Technical field
[0001] The present invention relates to fabric softeners. The compositions according to
the invention are concentrated aqueous fabric softening compositions which retain
viscosity upon dilution.
Background
[0002] Concentrated aqueous fabric softening compositions have been extensively described
in the art, and one aspect which has often been discussed is the viscosity of these
concentrated compositions; indeed these concentrated compositions are typically extremely
viscous and the prior art has often described means by which the viscosity of these
concentrated compositions could be controlled or decreased. One aspect which has been
much less dealt with is the viscosity of these concentrated compositions upon dilution;
indeed it has been observed that the viscosity of such concentrated compositions dramatically
drops upon dilution, and this viscosity loss is clearly undesirable, essentially in
terms of consumer acceptance.
[0003] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a concentrated aqueous
fabric softening composition which has an acceptable viscosity in the concentrated
form, and which retains acceptable viscosity after it has been diluted.
[0004] This technical problem was discussed in GB 2 007 734 which proposes to use a combination
of a fatty quaternary ammonium salt having two long chain alkyl groups together with
an oily substance.
[0005] Concentrated aqueous fabric softeners have been described for instance in EP 56 695,
EP 13 780, DE 26 31 114 and EP 60 003, and a process for the preparation of concentrated
fabric softening compositions is disclosed in EP-A-316 996.
[0006] EP 0,309,052 discloses concentrated aqueous fabric softening compositions comprising
a fabric softener component and a linear fatty ethoxylated alcohol.
Summary of the invention
[0007] It has now been found that the above object can be achieved by formulating a concentrated
aqueous fabric softening composition comprising from 10% to 35% by weight of a cationic
fabric softening active or mixtures thereof, said composition further comprising:
- from 0.3% to 3 % by weight of the total composition of a linear fatty alcohol ethoxylate
of the formula RO(Etox)n, wherein R is a linear C8-C18 alkyl chain, and n representing the weighted average ethoxylation degree is of from
3 to 35, or mixtures thereof;
- From 0.5% to 6% by weight of the total composition of a nonionic hydrophilic polymer,
or mixtures thereof;
- from 0% to 2% by weight of the total composition of a highly branched fatty alcohol
having from 8 to 18 carbon atoms, or mixtures thereof;
- from 0% to 0.5 % by weight of the total composition of a linear or cyclic polydialkylsiloxane
of the formula

wherein R is a C1-C5 alkyl chain, and m is an integer of from 1 to 500, or mixtures thereof.
[0008] The present invention also encompasses a method for the softening of fabrics, wherein
the above concentrated compositions are diluted in water before they are contacted
with said fabrics in the rinse water.
Detailed description of the invention
[0009] The compositions according to the invention are concentrated fabric softeners; by
concentrated, it is meant that the compositions comprise from 10% to 35% by weight
of the total composition of a cationic fabric softening active or mixtures thereof,
preferably 15% to 25%. By cationic, it is meant any softening compound which is in
cationic form in the concentrated softening composition. Suitable cationic fabric
softening actives include
(i) acyclic quaternary ammonium salts having the formula :

wherein R2 is an acyclic aliphatic C15-C22 hydrocarbon group which may be interrupted by ester groups, R3 is a C1-C4 saturated alkyl or hydroalkyl group, R4 is selected from R2 and R3, and A is an anion; rapidly biodegradable compounds of formula (i) where R2, and possibly R4, are interrupted by ester groups, are disclosed in EPA 239 910;
(ii) diamido quaternary ammonium salts having the formula :

wherein R1 is an acyclic aliphatic C15-C22 hydrocarbon group,
R2 is a divalent alkylene group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms,
R5 and R8 are C1-C4 saturated alkyl or hydroxyalkyl groups,
and A- is an anion.
(iii) diamido alkoxylated quaternary ammonium salts having the formula :

wherein n is an integer of from about 1 to about 5, and R1, R2, R5 and A- are as defined above.
(iv) quaternary imidazolinium compounds having the formula:

wherein R1 = C15-C17 saturated alkyl, R2 = C1-C4 saturated alkyl, Z = NH or O, and A- is an anion.
[0010] Examples of Component (i) are the well-known dialkyldimethylammonium salts such as
ditallowdimethylammonium chloride (DTDMAC), ditallowdimethylammonium methylsulfate,
di(hydrogenated tallow) dimethylammonium chloride, dibehenyldimethylammonium chloride.
[0011] Examples of Component (ii) and (iii) are methylbis(tallowamidoethyl) (2-hydroxyethyl)
ammonium methylsulfate and methylbis(hydrogenated tallowamidoethyl) (2-hydroxyethyl)
ammonium methylsulfate, wherein R
1 is an acyclic aliphatic C
15-C
17 hydrocarbon group, R
2 is an ethylene group, R
5 is a methyl group, R
8 is a hydroxyalkyl group and A is a methylsulfate anion; these materials are available
from Sherex Chemical Company under the trade names Varisoft 222 R and Varisoft 110
R, respectively.
Examples of Component (iv) are l-methyl-1-tallowamido-ethyl-2-tallowimidazolinium
methylsulfate and 1-methyl-1-(hydrogenated tallowamidoethyl)-methylsulfate.
[0012] Other suitable fabric softening actives include the following amines, provided they
are present in the concentrated softening composition in a protonated form; such amines
are of the formula :

wherein n is 2 or 3, preferably 2; R
1 and R
2 are, independently, a C
8-C
30 alkyl or alkenyl, preferably C
12-C
20 alkyl, more preferably C
15-C
18 alkyl, or mixtures of such alkyl radicals. Examples of such mixtures are the alkyl
radicals obtained from coconut oil, "soft" (non-hardened) tallow, and hardened tallow.
Q is CH
2 or N, preferably N, X is

wherein T is O or NR
5, R
5 being H or C
1-C
4 alkyl, preferably H, and R
4 is a divalent C
1-C
3 alkylene group or (C
2H
4O)m, wherein m is an integer of from 1 to 8; or X is R
4.
[0013] Most preferred softening agents according to the above formula are imidazolines of
the following formula :

wherein R1 is a tallow group.
[0014] The softening amines described herein above are suitable for the purpose of the present
invention provided they are present in the concentrated softening composition in a
protonated form; a suitable means to protonate these amines is described for instance
in EP 199 383.
[0015] A preferred softening active mixture for use herein is a mixture of 20% to 70% by
weight of the softening active of ditallow dimethyl ammonium chloride (DTDMAC) and
30% to 80% ditallow imidazoline. Preferably, the concentrated compositions according
to the invention comprise from 15% to 25% by weight of the finished product of such
a mixture.
[0016] In an alternative preferred embodiment of the present invention, the softening active
comprises a ditallow imidazoline ester such as described herein above (i.e. when T
is O and R
1 and R
2 are both tallow in the formula above). This embodiment is particularly preferred
for environmental reasons.
[0017] The compositions according to the invention further comprise from 0.3% to 3% by weight
of the total composition of a linear fatty alcohol ethoxylate of the formula RO(Etox)
n, wherein R is a linear C
8-
18 alkyl chain, and n representing the weighted average ethoxylation degree is of from
3 to 35, or mixtures thereof. Preferred are linear fatty alcohol ethoxylates wherein
R is a linear chain having from 10 to 13 carbon atoms, and wherein n is from 5 to
10, preferably 8. Preferably, these compounds, or mixtures thereof are present at
levels of from about 1 to about 1.5% by weight of the total composition. These compounds
are commercially available from BASF under the trade name LUTENSOL TO®.
[0018] The compositions according to the present invention further comprise from 0.5% to
6% , preferably from 1.5% to 2.5% by weight of the composition of a nonionic hydrophylic
polymer, or mixtures thereof. Such suitable polymers include polyethylene glycol,
polypropylene glycol, polyvinylalcolhol and the like. Particularly preferred is a
polyethylene glycol having a molecular weight of from 300 to 50000, preferably 2000
to 10000. In the preferred embodiment herein where the softening active is a mixture
of DTDMAC and ditallow imidazoline, it is preferred to use a polyethylene glycol with
a molecular weight of about 4000. In the alternative preferred embodiment where the
softening active comprises ditallow imidazoline ester, it is preferred to use a polyethylene
glycol with a molecular weight of about 8000.
[0019] The compositions according to the present invention further comprise from 0% to 2%,
preferably from 0% to 0.1% by weight of the total composition of a highly branched
fatty alcohol having from 8 to 18 carbon atoms, preferably 12 to 14, or mixtures thereof,
most preferably 13. Branched compounds similar to said highly branched fatty alcohols
are often present in perfumes; thus, the level of said highly branched fatty alcohol
to be added to the composition must be adjusted depending on the perfume which is
used, if any. Such highly branched fatty alcohols suitable for use in the compositions
according to the present invention are commercially available from EXXON under the
trade name EXXAL®.
[0020] The compositions according to the invention may further comprise from 0% to 0.5%
by weight of the total composition of a linear or cyclic polydialkylsiloxane of the
formula:

where R is a C
1-C
5 alkyl group and m is an integer of 1 to 500, or mixtures thereof. Said polydialkylsiloxanes
components are not essential ingredients in the compositions according to the invention,
as the compositions will retain viscosity upon dilution even in the abscence of such
polydialkylsiloxanes. However, several benefits can be obtained from these polydialkylsiloxanes,
including improved stability of the finished product, improved water absorbancy of
the treated fabrics. Said polydialkylsiloxanes can also be helpful in avoiding the
formation of fabric softener residues which may occur in the dispenser of the washing
machine. Thus, preferred compositions according to the present invention comprise
from 0.05% to 0.5%, most preferably from 0.1% to 0.3% by weight of the total composition
of the above polydialkylsiloxanes, or mixtures thereof. In the compositions according
to the present invention where the softening active comprises the ditallow imidazoline
ester described herein above, it is preferred to use a polydialkylsiloxane where R
is methyl and m is about 200. In other compositions, it is preferred to use a polydialkylsiloxane
where R is methyl and m is 7. Suitable polydialkylsiloxanes are commercially available
from DOW CORNING under the trade name 200 fluid, and the preferred polydialkylsiloxanes
for use herein are DOW CORNING's 200 fluid 350 CS (R is methyl and m is 203) and 5
CS (R is methyl and m is 7).
[0021] The compositions according to the invention may additionally comprise such conventional
ingredients as perfumes, preservatives, germicides, colorants, fungicides, stabilizers,
brighteners, opacifiers and the like, at conventional levels, i.e. up to about 5%
by weight of the composition.
[0022] The compositions in their concentrated form have a viscosity of from 40 to 400 mPa.s
(cps) at 60 RPM shear rate. The compositions according to the invention can be used
directly in the concentrated form, or they can preferably be diluted before they are
used. The compositions according to the present invention are meant to be diluted
in water, preferably in 2 to 3 times their weight of water. In diluted form, the compositions
have a viscosity of from 20 to 60 mPa.s (cps) at 60 RPM shear rate, preferably 30
to 50 mPa.s (cps) at 6o RPM shear rate.
[0023] Thus, the present invention also encompasses a method for the softening of fabrics
wherein the concentrated fabric softening compositions described herein above are
diluted in water before they are contacted with said fabrics. In a preferred embodiment
of said method, a concentrated softening composition as described hereinabove, which
has a viscosity of from 40 to 400 mPa.s (cps) at 60 RPM shear rate, is diluted in
two times its weight of water so as to obtain a diluted fabric softening composition
having a viscosity of from 20 to 60, preferably 30 to 50 mPa.s (cps) at 60 RPM shear
rate, and said diluted fabric softening composition is contacted with said fabrics
in the rinse water.
[0024] The compositions according to the present invention are illustrated by the following
examples.
Example 1
[0025] A composition according to the present invention is made, which comprises :
- Ditallow dimethyl ammonium chloride 7.60%
- Ditallow dimethyl imidazoline 14.20%
- HCl 0.82%
- Polyethylene glycol 4000 MW 2.00%%
- Silicone oil 5CS 0.19%
- Lutensol® TO8 1.30%
- Exxal® 13 0.08%
- CaCl2 0.20%
- Perfume 0.70%
- water and minors to 100%
silicone oil 5 CS is a polydialkylsiloxane as defined in the description. Lutensol®
TO 8 is a linear fatty alcohol ethoxylate, and EXXAL® 13 is a highly branched fatty
alcohol, both according to the description hereinbefore.
[0026] The above composition was made by adding the HCl to a water seat at 60°C-65°C. To
this solution, a molten permix of ditallow dimethyl ammonium chloride, ditallowimidazoline
and Lutensol TO 8 is added at about 80°C-85°C, under agitation during about 10 minutes.
An aqueous solution of CaCl
2 is then injected for about 5 minutes. A mixture of perfume and the silicone oil is
then added. The composition is then cooled to room temperature. Finally a 50% solution
of the polyethylene glycol 4000 MW is added.
The composition thus obtained has a viscosity of about 65 mPa.s (cps) before dilution,
and 50 mPa.s (cps) after dilution in 2 times its weight of water.
Example 2
[0027] A composition is made which contains:
- Ditallow imidazoline ester 22.00%
- HCL 1.27%
- Lutensol® TO3 0.12%
- Lutensol® TO5 0.24%
- Lutensol® TO8 1.00%
- CaCL2 0.15%
- Polyethylene Glycol 8000 MW 2.00%
- Perfume 1.06%
- Water & minors Balance
Example 3
[0028] A composition is made which contains:
- Ditallow imidazoline ester 22.00%
- HCl 1.27%
- Lutensol® TO3 0.12%
- Lutensol® TO5 0.24%
- Lutensol® TO8 1.00%
- Exxal® 13 0.06%
- Dow Corning 200 fluid 350 CS 0.19%
- CaCl2 0.15%
- Polyethylene glycol 8000 MW 2.00%
- Perfume 0.90%
- Water & minors Balance
1. A concentrated aqueous fabric softening composition comprising from 10 to 35 % by
weight of a cationic fabric softening active or mixtures thereof,
- from 0.3% to 3% by weight of the total composition of a linear fatty alcohol ethoxylate
of the formula RO(Etox)n, wherein R is a linear C8-C18 alkyl chain, and n representing the weighted average ethoxylation degree is of from
3 to 35, or mixtures thereof; characterised in that said composition further comprises:
- from 0.5% to 6% by weight of the total composition of a nonionic hydrophilic polymer,
or mixtures thereof;
- from 0 to 2% by weight of the total composition of a highly branched fatty alcohol
having from 8 to 18 carbon atoms, or mixtures thereof;
- from 0 to 0.5 %by weight of the total composition of a linear or cyclic polydialkylsiloxane
of the formula:

wherein R is a C1-C5 alkyl chain, and m is an integer of from 1 to 500, or mixtures thereof.
2. A composition according to claim 1 which comprises from 15 % to 25% by weight of the
total composition of said cationic fabric softening active, or mixtures thereof.
3. A concentrated fabric softening composition according to the preceding claims wherein
said cationic softening active is a mixture of ditallow dimethyl ammonium chloride
and ditallow imidazoline.
4. A concentrated fabric softening composition according to claim 3 which consists of
from 20% to 70% by weight of said softening active of ditallowdimethyl ammonium chloride
and from 30% to 80% by weight of said softening active of ditallow imidazoline.
5. A concentrated fabric softening composition according to claims 3 and 4 which comprises
from 1.5% to 2.5% by weight of the total composition of a polyethylene glycol having
a molecular weight of 4000.
6. A concentrated fabric softening composition according to claims 3-5 which comprises
from 0.05% to 0.5 %, preferably 0.1% to 0.3% by weight of the total composition of
said linear or cyclic polydialkylsiloxane of the formula

wherein R is methyl, and m is 7.
7. A concentrated fabric softening composition according to claims 1 and 2 wherein said
softening active comprises ditallow imidazoline ester.
8. A concentrated fabric softening composition according to claim 7 which comprises a
polyethylene glycol having a molecular weight of 8000.
9. A concentrated fabric softening composition according to claims 7-8 which comprises
from 0.05% to 0.5 %, preferably from 0.1% to 0.3% by weight of the total composition
of said linear or cyclic polydialkylsiloxane of the formula:

wherein R is a methyl, and m is 203.
10. A concentrated fabric softening composition according to the preceding claims which
comprises from 1% to 1.5% by weight of the total composition of said fatty alcohol
ethoxylate of the formula RO(Etox)n, wherein R is a linear C10-C13 alkyl chain, and n representing the weighted average ethoxylation degree is from
5 to 10, preferably 8.
11. A concentrated fabric softening composition according to the preceding claims which
comprises from 0% to 0.1% by weight of the total composition of said highly branched
fatty alcohol, said highly branched fatty alcohol having from 12 to 14 carbon atoms,
preferably 13.
12. A concentrated fabric softening composition according to any of the preceeding claims,
said composition having a viscosity of from 40 to 400 mPa.s (cps) at 60 RPM shear
rate before dilution, and said composition having a viscosity of from 20 to 60 mPa.s
(cps) at 60 RPM shear rate after it has been diluted in 2 times its weight of water.
13. A concentrated fabric softening composition according to claim 12 which has a viscosity
of from 30 to 50 mPa.s (cps) at 60 RPM shear rate after it has been diluted in 2 times
its weight of water.
14. A method for the softening of fabrics wherein a concentrated fabric softening composition
according to claims 1 to 10 and having a viscosity of from 40 to 400 mPa.s (cps) at
60 RPM Shear rate is diluted in 2 times its weight of water so as to obtain a diluted
fabric softening composition having a viscosity of 20 to 60 mPa.s (cps) at 60 RPM
shear rate, and wherein said diluted fabric softening composition is contacted with
said fabrics in the rinse water.
15. A method according to claim 14 wherein the concentrated fabric softening composition
having a viscosity of from 40 to 400 mPa.s (cps) at 60 RPM shear rate is diluted in
2 times its weight of water so as to obtain a diluted fabric softening composition
having a viscosity of from 30 to 50 mPa.s (cps) at 60 RPM shear rate.
1. Konzentrierte, wäßrige Textilweichmacherzusammensetzung, umfassend
- 10 bis 35 Gew. -% eines kationischen Textilweichmacherwirkstoffs oder Mischungen
hiervon
- 0,3 bis 3 Gew. -% der gesamten Zusammensetzung eines linearen Fettalkoholethoxylats
der Formel RO(Etox)n, worin R eine lineare C8-C18-Alkylkette ist und n, das den gewichtsmittleren Ethoxylierungsgrad darstellt, 3 bis
35 ist, oder Mischungen hiervon;
dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Zusammensetzung weiterhin
- 0,5 bis 6 Gew.-% der gesamten Zusammensetzung eines nichtionischen hydrophilen Polymeren
oder Mischungen hiervon;
- 0 bis 2 Gew.-% der gesamten Zusammensetzung eines hochverzweigten Fettalkohols mit
8 bis 18 Kohlenstoffatomen und Mischungen hiervon;
- 0 bis 0,5 Gew.-% der gesamten Zusammensetzung eines linearen oder cyclischen Polydialklysiloxans
der Formel

worin R eine C1-C5-Alkylkette ist, und m eine ganze Zahl von 1 bis 500 ist, oder Mischungen hiervon,
umfaßt.
2. Zusammensetzung nach Anspruch 1, umfassend 15 bis 25 Gew.-% der gesamten Zusammensetzung
des kationischen Textilweichmacherwirkstoffs oder Mischungen hiervon.
3. Konzentrierte Textilweichmacherzusammensetzung nach den vorangehenden Ansprüchen,
wobei der kationische Weichmacherwirkstoff eine Mischung aus Ditalgdimethylammoniumchlorid
und Ditalgimidazolin ist.
4. Konzentrierte Textilweichmacherzusammensetzung nach Anspruch 3, bestehend aus 20 bis
70 Gew.-% des Weichmacherwirkstoffs aus Ditalgdimethylammoniumchlorid und 30 bis 80
Gew.-% des Weichmacherwirkstoffs aus Ditalgimidazolin.
5. Konzentrierte Textilweichmacherzusammensetzung nach den Ansprüchen 3 und 4, umfassend
1,5 bis 2,5 Gew. -% der gesamten Zusammensetzung eines Polyethylenglykols mit einem
Molekulargewicht von 4.000.
6. Konzentrierte Textilweichmacherzusammensetzung nach den Ansprüchen 3 bis 5, umfassend
0,05 bis 0,5 Gew.-%, vorzugsweise 0,1 bis 0,3 Gew. -% der gesamten Zusammensetzung
des linearen oder cyclischen Polydialkylsiloxans der Formel

worin R Methyl ist und m 7 ist.
7. Konzentrierte Textilweichmacherzusammensetzung nach den Ansprüchen 1 und 2, wobei
der Weichmacherwirkstoff Ditalgimidazolinester umfaßt.
8. Konzentrierte Textilweichmacherzusammensetzung nach Anspruch 7, umfassend ein Polyethylenglykol
mit einem Molekulargewicht von 8.000.
9. Konzentrierte Textilweichmacherzusammensetzung nach den Ansprüchen 7-8, umfassend
0,05 bis 0,5 Gew.-%, vorzugsweise 0,1 bis 0,3 Gew.-% der gesamten Zusammensetzung
des linearen oder cyclischen Polydialkylsiloxans der Formel

worin R Methyl ist und m 203 ist.
10. Konzentrierte Textilweichmacherzusammensetzung nach den vorangehenden Ansprüchen,
umfassend 1 bis 1,5 Gew.-% der gesamten Zusammensetzung des Fettalkoholethoxylats
der Formel RO(Etox)n, worin R eine lineare C10-C13-Alkylkette ist, und n, das den gewichtsmittleren Ethoxylierungsgrad bedeutet, 5 bis
10, vorzugsweise 8, ist.
11. Konzentrierte Textilweichmacherzusammensetzung nach den vorangehenden Ansprüchen,
umfassend 0 bis 0,1 Gew.-% der gesamten Zusammensetzung des hochverzweigten Fettalkohols,
wobei der hochverzweigte Fettalkohol 12 bis 14, vorzugsweise 13 Kohlenstoffatome aufweist.
12. Konzentrierte Textilweichmacherzusammensetzung nach mindestens einem der vorangehenden
Ansprüche, wobei die Zusammensetzung eine Viskosität von 40 bis 400 mPa·s (cps) bei
einer Scherrate von 60 UPM vor der Verdünnung aufweist, und wobei die Zusammensetzung
eine Viskosität von 20 bis 60 mPa·s (cps) bei einer Scherrate von 60 UPM aufweist,
nachdem sie mit dem zweifachen ihres Gewichts an Wasser verdünnt worden ist.
13. Konzentrierte Textilweichmacherzusammensetzung nach Anspruch 12, welche eine Viskosität
von 30 bis 50 mPa·s (cps) bei einer Scherrate von 60 UPM aufweist, nachdem sie mit
dem zweifachen ihres Gewichts an Wasser verdünnt worden ist.
14. Verfahren zum Weichmachen von Textilien, bei dem eine konzentrierte Textilweichmacherzusammensetzung
nach den Ansprüchen 1 bis 10, welche eine Viskosität von 40 bis 400 mPa·s (cps) bei
einer Scherrate von 60 UPM aufweist, mit dem zweifachen ihres Gewichts an Wasser verdünnt
wird, um so eine verdünnte Textilweichmacherzusammensetzung mit einer Viskosität von
20 bis 60 mPa·s (cps) bei einer Scherrate von 60 UPM zu erzielen, und wobei die verdünnte
Textilweichmacherzusammensetzung mit den Textilien im Spülwasser kontaktiert wird.
15. Verfahren nach Anspruch 14, wobei die konzentrierte Textilweichmacherzusammensetzung
mit einer Viskosität von 40 bis 400 mPa·s (cps) bei einer Scherrate von 60 UPM mit
dem zweifachen ihres Gewichts an Wasser verdünnt wird, um so eine verdünnte Textilweichmacherzusammensetzung
mit einer Viskosität von 30 bis 50 mPa·s (cps) bei einer Scherrate von 60 UPM zu erzielen.
1. Composition aqueuse concentrée d'adoucissant textile comprenant de 10 à 35% en poids
d'une substance active adoucissante textile cationique ou de mélanges de ces substances,
- de 0,3% à 3%, en poids de la composition totale, d'un éthoxylate d'alcool gras linéaire
de formule RO(Etox)n, dans laquelle R est une chaîne alkyle linéaire en C8-C18, et n, qui représente le degré moyen pondéré d'éthoxylation, vaut de 3 à 35, ou leurs
mélanges; caractérisée en ce que ladite composition comprend, en outre:
- de 0,5% à 6%, en poids de la composition totale, d'un polymère hydrophile non ionique,
ou de mélanges de ceux-ci;
- de 0 à 2%, en poids de la composition totale, d'un alcool gras hautement ramifié
comportant de 8 à 18 atomes de carbone, ou de mélanges de ceux-ci;
- de 0 à 0,5%, en poids de la composition totale, d'un polydialkylsiloxane linéaire
ou cyclique de formule:

dans laquelle R est une chaîne alkyle en C1-C5 et m est un nombre entier de 1 à 500, ou leurs mélanges.
2. Composition selon la revendication 1, qui comprend de 15% à 25%, en poids de la composition
totale, de ladite substance active adoucissant textile cationique, ou d'un mélange
de ces substances.
3. Composition concentrée d'adoucissant textile selon l'une quelconque des revendications
précédentes, dans laquelle ladite substance active adoucissante cationique est un
mélange de chlorure de disuifdiméthylammonium et de disuifimidazoline.
4. Composition concentrée d'adoucissant textile selon la revendication 3, qui se compose
de 20% à 70% en poids de ladite substance active adoucissante chlorure de disuifdiméthylammonium
et de 30% à 80% en poids de ladite substance active adoucissante disuifimidazoline.
5. Composition concentrée d'adoucissant textile selon les revendications 3 et 4, qui
se compose de 1,5% à 2,5%, en poids de la composition totale, d'un polyéthylèneglycol
ayant une masse moléculaire de 4 000.
6. Composition concentrée d'adoucissant textile selon les revendications 3-5, qui se
compose de 0,05% à 0,5%, de préférence de 0,1% à 0,3%, en poids de la composition
totale, dudit polydialkylsiloxane linéaire ou cyclique de formule:

dans laquelle R est un groupe méthyle et m est égal à 7.
7. Composition concentrée d'adoucissant textile selon les revendications 1 et 2, dans
laquelle ladite substance active adoucissante comprend un ester de disuifimidazoline.
8. Composition concentrée d'adoucissant textile selon la revendication 7, qui comprend
un polyéthylèneglycol ayant une masse moléculaire de 8 000.
9. Composition concentrée d'adoucissant textile selon les revendications 7-8, qui comprend
de 0,05% à 0,5%, de préférence de 0,1% à 0,3%, en poids de la composition totale,
dudit polydialkylsiloxane linéaire ou cyclique de formule:

dans laquelle R est un groupe méthyle et m est égal à 203.
10. Composition concentrée d'adoucissant textile selon l'une quelconque des revendications
précédentes, qui comprend de 1% à 1,5%, en poids de la composition totale, dudit éthoxylate
d'alcool gras linéaire de formule RO(Etox)n, dans laquelle R est une chaîne alkyle linéaire en C10-C13, et n, qui représente le degré moyen pondéré d'éthoxylation, vaut de 5 à 10, de préférence
8.
11. Composition concentrée d'adoucissant textile selon l'une quelconque des revendications
précédentes, qui comprend de 0% à 0,1%, en poids de la composition totale, dudit alcool
gras hautement ramifié, ledit alcool gras hautement ramifié comportant de 12 à 14
atomes de carbone, de préférence 13.
12. Composition concentrée d'adoucissant textile selon l'une quelconque des revendications
précédentes, ladite composition possédant une viscosité de 40 à 400 mPa.s (cP) à une
vitesse de cisaillement de 60 tours/min avant dilution, et ladite composition possédant
une viscosité de 20 à 60 mPa.s (cP) à une vitesse de cisaillement de 60 tours/min
après avoir été diluée dans 2 fois son poids d'eau.
13. Composition concentrée d'adoucissant textile selon la revendication 12, qui possède
une viscosité de 30 à 50 mPa.s (cP) à une vitesse de cisaillement de 60 tours/min
après avoir été diluée dans 2 fois son poids d'eau.
14. Procédé pour adoucir le linge avec une composition concentrée d'adoucissant textile
selon les revendications 1 à 10 et ayant une viscosité de 40 à 400 mPa.s (cP) à une
vitesse de cisaillement de 60 tours/min après avoir été diluée dans 2 fois son poids
d'eau, de manière à donner une composition diluée d'adoucissant textile ayant une
viscosité de 20 à 60 mPa.s (cP) à Une vitesse de cisaillement de 60 tours/min, et
dans lequel ladite composition diluée d'adoucissant textile est mise en contact avec
ledit linge dans l'eau de rinçage.
15. Procédé selon la revendication 14, dans lequel la composition concentrée d'adoucissant
textile ayant une viscosité de 40 à 400 mPa.s (cP) à une vitesse de cisaillement de
60 tours/min est diluée dans 2 fois son poids d'eau de manière à donner une composition
diluée d'adoucissant textile ayant une viscosité de 30 à 50 mPa.s (cP) à une vitesse
de cisaillement de 60 tours/min.