WO2002086044A1

WO2002086044A1 - Clear fabric conditioner

Info

Publication number: WO2002086044A1
Application number: PCT/EP2002/004127
Authority: WO
Inventors: Matthias Sunder; Marcus Kreienbaum; Matthias Hloucha; Karl-Heinz Scheffler; Arndt Scheidgen; Gert-Lothar Striepling
Original assignee: Henkel Kommanditgesellschaft Auf Aktien
Priority date: 2001-04-24
Filing date: 2002-04-13
Publication date: 2002-10-31
Also published as: DE10120176A1; EP1381664B1; ES2263812T3; ATE328059T1; EP1381664A1; DE50207008D1

Abstract

A method for the production of clear and translucent fabric conditioner formulations, fabric conditioner formulations obtained by such a method and the use of said fabric conditioner formulations for the conditioning of textile materials are disclosed. The method comprises the preparation of a crude dispersion or emulsion containing a conditioning component and a subsequent homogenisation step.

Description

"Clear fabric softener"

The invention relates to clear and translucent fabric softener formulations and a method for producing such agents. Furthermore, the invention relates to the use of the agent for softening fabrics in the rinse cycle of a household washing machine.

The provision of clear and translucent fabric softener formulations, which are used in post-washing and textile bath finishing, may be desired by the consumer due to the product aesthetics. In recent years great efforts have been made to provide translucent, clear fabric softeners that stand out visually from the known products. Due to the incorporation of cationic compounds which have only a low water solubility, conventional fabric softener compositions are in the form of dispersions, have a milky, cloudy appearance and are not translucent.

The manufacture of clear fabric softener and the problems associated with its manufacture are fully described in the prior art. For example, European patent application EP-A-0 404471 (Unilever) describes isotropic liquid fabric softening compositions which contain at least 20% by weight of softener and at least 5% by weight of a short-chain organic acid.

Clear fabric softener compositions with high solvent contents are also known, with quaternized ester-ammonium compounds (“esterquats”) with unsaturated, branched or short-chain alkyl residues being used as softening substances here. Such systems have the disadvantage that agglomerates can form, which pull on the fiber and there lead to stains and reduced softness.The storage and cold stability of such agents is often unsatisfactory, so that they thicken between 18 ° C and 4 ° C or show precipitations or phase separations. To solve these problems, WO 97/03169 (Procter & Gamble) proposes the use of less than 40% by weight of solvents which have a ClogP value between 0.15 and 0.64. The active substances described in this document have unsaturated or relatively short (C _12-1 ) alkyl chains and are present in amounts of 2 to 80% by weight, preferably 13 to 75% by weight and in particular 17 to 70% by weight. % included in the funds. In order to obtain clear fabric softener with 2 to 10% by weight of active substance, a special manufacturing process that requires a premix of ester quat, solvents and perfume must be used, otherwise the agents remain cloudy.

WO 99/27050 (Procter & Gamble) describes clear and translucent fabric softener formulations which are based on mixing quaternary ammonium compounds with special solvents and electrolytes. WO 99/45089 (Procter & Gamble) also describes clear formulations, but based on the use of 1 to 40% by weight of plasticizer component, up to 15% by weight of solvent and 0.1 to 10% by weight of a solubilizer , such as oils, hydrotropes or electrolytes. European patent application EP-A-1018541 (Goldschmidt Rewo GmbH) describes clear fabric softener formulations which are obtained by mixing diesterquats with special glycol ethers.

Traditionally, clear and translucent plasticizer formulations are thus obtained through a high content of organic solvents. In many cases, however, solvents result in high product prices, poor environmental compatibility and also reduced storage stability and fabric softening performance.

Contrary to the disclosure of WO 99/45089 that clear and translucent plasticizer compositions cannot be produced by the introduction of energy due to turbidity phenomena, it was surprisingly found that the entry of high volume-specific energy densities in dispersions or emulsions which contain plasticizer components clears and translucent plasticizer formulations can be obtained.

The object of the present invention was to provide a method for producing a translucent and clear fabric softener. In a first embodiment, the invention therefore relates to a method for producing a clear and translucent fabric softener by providing a raw dispersion or raw emulsion containing a plasticizer component, and a subsequent homogenization step.

A raw dispersion or raw emulsion containing plasticizer component can be prepared in any manner known to the person skilled in the art. The crude dispersions or crude emulsions are preferably in aqueous form. Raw emulsions are generated, for example, by stirring liquid plasticizer components in water and / or an organic solvent. Depending on the melting points of the plasticizer components and any additional additives that may be added, heating of the raw emulsion may be indicated - generally to temperatures between 20 and 80 ° C. In a particularly preferred embodiment, however, aqueous raw dispersions are used. For this purpose, solid plasticizer components and any additives that may be present can be stirred into water and / or organic solvent. The solid plasticizers are preferably melted - as a rule at temperatures between 40 and 80 ° C. - and then dispersed in an aqueous medium with vigorous stirring. The crude emulsions and crude dispersions are advantageously mixed intensively before the homogenization step. Mixing is preferably carried out under shear, particularly preferably in a highly dispersing device with strong shear. The mixture is passed, for example, through at least one, rapidly rotating, perforated dispersion disk, whereby a fine raw dispersion or emulsion of water and / or solvent with the plasticizer component and any additives added. In a further embodiment, the components of the mixture can be mixed in a stirred container, and the mixture is sheared and sheared with one or more toothed disk stirrers, so-called dissolver disks, or with one or more rotor-stator stirrers (e.g. Ultra-Turrax ^® ) / or heavily sheared in a dispersing machine (e.g. a Cavitron) or a ball mill. The raw emulsion or raw dispersion can be made available both in a continuous process and in a batch process. Suitable softening components for the production of the raw dispersions or raw emulsions are fabric softening components, such as quaternary ammonium compounds, cationic polymers and emulsifiers, as used in hair care products and also in agents for textile finishing. Suitable examples are quaternary ammonium compounds of the formulas (I) and (II),

where in (I) R and R ^{1 is} an acyclic alkyl radical having 12 to 24 carbon atoms, R ^{2 is} a saturated C _r C ₄ alkyl or hydroxyalkyl radical, R ^{3 is} either the same as R, R ¹ or R ² or is aromatic Rest stands. X ^" stands for either a halide, methosulfate, methophosphate or phosphate ion and mixtures thereof. Examples of cationic compounds of the formula (I) are didecyldimethylammonium chloride, ditallow dimethylammonium chloride or dihexadecylammonium chloride.

Compounds of formula (II) are so-called ester quats. Esterquats are characterized by excellent biodegradability. Here R ^{4 represents} an aliphatic alkyl radical having 12 to 22 carbon atoms with 0, 1, 2 or 3 double bonds; R ⁵ stands for H, OH or O (CO) R ⁷ , R ⁶ independently of R ^{s stands} for H, OH or O (CO) R ⁸ , where R ⁷ and R ⁸ each independently represent an aliphatic alkyl radical with 12 to 22 carbon atoms with 0, 1, 2 or 3 double bonds, m, n and p can each independently have the value 1, 2 or 3. X ^" can be either a halide, methosulfate, methophosphate or phosphate ion and mixtures thereof. Preferred are compounds which are O (CO) R ⁷ for R ⁵ and alkyl radicals having 16 to 18 carbon atoms for R ⁴ and R ⁷ Compounds in which R ^{6 is} also OH are particularly preferred, and examples of compounds of the formula (II) are methyl-N- (2-hydroxyethyl) -N, N-di (tallow acyl-oxyethyl) ammonium methosulfate, bis - (Palmitoyl) -ethyl-hydroxyethyl-methyl-ammonium-methosulfate or methyl-N, N-bis (acyloxyethyl) -N- (2-hydroxyethyl) ammonium-methosulfate, quaternized compounds of formula (II) are used which have unsaturated alkyl chains, the acyl groups are preferred whose corresponding fatty acids have an iodine number between 5 and 80, preferably between 10 and 60 and in particular between 15 and 45 and which have a cis / trans isomer ratio (in% by weight) of greater than 30:70, preferably greater than 50: 50 and in particular greater than 70:30. Commercial examples are the methylhydroxyalkyldialkoyloxyalkylammonium methosulfates sold by Stepan under the trademark Stepantex ^® or the products from Cognis known under Dehyquart ^® or the products from Goldschmidt-Witco known under Rewoquat ^® . Further preferred compounds are the diesterquats of the formula (III), which are available under the name Rewoquat® W 222 LM or CR 3099 and, in addition to the softness, also ensure stability and color protection.

R ²¹ and R ²² each independently represent an aliphatic radical having 12 to 22 carbon atoms with 0, 1, 2 or 3 double bonds.

In addition to the quaternary compounds described above, other known compounds can also be used, such as quaternary imidazolinium compounds of the formula (IV),

where R ^{9 is} H or a saturated alkyl radical with 1 to 4 carbon atoms, R ¹⁰ and R ¹¹ independently of one another each represent an aliphatic, saturated or unsaturated alkyl radical with 12 to 18 carbon atoms, R ¹⁰ alternatively also for O (CO) R ²⁰ , where R ^{20 is} an aliphatic, saturated or unsaturated alkyl radical having 12 to 18 Means carbon atoms and Z means an NH group or oxygen and X ^"is an anion. Q can take integer values between 1 and 4.

Further suitable quaternary compounds are described by formula (V)

R13 H

R12 - N - (CH ₂ ) _r - C - 0 (CO) R15 X ^" (V);

R14 CH ₂ - 0 (CO) R16

where R ¹² , R ¹³ and R ¹⁴ independently of one another represent a C _1-4 alkyl, alkenyl or hydroxyalkyl group, R ¹⁵ and R ¹⁶ each independently selected one

represents and r is a number between 0 and 5.

In addition to the compounds of the formulas (I) and (II), it is also possible to use short-chain, water-soluble, quaternary ammonium compounds, such as trihydroxyethylmethylammonium methosulfate or the alkyltrimethylammonium chlorides, dialkyldimethylammonium chlorides and trialkylmethylammonium chlorides, e.g. B. cetyltrimethylammonium chloride, stearyltrimethylammonium chloride, distearyldimethylammonium chloride, lauryldimethylammonium chloride, lauryldimethylbenzylammonium chloride and tricetylmethylammonium chloride.

Protonated alkylamine compounds which have a softening effect and the non-quaternized, protonated precursors of the cationic emulsifiers are also suitable.

The quaternized protein hydrolyzates are further cationic compounds which can be used according to the invention.

Suitable cationic polymers include the polyquaternium polymers as described in the CTFA Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary (The Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance, Inc., 1997), in particular the polyquaternium-6, polyquaterium-7-, also known as merquats. Polyquaternium 10 polymers (Ucare Polymer IR 400; Amerchol), polyquater nium-4 copolymers, such as graft copolymers with a cellulose skeleton and quaternary ammonium groups which are bonded via allyldimethylammonium chloride, cationic cellulose derivatives, such as cationic guar, such as guar-hydroxypropyltriammonium chloride, and similar quaternized guar derivatives (e.g. Cosmedia Guar, manufacturer : Cognis GmbH), cationic quaternary sugar derivatives (cationic alkyl polyglucosides), e.g. B. the commercial product Glucquat ^® 100, according to CTFA nomenclature a "Lauryl Methyl Gluceth-10 Hydroxypropyl Dimonium Chloride", copolymers of PVP and dimethylaminomethacrylate. Copolymers of vinylimidazole and vinylpyrrolidone, aminosilicone polymers and copolymers.

Also employable Polyquaternized polymers (for example, Luviquat Care by BASF.), And cationic biopolymers based on chitin and derivatives thereof, for example, under the trade designation chitosan ^® (manufacturer: Cognis) polymer obtainable.

Also suitable according to the invention are cationic silicone oils such as, for example, the commercially available products Q2-7224 (manufacturer: Dow Corning; a stabilized trimethylsilylamodimethicone), Dow Corning 929 emulsion (containing a hydroxylamino-modified silicone, which is also referred to as amodimethicone) ), SM-2059 (manufacturer: General Electric), SLM-55067 (manufacturer: Wacker) Abil ^® -Quat 3270 and 3272 (manufacturer: Goldschmidt-Rewo; diquartary polydimethylsiloxanes, Quaternium-80), and silicone quat Rewoquat ^® SQ 1 ( Tegopren ^® 6922, manufacturer: Goldschmidt-Rewo).

Compounds of the formula (VI) which can also be used are

the alkylamidoamines can be in their non-quaternized or, as shown, their quaternized form. R ¹⁷ can be an aliphatic alkyl radical having 12 to 22 carbon atoms with 0, 1, 2 or 3 double bonds, s can assume values between 0 and 5. R ¹⁸ and R ¹⁹ each independently represent H, C 1-4 alkyl or hydroxyalkyl. Preferred compounds are fatty acid amidoamines such as the one under the name Tego Amid ^® S 18 available stearylamidopropyldimethylamine or the 3-tallowamidopropyltrimethylammonium methosulfate available under the name Stepantex ^® X 9124, which are characterized not only by a good conditioning effect but also by an ink transfer inhibiting effect and especially by their good biodegradability. Alkylated quaternary ammonium compounds, of which at least one alkyl chain is interrupted by an ester group and / or amido group, in particular N-methyl-N (2-hydroxyethyl) -N, N- (ditalgacyloxyethyl) ammonium methosulfate and / or N-methyl, are particularly preferred -N (2-hydroxyethyl) -N, N- (palmitoyloxyethyl) ammonium methosulfate.

The nonionic plasticizers used are, above all, polyoxyalkylene glycerol alkanoates, as described in British Patent GB 2,202,244, polybutylenes, as described in British Patent GB 2,199,855, long-chain fatty acids, as described in EP 0 013 780, ethoxylated fatty acid ethanolamides as described in EP 0043 547, alkyl polyglycosides, in particular sorbitan mono, di and triester, as described in EP 0 698 140 and fatty acid esters of polycarboxylic acids, as described in German Patent DE 2,822,891.

The raw dispersions or raw emulsions contain plasticizer components in amounts of up to 50% by weight, preferably from 0.1 to 45% by weight, particularly preferably from 2 to 40% by weight, extremely preferably from 3 to 30% by weight and in particular from 5 to 20% by weight, based in each case on the entire emulsion or dispersion.

The preferably aqueous raw dispersions or raw emulsions can contain organic solvents.

Solvents which can be used in the crude dispersions or crude emulsions come, for example, from the group of mono- or polyhydric alcohols, alkanolamines or glycol ethers, provided that they are miscible with water in the concentration range given. The solvents are preferably selected from ethanol, n- or i-propanol, butanols, glycol, propane or butanediol, glycerol, diglycol, propyl or butyl diglycol, hexylene glycol, ethylene glycol methyl ether, ethylene glycol ethyl ether, ethylene glycol propyl ether, ethylene glycol mono-n-butyl ether, diethylene glycol -methyl ether, diethylene glycol ethyl ether, propylene glycol methyl, ethyl or propyl ether, butoxypropoxy propanol (BPP), dipropylene glycol monomethyl or ethyl ether, di-isopropylene glycol mono- methyl or ethyl ether, methoxy, ethoxy or butoxytriglycol, 1-butoxyethoxy-2-propanol, 3-methyl-3-methoxybutanol, propylene glycol t-butyl ether and mixtures of these solvents.

Some glycol ethers are available under the trade names Arcosolv ^® (Arco Chemical Co.) or Cellosolve ^® , Carbitol ^® or Propasol ^® (Union Carbide Corp.); these also include, for example, ButylCarbitol ^® , HexylCarbitol ^® , MethylCarbitol ^® , and Carbitol ^® itself, (2- (2-ethoxy) ethoxy) ethanol. The choice of the glycol ether can easily be made by the person skilled in the art on the basis of its volatility, water solubility, its weight percentage in the total raw dispersion or raw emulsion and the like. Pyrrolidone solvents, such as N-alkylpyrrolidones, for example N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone or NC ₈ -C ₁₂ -alkylpyrrolidone, or 2-pyrrolidone, can also be used. Glycerol derivatives are further preferred as the sole solvent or as part of a solvent mixture. The alcohols which can be used as a cosolvent in the raw dispersions or raw emulsions of the present invention include liquid polyethylene glycols with a low molecular weight, for example polyethylene glycols with a molecular weight of 200, 300, 400 or 600. Other suitable cosolvents are other alcohols, for example (a) lower alcohols such as ethanol, propanol, isopropanol and n-butanol, (b) ketones such as acetone and methyl ethyl ketone, (c) C ₂ -C ₄ polyols such as a diol or a triol, for example ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, glycerol or mixtures thereof.

In a preferred embodiment, the crude dispersions or crude emulsions can contain one or more water-soluble organic solvents. Water-soluble is understood here to mean that the organic solvent in the amount contained is soluble in an optionally aqueous medium.

In a preferred embodiment, the crude dispersions or crude emulsions contain one or more solvents from the group comprising C to C ₄ monoalcohols, C ₂ to C ₆ glycols, C ₃ to C ₁₂ glycol ethers and glycerol, in particular ethanol.

Preferred C 1 -C ₄ -monoalcohols are ethanol, n-propanol, / so-propanol and tert-butanol. Preferred C ₂ - to C ₆ glycols are ethylene glycol, 1, 2-propylene glycol, 1,3-propylene glycol, 1,5-pentanediol, neopentyl glycol and 1,6-hexanediol, in particular ethylene glycol and 1,2-propylene glycol. Preferred C ₃ - to C ₁₂ -glycol ethers are di-, tri-, tetra- and penta-ethylene glycol, di-, tri- and tetrapropylene glycol, propylene glycol monotertiary butyl ether and propylene glycol monoethyl ether as well as the solvents designated according to INCI, butoxy diglycol, butoxyethanol, butoxyisopropanol, butoxypropanol, Butyloctanol, ethoxydiglycol, ethoxyethanol, ethyl hexanediol, isobutoxypropanol, isopentyldiol, 3-methoxybutanol, methoxyethanol, methoxyisopropanol and methoxymethylbutanol.

In a preferred embodiment, there are aqueous crude dispersions or aqueous crude emulsions containing organic solvents in an amount of less than 20% by weight, preferably less than 10% by weight, particularly preferably less than 5% by weight, based in each case on the entire dispersion or emulsion. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the aqueous crude dispersions or aqueous crude emulsions are free from organic solvents.

In the context of the present invention, the term “solvent-free” is to be understood as meaning agents which, for production reasons, contain only small amounts or traces of organic solvents and mixtures of these solvents. Small amounts are therefore present in the “solvent-free” dispersions or emulsions of the present invention tolerable non-aqueous solvents which are below 5% by weight, preferably below 3% by weight, in each case based on the total dispersion or emulsion.

Clear and translucent fabric softeners are produced by homogenizing the raw dispersion or emulsion. After the raw dispersion or raw emulsion, containing at least one plasticizer component and optionally further additives and / or, in a preferred embodiment, already a stabilizer, has been provided, the liquid systems (raw dispersion or raw emulsion) are homogenized. Due to the homogenization, high amounts of mechanical energy per unit volume are introduced into the liquid system. This leads to a size reduction and even distribution of the particles or droplets in the liquid down to the submicron range (<1 μm). The decisive factor here is the intensity of the energy input. For crushing the particles, amounts of energy of about 1x10 ⁵ (100000) to 3x10 ⁶ kJ / m ³ , preferably from 7x10 ⁵ to 2.5x10 ⁶ kJ / m ³ over a period of about 10 ⁷ s to 1 s, preferably 10 ^{" 6} s to 10 ^'1 (0.1) s and in particular from 10 ^{' 5} s to 10 ^"2 s. By enlarging the surface, the homogenized particles or Droplets of material and energy exchange processes are intensified. Homogenization technology, in particular the use of high-pressure homogenizers, has proven to be particularly suitable for introducing large amounts of energy into liquid systems. In a preferred embodiment, high-pressure homogenizers are therefore used to homogenize the liquid systems. The decisive components of the high-pressure homogenizers are the homogenization valves or the homogenization nozzles in which the comminution takes place. The passage of the liquid system under high pressure (homogenization pressure) and controlled flow conditions through the narrow openings of the homogenization valves or the homogenization nozzles generates high shear and expansion forces as well as high turbulence and cavitation, whereby the particles and droplets are crushed in the most effective way.

The process according to the invention is preferably carried out at homogenization pressures from 10 to 5000 bar, particularly preferably from 50 to 4000 bar, extremely preferably from 100 to 3000 bar and in particular from 700 to 2500 bar. However, it may also be advantageous to homogenize the crude dispersions or crude emulsions several times at different pressures, if necessary.

The homogenized dispersed particles preferably have an average particle size of less than 1 μm, particularly preferably less than 700 nm, extremely preferably less than 400 nm and in particular less than 200 nm. The values were determined by means of photon correlation spectroscopy according to the principle of quasi-elastic light scattering with a Malvern Zetasizer.

In a preferred embodiment, additional stabilizers can optionally be used to stabilize the clear and translucent fabric softeners. These can be added both before and after the homogenization step. Stabilizers prevent the fine particles from agglomerating and thus ensure that the clear and translucent appearance of the fabric softener is retained.

Both organic solvents and amphoteric surfactants, in particular betaines, can be used as stabilizers. Preferred stabilizers are nonionic Surfactants, in particular fatty alcohols with a degree of ethoxylation of more than 20 ethylene oxide units (EO), such as, for example, tallow fatty alcohol with 20 EO, 40 EO or oxystearyl alcohol with 73 EO. Organic thickeners are further preferred stabilizers.

The stabilizer can be used in amounts of up to 50% by weight, preferably from 0.1 to 25% by weight, particularly preferably from 0.1 to 10% by weight and in particular from 0.1 to 3% by weight, each based on the total fabric softener.

Advantages of the manufacturing process according to the invention for clear and translucent fabric softeners compared to the prior art also consist in the fact that fabric softeners with a low concentration of plasticizer component (<25% by weight) can be produced. In particular, the dilution behavior of the agents produced according to the invention should be emphasized. Thus, the agent produced according to the invention can be diluted with water to plasticizer component concentrations of 0.01 to 22% by weight, in each case based on the total agent, without changing the translucent and clear appearance of the agents. The clear fabric softener formulations described in the prior art are based on the fact that they are bound to a specific solvent window. If you move outside of this window, for example by diluting the agents, there are signs of turbidity.

Another object of the invention was to provide a clear and translucent fabric softener which at least partially solves the problems known from the prior art described above.

The second object of the invention is a clear and translucent fabric softener which can be obtained by the production process according to the invention.

The clear and translucent fabric softener according to the invention consists of the above-described raw dispersion or raw emulsion, containing at least one plasticizer component and at least one stabilizer, and is obtainable by the production process according to the invention. The agent according to the invention is preferably in the form of a dispersion and has an average particle size of less than 1 μm, particularly preferably less than 700 nm, extremely preferably less than 400 nm and in particular less than 200 nm.

The agent according to the invention can contain further additives and auxiliary substances which can be added to the dispersion or emulsion both before and after the homogenization step. The choice of auxiliaries and additives does not pose any difficulties for the person skilled in the art and is chosen in such a way that the clear and translucent properties of the agents are preserved.

In a preferred embodiment, the fabric softener according to the invention can additionally contain nonionic surfactants, which can also act as a stabilizer.

Preferred nonionic surfactants are alkoxylated, advantageously ethoxylated and / or propoxylated, in particular primary alcohols with preferably 8 to 18 carbon atoms and an average of 1 to 12 moles of ethylene oxide (EO) and / or 1 to 10 moles of propylene oxide (PO) per mole of alcohol used. Particularly preferred are C ₈ -C ₁₆ alcohol alkoxylates, advantageously ethoxylated and / or propoxylated C ₁₀ -C ₁₅ alcohol alkoxylates, in particular C ₁₂ -C ₁₄ alcohol alkoxylates, with a degree of ethoxylation between 2 and 10, preferably between 3 and 8, and / or a degree of propoxylation between 1 and 6, preferably between 1.5 and 5. The alcohol radical can preferably be methyl-branched linearly or particularly preferably in the 2-position or contain linear and methyl-branched radicals in the mixture, as is usually present in oxo alcohol radicals. However, alcohol ethoxylates with linear residues of alcohols of native origin with 12 to 18 carbon atoms, for example from coconut, palm, tallow or oleyl alcohol, and an average of 2 to 8 EO per mole of alcohol are particularly preferred. The preferred ethoxylated alcohols include, for example, C _12-14 alcohols with 3 EO or 4 EO, Cg. "- Alcohol with 7 EO, C ₁₃ . ₁₅ alcohols with 3 EO, 5 EO, 7 EO or 8 EO, C ₁₂ . ₁₈ alcohols with 3 EO, 5 EO or 7 EO and mixtures thereof, such as mixtures of C _12-14 alcohol with 3 EO and C _12-18 alcohol with 5 EO. The specified degrees of ethoxylation and propoxylation represent statistical averages, which can be an integer or a fraction for a specific product. Preferred alcohol ethoxylates and propoxylates have a narrow homolog distribution (narrow ranks ethoxylates / propoxylates, NRE / NRP). In addition to these nonionic surfactants, fatty alcohols with more than 12 EO can also be used. Examples of this are tallow fatty alcohol with 14 EO, 25 EO, 30 EO, 40 EO, 100 EO or 120 EO.

Also suitable are alkoxylated amines, advantageously ethoxylated and / or propoxylated, in particular primary and secondary amines with preferably 1 to 18 carbon atoms per alkyl chain and an average of 1 to 12 mol ethylene oxide (EO) and / or 1 to 10 mol propylene oxide (PO) per Mole of amine.

In addition, as further nonionic surfactants, alkyl glycosides of the general formula RO (G) _x z. B. as compounds, especially with anionic surfactants, in which R is a primary straight-chain or methyl-branched, in particular in the 2-position methyl-branched aliphatic radical having 8 to 22, preferably 12 to 18 carbon atoms and G is the symbol that stands for a glycose unit with 5 or 6 C atoms, preferably for glucose. The degree of oligomerization x, which indicates the distribution of monoglycosides and oligoglycosides, is any number between 1 and 10; x is preferably 1.2 to 1.4.

Another class of preferably used nonionic surfactants, which are used either as the sole nonionic surfactant or in combination with other nonionic surfactants, are alkoxylated, preferably ethoxylated or ethoxylated and propoxylated, fatty acid alkyl esters, preferably with 1 to 4 carbon atoms in the alkyl chain, in particular fatty acid methyl esters, as they are are described, for example, in Japanese patent application JP 58/217598 or which are preferably produced by the process described in international patent application WO-A-90/13533.

Nonionic surfactants of the amine oxide type, for example N-cocoalkyl-N, N-dimethylamine oxide and N-tallow alkyl-N.N-dihydroxyethylamine oxide, and the fatty acid alkanolamides can also be suitable.

So-called gemini surfactants can be considered as further surfactants. These are generally understood to mean those compounds which have two hydrophilic groups and two hydrophobic groups per molecule. These groups are generally separated from one another by a so-called “spacer”. This spacer is generally a carbon chain which should be long enough that the hydrophilic groups have a sufficient Have a distance so that they can act independently of each other. Such surfactants are generally characterized by an unusually low critical micelle concentration and the ability to greatly reduce the surface tension of the water. In exceptional cases, however, the term gemini surfactants means not only dimeric but also trimeric surfactants.

Suitable gemini surfactants are, for example, sulfated hydroxy mixed ethers according to German patent application DE-A-43 21 022 or dimer alcohol bis and trimeral alcohol tris sulfates and ether sulfates according to international patent application WO-A-96/23768. End group-capped dimeric and trimeric mixed ethers according to German patent application DE-A-195 13 391 are distinguished in particular by their bi- and multifunctionality. The end-capped surfactants mentioned have good wetting properties and are low-foaming, so that they are particularly suitable for use in machine washing or cleaning processes.

Gemini polyhydroxy fatty acid amides or poly polyhydroxy fatty acid amides, as described in international patent applications WO-A-95/1953, WO-A-95/19954 and WO-A-95/19955, can also be used.

Other suitable surfactants are polyhydroxy fatty acid amides of the following formula,

R ⁵

I

R-CO-N- [Z]

in which RCO stands for an aliphatic acyl radical with 6 to 22 carbon atoms, R ⁵ for hydrogen, an alkyl or hydroxyalkyl radical with 1 to 4 carbon atoms and [Z] for a linear or branched polyhydroxyalkyl radical with 3 to 10 carbon atoms and 3 to 10 hydroxyl groups. The polyhydroxy fatty acid amides are known substances which can usually be obtained by reductive amination of a reducing sugar with ammonia, an alkylamine or an alkanolamine and subsequent acylation with a fatty acid, a fatty acid alkyl ester or a fatty acid chloride. The group of polyhydroxy fatty acid amides also includes compounds of the following formula

R ⁶ -0-R ⁷

I

R-CO-N- [Z]

in which R represents a linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl radical having 7 to 12 carbon atoms, R ^{6 represents} a linear, branched or cyclic alkyl radical or an aryl radical having 2 to 8 carbon atoms and R ^{7 represents} a linear, branched or cyclic alkyl radical or represents an aryl radical or an oxyalkyl radical having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, C _1-4 alkyl or phenyl radicals being preferred and [Z] representing a linear polyhydroxyalkyl radical whose alkyl chain is substituted by at least two hydroxyl groups, or alkoxylated, preferably ethoxylated or propoxylated derivatives of this residue.

[Z] is preferably obtained by reductive amination of a reduced sugar, for example glucose, fructose, maltose, lactose, galactose, mannose or xylose. The N-alkoxy- or N-aryloxy-substituted compounds can then, for example according to the teaching of international application WO-A-95/07331, be converted into the desired polyhydroxy fatty acid amides by reaction with fatty acid methyl esters in the presence of an alkoxide as catalyst.

In a further preferred embodiment, the agents according to the invention additionally optionally contain electrolytes. Electrolytes serve to regulate viscosity (viscosity regulator) and can usually be used in amounts of up to 15% by weight, preferably up to 10% by weight, particularly preferably from 0.5 to 8% by weight and in particular from 1 to 6% by weight. %, in each case based on the total agent. A wide number of different salts can be used as electrolytes from the group of inorganic salts. Preferred cations are the alkali and alkaline earth metals, preferred anions are the halides and sulfates. From a production point of view, the use of NaCl, CaCl ₂ or MgCl ₂ in the agents according to the invention is preferred. In order to bring the pH of the agents according to the invention into the desired range, the use of pH adjusting agents can be indicated. All known acids or alkalis can be used here, provided that their use is not prohibited for application-related or ecological reasons or for reasons of consumer protection. The amount of these adjusting agents usually does not exceed 2% by weight of the total formulation.

The agent according to the invention has a pH of 1 to 7, preferably 1.5 to 5 and in particular 2.0 to 3.5.

In addition to smaller amounts of anionic surfactants, the agents according to the invention can optionally contain other customary auxiliaries and additives, in particular from the group of builders, enzymes, bleaching agents, bleach activators, complexing agents, fragrances, perfume carriers, fluorescent agents, dyes, thickeners, foam inhibitors, graying inhibitors, anti-crease agents , antimicrobial agents, germicides, fungicides, antioxidants, antistatic agents, UV absorbers, optical brighteners, anti-redeposition agents, pearlescent agents, color transfer inhibitors, anti-shrink agents, corrosion inhibitors, preservatives, phobing and impregnating agents, hydrotropes and fasteners.

In a preferred embodiment, the agent according to the invention can optionally additionally contain one or more complexing agents.

Complexing agents (INCI chelating agents), also called sequestering agents, are ingredients which can complex and inactivate metal ions in order to prevent their adverse effects on the stability or the appearance of the agents, for example cloudiness. On the one hand, it is important to complex the calcium and magnesium ions of water hardness, which are incompatible with numerous ingredients. The complexation of the ions of heavy metals such as iron or copper delays the oxidative decomposition of the finished agent.

Suitable are, for example, the following complexing agents designated according to INCI, which are described in more detail in the International Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary and Handbook: Aminotrimethylene Phosphonic Acid, Beta-Alanine Diacetic Acid, Calcium Disodium EDTA, Citric Acid, Cyclodextrin, Cyclohexanediamine Tetraacetic Acid, Diammonium Citrate, Diammonium EDTA, Diethylenetriamine Pentamethylene Phosphonic Acid, Dipotassium EDTA, Disodium Azacycloheptane Diphosphonate, Disodium EDTA, Disodium Pyrophosphate, EDTA, Etidronic Acid, Galactaric Acid, Gluconic Acid, Glucuronic Acid, HEDTA, Tripodextrin, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodyl Cyclodyl Cyclodextrin Pentasodium aminotrimethylene phosphonate, pentasodium ethylenediamine tetamethylene phosphonate, pentasodium pentetate, pentasodium triphosphate, pentetic acid, phytic acid, potassium citrate, potassium EDTMP, potassium gluconate, potassium polyphosphate, potassium trisphosphonomethylamine methylene, ribonic acidide, ribonic acidate Citrates, Sodium Diethylenetriamine Pentamethylene Phosphonate, Sodium Dihydroxyethylglycinate, Sodium EDTMP, Sodium Gluceptate, Sodium Gluconate, Sodium Glycereth-1 Polyphosphate, Sodium Hexametaphosphate, Sodium Metaphosphate, Sodium Metasilicate, Sodium Phytate, Sodium Polydolsethyl ulfonate, sodium trimetaphosphates, TEA-EDTA, TEA-polyphosphates, tetrahydroxyethyl Ethylenediamine, Tetrahydroxypropyl Ethylenediamine, Tetrapotassium Etidronate, Tetrapotassium Pyrophosphate, Tetrasodium EDTA, Tetrasodium etidronate, Tetrasodium Pyrophosphate, tripotassium EDTA, trisodium dicarboxymethyl alaninates, Trisodium EDTA, Trisodium HEDTA , Trisodium NTA and Trisodium Phosphate.

Preferred complexing agents are tertiary amines, especially tertiary alkanolamines (amino alcohols). The alkanolamines have both amino and hydroxyl and / or ether groups as functional groups. Particularly preferred tertiary alkanolamines are triethanolamine and tetra-2-hydroxypropylethylenediamine (N, N, N ', N'-tetrakis (2-hydroxypropyl) ethylenediamine).

A particularly preferred complexing agent is etidronic acid (1-hydroxyethylidene-1,1-diphosphonic acid, 1-hydroxyethyan-1,1-diphosphonic acid, HEDP, acetophosphonic acid, INCI etidronic acid) including its salts. In a preferred embodiment, the agent according to the invention accordingly contains etidronic acid and / or one or more of its salts as complexing agents.

In a particular embodiment, the agent produced according to the invention can be a complexing agent combination of one or more tertiary amines and one or more further combined complexing agents, preferably one or more complexing agent acids or their salts, in particular of triethanolamine and / or tetra-2-hydroxy- propylethylenediamine and etidronic acid and / or one or more of their salts.

The agent optionally contains complexing agents in an amount of usually 0 to 20% by weight, preferably 0.1 to 15% by weight, in particular 0.5 to 10% by weight, particularly preferably 1 to 8% by weight, most preferably 1, 5 to 6 wt .-%, for example 1, 5, 2.1, 3 or 4.2 wt .-% contain.

In a further embodiment, the agent optionally contains one or more thickeners.

The viscosity of the optionally liquid agents can be measured using customary standard methods (for example Brookfield RVD-VII viscometer at 20 rpm and 20 ° C., spindle 3) and is preferably in the range from 10 to 5000 mPas. Preferred liquid to gel form agents have viscosities of 20 to 4000 mPas, values between 40 and 2000 mPas being particularly preferred.

Suitable thickeners are inorganic or polymeric organic compounds. Mixtures of several thickeners can also be used.

The inorganic thickeners include, for example, polysilicic acids, clay minerals such as montmorillonites, zeolites, silicas, aluminum silicates, layered silicates and bentonite.

The organic thickeners, which can also act as a stabilizer at the same time, come from the groups of natural polymers, modified natural polymers and fully synthetic polymers.

Polymers derived from nature that are used as thickeners are, for example, xanthan, agar-agar, carrageenan, tragacanth, gum arabic, alginates, pectins, polyoses, guar flour, gellan gum, locust bean gum, starch, dextrins, gelatin and casein ,

Modified natural products mainly come from the group of modified starches and celluloses, examples include carboxymethyl cellulose and other cellulose ethers, Hydroxyethyl and propyl cellulose, highly etherified methyl hydroxyethyl cellulose as well as corn flour ether.

A large group of thickeners which are widely used in a wide variety of fields of application are the fully synthetic polymers such as polyacrylic and polymethacrylic compounds, which can be crosslinked or uncrosslinked and, if appropriate, cationically modified, vinyl polymers, polycarboxylic acids, polyethers, activated polyamide derivatives, castor oil derivatives , Polyimines, polyamides and polyurethanes. Examples of such polymers are acrylic resins, ethyl acrylate-acrylamide copolymers, acrylic acid ester-methacrylic acid ester copolymers, ethyl acrylate-acrylic acid-methacrylic acid copolymers, N-methylol methacrylamide, maleic anhydride-methyl vinyl ether copolymers, polyether-polyol copolymers and butadiene -styrene copolymers.

Other suitable thickeners are derivatives of organic acids and their alkoxide adducts, for example aryl polyglycol ethers, carboxylated nonylphenol ethoxylate derivatives, sodium alginate, diglycerol monoisostearate, nonionic ethylene oxide adducts, coconut fatty acid diethanolamide, isododecenylsuccinic anhydride

Thickeners from the substance classes mentioned are commercially available and are sold, for example, under the trade names Acusol®-820 (methacrylic acid (stearyl alcohol-20-EO) ester-acrylic acid copolymer, 30% strength in water, Rohm & Haas), Dapral®-GT -282-S (alkyl polyglycol ether, Akzo), Deuterol®-Polymer-11 (dicarboxylic acid copolymer, Schönes GmbH), Deuteron®-XG (anionic heteropolysaccharide based on ß-D-glucose, D-manose, D-glucuronic acid , Schönes GmbH), Deuteron®-XN (non-ionic polysaccharide, Schönes GmbH), Dicrylan®-Thickener-0 (ethylene oxide adduct, 50% in water / isopropanol, Pfersse Chemie), EMAΘ-81 and EMA®-91 (ethylene -Maleic anhydride copolymer, Monsanto), thickener-QR-1001 (polyurethane emulsion, 19-21% in water / diglycol ether, Rohm & Haas), Mirox®-AM (anionic acrylic acid-acrylic acid ester copolymer dispersion, 25% in Wasser, Stockhausen), SER-AD-FX-1100 (hydrophobic urethane polymer, Servo Delden), Shellflo®-S (high-molecular polysaccharide, with fo rmaldehyde stabilized, Shell), Shellflo®-XA (xanthan bio-polymer, stabilized with formaldehyde, Shell), Kelzan, Keltrol T (Kelco). In a further preferred embodiment, the agent optionally contains one or more enzymes.

Particularly suitable enzymes are those from the classes of hydrolases such as proteases, esterases, lipases or lipolytically active enzymes, amylases, cellulases or other glycosyl hydrolases and mixtures of the enzymes mentioned. All these hydrolases help to remove stains such as protein, fat or starchy stains and graying in the laundry. Cellulases and other glycosyl hydrolases can also help to retain color and increase the softness of the textile by removing pilling and microfibrils. Oxireductases can also be used to bleach or inhibit the transfer of color. Enzymes obtained from bacterial strains or fungi such as Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus licheniformis, Streptomyceus griseus and Humicola insolens are particularly suitable. Proteases of the subtilisin type and in particular proteases which are obtained from Bacillus lentus are preferably used. Enzyme mixtures, for example, from protease and amylase or protease and lipase or lipolytically active enzymes or protease and cellulase or from cellulase and lipase or lipolytically active enzymes or from protease, amylase and lipase or lipolytically active enzymes or protease, lipase or lipolytically active enzymes and cellulase, but in particular protease and / or lipase-containing mixtures or mixtures with lipolytically active enzymes of particular interest. Known cutinases are examples of such lipolytically active enzymes. Peroxidases or oxidases have also proven to be suitable in some cases. Suitable amylases include in particular α-amylases, iso-amylases, pullulanases and pectinases. Cellobiohydrolases, endoglucanases and β-glucosidases, which are also called cellobiases, or mixtures thereof, are preferably used as cellulases. Since different cellulase types differ in their CMCase and avicelase activities, the desired activities can be set by targeted mixtures of the cellulases.

Enzymes are advantageously added after the homogenization step in order to avoid destruction of the enzyme activity due to the high mechanical load on the homogenization process. It is important here that the enzymes and enzyme particles are available in sizes that do not impair the translucent and clear appearance of the fabric softener formulations. The enzymes can be adsorbed or coated as a shaped body on carriers in order to protect them against premature decomposition. The proportion of the enzymes, enzyme mixtures or enzyme granules can be, for example, approximately 0.1 to 5% by weight, preferably 0.12 to approximately 2% by weight.

The agents can optionally contain bleaching agents. Among the compounds which serve as bleaching agents and supply H ₂ 0 ₂ in water, sodium percarbonate, sodium perborate tetrahydrate and sodium perborate monohydrate are of particular importance. Further usable bleaching agents are, for example, peroxopyrophosphates, citrate perhydrates and H ₂ 0 ₂ -supplying peracidic salts or peracids, such as persulfates or persulfuric acid. The urea peroxohydrate percarbamide can also be used, which can be described by the formula H ₂ N-CO-NH ₂ H ₂ 0 ₂ . In particular when using the agents for cleaning hard surfaces, for example in automatic dishwashing, they can, if desired, also contain bleaching agents from the group of organic bleaching agents, although their use is in principle also possible for agents for textile washing. Typical organic bleaching agents are the diacyl peroxides, such as dibenzoyl peroxide. Other typical organic bleaching agents are peroxy acids, examples of which include alkyl peroxy acids and aryl peroxy acids. Preferred representatives are peroxybenzoic acid and its ring-substituted derivatives, such as alkylperoxybenzoic acids, but also peroxy-α-naphthoic acid and magnesium monoperphthalate, the aliphatic or substituted aliphatic peroxyacids, such as peroxylauric acid, peroxystearic acid, ε-phthalimidoperoxycaproic acid, phamidimoxoxycarboxyhexanoic acid, phanoimidoxycaproic acid, phamidimidoxycarboxyacid, N-non-enylamidoperadipic acid and N-nonenylamidopersuccinate, and aliphatic and araliphatic peroxydicarboxylic acids, such as 1, 12-diperoxycarboxylic acid, 1, 9-diperoxyazelaic acid, diperoxysebacic acid, diperoxybrassyl acid, the diperoxybutanoic acids, 1-4-deciperoxyacid diacid, N, N-terephthaloyl-di (6-aminopercaproic acid) can be used.

The bleaches can be coated to protect them against premature decomposition. The optional addition of bleaching agents is advantageously carried out after the homogenization step in order to avoid destruction of the bleaching agent activity due to the high mechanical load on the homogenization process. In a preferred embodiment, the composition optionally contains one or more perfumes in an amount of usually up to 10% by weight, preferably 0.01 to 5% by weight, in particular 0.05 to 3% by weight, particularly preferably 0, 1 to 2% by weight, most preferably 0.2 to 1.8% by weight.

As perfume oils or fragrances, individual fragrance compounds, e.g. the synthetic products of the ester, ether, aldehyde, ketone, alcohol and hydrocarbon type are used. Fragrance compounds of the ester type are e.g. Benzyl acetate, phenoxyethyl isobutyrate, p-tert-butylcyclohexyl acetate, linalyl acetate, dimethylbenzylcarbyl acetate, phenylethyl acetate, linalylbenzoate, benzyl formate, ethylmethylphenylglycinate, allylcyclohexylpropionate, styrallyl propylate and styrallyl propylate. The ethers include, for example, benzyl ethyl ether, the aldehydes e.g. the linear alkanals with 8-18 C atoms, citral, citronellal, citronellyloxyacetaldehyde, cyclamenaldehyde, hydroxycitronellal, lilial and bourgeonal, to the ketones e.g. the jonones, oc-isomethylionone and methyl cedryl ketone, the alcohols anethole, citronellol, eugenol, geraniol, linalool, phenylethyl alcohol and terpineol, the hydrocarbons mainly include the terpenes such as limonene and pinene. However, preference is given to using mixtures of different fragrances which together produce an appealing fragrance. Such perfume oils can also contain natural fragrance mixtures as are available from plant sources, e.g. Pine, citrus, jasmine, patchouly, rose or ylang-ylang oil. Also suitable are muscatel, sage oil, chamomile oil, clove oil, lemon balm oil, mint oil, cinnamon leaf oil, linden blossom oil, juniper berry oil, vetiver oil, olibanum oil, galbanum oil and labdanum oil as well as orange blossom oil, neroliol, orange peel oil and sandalwood oil.

Dyes can optionally be used in the agent according to the invention, the amount of one or more dyes being so small that the clear and translucent character of the agent is retained after the agent has been used. However, the agent according to the invention is preferably free from dyes.

Furthermore, the agent according to the invention can optionally contain one or more antimicrobial agents or preservatives in an amount of usually 0.0001 up to 3% by weight, preferably 0.0001 to 2% by weight, in particular 0.0002 to 1% by weight, particularly preferably 0.0002 to 0.2% by weight, extremely preferably 0.0003 to 0 , 1% by weight.

Depending on the antimicrobial spectrum and mechanism of action, antimicrobial agents or preservatives are differentiated between bacteriostatics and bactericides, fungistatics and fungicides etc. Important substances from these groups are, for example, benzalkonium chlorides, alkylarylsulfonates, halophenols and phenol mercuric acetate. In the context of the teaching according to the invention, the terms antimicrobial activity and antimicrobial active substance have the customary meaning, as used, for example, by KH Wallhäußer in "Practice of Sterilization, Disinfection - Preservation: Germ Identification - Industrial Hygiene" (5th ed. - Stuttgart; New York: Thieme, 1995 Suitable antimicrobial agents are preferably selected from the groups of alcohols, amines, aldehydes, antimicrobial acids or their salts, carboxylic acid esters, acid amides, phenols, phenol derivatives, diphenyls, diphenylalkanes , Urea derivatives, oxygen, nitrogen acetals and formals, benzamidines, isothiazolines, phthalimide derivatives, pyridine derivatives, antimicrobial surface-active compounds, guanidines, antimicrobial amphoteric compounds, quinolines, 1, 2-dibromo-2,4-dicyanoobutane, iodo-2 propyl butyl carbamate, Iodine, iodophores, peroxo compounds, halogen compounds and any mixtures of the above.

The antimicrobial active ingredient can be selected from ethanol, n-propanol, i-propanol, 1,3-butanediol, phenoxyethanol, 1,2-propylene glycol, glycerol, undecylenic acid, benzoic acid, salicylic acid, dihydracetic acid, o-phenylphenol, N- Methylmorpholine acetonitrile (MMA), 2-benzyl-4-chlorophenol, 2,2'-methylene-bis- (6-bromo-4-chlorophenol), 4,4'-di-chloro-2'-hydroxydiphenyl ether ( Dichlosan), 2,4,4'-trichloro-2'-hydroxydiphenyl ether (trichlosan), chlorhexidine, N- (4-chlorophenyl) -N- (3,4-dichlorophenyl) urea, N, N '- ( 1,10-decan-diyldi-1-pyridinyl-4-ylidene) bis (1-octanamine) dihydrochloride, N, N'-bis (4-chlorophenyl) -3,12-diimino-2, 4,11, 13-tetraaza-tetradecanediimidamide, glucoprotamines, antimicrobial surface-active quaternary compounds, guanidines including the bi- and polyguanidines, such as, for example, 1,6-bis (2-ethylhexyl-biguanido-hexane) dihydrochloride,

N,, N imethyldiguanido-Ns, N ₅ ') -hexane-dihydrochloride, 1, 6-di- (N ₁ , N ^ -o-chlorophenyldiguanidido-N ₅ , N ₅ ') -hexane-dihydrochloride, 1. e-DHN ^ N ^ .e dichlorophenyldiguanido-Ns.Ns') - hexane-dihydrochloride, 1, 6-di- [N ₁ , N ₁ '-beta- (p-methoxyphenyl) diguanido-N ₅ , N ₅ '] -hexane-di-hydrochloride, 1, 6-di- (N ₁ , N ₁ '-alpha-methyl-.beta.-phenyldiguanido-N _s , N ₅ ') -hexane-dihydrochloride, 1, 6-Di- (N ₁ , N ₁ '-p-nitrophenyldiguanido-N ₅ , N ₅ ') hexane dihydrochloride, omega: omega-di- (N ₁ , N ₁ ' -phenyldiguanido-N ₅ , N ₅ ') -di-n-propylether dihydrochloride, omega: omega'-di-

2,4-dichlorophenyldiguanido-N ₅ , N ₅ ') hexane-tetrahydrochloride, l ^ -DKN ^ N ^ -p-methylphenyldiguanido-N ₅ , N ₅ ') hexane-dihydrochloride, 1.e-Di ^ N _L N ^^. Δ-trichlorophenyldiguanido-N ₅ , N ₅ ') hexane-tetrahydrochloride, 1, 6-di- [N ₁ , N ₁ ' -alpha- (p-chlorophenyl) ethyldiguanido-N ₅ , N ₅ '] hexane -dihydrochloride, omega: omega-di- (N ₁ , N ₁ '-p-chlorophenyldiguanido-N ₅ , N ₅ ') m- xylene-dihydrochloride, l. ^ - DKN _L N ^ -p-chlorophenyldiguanido-Ns.Ns ') dodecane-dihydrochloride, I .IO-DHN _L N ^ -phenyldiguanido-N ₅ , N ₅ ') -decane-tetrahydrochloride, 1, 12-DHN _L N / - phenyldiguanido-N ₅ , N _S ') dodecane -tetrahydrochloride, 1, 6-di- (N ₁ , N ₁ '-o-chlorophenyldiguanido- N ₅ , N ₅ ') hexane-dihydrochloride, 1, 6-di- (N ₁ , N ₁ '-o- chlorophenyldiguanido-N _S , N ₅ ') hexane-tetrahydrochloride, ethylene bis (1-tolyl biguanide), ethylene bis (p-tolyl biguanide), ethylene bis (3,5-dimethylphenyl biguanide), ethylene bis - (p-tert-amylphenyl biguanide), ethylene bis (nonylphenyl biguanide), ethylene bis (phenyl biguanide), ethylene bis ( N-butylphenyl biguanide), ethylene bis (2,5-diethoxyphenyl biguanide), ethylene bis (2,4-dimethylphenyl biguanide), ethylene bis (o-diphenyl biguanide), ethylene bis (mixed amyl naphthyl biguanide), N- Butyl ethylene bis (phenyl biguanide), trimethylene bis (o-tolyl biguanide), N-butyl trimethyl bis (phenyl biguanide) and the corresponding salts such as acetates, gluconates, hydrochlorides, hydrobromides, citrates, bisulfites, fluorides , Polymaleate, N-Cocosalkylsarcosinate, Phosphite, Hypophosphite, Perfluorooctanoate, Silicate, Sorbate, Salicylate, Maleate, Tartrate, Fumarate, Ethylenediamine Tetraacetate, Iminodiacetate, Cinnamate, Thiocyanate, Arginate, Pyromellate, Mixture Phosphate, Tetracarboxate, Mixtures , Halogenated xylene and cresol derivatives, such as p-chlorometacresol or p-chloro-meta-xylene, and natural antimicrobial active ingredients of vegetable origin (for example from spices or herbs), animal and microbial origin are also suitable. Preferably antimicrobial surface-active quaternary compounds, a natural antimicrobial active ingredient of plant origin and / or a natural antimicrobial active ingredient of animal origin, extremely preferably at least one natural antimicrobial active ingredient of plant origin from the group comprising caffeine, theobromine and theophylline and essential oils such as eugenol, thymol and geraniol, and / or at least one natural anti Microbial active ingredient of animal origin from the group comprising enzymes such as protein from milk, lysozyme and lactoperoxidase, and / or at least one antimicrobial surface-active quaternary compound with an ammonium, sulfonium, phosphonium, iodonium or arsonium group, peroxo compounds and chlorine compounds , Substances of microbial origin, so-called bacteriocins, can also be used. Glycine, glycine derivatives, formaldehyde, compounds which readily release formaldehyde, formic acid and peroxides are preferably used.

When using the conditioning agent according to the invention as an impregnating liquid for the conditioning substrates according to the invention, dehydrazetic acid and glycolic acid are particularly suitable.

The quaternary ammonium compounds (QAV) suitable as antimicrobial active ingredients have the general formula (R ¹ ) (R ² ) (R ³ ) (R ⁴ ) N ⁺ X ^" , in which R ¹ to R ^{4 are} identical or different C ₁ -C ₂₂ -alkyl radicals, C ₇ -C ₂₈ -aralkyl radicals or heterocyclic radicals, where two or, in the case of an aromatic bond, as in pyridine, even three radicals together with the nitrogen atom form the heterocycle, for example a pyridinium or imidazoline compound, and X ^" Halide ions, sulfate ions, hydroxide ions or similar anions. For an optimal antimicrobial effect, at least one of the residues preferably has a chain length of 8 to 18, in particular 12 to 16, carbon atoms.

QAV are by reacting tertiary amines with alkylating agents such as Methyl chloride, benzyl chloride, dimethyl sulfate, dodecyl bromide, but also ethylene oxide can be produced. The alkylation of tertiary amines with a long alkyl radical and two methyl groups is particularly easy, and the quaternization of tertiary amines with two long radicals and one methyl group can also be carried out using methyl chloride under mild conditions. Amines which have three long alkyl radicals or hydroxy-substituted alkyl radicals are not very reactive and are preferably quaternized with dimethyl sulfate.

Suitable QAC are, for example, benzalkonium chloride (N-alkyl-N, N-dimethyl-benzylammonium chloride, CAS No. 8001-54-5), benzalkon B (m, p-dichlorobenzyl-dimethyl-C12-al- kylammonium chloride, CAS No. 58390-78-6), benzoxonium chloride (benzyl-dodecyl-bis (2-hydroxyethyl) ammonium chloride), cetrimonium bromide (N-hexadecyl-N, N-trimethyl-ammonium bromide, CAS No. 57-09-0 ), Benzetonium chloride (N, N-dimethyl-N- [2- [2- [p- (1, 1, 3,3-tetramethylbutyl) phenoxy] ethoxy] ethyl] benzylammonium chloride, CAS No. 121-54 -0), dialkyldimethylammonium chloride such as di-π-decyl-dimethyl-ammonium chloride (CAS No. 7173-51-5-5), didecyldi-methylammonium bromide (CAS No. 2390-68-3), dioctyl-dimethyl-ammoniumchloric, 1-cetylpyridinium chloride (CAS No. 123-03-5) and thiazoline iodide (CAS No. 15764-48-1) and their mixtures. Particularly preferred QAC are the benzalkonium chlorides with C ₈ -C ₁₈ alkyl radicals, in particular C ₁₂ -C ₁₄ alkyllyl-benzyl-dimethyl-ammonium chloride.

Benzalkonium halides and / or substituted benzalkonium halides are for example commercially available as Barquat ^® ex Lonza, Marquat® ^® ex Mason, Variquat ^® ex Witco / Sherex and Hyamine ^® ex Lonza and as Bardac ^® ex Lonza. Other commercially available antimicrobial agents are N- (3-chloroallyl) hexaminium chloride such as Dowicide ^® and Dowicil ^® ex Dow, benzethonium chloride such as Hyamine ^® 1622 ex Rohm & Haas, methylbenzethonium chloride such as Hyamine ^® 10X ex Rohm & Haas, cetylpyridinium chloride such as cepacol chloride ex Merrell Labs.

The agents can furthermore optionally contain UV absorbers, which absorb onto the treated textiles and improve the lightfastness of the fibers and / or the lightfastness of the other formulation components. UV absorbers are understood to mean organic substances (light protection filters) which are able to absorb ultraviolet rays and release the absorbed energy in the form of longer-wave radiation, for example heat. Compounds which have these desired properties are, for example, the compounds and derivatives of benzophenone which are active by radiationless deactivation and have substituents in the 2- and / or 4- position. Substituted benzotriazoles, such as water-soluble benzenesulfonic acid 3- (2H-benzotriazol-2-yl) -4-hydroxy-5- (methylpropyl) mononitrate salt (Cibafast ^® H), are also phenyl-substituted acrylates ( Cinnamic acid derivatives), optionally with cyano groups in the 2-position, salicylates, organic Ni complexes and natural substances such as umbelliferone and the body's own urocanoic acid. Special Biphenyl and, above all, stilbene derivatives described, for example in EP 0728749 A and are available as Tinosorb FD ^® ^® or Tinosorb FR ex Ciba commercially. 3-Benzylidene camphor or 3-benzylidene norcampher and its derivatives, for example 3- (4-methylbenzylidene) camphor, are to be mentioned as UV-B absorbers, as described in EP 0 693 471 B1; 4-aminobenzoic acid derivatives, preferably 2-ethylhexyl 4- (dimethylamino) benzoate, 2-octyl 4- (dimethylamino) benzoate and amyl 4- (dimethylamino) benzoate; Esters of cinnamic acid, preferably 2-ethylhexyl 4-methoxycinnamate, propyl 4-methoxycinnamate, 4-methoxycinnamate, 2-cyano-3,3-phenylcinnamate-2-ethylhexyl (octocrylene); Esters of salicylic acid, preferably salicylic acid 2-ethylhexyl ester, salicylic acid 4-isopropyl benzyl ester, salicylic acid homomethyl ester; Derivatives of benzophenone, preferably 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone, 2-hydroxy-4-methoxy-4'-methylbenzophenone, 2,2'-dihydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone; Esters of benzalmalonic acid, preferably di-2-ethylhexyl 4-methoxybenzmalonate; Triazine derivatives, such as, for example, 2,4,6-trianilino- (p-carbo-2'-ethyl-1'-hexyloxy) -1, 3,5-triazine and octyl triazone, as described in EP 0 818 450 A1 or dioctyl Butamido Triazone (Uvasorb® HEB); Propane-1,3-diones such as 1- (4-tert-butylphenyl) -3- (4'methoxyphenyl) propane-1,3-dione; Ketotricyclo (5.2.1.0) decane derivatives, as described in EP 0 694 521 B1. Also suitable are 2-phenylbenzimidazole-5-sulfonic acid and its alkali, alkaline earth, ammonium, alkylammonium, alkanolammonium and glucammonium salts; Sulfonic acid derivatives of benzophenones, preferably 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone-5-sulfonic acid and their salts; Sulfonic acid derivatives of 3-benzylidene camphor, such as 4- (2-oxo-3-bornylidenemethyl) benzenesulfonic acid and 2-methyl-5- (2-oxo-3-bomylidene) sulfonic acid and their salts. Derivatives of benzoylmethane, such as 1- (4'-tert-butylphenyl) -3- (4'-methoxyphenyl) propane-1,3-dione, 4-tert-butyl, are particularly suitable as typical UV-A filters -4'-methoxydibenzoylmethane (Parsol 1789), 1-phenyl-3- (4'-isopropylphenyl) propane-1,3-dione and enamine compounds, as described in DE 197 12 033 A1 (BASF). The UV-A and UV-B filters can of course also be used in mixtures.

The UV absorbers are usually used in amounts of from 0.01% by weight to 5% by weight, preferably from 0.03% by weight to 1% by weight. The third subject of the invention is the use of the agent according to the invention for the conditioning of textile fabrics in a rinse cycle in a washing process.

For the purposes of this invention, the term conditioning is understood to mean the finishing treatment of textiles, fabrics and fabrics. The conditioning gives the textiles positive properties, such as an improved soft feel, increased gloss and color brilliance, reduction of the creasing behavior and the static charge.

B e i s p i e l e

The formulations E1 to E14 according to the invention (Tables 1 to 3) and the comparison formulation V1 (Table 1) were dispersed using a disperser (Ultraturrax). The raw dispersions of the formulations E1 to E14 were relaxed in a high-pressure homogenizer from Microfluids at 2500 bar.

Table 1:

Composition in% by weight E1 E2 E3 V1

Stepantex VL 90 ^ta] 15.1 15.1 15.1 15.1

Dehydol TA 40 ^Ibl 1, 5 - - -

Oxystearyl alcohol + 73 EO - 0.5 - -

Perfume + + + 0.9

Dye + + + +

Water, fully desalinated ad 100 ad 100 ad 100 ad 100

^[al N-methyl-N (2-hydroxyethyl) -N, N- (ditallowacyloxyethyl) ammonium methosulfate ex Stepan Europe

[b] Taig fatty alcohol + 40 EO

Agents E1 and E3 prepared according to the invention were clear and translucent and stable over a period of 20 days at a temperature of 20 ° C. and showed no signs of cloudiness.

The comparison recipe V1 is cloudy and was not homogenized.

Table 2:

Composition in% by weight E4 E5 E6 E7 E8 E9

Stepantex VL 90 ^{| al} 4.5 4.5 4.5 20.0 20.0 20.0

Dehydol TA 40 ^[b] 0.7 - - 2.0 - -

Oxystearyl alcohol + 73 EO - 0.2 - - 0.7 -

Perfume + + + + + +

Dye + + + + + +

Water, fully desalinated ad 100 ad 100 ad 100 ad 100 ad 100 ad 100

Agents E4 and E9 produced according to the invention were clear and translucent and remained stable for several days.

Table 3:

Composition in% by weight E10 E11 E12 E13 E14

Stepantex VL 90 ^[al 30.0 30.0 30.0 11.0 11.0

Dehydol TA 40 ^[Dl 3.0 - - 20.0

Oxystearyl alcohol + 73 EO - 1, 0

Acusol 882 polymer ¹⁰ '- - - - 3.0

Perfume + + + + +

Dye + + + + +

Water, fully desalinated ad 100 ad 100 ad 100 ad 100 ad 100

^(cl modified polyethylene glycol, in-diethylene glycol monobuyl ether water ex Rohm &

Haas

Agents E10 and E14 prepared according to the invention were clear and translucent and remained stable for several days. The fabric softeners E10 to E12 produced according to the invention can be easily mixed with water to plasticizer component concentrations of 4.5% by weight, 15% by weight and 20% by weight, in each case based on the total Medium, dilute down without loss of translucency, clarity or stability.

Claims

P ate n ta claims

1. Process for the production of a clear and translucent fabric softener by a) providing a raw dispersion or raw emulsion containing a plasticizer component and b) a subsequent homogenization step.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the plasticizer component is cationic surfactants, preferably alkylated quaternary ammonium compounds, of which at least one alkyl chain is interrupted by an ester group and / or amido group, in particular N-methyl-N (2-hydroxyethyl) - N, N- (ditallow-acyloxyethyl) ammonium methosulfate or N-methyl-N (2-hydroxyethyl) -N, N- (dipalmitoyl-ethyl) ammonium methosulfate are present.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the plasticizer component in amounts of up to 50 wt .-%, preferably from 0.1 to 45 wt .-%, particularly preferably from 2 to 40 wt .-%, extremely preferably from 3 to 30% by weight and in particular from 5 to 20% by weight, in each case based on the total crude emulsion or crude dispersion.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a) is present as an aqueous raw dispersion or raw emulsion.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that a) is in the form of an aqueous crude dispersion containing less than 10% by weight, preferably less than 5% by weight, of organic solvents and in particular free of organic solvents.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the homogenization step by an energy input into the raw dispersion or raw emulsion from 1x10 ⁵ to 3x10 ⁶ kJ / m ³ , preferably from 7x10 ⁵ to 2.5x10 ⁶ kJ / m ³ a period of about 10 ^"7 s to 1 s, preferably 10 ^{" 6} s to 10 ^"1 s and in particular from 10 ^'5 s to 10 ^{" 2} s.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the

Homogenization step is carried out by a high pressure homogenizer.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that the homogenization is carried out at a pressure of 10 to 5000 bar, particularly preferably from 50 to 4000 bar, most preferably from 100 to 3000 bar and in particular from 700 to 2500 bar.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that in addition a stabilizer is added to the raw dispersion or raw emulsion.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that the stabilizer is nonionic surfactants or organic thickeners, preferably fatty alcohols with a degree of ethoxylation of greater than 20 EO.

11. The method according to any one of claims 8 or 9, characterized in that the stabilizer in amounts up to 50 wt .-%, preferably from 0.1 to 25 wt .-%, particularly preferably from 0.1 to 10 wt .-% % and in particular from 0.1 to 3% by weight, based in each case on the total fabric softener.

12. Clear and translucent fabric softener, obtainable by a process according to one of claims 1 to 11.

13. Composition according to claim 12, characterized in that it is present as a dispersion, preferably with an average particle size of less than 1 Dm, particularly preferably less than 700 nm, most preferably less than 400 nm and in particular less than 200 nm.

14. Agent according to one of claims 12 or 13, characterized in that it is essentially free of organic solvents.

15. Composition according to one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that there is a stabilizer in amounts up to 50 wt .-%, preferably from 0.1 to 25 wt .-%, particularly preferably from 0.1 to 10 wt. -% and in particular from 0.1 to 3 wt .-%, each based on the total fabric softener.

6. Use of an agent according to one of claims 12 to 15 for the conditioning of textile fabrics in a rinse cycle in a washing process.