Fabric conditioner composition

Abstract

The present invention relates to fabric conditioner compositions. Fabric conditioner compositions impart softness and fragrance to fabrics at the rinse stage of the laundry process. Fragrance is an important aspect of the laundry process, consumers expect washed fabrics to smell good as an indication that they are clean. It has been found that the inclusion of glucamide surfactants increases the amount of fragrance in the headspace above wet fabrics.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to fabric conditioning compositions. Background Technology

[0002] Fabric conditioning compositions impart softness and fragrance to fabrics during the rinsing stage of the laundry process. Fragrance is an important aspect of the laundry process; consumers expect washed fabrics to smell pleasant, indicating that they are clean. A particularly important stage for fragrance performance is the headspace above wet fabrics. The presence of fragrance as consumers remove their wet fabrics from the washing machine to hang or transfer them to a tumble dryer indicates to them that the clothes are clean. Therefore, enhancing the headspace above wet fabrics is desirable. Summary of the Invention

[0003] It has been found that surfactants containing glucosamide increase the amount of fragrance in the headspace above wet fabrics.

[0004] Therefore, in a first aspect of the invention, a fabric conditioning composition is provided, comprising: a. 1 to 30% by weight of ester-linked quaternary ammonium compounds; b. 0.05 to 6% by weight of glucamide surfactant; and c. 0.1 to 20% by weight of fragrance.

[0005] Furthermore, the present invention provides a method for enhancing the consumer's fragrance experience on wet fabrics, wherein the fabric conditioner described herein is delivered to the fabric during the rinsing phase of the washing process.

[0006] On the other hand, the use of the fabric conditioner described herein is provided for enhancing the consumer's fragrance experience, preferably when treating wet fabrics, wherein the composition described herein is delivered to the fabric during the rinsing phase of the laundry process. Summary of the Invention

[0007] These and other aspects, features, and advantages will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the following detailed description and the appended claims. For the avoidance of doubt, any feature of any aspect of the invention may be used in any other aspect of the invention. The word “comprising” is intended to mean “including” but not necessarily “consisting of” or “made of”. In other words, the listed steps or options need not be exhaustive. Note that the embodiments given in the following description are intended to illustrate the invention and not to limit the invention to these embodiments alone. Similarly, unless otherwise stated, all percentages are weight / weight percentages. Except in operational and comparative examples, or unless explicitly stated otherwise, all figures indicating the amount of material or reaction conditions, physical properties of materials, and / or uses in this specification should be understood to be modified by the word “about”. Numerical ranges expressed in the format “from x to y” are understood to include both x and y. When multiple preferred ranges are described in the format “from x to y” for a particular feature, it should be understood that all ranges combining different endpoints are also contemplated.

[0008] The compositions described herein comprise 1 to 30% by weight of an ester-linked quaternary ammonium compound. Preferably, the compositions comprise 1.5 to 20% by weight of an ester-linked quaternary ammonium compound, and most preferably 2 to 15% by weight of an ester-linked quaternary ammonium compound.

[0009] The ester-linked quaternary ammonium compound preferably comprises at least one chain derived from a fatty acid, more preferably at least two chains derived from fatty acids. Preferably, the fatty acid is defined as an aliphatic monocarboxylic acid having a chain of 4 to 28 carbons. The fatty acid can be derived from a variety of sources, such as tallow or plant sources (e.g., palm oil). Preferably, the fatty acid chain is derived from a plant. Preferably, the fatty acid chain of the ester-linked quaternary ammonium compound comprises 10 to 50% by weight of saturated carbon based on the total fatty acid chain weight. 18 Chain and 5 to 40% by weight of monounsaturated C 18 In another preferred embodiment, the fatty acid chain of the ester-linked quaternary ammonium compound comprises 20 to 40% by weight, preferably 25 to 35% by weight, saturated C based on the total fatty acid chain. 18 Chain, and 10 to 35% by weight, preferably 15 to 30% by weight, of monounsaturated C 18 chain.

[0010] A particularly preferred material is an ester-linked triethanolamine (TEA) quaternary ammonium compound comprising a mixture of monoester, diester and triester linking components.

[0011] The first group of ester-linked quaternary ammonium compounds applicable to the compositions described herein are represented by formula (I): (I) Each R is independently selected from C5 to C6.35 Alkyl or alkenyl; R 1 Represents C1 to C4 alkyl, C2 to C4 alkenyl, or C1 to C4 hydroxyalkyl; T can be O-CO (i.e., an ester group bonded to R via its carbon atom), or alternatively, CO-O (i.e., an ester group bonded to R via its oxygen atom); n is a number selected from 1 to 4; m is a number selected from 1, 2, or 3; and X - These are anionic counterions, such as halide ions or alkyl sulfate ions, such as chloride ions or methyl sulfate ions. Diester variants of Formula I (i.e., m=2) are preferred and typically have associated monoester and trimer analogs. Such materials are particularly suitable for this invention.

[0012] The second group of ester-linked quaternary ammonium compounds applicable to the compositions described herein are represented by formula (II): (II) Each R 1 The groups are independently selected from C1 to C4 alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, or C2 to C4 alkenyl; and each R 2 The groups are independently selected from C8 to C9. 28 Alkyl or alkenyl; and wherein n, T and X - As defined above.

[0013] Preferred materials in this second group include 1,2-bis[tallowyloxy]-3-trimethylammonium propane chloride, 1,2-bis[hardenedtallowyloxy]-3-trimethylammonium propane chloride, 1,2-bis[oleoyloxy]-3-trimethylammonium propane chloride, and 1,2-bis[stearoyloxy]-3-trimethylammonium propane chloride. Such materials are described in US 4,137,180 (LeverBrothers). Preferably, these materials also contain an amount of the corresponding monoester.

[0014] The third group of ester-linked quaternary ammonium compounds suitable for the compositions described herein are represented by formula (III): (III) Each R 1 The groups are independently selected from C1 to C4 alkyl or C2 to C4 alkenyl; and each R 2 The groups are independently selected from C8 to C9. 28 Alkyl or alkenyl; and n, T and X - As defined above. Preferred materials in this third group include bis(2-tallowyloxyethyl)dimethylammonium chloride, and its partially hardened and hardened versions.

[0015] The fourth group of ester-linked quaternary ammonium compounds is represented by formula (IV): (IV).

[0016] The fifth group of ester-linked quaternary ammonium compounds applicable to this invention are represented by formula (V). (V) R1 and R2 are independently selected from C 10 To C 22 Alkyl or alkenyl, preferably C 14 To C 20 Alkyl or alkenyl. X - As defined above.

[0017] The sixth group of ester-linked quaternary ammonium compounds suitable for the compositions of the present invention are compounds obtained by reacting i) with ii) and then reacting the resulting product with iii): i) A mixture of at least one dicarboxylic acid of formula (VI) and at least one monocarboxylic acid of formula (VII). (VI) Where X represents a saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms. (VII) Where R 1 Represents saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon groups with 5 to 21 carbon atoms. ii) at least one tertiary amine of formula (VIII) (VIII) Where R 2 R 3 and R 4 Independently representing C2 to C6 hydroxyalkyl, preferably 2-hydroxyethyl, iii) At least one quaternizing agent used to quaternize at least one amino group contained in the reaction product.

[0018] In the dicarboxylic acid of formula (VI), X preferably represents a group having 2 to 8 carbons, and X preferably represents a hydroxyl-substituted straight-chain or branched alkyl or alkylene group. More preferably, X represents ethane-1,2-diyl, propane-1,2-diyl, propane-1,3-diyl, butane-1,4-diyl, hexane-1,4-diyl, or cyclohexane-1,4-diyl, and particularly preferably X represents butane-1,4-diyl. Even more preferably, the dicarboxylic acid is selected from succinic acid, maleic acid, glutaric acid, adipic acid, and combinations thereof. Most preferably, the dicarboxylic acid comprises adipic acid.

[0019] In the monocarboxylic acid of formula (VII), R 1CO preferably represents an aliphatic, straight-chain, or branched acyl group having 6 to 22 carbon atoms. Preferably, the monocarboxylic acid is selected from acetic acid, octanoic acid, 2-ethylhexanoic acid, decanoic acid, lauric acid, isotriadecanoic acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, palmitoleic acid, stearic acid, isostearic acid, oleic acid, transoleic acid, phellandrene, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, 2-octyldodecanoic acid, tung oil acid, arachidic acid, cod oleic acid, behenic acid, erucic acid, coconut fatty acids, palm fatty acids, palm kernel fatty acids, tallow fatty acids, and combinations thereof. Industrial mixtures thereof may also be used, for example, produced during the pressure cracking of natural fats and oils, during the reduction of aldehydes from Roelen carbonyl synthesis, or during the dimerization of unsaturated fatty acids. More preferably, the monocarboxylic acid is selected from: stearic acid, isostearic acid, palmitic acid, myristic acid, lauric acid, capric acid, octanoic acid, 2-ethylhexanoic acid, 2-octyldodecanoic acid, hexanoic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid and linolenic acid, coconut fatty acid, palm fatty acid, palm kernel fatty acid, tallow fatty acid and combinations thereof.

[0020] Preferably, the dicarboxylic acid of formula (VI) is selected from: succinic acid, maleic acid, glutaric acid, adipic acid and combinations thereof, and the monocarboxylic acid of formula (II) is selected from: stearic acid, isostearic acid, palmitic acid, myristic acid, lauric acid, capric acid, octanoic acid, 2-ethylhexanoic acid, 2-octyldodecanoic acid, hexanoic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, partially hydrogenated coconut fatty acid, palm fatty acid, palm kernel fatty acid, tallow fatty acid and combinations thereof.

[0021] The alkanolamine of formula (VIII) preferably contains a hydroxyalkane group (alkanol group) having 2 to 6 carbon atoms, preferably 2 to 4 carbon atoms. Preferably, the alkanolamine of formula (III) comprises triethanolamine.

[0022] Monocarboxylic acids (formula VII) and dicarboxylic acids (formula VI) can be used in a molar ratio of about 1:10 to about 10:1. However, it has proven advantageous to use a molar ratio of about 1:1 to about 4:1, and in particular about 1.5:1 to about 3:1.

[0023] In a particularly preferred embodiment of a class VI ester-linked quaternary ammonium compound, it is an ester quaternary ammonium salt compound of formula (IX). (IX) in, X is a saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, preferably butane-1,4-diyl; A is a (C2 to C6) alkylene dimethyl, preferably ethane-1,2-dimethyl; R 1 It is (C2 to C4) hydroxyalkyl or (C6 to C4) hydroxyalkyl 22Acyloxy (C2 to C4)alkyl, preferably 2-hydroxyethyl or 2-((C6 to C4)alkyl 22 Acyloxyethyl; R 2 It is methyl or ethyl; R 3 and R 4 It is independently a hydrogen atom or (C6 to C6) 22 Acyl group; n is 1 or 2; and Z - It is an anion, preferably methyl sulfate; And in which, group R 1 R 3 Or R 4 At least one of them contains (C6 to C) 22 Acyl group.

[0024] The compositions defined herein comprise 0.05 to 6% by weight of a glucamide surfactant. Preferably, the compositions comprise 0.1 to 4% by weight, more preferably 0.15 to 2% by weight of glucamide, based on the weight of the composition.

[0025] Glucoamide surfactants are nonionic surfactants in which the hydrophilic part (amino sugar derivative) and the hydrophobic part (fatty acid) are linked by amide bonds.

[0026] Preferred glucosamides are alkyl glucosamide surfactants. More preferred alkyl glucosamide surfactants are N-alkyl-N-acyl glucosamides of formula (X): (X) Ra can be linear or branched, with linear being preferred. Ra can be saturated or unsaturated, preferably unsaturated, and more preferably monounsaturated. Ra is a hydrocarbon group having 6 to 22 carbon atoms, more preferably 10 to 20, and most preferably 16 to 18 carbon atoms.

[0027] In a particularly preferred embodiment, Ra is a straight-chain monounsaturated carbon chain of 16 to 18 carbons.

[0028] Rb is a straight-chain or branched alkyl or aryl group, preferably a straight-chain alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, more preferably 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and most preferably Rb is methyl.

[0029] Preferably, the glucosamide surfactant has a molecular weight of 1000 g / mol or less, more preferably 900 g / mol or less, and most preferably 800 g / mol or less.

[0030] Non-limiting examples of glucamide surfactants include: N-octanoyl-N-methylglucamide, N-nonanoyl-N-methylglucamide, N-decanoyl-N-methylglucamide, N-dodecanoyl-N-methylglucamide, N-cocoyl-N-methylglucamide (available under the trade name GlucoPure Foam from Clariant), N-lauroyl / myristoyl-N-methylglucamide (available under the trade name GlucoPure Deg from Clariant), and N-octanoyl / decanoyl-N-methylglucamide (available under the trade name GlucoPure Wet from Clariant).

[0031] The compositions described herein contain 0.1 to 20% by weight of a fragrance agent. Preferably, the compositions contain 0.5 to 15% by weight of a fragrance agent, and most preferably 1 to 10% by weight of a fragrance agent.

[0032] Fragrance is considered to be any unencapsulated fragrance in the composition.

[0033] Particularly preferred fragrance components are blooming fragrance components and persistent fragrance components. Blooming fragrance components are defined as having a boiling point below 250°C and a LogP greater than 2.5. Persistent fragrance components are defined as having a boiling point above 250°C and a LogP greater than 2.5. Boiling points are measured at standard pressure (760 mm Hg). Preferably, the fragrance composition comprises a mixture of blooming and persistent fragrance components. The fragrance composition may contain other fragrance components.

[0034] Commonly, free oil fragrance compositions contain multiple fragrance components. In the compositions used in this invention, it is envisioned that three or more, preferably four or more, more preferably five or more, and most preferably six or more different fragrance components are present. Up to 300 fragrance components can be used.

[0035] Preferably, the fragrance contains at least one ingredient selected from the following: aldehyde C12 MNA, tricyclodecenyl acetate, styrax aldehyde, β-ionone, hexyl salicylate, tuna musk, and combinations thereof. These ingredients exhibit particular benefits on wet fabrics.

[0036] In addition to fragrances, the composition may contain fragrance microcapsules, in other words, encapsulated fragrances. Encapsulating materials preferably include, but are not limited to: amino plastics, proteins, polyvinyl acetate, polyurethane, polyacrylate, polymethacrylate, polysaccharides, polyamides, polyolefins, gums, silicones, lipids, modified cellulose, polyphosphates, polystyrene, polyesters, or combinations thereof. More preferably, the encapsulating material includes polyvinyl acetate, proteins, polysaccharides, or combinations thereof.

[0037] The compositions described herein may contain other ingredients suitable for fabric conditioning agents and known to those skilled in the art. A non-limiting list of such ingredients includes: additional nonionic surfactants (other than glucosamide), fatty acids, fatty esters, solvents, defoamers, antiodor agents, insect repellents, shading or hueing dyes, preservatives (e.g., bactericides), pH buffers, fragrance carriers, water-soluble agents, anti-redeposition agents, detergents, dye transfer inhibitors, polyelectrolytes, anti-shrinkage agents, anti-wrinkle agents, antioxidants, dyes, colorants, sunscreens, anti-corrosion agents, draping agents, antistatic agents, oils (e.g., vegetable-based oils and mineral oils), plant extracts, waxes, sugar esters, silicones, chelating agents, ironing auxiliaries, pearlescent agents, or sunblocking agents.

[0038] The fabric conditioning agent composition is preferably in an aqueous form. The composition preferably contains at least 75% by weight of water. The composition can be opaque, translucent, or transparent.

[0039] The fabric conditioning composition is preferably used in the rinsing stage of a laundry cycle. The laundry cycle or washing process can be machine washing or hand washing.

[0040] In one embodiment, a method is provided to enhance the consumer's fragrance experience on wet fabrics, wherein a fabric conditioner described herein is delivered to the fabric during the rinsing phase of the washing process.

[0041] In another embodiment, the composition described herein is provided for use in enhancing the consumer's fragrance experience, preferably the experience when handling wet fabrics, wherein the composition described herein is delivered to the fabric during the rinsing phase of the laundry process.

[0042] Example Table 1: Compositions

[0043] The composition was prepared by heating water to approximately 38°C, then adding trace amounts of the ingredients, followed by glucosamide (if present). The fabric softening active ingredient was heated to approximately 65°C and added to the solution. The mixture was then cooled to approximately 37°C, and then the aromatic oil and fragrance microcapsules were added. The mixture was then cooled to room temperature.

[0044] Samples were washed using a European-style front-loading washing machine. 50 g of fragrance-free laundry detergent was used in a 30°C cycle. 30 ml of the test fabric conditioner composition was added during the rinse. Washed items included cotton, polyester, and mixed ballast samples.

[0045] Headspace benefits were analyzed using headspace analysis of VOCs (volatile organic compounds) using SPME-GC-MS. Wet fabrics were removed from the washing machine, and headspace samples were obtained for measurement. Aromatics in the headspace were sampled using SPME and run on a Shimadzu QP2010 plus GC / MS instrument. Each sample was measured three times.

[0046] Table 2: Results

[0047] Compositions containing glucosamide have an increased fragrance in the headspace above the wet fabric.

Claims

1. A fabric conditioning agent composition comprising: a. 1 to 30% by weight of ester-linked quaternary ammonium compounds; b. 0.05 to 6% by weight of glucamide surfactant; and c. 0.1 to 20% by weight of fragrance.

2. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the glucosamide surfactant is an alkyl glucosamide surfactant.

3. The composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the glucosamide surfactant is an N-alkyl-N-acylglucosamide of formula (X): （X） in Ra is straight-chain or branched, saturated or unsaturated, and has 6 to 22 carbon atoms; and Rb is a straight-chain or branched alkyl or aryl group.

4. The composition according to claim 3, wherein Ra is linear.

5. The composition according to claim 3, wherein Ra is unsaturated.

6. The composition according to claim 3, wherein Ra has 10 to 20 carbon atoms.

7. The composition according to claim 3, wherein Ra is a linear monounsaturated carbon chain of 16 to 18 carbons.

8. The composition according to claim 3, wherein Rb is a straight-chain alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms.

9. The composition according to claim 3, wherein the glucosamide surfactant has a molecular weight of 1000 g / mol or less.

10. A method for enhancing the consumer's fragrance experience on wet fabrics, wherein a fabric conditioner according to any one of the preceding claims is delivered to the fabric during the rinsing phase of the washing process.

11. Use of the fabric conditioner according to any one of the preceding claims for enhancing the consumer's fragrance experience, preferably the experience when treating wet fabrics, wherein the composition described herein is delivered to the fabric during the rinsing phase of the laundry process.

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