Cleaning compositions for solid surfaces – auxiliary compositions – Auxiliary compositions for cleaning – or processes of preparing – Textile softening or antistatic composition
Patent
1996-06-14
1998-05-12
Green, Anthony
Cleaning compositions for solid surfaces, auxiliary compositions
Auxiliary compositions for cleaning, or processes of preparing
Textile softening or antistatic composition
510515, 510522, D06M 1346, D06M 13184
Patent
active
057504911
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to fabric softening compositions of insoluble, degradable cationic fabric softeners at high concentrations. In particular, the present invention addresses the problem of dispersability which is usually associated with concentrations of bio-degradable cationic fabric softeners above 30%.
Including a mixture of aromatic acids, especially benzoic acid and salicylic acid, at an amount of at least 10% in total has proven to eliminate the dispersability drawbacks and stabilize the high concentration of the fabric softener active.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Traditionally, high concentrations of fabric softener actives which have been described in the prior art and are available for consumers are not readily dilutable such that they cannot be used directly. In order to use them effectively in the dispenser of automatic washing machines they have to be pre-diluted with water under strong agitation. This step is seen more often than not to be unacceptable, leading to an upper limit of fabric softener active concentrations in order to simplify or eliminate this step.
Typically, the commercially available fabric softener active concentrations comprise less than 25% active. At concentrations above this the cationic fabric softener active would not easily dilute such that its direct use in the dispenser of automatic washing machines is not possible.
A possible, and, for those skilled in the art obvious solution to this problem of desired higher concentration and acceptable dispensing performance, would be to include high amounts of organic solvents allowing the, fabric softener active at concentrations even up to 50% to be easily dispersable. However, high amounts (i.e. more than 10% to 20%) of organic solvents in household chemicals have safety (flash point) environmental and severe regulatory drawbacks (in some countries) and are therefore questionable in a household chemical.
The problem of dispersing and stability of the composition is further aggravated when fabric softeners containing at least one ester link to improve their bio-degradability are introduced.
Therefore, the problem underlying the present invention is to provide bio-degradable cationic fabric softeners at concentrations of at least 30% without the use of high amounts (more than 10 to 20%) of organic solvents and having a desirable i.e. sufficiently complete dispersing from the dispersing compartment of typical automatic washing machines.
EP-A-40562 discloses concentrated quaternary ammonium compounds in combination with non-ionic emulsifier to form a viscous gel of high concentration. This gel is not useful in dispersers of washing machines.
EP-A-79746 discloses traditional cationic fabric softeners which are non-biodegradable at high concentrations in combination with organic solvents particularly alcohols. The compositions are said to have good cold water dispersability in domestic automatic washing machines.
EP-A-507478 relates to bio-degradable fabric softeners preferably at concentrations between 8 and 15%, in combination with iso-propyl-alcohol.
GP-4333667 discloses degradable fabric softener compounds of high unsaturation levels in combination with polyvalent cyclic acids. However, no disclosure of the compositions according to the present invention and the problem underlying it are mentioned.
The closest prior art is considered to be EP-A-125103 mentioning highly concentrated traditional cationic fabric softeners in combination with aromatic acids. The fabric softeners are said to have good storage stability and cold water dispersability. Benzoic acid and salicylic acid are mentioned however no combination of aromatic acids, i.e. no mixture of aromatic acids are disclosed. Further this patent disclosure does not address the additional stability problems found in bio-degradable fabric softeners which is due to their ester link as the molecular site of initial decomposition in the environment.
EP-A-503155 and EP-A-507003 discloses di-ammonium compounds and poly-amino-esters which are bo
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Bodet Jean-Francois
DeBlock Frans
Aylor Robert B.
Green Anthony
Reed T. David
The Procter & Gamble & Company
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