U.S. patent application number 10/829110 was filed with the patent office on 2005-10-20 for fabric treatment for stain release.
Invention is credited to Buskirk, Gregory van, Casella, Victor M., DeLeo, Malcolm, Kaaret, Thomas Walter, Mills, Scott C., Rodriguez, Cheryl H..
Application Number | 20050229327 10/829110 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35094697 |
Filed Date | 2005-10-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050229327 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Casella, Victor M. ; et
al. |
October 20, 2005 |
Fabric treatment for stain release
Abstract
A fabric treatment composition that includes a hydrophobic agent
with a melting point or glass transition temperature below
100.degree. C. and optionally, a fluoropolymer, that imparts fabric
protection benefits, including improved stain and soil resistance,
oil repellency, water repellency, softness, wrinkle and damage
resistance, and better handfeel to treated fabrics. Compositions
may further include a zeta potential modifier in an amount
sufficient to adjust the zeta potential of the composition to be
positive and greater, than zero millivolts. The composition can be
used as a pretreatment prior to drying or ironing, through soaking
or direct spray application, or used prior to or during the drying
cycle of an automatic drying machine or clothing refresher machine,
or used prior to or in conjunction with an ironing device. The
fabric treatment is complete when the fabric treated by contact
with the protective composition is then cured by drying and/or
heating. The invention further includes a kit providing a means for
convenient dispensing of the protective composition to effect
treatment and curing of fabric articles.
Inventors: |
Casella, Victor M.;
(Pleasanton, CA) ; Kaaret, Thomas Walter;
(Pleasanton, CA) ; Mills, Scott C.; (Pleasanton,
CA) ; Buskirk, Gregory van; (Pleasanton, CA) ;
DeLeo, Malcolm; (Pleasanton, CA) ; Rodriguez, Cheryl
H.; (Pleasanton, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
THE CLOROX COMPANY
1221 BROADWAY PO BOX 2351
OAKLAND
CA
94623
US
|
Family ID: |
35094697 |
Appl. No.: |
10/829110 |
Filed: |
April 20, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
8/115.51 |
Current CPC
Class: |
D06M 15/263 20130101;
D06M 2200/10 20130101; D06L 1/00 20130101; D06M 15/267 20130101;
C11D 3/0015 20130101; D06M 23/00 20130101; D06M 13/02 20130101;
C11D 3/3749 20130101; D06M 23/06 20130101; D06M 15/227 20130101;
D06M 13/477 20130101; D06M 13/46 20130101; C11D 17/041 20130101;
D06M 15/256 20130101; D06M 15/285 20130101; D06M 15/277 20130101;
D06M 13/463 20130101; D06M 15/3562 20130101; D06M 13/473 20130101;
D06M 2200/11 20130101; D06M 13/467 20130101; D06M 23/02 20130101;
D06M 2200/12 20130101; D06M 23/10 20130101; D06M 15/61 20130101;
D06M 13/47 20130101; D06M 15/05 20130101; D06M 15/6436
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
008/115.51 |
International
Class: |
D06M 010/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method of increasing the fabric protective properties of a
fabric that comprises the steps of: (a) depositing a composition
onto the fabric wherein the composition comprises a hydrophobic
agent having a melting point or glass transition temperature of
less than 100.degree. C.; and (b) curing said fabric at a
temperature above ambient temperature and less than 100.degree.
C.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the composition further includes a
fluoropolymer.
3. The method of claim 1 or 2 wherein the composition further
includes an effective amount of a zeta potential modifier so that
the composition has a zeta potential that is positive and greater
than zero millivolts
4. The method of claim 3 wherein the composition has a zeta
potential of less than about +150 millivolts.
5. The method of claim 3 wherein the composition has a zeta
potential of less than about +100 millivolts.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein the composition further includes a
liquid carrier comprising an aqueous solvent, non-aqueous solvent,
and mixtures thereof.
7. The method of claim 6 wherein said aqueous solvent comprises
water.
8. The method of claim 6 wherein said non-aqueous solvent comprises
a low molecular weight organic solvent, a monohydric alcohol, a
polyhydric alcohol, a glycol, a glycol ether, and mixtures
thereof.
9. The method of claim 1 wherein said step (a) is achieved through
the use of one or more of a dispensing device, a bottle, a spray
bottle, a dosing container, a water soluble or water insoluble
sachet, a water soluble or water insoluble package, a spray or
aerosol producing device, an absorbent matrix, a motion-powered,
heat-powered, battery-powered or mechanically-powered dispensing
device, an ironing device with liquid reservoir, any one of which
initially retains and subsequently releases said composition so as
to provide deposition of said composition onto said fabric.
10. The method of claim 1 wherein said steps (a) and (b) are
achieved simultaneously.
11. The method of claim 10 wherein said steps occur simultaneously
within the drum of a dryer machine.
12. The method of claim 1 wherein step (b) comprises drying the
fabric at a temperature above about 45.degree. C. and less than
100.degree. C.
13. The method of claim 1 wherein said step (b) is achieved by
first drying the fabric at around ambient temperature, followed by
heating the fabric to a temperature above ambient temperature and
less than 100.degree. C.
14. The method of claim 1 wherein said step (b) is achieved by use
of any one of an iron, a heat lamp, a radiator, heated air, an
infrared heat source, a microwave source, steam, a steam press,
heated water vapor, a blow dryer, a tumble dryer, a garment
refresher device, a heating device, and any combination thereof,
and in any order of use thereof.
15. The method of claim 1 wherein said step (a) saturates said
fabric with said composition.
16. The method of claim 1 wherein said step (a) uniformly coats the
surface of said fabrics without saturating said fabric.
17. The method of claim 1 wherein said composition further
comprises an additive selected from the group consisting of
emulsifiers, pH adjusters, silicones, non-ionic surfactants,
cationic surfactants, amphoteric surfactants, zwitterionic
surfactants, anionic surfactants, soil release agents, soil release
polymers, antistatic agents, fragrances, fragrance extenders,
antimicrobial actives, preservatives, dyes, colorants, viscosity
control agents, antifoaming agents, pearlizing agents, opacifying
agents, antioxidants, sunscreens, dye transfer inhibitors, dye
fixative agents, dispersants, chlorine scavengers, wetting agents,
electrolytes, enzymes, bleaching agents, brighteners, heavy metal
chelating agents, fabric softener actives, soil suspending agents,
soil release agents, and mixtures thereof.
18. The method of claim 1 wherein the fabric is selected from the
group consisting of natural fibers, synthetic fibers, and mixtures
thereof.
19. The method of claim 18 wherein the natural fibers comprise
cellulose, cotton, wool and fur and mixtures thereof.
20. The method of claim 18 wherein the natural fibers comprise
cotton.
21. The method of claim 18 wherein the synthetic fibers are
selected from the group consisting of polyester, polyamide, nylon
and mixtures thereof.
22. The method of claim 1 wherein said hydrophobic agent is 0.5 to
60 weight % of the composition.
23. The method of claim 1 wherein said hydrophobic agent is at
least partly insoluble in water at a temperature of about
20.degree. C.
24. The method of claim 1 or 23 wherein said hydrophobic agent is
selected from the group consisting of hydrophobic waxes, polymers
produced from ethylenically unsaturated monomers, low molecular
weight polyethylene, low density polyethylene, polypropylene,
oxidized polyethylene, oxidized polypropylene, polyolefin,
polyurethane, ethyl vinyl acetate, polyvinyl chloride, co-polymers,
and emulsifiable waxes.
25. The method of claim 6 wherein said liquid carrier is an aqueous
solvent which is between 10 weight % and 90 weight % of the
composition.
26. The method of claim 6 wherein said liquid carrier is a
non-aqueous solvent which is between 10 weight % and 90 weight % of
the composition.
27. The method of claim 2 wherein said fluoropolymer is 0.1 to 60
weight % of the composition.
28. The method of claim 3 wherein said zeta potential modifier is
0.1 to 30 weight % of the composition.
29. The method of claim 3 wherein said zeta potential modifier is a
cationic material.
30. The method of claim 29 wherein said cationic material is a
cationic surfactant selected from the group consisting of mono and
di-methyl fatty amines, alkyl trimethyl ammonium salts, dialkyl
dimethyl ammonium salts, alkyl amine acetates, trialkylammonium
acetates, alkyldimethylbenzyl ammonium salts, dialkylmethylbenzyl
ammonium salts, alkylpyridinium halide and alkyl (alkyl
substituted) pyridinium salts, alkylthiomethylpyridinium salts,
alkylamidomethylpyridinium salts, alkylquinolinium salts,
alkylisoquinolinium salts, N,N-alkylmethylpyrollidinium salts,
1,1-dialkylpiperidinium salts, 4,4-dialkylthiomorpholinium salts,
4,4-dialkylthiomorpholinium-1-oxide salts, methyl bis(alkyl
ethyl)-2-alkyl imidazolinium methyl sulfate (and other salts),
methyl bis(alkylamido ethyl)-2-hydroxyethyl ammonium methyl sulfate
(and other salts), alkylamidopropyl-dimethylbenzyl ammonium salts,
carboxyalkyl-alkyldimethyl ammonium salts, alkylamine oxides,
alkyldimethyl amine oxides, poly(vinylmethylpyridinium) salts,
poly(vinylpyridine) salts, polyethyleneimines, trialkyl phosphonium
bicarbonates (and other salts), trialkylmethyl phosphonium salts,
alkylethylmethylsulfonium salts, and alkyldimethylsulfoxonium
salts.
31. The method of claim 29 wherein said cationic material is
selected from the group consisting of cationically modified
materials including cationically modified organic polymers,
biopolymers, clays, silicas, nanoparticles, and mixtures
thereof.
32. The method of claim 2 wherein the composition further comprises
an additive selected from the group consisting of emulsifiers, pH
adjusters, silicones, non-ionic surfactants, cationic surfactants,
amphoteric surfactants, zwitterionic surfactants, anionic
surfactants, soil release agents, soil release polymers, antistatic
agents, fragrances, fragrance extenders, antimicrobial actives,
preservatives, dyes, colorants, viscosity control agents,
antifoaming agents, pearlizing agents, opacifying agents,
antioxidants, sunscreens, dye transfer inhibitors, dye fixative
agents, dispersants, chlorine scavengers, wetting agents,
electrolytes, enzymes, bleaching agents, brighteners, heavy metal
chelating agents, fabric softener actives, soil suspending agents,
soil release agents, and mixtures thereof.
33. The method of claim 2 wherein the composition comprises: (i)
0.1 to 60 weight % of said fluoropolymer; and (ii) 0.5 to 60 weight
% of said hydrophobic agent.
34. The method of claim 33 wherein the composition further
comprises 10 to 90 weight % of a liquid carrier.
35. The method of claim 3 wherein the composition comprises: (i)
0.1 to 60 weight % of said fluoropolymer; (ii) 0.5 to 60 weight %
of said hydrophobic agent; and (iii) 0.1 to 30 weight % said zeta
potential modifier.
36. The method of claim 35 wherein the composition further
comprises 10 to 90 weight % of a liquid carrier.
37. A method of increasing the water repellency properties of a
fabric that comprises the steps of: (a) depositing a composition
onto the fabric wherein the composition comprises a hydrophobic
agent having a melting point or glass transition temperature of
less than 100.degree. C.; and (b) curing said fabric at a
temperature above ambient temperature but less than 100.degree. C.,
wherein increasing the water repellancy of said fabric comprises
increasing the initial water contact angle to an angle greater than
0 degrees.
38. The method of claim 37 wherein said initial water contact angle
is greater than 30 degrees.
39. The method of claim 37 wherein said initial water contact angle
is greater than 70 degrees.
40. The method of claim 37 wherein said initial water contact angle
is greater than 100 degrees.
41. A method of increasing the oil repellency properties of a
fabric that comprises the steps of: (a) depositing a composition
onto the fabric wherein the composition comprises a hydrophobic
agent having a melting point or glass transition temperature of
less than 100.degree. C., a fluoropolymer; and (b) curing said
fabric at a temperature above ambient temperature but less than
100.degree. C., wherein increasing the oil repellancy of said
fabric comprises increasing the initial oil contact angle to an
angle greater than 0 degrees.
42. The method of claim 41 wherein said initial oil contact angle
is greater than 30 degrees.
43. The method of claim 41 wherein said initial oil contact angle
is greater than 40 degrees.
44. The method of claim 41 wherein said initial oil contact angle
is greater than 70 degrees.
45. The method of claim 1 wherein said fabric protective properties
of the fabric are increased without effectively decreasing the
breathability of said fabric.
46. The method of claim 45 wherein said breathability of the fabric
is not decreased below about 0.40 Grams of Water in Column as
measured by the breathability test described herein.
47. The method of claim 2 wherein said fabric protective properties
increased by said method comprise increasing both the initial water
contact angle and the initial oil contact angle to angles both
greater than 0 degrees.
48. The method of claim 47 wherein said initial water contact angle
is greater than 30 degrees and said initial oil contact angle is
greater than 30 degrees.
49. The method of claim 47 wherein said initial water contact angle
is greater than 70 degrees and said initial oil contact angle is
greater than 40 degrees.
50. The method of claim 47 wherein said initial water contact angle
is greater than 100 degrees and said initial oil contact angle is
greater than 70 degrees.
51. The method of claim 2 wherein said fabric protective properties
further comprise improved handfeel, improved softness and improved
resistance to damage.
52. The method of claim 2 wherein said fabric protective properties
increased by said method comprise increasing soil, stain and
particulate soil repellency, and combinations thereof.
53. The method of claim 2 wherein said fabric protective properties
of the fabric are increased without effectively decreasing the
breathability of said fabric.
54. The method of claim 53 wherein said breathability of the fabric
is not decreased below about 0.40 Grams of Water in Column.
55. A method of treating a fabric in a tumble dryer machine to
increase the fabric protective properties of said fabric,
comprising the steps of: (a) depositing a composition onto the
fabric wherein the composition comprises a hydrophobic agent having
a melting point or glass transition temperature of less than
100.degree. C.; and (b) curing said fabric at a temperature above
ambient temperature but less than 100.degree. C.; wherein said
composition optionally includes a fluoropolymer, and wherein said
fabric protective properties comprise increased water repellancy,
increased oil repellancy, improved handfeel, improved softness,
improved resistance to damage, and any combination thereof.
56. The method of claim 55 wherein the composition further
comprises a liquid carrier selected from the group consisting of an
aqueous solvent, water, a non-aqueous solvent, a low molecular
weight organic solvent, a monohydric alcohol, a polyhydric alcohol,
a glycol, a glycol ether, and mixtures thereof.
57. The method of claim 55 wherein said composition further
comprises an additive selected from the group consisting of
emulsifiers, pH adjusters, silicones, non-ionic surfactants,
cationic surfactants, amphoteric surfactants, zwitterionic
surfactants, anionic surfactants, soil release agents, soil release
polymers, antistatic agents, fragrances, fragrance extenders,
antimicrobial actives, preservatives, dyes, colorants, viscosity
control agents, antifoaming agents, pearlizing agents, opacifying
agents, antioxidants, sunscreens, dye transfer inhibitors, dye
fixative agents, dispersants, chlorine scavengers, wetting agents,
electrolytes, enzymes, bleaching agents, brighteners, heavy metal
chelating agents, fabric softener actives, soil suspending agents,
soil release agents, and mixtures thereof.
58. A kit for treating a fabric to increase the fabric protective
properties comprising: (a) a composition; (b) a dispensing device
for depositing said composition onto said fabric; and (c)
instructions for treating said fabric, wherein said composition
comprises a hydrophobic agent having a melting point or glass
transition temperature of less than 100.degree. C., and wherein
said instructions include the steps of depositing said composition
onto said fabric and curing said fabric at a temperature sufficient
to effect a fabric protective benefit to said fabric.
59. The kit of claim 58 wherein said composition further comprises
a fluoropolymer.
60. The kit of claim 58 wherein said composition further comprises
a zeta potential modifier.
61. The kit of claim 58 wherein said dispensing device is selected
from the group consisting of a spray bottle, a dosing container, a
water soluble or water insoluble sachet, a water soluble or water
insoluble package, a spray or aerosol producing device, an
absorbent matrix, a motion-powered, heat-powered, battery-powered
or mechanically-powered dispensing device, an ironing device with
liquid reservoir, any one of which provides release of the
composition onto said fabric.
62. The kit of claim 58 wherein said dispensing device operates
within the drum of a tumble dryer machine to effectively dispense
said treatment composition onto said fabric.
63. The kit of claim 62 wherein said dispensing device may be used
a plurality of times according to said instructions to treat a
plurality of fabric articles.
64. The kit of claim 62 wherein said dispensing device comprises a
disposable dispensing container, an absorbent matrix, or
combination thereof, wherein said dispensing device contains said
composition, wherein said instructions include the step of using
said dispensing device a single time to treat a plurality of fabric
articles.
65. The kit of claim 58 wherein said dispensing device is selected
from the group consisting of an absorbent matrix releasably
saturated with said treatment, a motion, heat, battery or
mechanically powered dispensing device, a container with one or
more dispensing orifices, a spray device, a dosing device, any one
of which effectively dispenses said treatment composition onto said
fabric during tumbling within the drum of a tumble dryer
machine.
66. The kit of claim 58 wherein said dispensing device is manually
operated to effect dispensing of a spray, mist, aerosol, vapor or
fine droplets of said composition onto said fabric.
67. The kit of claim 58 wherein said dispensing device is an
absorbent matrix releasably saturated with said composition,
wherein said instructions include the step of placing said
absorbent matrix into the drum of a tumble dryer machine for
treating said fabric.
68. The kit of claim 58 wherein said composition further comprises
an additive selected from the group consisting of emulsifiers, pH
adjusters, silicones, non-ionic surfactants, cationic surfactants,
amphoteric surfactants, zwitterionic surfactants, anionic
surfactants, soil release agents, soil release polymers, antistatic
agents; fragrances, fragrance extenders, antimicrobial actives,
preservatives, dyes, colorants, viscosity control agents,
antifoaming agents, pearlizing agents, opacifying agents,
antioxidants, sunscreens, dye transfer inhibitors, dye fixative
agents, dispersants, chlorine scavengers wetting agents,
electrolytes, enzymes, bleaching agents, brighteners, heavy metal
chelating agents, fabric softener actives, soil suspending agents,
soil release agents, and mixtures thereof.
69. The kit of claim 58 wherein said composition further comprises
a liquid carrier selected from the group consisting of an aqueous
solvent, water, a non-aqueous solvent, a low molecular weight
organic solvent, a monohydric alcohol, a polyhydric alcohol, a
glycol, a glycol ether, and mixtures thereof.
70. The kit of claim 58 wherein said instructions include the step
of dispensing said composition into an internal reservoir of a
treatment device that includes means to dispense said composition
to effect treating of said fabric.
71. The kit of claim 70 wherein said treatment device with internal
reservoir and dispensing means is selected from the group
consisting of a dryer, a tumble dryer, a garment refresher device,
an ironing device, a fabric press, a steaming device and a hand
held iron.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
application filed Apr. 9, 2002, Ser. No. 60/371,452, which is
hereby incorporated by reference, and of U.S. patent application
filed Jan. 8, 2003, Ser. No. 10/338,350, which is hereby
incorporated by reference, and of U.S. patent application filed
Mar. 22, 2004, Ser. No. 10/806,850, which is hereby incorporated by
reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a fabric treatment
composition for imparting fabric protection benefits, including
stain and soil resistance, oil repellency, water repellency,
softness, wrinkle and damage resistance, and improved handfeel. The
composition can be used as a pretreatment prior to washing, through
soaking or direct spray application, or added to a treatment cycle,
such as the wash or rinse cycle of an automatic washing machine, or
used prior to or during the drying cycle of an automatic drying
machine or refresher machine, or used prior to or in conjunction
with an ironing device. The fabric treatment is complete when the
fabric is cured by drying and/or heating. The invention further
includes a kit providing a means for convenient dispensing of the
protective composition to effect treatment and curing of fabric
articles within the drum of a tumble dryer machine.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Most textile treatment agents for stain release, water
repellency and oil repellency currently require industrial baths
with high concentrations of chemicals followed by curing at high
temperatures (substantially above 100.degree. C.) often in
commercial drying ovens. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,251,210 to
Bullock et al. discloses a dual system consisting of a first
treatment with at least 5 weight % fluorochemical textile agent
followed by at least one secondary treatment with at least 4 weight
% fluorochemical textile agent. The textile agent comprises, in
addition to the fluorochemical, a urethane latex, a compatible
acrylate latex and a cross-linking resin. The first treatment uses
a low solids latex having a glass transition temperature from
10.degree. C. to 35.degree. C. The second treatment is a high
solids latex having the consistency of wood glue or wallpaper
paste, applied to one side of the fabric, and having a glass
transition temperature from -40.degree. C. to -10.degree. C. This
combined commercial treatment system is to produce a fabric that is
liquid repellent, stain resistant, and is easy to handle.
[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 5,047,065 to Vogel et al. describes the
combination of a perfluoroaliphatic group-bearing water/oil
repellent agent dispersion, an emulsifiable polyethylene
dispersion, and a soft-hand extender based on a modified hydrogen
alkyl polysiloxane. The compositions are padded onto fabric at a
concentration of 70-150 g/L and then cured at 150.degree. C.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 5,019,281 to Singer et al. describes the
combination of a water-soluble C.sub.9-C.sub.24 quaternary ammonium
salts of alkyl phosphonic acid, a separate C.sub.12-C.sub.24
quaternary ammonium compound, and a dispersed polyethylene wax. The
compositions are padded onto fabric at a concentration of 30 g/L
and then cured at 110.degree. C. U.S. Pat. No. 5,153,046 to Murphy
describes the combination of fluorochemical textile antisoilant,
lubricant, and combination of cationic and nonionic surfactants.
The compositions are intended for commercial application to nylon
yarns.
[0006] Water-proofing has traditionally been performed with
solvent-based wax and wax-like coating commonly using paraffin wax,
chlorinated paraffin waxes, and ethylene/vinyl acetate waxes such
as those materials cited in U.S. Pat. No. 4,027,062 to Englebrecht
et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 4,833,006 to McKinney et al. It is also
possible to make fabrics liquid resistant by using silicone
materials commonly known in the art.
[0007] Some technologies have been developed to provide a fabric
benefit on direct application or as an ironing aid. For example,
U.S. Pat. No. 5,532,023 to Vogel et al. describes the post-wash use
of silicones and film-forming polymer for use on damp or dry
clothing to relax wrinkles. The composition is sprayed on the
fabric and then ironed or stretched by hand for wrinkle reduction
benefit. There is no indication that the composition can be applied
in the wash.
[0008] Products that are applied directly on the fabric, for
instance by spraying followed by curing with an iron or in a hot
dryer at high temperatures, such as above 100.degree. C., suffer
several disadvantages. Usually, a thick or uneven coat results,
which gives areas of incomplete oil and water repellency and a
fabric hand feel that lacks softness. These products can also
decrease the porosity of fabric, resulting in uncomfortable
conditions for the wearer during use. An additional drawback of
direct application products is that they cannot be used on fabrics
that are already stained or soiled because they lock in stains and
soils.
[0009] Fluoropolymers and hydrophobic agents have previously been
suggested for laundry use. U.S. Pat. No. 6,075,003 to Haq et al.
disclose the use of fluoropolymers with cationic fabric softeners.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,910,557 to Audenaert et. al. discloses the use of
fluorochemical polyurethane compounds to impart oil and water
repellency. These patents do not suggest the additional use of
hydrophobic agents with fluoropolymers in the wash for combined oil
and water repellency, while maintaining a soft hand. The use of
generally less expensive hydrophobic agents, such as wax, allows
products whose value is more acceptable to the consumer.
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 6,180,740 to Fitzgerald describes an aqueous
emulsion containing a fluorocopolymer composition that provides
oil- and water-repellency to textiles. The composition is
apparently stable under conditions of high alkalinity, high anionic
concentration, and/or high shear conditions. The stability of
emulsions having either positive or negative zeta potentials is
said to be achieved by controlling the relative amounts of cationic
and anionic surfactants. Emulsions with a positive zeta potential
are desirable for applications where the emulsion is used to apply
a coating to textile fabrics, which are typically anionic in
character. Fabric treatment requires drying at relative high
temperatures of between 110.degree. C. to 190.degree. C.
[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 6,379,753 to Soane et al. describes methods
for modifying textile materials to render them, for example, water
repellant by covalently bonding multifunctional molecules to the
textile material. The multifunctional molecules are polymers with
plural functional groups or regions, such as binding groups,
hydrophobic groups, and hydrophilic groups and oleophobic
groups.
[0012] As can be seen there is a need for a product that offers the
controlled and even coating of commercial treatment operations with
the convenience and ease of home use. Additionally the coating
should be cured at temperatures that are attainable in commonly
available residential dryers as curing at high temperatures makes
the coating excessively durable typically resulting in an
unfavorable handfeel owing to excessive build up over numerous
treatment cycles. Furthermore, the reduced temperature curing
results in not only improved handfeel, it allows for an easily
reversible and/or removable coating. Such a transient coating
reduces coating build up over multiple applications or treatments
that result in poor handfeel, and also reduces the potential for
leaving a visible residue or causing an undesirable changes in
appearance, such as yellowing or discoloration of white or lighted
colored fabrics. The product should also not lock in pre-existing
stains or soils and thereby ruin fabrics, including clothes.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] The present invention is based in part on the discovery that
compositions containing a hydrophobic agent and an optional
fluoropolymer when applied to fabrics and cured by drying and/or
heating will impart numerous fabric protection benefits, including
stain resistance, oil repellency, water repellency, softness,
wrinkle and damage resistance, and improved handfeel. Fabric
protection benefits include minimizing fiber wear (e.g., retaining
fiber tensile strength), maintaining fabric appearance by reducing
fiber pilling, and/or reducing color loss, and/or inhibiting the
deposition of fugitive dyes onto the fabric during a washing
process. These benefits, individually and collectively, increase
the useful longevity of the treated garment or fabric. Fabric
treatment compositions may also include a zeta potential
modifier.
[0014] In one aspect, the invention is directed to a method of
increasing the fabric protection properties of a fabric that
includes the steps of:
[0015] (a) depositing a composition onto the fabric wherein the
composition comprises at least one hydrophobic agent having a
melting point or glass transition temperature of less than
100.degree. C.; optionally a fluoropolymer, and
[0016] (b) curing said fabric at a temperature above ambient but
less than 100.degree. C.
[0017] In a further aspect, the invention is directed to a
composition for textile treatment that includes:
[0018] a hydrophobic agent having a melting point or glass
transition temperature of less than 100.degree. C.;
[0019] a fluoropolymer; and
[0020] a carrier.
[0021] In a further aspect, the invention is directed to a
composition for textile treatment that includes:
[0022] a hydrophobic agent having a melting point or glass
transition temperature of less than 100.degree. C.;
[0023] a fluoropolymer; and
[0024] an effective amount of at least one zeta potential modifier
so that the composition has a zeta potential that is positive and
greater than zero millivolts.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0025] Fabric treatment compositions of the present invention
generally comprise (i) a hydrophobic agent having a melting point
or glass transition temperature of less than 100.degree. C., (ii)
an optional fluoropolymer, and (iii) a carrier. Compositions are
aqueous systems that may optionally include an zeta potential
modifier, and may optionally include an organic solvent.
[0026] As further described herein the presence of at least one
zeta potential modifier is preferred when the composition is used
in conjunction with or following laundering with detergent.
However, the potential modifier is not necessary when the fabric
treatment composition is used to pretreat or treat a fabric by
direct application or through a treatment liquor in which the
inventive fabric treatment composition is used in the absence of
any other treatments such as a presoak composition, laundry
additive or detergent. Hence, the zeta potential modifier is not
necessary under these preceding conditions to impart the desirable
fabric protection benefits, including stain resistance, oil
repellency, water repellency, softness, wrinkle and damage
resistance, and improved handfeel. All percentages specified herein
are based on weight unless noted otherwise.
[0027] Fluoropolymer
[0028] According to the present invention, the fluoropolymers as
prepared may contain some amount of surfactants, especially
mixtures of cationic and nonionic surfactants, but usually the
amounts are small. A preferred range for fluoropolymers is 0.5 to
60%, more preferred is 1 to 40%, and further preferred is 5 to
30%.
[0029] The fluoropolymers employed in the present invention can be
water insoluble oily soil repellents and may have one or more
fluoroaliphatic radicals, and/or one or more perfluoroalkyl
radicals and/or partially or fully fluorinated radical
substituents. They can be nonionic in that they do not contain an
ionized functional group such as a quaternary ammonium group. They
can be cationic in that they contain an ionized or ionizable
functional group, such as a quaternary ammonium group in the first
instance, or a tertiary amine which is protonatable to provide for
a positive charge center. They can be zwitterionic in that they
have both cationic and anionic groups present, suitably with the
number of cationic and anionic groups present being essentially
equivalent in number to provide an overall net nonionic property to
the fluoropolymer, and also suitably with the number of cationic
and anionic groups present being essentially non-equivalent in
number to provide an overall net positive or cationic charge to the
fluoropolymer. Useful classes of the fluoropolymers are the
fluorocarbonylimino biurets, the fluoroesters, the fluoroester
carbamates, and the fluoropolymers. The class of
fluorocarbonylimino biurets is represented by U.S. Pat. No.
4,958,039 to Pechhold, which is incorporated herein by reference.
The class of fluorocarbonylimino biurets is particularly useful
because of the outstanding antisoilant protection it provides. The
class of fluoroesters is represented by U.S. Pat. No. 3,923,715 to
Dettre et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 4,029,585 to Dettre et al., which
are incorporated herein by reference. These patents disclose
perfluoroalkyl esters of carboxylic acids of 3 to 30 carbon atoms.
An example is the citric acid ester of perfluoroalkyl aliphatic
alcohols such as a mixture of 2-perfluoroalkyl ethanols containing
8 to 16 carbon atoms. The class of fluoroester carbamates is also
disclosed in aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 4,029,585. The class of
fluoropolymers is represented by U.S. Pat. No. 3,645,989 to Tandy
and U.S. Pat. No. 3,645,990 to Raynolds, which are incorporated
herein by reference. The patents describe, respectively,
fluorinated polymers from acrylic and methacrylic derived
fluoro-substituted monomers and methyl acrylate or ethyl acrylate,
optionally with small amounts of other monomers.
[0030] A useful fluoropolymer is the terpolymer formed by
polymerization of an aliphatic or aromatic alpha olefin or an alkyl
vinyl ether, a non-hydrolyzable perfluoroalkyl substituted monomer
and maleic anhydride as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,245,116 to
Pechhold et al which is incorporated herein by reference. Useful
fluoropolymers are ZONYL 8412 and ZONYL RN available from
Ciba-Geigy; SCOTCHGARD FC 255, SCOTCHGARD FC 214-230, FLUORAD
series, such as FLUORAD FC 129, available from the 3M Corporation
(Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company, St. Paul, Minn.); and
TEFLON RN, TEFLON 8070, and TEFLON 8787, available from Dupont.
Additional useful fluoropolymers include ZONYL 7950, ZONYL 5180,
ZONYL 6885, ZONYL 7910, ZONYL 6700, ZONYL 8300, ZONYL 6991, ZONYL
310 and ZONYL NWG, all from Dupont. Useful fluoropolymers also
include fluoropolymers available from Asahi Glass, Atochem
(Atofina), Daikin, Clariant, Goldschmidt, Hoechst Celanese,
Mitsubishi, Peach State Laboratories, Shaw Industries and
Trichromatic Carpet. Examples include the FOMBLIN FE-20 series of
aqueous based perfluoro polyether microemulsions (available from
Ausimont USA, Thorofare, N.J.), fluoropolymer emulsion 3310, 3311
and Unidyne.RTM. TG-532 (available from Daikin Industries Ltd.,
Japan), fluoropolymer emulsions NUVA 5006, NUVA LB Liquid, NUVA LC
Liquid (available from Clariant Corporation, Charlotte, N.C.),
fluoropolymer REPEARL F-45 (available from Mitsubishi International
Corporation, NY) and MYAFIX WS and MYAFIX EX.WS (available from
Peach State Labs, Rome, Ga.). Other examples include NUVA FT
fluorochemical acrylate polymer (available from Clariant
Corporation), SHAWGUARD 353 fluoroalkyl acrylate copolymer
(available from Shaw Industries, Inc.) and BARTEX TII, BARTEX MAC,
both fluoroalkyl acrylate polymers (available from Trichromatic
Carpets, Inc., Quebec, Canada).
[0031] Highly preferred materials of this class of fluoropolymers
are those that do not cause any significant color change, nor
impart any discoloration, such as graying or yellowing, to the
fabrics to which they are applied, either during treatment followed
by drying and/or curing, or after the drying and/or curing step
followed by normal exposure to the elements, such as air, moisture
or sunlight exposure.
[0032] Hydrophobic Agent
[0033] A preferred range for hydrophobic agents is 0.5 to 60%, more
preferred is 1 to 40%, and further preferred is 5 to 30%.
[0034] The hydrophobic agent compounds of the invention include
those which are at least partly insoluble in water at a temperature
of 20.degree. C. and which have a melting point or glass transition
temperature below 100.degree. C. and preferably between about
45.degree. C. to below 100.degree. C. Suitable hydrophobic agents
include hydrophobic polymer, copolymers, and copolymers containing
hydrophobic monomers. Suitable hydrophobic agents include
hydrophobic waxes, including, but not limited to paraffin waxes.
The paraffin waxes suitable for use in accordance with the
invention are generally complex mixtures without a clear-cut
melting point. For characterization purposes, their melting range
is normally determined by differential thermoanalysis (DTA), as
described in "The Analyst" 87 (1962), 420, and/or by their
solidification point. This is understood to be the temperature at
which the wax changes from a liquid into a solid state through slow
cooling. According to the invention, both paraffins can be
completely liquid at room temperature, i.e. those with a
solidification point below 25.degree. C., and paraffins solid at
room temperature may be used. The paraffin wax is preferably solid
at room temperature and can be present in completely liquid form at
100.degree. C. Suitable paraffin waxes for use in accordance with
the invention may be obtained, for example, under the name of
LUNAFLEX from Fuller and under the name of DEAWAX from DEA
Mineralol AG.
[0035] Other suitable hydrophobic agents are produced from
ethylenically unsaturated monomers. Examples of such monomers are
styrene, acrylic acid or methacrylic acid esters of aliphatic
C.sub.1 to C.sub.18 alcohols, acrylonitrile, vinyl acetate, acrylic
acid and methacrylic acid. Poly(meth)acrylates of two or more of
these monomers, which may optionally contain other monomers in
small quantities, are particularly preferred. Most particularly
preferred polymers contain 1 to 30 parts by weight of monomers
containing carboxylic acid groups; 30 to 70 parts by weight of
monomers which form homopolymers having glass temperatures below
20.degree. C., preferably esters of acrylic acid with C.sub.1 to
C.sub.18 alcohols and/or methacrylic acid with C.sub.1 to C.sub.18
alcohols; and 30 to 70 parts by weight of monomers which form
homopolymers having glass transition temperatures above room
temperature, preferably methacrylic acid esters of C.sub.1 to
C.sub.3 alcohols or styrene. Examples of such polymers include the
following commercial products that are available as dispersions:
SYNTRAN 1501 (Interpolymer), PRIMAL 644 (Rohm & Haas), NEOCRYL
A 1049 (ICI). Other preferred polymers include low molecular weight
(below 500,000) polyethylene, low density polyethylene,
polypropylene, polyolefin, polyurethane, ethyl vinyl acetate,
polyvinyl chloride, and co-polymers.
[0036] Another class of suitable hydrophobic agents are
emulsifiable waxes. Emulsifiable waxes, capable of forming wax
emulsions, include, for example, oxidized polyethylene, ethylene
acrylic acid copolymers, and montanic acid and ester waxes
available as LUWAX. Also suitable are polyolefin waxes, maleic
grafted polyolefin waxes, paraffin, other hydrocarbon waxes and
vegetable waxes such as carnauba and candelillia. Preferred
emulsifiable waxes include polyethylene, polypropylene, oxidized
polyethylene, oxidized polypropylene, ethylene acrylic copolymers,
and maleic grafted polyolefins. Preferred emulsifiable waxes
include polyolefin that is partially modified to contain functional
groups improving dispersability of the waxes, such functional
groups including alkoxyl, carboxyl, amide, alkylamide, sulfonic,
phosphonic or mixtures thereof. These also include waxes containing
chemical groups which facilitate emulsification such as carboxylic
or related groups. Examples of emulsifiable waxes include
oxygen-containing wax or oxidized waxes as illustrated by those
described in the following patents: natural waxes such as
candelillia, carnauba, beeswax, coconut wax, montan wax, as well as
oxidized petroleum waxes as illustrated by U.S. Pat. No. 2,879,237
to Groote et al., U.S. Pat. No. 2,879,238 to Groote et al., U.S.
Pat. No. 2,879,239 to Groote et al., U.S. Pat. No. 2,879,240 to
Groote et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 2,879,241 to Groote et al., U.S.
Pat. No. 3,163,548 to Stark, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,004,932 to
Bienvenu, which are incorporated herein by reference. Other
examples include carboxylic adducts such as maleic and related
anhydrides added to waxes such as those described in the following
U.S. Pat. No. 3,933,511 to Heintzelman et al., and U.S. Pat. No.
3,933,512 to Heintzelman et al., which are incorporated herein by
reference. Typical examples are esters, amides, and ester-amides of
compositions of one or more of the formulas disclosed in U.S. Pat.
Nos. 3,933,511 and 3,933,512 which are incorporated herein by
reference. Some of these waxes are sold by Petrolite Corporation
under the name CERAMER.
[0037] Other preferred waxes may be, for example, alkyl methycone
AMS-C30 (Dow Corning), natural candelillia (Candelillia from Frank
B. Ross), stearyoxyytrimethylsilane 580 wax (Dow Corning), cetyl
palmitate DUB PC Stearine (Dubois), microcrystalline/petrolatum
MULTIWAX B710 (Witco), Scale paraffin (Strahl and Pitsch), natural
beeswax (Frank B. Ross), microcrystalline (Ultraflex Petrolite),
microcrystalline Ross wax 1329/1 (Frank B. Ross), microcrystalline
Multiwax 110X (Witco), paraffin (Altafin 135/140), petrolatum
(Petrolatum Snow from Penreco), refined paraffin (Strahl and
Pitsch), and paraffin Altafin 125/130. Preferably, the low melting
point wax is selected from microcrystalline Multiwax W145A (Witco),
paraffin (Altafin 140/145 from Astor-Durachem), and
microcrystalline Ross wax 1365 (Frank B. Ross). Highly preferred
materials of this class of hydrophobic agents are those that do not
cause any significant color change, nor impart any discoloration,
such as graying or yellowing, to the fabrics to which they are
applied, either during treatment followed by drying and/or curing,
or after the drying and/or curing step followed by normal exposure
to the elements, such as air, moisture or sunlight exposure.
[0038] Liquid Carrier
[0039] The liquid carrier may be an aqueous or non-aqueous system
or combination of compatible materials. In one preferred
embodiment, the liquid carrier is an aqueous system that is
predominantly water. In another embodiment in which the carrier is
predominanantly water, the carrier can also contain a low molecular
weight organic solvent that is highly soluble in water, e.g.,
C.sub.1 to C.sub.4 monohydric alcohols, C.sub.2 to C.sub.12
polyhydric alcohols, such as C.sub.2 to C.sub.6 alkylene glycols
and C.sub.2 to C.sub.12 polyalkylene glycols, C.sub.2 to C.sub.6
alkylene carbonates, and mixtures thereof. Examples of these
water-soluble solvents include ethanol, propanol and isopropanol.
Water is a preferred liquid carrier due to its low cost,
availability, safety, and environmental compatibility. The water
can be distilled, deionized, or tap water.
[0040] Highly preferred materials of this class of liquid carriers
are those that do not cause any significant color change, nor
impart any discoloration, such as graying or yellowing, to the
fabrics to which they are applied, either during treatment followed
by drying and/or curing, or after the drying and/or curing step
followed by normal exposure to the elements, such as air, moisture
or sunlight exposure.
[0041] When a concentrated composition is used, the level of liquid
carrier can typically be from about 20% to about 80% of the
composition, preferably from about 30% to about 70%, and more
preferably from about 40% to about 60% of the composition. When a
dilute composition is used, for instance in a rinse added
maintenance or spray application, the amount of liquid carrier can
be greater. For rinse added maintenance applications, the liquid
carrier may typically range from about 50% to about 99% of the
composition, preferably from about 60% to about 98%, and more
preferably from about 80% to about 95% of the composition. For
direct applications, such as for spray and aerosol applications,
the liquid carrier can typically range from about 70% to about
99.9%, by weight of the composition, preferably from about
.sup.800/o to about 99.5%, and more preferably from about 90% to
about 99% of the composition.
[0042] Zeta Potential Modifier
[0043] Compositions of the present invention include fluoropolymers
and hydrophobic agents that become covalently and/or non-covalently
attached to the surface of fabrics upon being cured at elevated
temperatures. There is a wide range of phenomena which can
influence the fundamental interactions at the molecular and
colloidal level. One of these factors is the electrokinetics. In
this regard, the term, zeta potential, applies to the electrical
charges existing in fine dispersions. Specifically, a solid
particle, e.g., insoluble polymer, that is suspended in an aqueous
system is surrounded by a dense layer of ions having a specific
electrical charge. This layer is surrounded by another layer, more
diffuse than the first, that has an electrical charge of its own.
The bulk of the suspended liquid also has its own electrical
charge. The difference in electrical charge between the dense layer
of ions surrounding the particle and the bulk of the suspended
liquid is the zeta potential, usually measured in millivolts. The
zeta potential, .xi., is defined by the equation:
.xi.=4.pi..delta.q/D
[0044] where q is the charge on the particle, .delta. is the
thickness of the zone of influence of the charge on the particle,
and D is the dielectric constant of the liquid.
[0045] Without being bound by theory, it is believed that the
fluoropolymers are attracted to the fabric surface owing to a
combination of van der Waals attractive forces and electrostatic
interactions. In the case of treating fabrics containing cellulose
fibers, e.g., cotton, the surface of the fabric is negatively
charged due to the presence of the carboxylic groups of the
cellulose. In the case of treating fabrics containing synthetic
fibers, such as polyester, nylon, polyamide and other synthetic
polymers or blends, adsorbed materials such as negative compounds
or negatively charged surface active materials, e.g., anionic
surfactants found in detergents, can result in the surface of the
fabric becoming negatively charged due the presence of these
materials on the fabric surface. Without being bound by theory, it
is believed that the existence of negatively charged groups or
adsorbed negatively charged materials on the fabric surface may
inhibit the attraction of the fluoropolymers to the fabric surface
to at least to some extent.
[0046] It is believed that the adverse effect of any negative
surface charge present on fabrics to be treated, regardless of the
cause or source of said negative surface charge, can be reduced or
avoided by introducing an appropriate amount of zeta potential
modifier to adjust the zeta potential of the treatment liquor to a
positive value greater than zero. Typically sufficient zeta
potential modifier is added so that the zeta potential of the
treatment liquor is positive and greater than zero millivolts.
Preferably the zeta potential of the treatment liquor ranges from a
positive value of zero to about +150 millivolts and preferably is
less than about +100 millivolts. When at least one zeta potential
modifier is employed, it will typically range from 0.1 to 30% of
the composition. It has been found that exceeding this level leads
to decreased performance. Without being bound by theory, it is
believed that exceeding this level of zeta potential modifier leads
to interference in depositing the desired repelling species. This
discovery distinguishes the invention from prior art that employs
zeta potential modifiers, given that the levels in the instant
invention are dictated by efficacy of the treatment liquor, not for
stabilization of the composition.
[0047] Suitable zeta potential modifiers are cationic agents
including, for example, cationic monomers, polymers, and copolymers
comprising cationic monomers, wherein the cationic monomer is
present at least to an extent sufficient to provide an overall net
cationic nature, i.e. overall positive charge, to the copolymer.
Preferred cationic agents include cationic surfactants, including,
but not limited to, mono and di-methyl fatty amines, alkyl
trimethyl ammonium salts, dialkyl dimethyl ammonium salts, alkyl
amine acetates, trialkylammonium acetates, alkyldimethylbenzyl
ammonium salts, dialkymethylbenzyl ammonium salts, alkylpyridinium
halide and alkyl (alkyl substituted) pyridinium salts,
alkylthiomethylpyridinium salts, alkylamidomethylpyridinium salts,
alkylquinolinium salts, alkylisoquinolinium salts,
N,N-alkylmethylpyrollidonium salts, 1,1-dialkylpiperidinium salts,
4,4-dialkylthiamorpholinium salts,
4,4-dialkylthiamorpholinium-1-oxide salts, methyl bis(alkyl
ethyl)-2-alkyl imidazolinium methyl sulfate (and other salts),
methyl bis(alkylamido ethyl)-2-hydroxyethyl ammonium methyl sulfate
(and other salts), alkylamidopropyl-dimethylbenzyl ammonium salts,
carboxyalkyl-alkyldimethyl ammonium salts, alkylamine oxides,
alkyldimethyl amine oxides, poly(vinylmethylpyridinium) salts,
poly(vinylpyridine) salts, polyethyleneimines, trialkyl phosphonium
bicarbonates (and other salts), trialkylmethyl phosphonium salts,
alkylethylmethylsulfonium salts, and alkyldimethylsulfoxonium
salts.
[0048] Suitable zeta potential modifiers further include cationic
(i.e. bearing one or more positive charges) and cationically
modified materials, including, for example, cationic and
cationically modified organic polymers, cationic and cationically
modified biopolymers, and cationic and cationically modified
inorganic materials, including, for example, cationic and
cationically modified clays, silicas, metal oxides and composite
materials.
[0049] Suitable organic cationic polymers include, but are not
limited to, cationic cellulose derivatives, such as, for example, a
quaternized hydroxyethylcellulose which is available under the name
Polymer JR 400.RTM. from Amerchol, cationic starch, copolymers of
diallylammonium salts and acrylamides, quaternized
vinylpyrrolidone/vinylimidazole polymers, such as, for example,
Luviquat.RTM. (BASF), condensation products of polyglycols and
amines, quaternized collagen polypeptides, such as, for example,
lauryldimonium hydroxypropyl hydrolyzed collagen
(Lamequat.RTM.L/Grunau), quaternized wheat polypeptides,
polyethyleneimine, cationic silicone polymers, such as, for
example, amodimethicones, copolymers of adipic acid and
dimethylaminohydroxypropyl- diethylenetriamine
(Cartaretins.RTM./Sandoz), copolymers of acrylic acid with
dimethyldiallylammonium chloride (Merquat(D550/Chemviron),
polyaminopolyamides, as described, for example, in FR 2252840 A,
and their crosslinked water-soluble polymers, condensation products
of dihaloalkyls, such as, for example, dibromobutane with
bisdialkylamines, such as, for example,
bisdimethylamino-1,3-propane, cationic guar gum, such as, for
example, Jaguar.RTM. CBS, Jaguar.RTM. C-17, Jaguar.RTM. C-16 from
Celanese, guar guar (e.g. guarhydroxypropyltrimethylammonium
chloride; Cosmedia Guar C 261; Cognis GmbH; guar flour; Cosmedia
Guar U, Cognis GmbH), quaternized ammonium salt polymers, such as,
for example, Mirapol.RTM. A-15, Mirapol.RTM. AD-1, Mirapol.RTM.
AZ-1 from Miranol, and cationically modified starches, as for
example, Softgel BDA and Softgel BD, both from Avebe.
[0050] Additional cationic compounds suitable for use as zeta
potential modifiers include amine acid salts;
polyacryamidopropyltrimmonium chloride; betaines, such as but not
limited to, alkyl betaines, alkyl amido betaines, imidazolinium
betaines; quaternized poly(vinylpyridine); amidoamine acid salts;
poly(imine) acid salts; polyethylene imine acid salts; cationic
polyacryamides; poly(vinylamine) acid salts; cationic ionene
polymers; poly(vinylimidazolinium salts); quaternized silicone
compounds, such as but not limited to, the diquaternary
polydimethylsiloxanes; poly(vinyl alcohol) quaternary materials;
polydimethyldiallylammonium chloride; cationic exchange resins;
anionic exchange resins; copolymers of vinylpyrrolidone and
methyacrylamidopropyltrimethylammonium chloride; acidified
polyvinylpolypyrrolidones; acidified copolymers of vinylpyrrolidone
and vinylacetate; acidified copolymers of vinylpyrrolidone and
dimethylaminoethylmetacrylate; copolymers of vinylpyrrolidone and
methacrylamidopropyl trimethlyammonium chloride; copolymers of
quaternized vinylpyrrolidone and dimethylaminoethylmethacrylate;
acidified copolymers of vinylpyrrolidone and styrene; acidified
copolymers of vinylpyrrolidone and acrylic acid, and cationic
polyelectrolyte polymers.
[0051] Suitable organic cationic inorganic materials suitable for
use as zeta potential modifiers include, but are not limited to
cationic clay, such as for example, sodium montmorillonite,
hydrotalcite, vermiculite, kaolinite; clays reacted with quaternary
compounds, such as, tetramethylammonium chloride; polyquarternized
amines; acidified n-alkyl-2-pyrrolidones; polyacrylic acid
polymers; alkyl C8 to alkly C24 organic acids, such as but not
limited to, lauric acid, stearic acid; and combinations
thereof.
[0052] Suitable metal oxides and composites include cationically
modified metal oxides and layered metal oxide composites, for
example, but not limited to, oxides of silicon, germanium,
selenium, chromium, titanium, aluminum, gallium, nickel, iron,
copper, silver, gold, platinum, magnesium and calcium, and mixtures
and/or layered composites thereof.
[0053] Suitable zeta potential modifiers further include
cationically modified silicas, such as those disclosed in U.S.
Appl. No. 20030157804, which is incorporated herein by
reference.
[0054] Suitable zeta potential modifiers further include chitosans,
which are cationic biopolymers under the pH conditions, and
cationic chitin derivatives, such as, for example, quaternized
chitosan, optionally in microcrystalline distribution. Examples are
disclosed in Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry, 5th
Ed., Vol. A6, Weinheim, Verlag Chemie, 1986, p. 231-232, which is
incorporated herein by reference.
[0055] Preferred forms of the zeta potential modifiers described
herein include water soluble, water dispersible and water insoluble
suspensions, dispersions or emulsions of these zeta potential
modifiers. Preferred forms of the inorganic and polymeric based
zeta potential modifiers include fine particulates for improved
dispersability in the compositions of the present invention.
Preferred forms of the inorganic and polymeric zeta potential
modifiers include particulates having particle sizes in the micron
and nanometer size ranges. Preferred sizes of particulates, for
example, include particle sizes in the range of about 1 nanometer
to about 100 microns, most preferred being particle sizes in the
range of about 1 nanometer to about 1 microns.
[0056] It should be noted that the source of the zeta potential
modifiers is not critical. Thus, as further demonstrated herein,
commercially available fabric softeners that include cationic
surfactants can be employed as a source of zeta potential
modifiers. Thus, the fabric softener serves multiple functions
including facilitating the attachment of the fluoropolymers and
hydrophobic agents to the fabric surface. Further, multivalent
cationic salts, including cations of the alkaline earth metals
(Group IIA), transition metals (Groups IIB, IVB, VB, VIIB, VIIB,
VIIIB, IB, IIB, IIA, IVA) and non-metal elements (Groups IVA, VA)
may be appropriate for use as zeta potential modifiers alone,
combined together, or in combination with other zeta potential
modifiers described herein.
[0057] It should further be noted that the zeta potential modifiers
are included as optional ingredients of the fabric treatment
composition as discussed herein. Thus when the composition is
formulated for use as a treatment not in the presence of another
treatment aid, for example a detergent containing anionic
surfactants, or when the composition is formulated for use as a
direct fabric treatment, then the zeta potential modifiers are
deemed optional in that they are not needed to counteract the
negatively charged species, such as anionic surfactants found in
commercial detergents, that might otherwise interfere to some
extent with the attraction of the fluoropolymer to the fabric
surface.
[0058] Highly preferred materials of this class of zeta potential
modifiers are those that do not cause any significant color change,
nor impart any discoloration, such as graying or yellowing, to the
fabrics to which they are applied, either during treatment followed
by drying and/or curing, or after the drying and/or curing step
followed by normal exposure to the elements, such as air, moisture
or sunlight exposure.
[0059] Optional Ingredients
[0060] Emulsifiers
[0061] The above fluoropolymers and hydrophobic agents may require
the use of emulsifiers, such as ethoxylated fatty alcohols, fatty
amides, fatty acids and alkylphenols and fatty amines or salts
thereof. Other preferred emulsifiers include quaternary ammonium or
protonated amine cationic surfactants such as
trimethyl-dodecylammonium chloride, trimethyl-hexadecylammonium
chloride, dimethyl-dicocoammonium chloride, and
dimethyl-octadecylammonium acetate. Preferred nonionic emulsifiers
include the etherification products of ethylene oxide and/or
propylene oxide with glycerol monooleate, oleic acid, cetyl
alcohol, pelargonic acid, stearyl alcohol, sorbitan monooleate,
sorbitan monostearate.
[0062] Highly preferred materials of this class of emulsifiers are
those that do not cause any significant color change, nor impart
any discoloration, such as graying or yellowing, to the fabrics to
which they are applied, either during treatment followed by drying,
or after the drying step followed by normal exposure to the
elements, such as air, moisture or sunlight exposure.
[0063] pH Adjusters
[0064] The pH of a solution of compositions of this invention may
be adjusted to be in the range from about 2 to about 11. Adjustment
of pH may be carried out by including a small quantity of an acid
in the formulation. Because no strong pH buffers need be present,
only small amounts of acid may be required. The pH may be adjusted
with inorganic or organic acids, for example hydrochloric acid or
alternatively with monobasic or dibasic organic acids, such as
acetic acid, maleic acid or in particular glycolic acid. Additional
acids that can be used include, but are not limited to, methyl
sulfonic, hydrochloric, sulfuric, phosphoric, citric, maleic, and
succinic acids. Adjustment of pH may be carried out by including a
small quantity of a base in the formulation. Because no strong pH
buffers need be present, only small amounts of base may be
required. The pH may be adjusted with inorganic bases, including,
but not limited to, alkali metal or alkaline earth metal salts of
hydroxides, carbonates, bicarbonates, borates, sulfonates,
phosphates, phosphonates and silicates. The pH may be adjusted with
organic bases, including, but not limited to, salts of
monocarboxylic acids, salts of dicarboxylic acids, salts of citric
acid and other suitable organic acids with water soluble conjugate
bases presented previously herein. The pH may be adjusted with
organic bases such as the alkanolamines including methanol, ethanol
and propanol amines, including dimethanol, diethanol and dipropanol
amines, and including trim ethanol, tri ethanol and tripropanol
amines.
[0065] Highly preferred materials of this class of pH adjusters are
those that do not cause any significant color change, nor impart
any discoloration, such as graying or yellowing, to the fabrics to
which they are applied, either during treatment followed by drying
and/or curing, or after the drying and/or curing step followed by
normal exposure to the elements, such as air, moisture or sunlight
exposure.
[0066] Silicones
[0067] An optional silicone component can be used in an amount from
about 0.1% to about 6% of the composition, preferably from 0.1 to
3% of the composition. These optional ingredients include silicones
and organopolysiloxanes. In addition to the known
dialkylpolysiloxanes, it is possible to use, in particular,
hydrophilizing silicones, such as dimethylpolysiloxanes which
contain incorporated epoxy groups and/or polyethoxy or polypropoxy
or polyethoxy/propoxy groups. Preferred siloxanes include
aminoethylaminopropyl dimethyl siloxane, hydroxy terminated
dimethyl siloxane (dimethiconol), and modified hydrogen alkyl
polysiloxanes. Preferred silicones comprise cationic and amphoteric
silicones, polysiloxanes, and polysiloxanes having hydrogen-bonding
functional groups consisting of amino, carboxyl, hydroxyl, ether,
polyether, aldehyde, ketone, amide, ester, and thiol groups. Such
polysiloxanes include, but are not limited to, polyether-modified
polysiloxanes, amino-modified polysiloxanes, epoxy-modified
polysiloxanes, polyhydrido-modified polysiloxanes, phenol
derivative-modified polysiloxanes, ABA-type polysiloxanes,
including those available from OSi Specialties, Inc. (a division of
Witco Corporation), under the SILWET, NUWET, NUDRY, NUSOF,
MAGNASOFT trade names. Preferred silicones may include
polydimethylsiloxanes of viscosity from about 100 centistokes (cs)
to about 100,000 cs, and preferably from about 200 cs to about
60,000 cs and/or silicone gums. These silicones can be used in
emulsified form, which can be conveniently obtained directly from
the suppliers. Examples of these pre-emulsified silicones are the
60% emulsion of polydimethylsiloxane (350 cs) sold by Dow Corning
Corporation under the trade name DOW CORNING 1157 Fluid and the 50%
emulsion of polydimethylsiloxane (10,000 cs) sold by General
Electric Company under the trade name GENERAL ELECTRIC 2140
silicones. Silicone foam suppressants can also be used. These are
usually not emulsified and typically have viscosities from about
100 cs to about 10,000 cs, and preferably from about 200 cs to
about 5,000 cs. Very low levels can be used, typically from about
0.01% to about 1%, and preferably from about 0.02% to about 0.5%.
Another preferred foam suppressant is a silicone/silicate mixture,
for example, DOW CORNING ANTIFOAM A.
[0068] Highly preferred materials of this class of silicones are
those that do not cause any significant color change, nor impart
any discoloration, such as graying or yellowing, to the fabrics to
which they are applied, either during treatment followed by drying
and/or curing, or after the drying and/or curing step followed by
normal exposure to the elements, such as air, moisture or sunlight
exposure.
[0069] Nonionic Surfactant
[0070] The composition can contain a nonionic surfactant. When a
nonionic surfactant is added to the composition, it can typically
be added at a level from about 0.05% to about 30%, preferably from
about 0.05% to about 20%, and more preferably from about 0.1% to
about 10% of the composition.
[0071] Suitable nonionic surfactants include addition products of
alkoxylating agents such as ethylene oxide (EO), propylene oxide
(PO), isopropylene oxide (IPO), or butylene oxide (BO), or a
mixture thereof, with fatty alcohols, fatty acids, and fatty
amines. Any of the alkoxylated materials of the particular type
described hereinafter can be used as the nonionic surfactant.
Preferably, the nonionic surfactant is selected from the group
consisting of alkylether carboxylate, alcohol ethoxylate or
secondary alcohol ethoxylate, and alkyl phenyl ethoxylate or alkyl
aryl ethoxylate. These nonionic surfactants may also contain a
mixture of ethoxylate and propoxylate. Suitable
alkylpolysaccharides for use herein are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
4,565,647 to Llenado and incorporated herein by reference, having a
hydrophobic group containing from about 6 to about 30 carbon atoms,
preferably from about 10 to about 16 carbon atoms and a
polysaccharide, e.g., a polyglycoside, hydrophilic group. Further
examples of suitable surfactants are described in McCutcheon's Vol.
1: Emulsifiers and Detergents, North American Ed., McCutcheon
Division, MC Publishing Co., 1995, which is incorporated herein by
reference.
[0072] Highly preferred materials of this class of nonionic
surfactants are those that do not cause any significant color
change, nor impart any discoloration, such as graying or yellowing,
to the fabrics to which they are applied, either during treatment
followed by drying and/or curing, or after the drying and/or curing
step followed by normal exposure to the elements, such as air,
moisture or sunlight exposure.
[0073] Cationic Surfactants
[0074] The composition of the present invention can contain a
cationic surfactant. When a cationic surfactant is added to the
composition of the present invention, it can typically be added at
a level from about 0.05% to about 30%, preferably from about 0.05%
to about 20%, and more preferably from about 0.1% to about 10% of
the composition.
[0075] The cationic surfactant can optionally be one or more fabric
softener actives. Preferred fabric softening actives according to
the present invention include amines and quaternized amines. The
following are examples of preferred softener actives:
N,N-di(tallowyl-oxy-ethyl)-N.- N-dimethyl ammonium chloride;
N,N-di(canolyl-oxy-ethyl)-N,N-dimethyl ammonium chloride;
N,N-di(tallowyl-oxy-ethyl)-N-methyl, N-(2-hydroxyethyl) ammonium
methyl sulfate; N,N-di(canolyl-oxy-ethyl)-N-m- ethyl,
N-(2-hydroxyethyl) ammonium methyl sulfate;
N,N-di(tallowylamidoeth- yl)-N-methyl, N-(2-hydroxyethyl) ammonium
methyl sulfate; N,N-di(2-tallowyloxy-2-oxo-ethyl)-N,N-dimethyl
ammonium chloride; N,N-di(2-canolyloxy-2-oxo-ethyl)-N,N-dimethyl
ammonium chloride;
N,N-di(2-tallowyloxyethylcarbonyloxyethyl)-N,N-dimethyl ammonium
chloride; N,N-di(2-canolyloxyethylcarbonyloxyethyl)-N,N-dimethyl
ammonium chloride;
N-(2-tallowyloxy-2-ethyl)-N-(2-tallowyloxy-2-oxo-ethyl)-N,N-dim-
ethyl ammonium chloride;
N-(2-canolyloxy-2-ethyl)-N-(2-canolyloxy-2-oxo-et-
hyl)-N,N-dimethyl ammonium chloride,
N,N,N-tri(tallowyl-oxy-ethyl)-N-methy- l ammonium chloride;
N,N,N-tri(canolyl-oxy-ethyl)-N-methyl ammonium chloride;
N-(2-tallowyloxy-2-oxoethyl)-N-(tallowyl)-N,N-dimethyl ammonium
chloride; N-(2-canolyloxy-2-oxoethyl)-N-(canolyl)-N,N-dimethyl
ammonium chloride;
1,2-ditallowyloxy-3-N,N,N-trimethylammoniopropane chloride; and
1,2-dicanolyloxy-3-N,N,N-trimethylammoniopropane chloride; and
mixtures of the above actives. Particularly preferred is
N,N-di(tallowyl-oxy-ethyl- )-N,N-dimethyl ammonium chloride, where
the tallow chains are at least partially unsaturated and
N,N-di(canoloyl-oxy-ethyl)-N,N-dimethyl ammonium chloride,
N,N-di(tallowyl-oxy-ethyl)-N-methyl, N-(2-hydroxyethyl) ammonium
methyl sulfate; N,N-di(canolyl-oxy-ethyl)-N-m- ethyl,
N-(2-hydroxyethyl) ammonium methyl sulfate; and mixtures thereof.
Additional fabric softening agents useful herein are described in
U.S. Pat. No. 5,643,865 to Mermelstein et al., U.S. Pat. No.
5,622,925 to de Buzzaccarini et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,545,350 to
Baker et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,474,690 to Wahl et al., U.S. Pat. No.
5,417,868 to Turner et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,661,269 to Trinh et
al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,439,335 to Burns, U.S. Pat. No. 4,401,578 to
Verbruggen, U.S. Pat. No. 4,308,151 to Cambre, U.S. Pat. No.
4,237,016 to Rudkin et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,233,164 to Davis, U.S.
Pat. No. 4,045,361 to Watt et al., U.S. Pat. No. 3,974,076 to
Wiersema et al., U.S. Pat. No. 3,886,075 to Bernadino, U.S. Pat.
No. 3,861,870 Edwards et al., and European Patent Application
publication No. 472,178, by Yamamura et al., all of said documents
being incorporated herein by reference.
[0076] Other suitable cationic surfactants include ethoxylated
quaternary ammonium surfactants. Some preferred ethoxylated
quaternary ammonium surfactants include PEG-5 cocoammonium
methosulfate; PEG-15 cocoammonium chloride; PEG-15 oleoammonium
chloride; and bis(polyethoxyethanol) tallow ammonium chloride.
Further examples of suitable surfactants are described in
McCutcheon's Vol. 1: Emulsifiers and Detergents, North American
Ed., McCutcheon Division, MC Publishing Co., 1995, which is
incorporated herein by reference.
[0077] The counterion to these cationic surfactants may be
selected, without limitation, from the group consisting of
fluoride, chloride, bromide, iodide, chlorite, chlorate, hydroxide,
hypophosphite, phosphite, phosphate, carbonate, formate, acetate,
lactate, and other carboxylates, oxalate, methyl sulfate, ethyl
sulfate, benzoate, and salicylate, and the like. Highly preferred
materials of this class of cationic surfactants and their
counterions are those that do not cause any significant color
change, nor impart any discoloration, such as graying or yellowing,
to the fabrics to which they are applied, either during treatment
followed by drying and/or curing, or after the drying and/or curing
step followed by normal exposure to the elements, such as air,
moisture or sunlight exposure.
[0078] Amphoteric and Zwitterionic Surfactants
[0079] The composition of the present invention can contain
amphoteric and/or zwitterionic surfactants. When an amphoteric or
zwitterionic surfactant is added to the composition of the present
invention, it can typically be added at a level from about 0.05% to
about 30%, preferably from about 0.05% to about 20%, and more
preferably from about 0.1% to about 10% of the composition.
[0080] Suitable amphoteric surfactants include amine oxides having
the formula (R.sub.1)(R.sub.2)(R.sub.3)NO wherein each of R.sub.1,
R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 is independently a saturated substituted or
unsubstituted, linear or branched hydrocarbon chains of from 1 to
30 carbon atoms. Preferred amine oxide surfactants to be used
according to the present invention include amine oxides having the
formula (R.sub.1)(R.sub.2)(R.su- b.3)NO wherein R.sub.1 is an
hydrocarbon chain comprising from 1 to 30 carbon atoms, preferably
from 6 to 20, more preferably from 8 to 16, further preferably from
8 to 12, and wherein R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are independently
substituted or unsubstituted, linear or branched hydrocarbon chains
comprising from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, preferably from 1 to 3 carbon
atoms, and more preferably are methyl groups. R.sub.1 may be a
saturated substituted or unsubstituted, linear or branched
hydrocarbon chain. Suitable amine oxides for use herein are, for
instance, naturally derived hydrocarbon blends of C.sub.8-C.sub.10
amine oxides as well as C.sub.12-C.sub.16 amine oxides commercially
available from Hoechst.
[0081] Suitable zwitterionic surfactants may contain both cationic
and anionic hydrophilic groups on the same molecule at a relatively
wide pH range. A typical cationic group is a quaternary ammonium
group, although other positively charged groups like phosphonium,
imidazolium and sulfonium groups can be used. Typical anionic
hydrophilic groups are carboxylates and sulfonates, although other
groups like sulfates, phosphonates, and the like can be used. A
generic formula for some zwitterionic surfactants that can be used
herein is R.sub.1-N'(R.sub.2)(R.sub.3)R.sub.4X-- wherein R.sub.1 is
a hydrophobic group; R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are each C.sub.1-C.sub.4
alkyl, hydroxy alkyl or other substituted alkyl group which can
also be joined to form ring structures with the N; R.sub.4 is a
moiety joining the cationic nitrogen atom to the hydrophilic group
and is typically an alkylene, hydroxy alkylene, or polyalkoxy group
containing from 1 to 10 carbon atoms; and X is the hydrophilic
group which is preferably a carboxylate or sulfonate group.
Preferred hydrophobic groups R.sub.1 are alkyl groups containing
from 1 to 24, preferably less than 18, and more preferably less
than 16 carbon atoms. The hydrophobic group can contain
unsaturation and/or substituents and/or linking groups such as aryl
groups, amido groups, ester groups and the like. In general, the
simple alkyl groups are preferred for cost and stability reasons.
Examples of amphoteric surfactants include alkylampho glycinates,
and alkyl imino propionate. Highly preferred zwitterionic
surfactants include betaine and sulphobetaine surfactants,
derivatives thereof or mixtures thereof. The betaine or
sulphobetaine surfactants are preferred herein as they are
particularly suitable for the cleaning of delicate materials,
including fine fabrics such as silk, wool and other naturally
derived textile materials. Betaine and sulphobetaine surfactants
are also extremely mild to the skin and/or fabrics to be treated
that come in contact with the users skin.
[0082] Suitable betaine and sulphobetaine surfactants to be used
herein include the betaine/sulphobetaine and betaine-like
detergents wherein the molecule contains both basic and acidic
groups which form an inner salt giving the molecule both cationic
and anionic hydrophilic groups over a broad range of pH values.
Some common examples of these detergents are described in U.S. Pat.
No. 2,082,275 to Daimler et al., U.S. Pat. No. 2,702,279 to
Funderburk et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 2,255,082 to Orthner et al.,
which are incorporated herein by reference. Further examples of
suitable surfactants are described in McCutcheon's Vol. 1:
Emulsifiers and Detergents, North American Ed., McCutcheon
Division, MC Publishing Co., 1995, which is incorporated herein by
reference.
[0083] Highly preferred materials of this class of amphoteric and
zwitterionic surfactants are those that do not cause any
significant color change, nor impart any discoloration, such as
graying or yellowing, to the fabrics to which they are applied,
either during treatment followed by drying and/or curing, or after
the drying and/or curing step followed by normal exposure to the
elements, such as air, moisture or sunlight exposure.
[0084] Anionic Surfactants
[0085] The composition can contain an anionic surfactant. When an
anionic surfactant is added to the composition of the present
invention, it can typically be added at a level from about 0.05% to
about 15%, preferably from about 0.05% to about 5%, and more
preferably from about 0.1% to about 1% of the composition.
[0086] Suitable anionic surfactants include C.sub.8-C.sub.18 alkyl
sulfonates, C.sub.10-C.sub.14 linear or branched alkyl benzene
sulfonates, C.sub.10-C.sub.14 alkyl sulfates and ethoxysulfates
(e.g., STEPANOL AMC from Stepan), and C.sub.9-C.sub.15 alkyl ethoxy
carboxylates (NEODOX surfactants available from Shell Chemical
Corporation). Suitable commercially available sulfonates are
available from Stepan under the trade name BIO-TERGE PAS-88 as well
as from the Witco Corporation under the trade name WITCONATE
NAS-8(8), and Hostapur SAS(E) from Hoechst Aktiengesellschaft,
D-6230 Frankfurt, Germany. Anionic surfactants may be paired with
organic counterions or multivalent counterions in order to prevent
interference with cationic species. Further examples of suitable
surfactants are described in McCutcheon's Vol. 1: Emulsifiers and
Detergents, North American Ed., McCutcheon Division, MC Publishing
Co., 1995, which is incorporated herein by reference.
[0087] Highly preferred materials of this class of anionic
surfactants are those that do not cause any significant color
change, nor impart any discoloration, such as graying or yellowing,
to the fabrics to which they are applied, either during treatment
followed by drying and/or curing, or after the drying and/or curing
step followed by normal exposure to the elements, such as air,
moisture or sunlight exposure.
[0088] Soil Release Agents
[0089] The composition can include a soil release agent which is
present from about 0% to about 5%, preferably from about 0.05% to
about 3%, and more preferably from about 0.1% to about 2% of the
composition. Polymeric soil release agents useful in the present
invention include copolymeric blocks of terephthalate and
polyethylene oxide or polypropylene oxide, and the like. A
preferred soil release agent is a copolymer having blocks of
terephthalate and polyethylene oxide. More specifically, these
polymers may be comprised of repeating units of ethylene
terephthalate and polyethylene oxide terephthalate at a molar ratio
of ethylene terephthalate units to polyethylene oxide terephthalate
units from about 25:75 to about 35:65, and the polyethylene oxide
terephthalate containing polyethylene oxide blocks having molecular
weights from about 300 to about 2000. The molecular weight of this
type of polymeric soil release agent can be in the range from about
5,000 to about 55,000. Suitable soil release agents are disclosed
in U.S. Pat. No. 4,702,857 to Gosselink; U.S. Pat. No. 4,711,730 to
Gosselink et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,713,194 to Gosselink; U.S. Pat.
No. 4,877,896 to Maldonado et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,956,447
Gosselink et al.; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,749,596 to Po et al., all of
which are incorporated herein by reference. Especially desirable
optional ingredients are polymeric soil release agents comprising
block copolymers of polyalkylene terephthalate and polyoxyethylene
terephthalate, and block copolymers of polyalkylene terephthalate
and polyethylene glycol. The polyalkylene terephthalate blocks may
preferably comprise ethylene and/or propylene groups. Many such
soil release polymers are nonionic, for example, the nonionic soil
release polymer described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,849,257 to Borcher,
Sr., et al., which is incorporated herein by reference. The
polymeric soil release agents useful in the present invention can
include anionic and cationic polymeric soil release agents.
Suitable anionic polymeric or oligomeric soil release agents are
disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,018,569 to Chang, which is
incorporated herein by reference. Other suitable polymers are
disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,808,086 to Evans et al., which is
incorporated herein by reference.
[0090] Highly preferred materials of this class of soil release
polymers are those that do not cause any significant color change,
nor impart any discoloration, such as graying or yellowing, to the
fabrics to which they are applied, either during treatment followed
by drying and/or curing, or after the drying and/or curing step
followed by normal exposure to the elements, such as air, moisture
or sunlight exposure.
[0091] Antistatic Agents
[0092] The composition can include antistatic agents, which can be
present at a level from about 0% to about 5%, preferably from about
0.005% to about 5%, more preferably from about 0.05% to about 2%,
and further preferably from about 0.2% to about 1% of the
composition. Preferred antistatic agents of the present invention
include cationic surfactants, including quaternary ammonium
compounds such as alkyl benzyl dimethyl ammonium chloride; dicoco
quaternary ammonium chloride; coco dimethyl benzyl ammonium
chloride; soya trimethyl quaternary ammonium chloride; hydrogenated
tallow dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride; and methyl dehydrogenated
tallow benzyl ammonium chloride. Other preferred antistatic agents
of the present invention are alkyl imidazolinium salts. Other
preferred antistatic agents are the ion pairs of, e.g., anionic
detergent surfactants and fatty amines, or quaternary ammonium
derivatives thereof, e.g., those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
4,756,850 to Nayar, which is incorporated herein by reference.
Other preferred antistatic agents are ethoxylated and/or
propoxylated sugar derivatives. Preferred antistatic agents include
monolauryl trimethyl ammonium chloride, hydroxycetyl hydroxyethyl
dimethyl ammonium chloride (available from Henkel Corporation under
the trade name DEHYQUART E), and ethyl bis(polyethoxyethanol) alkyl
ammonium ethyl sulfate (available from Witco Corporation under the
trade name VARIQUAT 66), polyethylene glycols, polymeric quaternary
ammonium salts (such as those available from Rhne-Poulenc
Corporation under the MIRAPOL trade name), quaternized
polyethyleneimines, vinylpyrrolidone/methacrylamidopropyl
trimethylammonium chloride copolymer (available from GAF
Corporation under the trade name GAFQUAT HS-100), triethonium
hydrolyzed collagen ethosulfate (available from Maybrook Inc. under
the trade name QUAT-PRO E), and mixtures thereof.
[0093] Highly preferred materials of this class of antistatic
agents are those that do not cause any significant color change,
nor impart any discoloration, such as graying or yellowing, to the
fabrics to which they are applied, either during treatment followed
by drying and/or curing, or after the drying and/or curing step
followed by normal exposure to the elements, such as air, moisture
or sunlight exposure.
[0094] Fragrance
[0095] Perfumes or fragrance materials may be added to the
composition. The selection of the perfume or perfumes may be based
upon the application, the desired effect on the consumer, and
preferences of the formulator. The perfume selected for use in the
compositions and formulations of the present invention may contain
ingredients with odor characteristics which are preferred in order
to provide a fresh impression on the surface to which the
composition is directed, for example, those which provide a fresh
impression for fabrics. Such perfume may be preferably present at a
level from about 0.01% to about 5%, preferably from about 0.05% to
about 3%, and more preferably from about 0.1% to about 2% of the
total composition.
[0096] Preferably, the perfume may be composed of fragrance
materials selected from the group consisting of aromatic and
aliphatic esters having molecular weights from about 13.0 to about
250; aliphatic and aromatic alcohols having molecular weights from
about 90 to about 240; aliphatic ketones having molecular weights
from about 150 to about 260; aromatic ketones having molecular
weights from about 150 to about 270; aromatic and aliphatic
lactones having molecular weights from about 130 to about 290;
aliphatic aldehydes having molecular weights from about 140 to
about 200; aromatic aldehydes having molecular weights from about
90 to about 230; aliphatic and aromatic ethers having molecular
weights from about 150 to about 270; and condensation products of
aldehydes and amines having molecular weights from about 180 to
about 320; and mixtures thereof. Examples of such perfumes or
fragrance materials include, but are not limited to: adoxal
(2,6,10-trimethyl-9-undecen-1-al), allyl amyl glycolate, allyl
cyclohexane (allyl-3-cyclohexylpropionate), amyl acetate
(3-methyl-1-butanol), amyl salicylate, anisic aldehyde
(4-methoxybenzaldehyde), aurantiol (condensation product of methyl
anthranilate and hydroxycitronellal), bacdanol
(2-ethyl-4-(2,2,3-trimethy- l-3-cyclopenten-1-yl)-2-buten-1-ol),
benzaldehyde, benzophenone, benzyl acetate, benzyl salicylate,
damascone (1-(2,6,6-trimethyl-1-cyclohexen-1-- yl)-2-buten-1-one,
3-hexen-1-ol, buccoxime (1,5-dimethyl-oximebicyclo[3,2,-
1]octan-8-one), cedrol
(octahydro-3,6,8,8-tetramethyl-1H-3A,-7-methanoazul- en-6-ol),
cetalox (dodecahydro-3A,6,-6,9A-tetramethylnaphtho[2,1]furan),
cis-3-hexenyl acetate, cis-3-hexenyl salicylate, citronellol
(3,7-dimethyl-6-octenol), citronellyl nitrile (geranyl nitrile),
clove stem oil, coumarin, cyclohexyl salicylate, cymal
(2-methyl-3-(p-isopropyl- phenyl)-propionaldehyde), decyl aldehyde,
damascone (1-(2,6,6-trimethyl-3-cyclohexen-1-yl)-2-buten-1-one),
dihydromyrcenol (2,6-dimethyl-7-octan-2-ol), dimethyl benzyl
carbinyl acetate, ethyl vanillin, ethyl-2-methyl butyrate, ethylene
brassylate (ethylene tridecan-1,13-dioate), eucalyptol
(1,8-epoxy-p-menthane), eugenol (4-allyl-2-methoxyphenol),
exaltolide (cyclopentadecanolide), floor acetate
(dihydronorcyclopentadienyl acetate), florhydral
(3-(3-isopropylphenyl)butanal), frutene (dihydronorcyclopentadienyl
propionate), galaxolide
(1,3,4,6,7,8-hexahydro-4,6,6,7,8,8-hexamethylcycl-
opent-gamma-2-benzopyrane), gamma-decalactone
(4-N-heptyl-4-hydroaldehyde)- , cinnamic aldehyde, hexyl
salicylate, hydroxyambran (2-cyclododecylpropanol),
hydroxycitronellal, ionone
(4-(2,6,6-trimethyl-1-cyclohexenyl-1-yl)-3-buten-2-one), ionone
(4-(2,6,6-trimethyl-1-cyclohexene-1-yl)-3-butene-2-one), ionone
(4-(2,6,6-trimethyl-2-methylcyclohexyl-1-yl)-3-methyl-3-buten-2-one),
7-acetyl-1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8-octahydro-1,1,6,7-tetramethylnaphthalene,
isoeugenol (2-methoxy-4-(1-propenyl)-phenol), isojasmone
(2-methyl-3-(2-pentenyl)-2-cyclopenten-1-one), koavone (acetyl
diisoamylene), lauric aldehyde, lavandin, lavender, natural lemon
CP (major component d-limonene), d-limonene/orange terpenes
(1-methyl-4-isopropenyl-1-cyclohexene), linalool
(3-hydroxy-3,7-dimethyl-- 1,6-octadiene), linalyl acetate
(3-hydroxy-3,7-dimethyl-1,6-octadiene acetate), Irg 201
(2,4-dihydroxy-3,6-dimethyl benzoic acid methyl ester), lyral
(4-(4-hydroxy-4methyl-pentyl)-3-cyclohexene-1-carboxaldehyde),
majantol (2,2-dimethyl-3-(3-methylphenyl)-propanol), mayol
(4-(1-methylethyl)-cyclohexanemethanol), methyl anthranilate
(methyl-2-aminobenzoate), methyl-alpha-naphthyl ketone, methyl
cedrylone (methyl cedrenyl ketone), methyl chavicol
(1-methyloxy-4,2-propen-1-yl benzene), methyl dihydrojasmonate,
methyl nonyl acetaldehyde, musk indanone
(4-acetyl-6-tert-butyl-1,1-dimethylindane), nerol
(2-cis-3,7-dimethyl-2,6-octadien-1-ol), nonalactone
(4-hydroxynonanoic acid lactone), norlimbanol
(1-(2,2,6-trimethyl-cyclohexyl)-3-hexanol), orange CP (major
component d-limonene), para-tert-bucinal
(2-methyl-3-(p-tert-butylphenyl)-propionaldehyde),
p-hydroxyphenylbutanone, patchouli, phenyl acetaldehyde
(1-oxo-2-phenylethane), phenyl acetaldehyde, dimethyl acetal,
phenyl ethyl acetate, p-menth-1-en-8-ol, p-menth-1-en-1-ol,
terpinyl acetate p-menth-1-en-8-yl acetate), tetrahydrolinalool
(3,7-dimethyl-3-octanol), tetrahydromyrcenol
(2,6-dimethyl-2-octanol), tonalid/musk plus
(7-acetyl-1,1,3,4,4,6-hexamethyltetralin), undecalactone
(4-N-heptyl-4-hydroxybutanoic acid lactone), undecavertol
(4-methyl-3-decen-5-ol), undecanal, undecylenic aldehyde, vanillin
(4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde), verdox (2-tert-butyl cyclohexyl
acetate), vertenex (4-tert-butyl cyclohexyl acetate), and mixtures
thereof.
[0097] The selection of such perfumes and fragrance materials is
well-known to those of skill in the art, both for desired scent and
appropriate scent impact. For example, when high initial perfume
odor impact on fabrics is desired, it can be preferable to select a
perfume containing perfume ingredients which are not too
hydrophobic. The degree of hydrophobicity of a perfume ingredient
can be correlated with its octanol/water partitioning coefficient
P, the ratio between its equilibrium concentration in octanol and
in water. Thus, a perfume ingredient with a greater partitioning
coefficient P is more hydrophobic and a perfume ingredient with a
smaller partitioning coefficient P is more hydrophilic; a selection
based on the application and intended effect may be made
accordingly. For example, in a fabric application, the preferred
perfume ingredients may have an octanol/water partitioning
coefficient P of about 1,000 or smaller.
[0098] Highly preferred materials of this class of fragrances and
perfumes are those that do not cause any significant color change,
nor impart any discoloration, such as graying or yellowing, to the
fabrics to which they are applied, either during treatment followed
by drying and/or curing, or after the drying and/or curing step
followed by normal exposure to the elements, such as air, moisture
or sunlight exposure.
[0099] Antimicrobials and Preservatives
[0100] Optionally, antimicrobials or preservatives can be added to
the present invention. Typical concentrations for biocidal
effectiveness of these compounds may range from about 0.001% to
about 0.8%, preferably from about 0.005% to about 0.3%, and more
preferably from about 0.01% to 0.2% of the usage composition. The
corresponding concentrations for the concentrated compositions are
from about 0.003% to about 2%, preferably from about 0.006% to
about 1.2%, and more preferably from about 0.1% to about 0.8% of
the concentrated compositions.
[0101] Preservatives are especially preferred when organic
compounds that are subject to microorganisms are added to the
compositions of the present invention, especially when they are
used in aqueous compositions. When such compounds are present, long
term and even short-term storage stability of the compositions and
formulations becomes an important issue since contamination by
certain microorganisms with subsequent microbial growth often
results in an unsightly and/or malodorous solution. Therefore,
because microbial growth in these compositions and formulations is
highly objectionable when it occurs, it is preferable to include a
solubilized water-soluble, antimicrobial preservative, which is
effective for inhibiting and/or regulating microbial growth in
order to increase storage stability of the preferably clear and
often aqueous compositions and formulations of the present
invention.
[0102] Typical microorganisms that can be found in laundry products
include bacteria, for example, Bacillus thurigensis (cereus group)
and Bacillus sphaericus, and fungi, for example, Aspergillus ustus.
Bacillus sphaericus is one of the most numerous members of Bacillus
species in soils. In addition, microorganisms such as Escherichia
coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa are found in some water sources,
and can be introduced during the preparation of aqueous solutions
of the present invention. It is preferable to use a broad spectrum
preservative, for example, one that is effective on both bacteria
(both gram positive and gram negative) and fungi. A limited
spectrum preservative, for example, one that is only effective on a
single group of microorganisms, for example, fungi, can be used in
combination with a broad spectrum preservative or other limited
spectrum preservatives with complimentary and/or supplementary
activity. A mixture of broad spectrum preservatives can also be
used. Antimicrobial preservatives useful in the present invention
can be biocidal compounds, that is, substances that kill
microorganisms, or biostatic compounds, that is, substances that
inhibit and/or regulate the growth of microorganisms. Preferred
antimicrobial preservatives include those that are water-soluble
and are effective at low levels. In general, the water-soluble
preservatives that may be used include organic sulfur compounds,
halogenated compounds, cyclic organic nitrogen compounds, low
molecular weight aldehydes, quaternary compounds, dehydroacetic
acid, phenyl and phenoxy compounds, and mixtures thereof. Examples
of preservatives useful in the present invention include, but are
not limited to, the short chain alkyl esters of p-hydroxybenzoic
acid (commonly known as parabens);
N-(4-chlorophenyl)-N-(3,4-dichlorophenyl) urea (also known as
3,4,4-trichlorocarbanilide or triclocarban);
2,4,4-trichloro-2'-hydroxydiphenyl ether, commonly known as
triclosan); a mixture of about 77%
5-chloro-2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one and about 23%
2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one, a broad spectrum preservative
available from the Rohm and Haas Company as a 1.5% aqueous solution
under the trade name KATHON CG; 5-bromo-5-nitro-1,3-dioxane,
available from Henkel Corporation under the trade name BRONIDOX L;
2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-d- iol, available from Inolex Chemical
Company under the trade name BRONOPOL;
1,1-hexamethylenebis(5-p-(chlorophenyl)biguanide) (commonly known
as chlorhexidine) and its salts, for example, with acetic and
digluconic acids; a 95:5 mixture of
1,3-bis(hydroxymethyl)-5,5-dimethyl-2,4-imidazol- idinedione and
3-butyl-2-iodopropynyl carbamate, available from Lonza Inc. under
the trade name GLYDANT Plus;
N-[1,3-bis(hydroxymethyl)2,5-dioxo-4-i-
midazolidinyl]-N,N'-bis(hydroxy-methyl) urea, commonly known as
diazolidinyl urea, available from Sutton Laboratories, Inc. under
the trade name GERMALL II;
N,N"-methylenebis-[N'-[1-(hydroxymethyl)-2,5-dioxo-
-4-imidazolidinyl]urea] (commonly known as imidazolidinyl urea),
available, for example, from 3V-Sigma under the trade name ABIOL,
from Induchem under the trade name UNICIDE U-13, and from Sutton
Laboratories, Inc. under the trade name GERMALL 115; polymethoxy
bicyclic oxazolidine, available from Huls America Inc. under the
trade name NUOSEPT; formaldehyde; glutaraldehyde; polyaminopropyl
biguanide, available from ICI Americas, Inc. under the trade name
COSMOCIL CQ or from Brooks Industries Inc. under the trade name
MIKROKILL dehydroacetic acid; and mixtures thereof. In general,
however, the preservative can be any organic preservative material
which is appropriate for the application, for example, in a laundry
application such preservative will preferably not cause damage to
fabric appearance, for example, discoloration, coloration, or
bleaching of the fabric. If the antimicrobial preservative is
included in the compositions and formulations of the present
invention, it is preferably present in an effective amount, wherein
an "effective amount" means a level sufficient to prevent spoilage
or prevent growth of inadvertently added microorganisms for a
specific period of time. Preferred levels of preservative are from
about 0.0001% to about 0.5%, more preferably from about 0.0002% to
about 0.2%, further preferably from about 0.0003% to about 0.1%, of
the composition. Optionally, the preservative can be used at a
level which provides an antimicrobial effect on the treated
fabrics.
[0103] The composition may suitably use an optional solubilized,
water-soluble antimicrobial active, useful in providing protection
against organisms that become attached to the treated material. The
free, uncomplexed antimicrobial, e.g., antibacterial, active
provides an optimum antibacterial performance. Sanitization of
fabrics can be achieved by the compositions of the present
invention containing, antimicrobial materials, e.g., antibacterial
halogenated compounds, quaternary compounds, and phenolic
compounds. Some of the more robust antimicrobial halogenated
compounds which can function as disinfectants/sanitizers as well as
finish product preservatives, and are useful in the compositions of
the present invention include 1,1'-hexamethylene
bis(5-(p-chlorophenyl)biguanide), commonly known as chlorhexidine,
and its salts, e.g., with hydrochloric, acetic and gluconic acids.
The digluconate salt is highly water-soluble, about 70% in water,
and the diacetate salt has a solubility of about 1.8% in water.
When chlorhexidine is used as a sanitizer in the present invention
it can typically be present at a level from about 0.001% to about
1.0%, preferably from about 0.002% to about 0.3%, and more
preferably from about 0.01% to about 0.1%, by weight of the usage
composition. In some cases, a level from about 1% to about 2% may
be needed for virucidal activity. Other useful biguanide compounds
include COSMOCI, CQ, VANTOCIL IB, including poly (hexamethylene
biguanide) hydrochloride. Other useful cationic antimicrobial
agents include the bis-biguanide alkanes. Usable water soluble
salts of the above are chlorides, bromides, sulfates, alkyl
sulfonates such as methyl sulfonate and ethyl sulfonate,
phenylsulfonates such as p-methylphenyl sulfonates, nitrates,
acetates, gluconates, and the like. Non-limiting examples of useful
quaternary compounds include: (1) benzalkonium chlorides and/or
substituted benzalkonium chlorides such as commercially available
BARQUAT (available from Lonza), MAQUAT (available from Mason),
VARIQUAT (available from Witco/Sherex), and HYAMINE (available from
Lonza); (2) dialkyl quaternary such as BARDAC products of Lonza,
(3) N-(3-chloroallyl) hexaminium chlorides such as DOWICIDE and
DOWICIL available from Dow; (4) benzethonium chloride such as
HYAMINE 1622 from Rohm & Haas; (5) methylbenzethonium chloride
represented by HYAMINE 1OX supplied by Rohm & Haas, (6)
cetylpyridinium chloride such as Cepacol chloride available from of
Merrell Labs.
[0104] Preferred antimicrobial compounds for use herein include
quaternary ammonium compounds containing alkyl or substituted alkyl
groups, alkyl amide and carboxylic acid groups, ether groups,
unsaturated alkyl groups, and cyclic quaternary ammonium compounds,
which can be chlorides, dichlorides, bromides, methylsulphates,
chlorophenates, cylcohexylsulphamates or salts of the other acids.
Among the useful cyclic quaternary ammonium compounds are the
following:--alkylpyridinium chlorides and/or sulphates, the alkyl
group being preferably cetyl, dodecyl or hexadecyl
group;--alkylisoquinolyl chlorides and/or bromides, the alkyl group
being preferably dodecyl group. Particularly suitable quaternary
ammonium compounds for use herein include alkyl dimethyl benzyl
ammonium chloride, octyl decyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, dioctyl
dimethyl ammonium chloride, didecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride,
alkyl dimethyl ammonium saccharinate, cetylpyridinium and mixtures
thereof.
[0105] Highly preferred materials of this class of antimicrobials
and preservatives are those that do not cause any significant color
change, nor impart any discoloration, such as graying or yellowing,
to the fabrics to which they are applied, either during treatment
followed by drying and/or curing, or after the drying and/or curing
step followed by normal exposure to the elements, such as air,
moisture or sunlight exposure.
[0106] Dyes and Colorants
[0107] Optionally, dyes and colorants can be added to the present
invention. Typical concentrations of these compounds may range from
about 0.001% to about 0.8%, preferably from about 0.005% to about
0.3%, and more preferably from about 0.01% to 0.2% of the usage
composition.
[0108] Colorants and dyes, especially bluing agents, can be
optionally added to the compositions of the present invention for
visual appeal and performance impression. When colorants are used,
they may be used at extremely low levels to avoid fabric staining.
Preferred colorants for use in the present compositions include
highly water-soluble dyes, for example, LIQUITINT dyes available
from Milliken Chemical Company. Non-limiting examples of suitable
dyes are LIQUITINT Blue HP, LIQUITINT Blue 65, LIQUITINT Patent
Blue, LIQUITINT Royal Blue, LIQUITINT Experimental Yellow 8949-43,
LIQUITINT Green HMC, LIQUITINT Yellow II, and mixtures thereof. Any
dye can be used in the compositions of the present invention, but
nonionic dyes are preferred to decrease interaction with the zeta
potential modifier and/or with the dye transfer inhibitor employed
in combination with the inventive compositions. Useful acid dyes
include: Polar Brilliant Blue and D&C Yellow #10, both supplied
by Hilton Davis Chemical Company. Nonionic LIQUITINT dyes supplied
by Milliken Chemical Company are also useful.
[0109] Suitable colors include, but are not limited to, Acid Black
1, Acid Blue 3, Acid Blue 9 Aluminum Lake, Acid Blue 74, Acid Green
1, Acid Orange 6, Acid Red 14 Aluminum Lake, Acid Red 27, Acid Red
27 Aluminum Lake, Acid Red 51, Acid Violet 9, Acid Yellow 3, Acid
Yellow 3 Aluminum Lake, Acid Yellow 73, Aluminum Powder, Basic Blue
6, Basic Yellow 11, Carotene, Brilliant Black 1, Bromocresol Green,
Chromium Oxide Greens, Curry Red, D&C Blue No. 1 Aluminum Lake,
D&C Blue No. 4, D&C Brown No. 1, D&C Green No. 3
Aluminum Lake, D&C Green No. 5, D&C Orange No. 4 Aluminum
Lake, D&C Red No. 6, D&C Red No. 6 Aluminum Lake, D&C
Violet No. 2, D&C Yellow No. 7, D&C Yellow No. 11, D&C
Blue No. 1, FD&C Yellow No. 5 Aluminum Lake, iron oxides,
Pigment Orange 5, Pigment Red 83, Pigment Yellow 73, Solvent Orange
1, Solvent Yellow 18, ultramarines, and zinc stearate.
[0110] Highly preferred materials of this class of dyes and
colorants are those that do not effectively bind to or permanently
dye or color fabrics treated by use of the invention compositions,
nor cause any significant color change, nor impart any
discoloration, such as graying or yellowing, to the fabrics to
which they are applied, either during treatment followed by drying
and/or curing, or after the drying and/or curing step followed by
normal exposure to the elements, such as air, moisture or sunlight
exposure.
[0111] Viscosity Control Agents
[0112] Optionally added viscosity control agents can be organic or
inorganic in nature and may either lower or raise the viscosity of
the formulation. Examples of organic viscosity modifiers to lower
viscosity are aryl carboxylates and sulfonates (for example
including, but not limited to benzoate, 2-hydroxybenzoate,
2-aminobenzoate, benzenesulfonate, 2-hydroxybenzenesulfonate,
2-aminobenzenesulfonate), fatty acids and esters, fatty alcohols,
and water-miscible solvents such as short chain alcohols. Examples
of inorganic viscosity control agents are water-soluble ionizable
salts. A wide variety of ionizable salts can be used. Examples of
suitable salts are the halides and acetates of ammonium ion and the
group IA and IIA metals of the Periodic Table of the Elements, for
example, calcium chloride, lithium chloride. sodium chloride,
potassium chloride, magnesium chloride, ammonium chloride, sodium
bromide, potassium bromide, calcium bromide, magnesium bromide,
ammonium bromide, sodium iodide, potassium iodide, calcium iodide,
magnesium iodide, ammonium iodide, sodium acetate, potassium
acetate, or mixtures thereof. Calcium chloride is preferred. The
ionizable salts are particularly useful during the process of
mixing the ingredients to make the compositions herein, and later
to obtain the desired viscosity. The amount of ionizable salts used
depends on the amount of active ingredients used in the
compositions and can be adjusted according to the desire of the
formulator. Typical levels of salts used to control the composition
viscosity are from 0 to about 10%, preferably from about 0.01% to
about 6%, and more preferably from about 0.02% to about 3% of the
composition.
[0113] Viscosity modifiers (raising) or thickening agents can be
added to increase the ability of the compositions to stably suspend
water-insoluble articles, for example, perfume microcapsules. Such
materials include hydroxypropyl substituted guar gum (such as that
available from Rhne-Poulenc Corporation under the trade name JAGUAR
HP200), polyethylene glycol (such as that available from Union
Carbide Corporation under the trade name CARBOWAX 20M), hydrophobic
modified hydroxyethylcellulose (such as that available from the
Aqualon Company under the trade name NATROSOL Plus), and/or
organophilic clays (for example, hectorite and/or bentonite clays
such as those available from the Rheox Company under the trade name
BENTONE 27, 34 and 38 or from Southern Clay Products under the
trade name BENTOLITE L; and those described in U.S. Pat. No.
4,103,047 to Zaki, et al., which is herein incorporated by
reference). These viscosity raisers (thickeners) can typically be
used at levels from about 0.5% to about 30%, preferably from about
1% to about 5%, more preferably from about 1.5% to about 3.5%, and
further preferably from about 2% to about 3%, of the
composition.
[0114] Highly preferred materials of this class of thickeners and
viscosity control and viscosity modifiers are those that do not
cause any significant color change, nor impart any discoloration,
such as graying or yellowing, to the fabrics to which they are
applied, either during treatment followed by drying and/or curing,
or after the drying and/or curing step followed by normal exposure
to the elements, such as air, moisture or sunlight exposure.
[0115] Pearlizing and Opacifying Agents
[0116] Examples of pearlizing or opacifing agents that can
optionally be added to the compositions of this invention include,
but are not restricted to, glycol distearate, propylene glycol
distearate, and glycol stearate. Some of these products are
available from Witco Corporation under the KEMESTER trade name.
[0117] Highly preferred materials of this class of pearlizing and
opacifying agents are those that do bind to treated fabrics, nor
cause any significant color change, nor impart any discoloration,
such as whitening, graying or yellowing, to the fabrics to which
they are applied, either during treatment followed by drying and/or
curing, or after the drying and/or curing step followed by normal
exposure to the elements, such as air, moisture or sunlight
exposure.
[0118] Antioxidants and Sunscreen Materials
[0119] Examples of antioxidants that can optionally be added to the
compositions of this invention are propyl gallate, available from
Eastman Chemical Products, Inc. under the trade names TENOX PG and
TENOX S-1, and dibutylated hydroxytoluene, available from UOP Inc.
under the trade name. SUSTANE BHT. Also preferred are antioxidants
for providing sun-fade protection for fabrics treated with the
composition of the present invention, such antioxidants being
described in EP0773982, and incorporated herein by reference.
Preferred antioxidants include
2-(N-methyl-N-cocoamino)ethyl-3',5'-di-tert-butyl-4'-hydroxybenzoate;
2-(N,N-dimethyl-amino)ethyl-3',5'-di-tert-butyl-4'-hydroxybenzoate;
2-(N-methyl-N-cocoamino)ethyl-3',4',5'-trihydroxybenzoate; and
mixtures thereof, more preferably
2-(N-methyl-N-cocoamino)ethyl-3',5'-di-tert-buty- l-4'-hydroxy
benzoate. Of these compounds, the butylated derivatives are
preferred in the compositions of the present invention because
tri-hydroxybenzoates have a tendency to discolor upon exposure to
light. The antioxidant compounds of the present invention
demonstrate light stability in the compositions of the present
invention. "Light stable" means that the antioxidant compounds in
the compositions of the present invention do not discolor when
exposed to either sunlight or simulated sunlight for approximately
2 to 60 hours at a temperature of from about 25.degree. C. to about
45.degree. C. Antioxidant compounds and free radical scavengers can
generally protect dyes from degradation by first preventing the
generation of single oxygen and peroxy radicals, and thereafter
terminating the degradation pathways. Not to be limited by theory,
a general discussion of the mode of action for antioxidants and
free radical scavengers is disclosed in Kirk Othmer, The
Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, Volume 3, pages 128-148, Third
Edition (1978) which is incorporated herein by reference.
[0120] Compositions of the present invention may comprise an
organic sunscreen. Suitable sunscreens can have UVA absorbing
properties, UVB absorbing properties, or a combination of both. The
compositions of the present invention may preferably comprise a UVA
absorbing sunscreen actives that absorb UV radiation having a
wavelength from about 320 nm to about 400 nm. Suitable UVA
absorbing sunscreen actives include dibenzoylmethane derivatives,
anthranilate derivatives such as methylanthranilate and
homomethyl-1-N-acetylanthranilate, and mixtures thereof. Examples
of dibenzoylmethane sunscreen actives are described in U.S. Pat.
No. 4,387,089 to De Polo; and in Sunscreens: Development,
Evaluation, and Regulatory Aspects edited by N.J. Lowe and N. A.
Shaath, Marcel Dekker, Inc (1990), which are incorporated herein by
reference. The UVA absorbing sunscreen active is preferably present
in an amount to provide broad-spectrum UVA protection either
independently, or in combination with, other UV protective actives
that may be present in the composition. Preferred UVA sunscreen
actives include dibenzoylmethane sunscreen actives and their
derivatives. They include, but are not limited to, those selected
from 2-methyldibenzoylmethane, 4-methyldibenzoylmethane,
4-isopropyldibenzoylmethane, 4-tert-butyldibenzoylmethane,
2,4-dimethyldibenzoylmethane, 2,5-dimethyldibenzoylmethane,
4,4'-diisopropylbenzoylmethane,
4-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4'-methoxydibenzoylmethane,
2-methyl-5-isopropyl-4'- -methoxydibenzoylmethane,
2-methyl-5-tert-butyl-4'-methoxydibenzoylmethane- ,
2,4-dimethyl-4'-methoxydibenzoylmethane,
2,6-dimethyl-4'-tert-butyl-4'-m- ethoxydibenzoylmethane, and
mixtures thereof. Preferred dibenzoyl sunscreen actives include
those selected from 4-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4'-me-
thoxydibenzoylmethane, 4-isopropyldibenzoylmethane, and mixtures
thereof. A more preferred sunscreen active is
4-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4'-methoxydibe- nzoylmethane, which is also
known as butylethoxydibenzoylmethane or Avobenzone, is commercially
available under the names of PARSOL 1789 from Givaudan Roure
(International) S. A. (Basel, Switzerland) and EUSOLEX 9020 from
Merck & Co., Inc (Whitehouse Station, N.J.). The sunscreen
4-isopropyldibenzoylmethane, which is also known as
isopropyldibenzoylmethane, is commercially available from Merck
under the name of EUSOLEX 8020. The compositions of the present
invention may preferably further comprise a UVB sunscreen active
that absorbs UV radiation having a wavelength of from about 290 nm
to about 320 nm. The compositions may preferably comprise an amount
of the UVB sunscreen active that is safe and effective to provide
UVB protection either independently, or in combination with, other
UV protective actives that may be present in the compositions. The
compositions preferably comprise from about 0.1% to about 16%, more
preferably from about 0.1% to about 12%, and further preferably
from about 0.5% to about 8% by weight, of UVB absorbing organic
sunscreen. A wide variety of UVB sunscreen actives are suitable for
use herein. Nonlimiting examples of such organic sunscreen actives
are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,087,372 to Toyomot and U.S. Pat.
Nos. 5,073,371 and 5,073,372 both to Turner et al, which are
incorporated herein by reference. Preferred UVB sunscreen actives
are selected from 2-ethylhexyl-2-cyano-3,3-diphenylacrylate
(referred to as octocrylene), 2-phenyl-benzimidazole-5-sulphonic
acid (PBSA), cinnamates and their derivatives such as
2-ethylhexyl-p-methoxycinnamate and octyl-p-methoxycinnamate, TEA
salicylate, octyldimethyl PABA, camphor derivatives and their
derivatives, and mixtures thereof. Preferred organic sunscreen
actives include 2-ethylhexyl-2-cyano-3,3-diphenylacryla- te
(commonly named octocrylene), 2-phenyl-benzimidazole-5-sulphonic
acid (PBSA), octyl-p-methoxycinnamate, and mixtures thereof. Salt
and acid neutralized forms of the acidic sunscreens are also
useful.
[0121] An agent may also be added to any of the compositions useful
in the present invention to stabilize the UVA sunscreen and to
prevent it from photo-degrading on exposure to UV radiation and
thereby maintaining its UVA protection efficacy. Wide ranges of
compounds have been cited as providing these stabilizing properties
and should be chosen to compliment both the UVA sunscreen and the
composition as a whole. Suitable stabilizing agents include, but
are not limited to, those described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,972,316 to
Robinson; U.S. Pat. No. 5,968,485 to Robinson; U.S. Pat. No.
5,935,556 to Tanner et al.; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,827,508 Tanner et
al. which are incorporated herein by reference. Preferred examples
of stabilizing agents for use in the present invention include
2-ethylhexyl-2-cyano-3,3-diphenylacrylate (referred to as
octocrylene), ethyl-2-cyano-3,3-diphenylacrylate,
2-ethylhexyl-3,3-diphenylacrylate,
ethyl-3,3-bis(4-methoxyphenyl)acrylate, and mixtures thereof.
[0122] Highly preferred materials of this class of antioxidants and
sunscreen actives are those that do not cause any significant color
change, nor impart any discoloration, such as graying or yellowing,
to the fabrics to which they are applied, either during treatment
followed by drying and/or curing, or after the drying and/or curing
step followed by normal exposure to the elements, such as air,
moisture or sunlight exposure.
[0123] The composition of the present invention may preferably
deposit from about 0.1 mg/g fabric to about 5 mg/g fabric of the
sun-fade actives to reduce the sun fading of the fabric. Treatment
of fabric with compositions of the present invention repeatedly,
may result in higher deposition levels, which contributes even
further to the sun-fading protection benefit.
[0124] Dye Transfer Inhibitors and Dye Fixatives
[0125] The composition can comprise from about 0.001% to about 20%,
preferably from about 0.5% preferably to about 10%, and more
preferably from about 1% to about 5% of one or more dye transfer
inhibitors or dye fixing agents.
[0126] Compositions and formulations of the present invention can
contain ethoxylated amines, amphoterics, betaines, polymers such as
polyvinylpyrrolidone, and other ingredients that inhibit dye
transfer. Optional dye fixing agents can be cationic, and based on
quaternized nitrogen compounds or on nitrogen compounds having a
strong cationic charge which is formed in situ under the conditions
of usage. Cationic fixatives are available under various trade
names from several suppliers. Representative examples include:
CROSCOLOR PMF (July 1981, Code No. 7894) and CROSCOLOR NOFF
(January 1988, Code No. 8544) ex Crosfield; fNDOSOL E-50 (Feb. 27,
1984, Ref. No. 6008.35.84; polyethyleneamine-based) ex Sandoz;
SANDOFIX TPS, ex Sandoz, is a preferred dye fixative for use
herein. Additional non-limiting examples include SANDOFIX SWE (a
cationic resinous compound) from Sandoz, REWIN SRF, REWIN SRF-O and
REWIN DWR Crochet-Beitlich GMBH; Tinofix ECO, Tinofix FRD and
Solvent from Ciba-Geigy. Other cationic dye fixing agents are
described in "After treatments for Improving the Fastness of Dyes
on Textile Fibres", Christopher C. Cook, Rev. Prog. Coloration,
Vol. XH, (1982). Dye fixing agents suitable for use in the present
invention include ammonium compounds such as fatty acid-diamine
condensates, inter alia, the hydrochloride, acetate, methosulphate
and benzyl hydrochloride salts of diamine esters. Non-limiting
examples include oleyldiethyl aminoethylamide, oleylmethyl
diethylenediamine methosulphate, and monostearylethylene
diaminotrimethylammonium methosulphate. In addition, the N-oxides
of tertiary amines; derivatives of polymeric alkyldiamines,
polyamine-cyanuric chloride condensates; and aminated glycerol
dichlorohydrins are suitable for use as dye fixatives in the
compositions of the present invention. Highly preferred materials
of this class of dye transfer inhibitors and dye fixatives are
those that do not cause any significant color change, nor impart
any discoloration, such as graying or yellowing, to the fabrics to
which they are applied, either during treatment followed by drying
and/or curing, or after the drying and/or curing step followed by
normal exposure to the elements, such as air, moisture or sunlight
exposure.
[0127] Chlorine Scavengers
[0128] The compositions of the present invention may optionally
comprise from about 0.01%, preferably from about 0.02%, more
preferably from about 0.25% to about 15%, further preferably to
about 10%, and yet more preferably to about 5% of a chlorine
scavenger. In cases wherein the cation portion and the anion
portion of the non-polymeric scavenger each react with chlorine,
the amount of scavenger can be adjusted to fit the needs of the
formulator. Suitable chlorine scavengers include ammonium salts
having the formula: [(R).sub.3R'N]X wherein each R is independently
hydrogen, C.sub.1-C.sub.4 alkyl, --C.sub.1-C.sub.4 substituted
alkyl, and mixtures thereof; preferably R is hydrogen or methyl,
more preferably hydrogen; R' is hydrogen C.sub.1-C.sub.10 alkyl,
C.sub.1-C.sub.10 substituted alkyl, and mixtures thereof.
Preferably R is hydrogen and X is a compatible anion. Non-limiting
examples include chloride, bromide, citrate, and sulfate;
preferably X is chloride. Non-limiting examples of preferred
chlorine scavengers include ammonium chloride, ammonium sulfate,
and mixtures thereof, preferably ammonium chloride. Other chlorine
scavengers include reducing agents such as thiosulfate.
[0129] Highly preferred materials of this class of chlorine
scavengers are those that do not cause any significant color
change, nor impart any discoloration, such as graying or yellowing,
to the fabrics to which they are applied, either during treatment
followed by drying and/or curing, or after the drying and/or curing
step followed by normal exposure to the elements, such as air,
moisture or sunlight exposure.
[0130] Wetting Agents
[0131] The present invention may contain as an optional ingredient
from about 0.005% to about 3.0%, and more preferably from about
0.03% to 1.0% of a wetting agent. Such wetting agents may be
selected from polyhydroxy compounds. Examples of water soluble
polyhydroxy compounds that can be used as wetting agents in the
present invention include glycerol, polyglycerols having a
weight-average molecular weight from about 150 to about 800, and
polyoxyethylene glycols and polyoxypropylene glycols having a
weight-average molecular weight from about 200 to about 4000,
preferably from about 200 to about 1000, and more preferably from
about 200 to about 600. Polyoxyethylene glycols having a
weight-average molecular weight from about 200 to about 600 are
especially preferred. Mixtures of the above-described polyhydroxy
compounds may also be used. A particularly preferred polyhydroxy
compound is polyoxyethylene glycol having a weight-average
molecular weight of about 400, available from Union Carbide
Corporation under the trade name PEG-400.
[0132] Highly preferred materials of this class of wetting agents
are those that do not cause any significant color change, nor
impart any discoloration, such as graying or yellowing, to the
fabrics to which they are applied, either during treatment followed
by drying and/or curing, or after the drying and/or curing step
followed by normal exposure to the elements, such as air, moisture
or sunlight exposure.
[0133] Electrolyte
[0134] Suitable inorganic salts for use as an optional electrolyte
in the present compositions include MgI.sub.2, MgBr.sub.2,
MgCl.sub.2, Mg(NO.sub.3).sub.2, Mg.sub.3(PO.sub.4).sub.2,
Mg.sub.2P.sub.2O.sub.7, MgSO.sub.4, magnesium silicate, NaI, NaBr,
NaCl, NaF, Na.sub.3PO.sub.4, NaSO.sub.3, Na.sub.2SO.sub.4,
Na.sub.2SO.sub.3, NaNO.sub.3, Na.sub.4P.sub.2O.sub.5, sodium
silicate, sodium metasilicate, sodium tetrachloroaluminate, sodium
tripolyphosphate (STPP), Na.sub.2S.sub.3O.sub.7, sodium zirconate,
CaF.sub.2, CaCl.sub.2, CaBr.sub.2, Cal.sub.2, CaSO.sub.4,
Ca(NO.sub.3).sub.2, KI, KBr, KCl, KF, KNO.sub.3, KIO.sub.3,
K.sub.2SO.sub.4, K.sub.2SO.sub.3, K.sub.3PO.sub.4,
K.sub.4(P.sub.2O.sub.7), potassium pyrosulfate, potassium
pyrosulfite, LiI, LiBr, LiCl, LiF, LiNO.sub.3, AlF.sub.3,
AlCl.sub.3, AlBr.sub.3, AlI.sub.3, Al.sub.2(SO.sub.4).sub.3,
Al(PO.sub.4), Al(NO.sub.3).sub.3, aluminum silicate; including
hydrates of these salts and including combinations of these salts
or salts with mixed cations e.g. potassium aluminum
AlK(SO.sub.4).sub.2 and salts with mixed anions, e.g. potassium
tetrachloroaluminate and sodium tetrafluoroaluminate. Salts
incorporating cations from groups IIIa, IVa, Va, VIa, VIIa, VIII,
Ib, and IIb on the periodic chart with atomic numbers>13 are
also useful in reducing dilution viscosity but less preferred due
to their tendency to change oxidation states and thus they can
adversely affect the odor or color of the formulation or lower
weight efficiency. Salts with cations from group Ia or IIa with
atomic numbers>20 as well as salts with cations from the
lanthanide or actinide series are useful in reducing dilution
viscosity, but less preferred due to lower weight efficiency or
toxicity. Mixtures of above salts are also useful.
[0135] Also preferred are quaternary ammonium salts, quaternary
alkyl ammonium salts, quaternary dialkyl ammonium salts, quaternary
trialkyl ammonium salts and quaternary tetraalkyl ammonium salts
wherein the alkyl substituent comprises a methyl, ethyl, propyl,
butyl or higher C.sub.5-C.sub.12 linear alkane radical, or
combinations thereof. Organic salts useful in this invention
include, magnesium, sodium, lithium, potassium, zinc, and aluminum
salts of the carboxylic acids including formate, acetate,
proprionate, pelargonate, citrate, gluconate, lactate, aromatic
acids e.g. benzoates, phenolate and substituted benzoates or
phenolates, such as phenolate, salicylate, polyaromatic acids
terephthalates, and polyacids e.g. oxylate, adipate, succinate,
benzenedicarboxylate, benzenetricarboxylate. Other useful organic
salts include carbonate and/or hydrogen carbonate
(HCO.sub.3.sup.-1) when the pH is suitable, alkyl and aromatic
sulfates and sulfonates, e.g., sodium methyl sulfate, benzene
sulfonates and derivatives such as xylene sulfonate, and amino
acids when the pH is suitable.
[0136] Electrolytes can comprise mixed salts of the above, salts
neutralized with mixed cations such as potassium/sodium tartrate,
partially neutralized salts such as sodium hydrogen tartrate or
potassium hydrogen phthalate, and salts comprising one cation with
mixed anions.
[0137] Highly preferred materials of this class of inorganic and
organic electrolytes are those that do not cause any significant
color change, nor impart any discoloration, such as graying or
yellowing, to the fabrics to which they are applied, either during
treatment followed by drying and/or curing, or after the drying
and/or curing step followed by normal exposure to the elements,
such as air, moisture or sunlight exposure.
[0138] Generally, inorganic electrolytes are preferred over organic
electrolytes for better weight efficiency and lower costs. Mixtures
of inorganic and organic salts can be used. Typical levels of
electrolyte in the present compositions can be less than about 10%,
preferably from about 0.5% to about 5%, more preferably from about
0.75% to about 2.5%, and further preferably from about 1% to about
2% of the inventive composition.
[0139] Enzymes
[0140] Additional desirable adjuncts may be enzymes (although it
may be preferred to also include an enzyme stabilizer), including,
but not limited to hydrolases, hydroxylases, cellulases,
peroxidases, laccases, mannases, amylases, lipases and proteases.
Proteases are one especially preferred class of enzymes. Typical
examples of proteases include Maxatase and Maxacal from Genencor
International, Alcalase, Savinase, and Esperase, all available from
Novozymes North America, Inc. See also U.S. Pat. No. 4,511,490 to
Stanislowski et al., incorporated herein by reference. Further
suitable enzymes are amylases, which are carbohydrate-hydrolyzing
enzymes. It may also be preferred to include mixtures of amylases
and proteases. Suitable amylases include Termamyl from Novozymes,
North America Inc, and Maxamyl from Genencor International Co.
Still other suitable enzymes are cellulases, such as those
described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,479,881 to Tai; U.S. Pat. No.
4,443,355 to Murata et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,435,307 to Barbesgaard
et al.; and U.S. Pat. No. 3,983,082 to Ohya et al., incorporated
herein by reference. Yet other suitable enzymes are lipases, such
as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,950,277 to Silver; U.S. Pat.
No. 4,707,291 to Thom et al.; U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,296,161 and
5,030,240 both to Wiersema et al.; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,108,457 to
Poulose et al., incorporated herein by reference. The hydrolytic
enzyme may be present in an amount of about 0.01-5%, more
preferably about 0.01-3%, and further preferably about 0.1-2% by
weight of the detergent. Mixtures of any of the foregoing
hydrolases are desirable, especially protease/amylase blends.
[0141] Highly preferred materials of this class of enzymes are
those that do not cause any significant residual odor or color
change, nor impart any discoloration, such as graying or yellowing,
to the fabrics to which they are applied, either during treatment
followed by drying and/or curing, or after the drying and/or curing
step followed by normal exposure to the elements, such as air,
moisture or sunlight exposure.
[0142] Bleaching Agents
[0143] The compositions of the present invention may optionally
comprise from about 0.01%, preferably from about 0.02%, more
preferably from about 0.25% to about 15%, further preferably to
about 10%, and yet more preferably to about 5% of a bleaching
agent. Suitable bleaching agents include chlorine-releasing agents
and peroxygen and peroxide-releasing compounds. Alkali metal
hypochlorites, including sodium or potassium hypochlorite, are
preferred chlorine releasing agents. Peroxygen compounds include
alkali metal salts of percarbonate, perborate and
peroxymonosulfate. Peroxide compounds, including hydrogen peroxide
and compounds generating hydrogen peroxide in solution, peroxyacids
and precursors to peroxyacids and peroxyimidic acids, and metal
based oxidants are also suitable. Suitable bleaching agents include
preformed peracids and organic peroxides, including alkyl and acyl
peroxides such as tertiary butyl peroxide and benzoyl peroxide, and
related alkonyl and acyl peroxide and superoxide derivatives of
alkyls and arenes. Additionally, an appropriate bleach activator
for the active oxygen source or peroxide may be present, such those
found in Arbogast et al., U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,739,327 and 5,741,437,
Alvarez et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,814,242, Deline et al., U.S. Pat.
No. 5,877,315 and Casella et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,888,419 (which
relate to cyanonitrile derivatives), Fong et al., U.S. Pat. Nos.
4,959,187 and 4,778,816, Bolkan et al., U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,112,514
and 5,002,691, and Brodbeck et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,269,962 (which
relate to alkanoyloxyacetyl derivatives); and Mitchell et al., U.S.
Pat. Nos. 5,234,616, 5,130,045 and 5,130,044 (all of which relate
to alkanoyloxyphenylsulfonates), all of which are incorporated
herein by reference.
[0144] Highly preferred materials of this class of bleaching agents
are those that do not cause any significant fabric damage or color
change, nor impart any discoloration, such as graying or yellowing,
to the fabrics to which they are applied, either during treatment
followed by drying and/or curing, or after the drying and/or curing
step followed by normal exposure to the elements, such as air,
moisture or sunlight exposure.
[0145] Brighteners
[0146] Optical brighteners, also referred to as fluorescent
whitening agents or FWA's, have long been used to impart whitening
to fabrics during the laundering process. These fluorescent
materials act by absorbing ultraviolet wavelength light and
emitting visible light, generally in the color blue wavelength
ranges. The FWA's settle out or deposit onto fabrics during the
washing cycle. These include the stilbene, styrene, and naphthalene
derivatives, which upon being impinged by ultraviolet light, emit
or fluoresce light in the visible wavelength. These FWA's or
brighteners are useful for improving the appearance of fabrics,
which have become dingy through repeated soilings and washings.
Preferred FWA's are Blankophor BBH, RKH and BHC, from Bayer
Corporation; and Tinopal 5BMX-C, CBS-X and RBS, from Ciba-Geigy
A.G. Fluorescent whiteners most currently used in common laundry
compositions generally fall into a category referred to in the art
as diaminostilbene disulfonic acid-cyanuric chloride--or
DASC--brighteners. These compounds have the general formula 1
[0147] Examples of such DASC fluorescent whiteners include those
sold by the Ciba-Geigy Corporation under the trade name "Tinopal",
which are substituted stilbene 2,2'-disulfonic acid products, e.g.,
disodium
4,4'-bis-((4-anilino-6-morpholino-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)amino)stilbene-2,2'--
disulfonate (sold as Tinopal AMS); disodium
4,4'-bis-((4-anilino-6-(N-2-hy-
droxyethyl-N-methylamino)-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)amino)stilbene-2,2'-disulfona-
te (sold as Tinopal 5BM); disodium
4,4'-bis-((4-anilino-6-(bis(2-hydroxyet-
hyl)amino)-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)amino)stilbene-2,2'-disulfonate (sold
as Tinopal UNPA). Another example sold by Bayer Corporation is
disodium
4,4'-bis-((4-anilino-6-methylamino)-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)amino)stilbene-2,2-
'-disulfonate (sold as Phorwite HRS). Examples of suitable FWA's
can be found in U.K. Patent Nos. 1,298,577, 2,076,011, 2,026,054,
2,026,566, 1,393,042; and U.S. Pat. No. 3,951,960 to Heath et al.,
U.S. Pat. No. 4,298,290 to Barnes et al., U.S. Pat. No. 3,993,659
to Meyer, U.S. Pat. No. 3,980,713 to Matsunaga et al., and U.S.
Pat. No. 3,627,758 to Weber et al., incorporated herein by
reference. See also, U.S. Pat. No. 4,900,468 to Mitchell et al.,
column 5, line 66 to column 6, line 27, incorporated herein by
reference.
[0148] Also preferred are cationic, nonionic, and amphoteric FWA's,
such as those cited in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,433,975, 4,432,886,
4,384,121, all to Meyer and 4,263,431 to Weber et al., and
incorporated herein by reference. Further examples of suitable FWAs
are described in McCutcheon's Vol. 2: Functional Materials, North
American Ed., McCutcheon Division, MC Publishing Co., 1995, and
Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, 11.sup.th volume, John Wiley
& Sons, 1994, both of which are incorporated herein by
reference. Other examples of fluorescent brightening materials
suitable for the invention may be found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,251,303
to Bawendi et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 6,127,549 to Hao et al.; U.S. Pat.
No. 6,133,215 to Zelger et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 6,117,189 to Reinehr
et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 6,120,704 to Martini; and U.S. Pat. No.
6,162,869 to Sharma et al., incorporated herein by reference.
[0149] Highly preferred materials of this class of brighteners are
those that do not cause any significant color change, nor impart
any discoloration, such as graying or yellowing, to the fabrics to
which they are applied, either during treatment followed by drying
and/or curing, or after the drying and/or curing step followed by
normal exposure to the elements, such as air, moisture or sunlight
exposure.
[0150] In selecting the various components for the fabric treatment
composition, most preferred are those that do not cause any
significant damage to treated fabrics or cause any significant
color change, nor impart any discoloration, such as whitening,
graying or yellowing, to the fabrics to which they are applied,
either during treatment followed by curing and/or drying, or after
the curing and/or drying step followed by normal exposure to the
elements, such as air, moisture or sunlight exposure. In
particular, dye and colorants should not undergo any significant
change from their original color and not stain or discolor the
fabrics to which they are applied. Finally, bleaching agents should
also not interfere with the function of stain release and/or fabric
treatment.
[0151] Formulation
[0152] The compositions of the present invention and/or products
incorporating the compositions may be in any form known to those
skilled in the art. For example, the compositions and/or products
may be in the form of an aerosol, liquid, spray, foam or their
encapsulated or coated forms. These compositions and/or products
may be neat or releasably absorbed or adsorbed on to a substrate,
such as a woven or non-woven filament substrate or packaged within
a suitable article of manufacture for convenient handling and
dispensing.
[0153] In one aspect of the invention, an article of manufacture
may be provided that comprises the inventive composition and a
spray dispensing device, an aerosol dispensing device, a liquid
dispensing package, a liquid saturated substrate, including for
example, but not limited to, a sponge, wipe, towel, woven
substrate, non-woven substrate, water soluble or water insoluble
sachet, alone or in combination with a liquid dispensing package
suitable to dispense the composition directly onto the fabrics to
be treated or suitable to release the composition into an enclosed
space which contains the fabrics to be treated, any of which
suffices to bring the inventive compositions into direct contact
with the fabric. Other suitable devices include those that employ
motion, heat, battery and/or mechanical power, or a combination
thereof, to dispense their liquid content, here the compositions of
the present invention in a liquid carrier, onto the fabrics to be
treated. Some simple examples include, but are not limited to, a
sealed container holding the liquid composition of the invention in
which the sealing means has small orifices through which the liquid
may pass, but only effectively when the container is agitated
during tumbling in the dryer, or when the container and its liquid
contents become sufficiently heated in the dryer so that the
increased vapor pressure of the liquid acts to drive dispensing of
the contents.
[0154] The spray dispenser can be any of the manually activated
means for producing a spray of liquid droplets as is known in the
art, e.g., trigger-type, pump-type, electrostatic spray device,
non-aerosol self-pressurized, and aerosol-type spray devices.
Regardless of the specific spray means employed, it is preferred
that at least about 70%, more preferably, at least about 80%, and
further preferably at least about 90% of the droplets have a
particle size smaller than about 200 microns. Generally in
instances where the potential for inhalation by users may occur, it
is most preferred that at least about 70%, more preferably, at
least about 80%, and further preferably at least about 90% of the
droplets have a particle size larger than about 5 microns.
[0155] Suitable trigger-type and pump-type spray devices are
disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,161,288 to McKinney; U.S. Pat. No.
4,558,821 to Tada et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,434,917 to Saito et al;
and U.S. Pat. No. 4,819,835 to Tasaki, all of said patents being
incorporated herein by reference. Particularly preferred to be used
herein are spray-type dispensers, such as T 8500 commercially
available from Continental Spray International, or other
manufactures commonly known in the trade. In such a dispenser, the
liquid composition can be divided in fine liquid droplets resulting
in a spray that is directed onto the fabric surface to be treated.
Suitably fine droplet sizes are achieved in such spray-type
dispensers owing to the mechanism of operation in which the
composition contained in the body of the dispenser is directed
through the spray-type dispenser head via energy communicated to a
pumping mechanism by the user as the composition is forced against
an obstacle, such as a screen grid or a cone or the like, which
provides sufficient shock to the stream of the ejected liquid
composition to atomize the liquid composition and provide the
formation of liquid droplets of sufficiently small size.
[0156] Other suitable dispensers described in the art include
devices that are placed within or reversibly mounted to the inside
of a tumble dryer to dispense a fine stream or aerosol of a liquid
composition contained within. Such devices operate either
automatically, for example, by employing a power source such as a
battery combined with a pumping means, or are powered or triggered
to release composition by the resulting motion of the fabrics or
air space generated by the rotation of the dryer drum during use.
One such dispenser is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,581,800 to Rodd,
et al., which is hereby incorporated by reference. A dispenser
responding to a triggering signal or condition, such as increased
temperature to trigger release of a composition into the drum of a
tumble dryer is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,574,883 to Giblin, et
al., which is hereby incorporated by reference.
[0157] Preferably, the aerosol-dispensing device of the present
invention can be any of the manually activated devices employing a
pressurized propellant as known in the art. The aerosol dispenser
may comprise a container which can be constructed of any of the
conventional materials employed in fabricating aerosol containers.
The dispenser should be capable of withstanding internal pressure
in the range of about 20 to about 120 psig, and preferably from
about 20 to about 80 psig. An important characteristic concerning
the dispenser is that it be provided with a valve member which can
permit the composition of the present invention to be dispensed in
the form of a spray of very fine, or finely divided, particles or
droplets. The aerosol dispenser utilizes a pressurized sealed
container from which the composition of the present invention can
be dispensed through a special actuator/valve assembly under
pressure. The aerosol dispenser is pressurized by incorporating
therein a gaseous component generally known as a propellant. Common
aerosol propellants, e.g., gaseous hydrocarbons such as isobutane,
mixed halogenated hydrocarbons, compressed air, nitrogen, inert
gases, and carbon dioxide, are suitable. Highly preferred are those
propellants that do not present environmental concerns, such as
compressed air, nitrogen, inert gases and carbon dioxide. A more
complete description of commercially available aerosol-spray
dispensers appears in U.S. Pat. No. 3,436,772, to Stebbins and U.S.
Pat. No. 3,600,325 to Kaufman et al., which are incorporated herein
by reference.
[0158] The spray dispenser can be a self-pressurized non-aerosol
container having a convoluted liner and an elastomeric sleeve. The
self-pressurized dispenser can be comprised of an assembly
containing a liner and a sleeve comprising a thin, flexible
radially expandable convoluted plastic liner of about 0.010 (0.25
mm) to about 0.020 (0.50 mm) inch thick, inside an essentially
cylindrical elastomeric sleeve. The liner and sleeve assembly can
be capable of holding a substantial quantity of the composition of
the present invention and of causing the product to be dispensed. A
description of such self-pressurized spray dispensers can be found
in U.S. Pat. No. 5,111,971 to Winer and U.S. Pat. No. 5,232,126 to
Winer which are incorporated herein by reference. Another suitable
type of aerosol spray dispenser is one in which a barrier membrane
separates the composition of the present invention from the
propellant, as is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,260,110 to Werding
which is incorporated herein by reference. Such a dispenser is
available from EP Spray Systems, East Hanover, N.J.
[0159] The spray dispenser can be an unpressurized container with a
suitable dispensing orifice or dispensing means, containing the
liquid composition, wherein the liquid compositions at normal room
temperature and conditions have minimal vapor pressure, but once
subject to heat and agitation, as found, for example, in the drum
of an automatic tumble drying machine capable of providing
sufficient heating and prolonged tumbling action to hence force
generate, owing to the action of increasing temperature, an
increased internal pressure sufficient within the container to
effectively atomize, aerosolize or otherwise dispense the contents
of the resultantly pressurized container in its entirety during the
duration of the heated tumble dryer cycle to effect treatment of
fabrics within the drum.
[0160] Examples of suitable dispensing packages, include, but are
not limited to, a non-woven substrate saturated with the inventive
composition, a container containing the inventive composition
wherein the container closure is sealed with a liquid pervious
membrane that provides for transfer of the composition to the outer
surface of the membrane which is brought into contact with the
fabrics to be treated either manually or automatically through a
mechanized process, such as through use of a rolling dispensing
tool, wet pickup roller or some similar device. Further examples
include a presaturated flexible substrate or a container with a
liquid pervious membrane closure as in the preceding example, that
is suitable for placement in the drum of an automatic tumble drying
machine and which releases the inventive compositions by
intermittent contact with fabrics during the tumbling process.
[0161] Other simple devices may suitably be employed, such as a
container or bottle closed with a liquid pervious membrane,
examples including a foam, fine screen, fabric, polymer film or
membrane with a plurality of fine orifices, that effectively
release the inventive composition when shaken, tumble or inverted
in the vicinity of the fabric to be treated. Such devices are
suitably employed in a tumble dryer, wherein the motion and heat
supplied during a typical drying cycle is sufficient to
mechanically dispense the invention composition onto the fabric
articles to effect protective treatment according to the methods of
the present invention. More sophisticated devices, such as dryer
additive dispensers, that employ heat, motion, battery or
mechanically powered dispensing means, may also be employed. Most
advantageous, are those devices that produce a fine mist, spray,
foam or effect a continuous or uniform dispensing of the inventive
compositions during an automated dryer cycle in order to most
uniformly contact the various fabric articles and their
corresponding surfaces with the inventive composition.
[0162] Most advantageously, the inventive compositions may be used
in conjunction with automatic tumble dryers and clothing refresher
devices, such as the Whirlpool Personal Valet.TM. clothes
vitalizing system available from Whirlpool Corporation, which have
built-in dispensing means for applying liquid compositions to
fabrics during use.
[0163] Methodology
[0164] As further described herein, fabric treatment compositions
of the present invention (with at least one zeta potential
modifier) can be deposited onto fabrics by a number of methods.
Regardless of the technique employed, the critical feature is that
the hydrophobic agent, and any fluorocompound employed, become
deposited on the fabric surface. Subsequent heating above ambient
temperatures but below 100.degree. C. reversibly cures the
materials onto the fabric. However, excessive heating above
100.degree. C. is to be avoided as the coating is then bound too
tenaciously, leading to decreased overall performance. Without
being bound by theory, it is believed that the coating should be
reversibly bound to effect release of stains and soils in the
subsequent wash.
[0165] One particularly preferred technique for consumers is to use
the composition during laundering of soiled garments in
conventional washing machines that have between a 25 to 90 liter
capacity when filled. The machines typically have a fill/wash cycle
of about 12 to 18 minutes duration (the initial volume of water is
added), a rinse cycle of about 2 to 5 minutes duration (sufficient
water added to disperse the soil and detergent and other laundry
additives, and a spin cycle of about 10 to 20 minutes duration.
Between the wash, rinse and spin cycles the introduced water is
drained. These selected cycles are to be distinguished from the
overall wash cycle itself, which encompasses all these sequential
cycles or steps in the complete wash process provided by a
conventional automatic washing machine.
[0166] When detergent is used, the inventive fabric treatment
composition preferably includes at least one zeta potential
modifier. In one variation, a composition containing the
fluoropolymer, hydrophobic agent, and zeta potential modifier is
added anytime during the wash, e.g., along with the detergent at
the washing cycle. Alternatively, a composition containing the
fluoropolymer and hydrophobic agent, but not a zeta potential
modifier, is added with the detergent at the wash stage and
thereafter, the zeta potential modifier, which is present in
commercial fabric softener which contains cationic surfactant,
becomes incorporated when the fabric softener is added to the
washing machine during the rinse cycle.
[0167] When a commercial product is formulated so as to provide the
role of detergent in addition to the method of imparting stain and
soil resistance according to the method of the current invention,
i.e., such that the formulated product contains additional optional
adjuncts such as surfactants, builders, fluorescent whitening
agents, enzymes and the like, have minimal impact on the active
ingredients that impart stain and soil resistance, the inventive
compositions can be added during the initial fill/wash cycle of a
washing machine in which the cleaning and protective methods of the
current invention may be practiced. This method is especially
preferred, as the consumer does not need to further intervene in
the automated laundry process.
[0168] An effective amount of the composition of the present
invention can be sprayed or applied directly onto fabrics,
particularly clothing. When the composition is sprayed or applied
directly onto fabric, an effective amount can be deposited onto the
fabric without causing saturation of the fabric, typically from
about 10% to about 85%, preferably from about 15% to about 65%, and
more preferably from about 20% to about 50%, by weight of the
fabric. The amount of active that can be typically sprayed or
applied directly onto the fabric is from about 0.1% to about 4%,
preferably from about 0.2% to about 3%, and more preferably from
about 0.3% to about 2% of the fabric. The treated fabric can then
be tumble-dried in a standard clothes dryer and/or be ironed at the
normal ironing temperature to effect curing. Alternatively, the
treated fabric can be allowed to dry at ambient temperature, and
the curing effected by a later heating step supplied by
tumble-drying in a standard clothes dryer and/or ironed at the
normal ironing temperature to effect curing. Alternatively, the
treated fabric can be subjected to radiant energy, such as from the
sun or infrared generating heat source, or to microwave energy,
such as from a microwave dryer or microwave generating device, to
effect curing of the applied composition. The treated fabric may
simultaneously be dried and heated in one step to effect curing of
the composition on the fabric, or these operations optionally
conducted in separate steps, providing that the heating step is
performed subsequent to the drying step if conducted separately.
Alternately, the untreated fabric can be treated with the invention
compositions simultaneously with exposure to heat, such as for
example in the drum of a drying machine, to effective deposition of
the treatment onto the fabrics and curing of the thus treated
fabric all in one step. In one embodiment, this could be achieved
during the normal drying process of treating wet laundry directly
with the inventive compositions, or in an alternatively
embodiement, achieved by heating dry laundry directly with the
inventive compositions, wherein the direct treatment of the
textiles with the inventive composition is achieved by dispensing
the liquid composition into the interior dryer air space following
any other of, or combinations of, methods described herein.
[0169] Similarly, an effective amount of the composition can be
aerosolized and applied onto fabrics, particularly clothing, by
means of a clothes revitalizing device, such as the Whirlpool
PERSONAL VALET system distributed by the Whirlpool Corporation,
located at 2000 N. M-63, Benton Harbor, Mich. 49022-2692. When used
in such a revitalizing device, the present composition can be
combined with the revitalizing solution normally employed in the
device, being combined in any desired ratio by volume, or
substituted entirely in place of the revitalizing solution in order
to effect treatment by use of composition of the present invention.
An effective amount of the composition can be automatically metered
and aerosolized to effect its deposition onto the clothes contained
within the revitalizing device. A drying step subsequently
performed by the revitalizing device equipped with an air blower
and source of heat, or a source of heated air automatically follows
the deposition step in order to complete treatment of the fabrics
treated therein by the composition.
[0170] An effective amount of the present composition can also be
soaked with fabric and then optionally washed before tumble drying,
ironing or tumble-drying with optional ironing. In this aspect of
the invention, an acceptable method of delivery is to add the
composition to a separate soak or treatment cycle performed in a
washing machine or other suitable container with or without
agitation, such as hand-soaking of fabrics performed in a sink,
bucket or other such container, in which the composition of the
present invention is added to water present with sufficient
agitation to uniformly mix the composition with the water to insure
effective dispersal or dissolution of the composition to create a
uniform dispersion or solution for subsequent treatment of the
fabrics. The order of mixing can be in any order, that is, the
composition can be added to water to effect dilution or water can
be added to the composition to effect dilution after the
composition is first introduced into a washing machine or other
suitable container. In this aspect of the invention, it is
preferable that the composition is first mixed with water to effect
dilution in either scenario described above before fabrics are
exposed to the diluted composition in order to effect the most
uniform treatment possible. Subsequent agitation of the diluted
composition and the fabrics is not generally required, although if
preformed in a washing machine such agitation is generally provided
during the wash cycle. Some newer washing machines, however,
provide for a timed soaking cycle with no agitation or with
intermittent agitation. Following such treatments, fabrics can be
drained of excess fluid and then dried at a temperature less than
100.degree. C. or optionally ironed at appropriate heat settings.
An available option is to rinse with fresh water and/or wash the
soaked fabrics, followed by tumble-drying at less than 100.degree.
C. or optionally ironing at appropriate heat settings.
[0171] In a further aspect of the invention, an effective amount of
the composition can be added to the standard wash cycle of an
automatic washing machine and/or tumble-dried with optional
ironing. It is also a further option to add the invention to the
standard wash cycle and optionally rinse the fabrics prior to
drying at less than 100.degree. C. with optional ironing. In these
aspects of the invention, the composition may be combined with any
laundry additive, a detergent, completely substitute the detergent,
or additional surfactant and builders added to replace the
detergent. In still another aspect of the invention, an effective
amount of the composition can be added to the standard rinse or
separate part of the rinse cycle and/or tumble-dried with optional
ironing. In this aspect of the invention, the composition may be
combined with fabric softener or other rinse additive. When added
to the wash or rinse cycle, a variety of addition devices may also
be used. Many washing machines contain additive dispensers for
laundry additives such as bleach or fabric softener. Other devices
are known in the art to add liquids to the wash cycle and/or to
release them into the rinse cycle. In addition, water soluble
pouches, nonwoven pouches, powders and tablets may be used.
[0172] Another embodiment of this invention is to treat a non-woven
and/or woven carrier article with the inventive composition. A
further embodiment of this method is to add a fragrance to the
carrier article. The carrier article is maintained in a moist state
until added to the dryer with articles to be treated. It is
preferred that the carrier article remains moist to facilitate the
transfer of the composition to the treated garments. This method is
especially effective on delicate articles including, but not
limited to, silk, wool, linen where excessive heat may cause
unwanted effects. Furthermore, this method allows for the
economical treatment of limited article loads or those containing
articles that should not be immersed or exposed to large volumes of
liquid.
[0173] When the present composition is added to the water present
in a washing machine or water present in some other suitable
container for soaking or hand-washing of fabrics, an effective
amount can be present to effect deposition of the composition onto
the fabric. The effective amount for a first treatment operation
performed on a previously untreated fabric is typically from about
0.01% to about 10%, preferably from about 0.1% to about 5%, and
more preferably from about 0.1% to about 2% of the composition to
weight of the fabric present, wherein the ratio of the weight of
dry fabric to the weight of water can be within a value between a
ratio of 1:100 and 1:1, respectively, of the ratio of the dry
fabric weight to water weight present.
[0174] Irrespective of the method of application employed to effect
treatment of articles, a curing step is employed to complete
treatment according to the methods of the present invention.
Suitable curing step includes drying the articles treated with
compositions according to the present invention at a temperature
above ambient, but less than about 100.degree. C. Also suitable is
heated drying, that is heating the article above ambient
temperatures, by such means including, but not limited to ironing,
steaming, blow drying, drying under a heat lamp, drying near a
radiative source of heat, or machine drying in a dryer of the
treated articles following treatment with compositions of the
present invention. Curing may also be effected by drying, following
by a heating step wherein the treated dried articles are
subsequently heated above ambient temperature for a time sufficient
to effect treatment according to the methods of the present
invention.
[0175] Following the first use of the composition of the present
invention to treat a fabric, subsequent treatment of the fabric may
be repeated in similar fashion by any or all means described above
using amounts of the composition at the preferred first treatment
level, or more preferably at a lower level, or maintenance level,
sufficient to replenish material on the fabric that may be lost due
to wear or subsequent washing after the first treatment. In
general, the level of the present composition required to
effectively treat a fabric in order to obtain desirable benefits
are greater for the first treatment using previously untreated
fabrics than for fabrics that have previously been treated using
the present composition. Thus, subsequent, repeated treatments may
generally require significantly lower amounts of the composition to
effectively replenish material present on the fabric and to
maintain the desirable benefits obtained with the first treatment
performed. Subsequent, or maintenance, levels of the composition to
be used to maintain the desired benefits exhibited by previously
treated fabric is typically from about 0.001% to about 5%,
preferably from about 0.01% to about 2%, and more preferably from
about 0.01% to about 1%, by weight of the composition to weight of
the water present, wherein the ratio of the weight of dry fabric to
the weight of water is preferably within a value between a ratio of
1:100 and 1:1, respectively, of the ratio of the dry fabric weight
to water weight present.
[0176] In still a further aspect of the invention, an effective
amount of the composition can be added to a standard tumble-dryer
with optional ironing. The composition may be used alone in any
dryer delivery device, such as a nonwoven or sponge, or combined
with fabric softener sheets, home dry cleaning devices, or other
dryer device. Thus, another product form is a composition of the
present invention (for example, a paste) suitable for coating onto,
and delivery from, a substrate e.g. a flexible sheet or sponge or a
suitable dispenser (such as a container having apertures therein,
for example) during a tumble dryer cycle. A method of use is to add
or release the present composition into the rinse water. When using
an aqueous, solid, powder, foam, gel, pouch, tablet or sheet
composition for treating fabric in the rinse step, an effective
amount of active of the inventive composition can optionally
contain fabric softener actives, perfume, electrolytes, chlorine
scavenging agents, dye transfer inhibiting agents, dye fixative
agents, phase stabilizers, chemical stabilizers including
antioxidants, silicones, antimicrobial actives and/or
preservatives, chelating agents, aminocarboxylate chelating agents,
colorants, enzymes, brighteners, soil release agents, or mixtures
thereof.
[0177] In still a further aspect of the invention, textiles treated
with the compositions of the present invention, particularly
delicate fabrics, fabrics composed of natural fibers including, but
not limited to fur, wool or silks, fabrics comprising inclusions,
panels, or mixed woven or non-woven compositions of heat sensitive
natural or synthetic fibers including, but not limited to
elastomeric materials such as rubber, SPANDEX, polyacetate, vinyl
and nylon, may be so treated with the compositions of the present
invention by any of the means described herein and allowed to dry
under ambient conditions without the application of heat in order
to prevent shrinking, dimensional distortion, wrinkling, creasing
or other such deleterious effects that may be the result of
applying heat to the wet textiles or heating the wet textiles
sufficiently and for sufficient time to reduce them to an
essentially dry state. Advantageously, such fabrics treated by the
compositions of the present invention and allowed to dry under
ambient conditions, may subsequently be exposed to a heat source to
effect curing of the composition in order to obtain the full
benefits of the treatment. Such dry fabrics subsequently exposed to
a heat source including, but not limited to heating in an automatic
dryer, or contact with steam, an iron, heated air from a blow dryer
or other heat source, will not suffer from the deleterious effects
noted herein that are commonly seen when such delicate fabrics are
dried by heating to dryness starting from a substantially wet
state. In this aspect of the invention, the time of exposure to a
heat source required by textiles treated by the composition of the
present invention and allowed to dry under ambient conditions, may
be substantially reduced compared to the time of exposure to a heat
source required if such textiles treated by the composition are
brought to dryness directly from a wet state. Such reduced time of
exposure to a heat source is beneficial to reduce such deleterious
effects noted above for many textiles, particularly those labeled
as delicate or dry-clean only textiles.
[0178] Drying is a function of both temperature and time. Effective
drying can be achieved either by exposing treated garments to
effectively higher drying temperatures for a shorter time, or
exposing treated garments to effectively longer drying times with
correspondingly lower drying temperatures. Preferred temperature
and drying times are typically provided by selected cycles of
commercially available automatic dryers under normal, permanent
press and delicate cycle selections. Highly preferred are cycle
selections that provide a short cooling down period with continued
tumbling to provide for reduced wrinkling of tumbled fabrics,
although this is not a requirement for treatment of fabrics treated
by the compositions of the present invention. Drying the fabric at
a temperature above 45.degree. C. is preferred.
[0179] The inventive composition can be applied by any of the above
methods. In one method of use, the composition can be first applied
at a high effective amount to give untreated fabrics the beneficial
properties. Subsequent treatment of the same fabrics can be applied
at a lower maintenance effective amount. The compositions and
articles of the present invention which contain a fabric improving
active can be used to treat fabrics, garments, and the like to
provide at least one of the following fabric care benefits: wrinkle
removal and/or reduction, fabric wear reduction, fabric pilling
reduction, fabric color fading reduction, fabric soiling reduction,
fabric shape retention, and/or fabric shrinkage reduction.
[0180] Concentrated compositions comprise a higher level of fabric
active, typically from about 1% to about 99%, preferably from about
2% to about 65%, and more preferably from about 3% to about 25%, by
weight of the concentrated fabric care composition. Concentrated
compositions are used in order to provide a less expensive product.
The concentrated product can be used undiluted or diluted by about
1,000,000%, more preferably by about 25,000%, and even more
preferably by about 5000% of the composition, by addition by weight
of water.
[0181] The compositions of the present invention can also be used
as ironing aids. An effective amount of the composition can be
sprayed onto fabric and the fabric can be ironed at the normal
ironing temperature recommended by the fabric label instruction
guide. The fabric can be sprayed with an effective amount of the
composition, allowed to dry and then ironed, or sprayed and ironed
immediately to effect curing.
[0182] In a still further aspect of the invention, the present
composition can be sprayed and/or misted onto fabrics and/or entire
garments in need of de-wrinkling and/or other fabric care benefits
in a manner such that excessive amounts of the fabric/garment care
composition are prevented from being released to the open
environment, provided in association with instructions for use to
ensure that the consumer applies at least an effective amount of
fabric improving active and/or fabric care composition, to provide
the desired garment care benefit. Any spraying mechanism and/or
misting mechanism can be used to apply the fabric care composition
to fabrics and/or garments. One distribution of the garment care
composition can be achieved by using a fog form. The mean
particulate diameter size of the fabric care composition fog can be
from about 5 microns to about 200 microns, preferably from about 5
microns to about 100 microns, and more preferably from about 10
microns to about 50 microns. The wash or rinse water should contain
typically from 0.01 to 1 g of fluoropolymer per liter of wash water
and from 0.01 to 1 g of hydrophobic agent per liter of wash water.
The especially preferred levels of the inventive composition are
from 0.01 to 0.5 g of fluoropolymer per liter of wash water and
from 0.01 to 0.5 g of hydrophobic agent per liter of wash water.
After treatment with an initial level of the composition, a
maintenance level of present composition may be sufficient to
maintain the properties. Desirable maintenance levels of the
inventive composition can be from 0.01 to 0.2 g of fluoropolymer
per liter of wash water and from 0.01 to 0.2 g of hydrophobic agent
per liter of wash water. Especially preferred levels of the
inventive composition might be from 0.01 to 0.1 g of fluoropolymer
per liter of wash water and from 0.01 to 0.1 g of hydrophobic agent
per liter of wash water.
[0183] The present invention also relates to a method of using an
aqueous or solid, preferably powder or granular, composition to
treat the fabrics in the wash cycle, with such compositions
comprising the fabric protecting actives, and optionally,
surfactants, builders, perfume, chlorine scavenging agents, dye
transfer inhibiting agents, dye fixative agents, dispersants,
detergent enzymes, heavy metal chelating agents, suds suppressors,
fabric softener actives, chemical stabilizers including
antioxidants, silicones, antimicrobial actives and/or
preservatives, soil suspending agents, soil release agents, optical
brighteners, colorants, and the like, or mixtures thereof.
Depending on the selection of optional ingredients, such as the
level and type of surfactants, the present composition can be used
as a wash additive composition (when the surfactant level is low)
or as a laundry detergent, which also has additional fabric care
benefits. It is preferable that the treatment be performed in
accordance with the instructions for use, to ensure that the
consumer knows what benefits can be achieved, and how best to
obtain these benefits.
[0184] The present invention also relates to a method for treating
fabric in the drying step, comprising an effective amount of the
fabric protecting actives of the present invention and, optionally,
fabric softener actives, distributing agent, perfume, fiber
lubricants, fabric shape retention polymers, lithium salts,
potassium salts, phase stabilizers, chlorine scavenging agents, dye
transfer inhibiting agents, dye fixative agents, chemical
stabilizers including antioxidants, silicones, antimicrobial
actives and/or preservatives, heavy metal chelating agents,
aminocarboxylate chelating agents, enzymes, brighteners, soil
release agents, and mixtures thereof. The present composition can
take a variety of physical forms including liquid, foams, gel and
solid forms such as solid particulate forms. One method comprises
the treatment of fabric with a dryer-added fabric care composition
in combination with a dispensing means such as a flexible substrate
that effectively releases the fabric care composition in an
automatic tumble clothes dryer. Such dispensing means can be
designed for single usage or for multiple uses. Preferably, the
composition is applied onto a sheet substrate to form a dryer sheet
product.
[0185] Another method comprises the treatment of fabrics with a
fabric protection composition of the invention dispensed from a
sprayer at the beginning of and/or during the drying cycle. It is
preferable that the treatment be performed in accordance with the
instructions for use, to ensure that the consumer knows what
benefits can be achieved, and how best to obtain these
benefits.
[0186] The present invention also relates to a fabric care method
of dipping and/or soaking fabrics before the fabrics are laundered,
with a pre-wash fabric care composition of the invention containing
an effective amount of fabric protecting active and, optionally,
surfactants, builders, perfume, chlorine scavenging agents, dye
transfer inhibiting agents, dye fixative agents, dispersants,
detergent enzymes, heavy metal chelating agents, fabric softener
actives, chemical stabilizers including antioxidants, silicones,
antimicrobial actives and/or preservatives, soil suspending agents,
soil release agents, optical brighteners, colorants, and the like,
or mixtures thereof. It is preferable that the treatment be
performed in accordance with the instructions for use, to ensure
that the consumer knows what benefits can be achieved, and how best
to obtain these benefits.
[0187] Devices and methods that may be suitably employed to cure
fabrics treated with the methods and compositions of the present
invention include, but are not limited to, an iron, heat lamp,
radiator, steam press, blow dryer and tumble dryer, the application
of heated air, steam, heated water vapor, exposure to thermal
radiation, solar radiation, infrared radiation and microwave
radiation, or any combination thereof, in any order thereof
EXAMPLES
[0188] Experiments were conducted to demonstrate the superior
effects of the fabric treatment composition and various application
techniques that can be employed to effectively deliver the
treatment composition. The data as presented in Tables 1-14 were
based on compositions that did not include addition of a zeta
potential modifier.
[0189] Subsequent data in these examples were based on compositions
with at least one zeta potential modifier. As is apparent,
compositions with at least one zeta potential modifier were also
very effective in imparting the beneficial protective properties to
the fabrics treated.
[0190] The examples in Table 1 illustrate compositions of the
invention for addition to the laundry. The concentrations are based
on the addition of 200 g of the inventive compositions to 2.72 kg
of fabric in 69 liters of water in the wash or rinse cycle.
Appropriate levels in compositions can be determined for other
addition amounts, other levels of fabric, or other wash or rinse
volume levels. Examples are given in weight percent as is, i.e.,
weight percent of the materials as commercially supplied as
components in the final composition to achieve 100% by weight.
1 TABLE 1 Example 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 ZONYL 6700.sup.a 34 5 63 27
4 50 20 3 37 15 NALAN GN.sup.b 34 63 5 27 50 4 20 37 3 15 Balance
water and q.s. q.s. q.s. q.s. q.s. q.s. q.s. q.s. q.s. q.s.
minors.sup.c .sup.aCationic fluoropolymer emulsion from DuPont
Chemicals (20 weight % active) .sup.bCationic paraffin wax emulsion
from DuPont Chemicals (15 weight % active, melting point less than
75.degree. C.) .sup.cMinors include surfactants, fragrance,
fragrance extenders, preservatives, preservatives, antistatic
agents, dyes and colorants, viscosity control agents, antioxidants,
antifoaming agents, emulsifiers, brighteners, opacifiers,
freeze-thaw control agents, shrinkage control agents, and mixtures
thereof. (q.s. denotes "quantity sufficient" to achieve 100% by
weight of the finished composition in each example noted.)
[0191] For fabrics that already exhibit some oil or water
repellency, such as those treated with the above compositions, or
polyester, polyester/cotton, or other fabrics that are more
hydrophobic than cotton, a reduced level of the inventive
compositions can be used. The examples in Table 2 illustrate
maintenance compositions of the invention for addition to the
laundry. The concentrations are based on the addition 200 g of the
inventive compositions to 2.72 kg of fabric in 69 liters of water
in the wash or rinse cycle.
2 TABLE 2 Example 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 ZONYL 6700 7 3 11 5
1 9 4 1 7 .5 NALAN GN 7 11 3 5 9 1 4 7 1 .5 Balance water q.s. q.s.
q.s. q.s. q.s. q.s. q.s. q.s. q.s. q.s. and minors
[0192] The examples in Table 3 illustrate compositions of the
invention with additional actives. The concentrations are based on
the addition of 200 g of the compositions to 2.72 kg of fabric in
69 liters of water in the wash or rinse cycle, or applying by one
of the other suggested methods, such as spray application, presoak,
or treatment in the dryer.
3 TABLE 3 Example 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 ZONYL 6700 10 10 10
10 10 10 3 5 5 20 Nalan GN 30 30 30 30 30 30 37 10 10 5 SURFONIC
L12- 5 2.6.sup.d TRITON N101.sup.e 10 Amphoterge K2.sup.f 5 ADOGEN
442.sup.g 10 AMMONYX LO.sup.h 2 Magnesium 2 chloride Sodium 0.6
Thiosulfate Dibutylated 0.1 hydroxytoluene.sup.i Balance water and
q.s. q.s. q.s. q.s. q.s. q.s. q.s. q.s. q.s. q.s. minors
.sup.dAlcohol ethoxylate, nonionic surfactant from Huntsman.
.sup.eAlcohol ethoxylate, nonionic surfactant from Union Carbide
.sup.fImidazoline amphoteric surfactant from Lonza .sup.gDimethyl
dehydrogenated tallow ammonium chloride, cationic surfactant from
Goldschmidt Chemical. .sup.hDimethyl amine oxide from Huntsman from
Lonza. .sup.iAntioxidant from UOP Inc.
[0193] The examples in Table 4 illustrate compositions of the
invention with alternative fluoropolymers and hydrophobic
agents.
4 TABLE 4 31 32 33 34 35 36 ZONYL 6700.sup.j 0.5 1.0 ZONYL
8300.sup.k 0.2 0.2 ZONYL NWG.sup.l 1.5 2.0 MICHEM EMULSION 1.0
723.sup.m MICHEM EMULSION 0.5 0.2 743.sup.n FREEPEL 1225.sup.O 2.0
Balance water and minors q.s. q.s. q.s. q.s. q.s. q.s.
.sup.jCationic fluoropolymer emulsion from DuPont Chemicals (20
weight % active) .sup.kFluoropolymer emulsion from DuPont Chemicals
.sup.lFluoropolymer emulsion from DuPont Chemicals
.sup.mNon-cationic microcrystalline wax emulsion from Michelman
.sup.nNon-cationic microcrystalline wax emulsion from Michelman
.sup.oCationic microcrystalline wax emulsion from Noveon
[0194] Contact Angle Measurements
[0195] Contact angle measurements to determine the contact angle of
both water and oil on a fabric or textile surface are performed
using a goniometer. A goniometer manufactured by Ram Hart, Inc was
used having an illuminated specimen stage assembly and clamping
system allowing a test fabric swatch to be positioned horizontally
and clamped with sufficient tension to flatten the swatch to
prevent sagging but without causing any substantial stretching or
deformation of the swatch. The goniometer has an integral eye piece
having both horizontal axis line indicator and an adjustable
rotating cross line indicator and angle scale, both independently
adjustable by separate veniers. It is important that gloves are
worn when handling all samples, tools and fabric test swatches and
that all glassware, tools, including rules and cutting implements,
and syringes used are carefully cleaned with alcohol, such as
isopropyl alcohol, and allowed to dry completely before use. Prior
to contact angle measurement, test fabric swatch of approximate
dimensions of 2.5 cm by 2.5 cm is clamped into place and the
vertical venier adjusted to align the horizontal line (axis) of the
eye piece coincident to the horizontal plane of the fabric swatch,
and the horizontal position of the stage relative to the eye piece
positioned so as to view one side of the test fluid droplet
interface region at the swatch surface. Test fabric swatches are
preferably cut from larger test fabrics at a variety of randomly
selected areas of the test fabric to provide multiple samples for
testing.
[0196] To determine the contact angle of the test fluid on the
fabric swatch, approximately one drop of test fluid in an amount
between about 0.010 and about 0.012 grams, is dispensed onto the
swatch using a small syringe fitted with a stainless steel needle
and a micrometer drive screw to displace a calibrated amount of the
test fluid. For water measurements, purified water, for example
deionized or distilled water, is employed, and for oil
measurements, a vegetable oil, for example soybean oil (available
from Bunge North America, St. Louis, Mo.) is suitably employed.
Immediately upon dispensing the test fluid, the rotatable venier is
adjustment to align the cross line and cross position, that is the
intersection of the rotatable cross line and the fixed horizontal
line, coincident with the edge of the test fluid droplet and the
swatch, and the cross line angle (rotation) then positioned
coincident with the tangent to the edge of the test droplet
surface, as imaged by the eye piece. The contact angle is then read
from the angle scale, which is equivalent to the tangent angle. The
initial contact angle is that angle determined immediately after
dispensing the test fluid to the swatch surface, which is taken to
be essentially equivalent to time zero (t=0), and subsequent
contact angles are then determined at approximately 30 second
intervals thereafter to measure either the advancing or receding
contact angle of the droplet with respect to the swatch surface,
that is either the increasing or decreasing contact angle,
respectively.
[0197] Initial contact angles above 30 degrees are indicators of
effective water or oil repellancy. Also suitable are contact angles
above 30 degrees that persist over relatively significant contact
times, for example around 30 seconds to about 2 minutes. Higher
initial contact angles of about 30 degrees and greater and
persistent contact angles of about 30 degrees and greater are good
indicators of effective water or oil repellency.
[0198] Cotton weave swatches (also referred to as "flags") were
treated with different concentrations of ZONYL 6700 for 12 min in
1500 grams of water at 25.degree. C. in the Terg-O-Tometer, then
squeezed and dried in the dryer for 40 min at 150.degree. F.
(65.5.degree. C.). The 5% treatment of fluoropolymer solution is 5%
as is based on the weight of cotton fabric in the treatment. This
corresponds to a rinse cycle concentration of 1.23 grams per liter
of rinse water. The contact angle was measured by putting a drop of
water on the flags and measuring after 30 sec and 2 min. The
results shown in Table 5 indicate that the fluoropolymer, used by
itself even at high levels, is not effective at either water or oil
repellency.
5 TABLE 5 Contact Angle Composition (water/oil) (weight %) 30 sec 2
min 0% ZONYL 6700 0/0 0/0 1% ZONYL 6700 0/0 0/0 2.5% ZONYL 6700 0/0
0/0 5% ZONYL 6700 0/0 0/0
[0199] Cotton weave swatches were then washed with different
concentrations of NALAN GN, an emulsified paraffin wax. The
swatches were treated for 12 min. at 25.degree. C. in a
Terg-O-Tometer, then squeezed to remove excess solution and dried
in the dryer for 40 min. at 150.degree. F. (65.5.degree. C.). The
5% treatment of hydrophobic agent solution is 5% as is based on the
weight of cotton fabric in the treatment. This corresponds to a
rinse cycle concentration of 1.23 grams per liter of rinse water.
The contact angle was measured by putting a drop of water on the
flags and measuring after 30 sec and 2 min. The results are shown
in Table 6 and indicate that the wax emulsion, by itself even at
high concentrations, is not effective at oil repellency.
6 TABLE 6 Contact angle Composition (water/oil) (weight %) 30 sec 2
min 0% NALAN GN 0/0 0/0 1.0% NALAN GN 0/0 0/0 2.5% NALAN GN 75/0
55/0 5% NALAN GN 100/0 76/0
[0200] Cotton weave swatches were treated at a low 1.0 weight %
concentration of ZONYL 6991 with different concentrations of
magnesium chloride for 12 min at 25.degree. C. in a Terg-O-Tometer,
then squeezed to remove excess solution and dried in the dryer for
40 min at 150.degree. F. (65.5.degree. C.). The 1.0 weight %
treatment of ZONYL 6991 is 1.0 weight % as is based on the weight
of cotton fabric in the treatment. This corresponds to a rinse
cycle concentration of 0.25 grams per liter of rinse water. The
contact angle was measured by putting a drop of water on the flags
and measuring after 30 sec and 2 min. The results shown in Table 7
indicate that the fluoropolymer with high electrolyte concentration
exhibits increased water repellency versus ZONYL 6991 used alone
for treatment.
7 TABLE 7 Contact angle Composition (water) (weight %) 60 sec 1%
ZONYL 6991.sup.a 0 0% MgCl.sub.2 1% ZONYL 6991 50 5% MgCl.sub.2 1%
ZONYL 6991 100 20% MgCl.sub.2 .sup.aCationic fluoropolymer emulsion
from DuPont Chemicals
[0201] Cotton weave swatches were treated with different ratios of
ZONYL 6700 and NALAN GN for 12 min at 25.degree. C. in a
Terg-O-Tometer, then squeezed to remove excess solution, rinsed and
dried in the dryer for 40 min at 150.degree. F. (65.5.degree. C.).
The contact angles with both water and oil droplets were measured
after 30 seconds. The results shown in Table 8 indicate that
approximately a 4:1 to 1:4 ratio of fluoropolymer to hydrophobic
agent is desirable for both optimum oil and water repellency.
8TABLE 8 37 38 39 40 41 42 ZONYL 6700 0.5% 2% 2.5% 3% 3.75% 4.5%
NALAN GN 4.5% 3% 2.5% 2% 1.25% 0.5% Contact Angle (water) 117 110
112 110 121 52 30 seconds Contact Angle (oil) 35 103 111 100 112 0
30 seconds
[0202] The examples in Table 9 show that using the inventive
composition in the rinse is surprisingly superior to pretreatment
with surface finishing treatments employing fluoropolymers that are
commercially available for consumer usage. The pretreatment product
locks in stains already on the fabric, while the inventive
composition, in contrast, does not hinder removal of existing
stains, but surprisingly, further acts to improve stain removal. A
variety of stains were applied to untreated fabrics and allowed to
age for at least 7 days to mimic the typical consumer delay before
washing soiled laundry. The garments were then treated per label
instructions using either a commercial consumer surface finishing
treatment (SCOTCHGARD) or rinsed in a 5% loading of ZONYL 6991
(Inventive treatment). In both cases, fabric treatment was
performed at solution temperatures of 25.degree. C. for 12 minutes,
followed by squeezing to remove excess solution and fabrics were
then dried in a dryer for 40 minutes at 150.degree. F.
(65.5.degree. C.). The stained/treated garments were then washed
and rinsed in a commercially available residential washer using a
label recommended level of LIQUID TIDE detergent (produced by the
Procter & Gamble Company) and dried in a dryer for 40 minutes.
Stain removal was judged visually using a 5 point scale where
comparing treated and not-treated stained and washed garments where
numeric scores were assigned based on the following descriptive
scale: 1--Much worse than untreated, 2--Worse than untreated,
3--Equal to untreated, 4--Better than untreated, 5--Much better
than untreated.
9 TABLE 9 Inventive Stain Type (a) Untreated Treatment SCOTCHGARD
Grass Basis 4 1 Coffee Basis 4 1 Clay Basis 3 2 Salad Dressing
Basis 3 3 (a) Stain types include water-based stains (grass,
coffee), oil-based stains (salad dressing) and particulate-based
stains (clay).
[0203] An experiment was conducted to compare the breathability of
fabrics treated with commercially available anti-stain treatments
with that of the invention The porosity of the fabric to liquid
water was used as a judge of breathability. The porosity was
determined by the ability of the fabric to support a measured
weight of a column of water. SCOTCHGARD Protector (3M Company) was
used as a representative of commercially available anti-stain
treatments, and the SCOTCHGARD treatment was used per the label
instructions. 100% cotton weave fabrics were prepared with a 5%
wash added loading of the ZONYL 6991 (Inventive treatment,
25.degree. C. wash, hand wrung, dried for 40 minutes in a dryer at
150.degree. F. (65.5.degree. C.)). The sample fabrics were
stretched over a 1 in. (2.54 cm) internal diameter plastic tube and
a piece of facial tissue was placed on top of the fabric (facing
away from the tube). The fabric and tissue were secured to the tube
in a watertight fashion by use of a plastic tie. The tube was
oriented so that the fabric faced downward. Water was then
gradually added to the tube until the tissue showed signs of
wetting. The measured quantity of water added before wetting of the
tissue was noted and was recorded as the corresponding porosity or
breathability value. The results are set forth in Table 10.
10 TABLE 10 Breathability (grams of Treatment Detail water in
column) SCOTCHGARD treated side facing 0.44 away from the water
column SCOTCHGARD treated side facing 16.04 toward the water column
Inventive Treatment 0.12
[0204] The examples in Table 11 demonstrate the preferred transient
durability of the inventive treatment, as measured by the slow loss
of protection benefit imparted to the treated fabrics, illustrated
by the slow loss of water repellency after multiple washes using a
commercial detergent, but without subsequent treatment using the
inventive compositions. Thus in actual use, fabrics treated using
the inventive compositions will resist the build up of the fabric
protective film that results from treatment which may otherwise
compromise the appearance due to excessive coating and
discoloration of the treated fabrics, or which may otherwise
compromise the softness and handfeel of the treated fabrics after
multiple treatments. Accordingly, fabrics treated using the
inventive compositions will eventually lose their fabric protective
benefits unless subsequent treatments with the inventive
composition are repeated at some regular frequency. Advantageously,
subsequent treatments may be employed using lower levels of the
inventive composition to maintain the full protective benefits
provided to treated fabrics without the undesirable build-up of the
treatment on said fabrics. The swatches were treated with a 5%
loading of the invention for 12 min at 25.degree. C. in the
Terg-O-Tometer, then squeezed to remove excess solution and dried
in the dryer for 40 min at 150.degree. F. (65.5.degree. C.). The
commercially available pants were purchased from Spiegel precoated
with TEFLON brand stain resistant coating. Both garments were
washed in a residential washing machine with label recommended
doses of LIQUID TIDE and subsequently dried in a residential
dryer.
11 TABLE 11 Contact angle using water after 30 sec Number of wash
cycles Inventive Treatment TEFLON treated pants 1 96 117 2 22 112 3
0 110
[0205] Table 12 compares the handfeel of 100% cotton fabrics
treated with the inventive treatment and those treated via a
commercial application of fluoropolymer (SCOTCHGARD). Thirty
respondents were asked to choose the garment with the best
handfeel. The table shows the number of times each garment was
chosen to have the better handfeel in a blind test. Respondents
also indicated garments treated with the inventive treatment were
visually less wrinkled than the commercially treated garments.
12 TABLE 12 Inventive Commercially treated Treatment garment Chosen
better handfeel 30 0
[0206] In the following examples, the surprising dependence of
adding additional surfactants to the inventive treatment is
demonstrated. These surfactants can be added either directly via
the formulation, or via added detergent.
[0207] Table 13 shows the dependence of adding nonionic surfactants
in addition to the inventive system. The swatches were treated with
a 5% loading of the inventive treatment with various amount of
surfactant added and exhausted for 12 min at 25.degree. C. in the
Terg-O-Tometer, then squeezed to remove excess solution The
swatches were then rinsed in water for 5 minutes at 25.degree. C.,
squeezed to remove excess solution and dried in the dryer for 40
min at 150.degree. F. (65.5.degree. C.). The table reveals the
contact angle for fabrics exhausted with a combination of the
inventive treatment along with surfactant. It is clearly seen that
at levels of nonionic surfactant equal to that supplied by use of a
commercial detergent, the repellency is negligible, but
surprisingly, there is a critical level at which a fabric
protective benefit is still realized. This indicates that in some
nonionic surfactant systems, such as those employed by commercial
laundry detergents, addition of at least some zeta potential
modifier may be further required in order to provide the optimum
fabric protective benefit. Conversely, this also demonstrates that
the level of use of primarily nonionic surfactant based detergents
may be effectively reduced when used for cleaning clothing
previously treated using the inventive treatment, as lower levels
of the nonionic detergent would be sufficient to effectively clean
treated clothing yet maintain, to some extent, the previously
existing protective benefit carried by the clothing.
13 TABLE 13 43 44 45 ZONYL 6991 0.98 0.98 1.23 (g/l) Non-ionic 0.11
0.22 0.43 surfactant (g/l) Contact angle 100 72 0 water
(initial)
[0208] In another example, it was demonstrated that the inventive
treatment can also tolerate low levels of anionic surfactants. In
Table 14, the swatches were treated with a 5% loading of the
inventive treatment with various amount of surfactant added and
exhausted for 12 min at 25.degree. C. in the Terg-O-Tometer, then
squeezed to remove excess solution and dried in the dryer for 40
min at 150.degree. F. (65.5.degree. C.). The table reveals the
resultant contact angles, demonstrating a surprising critical level
in which the anionic surfactants can be incorporated. Furthermore,
a commercially available laundry detergent was used at 10% and 100%
of the recommended dosage. At full usage levels, no repellency is
observed, however repellency was observed at the reduced level.
14 TABLE 14 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 ZONYL 6991 1.23 1.23 1.23 1.23
1.23 1.23 1.23 (g/l) Anionic 0.026.sup.a 0.065.sup.a 0.16.sup.a
0.65.sup.a surfactant(g/l) FRESH 0.043.sup.b 0.22.sup.b 0.43.sup.b
START Contact angle 82 70 0 0 83 0 0 water (initial) .sup.aMixture
of 77% AEOS and 23% LAS, both anionic surfactants. .sup.bCommercial
laundry detergent from Colgate-Palmolive, containing LAS and
alcohol ethoxylate, 10% recommended level .sup.csee footnote b, 50%
recommended level .sup.dsee footnote b, 100% recommended level
[0209] Surprisingly, the reduction of surfactant levels in the
above examples, though key to the ultimate repellency imparted to
the fabric, does not materially affect the final appearance of the
washed samples relative to fabrics that were washed at full doses
of detergent without the inventive system. Very good cleaning
systems can thus be realized at significantly reduced surfactant
levels, thereby reducing the overall biological challenge to the
environment.
[0210] In the following three sets of experiments, fabric treatment
compositions containing fluoropolymers, hydrophobic agents, and
zeta potential modifiers-were tested for their effectiveness in
enhancing water and oil repellency. Although fragrance and colorant
were not added in the compositions tested, these optional
components typically would be included in commercial products at
amounts of about 0.4% and 0.004%, respectively.
[0211] In the first experiments, six compositions each having the
same amounts of fluoropolymers and hydrophobic agents but different
amounts of zeta potential modifier (e.g., cationic surfactant in
the form of a quaternary ammonium compound) were prepared. The
compositions were diluted using water to effective use levels
equivalent to 5% by weight of the undiluted compositions. The zeta
potential of each composition was measured using two instruments,
i.e., from Beckman and Particle Sizing. The compositions were also
applied onto cotton fabrics with a U.S. Testing TERG-O-TOMETER
water bath that was maintained at 70.degree. F. (21.degree. C.) to
which cotton fabric and sufficient amounts of composition to
produce a 5% load by fabric weight was attained. The fabric was
exposed for 3.5 minutes and then dried in a commercial dryer at
150.degree. F. (65.6.degree. C.) for 50 minutes. The contact angles
of water and oil droplets on the dried fabric were initially
measured (initial contact angle, or t=0) and measured again 2
minutes later (t=2 min). The results are set forth in Table 15.
15 TABLE 15 Composition (wt. %) Composition Contact Angle ZONYL
MICHEM ACCOSOFT Parameters Zeta Pot. Zeta Pot. (t = 0-t = 2 min.)
No. 8300(a) 743(b) 550-75(c) water* pH (mV)** (mV)*** Water Oil 53
34 51 0 balance 3.60 .+-. 0.05 -21.2 -9.1 0--0 0--0 54 34 51 2
balance 3.60 .+-. 0.05 36.5 21.2 116-112 116--116 55 34 51 4
balance 3.60 .+-. 0.05 45.1 27.9 111-103 115--115 56 34 51 6
balance 3.60 .+-. 0.05 51.7 33.6 114-107 118--118 57 34 51 8
balance 3.60 .+-. 0.05 55.5 36.2 95-89 116--116 58 34 51 10 balance
3.60 .+-. 0.05 57.9 36.6 70-63 105--105 (a)fluoropolymer 18% active
(b)paraffin 32% active (c)cationic surfactant 75% active; Methyl
bis(tallowamido ethyl)-2-hydroxyethyl ammonium methyl sulfate
*includes acid addition to adjust composition pH **5% (by wt. of
fabric) equivalent dilution measured by Beckman instrument ***5%
(by wt. of fabric) equivalent dilution measured by Particle Sizing
instrument.
[0212] As is apparent, the formulation containing no zeta potential
modifier provided no repellency enhancement. Optimum repellency
occurred where the level of this particular zeta potential modifier
was between 2-6%; the water repellency decreased when the zeta
potential level reached 8% or higher which suggests that too much
of the zeta potential modifier may have an adverse effect as well.
It is noted that the pH of the compositions were carefully adjusted
to 3.60.+-.0.05 for these experiments to minimize experimental
variations in the measurement of zeta potential measurement. In
practice, the compositions of the present invention may be adjusted
to any desired pH as generally formulated for the intended usage
and method of application desired for treating textiles and the
like. The suitable operating pH range includes from about pH 1 to
about pH 13, although the pH may optimally be adjusted to some
value within this range to accommodate the stability and
functionality of any optional adjuncts, such as surfactants or
enzymes, for example, that perform best at some selected pH.
[0213] In the second set of experiments, eight identical fabric
treatment compositions containing fluoropolymers, hydrophobic
agents, and zeta potential modifiers were tested for their
effectiveness in enhancing water and oil repellency. They were used
with different types of detergents with and without a softener in a
commercial washing machine. Specifically, cotton fabric was washed
in a commercial washer (69 liter capacity, 6 lb (2.2 kg) ballast,
12 min. wash cycle at 93.degree. F., or 34.degree. C., and 3 min.
rinse cycle at 68.degree. F., or 20.degree. C.) and 140.6 grams of
one of the eight formations were added in the wash water. The
fabric was dried in a drying machine for 50 minutes at 150.degree.
F. (66.degree. C.). A primarily anionic surfactant containing
detergent (LIQUID TIDE from Procter & Gamble Co.), a nonionic
detergent (FRESH START from Colgate-Palmolive Co.), and/or a fabric
softener that contained a cationic surfactant (DOWNY from Procter
& Gamble) were also added as described herein. The contact
angles of water and oil droplets were also measured after the
fabric was dried. The procedures employed and the results are set
forth in Table 16.
16 TABLE 16 Composition (wt %) Composition Additional Commercial
Products Contact Angle-Cotton ZONYL MICHEM ACCOSOFT parameters
Added to Washing Machine (t = 0-t = 2 min.) No. 8300(a) 743(b)
550-75(c) water* pH Added to Wash Added to Rinse Water OilT 59 37.6
56.4 6 balance 3.60 .+-. 0.05 none Downy** 113-93 113-110 60 37.6
56.4 6 balance 3.60 .+-. 0.05 Downy** none 81-64 110--110 61 37.6
56.4 6 balance 3.60 .+-. 0.05 Fresh Start Downy** 88-44 0--0 62
37.6 56.4 6 balance 3.60 .+-. 0.05 Fresh Start and none 104--104
108-106 Downy** 63 37.6 56.4 6 balance 3.60 .+-. 0.05 Fresh Start
none 0--0 0--0 64 37.6 56.4 6 balance 3.60 .+-. 0.05 Liquid Tide
Downy** 0--0 0--0 65 37.6 56.4 6 balance 3.60 .+-. 0.05 Liquid Tide
and none 36-0 15-0 Downy** 66 37.6 56.4 6 balance 3.60 .+-. 0.05
Liquid Tide none 0--0 0--0 (a)fluoropolymer 18% active (b)paraffin
32% active (c)cationic surfactant 75% active; methyl
bis(tallowamido ethyl)-2-hydroxyethyl ammonium methyl sulfate
*includes acid addition to adjust composition pH **Downy usage = 30
g/69 L
[0214] As is apparent, detergent free systems (treatments 59 and
60) yield effective repellency when the fabric softener was added
to either the wash or the rinse cycle. The presence of nonionic
detergent yielded effective repellency when it is added to the
washing cycle along with the softener as shown in treatment 62.
Finally, the presence of predominately anionic detergent appears to
disrupt the efficacy of treatment, with the softener added to
either the wash (treatment 65) or rinse (treatment 64).
[0215] In a third set of experiments, three different treatment
compositions were formulated and their effectiveness in enhancing
water and oil repellency was tested in conjunction with either a
liquid or dry anionic detergent (LIQUID TIDE or TIDE, respectively,
from Procter & Gamble). Each composition had different amounts
of zeta potential modifier. The fabrics tested in each case
included a combination comprising 70% cotton material and 30% of a
cotton/synthetic blend, which is designated p/c. The detergent,
when employed, was added in the wash cycle. The treatment
composition was added in the rinse cycle and, in one case, fabric
softener, which included cationic surfactants, was also added in
the rinse cycle.
[0216] It was expected that a small amount of detergent would
adhere to the damp fabric following the wash cycle so that the
residual detergent would re-dissolve into the water at the
beginning of the rinse cycle. The results are presented in Table
17.
17 TABLE 17 Commercial Products Water Contact Composition (wt. %)
Composition Added to Wash (Inventive Angle Oil Contact Angle ZONYL
MICHEM ACCOSOFT parameters Treatment weight) (t = 0-t = 2 min.) (t
= 0-t = 2 min.) No. 8300(a) 743(b) 550-75(c) water* PH wash Rinse
cotton p/c cotton p/c 67 34 51 6 balance 3.60 .+-. 0.05 none none
(219 g) 88-78 97-85 100-96 100-94 Liquid Tide none (219 g) 69-45
0--0 0--0 0--0 Liquid Tide Downy (219 g) 99-78 102-90 112--112
110--110 68 34 51 10.6 balance 3.60 .+-. 0.05 none none (219 g)
109-89 114-106 113-110 115-110 Liquid Tide none (219 g) 108-87
100-93 106--106 117-113 Dry Tide none (219 g) 103-87 118-106
118-114 114-113 Liquid Tide none (219 g) 118-98 112-98 111-104
112-108 Liquid Tide none (177 g) 109-84 112-86 102-98 107-106
Liquid Tide none (118 g) 0--0 0--0 0--0 0--0 69 34 51 13.1 balance
3.60 .+-. 0.05 Liquid Tide none (219 g) 104-94 110-98 108-102
121-118 Liquid Tide none (177 g) 100-85 113-103 110-108 111-108
Liquid Tide none (118 g) 72-0 102-0 85-55 87-73 (a)fluoropolymer
18% active (b)paraffin 32% active (c)cationic surfactant 75%
active; methyl bis(tallowamido ethyl)-2-hydroxyethyl ammonium
methyl sulfate *includes acid addition to adjust composition pH
[0217] As is apparent, the 6% zeta potential modifier composition
(No. 1 67) exhibited good repellency performance in the absence of
wash added detergent but it exhibited poor repellency performance
when detergent was added in the wash. However, the same formulation
exhibited good repellency performance when a fabric softener was
added to the rinse cycle to increase the amount of cationic
surfactant, i.e., zeta potential modifier.
[0218] In addition, increasing the level of the zeta potential
modifier (i.e., ACCOSOFT 550-75) to 10.6% in composition 2 68
improved repellency performance when detergent was present in the
wash cycle but, even with the increase in zeta potential modifier,
repellency performance actually decreased at the lower dose (i.e.,
118 g) of treatment composition 2 68 when detergent was present in
the wash. This suggests that the amount of zeta potential modifier
was not enough to counteract the adverse effects of the anionic
surfactants in the detergent. However, when the amount of zeta
potential modifier was increased to 13.1%, there was an improvement
in repellency performance even at the lower dose (i.e., 118 g) of
treatment composition 3 69 when detergent was present.
[0219] In a fourth set of experiments, six different compositions
containing a hydrophobic agent were prepared and their
effectiveness in enhancing water and oil repellency was tested in
conjunction with a zeta potential modifier. Each composition had
different sources and amounts of both the hydrophobic agent and the
zeta potential modifier. Test fabric swatches composed of either
100% cotton or mixed 50%/50% polyester/cotton (polycotton) blend
were washed in a commercial washing machine along with 6 lbs of a
mixed polycotton pillow case laundry load as ballast. The
compositions of Table 18 were added at the beginning of the
12-minute wash cycle, to about 69 L of wash water containing 100
ppm hardness ions and 1.5 mM (millimolar) bicarbonate, containing
the test fabrics and ballast. Wash conditions were a 12 minute wash
cycle at a temperature of about 93.degree. F., followed by a rinse
cycle at a temperature of about 68.degree. F., followed by spin
drying. Test fabrics and ballast were then machine dried together
for 50 minutes in a commercial automatic dryer set at a temperature
of about 150.degree. F. The test fabrics are removed from the dryer
and water contact angles were measured to determine the water
repellency properties of the treated fabrics.
[0220] As is apparent, the hydrophobic agent combined with a zeta
potential modifier provides a fabric protective benefit to treated
fabrics that show an increased contact angle with respect to water.
The fabric protective benefit is particularly exampled in regards
to the initial water contact angle, that is the contact angle
determined immediately upon wetting of the fabrics by water (t=0),
which indicates the degree of water repellency as well as
repellency against any aqueous based material that would otherwise
wet or stain the fabric not treated according to the method of the
present invention. It is apparent that the fabric protective
benefit is provided to natural fabrics, such as cotton, and
synthetic fabrics, such as the polyester blend employed here for
illustrative purposes.
[0221] As is apparent, any source of the zeta potential modifier
combined with the hydrophobic agent is suitable for providing the
fabric protective benefit according to the method of the present
invention. Treatment with a hydrophobic agent alone as seen in the
non-inventive example No. 74 does not result in a protective
benefit on either natural or synthetic fabrics. It is also apparent
that any source of a zeta potential modifier is suitable in
combination with the hydrophobic agent. It is also apparent that
any amount of zeta potential modifier, provided that there is at
least sufficient zeta potential modifier present to provide for a
zeta potential that is positive and greater than zero millivolts,
is sufficient for the purpose of providing a fabric protective
benefit in combination with the hydrophobic agent. It is also
apparent that high levels of zeta potential modifier are not
required according to the methods of the present invention to
achieve the desired fabric protective benefits. At high levels of
zeta potential modifier, generally levels that provide for a zeta
potential that is greater than about +150 millivolts, no further
increase in the fabric protective benefit is achieved. Without
being bound by theory, it appears that the zeta potential modifier
when present in compositions of the present invention at a level
sufficient to provide a zeta potential of between greater than zero
and about +150 mV, is sufficient to provide the fabric protective
benefits to both natural and synthetic textiles according to the
methods of the present invention.
[0222] Examples No. 76 through 99 in Table 19 represent inventive
compositions providing both detergency and cleaning performance in
addition to the protective benefits according to the methods of the
present invention, and may suitably be employed in a wash liquor
treatment.
[0223] It is to be noted that the foregoing examples demonstrate
the manner in which the methods of the present invention provide
for increased fabric protective benefits, including, but not
limited to improved repellency against water and oil. It is further
noted that the benefits with respect to improved repellency against
water and oil also pertain to water-base, oil-based stains,
respectively, and to particulate stains, and mixtures thereof. The
foregoing examples further demonstrate the manner in which the
methods of the present invention provide for improved handfeel to
treated fabrics. The foregoing examples also demonstrate the manner
in which the methods of the present invention provide improved
fabric protective benefits without effectively reducing the
breathability of treated fabrics with respect to water or moisture
transmission.
18 TABLE 18 Commercial Composition(a) Product (a) Water Contact
Angle(g) Weight Added (grams) Weight added (Time, seconds) Michem
Nalan Accosoft (grams) Fabric No. 743(b) GN(c) 550-75(d) Downy(e)
Type(f) t = 0 sec. t = 30 sec. 70 140 Cotton 123 118 P/C 126 115 71
140 8.4 Cotton 132 124 P/C 127 127 72 140 30 Cotton 112 99 P/C 115
85 73 140 8.4 30 Cotton 111 86 P/C 95 33 74 140 Cotton 0 -- P/C 0
-- 75 140 25.2 Cotton 71 -- P/C 81 -- (a)Added to washing machine
wash water at start of wash cycle (b)Non-cationic microcrystalline
wax emulsion from Michelman (c)Cationic paraffin wax emulsion from
DuPont Chemicals containing a cationic methacrylate polymer
(d)Cationic surfactant 75% active; Methyl bis(tallowamido
ethyl)-2-hydroxyethyl ammonium methyl sulfate (e)Downy, a
commercial fabric softener produced by Procter & Gamble
(recommended for addition to rinse water). (f)White 100% cotton and
gray 50%/50% polyester/cotton (P/C) test swatches (g)Contact angle
measured at indicated time following contact with water droplet to
surface of treated test fabric
[0224]
19TABLE 19 Component Composition No. (weight %) 76 77 78 79 80 81
82 83 84 85 86 87 Michem 743 75 75 75 75 75 75 75 75 75 75 75 75
Nalan GN Zonyl 8300 10 Zonyl NWG 10 Arquad 12-37W 15 15 15 10 10 10
10 10 10 10 10 10 Accosoft 550- 2 75 Bio-Soft D-40 2 (a) Bio-Soft
TA-2 2 (b) Bio-Terge AS- 2 40 (c) Neodol 25-3S 2 2 (d) Neodol 25-3
(e) 2 Neodol 25-9 (f) 2 2 Neodol 23-6.5 2 (g) Savinase 12.0L (h)
Balance water q.s. q.s. q.s. q.s. q.s. q.s. q.s. q.s. q.s. q.s.
q.s. q.s. and minors (i) Component Composition No. (weight %) 88 89
90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 Michem 743 75 75 75 75 75 Nalan GN 75
75 75 75 75 75 75 Zonyl 8300 10 Zonyl NWG 5 5 5 10 5 Arquad 12-37W
15 Accosoft 550- 15 10 15 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 75 Bio-Soft D-40 2 2
2 (a) Bio-Soft TA-2 (b) Bio-Terge AS- 40 (c) Neodol 25-3S 2 (d)
Neodol 25-3 (e) 2 Neodol 25-9 (f) 2 2 2 Neodol 23-6.5 (g) Savinase
12.0L 0.5 (h) Balance water q.s. q.s. q.s. q.s. q.s. q.s. q.s. q.s.
q.s. q.s. q.s. q.s. and minors (i) (a) Bio-Soft D-40 Sodium
alkylbenzene sulfonate, anionic surfactant available from Stepan
Company (b) Bio-Soft TA-2, Tallow amine ethoxylate, nonionic
surfactant available from Stepan Company (c) Bio-Terge AS-40;
Sodium olefin sulfonate, anionic surfactant available from Stepan
Company (d) Neodol 25-3S; Alcohol ethoxylate sulfate; anionic
surfactant available from Shell Chemicals (e) Neodol 25-3; Alcohol
ethoxylate, nonionic surfactant available from Shell Chemicals (f)
Neodol 25-9; Alcohol ethoxylate, nonionic surfactant available from
Shell Chemicals (g) Neodol 23-6.5; Alcohol ethoxylate, nonionic
surfactant available from Shell Chemicals (h) Savinase, a protease
enzyme available from Novozymes Company (i) q.s. Quantity
sufficient to achieve 100 weight % of final composition
[0225] Further experiments were conducted to illustrate the utility
of employing the inventive compositions in a direct application
mode, that is a method not requiring fabrics to necessarily be
treated using the materials of the invention via a submerged or
immersive treatment liquor, but by direct application of
compositions to fabrics according to the methods of the present
invention. Test fabrics, including white 100% cotton, gray 100%
cotton and white 50%/50% polyester/cotton mixed swatches were
washed along with a 6 pounds of mixed polyester/cotton pillow case
ballast to represent a typical laundry load using the label
recommended level of a commercial liquid Tide detergent product.
Wash conditions were as follows: a 12 minute wash time with a warm
water temperature of about 93.degree. F. with 100 ppm of hardness
ions (3:1 Ca.sup.2+:Mg.sup.2+ ion ratio) with about 1.5 millimoles
of sodium bicarbonate present, following by a normal rinse cycle
with cold softened tap water having a temperature of about
68.degree. F. and subsequently a final spin cycle. The entire
washed and still damp load containing ballast and the test fabrics
was then placed in the drum of a commercially available automatic
tumble dryer. An example of the inventive composition, in a
quantity corresponding to about 177 grams or about 6 fluid ounces
in volume, and having a composition as disclosed as composition
number 100 in Table 22, was placed in a plastic cup having a total
8 fluid ounce capacity fitted with a modified lid closure
containing about 16 holes of about 1 mm diameter punched uniformly
across the surface of the lid for the purpose of dispensing the
composition. The dispensing container was then placed on top of the
washed and still damp test fabrics and ballast in an upright
position, followed by tumble drying of the load for 50 minutes at a
temperature setting of 150.degree. F. until all the fabrics were
completely dry to touch. Test fabrics were then removed from the
dryer, separated from the ballast and allowed to cool to room
temperature.
[0226] Water and oil contact angles were measured to determine both
water and oil repellency properties of the treated fabrics, and the
results are presented in Table 20 and Table 21.
20 TABLE 20 Water Contact Angle (degrees) at Indicated Time.sup.c
Fabric.sup.a Replicate.sup.b 0 sec. 30 sec. 60 sec. 90 sec. 120
sec. P/C 1 125 117 113 105 103 (white) 2 127 125 123 122 121 Cotton
1 132 122 120 118 118 (white) 2 136 128 126 126 125 Cotton 1 127
116 113 112 110 (gray) 2 113 98 93 90 88 .sup.aFabric compositions
are 100% Cotton (Cotton) and 50%/50% Cotton/polyester (P/C)
.sup.bOne test swatch per replicate of approximate size 12 inches
by 16 inches. .sup.cFollowing treatment with Composition No. 100 in
manner described herein.
[0227]
21 TABLE 21 Mineral Oil Contact Angle (degrees) at Indicated
Time.sup.c Fabric.sup.a Replicate.sup.b 0 sec. 30 sec. 60 sec. 90
sec. 120 sec. P/C 1 117 112 110 110 110 (white) 2 118 110 108 105
102 Cotton 1 118 86 80 75 63 (white) 2 113 102 88 80 73 Cotton 1
120 115 112 110 108 (gray) 2 120 118 116 115 114 .sup.aFabric
compositions are 100% Cotton (Cotton) and 50%/50% Cotton/polyester
(P/C) .sup.bOne test swatch per replicate of approximate size 12
inches by 16 inches .sup.cFollowing treatment with Composition No.
100 in manner described herein.
[0228]
22TABLE 22 Component Composition No. (weight % added 100 101 102
103 MICHEM 51.0 -- 25.0 25.0 EMULSION 743.sup.a Nalan GN.sup.b --
51.0 -- -- Zonyl 8300.sup.c 34.0 34.0 15.0 15.0 Accosoft
550-75.sup.d 13.1 -- -- 6.5 Fragrance.sup.e 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4
Colorant.sup.f 0.004 0.004 0.004 0.004 Water.sup.g 1.1 14.2 59.2
49.7 Solvent.sup.h -- -- -- 3.0 Acid (12%).sup.i q.s. q.s. q.s.
q.s. .sup.aNon-cationic microcrystalline wax emulsion from
Michelman .sup.bCationic paraffin wax emulsion from DuPont
Chemicals containing a cationic methacrylate polymer
.sup.cFluoropolymer emulsion from DuPont Chemicals .sup.dCationic
surfactant 75% active; Methyl bis(tallowamido ethyl)-2-hydroxyethyl
ammonium methyl sulfate .sup.eCommercial fragrance oil from
International Fragrance and Flavors .sup.fCommercial non-fabric
staining dye. .sup.gDeionized water .sup.hEthanol .sup.iq.s.
Quantity sufficient of hydrochloric acid to adjust final
composition pH to approximately pH 3.6
[0229] Results in Table 21 and 22 demonstrate the feasibility of
imparting both water and oil repellency properties to fabrics when
the treatment composition is dispensed in the dryer during the
drying cycle. Visual results indicated less uniformity of treatment
over the entire surface area of the treated test fabrics owing to
the simplistic application method employed, although the test
results effectively illustrate the utility of the compositions
dispensed in this simple manner.
[0230] Although only preferred embodiments of the invention are
specifically disclosed and described above, it will be appreciated
that many modifications and variations of the present invention are
possible in light of the above teachings and within the purview of
the appended claims without departing from the spirit and intended
scope of the invention.
* * * * *