CA1110015A - Fabric softener composition and method - Google Patents
Fabric softener composition and methodInfo
- Publication number
- CA1110015A CA1110015A CA193,206A CA193206A CA1110015A CA 1110015 A CA1110015 A CA 1110015A CA 193206 A CA193206 A CA 193206A CA 1110015 A CA1110015 A CA 1110015A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- composition
- carbon atoms
- soap
- weight
- fabric softener
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C11—ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE OILS, FATS, FATTY SUBSTANCES OR WAXES; FATTY ACIDS THEREFROM; DETERGENTS; CANDLES
- C11D—DETERGENT COMPOSITIONS; USE OF SINGLE SUBSTANCES AS DETERGENTS; SOAP OR SOAP-MAKING; RESIN SOAPS; RECOVERY OF GLYCEROL
- C11D3/00—Other compounding ingredients of detergent compositions covered in group C11D1/00
- C11D3/16—Organic compounds
- C11D3/37—Polymers
- C11D3/3703—Macromolecular compounds obtained otherwise than by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds
- C11D3/3707—Polyethers, e.g. polyalkyleneoxides
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C11—ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE OILS, FATS, FATTY SUBSTANCES OR WAXES; FATTY ACIDS THEREFROM; DETERGENTS; CANDLES
- C11D—DETERGENT COMPOSITIONS; USE OF SINGLE SUBSTANCES AS DETERGENTS; SOAP OR SOAP-MAKING; RESIN SOAPS; RECOVERY OF GLYCEROL
- C11D10/00—Compositions of detergents, not provided for by one single preceding group
- C11D10/04—Compositions of detergents, not provided for by one single preceding group based on mixtures of surface-active non-soap compounds and soap
- C11D10/047—Compositions of detergents, not provided for by one single preceding group based on mixtures of surface-active non-soap compounds and soap based on cationic surface-active compounds and soap
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C11—ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE OILS, FATS, FATTY SUBSTANCES OR WAXES; FATTY ACIDS THEREFROM; DETERGENTS; CANDLES
- C11D—DETERGENT COMPOSITIONS; USE OF SINGLE SUBSTANCES AS DETERGENTS; SOAP OR SOAP-MAKING; RESIN SOAPS; RECOVERY OF GLYCEROL
- C11D3/00—Other compounding ingredients of detergent compositions covered in group C11D1/00
- C11D3/0005—Other compounding ingredients characterised by their effect
- C11D3/001—Softening compositions
- C11D3/0015—Softening compositions liquid
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06M—TREATMENT, NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE IN CLASS D06, OF FIBRES, THREADS, YARNS, FABRICS, FEATHERS OR FIBROUS GOODS MADE FROM SUCH MATERIALS
- D06M13/00—Treating fibres, threads, yarns, fabrics or fibrous goods made from such materials, with non-macromolecular organic compounds; Such treatment combined with mechanical treatment
- D06M13/322—Treating fibres, threads, yarns, fabrics or fibrous goods made from such materials, with non-macromolecular organic compounds; Such treatment combined with mechanical treatment with compounds containing nitrogen
- D06M13/46—Compounds containing quaternary nitrogen atoms
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06M—TREATMENT, NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE IN CLASS D06, OF FIBRES, THREADS, YARNS, FABRICS, FEATHERS OR FIBROUS GOODS MADE FROM SUCH MATERIALS
- D06M13/00—Treating fibres, threads, yarns, fabrics or fibrous goods made from such materials, with non-macromolecular organic compounds; Such treatment combined with mechanical treatment
- D06M13/322—Treating fibres, threads, yarns, fabrics or fibrous goods made from such materials, with non-macromolecular organic compounds; Such treatment combined with mechanical treatment with compounds containing nitrogen
- D06M13/46—Compounds containing quaternary nitrogen atoms
- D06M13/47—Compounds containing quaternary nitrogen atoms derived from heterocyclic compounds
- D06M13/473—Compounds containing quaternary nitrogen atoms derived from heterocyclic compounds having five-membered heterocyclic rings
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C11—ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE OILS, FATS, FATTY SUBSTANCES OR WAXES; FATTY ACIDS THEREFROM; DETERGENTS; CANDLES
- C11D—DETERGENT COMPOSITIONS; USE OF SINGLE SUBSTANCES AS DETERGENTS; SOAP OR SOAP-MAKING; RESIN SOAPS; RECOVERY OF GLYCEROL
- C11D1/00—Detergent compositions based essentially on surface-active compounds; Use of these compounds as a detergent
- C11D1/38—Cationic compounds
- C11D1/62—Quaternary ammonium compounds
Abstract
FABRIC SOFTENER COMPOSITION AND METHOD
David Russell Morton ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
Liquid fabric softener composition containing a cationic fabric softener and a soap having from 16 to 22 carbon atoms in an aqueous vehicle; and a method of softening which comprises rinsing laundered textiles in an aqueous bath of said composition.
David Russell Morton ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
Liquid fabric softener composition containing a cationic fabric softener and a soap having from 16 to 22 carbon atoms in an aqueous vehicle; and a method of softening which comprises rinsing laundered textiles in an aqueous bath of said composition.
Description
*********************************
BACKGROU~D OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to fabric softener compo-sitions and to a method of sof~tening textile materials. More particularly, it relates to fabric softening compositions having resistance to the adverse effects of anionic detergent materials and adapted to use in the repetitious but generally discontin-uous laundering process which involves soiling, laundering, rinsing, soiling, etc.
The use of fabric softening compositions in househGld laundering operations to improve the softness or "hand" of ~ laundered textiles has become a widespread practice. These ! 20 compositions have for the most part been liquld fabric softener compositions con$aining in a water vehicle a quaternary ammonium salt oomponent having an affini'y for negatively-charged fibers and having at least one lcng chain alkyl moiety of from 16 to . ~ . . .
.' ' ` ~
... ... .
, ,: ' ' .
1~15 ~0 carbon atoms. These compositions have been largely adapted for use in the final rinsing bath of the home launderinq process.
It has been found that the treatment of textile materiais in such manner improves the softness or feel of the treated fabrics, prolongs the useful life of the textile materials and reduces the tendency of the fabrics to accumulate electrical charges.
The quaternary ammonium salts of the prior art softener compositions, being cationic in form, have been considered to be incompatible with aniQnic species. Thus, the prior art has included numerous references`to the adverse effects of anionic materials on quaternary ammonium softeners and to the loss of potential benefits of such softeners. Such references, and attempts to mitigate the effects of anionic compounds on quatexnary ammonium softeners can be found, for example, in U.S. Patent 3,003,954 to Brown (October 10, 1961); U.S. Patent 3,178,366 to Du Brow et al. (April 13, 1965); U.S. Patent 3,329,609 to Blomfield (July 4, 1967); and in Canadian Patent 818,419 (~uly 22, 1969). Inasmuch as the final rinsing bath of an automatic washing machine usually contains traces of anionic materials carried over from a preceding washing step, i.e. the intermediate rinses usually do not remove all of the cleaning or washing agents or water softeners, an incompati-bility problem has been recognized. Moreover, the tendency to employ higher levels of detergent active, e.g. anionic surfactant, in no-phosphate detergent compositions has in turn resulted in a greater concentration o~ anionic material in the rinse than has normally been encountered.
It is an object of this invention to provide composi-tions useful for imparting softness to fabrics.
It is another object of this invention to provide fabric softener compositions containing quaternary ammonium salts and which are compatible with anionic materials.
Another ob]ect of the invention is to Frovide fabric softener compositions effective to impart softness to fabrics in the presence of anionic compounds encountered in laundry rinsing operations.
These and other objects of the invention will become apparent from the description appearing hereinafter.
S~MARY OF THE INVEN~ION
The present invention is based in part upon the discovery that fabxics can be improved in feel by treating the fabrics in an aqueous rinsing bath containing residual anionic materials and a fabric softener composition comprising a cationic fabric softener compound and a minor amount of a fatty soap of from 16 to 22 carbon atoms. In its composi-tion aspect, the present invention provides an aqueous fabric softener composition consisting essentially of:(A) from 2% to 15~ by weight of a cation-active fabric softening - compound having from one to two straight chain organic groups of from 8 to 22 carbon atoms, ; - 3 -(B) from 0.5% to 4.0~ by weight of an alkali metal salt of a fatty acid of from 16 to 22 carbon atoms;
(C) from 0 to about 2% by weight of an emu~ifier selected from the group consisting of (l) the condensation product of l mole of alkylphenol wherein the alkyl chain contains from about 8 to about 18 carbon atoms with from about l to about lO0 moles of ethylene oxide, (2) the condensation product of l mole of an aliphatic alcohol wherein the alkyl chain contains from about lO to about 24 carbon atoms with from about 1 to about 100 moles of ethylene oxide, (3) polyethylene glycols having a molecular weight of from about 1400 to about 30,000, and (4) mixtures thereof; and ; (D) the balance water.
In its method aspect, the present invention provides a method of imparting softening properties to washed textiles ~hich comprises treating previously-washed textiles in an aqueous rinsing bath containing minor amounts of anionic compounds from said previous washing and an amount effective to sof~en the fabrics of a composition hereinbefore defined.
The fabric softening compositions of this invention provide softening properties to treated textiles notwithstanding the presence of residual anionic compounds carried over into the rinse from a previous detergent washO At lcw levels of softener agent usage, the presence of soap permits an improved level of fabric softening which could not be obtained from the same composition free of the soap component or rrom 2 COmp~si~iOil containing additional softener agent in place of ine soap.
lS
D~T~ DESCRIPTION 0~ T~ JNV~NTION
The cation-active organic fabric-softener compounds, ~
which are the principal fabric-softening components of the compositions of the in~ention, are known fabric-softening compounds. Generally, these comprise cationic nitrogen-containing compounds such as quaternary ammonium compoun~s and amines and have one or two straight-chain organic groups of ~at least eight carbon atoms. Preferably, they have one or two such groups of from 12 to 22 carbon atoms. Preferred cation-active softener compounds include the quaternary ammonium softener compounds corresponding to the formula r LR1 \ R3 wherein R is an aliphatic group of from 12 to 22 carbons; Rl is an aliphatic group having from 12 to 22 carbon atoms; R2 and R3 are each alkyl groups of from 1 to 3 carbon atoms; and X is an anion selected from halogen, acetate phosphate, nitrite and methyl sulfate radicals.
Because of their excellent softening effic~cy and ! ' ready availability, preferred cationic softener compounds of the inveniion a--e the ~ial~ ;methyl am:~oni~m chioridec, wherein the alkyl groups have from 12 to 22 carbon atoms and are derived from long-chain fatty acids, such as hydrogenated tallow. As employed herein, alkyl is intended as including unsaturated compounds such as are present in alkyl groups derived from naturally occurring fatty oils. The term "tallow"
refers to fatty alkyl groups deriv~ed from tallow fatty aclds. Such fatty acids give rise to quaternary softener compounds wherein R and Rl have predominantly from 16 to 18 carbon atoms. The term "coconut" refers to fatty acid groups from coconut oil fatty acids. The coconut-alkyl R and R
groups have from about 8 to about 18 carbon atoms and predominate in C12 to C14 alkyl groups. Representative examples of quaternary softeners of the invention include tallow trimethyl ammonium chloride; ditallow dimethyl aml-nonium 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; dihexa-decyl dimethyl ammonium acetate; ditallow dipropyl ammonium phosphate; ditallow dimethyl ammonium nitrite; di(coconut-alkyl) dimethyl ammonium chloride.
An especially preferred class of quaternary ammonium softeners of the invention correspond to the formula - 1$~15 ~ :
.
'~ ' ' " - `
. . . . .. .
. , . C . -~
~i ~ s .:, . ~ . ~ _ ~
CH3 -- N CH3 X - :
. 1 j . ' ,'' ' `:
~, . , C~ , 1 . ' ' .
''~ ' ' ' ~' '`' ' ' . ' ~
1: ~
.
wherein R and Rl are each straight chain aliphatic groups of from 12 to 22 carbon atoms and X is halogen, e.g., chloride.
Especially preferred are ditallGw dimethyl ammonium chlorlde and di(hydrogenated tallow-alkylj dimethyl ammonium chloride and di(coconut-alkyl) dimethyl ammonium chloride, these compounds being preferred from the standpoint of excellent softening properties and ready availability.
Suitable cation-active amine softener compounds are the primary, secondary and tertiary amine compounds having at least one straight-chain organic group of from 12 to 22 carbon atoms and 1,3-propylene diamine compounds having a straight-chain organic group of from 12 to 22 carbon atoms.
` Examples of such softener actives include primary tallow amine; primary hydrogenated-tallow amine; tallow 1,3-propylene diamine; oleyl 1,3-propylene diamine; coconut 1,3-propylene diamine; soya 1,3-propylene diamine and the li~e.
` Other suitable cation-active softener compounds herein are the quaternary imidazolinium salts. Preferred salts are those conforming to the ~ormula 1~ 15 _ H H
H -- C C -- H O
N - C ~4 -- N - C - R7 ¦ X
8 .
~1~15 wherein R6 is an alkyl group containing from l to 4, preferably from 1 to 2, carbon atoms, R7 is an alkyl group containing from 1 to 4 carbon atoms or a hydrogen radical, R8 is an alkyl group containing from 8 to 22, preferably at least 15, carbon atoms, R5 is hydrogen or an alkyl group containing from 8 to 22, pre-ferably at least 15, carbon atoms, and X is an anion, prefer-ably methyl sulfate or chloride ions. Other suitable anions include those disclosed with reference to the cationic quater-nary ammonium fabric softeners described hereinbefore. Partic---ularly preferred are those imidazolinium-compounds in which both R5 and R8 are alkyl groups of from 12 to 22 carbon atoms, ; e.g., 2-heptadecyl-1,1-methyl 1(2-stearoylamido)ethyll imidazolinium methyl sulfate.
Other cationic quaternary ammonium fabric softeners, which are useful herein include, for example, alkyl (C12 to C22)-pyridinium chlorides, alkyl (C12 to C22)-alkyl (Cl to C3)-morpholinium chlorides, and ~uaternary derivatives of amino - acids and amino esters.
The cationic fabric softeners mentioned above can be used singly or in combination in the practice of the present invention. The cationic fabric softener comprises from about 2% to about 15~ by weight of the total composition.
If more than about 15% is used, product stability problems may occur, e.g., thickening and the possible formation of an undesired gel and if less than about 2% is used, the softener will be too dilute and desired softening of the fabrics will , not be achieved when conventional amounts of the composition are ~. .
Q~5 added to the wash water. Within the above range, the actual amount of fabric softener which is contained in the composi-tion depends upon the desired usage concentration of the composition in a laundering process. A desired concentration of the fabric softener in the washing solution is from about 25 ppm to about 100 ppm. ~o achieve the desired results of the present invention the preferred range of cationic fabric softener is from about 2.5% to about 6% by weight of the total composition.
! The alkali metal soap component suitable for use in the compositions of the present invention include the sodium and potassium soaps of higher fa~ty acids of from 16 to 22 carbon atoms or mixtures thereof. These soaps can be incorporated into an aqueous cationic fabric softening compo-sition with the provision of a composition which still effec-tively softens fabrics in a laundry rinsing cycle containing residual anionics. Whereas such soaps can be compatibly combined with cationic softeners, soaps of fatty acids having less than 16 carbon atoms tend to mitigate the fabric-softening effects of the cationic softener.
Commercial soaps are generally based upon mixtures of fatty acid compounds obtained from natural sources such as tallow, coconut oil, palm kernel oil or babassu kernel oil;
other com~ercial soaps are s~thetically manufactured to simulate the fatty acids from natural materials such as tallow.
Soaps from any of these commercial sources can be suitably employed so long~as they cont~in or are altered or modified ``` 1~1~15 "
to contain at least 50%, and pre~erably at least 80~, by weight of fatty acids having from 16 to 22 carbon atoms.
Thus, tallow soaps which include the sodium or potassium salts of the mixtures of fatty acids derived from tallow can be suitably employed. Tallow soaps predominate in C16/C18 fractions and can be suit~ably employed in a cationic-containing fabric-softening composition. In contrast, coconut soaps, which predominate in C12/C14 fractions, mitigate the softening effects, for example, of quaternary ammonium softener and are not suitable herein.
~" .
It will be appreciated that fatty acid soaps derived from mixtures of natural fatty acid sources can be employed, ., where desired, so long as the resulting soap mixtures predo-minate in soaps of C16 or higher fatty acids as described ~;-,15 hereinbefore. A preferred soap mixture is a tallow/coconut soap blend of proportion 90:10. This mixture is preferred ~, from the standpoints of providing desirably optimum perfor-mance and aesthetic characteristics.
The term "tallow" as used herein refers to a ` 20 mixture of soaps having an approximate chain-length distri-? bution of: 2% C14; 32% C16; and 66% C18~
~he term "coconut" as used herein in connection with soap or free fatty acid mixtures refers to materials ; having an approximate carbon-chain length distribution of:
BACKGROU~D OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to fabric softener compo-sitions and to a method of sof~tening textile materials. More particularly, it relates to fabric softening compositions having resistance to the adverse effects of anionic detergent materials and adapted to use in the repetitious but generally discontin-uous laundering process which involves soiling, laundering, rinsing, soiling, etc.
The use of fabric softening compositions in househGld laundering operations to improve the softness or "hand" of ~ laundered textiles has become a widespread practice. These ! 20 compositions have for the most part been liquld fabric softener compositions con$aining in a water vehicle a quaternary ammonium salt oomponent having an affini'y for negatively-charged fibers and having at least one lcng chain alkyl moiety of from 16 to . ~ . . .
.' ' ` ~
... ... .
, ,: ' ' .
1~15 ~0 carbon atoms. These compositions have been largely adapted for use in the final rinsing bath of the home launderinq process.
It has been found that the treatment of textile materiais in such manner improves the softness or feel of the treated fabrics, prolongs the useful life of the textile materials and reduces the tendency of the fabrics to accumulate electrical charges.
The quaternary ammonium salts of the prior art softener compositions, being cationic in form, have been considered to be incompatible with aniQnic species. Thus, the prior art has included numerous references`to the adverse effects of anionic materials on quaternary ammonium softeners and to the loss of potential benefits of such softeners. Such references, and attempts to mitigate the effects of anionic compounds on quatexnary ammonium softeners can be found, for example, in U.S. Patent 3,003,954 to Brown (October 10, 1961); U.S. Patent 3,178,366 to Du Brow et al. (April 13, 1965); U.S. Patent 3,329,609 to Blomfield (July 4, 1967); and in Canadian Patent 818,419 (~uly 22, 1969). Inasmuch as the final rinsing bath of an automatic washing machine usually contains traces of anionic materials carried over from a preceding washing step, i.e. the intermediate rinses usually do not remove all of the cleaning or washing agents or water softeners, an incompati-bility problem has been recognized. Moreover, the tendency to employ higher levels of detergent active, e.g. anionic surfactant, in no-phosphate detergent compositions has in turn resulted in a greater concentration o~ anionic material in the rinse than has normally been encountered.
It is an object of this invention to provide composi-tions useful for imparting softness to fabrics.
It is another object of this invention to provide fabric softener compositions containing quaternary ammonium salts and which are compatible with anionic materials.
Another ob]ect of the invention is to Frovide fabric softener compositions effective to impart softness to fabrics in the presence of anionic compounds encountered in laundry rinsing operations.
These and other objects of the invention will become apparent from the description appearing hereinafter.
S~MARY OF THE INVEN~ION
The present invention is based in part upon the discovery that fabxics can be improved in feel by treating the fabrics in an aqueous rinsing bath containing residual anionic materials and a fabric softener composition comprising a cationic fabric softener compound and a minor amount of a fatty soap of from 16 to 22 carbon atoms. In its composi-tion aspect, the present invention provides an aqueous fabric softener composition consisting essentially of:(A) from 2% to 15~ by weight of a cation-active fabric softening - compound having from one to two straight chain organic groups of from 8 to 22 carbon atoms, ; - 3 -(B) from 0.5% to 4.0~ by weight of an alkali metal salt of a fatty acid of from 16 to 22 carbon atoms;
(C) from 0 to about 2% by weight of an emu~ifier selected from the group consisting of (l) the condensation product of l mole of alkylphenol wherein the alkyl chain contains from about 8 to about 18 carbon atoms with from about l to about lO0 moles of ethylene oxide, (2) the condensation product of l mole of an aliphatic alcohol wherein the alkyl chain contains from about lO to about 24 carbon atoms with from about 1 to about 100 moles of ethylene oxide, (3) polyethylene glycols having a molecular weight of from about 1400 to about 30,000, and (4) mixtures thereof; and ; (D) the balance water.
In its method aspect, the present invention provides a method of imparting softening properties to washed textiles ~hich comprises treating previously-washed textiles in an aqueous rinsing bath containing minor amounts of anionic compounds from said previous washing and an amount effective to sof~en the fabrics of a composition hereinbefore defined.
The fabric softening compositions of this invention provide softening properties to treated textiles notwithstanding the presence of residual anionic compounds carried over into the rinse from a previous detergent washO At lcw levels of softener agent usage, the presence of soap permits an improved level of fabric softening which could not be obtained from the same composition free of the soap component or rrom 2 COmp~si~iOil containing additional softener agent in place of ine soap.
lS
D~T~ DESCRIPTION 0~ T~ JNV~NTION
The cation-active organic fabric-softener compounds, ~
which are the principal fabric-softening components of the compositions of the in~ention, are known fabric-softening compounds. Generally, these comprise cationic nitrogen-containing compounds such as quaternary ammonium compoun~s and amines and have one or two straight-chain organic groups of ~at least eight carbon atoms. Preferably, they have one or two such groups of from 12 to 22 carbon atoms. Preferred cation-active softener compounds include the quaternary ammonium softener compounds corresponding to the formula r LR1 \ R3 wherein R is an aliphatic group of from 12 to 22 carbons; Rl is an aliphatic group having from 12 to 22 carbon atoms; R2 and R3 are each alkyl groups of from 1 to 3 carbon atoms; and X is an anion selected from halogen, acetate phosphate, nitrite and methyl sulfate radicals.
Because of their excellent softening effic~cy and ! ' ready availability, preferred cationic softener compounds of the inveniion a--e the ~ial~ ;methyl am:~oni~m chioridec, wherein the alkyl groups have from 12 to 22 carbon atoms and are derived from long-chain fatty acids, such as hydrogenated tallow. As employed herein, alkyl is intended as including unsaturated compounds such as are present in alkyl groups derived from naturally occurring fatty oils. The term "tallow"
refers to fatty alkyl groups deriv~ed from tallow fatty aclds. Such fatty acids give rise to quaternary softener compounds wherein R and Rl have predominantly from 16 to 18 carbon atoms. The term "coconut" refers to fatty acid groups from coconut oil fatty acids. The coconut-alkyl R and R
groups have from about 8 to about 18 carbon atoms and predominate in C12 to C14 alkyl groups. Representative examples of quaternary softeners of the invention include tallow trimethyl ammonium chloride; ditallow dimethyl aml-nonium 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; dihexa-decyl dimethyl ammonium acetate; ditallow dipropyl ammonium phosphate; ditallow dimethyl ammonium nitrite; di(coconut-alkyl) dimethyl ammonium chloride.
An especially preferred class of quaternary ammonium softeners of the invention correspond to the formula - 1$~15 ~ :
.
'~ ' ' " - `
. . . . .. .
. , . C . -~
~i ~ s .:, . ~ . ~ _ ~
CH3 -- N CH3 X - :
. 1 j . ' ,'' ' `:
~, . , C~ , 1 . ' ' .
''~ ' ' ' ~' '`' ' ' . ' ~
1: ~
.
wherein R and Rl are each straight chain aliphatic groups of from 12 to 22 carbon atoms and X is halogen, e.g., chloride.
Especially preferred are ditallGw dimethyl ammonium chlorlde and di(hydrogenated tallow-alkylj dimethyl ammonium chloride and di(coconut-alkyl) dimethyl ammonium chloride, these compounds being preferred from the standpoint of excellent softening properties and ready availability.
Suitable cation-active amine softener compounds are the primary, secondary and tertiary amine compounds having at least one straight-chain organic group of from 12 to 22 carbon atoms and 1,3-propylene diamine compounds having a straight-chain organic group of from 12 to 22 carbon atoms.
` Examples of such softener actives include primary tallow amine; primary hydrogenated-tallow amine; tallow 1,3-propylene diamine; oleyl 1,3-propylene diamine; coconut 1,3-propylene diamine; soya 1,3-propylene diamine and the li~e.
` Other suitable cation-active softener compounds herein are the quaternary imidazolinium salts. Preferred salts are those conforming to the ~ormula 1~ 15 _ H H
H -- C C -- H O
N - C ~4 -- N - C - R7 ¦ X
8 .
~1~15 wherein R6 is an alkyl group containing from l to 4, preferably from 1 to 2, carbon atoms, R7 is an alkyl group containing from 1 to 4 carbon atoms or a hydrogen radical, R8 is an alkyl group containing from 8 to 22, preferably at least 15, carbon atoms, R5 is hydrogen or an alkyl group containing from 8 to 22, pre-ferably at least 15, carbon atoms, and X is an anion, prefer-ably methyl sulfate or chloride ions. Other suitable anions include those disclosed with reference to the cationic quater-nary ammonium fabric softeners described hereinbefore. Partic---ularly preferred are those imidazolinium-compounds in which both R5 and R8 are alkyl groups of from 12 to 22 carbon atoms, ; e.g., 2-heptadecyl-1,1-methyl 1(2-stearoylamido)ethyll imidazolinium methyl sulfate.
Other cationic quaternary ammonium fabric softeners, which are useful herein include, for example, alkyl (C12 to C22)-pyridinium chlorides, alkyl (C12 to C22)-alkyl (Cl to C3)-morpholinium chlorides, and ~uaternary derivatives of amino - acids and amino esters.
The cationic fabric softeners mentioned above can be used singly or in combination in the practice of the present invention. The cationic fabric softener comprises from about 2% to about 15~ by weight of the total composition.
If more than about 15% is used, product stability problems may occur, e.g., thickening and the possible formation of an undesired gel and if less than about 2% is used, the softener will be too dilute and desired softening of the fabrics will , not be achieved when conventional amounts of the composition are ~. .
Q~5 added to the wash water. Within the above range, the actual amount of fabric softener which is contained in the composi-tion depends upon the desired usage concentration of the composition in a laundering process. A desired concentration of the fabric softener in the washing solution is from about 25 ppm to about 100 ppm. ~o achieve the desired results of the present invention the preferred range of cationic fabric softener is from about 2.5% to about 6% by weight of the total composition.
! The alkali metal soap component suitable for use in the compositions of the present invention include the sodium and potassium soaps of higher fa~ty acids of from 16 to 22 carbon atoms or mixtures thereof. These soaps can be incorporated into an aqueous cationic fabric softening compo-sition with the provision of a composition which still effec-tively softens fabrics in a laundry rinsing cycle containing residual anionics. Whereas such soaps can be compatibly combined with cationic softeners, soaps of fatty acids having less than 16 carbon atoms tend to mitigate the fabric-softening effects of the cationic softener.
Commercial soaps are generally based upon mixtures of fatty acid compounds obtained from natural sources such as tallow, coconut oil, palm kernel oil or babassu kernel oil;
other com~ercial soaps are s~thetically manufactured to simulate the fatty acids from natural materials such as tallow.
Soaps from any of these commercial sources can be suitably employed so long~as they cont~in or are altered or modified ``` 1~1~15 "
to contain at least 50%, and pre~erably at least 80~, by weight of fatty acids having from 16 to 22 carbon atoms.
Thus, tallow soaps which include the sodium or potassium salts of the mixtures of fatty acids derived from tallow can be suitably employed. Tallow soaps predominate in C16/C18 fractions and can be suit~ably employed in a cationic-containing fabric-softening composition. In contrast, coconut soaps, which predominate in C12/C14 fractions, mitigate the softening effects, for example, of quaternary ammonium softener and are not suitable herein.
~" .
It will be appreciated that fatty acid soaps derived from mixtures of natural fatty acid sources can be employed, ., where desired, so long as the resulting soap mixtures predo-minate in soaps of C16 or higher fatty acids as described ~;-,15 hereinbefore. A preferred soap mixture is a tallow/coconut soap blend of proportion 90:10. This mixture is preferred ~, from the standpoints of providing desirably optimum perfor-mance and aesthetic characteristics.
The term "tallow" as used herein refers to a ` 20 mixture of soaps having an approximate chain-length distri-? bution of: 2% C14; 32% C16; and 66% C18~
~he term "coconut" as used herein in connection with soap or free fatty acid mixtures refers to materials ; having an approximate carbon-chain length distribution of:
2 5 8% C ; 7% C10; 48% C12; 17% C14; 9% C16; % 18 The amount of alkali metal soap employed to provide effective resistance of the softener to the adverse effects of anionic substances will depend on such factors as the particular softening agent employed, the kind of soap, the nature of the anionic substance and the desired viscosity or physical appearance. As little as 0.5% of the soap based on the weight of composition may be enough in some instance, whereas up to about 4% of the`soap may be required in others. The relative proportions of the cation-active fabric softener compound and soap will be based more on physical stability considerations than on performance considerations.
While amounts of fabric sqftener and soap components within the ranges hereinbefore defined will permit the preparation of softening compositions having resistance to the residual anionics in a rinsing operation, certain ratios will be preferred to assure that the hydrophilic/lipophilic balance allows for the provision of a composition of stable physical form. Thus, compositions containing, for example, distearyl dimethyl a~monium chloride and alkali metal 90/10 tallow/coconut soaps, respectively, in relative weight proportions of about 1:1 or about S:1 are preferred. These compositions are uniform in appearance and do not separate into discrete phases. Fabric softening effects are o~served notwithstanding the admixture of both cationic and anionic substances. The percentages of fabric softener and soap may be adjusted within the abo~7e defined limits to suit the requirements of each case and to combine softening and stability effects.
. . . . .
~1~0~15 The compositions of the invention can be for~,ulated in a convenient manner by admixture of the softener and soap components and addition to water. A preferred method of preparing the compositions involves the preparation of an aqueous soap solution and addition to an aqueous dispersion of the softening agent. It hàs been found that the admixture of aqueous solutions of softening agent and soap permits the preparation of a uniform, homogeneous composition having a pleasing pearlescent appearance. The composition is free of undesirable greasy or flocculent precipitate. While applicant does not wish to be bound by any precise theory as to the mechanism by which a uniform and homogeneous composition is obtained in contrast to the greasy flocculent precipitate expected from the prior art teachings regarding cationic/
anionic interactions, it is believed that a water-soluble or dispersible complex or mixed micelle may be formed when the anionic substance is a higher fatty soap as hereinbefore described.
It has been discovered that the presence of soap in the compositions of the invention, rather than having an opposing or counteractive effect on the fabric substantive softening agent, can contribute actively to the softening function at low level usage of the complete composition.
Thus, an aqueous composition of the invention containing 2.5%
- i4 -lll~Q15 ditallow dimethyl quaternary ammonium chloride and 2.5% of sodium 90/10 tallow/coconut soap and added to the final rinse of an automatic washing maching in an amount of one fluid ounce provides a hi~her level of softening performance than is obtained where one fluid ounce of fabric softener having 5%
of the quaternary compound is empl~oyed. The same softening contribution is not observed with higher usage levels, e.g.
two fluid ounces, in which case the compositions of the inven-tion will have their greater attraction to users who customarily or habitually employ low le~-els of softening composition in laundering oper~tions. The compositions of the invention are additionally characterized by a pearlescent appearance which may be attractive ~o users of fabric softening compositions.
The compositions of the invention will preferably contain an emulsifying agent. Suitable emulsifiers which can be utilized in the compositions of the present invention include those selected from the group consisting of (1) the condensation product of 1 mole of alkylphenol wherein the alkyl chain contains from about 8 to about 18 car~on atoms with from about 1 to about 100 moles of ethylene oxide.
Specific examples of these nonionics are the condensation product of 1 mole of nonylphenol with 9.5 moles of ethylene oxide; the condensation product of 1 mole of decylphenol with 40 moles of ethylene oxide; the condensation product of 1 mole of dodecylphenol with 35 moles of ethylene oxide; the condensation product of 1 mole of nonylphenol with 1.5 moles of ethylene oxide; the condensation product of 1 mole of tetra-, decylphenol with 35 moles of ethylene oxide; and the condensa-tion product of 1 mole of hexadecylphenol with 30 moles of ethylene oxide; (2) the condensation product of 1 mole of an aliphatic alcohol wherein the alkyl chain contains from 10 to about 24 carbon atoms with from about 1 to about 100 moles of ethylene oxide. Specific examples are the condensation product of 1 mole of coconut alkyl alcohol with 45 moles of ethylene oxide; the condensation product of 1 mole of tallow-alkyl alcohol with 30 moles of ethylene oxide; the product sold by Union Carbide Corporation under the trademark "Tergitol 15-S-9" which is the condensation product of 1 mole of secon-dary alkyl alcohol with alkyl chain lengths of from 11 to 15 with 9 moles of ethylene oxide; and the product sold by Union Carbide Corporation under the trademark "Tergitol 15-S-3"
which is the condensation product of 1 mole of secondary alkyl alcohol with alkyl chain lengths of from 11 to 15 with 3 moles of ethylene oxide; (3) polyethylene glycols having a molecular weight of from about 1400 to about 30,000. For example, Dow Chemical Company manufactures these nonionics in molecular weights of 20,000, 9,500, 7,500, 4,500, 3,400 and 1,450. All of these nonionics are wax-like solids which melt between 100F and 200F. Emulsifiers suitable for use in the composi-tions of the present invention may also include (4) mixtures of (1), (2) and (3) discussed above.
These emulsifiers function as solubilizing agents to prevent precipitation and maintain excellent freeze-thaw characteristics of the liquid compositions. These emulsifiers . ~
further act as stabilizers to promote shelf stability and maintain the desired viscosity. The emulsifiers are present in the composition of the present invention from about 0 to about 2% by weight, preferably from about 0.25% to about 1%.
If more than about 2% by weight is used no advantages are achieved and product stability problems can arise. Small amounts of emulsifier are usually necessary to achieve the desired stability and freeze-thaw characteristics while main-taining the desired viscosity of the composition.
! Miscellaneous materials such as optical brighteners such as the anionic stilbenes, coloring agents, perfumes, and other materials which are well known as constituents in fabric softener compositions and which are compatible in the composi-tions of the present invention can also be present in minor amounts.
The following examples illustrate the manner in which the present invention can be practiced. However, the invention is not confined to the specific limitations set forth in the examples, but rather, to the scope of the appended claims.
l~lOQ15 ; EX~lPLE I
A soap solution was prepar~d by dissolving 50 g.
of a commercially-available laundry soap composition into 1000 ml. of soft water at 170F; The resulting solution .
: 5 contained the following approximate composition in parts by weight~
: Component Parts by Weiqht Sodium tallow soap 3.2 Potassium tallow soap . 0.82 ~ , . .
` 10 Sodium coconut soap O.36 :~ Potassium coconut soap 0.09 ; Optical Brightener, perfume, `~ and miscellaneous j - 0.05 Water Balance to 100 To the warm.soap solution prepared as described were added with gentle stirring 1000 ml. of a commercially available aqueous fabric softening composition having the following approximate composition:
' ' '' ' , " , .
Component Parts by Weiqht Ditallow Dimethyl Ammonium - Chloride -5.2 - Emulsifier (mixtuxe of nonyl-phenol ethoxylates) 0.5 Isopropanol, optical brightener, dye, perfume, miscellaneous 1.3 Watcr Balance to 100 1~ 5 The resulting soap/softener composition had the following approximate composition:
, ComPonent Parts by Weiqht Ditallow Dimethyl Ammonium Ch~oride 2.6 ,.
Soap (~0/10 tallow/coconut) 2.3 Emulsifier O.3 Isopropanol, ethanol, optical brightener, dye, perfume, ce and miscellaneous 0.7 Water Balance to 100 c ! The composition was characterized by a peaxlescent appearance upon cooling and was physically stable, i.e. did not separate upon standing.
; 15 The composition of Example I was used as follows:
Five terry wash cloths were washed in a miniature-size, top loading washing machine containing 1-1/2 gals. of water having a temperature of 130F, and a hardness of 7 grains, using 6.1 grams of a commercially-available anionic-based laundry detergent. ~he washing process lasted ten minutes.
The cloths were then rinsed using 1-1/2 gals. of 100~.
water and 2.6 cc. or 5.2 cc~ of the composition of Example I
(corresponding, respectively, to 1 or 2 fluid ounces in 17 gal. of water). This cvcle of washing and rinsing W2S then repeated. The composition of Example I gave noticeable softening effects at levels of one and two ounces on the ~lQQ~S ` ' terry wash cloths. Whereas, the commercially-available softener composition described hereinbefore provided a greater softening effect at the two-ounce level th2n the compositiOn of Example I, the composition of Example I provided a greater ef~ect at the one-ounce level.
Substantially the same results in softening are obtained with the composit~on of Example I when any of the following cationic fabric softeners is substituted on an equal weight basis for the ditallow dimethyl ammonium chloride in Example I, ("coconut" as used below has the following chain length distribution: 2% C10, 66% C12, 2~/o C14, and ~/O C16):
.- I ditallowalkyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, dioctadecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, tallowalkyl dimethyl (3-tallowalkoxy-2-hydroxy-propyl) ammonium chloride, 2-heptadecyl-1-methyl-1-[(2-stearoylamino)ethyl]
imidazolir~ium methyl sulfate, - eicosyl dimethyl benzylammoni~m chloride, eicosyl trimethyl ammonium chloride, tetradecyl-tri(2-hydroxyethyl)ammonium methyl sulfate, octadecyl-tri(2-hydroxyethyl)ammonium methyl sulfate, di(2-benzyloctadecyl)dimethyl ammonium ethyl sulfate, di(3-oxa-heptadecyl)di(3-hydroxypropyl~ammorlium bromide, di(2-dodecoxyethyl)dimethyl ammonium chloride, di(2-stearoyloxyethyl)dimethyl ammonium chloride, ,~k~
2-stearoyloxyethyl triethyl ammonium chloride, di(4-hydroxyoctadecyl)dimethyl ammonium ethyl sulfate, 2,4-dihydroxyoctadecyl trimethyl ammonium chloride, di(2-stearamidopropyl) dimethyl ammonium chloride, : ~itallowalkyl dimethyl ammonium bromide, ditallowalkyl dimethyl ammonium methyl sulfate, ditetradecyl diethyl ammonium chloride, ditetradecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, coconutal~yl triethyl ammonium chloride, and dicoconutalkyl diethyl ammonium chloride Substantially the same results in softening are obtained with the compositions of Example I when any of the following em~lsifiers are substituted on an equal weight ; 15 basis for the nonyl phenol ethoxylate of Example I. ("coconut"
as used below has the following chain length distribution:
10' 66% C12' 23% C14, and 9/O Cl ).
The condensation product of 1 mole of decylphenol with 40 moles of ethylene oxide; the condensation product of 1 mole of dodecylphenol with 35 moles of ethylene oxide; the condensation product of 1 mole of tetradecylphenol with 35 moles of ethylene oxide; the condensation product of 1 mole of heptadecylphenol with 30 moles of ethylene oxide; the condensation product of coconut-alkyl alcohol with 45 moles 2S of ethylene oxide; the condensation product of tallow-alkyl alcohol with 30 moles of ethylene oxide; ihe cond~n~dLio product of 1 mole of secondary alkyl alcohol with 9 moles . ~ 21 -Q~5 of ethylene oxide, the alkyl group contai.ning alkyl chain lengths from 11 to 15 (Tergitol 15-S-9~; the condensation product of 1 mole secondary alkyl alcohol with 3 moles of ~thylene oxide, the al~yl group containing al~yl chain lengths S from 11 to 15 (Tergitol 15-S-3); polyethylene glycol having a molecular weight of 20,000; polyethylene glycol having a,.
molecular wei~ht of 9,500; polyethylene glycol having a molecular weight of 7,500; polyethylene glycol having a molecular weight of 4,500; polyethylene glycol ha~ing a molecular weight of 3,400; polyethylene glycol havir.g a molecular weight of 1,450; and mixtures thereof.
EX~~lPLE II
A fabric softener com~osition was prepared according to the procedure of Example T containing the following 15 ingredients:
-Component Parts by We-qht Distearyl dimethyl ammonium 5.2 chloride SodLum and potassium tallow soap 0.9 .
Sodium and potassi.um coconut soap 0.1 Ethoxylated nonylphenols of ..
Example I . 0.3 Isopropanol, ethar.ol, optical . brighteners, dye, perfume, miscellaneous 1.6 Water Balance to iO0 .. .. . ................ .
- 22 - ~
The fabric softener composition thus formulated was stable. When tested according to the procedure of Example I, ; the clothes utilized were soft to the touch.
EX~1PLE III
A fabric softener composition is prepared according . .
to the procedure of Example I and contains the following ingredients:
~ .
I Component Parts by Weiqht ? Distearyl dimethyl ammonium 10 . . chloride , 5.5 Sodium and potassium tallow soap 1.0 Sodium and potassium coconut soap 0.1 Emulsifier (mixture of secondary Cll 15 alcohol ethoxylates) 0.4 Isopropanol, ethanoll optical brighteners, dye, perfume, miscellaneous 1.6 Water Balance to 100 .
In addition to the preferred embodiments described herein, other arrangements and variations within the spirit and scope of the present invention and the appended claims will occur to those skilled in the art.
While amounts of fabric sqftener and soap components within the ranges hereinbefore defined will permit the preparation of softening compositions having resistance to the residual anionics in a rinsing operation, certain ratios will be preferred to assure that the hydrophilic/lipophilic balance allows for the provision of a composition of stable physical form. Thus, compositions containing, for example, distearyl dimethyl a~monium chloride and alkali metal 90/10 tallow/coconut soaps, respectively, in relative weight proportions of about 1:1 or about S:1 are preferred. These compositions are uniform in appearance and do not separate into discrete phases. Fabric softening effects are o~served notwithstanding the admixture of both cationic and anionic substances. The percentages of fabric softener and soap may be adjusted within the abo~7e defined limits to suit the requirements of each case and to combine softening and stability effects.
. . . . .
~1~0~15 The compositions of the invention can be for~,ulated in a convenient manner by admixture of the softener and soap components and addition to water. A preferred method of preparing the compositions involves the preparation of an aqueous soap solution and addition to an aqueous dispersion of the softening agent. It hàs been found that the admixture of aqueous solutions of softening agent and soap permits the preparation of a uniform, homogeneous composition having a pleasing pearlescent appearance. The composition is free of undesirable greasy or flocculent precipitate. While applicant does not wish to be bound by any precise theory as to the mechanism by which a uniform and homogeneous composition is obtained in contrast to the greasy flocculent precipitate expected from the prior art teachings regarding cationic/
anionic interactions, it is believed that a water-soluble or dispersible complex or mixed micelle may be formed when the anionic substance is a higher fatty soap as hereinbefore described.
It has been discovered that the presence of soap in the compositions of the invention, rather than having an opposing or counteractive effect on the fabric substantive softening agent, can contribute actively to the softening function at low level usage of the complete composition.
Thus, an aqueous composition of the invention containing 2.5%
- i4 -lll~Q15 ditallow dimethyl quaternary ammonium chloride and 2.5% of sodium 90/10 tallow/coconut soap and added to the final rinse of an automatic washing maching in an amount of one fluid ounce provides a hi~her level of softening performance than is obtained where one fluid ounce of fabric softener having 5%
of the quaternary compound is empl~oyed. The same softening contribution is not observed with higher usage levels, e.g.
two fluid ounces, in which case the compositions of the inven-tion will have their greater attraction to users who customarily or habitually employ low le~-els of softening composition in laundering oper~tions. The compositions of the invention are additionally characterized by a pearlescent appearance which may be attractive ~o users of fabric softening compositions.
The compositions of the invention will preferably contain an emulsifying agent. Suitable emulsifiers which can be utilized in the compositions of the present invention include those selected from the group consisting of (1) the condensation product of 1 mole of alkylphenol wherein the alkyl chain contains from about 8 to about 18 car~on atoms with from about 1 to about 100 moles of ethylene oxide.
Specific examples of these nonionics are the condensation product of 1 mole of nonylphenol with 9.5 moles of ethylene oxide; the condensation product of 1 mole of decylphenol with 40 moles of ethylene oxide; the condensation product of 1 mole of dodecylphenol with 35 moles of ethylene oxide; the condensation product of 1 mole of nonylphenol with 1.5 moles of ethylene oxide; the condensation product of 1 mole of tetra-, decylphenol with 35 moles of ethylene oxide; and the condensa-tion product of 1 mole of hexadecylphenol with 30 moles of ethylene oxide; (2) the condensation product of 1 mole of an aliphatic alcohol wherein the alkyl chain contains from 10 to about 24 carbon atoms with from about 1 to about 100 moles of ethylene oxide. Specific examples are the condensation product of 1 mole of coconut alkyl alcohol with 45 moles of ethylene oxide; the condensation product of 1 mole of tallow-alkyl alcohol with 30 moles of ethylene oxide; the product sold by Union Carbide Corporation under the trademark "Tergitol 15-S-9" which is the condensation product of 1 mole of secon-dary alkyl alcohol with alkyl chain lengths of from 11 to 15 with 9 moles of ethylene oxide; and the product sold by Union Carbide Corporation under the trademark "Tergitol 15-S-3"
which is the condensation product of 1 mole of secondary alkyl alcohol with alkyl chain lengths of from 11 to 15 with 3 moles of ethylene oxide; (3) polyethylene glycols having a molecular weight of from about 1400 to about 30,000. For example, Dow Chemical Company manufactures these nonionics in molecular weights of 20,000, 9,500, 7,500, 4,500, 3,400 and 1,450. All of these nonionics are wax-like solids which melt between 100F and 200F. Emulsifiers suitable for use in the composi-tions of the present invention may also include (4) mixtures of (1), (2) and (3) discussed above.
These emulsifiers function as solubilizing agents to prevent precipitation and maintain excellent freeze-thaw characteristics of the liquid compositions. These emulsifiers . ~
further act as stabilizers to promote shelf stability and maintain the desired viscosity. The emulsifiers are present in the composition of the present invention from about 0 to about 2% by weight, preferably from about 0.25% to about 1%.
If more than about 2% by weight is used no advantages are achieved and product stability problems can arise. Small amounts of emulsifier are usually necessary to achieve the desired stability and freeze-thaw characteristics while main-taining the desired viscosity of the composition.
! Miscellaneous materials such as optical brighteners such as the anionic stilbenes, coloring agents, perfumes, and other materials which are well known as constituents in fabric softener compositions and which are compatible in the composi-tions of the present invention can also be present in minor amounts.
The following examples illustrate the manner in which the present invention can be practiced. However, the invention is not confined to the specific limitations set forth in the examples, but rather, to the scope of the appended claims.
l~lOQ15 ; EX~lPLE I
A soap solution was prepar~d by dissolving 50 g.
of a commercially-available laundry soap composition into 1000 ml. of soft water at 170F; The resulting solution .
: 5 contained the following approximate composition in parts by weight~
: Component Parts by Weiqht Sodium tallow soap 3.2 Potassium tallow soap . 0.82 ~ , . .
` 10 Sodium coconut soap O.36 :~ Potassium coconut soap 0.09 ; Optical Brightener, perfume, `~ and miscellaneous j - 0.05 Water Balance to 100 To the warm.soap solution prepared as described were added with gentle stirring 1000 ml. of a commercially available aqueous fabric softening composition having the following approximate composition:
' ' '' ' , " , .
Component Parts by Weiqht Ditallow Dimethyl Ammonium - Chloride -5.2 - Emulsifier (mixtuxe of nonyl-phenol ethoxylates) 0.5 Isopropanol, optical brightener, dye, perfume, miscellaneous 1.3 Watcr Balance to 100 1~ 5 The resulting soap/softener composition had the following approximate composition:
, ComPonent Parts by Weiqht Ditallow Dimethyl Ammonium Ch~oride 2.6 ,.
Soap (~0/10 tallow/coconut) 2.3 Emulsifier O.3 Isopropanol, ethanol, optical brightener, dye, perfume, ce and miscellaneous 0.7 Water Balance to 100 c ! The composition was characterized by a peaxlescent appearance upon cooling and was physically stable, i.e. did not separate upon standing.
; 15 The composition of Example I was used as follows:
Five terry wash cloths were washed in a miniature-size, top loading washing machine containing 1-1/2 gals. of water having a temperature of 130F, and a hardness of 7 grains, using 6.1 grams of a commercially-available anionic-based laundry detergent. ~he washing process lasted ten minutes.
The cloths were then rinsed using 1-1/2 gals. of 100~.
water and 2.6 cc. or 5.2 cc~ of the composition of Example I
(corresponding, respectively, to 1 or 2 fluid ounces in 17 gal. of water). This cvcle of washing and rinsing W2S then repeated. The composition of Example I gave noticeable softening effects at levels of one and two ounces on the ~lQQ~S ` ' terry wash cloths. Whereas, the commercially-available softener composition described hereinbefore provided a greater softening effect at the two-ounce level th2n the compositiOn of Example I, the composition of Example I provided a greater ef~ect at the one-ounce level.
Substantially the same results in softening are obtained with the composit~on of Example I when any of the following cationic fabric softeners is substituted on an equal weight basis for the ditallow dimethyl ammonium chloride in Example I, ("coconut" as used below has the following chain length distribution: 2% C10, 66% C12, 2~/o C14, and ~/O C16):
.- I ditallowalkyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, dioctadecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, tallowalkyl dimethyl (3-tallowalkoxy-2-hydroxy-propyl) ammonium chloride, 2-heptadecyl-1-methyl-1-[(2-stearoylamino)ethyl]
imidazolir~ium methyl sulfate, - eicosyl dimethyl benzylammoni~m chloride, eicosyl trimethyl ammonium chloride, tetradecyl-tri(2-hydroxyethyl)ammonium methyl sulfate, octadecyl-tri(2-hydroxyethyl)ammonium methyl sulfate, di(2-benzyloctadecyl)dimethyl ammonium ethyl sulfate, di(3-oxa-heptadecyl)di(3-hydroxypropyl~ammorlium bromide, di(2-dodecoxyethyl)dimethyl ammonium chloride, di(2-stearoyloxyethyl)dimethyl ammonium chloride, ,~k~
2-stearoyloxyethyl triethyl ammonium chloride, di(4-hydroxyoctadecyl)dimethyl ammonium ethyl sulfate, 2,4-dihydroxyoctadecyl trimethyl ammonium chloride, di(2-stearamidopropyl) dimethyl ammonium chloride, : ~itallowalkyl dimethyl ammonium bromide, ditallowalkyl dimethyl ammonium methyl sulfate, ditetradecyl diethyl ammonium chloride, ditetradecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, coconutal~yl triethyl ammonium chloride, and dicoconutalkyl diethyl ammonium chloride Substantially the same results in softening are obtained with the compositions of Example I when any of the following em~lsifiers are substituted on an equal weight ; 15 basis for the nonyl phenol ethoxylate of Example I. ("coconut"
as used below has the following chain length distribution:
10' 66% C12' 23% C14, and 9/O Cl ).
The condensation product of 1 mole of decylphenol with 40 moles of ethylene oxide; the condensation product of 1 mole of dodecylphenol with 35 moles of ethylene oxide; the condensation product of 1 mole of tetradecylphenol with 35 moles of ethylene oxide; the condensation product of 1 mole of heptadecylphenol with 30 moles of ethylene oxide; the condensation product of coconut-alkyl alcohol with 45 moles 2S of ethylene oxide; the condensation product of tallow-alkyl alcohol with 30 moles of ethylene oxide; ihe cond~n~dLio product of 1 mole of secondary alkyl alcohol with 9 moles . ~ 21 -Q~5 of ethylene oxide, the alkyl group contai.ning alkyl chain lengths from 11 to 15 (Tergitol 15-S-9~; the condensation product of 1 mole secondary alkyl alcohol with 3 moles of ~thylene oxide, the al~yl group containing al~yl chain lengths S from 11 to 15 (Tergitol 15-S-3); polyethylene glycol having a molecular weight of 20,000; polyethylene glycol having a,.
molecular wei~ht of 9,500; polyethylene glycol having a molecular weight of 7,500; polyethylene glycol having a molecular weight of 4,500; polyethylene glycol ha~ing a molecular weight of 3,400; polyethylene glycol havir.g a molecular weight of 1,450; and mixtures thereof.
EX~~lPLE II
A fabric softener com~osition was prepared according to the procedure of Example T containing the following 15 ingredients:
-Component Parts by We-qht Distearyl dimethyl ammonium 5.2 chloride SodLum and potassium tallow soap 0.9 .
Sodium and potassi.um coconut soap 0.1 Ethoxylated nonylphenols of ..
Example I . 0.3 Isopropanol, ethar.ol, optical . brighteners, dye, perfume, miscellaneous 1.6 Water Balance to iO0 .. .. . ................ .
- 22 - ~
The fabric softener composition thus formulated was stable. When tested according to the procedure of Example I, ; the clothes utilized were soft to the touch.
EX~1PLE III
A fabric softener composition is prepared according . .
to the procedure of Example I and contains the following ingredients:
~ .
I Component Parts by Weiqht ? Distearyl dimethyl ammonium 10 . . chloride , 5.5 Sodium and potassium tallow soap 1.0 Sodium and potassium coconut soap 0.1 Emulsifier (mixture of secondary Cll 15 alcohol ethoxylates) 0.4 Isopropanol, ethanoll optical brighteners, dye, perfume, miscellaneous 1.6 Water Balance to 100 .
In addition to the preferred embodiments described herein, other arrangements and variations within the spirit and scope of the present invention and the appended claims will occur to those skilled in the art.
Claims (9)
1. A liquid fabric softener composition consisting essentially of (A) from about 2% to about 15% by weight of a cation-active fabric softener compound having from one to two straight-chain organic groups of from 8 to 22 carbon atoms;
(B) from about 0.5% to about 4% by weight of an alkali metal salt of a fatty acid of from 16 to 22 carbon atoms or a mixture of fatty acid soaps, at least 50% of said mixture having 16 or more carbon atoms;
(C) from 0 to about 2% by weight of an emulsifier selected from the group consisting of (1) the condensation product of 1 mole of alkylphenol wherein the alkyl chain contains from about 8 to about 18 carbon atoms with from about 1 to about 100 moles of ethylene oxide, (2) the condensation product of 1 mole of an aliphatic alcohol wherein the alkyl chain contains from about 10 to about 24 carbon atoms with from about 1 to about 100 moles of ethylene oxide, (3) polyethylene glycol having a molecular weight of from about 1400 to about 30,000, (4) mixtures thereof; and (D) the balance water.
(B) from about 0.5% to about 4% by weight of an alkali metal salt of a fatty acid of from 16 to 22 carbon atoms or a mixture of fatty acid soaps, at least 50% of said mixture having 16 or more carbon atoms;
(C) from 0 to about 2% by weight of an emulsifier selected from the group consisting of (1) the condensation product of 1 mole of alkylphenol wherein the alkyl chain contains from about 8 to about 18 carbon atoms with from about 1 to about 100 moles of ethylene oxide, (2) the condensation product of 1 mole of an aliphatic alcohol wherein the alkyl chain contains from about 10 to about 24 carbon atoms with from about 1 to about 100 moles of ethylene oxide, (3) polyethylene glycol having a molecular weight of from about 1400 to about 30,000, (4) mixtures thereof; and (D) the balance water.
2. The composition of Claim 1 wherein the cationic-active fabric softener compound is a quaternary ammonium softener compound having the formula wherein R is an aliphatic group of from 12 to 22 carbons;
R1 is an aliphatic group having from 12 to 22 carbon atoms;
R2 and R3 are each alkyl groups of from 1 to 3 carbon atoms;
and X is an anion selected from the group consisting of halogen, acetate, phosphate, nitrite and methylsulfate.
R1 is an aliphatic group having from 12 to 22 carbon atoms;
R2 and R3 are each alkyl groups of from 1 to 3 carbon atoms;
and X is an anion selected from the group consisting of halogen, acetate, phosphate, nitrite and methylsulfate.
3. The composition of Claim 2 wherein R and R1 are each stearyl, R2 and R3 are each methyl and X is chloride.
4. The composition of Claim 1 wherein the soap is a mixture of alkali metal soaps, at least 50% of such soaps having from 16 to 22 carbon atoms.
5. The composition of Claim 1 wherein the soap is a mixture of alkali metal tallow and coconut soaps, the ratio of tallow to coconut soaps being from 95:5 to 50:50.
6. The composition of Claim 1 wherein the soap is tallow soap.
7. The composition of Claim 1 wherein the amount of emulsifier ranges from 0.25% to 1% by weight of said compo-sition and is a mixture of nonylphenol ethoxylates.
8. The composition of Claim 5 wherein the amount of emulsifier ranges from 0.25% to 1% by weight of said composi-tion and is a mixture of secondary C11-15 alcohol ethoxylates.
9. The composition of Claim 1 wherein the amount of cationic fabric softener ranges from 2.5% to about 6% by weight of said composition.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US335194A US3920565A (en) | 1973-02-23 | 1973-02-23 | Fabric softener composition and method |
| US335,194 | 1973-12-23 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1110015A true CA1110015A (en) | 1981-10-06 |
Family
ID=23310684
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA193,206A Expired CA1110015A (en) | 1973-02-23 | 1974-02-22 | Fabric softener composition and method |
Country Status (8)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US3920565A (en) |
| BE (1) | BE811441A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1110015A (en) |
| DE (1) | DE2407708C2 (en) |
| FR (1) | FR2219270B1 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB1456913A (en) |
| IT (1) | IT1008886B (en) |
| NL (1) | NL189473C (en) |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4446032A (en) * | 1981-08-20 | 1984-05-01 | International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. | Liquid or solid fabric softener composition comprising microencapsulated fragrance suspension and process for preparing same |
| US4464271A (en) * | 1981-08-20 | 1984-08-07 | International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. | Liquid or solid fabric softener composition comprising microencapsulated fragrance suspension and process for preparing same |
Families Citing this family (29)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3958059A (en) * | 1973-10-01 | 1976-05-18 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Fabric treatment composition |
| US4045361A (en) * | 1975-05-21 | 1977-08-30 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Fabric conditioning compositions |
| JPS5352799A (en) * | 1976-10-19 | 1978-05-13 | Kao Corp | Fabric softening agent composition |
| FR2407260A1 (en) * | 1977-10-31 | 1979-05-25 | Unilever Nv | CATIONIC TENSIO-ACTIVE COMPOSITIONS |
| US4140641A (en) * | 1978-03-17 | 1979-02-20 | Colgate-Palmolive Company | Concentrated liquid detergent with fabric softener |
| DE2943606A1 (en) * | 1978-11-03 | 1980-05-14 | Unilever Nv | TEXTILE SOFTENER AND METHOD FOR THEIR PRODUCTION |
| US4292035A (en) * | 1978-11-13 | 1981-09-29 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Fabric softening compositions |
| US4265772A (en) * | 1978-11-16 | 1981-05-05 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Antistatic, fabric-softening detergent additive |
| US4230590A (en) * | 1978-12-11 | 1980-10-28 | Colgate Palmolive Company | Detergent softener compositions containing a soap-cellulose ether mixture |
| US4298480A (en) * | 1978-12-11 | 1981-11-03 | Colgate Palmolive Co. | Detergent softener compositions |
| US4326971A (en) * | 1978-12-11 | 1982-04-27 | Colgate Palmolive Company | Detergent softener compositions |
| JPS55119000A (en) * | 1979-03-06 | 1980-09-12 | Lion Fat Oil Co Ltd | Leather and feather treating composition |
| US4329237A (en) * | 1979-11-21 | 1982-05-11 | Colgate-Palmolive Company | Detergent softener compositions |
| US4411803A (en) * | 1980-10-27 | 1983-10-25 | Colgate Palmolive Company | Detergent softener compositions |
| DE3263800D1 (en) * | 1981-01-16 | 1985-07-04 | Procter & Gamble | Textile treatment compositions |
| US4450085A (en) * | 1981-05-01 | 1984-05-22 | Colgate Palmolive Company | Detergent softener compositions |
| US4427558A (en) | 1981-05-08 | 1984-01-24 | Lever Brothers Company | Fabric conditioning materials |
| DE3135014A1 (en) * | 1981-09-04 | 1983-03-24 | Hoechst Ag, 6000 Frankfurt | SOFT SOFTENER |
| DE3309569A1 (en) * | 1982-03-22 | 1983-10-27 | Colgate-Palmolive Co., 10022 New York, N.Y. | CONCENTRATED SOFT SOFTENER |
| ZA834209B (en) * | 1982-06-22 | 1985-01-30 | Colgate Palmolive Co | Concentrated fabric softening compositions and method for making same |
| US4497716A (en) * | 1982-12-23 | 1985-02-05 | Lever Brothers Company | Fabric softening composition |
| US4661270A (en) * | 1983-05-11 | 1987-04-28 | Colgate-Palmolive Company | Concentrated fabric softening composition and methods for making same |
| US4460485A (en) * | 1983-07-15 | 1984-07-17 | Lever Brothers Company | Polyester fabric conditioning and whitening composition |
| JPS61102481A (en) * | 1984-10-25 | 1986-05-21 | ライオン株式会社 | Softening composition |
| GB8519047D0 (en) * | 1985-07-29 | 1985-09-04 | Unilever Plc | Detergent composition |
| JP2557110B2 (en) * | 1989-10-06 | 1996-11-27 | 花王株式会社 | Detergent composition |
| AU5023496A (en) * | 1995-02-14 | 1996-09-04 | Allied Foam Tech Corporation | Stable and water-resistance aqueous foam composition |
| US6797011B2 (en) * | 2002-12-05 | 2004-09-28 | Anna Carner Blangiforti | Leather therapy treatment |
| AR047579A1 (en) * | 2004-01-16 | 2006-01-25 | Procter & Gamble | COMPOSITIONS OF WATERFUL DETERGENTS FOR LAUNDRY THAT HAVE HIGHER SOFTENING PROPERTIES AND IMPROVED AESTHETICS |
Family Cites Families (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CA818419A (en) * | 1969-07-22 | A.E. Staley Manufacturing Company | Fabric softener-detergent composition | |
| US3325414A (en) * | 1963-10-01 | 1967-06-13 | Colgate Palmolive Co | Heavy duty detergent composition containing a quaternary ammonium salt |
| US3686025A (en) * | 1968-12-30 | 1972-08-22 | Procter & Gamble | Textile softening agents impregnated into absorbent materials |
| GB1329429A (en) * | 1969-12-10 | 1973-09-05 | Gillette Co | Laundering composition |
-
1973
- 1973-02-23 US US335194A patent/US3920565A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1974
- 1974-02-18 DE DE2407708A patent/DE2407708C2/en not_active Expired
- 1974-02-20 IT IT48517/74A patent/IT1008886B/en active
- 1974-02-21 NL NLAANVRAGE7402367,A patent/NL189473C/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1974-02-22 GB GB807474A patent/GB1456913A/en not_active Expired
- 1974-02-22 FR FR7406221A patent/FR2219270B1/fr not_active Expired
- 1974-02-22 BE BE141271A patent/BE811441A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1974-02-22 CA CA193,206A patent/CA1110015A/en not_active Expired
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4446032A (en) * | 1981-08-20 | 1984-05-01 | International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. | Liquid or solid fabric softener composition comprising microencapsulated fragrance suspension and process for preparing same |
| US4464271A (en) * | 1981-08-20 | 1984-08-07 | International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. | Liquid or solid fabric softener composition comprising microencapsulated fragrance suspension and process for preparing same |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| FR2219270A1 (en) | 1974-09-20 |
| BE811441A (en) | 1974-08-22 |
| DE2407708C2 (en) | 1987-11-12 |
| NL189473C (en) | 1993-04-16 |
| IT1008886B (en) | 1976-11-30 |
| FR2219270B1 (en) | 1978-11-10 |
| GB1456913A (en) | 1976-12-01 |
| NL189473B (en) | 1992-11-16 |
| NL7402367A (en) | 1974-08-27 |
| US3920565A (en) | 1975-11-18 |
| DE2407708A1 (en) | 1974-08-29 |
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