WO2025202060A1

WO2025202060A1 - Laundry composition

Info

Publication number: WO2025202060A1
Application number: PCT/EP2025/057790
Authority: WO
Inventors: Christopher Boardman; Matthew Charles HERBISON; Daniel Mcmahon; Kallum MISTRY
Original assignee: Unilever Global IP Ltd; Unilever IP Holdings BV; Conopco Inc
Current assignee: Unilever Global IP Ltd; Unilever IP Holdings BV; Conopco Inc
Priority date: 2024-03-28
Filing date: 2025-03-21
Publication date: 2025-10-02
Anticipated expiration: 2026-09-28

Abstract

The present invention relates to fabric conditioner compositions. Fabric conditioner compositions comprise micelles. Micelle size is important for the delivery of benefit agents. It has been found that the inclusion of a glucamide surfactant reduces the average micelle size in a fabric conditioner composition.

Description

LAUNDRY COMPOSITION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to fabric conditioner composition.

Background of the Invention

Fabric conditioner compositions commonly comprise micelles. These are formed by the cationic quaternary ammonium compounds used as fabric softening actives, and form around any hydrophobic materials in the composition such as perfume oils.

There is a desire to reduce the size of micelles, thereby increasing the surface area and improving the even deposition of the benefit agents contained in the micelles.

Summary of the Invention

It has been found that the inclusion of an amide containing surfactant in a fabric conditioner reduces micelle size, thereby improving the overall deposition.

In a first aspect of the present invention is provided a fabric conditioner composition comprising: a. 1 to 30 wt.% ester-linked quaternary ammonium compound; b. 0.05 to 6 wt.% amide surfactant; and c. 0.1 to 20 wt.% perfume;

Wherein the composition comprises micelles having an average diameter of 4 to 10 nm.

In a further aspect is provided a method of reducing micelle size in a fabric conditioner composition comprising an ester linked quaternary ammonium compound, by including an amide surfactant according to any preceding claim.

Detailed Description of the Invention

These and other aspects, features and advantages will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from a reading of the following detailed description and the appended claims. For the avoidance of doubt, any feature of one aspect of the present invention may be utilised in any other aspect of the invention. The word “comprising” is intended to mean “including” but not necessarily “consisting of” or “composed of.” In other words, the listed steps or options need not be exhaustive. It is noted that the examples given in the description below are intended to clarify the invention and are not intended to limit the invention to those examples per se. Similarly, all percentages are weight/weight percentages unless otherwise indicated. Except in the operating and comparative examples, or where otherwise explicitly indicated, all numbers in this description indicating amounts of material or conditions of reaction, physical properties of materials and/or use are to be understood as modified by the word “about”. Numerical ranges expressed in the format "from x to y" are understood to include x and y. When for a specific feature multiple preferred ranges are described in the format "from x to y", it is understood that all ranges combining the different endpoints are also contemplated.

The compositions described herein comprises micelles having an average diameter of 4 to 10 nm. More preferably the average diameter is 6 to 10 nm, most preferably 7 to 9 nm. The average diameter is calculated as the mean.

Micelle diameter can be measured using dynamic light scattering, measured at room temperature. Particularly suitable is the Mastersizer 3000 ex. Mavlern Panalytical, measured at room temperature, using 1 ml of sample.

The compositions described herein comprise 1.5 to 20 wt.% ester-linked quaternary ammonium compound, most preferably 2 to 15 wt.% ester-linked quaternary ammonium compound by weight of the composition.

The ester linked quaternary ammonium compound preferably comprises at least one chain derived from fatty acids, more preferably at least two chains derived from a fatty acid. Preferably the fatty acids are defined as aliphatic monocarboxylic acids having a chain of 4 to 28 carbons. Fatty acids may be derived from various sources such as tallow or plant sources (e.g. palm oil). Preferably the fatty acid chains are derived from plants. Preferably the fatty acid chains of the ester linked quaternary ammonium compound comprise from 10 to 50 wt. % of saturated C18 chains and from 5 to 40 wt. % of monounsaturated C18 chains by weight of total fatty acid chains. In a further preferred embodiment, the fatty acid chains of the ester linked quaternary ammonium compound comprise from 20 to 40 wt. %, preferably from 25 to 35 wt. % of saturated C18 chains and from 10 to 35 wt. %, preferably from 15 to 30 wt. % of monounsaturated C18 chains, by weight of total fatty acid chains.

Particularly preferred materials are ester-linked triethanolamine (TEA) quaternary ammonium compounds comprising a mixture of mono-, di- and tri-ester linked components. A first group of ester linked quaternary ammonium compounds suitable for use in compositions described herein are represented by formula (I): wherein each R is independently selected from a C5 to C35 alkyl or alkenyl group; R¹ represents a C1 to C4 alkyl, C2 to C4 alkenyl or a C1 to C4 hydroxyalkyl group; T may be either O-CO. (i.e. an ester group bound to R via its carbon atom), or may alternatively be CO-O (i.e. an ester group bound to R via its oxygen atom); n is a number selected from 1 to 4; m is a number selected from 1, 2, or 3; and X- is an anionic counter-ion, such as a halide or alkyl sulphate, e.g. chloride or methylsulfate. Di-esters variants of formula I (i.e., m = 2) are preferred and typically have mono- and tri-ester analogues associated with them. Such materials are particularly suitable for use in the present invention.

A second group of ester linked quaternary ammonium compounds suitable for use in the compositions described herein are represented by formula (II):

(R^NHCH -CH-TR^ X- (II) wherein each R¹ group is independently selected from C1 to C4 alkyl, hydroxyalkyl or C2 to C4 alkenyl groups; and wherein each R² group is independently selected from C8 to C28 alkyl or alkenyl groups; and wherein n, T, and X- are as defined above.

Preferred materials of this second group include 1,2 bis[tallowoyloxy]-3- trimethylammonium propane chloride, 1 ,2 bis[hardened tallowoyloxy]-3- trimethylammonium propane chloride, 1 ,2- bis[oleoyloxy]-3-trimethylammonium propane chloride, and 1,2 bis[stearoyloxy]-3- trimethylammonium propane chloride. Such materials are described in US 4, 137,180 (Lever Brothers). Preferably, these materials also comprise an amount of the corresponding monoester.

A third group of ester linked quaternary ammonium compounds suitable for use in the compositions described herein are represented by formula (III): (R' -N'-[(CH _r’T-R'l. X' (III) wherein each R¹ group is independently selected from C1 to C4 alkyl, or C2 to C4 alkenyl groups; and wherein each R² group is independently selected from C8 to C28 alkyl or alkenyl groups; and n, T, and X- are as defined above. Preferred materials of this third group include bis(2-tallowoyloxyethyl)dimethyl ammonium chloride, partially hardened and hardened versions thereof.

A fourth group of ester linked quaternary ammonium compounds are represented the by the formula (IV):

A fifth group of ester linked quaternary ammonium compounds suitable for use in the invention are represented by formula (V)

Ri and R2 are independently selected from C10 to C22 alkyl or alkenyl groups, preferably C14 to C20 alkyl or alkenyl groups. X- is as defined above.

A sixth group of ester linked quaternary ammonium compounds suitable for use in the present compositions are compounds obtained by reacting: i) a mixture of at least one dicarboxylic acid of formula (VI) Formula (VI) wherein X represents a saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon residue having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, and at least one monocarboxylic acid of formula (VII) Formula (VII) wherein R1 represents a saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon residue having 5 to 21 carbon atoms, with ii) at least one tertiary amine of formula (VIII) Formula (VIII) wherein R², R³, and R⁴ independently represent a C2 to Ce hydroxyalkyl group, preferably 2-hydroxyethyl, and then reacting the resulting product with iii) at least one quaternizing agent for quaternizing at least one amino group contained in the reaction product.

In the dicarboxylic acid of formula (VI), X preferably represents a group having 2 to 8 carbons, X preferably represents a hydroxy-substituted linear or branched alkyl or alkylene. More preferably, X represents ethan-1 ,2-diyl, propan-1 , 2-diyl, propan-1 , 3-diyl, butan-1 ,4-diyl, hexan- 1 ,4-diyl, or cyclohexan-1 ,4-diyl, particularly preferably X represents butan-1 , 4-diyl. Even more preferably the dicarboxylic acid is selected from: succinic acid, maleic acid, glutaric acid, adipic acid and combinations thereof. Most preferably the dicarboxylic acid comprises adipic acid.

In the monocarboxylic acids of formula (VII), R1CO preferably represents an aliphatic, linear, or branched acyl residue having 6 to 22 carbon atoms. Preferably the monocarboxylic acid is selected from caproic acid, caprylic acid, 2-ethylhexanoic acid, capric acid, lauric acid, isotridecanoic acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, palmoleic acid, stearic acid, isostearic acid, oleic acid, elaidic acid, petroselic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, 2-octyldodecanoic acid, eleostearic acid, arachidic acid, gadoleic acid, behenic acid, erucic acid, coconut fatty acid, palm fatty acid, palm kernel fatty acid, tallow fatty acid and combinations thereof. Industrial mixtures thereof which are produced, for example, during the pressurized cleavage of natural fats and oils, during the reduction of aldehydes from the Roelen oxo synthesis, or the dimerization of unsaturated fatty acids may also be used. More preferably the monocarboxylic acid is selected from: Stearic acid, isostearic acid, palmitic acid, myristic acid, lauric acid, capric acid, caprylic acid, 2-ethylhexanoic acid, 2-octyldodecanoic acid, caproic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, and linolenic acid, coconut fatty acid, palm fatty acid, palm kernel fatty acid, tallow fatty acid and combinations thereof.

Preferably the dicarboxylic acid of formula (VI) is selected from: succinic acid, maleic acid, glutaric acid, adipic acid, and combinations thereof and the monocarboxylic acid of formula (II) is selected from: stearic acid, isostearic acid, palmitic acid, myristic acid, lauric acid, capric acid, caprylic acid, 2-ethylhexanoic acid, 2-octyldodecanoic acid, caproic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, partially-hydrogenated coconut fatty acid, palm fatty acid, palm kernel fatty acid, tallow fatty acid and combinations thereof.

The alkanolamines of formula (VIII), preferably contain a hydroxyalkane residue (alkanol residue) having 2 to 6 carbon atoms, preferably 2 to 4 carbon atoms. Preferably the alkanolamines of formula (III) comprises triethanolamine.

The monocarboxylic acids (of formula VII) and the dicarboxylic acids (of formula VI) may be used in the molar ratio of from about 1 :10 to about 10:1. It has, however, proven advantageous to use a molar ratio of from about 1 :1 to about 4:1 and, in particular, from about 1.5:1 to about 3:1.

In an especially preferred embodiment of the sixth type of ester linked quaternary ammonium compounds, is an esterquat compound of formula (IX) wherein,

X is a saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon residue having 1 to 10 carbon atoms preferably butan-1 ,4-diyl

A is a (C2 to C6) alkanediyl group, preferably ethan-1 ,2-diyl

R1 is a (C2 to C4) hydroxyalkyl group or a (C6 to C22) acyloxy (C2 to C4) alkyl group, preferably 2-hydroxyethyl or 2-((C6 to C22) acyloxy)ethyl;

R2 is methyl or ethyl;

R3 and R4-independently are a hydrogen atom or a (C6 to C2) acyl group; n is 1 or 2; and

Z- is an anion, preferably methyl sulphate;

And wherein, at least one of the groups R1, R3, or R4 comprises a (C6 to C22) acyl residue.

The compositions described herein comprise 0.05 to 6 wt.% amide surfactant according to formula (X) given below. More preferably the compositions comprise 0.1 to 4 wt.%, more preferably 0.15 to 2 wt.% amide surfactant by weight of the composition.

An amide surfactant comprises a hydrophobic group and hydrophilic group linked by an amido bond having the formula (X).

R is a fatty acid group. The fatty acid group maybe linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated and preferably comprises 6 to 22 carbons. Preferably the fatty acid is linear. Preferably the fatty acid is unsaturated, more preferably monounsaturated. Preferably the fatty acid group comprises 10 to 20, more preferably 16 to 18 carbon atoms. Preferably the fatty acid group is derived from a plant source.

R' is a linear or branched alkyl group or an aryl group, preferably a linear alkyl group comprising 1 to 6 carbon atoms, more preferably 1 to 4 carbon atoms, most preferably R’ is a methyl group.

R” is preferably an alcohol or polyol group. Preferably R” is a polyol, R” may be any suitable polyol. Preferably the polyol comprises 4 to 8 carbon atoms. More preferably the polyol is a sugar derivative, most preferably a glucose derivative.

Preferably the amide surfactant is a glucamide surfactant. Glucamide surfactants are non- ionic surfactants in which the hydrophilic moiety (an amino-sugar derivative) and the hydrophobic moiety (a fatty acid) are linked via amide bonds.

Preferred glucamides are alkyl glucamide surfactant. More preferred alkyl glucamide surfactants are N-alkyl-N-acylglucamides of the formula (X):

Ra is a linear or branched, preferably linear, Ra is saturated or unsaturated, preferably unsaturated, more preferably monounsatureated, Ra is a hydrocarbyl group having 6 to 22 carbon atoms, more preferably 10 to 20, most preferably 16 to 18 carbon atoms.

In a particularly preferred embodiment Ra is a linear, monounsaturated 16 to 18 carbon.

Rb is a linear or branched alkyl group or an aryl group, preferably a linear alkyl group comprising 1 to 6 carbon atoms, more preferably 1 to 4 carbon atoms, most preferably Rb is a methyl group.

Non-limiting examples of glucamide surfactants are: N-octanoyl-N- methylglucamide, N- nonanoyl-N-methylglucamide, N-decanoyl-N-methylglucamide, N- dodecanoyl-N- methylglucamide, N-cocoyl-N-methylglucamide, (available under the trade name of GlucoPure Foam by from Clariant), N-lauroyl/myristoyl-N-methylglucamide, (available under the trade name of GlucoPure Deg by from Clariant), and N-octanoyl/decanoyl-N- methylglucaminemethylglucamide, (available under the trade name of GlucoPure Wet by Clariant).

The compositions described herein comprise 0.1 to 20 wt.% perfume. Preferably the compositions comprise 0.5 to 15 wt.% perfume and most preferably 1 to 10 wt.% perfume.

Perfume is considered to be any non-encapsulated perfume in the composition.

Particularly preferred perfume components are blooming perfume components and substantive perfume components. Blooming perfume components are defined by a boiling point less than 250°C and a LogP or greater than 2.5. Substantive perfume components are defined by a boiling point greater than 250°C and a LogP greater than 2.5. Boiling point is measured at standard pressure (760 mm Hg). Preferably a perfume composition will comprise a mixture of blooming and substantive perfume components. The perfume composition may comprise other perfume components. It is commonplace for a plurality of perfume components to be present in a free oil perfume composition. In the compositions for use in the present invention it is envisaged that there will be three or more, preferably four or more, more preferably five or more, most preferably six or more different perfume components. An upper limit of 300 perfume components may be applied.

In addition to the perfume, the compositions may comprise perfume microcapsules, in other words encapsulated perfume. The encapsulating materials, preferably comprise, but are not limited to; aminoplasts, proteins, polyvinyl acetates, polyurethanes, polyacrylates, polymethacrylates, polysaccharides, polyamides, polyolefins, gums, silicones, lipids, modified cellulose, polyphosphate, polystyrene, polyesters or combinations thereof. More preferably the encapsulating materials comprise polyvinyl acetate, proteins, polysaccharides or combinations thereof.

The compositions described herein comprise 0.001 to 4 wt.% cationic polymer. The compositions preferably comprise 0.005 to 3 wt.% cationic polymer and more preferably 0.1 to 2 wt.% cationic polymer by weight of the composition.

A cationic polymer may be naturally derived or synthetic. Preferably a cationic polymer is selected from: acrylate polymers, cationic amino resins, cationic urea resins, cationic hydrolysed proteins and cationic polysaccharides and combinations thereof. More preferably the cationic polymer is selected from acrylate polymers, cationic hydrolysed proteins and cationic polysaccharides and combinations thereof. Most preferably a cationic polymer is selected from hydrolysed proteins. Preferably a cationic polymer comprises an amide or amine group which may be quatanised, preferably a quaternary ammonium group.

Cationic polysaccharides are preferably selected from: cationic celluloses, cationic guars and cationic starches.

Polysaccharides are polymers made up from monosaccharide monomers joined together by glycosidic bonds. The cationic polysaccharide-based polymers suitable for use in the present invention have a modified polysaccharide backbone, modified in that additional chemical groups have been reacted with some of the free hydroxyl groups of the polysaccharide backbone to give an overall positive charge to the modified cellulosic monomer unit. A preferred polysaccharide polymer is cationic cellulose. This refers to polymers having a cellulose backbone and an overall positive charge. Cellulose is a polysaccharide with glucose as its monomer, specifically it is a straight chain polymer of D-glucopyranose units linked via beta -1,4 glycosidic bonds and is a linear, non-branched polymer.

A preferred class of cationic cellulose polymers suitable for this invention are those that have a cellulose backbone modified to incorporate a quaternary ammonium salt. Preferably the quaternary ammonium salt is linked to the cellulose backbone by a hydroxyethyl or hydroxypropyl group. Preferably the charged nitrogen of the quaternary ammonium salt has one or more alkyl group substituents.

Examples of suitable cationic cellulose polymers Polyquatemium 10, Polyquatemium 24, cocodimethylammonium hydroxypropyl oxyethyl cellulose, lauryldimethylammonium hydroxypropyl oxyethyl cellulose, stearyldimethylammonium hydroxypropyl oxyethyl cellulose, and stearyldimethylammonium hydroxyethyl cellulose; cellulose 2-hydroxyethyl 2- hydroxy 3- (trimethyl ammonio) propyl ether salt, polyquaternium-4, polyquaternium-10, polyquaternium-24 and polyquaternium-67.

More preferably a cationic cellulosic polymer is a quaternised hydroxy ether cellulose cationic polymer. These are commonly known as polyquaternium-10. Suitable commercial cationic cellulosic polymer products for use according to the present invention are marketed by the Amerchol Corporation under the trade name LICARE.

An alternate cationic polymer may be comprised of structural units, these structural units may be non-ionic, cationic, anionic or mixtures thereof. The polymer may comprise non-cationic structural units, but the polymer must have a net cationic charge.

A cationic polymer may consist of only one type of structural unit, i.e. , the polymer is a homopolymer or may consist of two or more types of structural unit. The structural units, or monomers, may be incorporated in the cationic polymer in a random format or in a block format. The cationic polymer may comprise a nonionic structural units derived from monomers selected from: (meth)acrylamide, vinyl formamide, N, N-dialkyl acrylamide, N, N-dialkylmethacrylamide, C1-C12 alkyl acrylate, C1-C12 hydroxyalkyl acrylate, polyalkylene glyol acrylate, C1-C12 alkyl methacrylate, C1-C12 hydroxyalkyl methacrylate, polyalkylene glycol methacrylate, vinyl acetate, vinyl alcohol, vinyl formamide, vinyl acetamide, vinyl alkyl ether, vinyl pyridine, vinyl pyrrolidone, vinyl imidazole, vinyl caprolactam, and mixtures thereof. A cationic polymer may comprise a cationic structural units derived from monomers selected from: N, N-dialkylaminoalkyl methacrylate, N, N-dialkylaminoalkyl acrylate, N, N- dialkylaminoalkyl acrylamide, N, N-dialkylaminoalkylmethacrylamide, methacylamidoalkyl trialkylammonium salts, acrylamidoalkylltrialkylamminium salts, vinylamine, vinylimine, vinyl imidazole, quaternized vinyl imidazole, diallyl dialkyl ammonium salts, and mixtures thereof. Preferably, the cationic monomer is selected from: diallyl dimethyl ammonium salts (DADMAS), N, N-dimethyl aminoethyl acrylate, N,N-dimethyl aminoethyl methacrylate (DMAM), [2- (methacryloylamino)ethyl]trl-methylammonium salts, N, N-dimethylaminopropyl acrylamide (DMAPA), N, N-dimethylaminopropyl methacrylamide (DMAPMA), acrylamidopropyl trimethyl ammonium salts (APTAS), methacrylamidopropyl trimethylammonium salts (MAPTAS), quaternized vinylimidazole (QVi), and mixtures thereof.

A cationic polymer may comprise an anionic structural units derived from monomers selected from: acrylic acid (AA), methacrylic acid, maleic acid, vinyl sulfonic acid, styrene sulfonic acid, acrylamidopropylmethane sulfonic acid (AMPS) and their salts, and mixtures thereof. Cationic hydrolysed proteins suitable for use in the present invention are proteins which are obtainable by hydrolysis of proteins. Hydrolysis can be achieved by chemical reactions, in particular by alkaline hydrolysis, acid hydrolysis, enzymatic hydrolysis or combinations thereof. For alkaline or acid hydrolysis, methods such as prolonged boiling in a strong acid or strong base may be employed. For enzymatic hydrolysis, all hydrolytic enzymes are suitable, for example alkaline proteases. The production of protein hydrolysates is described, for example, by G. Schuster and A. Domsch in soaps and oils Fette Wachse 108, (1982) 177 and Cosm.Toil, respectively. 99, (1984) 63, by H.W. Steisslinger in Parf.Kosm. 72, (1991) 556 and F. Aurich et al. in Tens.Surf.Det. 29, (1992) 389 appeared.

Examples of suitable synthetic cationic polymers include polyquaternium 37.

A hydrolysed proteins may come from a variety of sources. The proteins may be naturally sourced, e.g., from plants or animal sources, or they may be synthetic proteins. Preferably the protein is a naturally sourced protein or a synthetic equivalent of a naturally sourced protein. A preferred class of proteins are plant proteins, i.e. , proteins obtained from a plant or synthetic equivalents thereof. Preferably the protein is obtained from a plant. Preferred plant sources include nuts, seeds, beans, and grains. Particularly preferred plant sources are grains. Examples of grains include cereal grains (e.g., millet, maize, barley, oats, rice and wheat), pseudoceral grains (e.g., buckwheat and quinoa), pulses (e.g., chickpeas, lentils and soybeans) and oilseeds (e.g. mustard, rapeseed, sunflower seed, hemp seed, poppy seed, flax seed).

Most preferred are cereal grains, in particular wheat proteins or synthetic equivalents to wheat proteins.

It is preferred that the protein hydrolysate is a cationically modified wheat protein hydrolysate. Preferably the hydrolyses protein is a quaternised protein. Preferably the hydrolysed protein contains at least one radical of the formula:

R1-N+(CH3)2-CH2-CH(OH)-CH2 -XR

R1 is an alkyl group having 1 to 30 carbon atoms, an alkenyl group having 1 to 30 carbon atoms, or a hydroxyalkyl group having 1 to 30 carbon atoms. R1 is preferably selected from, a methyl group, a C 10-18 alkyl, or a C 10-13 alkenyl group,

X is O, N or S

R represents the protein residue. The term "protein residue" is to be understood as meaning the backbone of the corresponding protein hydrolyzate formed by the linking of amino acids, to which the cationic group is bound.

The cationization of the protein hydrolysates with the above-described residues can be achieved by reacting the protein hydrolyzates, in particular the reactive groups of the amino acids of the protein hydrolysates, with halides which otherwise correspond to compounds of the above formula (wherein the X-R moiety is replaced by a halogen).

A hydrolysed protein may a be hydrolysed protein-silicone copolymer. The silicone component may be covalently bonded to amino groups of the protein groups. Silicone components may form cross-links between different protein chains. The protein component of a protein-silicone copolymer may represent from 5 to 98% by weight of the copolymer, more preferably from 50 to 90%.

Preferably, the silicone component is organofunctional silane/silicone compounds. The protein- silicone copolymer may be prepared by covalently attaching organofunctional silane/silicone compounds to the protein amino groups to form larger polymer molecules including protein cross-linking. In addition, further polymerisation may occur through condensation of silanol groups, and such further polymerisation increases the amount of cross-linking. The organofunctional silicone compounds used for reaction with the protein component to form the copolymer must contain a functional group capable of reacting with the chain terminal and/or side chain amino groups of the protein. Suitable reactive groups include, for example, acyl halide, sulphonyl halide, anhydride, aldehyde and epoxide groups. The silicone component may be any compound which contains a siloxane group (Si-O-Si) or any silane capable of forming a siloxane in situ by condensation of silanol (Si-OH) groups or any alkoxysilane or halosilane which hydrolyses to form a corresponding silanol and then condenses to form a siloxane group.

Wheat protein hydrolysates are commercially available, for example, from Croda under the trade name ColtideRadiance.

The counterion of a cationic polymer is freely chosen from the halides: chloride, bromide, and iodide; or from hydroxide, phosphate, sulphate, hydrosulphate, ethyl sulphate, methyl sulphate, formate, and acetate.

The molecular weight of a cationic polymer is preferably greater than 20 000 g/mol, more preferably greater than 25 000 g/mol. The molecular weight is preferably less than 2 000 000 g/mol, more preferably less than 1 000 000 g/mol.

The compositions described herein may comprise further ingredients suitable for use in fabric conditioners and known to the person skilled in the art. A non-limiting list of such ingredients include: additional non-ionic surfactats (in addition to the glucamide), fatty acids, fatty esters, solvents, antifoams, anti-malodour ingredients, insect repellents, shading or hueing dyes, preservatives (e.g. bactericides), pH buffering agents, perfume carriers, hydrotropes, antiredeposition agents, soil-release agents, dye transfer inhibitors, polyelectrolytes, anti-shrinking agents, anti-wrinkle agents, anti-oxidants, dyes, colorants, sunscreens, anti-corrosion agents, drape imparting agents, anti-static agents, oils (e.g. plant based oils and mineral oils), plant extracts, waxes, sugar-esters, silicones, sequestrants, ironing aids, pearlisers or opacifiers.

The fabric conditioner composition is preferably in an aqueous form. The compositions preferably comprise at least 75 wt.% water. The compositions may be opaque, translucent or transparent.

The fabric conditioner compositions are preferably used in the rinse stage of the laundry cycle.

The laundry cycle or laundry process may be machine washing or hand washing. In one embodiment is provided a method of reducing micelle size in a fabric conditioner composition comprising an ester linked quaternary ammonium compound, by including an amide surfactant as described herein.

Examples

Table 1: Compositions

Ester linked quaternary ammonium compound¹ - according to formula (I)

Glucamide² - according to formula (X)

The compositions were prepared by the following method: the water heated to a temperature of ~38°C, minors were then added, followed by glucamide (were present). The fabric softening active was heated to ~ 65°C and added into the solution. The mixture was then cooled to ~37°C and the perfume oil and perfume microcapsules were then added. The mixture was then cooled to room temperature.

Micelle size was measured using dynamic light scattering. A Mastersizer 3000 ex. Mavlern Panalytical was used at room temperature, using 1 ml of the sample formulation.

Table 2: results

Claims

1. A fabric conditioner composition comprising: a. 1.5 to 20 wt.% ester-linked quaternary ammonium compound; b. 0.05 to 6 wt.% amide surfactant; and c. 0.1 to 20 wt.% perfume;

Wherein the composition comprises micelles having an average diameter of 4 to 10 nm when measured using dynamic light scattering, and wherein the amide surfactant has the formula (X),

Wherein;

R is a fatty acid group;

R' is a linear or branched alkyl group or an aryl group; and R” is an alcohol or polyol group.

2. A composition according to claim 1, wherein R comprises 6 to 22 carbons.

3. A composition according to claim 1, wherein R’ is a linear alkyl group comprising 1 to 6 carbon atoms.

4. A composition according to claim 1, wherein R” is a polyol comprising 4 to 8 carbon atoms.

5. A composition according to any preceding claim, wherein the amide surfactant is a glucamide surfactant.

6. A composition according to any preceding claim, wherein the composition further comprises a cationic polymer.

7. A method of reducing micelle size in a fabric conditioner composition comprising an ester linked quaternary ammonium compound, by including an amide surfactant according to any preceding claim.