FABRIC SOFTENING COMPOSITION

Abstract: Fabric softening composition and preferably consisting of a liquid absorbent carrier containing a composition of 20-89.9% by weight of alkoxylated beta -sitosterol, 10-79.9% by weight of dialkyldimethylammonium chloride or an imidazoline derivative, 0.01-10% by weight of an UV-absorber and 0-10% by weight of one or more additives. The composition in the form of an impregnated carrier is suitable for use in drying tumblers and counteracts carding and fading of the fabrics. Such a composition can be prepared by impregnation of the carrier without the use of organic solvent.

Description: FABRI C SOFTEN I NG COMPOSI TION . This invention relates to a fabric softening preparation and more particularly to a fabric softening preparation for use in drying tumblers. When fabrics are washed in washing machines, a hard feel is ofted imparted to the fabrics unless they are treated with a soft¬ ening composition after the washing operation . Such a treatment is ordinarily carried out by adding an aqueous emulsion of a softening composition (rinsing composition) to the last portion of rinsing water. Examples of softening compositions which are used for this purpose are quaternary ammonium compounds having the general formula 1 2 3 4 1 2 R R R R N X, in which R and R are lower al kyl groups and pre- 3 4 ferably methyl groups, and R and R are higher al kyl groups, such as stearyl groups, and wherein X is Cl or Br . Such quaternary ammonium compounds do not only exert a softening effect on the fabrics but also counteract the charging of such fabrics with static electricity. Therefore, they are particularly suitable for the treatment of fabrics containing synthetic fibres. The supply of softening compositions to a fabric through the rinsing water may present dosage problems . Thus, the required amount of softening composition does not only depend on the weight of the fabric but also on the type of fibres from which it has been prepared . Thus, polyester fibres require 5-10 times more softening composition than cotton fibres . With the growing use of mixtures of natural and synthetic fibres the dosage problem is aggravated . In practice, the consequen¬ ce of these problems is that excessive amounts of rinsing composition are used . The use of excessive amounts of rinsing composition is not only unsatisfactory for economic reasons but may also have the effect that some fabrics, e. g . cotton goods, become so hydrophoblc that their ability to absorb water is significantly reduced . Furthermore, the use of excessive amounts of rinsing composition causes fabrics which are used in direct contact with the skin , such as underwear, to be soiled more rapidly than with normal dosage of rinsing compo¬ sition . Even in cases where the rinsing composition is used in an amount which is exactly adjusted to the weight and composition of the fabric, a dosage problem arises because as mentioned above the fibres require different amounts of softening composition and because the same amount of softening composition is supplied to the fibres regardless of their composition, so that excessive amounts of softening composition are supplied to some fibres, whereas the amount supplied to other fibres is insufficient. As far as the counteracting of charging with static electricity Is concerned, the dosage problems play a relatively minor role. During the recent years the use of laundry driers has been increasing . In such machines, the socalled drying tumblers, the laundry is subjected to the influence of a dry, hot stream of air while being mechanically whirled in such a stream of air. The major advantages of this drying method are that it is quick, requires only a small space and that the laundry is worked and consequently softened simultaneously with the drying operation . The method also have significant drawbacks . Thus, the method causes the laundry to be substantially worn, a wear which is evidenced by the formation of very substantial amounts of fluff. Therefore, drying tumblers are equipped with fluff filters which serve to prevent the fluff from adhering to the heating elements of the drying tumblers and being ignited . Further drawbacks of drying laundry in a machine are that the dried laundry may be strongly charged with static electricity and that such charging indirectly accelerates the fading ' process which occur when the fabrics are subjected to the direct influence of sunlight. This phenomenon is presumably due to the fact that the surfaces of the fabrics are damaged during the machine drying operation and form surface layers of torn and carded fibres. When such a surface is subjected to the influence of sunlight, the sun will hit the torn and carded fibres from more angles than in the case where the surface is un- damaged , and this seems to contribute to the acceleration of the fading in direct sunlight. However, the mechanical drying of laundry has provided the possibility for supplying a softening composition to the fabric after the completion of the washing process . Thus, it is well known to introduce small pieces of softening preparations, each consisting of a liquid absorbent carrier impregnated with one or more softening compositions into drying tumblers . During the treatment of the laundry in a drying tumbler containing such a preparation , the sof- tening composition will be gradually liberated to the laundry which consequently gets a soft feel . At the same time it obtains an excel¬ lent resistance against charging with static electricity. The specification of Danish patent No. 132.345 discloses numerous softening preparations, of which some are prepared by im¬ pregnating a liquid absorbent carrier with a solution of one or more softening compositions and perfume. The solvent used ordinarily is isopropanol and water. The use of isopropanol as the sole solvent or in admixture with water presents the serious drawback that both for economic and health reasons evaporated solvent has to be recovered . Such a recovery is complicated and makes the manufacture of the prior art softening preparations expensive. The object of the invention is to provide a softening com¬ position of the above mentioned type which , apart from softening the fabrics, counteracts carding and fading of the fabrics in sunlight. A further object of the invention is to provide a fabric softening composition contained in a liquid absorbent carrier which carrier, if desired , has been impregnated with the softening compo¬ sition in the form of a solution containing no organic solvent. According to the invention these and other objects are ob¬ tained with a composition which is characterized in that it comprises (a) 20-89.5% by weight of an alkoxylated β-sitosterol having the ge¬ neral formula: 1 wherein n is an integer of from 10 to 100, and R is a hydro¬ gen atom or a methyl or ethyl group, (b) 10-79.9% by weight of a di(C 12 -C 22 *-al kyl )dimethylammonium chloride or an imidazoline derivative having the general formula: 2 3 in which R and R each is a saturated or unsaturated hydro- 4 carbon group containing 11 -21 carbon atoms, and R is a methyl or ethyl group, (c) 0.01 -10% by weight of an UV-absorber, and (d) 0-10% by weight of one or more additives, such as agents for the control of the melting point of the softening composition , agents for controlling the solubility of the composition in water and/or agents for reducing the carding or wear of the fabrics . Preferred UV-absorbers are a distyrylbisphenyl derivative having the formula: a bisbeπzoxazole having the formula: a stilbene derivative having the formula: CH 3 OSO 3 *; a coumarin derivative having the formula: a pyrazoline derivative having the formula: a styrylbenzimidazole having the formula: a benzoxazole having the formula: and a benzophenone having the formula: Examples of additives mentioned sub item (d) are ^- ^p" -alkylmonoglyceride, sorbitanmonostearate, alkylmonoalkanol amides having the formula: R 5 CO NH R 6 OH, wherein R is an alkyl group containing 11 to 21 carbon atoms and R is an alkyl group containing from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, and alkoxylated ethylene dia ines. The composition according to the invention can be used in the form of a solution in a suitable solvent, such as water. When it is used in the form of such a solution, the composition preferably constitutes from 5 to 70% by weight of the solution . Such a solution is particularly suitable in automatic washing machines in which a given amount of a liquid softening composition is automatically added to the rinsing water. However, the composition according to the invention is preferably used in the form of a fabric softening preparation consist¬ ing of a liquid absorbent carrier impregnated with a solution of the softening composition according to the invention . Such a preparation is particularly suitable for use in the above mentioned drying tumb¬ lers in which a softening composition is supplied to the laundry while it is being dried , the softening composition being gradually transfer¬ red from the impregnated carrier to the laundry during the whirling movement of the laundry. A preparation prepared by such an impregnation is pre¬ ferably composed in such a manner that the melting point range is above 48°C and below 52°C in dried state in order to ensure that it is uniformly distributed ' over the fabric. Such a preparation is preferably manufactured by introduc- Ing the liquid absorbent carrier In the form of single pieces or as a web in a solution , including an aqueous solution , of the above men¬ tioned components and by subsequently drying the carrier and optionally cutting it into suitable pieces. It has been found that in practice surprisingly good re- suits are obtained by alternatingly rinsing the laundry with a solu¬ tion of the softening composition according to the invention and using the preparation as described above during the drying of the laundry in drying tumblers, i . e . using a liquid absorbent carrier containing the softening composition according to the invention , because such procedure causes the laundry to be saturated with softening composition . The invention wil l now be described in further detail with reference to the following examples : Example 1 A mixture of 40 parts by weight of ethoxylated β-sitosterol contain¬ ing 75 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of β-sitosterol 10 - coconut ethanol amide 10 - α-stearic acid monoglyceride 40 - distearyldimethyl ammonium chlo¬ ride 0.1 - an UV-absorber having the form¬ ula 0.1 part by weight of bisbenzoxazole and 100 - water was heated to 65°C with stirring so as to provide a low-viscous solu¬ tion . A piece of non-woven fabric consisting of "Vlieseline" was im¬ pregnated with said solution, and after drying with hot air an im¬ pregnated piece of fabric having the dimensions 25 x 30 cm was used for the post-treatment of 4 kg of newly washed laundry which had been washed in a drum washing machine at 60°C using an ordinary powdered detergent, in a drying tumbler using a hot stream of air having a temperature of 60°C for _ hour. The laundry consisted of 2 kg of cotton articles and 2 kg of polyester articles . Another portion of laundry having the same composition as the above mentioned one was also washed at 60°C using the same detergent, and the laundry was dried in a drying tumbler with hot air at 60 C for ■ _ hour. Furthermore, an additional portion of laundry having the same com¬ position as the above mentioned one was washed in the above men¬ tioned manner, but the clean laundry thus obtained was treated with a commercially available rinsing composition containing distearyldi- methylammonium chloride in the manner prescribed by the manufac¬ turer before the laundry was dried by hanging . The dry laundry treated with the composition of the inven- tioπ was then compared with the non-treated laundry and with the laundry which had been treated with a rinsing composition by a panel of 24 persons who evaluated the feel of the laundry. The result of this evaluation has been expressed in points in the following table, the feel of the laundry being evaluated on the basis of a scale of from 1 to 3 points, in which 3 expresses a good feel , 2 a tolerable feel and 3 a poor feel . Feel of dry laundry Cotton articles Polyester articles Total number of Total number of points points Treated with the compo¬ sition according to the invention 36 (12 x 3) 42 (14 x 3) Non-treated laundry 20 (10 x 2) 12 (6 x 2) Laundry treated with rinsing composition 2 (2 x 1 ) 4 (4 x 1 ) As will appear from the above data, the laundry treated with a composition according to the invention has a substantially better feel than laundry treated in the conventional manner with a rinsing composition and subsequently dried by hanging and a better feel than non-treated laundry. The liberation of fluff from the laundry dried in a hot stream of air was also determined . The following data were obtained : Amount of fluff Laundry treated with a composition according to the invention < 0.01 g Non-treated laundry 0.76 g The above data show that the liberation " of fluff is sub¬ stantially reduced by treating laundry with a composition according to the invention compared to non-treated laundry. This indicates that the above mentioned improved feel has not been obtained by damaging the surface of the fabric. Samples of the above mentioned three portions of laundry were also investigated by means of a fluorescent photometer for de- termining the UV-absorption by radiation at a wavelength of 370 nm . The following data were obtained : Transformed light having a wavelength of 440 nm compared to a standard sample having a reflection of 100 Cotton articles Polyester articles Laundry treated with a composition according to the invention 73 76 Non-treated laundry 31 64 Laundry treated with a rinsing composition 45 66 The data show that the laundry treated with the composi¬ tion according to the invention reflects substantially more light of a wavelength of 440 nm (blue light) than the non-treated laundry and the laundry treated with a rinsing composition . Therefore, the risk of fading of the first mentioned laundry is substantially reduced . In order to evaluate the degree of water-repellency, the water-absorption capability of the laundry was determined by dipping strips having a length of 10 cm and a width of 1 cm in water for 10 seconds . The strips were dipped in such a manner that only 5 cm of each strip was in contact with the water. The following results were obtained : Increase of weight Cotton articles Polyester articles Laundry treated with the com- position according to the In¬ vention 761% 286% Non-treated laundry 642% 191% Laundry treated with a rinsing composition 349% 166% The data show that the treatment with the composition ac¬ cording to the invention does not reduce the water absorption capa- bility of the fabric as is the case with the laundry treated with a rinsing composition and that on the contrary the water absorption capacity is increased , cf . the data for the non-treated laundry. Similar tests were carried out with another preparation - prepared from the following mixture in the same manner as described above: 60 parts by weight of ethoxylated β-sitosterol contain¬ ing 75 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of β-sitosterol 20 - an al koxylated dϊamine having the formula: H (OCH 2 CH 2 ) (OCH 3 CHCH 2 ) c (OCH 3 CHCH 2 ) a (CH 2 CH 2 O) χ H I / NCH-CH-N / \ H (OCH 2 CH 2 ) (OCH 3 CHCH 2 ) d (OCH 3 CHCH 2 ) b (CHgCHgO) H wherein a + b + c + d = 50 and x + y + p + q = 160 10 parts by weight of distearyldimethylammonium chlo- ride 10 - coconut ethanol amide 1 - lactic acid (85%) 0.1 - an UV-absorber having the form¬ ula : 0.1 part by weight of an UV-absorber having the form¬ ula : 100 parts by weight of water. When investigating the preparation obtained from said mix¬ ture, the following data were obtained: Amount of fluff Laundry treated with the composition according to the invention < 0.01 g Non-treated laundry 0.71 g UV-absorpt?on/remission , 370/440 nm Cotton articles Polyester articles Laundry treated with the composition according to the invention 67 79 Non-treated laundry 26 68 Laundry treated with a rinsing composition 43 66 Degree of water-repellency, increase of weight Cotton articles Polyester articles Laundry treated with the composition according to the invention 783% 277% Non-treated laundry 672% 181% Laundry treated with rinsing composition 331% 157% The above data show that the second preparation presents substantially the same advantages as the first mentioned . Example 2 Preparations prepared from the following two mixtures in the manner described in example 1 were used for the treatment of laundry and a comparison with non-treated laundry and laundry treated with a commercially available rinsing agent was made. Ex. 2a 100 parts by weight of distearyidimethylammonium chloride 20 ethoxylated β-sitosterol contain- 75 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of β-sitosterol 10 coconut onoethanol amide 20 stear yl-α-monoglyceride 0.05 an UV-absorber having the formula: 0.1 part by weight of an UV-absorber having the formula 100 parts by weight of water. Ex. 2b 50 parts by weight of ethoxylated β-sitosterol contain- 75 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of β-sitosterol 30 - al koxylated diamine having the formula : H (OCH 2 CH 2 ) (OCH 3 CHCH 2 OCH 3 CHCH 2 ) a (CH 2 CH 2 O) χ H H (OCH 2 CH 2 ) (OCH 3 CHCH 2 ) d (OCH 3 CHCH 2 ) b (CHgCHgO) H wherein a + b + c + d = 50 and x + y + p + q = 160. 3 parts by weight of lactic acid (80%) 10 - ' ethoxylated stearyl amine having the formula: (CH 2 CH 2 O) χ H RN (CH 2 CH 2 O) H wherein x + y = 10, and R is a stearyl group . 8 parts by weight of coconut monoethanol amide . 0.1 - an UV-absorber having the formula (CH 3 ) 0.05 parts by weight of an UV-absorber having the formula 0.05 parts by weight of an UV-absorber having the formula 100 parts by weight of water. When investigating the dry laundry the following data were obtained: Amount of fluff Ex. 2a Ex . 2b Laundry treated with the composition according to the invention < 0.04 g < 0.01 g Non-treated laundry 1 .03 g 0.81 g UV absorption/remission, 370/440 nm Ex . 2a Ex . 2b Cotton Polyester Cotton Polyester articles articles articles articles Laundry treated with the composi¬ tion according to the invention 76 87 79 86 Non -treated laundry 28 69 29 68 Laundry treated with a rinsing composition 44 64 46 61 The data of the above mentioned tables show that the two preparations investigated present essentially the same advantages as those mentioned in example 1 . Degree of water- repel lency, weight increase Ex. 2a Ex. 2b Cotton Polyester Cotton Polyester articles articles articles articles Laundry treated with the composi¬ tion according to the invention 689% 251% 811% 292% Non-treated laundry 664% 181% 648% 178% Laundry treated with a rinsing composition 341% 152% 356% 169%

Claims: P a t e n t C l a i m s 1. A fabric softening composition, c h a r a c t e r i z ¬ e d in that it comprises (a) 20-89.9% by weight of an alkoxylated β-sitosterol having the general formula: wherein n er an integer of from 10 to 100, and R ' is a hydro¬ gen atom or a methyl or ethyl group, (b) 10-79.9% by weight of d C-p' '^ky imethylammonium chlo¬ ride or an imidazoline derivative having the general formula: wherein R and R each is a saturated or unsaturated hydro- 4 carbon group containing 11-21 carbon atoms, and R is a methyl or ethyl group, (c) 0.01-10% by weight of an UV-absorber, and (d) 0-10% by weight of one or more additives, such as agents for the control of the melting point of the softening composition, agents for the control of the solubility of the composition in water and/or agents for reducing the carding or wear of the fabric. 2. A composition according to claim 1, c h a r a c t e r - i z e d in that the UV-absorber consists of one or more of the fol¬ lowing compounds: a distyrylbisphenyl derivative having the formula: a bisbenzoxazole having the formula a stilbene derivative having the formula a coumarin derivative having the formula a pyrazoline derivative having the formula , ,CH 3 OSO^ a styr ylbenzimidazole derivative having the formula a benzoxazole having the formula a benzophenone having the formula 3. A composition according to claim 1, c h a r a c t e r - z e d in that it is incorporated in a liquid absorbent carrier. 4. A composition according to claim 3, c h a r a c t e r - z e d in that it consists of a liquid absorbent carrier which has been impregnated with a solution of the composition.

Inventors: BREUM CARSTEN, BREUM, CARSTEN (DECEASED)
Applicants: BREUM ASTRID SIGNE, JYDSK TEKNOLOGISK INST, BREUM, ASTRID, SIGNE, JYDSK TEKNOLOGISK INSTITUT
Application year: 1985
Main classification: D06M13
IPC codes: C11D1, C11D3, C11D17