Cleaning compositions for solid surfaces – auxiliary compositions – Auxiliary compositions for cleaning – or processes of preparing – Textile softening or antistatic composition
Reexamination Certificate
2002-09-04
2004-10-05
Hardee, John R. (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
06800602
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to the use of fabric softener compositions comprising selected polyorganosiloxanes, or mixtures thereof, together with selected additives for the improvement of the abrasion resistance of textile materials in domestic applications. In particular it relates to textile softening compositions for use in a textile laundering operation to impart excellent abrasion resistance on the textile.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Abrasion or friction induced wear in fabrics created by motion both during wear and in the laundering process is an important feature in the ageing of garments. This is evidenced by a progressive reduction in the mechanical strength of fabric measured by, for example, the tensile strength of a test strip. In extreme cases, this wear finally results in the actual teasing of cloth. Visually, areas of garments subjected to relatively extreme abrasion such as cuffs or collars can develop signs of wear which very obviously detract from the appearance of clothing.
It is known that the regular use of fabric softeners using various quaternary ammonium moieties can mitigate friction-induced wear (WO 97/36976). Without being bound by theory, it is believed that this is achieved by a lubrication of fibres and a consequent raising of the resistance of the cloth to abrasional wear and tear. Efforts to extend this protection by using higher levels of softener are impractical from both cost and technical perspectives e.g. fabric water proofing, discolouration, unpleasant hand feel etc. Accordingly, there is a need for additives or adjuncts to state of the art softener formulations which will boost their power to resist frictional wear without the aforementioned drawbacks.
As given above one component of the compositions of the present invention are polyorganosiloxanes. Such compounds are known to be used on an Industrial scale to finish fabrics by providing them with a permanent or semi-permanent finish aimed at improving their general appearance. Significant for these industrial fabric finishing processes is a co-called curing step generally involving temperatures in excess of 150° C. often for periods of one hour or more. The object here is to form a chemical finish which resists destruction during subsequent cleaning/laundering of fabrics. This process of finishing is not carried out in domestic applications and accordingly one would not expect benefits of a comparable nature or magnitude from polyorganosiloxanes included as adjuncts in domestic softeners. Indeed, it is noteworthy that if the compounds of the current invention achieved a permanence associated with industrial textile finishing, problems associated with a cumulative build through the wash cycles could occur such as fabric discoloration and even in extremes an unpleasant feel to the wearer.
Surprisingly, it has been found that the use of selected polyorganosiloxanes, or mixtures thereof, together with selected additives in fabric softener compositions provide excellent abrasion resistance effects when applied to fabrics during a textile laundry operation.
Similar benefits are noted when compositions of the current Invention are incorporated into tumble dryer additives such as impregnates on sheets.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a method of use of a softener composition for enhancing the abrasion resistance of textile fibre materials in domestic applications, which softener composition comprises:
A) a fabric softener;
B) at least one additive selected from the group consisting of
a) a polyethylene, or a mixture thereof,
b) a fatty acid alkanolamide, or a mixture thereof,
c) a polysilicic acid, or a mixture thereof, and
d) a polyurethane, or a mixture thereof; and
C) a dispersed polyorganosiloxane of formula (1)
wherein
R
1
is OH, OR
2
or CH
3
R
2
is CH
3
or CH
2
CH
3
R
3
is C
1
-C
20
alkoxy, CH
3
, CH
2
CHR
4
CH
2
NHR
5
, or CH
2
CHR
4
CH
2
N(COCH
3
)R
5
R
4
is H or CH
3
R
5
is H, CH
2
CH
2
NHR
6
, C(═O)—R
7
or (CH
2
)
z
—CH
3
z is 0 to 7
R
6
is H or C(═O)—R
7
R
7
is CH
3
, CH
2
CH
3
or CH
2
CH
2
CH
2
OH
R
8
is H or CH
3
the sum of X and Y is 40 to 4000;
or a dispersed polyorganosiloxane which comprises at least one unit of the formula (5)
(R
9
)
v
(R
10
)
w
Si—A—B (5)
wherein
R
9
is CH
3
, CH
3
CH
2
or Phenyl
R
10
is —O—Si or —O—R
9
the sum of v and w equals 3, and v does not equal 3
A=—CH
2
CH(R
11
)(CH
2
)
K
B=—NR
12
((CH
2
)
l
—NH)
m
R
12
, or
n is 0 or 1
when n is 0, U
1
is N, when n is 1, U
1
is CH
l is 2to 8
k is 0 to 6
m is 0 to 3
R
11
is H or CH
3
R
12
is H, C(═O)—R
16
, CH
2
(CH
2
)
p
CH
3
or
p is 0 to 6
R
13
is NH, O, OCH
2
CH(OH)CH
2
N(Butyl), OOCN(Butyl)
R
14
is H, linear or branched C
1
-C
4
alkyl, Phenyl or CH
2
CH(OH)CH
3
R
15
is H or linear or branched C
1
-C
4
alkyl
R
16
is CH
3
, CH
2
CH
3
or (CH
2
)
q
OH
q is 1 to 6
U
2
is N or CH;
or a dispersed polyorganosiloxane of the formula (8)
wherein
R
3
is as previously defined
R
17
is OH, OR
18
or CH
3
R
18
is CH
3
or CH
2
CH
3
R
19
is R
20
—(EO)
m
—(PO)
n
—R
21
m is 3 to 25
n is 0 to 10
R
20
is the direct bond or CH
2
CH(R
22
)(CH
2
)
p
R
23
p is 1 to 4
R
21
is H, R
24
, CH
2
CH(R
22
)NH
2
or CH(R
22
)CH
2
NH
2
R
22
is H or CH
3
R
23
is O or NH
R
24
is linear or branched C
1
-C
8
alkyl or Si(R
25
)R
3
R
25
is R
24
, OCH
3
or OCH
2
CH
3
EO is —CH
2
CH
2
O—
PO is —CH(CH
3
)CH
2
O— or —CH
2
CH(CH
3
)O—
the sum of X
1
, Y
1
and S is 20 to 1500;
or a dispersed polyorganosiloxane of the formula (9)
wherein
R
26
is linear or branched C
1
-C
20
alkoxy, CH
2
CH(R
4
)R
29
R
4
is as previously defined
R
29
is linear or branched C
1
-C
20
alkyl
R
27
is aryl, aryl substituted by linear or branched C
1
-C
10
alkyl, linear or branched C
1
-C
20
alkyl substituted by aryl or aryl substituted by linear or branched C
1
-C
10
alkyl
R
28
is
the sum of X
2
, X
3
, X4 and Y
2
is 20 to 1500, wherein X
3
, X
4
and Y
2
may be independently of each other 0;
or a mixture thereof.
The composition is preferably used as a component in a liquid rinse conditioner composition. The textile fibre materials are treated for abrasion resistance.
In tumble dryer applications the compositions are usually incorporated into impregnates on non-woven sheets. However, other application forms are known to those skilled in the art.
The fabric softener composition will be used after the textile fibre materials have been washed with a laundry detergent, which may be one of a broad range of detergent types. The tumble dryer sheet will be used after a laundering process. The textile fibre materials may be damp or dry.
The fabric softener composition may also be sprayed directly onto the fabrics prior to or during the ironing or drying of the treated fabrics.
The polyorganosiloxane may be anionic, nonionic or cationic, preferably nonionic or cationic.
The polyorganosiloxanes, or mixtures thereof, are usually used in a dispersed form, via the use of an emulsifier. The fabric softener compositions are preferably in liquid aqueous form. The fabric softener compositions contain as a rule a water content of 25 to 90% by weight based on the total weight of the composition. The particles of the emulsion usually have a diameter of between 5 nm and 1000 nm.
When the polyorganosiloxane contains a nitrogen atom, the nitrogen content of the aqueous emulsion due to the polyorganosiloxane is from 0.001 to 0.25% with respect to the silicon content. In general, a nitrogen content from 0 to 0.25% is preferred.
The fabric softener composition usually has a solids content of 5 to 70% at a temperature of 120° C.
The fabric softener composition preferably has a pH value from 2.0
Chrobaczek Harald
Dubini Mario
Geubtner Michael
Goretzki Ralf
Kvita Petr
Ciba Specialty Chemicals Corporation
Hardee John R.
Mansfield Kevin T.
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