Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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FABRIC CARE COMPOSITION
Technical Field
This invention relates to fabric care compositions and to
methods of treating fabric using the compositions or the
pol-ymeric materials they contain.
Background and Prior Art
The laundry process generally has several benefits for
fabric, the most common being to remove dirt and stains from
the fabric during the wash cycle and to soften the fabric
during the rinse cycle. However, there are numerous
disadvantages associated with repeated use of conventional
laundry treatment compositions and/or the actual laundry
process; one of these being a fairly harsh treatment of
fabric in the laundry process.
Fabrics can be damaged in several ways as a result of
repeated laundering and/or wear. Fabric pilling and loss of
fabric surface appearance e.g. fuzzing, shrinkage (or
expansion), loss of colour from the fabric or running of
colour on the fabric (usually termed dye transfer) are some
of the common problems associated with repeated laundering.
These problems may occur merely from repeated hand washing
as well as the more vigorous machine washing process.
Furthermore, problems relating to damage of fabric over time
through normal use, such as loss of shape and increased
likelihood of wrinkling are also significant.
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The present invention is directed towards alleviating one or
more of the problems referred to hereinabove.
The principal advantage of the present invention relates to
improving the surface colour definition of a fabric after
multiple washings and/or to imparting pill and/or fuzz
resistance to fabric during laundering. The invention can
have further advantages in the treatment of fabric. For
example, other aspects of the overall appearance of the
fabric can be improved, such as a reduction in the tendency
of the fabric to become creased and/or wrinkled.
Laundry detergent compositions containing polyamide-
polyamine fabric treatment agents are described in WO
98/29530. The compositions are claimed to impart improved
overall appearance to fabrics laundered using the detergent
compositions, in terms of surface appearance properties such
as pill/fuzz reduction and antifading. Laundry compositions
containing polyamide-polyamine treatment agents of similar
types are taught in WO 97/42287.
Laundry compositions containing polyamide-polyamine fabric
treatment agents can exhibit increased dye pick-up (ie,
increased dye transfer) and poor stain removal properties
compared to other conventional laundry compositions.
US 5571286 (Connell et al) discloses certain polymers and
prepolymers derived from polyoxyalkyleneamines and their use
in a process for shrink-proofing wool. The treated wool may
also have a softer handle than untreated wool. This
document does not mention the treatment of cellulosic
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fabrics or the problems of loss of fabric surface appearance
that they can experience following laundering. Furthermore,
it deals entirely with treatment of wool on an industrial
scale and does not mention the application of the
compositions to fabric in the context of laundering
processes.
The present invention is based on the surprising finding
that certain polymeric materials, including those described
in US 5571286, can impart improved surface appearance to
cellulosic fabrics. The polymeric materials can have the
further advantage of reduced adverse side-effects, in terms
of increased dye transfer and poor stain removal, for
example, compared to certain compositions containing
polyamide-polyamine fabric treatment agents.
Definition of the Invention
According to the present invention, there is provided a
fabric care composition comprising a polymeric material
which is capable of self cross-linking and/or of reacting
with cellulose together with one or more textile compatible
carriers, in which when the textile compatible carrier is
water a further additive suitable for use in laundry
compositions is present, wherein the polymeric material
comprises one or more poly(oxyalkylene) groups having an end
group which comprises one or more amino groups or
derivatives of said amino groups.
The invention also provides a method of treating fabric, as
part of a laundering process, which comprises applying to
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the fabric a fabric care composition of the invention or a
polymeric material which is a component of the fabric care
composition of the invention.
Further provided by the invention in another aspect is the
use of a fabric care composition of the invention or a
polymeric material which is a component of the fabric care
composition of the invention to improve the surface colour
definition of a fabric after multiple washings.
In another aspect, the invention provides the use of a
fabric care composition of the invention or a polymeric
material which is a component of the fabric care composition
of the invention to impart pill and/or fuzz resistance to
fabric during laundering. In addition, the invention can
impart other beneficial properties to the fabric, such as
reduced creasing and/or wrinkling of the fabric during
laundering.
Detailed Description of the Invention
The compositions of the present invention comprise a
polymeric material which is capable of self cross-
linking and/or of reacting with cellulose together with
one or more textile compatible carriers, wherein the
polymeric material comprises one or more
poly(oxyalkylene) groups having an end group which
comprises one or more amino groups or derivatives of
said amino groups.
CA 02386553 2002-04-05
0-11-2001 GB0003695
C395G (C)
- ~ - -
The compositions of the invention have tlae surprising
advantage of imparting wear reaistance to fabrics, and
thereby -causing improved surface colour definition of the
fabric after laundering, particularly after multiple
washings. Furthermore, the pol.yineric materia7.s contained in
the composit.ions need noG cause unacceptable dye transfer
and/or stain remova3 problems.
The polymeric material which carn be used in the present
inventi.on can be any of the polymers or prepolymere derived
from polyoxyalkyleneami.nee that are described in US 5571266.
Methods.for preparing the polymeric materials are described
in US 5571286. Hence the polymex"ic material can be, for
example, the reaction product of a diamine or triamine
polyoxyalkylene polymer having a polymerisation degree of
from 4 to 50 or a mixture thereof with epichlorohydrx.n in a
ratio of epichlarohyr3,rin to ami.no nitrogen of from 1:1 to
The aminio groups in the polymeric material used in the
invention may wholly or partly in the form of der'i-vatives of
amino gxoups. Derivatives include, for exarnple, adducts
formed by alkylation or hydroxyalkylation at the nitrogen
atom or yby the formation of an amide group at the nitrogen
atom. The derivatives may be formed by the reaction of the
amino groups with a bifunctional bridging agent or with a
cross-linking agent.
Preferably, the polymeric material is obtainable by the
reaction, of a polymer of formula H(R)n, wherein n is from 1
~
AMFNT?Fi),qHFFT
CA 02386553 2002-04-05
J/ 11 V 1 1 O.VI r tLd u i u~ v i ~. v E..i ~ .+=+~ ~ ~ , -++== ---
30-11-2001 GB0003695
C3959 (C)
6 ..
to 20, B is a backbone group to which each R is covalently
bonded and R is a group comprising a pQly(oxyalkylene)
chain, which chain comprises an amino end group, the polymer
being optionally reacted with a bridging compound, with a
5cross-lznking,agenty It will thus be appreciated that the
polyrneric material of the invention is a relatively complex
mixture,comprising a number of different compounds, some or
all of which may be cross-linked.
The poly(oxyalkylene) chain which forme a part of the R
group may be, for example, a pol.y(oxyethylene),
pol y( oxy'butyl ene ) or poly ( oxyprcap - l, 2-ylene ) chain. The
length of the chain can vary from 2 to IoO repeat units.
Convenieintly,n is 2 or 3. it will be appreciated that n may
not be a whole number where the polymeric material, of the
invention comprises a mixture of different polymers of
formula B(R) n .
In som.e of the polymeric materials which may be used in the=
inventa.on, 8 is
-O-CH2 - (CH) m-CI32 -0--
O
(a.e, B is the residue of glycerol when m is 1) and rn is
equal to, n-2.
However,,B can also represent other values such as , for
example, the reeidue of other triols or the residue of a di-
, tetra-, penta- or hexa- hydroxy compound. Alternatively,
B can rerresent the rea iduqp of a di-, t.ri- or poly- amine.
AMENDED SHEET
-,..~.. . ...,. __. _
CA 02386553 2002-04-05
0-11-2001 GB000369'
C3959 (C)
~ 7 -
Preferably, at least one R group has the formula -
(CHZCH tR' )(CH2 ) a0) p-A-NHR' t, wherein.: R, is H or CH3; a is
o, 1 dr,2; p is an integer from 5 to 30; A is an alkylene
group; and R'' is H or alkyl, More preferably, p is from 10
to 25.
The term "alkyl" as used herein, includes C, to C,5 alkyl,
optionaYly substituted on the alkyl chain, which may be
branched or unbranched and, fQr C3 to Cg alkyl, may be
cycZic.; The term "alkylene" is defined similarly but refers
- to a divalent radical.
It willbe appreciated that the term i'end group" refers to
the group at or near to the end of the poly(oxyalkylene)
chain, which end, when the polymer is of formula B(R)n, is
at the other end of the polymer chain from the end which is
attached to B.
Suitable polymers of formula B(R)n include those having the
following structure:
H2C-0 (CH2CH (R' ) O) p-A-1QH2
HC-0 (CH2CH (R' ) 0) q-A-NH2
26 1
H2C-0 (CH2CH (R' ) 0) r-A-NH2
wherein R' is as defined herein before, p, q and r are
integers which may be the same or different and may be from
5 to 30 and A is branched or unbranched lower alkylene.
AMENDED SHEET
CA 02386553 2002-04-05
0-71-2001 3B0003695
C3959(C)
_ g .-
Other suitable polymers of formula 8(R.)nõ in which n is
equal to 2, include those having the following formula:
H2N- (CH2) b- (O (CHz ) 4) CI-b (CH2) cU ((CH2) 40) d 2 - (CHz) b-N:E-IZ
wherein; b is an integer from 1 to 6, preferably 3; c is an
integer from 1 to 6, preferably 4; and d and d2 are the same
or different and are integers from i0 to 15.
The cross-linking agent which is used to form the polymeric
material used in the invention by reaction with the polymer,
or the polymer after prior reaction with the bridging
_ compound, preferably comprises an epihalohydrin.
Epichlorohydrin is a suitable epihalohydrin.
Preferably the molar ratio of cross-linking agent to polymer
of formula B(R) n is from d. 5: l to 4 a 1. Other amounts of
cross-linking agent may be present in the polymeric material
used in,the invention.
1
Suitable bridging compounds comprise two epoxide or
carboxylic acid groups. The epoxide or carboxylic acid
groups may be linked by a linker comprising alkylene,
arylene, poly(oxyalkylene) or sx].oxane groups or
combinations thereof. Vxainples of bridging compounds
therefore include benzene-I,A-di.carboxxylic acid, hexane=1, 6-
dicarboxy3ic acid and poiy(oxyethylene) compounds terminated
at both ends of the molecule by an epoxide group. Other
suitable bridging compounds are disclosed in U'S 5571286.
The composition used in the a.nvention can.contain the
polymeric material, optionally together with other polymeric
material6. The compositioxis may further comprise a silicone
_ AMENDED SHEET
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which is capable of reacting with the polymeric material.
Suitable reactive silicones include those having amino or
hydroxyl groups which are well-known to those skilled in the
art.
Preferably, the polymeric material is capable of increasing
the wet strength of paper by at least 200% compared to
untreated paper when applied to paper having a weight of 80
g/m2 at a level of 1% solids by weight based on weight of
paper, according to the test method described hereinafter.
Polymeric materials which are suitable for use in the
present invention are available from Precision Processes
Textiles (Ambergate, Derbyshire, UK) under the trade marks
POLYMER AM" and POLYMER MRSM". The polymeric materials of the
invention are preferably in the form of aqueous solutions.
Polymer AM is a polymer having the following structure:
C2H5- C2H5 C2H5
HO CH2
N O O N
CH2CI OH HO OH
CH2CI CH2CI
POLYMER AM
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Polymer MRSM has the same structures as polymer AM but has
silicone added to the polymer mixture.
The nature of the textile compatible carrier will be
dictated to a large extent by the stage at which the
composition of the invention is used in a laundering
process, the compositions being capable of being used, in
principle, at any stage of the process. For example, where
the compositions are for use as main wash detergent
compositions, the one or more textile compatible carriers
comprise a detergent active compound. Where the
compositions are for use in the rinsing step of a laundering
process, the one or more textile compatible carriers may
comprise a fabric softening and/or conditioning compound.
The compositions of the invention preferably comprise a
perfume, such as of the type which is conventionally used in
fabric care compositions. The compositions may be packaged
and labelled for use in a domestic laundering process.
The polymeric material is preferably present in the product
in a sufficient quantity to give an amount of 0.0005% to 5%
by weight on the fabric based on the weight of the fabric,
more preferably 0.001% to 2% by weight on fabric. The
amount of the polymeric material in the composition required
to achieve the above % by weight on fabric will typically be
in the range 0.01% to 35% by weight, preferably 0.1 to 13.5%
by weight.
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The compositions of the invention, when applied to a fabric,
can impart benefits to the fabric when uncured. However,
they may be cured by a domestic curing step including
ironing and/or domestic tumble drying, preferably tumble
drying. The curing is preferably carried out at a
temperature in the range of from 50 to 100 C, more
preferably from 80 to 100 C.
In the context of the present invention the term "textile
compatible carrier" is a component which can assist in the
interaction of the first component with the fabric. The
carrier can also provide benefits in addition to those
provided by the first component e.g. softening, cleaning
etc. The carrier may be water, in which case the
composition of the invention will contain another additive,
suitable for use in laundry compositions such as perfume,
for example, or the carrier may be a detergent-active
compound or a fabric softener or conditioning compound or
other suitable detergent or fabric treatment agent.
If the composition of the invention is to be used in a
laundry process as part of a conventional fabric treatment
product, such as a detergent composition, the textile-
compatible carrier will typically be a detergent-active
compound. Whereas, if the fabric treatment product is a
rinse conditioner, the textile-compatible carrier will be a
fabric softening and/or conditioning compound.
If the composition of the invention is to be used before, or
after, the laundry process it may be in the form of a spray
or foaming product.
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The fabrics which may be treated in the present invention
include those which comprise cellulosic fibres, preferably
from 1% to 100% cellulosic fibres (more preferably 5% to
100% cellulosic fibres, most preferably 40% to 1000). The
fabric may be in the form of a garment, in which case the
method of the invention may represent a method of laundering
a garment. When the fabric contains less than 100%
cellulosic fibres, the balance comprises other fibres or
blends of fibres suitable for use in garments such as
polyester, for example. Preferably, the cellulosic fibres
are of cotton or regenerated cellulose such as viscose.
The laundering processes of the present invention include
the large scale and small scale (eg domestic) cleaning of
fabrics. Preferably, the processes are domestic.
In the invention, the polymeric material or the composition
of the invention may be used at any stage of the laundering
process. Preferably, the composition or the polymeric
material is used to treat the fabric in the rinse cycle of a
laundering process. The rinse cycle preferably follows the
treatment of the fabric with a detergent composition.
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Detergent Active Compounds
If the composition of the present invention is in the form
of a detergent composition, the textile-compatible carrier
may be chosen from soap and non-soap anionic, cationic,
nonionic, amphoteric and zwitterionic detergent active
compounds, and mixtures thereof.
Many suitable detergent active compounds are available and
are fully described in the literature, for example, in
"'Surface-Active Agents and Detergents", Volumes I and II, by
Schwartz, Perry and Berch.
The preferred textile-compatible carriers that can be used
are soaps and synthetic non-soap anionic and nonionic
compounds.
Anionic surfactants are well-known to those skilled in the
art. Examples include alkylbenzene sulphonates,
particularly linear alkylbenzene sulphonates having an alkyl
chain length of C8-C15; primary and secondary alkylsulphates,
particularly Ce-C15 primary alkyl sulphates; alkyl ether
sulphates; olefin sulphonates; alkyl xylene sulphonates;
dialkyl sulphosuccinates; and fatty acid ester sulphonates.
Sodium salts are generally preferred.
Nonionic surfactants that may be used include the primary
and secondary alcohol ethoxylates, especially the C8-C20
aliphatic alcohols ethoxylated with an average of from 1 to
20 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol, and more
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especially the Clo-C15 primary and secondary aliphatic
alcohols ethoxylated with an average of from 1 to 10 moles
of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol. Non-ethoxylated
nonionic surfactants include alkylpolyglycosides, glycerol
monoethers, and polyhydroxyamides (glucamide).
Cationic surfactants that may be used include quaternary
ammonium salts of the general formula R1R2R3R4N+ X- wherein
the R groups are independently hydrocarbyl chains of C1-C22
length, typically alkyl, hydroxyalkyl or ethoxylated alkyl
groups, and X is a solubilising cation (for example,
compounds in which R1 is a C8-C22 alkyl group, preferably a
C8-C10 or C12-C14 alkyl group, R2 is a methyl group, and R3 and
R4, which may be the same or different, are methyl or
hydroxyethyl groups); and cationic esters (for example,
choline esters) and pyridinium salts.
The total quantity of detergent surfactant in the
composition is suitably from 0.1 to 60 wt% e.g. 0.5-55 wt%,
such as 5-50wt%.
Preferably, the quantity of anionic surfactant (when
present) is in the range of from 1 to 50% by weight of the
total composition. More preferably, the quantity of anionic
surfactant is in the range of from 3 to 35% by weight, e.g.
5 to 30% by weight.
Preferably, the quantity of nonionic surfactant when present
is in the range of from 2 to 25% by weight, more preferably
from 5 to 20% by weight.
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Amphoteric surfactants may also be used, for example amine
oxides or betaines.
The compositions may suitably contain from 10 to 70%,
preferably from 15 to 70% by weight, of detergency builder.
Preferably, the quantity of builder is in the range of from
to 50% by weight.
The detergent composition may contain as builder a
10 crystalline aluminosilicate, preferably an alkali metal
aluminosilicate, more preferably a sodium aluminosilicate.
The aluminosilicate may generally be incorporated in amounts
of from 10 to 70% by weight (anhydrous basis), preferably
15 from 25 to 50%. Aluminosilicates are materials having the
general formula:
0.8-1.5 M20. A1203. 0.8-6 Si02
where M is a monovalent cation, preferably sodium. These
materials contain some bound water and are required to have
a calcium ion exchange capacity of at least 50 mg CaO/g.
The preferred sodium aluminosilicates contain 1.5-3.5 Si02
units in the formula above. They can be prepared readily by
reaction between sodium silicate and sodium aluminate, as
amply described in the literature.
Fabric Softening and/or Conditioner Compounds
If the composition of the present invention is in the form
of a fabric conditioner composition, the textile-compatible
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carrier will be a fabric softening and/or conditioning
compound (hereinafter referred to as "fabric softening
compound"), which may be a cationic or nonionic compound.
The softening and/or conditioning compounds may be water
insoluble quaternary ammonium compounds. The compounds may
be present in amounts of up to 8% by weight (based on the
total amount of the composition) in which case the
compositions are considered dilute, or at levels from 8% to
about 50% by weight, in which case the compositions are
considered concentrates.
Compositions suitable for delivery during the rinse cycle
may also be delivered to the fabric in the tumble dryer if
used in a suitable form. Thus, another product form is a
composition (for example, a paste) suitable for coating
onto, and delivery from, a substrate e.g. a flexible sheet
or sponge or a suitable dispenser during a tumble dryer
cycle.
Suitable cationic fabric softening compounds are
substantially water-insoluble quaternary ammonium materials
comprising a single alkyl or alkenyl long chain having an
average chain length greater than or equal to C20 or, more
preferably, compounds comprising a polar head group and two
alkyl or alkenyl chains having an average chain length
greater than or equal to C19. Preferably the fabric
softening compounds have two long chain alkyl or alkenyl
chains each having an average chain length greater than or
equal to C16. Most preferably at least 50% of the long chain
alkyl or alkenyl groups have a chain length of C18 or above.
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It is preferred if the long chain alkyl or alkenyl groups of
the fabric softening compound are predominantly linear.
Quaternary ammonium compounds having two long-chain
aliphatic groups, for example, distearyldimethyl ammonium
chloride and di(hardened tallow alkyl) dimethyl ammonium
chloride, are widely used in commercially available rinse
conditioner compositions. Other examples of these cationic
compounds are to be found in "Surface-Active Agents and
Detergents", Volumes I and II, by Schwartz, Perry and Berch.
Any of the conventional types of such compounds may be used
in the compositions of the present invention.
The fabric softening compounds are preferably compounds that
provide excellent softening, and are characterised by a
chain melting Lp to La transition temperature greater than
C, preferably greater than 35 C, most preferably greater
than 45 C. This L(3 to La transition can be measured by DSC
as defined in "Handbook of Lipid Bilayers", D Marsh, CRC
20 Press, Boca Raton, Florida, 1990 (pages 137 and 337).
Substantially water-insoluble fabric softening compounds are
defined as fabric softening compounds having a solubility of
less than 1 x 10-3 wt % in demineralised water at 20 C.
Preferably the fabric softening compounds have a solubility
25 of less than 1 x 10-4 wt o, more preferably less than 1 x 10-8
to 1 x 10-6 wt%.
Especially preferred are cationic fabric softening compounds
that are water-insoluble quaternary ammonium materials
having two C12-Z2 alkyl or alkenyl groups connected to the
molecule via at least one ester link, preferably two ester
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links. An especially preferred ester-linked quaternary
ammonium material can be represented by the formula II:
R1
R1 + R3-T-R2 ( I I)
I
( CH2 ) P-T-R2
wherein each R1 group is independently selected from C1-9
alkyl or hydroxyalkyl groups or C2-4 alkenyl groups; each R2
group is independently selected from C8-28 alkyl or alkenyl
groups; and wherein R3 is a linear or branched alkylene group
of 1 to 5 carbon atoms, T is
0 0
11 11
-0-C- or -C-O-;
and p is 0 or is an integer from 1 to 5.
Di(tallowoxyloxyethyl) dimethyl ammonium chloride and/or its
hardened tallow analogue is especially preferred of the
compounds of formula (II).
A second preferred type of quaternary ammonium material can
be represented by the formula (III):
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OOCR2
( Ri ) 3N+- ( CH2 ) P H ( I I I)
CH200CR2
wherein R1r p and R2 are as defined above.
It is advantageous if the quaternary ammonium material is
biologically biodegradable.
Preferred materials of this class such as 1,2-bis(hardened
tallowoyloxy)-3-trimethylammonium propane chloride and their
methods of preparation are, for example, described in
US 4 137 180 (Lever Brothers Co). Preferably these
materials comprise small amounts of the corresponding
monoester as described in US 4 137 180, for example,
1-hardened tallowoyloxy-2-hydroxy-3-trimethylammonium
propane chloride.
Other useful cationic softening agents are alkyl pyridinium
salts and substituted imidazoline species. Also useful are
primary, secondary and tertiary amines and the condensation
products of fatty acids with alkylpolyamines.
The compositions may alternatively or additionally contain
water-soluble cationic fabric softeners, as described in
GB 2 039 556B (Unilever).
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The compositions may comprise a cationic fabric softening
compound and an oil, for example as disclosed in EP-A-
0829531.
The compositions may alternatively or additionally contain
nonionic fabric softening agents such as lanolin and
derivatives thereof.
Lecithins are also suitable softening compounds.
Nonionic softeners include L(3 phase forming sugar esters (as
described in M Hato et al Langmuir 12, 1659, 1666, (1996))
and related materials such as glycerol monostearate or
sorbitan esters. Often these materials are used in
conjunction with cationic materials to assist deposition
(see, for example, GB 2 202 244). Silicones are used in a
similar way as a co-softener with a cationic softener in
rinse treatments (see, for example, GB 1 549 180).
The compositions may also suitably contain a nonionic
stabilising agent. Suitable nonionic stabilising agents are
linear C8 to C22 alcohols alkoxylated with 10 to 20 moles of
alkylene oxide, C10 to C20 alcohols, or mixtures thereof.
Advantageously the nonionic stabilising agent is a linear C8
to C22 alcohol alkoxylated with 10 to 20 moles of alkylene
oxide. Preferably, the level of nonionic stabiliser is
within the range from 0.1 to 10% by weight, more preferably
from 0.5 to 5% by weight, most preferably from 1 to 4% by
weight. The mole ratio of the quaternary ammonium compound
and/or other cationic softening agent to the nonionic
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stabilising agent is suitably within the range from 40:1 to
about 1:1, preferably within the range from 18:1 to about
3:1.
The composition can also contain fatty acids, for example C8
to C24 alkyl or alkenyl monocarboxylic acids or polymers
thereof. Preferably saturated fatty acids are used, in
particular, hardened tallow C16 to C1B fatty acids.
Preferably the fatty acid is non-saponified, more preferably
the fatty acid is free, for example oleic acid, lauric acid
or tallow fatty acid. The level of fatty acid material is
preferably more than 0.1% by weight, more preferably more
than 0.2% by weight. Concentrated compositions may comprise
from 0.5 to 20% by weight of fatty acid, more preferably 1%
to 10% by weight. The weight ratio of quaternary ammonium
material or other cationic softening agent to fatty acid
material is preferably from 10:1 to 1:10.
The fabric conditioning compositions may include silicones,
such as predominately linear polydialkylsiloxanes, e.g.
polydimethylsiloxanes or aminosilicones containing amine-
functionalised side chains; soil release polymers such as
block copolymers of polyethylene oxide and terephthalate;
amphoteric surfactants; smectite type inorganic clays;
zwitterionic quaternary ammonium compounds; and nonionic
surfactants.
The fabric conditioning compositions may also include an
agent which produces a pearlescent appearance, e.g. an
organic pearlising compound such as ethylene glycol
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distearate, or inorganic pearlising pigments such as
microfine mica or titanium dioxide (Ti02) coated mica.
The fabric conditioning compositions may be in the form of
emulsions or emulsion precursors thereof.
Other optional ingredients include emulsifiers, electrolytes
(for example, sodium chloride or calcium chloride)
preferably in the range from 0.01 to 5% by weight, pH
buffering agents, and perfumes (preferably from 0.1 to 5% by
weight).
Further optional ingredients include non-aqueous solvents,
perfume carriers, fluorescers, colourants, hydrotropes,
antifoaming agents, antiredeposition agents, enzymes,
optical brightening agents, opacifiers, dye transfer
inhibitors, anti-shrinking agents, anti-wrinkle agents,
anti-spotting agents, germicides, fungicides, anti-oxidants,
UV absorbers (sunscreens), heavy metal sequestrants,
chlorine scavengers, dye fixatives, anti-corrosion agents,
drape imparting agents, antistatic agents and ironing aids.
This list is not intended to be exhaustive.
Fabric Treatment Products
The composition of the invention may be in the form of a
liquid, solid (e.g. powder or tablet), a gel or paste,
spray, stick or a foam or mousse. Examples including a
soaking product, a rinse treatment (e.g. conditioner or
finisher) or a mainwash product. The composition may also
be applied to a substrate e.g. a flexible sheet or used in a
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WO 01/27232 PCT/GBOO/03695
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dispenser which can be used in the wash cycle, rinse cycle
or during the dryer cycle.
The invention will now be described by way of example only
and with reference to the following non-limiting examples.
EXAMPLES
POLYMER AM (trade mark) and POLYMER MRSM (trade mark) are
polymeric materials according to the invention and were
obtained from Precision Processes Textiles of Ambergate,
Derbyshire, UK.
Test method for assessing wet-strength resins on paper by
tensile strength
The test procedure used was as follows:
Paper selected = 80 gsm White Copier Bond, 210 x 297 mm,
Universal Office Supplies ref UCOP80. Dry weight of one A4
sheet = 4.91 g. Weight after 30 minute soak and removal of
excess water = 7.30 g. Pick-up therefore set as 50%.
For the untreated standard, the paper was soaked in
deionised water for 10 minutes in a shallow tray. After
this time, sheets were removed and the excess water removed
by gently patting with paper towels until all surface water
had been removed. The paper was then dried at 110 C for 10
minutes in a fan-assisted oven.
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For the treated sample, a solution of Polymer AM or
Polymer MRSM (trade mark) with water was prepared along
with 2 g/l of sodium bicarbonate to provide an
application level by pick-up of 1% o.w.f.
As with the reference, the treated samples are soaked for 10
minutes in the solution, the excess water removed and then
dried/cured as above.
The paper is then allowed to stand for at least 24 hours (as
the tensile strength measurements are carried out on
saturated paper, it is not necessary to condition the paper
at 65% RH).
The samples are cut using a guillotine to 270 mm by 67 mm,
and lines are drawn parallel to the smaller length 35 mm in
to act as a guide when clamping the sample into the
Testometric jaws.
The samples are then soaked in deionised water for 30
minutes.
After this time, the majority of the water is drained away
to leave the paper saturated while measurements are made.
Prior to the test being performed, the excess water is
removed as before.
Testometric set-up - 25 kgf load cell, 100 mm/min speed,
pre-tension 0.1 kgf, sample length 200 mm, sample width 67
mm.
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The results of the tests were as follows:
Sample treatment Wet strength (kgf)
Untreated paper 1.069
Polymer AM," 4.920
Polymer MRSM'm 4.017
Example 1
Dye transfer inhibition
Five applications of 0.2% Kenores 1440 (trade mark)
polyamine-epichlorohydrin (PAE) resin (Akzo Nobel) as
disclosed in WO 97/42287 (a polymer outside the scope of
this invention) were made via a domestic washing machine
(Zanussi (trade mark) automatic washing machine, 40 C cotton
wash cycle, Persil (trade mark) applied during the wash
cycle) to white woven cotton sheeting, a theoretical maximum
application of 1.0% by weight PAE on weight of fabric (owf).
A similar process was carried out using 0.2% Polymer AM
(trade mark) and 0.2% Polymer MRSM (trade mark). The
treated fabrics were then washed with Direct Red 80 dyed
fabric which is known to lose dye. The resulting fabrics
were then measured on a Spectroflash (trade mark)
spectrometer to determine the degree of dye transfer. A
blank fabric sample was used as reference.
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OL DE
0. 2 o KenoresTM 1440 -3.47 6.20
0.1% KenoresTM 1440 -1.05 2.32
Polymer AMIK 0.93 2.21
Polymer MRSM" 0.28 1.47
AL = change in lightness
DE = change in colour
Thus, there is less change in colour for the fabric treated
with a polymer according to the invention and, therefore,
less dye transfer.
Example 2
Garment Care Properties
Spectroflash (trade mark) measurements on a standard test
fabric having black and red regions show that the fabrics
treated with Polymer AM (trade mark) and Polymer MRSM (trade
mark) according to Example 1 display reduced damage.
Black area:
AL AE
Untreated 9.94 10.07
Polymer AMTN 1.81 1.95
Polymer MRSM" 3.00 3.09
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Red area:
dL AE
Untreated 3.30 12.62
Polymer AM" 1.20 5.39
Polymer MRSM" 1=19 4.84
In both cases, the treated areas show less change in shade
than the untreated sample, indicated by the smaller AL and
DE values.
Example 3
Stain removal
1 ml of red wine was applied to treated cotton according to
the procedure set out in Example 1 (5 rinse applications of
0.2% per wash). The stain was measured on a Spectroflash
(trade mark) spectrophotometer prior to washing and after
washing at 40 C usir.g Persil Performance Biological (trade
mark) powder. The change in depth of colour on the stains
relative to the sample before washing was:
dL DE
Untreated -17.93 22.10
Polymer AM" -20.26 23.98
Polymer MRSM" -23.36 26.37
Kenores" 1440 -=9.38 22.37
After washing, the colour measurements were:
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OL AE
Untreated -3.97 5.94
Polymer AMT" -3.65 5.10
Polymer,MRSMT" -5.70 7.98
TM
Kenores 1440 -8.42 10.45
Polymer AM (trade mark) shows almost identical stain release
properties to untreated fabric, whereas Polymer MRSM (trade
mark) falls between.Polymer Am (trade mark) and Kenores 1440
(trade mark).
The background area of the fabric was also measured to
provide an indication of any tendency of the treatments to
cause soil redeposition. The smaller the spectrometer
reading, the less the change in colour and the less soil
redeposition.
OL
Untreated -0.20
Polymer AM" -0.02
Polymer MRSM" -0.19
Kenores7'1440 -0 = 27
Standard rinse conditioner* -0.05
*Comfort (trade mark) (Unilever plc, UK)
Although the differences are small, there are still
indications that these polymers do not increase the soil
redeposition properties of the fabric to the same extent
that PAE-type polymers do. In the case of Polymer AM (trade
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mark), there is less redeposition than with the rinse
conditioner.
Example 4
Fabric Conditioner Formulation
Fabric conditioner formulations were made by preparing a
standard fabric conditioner composition containing
components 2 to 8 below and adding component 1 to it, with
stirring. Compositions were prepared in both dilute and
concentrated forms.
The formulations were as follows:
Dilute Concentrate
1= Polymer AM" 15.1% 48.7%
2. Water 80.04% 35.86%
3. Antifoam 0.01% 0.03%
4= Genapol" 0.25% 0.75%
5. HEQ 4.20% 13.5%
6. Preservative 0.03% 0.06%
7. Dye 0.07% 0.15%
8. Perfume 0.30% 0.95%
*a C12 primary alcohol ethoxylated with 20 moles of ethylene
oxide
Example 5
Polymer ANI" was pad applied to 2% resinated cotton poplin
monitors (40x40cm) to give a pick-up lever of 0.5% owf on
the fabric. The monitors were then tumble dried. This was
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carried our four times to give a total level of 2% owf. A
similar procedure was carried out for Polymer MRSMTY and
KenoresTY 1440. The monitors were wetted, scrunched (to
simulate creasing in the wash process) then placed in a
domestic tumble drier (MieleTM) with wetted cotton sheeting
ballast (1 Kg when dry). The load was then dried until the
anti-crease setting on the drier was attained. The monitors
were then panelled against AATCC smoothness standards to
determine the level of creasing. The monitors were then
ironed and the crease process repeated
Polymer 0.5% owf 0.5% owf 2% owf 2% owf
(before (after (before (after
ironing) ironing) ironing) ironing)
Untreated
control 1.4 1.38 1.64 1.54
PAE 1.3 1.44 2.26 1.94
KenoresTM
1440 2.28 2.06 2.3 2.52
Polymer
TY
MRSM 2.1 2.34 2.38 2.8
Polymer AM" and Polymer MRSM" are considerably less creased
than the untreated control. Polymer MRSMTM treated monitors
become even less creased if an ironing step is included.
Polymer AMTY and Polymer MRSMri are considerably less creased
than Kenores- 1440 especially at the 0.5% owf level.
