Cleaning compositions for solid surfaces – auxiliary compositions – Cleaning compositions or processes of preparing – Specific organic component
Patent
1999-04-19
2000-08-15
Hardee, John R.
Cleaning compositions for solid surfaces, auxiliary compositions
Cleaning compositions or processes of preparing
Specific organic component
510504, C11D 162, C11D 337
Patent
active
061036854
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to detergent compositions or components thereof containing cationic surfactant and a dye-fixing agent. Generally the detergent compositions of the invention are for use in laundry washing processes.
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
It is known to use cationic surfactants in detergent compositions. For example, GB 2040990A describes granular detergent compositions comprising cationic surfactants.
It is also known to incorporate cationic polyamine dye-fixing agents into detergent compositions, as described in EP-A-462806.
However, formulations containing such polyamines exhibit poor stain removal properties as they tend to coat fabric surfaces thus trapping any stains on the fabric surface. Use of anionic surfactants to solve this problem may promote dye fading. The Applicants have found that this problem can be alleviated by the use of a cationic surfactant in combination with the cationic polyamine dye-fixing agents.
Furthermore, it is believed that following breakdown of an oily soil by the enzyme, the cationic surfactants used in the present invention may form complexes with the fatty acids and any other negatively charged breakdown product produced, increasing their solubility and enhancing greasy, oily soil removal and overall cleaning performance, prior to deposition of the dye-fixing agents.
All documents cited in the present description are incorporated herein by reference.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a detergent composition or component thereof which comprises atoms; each of R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 is independently selected from C.sub.1-4 alkyl or alkenyl; R.sup.4 is a C.sub.5-18 alkyl or alkenyl; and X.sup.- is a counterion.
Unless otherwise stated alkyl or alkenyl as used herein may be branched, linear or substituted. Substituents may be for example, aromatic groups, heterocyclic groups containing one or more N, S or O atoms, or halo substituents.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The cationic surfactant is generally present in the composition or component thereof in an amount no greater than 60% by weight, preferably no greater than 10% by weight, most preferably in an amount no greater than 4.5% or even 3% by weight. The benefits of the invention are found even with very small amounts of the cationic surfactant of formula I. Generally there will be at least 0.01% by weight, preferably at least 0.05% or at least 0.1% by weight of the cationic surfactant in the detergent compositions of the invention.
Preferably R.sup.1 in formula I is a hydroxyalkyl group, having no greater than 6 carbon atoms and preferably the --OH group is separated from the quaternary ammonium nitrogen atom by no more than 3 carbon atoms. Preferred R.sup.1 groups are --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 OH, --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 OH, --CH.sub.2 CH(CH.sub.3)OH and --CH(CH.sub.3)CH.sub.2 OH. --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 OH and --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 OH are most preferred and --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 OH is particularly preferred. Preferably R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are each selected from ethyl and methyl groups and most preferably both R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are methyl groups. Preferred R.sup.4 groups have at least 6 or even at least 7 carbon atoms. R.sup.4 may have no greater than 9 carbon atoms, or even no greater than 8 or 7 carbon atoms. Preferred R.sup.4 groups are linear alkyl groups. Linear R.sup.4 groups having from 8 to 11 carbon atoms, or from 8 to 10 carbon atoms are preferred. Preferably each of R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 is selected from C.sub.1-4 alkyl and R.sup.4 is C.sub.6-11 alkyl or alkenyl.
Whilst pure or substantially pure cationic compounds are within the ambit of this invention, it has been found that mixtures of the cationic surfactants of formula I may be particularly effective, for example, surfactant mixtures in which R.sup.4 may be a combination of C.sub.8 and C.sub.10 linear alkyl groups, or C.sub.9 and C.sub.11 alkyl groups. According to one aspect of the invention a mixture of cationic surfactants of formula I is present in the composition, the mixture
REFERENCES:
patent: 5458809 (1995-10-01), Fredj et al.
patent: 5830843 (1998-11-01), Hartman et al.
Hardee John R.
Rasser Jacobus C.
Robinson Ian S.
The Procter & Gamble & Company
Zerby Kim W.
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