JP2757892B2 - Composition for softening liquid textile products - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a fabric softening composition, and in particular to an aqueous-based fabric softening composition containing one or more amines as active material.

It is known to treat textiles with textile softeners, especially after washing, in order to improve the feel of the textiles and, in the case of clothing, the comfort. Generally, textile softeners are applied as aqueous liquids formed by adding a relatively small amount of a textile softening composition to a large amount of water, for example, during a rinsing cycle in an automatic washing machine. The textile softening composition is typically an aqueous liquid product containing a cationic textile softener, most typically a quaternary ammonium salt (eg, ditallow dimethyl ammonium chloride).

For a number of reasons, softening agents that replace quaternary ammonium salts can be used in aqueous liquid products, for example, all or some of the quaternary ammonium salts may be environmentally favorable or inexpensive, easy to handle or have a skin reaction. It is preferable if the softening agent can be replaced with a softening agent which hardly causes the following. However, the flexibility performance of the product should be maintained or substantially maintained even when all or part of the product is replaced with another softening agent.

While amine fabric softeners are a potential solution to these problems, one of the problems with amine-containing fabric softener compositions used during rinsing is that often quaternary ammonium softener materials are used. The point is that it does not exhibit the softening function as much as the composition contained.

European Patent Application Publication No. 0043622A (Procte
r and Gamble) disclose certain concentrated textile softening compositions containing a water-insoluble imidazoline salt and a viscosity control system.

European Patent Publication No. 0194127 (Procter and
Gamble) discloses certain textile softening materials containing a tertiary amine softener and a soil release polymer for application to textiles in a rotary dryer.

British Patent No. 2192909 (Colgate-Palmolive) discloses a textile cleaning detergent composition which may contain an amine double salt which exerts a softening effect during cleaning.

It is an object of the present invention to formulate a textile softening composition containing one or more amines as active material. It is another object of the present invention to provide an environmentally acceptable textile softening composition.

Now, it has been found that by blending a fatty acid material into the composition, the softening performance of the amine-containing textile softener composition can be significantly improved. Furthermore, the compositions of the present invention have the advantage of being easy to manufacture and having acceptable stability and viscosity.

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a fiber softening composition comprising an amine softener material, a fatty acid material and a non-ionic material.

The term "amine" as used herein refers to any amine material that can be used for softening textiles, for example, one or more amines of the following formula can be used.

Equation (i): (Wherein, R ₁₅ , R ₁₆ and R ₁₇ have the meanings defined below).

(Ii) Formula: (Wherein R ₁₈ , R ₁₉ , R ₂₀ , R ₂₁ , m and n have the meanings defined below).

(Iii) Formula: (Wherein R ₁₁ , R ₁₂ and R ₁₄ have the meanings defined below).

(Iv) a condensation product formed by reacting a fatty acid with a polyamine selected from the group consisting of hydroxyalkylalkylenediamines, dialkylenetriamines and mixtures thereof.

Suitable materials are disclosed in European Patent Application No. 199382 (Procter and Gamble), which is incorporated herein by reference.

When the amine has the above formula I, R ₁₅ is a C ₆ -C ₂₄ hydrocarbyl group, R ₁₆ is a C ₁ -C ₂₄ hydrocarbyl group, and R ₁₇ is a C ₁ -C ₁₀ hydrocarbyl group. Suitable amines are those wherein R ₁₅ and R ₁₆ are C ₆ -C ₂₀ alkyl, optimally C _16-
C ₁₈ alkyl, and R ₁₇ is C _1-3 alkyl, or
Include materials where R ₁₅ is an alkyl or alkenyl group having at least 22 carbon atoms and R ₁₆ and R ₁₂ are C _1-3 alkyl.

When the amine has the above formula II, R ₁₈ is a C ₆ -C ₂₄ hydrocarbyl group and R ₁₉ is of the formula — (CH ₂ CH ₂ O) _y H, where y ranges from 0 to 6. An alkoxylated group of R ₂₀
The formula - (the z ranges _{0~6) (CH 2 CH 2 O} ) z H is an alkoxylated group of, m is an integer of 0 to 6, preferably 3
It is. When m is 0, R ₁₈ is C ₁₆ -C ₂₂ alkyl and the sum of z + y ranges from 1 to 6, more preferably from 1 to 6.
It is preferable that the number be in the range of 3. When m is 1, R ₁₈
Is C ₁₆ -C ₂₂ alkyl, and the sum of x + y + z is preferably in the range of 3-10.

Representative commercial materials of this class include Ethomeen (Armour) and Ethoduomeen (Armour).

When the amine has the formula (III), R ₁₁ is a hydrocarbyl group containing 8 to 25 carbon atoms, R ₁₄ is a hydrocarbyl group containing 8 to 25 carbon atoms, and R ₁₂ is hydrogen or 1 Is a hydrocarbyl group containing from 4 to 4 carbon atoms, and A ^- is an anion, preferably a halide, methosulfate or ethosulfate.

It is highly preferred to protonate amines of type (i), (ii) or (iii) for use in the textile conditioning composition of the present invention. Preferably, a buffering acid is used to effect protonation and reduce the undesirable effects of the anionic active material carried over from the main wash cycle. Acids suitable as buffers for use in the present invention are citric, phosphoric, hydrochloric, sulfuric and benzoic acids. Preferred buffers are citric acid and phosphoric acid. The amine and buffer can be used such that the amine: buffer molar ratio is from 5: 1 to 1:10, but preferably an excess molar ratio of buffer to amine is used, and A molar ratio of 1: 1 to 1:10 is preferred.

Preferred amine materials are those of formula (i) containing two long alkyl groups and one short alkyl group. Product name
It is particularly preferred to use the di-hardened tallow methylamine marketed by ARMEEN M2HT (Atlas).

As used herein, the term hydrocarbyl group refers to an alkyl or alkenyl group optionally substituted or blocked by a functional group such as -OH, -O-, -CONH, -COO-, and the like.

The level of amine softener material is preferably greater than 1% by weight of the composition, more preferably greater than 2%, optimally 3%.
It is greater than wt%. Preferably, the level of amine softener material is no more than 70% by weight of the composition, more preferably 30% by weight.
Compositions containing less than 3 to 20% by weight of an amine softener material are particularly preferred.

The fatty acid material is any mono-, di- or tricarboxylic acid containing an alkyl or alkenyl chain having 8 to 28 carbon atoms. It is preferred to use free fatty acids having a carbon chain length of 12 to 18 (eg oleic acid, lauric acid, tallow fatty acids, etc.).

Preferably, the level of fatty acid material is greater than 0.1% by weight of the composition, more preferably greater than 0.2%, and systems containing more than 0.5% fatty acid material by weight are particularly preferred. The level of fatty acid material is typically less than 50% by weight of the composition, and more preferably the level of fatty acid material is less than 30%
%, Typically from 0.5 to 10% by weight.

The weight ratio of the amine softening material: fatty acid material is preferably from 10: 1 to 1:10, more preferably from 9: 1 to 1: 1, optimally from 7: 1.
3: 1.

Surprisingly, it has been found that the composition of the present invention can be further improved by incorporating a nonionic material having a specific HLB value. Suitable non-ionic materials used in the composition of the present invention are 7.0-21.0, more preferably 9.0-1.
It has an HLB value of 9.0, particularly preferably 10.0-18.0. Non-ionic materials are believed to help improve the quality of the compositions of the present invention in two respects, firstly to enhance softening performance and secondly to reduce product viscosity.

Compositions with high active material levels contain relatively high HLB non-ionic materials, but non-ionic materials with relatively low HLB may be particularly useful for use in compositions with low active material levels. It was found. Preferably, such a composition wherein the total level of amine and fatty acid material is 5-10% by weight of the composition comprises a non-ionic material having an HLB of 9.0-13.0 and the active material level is 10-10% of the composition. Compositions such as 15% by weight preferably contain 11.5-16.5 HLB non-ionic material. Active material level of 15-20% by weight is 14.0
Corresponding to a preferred HLB value of 119.0, a composition with an active material level of 20-25% preferably comprises a nonionic material of HLB of 16.5-21.0. Suitable non-ionic materials are preferably from 8 to
Alkoxylated fatty alcohols, including fatty alcohols having 28 carbon atoms, wherein the alcohol is 2-50
And preferably 4 to 40 ethoxy groups.

Preferably, the level of non-ionic material is 0.1% of the composition.
Systems containing more than 0.5% by weight of non-ionic materials, more than 0.2% by weight, more preferably more than 0.2% by weight are particularly preferred. The level of non-ionic material is usually less than 50% by weight of the composition, more preferably the level of non-ionic material is less than 30% by weight of the composition, typically 0.5%
~ 10% by weight.

Surprisingly, it has been found that the softening performance can be further improved by blending the fatty acid ester material of a short-chain polyol with the fiber product conditioning composition of the present invention. The ester material incorporated into the product of the present invention is preferably a mono-, di- or triester of a _C1-5 polyol and a fatty acid material. Preferably, the polyol is ethylene glycol, glycerol or propylene glycol. Suitable fatty acid materials include alkyl or alkenyl having 8 to 28, preferably 12 to 20 carbon atoms. Particularly preferred are fatty acid materials selected from lauric acid, tallow fatty acid, hardened tallow fatty acid, coconut oil fatty acid, stearic acid or mixtures thereof.

Diesters of fatty acid materials and polyols are particularly preferred. Particularly, a difatty acid of ethylene glycol can be mentioned. It is particularly preferred to use ethylene glycol distearate.

Preferably the level of fatty acid ester material is between 0.
It is more than 1% by weight, more preferably more than 0.5% by weight.
Preferably, the level of fatty acid ester material is no more than 30%, more preferably the level is less than 20%, optimally 0.7%.
~ 10%.

In addition to the amines, fatty acids and optional materials described above, the composition of the present invention may contain one or more other softener materials selected from cationic, amphoteric and nonionic softening materials.
Suitable materials are described, for example, in EP 239910 (P &
G), US Pat. No. 3,915,865 (STEPAN) and US Pat.
37180 (Lever Brothers). Preferably, the weight ratio of these additional softening materials: the sum of the two essential softening materials is less than 3: 1, more preferably less than 1: 1 and particularly preferably less than 0.5: 1. The compositions of the present invention may take various forms such as liquids, pastes and gels. Preferably, the composition of the present invention is a liquid containing an aqueous phase. Preferably, the level of water in such aqueous liquids is 97-20% by weight of the composition, more suitably
95-70% by weight.

The composition may further comprise a non-aqueous solvent (eg, a C ₁ -C ₄ alkanol and a polyhydric alcohol), a rewet agent, a viscosity modifier (eg, an electrolyte such as calcium chloride), an anti-gelling agent, a fragrance, a fragrance carrier, a fluorescent material. Agents, colorants, hydrotropes, defoamers, anti-redeposition agents, enzymes, optical brighteners, opacifiers, stabilizers (eg, guar gum and polyethylene glycol), emulsifiers, shrinkage inhibitors, wrinkle inhibitors, textile crispers , Stain inhibitor, soil release agent, bactericide, linear or branched silicone, fungicide, antioxidant, corrosion inhibitor, preservative [eg Proxel, ascorbic acid, Bronopol (registered trademark, 2-bromo-2) Commercially available form of nitropropane-1,3-diol)], a dye, a bleaching agent and a bleaching precursor, a drape imparting agent, an antistatic agent and an ironing aid. That.

If these optional ingredients are added, they are preferably at levels up to 5% by weight of the composition.

The liquid composition of the present invention can be manufactured by various methods. According to one suitable method, the amine material and the fatty acid material are optionally combined with other softening materials to form a molten mixture, and the premix is added to water with stirring to form a dispersion, Thereafter, optional components are added.

The compositions of the invention preferably have a pH of less than 7.0, more preferably less than 5.0, and have a pH of 2.0 to 4.0, especially 3.0 to 4.0.
Compositions having a pH of are particularly preferred.

In use, the textile product conditioning composition of the present invention is added to a large amount of water to form a liquid, and the fiber product to be treated is brought into contact with this liquid. Generally, the total concentration of the amine compound and the fatty acid ester compound in this solution is about 30 pp.
m to 1000 ppm. Textile: liquid weight ratio is generally 1: 1
~ 1:10.

Surprisingly, it has also been found that lowering the pH in the rinse further increases the softening performance of the compositions of the present invention. The pH of the rinse containing amine and fatty acid materials in a total concentration of 30-1000 ppm (preferably about 200 ppm) is preferably
It is less than 6.5, more preferably less than 6.0. Such low pH can be obtained by acidifying components such as phosphoric acid or citric acid already present in the fabric softener, but if necessary separate components are rinsed into the water to lower the pH. May be added.

 Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to examples.

Example 1 The following composition was prepared by preheating a mixture of an amine, a fatty acid and a nonionic material and dispersing the mixture in water. In all compositions, the amine material was protonated with an equimolar amount of citric acid. 2 g of the composition in water 1 (11 ゜ F
H) and 3 pieces of terry toweling (total weight 48g)
The composition was tested by rinsing at 100 rpm for minutes. The pieces were line dried and tested for softness by a trained panel of eight people. The higher the score, the better the flexibility.

The above results demonstrate the increased performance of the softening composition containing the amine in combination with the fatty acid material.

Example 2 Composition D was prepared as in Example 1 and compared to a commercial rinse conditioner containing a conventional di-hardened tallow dimethyl ammonium chloride softener material. 100g Persil
AEG Lavamat 5 in 26 ゜ FH water in the presence of Automatic (UK)
70 was added, and 2.5 kg of terry toweling was washed at 60 ° C. An amount of softener material corresponding to the indicated level of active material was added to the final rinse cycle of the washing process. The pieces were line dried and tested for softness by a trained panel of eight people. The higher the flexibility score, the better the flexibility.

This embodiment surprisingly has a fourth environmentally unfavorable effect.
It shows that amine-containing softening compositions can be prepared that are nearly as effective as commercially available softener materials containing ammonium materials.

Example 3 Compositions F and G were prepared as in Example 1 and compared to a commercial softener material based on di-hardened tallow dimethyl ammonium chloride. Paste-less terry toweling
2.5kg Persil Automatic (UK) with Siemens washing machine 100g
Was washed at 26 ° C with 26 ° FH water in the presence of 100 g of compositions FH are added to the final rinsing cycle, the pieces of cloth are line dried and tested for flexibility by a trained panel of eight people, with higher flexibility scores indicating better flexibility. And

As a result, it was found that the addition of the polyol ester further increased the softening performance of the composition of the present invention.

Example 4 A composition was then prepared as in Example 1 and tested as in Example 3.

This example shows that lowering the pH in the rinsing water gives good softness.

Example 5 The following composition was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1. The viscosity of the product was measured at 110 s ^-1 .

As a result, it has been found that in order to obtain a low-viscosity product at a high active material level, it is preferable to use a nonionic material having a relatively high HLB and a high degree of ethoxylation.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code FI D06M 13/144 (56) References JP-A-1-156577 (JP, A) JP-A-61-275474 (JP, A) JP-A-62-227867 (JP, A) JP-A-60-239570 (JP, A) JP-A-53-19497 (JP, A) JP-A-63-282373 (JP, A) JP-B-42-24552 (JP, A) JP, B1)

Claims (6)

(57) [Claims] 1 to 70% by weight of an amine softener material and 0.1 to 50% by weight of a non-saponified fatty acid material selected from mono-, di- or tricarboxylic acids containing alkyl or alkenyl chains having from 8 to 28 carbon atoms. % And a non-ionic material having an HLB of 7.0 to 21.0, comprising: a composition for softening a liquid textile in the form of a dispersion in an aqueous medium;
A composition wherein the pH is less than 7, and further comprising an acid as a buffer such that the molar ratio of the amine softener material to the acid as a buffer is from 1: 1 to 1:10. 2. The amine softener material of the formula: Wherein R ₁₅ is a C ₆ -C ₂₄ hydrocarbyl group, and R ₁₆ is
The composition of claim _{1, wherein the} C ₁ -C ₂₄ hydrocarbyl group and R ₁₇ is a C ₁ -C ₁₀ hydrocarbyl group. 3. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the composition further comprises a fatty acid ester of a C ₁ -C ₅ polyol. 4. The composition according to claim 1, which comprises (i) 3-20% by weight of an amine softener material and (ii) 0.5-10% by weight of a fatty acid material. 5. The composition according to claim 4, wherein the non-ionic material has an HLB of 7.0 to 10.0. 6. The total concentration of the amine material and the fatty acid material is 30.
6. A composition according to any one of the preceding claims, which forms a liquid having a pH of less than 6.5 when diluted in water to ~ 1000 ppm.