Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02344918 2001-04-24
i
13508.1ss
lssf:\work\13c~\13508\SFEC\13508.1ss .
LOW COST FABRIC SOFTENERS FOR RINSE CYCLE
USING TRIGLYCERIDE-BASED :ESTER QUATS
DESCRIPTION
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to fabric
softeners, and more particularly to fabric softener
concentrates and formulations that are added during the
rinse cycle of a laundering process.. Specifically, the
present invention is directed to a -.rinse cycle fabric
softener concentrate that comprises at least one anionic
scavenger and at least one triglyce:ride-based ester
quaternary ammonium (goat) compound. The rinse cycle
fabric softener concentrate of the present invention
provides improved performance, i.e.. softening, dye
transfer inhibition and water dispersibility at a lower
manufacturing cost than heretofore possible with prior
art fabric softeners that are based on quaternized fatty
acid di- or trialkanol amine ester salts.
Background of the Invention
In the field of laundering, it is well known to
add a liquid fabric softener containing at least one
softening agent such as a cationic quaternary ammonium
compound or salt thereof directly into the laundering
process. An example of a typically prior art fabric
softener agent is an ester goat having the following
formula:
CA 02344918 2001-04-24
t
13508.1ss
lssf:\work\~~63\13508\SPEC\13508.1ss
R2
i
- H -O-~-R
R1_C O-(CH2)a N-(C 2)a 1
R3
wherein each R1 is the same or different and is a C~_zl
alkyl; RZ and R3 are the same or different and are
hydrogen', Cl.6hydrocarbyl group or a hydroxy alkyl such as
hydroxy ethyl or hydroxy propyl; anf, a is from 1 to 6,
preferably 2 to 3. The term "hydroca.rbyl" is used herein
to denote aliphatic (i.e., a linear or branched,
saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon group, that is,
alkyl, alkenyl and alkynyl groups), cycloaliphatic, aryl,
alkaryl and aralkyl groups. Salts of the above
illustrated ester goats are also known and have been used
in the capacity as a rinse cycle fabric softening agent.
The prior art ester quats.are typically
prepared by reacting a trialkanol amine,(triethanol
amine) with a fatty acid to produce an ester amine and
thereafter the ester amine is quaternized in the presence
of a quaternization agent such as DMS (dimethyl sulfate)
or methyl chloride to produce the ester goat. Prior art
fabric softener agents produced in the above manner are
generally quite unstable since the reaction sequence
results in the formation of many unwanted by-products.
Moreover, the prior art fabric softener agents produced
utilizing fatty acids are expensive and are oftentimes
unreliable.
The addition of the liquid fabric softener
typically occurs during the rinse cycle itself. Although
some improved softness may arise from the use of prior
-2-
CA 02344918 2001-04-24
13508.1ss
lssf:\aork\1363\13508\SeEC\13508.iss
art fabric softeners, the overall softening performance
of prior art fabric softeners is hindered due to high
levels of residual anionics which are typically present
in the washing liquor; the high level of residual
avionics in the laundry liquor is th.e result of utilizing
detergents that contain a high concentration of anionic
surfactants which are not typically removed prior to. the
rinsing cycle. This is particularly the case in North
America wherein high levels of anionic surfactants are
employed in the detergent, and litt7.e or no rinsing
occurs prior to the addition of the fabric softener.
The hindered softening performance of prior art
fabric softeners can be attributed to the high affinity
that the cationic softening agents have for negatively
charged species and/or surfaces. When high levels of.
avionics are present in the laundering liquor, the
avionics compete with the negatively charged surfaces of
the laundered fabric for the cationic fabric softener
agent and complexation of the avionics and the cationic
fabric softener agent occurs. Complexation of the
avionics with the cationic fabric softener agent is
undesirable since it significantly reduces the overall
amount of fabric softener agent prEa ent in the rinse
cycle which is needed to obtain a Yiigh degree of
softening. Thus, because of the reduced levels of fabric
softener agents in the laundry liquor, prior art fabric
softeners can not achieve a high d<~gree of softness.
In view of the drawbacks mentioned hereinabove
with prior art rinse cycle fabric softeners, there is a
continued need to develop new and improved rinse cycle
-3-
CA 02344918 2001-04-24
13508.1ss
lssf:\work\1363\13508\S~=C\13508.1ss
fabric softener concentrates and formulations that
exhibit improved performance, i.e., softening, dye
transfer inhibition and water dispersibility, at a lower
manufacturing cost than heretofore possible with prior
art fabric softeners that are based on quaternized fatty
acid di- or trialkanol amine ester salts.
Summar of the Invention
The present invention is related to an improved
rinse cycle fabric softener concentrate that comprises a
blend of the following quaternary anunonium compounds:
(i) about 1 to about 50 weight % of at least one anionic
. scavenger; and (ii) about 50 to about 99 weight % of at
least one triglyceride-based ester quat.
The term "triglyceride-based ester quat" is
used herein to denote any ester quat that is produced by
reacting an alkanol amine with a vegetable and/or animal
based fatty oil, i.e., triglyceride., having the formula:
R~-C-O-CH2
R? ~-O-CH
Rs-~-O-CH2
wherein Rl , R2 and R3 are the same or dif f erent and are
linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated, C9-C~1 alkyl
or a Linear or branched C1-C4 alkyl., with the proviso that
at least one of R1, RZ or R3 is a linear or branched C9-C~1
-4-
CA 02344918 2001-04-24
13508.1ss
lss~:\:pork\1363\13508\SP°_C\13508.1ss
alkyl, to produce an ester amine and thereafter
quaternizing the ester amine in the presence of an
alkylating agent. In a preferred embodiment, at least two
of R1, Rz or R' are linear or branched C9-Czl alkyls . In
an even more preferable embodiment of the present
invention, each of R1, R2 or R3 is a linear or branched
C9 - C21 alkyl .
In some embodiments of the present invention,
the triglyceride may be used in conjunction with a fatty
acid having the formula:
R4-COH
'
wherein R4C0 is an aliphatic, linear or branched acyl_
radical containing from 5 to 21 carbon atoms.
The mole ratio of triglyc:eride to alkanol amine
employed in producing the triglyceride-based ester quat
is from about 0.5:1 to about 1.5:1, preferably from about
0.6:1 to about 1:1, and most preferably from about 0.7:1
to about 1:1.
The rinse cycle fabric softener concentrate of
the present invention may be used with conventional
liquid carriers such as water; C1-4 monohydric alcohols;
Cz-to Polyhydric glycols, diols or triols; polyalkenylene
glycols; and mixtures thereof to form a liquid rinse
cycle fabric softener formulation. In'this embodiment of
the present invention, the concentration of the inventive
rinse cycle fabric softener concentrate in the liquid
-5-
CA 02344918 2001-04-24
13508.1ss
lssf:\~~ork\1363\13508\SPEC\13508.1ss
fabric softener formulation is fromabout 2 to about 40
weight %.
The rinse cycle fabric softener concentrate or
liquid fabric softener formulation of the present
invention is used in the rinse cycle of any laundering
process wherein conventional detergents are employed. In
one embodiment of the present invention, the inventive
concentrate or formulation is used in a laundering liquor
wherein the detergent contains a high level of anionic
surfactants present therein. The team "high level of
avionics" refers to a detergent corn;position that contains
at least 10% or more of an anionic surfactant present
therein. The rinse cycle fabric softener formulation of
the present invention is used in an amount of from about
0.05 to about 0.4 weight % of said fabric softener
formulation, per 100 grams of fabric to be laundered.
The inventive rinse cycle fabric softener
concentrate or formulation is effective in preventing dye
transfer and improving the softnesc~ of a laundered
fabric. Moreover, the presence of the anionic scavenger
in the fabric softener increases t:he water dispersibility
of the active agents present in the fabric softener. The
increased water dispersibility results in a higher solids
rinse.cycle fabric softener formulation that contains up
to 25% of softening actives present therein. More
preferably, the rinse cycle fabric: softener formulation
of the present invention contains from about 2 to about
40 % of softening actives present therein.
-6-
CA 02344918 2001-04-24
13508.1ss
lssf:\work\1363\13508\SPEC\13508.1ss
In another embodiment of the present invention,
a clear concentrate is provided. SpE:cifically, the clear
concentrate comprises at least one anionic scavenger and
at least one oil-based ester goat se:Lected from
triglycerides containing unsaturated fatty acids having
0, 1, 2 or 3, preferably 1; double bond and an iodine
value of~from 40 to 150. Examples of such oil-based
ester goats include, but are not limited to: canol,
soybean and other like vegetable oils which are reacted
lQ with an alkanol amine and thereafter quaternized.
r
The clear concentrate can be used to form a
clear formulation containing at least one of the above-
mentioned liquid carriers and optionally a conventional
15 surfactant (anionic, nonionic, amphoteric and/or
zwitterionic) and/or a conventional detergent salt. .
When used in a clear formulation, the
formulation may include up to 65% of softening actives
20 present therein.
Detailed Descrix~tion of 'the Invention
As stated above, the present invention is
25 directed to a rinse cycle fabric softener concentrate and
formulation which include a blend of quaternary ammonium
compounds that comprises at least one anionic scavenger
and at least one triglyceride-based ester goat. The at
least one triglyceride-based ester' goat is used in the
present invention as a cationic softening agent and is
used in place of conventional ester goats that are based
on the reaction of alkanol amines and fatty acids.
_7_
CA 02344918 2001-04-24
13508.1ss
lssf.:\WOr~\1363\13508\SPEC\i3508.1ss
The fabric softener concentrate of the present
invention contains from about 1 to .about 50 weight % of
the at least one anionic scavenger and from about 50 to
about 99 weight % of the at least one triglyceride-based
ester quat. In a preferred ernbodim.ent of the present
invention, the fabric softener concentrate of the present
invention contains from about 2 to about 20 weight % of
the at least one anionic scavenger and from about 80 to
about 98 weight % of the at least one triglyceride-based
ester quat. In a more highly preferred embodiment of the
present invention, the fabric softcsner concentrate of the
present invention contains from about 5 to about 15
weight o of the at least one anionic scavenger and from
about 85 to about 95 weight % of the at least one
triglyceride-based ester quat.
The anionic scavenger~employed in the present
invention is any compound that is capable of increasing
the amount of cationic softening agent present in the
laundry liquor by compleXing with the anionics therein.
Examples of anionic scavengers that can be
employed in the present invention include, but are not
limited to:
(i) Mono-long chain alkyl-containing quaternary
ammonium compounds having. the formula:
~RSN+ (R6) 3~ X.
wherein RS is a Ce_2z alkyl or alkenyl group, preferably
Clo-la alkyl or alkenyl , and even more preferably a Cls.le
-s-
CA 02344918 2001-04-24
. .
.. ., . .
13508.1ss
lssE:\work\1303\13508\SPEC\13508.1ss
alkyl or alkenyl; each R6 is a C1_6 alkyl group, benzyl,
hydrogen or a polyethoxylated chain with from 2 to 20
.oxyethylene units: and X is an anion such as chloride,
bromide, methyl sulfate, ethyl sulfate, formate, acetate,
carbonate, sulfate, nitrate and other like anions
Examples of the above mono-long chain alkyl-
containing quaternary ammonium compounds include, but are
not limited to: monolauryltrimethyl ammonium chloride,
monotallow trimethylammonium chloride and monooleyl
trimethyl ammonium chloride.
The Rs group can also be attached to the
cationic nitrogen atom through a group containing one or
more ester,~amide, ether, amine, etc., linking groups.
Such linking groups are preferably with 1 to 4 carbon
atoms of the nitrogen atom. ,
(ii) Mono-alkyl cationic. C$_ZZ alkyl choline
esters having the formula:
RS-C (p) -p-CH2CHZN+ (R6) 3X_
wherein R5, R6 and X are as defined hereinabove.
Illustrative examples of alkyl choline esters
that can be employed in the present invention include, but
are not limited to: Cli-la coco choline ester and Cls-le
tallow choline ester.
(iii) Poly-duaternary ammonium compounds having
the formula:
-9-
CA 02344918 2001-04-24
13508.1ss
lssfc\'~ar~\1363\13508\S?°-C\13508.1ss
R$ Ra
(Rs_N_R'-N-R9] 2X-
88 R8
wherein R' is substituted or unsubstituted Cz.lz alkylene,
substituted or unsubstituted Cz.lz hy'~roalkylene; each, RB is
independently C1_q alkyl, each R9 is independently C1-zz
alkyl , C3.22 alkenyl , Rlo _ Q _ (CHz~ m- , where Rl° is Cl.zz alkyl ,
C3-zz alkenyl, and mixtures thereof; m is from 1 to 6; Q is
a carbonyl unit; and X is an anion.
(iv) Amide goats having the formula:
R,~_~_N_(CHZ)i-N-(R'8)s T',-
wherein Rl' is a C~.zz alkyl, each ~Rl~' is the same or
different and is a C1.4 alkyl, 1 is from 2 to 6, and X is
p an anion as defined above.
A highly preferred anionic scavenger employed in
the present invention is a polyquat compound having the
formula:
. CHs CHs C~
R"_N_R,2_(N_R,2)X N-CHs nA~
I
CHs CH3 Ct-Is
n
-10-
CA 02344918 2001-04-24
;.: ,:' '. . ,:
13508.1ss
lssf,;\WOrk\1363\13508\S2FC\13508.1ss
wherein Rll is a Clo-a4~ Preferably C16-le; saturatedior 13
unsaturated alkyl, an ether having the formula R OR -
where Rll is as def fined above and R13 is a C1-6 hydrocarbyl
group, preferably R13 is a Cz-4 alkyl, or an amido having
the formula R11C (0) NR14- , where Rll is as def fined above and
R14 is a C -6, pref erably a Cz-3, alkyl .; Rlz is a Cz.lz,
2
pref erably Cz-3. alkyl ; x i s 0 - 5 , pre:E erably 0 to 1 ~ n i s
the number of moles of monovalent anion A to provide a net
zero charge, preferably n is from 2 to 3; and A is a
monovalent anion including, but not limited to: chloride,
bromide, methyl sulfate, ethyl sulfate, formate, acetate,
carbonate, sulfate, nitrate and other like anions,
preferably A is chloride or methylsulfate.
Illustrative examples of suitable polyquats
having Rll equal to a Clo-i4 alkyl include, but are not .
limited to: tallow diquat and tallow triquat. Of these
alkyl-containing polyquats, tallow diquat is most highly
preferred.
Preferred examples of po:Lyquats having Rll equal
to an ether (R110R13 - ) include, but are not limited to
Clz-la ether propyl diquats. Of these ether-containing
polyquats, Cla-is ether propyl diquats are highly preferred.
Illustrative examples of polyquats having R11
equal to amido (R11C (0) NR14- ) include, but are not limited
to: tallow amidopropyl diquat and stearyl amidopropyl
diquat: Of these amido-containing polyquats, stearyl
amidopropyl diquat is preferred.
-11-
CA 02344918 2001-04-24
13508.1ss
lssf:\work\1363\13508\SPEC\13508.1ss
Of the various polyquats mentioned above, tallow
diquat is most highly preferred. VJr~en tallow diquat is
employed, the diquat is typically used in an amount of
from about 5 to about 15 weight % in the rinse cycle
fabric softener concentrate.
As stated above, the anionic scavenger increases
the cationic charge in the laundry liquor by complexing
with any anionic detergent species present therein. The
anionic scavengers described above have a higher charge
density as compared to the triglyceride-based ester goat
present in the blend; therefore, the anionic scavengers
have a higher affinity for complex.ing with the anionics
present in the laundering liquor than the other quaternary
ammonium compound present, i.e., t.riglyceride-based ester
goat, in the rinse cycle fabric softener concentrate..
The triglyceride-based ester,quat of the
inventive fabric softener concentrate includes any ester
2p goat that is produced by reacting an alkanol amine with a
vegetable and/or an animal based :Fatty oil, i.e.,
triglyceride, to produce an ester amine and thereafter
quaternizing the ester amine in t:he presence of an
alkylating agent.
The triglyceride employed in the present
invention in producing the triglyceride-based ester goat
includes compounds having the formula:
-12-
CA 02344918 2001-04-24
13508.1ss
lssf:\work\1363\-3=O$\SpF~\13508.1ss
R~-C-O-CH2
. Rz_C-O-CH
R3-C-O-CH2
wherein Rl, RZ and R3 are the same or differer_t and are
linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated, C9-C21 alkyl
or a linear or branched C1-C4 alkyl, with the proviso that
at least one of R1, RZ or R3 is a linear or branched C9-C21
alkyl. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention,
each R1, RZ and R3 is the same or different and is a C9-C21
alkyl. In an even more preferred embodiment of the
present invention, the triglyceride: used in producing, the
triglyceride-based ester goat is a compound wherein R1 is
a C15-C1; alkyl, Rz is a C15-C17 alkyl., and R3 is a C15-Clz
alkyl.
Highly preferred triglycE~ride-based ester goats
employed in the present invention are partially
hydrogenated canola, partially hydrogenated tallow or
partially hydrogenated palm stearine. When one of these
highly pref erred triglyceride-based ester goats is
employed, it is typically used in an amount of from about
85 to about 95 weight o.
The alkanol amines employed in producing the
3p triglyceride-based ester auat is a compound having the
following formula:
-13-
CA 02344918 2001-04-24
13508.1ss
lssf:\'pork\1363'.13508\SPEC\13508.1ss
R15
HO-(CH2)p N-(CH2)p OH
wherein R15 is a Cl.la alkyl or a - (CHz) pOH group, and p is
from 1 to 6. Illustrative examples c>f suitable alkanol
amines that can be employed in the present invention
include, but are not limited to: triethanol amine and
methyldiethanol amine.
The mole ratio of triglyce:ride to alkanol amine .
employed in producing the triglyceri~de-based ester quat is
from about 0.5:1 to about 1.5:1, preferably from about
0.6:1 to about 1:1, and most preferably from about 0.7:1
to about 1:1.
The alkanol -amine and tric~lyceride are reacted
togther under conventional esterific:ation reaction
conditions that are capable of producing an ester amine.
For example, the esterification reaction may be carried
out at temperature of from about 120°C to about 220°C
under pressures from about 0.01 to about 1 bar. Other
temperatures and pressures may also be used in the present
invention.
The esterification reaction is carried out in
the presence of a conventional estearification catalyst
such as sodium hypophosphite. The catalyst employed in
the esterification reaction is used in a catalytic
ef f ective amount of f rom about 0 . 0:1 to about 0 . 1°0 , by
weight, based on the total weight of starting reactants. A
-14-
CA 02344918 2001-04-24
13508.1ss
lssf:\WOrk\1363\13508\SPEC\13508.1ss
conventional cocatalyst such as an alkaline metal and/or 1
lkaline earth metal may be optionally used in the
a
esterification reaction in amounts of from about 50 to
about 1000 pPm~
Following esterification, the ester amine is
sub'ected to a conventional quaterniz;ation process in, the
7
resence of an alkylating agent such as methyl chlorides
P
dimethyl sulfate, diethyl sulfate, dimethyl carbonate,
diethyl carbonate and other like compounds that are
capable of alkylating the ester amine.
The quaternization reaction employed in the
present invention typically uses a molar ratio of ester
amine to alkylating agent of from about 1:0.95 to about
.
1:1.05, and the reaction may be carried out in the absence
water or in a small amount of so7_vent such as isopropyl
of .
alcohol (IPA
In some embodiments of the pres2nt invention,
the triglyceride may be used in conjunction with a fatty
acid having the formula:,
R4-COH
wherein R4C0 is an aliphatic, linear or branched acyl
radical containing 5 to 21 carbon atoms, preferably 11 to
17 carbon atoms, and 0 and/or 1, 2 or 3 double bonds.
Illustrative examples of fatty acids that fit the above
formula include, but are not limited to: caproic acid,
-15-
CA 02344918 2001-04-24
13508.1ss
lssf:\.cork\1363\13508\SPEC\13508.1ss
caprylic acid, 2-ethyl hexanoic acid, capric acid, lauric
acid, isotridecanoic acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid,
almitoleic acid, stearic acid, isostearic acid, oleic
P
acid, elaidic acid, petroselic acid, :Linoleic acid,
linolenic acid, elaeostearic acid, arachic acid, gadoleic
acid, behenic acid, erucic acid and mixtures thereof
obtained, for example, by the high pressure hydrolysis of
natural fats and oils, in the reduction of aldehydes from
Roelen's oxosynthesis or in the dimerization of
unsaturated fatty acids. Technical fatty acids (or so-
called synthetic fatty acids) containing 12 to 18 carbon
atoms such as coconut oil, palm oil, palm kernel oil or
tallow fatty acids, preferably in hydrogenated or
partially hydrogenated form, are especially preferred in
the present invention.
When a fatty acid is employed, it is typically
used in an amount so that the mole ratio of fatty acid to
alkanol amine is from about 1.5:1 to about 2.7:1, more
preferably, from about 1.7:1 to about 2.5:1. In a highly
preferred embodiment of the present invention wherein a
fatty acid is employed, the mole ratio of fatty acid to
alkanol amine is from about 2:1 to .about 2.2:1.
The rinse cycle fabric softener concentrate of
the resent invention is a blend of the above mentioned
P
quaternary ammonium compounds that is made utilizing
conventional processes that are well known to those
skilled in the art for making f abr~_c sof teners . For
g0 example, the rinse cycle fabric softener concentrate of
the present invention can be made by separately adding
each ingredient to a reaction vessel. Mixing by hand, or
-16-
CA 02344918 2001-04-24
' r
13508.1ss
lss~:\t~ork\1363\13508\SP°C\13508.1ss
with a mechanical mixer is typically carried out to ensure
that a substantially homogeneous min>ture of the components
is obtained. The blend may be made at room temperature
or, if desired, elevated temperatures can be employed.
The ingredients of the blend may be added in a one shot
process, or alternatively the ingredients may be added
dropwise~ or in small incremental amounts.
Alternatively, the rinse cycle fabric softener
concentrate of the present invention may be made by
melting and mixing the individual components together
utilizing melt mixing techniques that are well known to
those skilled in the art.
The rinse cycle fabric softener concentrate of
the present invention may be made :into a liquid fabric
softener formulation by introducing the same into a liquid
carry under high shear mixing conditions. The mixing may
be conducted at room temperature, or alternatively,
temperatures of from 40°C to 90°C can be employed.
Suitable liquid carries that may be employed in
the present invention include, but: are not limited to:
water; C1.4 monohydric alcohols: Ca-to polyhydric glycols,
diols, or triols: polyalkenylene glycols; and mixtures and
combinations thereof.
In embodiments wherein the inventive rinse cycle
fabric softener concentrate is used with a liquid carrier,
the inventive rinse cycle fabric softener concentrate is
present in a concentration of from about 20 to about 40
weight %.
-17-
CA 02344918 2001-04-24
13508.1ss
lssf:\:pork\1363\13508\S°EC\13508.1ss
In addition to liquid carries, the inventive
rinse cycle fabric softener concentrate may be used with
other conveiltional materials that are typically present in
liquid rinse cycle fabric softeners. For example,
brighteners, soil removers, solvotropes, perfumes, dyes,
bactericides, chelating agents, silicones, and the like
may be present iri the liquid fabric softener formulation
of the present invention. The only limitation on the
liquid fabric softener of the present invention is that it
contains at least the inventive rinse cycle fabric
softener concentrate therein. SincE: the rinse cycle
fabric softener concentrate of the present invention is -
capable of efficiently inhibiting dye transfer, there is
no need to add a separate dye trans:Eer inhibition agent
into the inventive liquid rinse cycle fabric softener
formulation.
The rinse cycle fabric-softener concentrate or
formulation of the present invention can be added during
the rinse cycle of a laundering process wherein any
detergent is present in the laundry liquor. That is, the
inventive rinse cycle fabric softener concentrate or
formulation can be added to a laundering liquor that
contains anionic surfactants, non-:ionic surfactants,
amphoteric surfactants, zwitterionic surfactants or any
combinations or mixtures thereof.
In a preferred embodiment of the present
invention, the inventive rinse cycle fabric softener
concentrate or formulation may be used with any
conventional detergent that includes a high level of
anionic surfactants present therein. That is, the rinse
-18-
CA 02344918 2001-04-24
13508.1ss
lssf::\work\1363\13508\SPEC\13508.1ss
cycle fabric softener concentrate or formulation of the
present invention is used with a detergent that contains
from about 10 to about 80 weight % of at least one anionic
surfactant present therein. More preferably, the
detergent contains from about 30 to about 70 weight % of
at least one anionic surfactant present therein.
Suitable anionic surfactants that can be
employed in the detergent composition include water
,soluble salts, preferably the alkali metal, ammonium and
alkylammonium salts of organic sulfuric acid reaction
products having in their molecular structure an alkyl
group containing from about 10 to about 20 carbon atoms
and a sulfonic acid or sulfuric ac~_d ester group.
(Included in the term "alkyl" is the alkyl portions of
acyl groups? .
Some illustrative examples of,the above type of
anionic surfactants are the sodium and potassium alkyl
sulfates, especially those obtained by sulfating higher
C$_18 alcohols, such as those produced by reducing the
glycerides of tallow or coconut oil; and the sodium and
potassium alkylbenzene sulfonates in which the alkyl group
is straight chained or branched, and the alkyl contains
from about 9 to about 15 carbon atoms. The alkylbenzene
sulfonates of the former type are described, for example,
in U.S. Patent Nos. 2,220,.099 and 2,x77,383, the contents
of each reference is incorporated herein by reference.
Especially preferred alkylbenzene sulfonates are
linear straight chain alkylbenzene sulfonates in which the
average number of carbon atoms in the alkyl group is from
-19-
CA 02344918 2001-04-24
13508.1ss
lss~:'\work\1363\13508\SPEC\13508.1ss
about 10 to 15 , abbreviated as Clo-is LAS . The alkal i
salts, particularly the sodium salts of these anionic
surfactants are preferred. Alkylbenzene sulfonates and
processes for producing the same are disclosed, for
example, in U.S. Patent No. 2.220,099 and 2.477.383.
Other anionic surfactants 'that can be employed
in the detergent composition include alkyl alkoxylated
sulfates. These compounds are water-soluble salts or acids
having the formula 8160 (Y) qS03M wherein R16 is an
unsubstituted Clo-z4 alkyl or hydroxyalkyl group having a
Clo.le alkyl or hydroxyalkyl group, Y is an ethoxy or
propoxy unit, q is greater than zero, preferably q is
between about 0.5 and about 6, and Nt is hydrogen or a
water soluble cation which can be, f:or example, a metal
canon (e.g., sodium, potassium, lithium, calcium,
magnesium, etc.), ammonium or substituted-ammonium cation.
Specific examples of substituted ammonium cations include,
but are not limited to: methyl-, ethyl-, dimethyl-,
trimethyl-ammonium and quaternary ammonium cations, such
as tetramethyl-ammonium, dimethyl piperdinum and cations
derived from alkanol amines such as monoethanol amine,
diethanol amine. and triethanol amine, and mixtures
thereof .
Illustrative examples of the foregoing alkyl
alkoxylated sulfates include: Clz-is alkyl polyethoxylate
(1.0) sulfate, Clz-la alkyl polyethoxylate (2.25) sulfate,
Wz-is alkyl polyethoxylate (3.0) su:Lfate, Clz-is alkyl
polyethoxylate (a.0) sulfate, wherein M is sodium or
potassium.
-20-
CA 02344918 2001-04-24
13508.1ss
lssf:\wore\1363\13508\SP~'C\1"s508.1ss
Other anionic surfactants useful in the
detergent composition include sodium alkyl glyceryl ether
sulfonates, particularly those ethers of higher alcohols
derived from tallow and coconut oil; sodium coconut oil
fatty acid monoglyceride sulfonates and sulfates.
Still further anionic surfactants include .
water-soluble salts of esters of alpha-sulfonated fatty
acids containing from about 6 to about 20 carbon atoms in
the fatty acid portion of the compoU.nd and from 1 to about
10 carbon atoms in the ester group; water-soluble salts of
2-acyloxyalkane-1-sulfonic acids containing from about 2
to about 9 carbon atoms in the acyl portion of the
compound and from about 9 to about 23 carbon atoms in the
alkane moiety; water-soluble salts of olefin and paraffin
sulfonates containing from about 12 to about 20 carbon
atoms; and beta-alkyloxy alkane sulf:onates containing from
1 to about 3 carbon atoms in the~alkyl group and from
about 8 to about 20 carbon atoms in the alkane moiety.
In addition to anionic surfactants, the
detergent may optionally include one or more nonionic
surfactants therein. Typical nonionic surfactants that can
be present in the detergent composition include
polyethylene, polypropylene and pol;ybutylene oxide
condensates of alkyl phenols. Other examples of nonionic
surfactants include: condensation products of primary and
secondary aliphatic alcohols, alkylpolysaccharides,
condensation products, of ethylene oxide with a hydrophobic
base formed by the condensation of propylene oxide with
propylene glycol, condensation products of ethylene oxide
with the product resulting from the reaction of propylene
-21-
CA 02344918 2001-04-24
13508.1ss
lssi::\WOrk\1363\13508\SPEC\13508.1ss
oxide and ethylenediamine, and polyh.ydroxy fatty acid
amides.
The detergent may also inc;lude any conventional
amphoteric or zwitterionic surfactant therein. It is
noted the use of the inventive rinse cycle fabric softener
formulation is not limited to a specific type of
detergent, but rather the rinse cyc7_e fabric softener
formulation of the present invention can be used with any
conventional detergent.
In addition to the above ingredients, the y
detergent composition may also include conventional
detergent builders, enzymes, bleaching agents, bleach
activators, polymeric soil release <~gents, chelating
agents, soil release and anti-redeposition agents,
dispersing agents, optical brighteners, whitening agents,
betaines, sultanies and other like components that may be
typically used in laundry detergents. Since all these
compounds are conventional, a detailed description of the
optional components is not provided herein. A detailed
description of these detergent components however can be
found in WO 98/53034, the contents of which is
incorporated herein by reference. .
Operational Us a
The rinse cycle fabric softener concentration or
formulation of the present invention is typically added to
the rinse cycle of a laundry process utilizing
conventional washing temperatures of about 20°C to about
60°C and rinsing temperatures of about 10°C to about
50°C.
The rinse cycle fabric softener concentrate or formulation
-22-
CA 02344918 2001-04-24
13508.1ss
lsst::\work\1363\13508\Se~C\13508.1ss
of the present invention is effective over a wide range of
water hardness levels.
The rinse cycle fabric softener concentrate or
formulation of the present invention may be used in
laundering operations by adding the formulation to a
laundering vessel in amounts that are typically used.
Specifically, the inventive rinse cycle formulation of the
present invention is used in an amount of from about 20 g
to about 120 g solids content of fabric softener with a 3
to 8 pound load of clothing to be washed. The particular
amount of fabric softener used in the rinsing cycle is not '
however critical to the present invention.
The following examples are given to illustrate
the present invention and to demonstrate some advantages
that can be obtained from utilizing_the same.
In the examples, dye transfer inhibition was
determined by measuring the average. delta E utilizing ASTM
Test No. D-5548-94, "Evaluating Color Transfer or Color
Loss of Dyed Fabric in Home Laundry", the content of which
is incorporated herein by reference:. Specifically,
swatches of nylon fabric dyed with Acid Red 151, and
cotton fabric dyed with either Direct Blue 90 or Direct
Blue 1, were washed under standard9_zed, identical
conditions (90 rpm, 40 minutes, about 50°C, water hardness
about 110 rpm) together with a swatch of undyed (white)
cotton fabric (swatches dyed with different dyes were not
'~~t 3p washed together). The washed, dyed and undyed, swatches
were recovered, rinsed in 20°C rinse water and air dried.
-23-
CA 02344918 2001-04-24
13508.1ss
lssf:'\work\1363\13508\SPEC\13508.1ss
The surface reflectance, the redness/greenness,
and the yellowness/blueness, of the white swatches were
measured by a colorimeter both before: and after washing,
under conditions identical for each ~~watch. The total
color difference ("delta E") is calculated from the
following equation:
delta E = ( (LW-Lo) 2 + (aw-a°) 2 + (bW b°) 2) ~
wherein L = reflectance; a = redness,/greenness; b =
yellowness/blueness; w = fabric before washing: and o =
fabric after washing.
A lower delta E value represents less dye
transfer and'thus a better performing product.
Softness was tested by utilizing standard North
American washing conditions. Specifically, a Kenmore
washing machine and a Kenmore electrical dryer were used.
Washing was carried out as follows:
Warm Wash (33°C)
Cold Rinse (11°C)
45 grams of a commercially available anionic-
containing detergent
1700 grams of fabric (Cotton terry towels and
Sheets)
Softener Dosage = 0.25 o based on softener
actives per weight of fabric
Softness was ranked from softest to hardest
using a panel containing 8 members. In the examples, a
ranking of 3 represents the best result.
-24-
CA 02344918 2001-04-24
13508.1ss
lssf:\wor~\1363\13508\e~=~\13508.1ss
EXAMPLE 1
In this example, the softening performance of
various samples were tested utilizing the above procedure.
Specifically, the following three samples were tested:
S~of tening Performance
Sample
Tallow based TEA ester goat from 2.1
a fatty acid; Prior art
TEA ester goat from tallow 1.1
(triglyceride); Prior art
55 % TEA ester goat from tallow 2 .9
(triglyceride) and 15% Tallow
based diquat (Adogen~ 477) (50%
IPA/HZO); Invention
1$
The results in the above table demonstrate that
the inventive rinse cycle fabric softener has improved
softening properties compared to, prior art rinse cycle
fabric softeners.
-25-
CA 02344918 2001-04-24
13508.1ss
lssf:\WOrk\1363\13508\SPEC\13508.1ss
EXAMPLE 2
In this example, the dye transfer inhibition
property of various samples were tested utilizing the
above procedure. Specifically, the following three
samples were tested:
__ -"" -' Delto E
Sample _
_~
Tallow based TEA ester goat from 6.4
talow fatty acid; Prior art
TEA ester goat from tallow 7.5
(triglyceride); Prior art
55% TEA ester goat from tallow 5.0
(triglyceride) and 15% Tallow
based diquat (Adogen~ 477) (50%
IPA/H20); Invention
The results in the above gable demonstrate that
the inventive rinse cycle fabric softener has improved dye
transfer inhibition (representative.by the lower delta E)
compared to prior art rinse cycle fabric softeners.
While the present invention has been
particularly shown and described with respect to preferred
embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those
skilled in the art that the foregos.ng and other changes in
form and detail may be made.without departing from the
spirit and scope of the present invention. It is
therefore intended that the present invention not be
limited to the exact forms~described and illustrated, but
fall within the scope of the appended claims.
-26-
