[0001] This invention relates to fabric softening compositions and, in particular, to compositions
in aqueous medium having improved softening effectiveness combined with excellent
physical characteristics, especially formulation stability.
[0002] Conventional rinse-added fabric softening compositions contain fabric softening agents
which are substantially water-insoluble cationic materials usually having two long
alkyl chains. Typical of such materials are distearyl di-methyl ammonium chloride
and imidazolinium compounds substituted with two stearyl groups. These materials are
normally prepared in the form of an aqueous dispersion or emulsion, and it is generally
not possible to prepare such aqueous dispersions with more than about 6% of cationic
material without taking special precautions to ensure acceptable viscosity and stability
characteristics. Indeed, with cationic levels in excess of about 8% the problems of
physical instability and high viscosity become, in the case of conventional fabric
softening products, almost intractable. This, of course, limits the level of softening
performance achievable with conventional compositions without using excessive amounts
of product, and also adds substantially to distribution and packaging costs, because
of the need to market such dilute solutions of the active ingredient.
[0003] One approach which has been taken to improve the softening performance of cationic
fabric softeners has been via the incorporation of certain fatty or oily materials
in the softener active system. While these adjunct materials have little intrinsic
softening capability in their own right, they are apparently effective in extending
the performance of conventional cationic softening materials, both in concentrated
and normal softener compositions so that the cost-effectiveness of these compositions
is considerably improved. Moreover, by incorporating relatively high proportions of
the oily adjunct materials in relation to the cationic softener, and by adding thereto
relatively high proportions of a water-soluble cationic surfactant in relation to
the cationic softener, concentrated softening compositions can be prepared containing
a high total level of active softening materials. Reference is made to published European
Patent Application No. 0000406 and Belgian Patent No. 868934 (equivalent to DE-A 2830
173) both of which are relevant to this general approach. Note also BE-A 871 431 which
relates to water-free liquid fabric softener concentrates incorporating oily materials
and to dilute aqueous softener compositions prepared there from.
[0004] Formulations prepared in this manner, however, are still not entirely satisfactory.
Thus, while such compositions do allow a high concentration of active ingredient,
the level of softness benefit delivered by such compositions on a unit active weight
basis is still much lower than for conventional dilute products and problems of physical
formulation characteristics, especially phase stability and also viscosity, still
remain. In particular, an important limitation of the prior art compositions is the
difficulty in meeting simultaneous product stability and viscosity characteristics.
Indeed, phase stability remains a problem even in the case of dilute softener compositions
formulated in the manner of the above prior art references.
[0005] Other approaches have also been taken for improving the physical characteristics
of softener compositions of course. Thus, it is generally known (for example in U.S.
Patent No. 3 681 241 ) that the presence of ionizable salts in concentrated compositions
do help reduce viscosity, but these materials do not offer the additional benefit
of enhancing the softening performance of the compositions. More importantly, the
quantity of ionizable salts required for significant viscosity reduction is found
to be generally deleterious in terms of product stability. Dutch patent application
No. 6706178 (NL-A 6706178) relates to viscosity control in fabric softening compositions
with up to 12% of cationic softener, and suggests the use of low molecular weight
hydrocarbons for this purpose, while German patent application No. 2503026 (DE-A 2503026)
discloses a complex softener/disinfectant composition in which a long chain fatty
alcohol is suggested as a solubilization aid. Finally, U.S. Patent No. 3 793 196 describes
an improved viscosity softening agent in the form of an oil-inwater emulsion comprising
a cationic surface-active agent, a higher fatty alcohol, a sobitan fatty acid ester
and a polyethoxylated nonionic surfactant.
[0006] The present invention accordingly provides a fabric softening composition having
improved softening characteristics and cost-effectiveness combined with excellent
physical characteristics, especially phase stability, freeze-thaw behaviour and low
viscosity; and it further provides a concentrated fabric softening composition having
satisfactory characteristics for consumer use, based on cationic fabric softener as
the major active component.
[0007] According to the present invention, there is provided an aqueous fabric softening
composition comprising:
(a) from 6% to 22% by weight of a water-insoluble cationic fabric softener,
(b) up to 8% by weight of a water-soluble cationic or nonionic surfactant or mixture
thereof, and
(c) a Clo-C40 non-cyclic hydrocarbon, or a mixture thereof with a fatty acid ester of a monohydric
alcohol, said ester having a total of 10 to 40 carbon atoms,
[0008] wherein the weight ratio of (a) to (b) is in the range from 20:1 to 5:2, and the
weight ratio of (a) to (c) is in the range from 8:1 to 2:1.
[0009] The physical form of the composition is that of a dispersion of an anisotropic softener
phase in an aqueous isotropic surfactant solution phase. The physical form is simply
determined under a polarizing microscope. The anisotropic/isotropic phase system is
highly important for achieving optimum viscosity, stability, softening and other textile
benefits.
[0010] The water insoluble cationic fabric softener is preferably a di-C
12-C
24 alkyl or alkenyl 'onium salt, especially a mono- or polyammonium salt, an imidazolinium
salt or a mixture of such salts. Highly preferred are mono-quaternary ammonium salts,
imidazolinium salts and mixtures thereof.
[0011] The water-soluble cationic surfactant is preferably a mono-C
8-24 alkyl or alkenyl 'onium salt, especially a mono- or polyammonium salt, an imidazolinium
salt, a pyridinium salt or a mixture of such salts. Highly preferred are mono-quaternary
ammonium salts, imidazolinium salts and mixtures thereof.
[0012] The preferred water-soluble nonionic surfactant has the general formula RO(CH
2CH
20)
nH wherein R is a C
8-20 alkyl or alkenyl group, and n is from 2 to 100.
[0013] From the point of view of optimum product stability and viscosity and softening performance,
the weight ratio of water-insoluble cationic to water-soluble cationic and/or nonionic
surfactant, falls preferably in the range from 20:1 to 4:1, especially from 15:1 to
6:1. The weight ratio of the cationic softener to the hydrophobic adjunct, on the
other hand, falls in the range from 8:1 to 2:1. In terms of level, compositions of
the invention preferably comprise up to 6% of the water-soluble cationic and/or nonionic
surfactant, up to 6% of the non-cyclic hydrocarbon and from 0% to 6% of the fatty
acid ester.
[0014] In the present specification, percentage figures given for components in a composition
refer to the weight percent of that component in the composition.
[0015] With regard to the hydrophobic adjunct, highly preferred materials are C
12-C
24, especially C
12-C
20 paraffins or paraffin mixtures and mixtures thereof with esters of C
12-C
24 fatty acids with monohydric alcohols having from 1 to 8 carbon atoms in a 3:1 to
1: weight ratio.
[0016] At higher concentrations of water insoluble cationic softener, greater than 12% by
weight, it is desirable to include relatively high levels of water-soluble surfactant
in relation to the insoluble softener. Thus, there are two highly preferred executions:
(A) A composition comprising:
(a) from 6% to 12% by weight of a water-insoluble cationic fabric softener which is
a mixture of:
(i) a di-C12-C24 alkyl or alkenyl mono-quaternary ammonium salt, and
(ii) a di-C,2-C24 alkyl or alkenyl imidazolinium salt,
wherein the weight ratio of (i) to (ii) is in the range from 1:6 to 1:1,
(b) a water-soluble cationic surfactant which is:
(i) a mono-C8-C24 alkyl or alkenyl mono-quaternary ammonium salt,
(ii) a mono-C8-C24 alkyl or alkenyl imidazolinium salt, or
(iii) a mixture thereof, and
(c) a C12-C24preferably C12-C20 paraffin or paraffin mixture, wherein the weight ratio of (a) to (b) is in the range
from 10.1 to 5.2, and the weight ratio of (a) to (c) is in the range from 5:1 to 5:2;
and
(B) A composition comprising
(a) from 12% to 22% of a water-insoluble di-C12-C24 alkyl or alkenyl imidazolinium salt,
(b) up to 8% of a water-soluble cationic surfactant which is:
(i) a mono-C8-C24 alkyl or alkenyl mono-quaternary ammonium salt,
(ii) a mono-C8-C24 alkyl or alkenyl imidazolinium salt, or
(iii) a mixture thereof, and
(c) at least 6% of a 3:1 to 1:3 mixture of:
(i) a C12-C24 preferably C12-C30 paraffin or paraffin mixture, and
(ii) an ester of a C12-C24 fatty acid with a C1-C8 monohydric alcohol,
wherein the weight ratio of (a) to (b) is in the range from 4:1 to 5:2, and the weight
ratio of (a) to (c) is in the range from 7:2 to 2:1.
[0017] Compositions of the invention thus comprise three essential ingredients, a water-insoluble
cationic fabric softener, a water-soluble cationic and/or nonionic surfactant and
a hydrophobic adjunct selected from C
10-C
40 non-cyclic hydrocarbons and mixtures thereof with specified fatty acid esters, the
water soluble surfactant and the hydrophobic adjunct acting in combination to provide
compositions of optimum viscosity and stability. The essential components will now
be discussed in detail.
The Cationic Fabric Softener
[0018] The water-insoluble cationic fabric softener can be any fabric-substantive cationic
compound which, in pure form as a strong acid salt (e.g. chloride), has a solubility
in distilled water at pH 2.5 and 20°C of less than 1 g/I, or can be a mixture of such
compounds. In this context, the soluble fraction of the surfactant is taken to be
that material which cannot be separated from water by centrifugal action and which
passes a 100 nm Nuclepore filter (Registered Trade Mark). Preferred materials are
di-C
12-C
24 alkyl or alkenyl 'onium salts, especially mono- and poly-ammonium salts, and imidazolinium
salts. Optionally, the two long chain alkyl or alkenyl groups may be substituted or
interrupted by functional groups such as -OH, -O-, CONH-, -COO-, etc.
[0019] Well known species of substantially water-insoluble mono-ammonium compounds are the
quaternary ammonium compounds having the formula:

wherein R
1 and R
2 represent alkyl or alkenyl groups of from 12 to 24 carbon atoms; R
3 and R
4 represent alkyl, alkenyl or hydroxyalkyl groups containing from 1 to 4 carbon atoms;
and X is the salt counteranion, preferably selected from halide, methyl sulfate and
ethyl sulfate radicals. Representative examples of these quaternary softeners include
ditallow dimethyl ammonium chloride; ditallow dimethyl ammonium methyl sulfate; dihexadecyl
dimethyl ammonium chloride; di(hydrogenated tallow alkyl) dimethyl ammonium chloride;
dioctadecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride; dieicosyl dimethyl ammonium chloride; didocosyl
dimethyl ammonium chloride; di(hydrogenated tallow) dimethyl ammonium methyl sulfate;
dihexadecyl diethyl ammonium chloride; di(coconut alkyl) dimethyl ammonium chloride
and di(coconut alkyl) dimethyl ammonium methosulfate. Of these ditallow dimethyl ammonium
chloride and di(hydrogenated tallow alkyl) dimethyl ammonium chloride are preferred.
[0020] Another preferred class of water-insoluble cationic materials are the alkyl imidazolinium
salts believed to have the formula:

wherein R
6 is an alkyl containing from 1 to 4, preferably 1 or 2 carbon atoms, R
7 is an alkyl containing from 12 to 24 carbon atoms, R
8 is an alkyl containing from 12 to 24 carbon atoms, and Rg is hydrogen or an alkyl
containing from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and X is the salt counter-anion, preferably a
halide, methosulfate or ethosulfate. Preferred imidazolinium salts include 3-methyl-1-(tallowyl-
amido)ethyl-2-tallowyl-4,5-dihydroimidazolinium methosulfate and 3-methyl-1-(palmitoylami-
do)ethyl-2-octadecyl-4,5-dihydroimidazolinium chloride. Other useful imidazolinium
materials are 2-heptadecyl
-3-methyl-1-(2-stearylamido)-ethyl-4,5-dihydroimidazolinium chloride and 2-lau ryl-3-hydroxyethyl-1-(oleylamido)ethyl-4,5-dihydroimidazolinium
chloride. Also suitable herein are the imidazolinium fabric softening components of
U.S. Patent No. 4127 489.
[0021] In the present invention, the water-insoluble cationic softener is present at a level
of at least 6%. The overall aim is to adjust the levels of the softening and surfactant
components within the prescribed limits to provide products which are stable to separation
in a centrifuge at 3000 r.p.m. for 16 hours and which have a viscosity of less than
350 mPas, preferably less than 150 mPas measured in a Brookfield Viscometer, using
Spindle No. 2 at 60 r.p.m. and at 21°C. The maximum level of cationic softener in
the present formulations is determined by practical considerations; thus, above a
cationic softener level of 22% the problems of physical stability and product viscosity
are such that it is not generally possible to formulate stable pourable emulsions
based on water-insoluble cationic softener as the major softening component.
The Water-Soluble Surfactant
[0022] The water-soluble surfactant is a cationic or nonionic surfactant having a solubility
in distilled water at pH2.5 and 20°C of greater than 1 g/I. Once again, the solubility
of the cationic surfactant is defined with reference to the pure material in the form
of a strong acid salt (e.g. chloride), and the soluble fraction of the surfactant
is taken to be that material which cannot be separated from water by centrifugal action
and which passes a 100 nm Nuclepore filter.
[0023] Preferred water-soluble cationic surfactants are mono-C
B-C
24 alkyl or alkenyl ammonium salts, imidazolinium salts, pyridinium salts and mixtures
thereof.
[0024] Suitable water-soluble mono-ammonium compounds have the general formula:

wherein R
5 represents a C
a-C
24 alkyl or alkenyl group, R
6 represents hydrogen, a C
1-C
12 alkyl, alkenyl or hydroxyalkyl group, an aryl group, a C
1-6 alkylaryl group, or a poly(ethylene oxide) group having from 2 to 20 ethylene oxide
units, R
7, R
8 individually represent hydrogen, a C
1-C
4 alkyl, alkenyl or hydroxyalkyl group or a poly(ethylene oxide) group having from
2 to 20 ethylene oxide units and X is as defined above.
[0025] Highly preferred materials of this general type include the tallow trimethyl ammonium
salts, cetyl trimethyl ammonium salts, myristyl trimethyl ammonium salts, coconutalkyl
trimethyl ammonium salts, stearyl dimethyl ammonium salts, cetyl dimethyl ammonium
salts, myristyl dimethyl ammonium salts, coconutalkyl dimethyl ammonium salts, oleyl
methyl ammonium salts, palmityl methyl ammonium salts, myristyl methyl ammonium salts,
lauryl methyl ammonium salts, dodecyl dimethyl hydroxyethyl ammonium salts, dodecyl
dimethyl hydroxypropyl ammonium salts, myristyl dimethyl hydroxyethyl ammonium salts,
dodecyl dimethyl dioxyethylenyl ammonium salts, myristyl benzyl hydroxyethyl methyl
ammonium salts, coconutalkyl benzyl hydroxyethyl methyl ammonium salts, dodecyl dihydroxyethyl
methyl ammonium salts, cetyl dihydroxyethyl methyl ammonium salts, and stearyl dihydroxyethyl
methyl ammonium salts.
[0026] Highly preferred water-soluble imidazolinium materials are represented by the general
formula

or acids salts thereof, wherein R
6, R
7, R
8, R
9 and X were defined earlier. Preferred imidazolinium salts of this general formula
include the compound in which R
6 is methyl, R
8 is tallowyl and Rg is hydrogen and the compound in which R
6 is methyl, R
8 is palmitoyl and R
9 is hydrogen.
[0027] Highly preferred water-soluble polyammonium 20 cation materials are represented by
the general formula:

wherein R
11 is selected from an alkyl or alkenyl group having from 12 to 24, preferably from
16 to 20 carbon atoms in the alk(en)yl chain, R
11CO-and R
11-O-(CH
2)
n-; each R
10 is independently selected from hydrogen, -(C
2H
4O)
pH, -(C
3H
6O)
qH, -(C
2H
4O)
r(C
3H
6O)
sH, a C
1-3 alkyl group and the group -(CH
2)
n-N(R')2, wherein R
' is selected from hydrogen, -(C
2H
40)
PH, -(C
2H
40)p(C
3H
60)qH and C
1-3 alkyl; n is an integer from 2 to 6, preferably 2 or 3; m is an integer from 1 to
5, preferably 1 or 2; p, q, r and s are each a number such that the total p + q +
r + s in the molecule does not exceed 25 (preferably, each p and q is 1 or 2 and each
r and s is 1); and X represents one or more anions having total charge balancing that
of the nitrogen atoms.
[0028] Preferred water-soluble cationic materials are alkoxylated and contain not more than
one -C
2H
40H or -C
3H
6OH group attached to each nitrogen atom, except that up to two of these groups can
be attached to a terminal nitrogen atom which is not substituted by an alkyl group
having from 10 to 24 carbon atoms.
[0029] Polyamine species suitable for use herein include:
N-tallowyl,N,N' N' -tris(2-hydroxyethyl) 1,3-propanediamine di-hydrochloride or dibenzoate;
N-soybean alkyl 1,3-propane diammonium sulfate;
N-stearyI,N,N'-di(2-hydroxyethyl)-N'-(3-hydroxypropyl)-1,3-propanediamine dihydrofluoride;
N-cocoyl-N,N,N',N',N'-pentamethyl-1,3-propane diammonium dichloride or di-methosulfate;
N-oleyl N,N',N'-tris (3-hydroxypropyl)-1,3-propanediamine dihydrofluoride;
N-stearyl N,N',N'-tris(2-hydroxyethyl) N,N'- dimethyl-1,3-propanediammonium dimethylsulfate;
N-palmityl N,N',N'-tris(3-hydroxypropyl)-1,3-propanediamine dihydrobromide;
N-(stearyloxypropyl) N,N',N'-tris(3-hydroxypropyl)1,3-propanediammonium diacetate;
N-tallowyl N-(3-aminopropyl)1,3-propanediamine trihydrochloride;
N-oleyl N-[1 N",N" bis(2-hydroxyethyl)3-aminopropyl]N',N'-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)1,3-diaminopropane
trihydrofluoride;
N-tallowyl diethylene triamine trihydrochloride.
[0030] The water-soluble cationic surfactant herein can also be represented by alkyl pyridinium
salts having the following formula:

wherein R
12 is a C
10-C
24, preferably C
16 or C
18 alkyl radical and X is a suitable anion as defined hereinbefore, preferably a halide,
especially chloride or bromide.
[0031] It should be understood, of course, that water-soluble cationic surfactants of the
amine-salt class can be added in the form of the neutral amine followed by pH adjustment
to within the range from pH4to pH8.
The Hydrophobic Adjunct
[0032] The hydrophobic adjunct is selected from non-cyclic hydrocarbons and mixtures thereof
with fatty acid esters of monohydric alcohols, each component having a total of from
10 to 40 carbon atoms. The hydrophobic adjunct is present in an amount relative to
the insoluble cationic softener and the water-soluble cationic and/or nonionic surfactant,
to provide a dispersion of anisotropic softener phase in isotropic aqueous surfactant
phase.
[0033] The first class of hydrophobic adjunct is represented by non-cyclic hydrocarbons
having from 10 to 40, preferably from 12 to 24, more preferably from 12 to 20 carbon
atoms.
[0034] Preferably, hydrocarbons useful in the present invention are paraffins or olefins,
but other materials, such as alkynes and halo-paraffins, for example myristyl chloride
or stearyl bromide, are not excluded. Materials known generally as paraffin oil, soft
paraffin wax and petrolatum are especially suitable. Examples of specific materials
are tetradecane, hexadecane, octadecane and octadecene. Preferred commercially-available
paraffin mixtures include spindle oil and light oil and technical grade mixtures of
C
14/C
l7 and C
18/C
20 n-paraffins.
[0035] The second class of hydrophobic adjunct is represented by fatty acid esters having
a total of 10 to 40 carbon atoms. Preferred materials are esters of C
S-C
24 fatty acids with mono-hydric alcohols having from 1 to 8, especially from 1 to 4
carbon atoms.
[0036] The mono-hydric alcohol portion of the ester can be represented by methanol, ethanol,
n-propanol, iso-propanol, n-butanol, iso-butanol, t-butanol, 2-ethyl-hexanol and iso-octanol.
[0037] Examples of such materials are methyl laurate, ethyl stearate, isopropyl myristate,
isopropyl pal- mitate, iso-butyl stearate, isopropylstearate, 2-ethylhexyl laurate
and isooctyl myristate. Of the above, iso-butyl stearate is highly preferred.
[0038] Of all the above, paraffins having from 12 to 20 carbon atoms constitute the preferred
adjunct. However, mixtures of paraffins and fatty acid esters in a 3:1 to 1:3 weight
ratio are also effective.
[0039] Apart from enhancing the phase stability of the composition, the hydrophobic adjunct
acts to lower the viscosity of the composition and because each of the materials has
a long fatty chain, the agent does contribute to some extent to the softening performance
of the composition, a feature which is not shared by other known viscosity control
agents, for example electrolytes and low molecular weight solvent materials. Compositions
of the present invention also have enhanced dispersibility in cold water and exhibit
less dispenser residues than conventional fabric softening composition based solely
on a cationic fabric softener.
Optional Ingredients
[0040] In addition to the above-mentioned components, the compositions may contain other
textile treatment or conditioning agents. Such agents include silicones, as for example
described in DE-A2631419.
[0041] The optional silicone component can be used in an amount of from 0.1% to 6%, preferably
from 0.5% to 2% of the softener composition.
[0042] A further optional component of the present composition is a fatty acid ester of
a polyhydric alcohol, for instance a C
12-C
22 fatty acid ester of ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, glycerol, diglycerol, xylitol,
sucrose, erythritol, pentaerythritol, sorbitol or sorbitan. These esters, specific
examples of which include ethyleneglycol monostearate, propyleneglycol monostearate,
glyceryl monostearate and glyceryl distearate, can provide an additional softening
facility. However, in as much as such fatty acid esters are relatively hydrophilic
and indeed are emulsifying materials in their own right, it is desirable to include
such materials in a level of no more than 4% by weight or in a weight ratio with respect
to the cationic softener of no more than 2:3.
[0043] The compositions herein can contain other optional ingredients which are known to
be suitable for use in textile softeners at usual levels for their known functions.
Such adjuvants include emulsifiers, perfumes, preservatives, germicides, colorants,
dyes fungicides, stabilizers, brighteners and opacifiers. These adjuvants, if used,
are normally added at their conventional low levels.
[0044] The composition of the invention can also comprise additional viscosity control agents,
such as 1% to 10% of lower alcohols, especially ethanol and isopropanol, and electrolytes,
for example calcium chloride, at levels of from 100 to 1000 ppm. It is a feature of
the invention, however, that such materials can be reduced or eliminated completely
from the instant compositions.
[0045] The compositions can normally be prepared by mixing the ingredients together in water,
heating to a temperature of about 60°C and agitating for 5-30 minutes.
[0046] The pH of the compositions is generally adjusted to be in the range from 3 to 8,
preferably from 4 to 6. In this preferred pH range, it will be understood that the
neutralization of amines or polyamines in the composition can be incomplete.
[0047] When compositions of the present invention are added to the rinse liquor, a concentration
from 10 ppm to 1000 ppm, preferably from 50 ppm to 500 ppm, of total active ingredient
is appropriate.
[0048] The following examples illustrate the invention. In the Examples, the following abbreviations
are used:
[0049]

Examples I to Vl
[0050] Concentrated liquid fabric softeners were prepared having the compositions indicated
below, by dispersing the active ingredients in water at about 60°C.

[0051] The above compositions had good phase stability, low viscosity, good dispersibility
and excellent softening characteristics compared with compositions containing no hydrophobic
adjunct or no water-soluble cationic or nonionic surfactants or with compositions
in which the active system contains a major proportion of hydrophobic adjunct and/or
soluble surfactant.
Example VII
[0052] Concentrated fabric softeners were prepared in analogous manner with the compositions
indicated below.

[0053] The above composition was a stable dispersion with low viscosity, good dispersibility
and excellent softening characteristics compared with compositions containing no hydrophobic
adjunct or soluble surfactant or with compositions in which the active system contains
a major proportion of the hydrophobic adjunct and/or soluble surfactant.
1. An aqueous fabric softening composition comprising:
(a) from 6% to 22% by weight of a water-insoluble cationic fabric softener,
(b) up to 8% by weight of a water-soluble cationic or nonionic surfactant or mixture
thereof, and
(c) a C10-C40 non-cyclic hydrocarbon, or a mixture thereof with a fatty acid ester of a monohydric
alcohol, said ester having a total of 10 to 40 carbon atoms, wherein the weight ratio
of (a) to (b) is in the range from 20:1 to 5:2, and the weight ratio of (a) to (c)
is in the range from 8:1 to 2:1 and wherein the composition is in the form of an anisotropic
softener phase in an isotropic surfactant phase.
2. A composition according to Claim 1 characterized in that the cationic fabric softener
is:
(i) A di-C'2-C24 alkyl or alkenyl mono- or poly- ammonium salt,
(ii) A di-C12-C24 alkyl or alkenyl imidazolinium salt, or
(iii) a mixture thereof.
3. A composition according to Claim 1 or 2 characterized in that the water-soluble
cationic surfactant is:
(i) a mono-C8-C24 alkyl or alkenyl mono- or poly-ammonium salt,
(ii) a mono-C8-C24 alkyl or alkenyl imidazolinium salt,
(iii) a mono-C8-C24 alkyl or alkenyl pyridinium salt, or
(iv) a mixture thereof.
4. A composition according to any preceding Claim characterized in that the water-soluble
nonionic surfactant has the general formula RO(CH2CH20)nH wherein R is a C8-20 alkyl or alkenyl group, and n is from 2 to 100.
5. A composition according to any preceding Claim characterized in that the water-insoluble
cationicfabric softener and the water-soluble cationic or nonionic surfactant are
in a weight ratio of from 20:1 to 4:1.
6. A composition according to any of Claims 1 to 5 characterized by:
(a) from 6% to 12% by weight of a water-insoluble cationic fabric softener which is
a mixture of:
(i) a di-C'2-C24 alkyl or alkenyl mono-quaternary ammonium salt, and
(ii) a di-C12-C24 alkyl or alkenyl imidazolinium salt,
wherein the weight ratio of (i) to (ii) is in the range from 1:6 to 1:1,
(b) a water-soluble cationic surfactant which is:
(i) a mono-Ca-C24 alkyl or alkenyl mono-quaternary ammonium salt,
(ii) a mono-Ca-C24 alkyl or alkenyl imidazolinium salt, or
(iii) a mixture thereof, and
(c) a C12-C20 paraffin or paraffin mixture,
wherein the weight ratio of (a) to (b) is in the range from 10:1 to 5:2, and the weight
ratio of (a) to (c) is in the range from 5:1 to 5:2.
7. A composition according to any one of Claims 1 to 5 characterized by:
(a) from 12% to 22% of a water-insoluble di-C12-C24 alkyl or alkenyl imidazolinium salt,
(b) up to 8% of a water-soluble cationic sur- factantwhich is:
(i) a mono Ca-C24 alkyl or alkenyl mono-quaternary ammonium salt,
(ii) a mono-C8-C24 alkyl or alkenyl imidazolinium salt, or
(iii) a mixture thereof, and
(c) at least 6% of a 3:1 to 1:3 mixture of:
(i) a C12-C20 paraffin or paraffin mixture, and
(ii) an ester to a C12-C24 fatty acid with a mono- hydric alcohol having from 1 to 8 carbon atoms,
wherein the weight ratio of (a) to (b) is in the range from 4:1 to 5:2 and the weight
ratio of (a) to (c) is in the range from 7:2 to 2:1.
1. Eine wässerige Gewebeweichmacherzusammensetzung, enthaltend:
(a) 6 Gew.% bis 22 Gew.% eines wasserunlöslichen, kationischen Gewebeweichmachers,
(b) bis zu 8 Gew.% eines wasserlöslichen, kationischen oder nichtionischen oberflächenaktiven
Mittels oder Gemisches davon, und
(c) einen nicht-cyclischen C10-C40-Kohlenwasserstoff oder ein Gemisch desselben mit einem Fettsäureester eines einwertigen
Alkohols, wobei dieser Ester insgesamt 10 bis 40 Kohlenstoffatome aufweist, worin
das Gewichtsverhältnis von (a) zu (b) im Bereich von 20:1 bis 5:2 liegt, und das Gewichtsverhältnis
von (a) zu (c) im Bereich von 8:1 bis 2:1 liegt, und worin die Zusammensetzung in
Form einer anisotropen Weichmacherphase in einer isotropen Phase von oberflächenaktivem
Mittel vorliegt.
2. Eine Zusammensetzung nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der kationische
Gewebeweichmacher
(i) ein Di-C12-C24-alkyl- oder -alkenyl-mono-oder -polyammoniumsalz,
(ii) ein Di-C12-C24-alkyl- oder -alkenylimidazoliniumsalz, oder
(iii) ein Gemisch davon ist.
3. Eine Zusammensetzung nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das wasserlösliche,
kationische oberflächenaktive Mittel
(i) ein Mono-C8-C24-alkyl- oder -alkenyl-mono-oder -polyammoniumsalz,
(ii) ein Mono-C8-C24-alkyl- oder -alkenylimidazoliniumsalz,
(iii) ein Mono-C8-C24-alkyl- oder -alkenylpyridiniumsalz,
oder
(iv) ein Gemisch davon ist.
4. Eine Zusammensetzung nach irgendeinem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet,
dass das wasserlösliche, nichtionische oberflächenaktive Mittel die allgemeine Formel
RO(CH2CH2O)nH hat, worin R eine C8-2o-Alkyl- oder -alkenylgruppe ist, und n 2 bis 100 bedeutet.
5. Eine Zusammensetzung nach irgendeinem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet,
dass der wasserunlösliche, kationische Gewebeweichmacher und das wasserlösliche, kationische
oder nichtionische oberflächenaktive Mittel in einem Gewichtsverhältnis von 20:1 bis
4:1 vorliegen.
6. Eine Zusammensetzung nach irgendeinem der Ansprüche 1 bis 5, gekennzeichnet durch
(a) 6 Gew.% bis 12 Gew.% eines wasserunlöslichen, kationischen Gewebeweichmachers,
der ein Gemisch aus:
(i) einem Di-C12-C24-alkyl- oder -alkenyl-monoquaternären Ammoniumsalz und
(ii) einem Di-C12-C24-alkyl- oder -alkenyl-imidazoliniumsalz ist,
worin das Gewichtsverhältnis von (i) zu (ii) im Bereich von 1:6 bis 1:1 liegt,
(b) ein wasserlösliches, kationisches oberflächenaktives Mittel, welches
(i) ein Mono-C8-C24-alkyl- oder -alkenyl-monoquaternäres Ammoniumsalz,
(ii) ein Mono-C8-C24-alkyl- oder -alkenylimidazoliniumsalz, oder
(iii) ein Gemisch davon ist, und
(c) ein C12-C20-Paraffin oder Paraffingemisch,
worin das Gewichtsverhältnis von (a) zu (b) im Bereich von 10:1 bis 5:2, und das Gewichtsverhältnis
von (a) zu (c) im Bereich von 5:1 bis 5:2 liegt.
7. Eine Zusammensetzung nach irgendeinem der Ansprüche 1 bis 5, gekennzeichnet durch:
(a) 12% bis 22% eines wasserunlöslichen Di-C12-C24-alkyl- oder -alkenylimidazoliniumsalzes,
(b) bis zu 8% eines wasserlöslichen, kationischen oberflächenaktiven Mittels, welches:
(i) ein Mono-C8-C24-alkyl- oder -alkenyl-monoquaternäres Ammoniumsalz,
(ii) ein Mono-C8-C24-alkyl- oder -alkenylimidazoliniumsalz, oder
(iii) ein Gemisch davon ist, und
(c) wenigstens 6% eines 3:1 bis 1:3-Gemisches von:
(i) einem C12-C20-Paraffin oder Paraffingemisch und
(ii) einem Ester einer C12-C24-Fettsäure mit einem einwertigen Alkohol, der 1 bis 8 Kohlenstoffatome aufweist,
worin das Gewichtsverhältnis von (a) zu (b) im Bereich von 4:1 bis 5:2, und das Gewichtsverhältnis
von (a) zu (c) im Bereich von 7:2 bis 2:1 liegt.
1. Composition aqueuse adoucissante pour tissus, comprenant:
(a) de 6% à 22% en poids d'un adoucissant cationique, insoluble dans l'eau, pour les
tissus,
(b) jusqu'à 8% en poids d'un tensio-actif hydrosoluble cationique ou non ionique,
ou un de leurs mélanges, et
.(c) un hydrocarbure non cyclique en C10 à C4o, ou un de ses mélanges avec un ester d'acide gras d'un mono-alcool, ledit ester ayant
un total de 10 à 40 atomes de carbone, dans laquelle le rapport pondéral de (a) à
(b) se situe entre 20:1 et 5:2 et le rapport pondéral de (a) à (c) se situe entre
8:1 et 2:1, et la composition est sous la forme d'une phase d'adoucissant anisotrope
dans une phase isotrope de tensio-actif.
2. Composition selon la revendication 1, caractérisée en ce que l'adoucissant cationique
pour tissus est:
(i) un sel de dialkyl ou alcényl (en C12 à C24 mono- ou poly-ammonium,
(ii) un sel de dialkyl ou alcényl (en C12 à C24) imidazolinium, ou
(iii) un de leurs mélanges.
3. Composition selon la revendication 1 ou 2, caractérisée en ce que le tensio-actif
cationique hydrosoluble est:
(i) un sel de mono-alkyl ou -alcényl (en C8 à C24) mono- ou poly-ammonium,
(ii) un sel de mono-alkyl ou -alcényl (en Ca à C24) imidazolinium,
(iii) un sel de mono-alkyl ou -alcényl (en C8 à C24) pyridinium, ou
(iv) un de leurs mélanges.
4. Composition selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisée
en ce que le tensio-actif hydrosoluble non ionique a pour formule générale:
RO(CH2CH20)nH, dans laquelle R est un groupe alkyle ou alcényle en C8 à C2o, et n vaut de 2 à 100.
5. Composition selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisée
en ce que l'adoucissant cationique, insoluble dans l'eau, pour les tissus et le tensio-actif
hydrosoluble cationique ou non ionique sont présents selon un rapport pondéral compris
entre 20:1 et 4:1.
6. Composition selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 5, caractérisée en ce
qu'elle comporte:
(a) de 6% à 12% en poids d'un adoucissant cationique, insoluble dans l'eau, pour les
tissus, qui est un mélange de:
(i) un sel de dialkyl ou -alcényl (en C12 à C24) mono-ammonium quaternaire, et
(ii) un sel de dialkyl ou -alcényl (en C12 à C24) imidazolinium,
le rapport pondéral de (i) à (ii) étant compris entre 1:6 et 1:1,
(b) un tensio-actif hydrosoluble cationique qui est:
(i) un sel de mono-alkyl ou -alcényl (en C8 à C24) mono-ammonium quaternaire,
(ii) un sel de mono-alkyl ou -alcényl (en C8 à C24) imidazolinium, ou
(iii) un de leurs mélanges, et
(c) une paraffine en C12 à C20 ou un mélange de paraffines,
le rapport pondéral de (a) à (b) étant compris entre 10:1 et 5:2 et le rapport pondéral
de (a) à (c) étant compris entre 5:1 et 5: 2.
7. Composition selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 5, caractérisée en ce
qu'elle comporte:
(a) de 12% à 22% d'un sel de dialkyl ou -alcényl (en C12 à C24) imidazolinium insoluble dans l'eau,
(b) jusqu'à 8% d'un tensio-actif hydrosoluble cationique qui est:
(i) un sel de mono-alkyl ou -alcényl (en C8 à C24) mono-ammonium quaternaire,
(ii) un sel de mono-alkyl ou -alcényl (en C8 à C24) imidazolinium, ou
(iii) un de leurs mélanges, et
(c) au moins 6% d'un mélange de 3:1 à 1:3 de:
(i) une paraffine en C12 à C20 ou un mélange de paraffines, et
(ii) un ester d'un acide gras en C12 à C24 avec un mono-alcool comportant 1 à 8 atomes de carbone, le rapport pondéral de (a)
à (b) étant compris entre 4:1 et 5:2 et le rapport pondéral de (a) à (c) étant compris
entre 7:2 et 2:1.