Granulated solid softener for garments and fabrics, and related manufacturing method

Abstract

Solid softener for garments and fabrics, for domestic and industrial use, characterized in that it includes in a homogeneous mixture : at least one guar complex; at least one phytocomplex; a water softening agent and a fabric softening agent, both of natural origin; a neutral vehicle of natural origin; and in that said solid softener is formed into granules.

Description

[0001] GRANULATED SOLID SOFTENER FOR GARMENTS AND FABRICS, AND RELATED

[0002] MANUFACTURING METHOD

[0003] ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

[0004] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present invention refers to a granulated solid softener for garments and fabrics , for domestic and industrial use . In particular, the invention concerns a solid softener which uses components of exclusively natural origin, which therefore exhibits an improved ecological footprint during the manufacturing step, and complete absence of residues harmful to the environment during use .

[0006] PRIOR STATE OF THE ART

[0007] Most of the liquid and powder softeners for domestic and industrial use which are currently available on the market are based on components obtained through synthetic chemical reactions , starting almost always from petroleum derivatives , such as ethoxylated surfactants and other components potentially pollutant for the environment , such as bleaches , dyes , and the like .

[0008] The manufacture of such synthetic components of the known softeners also poses serious risks to both humans and the environment . In the case of ethoxylated surfactants , for example , the ethylene oxide used to carry out ethoxylation is a toxic gas when inhaled, as it irritates the respiratory tract , and can also cause headache and confusional state upon prolonged exposure, in addition to possible long-term carcinogenic effects .

[0009] In the case of liquid softeners , which often contain a water content higher than 90%, in addition to the above-mentioned drawbacks there is also a notable waste of a basic resource , such as water, and a significant additional impact on freight costs and therefore on the softener final cost .

[0010] Finally, a last but certainly not least inconvenience is that the active substances of traditional liquid softeners (based on cationic surfactants ) are designed to adhere and remain on the fabrics after washing to give the desired softness to the fabrics themselves . This is precisely the reason the use of liquid softeners can cause skin irritation / allergies to people who developed sensitivity or allergy to these chemical compounds .

[0011] The technical problem addressed by the present invention is therefore to provide a softener which does not use formulation water and does not include any synthetic component , while providing the same ef fectiveness of the synthetic softeners available on the market .

[0012] Within this technical problem, an ob j ect of the invention is to provide a softener free of formulation water and based on components of natural origin, which has a good dry flowability and high dispersibility in water .

[0013] Another ob ject of the invention is to provide a softener of the type indicated above which is not sub ject to block formation during storage, even in the presence of high ambient humidity . SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0014] This problem is solved, and these ob jects achieved, by means of a solid softener for garments and fabrics , for domestic and industrial use, characterized in that it includes the following components , in a homogeneous mixture : at least one guar complex; at least one phytocomplex; a water softening agent and a fabric softening agent , both of natural origin; a neutral vehicle of natural origin; and in that said softener is formed into granules .

[0015] Other preferred features of said granulated solid softener are defined in the secondary claims . DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0016] According to the present invention, to solve the technical problem highlighted above , the Applicant has developed a softener formulation for domestic and industrial use based on natural components , i . e . components which are not obtained through organic synthesis processes but rather through physical treatments of naturally occurring plant and mineral substances . Therefore , the softener obj ect of the present invention does not contain synthetic surfactants , and in particular ethoxylated surfactants , and therefore does not require using ethylene oxide for its manufacture, thus avoiding all the previously mentioned drawbacks .

[0017] The softener according to the invention is obtained through a multi-stage manufacturing method which allows to obtain a product with high flowability in a dry state and, at the same time, excellent dispersibility in water .

[0018] This manufacturing method does not involve the addition of formulation water and therefore the water present in the final product in a low percentage is the water naturally contained in the used plant components .

[0019] Formulation components

[0020] The softener according to the present invention includes the following components :

[0021] • l%-10% of at least one guar complex;

[0022] • 1%- 10% of a phytocomplex of plant extracts ;

[0023] • 15%-30% of sodium bicarbonate ;

[0024] • l%-10% of citric acid;

[0025] • 40%-80% of at least one maltodextrin;

[0026] • optionally 0 . 01%-3% of perfume .

[0027] The guar-based component preferably consists in a mixture of two complexes of latest generation which are normally used in the cosmetics sector but which, after various research and laboratory tests , have given the inventors excellent results in the fabric softener sector . A preferred guar-based component is a complexed guar gum, comprising 2-hydroxy-3-trimethylammonium propyl ether guar and hydroxypropyltrimonium chloride guar .

[0028] The phytocomplex consists of extracts of four plants which are particularly suitable for enhancing the positive performances of the softener of the invention : Achillea Millefolium, Olea Eu- ropaea leaves , Calendula Of ficinalis and Thymus Vulgaris . Yarrow, with its high content of flavonoids and tannins , develops antiredness properties which are thus transmitted during washing to garments which often comes into direct contact with the skin; olive leaves , with their high content of oleanolic acid, flavonoids , phytosterols and tannins , impart softness to the fabrics ; calendula flowers develop antibacterial activities thanks to the calendulin (a carotenoid similar to provitamin A) contained therein; thyme contains terpene derivatives and essential oil, and it is rich in phenols , so it develops a deodorant and antiseptic adjuvant action .

[0029] Sodium bicarbonate notoriously has a good cleansing and neutralizing power, but above all it is a water softening agent and therefore has an indirect softening ef fect on fabrics , and also helps to absorb bad odours . This raw material, known and used for long time, develops plural particularly important activities , thanks to the combination with the guar complexes , which activities can be summarized as : whitening, sanitizing, softening, and imparting shine to laundry .

[0030] Citric acid, obtained from lemon fruit by extraction and crystallization, works as a good fabric softening agent and shows a synergistic effect when used together with sodium bicarbonate .

[0031] Finally, maltodextrins obtained by hydrolysis of starches from vegetal sources are comprised in high proportion in the formulation and contribute to enhance the effects of all the other components , including the two guar complexes . The powder maltodextrins used in the fabric softener of the invention consist of a mixture of different carbohydrates , do not contain any residual starches , easily dissolve in water, and have a low degree of hygroscopicity . The maltodextrin main function is to be a neutral vehicle of all the active ingredients of the softener, which function is important for obtaining a quality product , being effective even in small quantities and at low temperatures , and substantially free from solid residues .

[0032] The above cited components are available on the market in solid or liquid form . Sodium bicarbonate , maltodextrins , guar complexes and citric acid are in solid form; phytocomplex and perfume are liquids .

[0033] Processing steps of the manufacturing method

[0034] The manufacturing method of the solid softener of the invention is now described, wherein four dif ferent processing steps are provided :

[0035] Step A : dry mixing the bicarbonate with citric acid, until a homogeneous mixture is obtained . In this step it is advisable to use a slow mixing speed, lower than 200 rpm; Step B : dry mixing the mixture from step A with the other solid components of said softener, until a homogeneous mixture is obtained;

[0036] Step C : granulating the homogeneous mixture from step B by nebulising the two liquid components , i . e . phytocomplex and perfume, over the mixture of solid components while their mixing is continued, until granules are formed;

[0037] Step D : drying the solid granular product from step C at room temperature, in any case lower than 20 °C; and, finally,

[0038] Step E : sieving through a 2 mm steel mesh, to select granules having a maximum size <2 mm, thus obtaining the granulated solid softener of the present invention .

[0039] For each of the above steps , a processing time of 10-15 minutes is expected, depending on the amount of product to be treated .

[0040] Drying at a temperature lower than 20 °C is of fundamental importance for the success of the manufacturing method, as all the active ingredients comprised in the softener of the invention are thermolabile ingredients and some of them, derived from the food sector, are particularly sensitive to temperature . Until now, ingredients of this type have never been used in a fabric softener, which fabric softener was subj ected to an allergenic Patch Test , being qualified as : NON-IRRITANT PRODUCT .

[0041] It should be remembered that this type of test is especially performed on cosmetic products , milks , creams , etc . and it allows the analysed product to be defined as SKIN-COMPATIBLE; the softener of the present invention is precisely such, like cosmetic creams .

[0042] Conclusion

[0043] All the products used for laundry, whether they are liquid, powder, or granules , inevitably come into contact with our skin, i . e . the dermis , when they are taken and dosed to be used in the various devices ; this inevitable contact often causes redness , cracking, and finally possible superficial lesions . A large part of detergents is in fact aggressive , by their very nature, having to be quickly effective, and they are almost always products of synthetic chemical origin, which for this very reason cause the above indicated skin reactions . The innovation of the present invention precisely consists in having created a granulated solid softener which is ef fective even at low temperatures , certified as skin-compatible , exclusively based on innovative ingredients of natural origin - including some from the food sector - never used before in laundry detergent , which are produced without the use of heat and without added water, so as to also contribute to water saving which is so important today .

[0044] From the previous description it can be understood how the present invention has fully achieved the intended obj ects , by providing a granulated solid softener showing a good dry flowability and high dispersibility in water, free of formulation water and entirely composed of natural components . Furthermore, thanks to the formulation in granules with low water content , the softener is completely free of block formation during storage time , even in environments with high ambient humidity .

[0045] It is understood that the invention should not be considered as limited to the specific arrangements illustrated above , which are only exemplary embodiments thereof , but that different variants are possible , all within the reach of a person skilled in the art , without thereby departing from the scope of protection of the invention itself , which is only defined by the following claims .

Claims

CLAIMS1 ) Solid softener for garments and fabrics , for domestic and industrial use, characterized in that it includes the following components , in a homogeneous mixture : a . l%-10% of at least one guar complex; b . l%-10% of at least one phytocomplex of plant extracts ; c . 15%-30% of sodium bicarbonate as a water softening agent of natural origin; d . l%-10% of citric acid as a fabric softening agent of natural origin; e . 40%-80% of at least one maltodextrin as a neutral vehicle of natural origin; and in that said solid softener is formed into granules .2 ) Solid softener for garments and fabrics according to claim 1 , wherein said guar complex is selected from 2-hydroxy-3- trimethylammonium propyl ether guar, hydroxypropyltrimonium chloride guar or a combination thereof .3 ) Solid softener for garments and fabrics according to claim 1 , wherein said phytocomplex includes a combination of one or more of extracts of Achillea Millefolium, Olea Europaea leaves , Calendula Officinalis and Thymus Vulgaris .4 ) Solid softener for garments and fabrics according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , further comprising a perfume in a percentage ranging from 0 . 01% to 3% by weight .5 ) Manufacturing method of a solid softener for garments and fabrics according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , comprising the following steps :A . dry mixing said water softening agent and said fabric softening agent , until a homogeneous mixture is obtained;B . dry mixing the mixture from step A with the other solid components of said solid softener, until a homogeneous mixture is obtained;C . granulating the homogeneous mixture from step B by nebu- lization of the liquid components of said solid softener, under mixing;D . drying the granules from step C at a temperature lowerthan 20°C;E. sieving with a sieve to select granules having a maximum size <2 mm.6) Manufacturing method of a solid softener for garments and fabrics according to claim 5, wherein each one of the steps A to D is completed in 10-15 minutes.