Durable fabric enhancement

Abstract

The present invention relate to a manufacturing process for providing fabric with an enhanced fabric benefit, said process comprising the steps of contacting fabric with a composition in the form of an aqueous emulsion, said composition comprising:

Description

[0001] This application is a continuation under 35 USC §120 of PCT International Application Serial No. US00/26473 filed Sep. 27, 2000, published in accordance with PCT article 21(2) in English, which claims priority to Provisional Application Serial Nos. 60/156,779 and 60/156,835.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to novel compounds which are capable of providing fabric having one or more reactive sites, inter alia, cellulosic fabric, with one or more durable fabric enhancement benefits. The benefits of the present invention are delivered to fabric via reactive backbone, preferably a backbone which comprises one or more s-triazine, pyrimidine, cyclotriphosphazene units, or mixtures thereof. These backbone units are capable of reacting with reactive units of fibers, for example, the hydroxyl units of cellulosic fibers, to provide a durable enhancement benefit, inter alia, softness, anti-static.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Garments have been comprised of cotton, wool, and silk fiber since antiquity and cotton continues to be a fabric of choice for many reasons including its low maintenance. Cotton, a wholly natural fiber, is comprised of crosslinked cellulose the surface of which comprises an abundance of hydroxyl units which are chemically reactive. In fact, one negative against cotton fabric is the ability of materials which comprise stains to react with the cotton fabric rather than just become absorbed thereto. Cotton fabric is enhanced by the consumer through the wash when the consumer uses fabric treatment compositions, most notably, fabric softener compositions which can be delivered via laundry detergent compositions, rinse added compositions, or dryer added compositions. Compounds which provide a softness benefit are typically added in the mill by the fabric or garment manufacturer to make the garment acceptable to consumers at the point of purchase. However, thses finishes are lost during subsequent laundering andd the benefit is instead renewably added by the consumer during laundering. Wool and silk fabric also comprise reactive moieties, but to a lesser degree.

[0004] Typically, cotton clothing which is treated with softness or anti-static agents loose their finish after the garment has been worn and/or laundered. For clothing worn several times prior to a softness renewal treatment in the laundry, anti-static or softness benefits are gradually depleted during wearing of the garment.

[0005] Fabric has been modified to provide “permanent press” benefits. The process for providing this benefit reacts crosslinking agents with fabric, typically cellulosic fabric, which is laid out in a final shape. These permanent press processes are typically undertaken under acidic conditions, conditions which can deplete the fabric of up to 50% of its inherent strength.

[0006] There is a need in the art for a process which provides fabric softness and/or anti-static benefit under non-acidic conditions. There is also a long felt need for a compositions which is capable of being applied at the point of manufacture in a process which provides durable fabric softness and/or antistatic benefits to fabric which comprise one or more reactive moieties. There is also a long felt need for compounds which when formulated into compositions and utilized in the above described processes, deliver a durable softness or antistatic benefit to fabric.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The present invention meets the aforementioned needs in that it has been surprisingly discovered that fabric softness and fabric anti-static benefits can be delivered to fabric during manufacture of the fabric, provided said fabric comprise one or more reactive units. Cellulosic fabric comprises an abundance of free hydroxyl units on the fiber surface and is, therefore, a preferred fabric for use of the present process. The fabric enhancement systems of the present invention comprise one or more compounds which comprise a fabric-reactive heterocyclic backbone to which is attached a moiety which delivers a fabric enhancement benefit to fabric. Depending upon the structure of the backbone, there may be present one or more fabric-reactive units and one or more fabric enhancement components. The compounds which comprise the durable enhancement fabric modification systems or the present invention can be applied to cotton, cotton-like fabric, inter alia, rayon, or any reactive-site comprising fabric at any point during the manufacturing process.

[0008] The first aspect of the present invention relates to a manufacturing process for providing an enhanced fabric benefit, said process comprising the steps of contacting fabric with a composition in the form of an aqueous emulsion, said composition comprising:

[0009] a) from about 0.1%, preferably from about 1%, more preferably from about 3% to about 20%, preferably to about 10%, more preferably to about 7% by weight, of a cellulose modifying compound according to the present invention;

[0010] b) from about 0.01% to about 10% by weight, of a surfactant; and

[0011] c) the balance carriers and other adjunct ingredients.

[0012] The present invention further relates to a composition for modifying fabric, said composition comprising:

[0013] a) from about 0.1%, preferably from about 1%, more preferably from about 3% to about 20%, preferably to about 10%, more preferably to about 7% by weight, of a fabric modifying compound having the formula: 5

[0014] wherein R is a backbone linking unit; each R1 is independently

[0015] i) a fabric reactive moiety;

[0016] ii) a fabric non-reactive moiety,

[0017] iii) a fabric conditioning moiety;

[0018] iv) s-triazine units having the formula: 6

[0019]  v) pyrimidine units having the formula: 7

[0020]  vi) cyclotriphosphazene units having the formula: 8

[0021]  vii) and mixtures thereof;

[0022] wherein R2 is R1 or a unit selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C1-C22 alkyl, phenyl, benzyl, and mixtures thereof; X is —N—, —CH—, and mixtures thereof; the index m is from 0 to 5, the index n is from 0 to 5;

[0023] b) from about 0.01% to about 10% by weight, of a surfactant; and

[0024] c) the balance carriers and other adjunct ingredients;

[0025] wherein said composition is in the form of an emulsion.

[0026] In its third aspect, the present invention relates to Fabric Modifying Compounds described herein which when delivered to fabric having reactive sites, provides a durable softness or anti-static benefit.

[0027] These and other objects, features, and advantages will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from a reading of the following detailed description and the appended claims. All percentages, ratios and proportions herein are by weight, unless otherwise specified. All temperatures are in degrees Celsius (° C.) unless otherwise specified. All documents cited are in relevant part, incorporated herein by reference.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0028] The present invention relates to the surprising discovery that fabric enhancement benefits can be effectively delivered to fabric which comprises one or more surface reactive units, for example, cellulosic material, inter alia, cotton, rayon, or material comprised of non-cellulosic material, inter alia, silk. The benefits are delivered thereto by one or more fabric modifying compounds which are capable of reacting with the reactive units which comprise fabric, for example, the hydroxyl moieties of cellulose, or in a different embodiment, other reactive units on the surface of wool or silk.

[0029] The fabric modifying compounds of the present invention modify the surface of fabric in a manner which provides softness benefits to the fabric, benefits which are potentially renewable be the consumer. The compounds of the present invention are applied to fabric during the process of assembling the fibers into fabric, after the fabric has been formed, or after an artifact of manufacture has been made from said fabric. The fabric modifying compounds of the present invention are delivered from a composition which is an aqueous emulsion of the modifying compound. The process of the present invention relates to the step of applying the modifying agent comprising composition to fabric at a point in the manufacturing process.

[0030] For the purposes of the present invention the term “durable” is defined as “a compound which provides a fabric benefit, inter alia, softness, is applied to fabric in a manner wherein said compound is covalently linked to the fabric and does not become detached for reasons other than mechanical loss”. For example, a compound according to the present invention which is applied to cellulosic fabric will not transfer to a second surface due to contact with said second surface. In stead the compound which provides the benefit remains associated with the fabric surface. In a separate embodiment of the present invention, which relates to a process for applying said durable benefits by the consumer, the term “durable” also connotes the fact that if by a mechanical process, inter alia, wearing of the fabric, one or more “reactive units” no longer form a covalent bond with the bulk of the fiber, non-reacted “reactive units” can be potentially re-activated by the consumer thereby re-bonding the compound to the fabric. The compounds of the present invention are applied to fabric in a manner which is different than “fabric substantive” which relies on the attraction of a material for the surface of fabric.

[0031] For the purposes of the present invention the term “cellulosic fabric” or “cellulosic material” is defined as “fibrous cellulose comprising-material derived from native sources, inter alia, cotton, rayon, flax, including the pulp of said sources, inter alia, wood pulp; cellulose comprising derivatives, non-limiting examples of which include cellulose acetates, cellulose ethers”. “Cellulosic fabric” or “cellulosic material” depending upon the context is defined as “the raw material, inter alia, fibers, or the finished product, inter alia, an article of clothing”. The term “cellulose fabric” is used interchangeably for and is meant to stand equally well for “fabric comprising 100% cotton fiber, and mixtures of cotton fiber and synthetic fibers”.

[0032] The durable fabric enhancement compounds of the present invention which comprise the fabric modifying systems have a modulated reactivity toward fabric surface reactive sites. As set forth hereinabove, the compounds of the present invention react with, for example, the hydroxyl moieties which comprise cellulose and provides a rigid link or framework which holds the fabric enhancement compounds to the fibers. For example, a mono-triazine compound will have three fabric reactive sites. One site is attached to a fabric enhancement component (which delivers the durable benefit) leaving two sites available for attachment to cellulosic fabric. Also by the choice of fabric reactive units the formulator can modulate the relative reactivity of the units toward fabric.

[0033] In an important embodiment of the present invention which relates to “re-attaching” the substrates to fabric by the consumer, in the case wherein an oligomeric backbone comprises several “differentiated reactivity R1 fabric reactive units”, the most chemically reactive, and therefore, fabric reactive unit, may initially combine with the reactive units of fiber and the balance of the “differentiated reactivity R1 fabric reactive units” may remain unreacted. Therefore, if the primary R1 site of attachment is lost due to mechanical detachment, a secondary, initially less reactive “fabric reactive moiety” can be reacted with the fabric surface at the instigation of the consumer, for example, during ironing, or by the deliberate application of a “linking catalyst”.

[0034] As described herein below, some of the compounds of the present invention are oligomeric. For the purposes of the present invention the term “oligomeric” is defined “as a unit which comprises more than one fabric reactive heterocyclic backbone residue per molecule”. For example, one s-triazine ring can comprise up to three reactive sites two of which can be intended to react with cellulosic material. A compound comprising two or more, for example, s-triazine units linked by an R unit as described herein below, is oligomeric.

[0035] Fabric Modifying Compounds

[0036] The compositions of the present invention comprise and the processes of the present invention utilize compositions which comprise one or more fabric modifying compounds having the formula: 9

[0037] wherein R is a backbone linking unit wherein each R is independently a unit having the formula:

—(Y)pR3(Y)p—

[0038] wherein R3 is substituted or unsubstituted C1-C22 alkylene, C1-C22 alkenylene, C3-C22 cycloalkylene, C6-C22 arylene, C7-C22 alkylarylene, and mixture thereof; preferably R3 is C2-C6 alkylene, phenylene, C7-C10 alkylarylene, and mixture thereof. Y is —O—, NR′—, and mixtures thereof, R′ is hydrogen, C1-C4 alkyl, and mixtures thereof; p is 0 or 1. Preferably Y is —NH—when each p is 1.

[0039] Each R1 is independently selected from the group consisting of:

[0040] i) a fabric reactive moiety. The term “fabric reactive moiety” is defined herein as “a unit which facilitates the formation of a covalent bond between the fabric modifying compound and a reactive unit on the surface of fabric.” One preferred embodiment of the present invention, as described herein below, relates to fabric modifying compounds or oligomers which backbones comprise one fabric benefit R1 unit, one fabric reactive R1 unit, and the balance of R1 units are fabric non-reactive moieties which serve as modulating units not capable of reacting with fabric reactive sites, inter alia, the hydroxyls of cellulosic material, said R1 non-reactive units do not play any further role in reacting with the fabric fibers once the bond between the fabric reactive unit and the fiber has been formed. Preferably each fabric reactive moiety is independently selected from the group consisting of halogen, thioglycolate, citrate, nicotinate, (4-sulfonylphenyl)amino, (4-sulfonylphenyl)oxy, and mixtures thereof; more preferably chlorine, (4-sulfonylphenyl)amino, (4-sulfonylphenyl)oxy, most preferably chlorine.

[0041] ii) a fabric non-reactive moiety; preferably said fabric non-reactive moiety is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C1-C22 linear or branched, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, C3-C22 substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl, C6-C18 substituted or unsubstituted aryl, C7-C20 substituted or unsubstituted alkylenearyl, C2-C10 substituted or unsubstituted heteroalkyl, C2-C10 substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, and mixtures thereof; more preferably hydrogen, C1-C4 linear or branched alkyl, phenyl, pyridinyl, and mixtures thereof; most preferably hydrogen, methyl, or mixtures thereof. Non-limiting examples of suitable non-reactive R1 units are units having the formula: 10

[0042] wherein R″ can be one or more units which provide a desired property to the triazine, triazine oligomer, pyrimidine, pyrimidine oligomer, cyclotriphosphazene, cyclotriphosphazene oligomer, or backbones comprising mixtures thereof, inter alia, water solubility, fabric substantivity. Non-limiting examples or R″ include halogen, —SO3M, NH2, wherein M is hydrogen or a water soluble cation, preferably sodium.

[0043] iii) a fabric conditioning moiety having the formula:

—[(Z)qW(R4)x]y—(Z)q—W(R4)x

[0044] wherein each W is independently a quaternized amino moiety, —N+—,or an unquaternized amino moiety, —N—; R4 is hydrogen, C1-C22 linear or branched alkyl, C2-C22 linear or branched alkenyl, C3-C22 cycloalkyl, C7-C22 alkylenearyl, C3-C22 heteroaryl, C4-C22 alkyleneheteroaryl, and mixtures thereof; Z is a unit which serves to link the amino nitrogen to the backbone or serves as a link between fabric conditioning moiety amino units, said Z unit are C2-C12 linear or branched alkylene; q is 0 or 1; x is from 1 to 3; y is from 0 to 5.

[0045] iv) s-triazine units having the formula: 11

[0046]  v) pyrimidine units having the formula: 12

[0047]  vi) cyclotriphosphazene units having the formula: 13

[0048]  vii) and mixtures thereof;

[0049] wherein R2 is R1 or a unit selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C1-C22 alkyl, phenyl, benzyl, and mixtures thereof; X is —N—, —CH—, and mixtures thereof; preferably —N—; the index m is from 0 to 5, the index n is from 0 to 5.

[0050] For embodiments wherein R1 units comprise one or more s-triazine, pyrimidine, or cyclotriphosphazene units, the backbone of the oligomer will be a branched backbone, for example, a backbone having the general formula: 14

[0051] wherein R units are any linking units as described hereinabove, and the remaining R1 units are fabric reactive or fabric non-reactive units as described herein. A preferred embodiment of this type of backbone has the formula: 15

[0052] wherein the “A-ring” triazine comprises two fabric reactive moieties, the “B-ring” triazine comprises non-reactive moieties, and the two “C-ring” triazines comprise R1 units which deliver fabric enhancement benefits.

[0053] A non-limiting example of a preferred fabric conditioning moiety has the formula:

—N(R4)2

[0054] wherein R4 is C8-C22 linear or branched alkyl, C12-C22 linear or branched alkenyl, and mixtures thereof, preferably C12-C18 linear alkyl, C16-C18 linear alkenyl, and mixtures thereof.

[0055] A further non-limiting example of a preferred fabric conditioning moiety has the formula:

—[(Z)qN+(R4)2]y—(Z)q—N+(R4)3

[0056] wherein Z is C2-C6 alkylene; R4 is methyl, benzyl, C12-C18 linear alkyl, C16-C18 linear alkeny, and mixtures thereof; q is 0 or 1; y is 0 or 1; more preferably having the formula:

—[N+(R4)2]—(Z)—N+(R4)3

[0057] wherein Z is ethylene, propylene, or mixtures thereof.

[0058] One embodiment of the present invention relates to fabric modifying compounds comprising one s-triazine or one pyrimidine unit (non-oligomers), for example, compounds having the formula: 16

[0059] wherein R1 is selected from the group consisting of halogen, (4-sulfonyl-phenyl)amino, (4-sulfonylphenyl)oxy, and mixtures thereof, preferably the index y is equal to 0. Also preferred are fabric modifying compounds having the formula: 17

[0060] wherein R1 is preferably chlorine; R4 is C12-C18 linear alkyl, C16-C18 linear alkenyl, and mixtures thereof; preferably C16-C18 linear alkyl, C18 linear alkenyl, and mixtures thereof.

[0061] Another embodiment of the present invention relates to compounds, compositions comprising compounds, or processes utilizing compounds having two s-triazine or pyrimidine backbone units (oligomers), for example, the preferred compounds having the formula: 18

[0062] wherein R has the formula:

—N—R3—NH—

[0063] wherein R3 is C2-C6 alkylene, phenylene, substituted phenylene, and mixtures thereof; at least one R1 is selected from the group consisting of halogen, (4-sulfonyl-phenyl)amino, (4-sulfonylphenyl)oxy, and mixtures thereof; preferably compounds having the formula: 19

[0064] wherein R1 is halogen, preferably chlorine; R4 is C12-C18 linear alkyl, C16-C18 linear alkenyl, and mixtures thereof.

[0065] The following is a non-limiting example of a preferred fabric modifying compound according to the present invention. 20

[0066] The following is a non-limiting example of a preferred fabric modifying compound according to the present invention. 21

[0067] where in M is hydrogen or a salt forming cation.

Formulations

[0068] The present invention relates to a composition for modifying cellulose or cellulose comprising fabric, said composition comprising:

[0069] a) from about 0.1%, preferably from about 1%, more preferably from about 3% to about 20%, preferably to about 10%, more preferably to about 7% by weight, of a cellulose modifying compound as described herein above;

[0070] b) from about 0.01% to about 10% by weight, of a surfactant;

[0071] c) optionally, from about 0.01%, preferably from about 0.05%, more preferably from about 0.1%, most preferably from about 0.5% to about 2%, preferably to about 1.5%, more preferably to about 1% by weight, of a swelling agent; and

[0072] b) the balance carriers and other adjunct ingredients;

[0073] wherein said composition is in the form of an emulsion.

[0074] Surfactant

[0075] The compositions of the present invention which are applied to fabric at the point of manufacture by the process of the present invention comprises form about 0.01%, preferably from about 0.1%, more preferably from about 1% to about 10%, preferably to about 7%, more preferably to about 5% by weight, of one or more surfactants. Preferably said surfactant is a nonionic surfactant selected from the group consisting of C12-C18 alkyl ethoxylates, C6-C12 alkyl phenol alkoxylates wherein said alkoxylate units are a mixture of ethyleneoxy and propyleneoxy units, C12-C18 alcohols, C6-C12 alkyl phenol condensates with ethylene oxide/propylene oxide block polymers, alkylpolysaccharides, polyhydroxy fatty acid amides, and mixtures thereof. Non-limiting examples of more preferred surfactants include C12-C18 alkyl ethoxylates, inter alia, Neodol® alkyl ethoxylates available ex Shell.

[0076] Swelling Agent

[0077] Optionally, but preferably the compositions of the present invention comprise from about 0.01%, preferably from about 0.05%, more preferably from about 0. 1%, most preferably from about 0.5% to about 2%, preferably to about 1.5%, more preferably to about 1% by weight, of a swelling agent. Although, in general, the nonionic surfactant or carrier may serve to sufficiently swell the fiber of the fabric being treated, the formulator may also include an optionally swelling agent. Non-limiting examples of swelling agents include urea, sodium hydroxide, and the like.

Adjunct Ingredients

[0078] Aside from the requirement that the compositions of the present invention comprise a fabric modifying compound and a surfactant, the balance of the composition may comprise one or more adjunct ingredients as well as carriers. The following are non-limiting examples of carriers and adjunct ingredients.

[0079] Crystal Growth Inhibitor

[0080] The compositions of the present invention optionally comprise from about 0.005%, preferably from about 0.5%, more preferably from about 0.1% to about 1%, preferably to about 0.5%, more preferably to about 0.25%, most preferably to about 0.2% by weight, of one or more crystal growth inhibitors.

Carboxylic Compounds

[0081] Non-limiting examples of carboxylic compounds which serve as crystal growth inhibitors include glycolic acid, phytic acid, polycarboxylic acids, polymers and co-polymers of carboxylic acids and polycarboxylic acids, and mixtures thereof. The inhibitors may be in the acid or salt form. Preferably the polycarboxylic acids comprise materials having at least two carboxylic acid radicals which are separated by not more than two carbon atoms (e.g., methylene units). The preferred salt forms include alkali metals; lithium, sodium, and potassium; and alkanolammonium. The polycarboxylates suitable for use in the present invention are further disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,128,287, 3,635,830, 4,663,071, 3,923,679; 3,835,163; 4,158,635; 4,120,874 and 4,102,903, each of which is included herein by reference.

[0082] Further suitable polycarboxylates include ether hydroxypolycarboxylates, polyacrylate polymers, copolymers of maleic anhydride and the ethylene ether or vinyl methyl ethers of acrylic acid. Copolymers of 1,3,5-trihydroxybenzene, 2,4,6-trisulphonic acid, and carboxymethyloxysuccinic acid are also useful. Alkali metal salts of polyacetic acids, for example, ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid and nitrilotriacetic acid, and the alkali metal salts of polycarboxylates, for example, mellitic acid, succinic acid, oxydisuccinic acid, polymaleic acid, benzene 1,3,5-tricarboxylic acid, carboxymethyloxysuccinic acid, are suitable for use in the present invention as crystal growth inhibitors.

[0083] The polymers and copolymers which are useful as crystal growth inhibitors have a molecular weight which is preferably greater than about 500 daltons to about 100,000 daltons, more preferably to about 50,000 daltons.

[0084] Examples of commercially available materials for use as crystal growth inhibitors include, polyacrylate polymers Good-Rite® ex BF Goodrich, Acrysol® ex Rohm & Haas, Sokalan® ex BASF, and Norasol® ex Norso Haas. Preferred are the Norasol® polyacrylate polymers, more preferred are Norasol® 410N (MW 10,000) and Norasol® 440N (MW 4000) which is an amino phosphonic acid modified polyacrylate polymer, and also more preferred is the acid form of this modified polymer sold as Norasol® QR 784 (MW 4000) ex Norso-Haas.

[0085] Polycarboxylate crystal growth inhibitors include citrates, e.g., citric acid and soluble salts thereof (particularly sodium salt), 3,3-dicarboxy-4-oxa-1,6-hexanedioates and related compounds further disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,566,984 incorporated herein by reference, C5-C20 alkyl, C5-C20 alkenyl succinic acid and salts thereof, of which dodecenyl succinate, lauryl succinate, myristyl succinate, palmityl succinate, 2-dodecenylsuccinate, 2-pentadecenyl succinate, are non-limiting examples. Other suitable polycarboxylates are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,144,226, 3,308,067 and 3,723,322, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Organic Phosphonic Acids

[0086] Organic diphosphonic acid are also suitable for use as crystal growth inhibitors. For the purposes of the present invention the term “organic diphosphonic acid” is defined as “an organo-diphosphonic acid or salt which does not comprise a nitrogen atom”. Preferred organic diphosphonic acids include C1-C4 diphosphonic acid, preferably C2 diphosphonic acid selected from the group consisting of ethylene diphosphonic acid, &agr;-hydroxy-2phenyl ethyl diphosphonic acid, methylene diphosphonic acid, vinylidene-1,1-diphosphonic acid, 1,2-dihydroxyethane-1,1-diphosphonic acid, hydroxy-ethane 1,1 diphosphonic acid, the salts thereof, and mixtures thereof. More preferred is hydroxyethane-1,1-diphosphonic acid (HEDP).

[0087] A more preferred phosphonic acid I 2-phosphonobutane-1,2,4-tricarboxylic acid (PBTC) available as Bayhibit® AM ex Bayer.

[0088] Electrolyte

[0089] The compositions of the present invention may also optionally, but preferably comprise, one or more electrolytes for control of phase stability, viscosity, and/or clarity. For example, the presence of certain electrolytes inter alia calcium chloride, magnesium chloride may be key to insuring initial product clarity and low viscosity, or may affect the dilution viscosity of liquid embodiments, especially isotropic liquid embodiments. Not wishing to be limited by theory, but only wishing to provide an example of a circumstance wherein the formulator must insure proper dilution viscosity, includes the following example. An electrolyte may be added to the compositions of the present invention to insure phase stability and prevent the fabric modifying compound from “gelling out” or from undergoing an undesirable or unacceptable viscosity increase. Prevention of gelling or formation of a “swelled”, high viscosity solution insures thorough delivery of the fabric modifying composition during the process of the present invention.

[0090] However, those skilled in the art of fabric softener compositions will recognize that the level of electrolyte is also influenced by other factors inter alia the type of fabric onto which the composition is deposed, the type of R1 fabric reactive units and the final pH of the solution, the amount of principal solvent, and the level and type of nonionic surfactant. Therefore, the formulator must consider all of the ingredients, namely, fabric modifying compound, nonionic surfactant, and in the case of isotropic liquids, the principal solvent type and level, as well as level and identity of adjunct ingredients before selecting the type and/or level of electrolyte.

[0091] 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, 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 10,000 parts per million (ppm), preferably from about 20 to about 5,000 ppm, of the composition.

[0092] Alkylene polyammonium salts can be incorporated into the composition to give viscosity control in addition to or in place of the water-soluble, ionizable salts above, In addition, these agents can act as scavengers, forming ion pairs with anionic detergent carried over from the main wash, in the rinse, and on the fabrics, and can improve softness performance. These agents can stabilized the viscosity over a broader range of temperature, especially at low temperatures, compared to the inorganic electrolytes. Specific examples of alkylene polyammonium salts include L-lysine, monohydrochloride and 1,5-diammonium 2-methyl pentane dihydrochloride.

[0093] Dispersibility Aids

[0094] When dispersibility aids are present, the total level is from 0.1%, preferably from 0.3%, more preferably from 3%, even more preferably from 4%, and most preferably from 5% to 25%, preferably to 17%, more preferably to 15%, most preferably to 13% by weight, of the composition. The total level of dispersibility aid includes any amount that may be present as part of another adjunct ingredient.

[0095] Preferred dispersibility aids are GENAMINE® and GENAPOL® ex Clariant. When PVP is present in the compositions of the present invention, a preferred embodiment comprises both a cocoyl ethoxylated amine and a cocoyl ethoxylated alcohol, wherein the ethoxylation is approximately 10, each of which are available as GENAMINE® and GENAPOL®. A preferred example of the use of this admixture is a composition which comprises, for example, 0.2% GENAMINE® and 0.1% GENAPOL®.

[0096] Principal Solvent

[0097] Although water is the preferred carrier of the present invention, the compositions of the present invention may comprise as a carrier a principal solvent. The level of principal solvent present in the compositions of the present invention is typically less than about 95%, preferably less than about 50%, more preferably less than about 25%, most preferably less than about 15% by weight. Some embodiments of present invention may comprise no principal solvent but may substitute instead a suitable nonionic surfactant as described herein above.

[0098] When utilized, the principal solvents suitable for use in the present invention are selected from those having a ClogP of from about 0.15 to about 1, preferably from about 0.15 to about 0.64, more preferably from about 0.25 to about 0.62, most preferably from about 0.4 to about 0.6. Preferably the principal solvent is at least to some degree an asymmetric molecule, preferably having a melting, or solidification point which allows the principal solvent to be liquid at or near room temperature. Low molecular weight principal solvents may be desirable for some embodiments. More preferred molecules are highly asymmetrical.

Process

[0099] The present invention relates to a manufacturing process for providing fabric with an enhanced fabric benefit, said process comprising the steps of contacting fabric with a composition in the form of an aqueous emulsion, said composition comprising:

[0100] a) from about 0.1%, preferably from about 1%, more preferably from about 3% to about 20%, preferably to about 10%, more preferably to about 7% by weight, of a cellulose modifying compound as described herein above;

[0101] b) from about 0.01% to about 10% by weight, of a surfactant; and

[0102] c) the balance carriers and other adjunct ingredients;

[0103] wherein said composition is in the form of an emulsion.

[0104] The following is a non-limiting example of a process according to the present invention. 1,3-Dichloro-5-[(dioleyl)amino]-s-triazine (14.25 g) and Neodol® 91-8 (0.5 g) are combined with distilled water (306.69 g) in a high shear mixer and heated to 100° C. After cooling the solution is re-heated to 95° C. an additional distilled water (253.07 g) is added while stirring. Sodium carbonate (35.16 g) is then added and the mixture is allowed to stir an additional 3 minutes.

[0105] The fabric modifying composition was then applied to 14 inch×12 inch terry cloth sheets comprising 86% cotton14% polyester via Mathis™ Padder set at 1.5 m/min. The amount of composition deposited on a dry weight basis is about 1%. The treated terry cloth sheets were then laundered 10 time in a detersive surfact comprising laundry detergent composition (Tide®). The treated sheets exhibited increased softness relative to un treated sheets (control) when measured by expert panelists.

Claims

1. A manufacturing process for providing fabric with an enhanced fabric benefit, said process comprising the steps of contacting fabric with a composition in the form of an aqueous emulsion, said composition comprising:

a) from about 0. 1% to about 20% by weight, of a fabric modifying compound having the formula:

22

wherein R is a backbone linking unit; each R1 is independently

i) a fabric reactive moiety;

ii) a fabric non-reactive moiety,

iii) a fabric conditioning moiety;

iv) s-triazine units having the formula:

23

 v) pyrimidine units having the formula:

24

 vi) cyclotriphosphazene units having the formula:

25

 vii) and mixtures thereof;

wherein R2 is R1 or a unit selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C1-C22 alkyl, phenyl, benzyl, and mixtures thereof; X is —N—, —CH—, and mixtures thereof; the index m is from 0 to 5, the index n is from 0 to 5;

b) from about 0.01% to about 10% by weight, of a surfactant; and

C) the balance carriers and other adjunct ingredients.

2. A process according to claim 1 wherein each R is independently a unit having the formula:

—(Y)pR3(Y)p—

wherein R3 is C1-C22 alkylene, C1-C22 alkenylene, C3-C22 cycloalkylene, C6-C22 arylene, C7-C22 alkylarylene, and mixture thereof; Y is —O—, NR′—, and mixtures thereof, R′ is hydrogen, C1-C4 alkyl, and mixtures thereof; p is 0 or 1.

3. A process according to claim 2 wherein Y is —NH—, and each p is 1.

4. A process according to claim 3 wherein R3 is C2-C6 alkylene, phenylene, C7-C10 alkylarylene, and mixture thereof.

5. A process according to claim 1 wherein said fabric reactive moiety is independently selected from the group consisting of halogen, thioglycolate, citrate, nicotinate, (4-sulfonylphenyl)amino, (4-sulfonylphenyl)oxy, and mixtures thereof.

6. A process according to claim 1 wherein said fabric non-reactive moiety is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C1-C22 linear or branched, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, C3-C22 substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl, C6-C18 substituted or unsubstituted aryl, C7-C20 substituted or unsubstituted alkylenearyl, C2-C10 substituted or unsubstituted heteroalkyl, C2-C10 substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, and mixtures thereof.

7. A process according to claim 6 wherein said fabric non-reactive moiety is hydrogen, C1-C4 linear or branched alkyl, phenyl, pyridinyl, and mixtures thereof.

8. A process according to claim 7 wherein said fabric non-reactive moiety is hydrogen, methyl, or mixtures thereof.

9. A process according to claim 1 wherein said fabric conditioning moiety has the formula:

—[(Z)qW(R4)x]y—(Z)q—W(R4)x

wherein each W is independently a quaternized amine —N+— or an unquaternized amine —N—; R4 is hydrogen, C1-C22 linear or branched alkyl, C2-C22 linear or branched alkenyl, C3-C22 cycloalkyl, C7-C22 alkylenearyl, C3-C22 heteroaryl, C4-C22 alkyleneheteroaryl, and mixtures thereof; Z is C2-C12 alkylene; q is 0 or 1; x is from 1 to 3; y is from 0 to 5.

10. A process according to claim 9 wherein said fabric conditioning moiety has the formula:

—N(R4)2

wherein R4 is C8-C22 linear or branched alkyl, C12-C22 linear or branched alkenyl, and mixtures thereof.

11. A process according to claim 10 wherein R4 is C12-C18 linear alkyl, C16-C18 linear alkenyl, and mixtures thereof.

12. A process according to claim 9 wherein said fabric conditioning moiety has the formula:

—[(Z)qN+(R4)2]y—(Z)q—N+(R4)3

wherein Z is C2-C6 alkylene; R4 is methyl, benzyl, C12-C18 linear alkyl, C16-C18 linear alkenyl, and mixtures thereof; q is 0 or 1; y is 0 or 1.

13. A process according to claim 12 wherein said fabric conditioning moiety has the formula:

—[N+(R4)2]—(Z)—N+(R4)3

wherein Z is ethylene, propylene, or mixtures thereof.

14. A process according to claim 1 wherein said fabric modifying compound has the formula:

26

wherein R1 is selected from the group consisting of halogen, (4-sulfonyl-phenyl)amino, (4-sulfonylphenyl)oxy, and mixtures thereof.

15. A process according to claim 14 wherein the index y is equal to 0.

16. A process according to claim 14 wherein said fabric modifying compound has the formula:

27

wherein R4 is C12-C18 linear alkyl, C16-C18 linear alkenyl, and mixtures thereof.

17. A process according to claim 16 wherein R1 is chlorine.

18. A process according to claim 17 wherein R4 is C16-C18 linear alkyl, C18 linear alkenyl, and mixtures thereof.

19. A process according to claim 1 wherein said fabric modifying compound has the formula:

28

wherein R has the formula:

—NH—R3—NH—

wherein R3 is C2-C6 alkylene, phenylene, substituted phenylene, and mixtures thereof; at least one R1 is selected from the group consisting of halogen, (4-sulfonyl-phenyl)amino, (4-sulfonylphenyl)oxy, and mixtures thereof.

20. A process according to claim 19 wherein said fabric modifying compound has the formula:

29

wherein R4 is C12-C18 linear alkyl, C16-C18 linear alkenyl, and mixtures thereof.

21. A composition for modifying cellulosic fabric, said composition comprising:

a) from about 0. 1% to about 20% by weight, of a fabric modifying compound having the formula:

30

wherein R is a backbone linking unit; each R1 is independently

i) a fabric reactive moiety;

ii) a fabric non-reactive moiety,

iii) a fabric conditioning moiety;

iv) s-triazine units having the formula:

31

 v) pyrimidine units having the formula:

32

 vi) cyclotriphosphazene units having the formula:

33

 vii) and mixtures thereof,

wherein R2 is R1 or a unit selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C1-C22 alkyl, phenyl, benzyl, and mixtures thereof; X is —N—, —CH—, and mixtures thereof; the index m is from 0 to 5, the index n is from 0 to 5;

b) from about 0.01% to about 10% by weight, of a surfactant; and

c) the balance carriers and other adjunct ingredients.

22. A composition according to claim 21 comprising from about 1% to about 10% by weight, of said fabric modifying compound.

23. A composition according to claim 22 comprising form about 3% to about 7% by weight, of said fabric modifying compound.

24. A composition according to claim 21 wherein said surfactant is a nonionic surfactant selected from the group consisting of C12-C18 alkyl ethoxylates, C6-C12 alkyl phenol alkoxylates wherein said alkoxylate units are a mixture of ethyleneoxy and propyleneoxy units, C12-C18 alcohols, C6-C12 alkyl phenol condensates with ethylene oxide/propylene oxide block polymers, alkylpolysaccharides, polyhydroxy fatty acid amides, and mixtures thereof.

25. A fabric modifying compound having the formula:

34

wherein R is a backbone linking unit; each R1 is independently

i) a fabric reactive moiety;

ii) a fabric non-reactive moiety,

iii) a fabric conditioning moiety;

iv) s-triazine units having the formula:

35

 v) pyrimidine units having the formula:

36

vi) cyclotriphosphazene units having the formula:

37

 vii) and mixtures thereof;

wherein R2 is R1 or a unit selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C1-C22 alkyl, phenyl, benzyl, and mixtures thereof; X is —N—, —CH—, and mixtures thereof; the index m is from 0 to 5, the index n is from 0 to 5.

26. A compound according to claim 1 wherein each R is independently a unit having the formula:

—(Y)pR3(Y)p—

wherein R3 is C1-C22 alkylene, C1-C22 alkenylene, C3-C22 cycloalkylene, C6-C22 aryl C7-C22 alkylarylene, and mixture thereof; Y is —O—, NR′—, and mixtures thereof, R′ is hydrogen, C1-C4 alkyl, and mixtures thereof; p is 0 or 1.

27. A compound according to claim 26 wherein Y is —NH—, and each p is 1.

28. A compound according to claim 27 wherein R3 is C2-C6 alkylene, phenylene, C7-C10 alkylarylene, and mixture thereof.

29. A compound according to claim 25 wherein fabric reactive moiety is independently selected from the group consisting of halogen, thioglycolate, citrate, nicotinate, (4-sulfonylphenyl)amino, (4-sulfonylphenyl)oxy, and mixtures thereof.

30. A compound according to claim 25 wherein said fabric non-reactive moiety is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C1-C22 linear or branched, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, C3-C22 substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl, C6-C18 substituted or unsubstituted aryl, C7-C20 substituted or unsubstituted alkylenearyl, C2-C10 substituted or unsubstituted heteroalkyl, C2-C10 substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, and mixtures thereof.

31. A compound according to claim 30 wherein said cellulose non-reactive moiety is hydrogen, C1-C4 linear or branched alkyl, phenyl, pyridinyl, and mixtures thereof.

32. A compound according to claim 31 wherein said fabric non-reactive moiety is hydrogen, methyl, or mixtures thereof.

33. A compound according to claim 25 wherein said fabric conditioning moiety has the formula:

—[(Z)qW(R4)x]y—(Z)q—W(R4)x

wherein each W is independently a quaternized amine —N+—or an unquaternized amine —N—; R4 is hydrogen, C1-C22 linear or branched alkyl, C2-C22 linear or branched alkenyl, C3-C22 cycloalkyl, C7-C22 alkylenearyl, C3-C22 heteroaryl, C4-C22 alkyleneheteroaryl, and mixtures thereof; Z is C2-C12 alkylene; q is 0 or 1; x is from 1 to 3; y is from 0 to 5.

34. A compound according to claim 33 wherein said fabric conditioning moiety has the formula:

—N(R4)2

wherein R4 is C8-C22 linear or branched alkyl, C12-C22 linear or branched alkenyl, and mixtures thereof.

35. A compound according to claim 34 wherein R4 is C12-C18 linear alkyl, C16-C18 linear alkenyl, and mixtures thereof.

36. A compound according to claim 33 wherein said fabric conditioning moiety has the formula:

—[(Z)qN+(R4)2]y—(Z)q—N+(R4)3

wherein Z is C2-C6 alkylene; R4 is methyl, benzyl, C12-C18 linear alkyl, C16-C18 linear alkenyl, and mixtures thereof; q is 0 or 1; y is 0 or 1.

37. A compound according to claim 37 wherein said fabric conditioning moiety has the formula:

—[N+(R4)2]—(Z)—N+(R4)3

wherein Z is ethylene, propylene, or mixtures thereof.

38. A compound according to claim 25 wherein said fabric modifying compound has the formula:

38

wherein R1 is selected from the group consisting of halogen, (4-sulfonyl-phenyl)amino, (4-sulfonylphenyl)oxy, and mixtures thereof.

39. A compound according to claim 38 wherein the index y is equal to 0.

40. A compound according to claim 38 wherein said fabric modifying compound has the formula:

39

wherein R4 is C12-C18 linear alkyl, C16-C18 linear alkenyl, and mixtures thereof.

41. A compound according to claim 40 wherein R1 is chlorine.

42. A compound according to claim 41 wherein R4 is C16-C18 linear alkyl, C18 linear alkenyl, and mixtures thereof.

43. A compound according to claim 25 wherein said fabric modifying compound has the formula:

40

wherein R has the formula:

—NH—R3—NH—

wherein R3 is C2-C6 alkylene, phenylene, substituted phenylene, and mixtures thereof; at least one R1 is selected from the group consisting of halogen, (4-sulfonyl-phenyl)amino, (4-sulfonylphenyl)oxy, and mixtures thereof.

44. A compound according to claim 43 wherein said fabric modifying compound has the formula:

41

wherein R4 is C12-C18 linear alkyl, C16-C18 linear alkenyl, and mixtures thereof.