Cleaning compositions for solid surfaces – auxiliary compositions – Auxiliary compositions for cleaning – or processes of preparing – Textile softening or antistatic composition
Reexamination Certificate
2000-08-24
2003-08-19
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
06608024
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to translucent or clear, aqueous, concentrated, liquid softening compositions having low perfume and principal solvent levels.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Translucent or clear fabric softening compositions and methods for producing them are well know in the art. Clear fabric softeners can offer many advantages to the consumer including reduced fabric staining potential from dyes, reduced dispenser build-up or residue, increased softness, etc. However, the technical challenges associated with forming stable clear softeners including softening actives which, due to their fatty nature, are only partially water soluble at best, have not all been overcome.
Traditional liquid fabric softeners employ mechanical energy (and electrolytes) to form vesicles of the insoluble softening active into a stable dispersion. However, this technique cannot be employed for translucent or clear softeners due to the cloudy nature of these suspensions.
Clear or translucent softeners historically have generally involved high solvent levels (i.e. greater than about 20%). Despite their high solvent levels, these compositions typically performed poorly and tended to be unstable at lower temperatures, i.e., at about 40° F. (about 4° C.) to about 65° F. (about 18° C.), thickening, solidifying, or forming precipitates or gels. However, recently, compositions comprising lower amounts of specific principal solvents (solvatropes) as described hereinafter, have been disclosed. Although these compositions perform well, the high cost and low supply capacity of certain solvatropes has encumbered the formation of clear, translucent softeners as well as made them unduly costly. Thus, the need has arisen for clear softeners having reduced levels of solvatrope.
Lastly, consumer demand for products having reduced levels of perfume or fragrance ingredients is risen. Many consumers desire scent free or scent reduced products due to a perceived sensitivity by selected individuals to fragrance ingredients. Yet these same consumers desire the benefits which a fabric softener can provide.
To date, clear fabric softening products have had only limited success in providing cost effective (i.e., reduced solvatrope), reduced fragrance, compositions which have acceptable stability and clarity profiles and superior softening capability.
Accordingly, the need remains for the development of a cost effective, low solvatrope level, stable clear fabric softener, especially those having reduced levels of perfume or fragrance ingredients.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This need is met by the present invention in which clear, stable fabric softening compositions having reduced solvent levels and/or reduced perfume or fragrance ingredients and acceptable stability are provided. The compositions of the present invention impart increased softness benefits to laundered garments as opposed to traditional softener compositions, as well as superior anti-wrinkle, improved color protection, improved fiber integrity and anti-static benefits. Without wishing to be bound by theory, it has been discovered that as solvatrope level is decreased, the stability and, consequently, the clarity of a translucent softener relies upon a delicate balance of the remaining ingredients in the system which may act in conjunction with the solvatrope. Typical of this class of ingredients are the largely hydrophobic organic perfume or fragrance ingredients. Perfume or fragrance ingredients which are hydrophobic appear to act in conjunction with the solvatrope to provide stable, clear compositions. Thus, the reduction of the level of hydrophobic perfume or fragrance in a low solvatrope clear or translucent fabric softening composition may adversely affect the stability and ultimately the clarity of the composition.
It has been surprisingly discovered that the stability, and ultimately the clarity, of a reduced solvatrope, clear fabric softener may be improved by the inclusion of a principal solvent extender to replace and/or augment the reduced perfume or fragrance ingredients and to act in conjunction with the solvatrope to provide improved stability. In addition, the presence of a solvent extender may provide increased softness benefits in certain instances even in fully formulated perfume compositions.
Accordingly, it is a first embodiment of the present invention to provide a clear or translucent rinse-added fabric softening composition having reduced solvent or solvatrope levels. The composition according to the invention comprises:
a)
from about 1% to about 90% by weight, of a fabric softening active;
b)
less than about 15% by weight, of a principal solvent, said principal
solvent having a ClogP of from about 0.15 to about 1;
c)
from about 0.1% to about 10% by weight, of a principal
solvent extender; and
d)
the balance carriers and adjunct ingredients.
Preferred embodiments include less than 2% by weight perfume and include a principal solvent extender which is a hydrophobic oil that aids in fluidizing the system which is characterized by a freezing point of less than 22° C. for in a mixture of the principle solvent extender and 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol (20%/80% by wt). Preferred systems are assumed to lower the freezing point of other principle solvent systems as well e.g. 2-ethyl-1,3-hexanediol and 1,2-hexanediol. These principal solvent extenders include materials such as benzyl benzoate, methyl esters derived from canola oil, and mixtures thereof. Alternative preferred principal solvent extenders include cumene sulfonates, xylene sulfonates, toluene sulfonates, C6-C14 sulfonates and sulfates, diamines and mixtures thereof.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The present invention relates to clear or translucent rinse-added fabric softening compositions having reduced levels of principal solvent or solvatrope and include the addition of a principal solvent or solvatrope extender which acts in conjunction with the principal solvent to form clear stable formulations. Thus, via the inclusion of the solvent extender, compositions which are clear, translucent liquids, need less principal solvent to maintain an isotropic formulation. These latter compositions may be formulated to be colorless solutions or the formulator may tint or color the compositions to satisfy the aesthetic decor indicated by the consumer. The level of principal solvent present in the compositions of the present invention is typically less than about 15%, preferably less than about 12%. In addition, the composition of the present invention may be formulated with reduced levels of perfume or fragrance ingredients, typically on the order of less than about 2.0%, more preferably less than 1.5% and most preferably less than 0.8%.
The compositions of the present invention impart increased softness benefits to laundered garments as opposed to traditional softener compositions, as well as superior anti-wrinkle, improved color protection, improved fiber integrity and anti-static benefits. With the use of the present compositions, the fabric is actually protected from damage, even in the following wash cycle. This benefit can be seen in the lack of lint in the lint filter after the fabric is dried in an automatic laundry dryer. The popularity of durable press (DP) cotton garments continues to grow. DP finishes are popular in heavy garments such as men's slacks —currently representing 45% of men's cotton slacks and 25% of all men's slacks. DP finish contains DMDHEU crosslinked with celluloses within cotton fibers to provide easy care (less wrinkles). The crosslinking of the cellulose chains produces fiber stiffness, leading to a greater propensity to abrasion vs. non-DP garments. The result: DP garments look worn/abraded in a few laundering cycles (≦5) vs. non DP garments. Use of products of this invention can reduce garment abrasion, especially DP treated fabrics, with the result of fabrics looking newer and lasting longer.
Principal Solvent Extender
As defined hereinbefore, the compositions of the present invention include a
Demeyere Hugo Jean Marie
DuVal Dean Larry
Frankenbach Gayle Marie
Nogami Masae
Shaw, Jr. John Henry
Camp Jason J.
Hardee John
Miller Steven W.
The Procter & Gamble & Company
William Zerby Kim
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