NL8503425A - CONCENTRATED STABLE NON-AQUEOUS TISSUE SOFTENER COMPOSITION. - Google Patents

Description

* VO 7523

Concentrated stable non-aqueous fabric softener composition.

The present invention relates to fabric softener compositions which are adapted for use in the rinse cycle of a washing process and in particular to highly concentrated fabric softener compositions which, in use, particularly in washing machines with automatic dispensing mechanisms, are easily water are dispersed.

Compositions containing quaternary ammonium salts with at least one long chain hydrocarbon group are commonly used to provide fabric softening benefits when used in a laundry rinse operation; see for example ü.S.

patents 3,349,033, 3,644,203, 3,946,115, 3,997,453, 4,073,735 and 4,119,545.

For most aqueous softening compositions containing cationic quaternary ammonium compounds as active ingredients, the concentration of such cationic compounds has generally been limited to the range of about 3 to 6% by weight (see US Patent 3,904 .533 and U.S. Patent 3,920,565). Such a low concentration is generally required due to the fact that cationic compounds in water systems form gels at concentrations above about 8% and, although the use of electrolytes to decrease the viscosity of such compositions is known (see in especially U.S. Patent 4,199,545), such electrolytes are far from satisfactory. From a functional standpoint, the electrolytes often do not behave as required, especially at concentrations of the cationic compounds in the vicinity of about 12-15%. Furthermore, while the performance of the electrolytes may reduce some of the gelling problems, their use is far from satisfactory in providing a highly concentrated hydrous system of cationic compounds that do not gel or change the viscosity significantly within the usual range. from temperatures encountered when handling, for example, 0 ° F (about -18 ° C) to about 140 ° F (about 60 ° C) or when administering from washing machines.

In the normal use of European automatic household washing machines, the user sends the ice rinse 425-2-5 w fabric softener intended for the rinse cycle into a dispensing unit (eg a dispensing drawer) of the machine. . Then, during the operation of the machine, during the rinse cycle, the softener composition is subjected to a flow of cold water to transfer it to the drum. In winter, when the softening composition supplied to the dispenser and the water can be particularly cold, there may be problems insofar as some composition is not completely rinsed from the dispenser during machine operation and with repeated washings. Cycles a build-up of the composition may build up, so that it may become necessary for the user to flush the dispenser with hot water. This problem can be particularly serious for highly concentrated softener formulations because of the aforementioned gelling problem and also when a nonionic surfactant is present together with the cationic softener, since the viscosity of the nonionic compound tends to be greater when mixed with cold water to form a gel.

British Patent Application No. 2,053,249A, published February 4, 1981, describes cationic fabric softening compositions comprising 15 to 60 wt% cationic softener, 25 to 75 wt% of an aqueous medium and 0.5 to 40 wt% of a specified water-soluble polymer.

In the U.S. U.S. Patent 4,351,737 discloses concentrated fabric softeners comprising both cationic and nonionic softeners and a nonionic dispersant together with a solvent mixture of a C 1 to C 2 alkanol and a liquid glycol, polyglycol or a alkyl ether thereof. Hexylene glycol is not listed.

It has now been found that the dispersibility in cold water and the outflow from automatic dispensers, even with highly concentrated nonionic surfactant-containing liquid fabric softener compositions, can be significantly improved by the coinvention included in the invention. ) partially or completely replace the liquid carrier of the non-aqueous liquid softener composition with hexylene glycol.

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The present invention provides substantially non-aqueous, stable, concentrated softener compositions based on quaternary ammonium compounds acting as softeners and a carrier liquid containing hexylene glycol and optionally a nonionic surfactant. The present invention also provides a method by which highly concentrated fabric softening compositions are prepared and used.

The compositions of the present invention are stable, substantially non-aqueous compositions, which have a high concentration of the cationic fabric softener, which is a water-dispersible quaternary ammonium compound, as described below, and hexylene glycol as the liquid carrier or part thereof , contain.

Preferred compositions may also contain a nonionic surfactant and an electrolyte.

The compositions of this invention contain at least about 20% cationic softener and at most about 80%, preferably at most about 70% and especially at most about 60% thereof, said cationic softener corresponding to Formula 1, wherein the R groups are selected from C 1-20 to C 1-8 aliphatic groups, preferably alkyl or alkenyl groups, aryl groups (e.g. phenyl, tolyl, cumyl, etc.); aralkyl groups (e.g. benzyl, phenethyl, etc.); and the substitution products thereof obtained by halogen, amide, hydroxyl and carboxyl; provided that at least one of the symbols R has 14 to 30 carbon atoms and preferably 25 has 14 to 18 carbon atoms and the other symbols R have lower alkyl groups and more preferably at least two symbols have R 14 to 18 carbon atoms and the other symbols R lower alkyl groups of 1 to 4 carbon atoms (and in particular methyl or ethyl) or hydroxy-alkyl groups [ie (CH0-C (R.) Ξ-0) H, where x is 1 to 10, preferably 1 to 5, especially 1 or 2 and R 1 represents hydrogen or C 1 to C 1 alkyl] and Y is a water-solubilizing anion such as chloride, bromide, iodide, fluoride, sulfate, methosulfate, nitrite, nitrate, phosphate and carboxylate (ie acetate, adipi, propionate, phthalate, benzoate, oleate, etc.). Typical cationic compounds of the formula 1 include the following: ** T tm i - 4-distearyl-dimethyl-ammonium chloride dital-dimethyl-ammonium chloride dihexadecyl-dimethyl-ammonium chloride distearyl-dimethyl-ammonium bromide 5 di (hydrogenated tallow) -dimethyl-ammonium bromide dital-isopropyl-methyl-ammonium chloride distearyl-di (isopropyl) -ammonium chloride distearyl-dimethyl-ammonium methosulfate A very preferred class of cation-active compounds is the formula 1, wherein two of the R groups contain 14 to 18 carbon atoms, an R group is methyl or ethyl and an R represents methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, n-propyl, hydroxyethyl or hydroxypropyl.

Other quaternary softeners that can be used include the imidazolinium compounds of formula II, wherein R 1 is a C to C, preferably C to C, alkyl or alkenyl 2 b J010 group is; R 1 and R 2 independently represent hydrogen or a C 1 to C 1 alkyl group; Rg is a C 1-8 to C 1-6 alkyl group;

R 9 represents hydrogen or a C 1 to C 6 alkyl group; R 4 and C 1 to C 1, preferably C 1 to C alkyl, represent JU 0; m equals 2 or 3; 25 n equals 2 or 3; and Y has the same meaning as in formula 1.

Examples of compounds of the formula II include: 1-methyl-1 - [(tallow-yl-amido -) -ethyl] -2-tallow-yl-4,5-dihydroimidazolinium methyl sulfate; 1-methyl-1 - [(palmitoylamido) -ethyl] -2-octadecyl-30 4,5-dihydroimidazolinium chloride.

Particularly preferred cationic compounds are: dital monomethyl monohydroxypropyl ammonium chloride, distearyl dimetyl ammonium chloride, dital dimethyl ammonium chloride, dital isopropyl methyl ammonium chloride, etc.

The non-aqueous carrier can be from about 80 wt% to about 20 wt%. preferably about 60 wt% to about 25 wt% of the composition.

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The non-aqueous carrier of the composition of this invention contains at least about 25%, and preferably at least 30%, hexylene glycol, the balance being a C 1 to C 2 alkanol, preferably ethanol or oranol, a C to C glycol, preferably diethylene 2-5 glycol or propylene glycol, or a C 1 to C 8 mono- or di-alkyl ether of such glycols or mixtures thereof. The entire support may consist of hexylene glycol with the exclusion of the alcohols and / or glycols (and / or glycol ethers). Hexylene glycol is the trade name for 2-methylpentane-2,4-diol.

Typical carriers can include: (a) 25% hexylene glycol and 75% propylene glycol; (b) 31% hexylene glycol and 69% propylene glycol; (c) 31% isopropanol and 69% hexylene glycol; (d) 100% hexylene glycol.

The total weight amount of the cationic fabric softener and the non-aqueous liquid carrier in the composition is at least about 80% and at most 100% by weight, preferably about 85% to 99% by weight, the balance being the nonionic surfactant, electrolyte and / or any conventional additives.

The optional nonionic component of the present composition constitutes from about 0 to about 15 wt%, preferably from about 1 to 20 wt% of the composition, and may generally vary with the cationic softener in a cationic weight ratio to nonionic compound from about 25: 1 to about 3: 1, and preferably from about 12: 1 to 6: 1, with particular preference being about 10: 1. Suitable nonionic compounds include condensation products of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide (and mixtures thereof) with aliphatic C 1 to C 1 alcohols and mono-, di- and tri-alkyl (4 to 12 carbon atoms each) phenols. Generally, the preferred nonionic compounds herein are moderately hydrophilic in nature with a moderate hydrophilic group. In the present invention, this group is preferably an oxyethyl chain having generally at least about 2 terminal oxyethyl groups (ie, the oxyethyl groups are contiguous and terminated in a hydroxyl group) with no more than about 20 such groups, although there are even 200 moles of oxyethylene per mole of the hydrophobic group 35.

Particularly suitable non-ionic surfactants

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This includes an aliphatic C18 -alcohol with 8 moles of condensed ethylene oxide; an ethoxylated nonyl phenol with 6 moles of ethylene oxide, an ethoxylated octyl phenol with 4.5 moles of ethylene oxide and an aliphatic C alcohol with 7.5 moles of ethylene oxide.

In addition to the aforementioned components of the softening compositions of this invention, numerous conventional, additional and optional ingredients may also be included which do not adversely affect the stability and / or functional characteristics of the present compositions. For example, the ubiquitous fragrances, dyes, pigments, cloudings, germicides, optical brighteners, anti-corrosion agents (eg sodium silicate), polymers, anti-static agents and the like may be present.

Where used, each of them may comprise, for example, 0.01 wt% to about 5 wt% of the composition.

It has, of course, been recognized and understood that most of the available chemicals, and particularly those containing a hydrocarbon portion, are generally mixtures of closely related portions. For example, the long alkyl chain (R) substituents in the cationic compounds used in this invention may be not just a single length carbon chain but rather a mixture. In this regard, a particularly suitable quaternary salt, in which the alkyl groups are derived from tallow, may contain about 35% and 60% C. and small amounts of C, and even others. Also, the precursors of aliphatic alcohols in the non-ionic compounds used herein may have a single carbon chain length, but again it is more likely that it will and may be a mixture in any ratio of the compounds of useful chain length.

The fabric softening compositions of this invention, in addition to their essential water dispersibility in the rinse cycle, should have 20 (or any other form of dilution prior to application) viscosities in the range of about 10 to 250 mPa.s and preferably 25 to 150 mPa.s.

The manner in which the hexylene glycol, other optional carriers, cationic softener and optional non-ionic surfactant, electrolyte and other optional additives are combined is not particularly critical, nor is the sequence of addition. However, there should be some degree of concern

Mi'. «Λ ί Λ aj".] '· A / yu /' 'J' jt · «—a -7-« .................... "" Λ that excessive heating is avoided to limit solvent evaporation and, more importantly, that the temperature remains below the flash point of the support and any other low boiling liquids, which may be present or incorporated as components of the softener, and etc. The flash point of hexylene glycol is, for example, 93 ° C. In general, however, it is preferred to combine all ingredients at ambient temperature, for example from about 15 ° C to 25 ° C or lower.

A suitable method for preparing the compositions of the invention involves dissolving any nonionic and other additives (eg, whitening agent, colorant, fragrance, etc.) in the carrier and then adding this mixture to the cationic compound , which is preferably in liquid form, for example in the form of a dispersion in the carrier or optional component thereof (for example, as a dispersion in isopropanol).

The present invention is further illustrated by the following examples. Parts are parts by weight unless otherwise indicated. Example I.

According to the procedure described above, 2 parts of an ethoxylated nonyl phenol (containing 6 moles of ethylene oxide) were dissolved in about 75 parts of hexylene glycol at a temperature of about 20 ° C. 20 parts of distearyl dimethyl ammonium chloride were slowly added to this solution. (75% active in isopropanol) is added with stirring. A stable product with a viscosity of about 100 mPa.s was obtained.

Example II-

The procedure of Example I was repeated using the following parts of (A) cationic compound (active), (B) surfactant, (NaCl); and (C) hexylene glycol (a) A = 22; B = 2.0; C = 76.0 (b) A = 34; B = 3.5; C * = 62.5 (c) A = 46; B = 4.8; C = 49.2 (d) A = 58; B = 5.5; C = 36.5 35 hexylene glycol / ethylene glycol in a weight ratio of 3: 1- - * Λ Λ T '"* * · -

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Example III.

Examples I and II were repeated, using the following compounds in place of distearyl dimethyl ammonium chloride: 5 (a) ditalg dimethyl ammonium chloride (b) distearyl dimethyl ammonium methosulfate (c) di (hydrogenated tallow) dimethyl ammonium bromide (d) d-hexadecyl-dimethyl ammonium chloride (e) distearyl diethyl ammonium chloride 10 (f) 1-methyl-1 - [(tallow-yl-amido) ethyl] -2-tallow-yl-4,5 dihydroimidazolinium methyl sulfate

Example IV.

In order to demonstrate the improved applicability of the liquid carrier based on hexylene-15 glycol for the concentrated softening compositions, the following formulations A-E were prepared: wt%

Solvent (A-E) 31.9

Cationic tissue softener 60.0 2

Non-ionic compound) 5.0 20 Fragrance, colorant, minor additives 3.1 1) 75% "AI" in isopropanol 2) nonyl phenol, ethoxylated with an average of 6 moles of ethylene oxide (C-phenol: EO 6: 1).

The following formulations were used as the solvent: A - 10% isopropyl alcohol and 21.9% diethylene glycol (comparison) B - 10% hexylene glycol and 21.9% propylene glycol C - 10% isopropyl alcohol and 21.9 % hexylene glycol D - 31.9% hexylene glycol 30 E - 31.9% propylene glycol (comparison)

Each of the above softener formulations was added to the dispenser of a typical European washing machine, AEG-802, after 3 cumulative cycles until boiling (refilling the dispenser for each cycle) the amount of formulation, which was left in the delivery device was measured. The results are shown in the following table as a percentage of the total amount used (i.e. prior to triple dose): (*, -w ^ · - 3 Λ

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Formulation Solvent Remaining _ | _____________ Amount A 10% Isopropanol 15 21.9% Diethylene Glycol B 10% Hexylene Glycol 6.7 5 21.9% Propylene Glycol C 10% Isopropanol 3.6 21.9% Hexylene Glycol D 31.9% hexylene glycol 2.8 E 31.9% propylene glycol 19 10

From the above results, it can be readily understood that the use of hexylene glycol to replace all conventional non-aqueous liquid carriers for rinse cycle fabric softener formulations or a portion thereof of dispersibility in cold water and flow ( administrability), even of concentrated formulations containing nonionic surfactants.

In addition, the concentrated liquid fabric softener compositions of this invention are stable for long periods of time both at low storage temperatures, 4 ° C and above, and at high storage temperatures, e.g., 35 ° C, including freeze-thaw cycles, in periods from 6 weeks and longer.

The compositions of this invention have the further advantage that hexylene glycol is non-toxic and therefore the formulations can be safely used.

While the present compositions are primarily intended for direct application in the rinsing cycle of automatic washing machines, they can also be used in dilute form and for hand treatment both inside and outside the washing machine.

Furthermore, it is also to be understood that the term "non-aqueous" used herein means that no water is intentionally added to the system, although small amounts of water, for example at most about 5%, may be present on the basis of addition of specific ingredients, for example dyes, such as aqueous solutions, the water present in the softener, etc.

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Claims (17)

A stable, substantially non-aqueous, concentrated fabric softening composition, comprising: (A) a water-dispersible cationic softener based on a quaternary ammonium compound; (B) a non-aqueous carrier liquid containing hexylene glycol, and optionally (C) a nonionic surfactant. The composition of claim 1, which contains about 20 to about 80 wt% of (A) and about 80 to about 20 wt% of (B). The composition according to claim 1 or 2, which contains about 1 to 10% by weight of the nonionic surfactant (C). The composition of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the weight ratio of the cationic fabric softener to the nonionic surfactant is about 25: 1 to about 3: 1. 5 represents C 1-4 alkyl or alkenyl; and independently represent hydrogen or C 1 to alkyl; R 1 is C 1 to alkyl; Rg is hydrogen or C 1 to C 1 alkyl, R 1 is C 8 to alkyl; m equals 2 or 3; and n is equal to 2 or 3. The composition according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the non-aqueous carrier (B) contains at least 25 wt% hexylene glycol. The composition according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the non-aqueous carrier (B) contains at least 35 wt% hexylene glycol. The composition according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the non-aqueous carrier consists of hexylene glycol. The composition according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the non-aqueous carrier comprises a mixture containing at least 25 wt% hexylene glycol and the remainder a C to C alkanol, a C to C IJ is glycol, a C 1 to C 1 mono- or di-alkyl ether of said glycol or a mixture thereof. The composition according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein said non-aqueous carrier consists of (a) 25% hexylene glycol and 75% propylene glycol; (b) 31% hexylene glycol and 69% propylene glycol; (c) 31% isopropanol and 69% hexylene glycol? or (d) 100% hexylene-30 glycol. The composition according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the cationic softener is selected from the group of compounds of the formula 1 or 2, wherein the groups R are selected from the group of § Γ 0 '· *' Λ ~. 11-aliphatic radicals having from 1 to 30 carbon atoms, aryl groups and aralkyl groups and their halogen, amide, hydroxyl and carboxyl substituted products, provided that at least one has R 14 to 30 carbon atoms, Y is a water-solubilizing anion; R „C - up to 2 o 11. The composition of claim 3, wherein the nonionic surfactant is a condensate of ethylene or propylene oxide or a mixture thereof with an aliphatic alcohol of 8-20 carbon atoms or with a mono, di- or tri-alkyl phenol, wherein each of said alkyl groups contains 4 to 12 carbon atoms. The composition of claim 11, wherein said condensate 15 contains about 2 to about 20 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol or phenol. 13. A method of forming a stable, concentrated, non-aqueous fabric softening composition, comprising: combining, at about ambient temperature, a water-dispersible cationic fabric softening compound based on a quaternary ammonium compound with a substantially non-aqueous liquid carrier comprising hexylene glycol and optionally a nonionic surfactant, the amount of the cationic compound being at least about 20% by weight of the composition. 14. A method of imparting softness to fabrics, the method comprising: adding the composition of claim 1 to an aqueous medium containing the fabrics in an amount, providing a concentration of the cationic compound of about 0.005% to 0.5% based on the weight of the fabrics. The method of claim 14, wherein the composition is added during the rinse cycle of an automatic washing machine. The method of claim 15, wherein the composition is added to the aqueous medium by flowing a stream of cold water onto the composition, the composition being dispersed in the flowing stream and then transferred to the aqueous medium. \ ~ JV s · - - - »-»! * w -12- A method of imparting softness to laundry, which method comprises: diluting the composition of claim 1 with about 4 to 15 times as much water as the volume of composition of claim 1 and then adding the additives 5 thin composition to the laundry. £ 0 i h 0 5