NZ213802A

NZ213802A - Laundry detergent composition containing nonionic and anionic surfactants with quarternary ammonium softener

Info

Publication number: NZ213802A
Application number: NZ213802A
Authority: NZ
Inventors: H E Wixon
Original assignee: Colgate Palmolive Co
Priority date: 1984-10-17
Filing date: 1985-10-11
Publication date: 1988-03-30
Also published as: AT394377B; FR2571736B1; DK476085D0; NO854109L; KR930000926B1; ATA297885A; KR860003332A; NL8502839A; FI854032L; GB2168374B; CH669960A5; AR241789A1; NO168431B; GB2168374A; LU86126A1; DK476085A; SE8504661L; ZA857810B; IT1184658B; DE3536258A1

Description

<div class="application article clearfix" id="description"> New Zealand Paient Spedficaiion for Paient Number £13802 213802 Priority Date(s): . , Complete Specification Filed: ll:lCh Class: C. WSiAjSa^^XKr. Publication Date: J P.O. Journal, !jo: fo 3*0" MAR *1988 NO DRAWINGS t-;::.a".'Trier office "ED Patents Form No. 5 Number PATENTS ACT 1953 Dated COMPLETE SPECIFICATION SOFTENING AND ANTI-STATIC LIQUID DETERGENT COMPOSITION X/We COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY of 300 Park Avenue, New York New York 10022, United States of America, a corporation organised under the laws of the State of Delaware, United States of America do hereby declare the invention for which s4/we pray that a Patent may be granted to mc/iis, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: 1 - (followed by page la) 2 1 3 C? 0 2 This invention relates to a liquid detergent-softening composition and a method for cleaning and softening fabrics in the wash cycle of a laundering operation. More specifically, the present invention relates to softening anti-static compositi adapted for use in the wash cycle of a laundering operation, the composition including a water dispersible mono-higher alkyl cationic quaternary ammonium compound softening agent, a linear alkyl aromatic sulfonate, and a nonionic surfactant- Compositions useful for treating fabrics to improve the softness and feel characteristics thereof are known in the art. When used in domestic laundering, the fabric softeners are typically added to the rinse water during the rinse cycle having a duration of only from about 2 to 5 minutes. Consequently, the consumer is required to monitor the laundering operation or take other precautions so that the fabric softener is added at the proper time. This requires the consumer to return to the washing machine either just prior to or at the beginning of the rinse cycle of the washing operation which is obviously burdensome to the consumer. In addition, special precaution has to be taken to use a proper amount of the fabric softener so as to avoid over dosage which may render the clothes water repellant by depositing a greasy film on the fabric surface, as well as imparting a certain degree of yellowness to the fabrics. As a solution to the above-noted problems, it has been known to use fabric softeners which are compatible with common laundry detergents so that the softeners can be combined with the detergents in a single package for use during the -la- 2 13802 wash cycle of the laundering operation. Examples of such wash cycle added fabric softening compositions are shown in U.S. patents 3,351,438, 3,660,286 and 3,703,480 and many others. In general, these wash cycle fabric softening compositior contain a cationic quaternary ammonium fabric softener and additional ingredients which render the softening compounds compatible with the common laundry detergents. It i6 also known, however, that the cationic softening compounds added to the wash cycle, either as an ingredient in a detergent-softener composition or as a wash cycle softener, interfere with the brightening activity, as well as the cleaning efficiency of the detergent. As a result, it has been sought to offset to some degree this interference in detergent-softening compositions by using nonionic surfactants, higher levels of brightener compound, carboxymethylcellulose, anti-yellowing compounds, bluing agents, and so forth, However, little improvement has been made in wash cycle softening compositions using a variety of detergents, most of which are anionics. There have been many disclosures in the art relating to detergent compositions containing cationic softening agents, including the quaternary ammonium compound softening agents, and nonionic surface-active compounds. As representative of this art, mention can be made of U.S. Patents 4,264,457, 4,239,659', 4,259,217, 4,222,905, 3,951,879, 3,360,470, 3,351,483, 3,644,203, etc. In addition, U.S. Patents 3,537,993, 3,583,912, 3,983,079, 4,203,872, and 4,264,479, specifically disclose combinations of nonionic surface-active agent, cationic fabric softener and another ionic surfactant or modifier, such as zwitterionic surfactants, amphoteric surfactants, and the like. -2- : 38 0 2 While many of these prior art formulations provide satisfactory cleaning and/or softening under many different conditions they still suffer from the defects of not providing adequate softening - e.g. comparable to rinse cycle - added softeners. U.S. Patent 3,920,565 discloses a liquid rinse cycle fabric softener composition containing 2 to 15% of a cationic fabric softener and 0.5 to 4.0% of an alkali metal salt of a fatty acid of from 16 to 22 carbon atoms (soap) and optionally, up to 2% of a nonionic emulsifier, the balance water. The dihigher alkyl dimethyl ammonium chlorides are the preferred cationics, although mono-higher alkyl quats are also mentioned. It is generally accepted in the art that the mono-higher alkyl quaternary ammonium compounds, such as, for example, stearyltrimethyl ammonium chloride, being relatively water-soluble, are less effective softeners than the dihigher alkyl cationic quaternary softeners (see, for example, U.S. Patent 4,236,965), and, therefore, their use in conjunction with, for example, anionic detergents, such as fatty acid soaps, with which they are capable of forming softening complexes has been suggested for use as rinse cycle fabric softeners. The present inventor previously discovered that stable, fabric softening compositions having improved dispersibility in cold water as used in the rinse cycle, are provided by a cationic quaternary ammonium compound, as the sole softener, and an anionic sulfonate at a weight ratio of cationic to anionic of from about 80:1 to 3:1 (see U.S. Patent 3,997,453). This patent discloses both mono-higher and dihigher alkyl cationic quaternary softening compounds and also discloses alkyl benzene sulfonates as the anionic compound. According -3- 13802 to this patent, the addition of minor amounts of the anionic sulfonate to water dispersions of the excess amount of quaternary softener reduces the viscosity of the dispersion and produces a homogeneous liquid which is readily dispersible in cold water (i.e. the rinse cycle of an atotnatic washing machine). As mentioned above, however, it has been recognized for some time that it would be highly desirable as a matter of convenience to employ the fabric softening formulation concurrently with the detergent in the wash cycle of the washing machine. U.S. Patent 4,222,905 to CockTell, Jr. discloses laundry detergent compositions which may be in liquid form and which are formulated from certain nonionic surfactants and certain cationic surfactants, including mono-higher alkyl quaternary ammonium compounds, such as tallowalkyltrimethyl ammonium halide, at a nonionic:cationic weight ratio of from 5:1 to about 1:1. This patent teaches that the amount of anion-producing materials should be minimized and preferably totally avoided, but in any case, anionic materials having a dissociation constant of less than 1 x 10~5( such as sodium Cll.8 1 inear alkylbenzene sulfonate, should be contained only in amounts up to 107., by weight, of the cationic surfactant. Nonionic/cationic mixed surfactant detergent compositions having a nonionic:cationic weight ratio of from about 1:1 to 40:1 in which the nonionic surfactant is limited to the class having a hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) of from about 5 to about 17, and the cationic surfactant is limited to the class of mono-higher alkyl quaternary ammonium compounds in which the higher alkyl has from about 20 to about 30 carbon atoms," are disclosed by Murphy in U.S. Patent 4,239,659. This patent provides a general disclosure that other adjunct components may be included in their conventional art-established -4- 2 1 380 2 levels for use which is stated to be from about 0 to about 40%. A broad list of adjunct components is given including semi-polar nonionic, anionic, zwitterionic and ampholytic cosurfacta builders, dyes, fillers, enzymes, bleaches, and many others. There are no examples using, and no dislcosure of, anionic surfactants; however, it is stated that the cosurfactants must be compatible with the nonionic and cationic and can be any of the anionics disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,259,217 to Murphy. This latter Murphy patent discloses surfactant mixtures of nonionic surfactants having an HLB of from about 5 to about 17 and a cationic surfactant, inclusive of monohigher alkyl quaternary ammonium compounds, at a nonionic:cationic weight ratio of from 5.1:1 to about 100:1. According to this patent, the detergent compositions may contain up to about 50%, preferably from about 1 to about 157», of anionic surfactants and/or zwitterionic surfactants. The anionic surfactants include, among others, linear alkyl benzene sulfonates Example XV in col. 40 of this patent describes a heavy duty liquid laundry detergent composition of the following formula: Component Sodium sulfate of Ci2-15 alcohol ethoxylated with 3 moles of ethylene oxide Ci2-13 alcohol ethoxylate containing an average of 6.5 moles ethylene oxide Coconutalkyltrimethyl ammonium chloride Glycine Sodium toluene sulfonate Water and minors Weight7» 5.0 20.0 3.5 8.0 10.0 Balance to 100 nt! -5- ■r A' tr A e 0 2 The following heavy duty liquid detergent composition is shown in Example XVII (col. Al) : Component Condensate of C14-C15 fatty alcohol with an average of 7 moles of ethylene oxide Triethanolamine salt or linear alkylbenzene sulfonic acid wherein the alkyl chain has an average of 11.9 carbon atoms Cs-18 alkyldihydroxyethyl methyl ammonium chloride Ethanol Diethylenetriamine pentamethyl phosphonic acid Citric acid 9.1 mixture of dimethylpolysiloxane and aerogel silica emulsified in highly ethoxylated fatty acid (commercially available from Dow Corning as DB31) Saturated fatty acid having from 16 to 22 carbon atoms of the alkyl chain Proteolytic enzyme Minor adjuvants and water WeiRht% 28.5 20.0 1.5 10.0 0.3 0.2 0.3 0.75 0. A Balance to 100, A liquid laundry detergent and fabric softener compositior which contains about 3-35% by weight of a nonionic surfactant, about 3-30% by weight mono-higher alkyl quaternary ammonium compound cationic surfactant and a mixture of anionic surfactants including (a) C4-C10 alcohol sulfates and (b) C\2~&22 alcohol ethoxylated ether sulfates or carboxylates is disclosed in U.S. Patent A,26A,A57 to Beeks and Wysocki. The mole ratio of total cationic surfactant to total anionic surfactant can vary from 0.8:1 to 10:1. According to the patentees. -6- 2 "s0 2 the selection of and proportions of the two specific anionic surfactants to the exclusion of other known anionic surfactants is essential to obtain the maximal effectiveness for detergency, softness and anti-static properties. The present inventor has now discovered that softening and anti-static performance of a detergent compound and a cationic mono-higher alkyl quaternary ammonium compound fabric softening agent is significantly enhanced by using the cationic softener as an approximately 1:1 complex with an anionic surfactant which is a linear alkyl aromatic sulfonate. Furthermore, this enhancement of the softening anti-static performance is achieved without sacrificing, and in most cases, with significant improvement in the whitening and cleaning performance. It was on the basis of this discovery that the present invention was completed. Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to improve softening, whitening and static performance of liquid detergent compositions containing quaternary ammonium compound softening agents and nonionic detergent compounds without adversely effecting overall cleaning performance. It is another object of this invention to formulate stable liquid detergent-softener compositions using mono-higher alkyl quaternary ammonium cationic softeners with nonionic surfactants as the major surfactant component which compositions are compatible with fluorescent brighteners. These and other objects of the invention which will become apparent from the following description are achieved by providing a liquid laundry detergent composition capable of washing soiled fabrics in an aqueous wash liquid, which composition includes a nonionic surface active agent as the major surfactant, a mono-higher alkyl quaternary ammonium compound cationic fabric softener and a linear alkyl aromatic sulfonate surfactant in about the same amount as the cationic -7- 2 t fabric softener, and a liquid carrier. In the preferred embodiment, the detergent composition will include at least one coloring and/or whitening agent, especially dyes, bluing agents, and optical brighteners and mixtures thereof, and other optional detergent adjuvants. Although not wishing to be bound by any particular theory as to why the cationic/anionic softener/anti-static system provides enhanced softening as compared to a dihigher alkyl quaternary ammonium compound cationic fabric softener alone or in admixture with the anionic linear alkyl aromatic sulfonate, it is presumed that the mono-higher alkyl cationic fabric softener, being at least slightly water-soluble, forms a water-soluble complex with the anionic surfactant which uniformly but homogeneously and adheringly distributes on the fabrics being washed, the complex itself providing the softening and anti-static properties^ The nonionic surfactants which are contemplated can generally be any of the nonionics known to be useful as detergents for cleaning soiled fabrics. Suitable nonionic surface active agents are commercially available and are derived from the condensation of an alkylene oxide or equivalent reactant and a reactive-hydrogen hydrophobe. The hydrophobic organic compounds may be aliphatic, aromatic or heterocyclic, although the first two classes are preferred. The preferred types of hydrophobes are higher aliphatic alcohols and alkyl phenols, although others may be used .such as carboxylic acids, carboxamides, mercaptans, sulphonamides, etc. The ethylene oxide condensates with higher-alkyl phenols or higher fatty alcohols represent preferred classes of nonionic compounds. Usually, the hydrophobic moiety should contain at least about 6 carbon atoms, and preferably at least about 8 carbon atoms, and may contain as many as about 50 caTbon atoms or more, -8- a preferred range being from about 8 to 22 carbon atoms, especially from 10 to 18 carbons for the aliphatic alcohols, and 12 to 20 carbons for the higher alkyl phenols. The amount of alkylene oxide will vary considerably depending upon the hydrophobe, but as a general guide and rule, at least about 3 moles of alkylene oxide per mole of hydrophobe up to about 200 moles, preferably from about 5 to 50 moles of alkylene oxide per mole of hydrotrope will provide the required cleaning performance and compatibility with the other components. A preferred class of nonionic surfactants are represented by the formula R0(CH2CH2O)nH (I) wherein R is a primary or secondary alkyl chain of from about 8 to 22 carbon atoms and n is an average of from 5 tc 50, preferably 5 to 20, especially 6 to 13; or R'-j0)-O-(CH2CH2O)mH (II) wherein R' is a primary or secondary alkyl chain of from A to 12 carbon atoms, and m is an average of 5 to 50, preferably 5 to 20, especially 6 to 13. The preferred alcohols from which the compounds of formula I are prepared include lauryl, myristyl, cetyl, stearyl and oleyl and mixtures thereof. Especially preferred values of R are C\q to with the C^2 to ^15 alkyls and mixtures thereof being especially preferred. The preferred values of R' are from C5 to Ci2» with Cq and C9, including octyl, isooctyl and nonyl being especially preferred. Typical examples of a nonionic compound of formula (I) are lauryl alcohol condensed with 5 or 7 or 11 moles ethylene oxide. Typical examples of a nonionic compound -9- 2 t n of formula II is isooctyl phenol or nonyl phenol condensed with 3 to 8 moles ethylene oxide. Other nonionic compounds which may be used include the polyoxyalkylene esters of the organic acids such as the higher fatty acids, the rosin acids, tall oil acids, acids from petroleum oxidation products, etc. These esters will usually contain from about 10 to about 22 carbon atoms in the acid moiety and from about 3 to about 30 moles of ethylene oxide or its equivalent. Still other nonionic surfactants are the alkylene oxide condensates with the higher fatty acid amides. The fatty acid group will generally contain from about 8 to about 22 carbon atoms and this will be condensed with about 3 to about 30 moles of ethylene oxide as the preferred illustration. The corresponding carboxamides and sulphonamides may also be used as substantial equivalents. The amount of the nonionic will generally be at least the minimum amount which when added to the wash water will provide adequate cleaning performance. Generally, amounts ranging from about 1 to about 40%, preferably from about 4 to about 30%, and especially preferably from about 10 to 30% by weight of the composition, can be used. The second essential ingredient in the instant formulations is the cationic fabric softener. Softening agents are used to render fabrics or textiles soft, and the terms "softening" and "softener" refer to the handle, hand, touch or ^feel; this is the tactile impression given by fabrics or textiles to the hand or body and is of aesthetic and commercia importance. The cationic fabric softeners used in the present invention are the mono-higher alkyl quaternary ammonium compounds.represented by the following formula: -10- Z 1 <=5 o U ^ R R R X wherein Rj is a long chain aliphatic radical having from 16 to 22 carbon atoms, and the three R's are, independently, lower alkyl radicals and X is a water soluble salt forming anion such as halide, i.e. chloride, bromide, iodide; a sulfate, acetate, hydroxide, methosulfate, ethosulfate, or similar inorganic or organic solubilizing radical. The carbon chain of the aliphatic radical containing 16 to 22 carbon atoms, especially 16 to 20 carbon atoms, may be straight or branched, and saturated or unsaturated. The lower alkyl radicals have from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and may contain a hydroxy radical. Preferably, the carbon chains are obtained from long chain fatty acids, such as those derived from tallow and soybean oil. The terms "disoya," and "di-tallow," etc., as used herein refer to the source from which the long chain fatty alkyl chains are derived. Mixtures of the quaternary ammonium compound fabric softeners may be used. The preferred ammonium salt is a mono-higher alkyl trimethyl ammonium chloride wherein the alkyl group is derived from tallow, hydrogenated tallow or stearic acid. Specific examples of quaternary ammonium softening agents of the formula III suitable for use in the composition of the present invention include the following tallow trimethyl ammonium chloride, hydrogenated tallow trimethyl ammonium chloride, trimethyl stearyl ammonium chloride, triethyl stearyl ammonium chloride, trimethyl cetyl ammonium chloride, * soya trimethyl ammonium chloride, stearyl dimethylethyl ammonium chloride, tallow-diisopropylmethyl ammonium chloride, the corresponding sulfate, methosulfate, ethosulfate, bromide and hydroxide salts thereof, etc. -11- i L The amount of the cationic fabric softener can generally range from about 1 to about 207., preferably from about A to about 167., and especially preferably from about 5 to 107., by weight of the composition. The weight ratio of the nonionic surface active agent to the cationic fabric softener can be within the range of from about 1:1 to 5:1, preferably from about 1.1:1 to 4.5:1, especially preferably from about 1.1:1 to 4:1. Examples of suitable anionic detergents as the thiTd essential ingredient include the water-soluble salts, e.g. the sodium, potassium, ammonium, alkylolammonium salts of higher linear alkyl aromatic sulfonates containing about 8 to 26 carbon atoms, preferably 10 to 22 carbon atoms, in the alkyl radical. (The term alkyl includes the alkyl portion of the higher acyl radicals.) Preferred examples of the linear alkyl aromatic sulfonates are those containing from 10 to 16 carbon atoms in the linear alkyl radical, e.g., the sodium, potassium, and ammonium salts of higher linear alkyl benzene sulfonates, higher linear alkyl toluene sulfonates, higher linear alkyl phenol sulfonates, and higher linear alkyl naphthalene sulfonate. The linear higher alkyl benzene sulfonates such as the Cg-Ci5 alkyl, especially Cio~Cl4 alkyl, for example C\2 (n-dodecyl) alkyl benzene sulfonates are especially preferred anionic surfactants. One preferred class of the linear alkyl benzene sulfonate are those having a high content of 3- (or higher) phenyl isoiners and a correspondingly low content (well below 50%) of 2- (or lower) phenyl isomers, i.e. wherein the benzene ring is preferably attached in large part at the 3 or higher (e.g. 4, 5, 6 or 7) position of the alkyl group and the content of isomers in which the benzene ring is attached at the 2 or 1 position is correspondingly low. Preferred materials in this category are set forth in U.S. Patent 3,320,174. -12- It has been discovered that the cationic softener/anionic surfactant mixture has unexpectedly improved cleaning, softening and anti-static performance as compared to an equal weight of a corresponding dihigher alkyl quaternary ammonium compound alone or as a corresponding mixture of the dihigher alkyl quaternary with the alkylbenzene sulfonate. Since the anionic surfactant presumably forms a complex with the cationic softener to provide the enhanced softening/antistatic performance without interfering with the cleaning performance of the nonionic or with the brightener, in the detergent formula, the ratio of cationic to anionic is particular! critical since large excesses of either component could interfere with overall performance. Accordingly, ratios of cationic to anionic of from about 1.3:1 to 1:1.3, preferably 1.2:1 to 1:1.2, especially preferably 1.1:1 to 1:1.1 and most preferablj about 1:1 will provide improved cleaning and whitening performance as well as improved softening performance and anti-static performance. The total amount of the cationic/anionic softener/antistatic mixture in the composition is not particularly critical and generally will range from about 8 to 30%, preferably 10 to 20%, by weight based on the total composition. Moreover, the total amount of cationic softener and anionic surfactant will generally be in the range of from about 20 to 100%, preferably 30 to 80%, by weight, based on the nonionic surfactant. Furthermore, within the above amounts and ratios, the cationic/-anionic softener/anti-static mixture will be compatible with the nonionic surfactant and the optical brightener, etc. The solvent medium for the instant liquid detergent composition is an aqueous one, and may be water alone or may be substantially water with additional solvents added for particular ingredients. Because of the availability of water and its minimum cost, it is preferred to use water as the major solvent present. Yet, amounts of other solvents, generally up to 20%, and preferably a maximum of 15% of the total content, may be used. Generally, such a supplementing solvent will be eitheT a lower alkanol or a lower diol or polyol, e.g. ethanol, isopropanol, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, glycerol, or the like. Etheric polyols such as diethylene glycol and those known as cellosolves may also be used. In addition to the supplemental solvent, it is also generally preferred to include a hydrotropic material in the formulation to maximize the compatibility of all of the active ingredients and to make the liquid formulation more homogeneous and stable. Examples of suitable hydrotropes include the alkali metal aryl sulfonates, such as sodium benzene sulfonate, sodium toluene sulfonate, sodium xylene sulfonate, and the corresponding potassium salts. The hydrotrope can be used in amounts up to about 15%, preferably up to 10% by weight of the total composition. Various selected compatible adjuvants may also be present in the liquid detergent composition to give it additional desired properties, either of functional or aesthetic nature. Thus, there may be included in the formulation: enzymes; bleaching agents; bleach activators and stabilizers; soil-suspending or anti-redeposition agents, e.g. polyvinyl alcohol, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose; dyes, bluing agents, pigments, optical brighteners, e.g., cotton, amide and polyester brighteners; preservatives, e.g. methyl parasept or sodium benzoate; ultraviolet absorbers, pH modifying agents, e.g. amines, pH buffers; and perfumes. The adjuvants, of course, will be chosen to be compatible with the main constituents of the detergent formulation. Of the adjuvants mentioned perhaps the most important for functional effect are the optical brighteners because the modern housewife has come to expect that washed clothing will no longer merely be clean and white but will also be bright in appearance. The optical brighteners are substantive to textiles being washed (such substantivity may be selective) and sometimes are of comparatively low solubilities. Accordingly it is important that they be maintained in solution in the liquid detergent composition and, even more important, they must be immediately dispersed in the wash water so as to avoid producing a wash containing noticeable brightened spots, rather than a uniformly bright appearance. Here, the choice of brightener to obtain best results will be ascertainable to one of skill in the art. It has been found that relatively small quantities of brighteners should be used, so as not to exceed the limits of solubilities. Also, within the class of these materials certain brighteners have been found to be especially readily dissolved, and thus are suitable for incorporation in these products. Fortunately, such preferred brighteners include both cotton and amide-polyester-brighteners, making them suitable for use with laundries containing a variety of material and synthetic materials. Among the commercial brighteners that are used in the present system are Tinopal UNPC, Tinopal CBS (Ciba-Greigy), Arctic White CC (Hilton Davis), and the following Phorwhites from Verona: BKL, BUP, BBC solution BRV solution, DCR liquid, DCBVF, EV liquid, DBS liquids and ANR. Other types of optical brighteners which give superior whitening effects are those components having no sulfonate moieties. The preferred class of brighteners for use in the present invention include the 2-(4-styrylphenyl)-2H- 0 2 naphthol[1,2-d] triazoles, 4,4'-bis(l,2, 3-triazol-2-yl)sti lbenes, 4,4'-bis(styryl) bisphenyls, and the y-aminocoumarins. Specific examples of these brighteners include 4-methyl-7-diethylamino coumarin, 1,2-bis(benzimidazol-2-yl)ethylene, and the 1,3-diphenyl-phrazolines, as well as 2,5-bis(benzoxazol-2-yl) thiophene, 2-styryl-naphth [1,2-d] oxazole, and 2-(stilben-4-yl)-2H-napbtho[1,2-d]triazole. The optical brightener content of the liquid composition will normally be from about 0.2% to about 3.0%, and preferably from 0.25 to 2.7%. Such concentrations are soluble in the described liquid detergents and are effective in noticeably brightening the washed clothing. The contents of the other adjuvants is preferably maintained at less than 5% by weight of the product. Use of more than the described proportions of the such compounds can often significantly change the properties of the liquid detergent, and therefore should be avoided. Although the detergent softener composition of the present invention is a stable, clear one-phase liquid, a compatible opacifying agent may be added to impart a creamy appearance to the formulation. The liquid composition is usually added to wash water in an automatic washing machine of either the top loading or front loading type so that the concentration thereof in the wash water may range from about 0.05 to 1.57., usually 0.1 to 1.2%. Generally, depending on the type of machine and the degree of loading with the soiled fabrics, the amount of the liquid formulation to be added will range from about 1/4 cup to about 1 1/4 cup, with the typical amount being about 1/2 cup (120 milliliters). -16- The wash water used may be a fairly soft water or water of reasonable hardness, and will generally be used at elevated temperature. The composition of the present invention is also useful in laundering clothes in very hard waters and at lower temperatures. Thus, water hardness may range from 0 to over 300 parts per million calculated as calcium carbonate, and washing temperatures may be from 40° to 120°F. Washing will be effected in an automatic washing machine in which the washing is followed by rinsing and spin or other draining or wringing cycles or operations. Of course, the detergent composition may also be used for hand washing of laundry, in which case it may sometimes be used full strength on certain stains on the laundry, or the laundry may be soaked in a higher concentration solution of detergent before washing. The washing operations will generally take from three minutes to one hour, depending on the fabrics being washed and the degrees of soiling observed. After completion of washing and the spinning, draining or wringing operations, it is preferred to dry the laundry in an automatic dryer soon thereafter but line drying may also be employed. The present detergent softener composition dissolves very easily whether the wash water is warm or cold, and very effectively cleans, softens and eliminates static charge on clothing and other items of laundry without imparting a water Tepellant finish thereto. It may be used in either top loading or front loading washing machines and may be desirably adjusted to foam to the correct extent. The product is an attractive clear, stable liquid which maintains its activity and uniformity over a long shelf life. In tests in which the effects of using it are compared to those from the employment of commercial liquid laundry detergents, it rated very favorably. -17- This product may be prepared by simply admixing the various ingredients at room temperature with agitation to ensure solubilization thereof in the aqueous medium. The order of addition of ingredients and the temperature of compounding may be varied without adversely affecting the formation of the single phase, clear liquid product of instant invention.. The liquid detergent-softener composition of the present invention exhibits many desirable characteristics with regard to both physical properties and performance in use. As to its physical properties, the compositions are pourable and free-flowing from the container as manufactured and after aging. They exhibit a high degree of stability upon storage at normal room temperature of the order of about 70°F.over a period of many months without any appreciable precipitation. As a result, the consumer can utilize them conventionally by addition of very small portions to a laundering bath, and the detergent and softener will be present in constant composition in each portion. While compatible adjuvant materials may be added to render the final product translucent or opaque as desired, the requirement for a one-phase solution of the main ingredients insures that effective washing and softening * power will be obtained with each portion and promotes the stability and homogeneity of the product. The liquid may be packaged in any suitable container or packaging material such as metal, plastic or glass. The following specific examples illustrate various embodiments of the present invention. It is to be understood, however, that such examples are presented for purpose of illustration only, and the present invention is in no way to be deemed as limited thereby. -18- 2 1 T r H 1 Example 1 The following liquid detergent formulations are prepared: Parts by Weight B Tallowtrimethyl ammonium chloride (Adogen 471, Sherex) Di-hydrogenated tallowdimethyl ammonium chloride (Adogen 442, Sherex) Linear dodecylbenzene sulfonate Neodol 25-7 Ethanol Tinopal UNPA Polar Brilliant Blue (1%) Water 5 25 10 0.6 1 5 25 10 0.6 1 qs to 120 qs to 120 120 120 Each of the above formulations A (this invention) and B (comparison) are used in a top loading automatic washing machine in an amount of 1/2 cup to clean a 6 pound load, including 2 face cloths and synthetic swatches (for static measurement), using wash water at 120°F and 100 ppm hardness. The following results are obtained: A-B- Sof tnessl/ 8 5 b 2/ -6.1 -5.5 Static No.^ 33.5 41.2 ^1 = no softness, 10 = excellent softness ^-/Higher minus b values are whiter; about 0.5 unit is a visible different 37 Lower number denotes better static control. Number is the summation of charges in Kilovolts on 4 fabrics (polyester, nylon, acetate, polyester/cotton) at 25% relative humidity/70°F. Charge is developed by contact with a spinning wool .swatch and is measured with an electric field meter'-(Stat Arc Model 380B, Monroe Electronics). -19- 2jf **7* r~\ 1 i A liquid detergent-softener composition is prepared by blending together the following ingredients: Wt.% Water 45.4 C^2-15 alcohol ethoxylated with 7 moles 20.8 ethylene oxide (Neodol 25-7, from Shell) Tallowtrimethyl ammonium chloride 16.8 (8.47. a.i.) (50% a.i.) (Adogen 471, Sherex) Linear dodecyl benzene sulfonate (537„ a.i.) 14.0 (7.3% a.i.) Tinopal UNPA Brightener*, (Cba-Geigy) 0.5 Triethanolamine 1.7 Polar Brilliant Blue, 17- 0.5 Perfume 0.3 100.0 *4,4'-bis{{4-anilino-6-[bis(2-hydroxyethyl)amino]-2-triazin-2-yl}amino}-2,2'-stilbene disulfonic acid The above composition is compared to a commercially available liquid detergent-softener formulation containing nonionic surfactant and dihigher alkyl quaternary ammonium cationic fabric softener in a clean load test. The following results are obtained: Softness b Static No. This Example 10 -5.9 7.6 Commercial Product 8 -3.6 5.6 From the above results it can be seen that the compositior of this invention provide superior performance in softening and whiteness and comparable static control. -20- </div>

Claims

<div class="application article clearfix printTableText" id="claims"> 2 13802 Example 3 The following composition is prepared: Wt.% Neodol 25-7 21 Adogen 471 6 (a.i.) Linear dodecylbenzene sulfonate 6 (a.i.) Tinopal UNPA 0.5 Triethanolamine 1.7 Ethanol 5 Sodium xylene sulfonate 5 Polar Brilliant Blue (1%) 0.5 Perfume 0.3 Water q.s. 100 The composition is a free-flowing homogeneous, stable, clear liquid providing excellent softeness, static control and whiteness. -21- 213802 WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1.
A liquid laundry detergent composition capable of washing and softening soiled fabrics in an aqueous wash liquid, said composition comprising (a) nonionic surface-active agent as the major surfactant (b) a cationic quaternary ammonium compound fabric softening agent selected from the group consisting of the compounds of the formula Rl ^ N wherein Rj is a long chain aliphatic radical of 16 to 22 carbon atoms, and the three R's are each, independently, Cx-C4 alkyl radicals, and X is a salt-forning .anion: (c) an anionic surfactant in the same amount as the cationic fabric softening agent (b); said anionic surfactant being a linear CQ-C26 alkyl aromatic sulfonate; and (d) a liquid carrier. 2.
The composition of claim 1 wherein the nonionic surface-active aaent (a) is selected from_the group consistinq of compounds of the formulae I and II RO(CH2CH20)nH (I) R'"{O}-0(CH2CH20>mH (ID wherein R is a primary or secondary, straight or branched alkyl chain of 8 to 22 carbon atoms, R' is a primary or secondary alkyl of 7 to 12 carbon atoms, and each of n and m are numbers having an average value of from 3 to 200. *8j;-22-;%;j-';213802;3.
The composition of Claim 1 wherein the anionic surfactant is selected from the group consisting of the alkali metal and ammonium salts of linear C10_C16 benzene sulfonates, linear c10~ci6 aIkyl toluene sulfonates, linear C10-C16 Pheno1 sulfonates and linear c10~c16 alkyl naphthalene sulfonates.;4- The composition of Claim 1 which comprises, on a weight basis of active ingredients, based on the total weight of the composition 1 to 40% of said nonionic surfactant (a) , 1 to 2 0% of said cationic fabric softening agent (b), 1 to 20% of said anionic surfactant (c), and balance detergent adjuvants and liquid carrier.;
5. The composition of Claim 4 wherein the ration of;(a):(b) is from 1:1 to 5:1 and the ratio of (b) :(c) is from;1.3:1 to 1:1.3.;
6. The composition of Claim 1 which further comprises at least one detergent adjuvant selected from the group consisting of soil suspending agents, anti-redeposition agents, optical brighteners, dyes, pigments, bluing agents, enzymes, corrosion inhibitors, pH modifiers, pH buffers, bactericides, fungicides, preservatives, bleaching agents, bleach stabilizers, bleach activators and perfumes.;
7. The composition of Claim 1 wherein the nonionic surfactant is an aliphatic alcohol having from 8 to 22 carbon atoms or higher alkyl phenol having from 12 to 2,0c u;carbon atoms, ethoxylated with from 5 to 50 moles ethy^ne*^ oxide; the cationic fabric softener is selected from the - 23 - (GJLOOV& group consisting of tallowtrimethyl ammonium chloride, hydrogenated tallow trimethyl ammonium chloride, stearyltrimethyl ammonium chloride, stearyl triethyl ammonium chloride, cetyl trimethyl ammonium chloride, soya trimethyl ammonium chloride, stearyldimethylethyl ammonium chloride, tallowdiisopropylmethyl ammonium chloride, and the corresponding sulfate, methosulfate, ethosulfate, bromide and hydroxide salts thereof; the anionic surfactant is selected from the group consisting of the c^0~ci4 linear alkyl benzene sulfonates, and the liquid carrier is an aqueous media containing up to 20% by weight of a ^-C,^ alkanol, C1~C4 diol or polyol as a supplemental solvent.
8. The composition of Claim 3 which comprises (a) 10 to 30% of the nonionic surfactant (b) 5 to 10% of the cationic fabric softener (c) 5 to 10% of the anionic surfactant, and (d) balance, detergent adjuvants, and an aqueous liquid carrier, and wherein the ratio of (a):(b) is from 1.1:1 to 4.5:1 and the ratio of (b):(c) is from 1.1:1 to 1:1.1.
9. A method for cleaning and softening soiled fabrics in an aqueous wash water which comprises washing the fabrics in an aqueous solution of the composition of Claim 1. </div>