Cleaning compositions for solid surfaces – auxiliary compositions – Auxiliary compositions for cleaning – or processes of preparing – Textile softening or antistatic composition
Reexamination Certificate
2001-01-16
2003-02-25
Hardee, John (Department: 1751)
Cleaning compositions for solid surfaces, auxiliary compositions
Auxiliary compositions for cleaning, or processes of preparing
Textile softening or antistatic composition
C510S527000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06525016
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to fabric softners, and more particularly to a low-solids rinse cycle fabric softener formulation having enhanced viscosity, softening and non-yellowing properties. Specifically, the present invention relates to a high-viscosity, low-solids rinse cycle fabric softener formulation which includes a blend of at least one imidazolinium quaternary ammonium compound and at least one amido amine quaternary ammonium compound.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In the field of laundering, it is well known to add a liquid fabric softener containing at least one softening agent such as a cationic quaternary ammonium compound or salt thereof directly into the laundering process. The addition of the liquid fabric softener typically occurs during the rinse cycle itself.
Rinse cycle fabric softeners are provided in two forms: concentrated (i.e., high-solids) compositions containing more than 10% by weight of fabric softener agents, and diluted (i.e., low-solids) compositions containing 10% by weight of fabric softener agents. Consumer acceptance of rinse cycle fabric softeners is determined not only by the performance achieved with these products, but also by the aesthetics associated therewith. For example, high-viscosity fabric softeners (having a viscosity on the order of 500 cps or higher) are perceived by some consumers to be superior to low-viscosity fabric softeners. Viscosity of the rinse cycle fabric softener is therefore an important aspect of the successful formulation of such commercial products.
In attempts to increase the viscosity of low-solids fabric softeners, it is known to add polymeric thickening agents such as polyacrylamides, polysaccharides and polyurethanes to the fabric softener formulation. Large quantities of thickening agents are typically required in order to provide effective thickening of low-viscosity fabric softeners. While the use of such high quantities of thickening agents would provide a solution to the viscosity problem, this solution leads to increased cost in formulating the fabric softener which cost is passed along to the consumer.
This increased formulation cost is further compounded in that conventional polymeric thickening agents provide no additional benefits to the fabric softener formulation. Thus, additional ingredients besides thickening agents which further enhance the formulation performance are typically required.
In view of the above drawbacks with the prior art mentioned above, it would be beneficial to provide a new and cost effective means for improving the viscosity of low-solids rinse cycle fabric softeners which do not require the use of conventional polymeric thickeners.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a high-viscosity, low-solids rinse cycle fabric softener formulation having enhanced softening and non-yellowing properties. The enhancement is achieved in the present invention by providing a blend of at least one imidazolinium quaternary ammonium compound and at least one amido amine quaternary ammonium compound, wherein both quaternary compounds contain no unsaturated alkyl groups.
The term “high-viscosity” fabric softener is used herein to denote a fabric softener having a viscosity on the order of about 500 cps or greater, whereas the term “low-viscosity” fabric softener denotes a fabric softener having a viscosity of below about 500 cps.
The term “high-solids” fabric softener denotes a fabric softener formulation in which the fabric softening compound, i.e., the quaternary ammonium compound, is present in an amount of greater than 10% by weight, whereas the term “low-solids” denotes a fabric softener formulation in which the fabric softener component is present in an amount of about 10% by weight or less, preferably, about 1 to about 10% by weight, and even more preferably, about 2 to about 5% by weight.
Specifically, the present invention provides a high-viscosity, low-solids rinse cycle fabric softener formulation having improved softening and non-yellowing properties, which comprises a homogeneous blend of from about 50 to about 90% by weight of at least one imidazolinium quaternary ammonium compound; and from about 10 to about 50% by weight of at least one amido amine quaternary ammonium compound, wherein said at least one imidazolinium quaternary ammonium compound and said at least one amido amine quaternary ammonium compound do not contain any unsaturated alkyl groups. These constituents are dispersed in water, which may preferably have a conductivity of about 2 &mgr;S/cm or below and a hardness of about 1 ppm CaCO
3
or below. It is noted that the above mentioned values for conductivity and softness are exemplary, and by no means limit the scope of the present invention.
The high-viscosity, low-solids rinse cycle fabric softener formulation of the present invention is used in the rinse cycle of any laundering process wherein conventional detergents are employed. The rinse cycle fabric softener formulation of the present invention is used in an amount of from about 0.05 to about 0.4 weight % of said fabric softener formulation, per 100 grams of fabric to be laundered.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a method of preparing the above mentioned high-viscosity, low-solids rinse cycle fabric softener formulation is provided. Specifically, the inventive method comprises blending from about 50 to about 90% by weight of at least one imidazolinium quaternary ammonium compound with from about 10 to about 50% by weight of at least one amido amine quaternary ammonium compound, wherein said at least one imidazolinium quaternary ammonium compound and said at least one amido amine quaternary ammonium compound do not contain any unsaturated alkyl groups. These compounds are dispersed in water at a temperature of from about 30° to about 70° C., wherein said water preferably has a conductivity of about 2 &mgr;S/cm or below and a hardness of about 1 ppm CaCO
3
or below.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
As stated above, the present invention relates to a high-viscosity, low-solids rinse cycle fabric softener formulation which includes at least one imidazolinium quaternary ammonium compound and at least one amido amine quaternary ammonium compound, wherein both quaternary compounds contain no unsaturated alkyl groups present therein.
The term “imidazolinium quaternary ammonium compound” is used herein to denote a quaternary ammonium compound having the following formula:
wherein R
10
is an saturated C
11-21
alkyl; R
11
is a divalent C
1-6
alkyl group; G is O or NH; and A is chloride, bromide, methyl sulfate, ethysulfate, formate, acetate, carbonate, sulfate, nitrate and other like anions. Preferred anions are chloride and methyl sulfate. Examples of imidazolinium quats that can be employed in the present invention include, but are not limited to: Varisoft 445 (i.e., methyl-1-hydrogenated tallow imidazolinium methyl sulfate) supplied by Goldschmidt Chemical Company.
The term “amido amine quaternary ammonium compound” is used herein to denote a quaternary ammonium compound having the following formula:
wherein R
7
is hydrogen or a C
1-4
alkyl; R
8
is a C
1-4
alkyl, ethoxy or propoxy; each R
9
is the same or different and is a saturated C
7-27
alkyl; c is 0 or 1; b is 1 to 6; and A is one of the above mentioned anions. Examples of amido amine quats that can be employed in the present invention include, but are not limited to: Varisoft 110 (i.e., methyl bis(hydrogenated tallow aminoethyl) 2-hydroxyethyl ammonium methyl sulfate) supplied by Goldschmidt Chemical Company.
In accordance with the present invention, the inventive high-viscosity, low-solids rinse cycle fabric softener formulation includes from about 50 to about 90% by weight of at least one imidazolinium quat and from about 10 to about 50% by weight of said at least one amido amine quat. Preferably, the inventive formulation includes from about 60 to about 90% by weight of at least one imidazolinium quat and from about 10 to about 40% by weight of said at least one amido
Goldschmidt Chemical Corporation
Hardee John
Scully Scott Murphy & Presser
LandOfFree
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