Cleaning compositions for solid surfaces – auxiliary compositions – Auxiliary compositions for cleaning – or processes of preparing – Textile softening or antistatic composition
Reexamination Certificate
2000-07-26
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
C510S522000, C510S527000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06410501
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to fabric conditioning concentrates with less than 30% by weight of water that easily disperse and self-emulsify on dilution with cold or warm water (10-70° C.) and when emulsified in water give stable emulsions which provide improved softening for laundry.
BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART
Conventional rinse conditioners are obtained by dispersing a cationic softening material and perfume into hot water. The problem with such conventional aqueous rinse conditioners is that although the rinse conditioners soften laundry they do not deliver perfume onto the fabric well because as much as one third of the perfume in the formulation remains in the rinse water.
EP 829531 discloses a fabric conditioning concentrate comprising a cationic fabric softening compound and oil in which the cationic fabric softening compound is suspended in the oil. When the concentrate is mixed with water, an oil-in-water emulsion is produced, which gives good softening and perfume delivery.
WO 99/43777 discloses a fabric conditioning concentrate composition comprising a fabric softening compound mixed with oil, the composition containing a water-soluble polymeric structurant. This fabric conditioning concentrate easily self-disperses on dilution with cold or warm water and give stable emulsions with controlled viscosity and creaming. It provides excellent perfume delivery and fabric softening quality.
The emulsions produced according from the fabric conditioning concentrates of EP 829531 and WO 99/43777 deliver softening due to the presence of cationic fabric softener, which may be present at a level up to 60% by weight but more normally is in the range 10 by weight to 40% by weight. Typically, the fabric softener is present in these concentrates is in a crystalline state in the liquid oil, giving rise to stability problems. The crystals tend to dissolve above 35-40° C. At low temperatures (below 10° C.) the systems become very viscous, impairing dispersion in water. Separation of crystals from suspension can also occur.
The present inventors have now discovered that fabric conditioning compound concentrates having less than 30% by weight of water can be produced comprising a specified nonionic fabric conditioning in combination with a deposition aid such as a cationic, nonionic or anionic surfactant.
The fabric conditioning concentrate compositions of the present invention self-emulsify or disperse in warm or cold water to provide emulsions. The fabric conditioning emulsions produced provide excellent perfume delivery and fabric conditioning. For example, a high level of absorbency of towels and fabrics softened with the emulsions can be obtained. Ease of ironing benefits and anti-crease benefits are also observed.
The concentrates themselves can be clear or isotropic and have an attractive appearance. They are stable, allowing long term of storage.
DEFINITION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention accordingly provides a fabric conditioning concentrate comprising:
(i) a nonionic fabric softening compound comprising a liquid or soft solid derivative of a cyclic polyol (CPE) or of a reduced saccharide (RSE) resulting from 35 to 100% of the hydroxyl groups in the cyclic polyol or reduced saccharide being esterified or etherified, the derivative (CPE or RSE) having at least 2 or more of ester or ether groups independently attached to a C
8
-C
22
alkyl or alkenyl chain or mixtures thereof, and containing at least 35% tri- or higher esters;
(ii) a deposition aid,
(iii) an emulsifying agent, and
(iv) less than 30% by weight water.
The present invention further provides a method of manufacturing a fabric conditioning concentrate comprising the step of mixing:
(i) a nonionic fabric softening compound comprising a liquid or soft solid derivative of a cyclic polyol (CPE) or of a reduced saccharide (RSE) resulting from 35 to 100% of the hydroxyl groups in the cyclic polyol or reduced saccharide being esterified or etherified, the derivative (CPE or RSE) having at least 2 or more of ester or ether groups independently attached to a C
8
-C
22
alkyl or alkenyl chain or mixtures thereof, and containing at least 35% tri- or higher esters;
(ii) a deposition aid,
(iii) an emulsifying agent, and
(iv) less than 30% by weight water.
The present invention further provides a method of preparing an aqueous emulsion comprising mixing a fabric conditioning concentrate according to the present invention with water.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The term “concentrate” in the context of the present invention means that a relatively low level of water is present in the formulation. The maximum level of water that can be present in the formulation is 30% or less by weight of the total formulation, more preferably 20% or less by weight, most preferably 10% or less by weight. In some situations less than 0.5% by weight of water may be present.
The Nonionic Fabric Softening Compound (i)
The concentrate compositions of the present invention comprise a fabric softening compound (i) which is a liquid or soft solid derivative of a cyclic polyol (CPE) or of a reduced saccharide (RSE) resulting from 35 to 100% of the hydroxyl groups in a cyclic polyol or reduced saccharide being esterified or etherified, the derivative having at least two or more ester or ether groups independently attached to a C
8
-C
22
alkyl or alkenyl chain or mixtures thereof and containing at least 35% tri or higher esters.
Suitable sugar ester oils are described in international patent application WO 98/16538.
It is preferred if the viscosity of the nonionic fabric softening compound (i) is in the range 5,000 to 20,000 mPas, most preferably 10,000 to 20,000 mPas. All viscosities are measured at 25° C. The nonionic fabric softening compound (i) used in the present invention is substantially Newtonian.
The level of nonionic fabric softening compound (i) in the fabric conditioner concentrate is preferably from 20 to 78 wt % of the composition, more preferably from 40 to 75 wt %, most preferably from 50 to 70 wt %.
The liquid or soft solid (as hereinafter defined) CPEs or RSEs of the present invention result from 35 to 100% of the hydroxyl groups of the starting cyclic polyol or reduced saccharide being esterified or etherified. Typically the CPE's or RSE's have 3 or more ester or ether groups or mixtures thereof for example 4 or more, example 5 or more. It is preferred if two or more of the ester or ether groups of the CPE or RSE are independently of one another attached to a C
8
to C
22
alkyl or alkenyl chain. The C
8
to C
22
alkyl or alkenyl groups may be branched or linear carbon chains.
Preferably 40 to 90% of the hydroxyl groups, most preferably 50 to 80%, e.g. 50 to 70% are esterified or etherified.
CPEs are preferred for use with the present invention. Inositol is a preferred example of a cyclic polyol. Inositol derivatives are especially preferred.
In the context of the present invention the term cyclic polyol encompasses all forms of saccharides. Indeed saccharides are especially preferred for use with this invention. Examples of preferred saccharides for the CPE's or RSE's to be derived from are monosaccharides and disaccharides.
Examples of monosaccharides include xylose, arabinose, galactose, fructose, sorbose and glucose. Glucose is especially preferred.
An example of a reduced saccharide is sorbitan.
Examples of disaccharides include maltose, lactose, cellobiose and sucrose. Sucrose is especially preferred.
The liquid or soft solid CPE's or RSE's of the present invention can be prepared by a variety of methods well known to those skilled in the art. These methods include acylation of the cyclic polyol or reduced saccharide with an acid chloride; trans-esterification of the cyclic polyol or reduced saccharide fatty acid esters using a variety of catalysts; acylation of the cyclic polyol or reduced saccharide with an acid anhydride and acylation of the cyclic polyol or reduced saccharide with a fatty acid. Typical preparations of these martials are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4 38
Jones Craig Warren
Mohammadi Mansur Sultan
Hardee John
Unilever Home & Personal Care USA , division of Conopco, Inc.
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