is replaced by a minimum of two R_ groups which can be substituted in any CH2 group along the base structure of the polymer; and (iv) alkyl-substituted polyvinyl alcohols, for example of the following formula: OH HO-CH2- (CH2CH20) n CHCH2OH I R2 wherein the group - (CH2CHOH) n- is substituted by a minimum of two groups R ^ which can be substituted in any CH group along the base structure of the polymer; and where for formula (ii) to (iv): n = a more than 10 p = 1 to 4, preferably 1 or 2 n + m = a more than 10 m = if p is greater than 1, m is such that the group involved consists of less than 50 mol%, preferably less than 25 mol% of the polymer. R] _ = a linear or branched Cg-C24 alkyl or alkenyl R2 = a hydrogen or a linear or branched Cg-C24 alkyl or alkenyl R3 = a minimum of two R ^ groups which can be substituted in any CH2 group along the base structure of the polymer. The hydrophobically modified polyethylene oxide and / or propylene oxide / urethanes according to formula (iii) are marketed by UNION CARBIDE under the UCAR SCT brand for thickening of latex systems and generally have a molecular weight of about 40,000. Preferably, for the compounds of the formula (ii) to (iv) the number of hydrophobic groups attached to the hydrophilic base structure is relatively small. Preferably, the hydrophobic groups constitute less than 5% by weight of the polymer, most preferably between 0.5 and 2% by weight of the polymer. Preferred hydrophobic groups are linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl groups, preferably with a chain length of less than 40, most preferably between 8 and 24 carbon atoms. Other hydrophobically modified nonionic polymers which are preferred on the basis of polyoxyalkylene hydrophilic base structures, to which a small number have been fixed are hydrophobically modified acrylic acid polymers such as polyalkyl acrylic acid sold under the trademarks Viscalex, Rheovis CRX, Rheovis CR, Rheovis CR2 available from Allied Colloid, Acusol 810, Acusol 820, Acusol 823, Acusol 830, and Acusol 842, available from Rohm & Haas. The preferred molecular weight of the aforementioned thickener materials to be used is preferably more than 10,000, most preferably 10,000 to 1,000,000, more preferably 15,000 to 100,000, especially preferred 20,000 to 70,000.

Interlaced cationic polymers which are derivable from a water-soluble ethylenically unsaturated cationic monomer or mixture of monomers which are entangled by 5 to 45 ppm of an entanglement agent comprising polyethylene functions The cationic interlaced polymers (hereinafter "CP") are formed from a monoethylenically unsaturated monomer which is either a water-soluble cationic monomer or a cationic monomer mixture which may consist of cationic monomers alone or may consist of a mixture of cationic and non-ionic monomers in the presence of an entanglement agent. If a mixture of monomers is used, part of the mixture may have a low solubility in water, as long as the mixture is soluble in water. The monomers may be allylic monomers, but are generally vinyl, preferably acrylic. Suitably, the cationic polymers are derivable from cationic monomers comprising one or more of (a) dialkylaminoalkyl acrylates or methacrylates, (b) dialkylaminoalkyl acrylamides or methacrylamides and (c). the quaternary or acid salts of (a) or (b), for example methacrylamidopropyltrimethylammonium chloride and Mannich products such as quaternized dialkylaminomethylacrylamides. Alkyl groups are generally C 1 -C 4 alkyl. Suitable nonionic monomers are acrylamide, methacrylamide, N-vinylpyrrolidone and water-soluble acrylic monomers of lower alkyl (or other ethylenically unsaturated) such as methyl methacrylate, styrene or acrylonitrile, which can be included in sufficiently small amounts for the mixture to be soluble. Mixtures of 5-90%, preferably 5-50% of acrylamide with dialkylaminoalkyl acrylate or, preferably, methacrylate as addition or quaternary acid salts, or cationic homopolymers (not containing acrylamide groups) are preferred. The monomers may contain hydrophobic groups, e.g., as described in EP-A-0, 172, 723, for example on page 10 of that description. If the monomer will impart insolubility to the polymer, the ethoxy chains, if any, must be short or absent, ie, n = 0. Allyl ether monomers are especially preferred. The cationic polymer must be added while it is in the form of particles below 10 microns in size, and preferably below 10 microns in size. These can be made by grinding an interlaced polymer gel, but preferably the particles are initially formed in the entangled state. The particles may be added to the aqueous solution as aggregates or disintegrable pellets, but are preferably added as a dispersion in a liquid, generally a non-aqueous liquid such as a hydrocarbon. This dispersion can be made by dispersing preformed particles in the liquid, but is preferably done by the reverse phase polymerization of the monomer or monomer mixture in the presence of the interlayer. The monoethylenically unsaturated starting material can be contaminated with a small amount of crosslinking agent, and the amount of additional crosslinking agent that is added will therefore be selected with respect to this. Preferably, the monoethylenically unsaturated material is as free from entanglement agent as is commercially possible, for example, containing entanglement agent in an amount that gives an interlacing or chain branching less than that given by, e.g., ppm of an entanglement agent comprising polyethylene functions used in the present invention. By the term "polyethylenic functions", as used herein and throughout the description, one intends to mean entanglement agents having two or more ethylenically unsaturated groups per molecule of the agent. Thus, an example of said agent is methylene bisacrylamide (hereinafter "MBA"). The amount of crosslinking agent with polyethylenic functions, e.g., MBA being added is at least 5 ppm and up to 45 ppm (based on the monomer), generally 10 to 40 ppm. The exact amount will depend on the polymerization and other processing conditions. Instead of using MBA, the entanglement can be achieved in the same way using effective amounts of other ethylenically unsaturated compounds such as ethylene glycol diacrylate, diacrylamide, cyanomethylacrylate, vinyloxyethylacrylate or methacrylate and other entanglement media, eg, formaldehyde or glyoxal or salt of metallic addition. Preferably, a water soluble entangling agent is used. The degree of non-linearity can be further controlled by the inclusion of chain transfer agents in the polymerization mixture. Their use, in combination with the entanglement agent, will tend to promote chain branching, rather than entanglement. The amounts can vary widely. For example, 1,000 to 5,000 ppm (based on the monomer) of a moderate chain transfer agent such as an isopropyl alcohol may be suitable, although much smaller amounts, typically from 100 to 500 ppm, of chain branching agents are useful. more effective such as mercaptoethanol. However, suitable results are commonly obtained by conducting the polymerization under conventional conditions without the deliberate addition of chain transfer agents using a commercially pure monoethylenically unsaturated monomer together with the specific amount of MBA or other entanglement agent. Preferred CP's are commonly formed with up to 40% w / w acrylamide and 100 to 60 w / w% quaternary dialkylaminoethyl methacrylate salt (eg 20% acrylamide and 80% quaternary dialkylaminoethylmethacrylate salt) intertwined with 10 to 40 ppm , preferably 10-30 ppm MBA or other interleaver. All parts and percentages are by weight. The optimum for any particular composition can be determined by observing the properties of the composition when it is thickened with the chosen amount of a scale of CP's that are different from each other only by differentiating the MBA amounts from 5 to 45 ppm. The polymerization conditions are preferably such that the polymer has, if it is interlaced, a high notional molecular weight of 5 million to 30 million, and an intrinsic viscosity (hereinafter IV) of more than 4, preferably above 6, e.g., up to 10 or 15 dl / g. If the polymer is interlaced (CP) it is preferably polymerized to have a molecular weight as if it had been made in the absence of crosslinking agent. However, the entanglement will reduce the IV but the shear stress may then cause the IV to increase, as will be explained later. The particle size in the emulsion of the reverse phase polymerization mixture can be controlled by the degree of shear applied to the monomers and by the possible presence of emulsifying agent. The polymerization of the emulsion can be used when polymerizing, for example, water-insoluble monomers such as acrylic esters or water-insoluble but acid-soluble monomers, such as amines (the resulting CP being distributed in the aqueous acidic composition) but generally the Reverse phase polymerization of the emulsion or suspension is used when the monomer or monomer mixture is soluble in water. The aqueous monomer is emulsified in a suitable non-aqueous liquid, generally in the presence of a water-in-oil emulsifier, generally in an amount below the critical micelle concentration. Emulsifiers, stabilizers, non-aqueous liquids and other reverse phase polymerization materials and processing details are described in, for example, EP-A-0, 126, 528. CP particles can be dehydrated, for example by subjecting the dispersion to azeotropic distillation. The liquid product of the reverse phase polymerization or emulsion polymerization is generally used as such, without separation of the polymer particles therefrom, but if desired, the dried polymer particles can be separated from the dispersion in known manner. Because these dry particles will be very dusty they should preferably be formed as pellets which will disintegrate upon addition to water. The polymer-in-oil emulsion resulting from the reverse phase polymerization can be added to the composition which will be thickened in the presence of an oil-in-water emulsifier in a conventional manner. When the polymeric material is entangled and cationic, and in particular when it is an acrylamide copolymer with at least 5% and preferably at least 10% by weight of dialkylaminoacrylate (generally as addition acid or quaternary ammonium salt), the degree The non-linearity is preferably such that the CP has an ionic recovery (IR) of at least 15%. The IR is calculated as (x-y / x) 100 where x is the ionicity measured after applying normal shear stress and "y" is the polymer's ionicity before applying additional shear stress. These values are best determined by forming a 1% composition of the CP in deionized water, allowing it to be aged for 2 hours and then diluting it further up to 0.1% of active CP. The ionicity of the CP, y, is measured by colloidal titration as described by Koch-Light Laboratories Limited in its publication 4/77 KLCD-1. Alternatively, the method described in GB-A-1, 579, 007 may be used to determine y. The ionicity after the shear stress, x, is determined by measuring by the same technique the ionicity of this solution after subjecting it to normal shear stress. The shear stress is best applied to 200 ml of the solution in a substantially cylindrical vessel having a diameter of about 8 cm and provided at its base with a rotating blade about 6 cm in diameter, one end of the blade pointing upwards to approximately 45 degrees and the other down to approximately 45 degrees. The blade measures approximately 1 mm thick and is rotated at 16,500 rpm at the base of the container for 10 minutes. These conditions are best provided by the use of a Moulinex homogenizer, but other satisfactory conditions can be provided using kitchen blenders such as Kenwood blenders, Hamilton Beach, Canvas or Osterizer from a Waring blender. In practice, the exact conditions of shear stress are relatively unimportant since, assuming that the degree of shear stress is of the same order of magnitude as that specified, it will be found that the IR is not affected in large part by considerable changes. large in the amount, for example the duration of the shear stress, while at lower amounts of shear (for example 1 minute at 16,500 rpm) the IR is greatly affected by small changes in shear stress. Therefore, conveniently, the value of x is determined at the time when, with a high speed blade, the additional shear stress provides little or no change in ionicity. This usually requires a 10-minute shear stress, but sometimes longer periods, eg, up to 30 minutes with cooling, may be desired. The CP's used in the invention preferably have an IR of more than 30%, commonly in the range of 35 to 45%. The IR may increase from zero when there is zero interleaver to peaks or valleys at a level of about, for example 10 to 25 ppm interleaver, and preferably the IR is at or near this peak or valley, generally at such a low level of entanglement as that which is consistent with the high value of IR. A preferred example of an entangled polymer is as follows: A reverse phase dispersion was formed by dispersing in a conventional reverse phase emulsifying agent containing non-aqueous liquid and an amphipathic stabilizer, a non-aqueous monomer mixture consisting of 80% by weight of quaternary salt of methyl chloride of dimethylaminoethylmethacrylate and 20% of acrylamide and 15 ppm of methylenebisacrylamide. The mixture was degassed and started in a conventional manner and the polymerization was allowed to be completed. The mixture was then subjected to azeotropic distillation to provide a substantially aqueous dispersion of polymer particles of less than 2 microns in size dispersed in mineral oil (50% w / w) which was Shell oil 60 Solvent Palé. A commercially representative crosslinked cationic polymer that is preferred is BP 7050 ex BP Chemicals.

Component capable of sequestering metal ions A third essential component of the invention is a component capable of sequestering properties, ie a component that acts to sequester (chelate) metal ions. Said compound may be selected from the group consisting of a chelating component, a polycarboxylic polycarboxylic builder component and mixtures thereof.

A. Chelating components The chelating components are present at a level of at least 0.001% (10 ppm), preferably in an amount of 0.001% (10 ppm) to 0.5%, most preferably of 0. 005% to 0.25%, more preferably from 0.01% to 0.1% by weight of the composition. The chelating components suitable for use in the present invention are selected from the group consisting of aminocarboxylic acid compounds, organo-aminophosphonic acid, and mixtures thereof. The chelating components, which are acidic in nature, having for example functionalities of phosphonic acid or carboxylic acid, can be present either in their acid form or as a complex / salt with a suitable counter cation such as an alkaline ion or alkali metal, ammonium or substituted ammonium ion or any mixtures thereof. Preferably, any salts / complexes are soluble in water. The molar ratio of said counter cation to the chelator component is preferably at least 1: 1. Suitable chelating components for use herein include aminocarboxylic acids such as ethylene diamine N, N'-disuccinic acid (EDDS), ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), N-hydroxyethylene diamine triacetic acid, nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA), ethylenediaminetetrapropionic acid, ethylenediamine-N acid. , N'-diglutamic acid, 2-hydroxypropylenediamine-N, N'-disuccinic acid, triethylenetetraaminohexaacetic acid, diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DETPA), trans-1,2-diammoniumcyclohexane-NN, N ', N'-tetraacetic acid or ethanoldiglycine. Other chelating components suitable for use herein include organo-aminophosphonic acids such as ethylenediaminetetrakismethylenephosphonic acid, diethylenetriamine-N, N, N ', N ", N" -pentakismethylenephosphonic acid (DETMP), 1-hydroxyethane-1, 1-diphosphonic acid ( HEDP) or hydroxyethanedimethylenephosphonic acid. Mixtures of any of the chelating components described hereinbefore may also be used. Especially preferred is ethylenediamine-N, N'-disuccinic acid, most preferably present in the form of its S, S isomer, which is preferred because of its biodegradability profile.

B. Polycarboxylic buffers The polycarboxylic buffers are present at a level of at least 0.01% (10 ppm), typically at a level of at least 0.045% (450 ppm), preferably at a level of 0.045% to 0.5%, most preferably from 0.09% to 0.25%, most preferably from 0.1% to 0.2% by weight of the composition. The polycarboxylic builder components suitable for use herein may be of the monomeric or oligomeric type, although monomeric polycarboxylates are generally preferred for reasons of cost and performance. Polycarboxylic acids containing two carboxyl groups include succinic acid, malonic acid, (ethylenedioxy) diacetic acid, maleic acid, diglycolic acid, tartaric acid, tartronic acid and fumaric acid, as well as ether carboxylic acid and sulfinylcarboxylic acids. Polycarboxylic acids containing three carboxyl groups include, in particular, citric acid, aconitric and citraconic acid, as well as succinic derivatives such as the carboxymethyloxysuccinic acid described in British Patent No. 1,379,241, lactoxysuccinic acid described in British Patent No. 1,389,732, and aminosuccinic acid described in Dutch application 7205873, and oxypolycarboxylic materials such as 2-oxa-l acid., 1,3-propanetricarboxylic acid disclosed in British Patent No. 1,387,447. The polycarboxylic acid containing four carboxyl groups includes oxydisuccinic acid described in British Patent No. 1,261,829, 1,1,2,2-ethane-tetracarboxylic acid, 1,1,3,3-propanedicarboxylic acid and 1,1,2-acid. , 3, -propanotetracarboxílico. Polycarboxylic acids containing sulfo substituents include the sulfosuccinate derivatives described in British Patent Nos. 1,398,421 and 1,398,422, and in the US patent. No. 3,936,448, and the pyrolyzed sulfonated citric acid described in British Patent No. 1,439,000. The alicyclic and heterocyclic polycarboxylic acid includes cyclopentan-cis, cis, cis-tetracarboxylic acid, cyclopentadienidopentacarboxylic acid, 2,3,4,5-tetrahydrofuran-cis, cis, cis-tetracarboxylic acid, 2,5-tetrahydrofuran-cis-dicarboxylic acid , 2,2,5,5-tetrahydrofurantracarboxylic acid, 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexanohexacarboxylic acid and carboxymethyl derivatives of polyhydric alcohols such as sorbitol, mannitol and xylitol. Aromatic polycarboxylics include mellitic acid, pyromellitic acid and the phthalic acid derivatives described in British Patent No. 1,425,343. Although suitable for use, citric acid is less preferred for the purpose of the invention. Of the above, the preferred polycarboxylic acids are carboxylic acids containing up to three carboxyl groups per molecule, most particularly maleic acid. Another ingredient of the invention is a liquid vehicle. Liquid carriers suitable for the present invention are selected from the group consisting of water, organic solvents and mixtures thereof. The liquid carrier employed in the present compositions is preferably at least mainly water due to its low cost, relative availability, safety and compatibility with the environment. The water level in the liquid vehicle is preferably at least 50%, most preferably at least 60% by weight of the vehicle. Mixtures of water and low molecular weight organic solvent, e.g., <200, for example lower alcohol such as ethanol, propanol, isopropanol or butanol are useful as the liquid carrier. Low molecular weight alcohols include monohydric, dihydric (glycol, etc.), trihydric (glycerol, etc.) alcohol and higher polyhydric alcohols (polyols).

Optional components Auxiliary concentration of surfactant The surfactant concentration aids can also be used. The surfactant concentration aids are typically selected from the group consisting of single and long chain alkyl cationic surfactants, nonionic surfactants, amine oxides, fatty acids and mixtures thereof, typically used at a level of 0. to 15% of the composition.

Long and straight chain long-chain cationic surfactants Such long and simple alkyl chain cationic surfactants useful in the present invention are preferably quaternary ammonium salts of the general formula: [R2N + R3] X "wherein the group R is a hydrocarbon group of β-2, preferably an alkyl group of] 2-Ct, g of the group interrupted by ester linkage corresponding to a short (C1-C4) alkylene group between the ester bond and the N, and has a similar hydrocarbon group, e.g., a choline fatty acid ester, preferably a C] _2-c14 (coconut) choline ester and / or a tallow alkyl ester of C] _g-C;] _ g a from 0.1% to 20% by weight of the softening active Each R is a C1-C4 alkyl or substituted alkyl (e.g., hydroxyalkyl), or hydrogen, preferably methyl, and the counterion X ~ is an anion compatible with softener, for example, chloride, methyl sulfate bromide, etc. Other materials can also be used cat ionics with ring structures such as alkylimidazoline, imidazolinium, pyridine and pyridinium salts having a simple alkyl chain of C3Q. A very low pH is required to stabilize, e.g., imidazoline ring structures. Some alkylimidazolinium salts and their imidazoline precursors useful in the present invention have the general formula: wherein Y2 is -C (0) -0-, -0- (0) C-, -C (0) -N (R5) - or -N (R5) -C (0) _ wherein R is hydrogen or a C 1 -C 4 alkyl radical; RD is a C 1 -C 4 alkyl radical or H (for imidazoline precursors); R and R = are each independently selected from the group consisting of R and R as defined above for the long and single chain cationic surfactant, only one being R. Some alkyl pyridinium salts useful in the present invention have the general formula: R-NO where R¿ and X- are as defined above. A typical material of this type is cetylpyridinium chloride.

Nonionic Surfactant (Alkoxylated Materials) Nonionic surfactants suitable for use herein include addition products of ethylene oxide and, optionally, propylene oxide with fatty alcohols, fatty acids, fatty amines, etc. Suitable compounds are substantially water-soluble surfactants of the general formula: R2-Y- (C2H40) z-C2H OH wherein R2 is selected from the group consisting of primary, secondary and branched alkyl and / or acylhydrocarbyl groups; primary, secondary and branched alkenylhydrocarbyl groups; primary and secondary branched chain alkyl- and alkenyl-substituted hydrocarbyl groups; said hydrocarbyl groups have a hydrocarbyl chain length of 8 to 20, preferably 100 to 18 carbon atoms. And it is typically -O-, -C (0) 0-. -C (0) N (R) _ or _C (0) N (R) R-, wherein R and R, when present, have the meanings given above, and / or R may be hydrogen and z is at least 8, preferably at least -11. The nonionic surfactants herein are characterized by a HLB (hydrophilic-lipophilic balance) of from 7 to 20, preferably from 8 to 15. Examples of particularly suitable nonionic surfactants include: Alkoxylates of straight chain primary alcohol such as alcohol tallow-EQ (ll), tallow alcohol-EQ (18) and tallow alcohol-EQ (25); Straight chain secondary alcohol alkoxylates such as 2-C16EQ (11); 2-C20EQ (ll) and 2-C16EQ (14); Alkoxylated alkylphenols such as p-tridecylphenol E0 (11) and p-pentadecylphenol E0 (18), as well as - olefinic and branched chain alkoxylates such as branched chain primary and secondary alcohols, which are available from the well-known processes " 0X0".

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 alkyl portions selected from alkyl groups and 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, 2-hydroxyoctadecylamine oxide and coconut fat alkyldimethylamine oxide.

Fatty Acids Suitable fatty acids include those containing from 12 to 25, preferably from 16 to 20 total carbon atoms, the fatty portion containing from 10 to 22, preferably from 15 to 17 (middle cut) carbon atoms.

Auxiliary Electrolyte Concentration The composition of the invention may also optionally comprise one or more electrolytes. It has been found that when electrolyte concentration aids were added to dilute softening compositions comprising thickeners but do not comprise a sequestering component, the problem of phase instability and viscosity under storage increased. Surprisingly, the compositions according to the invention allow the use of electrolyte concentration aids and still exhibit excellent phase stability and viscosity under storage. Electrolyte concentration aids, e.g., inorganic viscosity control agents, which may also act as or enhance the effect of surfactant concentration aids, include ionizable water soluble salts. These inorganic viscosity control agents can also be optionally incorporated into the compositions of the present invention. The incorporation of these components into the composition must be processed at a very slow speed. A wide variety of ionizable salts can be used. Examples of suitable salts are the halides of group IA and IIA of metals 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 then to obtain the desired viscosity. The amount of ionizable salts used depends on the amount of active ingredients used in the compositions, and can be adjusted according to the wishes of the formulator. Typical salt levels used to control the viscosity of the composition are from 20 to 10,000 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 ionizable salts. In addition, these agents can act as scavengers, forming ion pairs with the anionic detergent that comes from the main wash, in the rinse 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 alkylenepolyammonium salts include l-lysine monohydrochloride and 2-methylpentane dihydrochloride. Other optional ingredients are stabilizers, such as antioxidants and well-known reducing agents, soil release polymers, emulsifiers, bactericides, colorants, perfumes, preservatives, optical brighteners, antiionization agents, antifoaming agents and enzymes. Optionally, sensitive ingredients such as perfumes or enzymes can be isolated from their hostile environment by reversibly absorbing said compounds in a porous hydrophobic material. In this way, the porous hydrophobic material serves as a "cage" in which the sensitive ingredient is enclosed. Subsequently, the pores of the hydrophobic porous material are sealed by dispersing said porous material in a hydrophobic liquid. Sealing these pores of the hydrophobic material, the hydrophobic liquid acts as a "shell", thus protecting the sensitive ingredient from its environment, reducing the loss of activity that could be found in the hostile environment and without reducing the ability of the active ingredient to carry out its normal function. An exemplary description of this "cage and shell" system can be found in EP-A-0,583,512. The invention is illustrated in the following non-limiting examples, in which all percentages are on a weight basis unless otherwise indicated.

EXAMPLE 1 The following fabric softening compositions 1 and 2 of the prior art were prepared. (1) Di- (tallowyloxyethyl) dimethylammonium chloride (2) Stearic acid IV = 0 (3) Calcium chloride The compositions were made according to a known process for preparing fabric softening compositions, e.g., by injection into the hot water seat (60 ° C-70 ° C) containing minor components and the melted DEQA, followed by the slow addition of the electrolyte to the desired viscosity and then the perfume before allowing the product to cool. The product of composition 1 was subsequently diluted 4 times and a thickener as defined below was added as (5) while the product of composition MR 2 was diluted 2 times and the thickener BP705011? Former BP Chemicals was added. The resulting diluted fabric softening composition exhibited excellent viscosity and phase stability in a fresh product, as well as under storage. The diluted formulations were as follows: (4) Diethylenetriamine-N, N, N ', N ", N" -pentakismethylene-phosphonic acid. (5) Copolymers of ethylene oxide and / or propylene oxide with small amounts of g-C24 side chains as defined hereinabove with a middle part made of polyalkylene oxide chains (80% ethylene oxide and 15% propylene oxide) on which 5% branched chains (1,2-epoxyhexadecane) are branched, said copolymer being mixed with Lutensol in a copolymer ratio to Lutensol T08 ™ of 25:75. (6) BP7050MR ex BP Chemicals

Claims (6)

NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION CLAIMS

1. - A liquid fabric softening composition comprising: a) from 0.01% to 10% by weight of a fabric softening component; b) at least 0.001% of a thickening agent selected from the group consisting of: i) associative polymers having a hydrophilic base structure and at least two hydrophilic groups per molecule attached to the hydrophilic base structure; ii) crosslinked cationic polymers which are derivable from a water-soluble ethylenically unsaturated cationic monomer or mixture of monomers which are entangled by 5 to 45 ppm of an entanglement agent comprising polyethylene functions and iii) mixtures thereof; c) a component capable of sequestering metal ions and selected from the group consisting of: i) chelating components selected from the group consisting of aminocarboxylic acid, organo-aminophosphonic acid components and mixtures thereof; ii) polycarboxylic builder components, other than those defined as i) chelating components, comprising at least two carboxylic radicals separated from each other by no more than two carbon atoms and iii) mixtures thereof.

2. A fabric softening composition according to claim 1, further characterized in that said component capable of sequestering metal ions is a chelating component selected from the group consisting of aminocarboxylic acid, organo-aminophosphonic acid compounds and mixtures thereof.

3. A fabric softening composition according to claim 2, further characterized in that said chelating component is an aminocarboxylic acid selected from the group consisting of ethylenediamine-N, N'-disuccinic acid, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, N-hydroxyethylene diamine triacetic acid, acid nitrilotriacetic acid, ethylenediaminetetrapropionic acid, ethylenediamine-N, N'-diglutamic acid, 2-hydroxypropylenediamine-N, N'-disuccinic acid, triethylenetetraminehexaacetic acid, diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid, trans-1,2-diammoniumcyclohexane-NN, N ', N '-tetraacetic, ethanoldiglycine and mixtures thereof, preferably ethylenediamine-N, N'-disuccinic acid.

4. A fabric softening composition according to claim 2, further characterized in that said chelating component is an organo-aminophosphonic acid selected from the group consisting of ethylenediaminetetrakismethylenephosphonic acid, diethylenetriamine-N, N, N ', N ", N" - acid. pentakismethylene phosphonic acid, 1-hydroxyethane-1, 1-diphosphonic acid, hydroxyethanedimethylene phosphonic acid and mixtures thereof, preferably 1-hydroxyethane-1, 1-diphosphonic acid.

5. A fabric softening composition according to any of claims 3 or 4, further characterized in that said chelating component is present in an amount of at least about 10 ppm.

6. A fabric softening composition according to claim 1, further characterized in that said component capable of sequestering metal ions is a polycarboxylic builder component selected from the group consisting of polycarboxylic acids containing two carboxyl groups, polycarboxylic acids which they contain three carboxyl groups, polycarboxylic acids containing four carboxyl groups, alicyclic and heterocyclic polycarboxylic acids, aromatic polycarboxylic acids and mixtures thereof. 1 . A fabric softening composition according to claim 6, further characterized in that said polycarboxylic builder component is selected from the group consisting of succinic acid, malonic acid, (ethylenedioxy) diacetic acid, maleic acid, diglycolic acid, tartaric acid , tartronic acid, fumaric acid, ether carboxylic acids, sulfinylcarboxylic acids, citric acid, aconitric acid, citraconic, succinic derivatives, oxypolycarboxylic materials, oxydisuccinic acid, 1,1,2,2-ethanetetracarboxylic acid, 1,1,3,3-propanedicarboxylic acid, 1,2,3-propanedicarboxylic acid, sulfosuccinate derivatives, cyclopentane cis, cis, cis-tetracarboxylic acid, cyclopentadienidopentacarboxylic acid, 2,3,4,5-tetrahydrofuran-cis, cis, cis-tetracarboxylic acid, 2,5-tetrahydrofuran-cis-dicarboxylic acid, 2,2,5,5-acid, tetrahydrofurantracarboxylic acid, 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexanohexacarboxylic acid and carboxymethyl derivatives of polyhydric alcohols, mellitic acid, pyromellitic acid and phthalic acid derivatives and mixtures thereof, preferably maleic acid. 8. A fabric softening composition according to any of claims 6 or 7, further characterized in that said polycarboxylic builder component is present in an amount of at least about 100 ppm. 9. A fabric softening composition according to claim 8, further characterized in that said polycarboxylic builder component is present in an amount of at least about 450 ppm. 10. A fabric softening composition according to claim 1, further characterized in that said associative thickener is selected from the group consisting of copolymers of ethylene oxide and / or propylene oxide with small amounts of side chains of Cg-C 4 , polyethylene oxide and / or propylene oxide / hydrophobically modified urethanes, alkyl-substituted polyvinyl alcohols, hydrophobically modified polyacrylic acid polymers and mixtures thereof. 11. A fabric softening composition according to claim 1, further characterized in that said entangled thickener is derivable from monomers comprising acrylic monomers. 12. A fabric softening composition according to claim 1, further characterized in that said fabric softener is selected from the group consisting of cationic, nonionic, amphoteric or anionic fabric softener material. 13. A fabric softening composition according to claim 12, further characterized in that said fabric softener is a biodegradable cationic fabric softening material. 14. - A fabric softening composition according to claim 1, further characterized in that said composition further comprises one or more electrolyte components.