SK95495A3 - Fabric softener composition - Google Patents

Abstract

A fabric softener composition comprises a cationic fabric softener of formula (I), an organic solvent or solvent mixture, and, optionally, water. Compounds in formula (I) may be dissolved in organic solvents of high boiling point to yield isotropic liquids with high flash points and low freezing temperature.

Description

Technical field

The invention relates to a liquid fabric softening composition for use in the rinse stage of a fabric wash cycle. In particular, it relates to a so-called concentrated fabric softener composition.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventional fabric softening compositions generally contain, as an active ingredient, a relatively water-insoluble cationic material which includes a quaternary ammonium group in which the nitrogen atom carries groups with long alkyl chains. Examples of such materials include dimethyldihydrogenated tallow ammonium salts and the corresponding non-hydrogenated tallow derivatives. These substances are generally used as aqueous dispersions.

When storage space for laundry products is limited, or if it is required to reduce the content of the package, then the preferred concentrated fabric softening composition ^J containing high levels of the active ingredient. In order to increase the amount of cationic substance which may be included in the ⁵ aqueous dispersion, it is known to add electrolytes, viscosity-adjusting polymers and co-actives. However, it remains difficult to achieve cationic component concentrations of 30% or more by weight. At high levels of cationic substances, the compositions tend to become unstable, especially when stored, and / or become undesirably viscous.

An alternative approach is to form a solution of a cationic surfactant, a fabric softener, by including an organic solvent in the composition. If this can allow the inclusion of larger amounts of water-insoluble components, this has the disadvantage that the resulting compositions generally obtain an undesirably high flammability and an unpleasant odor.

It has now been found that by appropriately selecting a cationic fabric softener, compositions containing high concentrations of fabric softener can be prepared using low flammability organic solvents. Furthermore, the Applicants have found that by appropriate selection of the cationic substance and solvent, mixtures can be obtained which have not only low flammability but also low freezing temperatures. This is contrary to normal experience when the use of a high organic solvent of low flash point is needed to achieve a low freezing temperature. Achieving a low freezing temperature is an important requirement in stores where laundry products are stored outdoors in cold conditions, such as Japan.

EP-A-0,234,082 discloses a solid fabric softening composition comprising a cationic surfactant and a C ^ y saturated dicarboxylic acid. The surfactants used in the example of this application are alkylammonium chlorides.

EP-A-0,038,862 discloses the use of particular amines as fabric softeners. The amines are prepared by reacting diethylenetriamine or a higher homolog thereof with two molar proportions of fatty acid, followed by mono-ethoxylation and optionally complete or partial neutralization. They can be used with water-miscible organic solvents such as isopropanol, hexylene glycol, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol monoethyl ether and mixtures thereof.

GB-A-2,168,392 discloses the use of hexylene glycol either alone or in conjunction with a lower alkanol or other glycol or glycol ether as a liquid carrier for a cationic fabric softener. The emollient may be a quaternary ammonium compound, the alkylammonium compounds being exemplified.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a fabric softening composition comprising:

(1) from 10% to 70% by weight of a cationic fabric softener of formula (I) (I)

R.CONH. (CH ₂ ) " (CH ₂ ) _b H \ / N ⁺ Y ' / \ R.CONH (CH ₂ ) _a (CH ₂ CH ₂ O) _c H

wherein a is independently from 1 to 5, preferably from 1 to 6, more preferably from 1 to 1 to 1

5, preferably from 1 to 3, b is also

3, c is from 1 /. to 10, preferably from and R are independently selected from saturated and unsaturated alkyl groups having from 14 to 22 carbon atoms, preferably from 14 to 18 carbon atoms, and Y 'is an anion, for example selected from halides, methylsulfate and ethylsulfate;

(2) from 10 to 60% by weight of an organic solvent or organic solvent mixture; and optionally (3) water;

the cationic fabric softener is soluble in the organic solvent or organic solvent mixture and water (if present), and the solvent or solvent mixture is selected such that the flash point of the mixture is at least 25 ° C, preferably at least 30 ° C, particularly preferably at least 40 ° C and ideally at least 50 ° C. Preferably, dissolution of the cationic fabric softener in an organic solvent or solvent mixture and water (if present) results in a substantially isotropic solution. Thus, the solution is preferably clear or only slightly cloudy.

Below the flash point is understood the minimum temperature to which the product enclosed in a closed crucible must be heated to ignite the vapors immediately in the presence of a flame when operating under standardized conditions, such as settling time and pressure. Flash points specified herein are as measured using a Setaflash ™ apparatus _of Stanhope-Seta d (Chertsey) using a 1 minute equilibrium time and atmospheric pressure.

The cationic fabric softener of formula (I) is preferably incorporated in the fabric conditioning composition in an amount of from 20 to 60% by weight of the composition, particularly preferably from 40 to 50% by weight. The cationic fabric softener may be a single substance, but may also be a mixture of substances, for example, those having R groups of varying length and degree of saturation. One example of a suitable commercially available fabric softener is Varisoft 222 ™ from Rewo Sherex. This comprises 90% by weight of a cationic fabric softener of formula (I) wherein a = 2, b = 1 and c = 1.7; Y is methyl sulfate; long chain distribution in R groups of Varisoft 222 ¹ is:

^C 14 ^C 16 ~ ^C 16 ^C 18 ^{2 C} 18 ~ ^C 18

5% 8% 6% 17% 61% 3%.

(= indicates the presence of one double bond and 2 = the presence of two double bonds).

In order to ensure that a substantially isotropic liquid product can be formed, it may be necessary to select an appropriate chain length distribution and saturation. In general, the higher the molecular weight of the cationic species and the longer the R groups, the greater the need to have higher proportions of unsaturated or multiply unsaturated R groups. In general, it is preferred that the proportion of saturated carbon chains with 18 or more carbon atoms is less than 10% by weight, particularly less than 5% by weight and particularly preferably not more than 3% by weight.

The fabric softener composition preferably comprises from 20 to 50% by weight, particularly preferably from 20 to 40% by weight of an organic solvent or organic solvent mixture.

The solvent mixture may comprise low boiling solvents derived from a cationic fabric softener and present in the cationic fabric softener as a result of its manufacture or processing. Examples of such solvents include isopropyl alcohol and ethanol. For example, the Varisoft 222 ™ product mentioned above consists of 90% by weight of an active system with 10% by weight of ethanol. Low boiling solvents such as low molecular weight alcohols (e.g., C 1 -C 4 monoalcohols) may also be added to the fabric softener mixture. The fabric softener composition preferably comprises in total no more than 10% by weight of solvents having a boiling point below 100 ° C. If too much low boiling solvent is included, the flash point of the mixture becomes undesirably low.

Applicants have found that many relatively high boiling solvents are effective solvents for cationic fabric softeners of formula (Ό) Effective solvents and solvent mixtures can be detected using phase diagrams of ternary systems including a fabric softener, test solvent or test solvent mixture and water. solvents are those that facilitate the formation of an isotropic liquid over a wide range of concentrations of the fabric softening component.

An alternative indicator of solvent efficiency is the effect of the solvent on the freezing temperature of the ternary system that includes it. In general, a decrease in the freezing temperature indicates an increase in solvent efficiency. Since the surprisingly low freezing temperatures found by the applicants can be obtained when the compounds of formula (I) are incorporated into the mixture, it may be appropriate to measure the effect of the solvent on freezing in a model system that uses another type of fabric softener. For example, the freezing temperature of a mixture containing 40% by weight of Prapagen 3445 (commercial dilute dimethylammonium chloride), the test solvent, and water supplement can be measured. Preferred solvents are those which, when present in this test system at a level of not more than 30% by weight, raise the freezing temperature of not more than 10 ° C. Particularly preferred solvents are those that are at least as effective as diethylene glycol butyl ether (also known as butyl carbitol), which provides a freezing temperature of about 9-10 ° C in a 40 wt% Prapagen 3445 system, 30 wt% diethylene glycol butyl ether, 30 wt% water.

Preferred solvents are those which are effective according to the tests described above and whose boiling points are sufficiently high that the flash point of the fabric softener mixture is at least 40 ° C and preferably at least 60 ° C. Preferably, most of the organic solvent or organic solvent mixture is formed by a solvent or solvents whose boiling point exceeds 100 ° C, preferably exceeds 150 ° C and particularly preferably exceeds 180 ° C. Preferably, the ratio of the weight of the high boiling solvent (above 100 ° C) to a low boiling solvent (below 100 ° C) in a mixture of at least 2: 1, preferably at least 3: 1 and particularly preferably at least 5: 1.

Examples of suitable high boiling solvents include polyalcohols, especially diols such as propylene glycol, butylene glycol, pentylene glycol and hexylene glycol, alkyl ethers of glycols or polyglycols, especially alkyl ethers of diethylene glycol such as butyl carbitol, and small organic acids such as C2 to C8. di- or tri-carboxylic acids, for example propionic acid or lactic acid. In many cases, it may be advantageous to use a high boiling solvent mixture, for example, to increase the efficiency of the solvent mixture or to reduce the unwanted effects of any individual component. For example, it is generally undesirable to include large amounts of organic acid in the composition for possible irritant effects.

A high boiling solvent which is particularly preferred for its cost is propylene glycol. However, propylene glycol alone is not a particularly effective solvent for the compounds of formula (I). Consequently, it is preferred to use propylene glycol in conjunction with another more effective high boiling solvent. The preferred weight ratio of propylene glycol to other high boiling solvent in the mixture is from 20: 1 to 1:10, preferably from 10: 1 to 1: 5 and particularly preferably from 5: 1 to 1: 1. Preferred solvents for use in conjunction with propylene glycol include butylcarbitol, hexylene glycol and propionic acid.

Particularly preferred compositions of the invention include:

% to 60% by weight of a fabric conditioner of formula (D;

% to 40% by weight of propylene glycol;

% to 15% by weight of another high boiling solvent such as butylcarbitol or hexylene glycol; and up to 10% by weight of a low boiling solvent such as ethanol or isopropyl alcohol.

The compositions of the present invention preferably have freezing temperatures of -5 ° C or below, especially -10 ° C or below, and ideally -15 ° C or below.

In addition to the fabric softener of formula (I), some embodiments of the compositions may contain small amounts of other cationic fabric conditioners of known type assuming that they can be solubilized in a solvent composition to provide a substantially isotropic or almost clear liquid. Preferably, the weight ratio of the fabric softener of formula (I) to the total content of other cationic fabric softeners is at least 1: 2, preferably at least 1: 1 and especially at least 2: 1.

The other carton fabric softener may be any substantive fabric cationic substance having a water solubility of less than 10 g / L at pH 2.5 and 20 ° C. Most preferred materials are quaternary ammonium salts with two alkyl or alkenyl chains, optionally substituted or interrupted by functional groups such as -OH, -O-, -CONH-, -C00-, etc.

Well-known substances of substantially water-insoluble quaternary ammonium salts have the formula:

R ²

R ¹ '

wherein R and R are hydrocarbyl groups having from 12 to 24 carbon atoms; and represent hydrocarbyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms; and X is an anion, preferably selected from halides, methylsulphate and ethylsulfar radical.

Representative examples of these quaternary softeners include di-di-dimethylammonium chloride; dilojovýdimetylamóniummetylsulfát; dihexadecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride; di (hydrogenated alkyl) dimethylammonium chloride; dieicosyl; dieicozyldimethylammonium chloride; didocosyl; di (hydrogenated lithium) dimethylammonium methyl sulfate; dihexadecyl diethyl ammonium chloride; di (coconut alkyl) dimethyl ammonium chloride. Also suitable are dialkylsethoxymethylammonium sulfates based on soft or hard fatty acids. Diloyl dimethylammonium chloride, di (hydrogenated lithium alkyl) dimethylammonium chloride, di (coconut alkyl) dimethylammonium chloride and di (coconut alkyl) dimethylammonium methyl sulfate are preferred.

Another class of preferred water-insoluble materials are the alkyl imidazolinium salts, which are believed to have the formula:

ch ₂ -ch ₂

N - _{^N-C-0-H and} N and C-R ⁷ '^ gB ^ R ⁶ R ⁹ wherein R 6 is an alkyl or hydroxyalkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, preferably 1 or 2 carbon atoms. R is an alkyl or alkenyl group containing from

0 to 25 carbon atoms, R is an alkenyl group containing from 8 to 25 carbon atoms and R ⁹ is hydrogen or an alkyl containing from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and A 1 is an anion, preferably a halide, methylsulfate or ethylsulfate. Preferred imidazolinium salts include 1-methyl-1- (tallowalkylamido) ethyl-2-tallowalkyl-4,5-dihydroimidazolinium methylsulfate and 1-methyl-1- (palmitoylamido) ethyl-2-octadecyl-4,5-dihydroimidazolinium chloride. Other useful imidazolinium materials are 2-heptadecyl-1-methyl-1- (2-stearylamido) ethyl-imidazolinium chloride and

2-lauryl-1-hydroxyethyl-1-oleyl-imidazolium chloride.

Also suitable for the purposes of this document are the imidazolinium fabric softening components of U.S. Pat. In addition to the compounds of formula (I), mixtures of different cationic fabric softening agents may also be used.

The compositions may also contain one or more optional ingredients selected from pH buffering agents such as weak acids such as phosphoric, benzoic or citric acid (pH of the compositions of the present invention less than 6.0), wetting agents, viscosity modifiers such as as electrolytes and Cg to C ₂ 4 fatty acids included at levels of 20-6000 ppm, antigélujúce agents, perfumes, perfume carriers, fluorescers, colorants, hydrotropes, antifoaming agents, antiredeposition agents, enzymes, optical brightening agents, agents for the rendered opaque. stabilizers such as guar gum and polyethylene glycol, anticoagulants, anti-wrinkle agents, fabric scouring agents, stain removers, soil release agents, germicides, fungicides, antioxidants, anticorrosive agents, preservatives such as Bronopol (registered trademark) ), commercial e available form of 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol, dyes, bleaches and bleach precursors, dampening agents, antistatic reagents and ironing aids such as silicones.

When these optional ingredients are added, they are all present with levels up to 5% by weight of the composition. The types and amounts of any optional additive are preferably selected such that they can be dissolved in the solvent composition without affecting the substantially isotropic nature of the preferred fabric softening composition. Suitable silicones for use in the compositions of the present invention include predominantly linear polydialkyl or alkylaryl siloxanes in which the alkyl groups contain one to five carbon atoms. The siloxanes may be amido or amino substituted. When the siloxane is amino substituted, the amino group may be quaternized. The compositions may also contain, in addition to the cationic fabric softening agent, other non-cationic fabric softening agents, such as nonionic fabric softening agents. Typically, such materials are included at levels ranging from 5% by weight to 10% by weight of the composition.

When using the fabric treatment composition of the present invention, it can be added to a large volume of water to form a fluid with which the fabrics to be treated are brought into contact. Generally, the total concentration of the fabric softener composition in this fluid will be between 30 ppm and 500 ppm. The fabric to liquid weight ratio will preferably be less than 25: 1, most preferably between 10: 1 and 4: 1.

The compositions of the invention may be prepared by a variety of methods that will be apparent to those skilled in the art. They can be conveniently prepared by simply mixing the ingredients at room temperature, preferably by mixing first the cationic substance and the organic solvent and then water, if any.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention are described below by way of example only and with reference to the drawings:

Fig. 1A and 1B show ternary phase diagrams for Varisoft 222 ™ (designated V in the figures), water (designated V in the figures), organic solvent systems in which the solvents tested were (i) ethanol (labeled E); (ii) propylene glycol (designated P.G.); (iii) butylcarbitol (designated B.C.); and (iv) a 4: 1 mixture of propylene glycol: butylcarbitol (designated P.G./B.C.); in phase diagrams, L denotes an isotropic liquid, La denotes a lamellar phase, and G denotes a gel.

Fig. 2 shows how the freezing temperature changes on the y-axis with the percentage by weight of organic solvent on the x-axis for various organic solvents in a system comprising 40% by weight of Prapagen 3445, test solvent and water supplement; in the picture P.G. refers to propylene glycol, B.C. refers to butylcarbitol, H.G. refers to hexylene glycol, IPA refers to isopropyl alcohol, and P.A. refers to propionic acid.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Example 1

Identification of suitable solvents

A. Phase diagrams

The ternary phase diagrams for Varisoft 222 / solvent / water systems were obtained by simply mixing the ingredients at room temperature, water was added finally. Varisoft 222 was freeze dried before use to remove alcohol.

The results are shown in FIG. 1. The phase diagram area labeled L indicates the concentration range in which isotropic liquids were formed. Phase diagram (i) in which ethanol alone was used as the organic solvent shows that ethanol is a very effective solvent for Varisoft 222, is capable of forming an isotropic liquid over a wide range of Varisoft concentrations. However, ethanol alone is not a suitable solvent for use in the compositions of the present invention as it allows for a very low flash point.

Diagram (ii) shows the effect of using instead of ethanol propylene glycol, which is a much less flammable solvent. The diagram shows that isotropic liquids can only be formed at low concentrations of Varisoft 222. Although propylene glycol delivers the desired flammability, when used alone is not an ideal solvent for use in the compositions of the invention.

Diagram (iii) shows that when another low-flammable butylcarbitol solvent is used, isotropic liquids can be formed over a wide range of Varisoft concentrations. Diagram (iv) shows that when small amounts of butylcarbitol are included in a solvent mixture that is predominantly propylene glycol (4: 1 propylene glycol: butyl crbitol) the phase diagram resembles a phase diagram that can be achieved with butylcarbitol alone. Thus, the use of large amounts of a more expensive butylcarbitol solvent can be eliminated using a solvent mixture.

B. Freezing temperatures

Fig. 2 shows the effect of the organic solvent on the freezing temperature in a test system of 40% by weight Prapagen 3445, x% by weight organic solvent and (60-x)% by weight water. The effect of the solvent on the freezing temperature in this system can be considered as a feature of solvent efficiency in a system containing Varisoft 222 or other cationic plasticizer of formula (I) instead of Prapagen 3445. In general, the lower the freezing temperatures, the more efficient the solvent is and in order of decreasing efficiency:

propionic acid> isopropyl alcohol> hexylene glycol> butylcarbitol> propylene glycol.

The freezing temperatures were measured by placing the test solution in an ethylene glycol-water bath and decreasing the temperature by 1 ° C every 2 hours until solidification of the solution was observed.

As already mentioned, it is desirable that the compositions based on the compounds of formula (I) contain at least some amount of organic solvent whose potency according to this test is equal to or greater than that of butylcarbitol.

C. Flash points

Multiple solvents with different boiling points were tested in the following formulation to determine the flash point of the formulation:

Varisoft 222 39%

Propylene glycol 30%

Test solvent 10%

Ethanol (from Varisoft) 4.44%

Water up to 100%

TM Flash points were measured in a Setaflash instrument that complies with applicable British standards [BS390-A14 (1986),

BS6664 part IV (1986) and BS3679 (1983)].

Examples of flash points of the products obtained with the test solvents at different boiling points are shown below (Table I).

Table I

Solvent Boiling point Flash point ° C ° C ° C butyl carbitol 231 56 hexylene 197 57 from propionic acid 141 58 butan-1-ol 118 48 propan-l-ol 97 40 propan-2-o’l 82 32 ethanol 78 33 acetate 77 5 heptane 69 6 acetone 56 <4

These results show that in those formulations where the boiling point goes well below 100 ° C, it is difficult to obtain a flash point of 40 ° C or higher.

Taken together, these results show that when a compound of formula (I), such as Varisoft 222, is used as a fabric softener, it is possible to prepare isotropic liquids having both a high flash point and low flammability by selecting a suitable solvent.

Example 2

Examples of formulations of the invention and their flash point and freezing point are given in the Table below

II. All mixtures had a flash point of 30 ° C or higher and freezing temperatures were around or below -15 ° C. Varisoft 222 was used as 90% active system with 10% ethanol added. The percentages given below for Varisoft refer to the active ingredient content in% by weight. The flashpoints of the mixtures were determined with a Setaflash ™ apparatus. The freezing temperatures were measured in an ethylene glycol-water bath as described above.

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These results show that isotropic liquid fabric conditioner compositions having satisfactory flash points and freezing temperatures can be obtained over a wide concentration range.

The following tests were performed to determine which concentrated mixtures based on organic solvent behaved satisfactorily when diluted with water as in the washing machine. Softening tests were performed after a washing / rinsing process in a Japanese washing machine. Direct softening comparisons were made between the products with 40% organic solvent based active ingredient and corresponding to a 5% aqueous dispersion of Varisoft LT90 used with the same active ingredient level. These tests could not distinguish the products, indicating that the softening caused by the organic solvent-based mixture was the same as the softening by the aqueous mixture.

Claims (14)

PATENT CLAIMS (1) from 20 to 60% by weight of a cationic plasticizer fabrics of formula (I) / · R.CONH. (CH ₂ ) (CH ₂ ) _b H \ ₊ / N ⁺ Y (I) / \ R.CONH (CH ₂ ) _a (CH ₂ CH ₂ O) _c H where a and b are independently from 1 to 5, c is from 1 to 10, R are independently selected from saturated and unsaturated alkyl groups having from 14 to 22 carbon atoms and Y is an anion; 1. A fabric softening composition comprising: 2. The fabric softening composition of claim 1 having a flash point of at least 30 ° C. (2) from 10 to 60% by weight of an organic solvent or organic solvent mixture; and optionally (3) water; the cationic fabric softener is soluble in the organic solvent or organic solvent mixture and water (if present) and the solvent or solvent mixture is selected such that the flash point of the mixture is at least 25 ° C and wherein the mixture contains no more than 10% % by weight of the solvents having a boiling point below 100 ° C; the ratio by weight of the solvent having a boiling point of 100 C or more to the solvent having a boiling point below 100 ° C is at least 2: 1. 3. The fabric softening composition of claim 2 having a flash point of at least 40 ° C. The fabric softening composition of claim 3 having a flash point of at least 50 ° C. 5 to 15% by weight of at least one additional solvent having a boiling point of 100 ° C or higher; 0-10% by weight of at least one low boiling solvent which is boiled below 100 ° C. The fabric softening composition of any preceding claim, wherein all or a major portion of the weight of the organic solvent or organic solvent mixture comprises a solvent or solvents having a boiling point of 100 ° C or higher. The fabric softening composition of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the organic solvent mixture comprises at least one solvent having a boiling point below 100 ° C and at least one solvent having a boiling point at least 100 ° C, this solvent having a boiling point below 100 ° C does not constitute more than 10% by weight of the mixture and the weight ratio of solvent (s) at least 100 ° C to the boiling point (s) below 100 ° C is at least 2: 1 . fabric softening according to claims 5 or 6, characterized in that the solvent, of which at least 100 ° C, is selected from organic alkyl ethers of glycols or polyglycols 7. The boiling point mixture is of acids, polyols and mixtures thereof. 8. A composition for softening, wherein the glycol, butylene glycol, l, butyl carbitol, acid and mixtures thereof. 9. A composition for softening, wherein the ethylene glycol, hexylene glycol, fabrics of claim 7, and the solvent is selected from propypentylene glycol and hexylene glycropionic, the lactic acid of claim 8, and the solvent is selected from a mixture of propybutylcarbitol and their mixtures. The fabric softening composition of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the organic solvent mixture comprises propylene glycol and at least one additional solvent having a boiling point of 100 ° C or higher, the weight ratio of propylene glycol to the at least one solvent being: ranging from 20: 1 to 1:10. The fabric softening composition of any preceding claim, wherein the organic solvent composition comprises: 30 to 60% by weight of a fabric conditioner of formula (I); 20 to 40% by weight of propylene glycol; The fabric softening composition according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has a freezing temperature of -5 ° C or less. The fabric softening composition of claim 12 having a freezing temperature of -15 ° C or less. The fabric softening composition according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is a substantially isotropic liquid.