FABRIC SOFTENER AND CONDITIONER

Abstract

The invention relates to a fabric softening dressing composition described to include: a) a fabric softening dressing active ingredient; and b) a copolymer polymerized from monomers comprising: i) at least one cationic monomer unsaturated with ethylene; and ii) optionally at least one nonionic and / or anionic monomer unsaturated with ethylene; wherein the copolymer is polymerized in the presence of a crosslinking agent and a switching agent; and wherein the concentration of the switching agent is between 280 and 500 ppm by weight of the total monomer.

Description

[0001] FABRIC CONDITIONING COMPOSITION

[0002] Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention is in the field of fabric conditioners. The present invention relates to fabric conditioning compositions comprising a thickening polymer.

[0004] Background of the Invention

[0005] Fabric conditioner is a popular household cleaning product that is used to reduce harshness in clothes that are dried in air after washing. Fabric conditioners typically coat the surface of a fabric with substances that are electrically charged, causing threads to “stand up” from the surface and thereby imparting a softer and fluffier texture.

[0006] Conventionally, most domestic fabric conditioners contain thickening agents such as thickening polymers to control properties such as viscosity and appearance. A challenge is to maintain stable viscosity of fabric conditioners under various conditions (e.g. temperature) with minimal fluctuations. Viscosity stability may provide a measure of product quality. Significant changes in viscosity under various conditions can imply declining quality and negatively impact consumer acceptance of the product.

[0007] WO 90 / 12862 discloses fabric conditioning formulations containing as thickeners a cross-linked cationic polymer of an ethylenically unsaturated monomer or blend of monomers, wherein the cross-linking agent is 5-45 ppm of a cross-linking agent comprising polyethylenic functions.

[0008] US2002 / 0132749 discloses thickened fabric conditioners, which fabric conditioners contain a particular polymeric thickener, which is obtained by polymerizing from 5 to 100 mole percent of a cationic vinyl addition monomer, from 0 to 95 mole percent of acrylamide, and from 70 to 300 ppm of a difunctional vinyl addition monomer cross-linking agent.

[0009] US2014 / 0047649A1 discloses a method for softening laundry employs a softening composition, which includes at least one thickener containing a cationic polymer obtained by polymerization: of a cationic monomer; of a monomer with a hydrophobic nature, of formula (I):

[0010]

[0011] Anonymous: “Cationic polymeric thickeners useful in fabric softeners”, XP007125401, discloses branched and / or cross-linked cationic polymers of an ethylenically unsaturated monomer or blend of monomers which can be used as thickeners in conditioning formulations.

[0012] EP3034595A1 discloses a process for preparing a cationic polymer thickener in particle form, said polymer consisting of a crosslinked water swellable cationic polymer comprising at least one cationic monomer and optionally at least one non-ionic monomer and / or at least one anionic monomer, wherein said polymer has a water extractable polymer content lower than 15wt% as compared to the weight of the polymer, and wherein said polymer is obtained by gel polymerization of said monomers in the presence of from 500 ppm to 10,000 ppm of crosslinking agent relative to the weight of the monomers.

[0013] US2006 / 0252669A1 discloses a fabric softener composition comprising: (a) from 0.01% to 50% by weight of a cationic or non-ionic softening compound; (b) at least 0.001%, by weight, of a water dispersible cross-linked cationic polymer derived from the polymerization of from 5 to 100 mole percent of a cationic vinyl addition monomer, from 0 to 95 mole percent of acrylamide, and from 5 to 500 ppm of a difunctional vinyl addition monomer cross-linking agent; and (c) an effective amount of at least one fabric or skin beneficiating ingredient contained within a microcapsule, the capsule shell comprising urea-formaldehyde or melamine-formaldehyde polymer and a second polymer comprising a polymer or copolymer of one or more anhydrides.

[0014] LIS2011 / 0269663A1 discloses a fabric conditioner composition comprising a polymer and a fabric softening active, characterized in that the polymer is a crosslinked water swellable cationic copolymer of at least one cationic monomer and optionally other monomers selected from non-ionic and anionic monomers, characterized in that the polymer comprises less than 25% of water soluble polymers, by total weight of the polymer, and a cross-linking agent concentration of from 500 ppm to 5000 ppm relative to the polymer. LIS2011 / 0301312A1 discloses cationic polymer thickener consisting of a crosslinked water swellable cationic polymer containing at least one cationic monomer and optionally non-ionic and or anionic monomers wherein said polymer comprises less than 25% of water soluble polymeric chain by total weight of the polymer, and a cross-linking agent concentration of from 500 ppm to 5000 ppm relative to the polymer.

[0015] Despite the prior art, there still remains a need to provide a fabric conditioning composition with improved viscosity stability.

[0016] Summary of the Invention

[0017] In a first aspect, the present invention is directed to a fabric conditioning composition comprising: a) a fabric softening active; and b) a copolymer polymerized from monomers comprising:

[0018] (i) at least one cationic ethylenically unsaturated monomer; and

[0019] (ii) optionally at least one non-ionic and / or anionic ethylenically unsaturated monomer; wherein the copolymer is polymerized in the presence of a cross-linking agent and a chain transfer agent; and wherein the concentration of chain transfer agent is from 280 to 500 ppm by weight of the total monomers.

[0020] In a second aspect, the present invention is directed to use of the fabric conditioning composition of any embodiment of the first aspect to provide a softening benefit to laundered fabrics during the laundry process.

[0021] All other aspects of the present invention will more readily become apparent upon considering the detailed description and examples which follow. Detailed Description of the Invention

[0022] Except in the examples, or where otherwise explicitly indicated, all numbers in this description indicating amounts of material or conditions of reaction, physical properties of materials and / or use may optionally be understood as modified by the word “about”.

[0023] All amounts are by weight of the composition, unless otherwise specified.

[0024] It should be noted that in specifying any range of values, any particular upper value can be associated with any particular lower value.

[0025] For the avoidance of doubt, the word “comprising” is intended to mean “including” but not necessarily “consisting of’ or “composed of”. In other words, the listed steps or options need not be exhaustive.

[0026] The disclosure of the invention as found herein is to be considered to cover all embodiments as found in the claims as being multiply dependent upon each other irrespective of the fact that claims may be found without multiple dependency or redundancy.

[0027] Where a feature is disclosed with respect to a particular aspect of the invention (for example a composition of the invention), such disclosure is also to be considered to apply to any other aspect of the invention (for example a method of the invention) mutatis mutandis.

[0028] Copolymer

[0029] The fabric conditioning composition of the present invention comprises a copolymer polymerized from monomers comprising (i) at least one cationic ethylenically unsaturated monomer and (ii) optionally at least one non-ionic and / or anionic ethylenically unsaturated monomer. The composition preferably comprises from 0.001 to 5% by weight of the copolymer, more preferably from 0.005 to 3%, even more preferably from 0.01 to 1%, more preferably still from 0.02 to 0.5% and most preferably from 0.05 to 0.2%, based on total weight of the fabric conditioning composition and including all ranges subsumed therein.

[0030] Examples of suitable cationic ethylenically unsaturated monomer include, but are not limited to, quaternary ammonium salts of dimethylaminoethyl(meth)acrylamide, dimethylaminopropyl(meth)acrylamide, dimethylaminoethyl(meth)acrylate, dimethylaminopropyl(meth)acrylate, diallylamine, methyldiallylamine or mixtures thereof. Preferably the cationic ethylenically unsaturated monomer comprises quaternary ammonium salts of dimethylaminoethyl(meth)acrylate, dimethylaminopropyl(meth)acrylate or mixtures thereof. Dimethylaminoethyl (meth)acrylate is particularly preferred. “(Meth)acrylate” refers to both acrylate and methacrylate.

[0031] Examples of suitable non-ionic ethylenically unsaturated monomer include, but are not limited to, acrylamide, methacrylamide, N-alkyl acrylamide, N-vinyl pyrrolidone, N-vinyl formamide, N- vinyl acetamide, vinylacetate, vinyl alcohol, acrylate esters, allyl alcohol or mixtures thereof. Acrylamide and methacrylamide are particularly preferred.

[0032] Examples of suitable anionic ethylenically unsaturated monomer include, but are not limited to, acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, itaconic acid, crotonic acid, maleic acid, fumaric acid, as well as monomers performing sulfonic acid or phosphonic acid functions, such as 2-acrylamido-2- methyl propane sulfonic acid, or mixtures thereof.

[0033] The monomers may also comprise hydrophobic groups.

[0034] The cationic ethylenically unsaturated monomer is preferably present in an amount from 20 to 100%, more preferably from 40 to 99%, even more preferably from 60 to 98%, and most preferably from 80 to 96% by weight of the total monomers. The non-ionic and / or anionic ethylenically unsaturated monomer is preferably present in an amount from 0 to 80%, more preferably from 1 to 60%, even more preferably from 2 to 40% and most preferably from 4 to 20% by weight of the total monomers.

[0035] It is particularly preferred that the copolymer is a copolymer of acrylamide and trimethylaminoethylmethacrylate chloride.

[0036] The copolymer of the present invention is prepared in conventional water in oil emulsion by polymerizing at least one cationic ethylenically unsaturated monomer and optionally at least one non-ionic and / or anionic ethylenically unsaturated monomer in the presence of a cross-linking agent and a chain transfer agent, wherein the concentration of chain transfer agent is from 280 to 500 ppm by weight of total monomers. The cross-linking agent is utilized to generate a polymer having either a partially or substantially cross-linked three-dimensional network. Examples of suitable cross-linking agent include, but are not limited to, methylene bisacrylamide (MBA), ethylene glycol diacrylate, polyethylene glycol dimethacrylate, diacrylamide, triallylamine, cyanomethylacrylate, vinyl oxyethylacrylate, methacrylate, formaldehyde, glyoxal, compounds of the glycidyl ether type such as ethylene glycol diglycidyl ether, epoxyde or mixtures thereof. Preferably the cross-linking agent comprises methylene bisacrylamide, ethylene glycol diacrylate, polyethylene glycol dimethacrylate, diacrylamide, triallylamine or mixtures thereof. Methylene bisacrylamide is particularly preferred.

[0037] The concentration of the cross-linking agent is preferably from 100 to 300 ppm, more preferably from 150 to 250 ppm, even more preferably from 180 to 230 ppm by weight of the total monomers.

[0038] The chain transfer agent may help control the polymeric chain’s length of the copolymer. Examples of suitable chain transfer agent include, but are not limited to, isopropyl alcohol, sodium hypophosphite, mercaptoethanol, sodium formate or mixtures thereof. Preferably the chain transfer agent comprises sodium hypophosphite, sodium formate or mixtures thereof.

[0039] The concentration of the chain transfer agent is from 280 to 500 ppm, preferably from 300 to 450 ppm, more preferably from 300 to 400 ppm and most preferably from 320 to 380 ppm by weight of the total monomers.

[0040] The copolymer of the present invention may be prepared by means of a reverse phase oil-in- water emulsion polymerization. This means that when polymerized, the aqueous monomer(s) is emulsified into a suitable oil phase, in the presence of a water-in-oil emulsifier. Emulsifiers, polymeric stabilisers, non-aqueous liquids and other reverse phase polymerisation materials and process details are described in, for instance, EP 126528.

[0041] It is well known that the reverse phase emulsion so obtained can be dehydrated and the resulting polymeric thickener concentration in the reverse emulsion is between 15 to 65 percent by weight.

[0042] The liquid product resulting from the emulsion polymerisation is generally used as such, without separation of the polymer particles from it, but if desired dried polymer particles may be isolated by all known techniques. Those processes are consisting of isolating the active matter (i.e. the polymer) from other constituents of the emulsion. Processes such as the following may be used: precipitation in a non-solvent medium such as acetone, methanol, and other polar solvents, simple filtration then permits isolation of the polymer particle, azeotropic distillation in the presence of an agglomerating agent and stabilizing polymer which makes it possible to obtain agglomerates which are easily isolated by filtration before drying of the particle is undertaken,

[0043] “spray drying”, or drying by atomization or pulverization, this process consists of creating a cloud of fine droplets of emulsion in a stream of hot air for a controlled period.

[0044] When the polymer-in-oil emulsion that results from reverse phase polymerization is used as such and directly added to water to form an aqueous composition, it is done in a conventional manner in the presence of oil-in-water emulsifier.

[0045] Fabric softening active

[0046] The fabric conditioning composition of the present invention comprises a fabric softening active. The fabric softening actives may be any material known to soften fabrics. These may be polymeric materials or compounds known to soften materials. Examples of suitable fabric softening actives include quaternary ammonium compounds, silicone polymers, polysaccharides, clays, amines, fatty esters, dispersible polyolefins, polymer latexes and mixtures thereof.

[0047] The fabric softening actives may preferably be cationic or non-ionic materials. Preferably, the fabric softening actives of the present invention are cationic materials. Suitable cationic fabric softening actives are described herein.

[0048] The preferred softening actives for use in fabric conditioner compositions of the invention are quaternary ammonium compounds (QAC).

[0049] The QAC preferably comprises at least one chain derived from fatty acids, more preferably at least two chains derived from a fatty acid. Generally fatty acids are defined as aliphatic monocarboxylic acids having a chain of 4 to 28 carbons. Fatty acids may be derived from various sources such as tallow or plant sources. Preferably the fatty acid chains are derived from plants. Preferably the fatty acid chains of the QAC comprise from 10 to 50 wt. % of saturated C18 chains and from 5 to 40 wt. % of monounsaturated C18 chains by weight of total fatty acid chains. In a further preferred embodiment, the fatty acid chains of the QAC comprise from 20 to 40 wt. %, preferably from 25 to 35 wt. % of saturated C18 chains and from 10 to 35 wt. %, preferably from 15 to 30 wt. % of monounsaturated C18 chains, by weight of total fatty acid chains.

[0050] The preferred quaternary ammonium fabric softening actives for use in compositions of the present invention are so called "ester quats" or ester linked quaternary ammonium compounds. Particularly preferred materials are the ester-linked triethanolamine (TEA) quaternary ammonium compounds comprising a mixture of mono-, di- and tri-ester linked components.

[0051] Typically, TEA-based fabric softening compounds comprise a mixture of mono, di- and tri ester forms of the compound where the di-ester linked component comprises no more than 70 wt.% of the fabric softening compound, preferably no more than 60 wt.% e.g. no more than 55%, or even no more that 45% of the fabric softening compound and at least 10 wt.% of the monoester linked component.

[0052] A first group of quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) suitable for use in compositions described herein are represented by formula (I):

[0053] [(CH2)n(TR)]m

[0054] R1-N+-[(CH2)n(OH)]3-mX-

[0055] (i) wherein each R is independently selected from a C5 to C35 alkyl or alkenyl group; R1represents a C1 to C4 alkyl, C2 to C4 alkenyl or a C1 to C4 hydroxyalkyl group; T may be either O-CO. (i.e. an ester group bound to R via its carbon atom), or may alternatively be CO-O (i.e. an ester group bound 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- is an anionic counter-ion, such as a halide or alkyl sulphate, e.g. chloride or methylsulfate. Di-esters variants of formula I (i.e., m = 2) are preferred and typically have mono- and tri-ester analogues associated with them. Such materials are particularly suitable for use in the present invention.

[0056] A second group of QACs suitable for use in the compositions described herein are represented by formula (II):

[0057] (R1)3N+-(CH2)n-CH-TR2X'

[0058] CH2TR2

[0059] (II) wherein each R1group is independently selected from C1 to C4 alkyl, hydroxyalkyl or C2 to C4 alkenyl groups; and wherein each R2group is independently selected from C8 to C28 alkyl or alkenyl groups; and wherein n, T, and X- are as defined above.

[0060] Preferred materials of this second group include 1 ,2 bis[tallowoyloxy]-3- trimethylammonium propane chloride, 1,2 bis[hardened tallowoyloxy]-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 (Lever Brothers). Preferably, these materials also comprise an amount of the corresponding monoester.

[0061] A third group of QACs suitable for use in the compositions described herein are represented by formula (III):

[0062] (R1)2-N+-[(CH2)n-T-R2]2X- (III) wherein each R1group is independently selected from C1 to C4 alkyl, or C2 to C4 alkenyl groups; and wherein each R2group is independently selected from C8 to C28 alkyl or alkenyl groups; and n, T, and X- are as defined above. Preferred materials of this third group include bis(2-tallowoyloxyethyl)dimethyl ammonium chloride, partially hardened and hardened versions thereof.

[0063] A fourth group of suitable quaternary ammonium compound is represented by formula (IV)

[0064] A fifth group of QACs suitable for use in the invention are represented by formula (V) wherein R1and R2are each independently a C10 to C22 alkyl or alkenyl group, preferably a C14 to C20 alkyl or alkenyl group. X- is as defined above.

[0065] The iodine value of the quaternary ammonium fabric conditioning material is preferably from 0 to 80, more preferably from 0 to 60, and most preferably from 0 to 45. The iodine value may be chosen as appropriate. Essentially saturated material having an iodine value of from 0 to 5, preferably from 0 to 1 may be used in the compositions described herein. Such materials are known as "hardened" quaternary ammonium compounds.

[0066] A further preferred range of iodine values is from 20 to 60, preferably 25 to 50, more preferably from 30 to 45. A material of this type is a "soft" triethanolamine quaternary ammonium compound, preferably triethanolamine di-alkylester methylsulfate. Such ester-linked triethanolamine quaternary ammonium compounds comprise unsaturated fatty chains.

[0067] If there is a mixture of quaternary ammonium materials present in the composition, the iodine value, referred to above, represents the mean iodine value of the parent fatty acyl compounds or fatty acids of all the quaternary ammonium materials present. Likewise, if there are any saturated quaternary ammonium materials present in the composition, the iodine value represents the mean iodine value of the parent acyl compounds of fatty acids of all of the quaternary ammonium materials present.

[0068] Iodine value as used in the context of the present invention refers to, the fatty acid used to produce the QAC, the measurement of the degree of unsaturation present in a material by a method of NMR spectroscopy as described in Anal. Chem., 34, 1136 (1962) Johnson and Shoolery. A further type of quaternary ammonium compound may be a non-ester quaternary ammonium material represented by formula (VI): wherein each R1group is independently selected from C1 to C4 alkyl, hydroxyalkyl or C2 to C4 alkenyl groups; R2group is independently selected from C8 to C28 alkyl or alkenyl groups, and X- is as defined above.

[0069] Preferably the fabric conditioning compositions of the present invention comprise more than 1 wt. % fabric softening active, more preferably more than 2 wt. % fabric softening active, most preferably more than 3 wt. % fabric softening active by weight of the composition. Preferably the fabric conditioners of the present invention comprise less than 40 wt. % fabric softening active, more preferably less than 30 wt. % fabric softening active, most preferably less than 25 wt. % fabric softening active by weight of the composition. Suitably the fabric conditioning compositions comprise 1 to 40 wt. % fabric softening active, preferably 2 to 30 wt.% fabric softening active and more preferably 3 to 25 wt. % fabric softening active by weight of the composition.

[0070] The fabric conditioning compositions described herein may be concentrated. If the fabric conditioner is a concentrated composition, preferably the fabric conditioning composition comprises more than 10 wt. % fabric softening active, more preferably more than 15 wt. % fabric softening active, most preferably more than 20 wt. % fabric softening active by weight of the composition. Preferably the fabric conditioning composition of the present invention comprises less than 50 wt. % fabric softening active, more preferably less than 45 wt. % fabric softening active, most preferably less than 40 wt. % fabric softening active by weight of the composition. Suitably concentrated fabric conditioning compositions comprise 10 to 50 wt. % fabric softening active, preferably 15 to 45 wt.% fabric softening active and more preferably 20 to 40 wt. % fabric softening active by weight of the composition. Co-active

[0071] The fabric conditioning composition of the present invention may comprise a co-active. The coactive may aid the dissolution of the softening actives or even provide additional softening benefits.

[0072] Suitable co-active includes, for example, fatty alcohols, single-chain cationic surfactants, nonionic surfactants, polyethylene glycols or mixtures thereof. Fatty alcohols are most preferred. Fatty alcohols which may be employed include tallow alcohol or vegetable alcohol, particularly preferred are hardened tallow alcohol or hardened vegetable alcohol (available under the trade names Stenol™ and Hydrenol™, ex BASF and Laurex™ CS, ex Huntsman). Preferably the fatty alcohol has a fatty chain length of C12 to C22, more preferably C14 to C20. Cetostearyl alcohol is particularly preferred. The fatty alcohol may be present in the composition in an amount from 0.01 to 10%, preferably from 0.1 to 5%, more preferably from 0.2 to 1% by weight of the composition.

[0073] The co-active may be a single chain cationic surfactant. The single chain cationic surfactant preferably has the general formula (VII):

[0074] (R1)3- N+- R2X- (VII)

[0075] Wherein each R1independently comprises 1 to 6 carbon atoms, selected from alky, alkenyl, aryl or combinations thereof. Each R1may independently comprise hydroxy groups. Preferably at least two of the R1groups correspond to a methyl group.

[0076] Wherein R2comprises at least 10 carbon atoms. The carbon atoms may be in the form of an alky, alkenyl, aryl or combinations thereof. Preferably the single chain cationic surfactant comprises at least 12 carbon atoms, preferably at least 14 and most preferably at least 16. R2may further comprise additional functional groups such as ester groups or hydroxy groups.

[0077] X' is an anionic counterion, such as a halide or alkyl sulphate, e.g. chloride or methylsulfate. Preferred cationic surfactants include hydroxyethyl laurdimonium chloride, cetyltrimethylammonium chloride (CTAC), behentrimonium chloride (BTAC), an alkyl dimethyl hydroxyethyl ammonium chloride such as Praepagen HY ex Clariant GmbH.

[0078] The co-active may be a non-ionic surfactant. Suitable non-ionic surfactants include addition products of ethylene oxide and / or propylene oxide with fatty alcohols, fatty acids and fatty amines. Any of the alkoxylated materials of the particular type described hereinafter can be used as the non-ionic surfactant.

[0079] Suitable surfactants are substantially water-soluble surfactants of the general formula (VIII):

[0080] R-Y-(C2H4O)Z-CH2-CH2-OH (VIII) where R is selected from the group consisting of primary, secondary and branched chain alkyl and / or acyl hydrocarbyl groups; primary, secondary and branched chain alkenyl hydrocarbyl groups; and primary, secondary and branched chain alkenyl-substituted phenolic hydrocarbyl groups; the hydrocarbyl groups having a chain length of from 8 to about 25, preferably 10 to 20, e.g. 14 to 18 carbon atoms.

[0081] In the general formula for the ethoxylated non-ionic surfactant, Y is typically:

[0082] -O- , -C(O)O- , -C(O)N(R)- or -C(O)N(R)R- in which R has the meaning given above for formula (VII), or can be hydrogen; and Z is a number at least about 8, preferably at least about 10 or 11.

[0083] Preferably the non-ionic surfactant has an HLB of from about 7 to about 20, more preferably from 10 to 18, e.g. 12 to 16. Genapol™ 0200 (Clariant) based on coco chain and 20 EG groups is an example of a suitable non-ionic surfactant.

[0084] A class of preferred non-ionic surfactants include addition products of ethylene oxide and / or propylene oxide with fatty alcohols, fatty acids and fatty amines. These are preferably selected from addition products of (a) an alkoxide selected from ethylene oxide, propylene oxide and mixtures thereof with (b) a fatty material selected from fatty alcohols, fatty acids and fatty amines.

[0085] A second class of preferred non-ionic surfactants are polyethylene glycol ethers of glycerine. Such as Glycereth-6 Cocoate, Glycereth-7 Cocoate and Glycereth-17 Cocoate.

[0086] Preferably the non-ionic surfactant is selected from addition products of ethylene oxide and / or propylene oxide with fatty alcohols, fatty acids and fatty amines and polyethylene glycol ethers of glycerine.

[0087] Suitable non-ionic surfactants are available commercially as Lutensol™ AT25 ex. BASF based on 016:18 chain and 25 EG groups is an example of a suitable non-ionic surfactant. Other suitable surfactants include Renex 36 (Trideceth-6), ex Croda; Tergitol 15-S3, ex Dow Chemical Co.; Dihydrol LT7, ex Thai Ethoxylate ltd; Cremophor 0040, ex BASF and Neodol 91-8, ex Shell; LEVENOL® F-200, LEVENOL® C-301 and LEVENOL® C-201 ex. Kao.

[0088] If present, the non-ionic surfactant is present in an amount from 0.01 to 10%, preferably from 0.01 to 5%, more preferably from 0.02 to 1%, even more preferably from 0.03 to 0.6% by weight of the composition.

[0089] Perfume

[0090] Preferably the fabric conditioning composition comprises perfume ingredients. Perfume ingredients may be free perfumes and / or encapsulated perfumes (perfume microcapsules). The encapsulating materials, preferably comprise, but are not limited to; aminoplasts, proteins, polyurethanes, polyacrylates, polymethacrylates, polysaccharides, polyamides, polyolefins, gums, silicones, lipids, modified cellulose, polyphosphate, polystyrene, polyesters or combinations thereof. More preferably the encapsulating materials comprise aminoplast, such as melamine formaldehyde or urea formaldehyde microcapsules, proteins and / or polysaccharides. The fabric conditioning composition preferably comprises 0.001 to 20 wt.% perfume ingredients by weight of the composition, more preferably 0.005 to 10 wt.% perfume materials, even more preferably from 0.01 to 5 wt.% perfume materials, and most preferably 0.02 to 3 wt. % perfume materials. Other ingredients

[0091] The fabric conditioning composition may preferably comprise further ingredients suitable for use in a fabric conditioner. Among such materials there may be mentioned: antifoams, insect repellents, shading or hueing dyes, preservatives (e.g. bactericides), pH buffering agents, perfume carriers, hydrotropes, anti-redeposition agents, soil-release agents, polyelectrolytes, anti-shrinking agents, anti-wrinkle agents, anti-oxidants, dyes, colorants, sunscreens, anticorrosion agents, drape imparting agents, anti-static agents, sequestrants and ironing aids.

[0092] The products of the invention may contain pearlisers and / or opacifiers. A preferred sequestrant is HEDP, an abbreviation for Etidronic acid or 1 -hydroxyethane 1,1-diphosphonic acid

[0093] Product form

[0094] The fabric conditioning compositions of the present invention are rinse-added softening compositions suitable for use in a laundry process. The compositions are preferably liquids.

[0095] The composition may be a concentrate to be diluted in a solvent, including water, before use. The composition may also be a ready-to-use (in-use) composition. Preferably the composition is provided as a ready-to-use liquid composition.

[0096] The composition is preferably in an aqueous form. Preferably, the composition comprises at least 75 wt.% water, more preferably from 80 to 98 wt.%, even more preferably from 85 to 96 wt.% water by weight of the composition.

[0097] The composition is preferably for use in the rinse cycle of a home textile laundering operation, where, it may be added directly in an undiluted state to a washing machine, e.g. through a dispenser drawer or, for a top-loading washing machine, directly into the drum. Alternatively, it can be diluted prior to use. It is also possible for the compositions of the present invention to be used in industrial laundry operations, e.g. as a finishing agent for softening new clothes prior to sale to consumers.

[0098] Method of preparing the compositions

[0099] The fabric conditioning compositions of the invention may typically be made by combining a melt comprising the fabric softening active with an aqueous phase. The copolymer of the present invention may be combined with the water phase, or it may be post dosed into the composition after combination of the melt and the water phase.

[0100] Use of the compositions

[0101] The fabric conditioning compositions of the present invention may be supplied in multidose plastics packs with a top or bottom closure. A dosing measure may be supplied with the pack either as a part of the cap or as an integrated system. Preferably the composition is stored in a moulded article. Preferably, such moulded article comprises post-consumer recycled material.

[0102] Typically, the primary use of the compositions of the present invention is to provide fabric care benefits to laundered fabrics during the laundry process. Preferably the compositions are used to provide a softening benefit to laundered fabrics during the laundry process.

[0103] The following examples are provided to facilitate an understanding of the invention. The examples are not intended to limit the scope of the claims.

[0104] Examples

[0105] Example 1: Preparation of copolymers

[0106] An aqueous phase and an oil phase were prepared separately by mixing the following components as shown in Table 1.

[0107] Table 1

[0108] The pH of the aqueous phase was adjusted to 5.0-6.0 with 0.075 parts citric acid. The aqueous phase was added to the oil phase under stirring. Then the mixture was emulsified under high shear to form a water-in-oil emulsion. The water-in-oil emulsion was then transferred to a glass reactor, stirred, and nitrogen was introduced to remove oxygen from the reactor. After that, 2.3 parts of sodium metabisulfite aqueous solution (1%) was added dropwise to initiate the polymerization reaction at room temperature and then the emulsion was kept reacting for three hours after adiabatic heating to 50°C. After the reaction, under stirring, 3 parts of fatty alcohol polyoxyethylene ether was added to the resulting polymer emulsion, and mixed evenly.

[0109] Example 2: Evaluation of viscosity

[0110] Fabric conditioning compositions were prepared as shown in Table 2. All ingredients are expressed by weight percent of the total formulation. Table 2 a. Copolymer of acrylamide and trimethylaminoethylmethacrylate chloride under the trade name of

[0111] GLTSTA 303 from Guangdong Goodlight New Materials Tech Co., Ltd (concentration of crosslinking agent is 150-250 ppm and concentration of chain transfer agent is 100-200 ppm); b. Polymer b prepared according to Example 1 ; c. Polymer c prepared according to Example 1 ; d. Di-esters of triethanolammonium methylsulfate under the trade name TEP 88L from Solvay.

[0112] The samples were prepared at different temperatures as shown in Table 3. The viscosity of a sample was measured at 25°C at shear rate of 106 s_1with a HAAKE VT550 Viscometer, measurement rotor MV1. The viscosities of the samples were reported in Table 3.

[0113] Table 3

[0114] It can be seen from the results that sample 1 in accordance with the present invention exhibited less viscosity change across different preparation temperatures than comparative samples A and B, indicating superior viscosity stability under varying temperature conditions.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A fabric conditioning composition comprising: a) a fabric softening active; and b) a copolymer polymerized from monomers comprising:(i) at least one cationic ethylenically unsaturated monomer; and(ii) optionally at least one non-ionic and / or anionic ethylenically unsaturated monomer; wherein the copolymer is polymerized in the presence of a cross-linking agent and a chain transfer agent; and wherein the concentration of chain transfer agent is from 280 to 500 ppm by weight of the total monomers.

2. The fabric conditioning composition according to claim 1, wherein the cationic ethylenically unsaturated monomer comprises quaternary ammonium salts of dimethylaminoethyl(meth)acrylamide, dimethylaminopropyl(meth)acrylamide, dimethylaminoethyl(meth)acrylate, dimethylaminopropyl(meth)acrylate, diallylamine, methyldiallylamine or mixtures thereof.

3. The fabric conditioning composition according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the cationic ethylenically unsaturated monomer comprises quaternary ammonium salts of dimethylaminoethyl(meth)acrylate, dimethylaminopropyl(meth)acrylate or mixtures thereof.

4. The fabric conditioning composition according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the non-ionic ethylenically unsaturated monomer comprises acrylamide, methacrylamide, N- alkyl acrylamide, N-vinyl pyrrolidone, N-vinyl formamide, N-vinyl acetamide, vinylacetate, vinyl alcohol, acrylate esters, allyl alcohol or mixtures thereof.

5. The fabric conditioning composition according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the anionic ethylenically unsaturated monomer comprises acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, itaconic acid, crotonic acid, maleic acid, fumaric acid, 2-acrylamido-2-methyl propane sulfonic acid or mixtures thereof.

6. The fabric conditioning composition according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the copolymer is a copolymer of acrylamide and trimethylaminoethylmethacrylate chloride.

7. The fabric conditioning composition according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the chain transfer agent comprises isopropyl alcohol, sodium hypophosphite, mercaptoethanol, sodium formate or mixtures thereof.

8. The fabric conditioning composition according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the concentration of the chain transfer agent is from 300 to 450 ppm, preferably from 300 to 400 ppm by weight of the total monomers.

9. The fabric conditioning composition according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the cross-linking agent comprises methylene bisacrylamide, ethylene glycol diacrylate, polyethylene glycol dimethacrylate, diacrylamide, triallylamine, cyanomethylacrylate, vinyl oxyethylacrylate, methacrylate, formaldehyde, glyoxal, compounds of the glycidyl ether type such as ethylene glycol diglycidyl ether, epoxyde or mixtures thereof, preferably the cross-linking agent comprises methylene bisacrylamide, ethylene glycol diacrylate, polyethylene glycol dimethacrylate, diacrylamide, triallylamine or mixtures thereof.

10. The fabric conditioning composition according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the concentration of the cross-linking agent is from 100 to 300 ppm, preferably from 150 to 250 ppm by weight of the total monomers.

11. The fabric conditioning composition according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the fabric softening active is a quaternary ammonium compound.

12. The fabric conditioning composition according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the fabric softening active is an ester-linked quaternary ammonium compound.

13. The fabric conditioning composition according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the copolymer is present in an amount of from 0.001 to 5%, preferably from 0.005 to 3% by weight of the composition.

14. The fabric conditioning composition according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the fabric softening active is present in an amount of from 1 to 40%, preferably from 2 to 30% by weight of the composition.

15. Use of the fabric conditioning composition according to any of claims 1 to 14 to provide a softening benefit to laundered fabrics during the laundry process.