[0001] This invention pertains to concentrated liquid fabric softener compositions comprising
a fabric substantive agent in conjunction with a fabric softening component. The fabric
substantive agent is seleoted from polyamines, alkylpyridinium salts and mixtures
thereof. The fabric softening component can be represented by quaternary ammonium
salts, alkyllmidazolinium salts, fatty esters, ethers of fatty alcohols, fatty compounds
which are interrupted by a sulfur or a nitrogen atom, and mixtures thereof. In preferred
composition herein, the fabric softening component is represented by a mixture of
a quaternary ammonium salt and an additional fabric softening component selected from
fatty esters, ethers of fatty alcohols and fatty compounds containing a long alkyl
chain which are interrupted by a sulfur or nitrogen atom.
[0002] The concentrated liquid softeners of this invention, in addition to easy pourability
and water dispersability, provide a series of important advantages inclusive of :
consumer convenience in transport, storage and usage flexibility inasmuch as housewives
are not any longer limited in selecting "their" degree of softeness by the capacity
of the fabric softener dispenser in automatic washing machines. Another convenience
aspect relates to the possibility now offered to the consumer to either utilize a
concentrated product as such or to utilize it in a conventional concentration after
predilution.
[0003] Although it was well recognized that concentrated fabric softener compositions could
provide convenience and utilization facilities to housewives, as of yet no technical
solutions could be made available to overcome known deficiencies, especially, pourability
and water dispersability, inherent to conventional products containing more than about
10 to 12% active materials. Attempts have been undertaken to solve these problems
through the use of electrolytes, inclusive of calcium chloride in e.g. levels up to
2000 ppm. However, such remedies have not provided a satisfactory solution to the
problems inasmuch as all that can be achieved is to possibly incorporate a few percent
more actives into conventional liquid fabric softeners. However, the prior art does
not provide a solution to formulate a commercially viable liquid rinse-softener product
containing active ingredient levels as claimed herein, or more broadly above about
15%, which do not have the physical appearance and use shortcomings set forth above.
[0004] It is a main object of this invention to provide concentrated fabric softener compositions
having pourability and water-dispersability properties which are substantially comparable
to liquid softeners having conventional active concentration ranges i.e. from about
3 to about 10% by weight.
[0005] It is a further object of this invention to provide a liquid concentrated softener
composition the physical aspects of which ressemble conventional low-active softeners
and which is not subject to any phase- stability or other deficiencies which can develop
during prolonged storage.
[0006] The above and other objects of this invention can now be obtained through the combined
use of a fabric-substantive agent and a fabric-softening component in defined ranges
as can be seen from the following description of the invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] It has now been discovered that concentrated liquid fabric softeners can be prepared
which are capable of providing a series of convenience, usage and, generally, economical
advantages.
[0008] The concentrated compositions herein comprise : from about 25% to about 55% by weight
of an active system containing a fabric-substantive agent and a fabric-softening component,
the fabric-substantive agent being selected from the group of :
(1) a compound having the formula
wherein R is selected from an alkyl or alkenyl group having from 10 to 24 carbon atoms
in the alk(en)yl chain, and R-0-(CH2)n1-; the R1's which may be the same or different each represent hydrogen, -(C2H4O)pH, -(C3H6O)qH, -(C2H4O)p'(C3H6O)q'H, a C1-3 alkyl group or the group -(CH2)n2-N(R')2, wherein R' is selected from hydrogen,-(C2H4O)pH,-(C3H6O)qH,-(C2H4O)p'(C3H6O)q,H and a C1-3 alkyl group, where n, n1 and n2 each represent an integer from 2 to 6, m is an integer from 1 to 5, each p, q and
(p'+q') may be 0 or a number such that (p+q+p'+q') does not exceed 25, and,if in the
salt or partial salt form,A(-) represents one or more anions having total charge balancing that of the nitrogen
atom(s);
(2) an alkylpyridinium salt wherein the alkyl chain has from about 10 to 24 carbon
atoms; and
(3) mixtures thereof;
with the proviso that the fabric-substantive agent has a water-solubility of more
than about 5% by weight at pH 2.5 and 20°C, the fabric-softening component being selected
from the group of
(a) a quaternary ammonium salt having the formula
wherein R2 and R3 represent hydrocarbyl groups having from 12 to 24 carbon atoms, R4 and R5 represent hydrocarbyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and X is an anion;
(b) an alkylimidazolinium salt having the formula
wherein R6 is a C1-4 alkyl group, R9 is hydrogen or a C1-4 alkyl group, R8 is a C8-25 alkyl group; and R7 is a C9-25 alkyl group; and A⊖ is an anion:
(c) a fatty ester of mono- or polyhydric alcohols having from 1 to about 24 carbon
atoms in the hydrocarbon chain, and mono-or polycarboxylic acids having from 1 to
about 24 carbon atoms in the hydrocarbon chain with the provisos that the total number
of carbon atoms in the ester is equal to or greater than 16 and that at least one
of the hydrocarbon radicals in the ester has 12 or more carbon atoms;
(d) ethers of fatty alcohols having from 10 to 24 carbon atoms in the alkyl chain
and mono- or polyalcohols having from 2 to 8 carbon atoms, whereby the total number
of carbon atoms in the ether is equal to or greater than 16;
(e) compounds of the formula R10 - X - R11 wherein R10 has from about 12 to 24 carbon atoms and R11 from 1 to 6 carbon atoms in the alkyl chain which can be interrupted by not more
than one oxygen link, and X stands for sulfur, -C-NH-;or-NH-C-; and 0
(f) mixtures thereof,
whereby the weight of the fabric-substantive agent to the fabric-softening component
is in the range from about 6:1 to about 1:4; and a liquid carrier.
[0009] The preferred fabric-substantive agent herein can be represented by alkoxylated diamines.
Preferred compositions contain a ternary active system comprising the polyamines in
combination with a mixture of two fabric softening components namely a first cationic
softening component selected from the quaternary ammonium salt and the alkylimidazolinium
salt and an additional nonionic softening component selected from fatty esters, ethers
of fatty alcohols and fatty compounds containing a long-alkyl chain and a non-terminal
amide group. In such preferred compositions, the cationic softening component represents
less than half of the total mixture of the cationic softening component and the nonionic
softening component.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The concentrated liquid softener composition of this invention comprises a fabric-substantive
agent and a fabric softener component. The fabric-substantive agent can be represented
by polyamines, alkylpyridinium salts and mixtures thereof. The fabric-softening component
can be represented by quaternary ammonium salts, alkylimidazolinium salts, a series
of nonionic softening components, and mixtures thereof. The individual ingredients
are described in more detail hereinafter.
[0011] Unless indicated to the contrary, the "%" indications stand for percent by weight.
[0012] A first essential component herein is a fabric-substantive agent selected from the
group of specific polyamines, alkylpyridinium salts and mixtures thereof. The polyamine
component has the formula :
wherein R is selected from an alkyl or alkenyl group having from 10 to 24, preferably
from 16 to 20 carbon atoms in the alk(en)yl chain, and R-O-(CH
2)
n1-; the R
1's which may be the same or different each represent hydrogen. -(C
2H
4O)
pH, -(C
3H
6O)
qH, -(C
2H
4O)
p'(C
3H
6O)
q'H, a C
1-3 alkyl group or the group-(CH
2)
n2-N(R')
2, wherein R' is selected from hydrogen, -(C
2H
4O)
pH, -(C
3H
6O)
qH, -(C
2H
4O)
p'(C
3H
6O)
q'H and a C
1-3 alkyl group, where n, n
1 and n
2 each represent an integer from 2 to 6, preferably 2 or 3, m is an integer from 1
to 5, preferably 1 or 2, each p, q, and (p' + q') may be 0 or a number such that (p
+ q + p' + q') does not exceed 25. Preferably, each p,q and (p' + q') are 1 or 2.
If in the salt or partial salt form A
(-) represents one or more anions having total charge balancing that of the nitrogen
atom(s).
[0013] Preferred fabric-substantive polyamines contain not more than one -C
2H
40H, -C
3H
6OH, or -(C
2H
4O)(C
3H
6O)H group attached to each nitrogen atom, except that up to two of these monomeric
groups (in this context, the mixed oxyethylene/oxypropylene radical containing 1 mole
of each of the monomers is equally defined as a monomer), can be attached to a terminal
nitrogen atom which is not substitued by an alkyl group having from 10 to 24 carbon
atoms.
[0014] Polyamine species suitable for use herein include : N-tallowyl,N,N',N'-tris(2-hydroxyethyl)1,3-propanediamine
di-hydrochloride;
N-soybean alkyi-1,3-propane diammonium sulfate;
N-stearyl-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 dimethosulfate;
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-propanediamonium 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- [N",N" bis(2-hydroxyethyl)3-aminopropyl]N',H'-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)l,3 diaminopropane
trihydrofluoride.
[0015] It is understood that the polyamines can also be represented by components comprising
a heterocyclic moiety resulting from internal cyclization of the polyamines having
the general formula indicated above. The cyclization can be produced in reacting the
polyamines with formic acid followed by thermal dehydration. Typical examples of suitable
polyamines containing such a heterocyclic moiety are : 1-[N-hydrogenated tallowylaminopropyl]-pentahydropyridinium
dihydrochloride; 1- [N-stearylaminopropyl]-5-(hydroxyethyl)-tetrahydropyridinium sulfate.
[0016] Preferred species frequently contain an ethylene oxyde or propylene oxide radical
condensed on one or more of the nitrogen atoms of the polyamine. The most preferred
species contain one ethylene oxide or one propylene oxide group directly condensed
onto each nitrogen atom.
[0017] A(-) may represent a halide or any appropriate acidic radical such as a di-acetate,
or higher saturated or unsaturated acyl groups up to C
22, and more in general all nitrogen charge balancing anions which are known to be suitable
for use in these compositions. Preferred nitrogen charge balancing anions can be represented
by halides, C
1-22 alkyl, C
1-C
16 alkylaryl, arylsulf(on)ates, arylcarbo- xylates and C
1-C
12 alkylcarboxylates. Examples of the preferred charge balancing anions include : fluoriie,
bromide, chloride, methyl sulfate, toluene-, xylene-, cumene-, and benzene-sulfanate,
dodecylbenzenesulfonate, benzoate, parahydroxybenzoate, acetate, propionate and laurate.
[0018] The fabric substantive agent 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 A(-) is a suitable anion as defined hereinbefore, preferably a
halide, especially chloride and bromide.
[0019] Individual species of the fabric-substantive agent can be used as well as mixtures
thereof. For example, a combination of differently substituted mixtures of polyamines
can be used or a mixture of polyamine(s) and alkylpyridinium salts.
[0020] 3uitable fabric-substantive agents herein are additionally characterized by a water-solubility
of more than about 5% at pH 2.5 and 20°C.
[0021] A second essential ingredient in the compositions of this invention is a fabric-softening
component selected from the group of:quaternary ammonium salts; alkylimidazolinium
salts; fatty esters; fatty ethers; fatty compounds containing a sulfur or nitrogen
linking atom and mixtures thereof.
[0022] The quaternary ammonium salt has the formula
wherein R
2 and R
3 represent hydrocarbyl groups having from 12 to 24, preferably from 16 to 22 carbon
atoms, R
4 and R
5 represent hydrocarbyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and X is an anion,
preferably selected from halide and methylsulfate.
[0023] Representative examples of quaternary ammonium salts herein 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; didocosyl dimethyl
ammonium chloride; di(hydrogenated tallow) dimethyl ammonium methyl sulfate; dihexadecyl
diethyl ammonium chloride; dihexadecyl dimethyl ammonium bromide; ditallow dipropyl
ammonium bromide; di(coconutalkyl)dimethyl ammonium chloride. Ditallow dimethyl ammonium
chloride, di(hydrogenated tallow-alkyl) dimethyl ammonium chloride and di(coconut-alkyl)
dimethyl ammonium chloride are preferred.
[0024] The alkylimidazolinium salts herein 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 9 to 25 carbon atoms, R
8 is an alkyl containing from 8 to 25 sarbon atoms, and R
9 is hydrogen or an alkyl containing from 1 to 4 carbon atoms. Preferred imidazolinium
salts include 1-methyl-1-[(tallowylamido-)ethyl]-2-tallowyl-4,5-dihydroimidazolinium
methyl sulfate --commercially available under the trade name VARISOFT 475, from ASHLAND
CHEMICAL Company -and 1-methyl-1-[(palmitoylamido)ethyl]-2-octadecyl-4,5-dihydroimidazo-
linium chloride. Also suitable herein are the imidazolinium fabric softening components
of US Patent Application Serial Number 687 951 to Pracht and Nirschl, incorporated
herein by reference. A is an anion having the meaning given above, preferably a halide
or a methosulfate.
[0025] Suitable fatty esters herein are derived from mono-or polyhydric alcohols having
from 1 to about 24 carbon atoms in the hydrocarbon chain, and mono- or polycarboxylic
acids having from 1 to about 24 carbon atoms in the hydrocarbon chain with the provisos
that the total number of carbon atoms in the ester is equal to or greater than 16
and that at least one of the hydrocarbon radicals in the ester has 12 or more carbon
atoms.
[0026] The fatty acid portion of the fatty ester can be obtained from mono- or polycarboxylic
acids having from 1 to about 24 carbon atoms in the hydrocarbon chain. Suitable examples
of monocarboxylic fatty acids include behenic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, palmitic
acid, myristic acid, lauric acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, isobutyric
acid, valeric acid, lactic acid, glycolic acid and β,β'- dihydroxyisobutyric acid.
Examples of suitable polycarboxylic acids include : n-butyl-malonic acid, isocitric
acid, citric acid, maleic acid, malic acid and succinic acid.
[0027] The fatty alcohol radical in the fatty ester can be represented by mono- or polyhydric
alcohols having from 1 to 24 carbon atoms in the hydrocarbon chain. Examples of suitable
fatty alcohols include : behenyl, arachidyl, cocoyl, oleyl and lauryl alcohol, ethylene
glycol, glycerol, ethanol, isopropanol, vinyl alcohol, diglycerol, xylitol, sucrose,
erythritol, pentaerythritol, sorbitol or sorbitan.
[0028] Preferred fatty esters herein are ethylene glycol, glycerol and sorbitan esters wherein
the fatty acid portion of the ester normally comprises a species selected from behenic
acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, palmitic acid or myristic acid.
[0029] Sorbitol, prepared by catalytic hydrogenation of glucose, can be dehydrated in well-known
fashion to form mixture of 1,4 and 1,5-sorbitol anhydrides and small amounts of isosorbides.
(See Brown, U.S. Patent 2,322,821, issued June 29, 1943). This mixture of sorbitol
anhydrides is collectively referred to as sorbitan. The sorbitan mixture will also
contain some free, uncyclized sorbitol.
[0030] Sorbitan esters useful herein can be prepared by esterifying the "sorbitan" mixture
with a fatty acyl group in standard fashion, e.g., by reaction with a fatty acid halide
or fatty acid. The esterification reaction can occur at any of the available hydroxyl
groups, and various mono-, di-, etc., esters can be prepared. In fact, mixtures of
mono-, di-, tri-, etc., esters almost always result from such reactions. Este- rifled
hydroxyl groups can, of course, be either in terminal or internal positions within
the sorbitan molecule.
[0031] It is also to be recognized that the sorbitan esters employed herein can contain
up to about 15% by weight of esters of the C
20-C
26, and higher, fatty acids, as well as minor amounts of C
8, and lower, fatty esters. The presence or absence of such contaminants is of no consequence
in the present invention.
[0032] The glycerol esters are also highly preferred. These are the mono-, di- or tri-esters
of glycerol and the fatty acids as defined above.
[0033] Specific examples of fatty alcohol esters for use herein include: stearyl acetate,
palmityl di-lactate, cocoyl isobutyrate, oleyl maleate, oleyl dimaleate, and tallowyl
propionate. Fatty acid esters useful in the present invention include : xylitol monopalmitate,
pentaerythritol monostearate, sucrose monostearate, glycerol monostearate, ethylene
glycol nonostearate and sorbitan esters. Suitable sorbitan esters in- elude sorbitan
monostearate, sorbitan palmitate, sorbitan monolaurate, sorbitan monomyristate, sorbitan
monobehenate, sorbitan monooleate, sorbitan dilaurate, sorbitan distearate, sorbitan
dibehenate, sorbitan dioleate, and also mixed tallowalkyl sorbitan mono- and di-esters.
Glycerol esters are equally highly preferred in the composition herein. These are
the mono-, di-, or tri-esters of glycerol and the fatty acids of the class described
above. Glycerol monostearate, glycerol monooleate, glycerol monopalmitate, glycerol
monobehenate, and glycerol distearate are specific examples of these preferred glycerol
esters.
[0034] The fatty esters used herein contain a number of carbon atoms equal to or greater
than 16; normally, the fatty esters contain at least one alkyl radical having 12 or
more carbon atoms.
[0035] The ethers of fatty alcohol have from 10 to 24, preferably from 16 to 22 carbon atoms,
in the fatty alcohol group and frcm 2 to about 8 carbon atoms in the etherifying moiety.
Suitable fatty alcohols are of matural or synthetic origin and include behenyl, arachidyl,
cocoyl, oleyl, lauryl, myristyl and palmityl alcohol. The etherifying moiety can be
represented mono- or polyalcohols and by alkylene oxides having preferably a degree
of polymerization of not more than 2. Examples of suitable species include : ethylene
glycol, glycerol, ethanol, isopropanol, vinyl alcohol, diethyleneglycol, di(propylene
oxide), sorbitol, ethoxypropylene oxide and pentaerythritol.
[0036] The total number of carbon atoms in the ether is equal to or greater than 16.
[0037] Specific examples of fatty alcohol mono-ethers are : batyl alcohol (stearyl glycerol
mono-ether), behenyl ethyleneglycol mono- ether, octadecyl vinyl ether, cocoyl sorbitol
mono-ether, tallowyl diethyleneglycol ether, palmityloxypropyloxypropanol, and arachidylpentaerythritol
monoether.
[0038] The fabric softening component can also be represented by a compound having the formula
: R
10 X - R
11 wherein R
10 has from about 12 to 24, preferably from 16 to 22 carbon atoms and R
11 from 1 to about 6 carbon atoms in the alkyl chain which can be interrupted by not
more than one oxygen link and X stands for sulfur
r
and
Suitable examples of this compound include : N-stearyl methacrylamide, stearyl vinyl
sulfide, N-palmityl-2-hydroxyethylamide, and N-tallowyl-3-hydroxypropylamide.
[0039] The liquid fabric softener compositions of this invention contain from about 25%
to about 55% of an active system comprising the fabric substantive agent and the fabric
softening component. described in more detail hereinbefore, in a weight ratio of about
6:1 to 1:4. The fabric substantive agent represents from about 25% to about 85% and
the fabric softening component from about 15% to about 75%, the amounts being expressed
by reference to the sum of fabric substantive agent and fabric softening component.
In a preferred aspect of this invention, the fabric substantive agent represents from
about 50% to about 85%, preferably from 65% to 80% and the fabric softening component
selected from the quaternary ammonium salt and the alkyl imidazolinium salt -- hereinafter
termed cationic softening component -- represents from 15% to 50%, preferably from
35% to 20%. In another aspect of this invention, the fabric substantive agent represents
from about 35% to about 65% and the fabric softening component selected from the fatty
esters, the ethers of fatty alcohols and fatty compounds containing sulfur or nitrogen
linking atoms -- hereinafter termed nonionic softening component -- represents from
35% to 65%.
[0040] In a preferred execution, the fabric softener composition herein is comprised of
a ternary active system namely : the fabric substantive agnet and a binary fabric
softening component system containing a cationic softening component (thus selected
from a quaternary ammonium salt and an alkyl imidazoliniu, salt) ard a nonionic softening
component (thus selected from fatty esters, fatty ethers, and fatty compounds containing
a sulfur or nitrogen linking atom). This preferred ternary active mixture contains
from about 25% to about 65%. more preferably from 30% to 45% of the fabric substantive
agent, from about 8% to about 35%, more preferably from 15% to 25% of the cationic
softening component, and from about 15% to about 60%. more preferably from 30% to
55% of the nonionic scftening component. In the preferred ternary executions, the
weight ratio of the cationic softening component to the nonionic softening component
is equal to or smaller than 1 (≤1), preferably ≤0.7.
[0041] In addition to the above essential components, the compositions herein may contain
other textile treatment or conditioning agents. Such agents include silicones, as
for example, described in German patent application DOS 26 31 419 incorporated herein
by referenee.
[0042] The optional silicone component can be used in an amount of from about 0.1% to about
4%, preferably from 0.3% to 3% of the softener composition. In other preferred executions
of this invention, the weight ratio of the sum of fabric softening component and silicone
to total fabric substantive agent is in the range from 2:1 to 1:3.
[0043] The compositions herein can contain optional ingredients which are known to be suitable
for use in textile softeners at usual levels for their known function. Such adjuvants
include emulsifers, perfumes, preservatives, germicides, viscosity modifiers, colorants,
dyes, fungicides, stabilizers, brighteners, and opacifiers. These adjuvants, if used,
are normally added at their conventional low levels (e.g., from about 0.1% to 5% by
weight).
[0044] The polyamine fabric-substantive agent herein delivers the claimed advantages in
either fully neutralized or only partly protona:ed form. The compositions of this
invention have normally a pH below about 7.5, preferably in the range from 2.5 to
6.0.
[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 ternary compositions containirg a cationic and a nonionic softening component
are preferably prepared in first melting the nonionic softening component followed
by dispersing under stirring the fabric substantive agent and the cationic softening
component in the molten nonionic softening component. The active mix is then dispersed
in the aqueous seat, containing if needed a pH regulator.
[0047] Normally, at 60°C, the subject softening agents exist in liquid form and therefore
form true emulsions with an aqueous continuous phase. On cooling, the disperse phase
may wholly or partially solidify so that the final composition exists as a dispersion
which is not a true liquid/ liquid emulsion. It will be understood that the term "dispersion"
means liquid/liquid phase or solid/liquid phase dispersions and emulsions.
[0048] The following experimental evidence serves to illustrate the invention and to facilitate
its understanding.
EXAMPLE I
[0049] A concentrated liquid fabric softener was prepared having the composition listed
hereinafter. The glycerol monostearate was molten at 65°C. The ditallowdimethylammoniumchloride
and the N-tallowyl-N,N', N'-tri(2-hydroxyethyl)-1,3 propane diamine (unneutralized)were
dispersed, under stirring, in the molten glycerolmonostearate to thus form the (molten)
active material premix. The (active material) premix was thereafter dispersed under
vigorous stirring in a waterseat having a temperature of about 60°C. Prior to adding
the premix, hydrochloric acid an minor ingredients were added to the waterseat to
adjust the pH of the liquid softener composition to 4.5 (measured at 20°C).
[0050] The concentrated composition cf this invention was easily pourable at ambient temperature
after preparation and after a prolonged storage.
[0051] This composition showed excellent phase stability and homogeneity after a 2 weeks
storage.
[0052] This composition also showed excellent fabric rinse-softener properties either on
adding to the rinse in its concentrated form thereby reducing the quantity to be added
to thus take into account the higher level of actives, or after predilution to the
usual liquid rinse softener concentration (5% to 8%).
[0053] 3ubstantially comparable fabric-softener performance can be obtained from the composition
of example I wherein N-tallowyl-N,N',N'-tri(2-hydoxy- ethyl)-1,3 propanediamine is
replaced with a substantially equivalent amount of a polyamine selected from the group
of :
N-soybean alkyl-1,3-propane diammonium sulfate;
N-stearyl-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 dimethosulfate;
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-propanediamonium 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- [N",N" bis(2-hydroxyethyl)3-aminopropyl]N',N'-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)1,3 diaminopropane
trihydrofluoride.
1-[N-hydrogenated tallowylaminopropyl]-pentahydropyridinium dihydrochloride;and
1- [N-stearylaminopropyl]-5-(hydroxyethyl)-tetrahydropyridinium sulfate.
[0054] A series of concentrated liquid fabric softeners have the compositions given hereinafter
are prepared in a conventional manner :
[0055] The compositions of examples II through VIII show excellent phase stability, homogeneity,
pourability and dispersability after a prolonged storage.
[0056] Substantially comparably performing fabric-softening compositions result from the
compositions of examples II, VI and VIII wherein the glycerol monostearate is substituted
by an equivalent amount of a nonionic softening component selected from the group
of : xylitol monopalmitate, pentaerythritol monostearate, sucrose monostearate, batyl
alcohol, ethyle- glycol monoether, octadecylvinylether, cocoylsorbitolmonoether, tallowyl-
diethyleneglycol ether, palmityloxypropyloxypropanol; and arachidylpentaerythritol
monoether.
[0057] A series of additional liquid fabric softeners in accordance with the invention herein
are prepared thereby using the sequence of processing steps and manufacturing conditions
set forth in example I above.
(1) Polyram L 200® has the chemical formula :
it is sold by Pierrefitte-Auby.
1. A concentrated liquid fabric softener having improved pourability and water-dispersability
characteristics comprising from about 25% to about 55% by weight of an active system
comprised of a fabric-substantive agent and a fabric-softening component, the fabric-substantive
agent being selected from the group of :
(1) a compound having the formula
wherein R Is selected from an alkyl or alkenyl group having from 10 to 24 carbon atoms
in the alk(en)yl chain, and R-0-(CH2)nl-; the R1's which may he the same or different each represent hydrogen, -(C2H4O)pH, -(C3H6O)qH, -(C2H4O)p'(C3H6O)q'H, a C1-3 alkyl group or the group -(CH2)n2-N(R')2, wherein R' is selected from hydrogen,-(C2H4O)pH,-(C3H6O)qH,-(C2H4O)p'(C3H6O)q'H and a C1-3 alkyl group, where n, n1 and n2 each represent an integer from 2 to 6, m is an integer from 1 to 5, each p, q and
(p'+q') may be 0 or a number such that (p+q+p'+q') does not exceed 25, and,if in the
salt or partial salt form,A(-) represent.s one or more anions having total charge balancing that of the nitrogen
atom(s);
(2) an alkylpyridinium salt wherein the alkyl chain has from about 10 to 24 carbon
atoms; and
(3) mixtures thereof;
with the proviso that the fabric-substantive agent has a water-solubility of more
than about 5% by weight at pH 2.5 and 20°C, the fabric-softening component being selected
from the group of :
(a) a quaterrary ammonium salt having the formula
wherein R2 and R3 represent hydrocarbyl groups having from 12 to 24 carbon a toms, R4 and R5 represent hydrocarbyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and X is an anion;
(b) an alkylimidazolinium salt having the formula
wherein R6 is a C1-4 alkyl group, R9 is hydrogen or a C1-4 alkyl group, R8 is a C8-25 alkyl group; and R1 is a C9-25 alkyl group; and A⊖ is an anion;
(e) a fatty ester of mono- or polyhydric alcohols having front 1 to about 24 carbon
atoms in the hydrocarbon chain, and mono-or polycarboxylic acids having from 1 to
about 24 carbon atoms in the hydrocarbon chain with the provisos that the total number
of carbon atoms in the ester is equal to or greater than 16 and that at least one
of the hydrocarbon radicals in the ester has 12 or more carhon atoms;
(d) ethers of fatty alcohols having from 10 to 24 carbon atoms in the alkyl chain
and mono- or polyalcohols having from 2 to 8 carbon atoms, whereby the total number
of carbon atoms in the ether is equal to or greater than 16;
(e) compounds of the formula R10 - X - R11 wherein R10 has from about 12 to 24 carbon atoms and R11 from 1 to 6 carbon atoms in the alkyl chain which can be interrupted by not more
than one oxygen link, and X stands for sulfur,
and
(f) mixtures thereof,
whereby the weight of the fabric-substantive agent to the fabric-softening component
is in the range from about 6:1 to about 1:4; and a liquid carrier.
CLAIM 2. The composition in accordance with claim 1 wherein the fabrie- substantive
agent is present in an amount from about 50% to about 85% by weight and the fabric-softening
component selected from (a) and (b) is present in an amount from about 15% to about
50% by weight, the amounts of the components being expressed by reference to their
sum.
CLAIM 3. The composition in accordance with claim 1 wherein the fabric-substantive
agent is present in an amount from about 25% to about 85% by weight and the fabric-softening
component selected from (c), (d) and (e) is present in an amount from about 15% to
about 75% by weight, the amounts of the components being expressed by reference to
their sum.
CLAIM 4. The composition in accordance with any of claims 2 and 3 where R1 in the fabric-substantive agent is -(C2H4O)pH or-(C3H6O)qH or -(C2H4O)p'(C3H6O)q, where each of p, q, and (p' + q') are 1 or 2.
CLAIM 5 The composition in accordance with any of claims 1, 2 and 4 wherein the fabric-substantive
agent is present in an amount from about 65% to about 80% by weight and the fabric-softening
component selected from (a) and (b) is present in an amount from about 20% to about
35% by weight, the amounts of the components being expressed by reference to their
sum.
CLAIM 6. The composition in accordance with any of claims 1, 3 and 4 wherein the fabric-substantive
agent is present in an amount from about 35% to about 65% by weight and the fabric-softening
component selected from (c), (d) and (e) is present in an amount from about 65% to
about 35% by weight, the amounts of the components being expressed by reference to
their sum.
CLAIM 7. The composition in accordance with claim 1 wherein the fabric-substantive
agent represents from about 25% to about 65% by weight and wherein the fabric-softening
component is represented by a binary system containing from about 8% to about 35%
of the fabric-softening component selected from (a) and (b) and from about 15% to
about 60% of the fabric-softening component selected from (e); (d) and (e),the amounts
of the components being expressed by reference to their sum.
CLAIM 8. The composition in accordance with any of the preceding claims wherein the
fabric-substantive agent is selected from the group consisting of :
N-tallowyl,N,N',N'-tris(2-hydroxyethyl)1,3-propanediamine di-hydrochloride:
N-soybean alkyl-1,3-propane diammonium sulfate; N-stearyl-N,N'-di(2-hydroxyethyl)-N'-(3-hydroxypropyl)-1,3-propanediamine
dihydrofluoride;
N-cocoyl N,N,N',N',N'-pentamethyl-1,3-propene diammonium dichloride or dimethosulfate;
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-propanediamonium 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- [N",N" bis(2-hydroxyethyl)3-aminopropyl]N',N'-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)l,3 diaminopropane
trihydrofluorlde.
1-[N-hydrogenated tallowylaminopropyl]-pentahydropyridinium dihydrochloride;
1-[N-stearylaminopropyl]-5-(hydroxyethyl)-tetrahydropyridinium sulfate; and C16-18 alkylpyridinium chloride or bromide.
CLAIM 9. The composition in accordance with any of claims 1, 2, 4, 5, 7 and 8 wherein
the fabric-softening component is selected from the group consisting of :
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 chlorije; didocosyl dimethyl
ammonium chloride; di(hydrogenated tallow) dimethyl ammonium methyl sulfate; dihexadecyl
diethyl ammonium chloride; dihexadecyl dimethyl ammonium bromide; ditallow dipropyl
ammonium bromide; di(coconutalkyl)dimethyl ammonium chloride,1-methyl-1- [(tallowylamido-)ethyl]-2-tallowyl-4,5-dihydroimidazolinium
methyl sulfate; and l-methyl-l- [(palmitoylamido) ethyl -2-octadecyl-4,5-dihydroimidazolinium
chloride.
CLAIM 10. The composition in accordance with claims 1,3,4,6 and 7 wherein the fatty
ester is selected from the group consisting of:stearyl acetate; palmityl dilactate;
cocoyl isobutyrate; oleyl maleate; oleyl dimaleate; tallowyl propionate; xylitol monopalmitate;
pentaerythritol monostearate; sucrose monostearate; glycerol monostearate; ethylene
glycol monostearate; sorbitan monostearate; sorbitan palmitate; sorbitan monolaurate;
sorbitan monomyristate; sorbitan monobehenate; sorbitan monooleate; sorbitan dilaurate;
sorbitan distearate; sorbitan dibehenate and sorbitan dioleate.
CLAIM 11. The composition in accordance with claims 1,3,4,6 and 7 wherein the ethers
of fatty alcohols are selected from the group consisting of: batyl alcohol; behenyl
ethyleneglycolmono ether; octadecyl vinyl ether; cocoyl sorbitylmono-ether; tallowyl
diethylenglycol ether; palmityloxypropyloxypropanol; and arachidylpentaerythritol
mono-ether.
CLAIM 12. The composition in accordance with claims 1,3,4,6 and 7 wherein the compound
having the formula R10 - X - R11 is selected from the group consisting of : N-stearyl methacrylamide; stearyl vinyl
sulfide; N-palmityl-2-hydroxyethylamide and N-tallowyl-3-hydroxypropyl- amide.
CLAIM 13. The composition in accordance with any of claims 7,8,9,10, 11 and 12 wherein
the fabric-substantive agent represents from about 30% to about 45% by weight, the
fabric-softening component selected from (a) and (b) from about 15% to about 25% by
weight and the fabric softening component selected from (c),(d) and (e) from about
30% to about 55% by weight, the amounts of the components being expressed by reference
to their sum.
CLAIM 14. The composition in accordance with claims 7,8,9,10,11,12 and 13 wherein
the weight ratio of the fabric-softening component selected from (a) and (b) to the
fabric-softening component selected from (c),(d) and (e) is equal to or smaller than
(≤1), preferably≤0.7.