NL8502423A - DETERGENT AND SOFTENER CONTAINING COMPOSITIONS WITH IMPROVED TISSUE SUBSTANTIVITY FOR A WASHING CYCLE. - Google Patents

Description

* - 's VO 7372

Wash cycle detergent and softener containing compositions with improved fabric substantivity.

This invention relates to a composition and a method for cleaning and softening fabrics in the wash cycle of a laundry operation. More particularly, the present invention relates to softening compositions suitable for use in the wash cycle of a washing operation, particularly using hot water, the composition comprising: a nonionic surfactant, a fabric softener based on a cationic quaternary ammonium compound and a polyfunctional additive for increasing the substance of the emollient.

Compositions suitable for treating fabrics to improve their softness and feel characteristics are known in the art.

When fabric softeners are used in the household laundry, it is typical for those softeners to be added to the rinse water during the rinse cycle, which lasts only about 2 to 5 minutes. Accordingly, the consumer is required to follow the washing operation or take other precautions so that the fabric softener is added at the correct time. This necessitates that the consumer return to the washing machine either just before or at the beginning of the rinse cycle of the washing operation, which is undeniably difficult for the consumer. In addition, a special precaution must be taken to apply an appropriate amount of the fabric softener to provide overdosage, which may render the laundry water-repellent by depositing a greasy film on the fabric surface, as well as imparting a degree of yellowness to the fabrics. avoid.

It is known to use fabric softeners which are compatible with the conventional laundry detergents as a solution to the above problems, so that the softeners can be combined with the detergents in a single package for use during the wash cycle of the laundry operation. Examples of such wax cycle fabric softening compositions added are described in U.S. Patents 3,351,438, 3,660,286 and 3,703,480. Generally, these wash cycle fabric softening compositions contain a fabric softener based on a cationic quaternary ammonium compound and additional ingredients that render the softening agents compatible with conventional laundry detergents.

However, it is also known that the cationic softening compounds which are added to the wash cycle, either as an ingre-10 in a detergent and softener containing composition or as a wash cycle softener, are the brightening interfere with the cleaning performance of the detergent. As a result, efforts have been made to compensate to some extent for this disturbance in detergent and softener-containing compositions by using nonionic surfactants, higher levels of whiteners, carboxymethyl cellulose, anti-yellowing compounds, bluing agents, etc. However, there is little improvement obtained in wash cycle soothing compositions, using a variety of detergents, most of which are anionic compounds.

However, many disclosures have also appeared in the prior art regarding laundry detergent compositions containing cationic fabric softeners, including the softeners based on quaternary ammonium compounds and nonionic surfactants, as well as other surfactants, for example anionic compounds, zwitterionic compounds and amphoteric compounds. As publications representing this prior art, mention may be made of US patents 4,264,457, 4,239,659, 4,259,217, 4,222,905, 3,537,993, 3,583,912, 3,983,079, 4,203 .872, 4,264,479, 3,951,879, 3,360,470, 3,351,483, 3,644,203, etc.

The following patents disclose nonionic surfactants containing detergents and / or shampoos comprising a polyfunctional additive: 3,313,734 (shampoo - quaternary ammonium containing polymers); 3,351,557 (ethylene / maleic anhydride copolymers - emulsion stabilizers); 3,509,059 8502 423 <* ** ► 3 (an acidic group containing polymer, for example polyacrylic acid, which is formed in situ, i.e. in the presence of a nonionic surfactant); 3,703,480 (amino-polyureylene resins - for rendering a cationic fabric softener compatible with an ionic surfactant); 3,723,322 (carboxylated polysaccharide - as a detergent builder); 3,962,418 (Cationic Cellulose Loss - Thickener and Hair Conditioner)? 4,213,960 (polyaminoamides and quaternary ammonium homopolymers and copolymers - hair conditioner); 4,371,517 (cationic polymers and anionic polymers). The use of polycationic compounds, polyamines and polyamides to improve the softening performance of the fabric softener based on classic quaternary compounds in rinse cycle fabric softeners is known from, for example, U.S. Patent 4,237,016, UK Patent 15 1,576,326 and 2Q41,025A, Belgian Patent 844,122, European Patent 13780 and German Patent DE 2,925,859A1.

Although many of these prior art formulations provide satisfactory cleaning and / or softening under many different conditions, they still suffer from the drawbacks of requiring addition to the rinse cycle; that, in particular under hot water washing conditions, i.e. at a temperature of 60 ° C and above, they do not provide adequate softening - comparable, for example, to that of the softeners added to the rinse cycle? that they require the formation of complexes of the cationic compound; that water-soluble cationic compounds with lower softening performance, e.g. based on mono-high-alkyl-quaternary ammonium compounds? that they are limited to liquid compositions; etc.

Although it is not uncommon for current laundry detergent compositions and for conventional automatic household washing machines, particularly in the United States, that they are capable of accomplishing the washing / cleaning of soiled fabrics nevertheless, using cold or warm wash water, particularly with regard to sensitive fabrics, self-ironing fabrics, permanent pressing fabrics and the like, it is recognized that a more effective 8502 423 .. *% * * 4 cleaning (removal of dirty) higher wash temperatures required. In addition, in Europe and in other countries, household washing machines operate at hot temperatures of 60 ° C or higher, up to a maximum of the boiling point of the washing water. While these high temperatures are beneficial for soil removal, there is no equivalent benefit for softening performance.

The present invention is based on the discovery that the softening performance of a detergent system based on a mixture of a nonionic detergent compound and a softening agent based on a cationic quaternary ammonium compound is greatly enhanced by using a limited class of polyfunctional compounds, which increases the substantivity of the water-insoluble cationic fabric softener for the fabric being treated and therefore enhances softening performance. Furthermore, it has been discovered that the softening performance is further improved by using as the nonionic surfactant one having a cloud point, alone or in combination with an amphoteric surfactant, which point is at least about 5 ° C is higher than the washing temperature, which is at least about 60 ° C. Furthermore, this increase in softening performance is accomplished without any, or at least without any significant, deterioration in the washing (i.e., cleaning) performance.

A relationship of cleaning performance and cloud point of a mixture of a nonionic and a cationic detergent is known from U.S. Patents 4,222,905 and 4,259,217. More specifically, as explained in column 5, lines 40-61 of the latter patent: "Methods for washing fabrics of the compositions of the present invention, which provide excellent removal of greasy and oily soils and advantages regarding tissue care are set forth herein In these methods, laundry detergent compositions are used under such temperature conditions that the aqueous wash solution is either at or close to (ie

within about 20 ° C of) the torring point (i.e.

83 0 2 42 3 • * 5 the temperature at which a phase, which is rich in nonionic surfactant, separates in the washing solution) from the mixture of nonionic and cationic surfactant.

This can preferably be accomplished by formulating those mixtures of nonionic and cationic surfactant such that their cloud point is between about 0 and 95 ° C, in particular between about 10 and 70 ° C, in especially between about 20 and 70 ° C, most preferred being the range between about 30 and about 50 ° C. During the washing operation, the temperature of the washing solution is kept within this temperature range and within 20 ° C of the cloud point temperature. Performance is further improved where the temperature of the aqueous wash solution is within about 15 ° C, more preferably within about 10 ° C, of the cloud point temperature of the mixture of nonionic and cationic surfactant . ''

Apparently, the requirement to operate at wash temperatures at or below the cloud point temperature is based on the assumption that the cloud point of the surfactant mixture in the wash water corresponds to the temperature, with 25 micelles of the surfactant to such an extent these aggregates become so large and concentrated that they come out of solution and hence the observed turbidity. Further temperature reduction will lead to complete phase separation of the water and the non-ionic surfactant, and as a result, their detersive action on the soiled fabrics and their overall cleaning ability will be lost.

Although in the US U.S. Patent 4,259,217 states that the mixtures of nonionic and cationic compounds "depending on the identity and concentration of the cationic component ... may provide the prior art advantages for such cationic compounds , for example .... softening effects for textiles ", it is nevertheless clear, 8 5 0 2 ~ * * * · 6, that it has not been recognized or suggested that the softening effects of the cationic compounds can be significantly improved by using certain non-ionic compounds, which per se have high cloud point temperatures. That is, while in 5 U.S. Patent Nos. 4,259,217 and 4,222,905, a relationship between the cloud point of the mixture of nonionic and cationic compound, the washing temperature and the cleaning performance has now been discovered that it between the cloud point of the nonionic compound alone (or of the nonionic compound present in the wash water, amphoteric compound and optional electrolytes) and the wash temperature, which reduces the softening performance of the fabric softening agents base of water-insoluble cationic quaternary ammonium compounds. In contrast to the condition of this invention to use non-ionic compounds with a high cloud point temperature (ie above about 60 ° C, especially above about 90 ° C and particularly preferably above about 100 ° C), US Patents 4,259,217 and 4,222,905 prefer nonionic surfactants and combinations of nonionic and cationic compounds with relatively low cloud points.

Thus, it was totally unexpected that the softening performance of the cationic softener, particularly under hot water washing conditions, could be markedly improved without decreasing the cleaning performance of the nonionic surfactant 25 by the composition of detergent and softener so that it has a cloud point above the wash temperature.

The use of nonionic surfactants with cloud points of at least about 60 ° C and above the temperature of the wash water is described in the co-pending unpublished patent application (our file no. 7370, entitled "Detergent and Softener Containing Wash Cycle Composition" (IR-618F) The use of amphoteric surfactants to raise the cloud point of the nonionic surfactants above the wash water temperature has also been disclosed in this application and in move \ 8502 4.

4 \ 7 bond with the low cloud point nonionic surfactants described in more detail in the unpublished application filed on or about the same date as the present application entitled "Detergent and Softener Containing Wash Cycle" with hot water "(IR-637F).

The present invention is based on the discovery that the softening performance of the fabric softeners based on water-insoluble cationic quaternary ammonium compounds can be further improved by including a polyfunctional additive in the composition of the nonionic surfactant and cationic fabric softener which increases the substantivity of the cationic fabric softener for the fabric being treated. In addition, the cleaning performance of the non-ionic compound can also be improved at the same time.

It was on the basis of this discovery that the present invention was accomplished.

Thus, it is an object of this invention to improve the softening performance of detergent compositions containing fabric softeners based on water-insoluble cationic quaternary ammonium compounds and non-ionic detergent compounds without significant cleaning performance as a whole. adversely affecting and in some cases even improving this performance.

This object and other objects of the invention, which will become apparent from the following description, are accomplished by providing a laundry detergent composition which is capable of removing soiled fabrics at an elevated temperature of at least about 60 ° C to a maximum of wash the boiling temperature of about 100 ° C in a water-containing washing liquid, the composition containing: 1 to 20 parts by weight of a water-soluble nonionic surfactant, 2 to 20 parts by weight of a fabric softener based on a water-insoluble quaternary ammonium compound and 0.5 to 10 parts by weight of a polyfunctional additive that increases tissue substance and optionally up to about 10 parts by weight of an amphoteric surfactant compound.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention 8502425-8, the nonionic compound has a cloud point temperature above the elevated temperature of the wash water. In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the compositions comprise both the non-ionic surfactant having a high cloud point temperature and an amphoteric surfactant. In any of the preferred embodiments, the detergent composition includes at least one additional detergent additive, including detergent builders, thickeners, anti-redeposition agents, corrosion inhibitors, bleaches, enzymes, dyes, bluing agents, optical whiteners, contains fragrances and the like.

According to one of the aspects, the present invention therefore provides a detergent composition for cleaning and softening textile fabrics in an aqueous medium, especially at an elevated washing temperature of at least about 60 ° C, which composition contains by weight: (a ) about 1 to 20% of a nonionic surfactant, (b) about 2 to 20% of a fabric softener based on a water-insoluble cationic quaternary ammonium compound, (c) about 0.5 to 10% of a polyfunctional additive selected from the group of: (i) di-quaternary ammonium compounds, (ii) polymers of dimethyldiallyl ammonium chloride, (iii) cationic guar gum, and (iv) poly (methyl vinyl ether / malexic acid) ), the amount of (b) plus (c) being in the range of about 4 to 22%, the ratio of (b) to (c) being in the range of about.

10: 1 to about 1: 3, (d) 0 to about 10% of an amphoteric surfactant, (e) about 25 to 80% of at least one detergent builder, 35 (f) 0 to about 40 % of a bleach, (g) 0 to about 7% of a bleach activator, (h) 0 to about 4% of any of the following: 85 0 2 42 3 •% 9 soil-suspending agents, anti-redeposition agents and thickeners, (i) 0 to about 5% anti-corrosion agents, (j) 0 to about 1% organic chelating agents, (k) 0 to about 2% colorants, dyes, pigments, blueprints, and optical whitening agents, (1) 0 to about 2% enzymes, (m) 0 to about 0.5% fragrance, 10 (n) 0 to about 10% pH modifiers and buffers, (o) 0 to about 50% inert fillers, flow promoters, and carriers and (p) about 2 to about 20% water.

According to a more preferred embodiment of the invention, a powdered or granular free-flowing detergent softener composition is provided for cleaning and softening dirty textile fabrics in a wash water-containing medium at an elevated temperature of about 60 ° C from 20 to about 100 ° C, the composition containing by weight; (a) about 3 to 15% of a nonionic surfactant having a hydrophobic group condensed with enough alkylene oxide to raise the cloud point of the nonionic compound above the elevated temperature, (b) about 2 to 20% of a fabric softener based on a water-insoluble cationic quaternary ammonium compound, characterized by at least two long chain aliphatic groups of 16 to 22 carbon atoms, (c) about 1 to 10% of a polyfunctional additive -30 sel, selected from the group of di-quaternary ammonium compounds of formula 5a (which may also be written as formula 5), wherein represents a divalent alkyl group having 2 to 4 carbon atoms, which may optionally contain a hydroxyl substituent; wherein the radicals R 1 are the same or different from each other and each represents lower alkyl groups of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, which may optionally have a hydroxy 1 substituent; 8502423

«> V

10 is a straight or branched, saturated or unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbon group having 1 to about 22 carbon atoms, which hydrocarbon may be interrupted by an oxygen atom or by the group -C0NH-; 5 represents a radical selected from the group of aliphatic hydrocarbon radicals optionally interrupted by an oxygen atom or a group -CONH- and containing a total of about 8 to about 22 carbon atoms, alkylaryl radicals having about 8 to 16 carbon atoms in the alkyl portion and aryl; and "10 X is a salt-forming anion; and polymers of dimethyldiallyl ammonium chloride, (d) 0.1 to 10% by weight of an amphoteric surfactant; and (e) the remainder consisting of detergent builders, detergent adjuvants, fillers and moisture.

In the above preferred embodiment, particular preference is given to including about 25 to 50% detergent builders, 0 to 5% corrosion inhibitor, 0 to 1% organic chelating agent, 0 to 40% oxygen bleach, 0 up to 7% bleach-20 activator, 0 to 4% thickener and anti-redeposition agent, 0.2 to 0.5% optical brightener, 0.7 to 1.3% enzyme, 0 to 0.5% fragrance and as rest at most about 20% moisture.

Although not fully understood, the present inventors have found that the best softening performance of cationic fabric softeners is achieved when the softener is very finely distributed in the wash water (on the order of diameters from a few microns to less than 1 micrometer) and is insoluble in water. The particulate matter must, of course, be dispersed uniformly, but arbitrarily, through the wash bath to uniformly come into contact with all articles of clothing, towels, linen and other items being washed. It has been found that the softener particles are effectively captured and adhered to the fibers of the fabrics by a combination of electrical, chemical and physical attraction.

According to the present invention, the substance to the treated fabrics is further improved and the softening performance of the cationic fabric softener is increased proportionately by adding 8502423 11 to the detergent and softener-containing composition a polyfunctional additive, preferably a di-quaternary compound, a polyquatemary compound or a cationic polymer. While these polyfunctional additives themselves may impart softness to the treated fabrics due to their own affinity for fabrics, as is known from the above prior art, their mode of operation introduces the detergent and softener containing wash cycle compositions of this invention apparently does not primarily involve any direct softening action, but apparently it is based primarily on one or both of the following two factors: (1) their ability to provide the fabric softener dispersion based of a quaternary compound; and (2) their ability to improve contact between the quaternary joint and the tissue. By whatever mode of operation the polyfunctional additives also function to improve softness, it is a feature of the present invention that softness of the wash cycle treated fabrics is substantially equivalent to that of conventional fabrics. treated with fabric softener added to the rinse cycle. In addition, it is possible to achieve a significant improvement in cleaning performance when the preferred compositions of this invention are used.

Therefore, the essential ingredients in the detergent and softener containing compositions are the nonionic surfactant, the water insoluble cationic fabric softener and the polyfunctional additive. The additional use of an amphoteric surfactant over the above essential ingredients is highly preferred, especially where the cloud point of the nonionic surfactant is at or below the wash water temperature.

Although the compositions of this invention can provide good softening and cleaning performance in cold wash water, for example, from about 20 ° C to 30 ° C, or in warm wash water, for example, from about 30 ° C to 40 ° C or more, best results are achieved when the compositions are applied with wash water at elevated temperatures from about 60 ° C to about 100 ° C (boiling temperature).

$ 502423 * 12

Suitable nonionic surfactants are commercially available and are derived from the condensation of an alkylene oxide or equivalent reactant and a hydrophobic compound with reactive hydrogen. The hydrophobic organic compounds can be aliphatic, aromatic or heterocyclic, although the first two classes are preferred. The preferred types of hydrophobic compounds are higher aliphatic alcohols and alkyl phenols, although other representatives may be used, such as carboxylic acids, carboxamides, mercaptans, sulfonamides, etc. The ethylene oxide condensation products with higher alkyl phenols or higher fatty alcohols represent preferred classes of non ionic compounds. Usually, the hydrophobic portion should contain at least about 6 carbon atoms and preferably at least about 8 carbon atoms, while it may even contain 50 or more carbon atoms, with a preferred range being from about 8 to 22, especially 10 to 18, carbon atoms. the aliphatic alcohols and 12 to 20 carbon atoms for the higher alkyl phenols. The amount of alkylene oxide varies considerably depending on the hydrophobic compound, but as a general guideline and rule, at least about 15 moles of alkylene oxide per mole of hydrophobic compound 20 to at most about 30 moles of alkylene oxide per mole of hydrophobic compound should be used to achieve cloud point temperatures of. at least about 60 ° C or higher.

The preferred nonionic surfactants can therefore be represented by the formula: 1 wherein R represents a primary or secondary alkyl chain having about 8 to 22 carbon atoms and n is an average of 3 to 30; or by formula 2, wherein R 1 represents a primary or secondary alkyl chain of 7 to 12 carbon atoms and m is an average of 3 to 30.

The preferred alcohols from which the compounds of formula I are prepared include lauryl, myristyl, cetyl, stearyl and oleyl alcohol and mixtures thereof. Particularly preferred values for R are C 1 to C 15, most preferably 8502423 r 13 is C 1 to C 15 alkyls and mixtures thereof.

The preferred values for C- to C, ', especially Cg and Cg / including octyl, isoctyl and nonyl, are particularly preferred.

A typical example of a non-ionic compound of the formula 1 is lauryl alcohol condensed with 15 moles of ethylene oxide. A typical example of a nonionic compound of the formula II is isoctylphenol condensed with 30 moles of ethylene oxide.

Other nonionic compounds that can be used include the polyoxyalkylene esters of the organic acids, such as the higher fatty acids, the resin acids, tall oil acids, acids of petroleum oxidation products, etc. These esters usually contain about 10 to about 22 carbon atoms in the acid portion and about 15 to about 30 moles of ethylene oxide or its equivalent.

Still other nonionic surfactants are the alkylene oxide condensation products with the amides of higher fatty acids. The fatty acid group generally contains about 8 to about 22 carbon atoms and it is condensed with about 15 to about 50 moles of ethylene oxide by way of a preferred explanation. The corresponding carboxyamides and sulfonamides can also be used as substantial equivalents.

It is also within the scope of the invention to replace all or part of the above-described high cloud point nonionic compounds with the corresponding low cloud point nonionic compounds, ie, with the same hydrophobic group, but condensed with only about 3 to 14 moles of ethylene oxide. However, when using the non-ionic compounds with low cloud point temperature, it is essential to also include one of the amphoteric surfactants, as described in more detail below, to ensure a sufficiently high cloud point of the composition to assure. Preferably, the amount of low cloud point compound is not more than 50%, especially not more than 30%, and most preferably not more than about 20% of the total amount of nonionic compound.

The amount of the nonionic compound will generally be the minimum amount which, when added to the wash 8502423 14 water with or without the amphoteric surfactant, will provide an adequate cleaning performance. Generally, amounts from about 2 to about 20 wt%, preferably from about 3 to about 10 wt%, and especially from about 4 to 9 wt% of the composition provide good cleaning performance.

The term "cloud point", as used herein, means the temperature at which a graphical representation obtained by plotting the light scattering intensity of the composition against the temperature of the wash solution begins sharply to its maximum value under the following 10 experimental conditions. to rise:

The light scattering intensity is measured using a photogoniofffusometer, model VM-12397, manufactured by Société Francaise d'Instruments de Control et d'Analyses, 15 France (hereinafter referred to as "SOFICA").

The SOFICA sample cell and its lid are washed with hot acetone and allowed to dry. The surfactant mixture is prepared and dissolved with distilled water at a concentration of 1000 ppm. About 15 ml of the sample of the solution is introduced into the sample cell using a syringe with a 0.2 µm nucleopore filter. The syringe needle passes through the lid of the sample cell so that it interior of the cell is not exposed to atmospheric dust The sample is left in a variable temperature bath and both the bath and the sample are subjected to continuous stirring The bath temperature is brought about by heating using the heaters of the SOFICA and by cooling by the addition of ice (heating rate <1 ° C / min), the temperature of the sample is determined by the temperature of the bath, then the intensity of the light scattering (angle of 90 °) of the sample determined at various temperatures using a green filter and no polarizer in the SOFICA.

In the present invention, cloud point measurements are made for both solutions of the nonionic compound 35 (at 1 wt%) in distilled water and in water containing 10% NaCl, although the latter amount is generally 8502 42 3 ► i 15 far exceeds salts, and electrolytes actually found in normal use. Therefore, if the cloud point of the nonionic compound, measured in 10% NaCl solution, satisfies the cloud point condition of this invention, then there is no problem in formulating compositions containing very high concentrations of " builder salts and other electrolytes, for example of up to about 85% of the composition, as well as the polyfunctional additive.

In this regard, it is known that the cloud point temperature for a given composition in the wash solution depends on the physical and chemical properties (such as CMC and solubility) of the cationic, nonionic and additional components included in that composition, and can be reduced by increasing the alkyl chain lengths of the nonionic and amphoteric surfactant, by decreasing the degree of ethoxylation of the nonionic component or by adding electrolytes, such as phosphates, polyphosphates, perborates, carbonates, sulfates , etc., especially in relatively small amounts (such as about 1 to about 15% of a given composition).

Since water-insoluble cationic active softening compounds are used in this invention, the cationic compounds have substantially no effect on the cloud point of the total composition. Since the emollient cationic compounds used in this invention are water insoluble, the cloud point temperature of the total formulation is actually very difficult to measure, since the mixture is slightly cloudy by nature. The cloud point of the nonionic compound, with or without addition of electrolytes, is therefore determined in the absence of the cationic compound and this provides a sufficiently accurate measurement of the cloud point of the total composition including the cationic compound.

For washing temperatures of about 60 to 70 ° C, even with the polyfunctional additive as a component in the composition, all of the above-described nonionic surfactant EO 15-30 compounds, especially those of formulas 1 and 2, include: provide cloud points higher than the wash temperature.

8502423 16

However, for higher wash temperatures of 71 ° C to 100 ° C, especially 80 ° C to 100 ° C, it is necessary to use higher ethoxylated surfactants, for example, with 25 to 30 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of hydrophobic compound. For these higher washing temperatures, the most preferred nonionic surfactants are the C 8 -C 20 alkyl phenols which are ethoxylated with 25 to 30 moles, especially 28 to 30 moles of ethylene oxide, with particular preference for about 30 moles of ethylene oxide.

As discussed in greater detail in the aforementioned unpublished applications IR-618F and IR-637F, it has now also been discovered that, as an alternative to any of the nonionic compounds, the cloud point may even be increased by about 40 ° C generally by about 5 to 20 ° C, by adding to the composition an amphoteric surfactant, for example, an amphoteric compound of the carboxylated high-fat alkyl (e.g. coconut) imidazoline type, generally in an amount of about 0.5 to 10 wt%, preferably 1 to 4 wt%, particularly preferably about 1 to 3 wt% of the composition.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, which is particularly useful for washing soiled fabrics in washing water with an elevated temperature in the range of about 80 ° C to 100 ° C, the detergent composition therefore includes, in addition to (a), the nonionic surfactant of formula 1 or formula 2, (b) the water-insoluble quaternary ammonium compound of formula 3 or formula 4 given below and (c) the polyfunctional additive, also (d) an amphoteric surfactant in an amount, which is sufficient to raise the cloud point of the composition above the elevated temperature from 80 ° C to 100 ° C.

The second essential ingredient in the present formulations is the cationic tissue softener. Generally, the cationic fabric softeners consist of at least one hydrophilic functional group carrying a negative charge and a hydrophobic group having a quaternary ammonium atom that is positively charged.

In order to give the treated fabrics sufficient softness, it is essential that the cationic compound is insoluble in water. When used herein, a compound is considered to be insoluble in water if its water solubility at the washing temperature is less than about 1%, preferably less than about 1/2%.

In general, it is desirable that the cationic softening compound be included in the composition in a form, ensuring a high degree of dispersibility in the wash liquor and therefore maximum adhesion to the treated fabric. The sizes of such dispersed particles in the wash liquor range from about less than 10 to about 50 micrometers, while preferably sizes from about less than 10 to about 20 microns can be used for the cationic softening compound to achieve this effect .

Suitable fabric softeners based on water-insoluble quaternary ammonium compounds known in the art can be represented by formulas 3 or 4, wherein and R 1 and R 1. and Rg each independently represents a long chain aliphatic radical having from 16 to 22 carbon atoms, R 1 and R 4 and R 7 independently are low alkyl radicals or 20 R, the group -R_NH (C) R. , where R „is an aliphatic 6 9„ 8 8

O

long chain moiety is from 16 to 22 carbon atoms and Rg represents a divalent alkyl group of 1 to 3 carbon atoms and X is a water-soluble salt-forming anion such as a halide, i.e. chloride, bromide, iodide; a sulfate, acetate, hydroxide, methosulfate, ethosulfate or the like inorganic or organic solubilizing mono- or di-basic residue. The carbon chain of the aliphatic moiety with 16 to 22 carbon atoms, especially 16 to 20 carbon atoms, can be straight or branched and saturated or unsaturated. The lower alkyl radicals have 1 to 30 carbon atoms and may contain a hydroxyl radical. Preferably, the carbon chains are obtained as long chain fatty acids, such as those derived from tallow oil and soybean oil. The terms "di-soy" and "di-tallow", etc. used herein refer to the source from which the long fatty alkyl chains are derived. Mixtures of the above-mentioned, as well as other surfactants based on insoluble quaternary ammonium can also be used if desired. The preferred ammonium salt is a dialkyl-dimethyl ammonium chloride, wherein the alkyl group 8502, 423 «rf *« 18 is derived from hydrogenated tallow or stearic acid, or a di-high alkyl-imidazolinium chloride. Specific examples of quaternary ammonium emollients of formula 3 suitable for use in the composition of the present invention include the following: hydrogenated di-tallow dimethyl ammonium chloride, dimethyl distearyl ammonium chloride, dimethyl stearyl -cetyl ammonium bromide, dimethyl-dicetyl ammonium chloride, di-soy dimethyl ammonium chloride, the corresponding sulfate, methosulfate, ethosulfate, bromide and hydroxide salts thereof, etc.

Examples of quaternary ammonium-based emollients of formula 4 include 1-methyl-1,2-diheptadecyl-imidazolinium chloride (-bromide, -methosulfate), 1,2-di-eicosyl-alkylamido-ethyl-1 methyl imidazolinium chloride (bromide, methosulfate, etc.), 2-hexadecyl-1-methyl-1 - [(2-dodecoyl-amido) ethyl] -15 imidazolinium-methyl sulfate, 2-heptadecyl-1-methyl-1 - [(2-stearyl-amido) -ethyl] -imidazolinium methyl sulfate, 2-nonadecyl / heneicosyl-1-methyl-1 - [(2-eicosoyl / docosoyl-imido) ethyl] imidazolinium methyl chloride.

Dimethyldistearyl ammonium chloride is particularly preferred in view of its excellent softening performance, biodegradability, low water solubility, availability and price.

The amount of the cationic fabric softener can generally range from about 2 to about 20 wt%, preferably from about 3 to about 16 wt%, with particular preference going to the range of about 6 to 15 wt% of the composition.

The weight ratio of the nonionic surfactant to the cationic fabric softener is in the range from about 1: 10 to 5: 1, preferably from about 1: 5 to 4: 1, with the range from 1: 2 to 3.5: 1 is particularly preferred.

The polyfunctional additives used to increase the fabric substantivity of the fabric softeners based on water-insoluble cationic quaternary ammonium compounds include: (i) diquatemary ammonium compounds, (ii) polymers of dimethyldiallyl ammonium chloride, (iii) cationic guar gum, (iv) poly (methyl vinyl ether / maleic acid) and 02-42.3 19 (v) dimidazolinium compounds.

The diquaternary ammonium compounds are particularly preferred and can generally be represented by the formula 5 (which can also be written as formula 5a), wherein

R 1 represents a divalent alkyl group of 2 to 4 carbon atoms, which may optionally contain a hydroxyl substituent; R2 represents mutually equal or different lower alkyl groups of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, which may optionally contain a hydroxy-ΙΟ substituent; R3 represents an aliphatic hydrocarbon group having 1 to about 22 carbon atoms, which hydrocarbon may optionally be interrupted by an oxygen atom or a group -CONH-; R 1 represents a radical selected from the group 15 of aliphatic hydrocarbon radicals optionally interrupted by an oxygen atom or the group -CONH-, having a total of about 8 to 22 carbon atoms, alkyl-aryl radicals having about 8 to about 16 carbon atoms in the alkyl portion, as well as aryl; and X is a salt-forming anion, especially Cl, 20 Br_, CH 2 SO 3 -, CH 2 CH 2 SO 3 -, etc.

One class of di-quaternary compounds that can be used in this invention are the compounds represented by the formula 6 wherein Rj. an alkyl radical having 6 to about 20, preferably 10 to 14 carbon atoms, represents Rg and methyl, ethyl or hydroxyethyl and X represents chloride or bromide. Specific examples include tetramethyl-di- (octoxy-β-hydroxy-propyl) -β-hydroxy-propylene-diammonium dichloride, tetramethyl-di- (B-hydroxydodecyl) -g-hydroxypropylene-diammonium-dibromide, tetramethyl-di -30 (β-hydroxytetradecyl) -g-hydroxypropylene-diammonium dichloride, tetraethyl-di (dodecyloxy-g-hydroxypropy1) -β-hydroxypropylene diammonium dichloride. These compounds are described in U.S. U.S. Patent 3,983,079 in columns 3 and 4.

A particularly preferred class of di-quaternary compounds is the class of the N-mono-high-alkyl-penta-low-alkyl-low-alkane-diammonium salts, such as the compounds represented by 8502 423 ft 20 by the formula 7, wherein R_ represents a long chain aliphatic residue from 12 to

O

22 carbon atoms, preferably 14 to 20 carbon atoms, Rg represents a divalent alkyl of 2 to 4 carbon atoms, R ^ g and R ^ as well as R ^ each represent lower alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms and X represents a salt-forming anion, such as chloride, bromide, iodide, sulfate, methyl sulfate, ethyl sulfate, nitrate, etc. As a particular example, mention may be made of the compound commercially available under the trademark Adogen 477, a product of Sherex, which is N-tallow pentamethylpropane diamine chloride.

The polymers of dimethyl diallyl ammonium dichloride include both homopolymers and copolymers. The comonomers in the copolymers include, for example, acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, styrene, vinyl acetate, vinyl propionate, acrylamide, methacrylamide, and similar copolymerizable monomers. Acrylamide and methacrylamide are preferred, while acrylamide is particularly preferred.

As an example of the di-imidazolinium compounds, mention can be made of the compound of formula 8, 3 wherein R is a straight or branched, saturated or unsaturated aliphatic group having 12-18 carbon atoms, R * is a divalent aliphatic 3 hydrocarbon group with 2-5 carbon atoms, R represents a lower alkyl group with 1-4 carbon atoms and X is a salt-forming anion.

As a specific example, 1-ethylene-bis-25 (2-tallow-1-methyl-imidazolinium-methyl sulfate) can be mentioned.

The polymerization can be carried out by standard techniques known in the art. The degree of polymerization is not particularly critical, and satisfactory results are obtained with polymers with molecular weights from about 500 to about 10. These polymers, as well as the cationic guar gums and poly (methyl vinyl ether / maleic acid) are commercially available.

The amount of the polyfunctional additive will generally range from about 0.5 or 2 to about 10%, preferably 2 to about 8%, of the total composition. It is also preferred that within the above-described amounts, the cationic fabric softener (b) and the polyfunctional additive (c) be used 8502 423 21 in a weight ratio (b): (c) of about 10: 1 to 1: 3 , preferably from about 6: 1 to 1: 2, especially from about 4: 1 to 1: 1.

As noted above, in the preferred embodiment of the invention, the composition further comprises (d) an amphoteric surfactant.

A special class of amphoteric surfactants is the complex fatty amido surfactants of the general formula 9, wherein R is a straight or branched, saturated or unsaturated aliphatic group having 12 to 18 carbon atoms (such as lauryl, tridecyl, tetradecyl, pentadecyl, palmityl, heptadecyl, stearyl, tallow, coconut, soy, oleyl, linole - 1 2 yl), each of the symbols R and R independently represents a divalent aliphatic hydrocarbon group of 2-5 carbon atoms (e.g. Example methylene, ethylene, propylene, butylene, 2-methylbutylene, pentylene, etc.) and M is hydrogen or an alkali metal (eg sodium, potassium, cesium and lithium). Examples of compounds of formula 9 which are commercially available include compounds of formula 10, which are used as Miranol CM (liquid) and Miranol DM (paste) from Miranol Chemical Co .; as Soromine AL and Soromine AT from GAF Corporation and if the Deriphat compounds are available from General Mills.

The amphoteric compounds described in columns 3 and 4 of U.S. Patent 4,203,872 can also be used. These include the following seven groups of compounds.

(1) Betaine detergents of formula 11, a suitable example of which is a compound of formula 12.

(2) Betaine detergents with alkyl bridges corresponding to formula 13, a suitable example of which is a compound of formula 14.

(3) Imidazoline detergents of the formula 15, a suitable example of which is a compound of the formula 16.

(4) Alkylimino propionate detergents of formula 17.

(5) Alkyliminodipropionate detergents of formula 18.

33 0 2 4 2 3 22 (6) Alkylimino dipropionate detergents with an ether bridge corresponding to formula 19.

(7) Amphoteric detergents based on coconut imidazolin which correspond to formula 20.

Mixtures of any of the amphoteric detergents with each other or with the above amine oxide detergents can also be used.

In formulas 11 to 20 above mentioned under (1) - (7), Rj represents a straight or branched, saturated or unsaturated aliphatic moiety with about 7 to about 20, preferably about 8 to 18, with particular preference for about 10 to 14 carbon atoms, and R3 each represent an ia9® alkyl group having 15 to 4 carbon atoms, preferably methyl or ethyl, especially preferred for ethyl, and is a divalent C 1 -C 2 alkyl group, preferably methylene or ethylene, with particular preference for ethylene.

A particularly preferred group of amphoteric compounds is the group of the carboxyethylated high-fat alkyl imidazoline compounds of the formula wherein R 1 is a straight or branched, saturated or unsaturated aliphatic group having 7 to 20 carbon atoms , preferably 8 to 18 carbon atoms and particularly preferably 10 to 14 carbon atoms and R 1 represents a 25 divalent lower alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, preferably 1 or 2 carbon atoms. Preferred groups include coconut, tallow, heptadecyl, oleyl, decyl and dodecyl, especially coconut (i.e. derived from coconut fatty acid). The preferred group R ^ is ethylene (-CHjCHj-). The compound carboxyethylated coconut imidazoline is available as Rexoteric CSF, a trademarked product of Rexolin based on a 100% active ingredient or as a 45% active ingredient solution.

The open-chain carboxyethylated high-fat alkyl amine derivatives are another preferred class of amphoteric compounds. These include the groups mentioned above under (4), (5) and (6), i.e.

the alkyl iminopropionate detergents and the alkyl-8502423 23 iminopropionate detergents with an ether bridge. Carboxyethylated octylamine, which is available from Rexolin as Rexoteric OASF, is a particularly preferred member of this group.

Other classes of amphoteric surfactants such as the sarcosines, taurines, isethionates and the like can also be used.

Although there are no firm guidelines for choosing combinations of nonionic surfactants and amphoteric surfactants or for the appropriate amounts of each to provide the necessary cloud point temperature above the wash temperature to soften the cation softening performance to promote active tissue softener, it is usually sufficient to use the amphoteric compound - with the amount of nonionic surfactant described above - in an amount of from about 0.1 to about 10%, preferably from about 0, 5 to 4%, particularly preferably about 1 to 3% of the total weight of the composition. Generally, ratios of nonionic compounds to amphoteric compounds in the range of about 1: 5 to 10: 1, preferably 1: 3 to 6: 1, especially 1: 2, 20 to 4: 1, will provide the desired provide high cloud point and increased softening performance, especially in combination with the polyfunctional compound.

The detergent compositions of this invention are preferably obtained as free-flowing powders or granules, but they may also be in liquid form.

The detergent composition of the invention may also and generally will also contain water-soluble builder salts.

Water-soluble inorganic alkaline builder salts, which can be used only with the detergent compound or in mixtures with other builders, are alkali metal carbonates, borates, phosphates, polyphosphates, hydrogen carbonates and silicates (Ammonium or substituted ammonium salts can also be used.) Specific examples of such salts are sodium tripolyphosphate, sodium carbonate, sodium tetraborate, sodium pyrophosphate, potassium pyrophosphate, sodium hydrogen carbonate, potassium tripolyphosphate, sodium hexametaphosphate, sodium sesquicarbonate, sodium mono- and di-orthophosphate and potassium hydrogencarbonate 8502 423 • * 24 The alkali metal silicates are suitable builder salts which also function to provide anti-corrosive composition. for the parts of the washing machine Sodium silicates with Na2O / SiO2 ratios of 1.6 / 1 to 1 / 3.2, especially about 1/2 to 1 / 2.8, are preferred. silicates can also treat me t the same proportions are applied.

Another class of builders that can be used herein are the water-insoluble aluminum silicates, both of the crystalline and amorphous type. Several crystalline zeolites (i.e., aluminum silicates) are described in British Patent 1,504,168, U.S. Patent 4,409,136, and Canadian Patents 1,072,835 and 1,087,477. An example of applicable amorphous zeolites can be found in Belgian Patent 835,351. The zeolites generally have the formula: 15 (M00). (Al00). (SiO4) .wHO.

2 x 2 J y 2 z 2 where x equals 1, y equals 0.8 to 1.2 and preferably 1, z equals 1.5 to 3.5 or more and preferably 2 to 3 and w equals 0 to 9, preferably 2.5 to 6 and M preferably represents sodium. A typical zeolite is that of type A or like structure, with type 4A being particularly preferred. The preferred aluminum silicates have calcium ion exchange capacities of about 200 milliequivalents per gram or more, for example 400.

Other materials, such as clays, especially of the water-insoluble types, may be suitable adjuvants in compositions of this invention. Bentonite is particularly suitable.

This material is primarily montmorillonite, which is a hydrated aluminum silicate, in which about 1 / 6th of the aluminum atoms can be replaced by magnesium atoms, and with varying amounts of hydrogen, sodium, potassium, calcium, etc., can be done loosely. are combined. The bentonite, which in its more purified form (ie free from any gravel, sand, etc.) is suitable for detergents, always contains at least 50% montmorillonite and thus its cation exchange capacity is at least about 50 to 75 meq per 100 g of 35 bentonite. Particularly preferred bentonites are Wyoming or 8502423 25

Western U.S. bentonites, which were available from Georgia Kaolin Co. as Thixo gels 1, 2, 3 and 4. As disclosed in British Patent 401,413 and British Patent 461,221, these bentonites are known to soften textile materials.

Examples of organic alkaline sequestering builder salts which can be used alone or with the detergent or mixed with other organic and inorganic builders are alkali metal, ammonium or substituted ammonium aminopolycarboxylates, eg sodium and potassium ethylene diamine tetraacetate, sodium 10 and potassium nitrilotri acetates and triethanolammonium N- (2-hydroxyethyl) nitrilo diacetates. Mixed salts of these polycarboxylates are also suitable.

Other suitable organic type builders include carboxymethyl succinates, tartronates and glycolic acid salts. The polyacetal carboxylates are of particular value. The polyacetal carboxylates and their use in detergent compositions are described in U.S. Patents 4,144,226; 4,315,092 and 4,146,495. Other U.S. patents related to similar builders include Nos. 4,141,676; 4,169,934; 4,201,858; 4,204,852; 4,224,420; 4,225,685; 4,226,960; 4,233,422; 4,233,423; 4,302,564 and 4,303,777. Also, European Patent Applications Nos. 0015024; 0021491 and 0063399 on the subject.

Various other detergent additives or adjuvants may be present in the detergent product to impart desirable additional properties, whether of a functional or aesthetic nature. For example, small amounts of soil suspending or anti-redeposition agents may be included in the formulation, for example, polyvinyl alcohol, fatty acid amides, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose; optical brighteners, for example cotton, amine and polyester whiteners, for example stilbene, triazole and benzidine sulfone compositions, in particular sulfonated substituted triazinyl stilbene, sulfonated naphthotriazole stilbene, benzidine sulfon, etc., most preferred are stilbene and triazole combinations.

Bluing agents such as ultramarine blue, enzymes, preferably proteolytic enzymes such as subtilisin, bromelin, 8502 42 3 26 papain, trypsin and pepsin, as well as amylase type enzymes; bactericides, for example, tetrachlorosalicylanilide, hexachlorophene; fungicides; dyes; pigments (which are dispersible in water); preservatives; ultraviolet absorbents; anti-yellowing agents, such as sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, the complex of C 1 to C 22 alkyl alcohol with up to C 1-8 alkyl sulfate; pH modifiers and pH buffers; chlorine-safe bleaching agents, fragrance and anti-foaming agents or suds suppressants, for example silicon compounds, can also be used.

The bleaches are conveniently classified globally as chlorine-containing bleaches and oxygen-containing bleaches. Chloride-containing bleaches are typified by sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), potassium dichloroisocyanurate (with 59% available chlorine) and trichloroisocyanuric acid (85% available chlorine). Oxygen-containing bleaches are represented by sodium and potassium perborates and potassium monopersulfate. The oxygen-containing bleaches are preferred. Bleach stabilizers and / or activators as such, for example tetra-acetyl-ethylenediamine, may also be included.

The proportions of the components which may be present in the preferred total care compositions are in weight percent (of active compounds), based on the total weight of the final product, as follows; (a) nonionic detergent - about 2% to about 20%, preferably about 3% to about 10%, especially 4 to 9%; (b) quaternary ammonium compound fabric softener - about 2% to about 20%, preferably about 3% to about 16%, particularly preferably about 6 to 15%; (c) polyfunctional additive - about 0.5 to 10%, preferably about 3 to 8%; (d) amphoteric surfactant -30 to about 10%, preferably 0.1 to 5%, especially 0.5 to 4% and most especially about 1 to 3%; (e) alkali metal builder salts - about 25% to about 80%, and preferably about 25% to about 70%, and most preferably about 25 to 50%, the balance being detergent additives, fillers and moisture. Suitable areas of the detergent additives are: enzymes - 0 to 2%, especially 0.7 to 1.3%; corrosion inhibitors - about 0 to about 5%, and 8502 423 27 preferably 0.1 to 2%; anti-foaming and anti-foaming agents - 0 to 4%, preferably 0 to 3%, for example 0.1 to 3%; soil-suspending or anti-redeposition agents and anti-yellowing agents - 0 to 4%, preferably 0.5 to 3%; colorants, fragrances, whiteners and bluing agents - total weight 0% to about 2% and preferably 0% to about 1%; pH modifiers and pH buffers -0 to 5%, preferably 0 to 2%; bleach - 0% to about 40%, and preferably 0% to about 25%, for example, 2 to 20%; bleach stabilizers and bleach activators 0 to about 15%, preferably 0 to 10%, for example 0.1 to 8%. In the selection of the adjuvants, they are chosen to be compatible with the main ingredients of the detergent composition.

Although the high cloud point nonionic compounds are preferably the only detergent surfactants used in the compositions of this invention, small amounts of other surfactants, including, for example, anionic and zwitterionic compounds are also used, preferably in amounts of up to 20% by weight, in particular up to 10% by weight and particularly preferably in amounts of up to 5% by weight.

Examples of suitable anionic detergents include the water-soluble salts, for example the sodium, potassium> ammonium alkylolammonium salts of higher fatty acids, which contain about 8 to 20 carbon atoms, preferably 10 to 18 carbon atoms.

Suitable fatty acids can be obtained from oils and waxes of animal or vegetable origin, for example tallow, fat, coconut oil, tall oil and mixtures thereof. Particularly suitable are the sodium and potassium salts of the fatty acid mixtures, which are derived from coconut oil and tallow, for example sodium coconut oil soap and potassium tallow soap.

The anionic class of detergents also includes the water-soluble sulfated and sulfonated synthetic detergents with an alkyl radical of 8 to 26 and preferably about 12 to 22 carbon atoms in their molecular structure. (The term "alkyl" includes the alkyl group of the higher acyl radicals).

Examples of the sulfonated anionic detergent 8502 423 * 28 tia are the one-ring aromatic sulfonates with a high alkyl group, such as the high alkyl benzene sulfonates having 10 to 16 carbon atoms in the straight or branched chain high alkyl group, e.g. sodium , potassium and ammonium salts of high alkyl benzene sulfonates, high alkyl toluene sulfonates, high alkyl phenol sulfonates and high alkyl naphthalene sulfonates. A preferred sulfonate is linear alkyl alkyl benzene sulfonate with a high content of 3- (or higher) phenyl isomers and a correspondingly low content (well below 50%) of 2- (or lower) phenyl isomers, ie wherein the benzene ring is preferably a large proportion bonded is 10 in the 3- or higher (e.g. 4-, 5-, 6- or 7-) position of the alkyl group and the content of isomers in which the benzene ring is bound in the 2 or 1 position is correspondingly low . Particularly preferred materials are described in U.S. Patent 3,320,174.

Other suitable anionic detergents are the alkene sulfonates, including long chain olefin sulfonates, long chain hydroxy alkane sulfonates or mixtures of olefin sulfonates and hydroxyalkane sulfonates. These olefin sulfonate detergents can be prepared by baking by reacting SO 2 with long chain olefins of 8 to 25, preferably 1 2 - 21 carbon atoms, and with the formula RCH-CHR 2 wherein R is a high alkyl group is from 6 to 23 carbon atoms and R 4 represents an alkyl group of 1 to 17 carbon atoms or hydrogen to form a mixture of sultones and olefin sulfonic acids, which mixture is then treated to convert the sultones to sulfonates. Other examples of sulfate or sulfonate detergent% are alkane sulfonates having about 10-20, preferably about 15-20 carbon atoms, for example, the primary alkane sulfonates, which are prepared by reacting long chain 1-olefins and hydrogen sulfites and alkane sulfonates, wherein the sulfonate groups are distributed along the alkane chain, as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,503,280, 2,507,088, 3,260,741, 3,372,188 and German Patent 735,096; sodium and potassium sulfates of high alcohols having 8 to 18 carbon atoms, such as sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium tallow alcohol sulfate; sodium and potassium salts of α-sulfo-fatty acid esters with about 10 to 20 carbon atoms in the acyl group, for example methyl-α-sulfo-myristate and the methyl ester of α-sulfo-tallow acid, ammonium sulfates of mono- or diglycerides of high (C 1 -C 10) fatty acids, for example, stearic 1U10 acid monoglyceride monosulfate; sodium and alkyloammonium salts of alkylo-8502 423 ψ 29 kyl polyethenoxy ether sulfates, prepared by condensing 1 to 5 moles of ethylene oxide with a mole of high (C 8 -C 20 g) alcohol; sodium salts of high alkyl (C, O-C) glyceryl ether sulfonic acids; and sodium or potassium alkyl-10 µl phenol-polyethenoxy ether sulfates having about 1 to 6 oxyethylene-5 groups per molecule and wherein the alkyl moieties contain about 8 to about 12 carbon atoms.

The suitable anionic detergents also include the CO-C. acyl sarcosinates (eg sodium lauryl sarcosinate), sodium and potassium salts of the reaction product of higher fatty acids having from 8 to 18 carbon atoms in the molecule, esterified with isethionic acid, and sodium and potassium salts of the CQ-C. acyl-N-methyl taurides, for example sodium cocoyl methyl taurate and potassium stearoyl methyl taurate.

Examples of zwitterionic surfactants include the derivatives of quaternary ammonium compounds containing an aliphatic straight chain group of 14 to 18 carbon atoms and an anionic solubilizing sulfate or sulfonate group. Specific examples include 3- (N, N-dimethyl-N-hexadecyl-ammonio) -2-hydroxypropane-1-sulfateate, 3- (N, N-dimethyl-N-talloyl-ammonio) -2-hydroxypropane- 1-sulfonate and 6-N, N- (dimethyl-N-20 hexadecyl ammonio) hexanoate.

Whatever form the laundry detergent takes, its application in the washing process is essentially the same. The very small discrete composition is usually added to the wash water in an automatic washing machine, so that its concentration in the wash water can vary from about 0.05 to 1.5%, usually from 0.1 to 1.2% . The water to which it is added preferably has a medium or low hardness, for example a hardness of 30 to 120 parts per million, as calcium carbonate, but both softer and harder water can be used well. The temperature of the water can be from 20 ° C to 100 ° C, and preferably from 60 ° C to 100 ° C, in those cases where the textile or laundry is able to withstand high temperatures without deterioration or fading of dyes. When washing at a low temperature is desired, the temperature can be kept at 20 ° C to 40 ° C, under which conditions good cleaning and softening result, although the product may not be as clean as when the higher temperatures are washed.

8302 42 3 30

At the concentrations of said detergent compositions, the pH of the wash water is usually 7 to 11, preferably 8 to 10. At such pHs, the composition is effective as a detergent, not excessively harsh on the material being washed, nor for human skin, while it effectively cleanses and softens. The laundry: wash water weight ratio is usually about 1:. 4 to 1:30 or 1:10 to 1:30.

* The compositions of the present invention provide a significantly improved softening performance at wash temperatures of at least 60 ° C when compared, for example, to formulations which are identical except that the nonionic compound contained therein has a cloud point that is less than 60 ° C, and is, for example, a condensation product of a higher straight chain fatty alcohol of, for example, 12-15 carbon atoms with 7 to 13 ethylene oxide units. This effect could not be predicted from the prior art, as there was no known correlation between the cloud point of the nonionic surfactant and the softening performance.

The methods for achieving the described herein. Compositions are generally known in the art, and for this reference is made in particular to US patent 4,269,722, which describes the preparation of non-ionic powders which contain a builder and have a relatively high density, from spray-dried base beads over which a non-ionic detergent (which may contain other minor minor additives * such as colorant, fragrance, whitener, bleach, etc.) has been sprayed.

The cloud point values (in ° C) for various nonionic surfactants at 1 wt% concentrations and for mixtures of nonionic and amphoteric surfactants at 1 wt% concentrations were distilled water and in 10% NaCl and are listed below.

Non-ionic surfactant Distilled water 10% NaCl compound__ _ 35 A. C ^ 2_cj5 fatty alcohol: EO = 7: l 43 ± 2 25 B. C -C., - fatty alcohol: EO = U: l 85 ± 2 59 ± 2 12 8502423 31 c12 ~ C15-vefca ^ coho1: ^ 0 = 15: 1 \ 100 ^ 60 isoctylphenol: EO = 30: 1 100 ^ 60 nonylphenol: E0 = 20: 100 100 / nonylphenol: EO = 15; l 91 70 5 nonyl phenol: E0 = 8: l 45 ^ 30 A. + Rexoteric OASF (1: 2) 75 ± 2 50 ± 2 A. + Rexoteric OASF (4: 1) 58 ± 2 28 ± 2 A. + Rexoteric CSF (4: 1) 55 ± 2 42 ± 2 B. + Rexoteric OASF (1: 2) ^ 100 90 ± 2 10 B. + Rexoteric OASF (4: 1) 95 ± 2 85 ± 2 B. + Rexoteric CSF (4: 1) ^ 100 80 ± 2

The invention is now further illustrated by the following non-limiting examples. Unless otherwise indicated, all "parts" and "%" are by weight.

Example I

The following compositions were prepared: C (%) A (%) B (%)

Nonylphenol: E0 = 20: 1 15.0 C ^ -C ^ fatty alcohol: E0 = 11: 1 10, Q 7.5 20 Rexoteric CSF (100% active compounds) 2.5

Sodium tripolyphosphate 42.0 42.0 42.0

Dimethyldistearyl ammonium chloride (93% active compounds) 6.45 6.45 6.45 N-tallow pentamethyl propane-25 diammonium dichloride (Adogen 477) (50% active compound) 3.0 3.0 - 3.0

Minor compounds and miscellaneous (eg optical brighteners, fragrance, moisture, etc.) remainder remainder residue 30 Using 100 g of each of the compositions A, B and C, bath towels and hardened cotton terry were washed at about 60 ° C 20 liters of water.

The washed fabrics were evaluated for softness with multiple replicates by a panel of four experts after a cumulative wash. Each of the compositions were graded by quality on a scale from 1 to 10, with "10" indicating the highest quality and representing the degree of softness obtained with 8502423 32 rinse cycle softener (dimethyl distearyl). ammonium chloride). On this scale, each of the compositions A and B was rated 8-10. Composition C received a rating of 4 -.5.

Furthermore, each of the compositions A and B were evaluated for the total removal of dirt and stains from 10 different types of soiled fabrics, and found to provide comparatively excellent cleaning performance.

Example II

Each of the following compositions was compared in terms of softening performance under the same conditions as those described in Example I:

D E F G

%%%%

Nonylphenol: EO = 20: 1 15.0 ------------ 15 Sodium metasilicate 8.0 ------------

Sodium tripolyphosphate '------------ 28.0 ------------

Sodium pyrophosphate. ÏOH ^ O ----------— 23.0 ------------

Sodium orthophosphate 0.5 ------------

Nitrilotriacetate, Na salt, ------------- 8.0 ------------ 20 Dimethyl distearyl ammonium chloride (93% active compounds) 8, 0 8.0 6.45 8.0

Copolymer (dimethyldiallyl-ammonium chloride / acrylamide) (40% active compounds) 7.6 25 Adogen 477 (50% active compounds) 3.0 6.0

Minor verb, and miscellaneous ------------ rest -----------—

The following results were reported for softening performance on bath towels and hardened cotton toweling:

E significantly better than D 30 G significantly better than D

F aimed better than D.

E aim better than G G aim better than F F aim better than D.

8502423

A preferred formulation of a powdered or granular builder-containing composition of the invention for full performance is shown along with wide ranges: 33

Example III

5% Region Specific% C12-Cj ^ -Fat Alcohol: EO = 11: 1 3-15 6.0

Rexoteric CSP (100% active compounds) 0-3 1.5

Sodium tripolyphosphate 25-50 42.0

Sodium Silicate (1: 2) (40% Active Compound) 0-5 3.0 10 Ethylenediamine Tetraacetic Acid 0-1 0.45

Sodium perborate monohydrate (NaB03.H20) 0-15 13.0

Perborate Activator (TAED) 0-7 2.8

Sodium carboxymethyl cellulose 0-4 2.6 15 Optical whitening agent (Tinopal) 0.2-0.5 0.33

Enzyme (Alcalase 2T- from NOVA) 0.7-1.3 1.0

Dimethyl distearyl ammonium dichloride 5-15 8.6 N-tallow pentamethyl propane diammonium chloride 1-5 3.4 20 Inert support and flow promoter 0-5 3.0

Fragrance 0-1 0.4

Water rest rest 8502 423

Claims (15)

1. A detergent and softener-containing composition for cleaning and softening soiled fabrics in the wash cycle of a wash operation using wash water at an elevated temperature of at least 60 ° C to a maximum of 5 the boiling point of the wash water, said composition containing: (a) 1 to about 20 parts by weight of a nonionic surfactant; (b) about 2 to 20 parts by weight of a fabric softener based on a water-insoluble cationic quaternary ammonium compound; (c) about 0.5 to 10 parts by weight of a tissue substantivity enhancing polyfunctional additive selected from: (i) di-quaternary ammonium compounds, (ii) polymers of dimethyldiallyl ammonium chloride, (iii) cationic guar gum and (iv) poly (methyl vinyl ether / maleic acid); and (v) diimidazolinium compounds; (d) up to 10 parts by weight of an amphoteric surfactant; provided that the nonionic surfactant (a) alone or the combination of the nonionic surfactant (a) and the amphoteric surfactant (d) results in the composition which, when added to the wash water in a concentration of 1 wt% 25 is added, has a cloud point above the elevated temperature of the wash water. 2. The composition of claim 1, which contains on a weight basis: (a) about 1 to 15% of said nonionic surfactant, (b) about 2 to 20% of said tissue softener based of water-insoluble cationic quaternary ammonium compound, 8502423 9 (c) about 0.5 to 10% of said polyfunctional additive, the amount of (b) plus (c) being in the range of about 5 to 22%, the ratio from (b) to (c) ranges from about 10: 1 to about 1: 3.5, (d) 0 to about 10% of an amphoteric surfactant, (e) about 25 to 80% of at least least one detergent builder, (f) 0 to about 40% of a bleach, 10 (g) 0 to about 7% of a bleach activator, (h) 0 to about 4% of each of the agents: soil suspending agents, anti-redeposition agents and thickeners, (i) 0 to about 5% anti-corrosion agents, (j) 0 to about 1% organic chelating agents, (k) 0 to about 2% colorants, dyes, pigments, blueprints and optical brighteners, (l) 0 to about 2% enzymes, (m) 0 to about 0.5% fragrance 20 (n) 0 to about 10% pH modifiers and buffers, (o) 0 to about 50% inert fillers, flow promoters and carriers, and (p) about 2 to about 20% water. The composition according to claim 1 in the form of a free-flowing powder or free-flowing granules, which composition contains on a weight basis: (a) about 3 to 15% of a non-ionic surfactant with a hydrophobic group, which is condensed with alkylene oxide; (B) about 2 to 20% of a fabric softener based on water-insoluble cationic quaternary ammonium compound, which is characterized by at least two long chain aliphatic groups of 16 to 22 carbon atoms, (c) about 1 to 10% of a polyfunctional additive selected from the group of di-quaternary ammonium compounds of formula 5, 8502 423. * wherein a divalent alkyl group has from 2 to 4 carbon atoms, which group optionally contains a hydroxyl substituent; the groups are the same or different and each represents lower alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms and may optionally have a hydroxy substituent; R 1 is a straight or branched, saturated or unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbon group of 1 to about 22 carbon atoms, which hydrocarbon may be interrupted by an oxygen atom or a group -CONH-; The composition of claim 3, wherein (e) comprises; About 25 to 50% detergent builders, 0 to 5% of a corrosion inhibitor, 0 to 1% organic chelating agent, 0 to 40% oxygen based bleach, 0 to 7% bleach activator, 0 to 4% thickener and anti-redeposition agent, 0.2 to 0.5% white optical agent, 0.7 to 1.3% enzyme, 0 to 0.5% fragrance and the remainder at most about 20% moisture. The composition of claim 4, wherein (b) is dimethyl distearyl ammonium chloride. The composition of claim 1, wherein the water-insoluble cationic quaternary ammonium compound. capable of providing softening to the washed fabric is selected from the group of compounds represented by formulas 3 and 4, a0 2 4 2 3 wherein R. and R- and R- and Rr each, independently of one another, represent a 1 2 0 b aliphatic radical having 16 to 22 carbon atoms, R-, and R. and 3 4 R 4 each, independently, represent a lower alkyl radical; 5 or R-. the group -R.NH (C = 0) can be R, wherein R0 is a long chain aliphatic residue 0 7 0 O of 16 to 22 carbon atoms, and Rg represents a divalent alkyl radical of 1 to 3 carbon atoms and X represents a salt-forming anion; wherein the weight ratio of the nonionic surfactant to the cationic compound is in the range 1:10 to 5: 1. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the nonionic surfactant (a) is at least one compound selected from the group of compounds represented by the formula 1 wherein R is a primary or secondary alkyl chain with About 8 to 22 carbon atoms and n equals an average of about 3 to 30; and compounds represented by the formula 2, wherein R * represents a primary or secondary alkyl chain of 7 to 12 carbon atoms and m equals an average of about 3 to 30. A composition according to claim 7, wherein R represents an alkyl group of 12 to 15 carbon atoms and R * represents an alkyl group of 8 to 9 carbon atoms and m and n are each equal to an average of about 15 to 30. The composition of claim 8, wherein the cationic compound (b) is dimethyl distearyl ammonium chloride. The composition of claim 1, wherein the cationic compound is dimethyl distearylammonium chloride. R 1 represents a radical selected from the group of aliphatic hydrocarbon radicals which are optionally interrupted by an oxygen atom or a group -CONH- and have a total of about 8 to about 22 carbon atoms, alkylaryl radicals of about 8 to 16 carbon atoms in the alkyl portion, and aryl; and 15 X is a salt-forming anion; and polymers of dimethyldiallyl ammonium chloride, (d) 0.1 to 10% by weight of an amphoteric surfactant; wherein the amount of said amphoteric surfactant is sufficient to raise the cloud point of the nonionic compound (a) above the elevated temperatures, and (e) the remainder consisting of detergent builders, detergent adjuvants, fillers and moisture . The composition of claim 1, further comprising: at least one detergent additive selected from the group of inorganic detergent builder salts, organic detergent builder salts, soil suspending agents, anti-redeposition agents, fatty acid amides, foam suppressants, anti-foaming agents, optical brighteners, dyes, pigments, bluing agents, anti-yellowing agents, enzymes, corrosion inhibitors, pH modifiers, pH buffers, bacteria, fungicides, preservatives, bleaches 8502423 bleach stabilizers, bleach activators, fragrances and water. The composition of claim 1, comprising: at least 0.1 part of the amphoteric surfactant (d) and wherein the amphoteric surfactant is selected from the group of: 5 (1) betaine detergents of the formula 11, (2 ) alkyl-based betaine detergents, which detergents correspond to formula 13, (3) imidazoline detergents of formula 15, (4) alkyl imino propionate detergents of formula 10, 17 (5) alkyl imino dipropionate detergents with the formula 18, (6) ether-bridge alkylimino-dipropionate detergents, which detergents correspond to the formula 19, 15 (7) amphoteric coconut imidazoline-based detergents, which detergents correspond to the formula 20, ( 8) amphoteric detergents based on carboxyethylated high-fat alkyl imidazoline, which detergents correspond to formula 21; 20 and mixtures thereof, in which formulas 11, 13, 15 and 17 to 21 R 1 represents an aliphatic radical having 7 to 20 carbon atoms, each of the symbols and R 1 represents a lower alkyl group of 25 to 4 carbon atoms, and R 1 represents a divalent lower alkyl radical with 1 to 4 carbon atoms. A method for cleaning and softening dirty fabrics in washing water at a temperature of at least about 60 ° C, the method comprising: washing the fabrics in an aqueous solution of the composition according to claim 1, wherein said aqueous solution is heated to a temperature of at least 60 ° C. The method of claim 13, wherein the wash water temperature is about 100 ° C and wherein the nonionic surfactant is a condensation product of a C8-C8 alkyl phenol with about 25 to 30 moles of ethylene oxide. 8502423 15. A detergent composition for washing and softening soiled fabrics in an aqueous washing liquid at an elevated temperature in the range of 60 ° C to 100 ° C, this composition containing: 5 (a) 0.1 to 20% of at least one water-soluble nonionic surfactant of the formula 1 or 2, wherein R represents a primary or secondary alkyl chain with about 8 to 22 carbon atoms, R * represents a primary or secondary alkyl chain with about 7 to 12 carbon atoms, and n and m 10 each is equal to an average of 3 to 30; (b) 2 to 20% of at least one water-insoluble cationic quaternary ammonium compound of the formula 3 or 4 r in which each of the symbols R 1 and R 1 and R 1 and R 5 independently of one another has an aliphatic residue with long chain of 16 to 15 represents 22 carbon atoms, each of the symbols Rg and Rl and Rl independently represents a lower alkyl radical, or Rg represents the group -RqNH (C = O) Rq wherein RQ is an aliphatic long chain moiety is 9o of 16 to 22 carbon atoms and Rg represents a divalent alkyl moiety of 1 to 3 carbon atoms and X is a salt-forming anion; (C) about 0.5 to 10% of a polyfunctional additive selected from the group of di-quaternary ammonium compounds of formula 7 wherein Rg is a straight or branched chain saturated or unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbon group having about 12 to about 25 carbon atoms; Rg represents a divalent alkyl group of 2 to 4 carbon atoms; the groups R ^ Q, R ^ are the same or different from each other and each represents a lower alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms; and X is a salt-forming anion; and polymers of dimethyldiallyl ammonium chloride; (d) at least one amphoteric surfactant in an amount of 0.1 to 10% such that the composition has a cloud point above the elevated temperature; and (e) as a residue: detergent buffers, detergent adjuvants, inert materials and water. 3302423