SOFTENING FINISH COMPOSITION

Abstract: A softening finish composition which contains a softening base having an excellent softening effect and satisfactory biodegradability. The composition comprises: (A) a nonionic compound which has at least one C 5-36 alkyl or alkenyl group and an amide bond but contains no dissociative groups giving amino or carboxyl; and (B) at least one member selected among (B-α) cationic or ampholytic surfactants having one C 5-36 alkyl or alkenyl group or one optionally substituted aryl group and (B-β) amino compounds having at least one C 5-36 alkyl or alkenyl group and salts of the compounds.

Description: Technical Field The present invention relates to a softener composition. Background Art Most of the commercially available merchandise as a softener composition for fibers are compositions comprising a quaternary ammonium salt containing two long-chain alkyl groups in one molecule and being typified by a di(long-chain alkyl) dimethyl ammonium chloride. However, the quaternary ammonium salt described above suffers from the problem that, when residues thereof after a treatment is discharged into the environment such as a river, most of them are accumulated without biodegradation. As an improved product against the above-mentioned problem, N-methyl-N,N-bis(long-chain alkanoyloxyethyl)-N-(2-hydroxyethyl) ammonium methyl sulfate, N,N-dimethyl-N,N-bis(alkanoyloxyethyl) ammonium chloride or the like is commercially available. Although the biodegradability of the improved product is improved as compared with that of the quaternary ammonium salt described above, the improved product cannot be said to be a base for sufficiently satisfying a softening effect. US-A-4497716 reveals a concentrated liquid fabric softening composition which comprises at least 10 % by weight of a water-insoluble cationic fabric softening agent and from 0.4 to 4 % by weight of a non-ionic viscosity control agent which comprises an alkylene oxide adduct of a fatty compound. According to a specific embodiment, a liquid fabric softening composition is disclosed which includes 12.5 % by weight of a commercial cationic fabric softener containing dihardened tallow dimethyl ammonium chloride and 2.0 % by weight of coconut ethanol amide. GB-A-2197666 refers to an aqueous liquid fabric conditioning composition containing a cationic fabric softener material and a fatty acid monoalkanol amide derived from a fatty acid having from at least 14 carbon atoms. JP-A-59047477 (WPI abstract, 1984 - 104473) discloses a composition comprising cationic textile softeners and fatty acid amides. US-A-3637495 refers to a liquid composition adapted for softening of laundered textile fabrics consisting essentially of a specifically selected solvent and 2 to 30 wt.% of an effective textile fabric softening glucamide. WO-A-9927046 which represents prior art in accordance with Art. 54(3) and (4) EPC discloses a rinse-added fabric softening composition comprising from about 1 to 80 % by weight of a fabric softening active and from about 0.5 % to about 10 % by weight of a polyoxyalkylene alkyl amide surface active agent. In EP-A-0206375 an aqueous suspending liquid detergent composition for the cleaning and softening of fabrics is disclosed which comprises a non-ionic detergent active material and/or an anionic derivative of a polyoxyalkylated non-ionic detergent aqueous material; a further anionic detergent aqueous material; and an effective amount of a long-chain fatty amine. In a preferred embodiment, the amine is a monotallowyl amine, a ditallowyl amine or a ditallowylmethyl amine. In line with a specific composition, a combination of 3.4 % by weight of a monotallowyl amine and 1.3 wt.% of lauryl diethanol amide is disclosed. Finally, US-A-5476598 refers to a stable, aqueous, pourable and water-dispersible fabric softener composition comprising a fabric softening effective amount of an inorganic or organic salt of a finally divided fabric softening compound being represented by a long-chain amine including an amide group and a dispersant stabilizing effective amount of a dispersant which can be represented by an amine. Disclosure of invention Accordingly, the object of the present invention is to provide a softener composition which contains a softening base having an excellent softening effect and satisfactory biodegradability. That is, the softener composition of the present invention contains a base having a satisfactory biodegradability and has an excellent softening effect. The present invention provides a softener composition comprising (A) a non-ionic compound represented by the formula (I) or (II) or a mixture thereof: wherein R 1 represents a linear or branched C 5-35 alkyl or alkenyl group, R 2 represents a hydrogen atom or -COR 1 , R 3 represents a hydrogen atom, a C 1-3 alkyl or hydroxyalkyl group, -(AO) m R 2 or -A-NHCOR 1 , A represents an ethylene or propylene group and each of n and m represents a number selected from 1 to 10; wherein each of R 1 and R 2 has the same meaning as defined above, R 4 represents a hydrogen atom, a C 1-3 alkyl or hydroxyalkyl group, n represents an integer of 3 to 6 and q represents an integer of 2 to 5, provided that q · R 2 's are the same or different; and having an acylation degree of 1.5 to 2.3; and (B) at least one member selected among (B-α) cationic or ampholytic surfactants having one C 5-36 alkyl or alkenyl group or one optionally substituted aryl group and (B-β) amino compounds having at least one C 5-36 alkyl or alkenyl group and salts of the compounds; and it also provides a sheetlike softener for a dryer which is obtained by impregnating the softener composition into a sheetlike carrier. Then, the softener composition of the present invention includes a composition wherein the component (A) has at least one C 5-22 alkyl or alkenyl group and the component (B) is (B-α) and has one C 7-22 alkyl or alkenyl group or one optionally substituted aryl group. Preferable Modes for Carrying Out the Invention The component (A) of the present invention is a nonionic compound represented by the formula (I)or(II) (hereinafter, referred respectively to as the nonionic compound (I) or (II)) or a mixture thereof : wherein R 1 represents a linear or branched C 5-35 alkyl or alkenyl group, R 2 represents a hydrogen atom or -COR 1 , R 3 represents a hydrogen atom, a C 1-3 alkyl or hydroxyalkyl group, -(AO) m R 2 or -A-NHCOR 1 , A represents an ethylene or propylene group and each of n and m represents a number selected from 1 to 10; wherein each of R 1 and R 2 has the same meaning as defined above, R 4 represents a hydrogen atom, a C 1-3 alkyl or hydroxyalkyl group, alkyl or hydroxyalkyl group, n represents an integer of 3 to 6 and q represents an integer of 2 to 5, provided that q · R 2 's are the same or different; and having an acylation degree of 1.5 to 2.3. For example, the nonionic compound (I) is synthesized by amidation of a secondary amino alcohol such as diethanol amine, diisopropanol amine, N-methylethanol amine, a diamino alcohol such as aminoethylethanol amine, an amino alcohol such as ethanol amine with a fatty acid or a lower alkyl ester thereof, and if necessary addition of an alkylene oxide such as ethylene oxide and propylene oxide thereto, followed by esterification of the resultant product. In the occasion, the amidation and esterification may be carried out at the same time. The degree of acylation in total is 1.5 to 2.3. The number of carbon atoms in an acyl moiety in the fatty acid or the lower alkyl ester thereof used here is preferably 6 to 36 and more preferably 8 to 18. For example, a fatty acid from a coconut, a tallow fatty acid, a hardened (or hydrogenated) tallow fatty acid, stearic acid from a palm or hardened stearic acid from a palm, or a lower alkyl ester thereof is particularly preferable. Further, a fat and/or oil such as a coconut oil, a tallow, a hardened tallow, a palm-stearin and a hardened palm-stearin may also be used. The nonionic compound (I) is preferably a compound represented by the following formula (Ia), (Ib), (Ic) or (Id) or a mixture thereof: R 1 CO-NH-(C 2 H 4 O) n COR 1 wherein each of R 1 and n has the same meaning as mentioned above. For example, the nonionic compound (II) is synthesized by amidation of an amino polyol such as amino propanediol, N-methylglucamine with a fatty acid or a lower alkyl ester thereof, followed by esterification of the resultant product. The degree of acylation in total is 1.5 to 2.3. The fatty acid or the lower alkyl ester thereof for use is preferably the above-mentioned one. The nonionic compound (II) is preferably a compound represented by the following formula (IIa) or (IIb) or a mixture thereof: wherein R 1 has the same meaning as mentioned above. The component (B) of the present invention is preferably a cationic surfactant represented by the formula (IV) (hereinafter, referred to as the cationic surfactant (IV)) or ampholytic surfactant represented by the formula (V) (hereinafter, referred to as the ampholytic surfactant (V)). On the other hand, the component (B) of the present invention is preferably an amino compound represented by the formula (VI) or (VII) (hereinafter, referred respectively to as the amino compound (VI) or (VII)), a salt thereof or a mixture thereof: wherein R 6 represents a C 1-3 alkyl or hydroxyalkyl group, R 7 represents a linear or branched C 5-36 alkyl or alkenyl group, - C p H 2p )-Y-COR 8 or -(C p H 2p )-CO-Y-R 9 , p represents an integer of 1 to 6, Y represents O or NH, R 8 represents a linear or branched C 5-35 alkyl or alkenyl group or an optionally substituted aryl group, R 9 represents a linear or branched C 6-36 alkyl or alkenyl group or an optionally substituted aryl group and X - represents an anion, provided that 3 ·R 6 's are the same or different; wherein each of R 6 and R 7 has the meaning as mentioned above, E represents -R 10 -Z or O, R 10 represents a C 1-6 alkylene or hydroxyalkylene group and Z represents -COO, -OSO 3 , -SO 3 , -OPO 3 or -PO 3 ; wherein R 11 and R 12 are the same or different and each of R 11 and R 12 represents a hydrogen atom, a C 1-3 alkyl, hydroxyalkyl or aminoalkyl group or -(AO)nH, each of A and n has the meaning as mentioned above and R 13 represents a C 5-36 alkyl or alkenyl group into which an ester-, amide- or ether- linkage (or bonding group) may be inserted (or which may be interrupted by an ester-, amide- or ether- linkage); wherein R 14 represents a C 5-36 alkyl or alkenyl group into which an ester-, amide- or ether- bonding group may be inserted, R 15 represents a hydrogen atom, a C 1-3 alkyl, hydroxyalkyl or aminoalkyl group. The cationic surfactant (IV) includes a long-chain alkyl trimethyl ammonium chloride, a long-chain alkyl (2-hydroxyethyl) dimethyl ammonium chloride and a long-chain alkyl di(2-hydroxyethyl) methyl ammonium chloride. The number of carbon atoms in the long-chain alkyl group is 5 to 36 and preferably 8 to 18. Then, a coconut alkyl, a tallow alkyl or the like is also preferable. Further, one in which a long-chain is interrupted (or discontinues) by an ester or amide bond is also preferable. A long-chain alkanoyloxyethyl group, a long-chain alkanoyl amino propyl group, a long-chain alkoxycarbonylmethyl group, a long-chain alkylaminocarbonylmethyl group or the like is preferable in particular. A long-chain alkyl or acyl group has 5 to 36 carbon atoms and preferably 8 to 18 carbon atoms. Then, one which is derived from a coconut oil, a tallow, a palm-stearin or the like is also preferable. The ampholytic surfactant (V) includes a long-chain alkyl dimethyl betaine, a sulfobetaine, phosphobetaine and a long-chain alkyldimethyl amineaxide. A preferable instance of the long-chain alkyl group is another preferable instance of the long-chain alkyl group in the cationic surfactant (IV). The amino compound (VI) includes a long-chain alkyl or alkenyl amine, a long-chain alkyl or alkenyl dimethyl amine, a long-chain alkyl or alkenyl di(2-hydroxyethyl) amine or an alkylene oxide adduct and a long-chain alkyl or alkenyl propane diamine. The long-chain alkyl or alkenyl group has preferably 6 to 36 carbon atoms and more preferably 8 to 18 carbon atoms. A coconut alkyl or tallow alkyl is preferable. The long-chain alkyl or alkenyl group into which an ester-, amide- or ether- bonding group may be inserted is preferable. A long-chain alkanoyloxyethyl group, a long-chain alkanoylaminopropyl group, a long-chain alkanoylaminoethyl group, a long-chain alkoxycarbonylmethyl group or a long-chain alkylaminocarbonylmethyl group is preferable, in particular. A long-chain alkyl, alkenyl or acyl group has preferably 6 to 36 carbon atoms and more preferably 8 to 18 carbon atoms. One which has been derived from a coconut oil, a tallow, a palm-stearin or the like is also preferable. The amino compound (VII) is synthesized by condensing (or concentrating) an N-substituted ethylene diamine such as N-methyl ethylene diamine, N-(2-hydroxyethyl) ethylene diamine and diethylene triamine with a fatty acid and cyclizing the resultant. The number of carbon atoms in an acyl moiety in the fatty acid is preferably 6 to 36 and more preferably 8 to 18. A fatty acid from a coconut, a tallow fatty acid, a hardened tallow fatty acid, stearic acid from a palm or hardened stearic acid from a palm, or a lower alkyl ester thereof is particularly preferable. Further, a fat and/or oil such as a coconut oil, a tallow, a hardened tallow, a palm-stearin and a hardened palm-stearin may also be used. The salt of the amino compound can be synthesized in a usual manner by neutralizing with an inorganic or organic acid such as hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, acetic acid, glycolic acid and citric acid. The blending ratio of the components (A) and (B-α) in the composition of the present invention is preferably 1/9 to 9/1 and more preferably 5/5 to 8/2 by weight. On the other hand, the blending ratio of the components (A) and (B-β) in the composition of the present invention is preferably 1/9 to 9/1 and more preferably 2/8 to 8/2 by weight. These components can be formed into the liquid softener composition of the present invention by dispersing them in a total amount of 3 to 50 % by weight in water. In this case, the components (A) and (B) may be mixed and then introduced into water or they may be introduced one after another into water. Alternatively, the respective components may be separately dispersed in water and then mixed. The dispersion of the softener composition of the present invention with water has preferably pH of 2 to 5 in view of a dispersibility and storage stability of the amino compound. A higher alcohol or higher fatty acid can be added in order to further improve a softening performance. A lower alcohol such as ethanol and isopropanol, glycol or polyol as well as an ethylene oxide or propylene oxide adduct thereof can be added as a storage stabilizer. Furthermore, a usual nonionic surfactant, an inorganic salt, a pH adjuster, a hydrotropic agent, a perfume, a defoaming agent, a pigment and the like can be added if necessary. Then, a sheetlike softener for a dryer can be obtained by impregnating them into a sheetlike carrier. The sheetlike carrier used here includes a non-woven fabric. An impregnating amount in total of the components (A) and (B) mentioned above is preferably 1 to 50 % by weight as compared with the sheetlike carrier. Examples Examples 1-1 to 1-6 (A-1) a reacted product of diethanol amine with a hardened tallow fatty acid at the molar ratio of 1:2 as the component (A), (B-1) octadecyl trimethyl ammonium chloride as the component (B) and further (N-1) an adduct with 20 mole of ethylene oxide to dodecyl alcohol as a nonionic compound other than the component (A) were used. They were dispersed in water in amounts shown in Table 1 to prepare each of the softener compositions. This composition was evaluated for a softening effect in the following manner. The results are shown in Table 2. <A method for evaluating a softening effect > 1 ○ A mixture of the components (A) and (B) and the other component was molten and added dropwise to water under stirring to prepare each of dispersions having the concentration shown in Table 1. As a comparative control sample, a 5 % dispersion of N-methyl-N,N-bis(tallow alkanoyloxyethyl)-N-(2-hydroxyethyl) ammonium methyl sulfate was prepared in the same manner as above. 2 ○ A treating method 2 kg of commercially available cotton towels or 2 kg of jersey cloths made of acrylate fibers were laundered repeatedly 5 times with a commercially available detergent "Attack" (a registered trade mark, manufactured by Kao Corporation) in hard water of 3.5° DH in a laundering machine having its capacity of 30 liter. Then, 25 ml of the above dispersion were introduced thereinto and the resultant mixture was treated under stirring at 25 °C for 1 minute. 3 ○ A method for evaluating a softening effect The cloths treated in the method described above were air-dried at room temperature and then left in a constant temperature and humidity chamber at 25 °C under 65 %RH for 24 hours. These clothes were evaluated for a softening effect. A cloth treated with N-methyl-N,N-bis(tallow alkanoyl oxyethyl) -N- (2-hydroxyethyl) ammonium methyl sulfate was used as the control for evaluation by the paired comparison test. The results are shown using the following criteria. +2: Softer than the control. +1: Somewhat softer than the control. 0: Equal in a softening effect to the control. -1: Somewhat harder than the control. - 2: Harder than the control. Examples 2 to 14 The components (A) and (B) mentioned in Table 1 were dispersed in water in amounts shown in Table 1 and then an evaluation for a softening effect was carried out in the same manner as in Example 1. The results are shown in Table 2. Examples 15-1 to 15-7 Each of softener compositions was obtained by the same manner as in Example 1 except that the above-mentioned (A-1) as the component (A), (B-7) N-(3-hardened tallow alkanoyl aminopropyl)-N,N-dimethylamine as the component (B) were used and that they were dispersed in water in amounts shown in Table 3 and further hydrochloric acid was added dropwise thereto to adjust pH to 2.5. The composition was evaluated for a softening effect in the same manner as in Example 1. The results are shown in Table 4. Examples 16 to 28 According to the same manner as in Example 15, the components (A) and (B) mentioned in Table 3 were dispersed in water in amounts shown in Table 3. Further, pH of the resultant dispersion was adjusted to one mentioned in Table 3 by using an acid shown in Table 3. Then, an evaluation for a softening effect was carried out in the same manner as in Example 15. The results are shown in Table 4. Comparative Example 1 to 6 As shown in Table 1, a mixture of the component (A) and a nonionic compound other than the component (A) or only the component (B) was dispersed in water and was evaluated for a softening effect in the same manner as in Example 1. The results are shown in Table 2. Comparative Examples 7 and 8 As shown in Table 1, the component (B) and an amide linkage-free nonionic compound (C-1 or C-2) were used. Then, an evaluation for a softening effect was carried out in the same manner as in Example 1. The results are shown in Table 2. Comparative Examples 9 to 14 As shown in Table 3, a mixture of the component (A) and the nonionic component (N-1) or only the component (B) was dispersed in water in an amount of shown in Table 3. Further, if necessary, pH of the resultant dispersion was adjusted to one mentioned in Table 3 by using an acid shown in Table 3. Then, an evaluation for a softening effect was carried out in the same manner as in Example 1. The results are shown in Table 4. Comparative Examples 15 and 16 As shown in Table 3, the component (B) and an amide linkage-free nonionic compound (C-1 or C-2) were used. They were dispersed in water in amounts shown in Table 3. Further, pH of the resultant dispersion was adjusted to one mentioned in Table 3 by using an acid shown in Table 3. Then, an evaluation for a softening effect was carried out in the same manner as in Example 1. The results are shown in Table 4. Description of the abbreviations in Table 1 A-1: A reacted product of diethanolamine with a hardened tallow fatty acid at the molar ratio of 1:2. A-2: RCONH(CH 2 CH 2 O) n COR (wherein RCO represents an acyl group derived from a hardened tallow and n is 5 on average.). A-3: A reacted product of 1-amino-2,3-propanediol with a tallow fatty acid methylester at molar ratio of 1:1.8. A-4: A reacted product of N-methylglucamine with a hardened tallow fatty acid methylester at the molar ratio of 1:2.3. A-6: A reacted product of N-methylethanolamine with a hardened tallow fatty acid at the molar ratio of 1:2. A-7: A reacted product of diisopropanolamine with a hardened tallow fatty acid at the molar ratio of 1:2. B-1: Octadecyl trimethyl ammonium chloride. B-2: (2-hardened tallow alkanoyl oxyethyl) trimethyl ammonium chloride. B-3: (3-coconut-alkanoyl amino propyl) trimethyl ammonium chloride. B-4: Octadecyloxycarbonyl methyl trimethyl ammonium chloride. B-5: Octadecyl dimethyl betaine. B-6: Dodecyl dimethyl amine oxide. C-1: A reacted product of glycerol with a hardened tallow fatty acid at the molar ratio of 1:2. C-2: A reacted product of pentaerythritol with a hardened tallow fatty acid at the molar ratio of 1:2. N-1: An adduct with 20 mole of ethylene oxide to dodecyl alcohol. Description of the abbreviations in Table 3 A-1 to A-4, A-6 and A-7: Mentioned above B-7: N-(3-hardened tallow alkanoyl amino propyl)-N,N-dimethyl amine. B-8: N-(2-hardend alkanoyl oxyethyl)-N,N-dimethyl amine. B-9: N-octadecyl-N,N-dimethyl amine. B-10: Octadecyl amine. B-11: N-hardened tallow alkyl propane diamine. B-12: N-hardened tallow alkyl-N,N-di(2-hydroxyethyl) amine. B-13: A condensed cyclic compound with aminoethyl ethanolamine of a hardened tallow fatty acid. C-1 and C-2: Mentioned above. N-1: Mentioned above.

Claims: A softener composition comprising (A) a non-ionic compound represented by the formula (I) or (II) or a mixture thereof: wherein R 1 represents a linear or branched C 5-35 alkyl or alkenyl group, R 2 represents a hydrogen atom or -COR 1 , R 3 represents a hydrogen atom, a C 1-3 alkyl or hydroxyalkyl group, -(AO) m R 2 or -A-NHCOR 1 , A represents an ethylene or propylene group and each of n and m represents a number selected from 1 to 10; wherein each of R 1 and R 2 has the same meaning as defined above, R 4 represents a hydrogen atom, a C 1-3 alkyl or hydroxyalkyl group, n represents an integer of 3 to 6 and q represents an integer of 2 to 5, provided that q · R 2 's are the same or different; and having an acylation degree of 1.5 to 2.3; and (B) at least one member selected among (B-α) cationic or ampholytic surfactants having one C 5-36 alkyl or alkenyl group or one optionally substituted aryl group and (B-β) amino compounds having one C 5-36 alkyl or alkenyl group and salts of the compounds. The composition as claimed in Claim 1, wherein an ester-, amide- or ether- bonding group is inserted into (B-β). The composition as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the ratio of the component (A) and (B) is from 1/9 to 9/1 The composition as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the component (B) is (B-α) and the cationic surfactant is represented by the formula (IV), the ampholytic is surfactant represented by the formula (V) or a mixture thereof: wherein R 6 represents a C 1-3 alkyl or hydroxy alkyl group, R 7 represents a linear or branched C 5-36 alkyl or alkenyl group, - (C p H 2p )-Y-COR 8 or -(C p H 2p )-CO-Y-R 9 , p represents an integer of 1 to 6, Y represents O or NH, R 8 represents a linear or branched C 5-35 alkyl or alkenyl group or an optionally substituted aryl group, R 9 represents a linear or branched C 6-36 alkyl or alkenyl group or an optionally substituted aryl group and X - represents an anion, provided that 3·R 6 's are the same or different; wherein each of R 6 and R 7 has the meaning as mentioned above, E represents -R 10 -Z or O, R 10 represents a C 1-6 alkylene or hydroxyalkylene group and Z represents -COO, -OSO 3 , -SO 3 , -OPO 3 or -PO 3 . The composition as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the component (B) is (B-β) and the amino compound is represented by the formula (VI) or (VII), a salt thereof or a mixture thereof: wherein R 11 and R 12 are the same or different and each of R 11 and R 12 represents a hydrogen atom, a C 1-3 alkyl, hydroxyalkyl or aminoalkyl group or -(AO)nH, each of A and n has the meaning as mentioned above and R 13 represents a C 5-36 alkyl or alkenyl group into which an ester-, amide- or ether- bonding group may be inserted; wherein R 14 represents a C 5-36 alkyl or alkenyl group into which an ester-, amide- or ether- bonding group may be inserted, R 15 represents a hydrogen atom, a C 1-3 alkyl, hydroxyalkyl or aminoalkyl group. The composition as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the component (A) has at least one C 5-22 alkyl or alkenyl group and the component (B) is (B-α) and has one C 7-22 alkyl or alkenyl group or one optionally substituted aryl group. The composition as claimed in Claim 4 wherein the component (A) has at least one C 5-22 alkyl or alkenyl group and the component (B) is (B-α) and has one C 7-22 alkyl or alkenyl group or one optionally substituted aryl group.

Inventors: HATAYAMA YOSHIO, KANEKO YOHEI, KATO TORU, NISHIMOTO UICHIRO, OHTAWA YASUKI, HATAYAMA, YOSHIO, KANEKO, YOHEI, KATO, TORU, NISHIMOTO, UICHIRO, OHTAWA, YASUKI, HATAYAMA, Yoshio, Kao Corporation, KANEKO, Yohei, Kao Corporation, KATO, Toru, Kao Corporation, NISHIMOTO, Uichiro, Kao Corporation, OHTAWA, Yasuki, Kao Corporation
Applicants: KAO CORP, KAO CORPORATION
Application year: 1999
Main classification: D06M13
IPC codes: C11D1, C11D17, C11D3, D06M13