Cleaning compositions for solid surfaces – auxiliary compositions – Auxiliary compositions for cleaning – or processes of preparing – Textile softening or antistatic composition
Reexamination Certificate
2000-05-24
2002-06-25
Hardee, John (Department: 1751)
Cleaning compositions for solid surfaces, auxiliary compositions
Auxiliary compositions for cleaning, or processes of preparing
Textile softening or antistatic composition
Reexamination Certificate
active
06410503
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a fabric softening composition and more particularly to a method and a composition which reduce the amount of dyes released from colored fabrics upon subsequent wet treatments such as those which occur in a laundry operation.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The domestic treatment of colored fabric is a problem known in the art to the formulator of laundry compositions. More particularly, the problem of formulating laundry compositions which reduces the amount of dyes released from colored fabrics upon wet treatment is a particular challenge to the formulator. This problem is now even more acute with the trends of consumers to move towards more colored fabrics.
Numerous solutions have been proposed in the art to solve this problem such as by treating the fabric with a dye scavenger during the washing process as exemplified by EP 0,341,205, EP 0,033,815 or with a polyvinyl substance as exemplified by WO 94/11482. However, all these solutions are focused on preventing the end result of the dye bleeding, that is the redeposition of the dye on the fabrics. It is now an object of the invention to take the problem of dye at its source, that is to prevent the dye from bleeding.
Solutions may be found for use in the industrial treatments. However, these solutions are not usually transposable to domestic treatments. Indeed, in industrial processes a strict control over parameters such as pH, electrolyte concentration, water hardness, temperature, etc. is possible whereas in a domestic washing machine, such a high level of control is not possible.
In addition, in a domestic process, and in particular in a domestic rinse process, it is not practical to rely on high treatment temperatures such as those used in industrial processes, that is of above 40° C. Furthermore, industrial processes use high concentrations of fixing agents which is required for industrial scale treatment whilst for domestic treatment a low level is most preferred for economical reasons.
Accordingly, notwithstanding the advances in the art, there is still a need for an efficient and economical composition which provides effective and durable reduction of the amount of dyes released from colored fabrics upon subsequent wet domestic treatments.
EP 462806 provides the use of a cationic dye fixing agent in domestic treatment which assist in binding the loosely held dye to the fabric. However, the dye fixing agents described in this patent provide the fixation of the dye via electrostatic interactions with the dye and the cellulose fibre. These interactions are by definition reversible, and therefore labile.
The Applicant has now found that the use of a composition comprising a polyamino-functional polymer and a cellulose reactive dye fixing agent fulfills such a need. The reactive dye fixing agents used in the present invention react covalently with cellulose fibers, i.e. form a chemical bond that is more irreversible than mere ionic interactions, thereby providing more longevity to the dye fixative treatment.
It has also been advantageously found that the cellulose reactive dye fixing agents for use in the present invention even provide better performance than the dye fixing agents of EP 0,462,806.
By a cellulose reactive dye fixing agent, it is meant that a reactive functionality, which is grafted on the fixing agent, can form covalent bonds with cellulose. The reactivity can then further be improved upon heat treatment. A test method to define which compound are cellulose reactive dye fixing agent is given hereinafter.
Not to be bound by any theory, it is believed that dye fixing agents enhance the bleach damage of fabrics comprising bleach sensitive dye. Accordingly, it would be expected from more substantive dye fixing agent such as the cellulose reactive dye fixing agent to provide more bleach damage.
Surprisingly, it has been found that the combination of the invention overcome such problem.
Accordingly, it is therefore an advantage of the invention to provide compositions with effective and durable dye fixing properties.
Another advantage of the invention is that such compositions provide an increase performance of the above mentioned benefit after subjecting the treated fabrics with a heating source.
A further advantage of the invention is that the treated fabrics will thereafter show a reduced tendency in the subsequent wash to release dye. Such benefit is more particularly seen after multi-wash cycles (e.g. 20 wash cycles).
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a fabric care composition comprising a polyamino-functional polymer and a cellulose reactive dye fixing agent.
In another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for the domestic treatment of a fabric to reduce the amount of dye released from the fabric during wet treatments and comprising the step of contacting the fabrics with said composition; and thereafter contacting the treated fabrics with a heating source in a dry medium.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a fabric care composition with effective and durable dye fixing properties.
Amino-functional Polymer
An essential component of the invention is an amino-functional polymer. The amino-functional polymer advantageously provides care to the colors of fabrics.
The amino-functional polymers of the present invention are water-soluble or dispersible, polyamines. Typically, the amino-functional polymers for use herein have a molecular weight between 200 and 10
6
, preferably between 600 and 20,000, most preferably between 1000 and 10,000. These polyamines comprise backbones that can be either linear or cyclic. The polyamine backbones can also comprise polyamine branching chains to a greater or lesser degree. Preferably, the polyamine backbones described herein are modified in such a manner that at least one, preferably each nitrogen of the polyamine chain is thereafter described in terms of a unit that is substituted, quaternized, oxidized, or combinations thereof.
For the purposes of the present invention the term “modification” as it relates to the chemical structure of the polyamines is defined as replacing a backbone —NH hydrogen atom by an R′ unit (substitution), quaternizing a backbone nitrogen (quaternized) or oxidizing a backbone nitrogen to the N-oxide (oxidized). The terms “modification” and “substitution” are used interchangably when referring to the process of replacing a hydrogen atom attached to a backbone nitrogen with an R′ unit. Quaternization or oxidation may take place in some circumstances without substitution, but substitution is preferably accompanied by oxidation or quaternization of at least one backbone nitrogen.
The linear or non-cyclic polyamine backbones that comprise the amino-functional polymer have the general formula:
The cyclic polyamine backbones that comprise the amino-functional polymer have the general formula:
The above backbones prior to optional but preferred subsequent modification, comprise primary, secondary and tertiary amine nitrogens connected by R “linking” units.
For the purpose of the present invention, primary amine nitrogens comprising the backbone or branching chain once modified are defined as V or Z “terminal” units. For example, when a primary amine moiety, located at the end of the main polyamine backbone or branching chain having the structure:
H
2
N—[R]—
is modified according to the present invention, it is thereafter defined as a V “terminal” unit, or simply a V unit. However, for the purposes of the present invention, some or all of the primary amine moieties can remain unmodified subject to the restrictions further described herein below. These unmodified primary amine moieties by virtue of their position in the backbone chain remain “terminal” units. Likewise, when a primary amine moiety, located at the end of the main polyamine backbone having the structure:
—NH
2
is modified according to the present invention, it is thereafter defined as a Z “terminal” unit, or simply a
Hardee John
Miller Steven W.
The Procter & Gamble & Company
Turner Frank C.
Zerby Kim W.
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