Liquid conditioning composition containing chitosan

Abstract

A liquid conditioning composition comprising 2% to 8% by weight of an alkyl ester quaternary ammonium softening active substance, 0.0001% to about 0.025% by weight of chitosan, and 0.01% to about 5% by weight of a free fragrance oil, wherein the composition has a viscosity of about 80 to about 300 cPs. A method for treating a surface, comprising the step of contacting the surface, preferably a fabric, more preferably a fabric containing cotton fibers, with the liquid conditioning composition, optionally in the presence of water. Use of the liquid conditioning composition for softening fabrics.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a liquid conditioning composition comprising chitosan. The present disclosure also relates to methods and uses of a liquid conditioning composition comprising chitosan.

Background Art

[0002] Manufacturers, as well as consumers, desire a liquid conditioning composition having a desirable neat product odor (NPO). When shopping, it is common for consumers to open the bottles on the supermarket shelves, smell the product odor, and select what they want to purchase based on the product odor. Consumers also desire a highly viscous product since a high viscosity provides a luxurious use experience and better performance.

[0003] Unfortunately, these characteristics of a desirable liquid conditioning composition, namely good NPO and high viscosity, are not mutually exclusive because a higher viscosity in the final product can negatively affect the release of free fragrance and thus reduce the NPO of the product. Therefore, finding a novel and useful liquid conditioning product having a desirable NPO and a thick consistency remains an ongoing concern.

Summary of the Invention

Means for Solving the Problems

[0004] The present disclosure relates to a liquid conditioning composition, such as a liquid fabric improver, comprising a specific amount of chitosan.

[0005] As a non-limiting example, the present disclosure relates to a liquid conditioning composition comprising about 2% to about 8% by weight of an alkyl ester quaternary ammonium ("ester quat") softening active substance, 0.0001% to about 0.025% by weight of chitosan, and 0.01% to about 5% by weight of a free fragrance oil, wherein the composition has a viscosity of about 80 to about 300 cPs.

[0006] The Disclosure also relates to a method for treating a surface, the method comprising the step of bringing a surface, preferably a fabric, more preferably a fabric containing cotton fibers, into contact with a liquid conditioning composition according to the Disclosure, optionally in the presence of water.

[0007] The Disclosure also relates to a concentrated softening active composition that can be used to produce the liquid conditioning composition of the Disclosure, wherein the concentrated softening active composition comprises about 0.0001% to about 0.025% by weight of the composition of the chitosan described herein and a liquid carrier selected from the group consisting of water, a surfactant, or an organic solvent.

[0008] This disclosure also relates to the use of chitosan, preferably as part of a liquid conditioning composition, to provide an undiluted product odor (NPO) effect, wherein the chitosan has a weight-average molecular weight (Mw) of about 70 kDa to about 600 kDa. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a photograph of an exemplary liquid fabric conditioner sample showing a failure level 1 rating score using a method for evaluating the phase stability of LFE products, as detailed herein. [Figure 2] This is a photograph of an exemplary liquid fabric conditioner sample showing a failure level 2 rating score using a method for evaluating the phase stability of LFE products, as detailed herein. [Figure 3]This is a photograph of an exemplary liquid fabric conditioner sample showing a failure level 3 rating score using a method for evaluating the phase stability of LFE products, as detailed herein. [Figure 4] This is a photograph of an exemplary liquid fabric conditioner sample showing a failure level 4 rating score using a method for evaluating the phase stability of LFE products, as detailed herein. [Figure 5] This is a photograph of an exemplary liquid fabric conditioner sample showing a failure level 5 rating score using a method for evaluating the phase stability of LFE products, as detailed herein. [Figure 6] This chart details the undiluted product odor headspace values ​​for liquid fabric conditioner samples. [Figure 7] This is a photograph of a commercially available liquid fabric conditioner product that has been aged and treated with chitosan. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] This disclosure relates to liquid conditioning compositions, such as liquid fabric conditioners, containing a specific amount of chitosan. Surprisingly, it has been found that the addition of chitosan to liquid conditioning compositions can improve fragrance release and, therefore, increase NPO. The materials, composition, methods, and uses of such liquid conditioning compositions are described in more detail below.

[0011] When used herein, the articles “a” and “an” as used in the claims are understood to mean one or more of the claimed or described items. When used herein, the terms “include,” “includes,” and “including” are meant to be non-limiting. The compositions of the disclosure may include, be essentially composed of, or consist of the components of the disclosure.

[0012] In this specification, the terms “substantially free of” or “substantially free from” may also be used. This means that the indicated material is present in minimal amounts and is not intentionally added to the composition to form part of the composition, or preferably not present in an analytically detectable concentration. It means that the indicated material is present only as an impurity in one of the other materials that are intentionally included. If the indicated material is present, it may be present in a concentration of less than 1% by weight, less than 0.1% by weight, less than 0.01% by weight, or even 0% by weight of the composition.

[0013] As used herein, the term “fabric care composition” includes compositions and formulations designed for treating fabrics. Such compositions include, but are not limited to, laundry cleaning compositions and detergents, fabric softening compositions, fabric strengthening compositions, fabric deodorizing compositions, pre-wash detergents, pre-wash treatments, laundry additives, spray products, dry cleaning agents or compositions, wash rinse additives, washing additives, post-rinse fabric treatments, ironing aids, unit-dose formulations, delayed-delivery formulations, detergents contained on or in porous substrates or nonwoven sheets, and other suitable forms that may be apparent to those skilled in the art in consideration of the teachings herein. Such compositions may be used as pre-wash treatments, post-wash treatments, or added during the rinse or wash cycle of a laundry operation.

[0014] Unless otherwise noted, all concentrations of components or compositions refer to the active portion of that component or composition, excluding impurities that may be present in the commercially available source of such components or compositions, such as residual solvents or by-products.

[0015] All temperatures in this specification are in degrees Celsius (°C) unless otherwise specified. Unless otherwise specified, all measurements in this specification are performed at 20°C and atmospheric pressure.

[0016] In all embodiments of this disclosure, all percentages are relative to the weight of the total composition unless otherwise specifically stated. Unless otherwise specifically stated, all ratios are weight ratios.

[0017] It should be understood that all maximum numerical limits given throughout this specification include all lower numerical limits as if they were explicitly stated herein. All minimum numerical limits given throughout this specification include all higher numerical limits as if they were explicitly stated herein. All numerical ranges given throughout this specification include all narrow numerical ranges that fall within such broad numerical ranges as if they were explicitly stated herein.

[0018] Liquid conditioning composition This disclosure relates to liquid conditioning compositions. The liquid conditioning compositions may be fabric care compositions or hair care compositions, preferably liquid fabric improvers or hair conditioners, more preferably liquid fabric improvers.

[0019] Liquid conditioning compositions may have viscosities of approximately 50 cPs to approximately 300 cPs (approximately 50 mPa·s to approximately 300 mPa·s), or approximately 80 cPs to approximately 300 cPs, or approximately 90 cPs to approximately 250 cPs, or preferably approximately 150 cPs to approximately 250 cPs. Viscosity is determined by measurement using a Brookfield viscometer, spindle 2, at 60 RPM / s, at approximately 22°C. Compositions with viscosities lower than those provided herein may be considered too fluid and "cheap," while compositions with relatively high viscosities may present processing or dispensing challenges.

[0020] Liquid conditioning compositions can be characterized by a dynamic yield stress. For example, the dynamic yield stress of a fabric softener composition at 20 °C can be from 0.001 Pa to 1.0 Pa, preferably from 0.005 Pa to 0.8 Pa, more preferably from 0.01 Pa to 0.5 Pa. If there is no dynamic yield stress, when the liquid composition contains suspended particles or encapsulated beneficial agents, it may lead to phase instability such as creaming or sedimentation of the particles. A very high dynamic yield stress can cause undesirable air entrapment while filling the fabric softener composition into the bottle. The dynamic yield stress is determined according to the method described in the section of the following test method.

[0021] The liquid conditioning compositions of the present disclosure can be characterized by a pH of from about 2 to about 12, or from about 2 to about 8.5, or from about 2 to about 7, or from about 2 to about 5. The compositions of the present disclosure may preferably be in the form of an aqueous liquid and have a pH of from about 2 to about 4, preferably from about 2 to about 3.7, more preferably from about 2 to about 3.5. It is believed that the acidic pH level promotes the stability of esterquats. The pH of the composition is measured by dissolving / dispersing the composition in deionized water to form a 10% concentration solution at about 20 °C.

[0022] The liquid conditioning compositions of the present disclosure can contain water. The liquid conditioning composition can contain from about 40 wt% to about 98 wt%, or from about 50 wt% to about 96 wt%, or from about 75 wt% to about 95 wt%, or from about 80 wt% to about 94 wt% of water in the composition. The level of water can be selected to balance the amount of softening active substance to a desired level. The selection of esterquats described herein is considered to be particularly useful in compositions containing a relatively large amount of water, because such components can provide both performance and viscosity building effects.

[0023] Liquid conditioning compositions may be packaged in bottles with spouts. Liquid conditioning compositions may also be packaged in aerosol cans or other spray bottles. The packaging may be translucent or transparent.

[0024] The liquid conditioning compositions of this disclosure may further comprise one or more of the following components:

[0025] Chitosan The liquid conditioning compositions of this disclosure contain a specific level of chitosan. The liquid conditioning compositions of this disclosure may contain chitosan in an amount of about 0.0001% to about 0.025% by weight, or about 0.001% to about 0.025% by weight, or about 0.001% to about 0.02% by weight, or about 0.0015% to about 0.015% by weight, or about 0.002% to about 0.01% by weight of the composition.

[0026] Chitosan can be treated partially or whole with a redox initiator. The redox initiator may be selected from the group consisting of persulfates, peroxides, and combinations thereof. Suitable redox initiators may include ammonium persulfate, sodium persulfate, potassium persulfate, cesium persulfate, benzoyl peroxide, hydrogen peroxide, and mixtures thereof. The redox initiator may preferably be selected from sodium persulfate, hydrogen peroxide, or mixtures thereof. The redox initiator may preferably be a persulfate. The redox initiator may preferably be a peroxide. The redox initiator may preferably be sodium persulfate. Treatment of chitosan with a redox initiator is typically carried out in an aqueous phase, preferably an acidic aqueous phase, before forming an emulsion that leads to the formation of delivery particles. In the reaction to form modified chitosan, the redox initiator and chitosan may be present in a weight ratio of about 90:10 to about 0.01:99.99, preferably about 50:50 to about 1:99, and more preferably about 30:70 to about 3:97.

[0027] Chitosan may be partially or entirely acid-treated chitosan. For example, chitosan (which may be called untreated chitosan or parent chitosan before acid treatment) may be treated with an acid at a pH of 6.5 or less for at least 1 hour, preferably about 1 to about 3 hours, or for the duration required to obtain a chitosan solution viscosity of about 1500 cps or less, or even less than 500 cps, at a temperature of about 25°C to about 99°C, preferably about 75°C to about 95°C. The acid may be selected from strong acids (such as hydrochloric acid), organic acids (such as formic acid or acetic acid), or mixtures thereof. Chitosan may be acid-treated at a pH of preferably 2 to 6.5, preferably about 3 to about 6, or even more preferably 4 to 6.

[0028] Chitosan, preferably acid-treated chitosan, can be characterized by its molecular weight, ranging from about 70 kDa to about 600 kDa, preferably about 90 kDa to about 400 kDa, more preferably about 100 kDa to about 300 kDa, and even more preferably about 100 kDa to about 250 kDa. While we do not wish to be bound by theory, it is thought that biopolymers characterized by relatively low molecular weights are not very effective in forming suitable delivery particles, while those with relatively high molecular weights tend to be difficult to process. Methods used to determine the molecular weight of chitosan and related parameters are provided in the section on test methods below, and utilize gel permeation chromatography using multi-angle light scattering (MALS) and refractive index detection (GPC) (GPC-MALS / RI) techniques.

[0029] The chitosan may be characterized by a degree of deacetylation of at least 50%, preferably about 50% to about 99%, more preferably about 75% to about 90%, and even more preferably about 80% to about 85%. The degree of deacetylation may affect the solubility of the chitosan, which in turn may affect its reactivity or behavior in the method of forming particle shells. For example, if the degree of deacetylation is too low (e.g., less than 50%), relatively insoluble and relatively unreactive chitosan will be produced. If the degree of deacetylation is relatively high, very soluble chitosan may be produced, and relatively little chitosan will migrate to the oil / water interface during shell formation.

[0030] Chitosan, if present, may include anionically modified chitosan, cationically modified chitosan, or a combination thereof. By modifying chitosan anionically and / or cationically, the surface charge and / or zeta potential can be altered, for example, which can affect particle deposition efficiency and / or formulation compatibility, thereby altering the shell characteristics of the delivered particles.

[0031] Esther Quad The liquid conditioning compositions of this disclosure comprise certain alkyl quaternary ammonium ester materials, also referred to herein as “ester quats.” Such ester quats may be useful in providing conditioning effects to a fabric, such as flexibility, wrinkle resistance, antistatic properties, conditioning, stretch resistance, color, and / or appearance effects. Furthermore, the ester quats of this disclosure are useful in constructing viscosity at relatively low activity levels.

[0032] The liquid conditioning composition may contain about 2% to about 20% by weight, or about 2% to about 15% by weight, or about 2% to about 12% by weight of the ester quat softening active substance, as described in detail below. The composition may contain about 2% to about 10% by weight, preferably 2% to about 8% by weight, more preferably about 3% to about 7% by weight, and even more preferably about 3% to about 6% by weight of the ester quat softening active substance, as described in detail below. The composition may contain about 2% to about 8% by weight of the ester quat softening active substance.

[0033] Suitable quaternary ammonium ester softening active substances include, but are not limited to, substances selected from the group consisting of monoester quat, diester quat, triester quat, and mixtures thereof. Preferably, the concentration of monoester quat is 2.0% to 40.0% by weight, the concentration of diester quat is 40.0% to 98.0% by weight, and the concentration of triester quat is 0.0% to 25.0% by weight, relative to the total quaternary ammonium ester softening active substances.

[0034] The quaternary ammonium ester softening agent may include compounds of the following formula. {R2(4-m)-N+-[XY-R1]m}A- During the ceremony, m is 1, 2, or 3, provided that each value of m is the same. Each R1 is independently a hydrocarbyl group or a branched hydrocarbyl group, preferably R1 is linear, and more preferably R1 is a partially unsaturated linear alkyl chain. Each R2 is independently a C1-C3 alkyl or hydroxyalkyl group, preferably R2 is selected from methyl, ethyl, propyl, hydroxyethyl, 2-hydroxypropyl, 1-methyl-2-hydroxyethyl, poly(C2-3-alkoxy), polyethoxy, and benzyl. Each X is independently -(CH2)n-, -CH2-CH(CH3)-, or -CH(CH3)-CH2-, Each n is independently 1, 2, 3, or 4, preferably each n is 2. Each Y is independently -O-(O)C- or -C(O)-O-, A- is independently selected from the group consisting of chloride, methyl sulfate, and ethyl sulfate, and preferably A- is selected from the group consisting of chloride and methyl sulfate, However, if Y is -O-(O)C-, the total number of carbon atoms in each R1 is 13 to 21, preferably 13 to 19. Preferably, in order to improve the hydrolysis stability of the quaternary ammonium ester softening active substance, and consequently to further improve the stability of the liquid fabric softener composition, X is -CH2-CH(CH3)- or -CH(CH3)-CH2-.

[0035] For a balance between the processability and odor of the quaternary ammonium ester softening active substance, a preferred liquid fabric softener composition has an iodine value of 0 to 100, more preferably 10 to 60, and even more preferably 15 to 45, of the quaternary ammonium fabric softening active substance.

[0036] The ester quat softening active substance is derived from a fatty acid supplying material. The fatty acid supplying material contains fatty acids. The fatty acid supplying material may be partially hydrogenated, and such a process may provide a desired amount of trans fatty acids. As used herein, “partially hydrogenated” means that the fatty acid itself undergoes a partial hydrogenation process, or that the oil from which the fatty acid is derived undergoes a hydrogenation process, or both. Furthermore, the partial hydrogenation process may reduce the amount of biunsaturated fatty acids, whose presence may result in instability of color and / or odor in the final product.

[0037] Fatty acids can be derived from plants. Suitable sources of plant-derived fatty acids may include vegetable oils such as canola oil, safflower oil, peanut oil, sunflower oil, sesame seed oil, rapeseed oil, cottonseed oil, corn oil, soybean oil, tall oil, rice bran oil, palm oil, palm kernel oil, coconut oil, other tropical palm oils, linseed oil, and tuki oil. Preferably, the fatty acid supply material contains fatty acids derived from cottonseed, rapeseed, sunflower seeds, or soybeans, preferably cottonseed. These substances are particularly preferred because they tend to produce fatty acids with a desirable trans-unsaturated content during partial hydrogenation. Therefore, the fatty acid supply raw material may include partially hydrogenated fatty acids derived from plants, preferably from vegetable oils, more preferably from canola oil, safflower oil, peanut oil, sunflower oil, sesame seed oil, rapeseed oil, cottonseed oil, corn oil, soybean oil, tall oil, rice bran oil, palm oil, palm kernel oil, coconut oil, other tropical palm oils, linseed oil, tuni oil, or mixtures thereof, more preferably from cottonseed, rapeseed, sunflower seeds, soybeans, or mixtures thereof. The fatty acids may include, at least partially, partially hydrogenated fatty acids derived from cottonseed oil, and such substances are considered to have a favorable distribution of fatty acid types and trans-unsaturated bonds.

[0038] Fatty acids may contain an alkyl moiety containing, on a weight average, approximately 13 to 22 carbon atoms, or approximately 14 to 20 carbon atoms, preferably approximately 16 to 18 carbon atoms, where the number of carbon atoms includes the carbon atoms of the carboxyl group. The group of fatty acids may exist in a distribution of alkyl chain sizes. Certain fatty acids may be characterized by the number of carbon atoms in their alkyl moiety. For example, a fatty acid with 16 carbon atoms in its alkyl moiety may be called a "C16 fatty acid." Similarly, a fatty acid with 18 carbon atoms in its alkyl moiety may be called a "C18 fatty acid."

[0039] The fatty acid supplying material may contain less than 25% by weight of C16 fatty acids. The fatty acid supplying material may contain about 5% to about 25%, preferably about 10% to about 25%, more preferably about 15% to about 25%, and even more preferably about 20% to about 25%, of the weight of the fatty acid supplying material, of C16 fatty acids. It may be desirable to limit the relative amount of C16 fatty acids in the fatty acid supplying material. Although not bound by theory, it is thought that a relatively high proportion of C16 fatty acids (especially compared to C18 fatty acids) may result in a relatively low viscosity in the final product.

[0040] Additionally or alternatively, it may be desirable for the fatty acid feedstock to contain at least a certain minimum amount of C16 fatty acids (e.g., at least 10% by weight, preferably at least 15% by weight, and even more preferably at least 20% by weight of the fatty acid feedstock). Ester quats based on materials containing C16 fatty acids tend to have lower melting points, have low / zero levels of C16, and may be relatively easier to disperse compared to ester quats mainly produced from more crystalline C18 (and / or C18-trans) fatty acids; therefore, such materials may help improve processability.

[0041] Alkyl quaternary ammonium ester softening active substances may include compounds formed from unsaturated fatty acids, meaning that the fatty acid contains at least one double bond in the alkyl portion. The fatty acid may be monounsaturated (one double bond) or diunsaturated (or doubleunsaturated, two double bonds). Preferably, the majority of unsaturated fatty acids in the fatty acid supply material are monounsaturated.

[0042] Fatty acids may contain unsaturated C18 chains, which may contain a single double bond ("C18:1") or be double unsaturated ("C18:2"). (For reference, fatty acids having saturated C18 chains may be referred to as "C18:0"). The fatty acid feedstock may contain about 50% to about 85% by weight, preferably about 60% to about 80% by weight, and more preferably about 70% to about 80% by weight, of C18 fatty acids, whether saturated or unsaturated. The fatty acid feedstock may contain about 20% to about 60%, preferably about 40% to about 60%, and more preferably about 45% to about 55%, of C18:0 fatty acids. The fatty acid supply raw material may contain C18:1 fatty acids in an amount of about 15% to about 50% by weight, preferably about 15% to about 30% by weight, preferably about 18% to about 25% by weight of the fatty acid supply raw material. The fatty acid supply raw material may contain C18:2 fatty acids in an amount of 0% (e.g., none) to about 20% by weight, or about 0% to about 15% by weight, or about 0% to about 10% by weight, or about 0% to about 5% by weight of the fatty acid supply raw material. The fatty acid supply raw material may contain C18:2 fatty acids in an amount of about 1% to about 15% by weight, preferably about 5% to about 10% by weight of the fatty acid supply raw material.

[0043] Esterquat materials can be produced by a two-step synthesis process. First, esteramines can be produced by esterification using a fatty acid and an alkanolamine. In the second step, the product can be quaternized using an alkylating agent.

[0044] The liquid conditioning compositions of this disclosure may include, in addition to the ester quats described above, other conditioning agents. These other conditioning agents may be selected from the group consisting of quaternary ammonium ester compounds other than those described above, silicones, non-esterified quaternary ammonium compounds, amines, fatty esters, sucrose esters, silicones, dispersible polyolefins, polysaccharides, fatty acids, softening or conditioning oils, polymer latexes, glyceride copolymers, or combinations thereof.

[0045] Examples of suitable quaternary ammonium ester softening active substances are commercially available from KAO Chemicals under the trademark names Tetranyl® AT-1 and Tetranyl® AT-7590; from Evonik under the trademark names Rewoquat® WE16DPG, Rewoquat® WE18, Rewoquat® WE20, Rewoquat® WE28, and Rewoquat® 38DPG; and from Stepan under the trademark names Stepantex® GA90, Stepantex® VR90, Stepantex® VK90, Stepantex® VA90, Stepantex® DC90, and Stepantex® VL90A.

[0046] These types of pharmaceuticals and general methods for their manufacture are disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,137,180.

[0047] Fragrances and / or fragrance delivery systems Liquid conditioning compositions may comprise fragrances, fragrance delivery systems, or combinations thereof. Such systems may improve the freshness performance of the compositions described herein. In particular, fragrance delivery systems may enhance improved freshness performance by increasing adhesion efficiency, facilitating fragrance release at different touchpoints, and / or extending the lifespan of the fragrance performance.

[0048] Undiluted fragrance Fragrances may exist as undiluted oils, sometimes referred to as, for example, “free” fragrances, unencapsulated fragrances, or free fragrance oils. A liquid conditioning composition may contain free fragrance oils in an amount of about 0.01% to about 5% by weight, or about 0.05% to about 4% by weight, or about 0.1% to about 3% by weight, or about 0.5% to about 2% by weight of the composition.

[0049] Undiluted oils are fragrance raw materials, such as 3-(4-t-butylphenyl)-2-methylpropanal, 3-(4-t-butylphenyl)-propanal, 3-(4-isopropylphenyl)-2-methylpropanal, 3-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)-2-methylpropanal, and 2,6-dimethyl-5-heptenal, α-damascone, β-damascone, γ-damascone, β-damascenone, 6,7-dihydro-1,1,2,3,3-pentamethyl-4(5H)-indanone, methyl-7,3-dihydro-2H-1,5-benzodioxepin-3-one, and 2-[2-(4-methyl-3-cyclohexenyl This may include: ru-1-yl)propyl]cyclopentan-2-one, 2-sec-butylcyclohexanone, and β-dihydroionone, linalool, ethyl linalool, tetrahydrolinalool, and dihydromyrcenolate; waxes such as silicone oil and polyethylene wax; essential oils such as fish oil, jasmine, camphor, and lavender; skin coolants such as menthol, methyl lactate; vitamins such as vitamins A and E; sunscreens; glycerin; catalysts such as manganese catalysts or bleaching catalysts; bleaching particles such as perborates; silicone dioxide particles; antiperspirant active substances; cationic polymers, and mixtures thereof. Suitable beneficial agents can be obtained from Givaudan Corp. (Mount Olive, New Jersey, USA), International Flavors & Fragrances Corp. (South Brunswick, New Jersey, USA), Firmenich Company (Geneva, Switzerland), or Encapsys Company of Appleton (Wisconsin, USA). As used herein, “Fragrance raw materials” means one or more of the following: aromatic essential oils; aromatic compounds; pro-fragrances; materials supplied with aromatic essential oils, aromatic compounds, and / or pro-fragrances, including stabilizers, diluents, processing agents, and admixtures; and any materials commonly associated with aromatic essential oils, aromatic compounds, and / or pro-fragrances.

[0050] fragrance delivery system The fragrance delivery system may include, for example, an encapsulation body ("core-shell encapsulation body") in which a core is surrounded by a wall material, the core may contain a fragrance and optionally a partitioning modifier (e.g., isopropyl myristate). The wall material may include melamine, polyacrylamide, silicone, silica, polystyrene, polyurea, polyurethane, polyacrylate-based substances, polyacrylic acid ester-based substances, gelatin, styrene-malic anhydride, polyamide, aromatic alcohol, polyvinyl alcohol, or mixtures thereof. The melamine wall material may include formaldehyde-crosslinked melamine, formaldehyde-crosslinked melamine-dimethoxyethanol, and mixtures thereof, and encapsulations having such wall materials may be used in combination with formaldehyde scavengers such as acetacetamide, urea, or derivatives thereof. The polyacrylate-based wall material may include polyacrylates formed from methyl methacrylate / dimethylaminomethyl methacrylate, amine acrylates and / or methacrylates, polyacrylates formed from strong acids, carboxylic acid acrylates and / or methacrylate monomers, polyacrylates formed from strong bases, amine acrylates and / or methacrylate monomers, and carboxylic acid acrylates and / or carboxylic acid methacrylate monomers, as well as mixtures thereof.

[0051] Polyacrylic acid ester-based wall materials may include polyacrylic acid esters formed by alkyl and / or glycidyl esters of acrylic acid and / or methacrylic acid, polyacrylic acid esters formed by acrylic acid esters and / or methacrylic acid esters having a hydroxyl group and / or a carboxyl group and an allyl gluconamide, and mixtures thereof.

[0052] Aromatic alcohol-based wall materials may include aryloxyalkanols, arylalkanols, and oligoalkanol aryl ethers. They may also include aromatic compounds having at least one free hydroxyl group, and particularly preferably at least two directly aromatically bonded free hydroxyl groups, where at least two free hydroxyl groups are directly bonded to the aromatic ring, and more particularly preferably at the meta position relative to each other. The aromatic alcohol is preferably selected from phenol, cresol (o-, m-, and p-cresol), naphthol (alpha-, and beta-naphthol), and thymol, as well as ethylphenol, propylphenol, fluorophenol, and methoxyphenol.

[0053] The polyurea wall material may contain polyisocyanate. The shell of the delivery particle comprises a polymer material which may be a reaction product of polyisocyanate and chitosan. The shell may contain a polyurea resin, which contains a reaction product of polyisocyanate and chitosan. The delivery particles of this disclosure may be considered polyurea delivery particles and may contain a polyurea-chitosan shell. (As used herein, "shell" and "wall" are used interchangeably with respect to delivery particles unless otherwise indicated.) The shell may be derived from isocyanate and chitosan.

[0054] The delivered particles may be produced according to a process comprising the following steps: forming an aqueous phase containing chitosan in an aqueous acidic medium; forming an oil phase comprising dissolving together at least one beneficial agent and at least one polyisocyanate; forming an emulsion by mixing the aqueous phase and the oil phase in an excess of aqueous phase under high shear stirring, thereby forming droplets of the oil phase and beneficial agent dispersed in the aqueous phase; and curing the emulsion by heating for a time sufficient to form a shell at the interface between the droplets and the aqueous phase, wherein the shell contains the reaction product of the polyisocyanate and chitosan, and the shell surrounds a core containing droplets of the oil phase and beneficial agent. A diluent, such as isopropyl myristate, may be used to adjust the hydrophilicity of the oil phase. The oil phase is then added to the aqueous phase and ground at high speed to obtain the target size. The emulsion is then cured in one or more heating steps.

[0055] The temperature and time are selected so as to be sufficient to form and cure a shell at the interface between the oil phase droplets and the water continuous phase. For example, the emulsion is heated to 85°C for 60 minutes, then held at 85°C for 360 minutes to cure the particles. The slurry is then cooled to room temperature.

[0056] The chitosan (as defined herein in the section on chitosan) as a weight percentage of the shell may be about 21% to a maximum of about 95% of the shell. The ratio of chitosan to isocyanate monomers, oligomers, or prepolymers may be up to 1:10 by weight.

[0057] Polyisocyanates may be aliphatic or aromatic monomers, oligomers, or prepolymers that usefully contain two or more isocyanate functional groups. Polyisocyanates can preferably be selected from the group comprising toluene diisocyanate, trimethylolpropane adducts of toluene diisocyanate and trimethylolpropane adducts of xylylene diisocyanate, methylenediphenyl isocyanate, toluene diisocyanate, tetramethylxylidene diisocyanate, naphthalene-1,5-diisocyanate, and phenylenediisocyanate.

[0058] Polyisocyanates can be selected from, for example, aromatic toluene diisocyanates and their derivatives used for wall formation for inclusion bodies, or aliphatic monomers, oligomers, or prepolymers, such as hexamethylene diisocyanates and their dimers or trimers, or 3,3,5-trimethyl-5-isocyanatomethyl-1-isocyanatocyclohexanetetramethylene diisocyanate. Polyisocyanates can also be selected from 1,3-diisocyanato-2-methylbenzene, hydrogenated MDI, bis(4-isocyanatocyclohexyl)methane, dicyclohexylmethane-4,4'-diisocyanate, and their oligomers and prepolymers. This list is illustrative and is not intended to limit the polyisocyanates useful in this disclosure.

[0059] Polyisocyanates useful in the present invention include isocyanate monomers, oligomers, or prepolymers having at least two isocyanate groups, or dimers or trimers thereof. Optimal crosslinking can be achieved using polyisocyanates having at least three functional groups.

[0060] For the purposes of this disclosure, polyisocyanates are understood to encompass any polyisocyanate having at least two isocyanate groups and containing an aliphatic or aromatic moiety in the monomer, oligomer, or prepolymer. If aromatic, the aromatic moiety may include a phenyl, toluyl, xylyl, naphthyl, or diphenyl moiety, more preferably a toluyl or xylyl moiety. For the purposes of this specification, aromatic polyisocyanates may include diisocyanate derivatives such as biuret and polyisocyanurate. Polyisocyanates, in the case of aromatic polyisocyanates, may be, but are not limited to, methylenediphenyl isocyanate, toluene diisocyanate, tetramethylxylidene diisocyanate, polyisocyanurate of toluene diisocyanate (commercially available from Bayer under the trade name Desmodur® RC), trimethylolpropane adduct of toluene diisocyanate (commercially available from Bayer under the trade name Desmodur® L75), or trimethylolpropane adduct of xylylene diisocyanate (commercially available from Mitsui Chemicals under the trade name Takenate® D-110N), naphthalene-1,5-diisocyanate, and phenylene-5 diisocyanate.

[0061] Aromatic polyisocyanates are preferred. However, aliphatic polyisocyanates and blends thereof may be useful. Aliphatic polyisocyanates are understood as polyisocyanates that do not contain any aromatic moiety. Examples of aliphatic polyisocyanates include trimers of hexamethylene diisocyanate, trimers of isophorone diisocyanate, trimethylolpropane adducts of hexamethylene diisocyanate (available from Mitsui Chemicals), or biuret of hexamethylene diisocyanate (commercially available from Bayer under the trade name Desmodur® N 100).

[0062] The shell may decompose by at least 50% after 20 days (or less) when tested according to the OECD 301B test method. The shell may decompose by at least 60% of its mass after preferably 60 days (or less) when tested according to the OECD 301B test method. The shell may decompose by 30-100%, preferably 40-100%, 50-100%, 60-100%, or 60-95% after 60 days, preferably 50 days, more preferably 40 days, more preferably 28 days, and more preferably 14 days.

[0063] The composition may contain delivery particles in an amount of about 0.05% to about 20% by weight, or about 0.05% to about 10% by weight, or about 0.1% to about 5% by weight, or about 0.2% to about 2% by weight of the composition. The composition may contain an amount of delivery particles sufficient to provide the composition with an encapsulated beneficial agent, preferably a fragrance ingredient, in an amount of about 0.05% to about 10% by weight, or about 0.1% to about 5% by weight, or about 0.1% to about 2% by weight relative to the weight of the composition. Where used herein, the amount or weight percentage of delivery particles refers to the total of the wall material and the core material.

[0064] The delivered particles according to this disclosure may be characterized by a volume-weighted median particle size of about 1 to about 100 microns, preferably about 10 to about 100 microns, preferably about 15 to about 50 microns, more preferably about 20 to about 40 microns, and even more preferably about 20 to about 30 microns. Different particle sizes can be obtained by controlling the droplet size during emulsification.

[0065] The delivered particles can be characterized by a core-to-shell ratio based on weight, up to 85:15, up to 90:10, up to 99:1, or even 99.5:0.5.

[0066] The inclusion body may be coated with an adhesion aid, a cationic polymer, a nonionic polymer, anionic polymer, or a mixture thereof. Suitable polymers may be selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl formaldehyde, partially hydroxylated polyvinyl formaldehyde, polyvinylamine, polyethyleneimine, ethoxylated polyethyleneimine, polyvinyl alcohol, polyacrylate, polysaccharides (e.g., chitosan), and combinations thereof.

[0067] The fragrance delivery system may include particles containing a graft copolymer and a fragrance substance, the graft copolymer comprising a polyalkylene glycol (e.g., polyethylene glycol) as a graft base and one or more side chains containing a vinyl acetate moiety.

[0068] The fragrance delivery system may include profragrances, such as siloxane-based profragrances, and the fragrance raw materials, upon delivery to the surface, associate with polymers (e.g., siloxane polymers) (e.g., via covalent bonds) and are released during or after surface treatment with the composition.

[0069] The fragrance delivery system may include self-assembling particles composed of rosin materials, such as gum rosin, wood rosin, tall oil rosin, or derivatives thereof, preferably ester derivatives thereof, and more preferably glycerol ester derivatives thereof. The particles may be obtained by a self-assembly process. The self-assembly process involves adding the plant rosin material to the product composition together with or after the fragrance. Optionally, emulsifiers may be included to aid in particle formation in the final product. Preferred fragrance ingredients encapsulated within these self-assembling particles contain portions selected from cycloalkanes, cycloalkenes, branched alkanes, or combinations thereof. The particle size may be in the range of 10 μm to 90 μm.

[0070] If the fragrance delivery system contains a formaldehyde derivative, such as a fragrance encapsulant having a melamine-formaldehyde shell, the composition may further contain a formaldehyde scavenger, which may include a sulfur-based formaldehyde scavenger, a non-sulfur-based formaldehyde scavenger, or a mixture thereof. Suitable non-sulfur-based formaldehyde scavengers include urea, ethylene urea, acetacetamide, or mixtures thereof. Suitable sulfur-based formaldehyde scavengers include alkali metal dithionites and / or alkaline earth metal dithionites, pyrosulfites, sulfites, bisulfites, metasulfites, monoalkyl sulfites, dialkyl sulfites, diallene sulfites, sulfides, thiosulfates, thiocyanates, mercaptans, thiourea, and mixtures thereof.

[0071] Processing aid The liquid conditioning compositions of this disclosure may include other processing aid components. These aid components may be selected to provide, for example, processing, stability, and / or performance advantages.

[0072] Suitable processing aids include surfactants, conditioning agents, adhesion aids, rheological modifiers or structuring agents, bleaching agents, stabilizers, builders, chelating agents, color transfer inhibitors, dispersants, enzymes and enzyme stabilizers, catalytic metal complexes, polymer dispersants, clay and stain removers / anti-redeposition agents, whitening agents, foam inhibitors, silicones, colorants, aesthetic dyes, additional fragrances and fragrance delivery systems, structural elastochemicals, carriers, hydrotropes, processing aids, structuring agents, anti-aggregating agents, coating agents, formaldehyde scavengers, and / or pigments.

[0073] In particular, the liquid conditioning composition may further include processing aids selected from the group consisting of additional conditioning agents, dyes, pH control agents, solvents, rheological modifiers, structuring agents, cationic polymers, surfactants, fragrances, fragrance delivery systems, chelating agents, antioxidants, preservatives, and mixtures thereof.

[0074] The exact properties of these additional components, and the concentrations in which they are incorporated, depend on the physical form of the composition and the nature of the work required for the resulting composition. However, if one or more auxiliary agents are present, such auxiliary agents may be present as detailed below. The following is a non-limiting list of potentially useful auxiliary components.

[0075] 1. Rheological modifiers / structuring agents The liquid conditioning compositions of this disclosure may include rheological modifiers and / or structuring agents. Rheological modifiers may be used to “thicken” or “thicken” the liquid composition to a desired viscosity. Structuring agents may be used to promote phase stability and / or to suspend or inhibit the aggregation of particles in the liquid composition, such as fragrance encapsulants as described herein.

[0076] Suitable rheological modifiers and / or structuring agents include nonpolymeric crystalline hydroxyl-functional structuring agents (including those based on hydrogenated castor oil), polymer structuring agents, cellulose fibers (e.g., microfibrillated cellulose, which may be derived from bacterial, fungal, or plant origins, including wood), diamide gelling agents, or combinations thereof.

[0077] Polymer structuring agents may be of natural or synthetic origin. Natural polymer structuring agents may include hydroxyethylcellulose, hydrophobic modified hydroxyethylcellulose, carboxymethylcellulose, polysaccharide derivatives, and mixtures thereof. Polysaccharide derivatives may include pectin, alginates, arabinogalactan (gum arabic), carrageenan, gellan gum, xanthan gum, guar gum, and mixtures thereof. Synthetic polymer structuring agents may include polycarboxylate, polyacrylate, hydrophobic modified ethoxylated urethane, hydrophobic modified nonionic polyol, and mixtures thereof. Polycarboxylate polymers may include polyacrylate, polymethacrylate, or mixtures thereof. Polyacrylate is composed of unsaturated monocarbonate or dicarbonate and C1-C1 (meth)acrylic acid. 30 Copolymers with alkyl esters may also be included. Such copolymers are available from Noveon Inc. under the trade name Carbopol Aqua 30. Another suitable structuring agent is available from SNF Floerger under the trade name Flosoft FS 222.

[0078] 2. Cationic polymers The liquid conditioning compositions of this disclosure may include cationic polymers. Cationic polymers can function as adhesion enhancers, for example, to promote improved adhesion efficiency of softening and / or freshness active substances onto a target surface. Additionally or alternatively, cationic polymers may provide the composition with stability, structuring, and / or rheological advantages.

[0079] The liquid conditioning composition may contain 0.0001% to 3% by weight, preferably 0.0005% to 2% by weight, more preferably 0.001% to 1% by weight, or about 0.01% to about 0.5% by weight, or about 0.05% to about 0.3% by weight of the composition, a cationic polymer.

[0080] Cationic polymers in general and their manufacturing methods are well known in the literature. Suitable cationic polymers include quaternary ammonium polymers known as "polyquaternium" polymers, named in the International Nomenclature for Cosmetic Ingredients, such as polyquaternium-6 (poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride)), polyquaternium-7 (a copolymer of acrylamide and diallyldimethylammonium chloride), polyquaternium-10 (quaternary hydroxyethylcellulose), and polyquaternium-22 (a copolymer of acrylic acid and diallyldimethylammonium chloride).

[0081] Cationic polymers may include cationic polysaccharides, such as cationic starch, cationic cellulose, cationic guar, or mixtures thereof. Cationic cellulose may include quaternized hydroxyethylcellulose. Polymers derived from polysaccharides that are naturally occurring and / or sustainable materials may be preferred.

[0082] Cationic polymers may contain cationic acrylates. Cationic polymers may contain cationic monomers, nonionic monomers, and optionally anionic monomers (as long as the total charge of the polymer remains cationic). Cationic polymers may contain cationic monomers selected from the group consisting of methyl quaternary dimethylaminoethylammonium acrylate, methyl quaternary dimethylaminoethylammonium methacrylate, and mixtures thereof. Cationic polymers may contain nonionic monomers selected from the group consisting of acrylamide, dimethylacrylamide, and mixtures thereof. Cationic polymers may optionally contain anionic monomers selected from acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, itaconic acid, crotonic acid, maleic acid, and fumaric acid, as well as monomers that perform the function of sulfonic acid or phosphonic acid, such as 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid (ATBS) and salts thereof.

[0083] Cationic polymers can be substantially linear or crosslinked. Compositions may include both substantially linear cationic polymers (e.g., formed with less than 50 ppm of crosslinking agent) and crosslinked cationic polymers (e.g., formed with more than 50 ppm of crosslinking agent). Such combinations may offer both adhesion and structuring advantages.

[0084] 3. Surfactants Liquid conditioning compositions may contain, or substantially contain, anionic surfactants in amounts less than 5% by weight, less than 2% by weight, less than 1% by weight, or less than about 0.1% by weight of the composition. Anionic surfactants may interact undesirably with cationic components, such as conditioning compounds, and thus may adversely affect the stability and / or performance of the compositions of the present invention. Product compositions intended to be added during the rinse cycle of an automatic washing machine, such as liquid fabric conditioners, may contain relatively low levels of anionic surfactants. Additionally or alternatively, compositions intended to be used in combination with detergent compositions during the wash cycle of an automatic washing machine may contain relatively low levels of anionic surfactants.

[0085] Liquid conditioning compositions may contain nonionic surfactants. Such surfactants may provide, for example, stability and / or processing benefits. Nonionic surfactants may, for example, be emulsifiers for fragrances. Suitable nonionic surfactants include alkoxylated aliphatic alcohols, such as ethoxylated C10-C18 aliphatic alcohols.

[0086] 4. Chelating agents Liquid conditioning compositions may contain a chelating agent. Such agents may be iron, and / or manganese, and / or other metal ion chelating agents. Such chelating agents may be selected from the group consisting of aminocarboxylates, aminophosphonates, polyfunctionally substituted aromatic chelating agents, and mixtures thereof. When used, these chelating agents generally constitute about 0.1% to about 15% by weight, or preferably about 0.1% to about 3.0% by weight, of the compositions described herein. More preferably, when used, the chelating agents may constitute about 0.1% to about 3.0% by weight of such compositions.

[0087] Suitable chelating agents include diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA), hydroquiethanedimethylenephosphonic acid (HEDP), MGDA (methylglycine diacetic acid), glutamic acid, N,N-diacetic acid (GLDA), 1,2-dihydroxybenzene-3,5-disulfonic acid (Tiron®), ethylenediamine disuccinate (EDDS), diethylenetriaminepenta(methylenephosphonic acid) (DTPMP), ethylenediaminetetrakis(methylenephosphonate), ethylenediaminetetraacetate, N-(hydroxyethyl)ethylenediamine triacetate, nitrilotriacetate, ethylenediaminetetrapropionalate, triethylenetetraamine hexaacetate, diethylenetriaminepentaacetate, ethanol diglycine, alkali metals, ammonium, or substituted ammonium salts thereof, dihydroxydisulfone, such as 1,2-dihydroxy-3,5-disulfone, and mixtures thereof.

[0088] 5. Antioxidants Liquid conditioning compositions may contain antioxidants, preferably phenolic antioxidants, more preferably tocopherol antioxidants or derivatives thereof. Antioxidants in the compositions of this disclosure may be useful for odor control, cleaning performance, and / or color stability because they may help reduce yellowing, which may be associated with amines. Furthermore, although not bound by theory, the presence of antioxidants may reduce the rate of auto-oxidation of trans-unsaturated bonds in ester quat fatty acid chains and thus contribute to the viscosity stability of the composition. Antioxidants are substances such as those described in Kirk-Othmer (Vol. 3, p. 424) and Ullmann's Encyclopedia (Vol. 3, p. 91).

[0089] The compositions of this disclosure may contain an antioxidant, preferably a phenolic antioxidant, more preferably tocopherol or a derivative thereof, in an amount of about 0.001% to about 2% by weight, preferably about 0.01% to about 0.5% by weight of the composition.

[0090] A particularly preferred class of antioxidants for use in the compositions of this disclosure is tocopherols and their derivatives, such as tocotrienols. Such antioxidants are typically of natural origin and, therefore, may be particularly interesting to combine with ester quat materials for sustainability / environmental reasons. Furthermore, such compounds may be considered consumer-friendly, beneficial, and safe due to the vitamin E activity of the compounds. Useful tocopherols in this composition may include α-tocopherol, β-tocopherol, γ-tocopherol, δ-tocopherol, or combinations thereof.

[0091] Other suitable antioxidants include other phenolic antioxidants, such as butylhydroxytoluene ("BHT", particularly 3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxytoluene) and butylhydroxyanisole ("BHA"). Further suitable antioxidants include those sold under the trade names Proxel GXL®, Trolox®, Raluquin®, and / or TINOGARD®.

[0092] 6. Preservatives The liquid conditioning composition may contain preservatives that can help improve product stability during storage. The preservatives may include diphenyl ether antimicrobial agents, preferably 4-4'-dichloro-2-hydroxydiphenyl ether, 2,4,4'-trichloro-2'-hydroxydiphenyl ether, or a combination thereof. The preservatives may also include quaternary ammonium antimicrobial agents, preferably dialkylquaternary ammonium antimicrobial agents. Suitable preservatives may include those sold under the trade names TINOSAN and / or BARQUAT.

[0093] 7. Further conditioning agents The liquid conditioning compositions of this disclosure may include other conditioning agents in addition to the ester quats described above. The additional conditioning agents may be selected from the group consisting of quaternary ammonium ester compounds other than those described above, silicones, non-esterified quaternary ammonium compounds, amines, fatty esters, sucrose esters, silicones, dispersible polyolefins, polysaccharides, fatty acids, softening or conditioning oils, polymer latexes, glyceride copolymers, or combinations thereof.

[0094] The composition may comprise a combination of a quaternary ammonium ester compound and a silicone. The total amount of the quaternary ammonium ester compound and the silicone may be about 5% to about 70% by weight of the composition, or about 6% to about 50% by weight, or about 7% to about 40% by weight, or about 10% to about 30% by weight, or about 15% to about 25% by weight. The composition may comprise the quaternary ammonium ester compound and the silicone in weight ratios of about 1:10 to about 10:1, or about 1:5 to about 5:1, or about 1:3 to about 1:3, or about 1:2 to about 2:1, or about 1:1.5 to about 1.5:1, or about 1:1. When determining the amount of a quaternary ammonium ester compound as described in this paragraph, the amount may refer to the ester quat as described in the previous section, or any additional quaternary ammonium ester compound that may be present in addition to the total amount of the ester quat as described above.

[0095] Concentrated feedstock composition This disclosure also relates to a concentrated feedstock composition comprising the above-mentioned chitosan material, in particular a chitosan material having a weight-average molecular weight (Mw) of 70 to 600 kDa and a degree of deacetylation greater than 50%. For example, the chitosan material may be prepared and blended into a concentrated feedstock composition, which may then be stored and / or transported, and finally combined with auxiliary components at another time or place to form a liquid conditioning composition according to this disclosure.

[0096] The concentrated softening active composition may further comprise a liquid carrier. The liquid carrier may be selected from the group consisting of water, a surfactant, or an organic solvent. Suitable surfactants include nonionic surfactants, such as alkoxylated aliphatic alcohols. Suitable organic solvents include propanediol, ethanol, isopropanol, or propylene glycol.

[0097] Manufacturing method This disclosure relates to a method for producing the liquid conditioning composition described herein. A method for producing a composition that may be a fabric improving agent composition may include the step of mixing a certain amount of chitosan with an ester quat, a fragrance, and one or more processing aids, as described herein.

[0098] The liquid conditioning compositions of this disclosure may be formulated into any suitable liquid form and may be prepared by any method selected by the compounder. The materials may be combined in batch processes, recirculating loop processes, and / or in-line mixing processes. Suitable apparatus for use in the methods disclosed herein include continuous agitated tank reactors, homogenizers, turbine agitators, recirculating pumps, paddle mixers, high-shear mixers, static mixers, plow shear mixers, ribbon blenders, vertical shaft granulators and drum mixers (both batch-type and, where available, in continuous process configurations), spray dryers, and extruders.

[0099] Liquid conditioning compositions may be placed in pourable bottles by known methods. Liquid conditioning compositions may be placed in aerosols or other spray containers by known methods.

[0100] Processing method This disclosure also relates to a method for treating a surface, such as fabric or hair, using a liquid conditioning composition. Such a method may provide conditioning and / or freshening effects.

[0101] The method may include the step of contacting a surface, preferably a fabric, more preferably a fabric containing cotton fibers, with the liquid conditioning composition of the Disclosure, optionally in the presence of water. The composition may be in its original form or diluted with a liquid, such as a washing solution or a rinsing solution. The composition may be diluted with water before, during, or after contact with the surface or article. The surface, e.g., the fabric, may be optionally washed and / or rinsed before and / or after the contact step. The composition may be applied directly to the fabric or supplied to a dispenser or drum of an automatic washing machine. The method may include drying the surface by passive and / or active means, such as a washer-dryer. The method may be performed during a washing cycle or a rinsing cycle of an automatic washing machine, preferably during a rinsing cycle.

[0102] For the purposes of this disclosure, the process may include, but is not limited to, scrubbing and / or mechanical agitation. The fabric may include virtually any fabric that can be washed or treated under standard consumer use conditions.

[0103] A liquid containing the disclosed composition may have a pH of about 3 to about 11.5. When diluted, such a composition is typically used in solution at a concentration of about 500 ppm to about 15,000 ppm. If the washing solvent is water, the temperature of the water is typically in the range of about 5°C to about 90°C, and the water-to-fabric ratio may typically be about 1:1 to about 30:1.

[0104] use This disclosure also relates to the use of the chitosan material described herein, preferably as part of a liquid conditioning composition, for improving the undiluted product odor of a liquid conditioning composition. Such use is considered particularly attractive to consumers who desire a product with a pleasant scent.

[0105] combination The specific combinations contemplated in this disclosure are described in the following alphabetically designated sections herein. These combinations are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure.

[0106] A. A liquid conditioning composition comprising about 2% to about 8% by weight of an alkyl ester quaternary ammonium softening active substance, 0.0001% to about 0.025% by weight of chitosan, and 0.01% to about 5% by weight of free fragrance oil, and having a viscosity of about 80 to about 300 cPs. B. The liquid conditioning composition according to paragraph A, further comprising a fragrance encapsulant. C. A liquid conditioning composition according to any one of paragraphs A to B, wherein a fragrance encapsulant is present in the composition in an amount of approximately 0.05% to approximately 10%. D. A liquid conditioning composition according to any of paragraphs A to C, wherein the fragrance encapsulants are characterized by a volume-weighted average particle size of approximately 1 to approximately 100 microns. E. A liquid conditioning composition according to any of paragraphs A to D, wherein the fragrance encapsulant is coated with an adhesion aid, a cationic polymer, a nonionic polymer, an anionic polymer, or a mixture thereof. F. A liquid conditioning composition according to any one of paragraphs A to E, comprising about 3% to about 7% by weight, or more preferably about 3% to about 6% by weight, of an alkyl ester quaternary ammonium softening active substance. G. A liquid conditioning composition according to any of paragraphs A to F, comprising about 0.05% to about 4% by weight, more preferably about 0.1% to about 3% by weight, or more preferably about 0.5% to about 2% by weight of the composition, free fragrance oil. H. A liquid conditioning composition according to any of paragraphs A to G, comprising chitosan in an amount of 0.001% to about 0.02% by weight, more preferably 0.0015% to about 0.015% by weight, or more preferably 0.002% to about 0.01% by weight of the composition. I. A liquid conditioning composition according to any one of paragraphs A to H, wherein the composition has a viscosity of about 90 to about 250 cPs, or more preferably about 150 to about 250 cPs. J. A liquid conditioning composition according to any one of paragraphs A to I, further comprising a processing aid selected from the group consisting of additional conditioning agents, dyes, pH control agents, solvents, rheological modifiers, structuring agents, cationic polymers, surfactants, fragrances, fragrance delivery systems, chelating agents, antioxidants, preservatives, and mixtures thereof, wherein the fragrance delivery system, if present, preferably comprises a core-shell encapsulation. K. The liquid conditioning composition according to any of paragraphs A to J, comprising about 0.05% to 2%, preferably less than 2%, preferably less than 1%, and more preferably less than 0.6%, a rheological modifier, a structuring agent, or a mixture thereof. L. A liquid conditioning composition according to any one of paragraphs A to K, comprising an antioxidant, preferably a phenolic antioxidant, more preferably tocopherol or a derivative thereof. M. A method for treating a surface, comprising the step of contacting a surface, preferably a fabric, more preferably a fabric containing cotton fibers, with a liquid conditioning composition described in any of paragraphs A to L, optionally in the presence of water. N. Use of any of the liquid conditioning compositions described in paragraphs A to M for softening fabrics. O. A liquid conditioning composition according to any of paragraphs A to N, comprising about 3% to about 6% by weight of an alkyl ester quaternary ammonium softening active substance, 0.002% to about 0.01% by weight of chitosan, and 0.05% to about 2% by weight of a free fragrance oil, wherein the composition has a viscosity of about 150 to about 250 cPs.

[0107] Test method Method for evaluating the degree of deacetylation The degree of deacetylation of chitosan is measured using the following test method: The degree of deacetylation of the chitosan test material is measured by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Dissolve the chitosan test material (10 mg) in 1 mL of dilute acid D2O (>99.9%, e.g., available from Aldrich). Measure the 1H NMR at 298 Kelvin using a Bruker NMR instrument model DRX 300 spectral analyzer (300 MHz) (Bruker Corp., Billerica, Massachusetts, USA) or a similar instrument. The 1H chemical shift is derived from the signal of 3-(trimethylsilyl)propionic acid-2,2,3,3-d4 sodium salt (>98%, e.g., available from Aldrich) and used as an external reference. Calculate the degree of deacetylation from the measured chemical shift following the standard and widely used approach described in publication: Hirai et al., Polymer Bulletin 26 (1991), 87-94.

[0108] Method for determining dynamic yield stress The dynamic yield stress is measured using a controlled stress rheometer (such as Thermo Scientific's HAAKE MARS or equivalent) with a 60 mm parallel plate and a 500 micrometer gap size at 20°C. The dynamic yield stress is obtained by selecting 25 points that are logarithmically distributed over a shear rate range and measuring the quasi-steady-state shear stress as a function of shear rate from 10 s⁻¹ to 10⁻⁴ s⁻¹. A quasi-steady-state is defined as a shear stress value where the variation in shear stress over time is less than 3% after at least 30 seconds and up to 60 seconds at a given shear rate. The variation in shear stress over time is continuously evaluated by comparing the mean shear stress measured over 3 seconds. If the shear stress value changes by more than 3% after 60 seconds of measurement at a specific shear rate, the final shear stress measurement is defined as a quasi-state value for calculation purposes. Next, the shear stress data is fitted to logarithmic space as a function of shear rate, according to the Herschel-Berkeley model, using the least squares method: T=To+ky”n In the equation, T is the equilibrium quasi-steady state shear stress measured at each applied shear rate y, To is the fitted dynamic yield stress, and k and n are fitting parameters.

[0109] Method for evaluating the phase stability of LFE products To evaluate the phase stability of a fabric conditioner product, the product is typically stored in one or more clear 180 mL glass bottles and sealed with lids. These glass bottles are then placed in a room at a constant temperature (e.g., 25°C or 35°C). The phase stability of the fabric conditioner product is then evaluated by a person skilled in the art over a period of one month, at regular intervals such as weekly, and then checked monthly thereafter. The observer must examine the entire sample very carefully so that even the smallest visual indication of phase instability can be seen. The bottom of the glass bottle should also be examined with similar care. Preferably, the sample is irradiated using bright light or a lamp.

[0110] When evaluating the phase stability of multiple samples, a phase separation grade scale may be used, which allows for the conversion of visual grades into numerical values. Table 1 below shows the phase stability grade scales used for fabric improvers described and tested herein. Images of each failure level are also provided.

[0111] [Table 1]

[0112] Figure 1 shows an example of failure level 1, which is the appearance of a very small crack at the bottom of a clear glass bottle. Arrows have been added to show the appearance of cracks in the sample, i.e., a visual indication of very slight phase separation. These very small cracks can sometimes be difficult to identify and very often can only be seen by using bright light to illuminate the sample. Cracks in failure level 1 are often only visible at the bottom of a clear glass bottle.

[0113] Figure 2 shows an example of failure level 2, which is the appearance of a crack at the bottom of a clear glass bottle. Failure level 2 is easier to identify than failure level 1, but it may still be useful to use a bright light to illuminate the sample. Failure level 2 often involves the visibility of multiple cracks, and the cracks are more prominent than those that qualify as failure level 1. Cracks in failure level 2 are often only visible at the bottom of clear glass bottles.

[0114] Figure 3 shows an example of failure level 3, which is the appearance of one or more large cracks at the bottom of a clear glass bottle. Cracks in failure level 3 are often visible only at the bottom of the clear glass bottle, but may also be visible from the sides of the bottle.

[0115] Figure 4 shows an example of failure level 4, which is the appearance of less than 5% phase separation in the sample material in a clear glass bottle. Cracks in failure level 4 are often visible at the bottom and sides of the clear glass bottle. Figure 4 shows phase separation from the side of the bottle, located at the bottom of the bottle.

[0116] Figure 5 shows an example of failure level 5, which is the appearance of more than 5% phase separation in the sample material in a clear glass bottle. Cracks in failure level 5 are often visible at the bottom of the clear glass bottle (two samples are shown) and on the sides of the bottle. Figure 5 shows phase separation from the side of the bottle, located at the bottom of the bottle.

[0117] Method for determining the headspace concentration above liquid fabric improver The liquid fabric improver was analyzed using high-speed headspace GC / MS (gas chromatography-mass spectrometry). A 1 g aliquot of the liquid fabric improver was transferred to a 25 mL headspace vial and capped. The headspace vial was equilibrated at 30°C for 10 minutes. The headspace above the solution was sampled for 5 minutes using the SPME (50 / 30 μm DVB / Carboxen / PDMS) method. Subsequently, the SPME fibers were thermally desorbed online into the GC. The sample was analyzed using the full scan mode of the high-speed GC / MS. The total HS reaction and fragrance headspace composition above the tested liquid fabric improver were calculated using ion extraction of a specific mass of PRM.

[0118] Method for determining headspace concentration above treated wet and dry cloth Cotton tracers were analyzed using high-speed headspace GC / MS (gas chromatography-mass spectrometry). 4x4 cm aliquots of terrycloth towel cotton tracers were transferred to 25 mL headspace vials. The fabric samples were equilibrated at 65°C for 10 minutes. The headspace above the fabric was sampled for 5 minutes using SPME (50 / 30 μm DVB / Carboxen / PDMS). Subsequently, the SPME fibers were thermally desorbed online into the GC. The samples were analyzed using the full-scan mode of the high-speed GC / MS. The total HS reaction and fragrance headspace composition above the tested leg were calculated using ion extraction of a specific mass of PRM.

[0119] Method for determining the oil content of a liquid fabric conditioner. The sample aliquots are diluted with water. The fragrance microcapsules are isolated by filtration (5 micron filter). The fragrance is released by spiking with an internal standard, adding ethanol, and heating at 60°C for 1 / 2 hour. The content of the encapsulated fragrance is analyzed by GC / MS via the internal standard calibration method.

[0120] Determination of polymer molecular weight and related parameters The molecular weight distribution measurements and related values ​​of the polymers described herein are obtained using the following method, which describes gel permeation chromatography (GPC-MALS / RI) with multi-angle light scattering and refractive index detection.

[0121] Gel permeation chromatography (GPC) with multi-angle light scattering (MALS) and refractive index (RI) detection (GPC-MALS / RI) makes it possible to measure the absolute average molecular weight of polymers without the need for column calibration or standards. The GPC system allows for the separation of molecules as a function of their molecular size. MALS and RI provide information on the number-average molecular weight (Mn) and weight-average molecular weight (Mw).

[0122] The Mw distribution of water-soluble polymers such as chitosan is typically measured using a liquid chromatography system (e.g., an Agilent 1260 Infinity pump system with OpenLab Chemstation software, manufactured by Agilent Technology, Inc., Santa Clara, California, USA) and a column set operated at 40°C (e.g., two TSKgel G6000WP 7.8×300 mm 13 μm pore sizes, and a Guard column A0022 6 mm×40 mm PW xl-cp, manufactured by Tosoh, Inc., King of Prussia, Pennsylvania). The mobile phase is 0.1 M sodium nitrate in water containing 0.02% sodium azide and 0.2% acetic acid. The mobile phase solvent is pumped at a flow rate of 1 mL / min at a uniform concentration. A multi-angle light scattering (18-angle MALS) detector DAWN® and a differential refractive index (RI) detector (Wyatt) are controlled by Wyatt Astra® software v.8.0. It uses a product manufactured by Technology Inc. (Santa Barbara, California, USA).

[0123] Samples are typically prepared by dissolving chitosan material in the mobile phase at approximately 1 mg / mL, mixing the solutions, and hydrating them overnight at room temperature. Prior to GPC analysis, the sample is filtered using a 3 mL syringe through a 0.8 μm Versapor filter (PALL, Life Sciences, Inc., New York, USA) and placed in an LC autosampler vial.

[0124] The dn / dc value (derivative change in refractive index with concentration, 0.15) is used in the Astra detector software to determine the number-average molecular weight (Mn), weight-average molecular weight (Mw), Z-average molecular weight (Mz), peak-maximum molecular weight (Mp), and polydispersity (Mw / Mn). [Examples]

[0125] The embodiments provided below are intended to be illustrative and not limiting.

[0126] Table 2 shows exemplary liquid conditioning compositions according to this disclosure. Specifically, the following compositions are liquid fabric strengthening products.

[0127] [Table 2] * Core-shell fragrance capsule. The "active substance %" provided is the amount of fragrance delivered to the composition.

[0128] Example 1. Odor of undiluted product Four liquid treatment compositions (fabric conditioner products) were prepared by those skilled in the art according to the formulations provided in Table 3 below.

[0129] [Table 3]

[0130] Next, the headspace intensity above the liquid fabric improver was evaluated according to the method for determining the headspace concentration above the liquid fabric improver, as detailed herein. Surprisingly, the headspace intensity above the liquid fabric improver was found to be significantly higher for the compositions containing 0.01% chitosan (Composition 2 and Composition 4) than for the reference products without chitosan (Composition 1 and Composition 3). The results are shown graphically in Figure 6, which shows the odor headspace of the undiluted products for each of the four examples detailed above. In fact, Composition 2 and Composition 4 have headspaces (450 and 435 nmol / L), respectively, which are significantly higher than Compositions 1 and 3 (397 and 410 nmol / L).

[0131] Example 2. Fabric improver phase stability as a function of chitosan level. First, fabric conditioner products were prepared according to the compositions shown in Table 4 below.

[0132] [Table 4]

[0133] In the second step, the product was divided into 11 180 mL glass bottles. To each of these bottles containing the product, different levels of chitosan were added while mixing for 2 minutes in an IKA overhead mixer without introducing air. The chitosan used was acid-treated (as described herein), with a molecular weight of 200-250 kDa and a DDA (degree of deacetylation) of 80%-85%. The different levels of chitosan and the measured viscosity of the compositions are detailed in Table 5 below.

[0134] [Table 5]

[0135] Next, these products were stored at 35°C for four weeks.

[0136] In the third step, the phase stability of each composition was evaluated after storage at 35°C for 4 weeks, according to the method for evaluating the phase stability of LFE products as detailed herein. The phase stability failure level evaluation scores are shown in Table 6 below.

[0137] [Table 6]

[0138] From Table 6 above, it can be seen that the phase stability rating can be no worse than failure level 1 up to a level of chitosan of approximately 0.02% in the fabric improver composition. Typically, consumers expect a phase-stable fabric improver product when they buy a bottle in the store. A failure level rating higher than 2 is expected to disappoint consumers because phase separation becomes visible even to an untrained eye. A failure level rating of 1 or 0 is generally acceptable to consumers.

[0139] Example 3. Triethanolamine ester quat / phase stability of a commercially available liquid fabric improver as a function of chitosan levels.

[0140] Two glass bottles were each filled with 180 mL of commercially available liquid fabric softener, Robijn "Puur en Zacht" (Unilever). This fabric softener contains a triethanolamine ester quat. Different levels of chitosan were added to each of these bottles containing the liquid fabric softener product, and the mixtures were mixed for 2 minutes in an IKA overhead mixer without incorporating air. The different levels of chitosan and the measured viscosity of the compositions are detailed in Table 7 below.

[0141] [Table 7]

[0142] Next, these products were stored at 35°C for four weeks.

[0143] After storage at 35°C for 4 weeks, the phase stability of each composition was evaluated according to the method for evaluating the phase stability of LFE products detailed herein. The phase stability failure level evaluation scores are shown in Table 8 below.

[0144] [Table 8]

[0145] A photograph of failure level 4 phase separation observed in composition A after 4 weeks at 35°C can be seen in Figure 7. There is an arrow pointing to the part of the bottle that identifies the visual phase separation.

[0146] From Tables 7 and 8 above, it can be seen that high levels of chitosan added to Robijn "Puur en Zacht" result in phase separation of failure level 4, while Puur en Zacht products with low levels of chitosan show no phase instability at all.

[0147] The dimensions and values ​​disclosed herein should not be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values ​​listed. Instead, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean both the listed value and the functionally equivalent range encompassing that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as "40 mm" is intended to mean "approximately 40 mm."

[0148] All documents referenced herein, including any patents or patent applications that are cross-referenced or related, and any patent applications or patents on which this application claims priority or benefit thereof, are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety, unless expressly excluded or otherwise limited. No reference to any document shall be deemed prior art to any invention disclosed or claimed herein, nor shall any such invention be taught, suggested, or disclosed, either alone or in combination with any one or more other references. Furthermore, to the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in any document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition given to that term in this document shall prevail.

[0149] While specific embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, it is intended that all such changes and modifications within the scope of the invention be covered in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A liquid conditioning composition, The composition comprises 2% to 8% by weight of an alkyl ester quaternary ammonium softening active substance, The composition contains 0.0001% to 0.025% by weight of chitosan, The composition comprises 0.01 to 5% by weight of free fragrance oil, The composition is a liquid conditioning composition having a viscosity of 80 to 300 cPs.

2. The liquid conditioning composition according to claim 1, further comprising a fragrance encapsulant.

3. The liquid conditioning composition according to claim 2, wherein the fragrance encapsulant is present in the composition in an amount of 0.05% to 5% by weight of the composition.

4. The liquid conditioning composition according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the fragrance encapsulant is characterized by a volume-weighted average particle size of 1 to 100 microns.

5. The liquid conditioning composition according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the fragrance encapsulant is coated with an adhesion aid, a cationic polymer, a nonionic polymer, an anionic polymer, or a mixture thereof.

6. The liquid conditioning composition according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the composition comprises 3% to 7% by weight, or more preferably 3% to 6% by weight, of an alkyl ester quaternary ammonium softening active substance.

7. The liquid conditioning composition according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the composition comprises 0.05% to 4% by weight, more preferably 0.1% to 3% by weight, or more preferably 0.5% to 2% by weight of free fragrance oil.

8. The liquid conditioning composition according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the composition comprises chitosan in an amount of 0.001% to 0.02% by weight, more preferably 0.0015% to 0.015% by weight, or more preferably 0.002% to 0.01% by weight of the composition.

9. The liquid conditioning composition according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the composition has a viscosity of 90 to 250 cPs, or more preferably 150 to 250 cPs.

10. The liquid conditioning composition according to any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising a processing aid selected from the group consisting of additional conditioning agents, dyes, pH adjusters, solvents, rheological modifiers, structuring agents, cationic polymers, surfactants, fragrances, fragrance delivery systems, chelating agents, antioxidants, preservatives, and mixtures thereof, wherein the fragrance delivery system, if present, preferably comprises a core-shell encapsulation.

11. The liquid conditioning composition according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the liquid conditioning composition comprises 0.05% to 2%, preferably less than 2%, preferably less than 1%, and more preferably less than 0.6% of a rheology modifier, a structuring agent, or a mixture thereof.

12. The liquid conditioning composition according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the liquid conditioning composition comprises an antioxidant, preferably a phenolic antioxidant, more preferably tocopherol or a derivative thereof.

13. A method for treating a surface, the method comprising the step of contacting the surface, preferably a fabric, more preferably a fabric containing cotton fibers, with a liquid conditioning composition according to any one of claims 1 to 12, optionally in the presence of water.

14. Use of the liquid conditioning composition according to any one of claims 1 to 12 for softening fabrics.

Images