CA1186458A - Method for simultaneously washing and softening fabrics in an automatic washer and compositions therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

Abstract:

Methods of simultaneously washing, softening, and controlling static electricity in an automatic washer are disclosed. In accordance with these methods a composition of this invention is added to an automatic washer along with a conventional detergent and the fabrics to be laundered, each of which is added at the initiation of the wash cycle.
The compositions disclosed contain a primary secondary or tertiary amine or a salt thereof. These compositions are either in a granular form, which contains an adjuvant and a particulate amine having a particle size of less than 420 microns, or in a liquid form, which is aqueous based with a pH of less than 7 and contains an acid and a salt of one of the amine compounds.

Description

~ETHOD FOR SIMULTANEOUSLY WASHING ~ND
SOFTENING FABRICS IN AN AUTOMATIC WASHER AND
CO~OSITIONS THEREFOR

Background of the Invention -This invention relates to methods for providing a softened quality and control of static electricity to fabrics being laundered during the laundering process. More particularly, this invention relates . to methods for providing these bene~its simultaneously with the washing operation, where the washing process employs conventional laundry detergent compositions.
Inclusive in these methods are the compositions employed to achieve these benefits.
For years fabric softening and oontrol o~ static electricity, in the context of a home laundry has been accomplished by adding a liquid fabric softener, during the rinse cycle of the automatic washer.
Addition of the fabric softener during the rinse cycle rather than at the initiation of the was~ cycle was required, ~ecause prior art fabric softeners which are cationic in nature are chemically i~compatible with conventional laundr~ detergent~, which ~re generally anionic. Since these fabric softeners had to be added during the rinse cycle, the washer had to be monitored to determine ~hen the rinse cycle be~an, thus making the process ~f adding the softener inconvenient for the consumer.
To overcome the inconvenience of monitoring the washer to determine when the softener should be added, various attempts have b~en made to develop compositions which are compatible with conventional detergents, so that r ~
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~ 2 -the fabric so:Etener could be added along with a deter~
gent at the initiation of the wash cycle, without sacrificing the beneficial effects of the sb~tener or substantially interfering with the cleaning ef~iciency of the detergent. The following are exemplary of the types of so~tening and static con~rol compositions which ha~e bæen developed for addition to a home laundry at the initiation of ~he wash cycle~
U.S. Patent 3,936,537 to Baskerville Jr. et al discloses detergent compatible fabric softening and anti-static compositions containing conventional cationic quaternary ammonium compounds or imidazolinium compounds which are intimately mixed with organi~ dispersion inhibitors to ~orm discrete particles. The organic dispersion inhibitors keep the cationic compounds from absorbing water and dispersing in the wash water ~here they would react with the detergents, resulting in a loss in detergency and the effectiveness oE the softener.
According to the patentees, the discrete softener con-taining particles are deposited on the ~abrics duxing the laundry operation, however, they impart their bene-ficial properties when the fabrics are subse~uently dried in an automatic dryer.
U.S. Patent 4,184,970 to Draper, Jr. also discloses detergent compatible antistatic and fabric so~tenin~
compositions containing water-soluble neutral or alkaline salts, prills of quaternary ammonium compounds intimately muxed with organic dispersion inhibitors and water.
The quaternary ammoni~m compounds of these compositions are complexed with anionic complexing components prior to being prilled and then mixed with a dispersion inhibi~or.
According to the patentee, this insures that the ~uaternary r~ r 6 4 $ 8 compounds remain non-reactive in the wash water of an ~utomatic machine S3 that they will be deposited directly onto the fabrics in the machine without reacting with the detergent. Although the particles of these composi-tions are deposited on the fabrics during the wash, their beneficial properties, of softening and static control, are achieved in the dryer where the particles are melted.
Other examples of so~tener compositions which are compatible with anionic detergents are U.S. Patent 4,166,794 to Grey which discloses a compositions con-taining a water-soluble peroxygen bleaching agent, a cationic amine softener compound and ~later; and Canadian Patent 1,060,604 to Johnson et al which also discloses a composition containing an inorganic peroxygen hleach and a cationic nitrogen containing softening compound.
In contrast to the preceding prior art compositions, the present invent.ion teaches the use of nitrogen con-tai.niny softening agents without dispersion inhibitors or peroxygen bleaching agents. Further, the present invention is based on the use of relatively small amounts o~ a primary, secondary, or tertiary amine or salts thereof, rather thah on the conventional quaternary or imidazolinium nitrogen containing so~tening compounds.
Summary of the Invention It is an object of the present invention ~o provide a method for simultaneously washing, softening and con-txolling static electricity in fabrics being laundered in an automatic washer. It is a further object of this invention to provide compositions which are capable of achieving these results of softening and controlling static electricity simultaneously with the washing process.

4 _ It is yet a further object of this invention to pxovide compositions for softening and controlling static electricity which are compatible with conven-tional anionic detergents; thus permitting the addition of these compositions to a washer at the initiation of a wash cycle. It is yet an even further object of the present invention to accomplish softening and static electricity control with relatively minor amounts of a softening agent.
Thus the present invention provides a process of soften-ing fabrics in an automatic washer during the wash cycle of the automatic washer which comprises the steps of: (a) adding a premeasured amount of a conventional laundry deter-gent and fabrics to be laundered to the washer; (b) acti-vating the washer so that the tub of the washer fills with water; (c) adding an effective amount of: (i) a granular material containing a mixture of an adjuvant and a particle nitrogen containi.ng compound having a particle size of less than 420 microns and said nitrogen containing compound being selected from the group consisting of primary amines, secondary amines, tertiary am.ines, and the acetate, sulfate or hydrochloride salts thereof~ wherein said amines and their salts have at lea.st one straight chain organic radical of between 8 and 22 carbon atoms and wherein the ratio of adjuvant to nitrogen containing compound is from about 15:1 to about 2:1; or (ii) an aqueous based composition having a pH of less than 7 and containing a nitrogen con-taining compound selected from the group consisting of the acetate, sulfate, and hydrochloride salts of primary, secondary, or tertiary, amines having at least one straight chain organic radical of between 8 and 22 carbon atoms; and (d) operating the washer through all of its cycles.
In another embodiment the present invention p.rovides a fabric conditioning composition adapted to condition fabrics in an automatic washer comprised of: (a) an adjuvant selected from the group consisting of sodium .,. . -..,~

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- 4a -sesquicarbonate, sodium horate decahydrate, sodium carbonate, sodium sulfate, sodium tripolyphosphate, sodium silicate, trisodium nitrilotriacetate; (b) an effective amount of a particulate nitrogen containing compound selected from the group consisting of primary arnines, secondary amines, tertiary amines, mixtures thereof, and their acetate, h~dro-chloride and sulfate salts, wherein said nitrogen co.ntaining compounds have at least one straight chain organic radical of between 8 and 22 carbon atoms, and having a particle size of less than 4~0 microns; wherein the weight ratio of adjuvant to nitrogen containing compound is from about 15:1 to about 2:1.
In still a further embodiment the invention provides a laundry detergent composition comprising: (a) from 0.5 to about 20~ by weight of a detergent compound selected from the group consisting of anionic surfactants and mixtures of anionic and nonionic surfactants, and (b) from 99.5 to about 80~ of a fabric conditioning composition adapted to condition fabrics in the wash cycle of an automatic washer consisting essentially of: (i) an adjuvant selected from the group of sodium sesquicarbonate, sodiurn borate decahydrate, sodium carbonate, sodium sulfate/ sodium tripolyphosphate, sodium silicate, trisodium nitrilotriacetate/ and (ii) a particulate nitroyen-containing compound selected from the group con-~5 sisting of primary amines, secondary arnines, tertiary arnines,and mixtures thereof, and their acetate t hydrochloride and sulfate salts, wherein said nitrogen-containing compounds have at least one straight chain organic radical of between 8 to 22 carbon atoms, and have a particle size of less than 420 microns, the weight ratio of adjuvant to nitrogen-containing compound being from about 15:1 to about 2:1.

~' - 4h -The present invention is based on the discovery that nitrogen containing compounds of the primary, secondary, or tertiary amine type which are in a particulate form having a particle size of below about 420 microns can be added to an automatic washer at the beginning of the wash cycle along with conventional anionic detergents. In addition to adding these nitrogen containing compounds directly to the ~lasher in particulate form, it has been found that aqueous based solutions having a pH of less than 7 and con-taining certain salts of primary, secondary, or tertiary amines can be added to the washer at the initiation of the wash cycle. Due to the alkalinity of the wash water in the machine, there will be a reaction which causes the nitrogen containing compounds to precipitate out of solution. The resultin~ precipi-tate is in a particulate form having a particle size of less than 420 microns.

When added either directly in a particulate form or in an ~queous based solution which will react to form a precipitate of the requisite particulate form, these compositions will be deposited on the fabrics being laundered to impart both a softening effect and a reduction in the static charges on the fabrics being ~ . r ~ 6~

laundered~ It has been found that only relatively minor amounts of these nitrogen containing compounds need be used to produce the desired effect. This, coupled with the nature of the material being used and its particulate form, results in a minor effect on detergency.
This invention encompasses a method of simultaneously cleaning, softening and providing antistatic benefits to fabrics which comprise the steps of adding to an aqueous laundry bath at the beginning of a wash cycle, fabrics, a conventional anionic detergent, and an effective amount o~ a composition of the instant invention.
Also encompassed by this invention are the composi-tions employed in this process these are:

(a) Compositions which are comprised of an adjuvant, and à nitrogen containing compound which can be a primary, secondary ox tertiary amine or their acetate hydrochloride, or sulfate salts or mixtures thereof; wherein said nitrogen containing compound having at least one straight chain organic radical of between 8 and 22 carbon atoms; wherein said nitrogen containing compounds have a particulate form with a particle size of less than about 420 microns;
and wherein the ratio of adjuvant to nitrogen containing .25 cornpound is from about 15:1 to about 2:1; or (b) Compositions which are aqueous based with a p~
of less than 7 and which contain a nitrogen containing cornpound selected from the group consisting of the acetate,sulfate and hydrochloride salts of primary, secondary, and tertiary amines having at least one straight chain organic radical of between 8 and 22 carbon atoms.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments In accordance with the present invention, fabrics to be laundered are added to an automatic washer along with a con~entional laundry detergent. The washer is then actuated so that its tub fills with water.
Once this occurs, a composition of the present invention is added. After this addition, the washer continues to operate through all of its cycles.
The instant compositions can be added in two different physi~al forms as either an aqueous based solution having a pH of less than 7 or as a solid granular material.
Regardless of which form is used, the ingredient in each which is responsible ~or imparting the desired soEtening and static electricity control is one of the nitrogen containing compounds described below. However, it should be noted that in the liquid form only salts of these compounds can be used, for only the salt form will go into solution.
The granular form of these compositions is comprised of a nit~ogen containing compound having a specified particle size and an adjuvant which is chemically inert with respect to the nitrogen containing compound and prevents the individual particles of these compounds from caking up prior to use. ~urther the adjuvant also may act as a perfume carrier, if perfume is added to ~he composition. These adjuvants are used in the present invention in a weight ratio of 15:1 to about 2:1 ~7 of ad~u~ant to nitrogen containing compound, using more than a~out 15:1 will result in making the product somewhat cumbersome to use, while using less than 2:1 will result in some caking. Optimal results will be obtained by using from about 10:1 to about 5:1 of the adjuvant to the nitrogen containing compo~md.
In the granular form of the instant compositions, the nitrogen containing compounds are in a dry partieu-late form, where the individual particles are less than about 420 microns. Using particle sizes which are greater tban 420 microns will ha~e a detrimental effect on the softening and control of static electricity.
The preferred particle size for use herein would be from about 15 microns to 420 microns. It is preferred to use particles which are larger than 15 microns in that smaller particles tend to be dusty and therefore difficult to use. The most preferred particle range of particle sizes for use herein is from about 5~
microns to a~out 150 microns. This range is particularly advantageous from the standpoint of both handling and effect on detergency.
In the liquid ~orm, the instant compositions are aqueous based and contain only one of the salt forms of the useul nitrogen containing compounds. The liquid form is limited to the salts of the nitrogen containing compounds~ since only the salts will form solutions. In addition to the salts of the nitrogen containing compounds, these solutions will contain a small amount of an acid, which is the same as that used to form the salt. The amount of the acid used should be sufficient to maintain the pH of the solution below 7 and preferably, at around 6.5 and the amount oE the s~lt r~

form of the nitrogen containing compound should be sufficient to form a solution which contains from about 5% to about 15% and preferably 10% by weight of the ni$rogen containing salt compound.
In accordance with the methods of the instant inven-tion, the liquid form of the composition is added to a washer after the laundry detergent and after the tub of the washer is filled with t7ater. Since all conven-tional laundry detergents contain alkaline ingredients, . the pH of the wash water in the tub will be alkaline.
When an acidic liquid composition of this invention is added to the wash water, a reaction will occur which will cause the nitrogen containing compounds to precipi-tate out o~ solution forming discrete particles with a particle size of le5s than 420 microns.
The nitrogen containing compounds which are useful in the present invention are the primary, secondary or tertiary amines which have at least one straight chain organic radical of 8 to 22 carbon atoms and preferably 12 to 22 carbon atoms, and which are solid at room temperature (approximately 25C) and are capable o~ assuming a particulate form. Mixtures of these compounds may also be used, along with the acetate, hydrochlQride and sulfate salts of these amines.
Examples of useful primary, secondary, and tertiary amines include primary hydrogenated tallow amine;
primary tallow amine; octadecylamine: hexadecylamine;
hydrogenated tallow amine; stearyl amine; tetra decylamine;
dicocoamine; di-(hydrogenated-tallow)amine; methyldi-cocoamine; methyldithydrogenated-tallow)amine; dimethyl-acetyl amine; and dimethyltetradecylamine. Examples of useful amine salts are the acetate, hydrochloride, or sulfate salts of any of the foregoing compounds. The ~ 9 ~

compounds which are preferred for use herein are octadecylamine, octadecylamine acetate, hydrogenated-tallow amine and hydrogenated-tallow amine acetate.
The adjuvants which are useful in the granular form of the instant composition include, for example, sodium sesquicarbonate, sodium borate decahydrate, sodium carbonate, sodium sulfate, sodium tripolyphosphate, sodium silicate, trisodium nitrilotriacetate.
In addition to the essential ingredients of both the liquid and granular forms, compositions can also contain dyes, perfumes, optical brighteners, enzymesl bacter-iostats and bleaching agents. Further, the liquid form of these compositions can contain an alcohol or other viscosity modifier.
As formulated, these compositions both with and without the additional optional ingredients would be considered laundry additives. ~lowever, with the granular forms of the instant compositions, it would be possible to formulate a laundry detergent which would not only clean but also provide static electricity control and ~oftening. Such a detergent could be ~ormulated by mixing a conventional nonionic ox anionic surfactant in a dry yranular form with the granular form of the instant compositions.
By practicing t~e instant invention, beneficial effects of both fabric softening and control of static electricity can be achieved during the laundry process.
When compositions of this invention are added in a particulate form or in a liquid forml the amount which is efective to impart the desired benefits in a standard size washer containing about 4 1/2 lbs Gf fabrics and r~
~ .

- 10 - ~3L8~

17 gallons of water is from about 4 to about 25 grams of nitrogen containing compound. Less than 4 grams in a standard size washer will not provide the desired benefits while using more than about 25 grams will not S provide additional benefits. In a standard size wash optimal results are obtained using about 7 grams to about 14 grams of the nitrogen containing agent.
When delicate fabrics are laundered or smaller si~e washes than standard are contemplated, the amount of the nitrogen containing agent can be adjusted to provide the desired benefit.
The granular form of the compositions of this inven-tion can be prepared by dry blending a ni-trogen contain-ing compound with an adjuvant. This blending is done, however, after the nitrogen containing compound has been prepared in the requisite particle size. The techniques used to produce the desired particle size include spray drying prilling, or micropulverizing coupled with screening to separate out matter which is too large.
The composition which results from mixing of the particulate nitrogen containing compound with the adjuvant is a free flowing powder which in accordance with the methods of this invention is added to an auto matic washer at the initiation of the wash cycle after the wash tub has filled with ~Jater and after the laundry detergent has been added to the washerO Althouyh this method is preferred, these granular compositions may also be dry blended with a detergent and added prior to the tub being illed with water, or, these -granular compositions can be added without being blended with a detergent, again before the tub is filled with water.

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The liquid form of these compositions is prepared by adding a salt of one of the nitrogen containing compounds to water and then adding a small amount of the acid which corresponds to the salt, such as acetic acid when the acetate salt is being added.
The amount of acid which is added to this composition should be su~ficient to result in a pH of less than 7.
In accordance with the methods of the instant inven-tion, the liquid form of these compositions is added to the washer after the fabrics and detergent have been added and the wash tub has been illed with water.

The following numbered Examples further illustrate some embodiments of the invention in addition to those described heretofore.
ExAMæ~E 1 Three sample compositions were made in accordance with the present invention, Samples A, B and C, each containing 10 grams of octadecylamine acetate (available fro~ Armak Chemical Co. under the Trademark of ARMAC 18D~
having a particle size of between about 150 micxons to ahout 420 microns and 28 grams of Borax (sodium borate ~ecahydrate). Each sample was then used in a test wash.
The test washes were each conducted using a standard 4 1/2 lb. load of laundry which consisted of cotton, polyester and nylon fabrics~ The standard load was added to a conventional size automatic washer along with a presoiled cloth. A~ter these were added to the machine, the machine ~7as allowed to ~ill with water.
Once the machine was filled with water, one cup of a * trade mark.
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commercially available laundry detergent, TIDE (avail-able fxom P&G), was added to the machine along with one of the above described samples. The wash cycle was then set for 10 minutes which was followed by a rinse with water having a temperature of between 50F
and 60F. The wash water temperature used for each of the test washes was varied and the temperatures used are shown in the t~ble which follows.
After each test wash, the standard load and the soiled cloth were dxied. The standard load was then tested for softness, static electricity and static cling, while the soiled cloth was tested for stain removal.
In addition to the test washes conducted with the ~5 three samples, two control washes were conducted.
In the first control, a stand~rd load and a soiled cloth wexe laundered using TIDE*alone. In a second control, a standard load and a soiled cloth were also laundered using ~IDE alone. However, after the wash was completed in khe second control, the standard load and the soiled cloth were dried with a typical sheet type dryer added fabric softener product. The sheet employed here was made from a non=woven fabric which was coated with an imodazolinium nitrogen c~n-taining compound, a nonionic surfactant release agent and a fragrance. As with t~st washes A, B and C the fabrics laundered in both control washes were tested for softness, static electricity and sta~ic cling, while the soiled clothes were tested fGr stain removal.
Static cling was rated in terms of slight, bad~
or none, where a bad cling rating represents two items * trade mark.

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in the standard load being stuck together in a manner requiring the items to be pulled apart. The static electricity of the load was then determined using a Faxaday Cage, each item in the load was tested for static electricity and the scores or each item were then cumulated to arrive at the static electricity for the total load. To dete~mine softness, a panel ranked the fabrics in the standard load on a scale of 1.0 to 5.0*,where a scoxe of 1.0 inaicates the best score, or the softest fabric, while a score of 5.0 indi-cates the least soft.
The percent cleaning achieved in each test wash was determined by taking re~lectance readings on each of the soiled cloths laundered in the test washes and the soiled cloth washed in the control wash~ The reflect-ance values of the soiled cloths laundered in the test washes were then each divided by the refIectance value obtained on the cloth laundered in the control wash.
These figures were then each multiplied by 100 since the control was cons:idered to have 100% cleaning in that only a detergent was used.
The results of these tests are given in the Table below.

* In accordance with this test method the highest ranking number or worst score for softness possible is equal to the total number of test conditions evaluated. Therefore if 5 are evaluated the worst possible score is 5, if 6 are evaluated the worst possible score is 6.

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From the foregoing results, it can be seen that the compositions of this invention provide excellent softening benefits and static electricity control when compared to using detergent alone and also do not significantly affect the cleaning power of the detergent.

Six test washes were conducted as described in Example l; three using samples in accordance with this invention and three control washes. The samples which were prepared in accordance with the present invention are described below. The first control wash was con-ducted using only a commercially available detergent, TIDE. The second using a dryer added sheet softener as in Control 2 of Example 1, and a thira using a sample which was a mixture of hydrogenated-tallow aliphatic amine acetate and a quaternary ammoni~m compound distearyldimethyl ammonium chloride (sold under trade name Arosurf TA 100).
Sample A consisted of 14 grams of hydrogenated~
tallow aliphatic amine acetate ~available from the Armak Chemical Co. under the trademark ARMAC HT~ having a particle size of from about 150 microns to ab~ut 420 microns and 28 grams of Borax.
Sample B consisted of 12 grams of hydrogenated-tallow aliphatic amine acetate having a particle size of from about 150 microns to about 420 microns and 28 grams of Borax~
Sample C consisted of 10 grams of octadecylamine acetate having a particle size of from about 150 ~icrons to about 420 microns and 28 gxams of Borax.
* trade mark.

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The results of the test washes conducted with these samples and the control are given in the following Tab~e.

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Again, as with Example 1, the test washes conducted using a composition of the present invention provided substantial softening effects while controlling static electricity without a significant decrease in cleaning when compared to the cleaning and softening results obtained with the Cont.rol 1 or Control 2. Control 3, although exhibiting some softening affect and not having a deleterious effect on cleaning, is unacceptable in that it provides only marginal control of static electricity.

Five test washes were conducted in accordance with the procedure described in Example 1 using the following three samples prepared in accordance with the present invention and the two control washes described in Example 1.
Sample A consisted of 11 grams of a mixture of equal parts of octadecylamine acetate and hydrogenated-tallow aliphatic am.ine acetate having particle sizes of between 150 microns and 420 microns and 28 grams of Borax.
Sample B contained 10 grams of octadecylamine acetate having a particle size of between about 150 microns to 420 microns and 28 grams of Borax.
Sample C contained 2 grams of hydrogenated-tallow aliphatic amine acetate and 8 grams of octadecylamine acetate; both ingredients having a particle size of between about 150 microns and 420 micrcns, and 28 grams of Borax.
Control 1 used TIDE alone and Control 2 used TIDE
alone and the sheet type dryer added softener described in Example 1. The results of these four washes are given in the Table below.

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-- -- --Again, as with the preceding Examples, test washes conducted using compositions of the present invention provided substantial softening and static control benefits while only having a minor effect on the detergency.

Six test washes were conducted in accordance with the procedure described in Example 1. Four test washes were conducted using samples in accordance with the present invention and two control washes were conducted;
the ~irst using only a commercially available laundry detergent, TIDE and the second using a laundry detergent TIDE, and the dryer added softener, described in Example 1. The samples used were the ~ollowing:
Sample A contained 8 grams of octadecylamin~ acetate having a particle size of between 150 to about 420 microns and 40 grams of sodium sesquicarbonate.
Sample B contained 7 grams of octadecylamine acetate having a particle size of between 150 to 420 microns and 40 grams of sodium sesquicarbonate.
Sample C contained 7.5 grams of octadecylamine acetate having a particle size of between about 150 to 420 microns and 40 grams of sodium ses~uicarbonate.
Sample D contained 10 grams of octadecylamine acetate having a particle size of between about 150 to 420 microns and 40 grams of sodium sesquicarbonate.
The results of these test washes are given in the Table below.

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æ ~ h h E~ ~ ~ , ~ 22 -Again~ as with the preceeding Examples, the test washes conducted using compositions in accordance with the present invention provided softening benefits and control of static electricity while not substant-ially interfering with the detergenc~.
EXA~LE 5 The granular form of the composition of the instant invention could be dry mixed with the ingredients commonly used in laundry detergents to achieve a composition which could be added to an automatic washer at the beginning of the wash cycle to simultaneously soften and clean the fabrics being laundered. Listed below are formulations typical of those which could be made by using compositions of this invention. All amounts listed below are on a per cent by weight basis of the total ormulation.

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, ~ 23 -- Detergent Softener ~ormulations Raw Material 1 2 3 4 5 Armeen HT 7.0 7.0 7.0 7.0 7.0 Anionic Surfactant10.0 15.0 15.0 20.0 20.0 NTA (nitrilotri-acetate trisodium salt monohydrate) 0 10.0 15.0 20.0 25.0 Sodium tripoly-phosphate 8.0 8.0 8.0 8.0 8.0 Sodium silicate10.010.010.0 5.0 5.0 Polyethylene glycol 0~5 0.5 0.5 0~5 0~5 Sodium xylene sulphonate 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 0 Sodium carbonate10.010.010.010.0 10.0 Nonionic surfactant10.0 0 0 0 0 Sodi~ sulphate39.534.5 29.5 29.5 24.5 Optical brightener4 trace trace trace trace trace Perf~ne trace trace trace trace trace 1 Nitrogen containing compound available ~rom Armak, a hydrogenated-tallow amine processed to having a p~rticle size o~ less than 420 microns Ex~nples of useful anionic surfactants are: alpha olefin sulfonate, linear alkyl benzene sulfonate, sodium lauryl sulfate 3 Examples of useful nonionic surfactants are those available under the trade name of Neodol 25-7 from Shell Oil Company which are primary ethoxylated alcohols having a chain length of between 12 to 15 carbon atoms which are ethoxylated with 7 moles of ethylene oxide. Also useful footnotes cont'd are nonyl phenol ethoxylates having a high degxee of ethoxylation, approximately 9 moles of ethylene oxide, these are available from the Rhome ~ Haas Company under the trademark o TRITON.
Examples o~ useful brighteners are those of the Cumarin type or the fluorescent brightener ExAMæLE 6 ~he yranular ~orm o~ the composition of this inven-tion can also be mixed with additional ingredients to achieve a laundry booster formulation. Some typical formulations have been listed below where all amounts expressed are on a percent by weight basis.
Laundry Booster-Softener lS ~ormulations Raw Materia 1 2 3 4_ _ Armeen HTl 12.0 15.0 15.0 15.0 Anionic sur~actan~. 4.0 8.0 0.5 --Nonionic surfactant ~ 0.S
Borax 42.7 ~~ 84.5 20.0 Sodium chloride -- 3.0 Sodium sesqui-carbonate 6.0 Sodium ~ripoly-25 phosphate -- 7.0 Sodium sulphate 35.0 59~0 -- -Sodi~m silicate -- 7.0 Sodium carbonate -~ 64 o 5 Enzyme 0.3 1.0 Brightener4 tracetrace trace trace Perfume tracetrace trace txac~
1 4are the same as 1-4 given in Example 5 ~ 645~3 5 This can be any enzyme which is typically used in a laundry additive product. Such as a proteolytic or amylolytic enzymes. An example of one such enzyme is that available from Novo Industry under the trade name of Savinase ~aving described some typical embodiments of the invention it is not our intent to be limited to the specific details set forth herein. Rather, we wish to reserve to ourselves any variations or modifications that may appear to those skilled in the art and fall within the scope of the following claims.

Claims (18)

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. The process of softening fabrics in an automatic washer during the wash cycle of the automatic washer which comprises the steps of:

(a) adding a premeasured amount of a conven-tional laundry detergent and fabrics to be laundered to the washer;
(b) activating the washer so that the tub of the washer fills with water;
(c) adding an effective amount of:

(i) a granular material containing a mixture of an adjuvant and a particulate nitrogen containing compound having a particle size of less than 420 microns and said nitrogen containing compound being selected from the group consisting of primary amines, secondary amines, tertiary amines, and the acetate, sulfate or hydrochloride salts thereof, wherein said amines and their salts have at least one straight chain organic radical of between 8 and 22 carbon atoms and wherein the ratio of adjuvant to nitrogen containing compound is from about 15:1 to about 2:1; or (ii) an aqueous based composition having a pH of less than 7 and containing a nitrogen containing compound selected from the group consisting of the acetate, sulfate, and hydrochloride salts of primary, secondary, or tertiary, amines having at least one straight chain organic radical of between 8 and 22 carbon atoms; and (d) operating the washer through all of its cycles.

2. The process of Claim 1 wherein the particle size of said particulate nitrogen containing compound has a particle size of from about 15 microns to about 420 microns.

3. The process of Claim 2 wherein the particle size of said particulate nitrogen containing compound has a particle size of from about 50 microns to about 150 microns.

4. The process of Claim 1 wherein the adjuvant is selected from the group consisting of sodium sesqui-carbonate, sodium borate decahydrate, sodium carbonate, sodium sulfate, sodium tripolyphosphate, sodium silicate, and trisodium nitrilotriacetate.

5. The process of Claim 3 wherein the straight chain organic radical of the nitrogen containing compound has between 12 and 22 carbon atoms.

6. The process of Claim 4 wherein the straight chain organic radical of the nitrogen containing compound has between 12 and 22 carbon atoms.

7. The process of Claim 5 or 6 wherein the nitrogen containing compound is octadecylamine, hydrogenated-tallow amine, or the acetate salts thereof.

8. A fabric conditioning composition adapted to condition fabrics in an automatic washer comprised of:

(a) an adjuvant selected from the group consisting of sodium sesquicarbonater sodium borate decahydrate, sodium carbonate, sodium sulfate, sodium tripolyphosphate, sodium silicate, trisodium nitrilotriacetate;

(b) an effective amount of a particulate nitrogen containing compound selected from the group consisting of primary amines, secondary amines, tertiary amines, mixtures thereof, and their acetate, hydrochloride and sulfate salts, wherein said nitrogen containing compounds have at least one straight chain organic radical of between 8 and 22 carbon atoms, and having a particle size of less than 420 microns;
wherein the weight ratio of adjuvant to nitrogen containing compound is from about 15:1 to about 2:1.

9. The composition of Claim 8 wherein the straight chain organic radical of the nitrogen containing compound has between 12 and 22 carbon atoms.

10. The composition of Claim 9 wherein the nitrogen containing compound has a particle size of from about 50 microns to about 150 microns.

11. The composition of Claim 10 wherein the weight ratio of adjuvant to nitrogen containing compound is from about 10:1 to about 5:1.

12. The composition of Claim 11 wherein the nitrogen containing compound is octadecylamine, hydro-genated-tallow amine or the acetates thereof.

13. The composition of Claim 12 wherein the weight of adjuvant to nitrogen containing compound is about 8:1.

14. The composition of Claim 13 wherein the effective amount of the nitrogen containing compound is from about 4 grams to about 25 grams.

15. A laundry detergent composition comprising:
(a) from 0.5 to about 20% by weight of a detergent compound selected from the group consisting of anionic surfactants and mixtures of anionic and nonionic surfactants, and (b) from 99.5 to about 80% of a fabric conditioning composi-tion adapted to condition fabrics in the wash cycle of an automatic washer consisting essentially of:

(i) an adjuvant selected from the group of sodium sesquicarbonate, sodium borate decahydrate, sodium carbonate, sodium sulfate, sodium tripolyphosphate, sodium silicate, trisodium nitrilotriacetate, and (ii) a particulate nitrogen-containing com-pound selected from the group consisting of primary amines, secondary amines, ter-tiary amines, and mixtures thereof, and their acetate, hydrochloride and sulfate salts, wherein said nitrogen-containing compounds have at least one straight chain organic radical of between 8 to 22 carbon atoms, and have a particle size of less than 420 microns, the weight ratio of adjuvant to nitrogen-containing compound being from about 15:1 to about 2:1.

16. The composition of Claim 15 further comprising at least one of the following materials: enzymes, dyes, fragrances, bacterio-stats, optical brighteners, and bleaching agents.

17. The composition of Claim 15 wherein the anionic surfactant is selected from the group consisting of alpha olefin sulfonates, linear alkyl benzene sulfonate, and sodium lauryl sulfate, and wherein the nonionic surfactant is selected from the group con-sisting of nonyl phenol ethoxylates and primary ethoxylated alcohols.

18. The composition of Claim 15 wherein the straight chain organic radical of the nitrogen containing compound has between 12 and 22 carbon atoms.