Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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The present lnvention relates to a softenlng
composltion which effectively prevents the discolora-
tion and/or yellowing Or fabric~ with no differentia-
tion ln the ~oftènlng properties thereof.
me use of variou~ and diverse chemical
materlals, and particularly cationic compounds as
softeners for textile products, is very well known in
the art. It is also well known to employ such materials
~or their softening effect during the laundering operatlon
~ lO and partlcularly ln the rinse cycle Or the laundering
process. This technlque has been necessitated by the
ract that the softeners heretofore employed, belng
malnly catlonlc in nature, are not compatible with the
maJor type Or detergent used in the washing cycle. By
~ar, the predominatlng type of detergent used ln home
launderlng processes ls anionlc in ~ture. It has been
iound that even trace~ of anlonlc materials results
ln a predlpltate which greatly reduces the effective-
ness of ~ald catlonlc ~abric softeners. This manifesta-
tlon o~ incompatlblllty has necessitated the use of
cationlc quaternary so~teners during laundering in the
rin~e cycle arter several rinscs to free said laundered-
rabrlcs Or traces of anionlc detergent.
~nother serlous disadvantage of cationic
sortenlng aBents and partlcularly the quaternary a~monlum
compounds is the well known tendency of textilett~ treated
therewith to yellow and di~color.
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It has now been found that the addition of minor amounts of
perphthalic acid to cationic softening agents eliminates aforesaid yellowing
and discoloration and enhances the wh~eness of fabrics treated therewith,
without adversely affecting the softening properties thereof. Thus,
according to the present invention, there is provided a non-yellowing fabric-
softening composition having improved whitening properties comprising a
cationic softener and a perphthalic acid bleach in the weight ratio of 4:1
to 1:1 of cationic:perphthalic acid.
In another aspect, the invention provides a method of softening
fabrics which comprises applying to said fabrics in an aqueous bath, an
amount sufficient to soften the fabric, of the composition defined above.
Instant composition may be used either in the wash or rinse cycle, but optimum
results are obtained with rinse cycle use.
The cationic fabric softening compounds useful in the composition
of the present invention are commercially known and comprise cationic nitrogen
containing compounds, such as quaternary ammonium compound and amines con-
taining one or two
'~,,~,
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straight chain organic radicals of at least 8 carbon atoms and
preferably containing at least one straight chain organic
radical containing from 12 to 22 carbon atoms.
Generally, the quaternary ammonium softening agents
have the following formulas:
Rl R3 +
\ /
N X-
/\
R2 R4
Rl (CH2 2 )n +
\/
N X-
\N ~ 1
R2/ ( CH2CH2) H¦ X-
wherein Rl is a long chain aliphatic radical having from 8 to
22 carbon atoms, R2 is a long chained aliphatic radical having
from 8 to 22 carbon atoms or is a lower aIkyl radical having
from 1 to 4 carbon atoms or an aryl or aralkyl radical, R~ and
R4 are lower alkyl radicals, n is a number between 1 and 15
and X is a water soluble salt forming anion, such as a halide,
i.e. chloride, bromide, iodide, a sulfate, acetate, hydroxide
metho~ulfate or similar inorganic or organic solubilizing mono-
or dibasic radical. Examples of quaternary ammonium softening
agents suitable for use in the composition of the present
1~4'~6~4
invention include the following: hydrogenated ditallow
dimethyl ammonium chloride, ethoxylated distearyl dimethyl
ammonium chloride l-hydroxyethyl-l-methyl-2-heptadecyl
imidazolinium chloride; dimethyl distearyl ammonium chloride;
trimethyl stearyl ammonium bromide; cetyl trimethyl ammonium
chloride, di-coco dimethyl ammonium chloride; cetyl pyridinium
chloride; higher alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride; di-
isobutyl phenoxy ethoxy ethyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride;
lauryl isoquinolinium bromide; distearyl dimethyl quaternary
ammonium bromide; distearyl dimethyl quaternary ammonium
methylsulfate; dicoco dimethyl quaternary ammonium chloride;
dimethyl arachidyl, behenyl quaternary ammonium chloride; di-
(soya) dimethylammonium chloride, and di(coco) dimethylammonium
chloride, benzyl dimethyl stearyl ammonium chloride, etc.
Examples of amines which may be utilized in the
composition of the present invention include primary tallow
amine, primary coco amine, primary halogenated tallow amine,
n-tallow 1,3-propylene diamine, oleyl 1,3-propylene diamine,
and coco 1,3-propylene diamine.
The term "coco" when utilized refers to fatty acid
groups formed in coconut oil fatty acids. Such acids contain
from about 8 to 18 carbon atoms per molecule predominating in
the C12-14 acid-
An essential ingredient in instant softening
composition is an organic peroxygen compound such as a perphthal-
ic acid, more specifically diperisophthalic acid (DIPA). The
encapsulated DIPA is available (Suprox Trade Mark~ as a white,
free-flowing odorless, granular solid containing 4% active oxygen,
about 25% DIPA, about 48% MgS04 and about 27% water of hydration,
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with a particle size such that 98% passes through a 14 mesh sieve while 95%
is retained on an 80 mesh sieve (sieve sizes are U.S. standard).
A particularly useful form of the DIPA is the stabilized material
containing an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal salt of a highly ionized
acid, such as the sulfate, and especially the material encapsulated with a
hydrated salt as described in Lund and Nielson United States Patent 3,494,787
and Nielsen Patent 3,494,786, both issued February 10, 1970. A product of
this type is sold under the name "Suprox" and is described in a 39 page
bulletin entitled "Suprox Active-Oxygen Bleach" issued May 1970 by the
Commercial Development Department, PPG Industries, Industrial Chemical DivisionO
These patents and bulletin mention that the encapsulated DIPA may be mixed
with detergent formulations such as heavy-duty household laundering products.
However, its use with cationic fabric softeners to effect a non-yellowing
softening composition is unexpected.
Another patent describing stabilized percarboxylic acids and ad-
mixtures thereof with synthetic detergents is French 1,181,892.
Although it is well known that conventional cationic fabric soften-
ers tend to cause yellowing and discoloration of fabrics, it has nevertheless
been found that minor amounts of aforesaid perphthalic acid admixed with afore-
said cationic softeners unexpectedly reduces and/or eliminates said fabric
yellowing and discoloration and enhances the whitening properties thereof, with-
out interfering with the softening properties of said cationic fabric soften-
ers. The strong affinity of cationic fabric softeners to fabric yields superior
softening properties but has the disadvantage of building up on the fabric,
thereby causing undesirable yellowing normally associated therewith. It has
been found that the presence of minor amounts of perphthalic acid substantial-
ly decreases the tendency of build-up of the cationic agent on the fabric,
thereby eliminating yellowing. Similarly, the presence of organometallic
complexes (color bodies) in the wash and/or rinse water, which is believed to
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be the major cause of fabric discoloration, is effectively prevented from
depositing on the fabric due to the presence of minor amounts of perphthalic
acid in the cationic softening composition. Weight ratios of 4:1 to 1:1 of
cationic: perphthalic acid appear to be most effective as a non-yellowing
softening composition.
The process of treating fabrics with instant softening composi-
tions is not dependent on temperature and performs well with either cold or
warm rinse solutions. Also, the process can be conducted using water of any
reasonable degree of hardness, although obviously, the use of softer rinse
water is preferredO
The softening composition of instant invention may also include
minor amounts of brighteners, bluing, germicides, perfumes, diluents or other
additives which do not interfere with the softening and whitening properties
of said composition.
This product may be prepared simply by dry blending the ingredients.
It also may be prepared in liquid form such as an aqueous solution. The
amount of cationic softener present in the liquid composition may be within
the range of 2-20%, and preferably about 4-15% by weight. The liquid composi-
tion may be sprayed on, or otherwise agglomerated with particles of carrier
materials such as borax, sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbGnate, sodium
sesquicarbonate, sodium sulfate, sodium chloride, phosphate salts, or the like
to form granular or powdered compositions. This solid product may also be
formed into a pellet or other suitable shape. The amount of cationic softener
present in the powdered form may be 2-30%, and preferably 4-20% by weight.
The invention has found its greatest utility thus far in the soften-
ing of cotton fabrics, fabrics made of other cellulosic fibers, e.g., rayon
or other textile fibers, e.g., nylon, silk, wool, polyethylene terephthalate,
cellulose acetate, acrylonitrile polymers or copolymers, or blends of any two
or more of these fibers (e.g.,cotton-polyester blends). This softening com-
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position may be applied to the fabric in an aqueous bath, either as a final
rinse during laundering, or as a separate and distinct softening operation.
In addition, since this softening composition is compatible with anionic and
non-ionic detergents~ it may be added to the wash water during laundering.
However, optimum whiteness is obtained when utilized in the rinse cycle of
laundering. In use~ 30 to 60 g of the softening composition is added to an
automatic washing machine or similar treating both containing 17 gallons (35
litters) of water, and an average load of fabrics (about 6 to 8 pounds).
However~ lesser or greater amounts may be utilized to obtain the desired de-
gree of softness and whiteness~ depending on the water temperature, the amountof water and clothes, etc.
The following Examples are given to further illustrate this invent-
ion. All parts given are by weight unless otherwise indicated. In the
Examples, the pressure is atmospheric unless otherwise indicated.
EXAMPLE 1
Several swatches of cotton terry towel, cotton PP and Polyester/
cotton PP (PP = Permanent Press finish) are washed and rinsed in water con~ain-
ing 1 ppm each of Fe~ Cu~ Mn; 150 ppm of Ca/Mg as CaC03 and 5 ppm Tannin
(impurities found in water) at 120 F. Said swatches are washed with an
aqueous solution of a heavy duty detergent comprising 10% sodium linear tri-
decyl benzene sulfonate, 2% C14-C15 fatty alcohol with an average of 11
ethylene oxide groups, 2% mixed sodium coconut/tallow fatty acid soap, 35%
pentasodium tripolyphosphate, 7% sodium silicate (Na20: SiO2 ratio 1:2.35),
0.5% sodium carboxymethyl cell~lose and the balance sodium sulfate in the
concentration of lg/liter of aforedefined water. Said washed fabrics-are
subsequently rinsed with instant softening composition comprising O.lg dis-
tearyl dimethyl ammonium chloride and O.lg "Suprox" (25% diperisophthalic
acid encapsulated in 75% hydrated magnesium sulfate) per liter of water. The
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effectiveness of the rinse composition is determined by reflectance readings
(Rd) on the fabrics after rinsing, using a Gardner Color Difference Meter,
wherein higher Rd values is indicative of increased whiteness and higher
"+b" values indicates greater yellowness whereas higher "-b" values represents
more whitening. The b scale goes from blue to white to yellow (-b ---~ +b).
TABLE I
distearyl dimethyl
quarternary ammonium quaternary +
Fabric chloride suprox
Final Rd Final Rd
Cotton Terry Towel 67.1 76.2
Polyester/cotton PP 75.1 82.6
Cotton PP 74-6 81.1
The increased whiteness is clearly evident with the composition of
instant invention, wherein the amount of DIPA is as low as .025 g/l of
rinse water and the weight ratio of cationic to perphthalic acid is 4:1 respec-
tively.
EXAMPLE 2
The softening composition comprising a 4:1 ratio of cationic:
DIPA in the concentration of 0.125 g/l water is added to the wash cycle to-
gether with lg/l of the heavy duty detergent composition of Example 1. The
artificial water of Example 1 is used. Tab~e II records the Rd and b values
after wash and rinse.
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TABLE II
Cotton Terry Polyester/
Towel Cotton PP Cotton PP
Rd b Rd b Rd b
detergent ~ quaternary 75.7 -2.6 82.1 -0.1 79.3 -4.0
softener of Example 1
74.8 -2.9 81.7 -0.0 79.4 -3.9
detergent + quaternary 76.9 -1.2 83.3 -0.3 79.9 -4.1
softener of Example 1
Suprox
7S.6 -1.1 82.6 -0.2- 79.3 -4.0
The above results are indicative of only a slight improvement in
whiteness when utilizing the "Suprox" in the wash cycle during laundering.
EXAMPLE 3
Terry towel swatches were rinsed in the artificial water of
Example 1 at 120F. containing I-O.lg/l distearyl dimethyl quaternary ammonium
chloride; II-O.lg/l said quaternary plus O.lg/l magnesium sulfate; or III-0.1
g/l quaternary +O.lg/l "Suprox" and were evaluated on the RD scale.
TABLE III
I II III
67.8 65.8 80.6
This clearly shows the superior whiteness obtained by the composit-
ion containing Suprox plus cationic as against the cationic per se. It further
shows that the superior whiteness is due to the DIPA constituent of Suprox
and not the magnesium sulfate content therein. The terry towel rinsed with
the Suprox + cationic exhibited greater softness than the other rinsed towels.
EXAMPLE 4
Prewashed swatches, in accordance with the procedure of Example 1
were rinsed with a composition containing O.lg/l cationic of Example 1 and 0.1
g/l perborate; and another composition containing O.lg/l cationic and O.lg/l per
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carbonate (inorganic per-oxygen bleaches) compared with a swatch rinsed in a
composition containing O.lg/l "Suprox" plus O.lg/l cationic.
TABLE IV
distearyl dimethyl cationic + cationic + cationic +
quaternary ammonium Suprox perborate percarbonate
chloride (cationic)
Fabric Rd b Rd b Rd b Rd b
Terry 67.9 1.4 76.3 2.6 64.1 5.7 67.8 6.3
towel
68.6 1.3 77.4 2.6 66.2 5.1 70.8 5.0
Polyester/72.1 o.8 78.7 1.2 72.9 3.2 76.5 2.9
cotton PP
71.2 o.8 77.9 1.7 74.2 3.1 74.6 3.5
The superior whitening effect of instant composition comprising the
cationic quaternary compound and the organic per-oxygen bleach, such as
diis~perphthalic acid in comparison to the in-organic per-oxygen bleach such
as perborate and percarbonate is clearly evident from the results in Table IV.
EXAMPLE 5
Tallow alkyl propylene diamine was substituted for the distearyl
dimethyl quaternary ammonium chloride in the rinse water of Example 1. Some
beneficial effect on reducing color body deposition (fabric disco~oration)iis
noted herewith. However, the composition containing the quaternary and DIPA
exhibits greater whitening propensities.
As is apparent from the foregoing examples, the composition and
process of the present invention provides a softening composition which reduces
the yellowing caused by cationic softening agents and increases whiteness with
no apparent differentiation in ~he degree of softening.
While various preferred embodiments of the present invention have
been illustrated by means of specific examples, it is to be understood that the
present invention is in no way to be deemed as limited thereto, but should be
con~trued as- broadly as all or any equivalents thereof.
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