CA1066207A - Fabric conditioning compositions - Google Patents

Abstract

FABRIC CONDITIONING COMPOSITIONS

Warren R. Haug Ralph J. Baskerville, Jr.
Alan P. Murphy ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
Water-insoluble sorbitan ester conditioners especially adapted for application to fabrics in an aqueous laundering bath are activated by passing the ester treated fabrics through an automatic clothes dryer at elevated temperatures.

Description

BACKGROU~'D OF THE INVENTIO~ -The present invention relates to compositions and means for conditioning fabrics. More specifically, certain particulate, water-insoluble, meltable con-ditioning agents are applied to fabrics, conveniently ~rom an aqueous medium. Thereafter the fabrics are heated in an automatic clothes dryer, whereupon the conditioning agent melts and imparts desirable soften-ing and anti-static benefits. The conditioning agents herein are especially designed for use in the aqueous alkaline media characteristic of pre-soak and launder-ing liquors and can also be used in aqueous rinse baths.

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,- . . , 621~)7 Fabric "softness" is an expression well-defined in the art and i9 usually understood to be that quality of the treated fabric whereby the handle or texture is smooth, pliable and fluffy to the touch. Moreover, optimally softened fabrics ar~ characterized by a desirable anti-static effect, which is exhibited by a lack of static cling.
I~ has long been known that various chemical compounds possess the ability to soften and impart anti-static benefits to fabrics. However, the effective-ness of any given compound may depend on its mode of use~ Por example, rinse-added fabric softeners, especially the quaternary ammonium compounds used in the detergent-free deep rinse cycle of a home laundering operation, provide exceptional conditioning benefits.
Unfortunately, the cationic nature of these softeners causes them to interact undesirably with the common anionic surfactants such as the alkyl benzene sulfonates and is generally believed to preclude their use during the deterging cycle of a laundering operation involving commercial anionic detergents.
There has been a continuing search for fabric conditioning agents which are compatible with anionic surfactants and which can be used without regard to the presence or absence of such materials. Much of this work has involved the selection or blending of specific types of cationic conditioners. A few , , , ~L~66~7 ~ attempts have b~en made to provide nonionic softeners which, being free from cationic groups, do not interact with anionic surfactants. For the most part, however, these attempts have met with limited success.
It has now been found that certain sorbitan esters, as more fully described hereinafter, can be applied to fabrics and thereafter heated, whereupon the esters softer:
and flow uniformly over the fabric surfaces *o provide desirable conditioning benefits. The use of sorbitan esters as dryer-added fabric softeners is disclosed in the co-pending Canadian application of Murphy, Seiden, Diehl and McCarty, Serial No. 224,651, filed April 15, 1975.
However, it has now ~een found that such esters having particle sizes within the range specified herein are taken up by fabrics from an aqueous medium, even in the presence of sur~actants, builders and the like. Once on the fabric surfaces, the particles are "activated" by heat, i.e., melted. It is believed that these features of the present invention are nowhere recognized in the prior art.
Accordingly, the present invention contemplates and provides fabric conditioning compositions which are compatible with all manner of detersive ingredients and which can be applied to fabrics from an aqueous bath and activated in an automatic clothes dryer during a standard drying operation.

1~66;2~37 - S~MM~RY OF THE INVENTION
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The present invention is based on the discovery that certain water-insoluble sorbitan esters within a certain particle size range can be evenly distributed over fabric surfaces in the solid state and thereafter melted to provide desirable fabric conditioning benefits.
Properly selected particle size and solubility character-istics of the esters allows them to be applied to fabrics in a uniform manner from an aqueous liquor. Conveniently, fabrics can be immersed in an aqueous bath having an ` effective amount of the particulate esters suspended therein, whereupon the esters are physically entrapped, or otherwise entrained, on fabric surfaces. This entrain-ment process is not substantially affected by the presence or absence of materials such as anionic surfactants, detergency builders, and the like. ~ccordingly, launder-ing compositions containing the particulate sorbitan esters herein in combination with builders, surfactants, bleaches, and other detersive ingredients well known in the art, provide a means for concurrently cleaning and establishing the sorbitan esters on fabrics. Following such treat~ent, the ~abrics are not provided with any noteworthy degree .
of softness. However, once dried at elevated temperatures (i.e., above the melting or softening point o the sorbitan esters) the fabrics are desirably softened and, in a preferred mode, are provided with anti-static benefits.
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~(~66;~al7 DET~ILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The method of preparation of the sorbitan esters employed herein is well known in the art and, itself, ~orms no part of the present invention. Rather, the heretofore unrecognized utility of particulate, water-insoluble sorbitan esters as fabric treating compositions in aqueous media has now been discovered~
The present invention encompasses fabric conditioning compositions, comprisins:
! (a) an effective amount of a water-insoluble par-ticulate ~orbitan ester fabric conditioning agent characterized by a particle size in the range of from about 5 microns (u) to about.

2,000 ~ and a melting poi.nt in the range from about 38C to about 100C; and (b) an effective amount of a detergency builder.
.Compositions of the foregoing type, especially when formulated with an effective amount of a bleach such as perborate and detersive enzymes, are partic-ularly useful as laundry pre-soaks, or can be added to any detergent composition to provide both additional -detergency builder action and the fabric conditioning benefits of the sorbitan esters.
Inasmuch as the sorbitan esters herein are wholly compatible with all manner of detersive surfactants, even under alkaline conditions, the present invention also encompasses detergent compositions especially adapted for concurrently cleansing and imparting conditioning benefits to fabr~cs comprising an effective amount of the particulate sorb.itan esters as disclosed hereinabove .. . .

6;~7 and an effective amount of a detersive surfactant. Of course, such compositions can also contain detergency builders.
Finally, the present invention encompasses a process fox conditioning fabrics comprising the steps of contacting said fabrics with an effective amount of a water-insoluble particulate sorbitan ester fabric ~onditioning agent as described herein and thereafter subjecting the fabrics to an elevated temperature within the range of from about 38C to about 100C.
Treatment o the fabrics at the elevated tempexature is conveniently and preferably carried out in an automatic clothes dryericoncurrently with a standard laundry drying operation.
The term "effective amount" as used hereinabove to describe the amount of sorbitan ester, builder, detersive surfactant, etc., in the compositions and processes of this invention is intended to mean that amount of the respective materials which will perform their corresponding functions. The amount used in a given situation will vary somewhat, depending on the desires of the formulator and other considerations described more fully hereinafter.
The compositions herein comprise ingredients which are described individually, as follows.

1(~66ZS~7 Sorbitan Ester '~he abric conditioner employed in the present invention comprises the esterified cyclic dehydration products of sorbitol. Sorbitol, itself prepared by the catalytic hydrogenation of g1ucose, can be dehydrated in well-known fashion to form mixtures of cyclic 1,4-and 1,5-sorbitol anhydrides according to the following re,action (see U.S. Patent 2,322,821):

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C~2OH / j ~CHOH) 4 -~2 1 ~2 fHCH20H
¦ . CHOH /CHOH and CH20H ~C ~
OH
Sorbitol 1, 5-sorbitarl ' ' . .

CHOH--fHOH j CE~OH
C~ ~CHC~OHCH20H and C~ ~CH--C HOH

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1, 4-sor}~itan . Isosorbide .. . . . .

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~o6~'z07 The foregoing complex mixtures of cyclic anhydrides of sorbitol are collectively referred to herein as "sorbitan".
- Fabric softeners of the type employed herein are 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 a~ail-able hydroxyl groups, and various mono-, di-, tri- and tetra-esters can be prepared. In fact, mixtures of mono-, di-, etc., esters almost always result from such reactions, and the stoichiometric ratios of the reactants can simply be adjusted to favor the desired reaction product. For the reasons disclosed hereinafter, the sorbitan tri-esters and tetra-esters are preferred for use in the present invention, but the mono- and di-esters are also useful herein. While not intending to be limited by theory, it appears that to be optimally useful as softeners in aqueous alkaline pre-soak and laundry baths, the sorbitan esters should be quite insoluble. The solubility of the tri- and tetra-esters in aqueous alkaline media is much less than that of the corresponding mono- and di-esters having the same acyl groups. Accordingly, the particles of tri- and tetra-esters employed herein retain their integrity in optimal fashion under the hot aqueous alkaline conditions which commonly obtain in pre-soak and laundry liquors.~

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~ID66Z~7 The sorbitan esters useful herein contain, inter alia, compounds of the following formulae, as well as the corresponding hydroxy-substituted mono-, di-, and tri-esters:

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R(O)COI I OC(O)R
¦ I ~0~ CH20-C(C))R
-CH20-C (O) R and ~ 1 OC(O)R R(O~CO \ OC(O)R
OC(O)R

R (O) CO o~
and ~
~ O-C ( O) R

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1~66~07 wherein group RC(0)- is a C10-C26, and higher, fatty alkyl residue. The foregoing complex mixtures of ester-ified cyclic dehydration products of sorbitol are collectively referred to herein as "sorbitan esters".
In this manner there can be prepared, fo`r example, the sorbitan tri- and tetra-esters of lauric, myristic, palmitic, stearic and behenic (docosanoic) acids, all of which are particularly useful herein for imparting a soft, lubricious feel and some anti-static benefits to fabrics. Mixed sorbitan esters, e.g., mixtures of the foregoing esters, and mixtures prepared by esterifying sorbitan with fatty acid mixtures such as the mixed tallow and hydrogenated palm oil fatty acids, are useful herein and are economically attractive.
~nsaturated C10-C22 sorbitan esters, e.g., sorbitan mono-~leate, usually are present in such mixtures.
m e term "alkyl" as employed herein to describe the - sorbitan esters encompasses both the saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbyl ester side-chain groups.
Moreover, it is to be recognized that all substantially water-insolubl~ sorbitan esters which soften and flow at dryer operating temperatures, i.e., above about 38~C, but which are solid below about 38C, and which have a fatty hydrocarbyl "tail", are useful softeners in the context of the present invention when provided as particles as hereinafter disclosed.
While the sorbitan esters herein can be secured by cyclizing sorbitol to form a mixture of cyclic /~

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~P66~C17 anhydrides of the type set forth above and separating and esterifying the various cyclic anhydrides using the appropriate reaction stoichiometry, separation of the cyclization products is difficult and expensive.
On a commercial scale, it is easier and more economical not to separate the various cyclic anhydxides, but simply to esterify the total mixture using an ~xcess of the esterifying agent. Of course, this results in esterified mixtures of the type disclosed above.
1~ Such complex mixtures of esterified reaction products are commercially available under various tradenames, e.g., SPAN ~, and are useful softeners.
The sorbitan esters employed herein are in the form of substantially water-insoluble particles having an average size (diameter) range of from about 5 mic~ons (u) to about 2,000 u. Below the lower limit of the range, the particles tend to dissolve or disperse and are "dusty" and difficult to work with; particles outside the upper limit of the range are visible on fabrics and may be disconcertiny to the user. Preferably, the particle size of the sorbitan esters herein lies in the range from about 10 ~ to about 250 ~, and particles within this range are efficiently entrained on fabric surfaces and are not particularly noticeable on the fabrics. Of course, after melting in a dryer, no particles are seen.
The sorbitan mono- and di esters are more soluble than the corresponding tri- and tetra-esters.
Accordingly, when using the mono- and di-esters in the manner of the prese~t invention, the volume of water, .

the temperature, and the presence or absence of alkalinity can result in the dissolution or dispersion of the mono- and d.i-esters. This will also depend somewhat on the particle size of the esters and the time of exposure to the aqueous medium. In any event, the mono-and di-esters are useful herein, although they are optimally used at somewhat higher concentrations than the tri- and tetra-esters for the foregoing reasons.
Useful mono- and di-sorbitan esters herein include sorbitan monolaurate, sorbitan monomyristate, sorbitan mono-palmitate, soxbitan monostearate, sorbitan monobehenate, sorbitan dilaurate, sorbitan dimyristate, sorbitan dipalmitate, ~orbitan distearate, sorbitan dibehenate, and mixtures there-of. The sorbita~ mono- and di-esters have the added advantage that they provide significant anti-static benefits to fabrics treated therewith, in addition to their softening action. ;~
The tri- and tetra-esters of sorbitan employed herein are not substantially water-soluble even under the conditions of alkalinity and high temperatures encountered in pre-soak and laundry baths~ Accordingly, these materials are especially preferred for use herein.
Non-limiting examples of tri- and tetra-sorbitan esters useful herein include sorbitan trilaurate, sorbitan tri-myristate, sorbitan tripalmitate, sorbitan tristearate, sorbitan tribehenate, sorbitan tetralaurate, sorbitan tetramyristate, sorbitan tetrapalmitate, sorbitan tetra-stearate, sorbitan tetrabehenate, and mixtures thereof.

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In contrast with the mono- and di-sorbitan esters, the tri- and tetra-sorbitan esters do not provide optimal static control on fabrics. Accordingly, in order to achieve static control concurrently with S softening, it is convenient to use particles comprising, as a major component, a member selected from the gxoup consisting of the C10-C22 alkyl tri- and tetra-sorbitan esters, and mixtures thereof, and, as a minor component, a member selected from the group consisting of C10~C22 alkyl mono- and di-sorbitan esters, and mixtures thereof.
In this manner, both good particle integrity and insolubil-ity together with fabric softness and static control are se~ured.
It will be recognized that the sorbitan esters can also be employed in combination with other types of anti-static agents to provide the combined benefits of - -both types of materials.
One type of sorbitan ester which provides both the insolubility required for maintaining the integrity of the particles of softener as well as good static control encompasses the C22-C26, and higher, alkyl sorbitan mono- and di-esters. The longer hydrocarbyl chains in these molecules significantly decrease their water solubility, even in hot, aqueous alkaline media, whereas their multiple unesterified hydroxyl groups enhance the conductivity of fabrics treated therewith to provide static control benefits. Accordinyly, these longer-chain sorbitan esters are fully contemplated for use _ ~_ 10i;6Z07 herein and are encompassed by the general definition of water-insoluble particulate s~rbit-n esters ~ :

66;~C~7 Dete~ncy_Builders The instant compositions can contain all manner of detergency builders commonly taught for use in laundry compositions. The compositions herein generally contain ~rom about 5% to about 95% by weight, preferably from about 15% to about 65% by weight, of said builders.
~seful builders herein include any of the conventional inorganic and organic water-soluble builder salts, as well as various water-insoluble and so-called 1~ "seeded" builders.
Inorganic detergency builders useful herein include, for example, water-soluble salts of phosphates, pyrophosphates, orthophosphates, polyphosphates, phosphonates, carbonates, and silicates. Specific -~
examples of inorganic phosphate builders include sodium and potassium tripolyphosphates, phosphates, and ~exametaphosphates. The polyphosphonates specifically include, for example, the sodium and potassium salts of ethylene diphosphonic acid, the sodium and potassium salts of ethane l-hydroxy~ diphosphonic acid, and the sodium and potassium salts of ethane-1,1,2-tri-phosphonic acid. Examples of these and other phosphorus builder compounds are disclosed in U.S. Patents 3,159,581;

3,213,030; 3,422,021; 3,422,137; 3,400,176 and 3,400,148, .
~ ~. Sodium tripolyphosphate is an especially preferred, water-soluble inorganic builder herein.

~06~2~7 Non-phosphorus containing sequestrants can also be selected for use herein as detergency builders.
Specific examples o~ non-phosphorus, inorganic builder ingredients include water-soluble inorganic carbonate, bicarbonate, and silicate salts. The alkali metal, e.g., sodium and potassium, carbonates, bicarbonates, and silicates are particularly useful herein~
Water-soluble, crganic builders are also useful herein. For example, the alkali metal, ammonium and substituted ammonium polyacetates, car~oxylates, poly-carboxylates, succinates, and polyhydroxysulfonates are useful builders in the present compositions and processes. Specific examples of the polyacetate and polycarboxylate builder salts include sodium, potassium, lithium, ammonium and substituted ammonium salts of ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid, nitrilotriacetic acid, oxydisuccinic acid, mellitic acid, benzene poly-carboxylic acids, and citric acid.
Highly preferred non~phosphorus builder materials (both organic and inorganic) herein include sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, sodium silicate, sodium citrate, sodium oxydisuccinate, sodium mellitate, sodium nitrilotriacetate, and sodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate, 25 and mixtures thereof.
Other highly preferred organic builders herein are the polycarboxylate builders set forth in U.S. Patent 3,308,067, Diehl,--inaorpor~to~-h4~i~_~y ~J s.~-~.

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6~07 Examples of such materials include the water-soluble salts of homo- and co-polymers of aliphatic carboxylic acids such as maleic acid, itaconic acid, mesaconic acid, fumaric acid, aconitic acid, citraconic acid and methylenemalonic acid.
Additional, preferred builders herein include the water-soluble salts, especially the sodium and potassium salts, of carboxymethyloxymalonate, carboxymethyloxysuccinatel cis-cyclohexanehexacarboxylate, cis-cyclopentanetetracarboxylate and phloroglucinol trisulfonate.
Sodium nitrilotriacetate is an especially preferred, water-soluble organic builder herein.
Another type of detergency builder material useful in the present compositions and processes comprises a water-soluble material capable of forming a water-insoluble reaction product with water hardness cations in combination with a crystallization seed which is capable of providing growth sites for said reaction product. Such "seeded builder" compositions are fully disclosed in the Canadian Patent 991,942, issued June 29, 1976.
More particularly, the seeded builders useful herein comprise a crystallization seed having a maximum particle dimension of less than 20 microns, preferably a particle diameter of from about 0.01 micron to about ~C~662(~17 1 micron, in combination with a material capable of ~orming a water-insoluble reaction product with free metal ions.
Many builder materials, e.g., the water-soluble carbonate salts, precipitate water hardness cations, thereby performing a builder function. Unfortunately, ~any of the precipitating builders used in laundry compositions do not reduce the free metal ion content of laundry baths quickly, and such builders only compete 1~ with the organic detergent and the soil for the free metal ionsO The result is that while some of the free - metal ions are removed from the solution, some ions do react with the organic detergent and the soil, thereby decreasing the detersive action. The use of the crystal-lization seed quickens the rate of precipitation of themetal cations, thereby removing the hardness before it can adversely af~ect detergency performance.
By using a material capable of forming a water-insoluble product with free metal ions in combination with a crystallization seed, the combined (Ca~ and Mg~) free metal ion concentration of an aqueous laundering liquor can be reduced to less than 0.5 grains of hardness within about 120 seconds. In fact, the preferred seeded builders can reduce the free metal hardness to less than 0.1 grains/
gallon within about 30 seconds.
Preferred seeded builders consist of: a water-soluble material capable of forming a reaction product having a solubility in water of less than about '' ' ' .

--21~-.
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6~Z07 1.4 x 10 wt~% ~at 25C) with divalent and polyvalent metal ions such as ealeium, magnesium and iron; and a erystallization seed (0.001-20 micron diameter) which eomprises a material which will not completely dissolve in water within 120 seconds at 25C.
Speeific examples of materials capable of forming the water-insoluble reaction product include the water-soluble salts of carbonates~ biearbonates, sesquiearbonates, silicates, aluminates and oxalates. The alkali metal, espeeially sodium, salts of the foregoing materials are preferred for eonvenience and eeonomy.
The erystalli~ation seed employed in such seeded builders is preferably selected from the group consisting of calcium carbonate; calcium and magnesium oxalates;
barium sulfate; calcium, magnesium and aluminum silicates;
calcium and magnesium oxides; calcium and magnesium salts of fatty acids having 12 to 22 carbon atoms:
ealeium and magnesium hydroxides; caleium fluoride~
and barium earbonate. Specific examples o such seeded builder mixtures comprise: 3:1 wt. mixtures of sodium carbonate and calcium carbonate having a 5 micron particle diameter; 2.7:1 wt. mixtures of sodium sesquicarbonate and calcium carbonate having a p~rticle diameter of 0.5 microns; 20:1 wt. mixtures of sodium sesquicarbonate and calcium hydroxide having a particle diameter of 0.01 micron; and a 3:3:1 wt. mixture of sodium carbonate, sodium aluminate and calcium oxide having a particle diameter of 5 micro~s.

~( ~662~7 A seeded builder comprising a mixture of sodium -carbonate and calcium carbonate is especially preferred herein. -A highly preferred seeded builder comprises a 30:1 to 5:1 (wt. Na2CO3:CaCO3) mixture of sodium carbonate and calcium carbonate wherein the calcium carbonate has an average particle ;~
diameter Erom 0.01 micron to 5 microns.
Another type of builder useful herein includes various substantially water-insoluble materials which are capable of reducing the hardness content of laundering liquors, e.g., by ion-exchange processes. Examples of such builder materials include the phosphorylated cloths -disclosed in U.S. Patent 3,421,545, inventor Bauman, issued January 28, 1969.
The complex aluminosilicates, i.e., zeolite-type materials, are useful herein in that these materials soften water, i.e., remove Ca++ hardness. Both the naturally occurring and synthetic "zeolites", especially the zeolite A and hydrated zeolite A materials, are useful for this builder/softener purpose. A description of zeolite materials and a method of preparation appears in U.S. Patent 2,822,243, inventor Milton, issued April 14, 1959. Canadian Patent 1,035,~ 4, issued July 25, 1978 describes the use of hydrated synthetic zeolites as builders.
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-Q6Ei2C)7 Surfactant Water-soluble surfaetants used in the present eom-positions inelude any of the eommon anionie, nonionie, ampholytie and zwitterionic detersive agents well known in the detergency arts. Mixtures of surfactants ean also be employed herein. -More partieularly, the surfaetants listed in U.S. Patents 3,717,630, Booth, February 20, 1973, and 3,332,880, Kessler, et al., July 25, 1967, ean be used herein. Non-limiting examples of surfaetants suitable for use in the instant com-positions and processes are as follows.
Water-soluble salts of the higher fatty acids, i.e., "soaps" are useful as the anionic surfactant herein. This class of surfactants includes ordinary alkali metal soaps such as the sodium, potassium, ammonium and alkanolammonium salts of higher fatty acids containing from about 8 to about 2~ carbon atoms and preferably from about 10 to about 20 carbon atoms. Soaps ean be made by direct saponification of fats and oils or by the neutralization of free fatty acids. Particulary useful are the sodium and potassium salts of the mixtures of fatty acids derived from eoeonut oil and tallow, i.e., sodium or potassium tallow and coconut soaps.
Another elass of anionie surfactants ineludes water-soluble salts, partieularly the alkali metal, ammonium and alkanolammonium salts, of organie sulfurie reaetion produets having in their molecular structure ~0662~7 an alkyl group containing from about 8 to about 22 carbon atoms and a sulfonic acid or sulfuric acid ester group. ~Included in the term "alkyl" is the alkyl portion o~ acyl groups.) Examples of this group of synthetic surfactants which can be used in the present invention are the sodium and potassium alkyl sulfates, especially those o~tained by sulfating the higher alcohols (C8-C18 carbon atoms) produced by reducing the glycerides of tallow or coconut oil; and sodium and potassium alkyl benzene sulfonates, in which the alkyl group contains from about 9 to about 15 carbon atoms in straight chain or branched chain configuration, e.g., those of the type described in U.S~ Patents 2,220,099 and 2,477,383, ~ y~e~e~- -1~ -he~e~ by-L~4r~44.
Othe~ anionic surfactant compounds herein include the sodium alkyl glyceryl ether sulfonates, especially those ethers of higher alcohols dexived from tallow and coconut oil; sodium coconut oil fatty acid monoglyceride sulfonates and sulfates; and sodium or potassium sal~s of alkyl phenol ethylene oxide ether sulfate containing about 1 to about 10 units of ethylene oxide per molecule ;
and wherein the alkyl groups contain about 8 to about 12 carbon atoms.
Other useful anionic surfactants herein include the water-soluble salts of esters of ~-sulfonated fatty acids containing from about 6 to 20 carbon atoms in the Z~L ' _ .~_ .. . .

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~L~66207 - ester group; water-soluble salts of 2-acyloxy-alkane-1-sulfonic acids containing from about 2 to 9 carbon atoms in the acyl group and from about g to about 23 carbon atoms in the alkane moiety; alkyl ether sulfates containing from about 10 to 20 carbon atoms in the alkyl group and from about 1 to 30 moles of ethylene oxide; water-soluble salts of olefin sulfonates containing from about 12 to 24 carbon atoms, and ~-alkyloxy alkane sulfonates containing from about 10 1 to 3 carbon atoms in the alkyl group and from . -~
about 8 to 20 carbon atoms in the alkane moiety.
Preferred water-soluble anionic organic sur-factants herein include linear alkyl benzene sulfonates containing from about 11 to 14 carbon atoms in the alkyl group, the tallow range alkyl sulfates; the coconut range alkyl glyceryl sulfonates; alkyl ether sulfates wherein the al~yl moiety contains from about 14 to 18 carbon atoms and wherein the average degree ~f ethoxylation varies between 1 and 6; the sulfated condensation products of tallow alcohol with from about 3 to 10 moles of ethylene oxide; olefin sulfonates containing from about 14 to 16 carbon atoms; and soaps, as hereinabove defined.
Specific preferred anionic surfactants for use herein include: sodium linear ClO~C18 alkyl benzene sulfonate; triethanolamine C10-Cl8 alkyl benzene sulfonate; sodium tallow alkyl sulfate, sodium coconut .

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~L~66'~7 alkyl glyceryl ether sulfonate; the sodium salt of a sulfated condensation product of tallow alcohol with from about 3 to about 10 moles of ethylene oxide; and the water-soluble sodium and potasslum salts of higher fatty acids containing 8 to 24 -carbon atoms.
It is to be recognized that any of the foregoing anionic surfactants can be used separately herein or as mixtures.
An especially preferred alkyl ether sulfate deter-gent component useful in the instant compositions and processes is a mixture of alkyl ether sulfates, said mixture having an average (arithmetic mean) carbon chain length within the range of from about 12 to 16 carbon atoms, preferably from about 14 to 15 carbon atoms' and an average (arithmetic mean) degree of ethoxylation of from about 1 to 4 moles of ethylene oxide, preferably from about 2 to 3 moles of ethylene oxide; see Canadian Patent 1,005,310, issued February 15, 1977.
Specifically, such preferred mixtures comprise from about 0.05% to 5~ by weight of mixture of C12_13 compounds, from about 55% to 70% by weight of mixture of C14 15 compounds, 20 from about 25% to ~0% by weight of mixture of C16 17 compounds and from about 0.1~ to 5% by weight of mixture of C18 19 compounds. Further, such preferred alkyl e-ther sulfate mixtures comprise from about 15% to 25% by weight of mixture of compounds having a degree of ethoxylation of zero, from about 50% to 65%
by weight .
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of mixture of compounds having a degree of ethoxylation ~rom l to 4, from about 12% to 22% by weight of mixture of compounds having a degree of ethoxylation from 5 to B and from about 0.5% to 10% by weight of mixture of compounds having a degree of ethoxylation greater than 8.
Semi-polar surfactants useful herein include w~ter-soluble amine oxides containing one alkyl moiety vf from about lO to 28 carbon atoms and 2 moieties - selected from the group consisting of alkyl groups and hydroxyalkyl groups containing from l to about 3 carbon atoms; water-soluble phosphine oxides containing ~ne alkyl moiety of about lO to 28 carbon atoms and 2 moieties selected from the group consisting of alkyl groups and hydroxyalkyl groups containing from about l~ 1 to 3 carbon atoms; and water-soluble sulfoxides containing one alkyl moiety of from about lO to 28 carbon atoms and a moiety selected from the group consisting of alkyl and hydroxyalkyl moieties of from 1 to 3 carbon atoms.
Ampholytic surfactants include derivati.ves of aliphatic or aliphatic derivatives of heterocyclic secondary and tertiary amines in which the aliphatic moiety can be straight chain or branched and wherein one of the aliphatic substituents contains from about 8 to 18 carbon atoms and at least one aliphatic sub stituent contains an anionic water-solubilizing group.
Zwitterionic surfactants include derivatives of aliphatic ~uaternary~ammonium, phosphonium and sulfonium z~

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lOG621J7 compounds in which the aliphatic moieties can be straight or branched chain, and wherein one of the aliphatic substituents contains from about 8 tG 18 carbon atoms and one contains an anionic water-solubilizing group.
~ onionic surfactants include the water-soluble ethoxylates of C10-C20 aliphatic alcohols and C6-C12 alkyl phenols. Many nonionic surfactants are especially suitable for use as suds controlling agents in combination with anionic surfactants of the type disclosed herein.

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Optional Adiuncts Inasmuch as the sorbitan esters herein do not ~ndesirably interact with any of the common pre-soak ~nd detergency adjuncts, any such adjuncts can be used 3 in combination therewith. Representative materials include, for example, the various anti-caking agents, ~iller materials, optical brighteners, anti-spotting ~gents, dyes, perfumes, and the like. These adjunct ; materials are cornmonly used as minor components (e.g., 0.1% to 5% wt.) in compositions of the present type.
~ ighly preferred additives herein include various ~leaches commonly employed in pre-soak, laundry additive and detergent compositions. Such bleaches can include, ~or example, the various organic peroxyacids such as peradipic acid, perphthalic acid, diperphthalic acid, ~nd the like. Inorganic bleaches, including such materials as sodium perborate, sodium perborate tetrahydrate, urea per~
Dxide, potassium dichlorocyanurate, sodiurn dichlorocyanurate dihydrate, and the like, can be employed in the compositions herein. Bleaches are commonly used in laundering composi-*ions at a level of from about 1% to about 45% by weight.
An especially preferred bleaching agent for use herein is sodium perborate tetrahydrate, at an effective concentration of from about 10% to about 30% by weight of the total cornposition.
Various detergency enzymes well known in the art for their ability to degrade and aid in the removal of various soils and stains can also be employed in the present composi~ions and processes. Detergency '''.

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~C)66Z~7 enzymes are commonly used at concentrations of ~rom about 0.1% to about 1.0h by weight of such composi-~ions. Typical enzymes include the various proteases, lipases, amylases, and mixtures thereof, which are designed to remove a variety of soils and stains from ~abrics.
Anti-static agents are especially useful in fabric conditioning and cleansing compositions o~ the present type. Unfortunately, many anti-static agents are cationic in nature and cannot be employed in compositions designed for use in the presence of anionic surfactants.
However, it is possible to co-mingle various anti-static agents together with the sorbitan esters herein to provide a substantially homogeneous mixture. ~ -1~ Conveniently, such mixtures can then be melted and formed into particles or prills comprising both the sorbitan ester and the anti-static agent. Such prills or particles are substantially inert to the presence of anionic surfactants, inasmuch as the sorbitan ester "protects'~ the anti-static agentO
It will be recognized, of course, that all manner of anti-static agents can thus be used in combination with the sorbitan esters herein. However, the common quaternary anti-static agents are especially preferred for use herein and are conveniently co-melted with the sorbitan esters to provide mixed softening and anti-static particles.
Quaternary anti-static agents useful herein include any of the long-chain quaternary ammonium salts '~ o .. . ~ . . . .

66Z~7 commonly employed for this purpose, including ditallow-alkyldimethyl~nonium chloride, ditallowalkyldimethyl-ammonium bromide, and the like. An especially preferred quaternary ammonium static control agent for use herein which is not corrosive to metal surfaces such as dryer drums is ditallowalkyldimethylammonium methylsulfate.
Accordingly, there are provided compositions especially adapted for providing both so~tening and anti-static benefits to fabrics, comprising:
from about 5% to about 15% by weight of a softener/anti~static mixture comprising a water-insoluble sorbitan ester of the type disclosed hereinabove and a static control agent, usually at a weight ratio of sorbitan ester to static control agent in the range from about 10:1 to about 1:1, said mixture of materials being in the form of water-insoluble particles char-acterized by an average size of from about 5 ~ to about 2,000 ~. Fully formulated compositions will also contain from about 15% to about 65% by weight of a detergency builder, as disclosed herein; the balance of the composition can comprise various auxiliary laundering aids and fillers.
Other useful static control agents for use in the ~orm of prills or partic]es in concert with the sorbitan esters include, for exarnple, aluminum sulfate, various hygroscopic glycol esters, and the mono- and di-sorbitan esters as described hereinabove.

'.

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.

~06~2()7 Composition Preparation The compositions herein are prepared by simply dry-blending the various ingredients in the desired proportions and concentrationsO The composîtions are conveniently prepared to provide effective amounts of ~he various ingredients in an aqueous liquor designed ~or treating fabrics. The amount of the individual ingredient will vary somewhat, according to the desires of the user and other factors such as fabric type, ~ water temperature, water hardness, soil load, and the like. Moreover, the compositions are preferably form~
ulated so that they are easy to measure and pour according to the established habits and practices of most users.
Typical pre-soak compositions herein are designed to provide a detergency builder level of from about 50 ppm to about 1,000 ppm, preferably 100 ppm to 500 ppm in an aqueous laundering liquor (5-25 gallons~.
Typical laundry detergent compositions are designed to provide a concentration of builder within the above-recited range, and a concentration of detersive surfactant in the range from about 50 ppm to about 500 ppm, more preferably about 150 ppm to about 250 ppm, in an aqu~ous solution (5-25 gallons).
The sorbitan esters herein are preferably employed at a concentration of about 10 ppm to about 500 ppm, more preferably from about 50 ppm to about 150 ppm in an aqueous liquor, either as a pre-soak or in a laundering liquor.

66~

As can be seen from the foregoing, compositions prepared in the manner of the present invention can contain the various ingredients and components over a wide compositional range. The user of compositions herein can simply adjust usage levels to obtain the desired, ef~ective amount in the laundry bath.
When formulating compositions designed for use at the ca. 1/4 cup to 1-1/2 cup usage level familiar to most users of laundry products, the following typical concentration ranges of the various ingredients can be employed.
A typical fabric pre-soak composition prepared in the manner of this invention will com~rise from about 1% to about 25%, more preferably from about 3% to about 15%, by weight of the sorbitan ester; from about 10% to about i30%, more preferably from about 20% to about 60%, by weight of a detergency builder; from about 5% to about 45%, more preferably from about 10% to about 30%, by weight of a bleach; and from about 0.05% to about 2.0%, more preferably from about 0.1% to about 1.0%, by weight of a detergency enzyme.
Detergent compositions prepared in the manner of this invention will comprise from about 1% to about 25%, more preferably from about 3% to about 15%, by weight of the sorbitan ester, and from about 1% to about 50%, more ;
preferably from about 3% to about 15%, by weight of a detersive surfactant. The balance of such detergent compositions will cornprise, for example, inert fillers.

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More preferably, the detergent compositions will be built, and comprise, as an additional component, from about 15% to about 65%, more preferably from about 20% to about 40%, by weight of a detergency builder.
In use, the aforesaid compositions provide a process for conditioning fabrics which comprises the steps of contacting said fabrics with an effective amount (as set forth above) of the sorbitan ester in an aqueous laundering medium.concurrentiy wi.th a pre~soaking or deterging operation.

i I

_,~_ 3l066;~07 Composition Usaqe - The compositions herein are conveniently used during a fabric laundering operation involving an aqueous laundering liquor. While the temp~rature selected for pre-soaking and laundering fabrics will vary according to the desires of the user, it is a simple matter to choose the esters of ~he type disclosed herein which will maintain their integrity as particles under any common laundering situation. This is especially true in 10 the case of the preferred tri- and tetra-sorbitan esters employed herein. Indeed, even if the ester is partly melted, it will still deposit on fabrics. Accordingly, the temperature of the aqueous media is of no particular consequence to the practice of this invention, other than a temperature should be selected which will provide optimal fabric cieansing, i.e., usually in the temperature range of from about 40C to about 100C, preferably about 45C
to about 70C, with no undue dissolution or dispersion of the ester particles.
The pre-soak compositions herein are generally provided in a concentrated form which can be added to an aqueous bath concurrently with the addition of soiled fabrics. This is conveniently done using the drum of an automatic washing machine. In practice, about 5-8 gallons of water are added to the machine together with about one-half cup of the pre-soak compositions of this invention. Depending on soil levels, the fabrics are allowed to remain in contact with the medium for a period of from l hour to 24 hours.
Thereafter, the water is removed and replaced with fresh water and detergent and the fabrics are laundered.

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~662(~7 Following laundering, the fabrics are spun dry in standard fashion. The damp fabrics (containing ca. 1.0 to 1.5 times their weight of water) are transferred to an automatic clothes dryer and dried in standard fashion S at an elevated temperature above the melting point of the sorbitan esters.
Inasmuch as the pre-soak compositions herein are compatible with all manner of detergent components, ~hey can also be employed in combination with any commercial detergent to provide an added builder effect along with the fabric conditioning effects afforded by the sorbitan esters.
The detergent compositions herein can be used in standard fashion to concurrently cleanse and establish the sorbitan esters on fabric surfaces. Again, following a drying operation carried out at a temperature above the melting point of the sorbitan esters, the fabrics are provided with a soft, lubricious feel. Moreover, the compositions herein obviate much of the wrinkling caused by the laundering process and make the treated fabrics easier to iron.
The following examples illustrate the compositions and processes of this invention, but are not intended to be limiting thereof.

Z~)7 .
EXAMPLE I

A laundry pre~soak composition is prepared as follows.

.
nqredient Weiqht_%
Sorbitan ester* 10.0 ~ -: ! Sodium tr~polyphosphate 65 ~
~ Sodium sulfate** Balance .
*Commercial mixture of tallowalkyl sorbitan esters ~~
comprising about 20% wt. mixed tetra-esters, 40%
mixed tri-esters, the balance comprising mono-and-di-esters and isosorbides.
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1~66;~:iD7 The sorbitan ester used in the composition of Example I is obtained in the form of a solid block. The block is melted and sprayed onto a chill roll to provide a thin film~
The film of sorbitan ester is removed from the roll by means of a doctor blade to provide flakes, which are subsequently ground in a mill and passed through a 60 mesh sieve. The residue remaining on the sieve is re-cycled.
Substantially al~ the sieved ester is in a highly preferred particle size range of from 10 ~ to 250 ~.
The composition is prepared by simply dry-mixing the ingredients until a homogeneous, granular powder is secured.
Two ounces of the composition of Example I are added to five gallons of water at a temperature of 38C. Five lbs.
of heavily soiled mixed fabrics are immersed in the water and are allowed to stand overnight. Thereafter, the fabrics are removed and laundered using a commercial anionic detergent.
The fabrics are rinsed, spun-dried in a standard automatic washing machine and are thereafter placed in a home clothes dryer. The dryer is operated at an average temperature of 50 C for a period of 40 minutes. Following this treatment, the fabrics are found to be dry and clean, and exhibit a desirable, soft finish.
In the composition of Example I, the sorbitan ester mixture is replaced by an equivalent amount of the C22-;
C24-; and C~6- mono- and di-esters of sorbltan, respectively.
Fabrics treated in the fore~oing manner with these latter compositions, and dried in an automatic clothes dryer using ~ot air at an average temperature of 65C, are cleansed and provided with an anti-static finish.

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,, ~L~66Z~7 EXA~LE II
. _ ~ _ A laundry pre-soak and de-tergent additive composi-tion is as follows.
Ingredient Weight %
Softener/anti-statl12.5 Sodium tripolyphosphate 31.4 Sodium perborate .4 H2O 20.0 Borax 7-5 Tallow ethoxylate3.8 Spray-dried granules3 24.0 Enzyme4 0.3 Brightener, dye, perfume and water Balance 1. A mixture of C -C alkyl sorbitan esters, the major portl8n comprising tri- and tetra-esters, and ditallowalkyldimethylammonium methylsulfate quaternary, at a sorbitan ester:quaternary wt. ratio of 4 2. Tallow alcohol condensed with an average of 22 ethylene oxide groups.
3. Comprising, in spray-dried granule form, 10%
linear alkyl benzene sulfonate, 20% sodium carbonate, 20% sodium silicate, balance sodium sulfate and water.

4. Alkalase (Novo3 and protease (Miles' Laborataries) ~L~6~Z(~7 The softener/anti-stat used in the composition of Example II is prepared by co-melting the sorbitan esters and quaternary to provide a substantially homogeneous melt. The melt is spraye~ onto a chill roll, whereupon it solidifies. The melt is removed from the roll by a doctor blade in the form of flakes. The flakes are pulverized in a mill and sieved through a 60 mesh sieve for use in the composition.
The composition of Example II is prepared by simply dry-mixing the respective ingredients until a homogeneous, granular product is secured.
~ he composition of Example II (1/2 cup) is used to pre-soak soiled~ fabrics for a period of three hours in the manner of Example I. Thereafter, the fabrics are laundered using a commercial anionic detergent, rinsed, spun~
dried, and finally dried in an automatic clothes dryer, with tumbling and venting, at a temperature which varies over a range of 57C to 75C for a period of 60 minutes. The fabrics treated in this manner are dry and clean, and exhibit an especially desirable, soft and anti-static finish.
Moreover, the condition of the fabrics is noteworthy inasmuch as they are quite easy to iron.
In the composition of Example II the ditallowalkyldi-methylammonium methylsulfate anti-stat is replaced by an equivalent amount of aluminum sulfate, cetylpyridinium chlorid~, dodecyltrimethylphosphonium bromide, and dicoconut-aIkyldimethylammonium methylsulfate, respectivély, and equivalent anti-static and softening results are secured~
; . . ' , .
~0 .~ , , ' ' ' ~, ' ' ' ~(~66Z~)7 In the co~position of Example II the sodium tripoly-phosphate is replaced by an equivalent amount of sodium citrate, sodium nitrilotriacetate, hydrated zeolite A, and a 5:1 wt. mixture of sodium carbonate and calcium carbonate crystals having an average particle size of 1 ~ as the builder component, respectively, and equivalent results are secured..
..
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EXAMPLE III
A laundry detergent composition is prepared a~ follows.

.
~ nqredient wei~
, Sodium tripolyphosphate - 35.0 Sodlum dodecylhenzene , sulfonate 20.0 Sodium sulfate 25.0 Sorbitan tristeaxate* ~0.0 Water and minors Balance ~_ ~ ' , ~ ', ' .
:~. ' I ' . - ' *Average particle size 250 ~.
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~662~7 , The composition of Example III is prepared by slurrying all ingredients exclusively of the sorbitan ester and spray-drying in standard fashion. The sorbitan ester is thereafter dry-mixed with the deter-gent granules until a homogeneous solid composition is ~ecured.
The composition of Example III (1 1/2 cups) is added to 18gallons of water together with 5 lbso of soiled mixed fabrics. The fabrics are laundered in the composi- -tion in an automatic, top-loading washer for 10 minutes.
Following this treatment, the fabrics are rinsed and spun-dried. Thereafter; the damp abrics are transferred -to a clothes dryer and dried at an average temperature of 75C for a period of 65 minutes. After removal from the dryer, the fabrics are found to be provided with a soft, lubricious feel.
The composition of Example III is modified by replacing the alkyl benzene sulfonate surfactant with an equivalent amount of sodiurn tallowalkyl soap, a mixture of sulfated C8-C18 alcohols, the sulfated condensation product of tallow alcohol containing an average o about 7 moles of ethylene oxide, hexaethoxylated cetanol, and nonaethoxylated hexylphenol detersive surfactants, respectively, and equivalent results are secured.
In the composition of Example III, the sodium tri-polyphosphate is replaced by àn equivalent amount of sodium nitrilotriacetate, hydrated zeolite A, and sodium citrate builders, respectively, and equivalent results are secured.

_~ _ .

~(366ZCl~

In the composition of Example III, the sorbitan ester is replaced by an equivalent amount of the mono- and ~i-esterification products of sorbitan with C22, C23, C24, C25, and C26 fatty acids, respectively, and combined fabric softening and anti~static results are securedO
It will be app~eciated that the sorbitan esters herein are preferably applied to fabrics from an aqueous medium which is subsequently drained through the fabrics in a manner such that a major proportion of the esters ~ are entrapped on the fabrics by filtration effects.
However, the natural affinity of fabrics for particles within the size range of the sorbitan esters herein assures that, even when the laundering liquor is not ~iltered through the treated fabrics, a substantial and 1~ effective amount of the sorbitan esters will be entrained thereon. Accordingly, the compositions herein can be employed in both front loading and top loading washing machines.
It will be further recogniæed that water-insoluble derivatives of the sorbitan esters herein, especially the "lower" ethoxylates thereof, (i.e., mono-, di- and ttri-esters wherein one or more of the unesterified -OH
groups contain 1 to about 6 oxyethylene moieties) are also useful when formulated as particles and used to condition fabrics in the manner of the present invention.
As can be seen from the foregoing, it has now been discovered that particulate sorbitan esters can be entrained on fabric surfaces from aqueous baths. Sub-sequent to this entrainment process, the csters can be L~
~5--. . ' ' :

~6~Z~7 heated to their melting (or softening) temperature, whereupon the fabrics are provided with softness and 1 no undesirable anti-static benefits. Surprlslng y, ~uild-up of the sorbitan esters on fabric surfaces after multiple cycles is noted. (Apparently, the microscop~c layer of melted ester is easily removed by subsequent launderings.) Proper selection of esters, especially those melting in a range of caO 57C to 80C, i.e., typical dryer temperatures, makes it possible to carry out the process herein in a home laundering operation.
- The sorbitan esters herein are especially preferred for use in the manner of this invention by virtue of their non-corrosive nature when in contact with metal surfaces such as washer and dryer drums. The sorbitan esters do not soften paint or enamel, such as those used in au~o-matic washers and dryers. ~oreover, the sorbitan esters do not undesirably "yellow" fabrics even after ironing (i.e., at temperatures of 150C, and higher) as do many of the prior art softeners. Finally, the sorbitan esters are toxicologically and ecologically acceptable or use in large quantities and at high concentrations.
What is claimed is:

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Claims (38)

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN
EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED
AS FOLLOWS:

1. A fabric conditioning composition, comprising:
(a) a water-insoluble particulate sorbitan ester fabric conditioning agent characterized by a particle size in the range from about 5 µ to about 2,000 µ and a melting point in the range from about 38°C to about 100°C; and (b) a detergency builder.

2. A composition according to Claim 1 wherein the conditioning agent is selected from the group consisting of C10-C26 alkyl sorbitan esters, and mixtures thereof.

3. A composition according to Claim 2 wherein the sorbitan esters are the C10-C22 alkyl tri- and tetra-sorbitan esters, and mixtures thereof.

4. A composition according to Claim 2 wherein the conditioning agent is selected from the group consisting of C10-C26 alkyl mono- and di-sorbitan esters, and mixtures thereof.

5. A composition according to Claim 2 wherein the conditioning agent comprises, as a major component, a member selected from the group consisting of C10-C22 alkyl tri- and tetra-sorbitan esters, and mixtures thereof, and, as a minor component, a member selected from the group consisting of C10-C22 alkyl mono- and di-sorbitan esters, and mixtures thereof.

6. A composition according to Claim 2 wherein the conditioning agent is selected from the group consisting of sorbitan trilaurate, sorbitan trimyristate, sorbitan tripalmitate, sorbitan tristearate, sorbitan tri-behenate, sorbitan tetralaurate, sorbitan tetramyristate, sorbitan tetrapalmitate, sorbitan tetrastearate, sorbitan tetrabehenate, and mixtures thereof.

7. A composition according to Claim 2 wherein the conditioning agent is selected from the group consisting of sorbitan monolaurate, sorbitan monomyristate, sorbitan mono-palmitate, sorbitan monostearate, sorbitan monobehenate, sorbitan dilaurate, sorbitan dimyristate, sorbitan dipalmitate, sorbitan distearate, sorbitan dibehenate, and mixtures thereof.

8. A composition according to Claim 1 comprising from about 15% to about 65% by weight of a water-soluble detergency builder.

9. A composition according to Claim 8 wherein the builder is an inorganic detergency builder.

10. A composition according to Claim 9 wherein the inorganic builder is sodium tripolyphosphate.

11. A composition according to Claim 8 wherein the builder is an organic detergency builder.

12. A composition according to Claim 11 wherein the organic builder is sodium nitrilotriacetate.

13. A composition according to Claim 1 wherein the detergency builder is a seeded builder.

14. A composition according to Claim 13 wherein the seeded builder comprises a 30:1 to 5:1 weight mixture of sodium carbonate and particulate calcium carbonate having an average particle diameter of from 0.01 micron to 5 microns.

15. A composition according to Claim 1 wherein the detergency builder is substantially water-insoluble.

16. A composition according to Claim 15 wherein the substantially water-insoluble builder is a zeolite-type material.

17. A composition according to Claim 16 wherein the builder is a zeolite A-type material.

18. A composition according to Claim 1 comprising, as an additional component, an effective amount of a bleach.

19. A composition according to Claim 18 wherein the bleach is sodium perborate.

20. A composition according to Claim 1 comprising, as an additional component, an effective amount of a detersive enzyme.

21. A composition according to Claim 1 especially adapted for use as a laundry pre-soak and detergent additive, comprising:
(a) from about 3% to about 15% by weight of a water-insoluble particulate sorbitan ester fabric conditioning agent char-acterized by a particle size in the range from about 10 µ to about 250 µ and a melting point in the range from about 57°C to about 100°C;
(b) from about 20% to about 60% by weight of a detergency builder;
(c) from about 10% to about 30% by weight of sodium perborate bleach; and (d) from about 0.1% to about 1.0% by weight of a detergency enzyme.

22. A composition according to Claim 21 wherein the conditioning agent comprises, as a major component, a member selected from the group consisting of C10-C22 alkyl tri- and tetra-sorbitan esters, and mixtures thereof, and, as a minor component, a member selected from the group consisting of C10 - C22 alkyl mono-and di-sorbitan esters, and mixtures thereof.

23. A composition according to claim 21 wherein the detergency builder is sodium tripolyphosphate.

24. A composition according to claim 1 comprising, as an additional component, a detersive surfactant.

25. A composition according to claim 24, wherein the detersive surfactant is a water-soluble soap.

26. A composition according to claim 24 wherein the detersive surfactant is a water-soluble C9-C15 alkyl benzene sulfonate.

27. A composition according to claim 24 wherein the detersive surfactant is a sulfated C8-C18 alcohol.

28. A composition according to claim 24 wherein the detersive surfactant is a sulfated condensation product of tallow alcohol with from 3 to 10 moles of ethylene oxide.

29. A composition according to claim 24 wherein the detersive surfactant is an ethoxylated nonionic surfactant, or mixtures thereof.

30. A process for conditioning fabrics, comprising the steps of:
(a) contacting said fabrics with an aqueous solution of a water-insoluble particulate sorbitan ester fabric conditioning agent characterized by a particle size in the range of from about 5 µ to about 2,000 µ and a melting point in the range from about 38°C. to about 100°C., and a detergency builder and thereafter;
(b) subjecting the fabrics to a temperature within the range from about 38°C. to about 100°C.

31. A process according to claim 30 wherein the conditioning agent is applied to the fabrics from an aqueous bath.

32. A process according to claim 31 wherein the conditioning agent is selected from the group consisting of C10-C26 alkyl sorbitan esters, and mixtures thereof.

33. A process according to claim 32 wherein the sorbitan esters are the C10-C22 alkyl tri- and tetra-sorbitan esters, and mixtures thereof.

34. A process according to claim 31 wherein the sorbitan esters are the C10-C26 alkyl mono- and di sorbitan esters, and mixtures thereof.

35. A process according to claim 32 wherein the conditioning agent comprises, as a major component, a member selected from the group consisting of C10-C22 alkyl tri-and tetra-sorbitan esters, and mixtures thereof, and, as a minor component, a member selected from the group consisting of C10-C22 alkyl mono- and di-sorbitan esters, and mixtures thereof.

36. A process according to claim 30 which is carried out in the presence of a detersive surfactant.

37. A composition especially adapted for providing softening and anti-static benefits to fabrics, comprising:
(a) from about 5% to about 15% by weight of a softener/anti-static mixture comprising:
(i) a water-insoluble sorbitan ester having a melting point in the range from 38°C. to 100°C;
and (ii) a static control agent at a weight ratio of sorbitan ester to static control agent in the range of about 10:1 to 1:1, said mixture being in the form of water-insoluble particles charac-terized by an average size of from 5µ to 2,000µ;

(b) from about 15% to about 65% by weight of a detergency builder; and (c) the balance comprising auxiliary laundering and filler materials.

38. A composition according to claim 37 wherein the static control agent is ditallowalkyldimethylammonium methylsulfate.