U.S. patent application number 13/116746 was filed with the patent office on 2011-10-06 for liquid fabric conditioner composition and method of use.
This patent application is currently assigned to ECOLAB USA INC.. Invention is credited to Amanda R. Blattner, David W. Gohl, Charles A. Hodge, Julio R. Panama, Nicholas A. Popp.
Application Number | 20110239379 13/116746 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40129291 |
Filed Date | 2011-10-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110239379 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hodge; Charles A. ; et
al. |
October 6, 2011 |
LIQUID FABRIC CONDITIONER COMPOSITION AND METHOD OF USE
Abstract
The invention includes a method of conditioning fabrics,
comprising contacting fabric with a liquid composition comprising
an amino-functional silicone and a quaternary ammonium, and drying
said fabric at 200 degrees F. or greater. The invention includes a
method of conditioning fabrics, comprising washing fabric in a
detergent having a wash pH of greater than 10, contacting fabric
with a liquid composition comprising an amino-functional silicone
and a quaternary ammonium, and drying said fabric at less than 200
degrees F. The invention further provides a method of conditioning
fabrics wherein softness, anti-static, and anti-wrinkle properties
are imparted to the fabric wherein the conditioned fabric resists
yellowing in industrial and institutional conditions wherein the
wash pH is greater than 9 and/or the fabric temperature is 200
degrees Fahrenheit or greater.
Inventors: |
Hodge; Charles A.; (Cottage
Grove, MN) ; Panama; Julio R.; (Blaine, MN) ;
Blattner; Amanda R.; (Prior Lake, MN) ; Popp;
Nicholas A.; (Eagan, MN) ; Gohl; David W.;
(St. Paul, MN) |
Assignee: |
ECOLAB USA INC.
ST. PAUL
MN
|
Family ID: |
40129291 |
Appl. No.: |
13/116746 |
Filed: |
May 26, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
12138021 |
Jun 12, 2008 |
|
|
|
13116746 |
|
|
|
|
60934752 |
Jun 15, 2007 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
8/137 |
Current CPC
Class: |
D06M 13/463 20130101;
C11D 3/30 20130101; D06M 2200/50 20130101; D06M 15/6436 20130101;
C11D 11/0017 20130101; C11D 3/001 20130101; C11D 3/2068 20130101;
C11D 3/32 20130101; D06L 1/12 20130101; C11D 3/0015 20130101; D06M
13/461 20130101; D06M 13/473 20130101; C11D 3/3707 20130101; C11D
1/62 20130101; C11D 3/323 20130101; D06M 13/467 20130101; C11D
3/3742 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
8/137 |
International
Class: |
D06L 1/20 20060101
D06L001/20; D06M 15/19 20060101 D06M015/19 |
Claims
1. Method of conditioning fabrics, comprising: (a) contacting
cotton fabric with a liquid composition, the liquid composition
consisting of (i) an amino-functional silicone an amidoamine
quaternary ammonium, water, salt, viscosity controlling agent,
fragrance, and (ii) optionally an anti-static agent, dye transfer
inhibition/color protection agent, odor removal/odor capturing
agent, soil shielding/soil releasing agent, ultraviolet light
protection agents, sanitizing agent, disinfecting agent, water
repellency agents, insect repellency agent, anti-pilling agents,
souring agent, mildew removing agent, enzyme, allergicide agent,
starch agent, bleaching agent, optical brightness agent,
surfactant, and mixtures thereof; (b) drying said fabric so that
the fabric temperature is 200 degrees F. or greater; wherein the
delta b* of cotton fabric is greater (more negative) than the delta
b* of a control when subjected to at least 15 cycles, a cycle is
comprised of a wash step followed by a conditioning step according
to step (a) and drying step according to step (b) and the softness
of the fabric does not decrease.
2. The method of conditioning fabric according to claim 1
comprising a step of washing the fabric in a wash pH greater than 9
before contacting the fabric with the fabric conditioning
composition.
3. Method of conditioning fabrics, comprising: (a) washing cotton
fabric with a wash pH greater than 9, (b) contacting the washed
fabric with a composition, the composition consisting of (i) an
amino-functional silicone, an amidoamine quaternary ammonium,
water, salt, viscosity controlling agent, fragrance, and (ii)
optionally an anti-static agent, dye transfer inhibition/color
protection agent, odor removal/odor capturing agent, soil
shielding/soil releasing agent, ultraviolet light protection
agents, sanitizing agent, disinfecting agent, water repellency
agents, insect repellency agent, anti-pilling agents, souring
agent, mildew removing agent, enzyme, allergicide agent, starch
agent, bleaching agent, optical brightness agent, surfactant, and
mixtures thereof; (c) drying said fabric so that the fabric
temperature is 200 degrees F. or greater, wherein the delta b* of
cotton fabric is greater (more negative) than the delta b* of a
control when subjected to at least 15 cycles, a cycle is comprised
of a wash step according to step (a) followed by a conditioning
step according to step (b) and drying step according to step (c)
and the softness of the fabric does not decrease.
4. A method of treating fabric, the method comprising: (a) allowing
cotton fabric to contact a liquid fabric conditioning composition,
wherein said composition consists of: (i) an amidoamine quaternary
ammonium compound, an amino-functional silicone compound, water,
salt, viscosity controlling agent, fragrance, and (ii) optionally
an anti-static agent, dye transfer inhibition/color protection
agent, odor removal/odor capturing agent, soil shielding/soil
releasing agent, ultraviolet light protection agents, sanitizing
agent, disinfecting agent, water repellency agents, insect
repellency agent, anti-pilling agents, souring agent, mildew
removing agent, enzyme, allergicide agent, starch agent, bleaching
agent, optical brightness agent, surfactant, and mixtures thereof;
and (b) subjecting said conditioned fabric to the inside of an
industrial dryer during a drying operation wherein the fabric
temperature is 200 degrees Fahrenheit or greater, and the delta b*
of said fabric is greater (more negative) than the delta b* of a
control after 15 cycles, wherein a cycle comprises a wash step, a
treating step according to step (a), and a drying step according to
step (b).
5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the softness of the
treated fabric does not decrease.
6. Method of conditioning fabrics, comprising: (a) washing cotton
fabric in a high alkaline detergent; (b) contacting the cotton
fabric with a liquid composition, the liquid composition consisting
of (i) an amino-functional silicone, an amidoamine quaternary
ammonium, water, salt, viscosity controlling agent, fragrance, and
(ii) optionally an anti-static agent, dye transfer inhibition/color
protection agent, odor removal/odor capturing agent, soil
shielding/soil releasing agent, ultraviolet light protection
agents, sanitizing agent, disinfecting agent, water repellency
agents, insect repellency agent, anti-pilling agents, souring
agent, mildew removing agent, enzyme, allergicide agent, starch
agent, bleaching agent, optical brightness agent, surfactant, and
mixtures thereof; and (c) drying said fabric at a temperature of
greater than 200 degrees F., wherein the delta b* of cotton fabric
is greater (more negative) than the delta b* of a control when
subjected to at least 15 cycles, a cycle is comprised of a wash
step according to step (a) followed by a conditioning step
according to step (b) and drying step according to step (c) and the
softness of the fabric does not decrease.
7. The method of conditioning fabric according to claim 6
comprising a step of washing the fabric in a wash pH greater than 9
before contacting the fabric with the fabric conditioning
composition.
8. Method of conditioning fabrics, comprising: (a) washing
cotton_fabric with a wash pH greater than 10, (b) contacting the
washed fabric with a composition, the compositions consisting of
(i) an amino-functional silicone, an amidoamine quaternary
ammonium, water, salt, viscosity controlling agent, fragrance; and
(ii) optionally an anti-static agent, dye transfer inhibition/color
protection agent, odor removal/odor capturing agent, soil
shielding/soil releasing agent, ultraviolet light protection
agents, sanitizing agent, disinfecting agent, water repellency
agents, insect repellency agent, anti-pilling agents, souring
agent, mildew removing agent, enzyme, allergicide agent, starch
agent, bleaching agent, optical brightness agent, surfactant, and
mixtures thereof; and (c) drying said fabric at a temperature of
greater than 200 degrees F., wherein the delta b* of cotton fabric
is greater (more negative) than the delta b* of a control when
subjected to at least 15 cycles, a cycle is comprised of a wash
step according to step (a) followed by a conditioning step
according to step (b) and drying step according to step (c) and the
softness of the fabric does not decrease.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.
No. 12/138,021, filed Jun. 12, 2008, published as US 2008-0307586,
now allowed, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application
No. 60/934,752 filed Jun. 15, 2007; entitled, "Liquid Fabric
Conditioner Composition and Method of Use." the entire disclosure
of both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their
entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a method for treating a
textile under industrial and institutional fabric care conditions
to impart softness with reduced yellowing. More particularly, the
present invention relates to a method for treating a textile with a
fabric conditioning composition comprising an amino-functional
silicone and a quaternary ammonium.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] It has become commonplace today in the consumer and
residential sector to use fabric softening compositions comprising
major amounts of water, lesser amounts of fabric softening agents,
and minor amounts of optional ingredients such as perfumes,
colorants, preservatives and stabilizers. Such compositions are
aqueous suspensions or emulsions that are conveniently added to the
rinsing bath of residential washing machines to improve the hand of
the laundered fabrics.
[0004] It is an entirely different situation, however, to find
similarly acting liquid fabric softening compositions that are
effective in the harsher conditions found in industrial and
institutional settings without imparting negative effects on the
fabric. That is, in the industrial sector fabric softening agents
generally cause undue premature yellowing of the fabrics. By the
term, "industrial and institutional" it is meant that the
operations are located in the service industry including but not
limited to hotels, motels, hospitals, nursing homes, restaurants,
health clubs, and the like. Due to a number of factors, fabric is
exposed to considerably harsher conditions in the industrial and
institutional setting as compared to the consumer or residential
sector. In the industrial and institutional sector, soil levels
found in the linens are much higher than that in the residential or
consumer sector. As such, detergents used in the industrial and
institutional settings are more alkaline as compared to those in
the consumer sector that are less alkaline. Wash cycles in the
residential sector have a pH of near neutral whereas the wash
cycles in the industrial and institutional sector have a pH of
greater than about 9.
[0005] Another factor that contributes to the overall differences
in operating conditions between consumer laundry and that in the
industrial and institutional setting is the high volume of laundry
that must be processed in shorter times in the industrial and
institutional sector than allowed in the consumer market. Dryers in
such operations operate at substantially higher temperatures than
those found in the consumer or residential market. It is expected
that industrial or commercial dryers operate at levels to provide
fabric temperatures that are typically provided in the range of
between about 180 degrees Fahrenheit and about 270 degrees F.,
whereas consumer or residential dryers often operate at maximum
fabric temperatures of between about 120 degrees F. and about 160
degrees F. It should be understood that the temperature of the
consumer or residential dryer is often changed depending upon the
item being dried. Even so, residential dryers do not have the
capacity to operate at the elevated temperatures found in the
industrial and institutional sector. Industrial and institutional
dryers operate in the range of about 180 degrees up to about 270
degrees Fahrenheit, more preferably, about 220 degrees up to about
260 degrees F., and most preferably about 240 degrees up to about
260 degree Fahrenheit maximum fabric temperature.
[0006] Many different types of fabric softening agents are used in
commercially available fabric softeners intended for the
residential or consumer market. These include quaternary ammoniums.
Fabric softeners containing quaternary ammoniums operate quite well
in the near neutral pH wash and lower dryer temperature conditions
of the residential market. Softeners containing quaternary ammonium
compounds impart softness to the laundry and are non-yellowing in
the residential and consumer sector. These traits are a highly
desired combination of properties for textiles such as fibers and
fabrics, both woven and non-woven. By softness is meant the quality
perceived by users through their tactile sense to be soft. Such
tactile perceivable softness may be characterized by, but not
limited to resilience, flexibility, fluffiness, slipperiness, and
smoothness and subjective descriptions such as "feeling like silk
or flannel."
[0007] In contrast, Applicants discovered that the quaternary
ammonium compounds, when used in the harsher conditions found in
the industrial and institutional sector, caused unacceptable
yellowing of the fabric. The majority of the linens in the
institutional and industrial sector are white. As can be expected,
such yellowing is much more apparent with white linens. The
yellowing gives the linens an unclean or unsavory appearance at
best. As such, the use of quaternary ammonium fabric conditioners
which cause yellowing may provide a nice feel, but shorten the
overall life of a linen because the linen must be discarded before
its otherwise useful life is exhausted. In the case of colored
linens, yellowing is less obvious but the quaternary ammonium
compounds cause a dulling of the colors over time. It is easily
appreciated that it is desirable to provide a fabric conditioning
agent that does not cause significant yellowing or dulling of
fabrics that are repeatedly washed and dried. Moreover, it is
generally desirable for white laundry that is dried to remain white
even after multiple drying cycles. That is, it is desirable that
the fabric not yellow or dull after repeated cycles of drying in
the presence of the fabric conditioning composition.
[0008] Applicants found that in the higher alkalinity and higher
temperature conditions of the industrial and institutional sector
the addition of amino silicone or amino-functional silicone to
quaternary ammonium containing fabric conditioning composition did
not alter certain fabric conditioning properties. Surprisingly,
Applicants found that the combination of components in the fabric
conditioning composition exhibit reduced yellowing or dulling of
the laundry in industrial and institutional conditions without
adversely affecting the softening properties.
[0009] It is known in the art to include anti-wrinkling agents to
provide anti-wrinkling properties. Exemplary anti-wrinkling agents
can include siloxane or silicone containing compounds. While it is
known in the art to include silicones in fabric conditioning
compositions to aid in anti-wrinkling, it has not previously been
known to add silicones having amino functional groups for use in
high temperature dryers such as found in industrial and
institutional settings. Moreover, it has not been known to add
amino functional silicones to fabric conditioning compositions in
order to reduce the yellowing of fabrics often experienced in the
industrial and institutional sector due to the extreme conditions.
It has also not been known to include silicones in fabric
conditioning compositions in order to reduce yellowing of fabrics
when using high alkaline detergents.
[0010] Fabric conditioning or fabric softening compositions are
delivered via various methods. Liquid softeners are common in the
residential market as are dryer sheets. Yet another method of
delivery is via solid block. While all delivery methods work to
deliver softening agents to the fabric, it is believed that liquid
delivery methods lead to higher levels of deposition of the
softening agents on the fabric. With higher levels of the softening
agents there is an increased opportunity for yellowing to
occur.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] This invention relates to compositions and methods for
conditioning fabrics during the rinse cycle of industrial or
institutional laundering operations. The compositions of the
invention are used in such a manner to impart to laundered fabrics
a texture or hand that is smooth, pliable and fluffy to the touch
(i.e., soft) and also to impart to the fabrics a reduced tendency
to pick up and/or retain an electrostatic charge (i.e. static
control), and to reduce discoloring often referred to as yellowing,
especially when the fabrics are washed in a high alkaline detergent
and/or dried in an automatic dryer at industrial and institutional
conditions.
[0012] This invention relates to liquid fabric care compositions or
fabric conditioner compositions comprising an amine functional
silicone compound and a quaternary ammonium compound for use in an
industrial and institutional fabric care operation. The invention
further relates to a method of treating fabric comprising
conditioning the fabric with a composition comprising an amine
functional silicone compound and a quaternary ammonium compound in
an industrial and institutional fabric care operation.
[0013] Surprisingly, the method of the present invention imparts
softness at least equivalent to commercial or residential softeners
and provides the additional benefit of being non-yellowing and/or
having a reduced tendency to discolor the treated textile over
multiple wash/dry cycles. The present invention provides a method
for treating a textile subjected to high heat dryers of the
industrial and institutional sector to impart amine-like softness
and reduced yellowing, which method comprises treating the textile
with a composition comprising an amino-functional silicone and a
quaternary ammonium.
[0014] The conditioning benefits of the compositions of the
invention are not limited to softening and reduced yellowing,
however. The benefits of the present invention can include
anti-static properties as well as anti-wrinkling properties. The
fabric conditioner composition can include at least one of
anti-static agents, anti-wrinkling agents, improved absorbency, dye
transfer inhibition/color protection agents, odor removal/odor
capturing agents, soil shielding/soil releasing agents, ease of
drying, ultraviolet light protection agents, fragrances, sanitizing
agents, disinfecting agents, water repellency agents, insect
repellency agents, anti-pilling agents, souring agents, mildew
removing agents, enzymes, starch agents, bleaching agents, optical
brightness agents, allergicide agents, and mixtures thereof.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0015] FIG. 1 shows a graph plotting the b* value against the cycle
# for a control and three compositions of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0016] The Fabric Conditioner Composition
[0017] Quaternary Ammonium Component
[0018] A component of the fabric conditioner composition of the
invention is a general type of fabric softener component referred
to as a quaternary ammonium compound. Exemplary quaternary ammonium
compounds include alkylated quaternary ammonium compounds, ring or
cyclic quaternary ammonium compounds, aromatic quaternary ammonium
compounds, diquaternary ammonium compounds, alkoxylated quaternary
ammonium compounds, amidoamine quaternary ammonium compounds, ester
quaternary ammonium compounds, and mixtures thereof.
[0019] Exemplary alkylated quaternary ammonium compounds include
ammonium compounds having an alkyl group containing between 6 and
24 carbon atoms. Exemplary alkylated quaternary ammonium compounds
include monoalkyl trimethyl quaternary ammonium compounds,
monomethyl trialkyl quaternary ammonium compounds, and dialkyl
dimethyl quaternary ammonium compounds. Examples of the alkylated
quaternary ammonium compounds are available commercially under the
names Adogen.TM., Arosurf.RTM., Variquat.RTM., and Varisoft.RTM..
The alkyl group can be a C.sub.8-C.sub.22 group or a
C.sub.8-C.sub.18 group or a C.sub.12-C.sub.22 group that is
aliphatic and saturated or unsaturated or straight or branched, an
alkyl group, a benzyl group, an alkyl ether propyl group,
hydrogenated-tallow group, coco group, stearyl group, palmityl
group, and soya group. Exemplary ring or cyclic quaternary ammonium
compounds include imidazolinium quaternary ammonium compounds and
are available under the name Varisoft.RTM.. Exemplary imidazolinium
quaternary ammonium compounds include methyl-1hydr. tallow amido
ethyl-2-hydr. tallow imidazolinium-methyl sulfate, methyl-1-tallow
amido ethyl-2-tallow imidazolinium-methyl sulfate, methyl-1-oleyl
amido ethyl-2-oleyl imidazolinium-methyl sulfate, and 1-ethylene
bis(2-tallow, 1-methyl, imidazolinium-methyl sulfate). Exemplary
aromatic quaternary ammonium compounds include those compounds that
have at least one benzene ring in the structure. Exemplary aromatic
quaternary ammonium compounds include dimethyl alkyl benzyl
quaternary ammonium compounds, monomethyl dialkyl benzyl quaternary
ammonium compounds, trimethyl benzyl quaternary ammonium compounds,
and trialkyl benzyl quaternary ammonium compounds. The alkyl group
can contain between about 6 and about 24 carbon atoms, and can
contain between about 10 and about 18 carbon atoms, and can be a
stearyl group or a hydrogenated tallow group. Exemplary aromatic
quaternary ammonium compounds are available under the names
Variquat.RTM. and Varisoft.RTM.. The aromatic quaternary ammonium
compounds can include multiple benzyl groups. Diquaternary ammonium
compounds include those compounds that have at least two quaternary
ammonium groups. An exemplary diquaternary ammonium compound is
N-tallow pentamethyl propane diammonium dichloride and is available
under the name Adogen 477. Exemplary alkoxylated quaternary
ammonium compounds include methyldialkoxy alkyl quaternary ammonium
compounds, trialkoxy alkyl quaternary ammonium compounds, trialkoxy
methyl quaternary ammonium compounds, dimethyl alkoxy alkyl
quaternary ammonium compounds, and trimethyl alkoxy quaternary
ammonium compounds. The alkyl group can contain between about 6 and
about 24 carbon atoms and the alkoxy groups can contain between
about 1 and about 50 alkoxy groups units wherein each alkoxy unit
contains between about 2 and about 3 carbon atoms. Exemplary
alkoxylated quaternary ammonium compounds are available under the
names Variquat.RTM., Varstat.RTM., and Variquat.RTM.. Exemplary
amidoamine quaternary ammonium compounds include diamidoamine
quaternary ammonium compounds. Exemplary diamidoamine quaternary
ammonium compounds are available under the name Accosoft.RTM.
available from Stepan or Varisoft.RTM. available from Evonik
Industries. Exemplary amidoamine quaternary ammonium compounds that
can be used according to the invention are methyl-bis(tallow
amidoethyl)-2-hydroxyethyl ammonium methyl sulfate, methyl bis
(oleylamidoethyl)-2-hydroxyethyl ammonium methyl sulfate, and
methyl bis(hydr.tallowamidoethyl)-2-hydroxyethyl ammonium methyl
sulfate. Exemplary ester quaternary compounds are available under
the name Stephantex.TM..
[0020] The quaternary ammonium compounds can include any counter
ion that allows the component to be used in a manner that imparts
fabric-softening properties according to the invention. Exemplary
counter ions include chloride, methyl sulfate, ethyl sulfate, and
sulfate.
[0021] In certain liquid rinse-added compositions of this invention
the amount of active quaternary ammonium component can range from
about 2% to about 35%, from about 4% to about 27%, by weight of the
total composition, and from about 6% to about 25% of the total
composition.
[0022] The term "active" as used herein refers to the amount of the
component that is present in the composition. As one skilled in the
art will recognize, many of the components of the invention are
sold as emulsions and the manufacturer will provide data that
includes the percentage of active ingredients to the purchaser. As
a matter of example only, if 100% of a final composition is
comprised of emulsion X and if emulsion X contains 60% of the
active component X, we would say that the final composition
contained 60% active component X.
[0023] Silicone Component
[0024] Another component of the fabric conditioning composition of
the invention is a silicone compound. The silicone of the invention
can be a linear or branched structured silicone polymer. The
silicone of the present invention can be a single polymer or a
mixture of polymers. Suitable silicones are available from Wacker
Chemical and include but are not limited to Wacker.RTM. FC 201
which is a high molecular weight polysiloxane and Wacker.RTM. FC
205 which is a pre-cross-linked silicone rubber.
[0025] Another component of the fabric conditioning composition of
the invention is an amino functional silicone. Amino functional
silicones are also referred to herein as amino-functional
silicones. The amino-functional silicone of the invention can be a
linear or branched structured amino-functional silicone polymer.
The amino-functional silicone of the present invention can be a
single polymer or a mixture of polymers, including a mixture of
polymers wherein one of the polymers contains no amino
functionality, e.g., a polydimethylsiloxane polymer. Suitable
amino-functional silicones are available from Wacker and include
Wacker.RTM. FC 203 which is an amino functional silicone with
polyether groups.
[0026] An active amino-functional silicone compound is typically
incorporated in the composition of the invention at a level from
about 0.2 percent up to about 12 percent by weight. More
preferably, the amino-functional silicone component is included at
a level of from about 0.5 percent to about 10 percent by weight.
Most preferably, the amino-functional silicone component is
included at a level of from about 1 percent to about 6 percent by
weight.
[0027] The present invention can take any of a number of forms. It
can take the form of a dilutable fabric conditioner, that may be a
liquid, a surfactant-structured liquid, a granular, spray-dried or
dry-blended powder, a tablet, a paste, a molded solid or any other
fabric conditioner form known to those skilled in the art. A
"dilutable fabric conditioning" composition is defined, for the
purposes of this disclosure, as a product intended to be used by
being diluted with water or a non-aqueous solvent by a ratio of
more than 100:1, to produce a liquor suitable for treating textiles
and conferring to them one or more conditioning benefits. Water
soluble sheets or sachets are also envisaged as a potential form of
this invention. These may be sold under a variety of names, and for
a number of purposes. For all cases, however, these compositions
are intended to be used by being diluted by a ratio of more than
100:1 with water or a non-aqueous solvent, to form a liquor
suitable for treating fabrics.
[0028] Particularly preferred forms of this invention include
conditioner products, especially as a liquid or powder, intended
for application as a fabric softener during the wash cycle or the
final rinse. For the purposes of this disclosure, the term "fabric
softener," "fabric conditioner," or "fabric conditioner" shall be
understood to mean an industrial product added to the wash or rinse
cycle of a laundry process for the express or primary purpose of
conferring one or more conditioning benefits.
[0029] It can also take the form of a fabric softener intended to
be applied to articles without substantial dilution and sold as any
form known to those skilled in the art as a potential medium for
delivering such fabric softeners to the industrial and
institutional market. Sprays, such as aerosol or pump sprays, for
direct application to fabrics are also considered within the scope
of this disclosure. Such examples, however, are provided for
illustrative purposes and are not intended to limit the scope of
this invention.
[0030] Fabrics that can be processed according to the invention
include any textile or fabric material that can be processed in an
industrial dryer for the removal of water. Fabrics are often
referred to as laundry in the case of industrial laundry
operations. While the invention is characterized in the context of
conditioning "fabric," it should be understood that items or
articles that include fabric could similarly be treated. In
addition, it should be understood that items such as towels,
sheets, and clothing are often referred to as laundry and are types
of fabrics. Textiles that benefit by treatment of the method of the
present invention are exemplified by (i) natural fibers such as
cotton, flax, silk and wool; (ii) synthetic fibers such as
polyester, polyamide, polyacrylonitrile, polyethylene,
polypropylene and polyurethane; and (iii) inorganic fibers such as
glass fiber and carbon fiber. Preferably, the textile treated by
the method of the present invention is a fabric produced from any
of the above-mentioned fibrous materials or blends thereof. Most
preferably, the textile is a cotton-containing fabric such as
cotton or a cotton-polyester blend. Additional laundry items that
can be treated by the fabric treatment composition include athletic
shoes, accessories, stuffed animals, brushes, mats, hats, gloves,
outerwear, tarpaulins, tents, and curtains. However, due to the
harsh conditions imparted by industrial dryers, the laundry items
useful for conditioning according to the present invention must be
able to withstand the high temperature conditions found in an
industrial dryer.
[0031] The dryers in which the fabric softener composition
according to the invention can be used include any type of dryer
that uses heat and/or agitation and/or air flow to remove water
from the laundry. An exemplary dryer includes a tumble-type dryer
where the laundry is provided within a rotating drum that causes
the laundry to tumble during the operation of the dryer.
Tumble-type dryers are commonly found in industrial and
institutional sector laundry operations.
[0032] The compositions of the invention are particularly useful in
harsher conditions found in industrial and institutional settings.
By the term, "industrial and institutional" it is meant that the
operations are located in the service industry including but not
limited to hotels, motels, restaurants, health clubs, healthcare,
and the like. Dryers in such operations operate at substantially
higher temperatures than those found in the consumer or residential
market. It is expected that industrial or commercial dryers operate
at maximum fabric temperatures that are typically provided in the
range of between about 180 degrees Fahrenheit and about 270 degrees
F., and consumer or residential dryers often operate at maximum
fabric temperatures of between about 120 degrees F. and about 160
degrees F. Industrial and institutional dryers operate in the range
of about 180 degrees up to about 270 degrees Fahrenheit, more
preferably, about 220 degrees up to about 260 degrees F., and most
preferably about 240 degrees up to about 260 degrees
Fahrenheit.
[0033] Maximum fabric temperature is obtained by placing a
temperature monitoring strip into a damp pillowcase. Temperature
monitoring strips are sold as Thermolabel available from Paper
Thermometer Co, Inc. The pillowcase is then placed into a tumble
dryer with a load of damp laundry. Once the load is dry, the
temperature monitoring strip is removed from the pillowcase and the
maximum recorded temperature is the maximum fabric temperature.
[0034] It is generally desirable for laundry that is dried to
remain white even after multiple drying cycles. That is, it is
desirable that the fabric not yellow after repeated cycles of
drying in the presence of the fabric conditioning composition.
Whiteness retention can be measured according to b*, for example, a
Hunter Lab instrument. In general, it is desirable to exhibit a
lower .DELTA.b (less yellow) for the fabric treated with the
composition of the invention and dried at elevated temperatures,
after 15 wash, soften, and drying cycles.
.DELTA.b*=b*.sub.final-b*.sub.initial.
[0035] It is generally desirable for fabric treated in a dryer
using the fabric conditioning composition of the invention to
possess a softness preference that is at least comparable to the
softness preference exhibited by commercially available liquid
fabric softener. The softness preference is derived from a panel
test with one-on-one comparisons of fabric (such as towels) treated
with the fabric treatment composition according to the invention or
with a commercially available liquid fabric softener. In general,
it is desirable for the softness preference resulting from the
fabric treatment composition to be superior to the softness
preference exhibited by commercially available liquid fabric
softener.
[0036] Compatible adjuvants can be added to the compositions herein
for their known purposes. Such adjuvants include, but are not
limited to, viscosity control agents, perfumes, emulsifiers,
preservatives, antioxidants, bactericides, fungicides, colorants,
dyes, fluorescent dyes, brighteners, opacifiers, freeze-thaw
control agents, soil release agents, and shrinkage control agents,
and other agents to provide ease of ironing (e.g., starches, etc.).
These adjuvants, if used, are added at their usual levels,
generally each of up to about 5% by weight of the preferred liquid
composition.
[0037] The fabric conditioning composition, when it includes an
anti-static agent, can generate a static reduction when compared
with fabric that is not subjected to treatment. It has been
observed that fabric treated using the fabric conditioning
composition according to the invention exhibit more constant
percent static reduction compared with commercially available
liquid softeners.
[0038] The fabric conditioning composition can include anti-static
agents such as those commonly used in the laundry drying industry
to provide anti-static properties. Exemplary anti-static agents
include those quaternary compounds mentioned in the context of
softening agents. Accordingly, a benefit of using conditioning
agents including quaternary groups is that they may additionally
provide anti-static properties.
[0039] The fabric conditioning composition can include odor
capturing agents. In general, odor capturing agents are believed to
function by capturing or enclosing certain molecules that provide
an odor. Exemplary odor capturing agents include cyclodextrins, and
zinc ricinoleate.
[0040] The fabric conditioning composition can include fiber
protection agents that coat the fibers of fabrics to reduce or
prevent disintegration and/or degradation of the fibers. Exemplary
fiber protection agents include cellulosic polymers.
[0041] The fabric conditioning composition can include color
protection agents for coating the fibers of the fabric to reduce
the tendency of dyes to escape the fabric into water. Exemplary
color protection agents include quaternary ammonium compounds and
surfactants. An exemplary quaternary ammonium color protection
agent includes di-(nortallow carboxyethyl)hydroxyethyl methyl
ammonium methylsulfate that is available under the name Varisoft WE
21 CP from Evonik-Goldschmidt Corporation. An exemplary surfactant
color protection agent is available under the name Varisoft CCS-1
from Evonik-Goldschmidt Corporation. An exemplary cationic polymer
color protection agent is available under the name Tinofix CL from
CIBA. Additional color protection agents are available under the
names Color Care Additive DFC 9, Thiotan TR, Nylofixan P-Liquid,
Polymer VRN, Cartaretin F-4, and Cartaretin F-23 from Clariant; EXP
3973 Polymer from Alco; and Coltide from Croda.
[0042] The fabric conditioning composition can include soil
releasing agents that can be provided for coating the fibers of
fabrics to reduce the tendency of soils to attach to the fibers.
Exemplary soil releasing agents include polymers such as those
available under the names Repel-O-Tex SRP6 and Repel-O-Tex PF594
from Rhodia; TexaCare 100 and TexaCare 240 from Clariant; and
Sokalan HP22 from BASF.
[0043] The fabric conditioning composition can include optical
brightening agents that impart fluorescing compounds to the fabric.
In general, fluorescing compounds have a tendency to provide a
bluish tint that can be perceived as imparting a brighter color to
fabric. Exemplary optical brighteners include stilbene derivatives,
biphenyl derivatives, and coumarin derivatives. An exemplary
biphenyl derivative is distyryl biphenyl disulfonic acid sodium
salt. An exemplary stilbene derivative includes cyanuric
chloride/diaminostilbene disulfonic acid sodium salt. An exemplary
coumarin derivative includes diethylamino coumarin. Exemplary
optical brighteners are available under the names Tinopal 5 BM-GX,
Tinopal CBS-CL, Tinopal CBS-X, and Tinopal AMS-GX from CIBA. It
should be noted, however, that an overall reduction in yellowing is
observed when using the composition of the invention in elevated
dryer temperatures without the addition of optical brightening
agents.
[0044] The fabric conditioning composition can include a UV
protection agent to provide the fabric with enhanced UV protection.
In the case of clothing, it is believed that by applying UV
protection agents to the clothing, it is possible to reduce the
harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation on skin provided
underneath the clothing. As clothing becomes lighter in weight, UV
light has a greater tendency to penetrate the clothing and the skin
underneath the clothing may become sunburned. An exemplary UV
protection agent includes Tinosorb FD from CIBA.
[0045] The fabric conditioning composition can include an
anti-pilling agent that acts on portions of the fiber that stick
out or away from the fiber. Anti-pilling agents can be available as
enzymes such as cellulase enzymes. Exemplary cellulase enzyme
anti-pilling agents are available under the names Puradex from
Genencor and Endolase and Carezyme from Novozyme.
[0046] The fabric conditioning composition can include water
repellency agents that can be applied to fabric to enhance water
repellent properties. Exemplary water repellents include
perfluoroacrylate copolymers, hydrocarbon waxes, and
polysiloxanes.
[0047] The fabric conditioning composition can include disinfecting
and/or sanitizing agents. Exemplary sanitizing and/or disinfecting
agents include peracids or peroxyacids. Additional exemplary
sanitizing and/or disinfecting agents include quaternary ammonium
compounds such as alkyl dimethylbenzyl ammonium chloride, alkyl
dimethylethylbenzyl ammonium chloride, octyl decyldimethyl ammonium
chloride, dioctyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, and didecyl dimethyl
ammonium chloride.
[0048] The fabric conditioning composition can include souring
agents that neutralize residual alkaline that may be present on the
fabric. The souring agents can be used to control the pH of the
fabric. The souring agents can include acids such as saturated
fatty acids, dicarboxylic acids, and tricarboxylic acids. The
souring agents can include mineral acids such as hydrochloric acid,
sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, and HFS acid to name a few.
[0049] The fabric conditioning composition can include insect
repellents such as mosquito repellents and bed bug
repellents/deterrents. An exemplary insect repellent is DEET.
Exemplary bed bug deterrents include permethrin, naphthalene, Xylol
and ammonia. In addition, the fabric conditioning composition can
include mildewcides that kill mildew and allergicides that reduce
the allergic potential present on certain fabrics and/or provide
germ proofing properties.
[0050] Viscosity control agents can be organic or inorganic in
nature. Examples of organic viscosity modifiers are 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 of the
group IA and IIA metals of the Periodic Table of the Elements,
e.g., calcium chloride, magnesium chloride, sodium chloride,
potassium bromide, and lithium chloride. Calcium chloride is
preferred. The ionizable salts are particularly useful during the
process of mixing the ingredients to make the liquid compositions
herein, and later to obtain the desired viscosity. The amount of
ionizable salts used depends on the amount of active ingredients
used in such compositions and can be adjusted according to the
desires of the formulator. Typical levels of salts used to control
the composition viscosity are from about 20 to about 6,000 parts
per million (ppm), preferably from about 20 to about 4,000 ppm by
weight of the composition.
[0051] Inorganic viscosity/dispersibility control agents which can
also act like or augment the effect of the surfactant concentration
aids, include water-soluble, ionizable salts which can also
optionally be incorporated into the compositions of the present
invention. A wide variety of ionizable salts can be used. Examples
of suitable salts are the halides of the Group IA and IIA metals of
the Periodic Table of the Elements, e.g., calcium chloride,
magnesium chloride, sodium chloride, potassium bromide, and lithium
chloride. 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 desires of the
formulator. Typical levels of salts used to control the composition
viscosity are from about 20 to about 20,000 parts per million
(ppm), preferably from about 20 to about 11,000 ppm, by weight of
the composition.
[0052] Stabilizers may be added to the fabric conditioning
composition of the invention. Stabilizers such as hydrogen peroxide
serve to stabilize preservatives such as Kathon CG/ICP for long
term, shelf life stability. Stabilizers may be included in the
composition of the invention to control the degradation of
preservatives and can range from about 0.05% up to about to 0.1% by
weight. Preservatives such as Kathon CG/ICP available from Rohm and
Haas may be added to the composition of the invention from about
0.05 weight per cent up to about to 0.15 weight percent. Other
preservatives that may be useful in the composition of the
invention, which may or may not require use of stabilizers, include
but are not limited to Ucaricide available from Dow, Neolone M-10
available from Rohm & Haas, and Korolone B 119 also available
from Rohm & Haas.
[0053] The fabric conditioning composition may also include
perfume. While pro-fragrances can be used alone and simply mixed
with essential fabric softening ingredient, most notably
surfactant, they can also be desirably combined into three-part
formulations which combine (a) a non-fragranced fabric softening
base comprising one or more synthetic fabric softeners, (b) one or
more pro-fragrant P-keto-esters in accordance with the invention
and (c) a fully-formulated fragrance. The latter provides desirable
in-package and in-use (wash-time) fragrance, while the
pro-fragrance provides a long-term fragrance to the laundered
textile fabrics.
[0054] In formulating the present fabric conditioning compositions,
the fully-formulated fragrance can be prepared using numerous known
odorant ingredients of natural or synthetic origin. The range of
the natural raw substances can embrace not only readily-volatile,
but also moderately-volatile and slightly-volatile components and
that of the synthetics can include representatives from practically
all classes of fragrant substances, as will be evident from the
following illustrative compilation: natural products, such as tree
moss absolute, basil oil, citrus fruit oils (such as bergamot oil,
mandarin oil, etc.), mastix absolute, myrtle oil, palmarosa oil,
patchouli oil, petitgrain oil Paraguay, wormwood oil, alcohols,
such as farnesol, geraniol, linalool, nerol, phenylethyl alcohol,
rhodinol, cinnamic alcohol, aldehydes, such as citral,
Helional.TM., alpha-hexyl-cinnamaldehyd, hydroxycitronellal,
Lilial.TM. (p-tert-butyl-alpha-methyldihydrocinnamaldehyde),
methylnonylacetaldehyde, ketones, such as allylionone,
alpha-ionone, beta-ionone, isoraldein (isomethyl-alpha-ionone),
methylionone, esters, such as allyl phenoxyacetate, benzyl
salicylate, cinnamyl propionate, citronellyl acetate, citronellyl
ethoxolate, decyl acetate, dimethylbenzylcarbinyl acetate,
dimethylbenzylcarbinyl butyrate, ethyl acetoacetate, ethyl
acetylacetate, hexenyl isobutyrate, linalyl acetate, methyl
dihydrojasmonate, styrallyl acetate, vetiveryl acetate, etc.,
lactones, such as gamma-undecalactone, various components often
used in perfumery, such as musk ketone, indole,
p-menthane-8-thiol-3-one, and methyl-eugenol. Likewise, any
conventional fragrant acetal or ketal known in the art can be added
to the present composition as an optional component of the
conventionally formulated perfume. Such conventional fragrant
acetals and ketals include the well-known methyl and ethyl acetals
and ketals, as well as acetals or ketals based on benzaldehyde,
those comprising phenylethyl moieties. It is preferred that the
pro-fragrant material be added separately from the conventional
fragrances to the fabric conditioner compositions of the
invention.
[0055] The preferred pH range of the composition for shelf
stability is between about 3 and about 8. The pH is dependent upon
the specific components of the composition of the invention. If the
quaternary ammonium component is an ester quaternary ammonium, the
preferred pH is somewhat lower because the ester linkages may break
with higher pHs. As such, it is preferred that compositions of the
invention that include ester quaternary ammoniums have a pH in the
range of between about 3 and about 6, more preferably in the range
of between about 4 and about 5. Amidoamine quaternary ammoniums
tolerate a somewhat higher pH and as such compositions of the
invention that include amidoamine quaternary ammoniums will likely
have a pH in the range of between about 3 and about 8. Because many
cationic polymers can decompose at high pH, especially when they
contain amine moieties, it is desirable to keep the pH of the
composition below the pK.sub.a of the amine group that is used to
quaternize the selected polymer, below which the propensity for
this to occur is greatly decreased. This reaction can cause the
product to lose effectiveness over time and create an undesirable
product odor. As such, a reasonable margin of safety, of 1-2 units
of pH below the pK.sub.a should ideally be used in order to drive
the equilibrium of this reaction to strongly favor polymer
stability. Although the preferred pH of the product will depend on
the particular cationic polymer selected for formulation, typically
these values should be below about 6 to about 8.5. The conditioning
bath pH, especially in the case of powdered softener and
combination detergent/softener products, can often be less
important, as the kinetics of polymer decomposition are often slow,
and the time of one conditioning cycle is typically not sufficient
to allow for this reaction to have a significant impact on the
performance or odor of the product. A lower pH can also aid in the
formulation of higher-viscosity products.
[0056] A preferred embodiment comprises: a liquid rinse water
composition comprising the fabric conditioning composition of the
invention.
Embodiments of the Invention
[0057] In certain liquid rinse-added compositions of this invention
the amount of quaternary ammonium component can range from about 2%
to about 35%, from about 4% to about 27%, by weight of the total
composition, and from about 6% to about 25% of the total
composition.
[0058] The levels of amino-functional silicone in such composition
can range from about 0.05% to about 40%; from about 0.1% to about
20%; and from about 0.5% to about 15% by weight of the
concentrate.
[0059] Carriers are liquids selected from the group consisting of
water and mixtures of water and short chain C.sub.1-C.sub.4
monohydric alcohols. The water which is used can be distilled,
deionized, and/or tap water. Mixtures of water and up to about 10%,
preferably less than about 5%, of short chain alcohol such as
ethanol, propanol, isopropanol or butanol, and mixtures thereof,
are also useful as the carrier liquid. Carriers that are primarily
comprised of water are desirable. Added free water, preferably in
the form of deionized water, may be present in the composition of
the invention in the amount of up to about 95% by weight, more
preferably up to about 80% by weight, and most preferably up to
about 60% by weight. The term "added free water" refers to water
added to the composition of the invention above and beyond any
water that is present in the other individual ingredients.
[0060] Some short chain alcohols are present in commercially
available quaternary ammonium compound products. Such products can
be used in the preparation of preferred aqueous compositions of the
present invention. The short chain alcohols are normally present in
such products at a level of from about 0.5% to about 10% by weight
of the aqueous compositions.
[0061] The compositions of the present invention can be prepared by
a number of methods. Some convenient and satisfactory methods are
disclosed in the following nonlimiting examples.
EXAMPLES
[0062] Unless otherwise stated, all wash and rinse procedures were
run in a 35 pound Milnor washing machine using 5 grain water.
[0063] The Following Towels, Scouring Procedure and Wash/Rinse/Dry
were Followed for the Low and High Alkaline Washes:
[0064] New white cotton terry towels, each having an approximate
weight of 0.5 kg, purchased from Institutional Textiles were
scoured to remove from the fabric any processing aids used during
manufacturing. The scouring was done in a 35 lb. Milnor Washing
Machine and was accomplished according to the following
procedure.
[0065] Scouring Protocol
[0066] Step One:
[0067] (a) A first low water level wash of about 12 gallons was
undertaken for 20 minutes at 130 degrees Fahrenheit. 70 grams
L2000XP detergent available from Ecolab of St. Paul, Minn. was used
for the first low water level wash. The water was drained from the
wash tub.
[0068] (b) A second low water level wash of about 12 gallons was
undertaken for 10 minutes at 120 degrees Fahrenheit using 70 g
L2000XP detergent. The wash water was drained from the tub.
[0069] (c) A first high water level rinse of about 15 gallons was
undertaken for 3 minutes. The water rinse water temperature was 120
degrees Fahrenheit. The water was drained from the wash tub.
[0070] (d) A second high water level rinse of about 15 gallons at
90 degrees Fahrenheit was undertaken for 3 minutes and the water
was drained.
[0071] (e) A third high water level rinse of about 15 gallons at 90
degrees F. was undertaken for 3 minutes and the water was
drained.
[0072] (f) A fourth high water level rinse of about 15 gallons at
90 degrees F. was undertaken for 3 minutes and the water was
drained.
[0073] (g) A five minute extract was undertaken where the wash tub
was spun to remove excess water.
[0074] Step Two:
[0075] Substeps (a) and (b) from Step One were repeated without the
addition of the L2000XP detergent.
[0076] Substeps (c) through (g)--rinse through extract--from Step
One were repeated.
[0077] Step Three:
[0078] The wet towels were placed in a Huebsch dryer, Stack 30
Pound (300 L) Capacity and the towels were dried on the high
setting for 50 to 60 minutes such that the fabric temperature
reached about 200 degrees Fahrenheit. If a larger load of towels
was scoured, the time was increased. Towels had no remaining free
water after Step Three was completed.
[0079] Wash/Condition/Dry Cycle
[0080] One batch of scoured towels were washed with a low alkaline
detergent similar to those found in the residential or consumer
market. The low alkaline detergent protocol is provided below. A
second batch of scoured towels were washed with a higher alkaline
detergent similar to those found in the industrial and
institutional sector. The high alkalkine detergent protocol is
provided below. Samples were put through at least 10 cycles of the
wash/condition/dry cycle (Steps One and Two in each protocol)
before whiteness and softness results were taken. Both protocols
were conducted in a 35 pound washing machine.
[0081] While the terms "low alkaline detergent," "mid-pH
detergent," and "high alkaline detergent" are used herein, they are
for comparative purposes only. For the purpose of this invention, a
"high alkaline pH detergent" has a wash pH above about 9, above
about 10, or above about 11 or higher. The wash pH refers to the pH
of the wash bath.
[0082] Low Alkaline Detergent (wash pH 8):
[0083] Step One: [0084] (a) A low water level Wash Step of about 12
gallons was conducted for 7 minutes at 130.degree. F. with 104 g
Flexylite detergent available from Ecolab located in St. Paul,
Minn. [0085] (b) A low water level Bleach Step of about 12 gallons
was conducted for 7 minutes at 130.degree. F. with 100 mL of
Laundri Destainer chlorine bleach (about 100 ppm available
chlorine) available from Ecolab located in St. Paul, Minn. [0086]
(c) A high water level Rinse Step of about 15 gallons was conducted
for 2 minutes at 110.degree. F. [0087] (d) A high water level Rinse
Step of about 15 gallons was conducted for 2 minutes at 100.degree.
F. [0088] (e) A low water level Condition Step of about 12 gallons
was conducted for 5 minutes at 100.degree. F. with 32 g Fabric
Conditioner. The composition of the Fabric Conditioners are
provided below in Tables 1 through 8. [0089] (f) A standard final
extract (spin) was conducted for 5 minutes.
[0090] Step Two: [0091] The towels were dried for 50-60 minutes
until dry. Fabric temperature during the dry step was either
conducted at high temperature of 200.degree. F. or greater.
[0092] The Following Towels, Scouring Procedure and Wash/Rinse/Dry
was Followed for the Mid-Range pH Washes:
[0093] New white cotton terry towels, each having an approximate
weight of 0.5 kg, purchased from Institutional Textiles were
scoured to remove from the fabric any processing aids used during
manufacturing. The scouring was done in a 35 lb. Unimac Washing
Machine and was accomplished according to the following
procedure.
[0094] Scouring Protocol
[0095] Step One:
[0096] (a) A first low water level wash of about 12 gallons was
undertaken for 15 minutes at 140 degrees Fahrenheit. 100 grams 50%
NaOH solution was used for the first low water level wash. The
water was drained from the wash tub.
[0097] (b) A first high water level rinse of about 15 gallons was
undertaken for 2 minutes. The water rinse water temperature was 120
degrees Fahrenheit. The water was drained from the wash tub.
[0098] (c) A one minute extract was undertaken where the wash tub
was spun at 400 RPM to remove excess water.
[0099] (d) A second high water level rinse of about 15 gallons at
110 degrees Fahrenheit was undertaken for 2 minutes and the water
was drained.
[0100] (e) A five minute extract was undertaken where the wash tub
was spun at 400 RPM to remove excess water.
[0101] Step Two:
[0102] (a) A first low water level wash of about 12 gallons was
undertaken for 20 minutes at 130 degrees Fahrenheit using 70 g
L2000XP detergent. The wash water was drained from the tub.
[0103] (b) A second low water level wash of about 12 gallons was
undertaken for 10 minutes at 120 degrees Fahrenheit using 70 g
L2000XP detergent. The wash water was drained from the tub.
[0104] (c) A first high water level rinse of about 15 gallons was
undertaken for 3 minutes. The water rinse water temperature was 120
degrees Fahrenheit. The water was drained from the wash tub.
[0105] (d) A second high water level rinse of about 15 gallons at
90 degrees Fahrenheit was undertaken for 3 minutes and the water
was drained.
[0106] (e) A third high water level rinse of about 15 gallons at 90
degrees F. was undertaken for 3 minutes and the water was
drained.
[0107] (f) A fourth high water level rinse of about 15 gallons at
90 degrees F. was undertaken for 3 minutes and the water was
drained.
[0108] (g) A five minute extract was undertaken where the wash tub
was spun at 400 RPM to remove excess water.
[0109] Step Three:
[0110] Substeps (a) through (g) from Step Two were repeated with
the addition of the L2000XP detergent.
[0111] Substeps (a) through (e)--from Step One were repeated
without the addition of 50% NaOH to further rinse the linen.
[0112] Step Four:
[0113] The wet towels were placed in a Huebsch dryer, Stack 30
Pound (300 L) Capacity and the towels were dried on the high
setting for 50 to 60 minutes such that the fabric temperature
reached about 200 degrees Fahrenheit. If a larger load of towels
was scoured, the time was increased. Towels had no remaining free
water after Step Three was completed.
[0114] Mid-pH Detergent Protocol (wash pH 9.7):
[0115] Step One: [0116] (a) An Ecolab Formula 1 capsule was docked
in a dispenser to create a 10% solution of concentrated product in
5 grain water. [0117] (b) A low water level Wash Step of about 12
gallons was conducted for 15 minutes at 120.degree. F. with 530 g
of 10% Formula 1 solution (concentrate product available from
Ecolab located in St. Paul, Minn.). [0118] (c) A first high water
level rinse of about 15 gallons was undertaken for 2 minutes. The
water rinse water temperature was 120 degrees Fahrenheit. The water
was drained from the wash tub. [0119] (d) A one minute extract was
undertaken where the wash tub was spun at 400 RPM to remove excess
water. [0120] (e) A second high water level rinse of about 15
gallons at 110 degrees Fahrenheit was undertaken for 2 minutes and
the water was drained. [0121] (f) A five minute extract was
undertaken where the wash tub was spun at 400 RPM to remove excess
water.
[0122] Step Two:
[0123] The towels were dried for 60 minutes until dry. Fabric
temperature during the dry step was either conducted at high
temperature of 200.degree. F.
[0124] High Alkaline Detergent Protocol (wash pH 11.3):
[0125] Step One: [0126] (a) A low water level Wash Step of about 12
gallons was conducted for 7 minutes at 130.degree. F. with 50 g
colorant-free L2000XP detergent available from Ecolab located in
St. Paul, Minn. In an alternate protocol 70 g detergent were used.
[0127] (b) A low water level Bleach Step of about 12 gallons was
conducted for 7 minutes at 130.degree. F. with 50 mL of Laundri
Destainer chlorine bleach (about 50 ppm available chlorine)
available from Ecolab located in St. Paul, Minn. In an alternate
protocol 100 mL bleach was used. [0128] (c) A high water level
Rinse Step of about 15 gallons was conducted for 2 minutes at
110.degree. F. [0129] (d) A high water level Rinse Step of about 15
gallons was conducted for 2 minutes at 100.degree. F. [0130] (e) A
high water level Rinse Step of about 15 gallons was conducted for 2
minutes at 100.degree. F. [0131] f) A low water level Condition
Step of about 12 gallons was conducted for 5 minutes at 100.degree.
F. with 55 g Fabric Conditioner. In an alternate protocol 64 g
Fabric Conditioner was used. The compositions of the fabric
conditioners are provided below in Tables 1 through 6 below. [0132]
(g) A standard final extract (spin) was conducted for 5
minutes.
[0133] Step Two: [0134] The towels were dried on high heat for
50-60 minutes until dry. Fabric temperature during the dry step was
either conducted at low temperature of less than 180.degree. F. or
high temperature of 200.degree. F. or greater.
[0135] Softness
[0136] Softness was determined by rating from a panel of trained
experts. Two towels from each set were evaluated for softness by a
panel of seven trained experts. Panelists were asked to rank
softness on a 0-7 scale in which 0 is very rough, medium is 3.5,
and 7 is very soft. The panelists' rankings for each condition were
averaged.
[0137] Absorbancy
[0138] Absorbancy was determined by dipping 1 centimeter of
4''.times.7'' test swatches into a colored dye solution and were
allowed to stand for 6 minutes. After 6 minutes, the swatches were
marked at the highest point of colored dye. The swatches were then
measured in millimeters from the 1 cm dip point to the higher line.
Each test swatch was repeated three times and the average was
reported.
[0139] Whiteness Determination
[0140] Initial Whiteness readings were taken using a Hunter Lab
Colorquest XE spectrophotometer with standardization settings as
follows: Mode=RSIN, Viewing Area=Large, Port Size=1.00'', and UV
Filter=420 nm. HunterLab measuring settings include: Selection:
CIELAB, Illuminant: D65, and Observer: 10 degree. Ten scoured
towels were read twice each. The 20 readings were averaged.
[0141] After the wash, condition, and dry cycles (Steps One and
Two) were complete, readings (L, a, b*, WI, YI) were taken for each
towel on the Hunter Lab Instrument. This procedure was repeated for
a total of 10-15 wash, condition, and dry cycles. A graph of b*
versus cycle number was plotted. This shows yellowness of the
towels in each progressive wash/condition/dry cycle, with a more
positive b* value meaning a more yellow towel. Typically a
.DELTA.b*=b*.sub.final-b*.sub.initial value is calculated for each
variable to factor out differences in initial average readings.
Results are shown in FIG. 1. The results show with increasing
wash/condition/dry cycles, samples using compositions of the
invention (Compositions A, B and C) become less yellow (more white)
as compared to a control (Fabric Conditioner Composition I).
[0142] Visual Whiteness Data
[0143] A trained test panel of seven individuals was asked to
choose the whiter towel between two samples. Results are shown as
the number of individuals who chose the sample as the whiter
towel.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Basic Fabric Conditioner Composition I Raw
Material Percent by weight Water Deionized 75.521 Poly Ditallow
Acyl Methyl 23 Sulfates 90% (Accosoft 501 amidoamine quaternary
ammonium) Calcium Chloride 78% 0.3 Flake Dihydrate Preservative
0.15 Fragrance 1
TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Basic Fabric Conditioner Composition II Raw
Material Percent by weight Water Deionized 75.521 Stephantex .TM.
(ester 23.0 quaternary ammonium) Calcium Chloride 78% 0.3 Flake
Dihydrate Preservative 0.15 Fragrance 1
TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 Fabric Conditioner A = Amidoamine quaternary
ammonium compound plus an amino-functional silicone compound Fabric
Conditioner A Percent by weight Basic Fabric Conditioner I 90.9
Wacker FC 201 (amino- 9.1 functional silicone)
TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 4 Fabric Conditioner B = Amidoamine quaternary
ammonium compound plus an amino functional silicone with polyether
groups Fabric Conditioner B Percent by weight Basic Fabric
Conditioner I 90.9 Wacker FC 203 9.1
TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 5 Fabric Conditioner C = Amidoamine quaternary
ammonium compound plus silicone rubber Fabric Conditioner C Percent
by weight Basic Fabric Conditioner I 90.9 Wacker FC 205 9.1
TABLE-US-00006 TABLE 6 Fabric Conditioner D = Ester quaternary
ammonium compound plus an ammo-functional silicone compound Fabric
Conditioner D Percent by weight Basic Fabric Conditioner II 90.9
Wacker FC 201 9.1
[0144] The following table 7 summarizes data from washing towels
pursuant to the low alkaline detergent protocol, using an amido
amine quaternary ammonium (Basic Conditioner I) fabric conditioner
with and without amino functional silicone (Composition A) and
drying under high temperatures as would be experienced in an
industrial setting.
TABLE-US-00007 TABLE 7 Dryer Visual Whiteness Temperature (# of
individuals (degrees .DELTA.b choosing sample as Detergent
Conditioner Fahrenheit) Silicone value whitest) Low Basic High -
245 F. No 0.41 6 Alkaline Conditioner I (Control) Low Conditioner
High - 245 F. Yes -0.02 16 Alkaline A Low Basic High - 200 F. No
-0.09 -- Alkaline Conditioner I (Control) Low Conditioner High -
200 F. Yes -0.92 -- Alkaline A
[0145] The following table 8 summarizes data from washing towels
pursuant to the high alkaline detergent protocol, using an amido
amine quaternary ammonium (Basic Conditioner I) fabric conditioner
with and without amino functional silicone (Composition A) and
drying under low and high temperatures. A high alkaline detergent
is used in industrial settings. For the samples shown in Table 8, a
colorant-free detergent was used. The commercially available
detergent includes a blue colorant that might have altered the
results. Even when using the high alkaline detergent and drying
under lower or consumer dryer conditions (lower temperature) a
benefit was seen when practicing the invention. Samples were also
more absorbent when treated according to the invention (Conditioner
with silicone).
TABLE-US-00008 TABLE 8 Protocol Conditions Dryer (g detergent/
Condition ml bleach/g (degrees .DELTA.b- Softness Detergent
Conditioner conditioner) Fahrenheit) Silicone value retention
Absorbancy High Basic 70 g/100 ml/64 g Low - No -0.04 -- --
Alkaline Conditioner 150 F. I (Control) High Conditioner 70 g/100
ml/64 g Low - Yes -0.94 -- -- Alkaline A 150 F. High Basic 50 g/50
ml/55 g High - No -0.68 5.2 2.5 Alkaline Conditioner 200 F. I
(Control) High Conditioner 50 g/50 ml/55 g High - Yes -1.00 5.6 5.1
Alkaline A 200 F. High Basic 50 g/50 ml/55 g High - No 0.12 5.3 2.7
Alkaline Conditioner 240 F. I (Control) High Conditioner 50 g/50
ml/55 g High - Yes -0.57 6.2 5.1 Alkaline A 240 F. High Basic 70
g/100 ml/64 g High - No 0.94 -- -- Alkaline Conditioner 245 F. I
(Control) High Conditioner 70 g/100 ml/64 g High - Yes 0.29
Alkaline A 245 F.
TABLE-US-00009 TABLE 8 with Visual Whiteness Data for select
repeated samples Visual Whiteness Protocol (# of Conditions Dryer
individuals (g detergent/ Condition choosing ml bleach/g (degrees
.DELTA.b sample as Detergent Conditioner conditioner) Fahrenheit)
Silicone value whitest) High Basic 70 g/100 ml/64 g Low - No -0.04
2 Alkaline Conditioner 150 F. I (Control) High Conditioner 70 g/100
ml/64 g Low - Yes -0.94 20 Alkaline A 150 F. High Basic 70 g/100
ml/64 g High - No 0.94 6 Alkaline Conditioner 245 F. I (Control)
High Conditioner 70 g/100 ml/64 g High - Yes 0.29 16 Alkaline A 245
F.
[0146] The following table 9 summarizes data from washing towels
pursuant to the low alkaline detergent protocol, using an ester
quaternary ammonium (Basic Conditioner II) fabric conditioner with
and without amino functional silicone (Composition D) and drying
under high temperatures.
TABLE-US-00010 TABLE 9 Dryer Temperature .DELTA.b Softness
Detergent Conditioner (degrees F.) Silicone value retention Low
Basic High - 200 F. No 0.22 5.1 Alkaline Composition II (Control)
Low Composition D High - 200 F. Yes -0.24 5.9 Alkaline Low Basic
High - 240 F. No 0.76 5.2 Alkaline Composition II (Control) Low
Composition D High - 240 F. Yes 0.41 5.6 Alkaline
[0147] The following table 10 summarizes data from washing towels
pursuant to the low alkaline detergent protocol, using an
amidoamine quaternary ammonium (Basic Conditioner I) fabric
conditioner with and without amino functional silicone (Composition
B) and with and without silicone rubber (Composition C) and drying
under high temperatures.
TABLE-US-00011 TABLE 10 Dryer Temperature (degrees .DELTA.b
Softness Detergent Conditioner Fahrenheit) Silicone value retention
Low Basic High - 200 F. No -0.09 -- Alkaline Conditioner I
(Control) Low Composition High - 200 F. Yes -1.09 -- Alkaline B Low
Basic High - 200 F. No -0.09 -- Alkaline Conditioner I (Control)
Low Composition High - 200 F. Yes -1.00 -- Alkaline C
[0148] The following table 11 summarizes data from washing towels
pursuant to the mid pH detergent protocol, using an amidoamine
quaternary ammonium (Basic Conditioner I) fabric conditioner with
and without amino functional silicone (Composition A) and drying
under high temperatures.
TABLE-US-00012 TABLE 11 Whiteness (# of Dryer individuals
Temperature # of choosing (degrees wash/dry sample as Softness
.DELTA.b Detergent Conditioner Fahrenheit) Silicone cycles whitest)
retention value mid-pH Conditioner I 200 F. No 10 -- -- 3.55 mid-PH
Composition A 200 F. Yes 10 -- -- 0.21 mid-pH Conditioner I 200 F.
No 15 0 4.38 4.12 mid-PH Composition A 200 F. Yes 15 22 4.37
1.12
[0149] The above data summarized in Tables 7-11 shows that reduced
yellowing of samples occurred when compositions of the invention
were used in high or mid-alkaline wash conditions and/or when dryer
temperature was 200.degree. F. or higher. The above data also shows
that softness did not decrease in the samples using a conditioner
of the invention.
* * * * *