Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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PCT/1B99/41870
. The use of a peroxygen bleach as a fabricltextile softening agent
Technical Field
The present invention relates to the use of a peroxygen bleach as a
fabricltextile
softening agent in a composition to treat fabrics and/or textiles.
Backaround of the Invention
Carpets produced from synthetic or natural fibers and mixtures thereof are
commonly used in residential and commercial applications as a floor covering.
Various types of fibers can be used in making carpets such as polyamide
fibers,
polyester fibers as well as wool, cotton or even silk in the case of rugs.
However, carpets irrespective of whether they are made from natural or
synthetic fibers are all prone to soiling and staining when contacted with
many
household items. Foods, grease, oils, beverages in particular such as coffee,
tea
and soft drinks especially those containing acidic dyes can cause unsightly,
often dark stains on carpets. Aiso fibers may become soiled as a result of
dirt
particles, clay, dust, i.e., particulate soils in general, coming into contact
with and
adhering to the fibers of the carpet. These latter soils often appear in the
form of
a diffuse layer of soils rather than in the form of spots and tend to
accumulate
particularly in the so called "high traffic areas" such as near doors as a
result of
intensive use of the carpets in such areas. Another major concern in the care
of
carpeting, besides the overall cleaning performance desired for a given
treating
process, is sanitizing. Indeed it is important to reduce or even prevent
microbial
contamination on carpet surfaces. This is especially important in houses with
pets, hotels or in hospitals and other health care facilities, where the
presence of
micro-organisms like bacteria should be kept to a minimum.
CONFIRMATION COPY
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Compositions for the treatment of carpets are already known in the art. For
example carpet cleaning compositions based on surfactants and
polyvinylpyrrolidone as disclosed in EP-A-822 249.
However, such compositions are not fully satisfactory from a consumer
viewpoint. In particular, it is well known from consumer research that
consumers
are often looking for a composition to treat carpets whereby the carpet
surface
feels softer.
It is therefore anasPe~t of the present invention to provide a composition to
treat
carpets that imparts softness characteristics to carpets treated therewith.
It has now been found that the above aspect Can be met by the use of a
peroxygen bleach as a fabric/textile softening ingredient in a composition to
treat
carpets.
An advantage of the compositions according to the present invention is that
they
provide excellent overall cleaning performance. More advantageously, the
compositions according to the present invention provide excellent cleaning
performance, when both used to clean the whole carpet or localized carpet
stains.
Advantageously, excellent cleaning performance is obtained on different types
of stains and soils, including bleachable stains, especially in the so called
"high
traffic areas".
A further advantage of the present invention is that the compositions as
described herein are applicable to all carpet types, especially delicate
natural
fibers, and are also safe to all carpet dye types, particularly sensitive
natural
dyes used therein.
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Another advantage of the present invention is that said softness
characteristics
are also provided to other textiles besides carpets, as for example,
upholstery or
car seat covering, and to fabrics (e. g., clothes, curtains, drapes, bed
linens,
bath linens, table cloths, sleeping bags, tents and the like).
Yet another advantage of the composition as described herein is that they may
be applied directly on the carpet without causing damage to the carpet.
Summary of the Invention
The present invention encompasses the use of a peroxygen bleach as a
fabricltextile softening ingredient in a composition to treat fabrics andlor
textiles
whereby softness characteristics are provided to said fabrics andlor textiles.
Detailed Description of the Invention
The composition
The compositions according to the present invention may be formulated either
as solids or liquids. In the case where the compositions are formulated as
solids
for example as granular compositions or powder compositions, they may be
applied directly on the fabrics and/or textiles, preferably carpets, to be
treated or
they may be diluted before use with an appropriate solvent, typically water.
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Liquid compositions are preferred herein for convenience of use. In the case ,
where the compositions are formulated as liquids including gel and paste form,
the compositions are preferably but not necessarily formulated as aqueous
compositions. Preferred aqueous compositions preferably comprise water in an
amount of from 60% to 98%, more preferably of from 80% to 95% and most
preferably 85% to 90% by weight of the total composition.
The pH of the liquid compositions according to the present invention may
typically be from 1 to 14. In a preferred embodiment, the recommended pH
range is from 1 to 10, preferably between 2 and 8, more preferably between 3
and 7, even more preferably between 4.5 and 7 and most preferably between
3.5 and 6.5. Indeed, it has been surprisingly found that cleaning performance
is
further improved at these preferred pH ranges. Also these preferred pH ranges
contribute to the stability of hydrogen peroxide, when present. Accordingly,
the
compositions herein may further comprise an acid or base or a mixture thereof
to adjust the pH as appropriate.
Preferred acids herein are organic or inorganic acids or mixtures thereof.
Preferred organic acids are acetic acid or citric acid or a mixture thereof.
Preferred inorganic acids are sulfuric acid or phosphoric acid or a mixture
thereof. A particularly preferred acid to be used herein is an inorganic acid
and
most preferred is sulfuric acid.
Typical levels of such acids, when present, are of from 0.01 % to 1.0% by
weight,
preferably from 0.05% to 0.8% and more preferably from 0.1 % to 0.5% by
weight of the total composition.
The bases to be used herein can be organic or inorganic bases. Suitable bases
for use herein are the caustic alkalis, such as sodium hydroxide, potassium
hydroxide and/or lithium hydroxide, and/or the alkali metal oxides such, as
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sodium and/or potassium oxide or mixtures thereof. A preferred base is a
caustic alkali, more preferably sodium hydroxide andlor potassium hydroxide.
Other suitable bases include ammonia, ammonium carbonate and hydrogen
carbonate.
Typical levels of such bases, when present, are of from 0.01 % to 1.0% by
weight, preferably from 0.05% to 0.8% and more preferably from 0.1 % to 0.5%
by weight of the total composition.
Fabric/textile softening ingredient
Peroxygen bleach is used as fabric/textile softening agent in compositions to
treat fabrics and/or textiles, preferably carpets, whereby softness
characteristics
are provided to said fabrics and/or textiles.
Suitable peroxygen bleaches to be used herein are selected from the group
consisting of : hydrogen peroxide; water soluble sources of hydrogen peroxide;
organic or inorganic peracids; hydroperoxides; diacyl peroxides; and mixtures
thereof.
As used herein a hydrogen peroxide source refers to any compound that
produces perhydroxyl ions when said compound is in contact with water.
Suitable water-soluble sources of hydrogen peroxide for use herein are
selected
from the group consisting of percarbonates, perborates and persilicates and
mixtures thereof.
Suitable diacyl peroxides for use herein are selected from the group
consisting
of aliphatic, aromatic and aliphatic-aromatic diacyl peroxides, and mixtures
thereof.
Suitable aliphatic diacyl peroxides for use herein are dilauroyl peroxide,
didecanoyl peroxide, dimyristoyl peroxide, or mixtures thereof. A suitable
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aromatic diacyl peroxide for use herein is for example benzoyl peroxide. A
suitable aliphatic-aromatic diacyl peroxide for use herein is for example
lauroyl ,
benzoyl peroxide. Such diacyl peroxides have the advantage to be particularly
safe to fabrics and color while delivering excellent bleaching performance
when
used in any laundry application.
Suitable organic or inorganic peracids for use herein are selected from the
group
consisting of : persulphates such as monopersulfate; peroxyacids such as
diperoxydodecandioic acid (DPDA); magnesium perphthalic acid; perlauric acid;
perbenzoic and alkylperbenzoic acids; and mixtures thereof.
Suitable hydroperoxides for use herein are selected from the group consisting
of
tert-butyl hydroperoxide, cumyl hydroperoxide, 2,4,4-trimethylpentyl-2-
hydroperoxide, di-isopropylbenzene-monohydroperoxide, tert-amyl
hydroperoxide and 2,5-dimethyl-hexane-2,5-dihydroperoxide and mixtures
thereof. Such hydroperoxides have the advantage to be particularly safe to
fabrics and color while delivering excellent bleaching performance when used
in
any laundry application.
Preferred peroxygen bleaches herein are selected from the group consisting of
hydrogen peroxide; water soluble sources of hydrogen peroxide; organic or
inorganic peracids; hydroperoxides; and diacyl peroxides; and mixtures
thereof.
More preferred peroxygen bleaches herein are selected from the group
consisting of hydrogen peroxide, water soluble sources of hydrogen peroxide
and diacyl peroxides and mixtures thereof. Even more preferred peroxygen
bleaches herein are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen peroxide,
water soluble sources of hydrogen peroxide, aliphatic diacyl peroxides,
aromatic
diacyl peroxides and aliphatic-aromatic diacyl peroxides and mixtures thereof.
,
Most preferred peroxygen bleaches herein are hydrogen peroxide, water soluble
sources of hydrogen peroxide or mixtures thereof.
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Typically, the liquid compositions herein comprise from 0.01 % to 20%,
preferably from 0.5 % to 10%, and more preferably from 1 % to 7% by weight of
the total composition of a peroxygen bleach.
By "softness characteristics" it is meant herein the softening performance as
defined by the softening performance test method as outlined below. The
softness characteristics provided by the use of the composition as described
herein are perceived by the consumers in a variety of different ways, e.g.,
soft
touch, soft feel, soft appearance, soft texture, smoothness, fluffiness,
restored
fluffiness, reduced pungency, reduced roughness, reduced coarseness, reduced
rudeness, a pile rinsing effect and/or a pile-up effect
The softening performance of a composition on fabrics and/or textiles may be
evaluated by the following softening performance 'test method. A composition
comprising the fabric/textile softening ingredient according to the present
invention is first applied in a liquid form, preferably sprayed, onto a 25 cm
* 25
cm piece of carpet, left to act thereon from 1 minute to 1 hour, preferably 30
minutes, after which the carpet is vacuum cleaned with a standard Hoover~
vacuum cleaner for 5 seconds to 15 seconds, preferably 10 seconds.
The above described treatment is repeated for five times and the pieces of
carpets are then evaluated by panelists grading the softness characteristics
in
comparison to the softness characteristics of a similar piece of carpet
treated the
way as described above but with a composition not comprising the
fabricltextile
softening ingredient.
The present invention is based on the finding that when a composition
comprising a fabric/textile softening ingredient as described is used to treat
fabrics andlor textiles, softness characteristics are delivered to the fabrics
and/or
textiles treated with said composition. Softness characteristics can be
observed
after the treatment of fabrics and/or textiles having natural fibers, e.g.,
wool, silk
and/or cotton, as well as synthetic fibers, e.g., polyamide or polyester, or
fabrics
and/or textiles having mixed natural and/or synthetic fibers.
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By "natural fibers" it is meant fibers consisting to the major part of keratin
polypeptides, as for example in wool and in silk, or cellulose molecules, as
for
example in cotton and jute, or other natural fibers having a natural origin,
or
mixtures thereof.
By "fabrics" it is meant clothes, curtains, drapes, bed linens, bath linens,
table
cloths, sleeping bags, tents and the like.
By "textiles" it is meant carpets, rugs, upholstery, car seat coverings and
the like.
Although not wishing to be bound by theory, it has been observed that said
softness characteristics provided to fabrics and/or textiles treated with a
composition described herein may be due to one or more of three speculated
effects caused by the fabricltextile softening ingredient.
The first effect is fiber plasticization caused by the fabric/textile
softening
ingredient. By "fiber plasticization" it is meant that due to its minor
polarity a
peroxygen bleach can easily penetrate between the macromolecules that form
the fabric/textile fibers, temporarily overcoming the intra-molecular
attractions
that tend to hold said macromolecules together, thereby increasing the
mobility
of the polymeric chains of said macromolecules. The first effect can be
observed
in fabrics andlor textiles having natural fibers, fabrics and/or textiles
having
synthetic fibers as well as fabrics and/or textiles having mixed natural and
synthetic fibers.
The second effect is fiber swelling. By "fiber swelling" it is meant that due
to the '
release of molecules in their gas state, preferably oxygen gas, released by a
peroxygen bleach, within fabric/textile fibers, the volume around the
macromolecule is increased. Thereby increasing the macromolecule's mobility,
i.e., providing twisting/translation freedom. The second effect is predominant
in
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fabrics and/or textiles having synthetic fibers and fabrics and/or textiles
having
mixed natural and synthetic fibers.
The third effect is temporary fiber denaturation. By "temporary fiber
denaturation" it is meant that interlintra-molecular bond and/or attractions
connecting fabricltextile fibers, e.g., disulfide bridges connecting cysteine
moieties of keratin proteins making up wool fabrics andlor textiles, are
oxidised
by a peroxygen bleach, preferably due to its oxidising properties, thereby,
temporarily stretchinglbreaking the bonds and/or attractions and resulting in
the
temporary relaxation of said inter/intra-molecular bonds and/or attractions.
Said
temporary relaxation leads to a reversible change in the structure of the
fibers.
The change enables the fibers to move more freely with respect to each other.
The third effect is predominant in fabrics and/or textiles having natural
fibers and
fabrics and/or textiles having mixed natural and synthetic fibers.
Peroxygen bleach is used as a fabric/textile softening ingredient in a
composition to treat fabrics and/or textiles. Preferably peroxygen bleach is
used
as a fabric/textile softening ingredient in a composition to treat textiles as
carpets, rugs, upholstery, car seat coverings and the like. Even more
preferably
peroxygen bleach is used as a fabric/textile softening ingredient in a
composition
to treat carpets, rugs and the like. Most preferably peroxygen bleach is used
as
a fabric/textile softening ingredient in a composition to treat carpets.
The presence of a peroxygen bleach, preferably hydrogen peroxide, also
contributes to the excellent cleaning (especially on bleachable stains) and
sanitizing benefits of the compositions of the present invention.
Indeed, the compositions comprising a peroxygen bleach provide excellent
cleaning performance on diffuse soils (e.g., particulate and/or greasy/oily
stains)
and on other types of stains or soils, i.e., on spot stains like bleachable
stains
(e.g., coffee, beverage, food) and/or enzymatic stains like blood. Said
excellent
cleaning performance is provided on various types of fabrics and/or textiles.
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By "particulate stains" it is meant herein any soils or stains of particulate
nature ,
that can be found on any fabric and/or textile, e.g. clay, dirt, dust, mud,
concrete
and the like.
By "greasy/oily stains" it is meant herein any soils or stains of greasy/oily
nature
that can be found on any fabric and/or textile, e.g., make-up, lipstick, dirty
motor
oil and mineral oil, greasy food like mayonnaise and spaghetti sauce.
By "bleachable stains" it is meant herein any soils or stains containing
ingredients sensitive to bleach that can be found on any fabric and/or
textile,
e.g., coffee or tea.
By "enzymatic stains" it is meant herein any soils or stains of enzymatic
nature
that can be found on any fabric and/or textile, e.g., grass.
The cleaning performance of a given composition on soiled fabrics and/or
textiles, e.g., carpets, may be evaluated by the following test method. A
composition comprising the fabricltextile softening ingredient according to
the
present invention is first applied in a liquid form, preferably sprayed, onto
the
stained portion of a carpet, left to act thereon from 1 to 60 minutes,
preferably
30 minutes, after which the carpet is vacuum cleaned. Typical soils used in
this
test may be grass, dirty motor oil, tea, coffee, dust and/or mayonnaise. The
cleaning performance may be evaluated by visual grading.
Optional ingredients
The compositions herein may further comprise conventional fabricltextile
cleaning ingredients. Preferably the compositions herein may further comprise
a
number of additional compounds such as anti-resoiling agents, surfactants,
stabilising agents, chelating agents, builder systems, radical scavengers,
perfumes, dyes, suds suppressing agents, enzymes, photobleaching agents,
bleach activators and other minors.
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Anti-resoilin aq-aent
As an optional but highly preferred ingredient the compositions according to
the
present invention may comprise an anti-resoiling agent.
Any anti-resoiling agent having the desired anti-resoiling properties may be
used.
By "anti-resoiling properties" it is meant herein that the fabrics and/or
textiles,
preferably carpets, having been cleaned with a composition according to the
present invention, is more effectively cleaned in a subsequent cleaning
operation (e.g., mechanical carpet cleaning, as vacuum cleaning, brushing and
the like; or carpet cleaning by chemical means). Particularly, it is meant
that less
effort and/or less product needs to be applied to the fabrics and/or textiles
to
achieve the same or even a better cleaning versus when the fabrics and/or
textiles are cleaned with a composition not containing an anti-resoifing
agent.
Suitable anti-resoiling agents include anti-resoiling polymers.
Suitable anti-resoiling polymers include polyamine N-oxide polymers.
Suitable polyamine N-oxide polymers for use herein are according to the
following formula : R-Ax-P; containing at least one N-oxide group (N-O group);
wherein : P is a polymerizable unit to which an N-O group can be attached
and/or the N-O group can form part of the polymerizable unit;
A is one of the following structures:
II II
-NC- -CO- -C- -N- -O- -S- .
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xis0or1;
and R is an aliphatic, ethoxylated aliphatic, aromatic, heterocyclic or
alicyclic
group or any combination thereof to which the N-O group can be attached to R
or the nitrogen of the N-O group is part of R.
By "N-O group" it is meant one of the following general structures:
(Rl)X- ~ -(RZ)y; =N-(RI)X
(R3 )Z
wherein R1, R2, R3 are aliphatic, aromatic, heterocyclic or alicyclic groups
or
combinations thereof; x, y and z are 0 or 1; and the nitrogen of the N-O group
can be attached or form part of any of the aforementioned groups.
Any polymerizable unit P can be used as long as the amine oxide polymer .
formed is water-soluble and provides the fabric/textile cleaning composition
with
fabric/textile cleaning and/or fabricltextile anti-resoiling benefits.
Preferred
polymerizable unit P are vinyl, alkylenes, esters, ethers, amides, imides,
acrylates and mixtures thereof. A more preferred polymerizable unit P is
vinyl.
Preferred pofyamine N-oxide polymers are those wherein R is a heterocyciic
group such as pyridine, pyrrole, imidazole, or a derivative thereof, to which
the
nitrogen of the N-O group can be attached or the N-O group is part of these
groups. Most preferred polyamine N-oxide polymers are those wherein R is a
pyridine. '
The poiyamine N-oxide polymer can be obtained in almost any degree of
polymerization. Typically, the average molecular weight is within the range of
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1,000 to 100,000; more preferred 5,000 to 100,000; most preferred 5,000 to
25,000.
Suitable polyamine N-oxide polymer are polyvinyl pyridine-N-oxide polymers
wherein : the polymerizable unit P is vinyl; x=0; and R is pyridine wherein
the
nitrogen of the N-O group is part of.
Suitable poly vinyl pyridine-N-oxide polymers are commercially available from
Hoechst under the trade name of Hoe S 4268~, and from Reiliy Industries Inc.
under the trade name of PVNO.
Suitable anti-resoiiing polymers also include soil suspending polycarboxylate
polymers or a soil suspending polyamine polymers.
Any soil suspending polycarboxylate polymer known to those skilled in the art
can be used according to the present invention such as homo- or co-polymeric
polycarboxylic acids or their salts including polyacrylates and copolymers of
malefic anhydride or/and acrylic acid and the like. Indeed, such soil
suspending
polycarboxylate polymers can be prepared by polymerizing or copolymerizing
suitable unsaturated monomers, preferably in their acid form. Unsaturated
monomeric acids that can be polymerized to form suitable polymeric
polycarboxylates include acrylic acid, malefic acid (or malefic anhydride),
fumaric
acid, itaconic acid, aconitic acid, mesaconic acid, citraconic acid and
methylenemalonic acid. The presence in the polymeric polycarboxylates herein
of monomeric segments, containing no carboxylate radicals such as vinylmethyl
ether, styrene, ethylene, etc. is suitable provided that such segments do not
' constitute more than 40% by weight.
Particularly suitable polymeric polycarboxylates to be used herein can be
derived from acrylic acid. Such acrylic acid-based polymers which are useful
herein are the water-soluble salts of polymerized acrylic acid. The average
molecular weight of such polymers in the acid form preferably ranges from
2,000
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to 10,000, more preferably from 4,000 to 7,000 and most preferably from 4,000
to 5,000. Water-soluble salts of such acrylic acid polymers can include, for
example, the alkali metal, ammonium and substituted ammonium salts. Soluble
polymers of this type are known materials. Use of polyacrylates of this type
in
detergent compositions has been disclosed, for example, in Diehl, U.S. Patent
3,308,067, issued March 7, 1967.
Acryliclmaleic-based copolymers may also be used as a preferred soil
suspending polycarboxylic polymer. Such materials include the water-soluble
salts of copolymers of acrylic acid and malefic acid. The average molecular
weight of such copolymers in the acid form preferably ranges from 2,000 to
100,000, more preferably from 5,000 to 75,000, most preferably from 7,000 to
65,000. The ratio of acrylate to maleate segments in such copolymers will
generally range from 30:1 to 1:1, more preferably from 10:1 to 2:1. Water-
soluble salts of such acrylic acid/maleic acid copolymers can include, for
example, the alkali metal, ammonium and substituted ammonium salts. Soluble
acrylate/maleate copolymers of this type are known materials which are
described in European Patent Application No. 66915, published December 15,
1982. Particularly preferred is a copolymer of malefic / acrylic acid with an
average molecular weight of 70,000. Such copolymers are commercially
available from BASF under the trade name SOKALAN~ CP5.
Any soil suspending polyamine polymer known to those skilled in the art may
also be used herein. Particularly suitable polyamine polymers for use herein
are
alkoxylated polyamines. Such materials can conveniently be represented as
molecules of the empirical structures with repeating units
[N R] n Amine form
(alkoxy)y
and
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R1
[N+ R] n nX- Quaternized form
(alkoxy)y
wherein R is a hydrocarbyl group, usually of 2-6 carbon atoms; R1 may be a C1-
C2p hydrocarbon; the alkoxy groups are ethoxy, propoxy, and the like, and y is
2-30, most preferably from 10-20; n is an integer of at least 2, preferably
from 2-
20, most preferably 3-5; and X- is an anion such as halide or methylsulfate,
resulting from the quaternization reaction.
The most highly preferred polyamines for use herein are the so-called
ethoxylated polyethylene amines, i.e., the polymerized reaction product of
ethylene oxide with ethyleneimine, having the general formula
(Et0)y [N CH2 CHI n N (Et0)y
I I
(Et0)y (Et0)y
when y = 2-30, preferably 15 and n is 1-30 preferably 4. Particularly
preferred for
use herein is an ethoxylated polyethylene amine, in particular ethoxylated
tetraethylenepentamine, and quaternized ethoxylated hexamethylene diamine.
Other suitable anti-resoiling polymers include those anti-resoiling polymers
having: (a) one or more nonionic hydrophile components consisting essentially
of (i) polyoxyethylene segments with a degree of polymerization of at least 2,
or
(ii) oxypropylene or polyoxypropylene segments with a degree of polymerization
of from 2 to 10, wherein said hydrophile segment does not encompass any
oxypropylene unit unless it is bonded to adjacent moieties at each end by
ether
linkages, or (iii) a mixture of oxyalkylene units comprising oxyethylene and
from
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1 to about 30 oxypropylene units wherein said mixture contains a sufficient
amount of oxyethylene units such that the hydrophile component has
hydrophilicity great enough to increase the hydrophilicity of conventional
polyester synthetic fiber surfaces upon deposit of the soil release agent on
such
surface, said hydrophile segments preferably comprising at least about 25%
oxyethylene units and more preferably, especially for such components having
about 20 to 30 oxypropylene units, at least about 50% oxyethylene units; or
(b)
one or more hydrophobe components comprising (i) Cg oxyalkylene
terephthalate segments, wherein, if said hydrophobe components also comprise
oxyethylene terephthalate, the ratio of oxyethylene terephthalate: Cg
oxyalkylene terephthalate units is about 2:1 or lower, (ii) C4-Cg alkylene or
oxy
C4-Cg alkylene segments, or mixtures therein, (iii} poly (vinyl ester)
segments,
preferably polyvinyl acetate), having a degree of polymerization of at least
2, or
(iv) C1-Cq, alkyl ether or C4 hydroxyalkyl ether substituents, or mixtures
therein,
wherein said substituents are present in the form of C1-C4 alkyl ether or C4
hydroxyalkyl ether cellulose derivatives, or mixtures therein, and such
cellulose
derivatives are amphiphilic, whereby they have a sufficient level of C1-C4
alkyl
ether and/or C4 hydroxyalkyl ether units to deposit upon conventional
polyester
synthetic fiber surfaces and retain a sufficient level of hydroxyls, once
adhered
to such conventional synthetic fiber surface, to increase fiber surface
hydrophilicity, or a combination of (a) and (b).
Typically, the polyoxyethylene segments of (a)(i) will have a degree of
polymerization of from about 1 to about 200, although higher levels can be
used,
preferably from 3 to about 150, more preferably from 6 to about 100. Suitable
oxy C4-Cg alkylene hydrophobe segments include, but are not limited to, end-
caps of polymeric soil release agents such as M03S(CH2)nOCH2CH20-, where
M is sodium and n is an integer from 4-6, as disclosed in U.S. Patent
4,721,580,
issued January 26, 1988 to Gosselink.
Anti-resoiling polymers useful in the present invention also include
cellulosic
derivatives such as hydroxyether cellulosic polymers, co-polymeric blocks of
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17
ethylene terephthalate or propylene terephthalate with polyethylene oxide or
polypropylene oxide terephthalate, and the like. Such anti-resoiling polymers
are
commercially available and include hydroxyethers of cellulose such as
METHOCEL~ (Dow). Cellulosic anti-resoiling polymers for use herein also
include those selected from the group consisting of C1-C4 alkyl and C4
hydroxyalkyl cellulose; see U.S. Patent 4,000,093, issued December 28, 1976 to
Nicol, et al.
Anti-resoiling polymers characterised by polyvinyl ester) hydrophobe segments
include graft co-polymers of polyvinyl ester), e.g., C1-Cg vinyl esters,
preferably
polyvinyl acetate) grafted onto polyalkylene oxide backbones, such as
polyethylene oxide backbones. See European Patent Application 0 219 048,
published April 22, 1987 by Kud, et al. Commercially available anti-resoiling
polymers of this kind include the SOKALAN type of material, e.g., SOKALAN
HP-22~, available from BASF.
One type of preferred anti-resoiling polymers is a co-polymer having random
blocks of ethylene terephthalate and polyethylene oxide (PEO) terephthalate.
The molecular weight of this anti-resoiling polymers is in the range of from
about
25,000 to about 55,000. See U.S. Patent 3,959,230 to Hays, issued May 25,
1976 and U.S. Patent 3,893,929 to Basadur issued July 8, 1975.
Another preferred anti-resoiling polymers is a polyester with repeat units of
ethylene terephthalate units which contains 10-15% by weight of ethylene
terephthalate units together with 90-80% by weight of polyoxyethylene
terephthalate units, derived from a polyoxyethylene glycol of average
molecular
weight 300-5,000. Examples of this polymer include the commercially available
material ZELCON 512fi~ (from Dupont) and MILEASE T~ (from ICI). See also
U.S. Patent 4,702,857, issued October 27, 1987 to Gosselink.
Another preferred anti-resoiling polymers agent is a sulfonated product of a
substantially linear ester oligomer comprised of an oligomeric ester backbone
of
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18
terephthaioyl and oxyalkyleneoxy repeat units and terminal moieties covalently
attached to the backbone. These anti-resoiling polymers are fully described in
U.S. Patent 4,968,451, issued November 6, 1990 to J.J. Scheibel and E.P.
Gosselink. Other suitable anti-resoiling polymers include the terephthalate
polyesters of U.S. Patent 4,711,730, issued December 8, 1987 to Gosselink et
al, the anionic end-capped oligomeric esters of U.S. Patent 4,721,580, issued
January 26, 1988 to Gosselink, and the block polyester oligomeric compounds
of U.S. Patent 4,702,857, issued October 27, 1987 to Gosselink.
Preferred anti-resoiling polymers also include the soil release agents of U.S.
Patent 4,877,896, issued October 31, 1989 to Maldonado et al, which discloses
anionic, especially sulfoaroyl, end-capped terephthalate esters.
Still another preferred anti-resoiling agent is an oligomer with repeat units
of
terephthaloyl units, sulfoisoterephthaloyl units, oxyethyleneoxy and oxy-1,2-
propylene units. The repeat units form the backbone of the oligomer and are
preferably terminated with modified isethionate end-caps. A particularly
preferred anti-resoiling agent of this type comprises about one
sulfoisophthaloyf
unit, 5 terephthaloyl units, oxyethyleneoxy and oxy-1,2-propyleneoxy units in
a
ratio of from about 1.7 to about 1.8, and two end-cap units of sodium 2-(2-
hydroxyethoxy)-ethanesulfonate. Said anti-resoiling agent also comprises from
about 0.5% to about 20%, by weight of the oligomer, of a crystalline-reducing
stabilizer, preferably selected from the group consisting of xylene sulfonate,
cumene sulfonate, toluene sulfonate, and mixtures thereof. See U.S. Pat. No.
5,415,807, issued May 16, 1995, to Gosselink et al.
The liquid compositions may comprise from 0.01 % to 10%, preferably from
0.01 % to 5%, and more preferably from 0.05% to 2% by weight of the total
composition of an anti-resoiling agent.
A preferred anti-resoiling agent is a anti-resoiling polymer. A more preferred
anti-
resoiling agent is a polyamine N-oxide polymer. An even more preferred anti-
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19
resoiling agent is a polyvinyl pyridine-N-oxide polymer. The most preferred
anti-
resoiling agent useful in the compositions herein is poly(4-vinylpyridine-N-
oxide).
The addition of an anti-resoiling agent in the compositions herein enhances
the
anti-resoiling properties of the compositions. Additionally, the anti-
resoiling
agents, when present, further contribute to the excellent overall cleaning
performance of the present invention.
Volatile organic compounds
As an optional but highly preferred ingredient the compositions according to
the
present invention may comprise a volatile organic compound (VOC).
Typically, the compositions herein may comprise up to 90%, preferably from
0.1 % to 20%, more preferably from 0.5% to 10% and most preferably from 1
to 5% by weight of the total composition of a volatile organic compound.
Suitable volatile organic compounds for use herein include aliphatic and/or
aromatic alcohol, glycol ethers and/or derivatives thereof, polyol and
mixtures
thereof.
Suitable aromatic alcohols to be used herein are according to the formula R1-
OH wherein R1 is an alkyl substituted or non-alkyl substituted aryl group of
from
1 to 20, preferably from 2 to 15 and more preferably from 2 to 10 carbon
atoms.
A suitable aromatic alcohol to be used herein is benzyl alcohol.
Suitable aliphatic alcohols to be used herein are according to the formula R2-
OH
wherein R2 is a linear or branched saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon chain
of from 1 to 20, preferably from 1 to 10 and more preferably from 2 to 6
carbon
atoms. Highly preferred herein are aliphatic alcohols with 2 to 4 carbon atoms
and most preferably 4 carbon atoms, or mixtures thereof. Suitable aliphatic
alcohols to be used herein include linear alcohol like 2-octanol, decanol,
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isopropyl alcohol, propyl alcohol, ethanol and/or methanol. Highly preferred
herein are ethanol, isopropyl alcohol or a mixture thereof.
Ethanol may be commercially available from Eridania Italia under its chemical
name.
Isopropanol may be commercially available from Merck/BDH Italia under its
chemical name.
Suitable glycol ethers and/or derivatives thereof to be used herein include
monoglycol ethers and/or derivatives thereof, polyglycol ethers and/or
derivatives thereof and mixtures thereof.
Suitable monoglycol ethers and derivatives thereof to be used herein include n-
buthoxypropanol (n-BP), water-soluble CELLOSOLVE~ solvents or mixtures
thereof. Preferred Cellosolve~ solvents include propoxy ethyl acetate salt
(i.e.,
Propyl Cellosolve acetate salt~), ethanol-2-butoxy phosphate salt (i.e., Butyl
Cellosolve phosphate salt~), 2-(Hexyloxy)ethanol (i.e., 2-hexyl Cellosolve~),
2-
ethoxy ethanol (i.e., 2-ethyl Cellosolve~), 2-butoxyethanol (i.e., 2-buthyl
Cellosolve~) or mixtures thereof.
Suitable polyglycol ethers and derivatives thereof to be used herein include n-
butoxypropoxypropanol (n-BPP), butyl triglycol ether (BTGE), butyl diglycol
ether
(BDGE), water-soluble CARBITOL~ solvents or mixtures thereof.
Preferred water-soluble CARBITOL~ solvents are compounds of the 2-(2-
alkoxyethoxy)ethanol class, 2-(2-alkoxyethoxy)propanol class and/or 2-(2-
alkoxyethoxy)butanol class wherein the alkoxy group is derived from ethyl, ,
propyl or butyl. A preferred water-soluble carbitol is 2-(2-
butoxyethoxy)ethanol
also known as butyl carbitol~.
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Preferred glycol ethers and/or derivatives thereof are 2-ethoxyethanol, 2-
butoxyethanol, n-butoxypropoxypropanol, butyl carbitol~ or mixtures thereof.
Suitable polyol solvents to be used herein are the polyols having at least 2
hydroxyl groups (-OH) like diols. Suitable diols to be used herein include 2-
ethyl-
1,3-hexanediol, 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol, methyl-2,4 pentanediol or
mixture thereof.
The volatile organic compounds, when present, further contribute to the
excellent overall cleaning performance of the present invention. Additionally,
their addition in the compositions herein also enhances the sanitising
properties
of the compositions.
Surfactants
Preferred compositions according to the present invention typically comprise a
surfactant or a mixture thereof.
Typically, the compositions herein may comprise from up to 50%, preferably
from 0.1 % to 20%, more preferably from 0.5% to 10% and most preferably from
1 % to 5% by weight of the total composition of a surfactant.
Such surfactants may be selected from those well known in the art including
anionic, nonionic, zwitterionic, amphoteric and cationic surfactants and
mixtures
thereof.
Particularly suitable surfactants to be used herein are anionic surfactants.
Said
anionic surfactants are preferred herein as they further contribute to the
outstanding stain removal performance of the compositions of the present
invention on various types of stains. Moreover they do not stick onto fabrics
and/or textiles, thereby reducing resoiling.
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Suitable anionic surfactants include sarcosinate surfactants, alkyl sulfate
surfactants, alkyl sulphonate surfactants, alkyl glycerol sulfate surfactants
and
alkyl glycerol sulphonate surfactants.
Suitable sarcosinate surfactants to be used herein include acyl sarcosinate or
mixtures thereof, in its acid and/or salt form, preferably long chain acyl
sarcosinates having the following formula:
O
OM
R N II
CH3 O
wherein M is hydrogen or a cationic moiety and wherein R is an alkyl group of
from 11 to 15 carbon atoms, preferably of from 11 to 13 carbon atoms.
Preferred
M are hydrogen and alkali metal salts, especially sodium and potassium. Said
acyl sarcosinate surfactants are derived from natural fatty acids and the
amino-
acid sarcosine (N-methyl glycine). They are suitable to be used as aqueous
solution of their salt or in their acidic form as powder. Being derivatives of
natural
fatty acids, said acyl sarcosinates are rapidly and completely biodegradable
and
have good skin compatibility.
Accordingly, particularly preferred long chain acyl sarcosinates to be used
herein
include C12 acyl sarcosinate, i.e., an acyl sarcosinate according to the above
formula wherein M is hydrogen and R is an alkyl group of 11 carbon atom,
Sodium N-Lauroyl Sarcosinate, i.e., an acyl sarcosinate according to the above
formula wherein M is sodium and R is an alkyl group of 11 carbon atom, and
C14 acyl sarcosinate (i.e., an acyl sarcosinate according to the above formula
wherein M is hydrogen and R is an alkyl group of 13 carbon atoms). Sodium N-
Lauroyl Sarcosinate is commercially available, for example, as Hamposyl L-30~
supplied by Hampshire or Crodasinic LS30~ supplied by Croda. C14 acyl
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sarcosinate is commercially available, for example, as Hamposyl M-30~
supplied by Hampshire or Crodasinic MS30~ supplied by Croda.
Suitable alkyl sulphonates for use herein include water-soluble salts or acids
of
the formula RSOgM wherein R is a Cg-C20 linear or branched, saturated or
unsaturated alkyl group, preferably a Cg-C1g alkyl group and more preferably a
C10-C16 alkyl group, and M is H or a cation, e.g., an alkali metal cation
(e.g.,
sodium, potassium, lithium), or ammonium or substituted ammonium (e.g.,
methyl-, dimethyl-, and trimethyl ammonium cations and quaternary ammonium
cations, such as tetramethyl-ammonium and dimethyl piperdinium cations and
quaternary ammonium cations derived from alkylamines such as ethylamine,
diethylamine, triethylamine, and mixtures thereof, and the like).
An example of a C14-C16 alkyl sulphonate is Hostapur~ SAS available from
Hoechst.
Suitable alkyl sulphate surfactants for use herein are according to the
formula
R1 S04M wherein R1 represents a hydrocarbon group selected from the group
consisting of straight or branched alkyl radicals containing from 6 to 20,
preferably 8 to 18, more preferably 10 to 16 carbon atoms and alkyl phenyl
radicals containing from 6 to 18 carbon atoms in the alkyl group. M is H or a
cation, e.g., an alkali metal cation (e.g., sodium, potassium, lithium,
calcium,
magnesium and the like) or ammonium or substituted ammonium (e.g., methyl-,
dimethyl-, and trimethyl ammonium cations and quaternary ammonium cations,
such as tetramethyl-ammonium and dimethyl piperdinium cations and
quaternary ammonium cations derived from alkylamines such as ethylamine,
diethylamine, triethylamine, and mixtures thereof, and the like).
By "linear alkyl sulphate or sulphonate" it is meant herein a non-substituted
alkyl
sulphate or sulphonate wherein the alkyl chain comprises from 6 to 20 carbon
atoms, preferably from 8 to 18 carbon atoms, and more preferably from 10 to 16
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carbon atoms, and wherein this alkyl chain is sulphated or sulphonated at one
terminus.
By "branched sulphonate or sulphate", it is meant herein an alkyl chain having
from 6 to 20 total carbon atoms, preferably from 8 to 18 total carbon atoms,
and
more preferably from 10 to 16 total carbon atoms, wherein the main alkyl chain
is substituted by at least another alkyl chain, and wherein the alkyl chain is
sulphated or sulphonated at one terminus.
Particularly preferred branched alkyl sulphates to be used herein are those
containing from 10 to 14 total carbon atoms like Isalchem 123 AS~. Isalchem
123 AS~ commercially available from Enichem is a C12-13 surfactant which is
94% branched. This material can be described as CH3-(CHZ)m-
CH(CH20S03Na}-(CH2)~ CH3 where n+m=8-9. Also preferred alkyl sulphates
are the alkyl sulphates where the alkyl chain comprises a total of 12 carbon
atoms, i.e., sodium 2-butyl octyl sulphate. Such alkyl sulphate is
commercially
available from Condea under the trade name Isofol~ 12S. Particularly suitable
liner alkyl sulphonates include C12-C1 g paraffin sulphonate like Hostapur
SAS commercially available from Hoechst.
Suitable nonionic surfactants include amine oxide surfactants. Suitable amine
oxide surfactants are according to the formula R1 R2R3N0, wherein each of R1,
R2 and R3 is independently a saturated substituted or unsubstituted, linear or
branched alkyl groups of from 1 to 30 carbon atoms, preferably of from 1 to 20
carbon atoms, and mixtures thereof.
Particularly preferred amine oxide surfactants to be used according to the
present invention are amine oxide surfactants having the following formula
R1 R2R3N0 wherein R1 is a saturated linear or branched alkyl group of from 1
to 30 carbon atoms, preferably of from 6 to 20 carbon atoms, more preferably
of
from 6 to 16 carbon atoms, and wherein R2 and R3 are independently
substituted or unsubstituted, linear or branched alkyl groups of from 1 to 4
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carbon atoms, preferably of from 1 to 3 carbon atoms, and more preferably are
methyl groups. Preferred amine oxide surfactants used herein are pure-cut
amine oxide surfactants, i.e., a pure single amine oxide surfactant, e.g. Cg
N,N-
dimethyl amine oxide, as opposed to mixtures of amine oxide surfactants of
different chain lengths
Suitable amine oxide surfactants for use herein are for instance pure cut Cg
amine oxide, pure cut C10 amine oxide, pure cut C14 amine oxide, natural blend
Cg-C10 amine oxides as well as natural blend C12-C16 amine oxides. Such
amine oxide surfactants may be commercially available from Hoechst or
Stephan.
Suitable nonionic surfactants for use herein also include any ethoxylated Cg-
C24 fatty alcohol nonionic surfactant, alkyl propoxylates and mixtures
thereof,
fatty acid Cg-C24 alkanolamides, Cg-C20 polyethylglycol ethers, polyethylene
glycol with molecular weight 1000 to 80000 and glucose amides, alkyl
pyrrolidones.
Suitable cationic surfactants for use herein include quaternary ammonium
compounds of the formula R1 R2R3R4N+ where R1,R2 and R3 are methyl
groups, and Rq, is a C12-15 alkyl group, or where R1 is an ethyl or hydroxy
ethyl
group, R2 and R3 are methyl groups and R4 is a C12-15 alkyl group.
Suitable zwitterionic surfactants are zwitterionic betaine surfactants.
Suitable
zwitterionic betaine surfactants for use herein contain both a cationic
hydrophilic
group, i.e., a quaternary ammonium group, and anionic hydrophilic group on the
same molecule at a relatively wide range of pH's. The typical anionic
hydrophilic
groups are carboxylates and sulphonates, although other groups like sulfates,
phosphonates, and the like can be used. A generic formula for the zwitterionic
betaine surfactant to be used herein is
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26
R1-N+(R2)(R3)R4X_
wherein R1 is a hydrophobic group; R2 is hydrogen, C1-Cg alkyl, hydroxy alkyl
or other substituted C1-Cg alkyl group; R3 is C1-Cg alkyl, hydroxy alkyl or
other
substituted C1-C6 alkyl group which can also be joined to R2 to form ring
structures with the N, or a C1-C6 sulphonate group; R4 is a moiety joining the
cationic nitrogen atom to the hydrophilic group and is typically an alkylene,
hydroxy alkylene, or polyalkoxy group containing from 1 to 10 carbon atoms;
and
X is the hydrophilic group, which is a carboxylate or sulphonate group.
Preferred hydrophobic groups R1 are aliphatic or aromatic, saturated or
unsaturated, substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbon chains that can contain
linking groups such as amido groups, ester groups. More preferred R1 is an
alkyl group containing from 1 to 24, preferably from 8 to 18, and more
preferably
from 10 to 16 carbon atoms. These simple alkyl groups are preferred for cost
and stability reasons. However, the hydrophobic group R1 can also be an amido
radical of the formula Ra-C(O)-NH-(C(Rb)2)m, wherein Ra is an aliphatic or
aromatic, saturated or unsaturated, substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbon
chain, preferably an alkyl group containing from 8 up to 20, preferably up to
18,
more preferably up to 16 carbon atoms, Rb is selected from the group
consisting
of hydrogen and hydroxy groups, and m is from 1 to 4, preferably from 2 to 3,
more preferably 3, with no more than one hydroxy group in any (C(Rb)2) moiety.
Preferred R2 is hydrogen, or a C1-C3 alkyl and more preferably methyl.
Preferred R3 is C1-C4 sulphonate group, or a C1-C3 alkyl and more preferably
methyl. Preferred R4 is (CH2)n wherein n is an integer from 1 to 10,
preferably
from 1 to 6, more preferably is from 1 to 3.
Some common examples of betaine/sulphobetaine are described in U.S. Pat.
Nos. 2,082,275, 2,702,279 and 2,255,082, incorporated herein by reference.
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Examples of particularly suitable alkyldimethyl betaines include coconut-
dimethyl
betaine, lauryl dimethyl betaine, decyl dimethyl betaine, 2-(N-decyl-N, N-
dimethyl-ammonia)acetate, 2-(N-coco N, N-dimethylammonio) acetate, myristyl
dimethyl betaine, palmityl dimethyl betaine, cetyl dimethyl betaine, stearyl
dimethyl betaine. For example Coconut dimethyl betaine is commercially
available from Seppic under the trade name of Amonyl 265~. Lauryl betaine is
commercially available from Albright & Wilson under the trade name Empigen
BB/L~.
Examples of amidobetaines include cocoamidoethylbetaine, cocoamidopropyl
betaine or C1p-C14 fatty acylamidopropylene(hydropropylene)sulfobetaine. For
example C1p-C14 fatty acylamidopropylene(hydropropylene)sulfobetaine is
commercially available from Sherex Company under the trade name "Varion
CAS~ sulfobetaine".
A further example of betaine is Lauryl-immino-dipropionate commercially
available from Rhone-Poulenc under the trade name Mirataine H2C-HA~.
A preferred surfactant for use herein is an anionic surfactant or a
zwitterionic
surfactant or a mixture thereof, a more preferred surfactant is a sarcosinate
surfactant, an alkyl sulphonate surfactant, an alkyl sulphate surfactant, an
alkyl
glycerol sulphate surfactant, an alkyl glycerol sulphonate surfactant or a
zwitterionic betaine surfactant and mixtures thereof, an even more preferred
surfactant is a sarcosinate surfactant, an alkyl sulphonate surfactant, an
alkyl
sulphate surfactant, or a zwitterionic betaine surfactant and mixtures
thereof,
and the most preferred surfactant herein is an alkyl sarcosinate surfactant.
It has been found that N-vinyl polymers andlor polyamine N-oxide polymers,
when present, as described herein can increase the activity of surfactants,
preferably anionic surfactants and/or zwitterionic surfactants, most
preferably
sarcosinate surfactants, when present. Said increase in activity is thought to
be
due to an interaction of the N-vinyl polymer and/or polyamine N-oxide polymer
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28
and a surfactant, preferably an anionic surfactant and/or a zwitterionic
surfactant, most preferably a sarcosinate surfactant. Said increase in
activity
further contributes to the overall cleaning performance of the compositions
herein.
Stabilizing agents
The compositions of the present invention may further comprise a stabilizing
agent selected from the group consisting of hydroxy pyridine N-oxides or
derivatives thereof and mixtures thereof.
Suitable hydroxy pyridine N-oxides or derivatives thereof are according to the
following formula:
I
wherein X is nitrogen, Y is one of the following groups oxygen, -CHO, -OH, -
(CH2)n-COOH, wherein n is an integer of from 0 to 20, preferably of from 0 to
10
and more preferably is 0, and wherein Y is preferably oxygen. Accordingly
particularly preferred hydroxy pyridine N-oxides or derivatives thereof to be
used
herein is 2-hydroxy pyridine N-oxide.
Hydroxy pyridine N-oxides or derivatives thereof may be commercially available
from Sigma.
Typically, the compositions herein may comprise up to 2%, preferably from
0.001 % to 1 % and more preferably from 0.001 % to 0.5% by weight of the total
composition of a hydroxy pyridine N-oxide or derivatives thereof or mixtures
thereof.
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Chelatina agents
The compositions of the present invention may further comprise a chelating
agent.
Suitable chelating agents are those known to those skilled in the art.
Particularly
suitable chelating agents include for examples phosphonate chelating agents,
polyfunctionally-substituted aromatic chelating agents, amino carboxylate
chelating agents, other chelating agents like ethylene diamine N,N'-
disuccinic
acid and mixtures thereof.
Typically, the compositions herein may comprise up to 4%, preferably from
0.001 % to 1 %, and more preferably from 0.001 % to 0.5% by weight of the
total
composition of a chelating agent.
Suitable phosphonate chelating agents to be used herein may include
ethydronic acid, alkali metal ethane 1-hydroxy diphosphonates as well as amino
phosphonate compounds, including amino alkylene poly (alkylene
phosphonate), alkali metal ethane 1-hydroxy diphosphonates, nitrilo
trimethylene
phosphonates, ethylene diamine tetra methylene phosphonates, and diethylene
triamine penta methylene phosphonates. The phosphonate compounds may be
present either in their acid form or as salts of different cations on some or
all of
their acid functionalities. Preferred phosphonate chelating agents to be used
herein are diethylene triamine penta methylene phosphonates (DETPMP). Such
phosphonate chelating agents are commercially available from Monsanto under
the trade name DEQUEST~.
Polyfunctionally-substituted aromatic chelating agents may also be useful in
the
compositions herein. See U.S. patent 3,812,044, issued May 21, 1974, to
Connor et al. Preferred compounds of this type in acid form are
dihydroxydisulfobenzenes such as 1,2-dihydroxy -3,5-disulfobenzene.
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A preferred biodegradable chelating agent for use herein is ethylene diamine
N,N'- disuccinic acid, or alkali metal, or alkaline earth, ammonium or
substitutes
ammonium salts thereof or mixtures thereof. Ethylenediamine N,N'- disuccinic
acids, especially the (S,S) isomer, have been extensively described in US
patent
4, 704, 233, November 3, 1987. to Hartman and Perkins. Ethylenediamine N,N'-
disuccinic acid is, for instance, commercially available under the tradename
ssEDDS~ from Palmer Research Laboratories.
Suitable amino carboxylate chelating agents to be used herein include ethylene
diamine tetra acetates, diethylene triamine pentaacetates, diethylene triamine
pentaacetate (DTPA), N-hydroxyethylethylenediamine triacetates, nitrilotri-
acetates, ethylenediamine tetrapropionates, triethylenetetraaminehexa-
acetates,
ethanoldiglycines, propylene diamine tetracetic acid (PDTA) and methyl glycine
di-acetic acid (MGDA), both in their acid form, or in their alkali metal,
ammonium, and substituted ammonium salt forms. A particularly suitable amino
carboxylate to be used herein is diethylene triamine penta acetic acid (DTPA).
Other suitable chelating agents to be used herein include salicylic acid or
derivatives thereof, or mixtures thereof according to the following formula:
'~ bn
wherein X is carbon, Y is one of the following groups -CHO, -OH, -(CH2)n-
COOH, and preferably is -(CH2)n-COOH, and wherein n is an integer of from 0
to 20, preferably of from 0 to 10 and more preferably is 0. Salicylic acid and
derivatives thereof may be used herein either in their acid form or in their
salts
form as for example sodium salts.
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31
Salicylic acid is particularly preferred herein and may be commercially
available
from Rhone Poulenc.
Bleach activators
The compositions herein may further comprise a bleach activator, as an
optional
ingredient.
By "bleach activator", it is meant herein a compound which reacts with
hydrogen
peroxide to form a peracid. The peracid thus formed constitutes the activated
bleach. Suitable bleach activators to be used herein include those belonging
to
the class of esters, amides, imides, or anhydrides. Examples of suitable
compounds of this type are disclosed in British Patent GB 1 586 769 and GB 2
143 231 and a method for their formation into a prilled form is described in
European Published Patent Application EP-A-62 523. Suitable examples of such
compounds to be used herein are tetracetyl ethylene diamine (TAED), sodium
3,5,5 trimethyl hexanoyloxybenzene sulphonate, diperoxy dodecanoic acid as
described for instance in US 4 818 425 and nonylamide of peroxyadipic acid as
described for instance in US 4 259 201 and n-nonanoyloxybenzenesulphonate
(NOBS). Also suitable are N-acyl caprolactam selected from the group
consisting of substituted or unsubstituted benzoyl caprolactam, octanoyl
caprolactam, nonanoyl caprolactam, hexanoyl caprolactam, decanoyl
caprolactam, undecenoyl caprolactam, formyl caprolactam, acetyl caprolactam,
propanoyl caprolactam, butanoyl caprolactam pentanoyl caprolactam or
mixtures thereof. A particular family of bleach activators of interest was
disclosed in EP 624 154, and particularly preferred in that family is acetyl
triethyl
citrate (ATC). Acetyl triethyl citrate has the advantage that it is
environmentally
friendly as it eventually degrades into citric acid and alcohol. Furthermore,
acetyl
triethyl citrate has a good hydrolytical stability in the composition upon
storage
and it is an efficient bleach activator.
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The compositions according to the present invention may comprise up to 30%,
preferably from 1 % to 20%, and more preferably from 2% to 10% by weight of
the total composition of a bleach activator.
Builders
The compositions according to the present invention may further comprise a
builder system. Any conventional builder system known in the art is suitable
for
use herein.
Suitable builders for use herein include derivatives of succinic acid of the
formula R-CH(COOH)CH2(COOH) wherein R is C10_20, preferably C12-16 alkyl
or alkenyl, or wherein R can be substituted with hydroxyl, sulpho sulphoxyl or
sulphone substituents. Specific examples include lauryl succinate, myristyl
succinate, palmityl succinate, 2-dodecenylsuccinate, 2-tetradecenyl succinate.
Succinate builders are preferably used in the form of their water-soluble
salts,
including sodium, potassium, ammonium and alkanolammonium salts.
Other suitable builders are oxodisuccinates and mixtures of tartrate
monosuccinic and tartrate disuccinic acid such as described in US 4,663,071.
Further suitable builders for use herein are fatty acid builders including
saturated
or unsaturated C10-18 fatty acids, as well as the corresponding soaps.
Preferred
saturated species have from 12 to 16 carbon atoms in the alkyl chain. The
preferred unsaturated fatty acid is oleic acid.
The compositions herein may comprise up to 10%, preferably from 1 % to 7% by
weight of the total composition of a builder system.
Radical scavengers:
The compositions herein may comprise a radical scavenger as another optional
ingredient.
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Suitable radical scavengers for use herein include the well-known substituted
mono and di hydroxy benzenes and derivatives thereof, alkyl- and aryl
carboxylates and mixtures thereof. Preferred radical scavengers for use herein
include di-tert-butyl hydroxy toluene (BHT), p-hydroxy-toluene, hydroquinone
(HQ), di-tert-butyl hydroquinone (DTBHQ), mono-tert-butyl hydroquinone
(MTBHQ), tert-butyl-hydroxy anysole (BHA), p-hydroxy-anysol, benzoic acid, 2,5-
dihydroxy benzoic acid, 2,5-dihydroxyterephtalic acid, toluic acid, catechol,
t-butyl
catechol, 4-allyl-catechol, 4-acetyl catechol, 2-methoxy-phenol, 2-ethoxy-
phenol,
2-methoxy-4-(2-propenyl)phenol, 3,4-dihydroxy benzaldehyde, 2,3-dihydroxy
benzaldehyde, benzylamine, 1,1,3-tris(2-methyl-4-hydroxy-5-t-butylphenyl)
butane, tert-butyl-hydroxy-anyline, p-hydroxy anyline as well as n-propyl-
gallate.
Highly preferred for use herein is di-tert-butyl hydroxy toluene, which is for
example commercially available from SHELL under the trade name IONOL CP~
and/or tert-butyl-hydroxy anysole andlor propyl gallate.
The radical scavengers further contribute to the stability of the peroxygen
bleach-
containing compositions herein.
Typically, the compositions according to the present invention may comprise up
to
5%, preferably from 0.002% to 1.5% by weight and more preferably from 0.002%
to 0.5% by weight of the total composition of a radical scavenger.
Treatment of a carpet
Typically, a carpet is treated by applying the liquid or solid composition,
preferably the liquid composition, as described.
The compositions according to the present invention may be applied to the
carpet to be treated either in neat or diluted form, this applies to
compositions
being either liquid compositions or solid composition.
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By "diluted form", it is meant herein that the compositions for treating
fabrics
and/or textiles, preferably carpets, as described herein before may be diluted
by
the user, preferably with water. Compositions herein can be diluted up to 150
times, preferably up to 50 times and more preferably up to 25 times.
By "in its neat form", it is to be understood that the compositions for
treating
fabrics and/or textiles, preferably carpets, are applied directly onto the
carpets to
be treated without undergoing any dilution, i.e., the compositions herein are
applied onto the carpets as described herein.
Preferably the treatment of a carpet comprises the steps of applying said
composition to the surface of the carpet in a liquid form, preferably in a
liquid
and neat form, and leaving said composition to dry onto the carpet. More
preferably said treatment comprises the steps of applying said composition to
the surface of the carpet in a liquid form, preferably in a liquid and neat
form,
leaving said composition to dry onto the carpet and finally removing said
composition from said carpet.
By "in liquid form" it is meant that the liquid compositions for treating
fabrics
and/or textiles, preferably carpets, as described herein can be used per se in
neat form or in diluted, and the solid compositions as described herein, for
example powders, are dissolved in an appropriate solvent, typically water,
before
use, i.e., before being applied to said carpet.
Preferably the composition is applied onto the carpet in the form of a spray
of
droplets having a particle size distribution with a mean diameter D(v,0.9) of
less
than 1500 microns, preferably less than 1000 microns, more preferably of less
than 750 microns, even more preferably less than 500 microns, and most
preferably from 350 microns to 10 microns.
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By "mean diameter D(v,0.9) of less than 1500 microns" for a droplet size
distribution it is meant that 90% of the spray of droplets dispensed
(expressed in
volume unit) has a droplet diameter of less than 1500 microns. For instance, a
D(v,0.9) of less than 1500 microns indicates that 90% of the total sprayed
volume is dispensed with droplets whose diameter is less than 1500 microns.
The particle size distribution of a spray of droplets can be determined by
following the procedure detailed herebelow:
A suitable test equipment is the Malvern Mastersizer S LongBed~ with 1000 mm
lens and a maximum particle size range of 3475 microns. The Malvern
Mastersizer S LongBed~ provides 21 cm opening (between lenses) to
accommodate spray flow. In all readings at the Malvern0, the lens surface must
remain free of spray contamination. In the present setup procedure, the
distance
from nozzle to laser was fixed at 8 cm, this to minimize lens contamination.
At 8
cm distance, the spray was directed to the laser beam to place the laser
center
to the spray cone. At feast three readings have to be made for each
composition
sprayed to determine the particle size distribution of the spray of droplets.
The
sprayer used in the test according to the present invention was an
electrically
operated sprayer. With the battery driven system a "Full charge" test was held
consistent by holding the spray head to 3.9 voltage direct current (vdc) from
an
external power supply, this to insure a consistent spray force. A reference
sprayer used herein is a hand trigger operated sprayer. Hand trigger systems
have to be tested against repeatability with three different persons. These
persons chosen for their varied ability to actuate the trigger against force:
Small
female, female with strong finger strength, and medium male.
Any container adapted to deliver a spray of droplets as defined herein is
suitable
for use herein. Several modifications can be made to the conventional, single
aperture, spray head to ensure that a spray of such droplets as required
herein
is formed. Suitable containers to be used herein (also called "spray
dispensers")
share the common feature of having at least one aperture or a plurality of
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3fi
apertures also called "dispensing openings" through which the composition is
dispensed so as to produce the spray of droplets as defined herein.
These spray dispensers may be manually or electrically operated. Typical
manually operated spray dispensers include pump operated ones or trigger
operated ones. Indeed, in such a container with a spray dispenser head the
composition contained in the container is directed through the spray dispenser
head via energy communicated to a pumping mechanism by the user as said
user activates said pumping mechanism or to an electrically driven pump.
Preferred herein is to use a container wherein the means for delivering the
composition comprises an electrically driven pump and a spray arm being either
extended or extendible and having at least one dispensing opening so that in
operation, the composition is pumped by electrically driven pump from the
container, through the spray arm to the dispensing opening from which it is
dispensed. It is preferred that the spray arm communicates with the container
by
means of a flexible connector. The spray arm may have one nozzle or multiple
nozzles located along its length. The spray arm makes it easier to control
where
the composition is sprayed. The electrically driven pump may be, for example,
a
gear pump, an impeller pump, a piston pump, a screw pump, a peristaltic pump,
a diaphragm pump, or any other miniature pump. In a highly preferred
embodiment of the electrically driven pump for use herein the pump is a gear
pump with a typical speed between 6000 rpm and 12000 rpm. The electrically
driven pump is driven by a means such as an electric motor which typically
produces a torque between 1 and 20 mN.m. The electric motor must in turn be
provided with a power source. The power source may be either mains electricity
(optionally via transformer), or it may be a throw-away battery or
rechargeable
battery. The spray arm may be rigidly extended. However such a spray arm can
be difficult to store, and the spray arm is preferably extensible either by
means
of telescopic or foldable configuration.
The amount of the compositions for treating fabrics and/or textiles,
preferably
carpets, according to the present invention applied will depend on the
severity of
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the stain or soil. In the case of stubborn stains more than one application
may
be required to ensure complete removal of the stain.
The area to be treated by applying the compositions according to the present
invention may be of any size. Indeed, a complete section or more preferably
the
whole carpet may be treated with the composition for the treating of carpets
according to the present invention.
Preferably, in the treatment of a carpet according to the present invention
the
step of applying a composition onto the carpets as described herein before,
does not need to be followed by a step where manual action is required other
than a final optional removing step. Indeed the compositions herein allow
excellent cleaning performance without requiring any manual action like
rubbing
and/or brushing. An advantage of the present invention is that the cleaning
action of the present compositions commences as soon as said compositions
are applied onto said carpet.
Typically, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention the composition
is
left to dry on the carpet for less than 2 hour, preferably less than 1 hour,
more
preferably less than 40 minutes, even more preferably from 1 to 30 minutes and
most preferably from 1 to 20 minutes.
By "dry" it is meant herein the stage where at least 40%, preferably at least
60%
of the initial amount of composition dispensed onto the carpet is lost due to
evaporation.
Indeed, in a prefer-ed embodiment of the present invention, said liquid
composition is left to dry, preferably until said composition which combined
with
dirt has been changed into dry residues. More preferably, said composition is
then removed from the carpet. Even more preferably said composition is
removed mechanically, and most preferably by vacuum cleaning. This may be
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38
carried out with the help of any commercially available vacuum cleaners like
for
instance a standard Hoover~ 1300W vacuuming machine.
According to the present invention the compositions herein may be used for the
removal of stains and soils from fabrics and/or textiles as well as of odors.
In
addition the compositions according to the present invention may be used to
hygienise, disinfect and/or exterminate microinsects from fabrics and/or
textiles.
Examples
The following examples will illustrate the present invention. The compositions
are made by combining the listed ingredients in the listed proportions (weight
unless otherwise specified).
Compositions I II III IV V VI
(weight %)
Hydrogen 4.0 4.0 5.0 6.0 4.0 4.0
peroxide
PVNO 0.5 -- --- -- 0.1 ---
PVPVI -- 0.5 -- --- 0.1 ---
PV/AA -_ ___ 0.5 -- 0.1 _--
PV P -- --- --- 0.5 0.1 ---
Water and minorsBalanceBalanceBalance Balance Balance Balance
up to pH 6 6.5 5 fi 6 5
Compositions VII VIII IX X XI XII
(weight %)
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. Hydrogen 4.0 4.0 5.0 6.0 4.0 4.0
peroxide
PVNO 0.5 0.4 --- --- --- 0.4
PV PV I -__ -__ ___ 0.5 -_ __
PV/AA ___ ___ 0.3 ___ __ ___
PV P ___ __ ___ __ 0.5 ___
Ethanol 3.0 3.0 3.0 3.0 3.0 3.0
PA --- 0.1 0.2 0.1 -- 0.1
Sarcosinate 3.0 3.0 3.0 --- 2.5 3.0
B HT 0.01 0.01 0.02 0.01 --- 0.01
AMCP --- -- --- -- 0.5 --
Chelant* 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.3 0.3
Na CnAS -- --- --- 3.0 0.5 ---
Salicylic Acid 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 --- 0.5
Propyl Gallate -- --- --- --- 1.0 ---
NaOH 0.16 0.16 0.16 0.16 0.06 0.26
Water and BalanceBalance Balance BalanceBalance Balance
minors
up to pH 6 6 6 6 6 8
Compositions XIII XIV XV XVI XVII XVIII
(weight %)
Hydrogen 4.0 5.0 4.0 5.5 6.0 3.0
peroxide
PVNO 0.25 --- --- 0.5 0.4 ---
PVPVI --- 0.4 0.25 -- 0.1 --
PV/AA 0.25 0.1 -- --- 0.2 0.4
PVP --- - 0.25 --- 0.2 0.1
Ethanol 3.0 2.0 3.0 2.5 3.0 2.0
PA 0.1 -_ -_ __ ~ 0.2
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AMCP ___ 0.1 ___ ___ ___ ___
Chefant* 0.2 0.3 0.25 0.2 0.2 0.2 ,
Sarcosinate 3.0 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.0 3.0
Salicylic Acid0.5 0.25 0.4 --- -- 0.5
Propyl Gallate--- 0.2 --- 0.5 1.0 ---
B HT 0.01 --- 0.1 --- --- 0.01
Benzyl alcohol--- 1.0 --- 0.5 --- 1.0
Isopropylalcohol1.0 --- --- --- --- 0.5
NaOH 0.16 0.16 0.16 0.16 0.16 0.001
Water and Balance Balance Balance BalanceBalanc Balance
minors a
up to pH 6 6.5 5 6.0 6 3.5
PVP is Poly Vinyl Pyrrolidone.
PVNO is Poly(4-Vinylpyridine-N-Oxide) commercially available from Reilly.
PVIAA is N-vinyfpyrrolidone and Acrylic Acid commercially available under the
trade name Sokalan~ PG 310.
PVPVI is N-vinylpyrrolidone and N-vinylimidazole co-polymer commercially
available under the trade name Sokalan~ PG55.
Sarcosinate is Sodium N-Lauroyl Sarcosinate commercially available from
Croda with commercial name of Crodasinic LS 30~.
BHT is butylated hydroxy toluene.
AMCP is acrylic/maleic based copolymers commercially available under the
trade name Sokalan CP5~.
Chelant* is a phosphonate chelant available under the trade name DEQUEST~
Na CnAS is sodium alkyl sulphate.
PA is an ethoxylated tetraethylenepentamine, average molecular weight 12,000.
The compositions exemplified above are preferably packaged in a container
adapted to deliver a spray of droplets having a particle size distribution
with a
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41
mean diameter D(v,0.9) of 200 to 400 microns, when measured with Malvern
Mastersizer S LongBed~ referenced herein before. A preferred container used
is an electrically driven sprayer.
The compositions in the examples above deliver softness characteristics to
fabrics and/or textiles, preferably carpets, treated therewith as well as
excellent
cleaning performance on particulate soil, greasy/oily soil, and/or enzymatic
as
well as on other types of soils such as bleachable stains like coffee, tea and
the
like.
