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Patent 1073160 Summary

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(12) Patent: (11) CA 1073160
(21) Application Number: 1073160
(54) English Title: FABRIC TREATING COMPOSITION
(54) French Title: COMPOSITION POUR LE TRAITEMENT DE TISSUS
Status: Term Expired - Post Grant Beyond Limit
Bibliographic Data
Abstracts

English Abstract


FABRIC TREATING COMPOSITION
Thomas A. DesMarais
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
Fabric treating compositions comprising a fabric
softener and a highly substituted methyl cellulose
derivative confer softness and soil release properties
to fabrics.


Claims

Note: Claims are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.


The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive
property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:
1. A fabric treating composition comprising:
a. from about 1 to about 50% by weight of a combined
fabric softening and anti-static agent;
b. from about 0.05 to about 10% by weight of a methyl
cellulose ether having a DS methyl of at least about 2.1, a
weight average degree of polymerization of greater than 100,
a solution viscosity above about 20 centipoise and a gel point
less than about 50°C; and
c. the balance of the composition comprising a water-
dispersible carrier.
2. A composition according to Claim 1 wherein
the fabric softening and anti-static agent is selected
from the group consisting of quaternary ammonium salts
containing at least one C10-C20 fatty alkyl substituent
group; alkyl imidazolinium salts wherein at least one
alkyl group contains a C8-C25 carbon chain; and C12-C20
alkyl pyridinium salts.
3. A composition according to Claim 2 wherein the
quaternary ammonium salt is of the formula R1R2R3R4N+,X-,
wherein R1 and R2 are each C12-C20 fatty alkyl groups, or
mixtures thereof, and R3 and R4 are each C1-C3 alkyl
groups, or mixtures thereof, and wherein X is an anion.
- 23 -

4. A composition according to Claim 3 wherein the
quaternary ammonium salt is selected from ditallowalkyl-
dimethylammonium chloride and dicoconutalkyldimethylammonium
chloride.
5. A composition according to Claim 1 wherein the
methyl cellulose ether has a DS methyl of from about 2.1
to about 2.8.
6. A composition according to Claim 5 wherein the
DS methyl is 2.2 to 2.7.
7. A composition according to Claim 1 comprising a
quaternary ammonium salt selected from ditallowalkyl-
dimethylammonium chloride and dicoconutalkyldimethylammonium
chloride and a methyl cellulose ether characterized by a DS
methyl from about 2.3 to about 2.6.
8. A composition according to Claim 7 comprising
from about 3% to about 15% by weight of the quaternary
ammonium salt, from about 0.25% to about 2.0% by weight
of the methyl cellulose ether, characterized by a viscosity
in the range from about 20 cps to about 250 cps, the
balance of the composition comprising a liquid carrier
selected from water and mixtuxes of water and lower
alcohols.
- 24 -

9. A composition according to Claim 8 comprising,
as an additional component, a non-deterging amount of a
nonionic surfactant, or mixtures thereof.
10. A composition according to Claim 9 wherein the
surfactant is selected from ethoxylated alcohols and
ethoxylated phenols characterized by an HLB in the range
of about 7 to about 15, or mixtures thereof.
- 25 -

Description

Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.


BAC~CG~ROUND OF _THE_ INVENTIOM
This invention relates to fabric treating compo-
sitions and to a method for simultaneously softening and
imparting soil release properties to textile materials.
More specifically, the compositions herein comprise
mixtures of a fabric softener such as the common cationic
ammonium softeners, and specific, highly su~stituted
methyl cellulose soil release agents.
It is common practice to soften fiabrics during the
rinse cycle of a laundering operation. Fabric "sotness"
is an expression well-defined in the art and is usually
understood to be that quality of the treated fabric whereby
its handle or texture is smooth, pliable and fluffy to the
touch. Various chemical compounds have long been known
to possess the ability to soften fabrics during a laundering
operation.
The use of various surface modifying or coating
agents to improve the cleaning properties of fabrics is also
' ~ . : : ' !, ' .: ,. . ~.
. ~

73~6~
a well known techni~ue. Much ef~ort has been expended in
d~signing various compounds capable of confexring soil
releasa properties to fabrics, especially those woven
from polyester fibers. The hydrophobic character of
polyester ~hrics makes their laundering (pa:rticularly as
regards oily soil and oily stains) difficult, principally
due to the low wettability of the polyester :Eibers.
Since the inherent character of the ~iber itself is hydro-
phobic, or oleophilic, once an oily soil or oily stain is
deposited on the fabric it tends to be "attached" to the
surface of the fiber. As a result, the oily soil or stain
i9 difficult to remove in an aqueous laundering process.
When hydrophilic fabrics such as cotton are soiled
by oily stains or oily soil, it is well-recognized that
the oil is much more easil~ removed than in the case of
hydrop~obic polyester fabricsO This difference in oil
removal characteristics is apparently ~aused by the greater
affinity of cotton fabrics for water. Differences in
hydrophilic/hydrophobic characteristics of cotton and
polyester are due in part to the basic building blocks
of the fibers themselves. That is, since polyester fibers
are usually polymers o terephthalic acid and ethylene
glycol~ they have less affinity for water because there
are fewer free hydrophilic groups, e.g., hydroxyl or
carboxyl groups~ where hydrogen bonding can occur. -With
cotton, which is a cellulosic material, the large number
of hydrophilic groups provides compatibility with, and
affinity for, water.
- 2 - .

1073~0
From a detergency standpoint, the most important
difference between hydrophobic fabrics and hydrophilic
~brics is the tendency for oily soil to form easily
removable droplets when present on a hydrophilic fabric
and in contact with water. The mechanical a~tion o~
washing and the action of synthetic detergents and builder~
normally used in the washing step of the laundering process
removes such oil droplets from the fabrics. The droplet
formation is in contrast to the situation which exists
with polyester (hydrophobic3 fi~ers. Water does not "wick"
through hydrophobic fabrics and the oily soil or stain
tends to be retained throughout the fabric, both because
of the inherent hydrophobic character of the fabric and
the lack of affinity of oily soil for water. Since all
fabrics, and especially polyester and polyester-blend
fabrics te.g., polyester-cotton blends) are susceptible
to oily staining and, once stained, are dificult to clean
in an aqueous laundry bath, manufacturers of such fibers ~`
and fabrics have sought to increase their hydrophilic
character to provide ease oE laundering.
A truly superior fabric treating agent should provide
a soft, desirable hand to the fabric, as well as a soil
release finish. Moreover, an optimal fabric treating
agent should also provide anti-static benefits. To many
us~rs, "softness" connotes the absence of static cling
in the fabrics. Indeed, with fabrics such as nylon and
polyester, many users appreciate an anti-static bene~it
at least as much as a softening benefit.
_ 3 _

0
As ~i~ht be expected, a wide variety of materials
have been suggested for use as fabric and textile condi-
tioning agents to provide one or more of the ~oregoing
~enefits. In many instances, such ~ompositions are
S designed for use in processes carried out by the fiber
or textile manufacturer: see ~etherlands Application 65/09456;
see also Garrett and Hartley, J. S c. D~ers and Colourists,
82, 7, 252-7 tl967) and ~ , 44, 42-43
(October 17, 1966). These references, as well as British ~-
Patents 1,08~,984 and 1,092,453, teach various ester-~asecl
soil release agents.
` U.S. Patents 3,668,000: 3,435,027: 2,663,989;
2,994,665: 3,523,088: South African Patent 71/5149; British
Patents 1,171,877 and 1,045,197: the "CE~LULOSE GUM CATALOG",
Hercules Powder Company: and the "METHOCEL PRODUCT INPOR- :.
MATION" data sheets, Dow ehemical Company, 1966, disclose
the use of a wide variety of cellulose derivatives as
fabric finishes.
U~S. Patent 3,712,873 discloses textile treating
compositions comprising a quaternary ammonium softening
compound and various cellulose and/or modified starch
derivatives in combination with a variety of adjunct materials.
sritish Patent No. 1,498,520 of DesMarais, sealed May 17, 1978,
relates to detergent compositions

1~73~16~
containing highly su~stituted methyl cellulose derivatives
of the type employed herein.
It i~ an object of t~e prese~t invent:ion to provide
~om~ined softening/soil release compositions which impart
superior soil release benefits, especially to polyester
fabrics.
It is another object herein to provide compositions
for s~multaneously ~mparting softness, anti-static benefits
and soil release properties $o fabrics in a one-step,
home laundry rinse bath.
The foregoing o~jects ~re obtained by combining a
fabric softening/anti-static agent and a methyl cellulose
80il release agent having a high desree of substitution (DS)
in compositions of the type disclosed hereinafter.
SU~AF~y~ OF TH:E ~;NV'ENTION
, . . . . ..
The present in~ention encompasses ~abric treating r
compositions comprising (~a~ from about 1 to about 50~ by wei~ht
of a combined fabric softening and anti-static agent; ~b~
from about 0.05 to about 10% by weight of a methyl cellulose
ether having a DS methyl of at least about 2.1, a weight
average degree of polymerization of greater than about 100,
a solution viscosity above about 20 centipoise and a gel point
less th~n about 50C; and (c) the balance of the composition
comprising a water-dispersible carrier, especially liquid
carriers such as water or water-alcohol mixtures.
DE TAI LE D DE S CRI P TI ON OF TH E I NVE NT ION
The ~abric softener employed in the present invention
comprises any of the cationic (including imidazolinium)
r~ ~ S
i'~ 1 . .
. . ~ ~ . ;, .

~73~6~ :
-
compounds listed in U.S. Patent 3,686,025 of David R. Morton,
granted August 22, 1972. Such materials are well-known in the
art and include, ~or exam~le, the quaternary ammonium salts
having.at least one, preferably two, C10-C2~ ~atty alkyl
5su~tituent sroups; alkyl imidazolinium salt:s wherein at
l~ast one alkyl group contains a C8-C25 carbon "chai~"; the
C12-C20 alkyl pyridinium salts, and the like~
Preferred softeners herein include the cationic
quaternary ammonium salts of the general formula
10RlR2R3R4N+,X , wher~in groups R , R2, R and R are, for
example, alkyl and X is an anion, e.g., halide, methyl-
sulfate, and the liXe. Especially preferred softeners
herein are those wherein Rl and R2 are each C~-C20 atty alkyl
and R3 a~d R4 are each Cl-C3 alkyl (or mixtures). The fatty
alkyl groups can be mixed, i.e., the mîxed C14-C18 coconut-
alkyl and mixed C16-C18 tallowalkyl quaternary compounds. :~
Alkyl groups R3 and R4 are prefera~ly methyl. Useful
quaternary ammoni~m compounds herein are set forth in
detail in UOS. Patent 3,686,025.
Particularly useful quaternary ammonium softeners
herein include ditallowalky}dimethylammonium chloride
and dicoconutalkyldimethylammonium chloride.
Soil Release Aqent
The soil release fabric finishing agents employed
25in the insta~t compositions are the methyl ethers of
cellulose having a high degree of methyl substitution (DS). :~
More specifically, the high DS methyl cellulose ethers herein
can be characterized as cellulose having at least 2.1,
. , ~ 6
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, ~,
~ r ~ ~
- ~ . ~ . . , .. . :,

3~73~
preferably from about 2.1 to about 2.8, methyl groups, R',
on the hydroxyls of the anhydroglucose units of cellulose,
i.e., a DS of from 2.1 to 2.8. It has now been discovered
that these high DS methyl cellulose derivatives exhibit
heretofore unrecognized advantages as c~ily soil release
fabric finishes and are far superior to the lower DS methyl
and the various hydroxyalkyl cellulosics known i~ the art.
me basic structure of the cellulose methyl ethers
herein is as follows, wherein group R' is methyl. I~ the
10 . formula the integer, n, typically averages from about
100 to about 10, 000.

~73~60 '
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~L~73:~60
When preparing the methyl cellulose lether soil release
agents employed in the present compositions the hydroxyl
gro~ps of the anh~droglucose units of cellulose are reacted
with a ~ethylating agent, thexeby replacing the hydrogen of
S the hydroxyls with methyl. The num~er of substituent methyl
graups can be designated b~ weight percent, or by the
average number of methyl (i.e., as methoxyl) groups on the
anhydroglucose units, i.e., the DS~ If all three available
po~itions on ea~h anhydroglucose unit are substituted, the DS
10 ~ is designated three (3); if an average of two -OH's are
substituted, the DS is designated two (2), etc.
Commercial processes for preparing meth~l cellulose
ethers involve, for example, simply combining methyl chloride
with a cellulose feed stock of the type disclosed hereinafter
under alkaline conditions. (It is to be understood that the
methyl halides used to prepare the high DS methyl celluloses
herein can contain minor amounts of other alkyl halides.
The resulting cellulose ethers may, of course, contain very
minor proportions of the corresponding alkyl groups. This
is not important to the invention herein.) Such a process
results in a DS below, 2, and most generally a DS of about
1~5. The prior art materials taught for use as fabric
finishes are those having a low DS, i.e., a DS below 2, and
usually below about 1.5. These lower DS materials are
apparently specified for use as fabric finishes inasmuch as
they are commercially available and have what was heretofore
thought to be the requisite high water solubility necessary
for sorption on fabric surfaces.

i~7316~ '
In contrast with the prior art teachings regarding
the cellulosic fabric finishes, the soil release agents
for use herein have a degree of methyl subst:itution in the
~ange o~ from about 2~1 to about 2.8, preferably from about
2.2 to about~2~ most preferably from about: 2.3 to abo'
2.6.
Of course, the theoretical ns limit i.s 3.0, inasmuch
as there are a maximum of 3 hydroxyl groups on each anhydro- -
glucose unit in cellulose. Surprisingly, the high DS
methyl cellulose ethers herein are suf~iciently water
soluble to provide good soil release fabric finishes when
applied from an aqueous bath. Moreover, the high DS,
methyl cellulose ethers exhibit their superior oily soil
relcase properties when applied to fabrics from an aqueous
rin~e bath containing the above-disclosed softening agents.
The high DS methyl cellulose ethers herein can be
prepared by the exhaustive methylation of cellulose using
a methyl halide, preferably methyl chloride, and caustic,
preferably sodium hydroxide, in a pressure vessel in the
manner well-known in the art ~or preparing the lower DS
methyl cellulosics. However, the methylation procedure can
be simply repeated and continued until the high DS materials
are secured. The progress of the methylation reaction can
~ monitored by periodically sampling the reaction product
and determining the degree of methoxylation in the manner
more fully disclosed hereinafter.
--.10

~q~7316~ ~
It is to be understood that ~abric treating compositions
containing any of the high DS methyl cellul.ose materials .:
disclosed herein provide excellent oily soil removal finishes
compared with most low DS (i.e., DS below about 2) alkyl and ;;~
S ~ydroxya}kyl cellulosics known in the art. For truly
superior performance in this regard, the most highly preferred
high DS methyl cellulose ethers are those which are character-
ized by a gel point in an aqueous solution below about 50C,
preferably in a range of from about 25C to about 48C.
While not intending to be limited by theory, it appears that
. the high DS methyl cellulosics having gel points below about
50C, and preferably in the recited range, interact witn,
and deposit on, fabrics from an aqueous rinse bath in
optimal fashion under household conditions. The gel point
of the cellulose soil release ethers herein can be determined
in the manner disclosed more fully hereinafter.
The highly preferred methyl cellulosics for use herein
are characterized by their high DS and gel point as specified ;:
hereinabove, and can be further characterized by a solution
viscosity above about 20 centipoise, more preerably above
about 40 centipoise (cps). It is to be recogn.ized that the
. . solution viscosities of the cellulose ethers herein can
vary over an extremely wide range, and are often as high as
70,000 (measured as a 2% wt. solution in water). Typical
2S solution viscosities of the high DS methyl cellulose ethers
ran~e from about 90 to about 6g,000, but cellulosics having
viscosities falling outside this range are useful herein,
provided they have the high DS methyl substitution and.the
speci~ied gel points. The viscosity of the preferred

1~73~6~ .
cellulosic derivatives herein can be determined in the mannex
set forth in ASTM Standard D-2363, more ful].y described
hereinafter.
While any of the high DS cellulose et:hers herein are
useful in granular compositions which can be prepared using
solid, water-soluble carriers such as sodium sulfate, sodium
carbonate, and the like, most fabric treating compositions are
marketed as liquids. When such liquid compositions are being
prepared, it is preferred to select ethers havlng viscosities ~
in the lower end of the range in order to maintain
optimal flow and pouring properties. Accordingly, when
formulating liquid fabric treating compositions with the
'cellulosic soil release agents in the manner of the present .
invention, it is preferred to select cellulosics having a
solution viscosity (as a 2% wt. aqueous solution) from about
20 ~ps to about 250 cps.
In addition to the foregoing parameters, the most
highly preferred high DS methyl cellulosics can be further
characterized as having a weight average degree of ~'
polymeriæation of greater than about 100, more preferably
ro~ about 100 to about'1000, most preferably from about
400 to about 800. The term "weight average degree of
polymerization" used herein to de~ine the most highly preferred ;'
high DS methyl cellulosics relates to the average number of
25 anhydroglucose units in the cellulose polymer. The weight
average degree of polymerization ~DPW~ is related to such
physical parameters of the cellulose polymer as solubility,
gel point and viscosity~ The DPW of the high DS methyl
- 12 _

1~73~
.;
cellulosics herein can be determined by ~easuring their
solubility in ~'Cadoxen"* in the manner fully described in sritish
Patent 1,498,520 of DesMarais, cited hereinabove.
~i~h DS methyl cellulose soil release agents of the
~YF~ e~pl~yed ~erein having the most preferrled DPW range can ~:
be prepared using cotton linters or wood-der.ived cellulose
~ee~stock. It is well kno~n that cotton-based ~ellulose
material has a DPW greatly in excess of ~ 000. EIowever, the
caustic treatment during methylation reduces the DPW due to
the action of the caustic on the cellulose polymers.
A~cordingly, cotton is a perfectly acceptable source of
cellulose when preparing the high DS materials falling
within the preferred DPW ranges cited herein. Wood-deri~ed
cellulose is known to be ~omprised of cellulose polymers
having a DPW of about 2000, and belowO Accordingly, wood-
based cellulose ~an easily be converted to the high DS
methyl materials having the preferred DPW range recited
hereinabove without the need for any additional degradation,
since sufficient degradation will naturally occur on contact .
with the caustic used in the methylation step.
I~le high DS methyl cellulose ethers employed in the
instant compositions are characterized by various parameters : -
i~ the manner described immediately below. Spe~ific examples
of optimal hi~h DS methyl cellulose soil release agents
e~ployed herein are set forth in Table l.
The DS (methyl) of the various cellulosic soil release
a~ents employed herein can be determined in the manner set
orth in "Methods in Carbohydrate ChemistryC', III, Cellulose,
~. L, Whistler, Ed., Academic Press, New York, 1963, Sect:ion
4~, by I. Croon, at p. 277, et se~.
*Trademark for cadmium ethylene diamine hydroxide complex
it is a colorless~ stable cellulose solvent.
13
,.~...

~ D7~61~
_, . .
The ~el pointc or ~cloud pointl', of the hi~h DS methyl
cellulose ether soil release agents employed herein is
determined in the following manner. A 2% ~wt. agueous solution
of the cellulose ether being tested is used to determine the
gel point. Ten cc. of the 2% solution are placed in a test
tube and a ~hermometer is inserted into the solution. The
test tube eontaining the ~olution and thermometer is immersed
in a beaker of water on a hot plate. The water is heated at
a rate of approximately l~C/minute. During this heating,
, ,
the solution of ~ellulo~e ether is stirred with the thermometer. ;
The temperature is raised, slowly, until the soluti~n just
; becomes cloudy (the cellulose ethers exhibit a negative
temperature coefficient of solubility). The temperature at
which the solution clouds is the gel point of the cellulose
ether being tested. ~ -
The viscosity of the h~gh DS methyl cellulose ethers
is determined on the basis of a 2% wt. aqueous solution in
the manner disclosed in ASTM Standard D-2363 fox the determination
of the apparent viscosity of hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose.
Following the ASTM procedure, a 20~ a~ueous solution of the
high DS methyl cellulose ether is determined in an Ubbelohde
tube viscometer. The 2% solution is based on a dry mass of
the product, i.e., the corrected mass for moisture found in
the sample.
The DPW ~f the high DS methyl cellulose ethers can be
experimentally determined in ~Cadoxen~*, which i5 a standard
~olvent for both substituted and unsubstituted ~ellulosics.
In general terms, the Pfflux time of a soluti~n of a cellulosic
derivative in 1:1 "Cadoxen"*:water is measured in a Cannon~
Ubbelohde dilution viscometer. The solution is diluted with
*Trademark 1; 14 ~
~
.
~ .; - ~ . . .

~L~733~
.
additional solvent and the efflux time is again measur~d.
~he dilution step is repeated twice moxeO and the ~f~lux
t~mes are again measured. The effl~x tLme of the ~olvent
i3 also determined in the same viscometer. From these
data~ the relative efflux time (or relative viscosity) ) the
~peci~ic viscosity, and then the reduced v:iscosity are
~al~ulated~ The reduced viscosi~y is plotted on linear
graph paper vs. concentration of cellulo~e derivative ill
g/dl. A line is drawn through the points and extrapolated
to zero concentration. The zero concentration intercept
is defined as the intrinsic viscosity. The weight-average
degree of pol~merization, DPW, can then be cal~ulated by
the Henley relationship as reported by W. J. Brown, TAPPI,
49J 367 (1966). Complete details of the procedure are
set forth in British Patent 1,498,520, previously referred to.
~ ypical examples of high DS methyl cellulose soil
r~lease agents of the type employed herein are set ~orth
in Table 1. It is to be understood that these cellulosics
are prepared by exhaustively methylating cellulose in
caustic in the manner well-known in the art, and that this
methylation procedure forms no part of the present invention.
The cellulosics having relatively low viscosities (examples
D and H) can be prepared by simply steeping the cellulose
i~ the caustic bath to degrade the anhydroglucose ~'backbone"
of the cellulose, in well-known fashion.
~ ~ - 15 -

~L~73~
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~073~6~
The following examples illustrate the fa~ric treating
compositions of the pr~ent invention, but are not intended
. to be limiting thereof. As will be seen frDm the examples,
the preferred compositions herein comprise from about 3%
5 to about 15% by weight of a fabric softener/anti-static
agent of the type disclosed hereinabove and at least about
0.05%, pre~erably from about U~05% to about 10%, moxe
pre~erably from about 0.25% to about 2.~%, by weight of the
methyl cellulose ether. ~igher concentrations of the
components can be used, according to the desires of the
~ormulator.
The compositions herein can be formulated as solids
or liquids. When solid c~mpositions are desired, a water-
~oluble, solid carrier material is conveniently used in
combination with the active ingredients. Such carriers can
~e, for example, any of the water-soluble organic or
inorganic salts commonly used as detergency builders, e.g.,
- sodium citrate, sodium phosphate, sodium carb~nate, and
the like. Exhaustive listings of such materials are fourld
in standard textbooks and in the patent litexature, see,
for example U.S. Patent 3,526,592 of Oscar T. Qulmby, granted
September 1, 1970. A11 such mate-
rials are compatible in the present compositions and are
~afe for use in contact with fabrics. Solid compositions
25 are easily prepared by simply dry-blending the active
ingredients with the solid caxrier.
Li~uid compositions can be prepared by mixing the
softener and soil release cellulosic in a liquid carrier,
9.g . ~ water, m;xtures of lower alcohols such as ethanol or
7 -
,~, , , ., , ,,~ ~

~L073~6~
_
isopropanol and water, and the like. When preparing
liquid compositions, it is convenient to use the lower
~iscosity methyl cellulosics to maintain pourability,
~he compositions herein can contain minor amounts
5 (e~5~ 0~1% to 5% ~y wt~) of additives such as perfumes,
dyes, optical bleaches, and the like to prc~vide the
; corresponding aesthetic and performance benefits.
EX~MP~E_I
A liquid composition which softens and imparts a
10 ~ soil release finish to fabrics is a~ follows:
nqredient Wei~ht %
Ditallowalkyl dimethyl -
ammonium chloride 7.5 - ;
Cellulose ether D* l~S
Isopropyl alcohol 3.5
Perfume, dye and minors 1.0
Water Balance
* Cellulose ether D from Table 1.
The composition of Example I is prepared by simply
admixing the ingredients in the proportions shown until a
homogeneous mixture is secured. The resulting composition
has a viscosity ca. 150 cps, and is easily poured.
A 5 lb. load of mixed polyester and polyester/cotton
blend fabrics is laundered with a commercial anionic
detergent composition and spray-rinsed. The fa~rics are
- 18 -

~73~60
thereafter immersed in ca. 8 gallons of ~resh, 90~F water
in the deep rinse cycle of a standard automatic washing
machine~ 2.0 Ounces of the composition of Example I are
poured into the water, which is agitated to evenly distribute
the compos~tion. The fabrics are agitated gently for
ca. 2 minutes, after which the watex is dr;ained from the
washer drumO The fabrics are thereafter spun dry, and
dried in a standard automatic clothes dryer.
Fabrics treated in the foregoing manner are soft
to the touch and are substantially free from static cling.
Fabrics treated in the foregoing manner are spotted
with dirty motor oil, which is allowed to "set" under
ambient conditions. The fabrics are thereafter laundered
in a commercial, fully built, anionic detergent ~omposition
under standard household laundering conditions, rinsed and
~ried. As a control, untreated fabrics and fabxics treated
with a low (ca. 1.5-1.7 avg.) degree of methyl substitution
are similarly treated and laundered. The compositions
herein provide substantially superior release of the dirty
motor oil over untreated fabrics and fabrics treated using
the low DS methyl substituted soil release agents.
In the foregoing composition soil release ether
D from Table 1 is replaced by an equivalent amount of soil
release ether H from Table 1 and equivalent results are
secured.
In the foregoing composition, the ditallowalkyl-
dimethylammonium chloride is replaced by an equivalent
-- 19 --
..

~:973~6(~
amount of ditallowalkyldimethylammonium bromide, di~allow-
alkyldimethylammonium iodide, ditallowalky:Ldimethylammonium
fluoride, ditallowalkyldimethylammo~ium hydroxide, and
ditallowalkyldimethylammonium meth~lsulfate, respectively,
and equivalent results are secured~ ~-
In the foregoing composition the i~;opropyl alcohol
is ~eplaced by an e~uivalent amount of methyl alcohol,
ethyl alcohol, n-propyl alcohol and n-butyl alcohol,
respectively, and equivalent results are secured.
EXPMPLE II
A solid composition which softens and provides a
soil release finish to fabrics is as follows:
Inqredient Wei ~t ~
Ditallowalkyldimethyl-
ammonium chlorids 7.5
Cellulose ether A* 1. 5
Perfume, dye and minors1.0
Sodium carbonate Balance
* Cellulose ether A from Table 1.
.
The composition of Example II is prepared by simply
blending the ingredients in the proportions shown until a
ho~ogeneous mixture is secured. The resulting composition
is in powder form, and is easily pourable.
Following the procedure set forth hereinabove for
Example I, a 5 lb. load of mixed polyester and polyester/
cotton blend fabrics are laundered and spray-rinsed. The
- 2~ -
.. .. . . . . .

1~73~6~ `
fa~rics are thereafter immersed in ca. 8 gallons of
~re~h, 90F water in the deep rinse cycle of a standard
automatic washing machine having 100 grams of the
composition of Example II dissolved therein. The fabrics
are agitated gently for ca. 5 minutes, after which the
water is drained from the washer drum. The ~abrics are
thereafter spun dry and dried in a standard automatic
clothes dryer.
~he fabrics treated in the oregoing manner have
1~ a soft, desirable, anti-static hand. The fabrics treated
in the manner of Example II and thereafter stained with
hydrocarbon and vegetable oils exhibit a substantial soil
release effect when subse~uently laundered with a
commercial, anionic detergent composition.
The composition of Example II is modified by replacing
the ditallowalkyldimethylammonium chloride with an equivalent
amount of dicoconutalkyldimethylammonium chloride, dicoconut-
alkyldimethylammonium methylsulfate, stearyldimethyl-
ammonium chloride, distearyldiethylammonium chloride,
ditallowalkyldipropylammonium bromide, and cetyl pyridinium
ch~oride, respectively, and equivalent results are secured.
The composition of Example II is modified by replacing
cellulose ether A, from Table 1, with an equivalent amount o
e~hers B, C, D, E, F~ ~ and H, from Table 1, respectively,
and equivalent results are secured.
- 21 -
,~ ~ ., ' - ' ,' ,' . I

~73~60 ~
The foregoing co~positions give good softening
and superior so~l release performance on fabrics treated
therewith4 It will be recogni~ed that the compositions
can readily be formulated to contain various adjunct
~aterials, in addition to the a~ti~e and ~he earrier~
~ore particularly, various surfactants, used in non-~eterging
~mounts (i.e., 0.05%-1~/o wto~ ~ can be employed in the
compositions to he}p disperse them throughout the rinse bath.
Nonio~ic surfactants, especially the ethoxylated alcohols
and ethoxylated phenols characterized by a hydrophilic
lipophilic balance (~B) in the range from about 7 to about
15, and mixtures of such materials, are preferred fo:r this
use. ~xemplary nonionic surfactants or this purpose
include the tri-, penta-, hepta- and nona-ethoxylated
primary and secondary alcohols marketed under various
trademarleS~e.g., "Tergitol 15-S-7", "Tergitol 15-S-3",
"Tergitol 15-S-9", and the "Dobanols". -:
~.
:
::
.. - 22 -
. 1
. , . .. ... ~

Representative Drawing

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Administrative Status

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Event History

Description Date
Inactive: IPC deactivated 2013-01-19
Inactive: IPC assigned 2012-05-16
Inactive: IPC assigned 2012-05-16
Inactive: First IPC assigned 2012-05-16
Inactive: Expired (old Act Patent) latest possible expiry date 1997-03-11
Grant by Issuance 1980-03-11

Abandonment History

There is no abandonment history.

Owners on Record

Note: Records showing the ownership history in alphabetical order.

Current Owners on Record
THE PROCTER AND GAMBLE COMPANY
Past Owners on Record
THOMAS A. DESMARAIS
Past Owners that do not appear in the "Owners on Record" listing will appear in other documentation within the application.
Documents

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Document
Description 
Date
(yyyy-mm-dd) 
Number of pages   Size of Image (KB) 
Abstract 1994-03-28 1 23
Cover Page 1994-03-28 1 21
Claims 1994-03-28 3 77
Drawings 1994-03-28 1 12
Descriptions 1994-03-28 22 809