Compositions – Compositions for enhancing the appearance of consumer...
Reexamination Certificate
2001-02-14
2003-01-07
Green, Anthony J. (Department: 1755)
Compositions
Compositions for enhancing the appearance of consumer...
C252S008610, C424S076100, C424S076200
Reexamination Certificate
active
06503413
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to stable, aqueous compositions for treating surfaces, especially fabrics, comprising polyalkyleneoxide polysiloxanes. The present invention further relates to methods of using the compositions for reducing malodor impression on surfaces, especially fabrics, and/or reducing the appearance of wrinkles on fabrics. The present invention further relates to articles of manufacture for treating surfaces, especially fabrics, comprising a spray dispenser containing the stable, aqueous composition.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Polyalkyleneoxide polysiloxanes have been incorporated in compositions, such as herbicide compositions, to enhance the ability of compositions to distribute (i.e. spread) across a surface. Certain polyalkyleneoxide polysiloxanes, especially those having a relatively low molecular weight, have been referred to as “superwetting” agents due to their ability to significantly enhance the ability of a composition to distribute across a surface. However, such polyalkyleneoxide polysiloxane materials tend to be rather unstable in aqueous solutions, especially over relatively long periods of time.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,968,990 issued Oct. 19, 1999 to Jon et al. discloses a water-dilutable, microemulsion concentrate and pour-on formulations for water-insoluble insecticides such as amitraz. In Example 14 of Jon et al., 2% of Silwet L-77® (a low molecular weight polyalkyleneoxide polysiloxane) was added to Example 13 of Jon et al. to enhance spreading and wetting of the microemulsion of Example 13. The composition was then diluted with hard water. It is noted by Jon et al. that the diluted composition was slightly hazy and the polysiloxane material settled out of solution after 1 day at room temperature.
It has thus been desired to develop a composition for treating surfaces, especially fabrics, that has enhanced ability to distribute across the surface of the fabrics and penetrate in between the fibers of fabrics. It has further been desired to develop such a composition that is stable over a relatively long period of time.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention encompasses stable, aqueous compositions for treating surfaces, especially fabrics, preferably for reducing malodor impression on surfaces and/or reducing the appearance of wrinkles in fabrics, the compositions comprising:
(a) a polyalkyleneoxide polysiloxane having the formula:
wherein x is from about 1 to about 8; n is from about 3 to about 4; a is from about 1 to about 15; b is from about 0 to about 14; a+b is from about 5 to about 15; and R is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, an alkyl group having from about 1 to about 4 carbon atoms, and an acetyl group; and wherein said polyalkylene polysiloxane has a molecular weight of less than about 1,000;
(b) a buffering agent; wherein said buffering agent has at least one pK
a
value and/or pK
b
value of from about 4 to about 10; and
(c) aqueous carrier;
wherein said composition has a pH of from about 4 to about 10. The compositions preferably further comprise a cationic surfactant to further enhance the spreading and/or fabric penetration ability of the compositions. The compositions can be dilute or concentrated aqueous compositions. The compositions can further comprise a variety of other optional ingredients and are preferably essentially free of materials that would soil or stain fabrics under usage conditions.
The present invention also relates to methods of treating surfaces, especially fabrics, with the compositions of the present invention. The methods more specifically relate to reducing malodor impression on surfaces and/or reducing the appearance of wrinkles on fabrics.
The present invention further relates to articles of manufacture comprising the compositions of the present invention packaged in a spray dispener (preferably with dilute compositions) or a bottle having a measuring closure (preferably with concentrated compositions). The articles preferably further comprise a set of instructions to instruct a consumer to carry out the methods of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
I. COMPOSITIONS
The present invention relates to stable, aqueous compositions for treating surfaces, especially fabrics. The compositions herein are particularly suitable for reducing malodor impression on surfaces having malodor impression, and/or for reducing the appearance of wrinkles in fabrics.
The stable, aqueous compositions herein comprise: a relatively low molecular weight polyalkyleneoxide polysiloxane surfactant; a buffering agent to maintain the pH of the composition in the range of from about 4 to about 10, preferably from about 5 to about 9.5, and more preferably from about 6 to about 9; and an aqueous carrier.
The stable, aqueous compositions of the present invention preferably further comprise a cationic surfactant. Cationic surfactants incorporated in the present compositions tend to further enhance the ability of the compositions to distribute (or spread) across the treated surface. In addition, where the treated surface is fabric, the cationic surfactant enhances the ability of the composition to penetrate in between the fibers of the fabric and also can enhance the softness of the treated fabric. It is thus highly desirable to incorporate the optional cationic surfactants in the compositions of the present invention.
The stable, aqueous compositions herein include dilute compositions that can be conveniently distributed to a surface, especially fabrics, via a spray dispenser. The compositions herein further relate to concentrated compositions that can be diluted with water to form dilute compositions, or can be concentrated compositions suitable for adding, for example, to a wash and/or rinse cycle in a typical laundry process. The compositions herein provide reduction of malodor impression on surfaces (especially fabrics) and/or reduction of the appearance of wrinkles in fabrics.
Preferably, the stable, aqueous compositions of the present invention are clear. The term “clear” as defined herein means transparent or translucent, preferably transparent, as in “water clear,” when observed through a layer having a thickness of less than about 10 cm.
The present stable, aqueous compositions are preferably essentially free of, or free of, any material that would soil or stain fabric under usage conditions, or at least do not contain such materials at a level that would soil or stain fabrics unacceptably under usage conditions.
The compositions herein are also preferably essentially free of, or free of, herbicide active materials.
A. POLYALKYLENEOXIDE POLYSILOXANE SURFACTANTS
As mentioned hereinbefore, polyalkyleneoxide polysiloxane compounds, especially those having a molecular weight of less than about 1,000, greatly enhance the ability of a composition to distribute (or spread) across a surface treated with the composition. Also, it has been found that such compounds, when used in compositions for treating fabrics, greatly enhance the ability of the composition to penetrate in between fibers of fabrics. However, such polyalkyleneoxide polysiloxane surfactants can be rather unstable in aqueous compositions. It has been found that the pH of the present compositions needs to be carefully controlled and thus the present compositions require a suitable buffering agent to stabilize these compositions comprising relatively low molecular weight polyalkyleneoxide polysiloxane surfactants.
The polyalkyleneoxide polysiloxane surfactants suitable in the stable, aqueous compositions of the present invention have the general formula:
wherein
x has a value of from about 1 to about 8; preferably from about 1 to 3; and more preferably 1;
n has a value of from about 3 to about 4, preferably n is about 3;
a has a value of from about I to about 15, preferably a is from about 6 to about 10;
b has a value of from about 0 to about 14, preferably b Is from about 0 to about 3:
and most preferably b is about 0,
a+b has a value of from about 5 to about 15, preferably from about 6 t
Cetti Jonathan Robert
DuVal Dean Larry
Frankenbach Gayle Marie
Stickney Janese Christine O'Brien
Uchiyama Hirotaka
Bamber Jeffrey V.
Camp Jason J.
Green Anthony J.
The Procter & Gamble & Company
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