MXPA98007737A - Premezcla concentrated, stable, to form a softening situation of tea - Google Patents

Abstract

Biodegradable fabric softening pre-mix compositions containing both biodegradable softening actives having substantial unsaturation and perfume are described, premixes can be added at room temperature to acid-containing water, to provide a pH of about 1.5 to about 5 to form finished compositions The water also contains calcium and / or magnesium salt to modify the viscosity

Description

PRBWBZOA CQNCBMTRAPA. STABLE. TO FORM DMA SMOKING COMPOSITION DB TRIAR TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to fabric softening active ingredients, concentrated liquids and / or premixes for use in the preparation of softening compositions, useful for softening fabrics. It relates especially to the preparation of fabric softening compositions for use in the rinse cycle of a textile washing operation at home, to provide excellent benefits of fabric softening / static control.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Fabric softener compositions containing high levels of solvent are known in the art. However, there is a need for highly concentrated "compositions" which, in effect, are premixes that can be used to form final compositions, which are suitable for sale to the consumer; said highly concentrated compositions having a viscosity that allows them to be stored, pumped and processed at ambient temperatures, to convert them to the final aqueous compositions, without the need for high shear mixing. This is particularly important when it is desired to provide the fabric softening benefit to consumers in remote areas of the world, where the cost of transporting the final product to the area, from somewhere else, is prohibitively expensive, and the local manufacturing facilities are limited and rudimentary. The present invention provides highly concentrated compositions that provide biodegradable active ingredients, without organic solvent or with a relatively low level of organic solvent (i.e., less than about 40% by weight of the composition) having improved stability (i.e., not precipitate, gel, thicken or solidify) at ambient temperatures, that is, at room temperature, and below normal temperature, under prolonged storage conditions, - which can be processed at room temperature and dispersed in water , preferably, without high shear mixing to form stable compositions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The highly active fabric softening "premix" compositions useful for preparing final compositions comprise herein: A.- About 50% to 85%, preferably about 60% to 80%, better still, about 75% to 65% by weight of the composition, of a fabric softening active ingredient, biodegradable, selected from the group consisting of: 1.- Softener that has the formula: [(R) 4-m - N (+) [(CH2) n Y - R ^ - jm] X (-) (1) wherein each R substituent is a short chain alkyl or hydroxyalkyl group, of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, preferably of 1 to 3 carbon atoms, for example, methyl (very preferred), ethyl, propyl, hydroxyethyl and the like; benzyl or its mixtures; each m is 2 or 3; each n is from l to around 4; each Y is -0- (0) C- or -C (0) -0-; the sum of carbons in each Rl, plus one when Y is -0- (0) C- is from 6 to 22, preferably from 14 to 20 carbon atoms, and when the sum of YR1 is around 6 to 10, the other sum of YR1 is around 16 to 22; each being hydrocarbyl, or substituted hydrocarbyl; the substituent is preferably alkyl or alkylene; and wherein the total average iodine value (hereinafter referred to as VY) of the original fatty acid of this Rl group is preferably from 60 to about 140, better still, from about 70 to 130 and, most preferred, about 80 to 115 (as used herein, the iodine value of an "original" fatty acid or a "corresponding" fatty acid is used to define an average level of unsaturation for all Rl groups that are present, which is equal to the level of unsaturation that would be present in the fatty acids containing the same Rl groups); and wherein the opposite ion, X- can be any anion compatible with the softener, preferably chloride, bromide or nitrate, better still, chloride. 2.- Softener that has the formula: wherein each Y, R, Rl and X (-) have the same meanings as before (including said compounds those having the formula: [CH3] 3N (+) [CH2CH (CH20C (0) RI) OC (0) RI] Cl (-) wherein C (0) R1 is derived from an unsaturated fatty acid, for example, from natural source, with high content of oleic fatty acid and, preferably, each R is a methyl or ethyl group and, preferably, each Rl. it is on the scale of 15 to 19 carbon atoms; degrees of branching and substitution are present, optionally, in the alkyl chains; and 3.- Mixtures thereof; B. Perfume, at an effective level, for example, to provide the desired perfume effect in the final composition, and to improve the processability of the blend, but less than about 50%, preferably less than about 15% and, better yet, less than about 10%; C- Optionally, from 0% to about 20%, preferably around 5% to 15% by weight of the premix composition, of low molecular weight alcohol, to decrease the viscosity of the mixture of A and B to be necessary; D.- optionally less than 40%, preferably around 10% to 30%, better yet, about 13% to 25%, still better, about 15% to 20% by weight of the organic solvent premix composition soluble in water, different from low molecular weight alcohol C; which has a boiling point higher than about 85 ° C, better still, around 100 ° C, if the addition of C to the indicated levels is not enough to reach the desired viscosity; and E.- optionally, from 0% to about 35%, preferably from about 3% to 25%, better still, from about 6% to 15%, of a dispersibility aid; the pre-mix composition being pourable, preferably pourable and, better still, the viscosity of the premix composition being less than about 1000 cps, preferably less than about 500 cps, still better, less than about 300 cps.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION A.- SL ACTIVE SUBSTITUTE SOFTENER DB FABRICS The premixes herein contain, as an essential component, about 50% to 85%, preferably about 60% to 80%, even better, about 65% to 75% by weight of the composition of a softening active ingredient of fabrics, selected from the compounds indicated below, and mixtures thereof.

THE COMPOSITE ACTIVE FABRIC SOFTENER. DB DIBSTBR-AMDNIQ CTATBRWARIO ^ t EQ. (1) The first type of DEQA preferably comprises, as the main active ingredient, compounds of the formula: F [() 4-m-N (+) - [(CH2) n-Y-R1] m] ~ l? (_) L_ _J (i) wherein each R substituent is a short chain alkyl or hydroxyalkyl group, of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, preferably 1 to 3 carbon atoms, for example, the methyl (most preferred), ethyl, propyl, hydroxyethyl groups and the like; benzyl or its mixtures; each m is 2 or 3; each n is from 1 to around 4; each Y is -0-. { 0) C- or -C (0) -0-; the sum of carbons in each Rl, plus one, when Y is -0- (0) C- is from 6 to 22 carbon atoms, preferably from 14 to 20 carbon atoms, each Rl being a hydrocarbyl group, or hydrocarbyl replaced; preferably it is alkyl or alkylene (mono and / or polyunsaturated), either straight or branched chain and, especially, mixtures of groups derived from natural sources. The preferred compounds contain different Rl groups. The average iodine value (hereinafter referred to as VY) of the original fatty acid of this Rl group is preferably about 60 to 140, better still, about 70 to 130 and, most preferred, about 80 to 115. The opposite ion X (-) above can be any anion compatible with the softener, preferably the anion of a strong acid, for example, chloride, bromide, methyl sulfate, sulfate, nitrate and the like and, preferably, chloride. These compound! Biodegradable quaternary ammonium fabric softeners may contain the C (0) R1 group which is primarily derived, of unsaturated fatty acids, for example, oleic acid and / or fatty acids and / or partially hydrogenated fatty acids, which are derived from vegetable oils and / or partially hydrogenated vegetable oils, such as canola oil, safflower oil, peanut, sunflower oil, corn oil, soybean oil, oil derived from first distillation, rice bran oil, etc. Non-limiting examples of DEQA's prepared from preferred fatty acids have the following approximate distributions.

Fatty acyl group DEOA1 DE0A2 DE0A3 DEOA4 DEOA C12 vestige vestige 0 0 0 C14 3 3 0 0 0 C16 4 4 5 5 5 C18 0 0 5 6 6 C14: l 3 3 0 0 0 C16: l 11 7 0 0 3 C18: l 74 73 71 68 67 C18: 2 4 8 8 11 11 C18: 3 0 1 1 2 2 C20: l 0 0 2 2 2 C20 and greater 0 0 2 0 0 Unknown 0 0 6 6 7 Total 99 99 100 100 100 VY 86--90 88--95 99 100 95 cis / trans 20- • 30 20. 30 4 5 5 (C18: 1) TPU 4 9 10 13 13 The non-limiting examples of DEQAs that can be mixed to form the DEQA of this invention are the following: Fatty acyl group DEOA10 J__S ___? 11 C14 0 1 C16 11 25 C18 4 20 C14: 1 0 C16: 1 1 C18: 1 27 45 C18: 2 50 6 C18: 3 7 0 Unknown 0 3 Total 100 100 VY 125-138 56 cis / trans (18: 1) not available 7 TPU 57 6 DEQA10 is prepared from soybean fatty acid and DEQAll is prepared from mildly hydrogenated grade tallow acid.

Gru or fatty acyl PEQA12 PEQA13 DEOA14 Isomiristic acid - - 1-2 - - Myristic acid 7-11 0 .5-1 - - Isopalmitic acid 6 -7 6-7 1-3 Palmitic acid 4 -5 6-7 - - Acid isostearic 70-76 80-82 60-66 Stearic acid - - 2 -3 8 -10 Isooleic acid - - - - 13 -17 Oleic acid - - - - 6-12 VY 3 2 7-12 DEQA12 - DEQA14 a from different isostearic acids obtainable commercially. The most preferred DEQAs are those that are prepared from a single DEQA from mixtures of all the different fatty acids that are represented (total mixture of fatty acid) instead of mixtures or combinations of the separated final DEQA that are prepared from different portions of the total fatty acid mixture. The unsaturated fatty acyl groups, which include the essential polyunsaturates, provide surprisingly effective softening, but also provide better rewetting characteristics, antistatic characteristics and, especially, due to polyunsaturated fatty acids, superior recovery after freezing and thawing.

The strongly unsaturated, preferred materials are also easier to formulate into concentrated premixes that maintain their low viscosity and, therefore, are easier to process, for example, pump, mix, etc. These strongly unsaturated materials, with only the small amount of solvent that is normally associated with said materials, that is, from about 5% to 20%, preferably around 8% to 25%, better still, about 10% a 20% by weight of the total softener / solvent mixture are also easier to formulate to stable, concentrated compositions of the present invention, even at ambient temperatures. This possibility of processing active ingredients at low temperatures is especially important for polyunsaturated groups, since it keeps degradation to a minimum. Additional degradation against degradation can be provided when the softening compositions and compositions contain effective antioxidants and / or reducing agents, as described below. It will be understood that the substituents R and Rl may be optionally substituted with various groups, such as alkoxyl or hydroxyl groups, and may be straight or branched, as long as the Rl groups retain their essentially hydrophobic nature. Branched chains can be highly convenient, especially in mixtures of fatty acids, to lower viscosity, while providing good stability. Preferred compounds can be considered as biodegradable diester variations of the ditallowdimethylammonium chloride (hereinafter referred to as "DTDMAC") which is a widely used fabric softener. A preferred long chain DEQA is DEQA prepared from sources containing high levels of polyunsaturation, ie, N, N-di (acyloxyethyl) -N, N-dimethylammonium chloride, wherein the acyl is derived from fatty acids that contain sufficient polyunsaturation, for example, mixtures of tallow fatty acids and soy fatty acids. It is preferred that most of the fatty acyl groups are unsaturated, for example, about 50% to 100%, preferably about 60% to 98%, better still, about 65% to 95%, and that the total level of polyunsaturated fatty acyl groups (TPU) is approximately 1 % to 30%, preferably from 3% to 25%, better yet, around 5% to 18% and even better still, around 10%. The cis / trans ratio for the unsaturated fatty acyl groups is important, the cis / trans root being about 1: 1 to 50: 1, the minimum being 1: 1, preferably at least 3: 1, better still, around 4: 1 to 30: 1. These biodegradable fabric softening active ingredients typically contain a certain percentage, preferably low, for example, less than about 5%, of free fatty acid. The free fatty acid also acts as a viscosity modifier, as described below, and may provide some softening benefit. These premixes are also easy to formulate at low concentration (about 2% to 40%, preferably about 3% to 30%, even better, about 4% to 28% by weight of the composition), in compositions stable to the ambient temperature and / or without the use of high shear mixing, i.e. simple mixing is sufficient. However, it is understood that high shear mixing and / or high temperatures can be used, if desired. The preferred compounds can be considered to be the biodegradable diester variations of the ditallowdimethylammonium chloride (hereinafter referred to as "DTDMAC"), which is a widely used fabric softener. Preferably, at least about 80% of the -DEQA is in the diester form and from 0% to 20% can be monoester of DEQA (e.g., in the formula (1), m is 2 and YR1 is H or a group -C (O) OH). A highly preferred long chain DEQA is one which contains a relatively high level of DEQA of dioleyl, ie N, N-di (oleyloxyethyl) -N, N-dimethylammonium chloride. Preferred sources of fatty acids for use in the preparation of DEQA's are triglycerides and partially hydrogenated triglycerides, from plants such as soybean oil, canola oil, safflower oil, peanut oil, sunflower oil, oil corn, soybean oil, oil derived from first distillation, rice bran oil, etc. It is highly desirable that the compounds used here be relatively free of undesirable impurities. Therefore, it is convenient to process the fatty acid sources in the forms known to eliminate such impurities, for example, by processing under atmospheres that have low oxygen content, separating the undesirable materials by filtration, adsorption, etc., either before and / or after chemical modification, by controlled hydrogenation and / or oxygenation, etc. However, the purity of the materials is not part of the present invention, which is equally applicable to less pure materials, adjusting the compromise between purity and cost always in light of the wishes and needs of the consumer. As used herein, when the diester is specified, it may include the monoester that is present. To soften, under wash conditions that do not carry detergent or carry little detergent, the percentage of monoester should be as low as possible, preferably no more than about 5%. However, under conditions of strong carryover of anionic detergent surfactant or builder, some monoester may be preferred. The proportions of the monoester to diester are about 100: 1 to 2: 1, preferably about 50: 1 to 5: 1, better still, about 13: 1 to 8: 1. Under conditions of heavy detergent carryover, the di / monoester ratio is preferably about 11: 1. The level of monoester present can be controlled when manufacturing the DEQA. The above compounds, used as a quaternized, biodegradable ester-amine softening material, in the practice of this invention, can be prepared using common reaction chemistry. In a synthesis of a diester variation of DTDMAC, an amine of the formula RN (CH2CH20H) 2, in both hydroxyl groups, is esterified with an acid chloride of the formula R1C (0) C1, then quaternized with an alkyl halide , RX, to produce the desired reaction product (wherein R and R1 are as defined above). However, those skilled in the chemical arts will appreciate that this reaction sequence allows a wide selection of agents to be prepared. Another DEQA softening active ingredient which is suitable for the formulation of liquid concentrate, strongly concentrated fabric softening premixes of the present invention, has the formula (1) above, wherein one group R is a hydroxyalkyl group of 1 to 4 carbon atoms , preferably, one in which a group R is a hydroxyethyl group. An example of said hydroxyethyl ester active ingredient is di (acyloxyethyl) (2-hydroxyethyl) methylammonium methylsulfate, wherein the acyl group is the same as that of DEQA1, and is denoted hereinafter as DEQA8. (2) The second type of active DEQA has the general formula: where each Y, R, Rl and X (-) have the same meanings as you care. Such compounds include those having the formula: [CH 3] 3 N. { +) [CI ^ CHÍCI ^ OCÍOJR ^ OCÍO? R ^ -. CI ") where each R is a methyl or ethyl group, and preferably each Rl is on the scale of 15 to 19 carbon atoms. of substitution and branching in the alkyl and / or alkylene chains As used herein, when the diester is specified, it may include the monoester which is present.The amount of monoester that may be present is the same as in DEQA (1) An example of a preferred DEQA of the formula (2) is the "propyl" quaternary ammonium ester compound, having the formula 1,2-di (acyloxy) -3-trimethylammonium chloride, wherein the acyl group is the same as for DEQA5, and hereinafter referred to as DEQA9.

These types of agents and the general methods for preparing them are described in U.S. Patent No. 4,137,180 to Nai and co-inventors, issued January 30, 1979, which is incorporated herein by reference. In the preferred softening active ingredients (1) and (2), each R1 is a hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl group, preferably alkyl, mono-unsaturated alkylene and polyunsaturated alkylene groups, the polyunsaturated alkylene groups containing the softening active ingredient being at least about 3%, preferably at least about 5%, better still, at least about 10%, and even better, at least about 15% by weight of the total softening active ingredient present (as used herein the "ingredient percentage") active softener "containing a given Rl group, is equal to the percentage of that same group Rl in which the total of Rl groups is used to form all softening active ingredients) preferably containing the active ingredients mixtures of Rl groups, especially within the individual molecules and, optionally but also preferably, saturated Rl groups comprising branched chains, for example, at least isostearic acid in part of the saturated Rl groups, preferably the total active ingredient represented by the branched chain groups, at least about 1% to 90%, preferably about 10% to 70%, better still, about 20 % to 50% (as used herein, the iodine value of an "original" fatty acid or a "corresponding" fatty acid is used to define a level of unsaturation for a Rl group that is equal to the level of unsaturation that would be present in a fatty acid containing the same group Rl). Compositions that can be prepared include those described in the co-pending application by Errol H. Wahl and co-inventors, Serial No. 08 / 461,207, filed June 5, 1995 for "Concentrated Biodegradable Quaternary Ammonium Fabric Softener Compositions and Compounds. Containing Intermediate Iodine Valué Unsaturated Fatty Acid Chains "(" Concentrated, biodegradable quaternary ammonium fabric softening compositions and compounds containing unsaturated fatty acid chains, with intermediate iodine value ") said request being incorporated herein by this reference. The DEQA active ingredients described above may contain a low level of free fatty acid, which may be unreacted starting material, and / or the by-product of a partial degradation (hydrolysis) of the softening active. It is preferred that the level of free fatty acid be low, preferably less than about 10%, better still, less than about 5% by weight of the softening active ingredient.

B. - THE PERFUME It has been found that when the strongly unsaturated biodegradable softening active ingredients described above are combined with perfume, the resulting "premix" can be pumped., poured and / or processed at ambient temperatures. The premixes and final compositions of the present invention can contain any perfume compatible with the softener, at a level that provides the desired perfume effect in the final product, and to lower the viscosity of the premix, thereby improving the capacity of the premix. prosecution. The level of perfume is typically less than about 25%, preferably from about 0.5% to 15%, preferably about 1% to 10%, to allow dilution during the constitution of the final composition. It is an advantage of the use of this invention that the perfume, as well as the other optional solvents and / or other ingredients, can be added in the premix to simplify the preparation of the final compositions while improving the processability of the ingredient. active. This convenient premix is not possible with the conventional active ingredients. In conventional liquid fabric softening compositions, the softening active ingredients are fatty acid derivatives with low iodine values (less than about 60%) and it is necessary to heat and melt them before they can be dispersed in water. Perfumes should not be exposed to the temperatures required for this fusion. Some perfume ingredients are degraded and some are volatilized and lost. The premixes of the present invention, which contain perfume, can be added to water, conveniently containing the required amount of acid, preferably mineral acid, better still HCl, at room temperature to create the final composition, as discussed further ahead. The use of premixes in the present provides additional protection for materials that can be degraded and avoids the use of high levels of energy, thus lowering the total environmental load that is created in the manufacture of the final compositions.

C- ALCOHOLS OF LOW MOLECULAR WEIGHT Low molecular weight alcohols can also be used at levels from 0% to about 20%, preferably from 1% to 10%, better still, from about 2% to 8% by weight of the premix composition. These low molecular weight alcohols are usually cheap, usually come with the softening active ingredient and lower viscosity. When the perfume does not provide sufficiently low viscosity, these solvents will normally be sufficient to provide the necessary viscosity. The level of such low molecular weight alcohols should be kept low for reasons of smell, safety and environmental reasons. For example, isopropyl alcohol and n-propyl alcohol have different odors and can create a fire hazard if used at high levels. However, those solvents may be part of the total solvent present. Several butyl alcohols also have odors, but they can be used for effective viscosity / stability, especially when used at low levels to reduce their odor. Such low molecular weight alcohols include ethanol, isopropanol, n-propanol, etc. If the low molecular weight alcohols are insufficient, then solvent D can be added, as described below.

D.- BL SOLVENT SOLVENT SOLUBLE IN WATER The premix compositions of the present invention may optionally comprise less than about 40%, for example, about 10% to 30%, preferably, about 13% to 25%, better still about 15% to 20% by weight of the premix composition of water soluble organic solvent having a boiling point of more than 85 ° C, preferably of more than about 100 ° C. Preferably the flash point of the solvent must be higher than the ambient temperature, for example, more than about 25 ° C and, conveniently, more than about 35 ° C, for safety reasons. These water-soluble organic solvents are preferably completely miscible with water. Non-limiting examples of the water-soluble organic solvents include the diols (especially those described in the co-pending applications presented concurrently with the present, bearing the attorney's case numbers:), propylene carbonate and low molecular weight polyethylene glycols, although polyethylene glycols are not preferred and in some cases they must be excluded to avoid problems in the final compositions, for example, clear compositions such as those described in the pending application No. of the attorney-in-fact's case. Said water-soluble organic solvent, when present, is selected to provide the desired viscosity in the premix, which allows it to be processed at normal ambient temperatures. The low viscosity and the ability to create final compositions with only conventional mixing is possible with the strongly unsaturated fabric softening compounds described hereinabove. If the perfume and alcohols C are insufficient to provide low viscosities acceptable for the premix, ie viscosities lower than 1000 cps, preferably lower than 500 cps, better still, lower than 300 cps, at temperatures up to about 10 ° C C, preferably up to about 20 ° C, then solvent D can be used to provide any necessary viscosity reduction and / or other desirable properties, for example, product clarity.

E.- THE AUXILIARIES OF DISPERSIBILITY The premix of the present invention may optionally contain dispersibility aids, for example, those selected from the group consisting of long-chain, single-chain, long-chain alkyl cationic ammonium compounds, long-chain alkyl alkylamine oxides, other nonionic surfactants and mixtures thereof, to assist in the formation of the final compositions. These dispersibility aids are especially useful in the preparation of dilute softening compositions containing relatively high levels of perfume, as discussed later. When the dispersibility aid is present, it is typically present at a level of approximately 2% to 35%, preferably around 3% to 25%, better still, around 4% to 15% and, what is more preferred, about 5% to 13% by weight of the composition. These materials can be added as part of the active softening raw material (I) or they can be added as a separate component in the preparation of the final softening compositions. The total level of dispersibility aid includes any amount that may be present as part of component (I). (1) The monoalkyl cationic quaternary ammonium compound When the monoalkyl cationic quaternary ammonium compound is present, it is typically at a level of about 2% to 25%, preferably about 3% to 17%, better still, about 4% to 15% and, most preferred, about 5% to 13% by weight of the composition, the total monoalkyl cationic quaternary ammonium compound being at least at an effective level. Said monoalkyl cationic quaternary ammonium compounds, useful in the present invention, are preferably quaternary ammonium salts of the general formula: [R 4 N + (R 5) 3] X "wherein: R 4 is an alkyl or alkenyl group of 8 to 22 carbon atoms, preferably an alkyl or alkenyl group of 10 to 18 carbon atoms, better still, an alkyl or alkenyl group of 10 to 14 carbon atoms or of 16 to 18 carbon atoms; each R 5 is an alkyl or substituted alkyl group of 1 to 6 carbon atoms (eg, hydroxyalkyl), preferably an alkyl group of 1 to 3 carbon atoms, for example methyl (most preferred), ethyl, propyl and the like , a benzyl group, hydrogen, a polyethoxylated chain with about 2 to 20 oxyethylene units, preferably about 2.5 to 13 oxyethylene units, better yet, about 3 to 10 oxyethylene units and mixtures thereof; and X- is as previously defined here for (formula (I)). Especially preferred dispersing aids are monolauryltrimethylammonium chloride and monosebotrimethylammonium chloride, obtainable from Witco under the trademark Varisoft (R) 471 and mono-oleyltrimethylammonium chloride obtainable from Witco under the trade name Varisoft (R) 417. The group R4 it may also be attached to the cationic nitrogen atom by means of a group containing one or more amide ester, amine ether, etc., linking groups, which may be convenient for increasing the concentration capacity of the component (I), etc. Said linker groups are preferably within about one to three carbon atoms of the nitrogen atom. The monoalkyl cationic quaternary ammonium compounds also include alkylcholine esters of 8 to 22 carbon atoms in the alkyl. Preferred dispersibility aids of this type have the formula: R 1 C (0) -0-CH 2 CH 2 N + (R) 3 X "wherein R 1, R and X- are as defined above.

Extremely preferred dispersing aids include the cococolin ester of 12 to 14 carbon atoms and the sebocholine ester of 16 to 18 carbon atoms. Long-chain, suitable, single-chain, biodegradable alkyl dispersible auxiliaries containing an ester linkage in long chains are described in U.S. Patent No. 4,840,738, Hardy and Walley, issued June 20, 1989, incorporated herein by reference. said patent here by this reference. When the dispersibility aid comprises alkyl choline esters, preferably the compositions also contain a small amount, preferably about 2% to 5% by weight of the composition, of organic acid. Organic acids are described in European Patent Application No. 404,471, de Machín and co-inventors, published on December 27, 1990, supra, which is incorporated herein by reference. It is preferred that the organic acid be selected from the group consisting of glycolic acid, acetic acid, citric acid and mixtures thereof. The ethoxylated quaternary ammonium compounds, which can serve as a dispersibility aid, include ethyl bis (polyethoxyethanol) alkylammonium ethylsulfate, with 17 moles of ethylene oxide, obtainable under the trade name Variquat (R) 66 from Sherex Chemical Company; polyethylene glycol (15) oleammonium chloride, obtainable under the Ethoquad (R) 0/25 Akzo brand; and the polyethylene glycol (15) cocommonium chloride, under the Ethoquad (R) 0/25 Akzo label. Although the main function of the dispersibility aid is to increase the dispersibility of the ester softener, preferably the dispersibility auxiliaries of the present invention also have certain softening properties to enhance the softening performance of the composition. Therefore, preferably, the compositions of the present invention are essentially free of non-nitrogenous ethoxylated non-ionic dispersion aids, which would decrease the overall softening performance of the compositions. In addition, quaternary compounds having only a long alkyl chain can protect the cationic softener against interaction with the anionic surfactants and / or builders that are carried to the rinse solution from the wash solution. (2) Amine oxides Suitable amine oxides include those having an alkyl or hydroxyalkyl portion of about 8 to 22 carbon atoms, preferably 10 to 18 carbon atoms, better still, about 8 to 14 carbon atoms. carbon atoms, and two alkyl portions selected from the group consisting of alkyl groups and hydroxyalkyl groups with about 1 to 3 carbon atoms. Examples include dimethyloctylamine oxide, diethyldecylamine oxide, bis- (2-hydroxyethyl) dodecylamine oxide, dimethyldodecylamine oxide, dipropyltetradecylamine oxide, methylethylhexadecylamine oxide, dimethyl-2-hydroxyoctadecylamine oxide and fatty cocoalkyl dimethylamine oxide. Other nonionic surfactant dispersing aids, useful in the present invention, are described in the pending application by Cristina Avila-García and co-inventors, Serial No., presented for "Stable High Perfume, Low-Active Fabric Softener Compositions "(" Softener compositions for fabrics with a low content of active ingredient, high perfume content, stable "), said application being incorporated herein by this reference. p.- OTHERS twflggt-tfi? t? aff PPrTQ.WM.iff (A) The brighteners The premix, and especially the final dispersion compositions herein may also optionally contain about 0.005% to 5% by weight of certain types of hydrophilic optical brighteners that also provide an inhibition action of dye transfer. . If used, the dispersion compositions herein will preferably comprise about 0.001% to 1% by weight of said optical brighteners. The hydrophilic optical brighteners, useful in the present invention, are those that have the structural formula: wherein R ^ is selected from anilino, N-2-bis-hydroxyethyl and NH-2-hydroxyethyl; R2 is selected from N-2-bis-hydroxyethyl, N-2-hydroxyethyl-N-methylamino, morphino, chloro and amino; and M is a salt-forming cation, such as sodium or potassium. When, in the previous formula, Ri is aniline, R2 is N-2-bis-hydroxyethyl and M is a cation such as sodium, the brightener is 4,4'-bis [(4-anilino-6- (N-2-bis-hydroxyethyl) -s-triazin-2-acid] il) amino] -2,2 '-stilbenedisulfonic acid and the disodium salt. This particular polishing species is sold commercially under the trade name Tinopal-UNPA- ® GX by Ciba Geigy Corporation. Tmopal-UNPA-GX is the preferred hydrophilic optical brightener, useful in the dispersion compositions added in the rinse, of the present.

When, in the previous formula, Ri is aniline, R is N-2-hydroxyethyl-N-2-methylamino and M is a cation, such as sodium, the brightener is the disodium salt of 4,4'-bis [(4-anilino-6- (N-2-hydroxyethyl)] -N-methylamino) -s-triazin-2-yl) amino] -2,2 '-stilbenedisulfonic acid. This particular polishing species is sold commercially under the trade name Tinopal 5BM-GX ®, by Ciba-Geigy Corporation. When, in the above formula, Ri is anilino, R2 is morphino and M is a cation, such as sodium, the brightener is the sodium salt of 4,4 '-bis [(4-anilino-6-morphino-s -triazin-2-yl) amino] -2,2 '-stilbenedisulfonic acid. This particular species is sold commercially under the trade name Tinopal AMS-GX® by Ciba-Geigy Corporation.

(B) - The stabilizers The stabilizers may be present in the premixes and in the final compositions of the present invention. The term "stabilizer", as used herein, includes oxid and reducing agents. These agents are present at a level from 0% to about 2%, preferably from about 0.01% to 0.2%, better still, from about 0.035% to 0.1% for oxid, and better yet, about 0.01% at 0.2% for the reducing agents in the final composition. For the premix, the levels are adjusted depending on the concentrations of the softening active ingredient in the premix and in the final composition. This guares good odor stability under long-term storage conditions. oxid and reducing agent stabilizers are especially critical for unscented or low-scented products (fragrance-free or with low perfume). Examples of oxid that can be added to the compositions of this invention include a mixture of ascorbic acid, ascorbic palmitate, propyl gallate, obtainable from Eastman Chemical Products, Inc., under the trademarks Tenox (R) PG and Tenox (R) Sl; a mixture of BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene), BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole), propyl gallate and citric acid, obtainable from Eastman Chemical Products, Inc., under the trademark TenoxR-6; butylated hydroxytoluene obtainable from UOP Process Division, under the trademark Sustane (R) BHT; tert-butylhydroquinone, Eastman Chemical Products, Inc., as Tenox (R) TBHQ; natural tocopherols, Eastman Chemical Products, Inc. as Tenox (R) GT-1 / GT-2; and butylated hydroxyanisole, Eastman Chemical Products, Inc. as BHA; long chain esters of 8 to 22 carbon atoms of gallic acid, for example, dodecyl gallate; Irganox (R) 1010; irganox (R) 1035; Irganox (R) B 1171; irganox (R) 1425; Irganox (R) 3114; Irganox (R) 3125; and its mixtures; preferably Irganox (R) 3125; Irganox (R) 1425, irganox (R) 3115 and their mixtures, - better still, Irganox (R) 3125 alone or mixed with citric acid and / or other chelating agents such as isopropyl citrate, Deques (R) 2010, obtainable from Mons with the chemical name of 1-hydroxyethylidene-1, 1-diphosphonic acid (etidronic acid) and Tiron®, obtainable from Kodak with a chemical name of sodium salt of 4,5-dihydroxy-m-benzenesulffinic acid and DTPAR, obtainable from Aldrich , with the chemical name of diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid.

In the present invention it is possible to add an optional grinding agent., especially the final dispersion compositions. The addition of the soil release agent can occur in combination with the premix, in combination with the acid / water seat, before or after the electrolyte addition, or after the final composition is made. The final softening composition, prepared by the process of the present invention, may contain from 0% to 10%, preferably from 0.2% to 5%, of a sludge-releasing agent. The concentration in the premix is adjusted to give the desired final concentration. Preferably, said filtering agent is a polymer. The polymeric soil release agents useful in the present invention include copolymer blocks of terephthalate and polyethylene oxide or polypropylene oxide, and the like. A preferred sludge-removing agent is a copolymer having blocks of terephthalate and polyethylene oxide. More specifically, these polymers consist of repeating units of ethylene terephthalate and polyethylene oxide terephthalate, at a molar ratio of ethylene terephthalate units to polyethylene terephthalate units from 25:75 to about 35:65.; said ethylene oxide terephthalate contains polyethylene oxide blocks having approximate molecular weights of from 300 to 2,000. The molecular weight of this polymeric filtering agent is about 5,000 to 55,000. Another preferred polymeric slurry agent is a crystallizable polyester with repeating units of ethylene terephthalate units containing about 10% to 15% by weight of ethylene terephthalate units with about 10% to 50% by weight of polyoxyethylene terephthalate units. , derived from a polyoxyethylene glycol of average molecular weight of approximately 300 to 6,000; and the molar ratio of ethylene terephthalate units to polyoxyethylene terephthalate units in the crystallizable polymer compound is between 2: 1 and 6: 1. Examples of this polymer include the commercially available materials Zelcon 4780® (from DuPont) and Milease T® (from ICI). The most preferred soil release agents are polymers of the generic formula: X-- (0CH2CH2) p (0-C-R14-C-0R15) u (0-C-R14-0C-0) (CH2CH20-) nX in which each X can be a suitable crown group, being selected typically each x of the group consisting of H and alkyl or acyl groups containing about 1 to 4 carbon atoms. P is selected for solubility in water and, in general, is about 6 to 113, preferably about 20 to 50. The u value is critical for the formulation in a liquid composition having a relatively high ionic strength. There must be very little material in which u is greater than 10. Additionally, there must be at least 20%, preferably at least 40%, of material in which u varies from 3 to 5, approximately. The R14 portions are essentially 1,4-phenylene portions. As used herein, the term "the R14 portions are essentially l, 4-phenylene portions" refers to the compound in which the R14 portions consist entirely of 1,4-phenylene portions or are partially substituted with other arylene portions or alkarylene, alkylene portions, alkenylene portions or mixtures thereof. The arylene and alkarylene portions which may be partially substituted by 1,4-phenylene include: 1,3-phenylene, 1,2-phenylene, 1,8-naphthylene, 1-naphthylene, 2,2-biphenylene, 4,4 -biphenylene and its mixtures. The alkylene and alkenylene portions which may be partially substituted include: 1, 2-propylene, 1,4-butylene, 1,5-pentylene, 1,6-hexamethylene, 1,7-heptamethylene, 1,8-octamethylene, 1, 4-cyclohexylene and its mixtures.

For the R14 portions, the degree of partial substitution with different portions of 1,4-phenylene should be such that the soil loosening properties of the compound are not adversely affected, to any great extent. In general, the degree of partial substitution that can be tolerated will depend on the length of the skeleton of the compound; that is, the longer skeletons may have higher partial substitution for the 1, 4-phenylene portions. Usually, compounds in which R14 comprises about 50% to 100% of 1,4-phenylene portions (from 0% to 50% of different portions of 1,4-phenylene) have suitable soil loosening activity. For example, polyesters made in accordance with the present invention, with a 40:60 molar ratio of isophthalic acid (1,3-phenylene) to terephthalic acid (1, -phenylene) have adequate soil loosening activity. However, since most of the polyesters used in the formation of the fibers comprise ethylene terephthalate units, it is usually convenient to minimize the degree of partial substitution with different portions of 1,4-phenylene, for better water-loosening activity. dirt. Preferably, the R14 portions consist entirely of (i.e., comprise 100%) of 1,4-phenylene portions, ie, each R14 portion is 1,4-phenylene. For portions R15, suitable ethylene or substituted ethylene portions include: ethylene, 1,2-propylene, 1,2-butylene, 1,2-hexylene, 3-methoxy-1,2-propylene and mixtures thereof. Preferably the portions R15 are essentially ethylene portions, 1,2-propylene moieties or mixtures thereof. The inclusion in a greater percentage of the ethylene portions tends to improve the soil loosening activity of the compounds. Surprisingly, the inclusion of a higher percentage of 1,2-propylene portions tends to improve the water solubility of the compounds. Accordingly, the use of 1,2-propylene portions or a similar branched equivalent, is convenient for the incorporation of any substantial part of the dirt-releasing component into the liquid, fabric softening dispersion compositions. Preferably, about 75% to about 100% are 1, 2-propylene moieties. The value for each p is at least about 6, and preferably at least about 10. The value for each n usually varies from about 12 to about 113. Typically, the value for each p is on the scale Approximately 12 to 43. A more complete description of the grubbing agents is contained in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,661,267 to Decker, Konig, Straathof and Gosselink, issued April 28, 1987; 4,711,730, Gosselink and Diehl, issued December 8, 1987; 4,749,596 to Evans, Huntington, Stewart, Wolf and Zimmerer, issued June 7, 1988; 4,818,569, by Trinh, Gosselink and Rattinger, issued April 4, 1989; 4,877,896, by Maldonado, Trinh and Gosselink, issued on Oer 31, 1989; 4,956,447 of Gosselink and co-inventors, issued on September 11, 1990 and 4,976,879, of Maldonado, Trinh and Gosselink, issued on December 11, 1990; all these patents are incorporated herein by reference. These soil release agents can also act as foam dispersants.

THE FOAM DISPERSANT In the present invention, the premix can be combined with an optional foam dispersant, different from the soil release agent, and can be heated to a temperature equal to or greater than the melting point (s) of the components. The preferred foam dispersants are formed by strongly ethoxylating the hydrophobic materials. The hydrophobic material can be a fatty alcohol, a fatty acid, a fatty amine, a fatty acid amide, an amine oxide, a quaternary ammonium compound, or the hydrophobic portions used to form soil release polymers. Preferred foam dispersants are strongly ethoxylated, for example, more than about 17, preferably more than about 25, better still, more than about 40 moles of ethylene oxide per molecule on average, with the polyethylene oxide moiety being about 76% to about 97%, preferably about 81% to 94% of the total molecular weight. The level of foam dispersant is sufficient to maintain the foam at an acceptable level, preferably not noticeable to the consumer, under the conditions of use; but not enough to adversely affect the smoothing. For certain purposes it is convenient that the foam is non-existent. Depending on the amount of anionic or non-ionic detergent, etc., used in the wash cycle of a typical laundry process, the efficiency of the rinse steps prior to the introduction of the dispersion compositions of the present and the the hardness of the water, the amount of anionic or non-ionic detergent surfactant and builder (especially the phosphates and zeolites) trapped in the (wash) fabric will vary. Normally, the minimum amount of foam dispersant should be used to avoid adversely affecting the softening properties. Typically, the foam dispersion requires at least about 2%, preferably at least about 4% (at least 6% and preferably at least 10% for maximum foam avoidance) based on the level of active ingredient softener. However, at approximate levels of 10% (relative to the softening material) or more, there is a risk of losing the softening efficacy of the product, especially when the fabrics contain high proportions of nonionic surfactant, which has been absorbed during the washing operation. . Preferred foam dispersants are Brij 700®, Varonic U-250®, Genapol T-500®, Genapol T-800®, Plurafac A-79®, Plurafac A-79® and Neodol 25-50®. i___] BACTERICIDES Examples of bactericides used in the premixes and / or in the final dispersion compositions of this invention include: glutaraldehyde, formaldehyde, 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol, sold by Inolex Chemicals, located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania , E. u. A., under the tradename Bronopol®, and a mixture of 5-chloro-2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one and 2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one, sold by Rohm and Haas Company, under the commercial name Kathon CG / ICP®. Typical levels of bactericides used in the dispersion compositions herein are about 1 to 1,000 ppm by weight of the agent. ! ____ THE AQBNTBS QÜBLATADQRBS The final dispersion compositions and methods of the present invention may optionally employ one or more copper and / or nickel chelating agents ("chelators"). Said water-soluble chelating agents can be selected from the group consisting of aminocarboxylates, aminophosphonates, aromatic chelating agents, polyfunctionally substituted and their mixtures; everything as defined later. The whiteness and / or the brightness of the fabrics are substantially improved or restored by said chelating agents and the stability of the materials in the dispersion compositions is improved. Aminocarboxylates useful as chelating agents herein include: ethylenediaminetetraacetates (EDTA), N-hydroxyethylenediylenediamine triacetates, nitrilotriacetatos (NTA), ethylendiaminotetra-propionates, ethylene diamine-NN '-diglutamates, 2-hydroxypropylene-diamino-N, N' -disuccinates, triethylenetetraaminohexaacetates, diethylenetriaminepentaacetates (DETPA), and ethanoldiglicines, which include their water-soluble salts, such as the alkali metal, ammonium and substituted ammonium salts and their mixtures. The aminophosphonates are also suitable for use as chelating agents in the dispersion compositions of the invention, when at least low levels of total phosphorus are allowed in the dispersion detergent compositions, and include: ethylenediaminetetracis (methylenephosphonates), diethylenetriamine-N, N, N ", N", N "-pentacis (methane-phosphonate) (DETMP) and 1-hydroxyethane-1-l-diphosphonate (HEDP). Preferably these aminophosphonates do not contain alkyl or alkenyl groups with more than about 6 carbon atoms. The chelating agents are typically used in the present rinse process at levels of approximately 2 ppm to 25 ppm, for periods of 1 minute until soaking for several hours.The preferred EDDS chelator used here (also known as N, N'-ethylenediamine disuccinate) is the material described in U.S. Patent 4,704,233, cited hereinabove, and has the formula (shown in the form of the free acid): As described in the patent, EDDS can be prepared using maleic anhydride and ethylenediamine. The preferred, biodegradable [S, S] isomer of EDDS can be prepared by reacting L-aspartic acid with 1,2-dibromoethane. EDDS has advantages over other chelators, since it is effective for chelating copper and nickel cations, is available in a biodegradable form and does not contain phosphorus. The EDDS employed herein as a chelator is typically in the form of its salt, wherein one or more of the four acid hydrogens is (are) replaced by a water-soluble M cation, such as sodium, potassium, ammonium, triethanolammonium. and similar. As noted above, the EDDS chelator is also typically used in the rinse procedure herein at approximate levels of 2 ppm to 25 ppm, for periods of 1 minute until soaking for several hours. At certain pH values, the EDDS is preferably used in combination with zinc cations. As you can see from the above, you can use a wide variety of chelators here. In fact, simple polycarboxylates, such as citrate, oxydisuccinate and the like, can also be used, although such chelators are not as effective as aminocarboxylates and phosphonates, on a weight basis. Consequently, the levels of use can be adjusted to take into account the degrees of difference in the effectiveness of ironing. Chelators of the present will preferably have a stability constant (of the fully ionized chelator) for the copper ions of at least about 5, preferably at least about 7. Typically, the chelating agents will comprise about 0.5% to 10% , better still, from 0.75% to 5%, by weight of the dispersion compositions herein. Preferred chelators include DETMP, DETPA, NTA, EDDS and mixtures thereof. 131 OPTIONAL VISCOSITY / DISPERSABILITY MODIFIERS The relatively concentrated, final dispersion compositions containing the unsaturated diester quaternary ammonium compounds herein can be prepared so that they are stable without the addition of concentration aids. However, the dispersion compositions of the present invention may require organic and / or inorganic concentration aids, to reach even higher concentrations and / or to satisfy higher stability standards, depending on the other ingredients. These concentration aids which can typically be viscosity modifiers may be necessary or preferred to ensure stability under extreme conditions, when particular levels of active softener are used. The surfactant concentration aids typically are selected from the group consisting of: (1) long chain single cationic alkyl surfactants, - (2) nonionic surfactants, - (3) amine oxides; (4) fatty acids and (5) mixtures of them. These auxiliaries are described in the pending Procter & amp; Gamble Serial No. 08 / 461,207, filed on June 5, 1995, Wahl and co-inventors, specifically on page 14, line 12 to page 20, line 12, which is incorporated herein by this reference. Fatty acids containing about 12 to 18 carbon atoms, especially about 16 to 18 carbon atoms, are suitable additives for this purpose, since they can provide additional softening. Fatty acids containing about 12 to 18 carbon atoms, especially 16 to 18 carbon atoms, are suitable additives for this purpose since they can provide additional softening.

(H) Other Optional Ingredients The present invention may include optional components conventionally used in compositions for the treatment of textiles, for example: colorants, preservatives, surfactants, anti-shrinkage agents, fabric-binding agents, soil-removing agents, germicides, fungicides, agents anticorrosion and the like. The present invention may also include other compatible ingredients, including those described in pending applications Nos. 08 / 372,068, filed January 12, 1995, Rusche and co-inventors.; 08 / 372,490, filed on January 12, 1995, by Shaw and co-inventors, - and 08 / 277,558, filed July 19, 1994 by Hartman and co-inventors, incorporated herein by this reference.

PROCESSING ASPECTS The premixes comprise the softening active ingredient A (about 50% to 85%, preferably about 60% to 80%, better yet, about 65% to 75% by weight of the premix); perfume B (up to about 50% for compositions with high perfume content and little active ingredient, and less than about 25%, preferably around 0.5% to 15%, better still, about 1% to 10% in weight of the premix, for the most normal compositions, with a high concentration of softener); optionally, low molecular weight alcohol C (from about 5% to 20%, preferably from about 5% to 17%, better yet, about 5% to 15% by weight of the premix); optionally, the organic solvent system D, soluble in water, (from about 10% to 30%, preferably from about 13% to 25%, better yet, about 15% to 20% by weight of the premix), - and optionally, the dispersibility aid E (about 2% to 35%, preferably from 3% to 25%, better still, about 4% to 15% by weight of the premix). Perfume B is usually sufficient to provide the desired viscosity but, in any case, reduces the level of solvent C necessary to obtain the desired viscosities. These premixes contain the desired amount of active ingredient A fabric softener, of perfume B (an effective amount but less than about 25%, preferably less than about 15% and, better yet, less than about 10%) and , optionally, of the low molecular weight alcohol C; and also, optionally, the organic solvent D, soluble in water, to give the premix the desired viscosity for the desired temperature scale. Typical viscosities suitable for processing are less than about 1000 cps, preferably less than about 500 cps, better still, less than about 300 cps. The final compositions can be made by adding a preheated softener premix to a preheated water seat, but preferably they are made at room temperature. The use of low temperatures improves safety by minimizing solvent evaporation, minimizes degradation and / or loss of materials such as the biodegradable fabric softener active ingredient, perfumes, preservatives, etc., and reduces the need to heat thereby saving processing costs. The result is an improved environmental impact and safety, from the manufacturing operation.

Examples of premixes and methods that use them include premixes typically containing about 55% to 85%, preferably about 60% to 80%, better still, about 65% to 75% of active ingredient fabric softener, as exemplified in the examples that follow, mixed with about 0.5% to 25% of perfume B and of about 5% to 20%, preferably of about 5% to 15% of solvent C soluble in water, such as ethanol and / or isopropanol. Some preferred fabric softening compositions that can be prepared using the premixes herein comprise: A. about 15% to 50%, preferably about 16% to 35%, better still, about 17% to 30% on weight of the composition, of fabric softening active ingredient, biodegradable, selected from the group consisting of: 1.- softener having the formula: wherein each R substituent is a short chain alkyl or hydroxyalkyl group, of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, preferably of 1 to 3 carbon atoms, for example, methyl (most preferred), ethyl, propyl, hydroxyethyl and the like; benzyl or its mixtures; each m is 2 or 3; each n is from 1 to around 4; each Y is -0- (0) C- or -C (0) -0 -, - the sum of carbons in each Rl plus one, when Y is -0- (0) C-, is from 6 to 22, preferably from 14 to 20, each being a hydrocarbyl, or substituted hydrocarbyl group, preferably alkyl, monounsaturated alkylene and polyunsaturated alkylene groups, the softening agent containing alkylene polyunsaturated groups containing about 3%, preferably at least about 5%, better still, at least about 10% and still better at least about 15%, the weight of the softening active ingredient total present (as used herein, the "softener active ingredient percent" that contains a given Rl group, is based on taking a percentage of the total active ingredient that is based on the percentage that the given Rl group is with respect to to the total of Rl groups present); the active ingredients preferably contain mixtures of Rl, especially within the individual molecules and optionally but preferably, the saturated Rl groups comprising branched chains, for example, of isostearic acid, for at least part of the saturated Rl groups, the total of active ingredients represented by the branched chain groups, preferably, about 1% to 90%, preferably about 10% to 70%, even better, about 20% to 50% (as used herein, the iodine value of an "original" grade acid or a "corresponding" fatty acid is used to define a level of unsaturation for a Rl group that is equal to the level of unsaturation that would be present in a fatty acid containing the same R1 group ); and wherein the counterion X-can be any anion compatible with the softener, preferably chloride, bromide or nitrate, better still, chloride; 2.- Softener that has the formula: wherein each Y, R, Rl and X (-) have the same meanings as before (including said compounds those having the formula: [CH3] 3N (+) [CH2CH (CH20C (0) R1) 0C (0) R1] C1. { ") especially when C (0) RI is derived from mixtures of Rl groups containing some saturated fatty acid, some unsaturated fatty acid, for example, oleic, and some polyunsaturated fatty acid, with some optionally branched Rl groups (preferably), such as isostearylic fatty acid and, preferably, each R is a methyl or ethyl group and preferably each Rl is on the scale of 15 to 20 carbon atoms, branching degrees and unsaturation being present in the alkyl chains), - and 3. its mixtures, the fabric softening active ingredient being in the form of a stable dispersion, and B. the rest water and, optionally, around 5% to 30%, preferably around 8% to 25%, better still, about 10% to 20% by weight of the composition, of water-soluble organic solvent, the viscosity of the composition being less than about 500 cps, preferably less than about 400 cps, better still, less than about 200 cps; yr emanating less than about 1000 cps, preferably less than about 500 cps, better still, less than about 200 cps, after freezing and thawing. Particularly preferred optional ingredients for use in compositions of this type include water-soluble ionizable calcium and / or magnesium salts, which provide desired viscosity and / or additional stability. Chloride salts are preferred, but acetate, nitrate, etc. salts can also be used. The level of the calcium and / or magnesium salts is from 0% to around 2%, preferably around 0.05% to 0.5%, better yet, around 0.1% to 0.25%. Sodium salts such as NaCl can also be used, especially for compositions containing low levels of softening active ingredients. These materials are conveniently used in the water and / or the acid (water seat) to prepare the final compositions. The pH of the final compositions should be about 1 to 7, preferably about 1.5 to 5, better still, about 2 to 3.5. Normally the pH is adjusted using a low molecular weight acid, preferably a mineral acid, better still, HCl. Other acids, including nitric acid, acetic acid, etc., can be used to give the pH. Other compositions that can be prepared using the premixes herein include the "clear" compositions described in the pending applications, all entitled "Concentrated, Stable, Preferable Clear, Fabric Softening Composition" ("Fabric softening composition, stable, preferably clear ") filed concurrently with the present, which have the proxy case numbers: 6009, 6010, 6011, 6012, 6013, 6014, 6015, 6016, 6017, 6018, 6019, 6020, 6021 and 6022, said applications being incorporated here by reference. Other compositions of low softener content and high perfume content, described in the pending application by Cristina Avila-García and co-inventors, serial number, presented on, for "Stable High Perfume, Low-Active Fabric Softener Compositions" (" "Softener compositions of fabrics with low content of active ingredient, high content of perfume, stable"), - said application being previously incorporated herein by reference, can be prepared using premixes including liquid fabric softening compositions, of normal concentration, for use in the rinse cycle of a laundry washing process, the compositions comprising: (a) from about 0.4% to 5% cationic fabric softener; (b) about 0.3% to 1.2% hydrophobic perfume; (c) about 0.4% to 5% of dispersibility aid, nonionic surfactant, - (d) from 0% to about 1% ionizable inorganic salt, soluble in water; (e) around 90% to 98.5% water; and (f) from 0% to about 2% of other ingredients; the ratio of cationic softener to perfume being about 1: 3 to 5: 1; the ratio of cationic softener to nonionic surfactant being from about 1: 2 to 4: 1 and the amount of cationic softener plus nonionic surfactant being about 1% to 7%. The compositions consist of a liquid aqueous phase with discrete hydrophobic particles, substantially uniformly dispersed herein. The compositions preferably have a viscosity of about 50 cp to 500 cp. The premixes can be used to formulate final compositions in simple procedures, at ambient temperatures, comprising the steps of: 1. Mixing the fabric softening active ingredient, for example, about 72% DEQA1, containing about 11% ethanol and the perfume, for example, about 5%, to constitute the premix 2. Form the water, water and HCl seat at room temperature. Optionally, add the chelator. 3. Add the premix to the water under good agitation. 4. Trim with CaC12 solution to the desired viscosity.

. Add the dye solution to obtain the desired color. The fabric softening active ingredients (DEQA), - the perfume and, optionally, the water soluble solvents, can be formulated as premixes of the following mat: EXAMPLES I - IV OF PRBMBZCLA Component Example I Example II Example III Example IV% by weight% by weight% by weight% by weight DEQA1 (100% 76.5 80.75 active ingredient) DDEEQQAA55 ((110000 %% - - 76.5 80.75 active ingredient) Perfume 10 5 10 5 Ethanol 13.5 14.25 13.5 14.25 TToottaall 110000 100 100 100 Approximate viscosity 310 275 400 345 (cps) The above premixes can be used to formulate final compositions, using the above procedure, the compositions having the following formulas.

COMPOSITIONS 1-4 IN DISPERSION. SOFTENERS. FINALS Component Comp. 1 Comp.2 Comp. 3 Comp. 4% by weight in weight% in weight% in weight Premix of 13.07 6.54 Example I Premix of 12.38 6.19 Example II DEQA1 (100% 10 10 in active ingredient) Perfume 1.31 0.62 0.65 0.31 Ethanol 1.76 1.76 0.88 0.88 HCl (solution 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 at 25%) CaC12 0.25 0.25 1000 ppm 720 ppm Deionized water rest rest rest rest Total 100 100 100 100 viscosity appro25 15 15 18 ximada approximate pH 3.0 3.0 3.1 3.0 COMPOSITIONS 5-8 BN DISPERSION. SOFTENERS. FINALBS Component Comp. 5 Comp. 6 Comp. 7 Comp. 8% e that% by weight% by weight% in ££££ Premix of 13.07 6.54 Example III Premix of - - 12.38 6.19 Example IV DEQA5 (100% 10 10 in active ingredient) Perfume 1.31 0.62 0.65 0.31 Ethanol 1.76 1.76 0.88 0.88 HCl (solution 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 at 25%) CaC12 0.25 0.25 1000 ppm 720 ppm Deionized water rest rest rest rest Total Viscosity Approx 15 13 10 ximada Approximate pH 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.1 PRBMBZCLA OF EXAMPLES V - VIII Component Example V Example VI Example VII Example VIII% by weight% by weight% by weight% by weight DEQA1 (100% 48.2 49.8 in active ingredient) DEQA5 (100% 48.2 49.8 in active ingredient) Perfume 6.3 3.1 6.3 3.1 Ethanol 12.2 12.6 12.2 12.6 1, 2-hexanediol 33.3 34.5 33.3 34.5 Total 100 100 100 100 Approximate viscosity - - - - - -ximate (cps) The above premixes can be used to formulate clear final compositions in the following manner.

COMPOSITIONS 9-12 SUAVIZ DORAS, FIM? LBS. CLEAR Component Comp. 9 Comp. 10 Comp. 11 Comp. 12% by weight% by weight% by weight% by weight Premix of 34 Example V Premix of 32.2 Example VI Premix of 34 Example VII Premix of 32.2 Example VIII DEQA1 (100% 26 26 in active ingredient DEQA5 (100% 26 26 in ingredient active Perfume 3.4 1.6 3.4 1.6 Ethanol 6.6 6.6 6. 6 6.6 1,2-hexanediol 18 18 18 18 HCl (solution 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 at 25%) Deionized water rest rest rest rest Total 100 100 100 100 Viscosity appro25 25 23 25 ximada (cps) PRBMBZCLA PB LOS IX - XI Component Example IX Example X Example XI Example XII% in that% e eSQ% by weight% by weight DEQA10 (100% 54.9 - - - - - -in active ingredient) DEQAll (100% 25.9 - - - - - -in active ingredient) DEQA12 (100% - - 80.75 - - - -in active ingredient) DEQA1 - - - - 52.5 - - DEQA5 - - - - - - 52.5 DEQA13 - - - - 28.3 28.3 Perfume 5 5 5 5 Ethanol 14.25 14.25 14.25 14.25 Total 100 100 100 100 DEQA10 N, N-di (tallowoyloxyethyl) -N, N-dimethylammonium chloride DEQAll Di (partially hydrogenated soyaoyloxyethyl) -N, N-dimethylammonium chloride.

DEQA12 N, N-di (acyloxyethyl) -N, N-dimethylammonium chloride, wherein the acyl group is derived from a mixture of tallow fatty acids and partially hydrogenated soybean in an approximate weight ratio of 68:32. DEQA13 N, N-di (isosteroyloxyethyl) -N, N-dimethylammonium chloride.

Claims (8)

NOVELTY DB THE INVENTION CLAIMS

1. - A fabric softening pre-mix composition, useful for preparing final compositions, characterized in that it comprises: (A) about 50% to 85% of fabric softening active, selected from the group consisting of: (1) fabric softening compound which has the formula: [(R) 4- m N (+) t (CH2) n - Y Rx] m] X (-) (1) wherein each substituent R is a short chain alkyl or hydroxyalkyl group, of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, benzyl or their mixtures, - each m is 2 or 3; each n is from 1 to around 4; each Y is -0- (0) C- or -C (0) -0 -, - the sum of carbons in each Rl plus one, when Y is -0- (0) C- is from 6 to 22 atoms of carbon, where R 1 is a hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl substituent; and the iodine value of a fatty acid containing this group R1 is about 60 to 140; (2) fabric softening compound having the formula: (2) where each Y, R, Rl and X (-) have the same meanings as before; and (3) their mixtures; (B) an amount effective to provide perfume effects in the final composition, and to improve the processability of the premix compositions; but less than about 25% perfume; (C) optionally, an effective amount, sufficient to decrease the viscosity, of water soluble, low molecular weight solvents; (D) optionally, less than about 40% by weight of the premix composition, of water soluble organic solvent having a boiling point of less than 85 ° C, to lower the viscosity; and (E) optionally, an effective amount, sufficient to disperse the perfume and / or the softening active ingredient.

2. - The fabric softening premix composition according to claim 1, further characterized in that it comprises: (A) about 60% to 80% of fabric softening active ingredient, selected from the group consisting of: (1) compound fabric softener that has the formula: [(R) 4-m N (+) [(CH2) n R] m (-) (1) wherein each substituent R is a short chain alkyl or hydroxyalkyl group, of 1 to 3 carbon atoms, benzyl or their mixtures, - each m is 2; each n is from 2 to around 3; each Y is -0- (0) C -, - the sum of carbon atoms in each Rl plus one, is from 14 to 20; the iodine value of the corresponding fatty acid, of this group R1 is around 70 to 130; and the total level of polyunsaturated acyl groups, comprising R1, is about 1% to 30%; (2) fabric softening compound having the formula: wherein each Y, R, R1 and X (-) have the same meanings as before, - and (3) mixtures thereof, - (B) about 0.5% to 15% perfume; (C) optionally, about 0% to 20% of a low molecular weight alcohol, selected from the group consisting of ethanol, isopropanol, n-propanol and mixtures thereof; (D) optionally about 10% to 30% water soluble organic solvent; and (E) optionally, about 2% to 35% of the dispersing aid.

3. - Fabric softening premix composition according to claim 2, further characterized in that it comprises: (A) about 65% to 75% of the fabric softening active ingredient, said fabric softening active ingredient being: (1) compound fabric softener having the formula: [(R) 4-mN (+) - [(CH2) nY-Rx] m] ^] (-) (1) wherein each R substituent is a chain alkyl or hydroxyalkyl group cuts from 1 to 3 carbon atoms, benzyl or their mixtures; each m is 2; each n is from 2 to around 3; for each RI the iodine value of the corresponding fatty acid is approximately 80 to 115; and the total level of polyunsaturated acyl groups comprising Rl is from about 1% to about 25%; (B) about 1% to 20% perfume, - (C) optionally, about 5% to 15%, and sufficient to improve the viscosity, of said low molecular weight alcohol; (D) optionally, from 12% to 25% of the water soluble organic solvent, - and (E) optionally, about 3% to 25% of the dispersing aid.

4. The fabric softening premix composition according to claim 3, further characterized in that it contains: (A) about 65% to 75% by weight of the premix composition, of the fabric softener wherein each n is 2; each R1 is a straight-chain alkyl or alkylene, with a chain length of 13 to 17 carbon atoms; the total level of polyunsaturated acyl groups, which comprises Rl, is about 5% to 18%, and the cis / trans ratio is about 1: 1 to 50: 1; (B) about 1% to 5% by weight of the perfume premix composition; (C) optionally, about 5% to 15%, and sufficient to improve the viscosity, of low molecular weight alcohol, - (D) optionally, about 13% to 20% of the water soluble organic solvent; and (E) optionally, about 4% to 15% of the dispersing aid.

5. The fabric softening premix composition according to claim 1, further characterized in that the softening active ingredient contains up to about 20% of the monoester compound, wherein m is 2 and YR1 is H or -C (0) 0H .

6. - The process for preparing a final fabric softening composition by adding the premix composition of claim 1 to a water seat comprising water, acid to create an approximate pH of 1.5 to 5 and, optionally, an effective amount of a calcium or magnesium salt soluble in water, and mixing.

7. - The process for preparing a final fabric softening composition, by adding the premix composition of claim 2 to a water seat comprising water, acid to create a pH of about 1.5 to 5 and, optionally, an effective amount of water. calcium salt and / or magnesium soluble in water, and mixing.

8. The process for preparing a final fabric softening composition, by adding the premix composition of claim 4 to a water seat comprising water, acid to create a pH of about 1.5 to 5 and, optionally, an effective amount of water. a calcium and / or magnesium salt soluble in water, and mixing. RBSÜMHN DB LA IMvTMCIOM Biodegradable fabric softening pre-mix compositions containing both biodegradable softening actives having substantial unsaturation and perfume are described; the premixes can be added at room temperature to acid-containing water, to provide a pH of about 1.5 to about 5 to form finished compositions; the water also contains calcium and / or magnesium salt to modify the viscosity. CR / cgt * P98 / 1031F