[0001] The present invention relates to detergent compositions which have very good cleaning
properties and also have textile softening properties.
[0002] For many years most heavy duty detergent compositions have been based upon anionic
surfactants and they have been observed to cause some harshness in the feel of washed
fabrics. Accordingly there have been developed textile softening compositions, and
these have been based upon long chained cationic surfactants. As cationic and anionic
surfactants are generally incompatible, these softening compositions have been intended
for use in the final rinse of a washing process, that is after substantially all the
anionic surfactant has been removed. Clearly there is a need for a single composition
able both to clean the fabrics and to soften them.
[0003] Attempts to incorporate cationic softeners in anionic based detergent compositions,
overcoming their ordinary incompatibility, have been described in the art. USP 3,689,424
discloses co-positions of this type in which one or more cationic softeners are mixed
with a C
e-C
24 fatty acid - hydroxyalkyl polyamine condensation product, which is stated to reduce
the incompatibility of the former with anionic surfactants. Another approach has been
to use nonionic surfactants with cationic softeners in built detergent compositions,
as described in BP 1,079,388, DTAS 1,220,956, USP 3,537,993 and USP 3,607,763. However,
products containing a high ratio of nonionic detergent to cationic softener are said
to soften inadequately, whereas those with a high rato of cationic to nonionic are
said to clean inadequately. A particular problem in the use of such products has been
the discolouration, usually yellowing, of repeatedly washed fabrics.
[0004] This problem is believed to arise from three causes. The first is the ineffectiveness
of most of the usual optical brighteners when applied in the presence of cationic
surfactants due to the failure of the brightener to deposit upon fabrics in such surroundings
and/or from an actual quenching of the fluorescence of the brightener in the presence
of cationic surfactant. The second main cause of yellowing is build-up of the brightener
itself, which in some circumstances can act as a dyestuff at visible wavelengths.
The third cause is apparently an interaction between the cationic or nonionic-cationic
surfactants and colouring matter in the water used to make up the wash baths. The
extent of this problem depends upon the state of the civic water supply, and can vary
from place to place and from time to time. Iron content may be one relevant factor
but probably organic e. g. peaty colouring matter is more usually the principal cause.
[0005] It has been found that the yellowing problems associated with the use of cationic
surfactants in textile softening detergent compositions can be largely overcome by
selection of certain classes of nonionic brighteners.
[0006] According to the invention there is provided a detergent composition which imparts
a soft feel to fabrics washed therewith, which comprises :
(A) from 10 to 30% by weight of one or more polyethoxy nonionic detergents having
hydrophilic- lipophilic balance in the range from 8 to 15 and having not more than
an average of 16 ethoxy units per molecule provided that where the nonionic detergent
comprises a tallow alcohol ethoxylate, wherein the tallow alkyl moisty essentially
contains from 16-20 carbon atoms, said tallow alcohol ethoxylate shall contain an
average of between 7 and 12 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol ;
(B) from 1 to 15 % by weight of one or more cationic textile softeners ;
(C) from 0.001 to 3.0 % by weight of a nonionic optical brightener selected from one
or more of the following types
(a) benzoxazoles
(b) coumarins
(c) 2.5-bis(benzimidazolyl) furans
(d) 4.4'-bis(2-sulphonamido styryl) biphenyls ;
(D) from 0 to 80 % by weight of a detergency builder ;
(E) from 0 to 5 % of a discolouration inhibitor ; and
(F) from 0-5.0 % of an anionic surfactant ;
wherein the weight ratio of anionic surfactant to nonionic surfactant is less than
1 : 1 and the mol ratio of anionic surfactant to cationic softener is less than 1
: 1. Anionic surfactant is not an essential component of the invention and may be
absent entirely. However, in the preferred form of the invention, viz. granular built
detergent compositions, a low level of anionic surfactant is a useful processing aid
in producing satisfactory spray dried granules.
[0007] The preferred granular compositions according to this invention, are prepared by
first making spray dried carrier granules comprising all or some of the detergency
builders, a low level of anionic surfactant, and other non-heat sensitive components
of the composition. A moving bed of these carrier granules is then sprayed in suitable
mixing equipment with a mixture of the nonionic surfactant and cationic softener.
Heat sensitive solid components, e. g. bleaching agent, enzymes, are dry mixed with
the carrier granules before or after the spray-on process.
Detailed Description of the Invention
[0008] In its broadest aspect, the invention comprises three essential components, i. e.
a nonionic detergent (A), a cationic textile softener (B), and a nonionic optical
brightener (C).
The Nonionic Detergent
[0009] Water-soluble nonionic ethoxylates constitue the principal surfactant component of
the present composition. Such surfactants can be broadly defined as compounds produced
by the condensation of ethylene oxide groups (hydrophilic in nature) with an organic
hydrophobic (lipophilic) compound, which may be aliphatic or alkylaromatic in nature.
The number of ethylene oxide groups condensed with any particular hydrophobic group
is adjusted to yield a water-soluble compound having a hydrophilic- lipophilic balance
(HLB) of between 8 and 15.
[0010] Examples of suitable nonionic detergents include :
1. The polyethylene oxide condensates of alkyl phenol, e. g. the condensation products
of alkyl phenols having an alkyl group containing from 6 to 12 carbon atoms in either
a straight chain or branched chain configuration, with ethylene oxide, the said ethylene
oxide being present in amounts equal to 5 to 16 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of
alkyl phenol. The alkyl substituent in such compounds may be derived, for example,
from polymerised propylene, di-isobutylene, octene or nonene. Other examples include
dodecylphenol condensed with 12 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of phenol ; dinonylphenol
condensed with 15 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of phenol ; nonylphenol condensed
with 9 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of nonylphenol and di-iso-octylphenol condensed
with 15 moles of ethylene oxide.
2. The condensation product of primary or secondary aliphatic alcohols having from
8 to 20 carbon atoms, in either straight chain or branched chains configuration, with
from 1 to 16 moles of alkylene oxide per mole of alcohol. Preferably, the aliphatic
alcohol comprises between 9 and 15 carbon atoms and is ethoxylated with between 2
and 12, desirably between 3 and 8 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of aliphatic alcohol.
Such nonionic surfactants are preferred from the standpoint of providing good to excellent
detergency performances on fatty and greasy soils. The preferred surfactants are prepared
from primary alcohols which are either linear (such as those derived from natural
fats or prepared by the Ziegler process from ethylene, e. g. myristyl, cetyl, stearyl
alcohols), or partly branched such as the Dobanols and Neodols wich have about 25
% 2-methyl branching (Dobanol and Neodol being Trade Names of Shell) or Synperonics,
which are understood to have about 50 % 2-methyl branching (Synperonic is a Trade
Name of I.C.I.) or the primary alcohols having more than 50 % branched chain structure
sold under the Trade Name Lial by Liquichimica. Specific examples of nonionic surfactants
falling within the scope of the invention include Dobanol 45-4, Dobanol 45-7, Dobanol
45-11, Dobanol 91-3, Dobanol 91-6, Dobanol 91-8, Synperonic 6, Synperonic 14, and
the condensation products of coconut alcohol with an average of between 5 and 12 moles
of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol, the coconut alkyl portion having from 10 to
14 carbon atoms. Where ethylene oxide condensation products of tallow alcohol are
employed as, or as part of the nonionic detergent they are formed with an average
of between 7 and 12 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol, the tallow portion
comprising essentially between 16 and 20 carbon atoms. Secondary linear alkyl ethoxylates
are also suitable in the present compositions, especially those ethoxylates of the
Tergitol series having from 9 to 16 carbon atoms in the alkyl group and up to 11,
especially from 3 to 9, ethoxy residues per molecule.
3. The compounds formed by condensing ethylene oxide with a hydrophobic base formed
by the condensation of propylene oxide with propylene glycol. The molecular weight
of the hydropholic portion generally falls in the range of about 1,500 to 1,800. Such
synthetic nonionic detergents are available on the market under the Trade Name of
« Pluronic supplied by Wyandotte Chemicals Corporation.
[0011] Preferred nonionic detergents are coconut alcohols with 6 ethoxy residues per molecule,
and Dobanol 45-7 (C
l4-C
l5 primary alcohol containing seven ethoxy groups/mole).
[0012] The nonionic detergent comprises from 10 % to 30 %, preferably from 10 % to 20 %
by weight of the composition.
The Cationic Softener
[0013] Any cationic softener may be used in the compositions of the invention.
[0014] Among suitable cationic softeners are the conventional substantially water-insoluble
quaternary ammonium compounds, and C
e-
25 alkyl imidazolinium salts.
[0015] Well-known species of substantially water-insoluble quaternary ammonium compounds
have the formula ;

wherein R
1 and R
2 represent hydrocarbyl groups of from 10 to 22 carbon atoms ; R
3 and R
4 represent hydrocarbyl groups containing from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, X is an anion such
as halide, a C
2-C
4 carboxylate, of an alkyl-or arylsulf(on)ate. Examples of preferred anions include
bromide, chloride, methyl sulfate, toluene-, xylene-, cumene-, and benzene-sulfonate,
benzoate, parahydroxybenzoate acetate, and propionate. Representative examples of
quaternary softeners include ditallow dimethyl ammonium chloride ; ditallow dimethyl
ammonium methyl sulfate ; dihexadecyl dimethyl, ammonium chloride ; di(hydrogenated
tallow) dimethyl ammonium chloride ; dioctadecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride ; dieicosyl
dimethyl ammonium chloride ; dieicosyl methyl ethyl ammonium chloride ; didocosyl
ammonium chloride ; di(hydrogenated tallow) dimethyl ammonium methyl sulphate ; dihexadecyl
diethyl ammonium chloride ; dihexadecyl dihydroxyethyl ammonium methyl sulphate ;
di(coconutalkyl) dimet ammonium chloride. Ditallow dimethyl ammonium chloride, di(dihydrogenated
tallow alkyl) dimethyl ammonium chloride and di(coconutalkyl) dimethyl ammonium chloride
are preferred. Also suitable are the single long chained quaternary ammonium compounds
of the above formula wherein R
1 is C
10 to C
22 alkyl or alkenyl, preferably C
16 to C
20 alkyl, and R
2, R
3 and R
4 are lower alkyl groups, that is C, to C
4 alkyl groups especially methyl, or aryl groups, and X is as defined above. Optionally
also two or all three of R
2, R
3 and R
4 may together represent a heterocyclic ring. Some representative examples of such
compounds are behenyl trimethyl ammonium bromide, oleyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride,
myristyl dimethyl ethyl ammonium bromide, cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide, behenyl
trimethyl ammonium methosulfate, oleyl methyl diethyl ammonium chloride, cetyl, stearyl
or oleyl pyridinium chloride, behenyl pyridinium bromide, stearyl methyl morpholinium
chloride, stearyl or oleyl ethyl or propyl morpholinium chloride.
[0016] Yet other quaternary ammonium cationic surfactants which may be mentioned have the
formula :

wherein R
1 and R
2 are as defined above or R
2 may be hydrogen and x and y are at least 1 and (x+y) is from 2 to 25. Examples are
:

[0017] Substances of this sort are sold commercially, for instance under the Trade Name
« Ethoquads ».
[0018] Another class of suitable cationic surfactants can be represented by C
S-
25 alkylimidazolinium salts. Preferred salts are those conforming to the formula ;

wherein R
6 is a C
1-C
4 alkyl radical, R
5 is hydrogen or a C
1-C
4 alkyl radical, R
5 is hydrogen or a C
l-C
4 alkyl radical, R
5 is hydrogen or a C
1-C
4 alkyl radical, R
8 is a C
8-C
25 alkyl radical and R
7 is hydrogen or a C
8-C
25 alkyl radical. X is a charge balancing ion which has the same meaning as X defined
in the quaternary ammonium surfactant above.
[0019] A preferred member of this class, believed to have R
6 methyl, R
7 and R
B tallow alkyl, R
5 hydrogen, in sold under the Trade Name Varisoft 455 or 475 (Ashland Chemical Company),
or Steinaquat M5040/H (Chemische Werke Rewo).
[0020] Among other suitable cationic surfactants may be mentioned the substituted polyamine
salts of general formula :

wherein R
10 is an alkyl or alkenyl group having from about 10 to 24, preferably 12 to 20, especially
from 16 to 18 carbon atoms, the groups Rg which may be the same or different, each
represent hydrogen, a (C
2H
4O)
pH, or a (C
3H
6O)
qH, or a C
1-3 alkyl group where p and q may each be 0 or a number such that (p + q) does not exceed
25, n is an integer from 2 to 6, preferably 3, m is from about 1 to 9, preferably
from 1 to 4, most preferably 1 or 2, and X (
-) represents one or more anions having total charge balancing that of the nitrogen
atoms.
[0021] Preferred compounds of this class are, most preferred, N-tallow-N,N',N'-trimethyl-1,3-propylene
diamine dichloride or di-methosulphate, commercially available under the Trade Names
Lilamin 540 EO-3 (Lilachem), Dinoramox SH3, Inopol ODX3 (Pierrefitte-Auby), and N-tallow-N,N,N',N',N'-pentamethyl-1,
3-propylene diamine dichloride, commercially available under the Trade Names Stabiran
MS-3 (Pierrefitte-Auby) ; Duoquad (Armour Hess) ; Adogen 477 (Ashland Company). Also
suitable is the substance sold as Dinormac (Pierrefitte-Auby) or Duomac (Armour Hess)
believed to have the formula :
Tallowyl- N+H2―(CH2)3―N+H3, 2(OCOCH3)- or the corresponding chloride. Herein Tallowyl represents predominantly C16 and C18 alkyl groups derived from tallow fatty acids.
[0022] It is highly desirable when one ore more of Rg in these components is hydrogen, that
the pH of the formulation be such that one or more of the nitrogen atoms is protonated.
Other suitable cationic surfactants are disclosed in our copending European Patent
Application Nos. 0000234 and 0000235 published January 10th, 1979 and incorporated
herein by reference.
[0023] Other suitable cationic softeners are described in our co-pending British patent
application 22739/77 and USSN 770,487. Some suitable commercially available substances
are marketed under the following Trade Names :
Sopa (Pierrefitte-Auby)
Sopapa " "
Lilamin LS33. (Lilachim)
Polyram L 200 (Pierrefitte-Auby)
Taflon - 320A (Diichi Kogyo Seiyaku Co.).
Mixtures of two or more of these cationic softeners may be employed.
[0024] Preferred cationic softeners are ditallowyl dimethyl ammonium halides or methosulphate,
and imidazolinium salts e. g. Varisoft 455 or 475.
[0025] The compositions of the invention contain from 1 % to 15 %, preferable from 3 to
10 %, by weight, of cationic softening agent. It is preferred that the weight ratio
of nonionic detergent to cationic softening agent to be in the range from 10 : 1 to
0.5 : 1, especially from 3 : 1 to 1 : 1.
The Optical Brightener
[0026] The optical brighteners suitable for compositions of the invention are nonionic in
character and are selected from the following groups ;
(a) benzoxazoles
(b) coumarins
(c) 2,5-bis(benzimidazolyl)furans
(d) 4,4'-bis-(2-sulphonamido styryl)biphenyls
(a) Benzoxazoles
[0027] Nonionic benzoxazole brighteners useful in the invention have the following structural
formulae :
(i) bis(benzoxazol-2-yl)thiophenes of formula

wherein R is H, 5-methyl, 5-dimethylbenzyl, or 5-tertiary butyl ;
(ii) 1,2 bis(benzoxazol-2-yl)ethylene of formula

wherein R1 and R2 are H, or R1 is H and R is 5-methyl,
(iii) 1,4-bis(benzoxazol-2-yl)naphthalenes of formula

wherein R3 is H or 5-carboxymethyl ;
(iv) 4,4'-bis(benzoxazol-2-yl)stilbenes of formula

wherein R4 is H, 5-carboxybutyl or 5-methyl ;
(v) 2-(styryl)benzoxazoles of formula

wherein R5 is H, or carboxymethyl ;
(vi) 2-(styryl)naphthoxazole of formula

(vii) 2-(4-phenyl stilben-4'-yl)-5-tertbutyl benzoxazole of formula

[0028] Preferred are brighteners of classes (i) and (ii) and especially the compound bis(5-methyl
benzoxazol-2-yl) thiophene and related structures.
(b) Coumarins
[0029] Suitable coumarin derivatives have the formula

wherein R
1 represent H, a C
1-4 alkyl or an aralkyl group, R
2 represents H, an aryl or ―COOR
4, R
3 represents ―OR
4, -N(R
4)
2 or NHCOCH
3, and each R
4 independently represents a C
1-4 alkyl group.
[0030] Some compounds of this class are 4-methyl-7-dimethyl amino coumarin, 4-ethyl-7-dimethylamino
coumarin, 4-methyl-7-diethylamino coumarin, 4-isopropyl-7-dimethylamino coumarin,
4-isobutyl-7-di- methylamino coumarin, 4-propyl-7-diethylamino coumarin, 3,4-di-methyl-7-dimethylamino
coumarin, 4-methyl-7-ethoxy coumarin, 4-ethyl-7-methoxy coumarin, 4-methyl-7-carboxymethylamino
coumarin, 4-benzyl-7-dimethyl amino coumarin, 4-benzyl-7-benzyl amino coumarin, 3-phenyl-7-diethylamino
coumarin, 3-carboxymethoxy-4-methyl-7-dimethylamino coumarin.
[0031] Especially preferred are the 4-methyl-7-dimethylamino or -7-diethylamino coumarins.
Compounds of this type are known in the art, for instance in British Patent Specification
655,296, and a very suitable brightener is sold as Tinopal SWN Conc. (Trade Mark)
by Messrs. Ciba-Geigy.
(c) Bis(benzimidazolyl)furans
[0032] These have the structure

wherein each A is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C
1-C
8 alkyl, C
1-C
8 hydroxyalkyl, C
1-C
8 alkenyl, ―(CH
2)
nOCH
3, wherein n is from 1 to 8, ―(CH
2)
nN(CH
3)
2, wherein n is from 1 to 8,

wherein x is from 2 to 12, ―(CH
2CH
2CH
2O)
×H, wherein x is from 1 to 12, and

wherein x is from 1 to 12,

wherein m is from 1 to 12 and y is from 1 to 12. It is preferred that each A is a
C
1-C
S alkyl group, preferably a C
l-C
4 alkyl group, and most preferably a methyl group. In a given compound, the A groups
may be both the same (for ease in synthesizing the molecule) or may be chosen so as
to be different (to make the molecule substantive to both cotton and synthetic fabrics).
(d) Bis(sulphonamido styryl)biphenyls
[0033] These have the structure

wherein A is selected from the group defined under (c) above or where (A)
2 forms an oxazine ring containing the N atom.
[0034] Mixtures of any of these brighteners may be used and the compositions may contain
from about 0.001 % to about 3 %, preferably from about 0.01 to about 0.5 %, and most
preferably from about 0.02 to about 0.1 by weight of the specific nonionic optical
brighteners described above.
The Detergency Builders
[0035] Suitable detergent builder salts useful in the preferred granular compositions herein
can be of the polyvalent inorganic and polyvalent organic types, or mixtures thereof.
Non-limiting examples of suitable water-soluble, inorganic alkaline detergent builder
salts include the alkali metal carbonates, borates, phosphates, polyphosphates, tripolyphosphates,
bicarbonates, silicates, and sulfates. Specific examples of such salts include the
sodium and potassium tetraborates, bicarbonates, carbonates, tripolyphosphates, pyrophosphates,
pentapolyphosphates and hexametaphosphates.
[0036] Examples of suitable organic alkaline detergency builder salts are :
(1) water-soluble amino polyacetates, e. g., sodium and potassium ethylenediaminetetraacetates,
nitrilotriacetates, N-(2-hydroxyethyl) nitrilodiacetates and diethylenetriamine pentaacetates
;
(2) water-soluble salts of phytic acid, e. g., sodium and potassium phytates ;
(3) water-soluble polyphosphonates, including sodium, potassium and lithium salts
of ethane-1-hydroxy-1,1-diphosphonic acid ; sodium, potassium, and lithium salts of
methylenediphosphonic acid and the like ;
(4) water-soluble polycarboxylates such as the salts of lactic acid, succinic acid,
malonic acid, maleic acid, citric acid, carboxymethylsuccinic acid, 2-oxa-1,1,3-propane
tricarboxylic acid, 1,1,2,2-ethane tetracarboxylic acid, cyclopentane-cis, cis, cis-tetracarboxylic
acid, mellitic acid and pyromellitic acid.
[0037] Mixtures of organic and/or inorganic builders can be used herein. One such mixture
of builders is disclosed in Canadian Patent No. 755,038, e. g. a ternary mixture of
sodium tripolyphosphate, trisodium nitrilotriacetate, and trisodium ethane-1-hydroxy-1,1-diphosphonate.
[0038] Another type of detergency builder material useful in the present compositions and
processes comprises a water-soluble material capable of forming a water-insoluble
reaction product with water hardness cations preferably in combination with a crystallization
seed which is capable of providing growth sites for said reactions product. Such «
seeded builder compositions are fully disclosed in British Patent Specification No.
1,424,406.
[0039] Preferred water soluble builders are sodium tripolyphosphate and sodium silicate,
and usually both are present. In particular it is preferred that a substantial proportion,
for instance from 3 to 15 % by weight of the composition of sodium silicate (solids)
of ratio (weight ratio Si0
2 : Na
20) from 1 : 1 to 3.5 : 1 be employed.
[0040] A further class of detergency builder materials useful in the present invention are
insoluble sodium aluminosilicates, particularly those described in Belgian Patent
814,874, issued November 12, 1974 incorporated herein by reference. This patent discloses
and claims detergent compositions containing sodium aluminosilicates of the formula
:

wherein Z and Y are integers equal to at least 6, the molar ratio of Z to Y is in
the range of from 1 : 0 : 1 to about 0.5 : 1 and X is an integer from about 15 to
about 264, said aluminosilicates having a calcium ion exchange capacity of at least
200 mg.eq./gram and a calcium ion exchange rate of at least about 2 grain/minute/gram.
A preferred material is Na
I2(Si0
2AI0
2)
1227H
20.
[0041] Built granular detergent compositions in accordance with the invention contain from
10-80 % of builder, preferably from 20 % to 70 % of builder.
Discolouration Inhibitors
[0042] Preferably, compositions of the present invention also contain from 0.3 % to 5 %
of a discolouration inhibitor selected from
(a) condensates of tallow alcohols with from 20 to 100 molar proportions of ethylene
oxide ;
(b) polyethylene glycols of molecular weight from 1,000 to 30,000 and
(c) polyvinyl alcohols of molecular weight from 10,000 to 20,000.
[0043] Highly preferred materials of this type are ethoxylated tallow alcohols with 25 or
80 ethoxy groups, (conveniently abbreviated as TAE
25, TAE
eo).
[0044] Also effective are polyethylene glycols of molecular weight from about 1,000 to 30,000,
especially from 6,000 to 20,000, and polyvinyl alcohols of molecular weight from 10,000
to 20,000, preferably about 14,000, and polyoxyethylene sorbitan C,
2-C,
e fatty acid esters having 17 or more ethylene oxide residues in their constitution.
[0045] It is preferred to use from 0.5 % to 3.0 % of these compounds by weight of the composition.
[0046] Other materials can also assist in preventing discolouration, for example by their
soil-suspending or sequestering power.
[0047] Soil suspending agents such as sodium carboxymethyl cellulose are useful for this
purpose, and it is preferred that these should be present at a level from about 0.5
% to 1.5 % by weight of the composition.
[0048] Also useful are methyl vinyl ether - maleic anhydride copolymers or the corresponding
acids and their salts, e. g. sodium salts, such as, for instance, Gantrez AN-119,
Gantrez S95 (Trade Name - GAF) and the corresponding acids or salts. When present
this component is used at from about 0.5 % to 1.5 % by weight of the composition.
[0049] Sequestering agents effective for chelating especially ferric iron, such as sodium
ethylene diamine tetraacetate, diethylene triamine penta acetate, ethylene diamine
tetra methylene phosphonate, diethylene triamine pentaphosphonate, and hydroxyethane-1,1,-di-phosphonate
are also useful and may function both as bleach stabilisers and as agents to inhibit
yellowing caused by iron in tap water. Preferred agents are ethylene diamine tetra
acetates, ethylene diamine tetra methylene phosphonates or both together, especially
in the form of the sodium salts.
[0050] Furthermore, very low levels (of the order of a few e. g. up to 100 parts per million)
of blue or green dyestuffs, such as polar Brilliant blue, ultramarine blue, indigo
violet, which serve to mask any residual yellowing caused by the compositions of the
invention may be included in the compositions. Especially suitable is a water soluble
sulphonate of zinc phthalocyanine having a structure as described in our copending
European Patent application No. 79200013.5 filed January 9th, 1979.
Other Optional Ingredients
[0051] Other optional components usual in built laundry detergents may of course be present.
These include :
Bleaching agents such as sodium perborate, sodium percarbonate and other perhydrates,
at levels from about 5 % to 35 % by weight of the composition, and activators therefor,
such as tetra acetyl ethylene diamine, tetra acetyl glycouril and others known in
the art, and stabilisers therefor, such as magnesium silicate.
[0052] Suds controlling agents such as mono or diethanolamides of fatty acids as suds stabilisers,
and C
'6.
24 soaps or fatty acids, silicones, microcrystalline waxes and mixtures thereof as suds
depressants.
[0053] Proteolytic, amylolytic or lipolytic enzymes, especially proteolytic.
[0054] Classes of optical brighteners other than the above described nonionic brighteners.
[0055] Colours, non-substantive, and perfumes as required to improve the aesthetic acceptability
of the products.
[0056] Throughout the description herein, where sodium salts have been employed, potassium
lithium or ammonium or amine salts may be used instead if their extra cost etc. are
justified for special reasons.
Making the Composition
[0057] The compositions of the present invention may be produced in a variety of forms,
including liquid, solid, granular, paste, powder or substrate compositions. Substrate
articles may be formulated according to U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 781,378,
Flesher et al, filed March 25, 1977, incorporated herein by reference. In a particularly
preferred low or zero inorganic builder embodiment, the compositions of the present
invention are formulated as liquids and contain up to abouat 20 % of a lower alkyl
(C, to C
4) alcohol, particularly ethanol. Liquid compositions containing lower levels of such
alcohols (i.e., about 7 to 12 %) tend to exhibit less phase separation than compositions
containing higher alcohol levels.
[0058] In making non-liquid products, it has been found that it is important, in order to
achieve the best possible softening performance from the compositions of the invention,
that the cationic softener be finely and intimately dispersed. Thus the cationic softener
may be mixed in the form of fine solid particles with the rest of the composition,
or in the case of spray dried granular products it may be included in the crutcher
mix. The nonionic detergent (and optionally the discolouration inhibitor) may also
be included in the crutcher mix. However for spray dried granular products it is much
preferred to make carrier granules by spray drying a crutcher mix containing at least
part, and usually substantially all of the detergency builders, and the other non-heat
sensitive components. In order to obtain carrier granules of desired density it is
usually desirable to include a low level of anionic surfactant, especially sodium
C
9.,
6 alkyl benzen sulphonate, in the carrier granules, as described in German Offenlegungschritt
2,617,956, incorporated herein by reference. Other anionic surfactants such as sodium
C
10-20 alkyl sulphates, and the corresponding alkyl ether sulphates with from 1 to 5 ethoxy
groups per molecule, C
10-20 alkane sulphonates and C
lo.
20 olefin sulphonates, and C
10-20 soaps may be employed. However, as stated herein before, the amount of anionic surfactant
should be less than the amount of nonionic surfactant and less than the stoichiometric
equivalent of the cationic softener in the compositions, and it is usually from 0.1
% to 5.0 % by weight of the composition, especially about 0.2 % to 1.5 %. Larger amounts
of anionic are undesirable because they impair the cleaning and the softening properties
of the compositions.
[0059] A moving bed of carrier granules, in any suitable mixing equipment such as a pan
granulator, a rotating drum of a fluidised bed, is sprayed with a fluid mixture comprising
the nonionic detergent and the cationic softener, usually melted together, and generally
having dissolved or dispersed therein, for instance, the optical brightener, the discolouration
inhibitor and the methyl vinyl ether-maleic acid copolymer, and other components if
convenient. It has been found to be advantageous to maintain the carrier granules,
while they are being sprayed and/or afterwards at a temperature of above 35 °C especially
about 40 °C to 75 °C for a period of about 1/2 to 5 minutes, whereby the free flowing
properties of the composition are improved.
[0060] Heat sensitive solid, granular or powdery, components are dry mixed with the carrier
granules either before or after spray on of the nonionic detergent-cationic softener
mixture.
[0061] The compostions of the present invention are used in the laundering process by forming
an aqueous solution containing from about 0.01 % (100 parts per million) to about
1.0 % (10,000 parts per million), preferably from about 0.02 % to about 0.75 %, and
most preferably from about 0.2 % to about 0.75 %, of the detergent compositions defined
herein, and agitating the soiled fabrics in that solution. The fabrics are then rinsed
and dried. When used in this manner, the compostions of the present invention yield
outstanding brightening performance, without discolouring the fabrics upon repeated
washing, as well as exceptionally good particulate and greasy/oily soil removal, together
with fabric solftening, static control, colour fidelity, and dye transfer inhibition
benefits, without requiring the use of a conventional fabric softening additive product.
(See Table p. 11)
Examples I to III
[0062] Granular detergent compositions of the following compositions were prepared.

[0063] The compositions were prepared by making spray dried granules comprising components
(a) with some moisture, spraying these granules with a dispersion in water of components
(b), and then spraying them with a molten mixture comprising components (c). If necessary,
some improvements in flow properties of the product can be obtained by heating the
granules after the two spray-on steps to from 37-47 °C in a fluidised bed, fluidised
by hot air, for from 1 to 5 minutes. After cooling (if necessary) the granules are
dry mixed with components (d) to form the finished product.
[0064] Compositions I, II, and III cleaned fabrics as well as a typical commercial heavy
duty anionic detergent composition, and the washed fabrics were as soft as those washed
with this detergent composition and treated in the final rinse with a 0.1 % dispersion
of a typical rinse-added textile solftener.
[0065] Fabrics washed in Composition I when illuminated by ultraviolet light gave significantly
more visual reflected light than those washed in the same composition but lacking
optical brightener or containing 0.2 % of 1-(4-amino sulphonyl phenyl)-3-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-pyrazoline
in place of 0.04 % of the benzoxazole brightener of the invention.
[0066] Fabrics washed in Composition I were less yellow than fabric washed in the same compositions
except containing 0.04 % of brighteners :
1-(4-aminosulphonylphenyl)-3-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-pyrazoline
(2-benzimidazolyl)-(N-hydroxyethyl-2-benzimidazolyl)ethylene.
[0067] Fabrics washed in Compositions II and III were judged to be less yellowed (whiter)
than those washed in Composition I.
[0068] Similar results are obtained when in the above compositions the DTDMAC is replaced
by Varisoft 475, (Trade Mark), an imidazolinium-type softener.
[0069] Similar results are obtained when the Dobanol 45-7 is replaced by coconut alcohol-E
6.
[0070] Similar results are obtained when the Gantrez S95 is replaced by Gantrez AN 119 (Trade
Mark-GAF).
[0071] Similar results are obtained when the optical brightener is replaced by between 0.04
and 0.1 % of bis(5-methyl benzoxazol-2-yl) thiophene, bis(5-dimethyl benzyl benzoxazol-2-yl)thiophene,
bis(5-tert-butyl benzoxazol-2-yl) thiophene, 1,2-bis(benzoxazol-2-yl) ethylene, 1,2-bis(5-methyl
benzoxazol-2-yl) ethylene, 1,4-bis(benzoxazol-2-yl)naphthalene 1,4-bis(5-carboxymethyl
benzoxazol-2-yl)naphthalene, 4,4'-bis(benzoxazol-2-yl stilbene, 4,4'-bis(5-methylbenzoxazol-2-yl)stilbene,
4,4'-bis(5-carboxybutyl- benzoxazol-2-yl) stilbene, 2-styryl benzoxazole, 2-styryl
naphthoxazole, 2-(4-phenyl stilbene-4'-yl) tert-butyl benzoxazole or 4-methyl-7-diethylamino
coumarin.
[0072] Similar results are obtained when the Tallow alcohol-E
so is replaced by Tallow alcohol-E
25, polyethylene glycol (M.Wt. 6.000) or polyvinyl alcohol (M.Wt. 14,000).
Example IV
[0073] An effective textile washing and solftening composition has the formula, in parts
per cent by weight ;

[0074] Similar results are obtained when the brightener is replaced by 4-methyl-7-diethylaminocoumarin.
Example V
[0075] A detergent composition with pronounced textile softening properties has the formula,
in parts per cent by weight :

Similar results are obtained when the brightener is replaced by 4-methyl-7-diethylamino
coumarin.
Example VI
[0076] A textile softening heavy duty detergent has the following formula, in parts per
cent by weight:

[0077] Similar results are obtained when the brightener is replaced by 3.4-dimethyl-7-methylamino
coumarin.
Example VII
[0079] Fabrics repeatedly washed in each to the products of Examples IV through VII above
are notably whiter than fabrics washed in similar compositions employing conventional
anionic or nonionic brighteners.
Example VIII
[0080] A granular detergent composition of the following formula is prepared.

[0081] The composition is prepared by making spray dried granules comprising components
(a) with some moisture, spraying these granules with a molten mixture comprising components
(b). After cooling (if necessary) the granules are dry mixed with components (c) to
form the finished product.
[0082] This composition cleans fabrics as well as a typical commercial heavy duty anionic
detergent composition and the washed fabrics are as soft as fabrics so washed and
thereafter treated in a final rinse with a 0.1 % dispersion of a typical rinse added
textile softener composition.
[0083] Fabrics washed with the above composition, when illuminated by ultra violet light
give significantly more visual reflected light than those washed in the same composition
but lacking the optical brightener or containing 0.2 % of a typical anionic optical
brightener namely 1-(4-amino sulphonylphenyl)-3-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-pyrazoline instead
of the 0.04 % of coumarin-type brightener.
[0084] Comparable results are obtained when in the above composition the ditallow dimethyl
ammonium chloride is replaced by the corresponding metho sulphate or by an imidazolinium-type
textile softener e. g. Varisoft 475 (Trade Name).
[0085] Comparable results are obtained when the Dobanol 45-7 is replaced by a condensate
of coconut alcohol with 6 molar proportions of ethylene oxide.
[0086] Substantially similar performance is obtained if the Tinopal SWN is replaced by an
equivalent weight of 4-methyl-7-dimethylamino coumarin, 4-ethyl-7-dimethylamino coumarin,
4-isopropyl-7-dimethylamino coumarin, 4-isopropyl-7-dimethylamino coumarin, 4-propyl-7-diethylamino
coumarin, 3.4-di-methyl-7-dimethylamino coumarin, 4-methyl-7-ethoxy coumarin, 4-ethyl-7-methoxy
coumarin, 4-methyl-7-carbox- ymethylamino coumarin, 4-benzyl-7-dimethylamino coumarin,
3-phenyl-7-diethyl-amino coumarin, or 3-carbomethoxy-4-methyl-7-dimethylamino coumarin.
Example IX
[0087] A liquid composition of the present invention was as follows :

[0088] This composition exhibited excellent removal of particulate and greasy/oily soils
and outstanding brightening performance without discolouration problems. It also delivered
fabric softening, static control, color fidelity and dye transfer inhibition benefits.
[0089] Substantially similar cleaning results are obtained when the cationic surfactant
is replaced, in whole or in part, by ditallowalkyldimethylammonium methyl sulfate,
ditallowalkyldimethylammonium iodide, dihexacetylalkyldimethylammonium chloride, dihexadecylalkyldihydroxy
ethylammonium methyl sulfate, dioctadecylalkyldimethylammonium chloride, dieicosylalkyl
methyl ethyl ammonium chloride, dieicosylalkyl dimethylammonium bromide, methyl (1)
tallowalkyl amide ethyl (2) tallowalkyl imidazolinium methyl sulfate, or mixtures
of these surfactants.
[0090] Substantially similar results are also obtained where the nonionic surfactant in
Composition A is replaced, in whole or in part, by the condensation product of C
14-15 alcohol with 2.25 moles of ethylen oxide ; the condensation product of C
14-15 alcohol with 7 moles of ethylene oxide ; the condensation product of C
12-15 alcohol with 9 moles of ethylene oxide ; the condensation product of C
12-13 alcohol with 6.5 moles of ethylene oxide, which is stripped so as to remove lower
ethoxylate and nonethoxylated fractions ; the condensation product of coconut alcohol
with 5 moles of ethylene oxide ; the condensation product of coconut alcohol with
6 moles of ethylene oxide ; the condensation product of C
12-15 alcohol with 7 moles of ethylene oxide ; the condensation product of tallow alcohol
with 9 moles of ethylene oxide ; a 1 : 1 by weight mixture of the condensation product
of C
12-15 alcohol with 7 moles of ethylene oxide and the condensation product of C
14-15 alcohol with 7 moles of ethylene oxide ; and other mixtures of those surfactants.
[0091] Excellent cleaning results are also obtained where the ratio of nonionic surfactant
to cationic surfactant used in is about 2 1, 3 : 1, 3.5 : 1, 4.5 : 1, 5 : 1, 6 : 1,
or 8 : 1.
[0092] The brightener herein has the formula :

[0093] Substantially similar brightening results are obtained when the methyl groups in
the above structure are replaced, with C
2, C
4, or C
8 alkyl groups ; with hydrogen ; with C
2 or C
8 hydroxyalkyl ; with C
4 alkenyl ; with ―(CH
2)
2OCH
3; with ―(CH
2)
2N(CH
3)
2; with ―(CH
2CH
2O)
2H, ―(CH
2CH
2O)
6H, or ―(CH
2CH
2)
12H ; with

or with ―(CH
2CH
2O)
6(CH
2CH
2CH
2O)
2H.
[0094] Substantially similar brightening results are obtained when the brightener is replaced
with a brightener having the formula :

[0095] Substantially similar brightening results are obtained when the methyl groups in
the above structure are replaced, with C
2, C
4, or C
8 alkyl groups ; with hydrogen ; with C
2 or C
8 hydroxyalkyl ; with C
4 alkenyl ; with ―(CH
2)
2OCH
3 ; with ―(CH
2)
2N(CH
3)
2 ; with ―(CH
2CH
2O)
6H, or ―(CH
2CH
20)
12H ; with

or with ―(CH
2CH
2O)
6 (CH
2CH
2CH
2O)
2H.
[0096] Substantially similar brightening results are obtained when the brightener is replaced
with a brightener having the formula :

[0097] Substantially similar brightening results are obtained when the methyl groups in
the above structure are replaced, with C
2, C
4 or C
8 hydroxyalkyl ; with C
4 alkenyl ; with ―(CH
2)
2OCH
3; with ―(CH
2)
2N(CH
3)
2; with ―(CH
2CH
2O)
2H, ―(CH
2CH
20)
6H, or ―(CH
2CH
2O)
12H ; with

or with ―(CH
2CH
2O)
6(CH
2CH
2CH
2O)
2H.
[0098] In a given brightener compound, the substituted groups (the A groups in the general
formulae herein) may be both the same (for ease in synthesizing the molecule) or may
be chosen so as to be different (to make the molecule substantive to both cotton and
synthetic fabrics).
1. A detergent composition which imparts a soft feel to fabrics washed therewith,
which comprises :
(A) from 10 to 30 % by weight of one or more polyethoxy nonionic detergent having
an hydrophilic- lipophilic balance in the range from 8 to 15 and having not more than
an average of 16 ethoxy units per molecule provided that where the nonionic detergent
comprises a tallow alcohol ethoxylate, wherein the tallow alkyl moisty essentially
contains from 16-20 carbon atoms, said tallow alcohol ethoxylate shall contain an
average of between 7 and 12 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol ;
(B) from 1 to 15 % by weight of one or more cationic textile softeners,
(C) from 0.001 to 3 % by weight of a nonionic optical brightener of the following
types
(a) benzoxazoles
(b) coumarins
(c) 2,5-bis(benzimidazolyl) furans
(d) 4,4'-bis(2-sulphonamide styryl) biphenyls ;
(D) from 0 to 80 % by weight of a detergency builder ;
(E) from 0 to 5 % of a discolouration inhibitor ;
(F) from 0-5.0 % of an anionic surfactant ;
wherein the weight ratio of anionic surfactant to nonionic surfactant is less than
1 : 1 and the molar ratio of anionic surfactant to cationic softener is less than
1 : 1.
2. A composition according to Claim 1 which comprises : from 10 to 20 % by weight
of component (A) from 3 to 10 % by weight of component (B) from 0.01 to 0.5 % by weight
of component (C) and from 20 to 70 % by weight of component (D)
3. A composition according to Claim 1 to Claim 2 wherein the nonionic detergent is
selected from condensates of monohydric branched or unbranched primary or secondary
alcohols having from 8 to 20 carbon atoms and condensates of alkyl phenols having 6 to 16 carbon atoms in the
alkyl chain, each with from 4 to 16 molar proportions of ethylene oxide, and mixtures
thereof.
4. A composition according to any previous claim wherein the cationic softener is
selected from
(a) non-cyclic quaternary ammonium salts having at least one C12-30 alkyl chain in the molecule
(b) C8-25 alkyl imidazolinium salts
(c) C12.20 alkyl pyridinium salts
(d) C12-20 alkyl morpholinium salts
(e) substituted polyamino salts of general formula

wherein R10 is an alkyl or alkenyl group having 10 to 24 carbon atoms, the groups Rg which may
be the same of different each represent hydrogen, ―(C2H4O)pH, (C3H6O)qH, where p and q may be 0 or a number such that (p + q) does not exceed 25, n is an
integer from 2 to 6, m is from 1 to 9 and X(-) represents one or more anions having total charge balancing that of the nitrogen
atoms and
(f) mixtures thereof.
5. A composition according to Claim 4 wherein the cationic softener is selected from
ditallow dimethyl ammonium chloride, 2-tallow-1-methyl-1-(tallow amidoethyl) imidazoline
methosulphate ; or mixture thereof.
6. A composition according to any previous claim wherein the water soluble detergency
builder is selected from the group consisting of water soluble alkali metal carbonates,
bicarbonates, borates, phosphates, polyphosphates, silicates, sulphates, amino polycarboxylates,
phosphonates and mixtures thereof.
7. A composition according to any previous claim wherein the nonionic optical brightener
is selected from benzoxazole brighteners of the classes :
(i) bis(benzoxazol-2-yl) thiophenes of formula

wherein R is H, 5-methyl, 5-dimethylbenzyl, or 5-tertiary butyl ;
(ii) 1,2-bis(benzoxazol-2-yl)ethylenes of formula

wherein R1 and R2 are H, or R1 is H and R2 is 5-methyl,
(iii) 1,4-bis(benzoxazol-2-yl) naphthalenes of formula

wherein R3 is H or 5-carboxymethyl ;
(iv) 4,4'-bis(benzoxazol-2-yl)stilbenes of formula

wherein R4 is H, 5-carboxybutyl or 5-methyl ;
(v) 2-(styryl)benzoxazoles of formula

wherein R5 is H, or carboxymethyl ;
(vi) 2-(styryl) napthoxazole of formula

(vii) 2-(4-phenyl stilben-4'-yl)-5-tertbutyl benzoxazole of formula

and (viii) mixtures thereof.
8. A composition according to Claim 7 wherein the optical brightener is the compound
of formula :

in which R is CH
3
9. A composition according to Claim 1 to 8 wherein the optical brightener has the
formula

wherein R
1 represents H, a C
1-4 alkyl or an aralkyl group, R
2 represents H, an aryl or ―COOR
4, R
3 represents -OR
4, ―N(R
4)
2 or -NHCOCH
3, and each R
4 independently represents a C
1.
4 alkyl group.
10. A composition according to Claim 9 wherein R, is CH3, R2 is H, R3 is N(CH3)2, or N(C2H5)2.
11. A composition according to any one of Claims 1 to 10 wherein the optical brightener
has the formula

wherein each A is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C
1-C
8 alkyl, C
1-C
8 hydroxyalkyl, C
1-C
8 alkenyl,
―(CH2)nOCH3, wherein n is from 1 to 8,
―(CH2)nN(CH3)2, wherein n is from 1 to 8,
―(CH2CH2O)xH, wherein x is from 2 to 12,

wherein x is from 1 to 12 and

wherein x is from 1 to 12,

wherein m is from 1 to 12 and y is from 1 to 12 ;
12. A composition according to Claim 11 wherein each of the substituent groups A is
a methyl group.
13. A composition according to any one of Claims 1 to 12 wherein the optical brightener
has the formula (2)

wherein each A is selected from the group defined in Claim 11, or wherein (A)
2 is an oxazine ring containing the N atom.
14. A composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the discolouration
inhibitor (E) comprises 0.3 to 5 % of a material selected from
(a) condensates of tallow alcohols with from 20 to 100 molar proportions of ethylene
oxide.
(b) polyethylene glycols of molecular weight from 1 000 to 30 000 ; and
(c) polyvinyl alcohols of molecular weight from 10000 to 20 000.
1. Ein Waschmittel, welches damit gewaschenen Textilien einen weichen Griff verleiht,
umfassend :
(A) 10 bis 30 Gew.-% eines oder mehrerer nicht-ionischer Polyethoxydetergentien mit
einer Abstimmung von hydrophilen zu lipophilen Gruppen im Bereich von 8 bis 15 und
nicht mehr als durchschnittlich 16 Ethoxyeinheiten pro Molekül, mit der Maßgabe, daß
dann, wenn das nichtionische Detergens ein Talgalkoholethoxylat umfaßt, worin der
Talgalkylanteil im wesentlichen 16 bis 20 Kohlenstoffatome enthält, dieses Talgalkoholethoxylat
durchschnittlich zwischen 7 und 12 Mol Ethylenoxid pro Mol Alkohol enthalten soll
;
(B) 1 bis 15 Gew.-% eines oder mehrerer kationischer Textilweichmacher ;
(C) 0,001 bis 3 Gew.-% eines nichtionischen optischen Aufhellers der folgenden Typen
(a) Benzoxazole
(b) Cumarine
(c) 2,5-Bis-(benzimidazolyl)-furane
(d) 4,4'-Bis-(2-sulfonamid-styryl)-biphenyle ;
(D) 0 bis 80 Gew.-% eines Detergensgerüststoffes ;
(E) 0 bis 5 % eines Verfärbungs-inhibitors ;
(F) 0 bis 5,0 % eines anionischen oberflächenaktiven Mittels ;
worin das Gewichtsverhältnis von anionischem oberflächenaktivem Mittel zu nichtionischem
oberflächenaktivem Mittel weniger als 1 : 1 und das Molverhältnis von anionischem
oberflächenaktivem Mittel zu kationischem Weichmacher weniger als 1 : 1 beträgt.
2. Ein Mittel nach Anspruch 1, umfassend : 10 bis 20 Gew.-% des Bestandteils (A) 3
bis 10 Gew.-% des Bestandteils (B) 0,01 bis 0,5 Gew.-% des Bestandteils (C) und 20
bis 70 Gew.-% des Bestandteils (D).
3. Ein Mittel nach Anspruch 1 bis Anspruch 2, worin das nichtionische Detergens aus
Kondensaten von einwertigen, verzweigten oder nicht verzweigten, primären oder sekundären
Alkoholen mit 8 bis 20 Kohlenstoffatomen und Kondensaten von Alkylphenolen mit 6 bis
16 Kohlenstoffatomen in der Alkylkette, jeweils mit 4 bis 16 Molanteilen Ethylenoxid,
und Gemischen daraus ausgewählt ist.
4. Ein Mittel nach irgendeinem vorstehenden Anspruch, worin der kationische Weichmacher
aus
(a) nichtcyclischen quaternären Ammoniumsalzen mit mindestens einer C12-30-Alkylkette im Molekül
(b) C8-25-Alkylimidazoliniumsalzen
(c) C12-20-Alkylpyridiniumsalzen
(d) C12-20-Alkylmorpholiniumsalzen
(e) substituierten Polyaminosalzen der allgemeinen Formel

worin R,
0 eine Alkyl- oder Alkenylgruppe mit 10 bis 24 Kohlenstoffatomen, die Gruppen R
9, die gleich oder verschieden sein können, jeweils Wasserstoff, ―(C
2H
4O)
pH, (C
3H
6O)
qH, worin p und q 0 oder eine solche Zahl sein können, daß (p + q) 25 nicht überschreitet,
n eine ganze Zahl von 2 bis 6, m 1 bis 9 und X(
-) eines oder mehrere Anionen, deren Gesamtladung die der Stickstoffatome ausgleicht,
bedeuten und (f) Gemischen daraus ausgewählt ist.
5. Ein Mittel nach Anspruch 4, worin der kationische Weichmacher aus Ditalgdimethylammoniumchlorid,
-2-Talg-1-methyl-1-(talgamidoethyl)-imidazolin-methosulfat oder Gemischen daraus ausgewählt
ist.
6. Ein Mittel nach irgendeinem vorstehenden Anspruch, worin der wasserlösliche Detergensgerüststoff
aus der Gruppe bestehend aus wasserlöslichen Alkalimetall-carbonaten, -bicarbonaten,
-boraten, - phosphaten, -polyphosphaten, -silikaten, -sulfaten, -aminopoly-carboxylaten,
-phosphonaten und Gemischen daraus ausgewählt ist.
7. Ein Mittel nach irgendeinem vorstehenden Anspruch, worin der nichtionische optische
Aufheller aus Benzoxazol-Aufhellern der Klassen :
(i) Bis-(benzoxazol-2-yl)-thiophenen der Formel

worin R H, 5-Methyl, 5-Dimethylbenzyl oder 5-tert.-Butyl bedeutet ;
(ii) 1,2-Bis-(benzoxazol-2-yl)-ethylenen der Formel

worin R1 und R2H sind, oder R1H und R2 5-Methyl sind,
(iii) 1,4-Bis-(benzoxazol-2-yl)-naphthalinen der Formel

worin R3H oder 5-Carboxymethyl ist ;
(iv) 4,4'-Bis-(benzoxazol-2-yl)-stilbenen der Formel

worin R4H, 5-Carboxybutyl oder 5-Methyl ist ;
(v) 2-(Styryl)-benzoxazolen der Formel

worin R5H oder Carboxymethyl ist ;
(vi) 2-(Styryl)-naphthoxazol der Formel

(vii) 2-(4-Phenylstitben-4'-yl)-5-tert.-butyl-benzoxazol der Formel

und (viii) Gemischen daraus, ausgewählt ist.
8. Ein Mittel nach Anspruch 7, worin der optische Aufheller die Verbindung der Formel

ist, worin R CH
3 ist.
9. Ein Mittel nach den Ansprüchen 1 bis 8, worin der optische Aufheller die Formel
:

hat, worin R
1 H, eine C
1-4-Alkyl- oder eine Aralkyl-gruppe bedeutet, R
2 H, ein Aryl oder ―COOR
4 bedeutet, R
3 -OR
4, -N(R
4)
4 oder -NHCOCH
3 darstellt und jeder R
4 unabhängig eine C
1-4-Alkylgruppe bedeutet.
10. Ein Mittel nach Anspruch 9, worin R1CH3 ist, R2 H ist, R3N(CH3)2 oder N(C2H5)2 ist.
11. Ein Mittel nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 10, worin der optische Aufheller die
Formel

hat, worin jedes A aus der Gruppe bestehend aus Wasserstoff, C
1-C
8-Alkyl, C
1-C
8-Hydroxyalkyl, C
1-C
8-Alkenyl,
―(CH2)nOCH3, worin n 1 bis 8 ist,
―(CH2)nN(CH3)2, worin n 1 bis 8 ist,
―(CH2CH2O)xH. worin x 2 bis 12 ist,

worin x 1 bis 12 ist und

worin x 1 bis 12 ist,

worin m 1 bis 12 ist und y 1 bis 12 ist ; ausgewählt ist.
12. Ein Mittel nach Anspruch 11, worin jede der Substituentengruppen A eine Methylgruppe
ist.
13. Ein Mittel nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 12, worin der optische Aufheller die
Formel (2)

hat, worin jedes A aus der in Anspruch 11 definierten Gruppe ausgewählt ist oder worin
(A)
2 ein das N-Atom enthaltender Oxazinring ist.
14. Ein Mittel nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, worin der Verfärbungsinhibitor
(E) 0,3 bis 5 % eines Stoffes ausgewählt aus
(a) Kondensaten von Talgalkoholen mit 20 bis 100 Molanteilen Ethylenoxid,
(b) Polyethylenglykolen mit einem Molekulargewicht von 1 000 bis 30 000 ; und
(c) Polyvinylalkoholen mit einem Molekulargewicht von 10000 bis 20000 umfaßt.
1. Composition détergente qui confère un toucher doux aux tissus lavés avec cette
composition, caractérisée en ce qu'elle comprend :
(A) de 10 à 30 % en poids d'un ou de plusieurs détergents polyéthoxylés non ioniques
ayant un équilibre hydrophile/lipophile de l'ordre de 8 à 15 et n'ayant pas plus qu'une
moyenne de 16 unités éthoxy par molécule à condition que, si le détergent non ionique
comprend un éthoxylate d'alcool de suif dans lequel la portion alkyle de suif contient
de 16 à 20 atomes de carbone, cet éthoxylate d'alcool de suif contienne en moyenne
entre 7 et 12 moles d'oxyde d'éthylène par mole d'alcool ;
(B) de 1 à 15 % en poids d'un ou de plusieurs adoucissants cationiques pour textiles
;
(C) de 0,001 à 3 % en poids d'un agent de blanchiment optique non ionique des types
suivants :
(a) benzoxazoles
(b) coumarines
(c) 2,5-bis(benzimidazolyl)furannes
(d) 4,4'-bis(2-sulfonamide styryl)biphényles
(D) de 0 à 80 % en poids d'un adjuvant de détergence ;
(E) de 0 à 5 % en poids d'un inhibiteur de décoloration ;
(F) de 0 à 5,0 % en poids d'un agent tensio-actif anionique
dans laquelle le rapport pondéral de l'agent tensio-actif anionique à l'agent tensio-actif
non ionique est inférieur à 1 : 1 et le rapport molaire de l'agent tensio-actif anionique
à l'adoucissant cationique est inférieur à 1 : 1.
2. Composition selon la revendication 1, caractérisée en ce qu'elle comprend : de
10 à 20 % en poids du constituant (A), de 3 à 10 % en poids du constituant (B), de
0,01 à 0,5 % en poids du constituant (C), et de 20 à 70 % en poids du constituant
(D).
3. Composition selon l'une des revendications 1 et 2, caractérisée en ce que le détergent
non ionique est choisi parmi les produits de condensation de monoalcools primaires
ou secondaires ramifiés ou non ramifiés ayant de 8 à 20 atomes de carbone et les produits
de condensation d'alkyl-phénois ayant de 6 à 16 atomes de carbone dans la chaîne alkyle,
chacun contenant de 4 à 16 moles d'oxyde d'éthylène par molécule, et des mélanges
de ces produits de condensation.
4. Composition selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 3, caractérisée en ce
que l'adoucissant cationique est choisi parmi :
(a) les sels d'ammonium quaternaire, non cycliques ayant au moins une chaîne alkyle
en C12-30 dans la molécule
(b) les sels d'alkyl-imidazolinium dans lesquels le groupe alkyle est en C8-25
(c) les sels d'alkyl-pyridinium dans lesquels le groupe alkyle est en C12-20
(d) les sels d'alkyl-morpholinium dans lesquels le groupe alkyle est en C12-20
(e) les sels de polyamines substituées de formule générale :

dans laquelle Rlo est un groupe alkyle ou alcényle ayant de 10 à 24 atomes de carbone, les groupes
Rg qui peuvent être identiques ou différents, représentent chacun l'hydrogène, un
groupe ―(C2H4O)pH, ou ―(C3H6O)qH, où p et q peuvent être zéro ou un nombre tel que (p + q) ne dépasse pas 25, n est
un nombre entier compris entre 2 et 6, m est compris entre 1 et 9 et X(-) représente un ou plusieurs anions dont la charge totale équilibre celle des atomes
d'azote, et
(f) leurs mélanges.
5. Composition selon la revendication 4, caractérisée en ce que l'adoucissant cationique
est choisi parmi le chlorure de disuif-diméthyl-ammonium, le méthosulfate de 2-suif-1-méthyl-1-(suif-amidoé-
thyl)imidazoline, ou leurs mélanges.
6. Composition selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 5, caractérisée en ce
que l'adjuvant de détergence est choisi parmi les carbonates, bicarbonates, borates,
phosphates, polyphosphates, silicates, sulfates, amino polycarboxylates, phosphonates,
de métaux alcalins, solubles dans l'eau, et les mélanges de ces sels.
7. Composition selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 6, caractérisée en ce
que l'agent de blanchîment optique, non ionique, est choisi parmi :
(i) les bis(benzoxazol-2-yl)thiophènes de formule :

dans laquelle R est H, un groupe 5-méthyle, 5-diméthylbenzyle ou 5-butyle tertiaire
;
(ii) les 1,2-bis(benzoxazol-2-yl)éthylènes de formule

dans laquelle R1 et R2 sont H, ou R1 est H et R2 est un groupe 5-méthyle,
(iii) les 1,4-bis(benzoxazol-2-yl)naphtalènes de formule

dans laquelle R3 est H ou un groupe 5-carboxyméthyle ;
(iv) les 4,4'-bis-(benzoxazol-2-yl)stilbènes de formule

dans laquelle R4 est H ou un groupe 5-carboxybutyle ou 5-méthyle ;
(v) les 2-(styryl)benzoxazoles de formule

dans laquelle R5 est H ou un groupe carboxyméthyle ;
(vi) le 2-(styryl)naphtoxazole de formule

(vii) le 2-(4-phényl stilbène-4-yl)-5-tert-butyl benzoxazole de formule

et (viii) leurs mélanges.
8. Composition selon la revendication 7, caractérisé en ce que l'agent de blanchiment
optique est le composé de formule

dans laquelle R est CH
3.
9. Composition selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 8, caractérisée en ce
que l'agent de blanchiment optique a la formule

dans laquelle R
1 représente H, un groupe alkyle en C
1-4 ou un groupe aralkyle, R
2 représente H, un groupe aryle ou ―COOR
4, R
3 représente ―OR
4, -N(R
4)
2 ou -NHCOCH
3 et chaque substituant R
4 représente indépendamment un groupe alkyle en C
1-4.
10. Composition selon la revendication 9, caractérisée en ce que R, est CH3, R2 est H, R3 est N(CH3)2 ou N(C2H5)2.
11. Composition selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 10, caractérisée en
ce que l'agent de blanchiment optique a la formule

dans laquelle chaque A est choisi parmi l'hydrogène, un groupe alkyle en Ci-Ce, hydroxyalkyle
en C
1-C
8, alcényle en C
1-C
8,
―(CH2)nOCH3 où n est compris entre 1 et 8,
―(CH2)nN(CH3)2, où n est compris entre 1 et 8,
―(CH2CH2O)×H, où x est compris entre 2 et 12,

où x est compris entre 1 et 12 et

où x est compris entre 1 et 12,

où m est compris entre 1 et 12 et y est compris entre 1 et 12.
12. Composition selon la revendication 11, caractérisée en ce que chacun des groupes
substituants A est un groupe méthyle.
13. Composition selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 12, caractérisée en
ce que l'agent de blanchiment optique a la formule (2)

dans laquelle chaque A est choisi parmi les groupes définis dans la revendication
11, ou dans laquelle (A)
2 est un noyau d'oxazine contenant l'atome d'azote.
14. Composition selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 13, caractérisée en
ce que l'inhibiteur de décoloration (E) représente de 0,3 à 5 % d'un matériau choisi
parmi :
(a) les produits de condensation d'alcool de suif avec de 20 à 100 en proportions
molaires d'oxyde d'éthylène,
(b) les polyéthylène glycols ayant une masse moléculaire comprise entre 1 000 et 30
000 ; et
(c) les alcools polyvinyliques ayant une masse moléculaire comprise entre 10000 et
20 000.