U.S. patent number 3,625,909 [Application Number 04/672,964] was granted by the patent office on 1971-12-07 for low-foaming, stain-removing agents for textiles.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Henkel & Cie GmbH. Invention is credited to Markus Berg, Josef Hartenstein.
United States Patent |
3,625,909 |
Berg , et al. |
December 7, 1971 |
LOW-FOAMING, STAIN-REMOVING AGENTS FOR TEXTILES
Abstract
The present invention relates to liquid, low-foaming,
spot-removing agents consisting of A. from 25 percent to 45 percent
by weight of a water-soluble compound of the formula R.sub.1
--(o--ch.sub.2 --ch.sub.2).sub.x --(O--CH--CH.sub.2).sub.y --OH
wherein R.sub.1 represents a straight-chained hydrocarbon having
from 16 to 24 carbon atoms selected from the group consisting of
alkyl, alkenyl and alkadienyl, and x and y represent integers of
from 20 to 40, B. from 25 percent to 45 percent by weight of a
substantially water-insoluble compound of the formula R.sub.2
--(o--ch.sub.2 --ch.sub.2).sub.z --OH wherein R.sub.2 represents a
straight-chained hydrocarbon having from 14 to 22 carbon atoms
selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkenyl and
alkadienyl, and z represents an integer of from one to eight, C.
from 2 percent to 10 percent by weight of a hydrotropic alkali
metal salt of an alkylated benzenesulfonate, the the alkyl groups
in said alkylated benzenesulfonate having from one to three carbon
atoms, D. from 1 percent to 15 percent by weight of water, and E.
from 2 percent to 50 percent by weight of organic solvents having
boiling points between the temperatures of 50.degree. C. and
350.degree. C., said liquid, low-foaming spot-removing agent having
a viscosity not exceeding 500 cP at a temperature of 20.degree.
C.
Inventors: |
Berg; Markus
(Dusseldorf/Holthausen, DT), Hartenstein; Josef
(Hilden/Rhld, DT) |
Assignee: |
Henkel & Cie GmbH
(Dusseldorf-Holthausen, DT)
|
Family
ID: |
7161223 |
Appl.
No.: |
04/672,964 |
Filed: |
October 5, 1967 |
Foreign Application Priority Data
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Nov 18, 1966 [DT] |
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H 61018 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
510/284; 510/340;
510/505; 510/506; 510/342 |
Current CPC
Class: |
C11D
1/722 (20130101); C11D 1/8255 (20130101); C11D
3/0026 (20130101); C11D 3/43 (20130101); C11D
1/72 (20130101); C11D 3/3418 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
C11D
1/825 (20060101); C11D 1/722 (20060101); C11D
17/00 (20060101); C11D 3/00 (20060101); C11D
1/72 (20060101); C11d 001/18 (); C11d 001/12 () |
Field of
Search: |
;252/89,161,162,170,171,173 ;8/142 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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159,335 |
|
Oct 1954 |
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AU |
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800,159 |
|
Aug 1958 |
|
GB |
|
Primary Examiner: Rosdol; Leon D.
Assistant Examiner: Willis; P. E.
Claims
We claim:
1. Liquid, low-foaming, spot-removing agents consisting of
A. from 25 percent to 45 percent by weight of a water-soluble
compound of the formula
wherein R.sub.1 represents a straight-chained alkyl having from 16
to 24 carbon atoms, and x and y represent integers of from 20 to
40,
B. from 25 percent to 45 percent by weight of a substantially
water-insoluble compound of the formula
R.sub.2 --(O--CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2).sub.z --OH
wherein R.sub.2 represents a straight-chained hydrocarbon having
from 14 to 22 carbon atoms selected from the group consisting of
alkyl and alkenyl, and z represents an integer of from one to five
and one-half, with the proviso that z does not exceed one-fourth
the number of carbon atoms in R.sub.2,
C. from 2 percent to 10 percent by weight of a hydrotropic alkali
metal salt of an alkylated benzenesulfonate, the alkyl groups in
said alkylated benzenesulfonate having from one to three carbon
atoms,
D. from 1 percent to 10 percent by weight of water, and
E. from 5 percent to 30 percent by weight of organic solvents
having boiling points between temperatures of 50.degree. C. and
350.degree. C., selected from the group consisting of alkanols,
phenylalkanols, diethylene glycol, monomethyl and monoethyl ethers
of ethylene and propylene glycol, glycerine diethyl ether, mono-,
di- and triethanolamines, acetone, methylethylketone,
cyclohexanone, dipropyl ether, diisopropyl ether, diisobutyl ether,
ethyl acetate, propyl acetate, ethylene glycol diacetate, aliphatic
hydrocarbons, aromatic hydrocarbons, methylcyclohexane, tetraline,
decaline, chlorinated hydrocarbons, and mixtures thereof, the
amount of said organic solvents being selected whereby said liquid,
low-foaming, spot-removing agent has a viscosity not exceeding 500
cP at a temperature of 20.degree. C.
2. The spot-removing agents of claim 1 wherein R.sub.1 represents
an alkyl having from 18 to 22 carbon atoms and x and y represent
integers of from 25 to 35.
3. The spot-removing agents of claim 1 wherein R.sub.2 is an
alkyl.
4. Liquid, low-foaming, spot-removing agents consisting of
A. from 25 percent to 45 percent by weight of a water-soluble
compound of the formula
wherein alkyl represents a straight-chained alkyl having from 18 to
22 carbon atoms and x and y represent integers of from 25 to
35,
B. from 25 percent to 45 percent by weight of a substantially
water-insoluble compound of the formula
alkyl--(O--CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2).sub.z --OH
wherein alkyl represents a straight-chained alkyl having from 16 to
18 carbon atoms and z represents an integer of from one to 4.5,
C. from 4 percent to 7 percent by weight of a hydrotropic alkali
metal salt of an alkylated benzenesulfonate, the alkyl groups in
said alkylated benzenesulfonate having from one to three carbon
atoms,
D. from 1 percent to 10 percent by weight of water, and
E. from 5 percent to 30 percent by weight of a mixture of organic
solvents having boiling points between temperatures of 50.degree.
C. and 350.degree. C., selected from the group consisting of
alkanols, phenylalkanols, diethyleneglycol, monomethyl and
monoethyl ethers of ethylene and propylene glycol, glycerine
diethyl ether, mono-, di- and triethanolamines, acetone,
methylethylketone, cyclohexanone, dipropylether, diisopropylether,
diisobutylether, ethyl acetate, propyl acetate, ethyleneglycol
diacetate, aliphatic hydrocarbons, aromatic hydrocarbons,
methylcyclohexane, tetraline, decaline, chlorinated hydrocarbons
and mixtures thereof, the amount of said mixture of organic
solvents being selected whereby said liquid, low-foaming,
spot-removing agent has a viscosity not exceeding 500 cP at a
temperature of 20.degree. C.
5. The spot-removing agents of claim 1 wherein said organic solvent
is a mixture of organic solvents having boiling points between the
temperatures of 50.degree. C. and 350.degree. C.
Description
THE PRIOR ART
It is well-known that grease-containing stains can in most cases be
removed only incompletely by the usual washing process, at washing
temperatures from 30.degree. C. to 60.degree. C., as specified for
textiles of synthetic fibers, silk, wool or cotton fabrics finished
with synthetic resin, as well as for fabrics of mixed cotton and
synthetic fibers. This applies mainly to the soiled rims on collars
and cuffs of shirts, blouses, smocks and the like. Neither can
especially persistant stains be removed completely from laundry
items which can be subjected to washing by boiling in a single
washing process. Therefore, it has been recommended prior to the
actual washing to rub the heavily soiled spots of the textile
articles with a paste consisting of a powdery detergent with water
added, or with a special paste-like washing assistant, consisting
for the most part of aqueous mixtures of raw anionic and nonionic
detergents. The first-mentioned process did not prove successful at
all in practice, whereas the past preparations of the prior art
were frequently not sufficiently effective with regard to stubborn
grease stains, in particular, to those caused by skin fat, lard,
solidified vegetable fats and browned frying fats. This pertains,
in particular, to those cases where the stains have not been washed
out immediately and thus have worked themselves into the textile
goods for a prolonged time. Furthermore, in most cases, the already
known stain removing agents increase in an undesirable manner the
tendency to develop foam in the washing liquor so that this may
result in a foaming over of the liquor, when the laundry is done in
drum washers, even if so-called foam-arresting detergents are
used.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to develop a spot-removing
agent, which does not possess the indicated shortcomings and which,
due to its low-viscosity, can be applied to the textile fabric
easily and without additional rubbing.
Another object of the invention is the obtention of liquid,
low-foaming spot-removing agents consisting of
A. from 25 percent to 45 percent by weight of a water-soluble
compound of the formula
wherein R.sub.1 represents a straight-chained hydrocarbon having
from 16 to 24 carbon atoms selected from the group consisting of
alkyl, alkenyl and alkadienyl, and x and y represent integers of
from 20 to 40,
B) from 25 percent to 45 percent by weight of a substantially
water-insoluble compound of the formula
R.sub.2 --(O--CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2).sub.z --OH
wherein R.sub.2 represents a straight-chained hydrocarbon having
from 14 to 22 carbon atoms selected from the group consisting of
alkyl, alkenyl and alkadienyl, and z represents an integer of from
one to eight,
C. from 2 percent to 10 percent by weight of a hydrotropic alkali
metal salt of an alkylated benzenesulfonate, the alkyl groups in
said alkylated benzenesulfonate having from one to three carbon
atoms,
D. from 0 percent to 15 percent by weight of water, and
E. from 2 percent to 50 percent by weight of organic solvents
having boiling points between the temperatures of 50.degree. C. and
350.degree. C., said liquid, low-foaming spot-removing agent having
a viscosity not exceeding 500 cP at a temperature of 20.degree.
C.
These and other objects of the invention will become more apparent
as the description thereof proceeds.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a liquid, low-foaming spot-removing
product, characterized by its content of:
A. from 25 percent to 45 percent by weight of a water-soluble
compound of the formula
R.sub.1 --(OC.sub.2 H.sub.4).sub.x --(OC.sub.3 H.sub.6).sub.y
--OH
wherein R.sub.1 represents a straight, saturated or unsaturated
alkyl radical containing from 16 to 24 carbon atoms, and x and y
are integers of 20 to 40,
B. from 25 percent to 45 percent by weight of a compound,
substantially insoluble in water, of the formula
R.sub.2 --(OC.sub.2 H.sub.4).sub.z --OH
wherein R.sub.2 is a straight, saturated or unsaturated alkyl
radical having from 14 to 22 carbon atoms, and z represents an
integer of one to eight,
C. from 2 percent to 10 percent by weight of a hydrotropic compound
selected from the group of the alkylbenzenesulfonates, the alkyl
groups of these containing from one to three carbon atoms,
D. from 0 percent to 15 percent by weight of water, and
E. organic solvents in such an amount all together not exceeding 50
percent by weight, so that the viscosity of the product does not
amount to more than 500 cP at a temperature of 20.degree. C.
The preparation of the alkoxylated compounds of the formulas:
R.sub.1 --(OC.sub.2 H.sub.4).sub.x --(OC.sub.3 H.sub.6).sub.y --OH
(A)
and
R.sub.2 --(OC.sub.2 H.sub.4).sub.z --OH (B)
is effected in the usual manner by reacting straight, saturated or
unsaturated fatty alcohols or synthetic alcohols of the chain
length indicated with ethylene oxide or propylene oxide in the
known manner. In connection with the alkoxylated product of formula
A, it is preferable to employ a straight chain alkanol having from
18 to 22 carbon atoms which is alkoxylated first with from 25 to 35
mols of ethylene oxide and thereafter with from 25 to 35 mols of
propylene oxide. Customarily mixed saturated fatty alcohols are
employed although purified alcohols may like-wise be utilized as
well as unsaturated alcohols such as alkenols and alkadienols. With
reference to the alkoxylated product of formula B similar alcohols
can be employed. Preferably, mixtures of such alkylene oxide
condensates are employed, wherein the alkyl radical R.sub.1
contains from 18 to 22 carbon atoms, and x and y represent integers
of 25 to 35, and wherein the number z is selected so that on an
average for every four carbon atoms in the alkyl chain of R.sub.2,
not more than one glycol ether group is employed. If this ratio is
substantially exceeded in direction toward a higher ethoxylation
degree, the cleaning effectiveness of the agents will decline.
The organic solvents to be employed should have a boiling point not
below 50.degree. C. and not exceeding 350.degree. C. For the usual
handling of the agents, these organic solvents should be
essentially physiologically harmless without developing any
annoying odor. Suitable for this purpose are alcohols, such as
alkanols, for example, ethanol, propanol, isopropanol,
ethylhexanol, etc.; phenylalkanols, for example,
methylphenylcarbinol; ether alcohols, such as diethyleneglycol, the
monomethyl or monoethyl ether of ethylene or propylene glycol or
glycerine diethyl ether; amino alcohols, such as mono-, di- or
triethanolamines. Ketones and ethers are also suitable, such as
acetone, methylethylketone and cyclohexanone; dipropylether,
diisopropylether and diisobutylether. Also suitable are carboxylic
acid esters, such as ethyl acetate, propyl acetate or ethylene
glycol diacetate; aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons such as
benzene, methylcyclohexane, tetraline or decaline; as well as
chlorinated hydrocarbons, such as trichloroethylene or carbon
tetrachloride. Moreover, mixtures of the solvents mentioned are
used to advantage.
The portion of the organic solvents should not exceed 50 percent by
weight of the entire mixture. Preferably, it should amount to 5
percent to 30 percent by weight. The kind and amount of the solvent
used within the quantitative range are without essential importance
with regard to the cleaning effect and the foaming capacity.
However, they do exert an influence on the viscosity and to a
certain measure also on the resistance to cold of the product. The
amount of the solvent should be chosen so that the product is still
sufficiently liquid even at relatively low-temperatures, which
factor is guaranteed when its viscosity does not exceed 500 cP at a
temperature of 20.degree. C.
To improve the clear solubility and the viscosity behavior at
low-temperatures, spot removing compositions of the invention
contain, in addition, from 2 percent to 10 percent preferably from
4 percent to 7 percent, by weight of hydrotropic compounds of the
group of low-molecular weight alkali metal alkylbenzenesulfonates.
Compounds suitable for this purpose are the alkali metal salts of
toluenesulfonic acid, xylenesulfonic acids, ethylbenzenesulfonic
acids and isopropylbenzenesulfonic acids.
The water content of the spot-removing compositions of the
invention should not amount to more than 15 percent by weight,
preferably 1 percent to 10 percent by weight. It was discovered in
a rather startling manner that the cleaning effectiveness of the
agents is exceptionally intense when the indicated water content is
observed in relation to grease soiled as well as mineral soiled
articles.
The preparation of the spot-removing compositions according to the
invention is carried out by simply admixing the individual
components, with or without melting as required.
The spot-removing compositions distinguish themselves by an intense
cleaning effectiveness, in particular, with regard to the
persistent fat- and oil-containing soiled items. Due to their
low-viscosity, the penetration of the cleaning solution into the
textile article to be cleaned is essentially facilitated so that
even deep-seated spots can be treated with success. The
spot-removing compositions react in a neutral manner, act as
fiber-protecting agents and, consequently, they are also suitable
for cleaning delicate fabrics. They possess foam-arresting
properties so that the textiles treated with these agents can be
washed with the usual moderately-foaming or low-foaming detergents
in conventional household drum washers without any danger that the
washing liquor might cause excess foaming. Moreover, the products
have a good storability, particularly at temperatures ranging from
+10 to 0.degree. C. Any slight cloudiness, possibly occurring in
the cold, will not affect the cleaning action, but will disappear
entirely when the product is restored to room temperature. With
regard to this fact, the agents distinguish themselves favorably
from numerous known liquid detergents, which during storage in the
temperature range indicate either the tendency to have the
components of the mixture separate or to develop a sedimentation.
Such prior art products after reheating can be homogenized only
with difficulty or not completely.
The following specific examples are illustrative of the
spot-removing compositions of the invention. They are not to be
deemed, however, as limitative in any respect.
EXAMPLES
In the following the compositions of the several products are given
in percent by weight. The abbreviations EO and PrO mean the amount
of added ethylene oxide or propylene oxide per mol. The admixing of
the components to form the spot-removing compositions of the
invention is effected in that first of all the xylenesulfonate is
dissolved by heating in the water content specified, followed by
the addition of the remaining components in liquid or melted form.
All of the preparations were clear liquids at room temperature. The
viscosities were determined by means of a Brookfield rotating
viscosimeter using a No. 2 spindle at a temperature of 20.degree.
C.
The foam behavior was studied under conditions closely related to
actual practice. For this purpose, collars and cuffs of soiled
shirts or soiled colored "Diolene" cotton mixed fabrics, soiled
with oil and grease stains, were treated with the liquid
preparations and washed in a washing machine as usually used in the
household, with a horizontal drum, employing a low-foaming
detergent customarily used in machine washing in the usual
procedure. The low-foaming detergent utilized was that of example 8
of DAS 1,080,250. This detergent has the following composition:
14 parts of sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate
2.3 parts of a condensation product with a molecular weight of
8,000, produced by the addition of ethylene oxide to a
polypropyleneglycol having a molecular weight between 1,500 and
1,800
2 parts of a fatty acid mixture containing 60 percent of tallow
fatty acid and 40 percent of a C.sub.20 to C.sub.22 fatty acid.
48 parts of pentasodium tripolyphosphate
10 parts of sodium silicate (Na.sub.2 O:SiO.sub.2 =1:2)
23.7 parts of sodium sulfate and water.
No excess foaming of the washing liquor occurred and the stains
were completely removed.
EXAMPLE
1 34.5 percent of C.sub.18 to C.sub.22 fatty alcohol (JZ 5)
alkoxylated with 30 moles of EO, then with 30 moles of PrO (Product
A); 34.5 percent of C.sub.16 to C.sub.18 fatty alcohol (JZ 55)
alkoxylated with 2 moles of EO (Product B); 5 percent of sodium
xylenesulfonate 7 percent of acetone 7 percent of ethanol 7 percent
of methylcyclohexane 5 percent of water viscosity = 50 cP
EXAMPLE 2
35 percent of Product A 35 percent of Product B 5 percent of sodium
xylenesulfonate 7 percent of acetone 7 percent of ethanol 6 percent
of methoxyethanol 5 percent of water viscosity = 46 cP
EXAMPLE 3
42.8 percent of Product A 42.8 percent of Product B 4.8 percent of
sodium xylenesulfonate 4.8 percent of isopropanol 4.8 percent of
water viscosity = 194 cP
EXAMPLE 4
27.0 percent of Product A 27.0 percent of Product B 5.0 percent of
sodium xylenesulfonate 25.0 percent of ethanol 10.0 percent of
ethylacetate 8.0 percent of water viscosity = 30 cP
as indicated each of the low-foaming, spot-removing compositions of
the examples removed the stains from the soiled fabric completely
without development of excessive foaming in the washing liquor.
The preceding specific embodiments are illustrative of the practice
of the invention. It is to be understood, however, that other
expedients known to those skilled in the art can be employed
without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of
the appended claims.
* * * * *