Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
FABRIC SOFTENING COMPOSITION
This invention relates to fabric softening composi-
tions and, in particular, to compositions in aqueous medium
having improved softening effectiveness combined with
excellent physical characteristics~ especially formulation
stability.
Conventional rinse-added fabric softening compositions
contain fabric softening agents which are substantially
water-insoluble cationi¢ materials usually having two
long alkyl chains. Typical of such materials are di-
stearyl di-methyl ammonium chloride and imidazolinium
compounds substituted with two stearyl groups. The e
materials are normally prepared in the form of an aqueous
dispersion or emulsion, and it is g~enerally not possible
to prepare such aqueous dispersions with more than about
6~ of cationic material without taking special precautions
to ensure acceptable viscosity and stability character-
istics. Indeed, with cationic levels in excess of about
8% the problems of phy~ical instability and high viscosity
become, in the case of conventional fabric softening
products, almost intractable. This, of course, limits
the level of softening perormance achievable with
conventional cOmpOSitiQnS without using excessive amounts
of product, and also adds substantially to distributiQn
and packaging costs, because of the need to market such
dilute solutions of the active ingredient.
-- 2
One approach which has been taken to improve the
softening performanee of cationie fabric softeners has
been via the incorporation of certain fatty or oily
materials in the softener aetive system~ While these
adjunct materials have little intrinsie softening
eapability in their own right, they are apparently
effective in extending the performance of conventional
cationic softening materials, both in concentrated and
normal softener compositions so that the cost-effeetive-
ness of these compositions is considerably improved.
Moreover, by incorporating relatively high proportions
of the oily adjunct materials in relation to the eationic
softener, and by adding thereto relatively high propor-
tions of a water-soluble cationic surfactant in relation
to the eationic softener, eoncentrated softening compos-
itions can be prepared containing a high total level of
aetive softening materials. Reference is made to U.S.
Patent No. 4,155,855 and Belgian Patent No. 868,93~, both
of whieh are relevant to this general approaeh.
Formulations prepared in this mannerl however, are
still not entirely satisfaetory. Thus, while sueh compos-
itions do allow a high eoneentration of active ingredient,
the level of softness benefit delivered by sueh compos-
itions on a unit aetive weight basis is still mueh lower
than for eonventional dilute produets and problems of
physieal formulation eharaeteristies, espeeially phase
stability and also viscosity, still remain. Indeed, phase
stability remains a problem even in the case of dilute
softener eompositions formulated in the manner of the
above prior art referenees.
~5~
-- 3 --
Other approaches have also been ~aken for improving
the physical characteristics of softener compositions of
course. Thus, it is generally known (for example in U.S.
Patent No. 3,681l241) that the presence of ionizable salts
in concentrated compositions do help reduce viscosity, but
~hese materials do not offer the additional benefit of
enhancing the softening performance of the compositions.
More importantly, the quantity of ioni7able salts required
~or significant viscosity reduction is found to be gener-
ally deleterious in terms of product stabi:Lity. Dutch
patent application no. 6706178 published November 4, 1968
relates to viscosity control in fabric softening compos-
itions with up to 12% of cationic softener, and suggests
the use of low molecular weight hydrocarbons for this
purpose, while German patent application no. 25 03 026
published July 29, 1976 discloses a complex softener/
disinfectant composition in which a long chain fatty
alcohol is suggested as a solubiliæation aid. Finally,
U.S. Patent No. 3,793,196 describes an improved viscosity
softening agent in the form of an oil-in-water emulsion
comprising a cationic surface active agent, a higher fatty
alcohol, a sorbitan fatty acid ester and a polyethoxylated
nonionic surfactant.
The present invention accordingly provides a fabric
softening composition having improved softening character-
istics and cost-effectiveness combined with excellent
physical characteristics, especially phase stability,
freeze-thaw behaviour and low viscosity; and it further
provides a concentrated fabric softening composition
having satisfactory characteristics for consumer use,
based on cationic fabric softener as the major active
component.
According to the present invention, there is provided
an aqueous fabric softening composition characterized by:-
(a) from 2% to 22% by weight of a ~ater-insoluble
cationic fabric sofkener,
(b) from 0.05~ to 8% by weight of a water-soluble
cationic or nonionic surfactant or mixture
thereof, and
(c) from 0025% to 15% by weight o a ClO-C40
non-cyclic hydrocarbon, or of a fatty acid
ester of a monohydric alcohol, said ester
having a total of 10 to 40 carbon atoms, or
of a mixture thereof,
wherein the weight ratio of (a) to (b) is in the range
from 100:1 to 5:2, and the weight ratio of (a) to (c~
is in the range from 20:1 to 5:4.
The physical form of the composition is that of a
dispersion of an anisotropic softener phase in an a~ueous
isotropic surfactant solution phase. The physical form
is simply determined under a polarizing microscopa. The
anisotropic/isotropic phase sys~em is highly important
for achieving optimum viscosi~y, stability, sotening and
other textile benefits.
The water insoluble cationic fabric softener is
preferably a di-C12-C24 alkyl or alkenyl 'on:ium salt,
especially a mono- or polyammonium salt, an :imidazolinium
salt or a mixture of such salts. Highly preferred are
mono-quaternary ammonium salts, imidaz~linium salts and
mixtures thereof.
The water-soluble cationic surfactant is preferably
a mono~C8 24 alkyl or alkenyl 'onium salt, especially
a mono- or polyammonium salt, an imidazolinium salt, a
pyridinium salt or a mixture of such salts. Highly
preferred are mono-quaternary ammonium salts, imida~olinium
salts and mixtures thereo.
The preferred water-soluble nonionic surfactant has
the general formula RO(CH2CH20)nH wherein R is a C~ 20
alkyl or alkenyl group, and n is from 2 to about 100.
~1
:1~54~
-- 5 --
From the point o~ view of optimum product stability
and viscosity and softening performance, ~he weight ratio
of water-insoluble cationic to water-soluhle cationic
and/or nonionic surfactant, falls preferably in the range
from about 20:1 to about 4:1, especially from about 15:1
to about 6:1. The weight ratio of the cationic softener
to the hydrophobic adjunct, on the other hand, preferably
falls in the range from about 8:1 to about 2:1. In terms
of level, compositions of the invention preferably
comprise from about 0.1% to about 6% of the water-soluble
cationic and/or nonionic surfactant, from about 0.5% to
about 6% of the non-cyclic hydrocarbon and from 0~ to
about 6% of the fatty acid ester.
In the present speci~ication, percentage figures
given for components in a composition refer ~o the
weight percent of that component in the composition.
With regard to the hydro~hobic adjunct, highly
preferred materials are C12-C2~, especially C12-C20
paraffins or paraffin mixtures, esters of C12-C24
fatty acids with monohydric alaohols having from 1 to 8
carbon atoms, and mixtures of these paraffin and fatty
acid ester materials in a 3:1 to 1:3 weight ratio.
At lower concentrations of water-insoluble cationic
softener, less than about 6% by wei~ht, it is pre~erred
to include relatively low levels of water-soluble surfactant
in relation to the insoluble sotener for achieving
optimum stability and viscosity, while at higher concentrations
of water insoluble cationic softener, greater than about
12% by weight, it is desirable to include relatively high
levels of water-soluble surfactant in relation to the
insoluble softener. ~hus, there are three highly
preferred executions:
(A) A composition comprising:-
(a) from 2% to 6% by weight of a water-insoluble
di-C12-C24 alkyl or alkenyl mono-quaternary
(b) from 0.05 to 1% by weight of a ~ater-
soluble cationic surfactant which is:-
(i) a mono~C8-C24 alkyl or alkenyl
mono-quaternary salt,
(ii) a mono-C8-C24 alkyl or alkenyl
imidazolinium salt, or
(iii) a mixture thereof, and
(c) from 0.25% to 3% by weight of a C12-C24
paraffin or paraffin mixture,
wherein the weight ratio o (a) ~o (b) is in the
range rom 20:1 to 4:1 and the wei~ht ratio of (a~
to (c) is in the range from 5:1 to 2:1.
(B) A composition comprising:-
(a) from 6% ~o 12% by weight of a water~
insoluble cationic fabric softener whic:h
is a mixture o~:-
(i) a di-C12-C24 alkyl or alkenyl mono-
quaternary ammonium salt, and
(ii) a di C12 C24 alkyl or 1 Y
imidazolinium s?lt,
wherein the ratio of (i) to (ii) is in the range from
1:6 to 1:1,
(b) from 0.5 to 6% by weight of a water-soluble
cationic surfactant which is:-
(i) a mono-C8-~24 alkyl or alkenyl mono-
quaternary ammonium salt,
(ii) a mono-C8-C24 alkyl or alkenyL
imidazolinium salt, or ;.
(iii) a mixture thereo, and
(c) from 1% to 6% by weight of a C12-C24 pre~er-
ably C12-C20 para~fin or paraffin mixture,
wherein the weight ratio o ta) to (b) is in the range
from 10:1 to 5:2, and the weight ratio o (a) to (c) is
-- 7 --
in the range from 5:1 to 5:2; and
(C) A composition compr~sing
(a) from 12% to 22% of a water-insoluble di-Cl2-C24
alkyl or alkenyl imidazolinium salt,
(b) from 2~ to 8% of a water-soluble cationic
surfactant which is:-
(i) a mono-CB-C~4 alkyl or alkenyl mono-
quaternary ammonium salt,
(ii) a mono-C8-C24 alkyl or alkenyl imidazolinium
salt, or
(iii) a mixture thereof, and
(c) from 6% to 12% of a 3:1 to 1:3 mixture of:-
(i) a Cl2-C24 preerably Cl2-C20 paraffin or
paraffin mixture, and
(ii) an ester of a C12-C2~ fatty acid with a
Cl-C8 monohydric alcohol.
wherein the weight ratio of (a) to (b) is in the range from
4:1 to 5:2, and the weight ratio of (a) to (c) is in the
range rom 7:2 to 5:4.
Compositions of the invention thus comprise three
essential ingredients, a water-insoluble cationic fabric
sotener, a water-soluble cationic and/or nonionic sur-
factant an~ a hydrophobic adjunct selected from ClO-C40
non-cyclic hydrocarbons and fatty acid ester, the water
soluble surfactant and the hydrophobic adjunct acting in
combination to provide compositions of optimum viscosity
and stability. The essential components will now be
discussed in detail.
The Cationic ~abric Softener
The water-insoluble cationic fabric softener can be
any fabric-substantive cationic compound which, in pure
form as a strong acid salt (e.g. chloxide), has a
solubility in distilled water at p~ 2.5 and 20C of less
than lg/l, or can be a mixture of such compounds In
this context, the soluble fraction of the surfactant is
taken to be that material which cannot be separated from
water by centrifugal action and which passes a lOOnm Nuclepore
;~
filter (Registered Trade Mark). Preferred materials
are di-C12-C24 alkyl or alkenyl 'onium salts, especially
mono- and poly-ammonium salts, and imidazolinium salts.
Optionally, the two long chain alkyl or alkenyl groups
may be substituted or interrupted by functional groups
such as -OH, -O-, CONH-, -COO-, etc.
Well known species of substantially water-insoluble
mono-ammonium compounds are the quaternary ammonium
compounds having the formula:-
Rl / 3 +
// \ X
R2 R4
wherein Rl and R2 represent alkyl or alkenyl groups offrom about 12 to about 24 carbon atoms, R3 and R4 repre-
sent alkyl, alkenyl or hydroxyalkyl groups containingfrom 1 to about 4 carbon atoms; and X is the salt counter-
anion, preferably selected from hali~e, methyl sulfate
and ethyl sulfate radicals. Representative examples of
these ~uaternary softeners include ditallow dimethyl
ammonium chloride; ditallow dimethyl ammonium methyl
sulfate; dihexadecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride; di
(hydrogenated tallow alkyl) dimethyl ammonium chloride;
dioctadecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride; dieicosyl
dimethyl ammonium chloride; dido¢osyl dimethyl
ammonium chloride; di(hydrogenated tallow) dimethyl
ammonium methyl sulfate; dihexadecyl diethyl ammonium
chloride; di(coconut alkyl) dimethyl ammonium chloride
and di(coconut alkyl~ dimethyl ammonium methosulfate.
Of these ditallow dimethyl ammonium chloride and di
(hydrogenated tallow alkyl) dimethyl ammonium chloride
are preferred.
- 9 -
Another preferred class of water-insoluble cationic
materials are the alkyl imidazolinium salts believed to
have the formula:-
CH2 - - CE~2 o
i
+N N - C2H4- I C 7
R6 F Rg
R8
wherein R6 is an alkyl containing from l to 4, preferably
1 or 2 carbon atoms, R7 is an alkyl containing from 12
to 24 carbon atoms, R8 is an a}kyl containing from 12 to
24 carbon atoms r and Rg is hydrogen or an alkyl containiny
from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and X is the salt countex-anion,
preferably a halide, methosulfate or ethosul~ate.
Preferred imidazolinium sal~s include 3-methyl~l-
(tallowylamido) ethyl -2-tallowy1-4,5-dihydroimidazo-
linium methosulfate and 3-methyl-l-(palmitoylamido)ethyl
-2- octadecyl-4,5-dihydroimidazolinium chloride. Other
useful imidazolinium materials are 2-heptadecyl-3 methyl-
1-(2-stearylamido)-ethyl-4, 5-dihydroimidazolinium chloride
and 2-lauryl-3-hydroxyethyl-1-(oleylamido)ethyl-4,5-dihydro
imidazolinium chloride. Also suitable herein are the
imidazolinium fabric softening components of U.S. Patent
No. 4,127,489.
~15~
-- 10 --
In the present invention, the water-insoluble cationic
softener is present at a level of at least about 2~; below
this level r the volume of product required to provide an
acceptable level of softness benefit becomes excessively
large. For softener levels in the range of a~out 2% to
about 6%, there is, of course, generally no difficulty
in preparing produc~s of conventional type with the
necessary low viscosity and good stability by adding,
for instance, a low level of calcium chloride. For
corresponding products based on mixed cationic/hydro-
carbon or ester softeners, however, product stability and
viscosity become a problem and the overall aim is to
adjust the levels of the softening and surfactant
components within the prescribed limits ~o provide
products which are stable to separa~ion in a centrifuge at
3000 r.p.m. for 16 hours and which have a viscosity of less
than about 350 cp, preferably less than about 150 cp
measured in a Brookfield Viscometer, using Spindle No. 2
at 60 r.p.m~ and at 21C. The maximum level of cationic
softener in the present formulations is determined by
practical considerations; thus, above a cationic softener
level of 22~ the problems of physical stability and product
viscosity are such that it is not ~eneralLy possible to
formulate stable pourable emulsions based on water-insoluble
cationic softener as the major sotening component.
The Water-Soluble Surfactant
The water-soluble surfactarlt is a sationic or nonionic
surfactant having a solubility in distill,ed water at pH
2.5 and 20C of greater than lg/l. Once again, the
solubility of the cationi~ surfa~tant is defined with
reference to the pure material in the form of a strong
acid salt ~e.g. chloride~, ~nd the soluble fraction of the
~,
4~
surfactant is taken to be that material which cannot be
separated from water by centrifugal action and which
passes a lOOnm Nuclepore filter.
Preferred water-soluble cationic surfactants are
mono-C8-C24 alkyl or alkenyl ammonium salts, imidazolinium
salts, pyridinium sal~s and mixtures thereof.
Suitable water-soluble mono-ammonium compounds have
the general formula:
_ _
R5 / 7 ~
N X
~R6 R8_ ~
wherein ~5 represents a C8-C24 alkyl or alkenyl group,
,.
~ !
~15'~Z(~
R6 represents hydrogen, a Cl-C12 alkyl, alkenyl or
hydroxyalkyl group, an aryl group, a Cl 6 alkylaryl group,
or a poly(ethylene oxide) group having from 2 to 20
ethylene oxide units~ R7, R8 individually represent hydro~
gen, a Cl-C4 alkyl, alkenyl or hydroxyalkyl group or a
poly~ethylene oxide) group having ~rom 2 ~o 20 ethylene
oxide units and X is as defined above.
Highly preferred materials of this general type
include the tallow trimethyl ammonium salts, cetyl tri-
methyl ammonium salts, myristyl trimethyl ammonium salts,coconutalkyl trimethyl ammonium salts, stearyl dimethyl
ammonium salts, cetyl dimethyl ammonium salts, myristyl
dimethyl ammonium salts, coconutalkyl dimethyl ammonium
salts, oleyl methyl ammonium salts, palmityl methyl
ammonium salts, myristyl methyl ammonium salts, lauryl
methyl ammonium salts, dodecyl dimethyl hydroxyethyl
ammonium salts, dodecyl dimethyl hydroxypropyl ammonium
salts, myristyl dimethyl hydroxyethyl ammonium salts,
dodecyl dimethyl dioxyethylenyl ammonium salts, myristyl
benzyl hydroxyethyl methyl ammonium salts r coconutalkyl
benzyl hydroxyethyl methyl ammonium salts, dodecyl
dihydroxyethyl methyl ammonium salts, cetyl dihydroxyethyl
methyl ammonium salts, and s~earyl dihydroxyethyl methyl
ammonium salts.
~ighly ~referred water-soluble imidazolinium materials
are represented by the general formula
C 2 -- CH2
+l
~ ~ / N- - C2H4 MH- - ~Rg X
R8
or acids salts thereof,
~,
- 13 -
wherein R6, R7, R8, Rg and X were defined earlier.
Preferred imidazolinium salts of this general formula
include the compound in which R6 is methyl, R8 is
tallowyl and Rg is hydrogen and the compound in which
R6 is methyl, R8 is palmitoyl and Rg is hydrogen.
Highly preferred water-soluble polyammonium cation
materials are represented by the general formula:
t ( 2)n
o Rlo Rlo m
wherein Rll is selected from an alkyl or alkenyl group
having from 12 to 24, preferably from 16 to 20 carbon
atoms in the alk(en)yl chain, RllCO~ and Rll O-(CH2~n-;
each Rlo is independently selected from hydrogen,
(C H O) H -(C3H6o)qH~ ~(C2H4O)r(c3H6o~s ' 1-3
group and the group -(CH2)n-N(R')2, wherein R' is selected
from hydroyen, -(C2H4O)pH, -(C2H4O)pH~ -(C2HGIO)p(C3H6O)qH
and Cl 3 alkyl; n is an integer from 2 to 6, preferably
2 or 3; m is an integer from 1 to 5, preferably 1 or 2;
p,q,r, and s are each a number such that the total p~+r~s
in the molecule does not exceed 25 (preferably, each p
and q is 1 or 2 and each r and s is 1); and X represents
one or more anions having total charge balancing that
of the nitrogen atoms.
Preferred water-soluble cationic materials are
alkoxylated and contain not more than one -C2H~OH or
-C3H6OH group attached to each nitrogen atom, except
that up to two of these groups can be attached to a
terminal nitrogen atom which is not substituted by an
alkyl group having ~rom 10 to 24 carbon atoms.
~5~`3~;
-- 14 --
Polyamine species suitable for use herein include:
N-tallowyl,N,N',N'-tris~2-hydroxyethyl)l, 3-pxopanediamine
di-hydrochloride or dibenzoate;
N-soybean alkyl 1,3-propane diammonium sulfate;
N-stearyl~N~N~-di~2-hydroxyethyl)-Nl-~3-hydroxypropyl)
1,3-propanediamine dihydrofloride;
N-cocoyl N,N,N',N',N'-pentamethyl-1,3-propane diammonium
dichloride or di-methosulfate;
N-oleyl N,N',N'-tris (3-hydroxypropyl)-1,3-propanediamine
dihydrofluoride;
N-stearyl N,N',N'-tris(2-hydroxyethyl) N,N'-dimethyl-l,
3-propanediammonium dimethylsulfate;
N-palmityl N,N',N'-tris(3-hydroxypropyl)-1,3-propane-
diamine dihydrobromide;
N-(stearyloxypropyl) N,W',N' tris(3-hydroxypropyl)1,3-
propanediammonium diacetate;
N-tallowyl N-(3-aminopropyl)1,3-propanedi.amine tri-
hydrochloride;
N-oleyl N-/N",N" bis(2-hydroxyethyl)3-aminopropyl/N',N'-
bis(2-hydroxyethyl)1,3 diaminopropane trihydrofluoride;
N-tallowyl diethylene triamine trihydrochloride.
The water-soluble cationic surfactant herein can
also be represented by alkyl pyridinium salts having the
following formula:
12 - N ~ X
wherein R12 is a C10-C24, preferably C16 or C18 alkyl
radical and X is a suitable anion as defined hereinbefore,
preferably a halide, especially chloride or bromide.
It should be understood, of course, that water-soluble
cationic surfactants of the amine-salt class can be added
in the form of the neutral amine followed by pH adjustment
to within the range from about pH4 to about pH8.
,.',.~
~5~
-- 15 --
The Hydrophobic Adjunct
The hydrophobic adjunct is selected from non-cyclic
hydrocarbons, fatty acid esters of monohydric alcohols
and mixtures thereof, each component having a total of
from 10 to 40 carbon atoms. The hydrophobic adjunct
is present in an amount relative to the insoluble cationic
softener and the water-soluble cationic and/or nonionic
surfactant, to provide a dispersion of anisotropic
softener phase in isotropic a~ueous surfactant phase.
The first class of hydrophobic adjunct is represented
by non-cyclic hydrocarbons having from 10 to 40, preferably
from 12 to 24, more preferably from 12 to 20 carbon atoms.
Preferably, hydrocarbons useful in the present invention
are paraffins or olefins, but other materials, such as
alkynes and halo-paraffins, for example myristyl chloride
or stearyl bromide, are not excluded. Materials known
generally as paraffin oil, soft paraffin wax and
petrolatum are especially suitable. Examples of speci-
fic materials are tetradecane, hexadecane, octadecane and
octadecene. Preferred commercially-available paraffin
mixtures include spindle oil and light oil and technical
grade mixtures of C14/C17 and C18/C20 P
The second class of hydrophobic adjunct is rep-
resented by fatty acid esters having a total of 10 to
40 carbon atoms. Preferred materials are esters of
C8-C24 fatty acids with mono-hydri¢ alcohols having
from 1 to 8, especially from 1 to 4 car~on atoms.
The mono-hydric alcohol portion of the ester can
be represented by methanol, ethanol, n-propanol, iso-
propanol, n-butanol, iso-butanol, t-butanol, 2-ethyl-
hexanol and iso-octanol.
Examples of such materials are methyl laurate,
ethyl stearate, isopropyl myristate, isopropyl palmitate.
,,
1.~5~
- 16 -
iso-butyl stearate, isopropylstearate, 2-ethylhexyl
laurate and isooctyl myristate. Of the above, iso-butyl
stearate is highly preferred.
Of all the above, paraffins having from 12 to 20
carbon atoms constitute the preferred adjunct. However,
mixtures of paraffins and fatty acid esters in a 3:1 to
1:3 weight ratio are also effective.
Apart from enhancing the phase stability of the com-
position, the hydrophobic adjunct acts to lower the
viscosity of the composition and because each of the
materials has a long fatty chain, the agent does contribute
to some extent to the softening performance of the com-
position, a feature which is not shared by other known
viscosity control agents, for example electrolytes and low
molecular weight solvent mat~rials. Compositions of the
present invention also have enhanced dispersibility in
cold water and exhibit less dispenser residues than conven-
tional fabric softening composition based solely on a
cationic fabric softener.
Optional Ingredients
In additon to the above-mentioned components; the
compositions may contain other textile treatment or con~
ditioning agents. Such agents include silicones, as
for example described in German Patent Application DOS
26 31 419 published February 3, 1977.
The optional silicone component can be used in an
amount of from about 0.1~ to about 6~, preferably from
0.5% to 2% of the softener composition.
A further optional component of the present compos-
ition is a fatty acid ester of a polyhydric alcohol, for
instance a C12-C22 fatty acid ester of ethylene glycol,
propylene glycol, glycerol, diglycerol, xylitol/ sucrose,
erythritol, pentaerythritol, sorbitol or sorbitan. These
esters, specific examples
,'~'. D . :
l~S~Z~
- 17 -
of which include ethyleneglycol monostearate, propylene-
glycol monostearate, glyceryl monostearate and glyceryl
distearate, can provide an additional softening facility.
However, in as much as such fatty acid esters are
relatively hydrophilic and indeed are emulsifying
materials in their own rights, it is desirable to
include such materials in a level of no more than about
4% by weight or in a weight ratio with re.spect to the
cationic softener of no more than about 2:3.
The compositions herein can contain other optional
ingredients which are known to be suitable for use in
textile softeners at usual levels for their known functions.
Such adjuvants include emulsifiers, perfumes, pre-
servatives, germicides, colorants, dyes fungicides,
stabilizers, brighteners and opaciiers. These adju-
vants, if used, are normally added at their conventional
low levels.
The composition of the invention can also comprise
additional viscosity control agents, such as 1% to 10%
of lower alcohols, especially ethanol and isopropanol,
and electrolytes, for example calcium chloride, at levels
of from 100 to 1000 ppm. It is a feature of the invention,
ho~ever, that such materials can be reduced or eliminated
completely from the instant compositions~
The compositions can normally be prepared by mixing
the ingredients together in water, heating to a tempera-
ture of about 60C and agitating for 5-30 minutes.
The pH of the compositions is generally adjusted to
be in the range from about 3 to about 8, preferably from
about 4 to about 6. In this preferred pH range, i.t will
be understood that the neturalization of amines or poly-
amines in the composition can be incomplete.
When compositions of the p~esent invention are added
to the rinse liquor, a concentration from about 10 ppm
to 1000 ppm, preferably from about 50 ppm to about 500 ppm,
of total active ingredient is appropriate
:~L542~
- 18 -
The following examples illustrate the lnvention.
In the Examples, the following abbreviations are used:
Ditallow dimethyl ammonium chloride DTDMAC
3-methyl-1 (2-tallowylamido)ethyl-2-tallowyl--4,5- DTIM
5 dihydroimidazolinium methosulphate
Tallow trimethyl ammonium chloride MTTMAC
3-methyl-(2-amino)ethyl-2 tallowyl-4,5- MTIM
dihydroimidazolinium methosulphate
Tallow dimet~yl ammonium chloride MTDMAC
10 N-tallowyl-N,N',N'-tris(2-hydroxyethyl)-1,3- MTHPD
propane diamine
Coconut alkyl trimethyl ammonium chloride MCTMAC
Cetyl pyridinium chloride CPC
Condensation product of tallow alcohol with an TAE
15 average of 11 moles of ethylene oxide
Glyceryl monostearate GMS
Examples I to IX
Concentrated liquid fabric so~teners were prepared
having the compositions indicated below, by dispersing
the active ingredients in water at about 60C.
I II II~I IV V VI VII VIII IX
DTDMAC ~ 7.2 7.2 7.2 - 1.8
DTIM 8.0 8.0 8.Q 8.0 - - - 10.0 5.6
MTTMAC - 0~5 - - 1.0 0.8 1.0 - 0.2
25 MTIM - - - - - - - - 1.4
MTDMAC - - - 0~5 - - -
MTHPD 1.0
MCTMAC - - - - 2.5
CPC -- -- O . S
TAEll 1.0 - - 0.5
C14-C17 technical
paraffin 2.5 2.5 - - 2.5 - 4.0 - 2.5
Octadecane - - 2.5 - - 2. 5 - 1.0
Water and minors - to lQ0 - -
The above compositions had good phase stability, low
viscosity, good dispersibility and excellent softening
characteristics compared with compositions containing no
~1S4~C~i
-- 19 -
hydrophobic adjunct or no water-soluble cationic or nonionic
surfactants or with compositions in which the active system
contains a major proportion of hydrophobic adjunct and/or
soluble surfactant.
Examples X to XVII
Concentrated fabric softeners were prepared in
analogous manner with the compositions indicated below.
X XI XII XIII XIV XV XVI XVII
DTDMAC - - - - - 4.0 12.06.0
10 DTIM 12.0 14.5 13.0 13.5 13.07.0 - 6.0
MTTMAC - - - - - 0.5 1.00.5
MTIM 3.0 4.5 3.0 3.5 3.02.0 - 1.0
MTDMAC - - - ~ ~ ~ 4~
MTHPD - - - - - - 1.0
15 MCTMAC - - - - - - - 1.O
CPC - ~ - 2.0
AEll ~ - - _ _ 2.0
Cl~-C17 technical
paraffin 5.0 10.0 4.0 5.0 12.0 - - 3.0
20 Octadecane - - - - - 2.0 - -
Isobutyl
stearate 5.0 - - 6.0 - - 2.0
Isopropyl
palmitate - - - - - 2.0
25 Iso-octyl
stearate - - 4.0
Calcium chloride
(ppm) 500 850
Water, Perfume
30 and minors to 100 -
The above compositions were stable dispersions with low
viscosity, good dispersibility and excellent softening
characteristics compared with compositions containing no
hydrophobic adjunct or soluble surfactant or with compo-
sitions in which the active system contains a majorproportion of the hydrophobic adjunct and/or soluble
surfactant.
,~ i
J ~,
Z~6
- 20 -
EXAMPLES XVIII TO XXIII
Aqueous fabric softening compositions were prepared
according to the following formulae:
XVIII XIX XX XXI XXIIXXIII
DTDMAC 4.5 - 3.5 2.0 2.0 3.0
DTIM - 3.0 - 3.0 2.0
MTTMAC . 5 5
MTIM - O . 6 0 . 3
MTDMAC - - - - - O . 1
MTHPD - -- O . 35
MCTMAC - - - 0.2 -
11 ~ ~ ~ 0 5
C14-C17 technical
paraffin - 1.0 - - 0.5 0.8
Cl8~c20 n-paraffin 1.5 - 0,5
Octadecane - - - 1.5 - -
Isobutyl stearate - - - - 0-5
GMS - - 1 ~ - 0.5
: Water,perfume and
minors To 100 --
The above compositions were stable dispersions with
low viscosity, good dispersibility and excellent softening
characteristics compared with compositions containing no
hydrophobic adjunct or soluble surfactant or with
compositions in which the active systém contains a major
proportion of the hydrophobic adjunct and/or soluble
surfactant.
