Rinse-added fabric treatment composition, product containing same and methods and uses thereof

• US 20030216282A1
• Filed: 05/16/2003
• Published: 11/20/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/16/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
• Original Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
• Inventors: Aguilar Moses, Victor Javier, Bettiol, Jean-Luc Philippe, Robin, Frederic Bernard, Martens, Vera Maria
• Granted Patent: US 7,018,977 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 510/514
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 1/62 Quaternary ammonium compounds
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 3/0026 Low foaming or foam regulating compositions
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 3/2075 Carboxylic acids-salts thereof
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 3/222 Natural or synthetic polysaccharides, e.g. cellulose, starch, gum, alginic acid or cyclodextrin
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 3/33 Amino carboxylic acids
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 3/361 Phosphonates, phosphinates or phosphonites
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 3/364 containing nitrogen
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 3/373 containing silicones
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 3/3765 in liquid compositions
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 3/3947 Liquid compositions
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 3/40 Dyes ; Pigments

Abstract

A rinse-added fabric treatment composition for reducing detergent residue and/or for improving the color and/or clarity of the rinse solution contains an agent for removing residual detergent surfactants from laundered fabrics and an appearance-enhancing selected from a peroxygen bleach, bluing agent and mixtures of the same. An antifoaming or suds suppressing material is optional but highly preferred for reducing the formation of suds during the rinsing of the laundered fabrics. Moreover, methods and uses of the compositions for improving the color and/or clarity of the rinse solution are included. A fabric treatment product for reducing detergent residue and/or for improving the color and/or clarity of the rinse solution includes a rinse added fabric treatment composition, a container for the composition and set of instructions concerning the use of the composition to improving the color and/or clarity of the rinse solution.

Claims

1. A rinse-added fabric treatment composition for reducing residue on fabric and improving the color and/or clarity of a fabric rinse solution, the composition comprising:

(A) an appearance-enhancing agent to improve the clarity and/or color of the rinse solution selected from the group consisting of a peroxygen bleaching agent, a bluing agent and mixtures thereof;

(B) a second residue reducing component selected from the group consisting of a suds suppressing agent, pH control agent, metal ion control agent, crystal growth inhibitor, dispersant, cyclodextrin and derivatives thereof, scum dispersant, anionic surfactant scavenger, and mixtures thereof; and

(C) the balance adjunct ingredients.

2. The composition of claim 1, wherein the suds suppression agent comprises an anti-foaming agent selected from the group consisting of silicone compounds, polyethylene glycol derivatives, fatty acids and their salts, high molecular weight hydrocarbons, copolymers of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide, secondary alcohols, mono-alkyl quaternary ammonium compounds, and mixtures thereof.

3. The composition of claim 1, wherein the pH control agent is present in an effective amount to maintain the fabric treatment composition at a pH between about 1.5 and about 6.0.

4. The composition of claim 3, wherein the pH control agent comprises citric acid.

5. The composition of claim 4, wherein the citric acid is present in the composition in an amount from about 2% to about 22% by weight of the composition.

6. The composition of claim 1, wherein the anionic surfactant scavenger comprises a cationic or zwitterionic quaternary ammonium compound or mixtures thereof.

7. The composition of claim 6, wherein the anionic surfactant scavenger comprises hydrophilic and hydrophobic moieties.

8. The composition of claim 7, wherein the anionic surfactant scavenger has the formula:

9. The composition of claim 1, wherein the anionic surfactant scavenger is present at a level of from about 0.05% to about 10% by weight of the composition.

10. The composition of claim 1, wherein the peroxygen bleaching agent comprises hydrogen peroxide.

11. The composition of claim 10, wherein the peroxygen bleaching agent is present in the fabric treatment composition at a level less than about 15% by weight of the composition.

12. The composition of claim 1, wherein the bluing agent is stable in the presence of the peroxygen bleaching agent.

13. The composition of claim 1, wherein the bluing agent is present at a level of from about 0.004% and about 0.1% by weight of the composition.

14. The composition of claim 1, wherein the adjunct ingredients are selected from the group consisting of an acidifying agent, alkaline agent, perfume, non-ionic surfactant, cationic charge booster, electrolyte, dye transfer inhibitor, and mixtures thereof.

15. A method for improving the color and/or clarity of a fabric rinse solution, the method comprising the steps of:

washing fabrics in an aqueous detergent solution;

adding to the rinse solution a liquid fabric treatment composition comprising an effective amount of a appearance-enhancing agent to improve the clarity and/or color of the rinse solution, said appearance-enhancing agent selected from the group consisting of a peroxygen bleaching agent, a bluing agent, and mixtures thereof; and

rinsing the fabrics in an aqueous rinse solution.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the liquid fabric treatment composition further comprises a second residue reducing component selected from the group consisting of a suds suppressing agent, pH control agent, metal ion control agent, crystal growth inhibitor, dispersant, cyclodextrin and derivatives thereof, scum dispersant, anionic surfactant scavenger, and mixtures thereof.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the fabrics are rinsed by hand.

18. A fabric treatment product, said product comprising:

a liquid fabric treatment composition comprising an effective amount of a appearance-enhancing agent to improve the clarity and/or color of the rinse solution, said appearance-enhancing agent selected from the group consisting of a peroxygen bleaching agent, a bluing agent, and mixtures thereof;

a container for the composition; and

a set of instructions associated with the container, said set of instructions comprising an instruction to a consumer to use the fabric treatment composition to improve the color and/or clarity of the rinse solution.

19. The product of claim 18, wherein the liquid fabric treatment composition further comprises a second residue reducing component selected from the group consisting of a suds suppressing agent, pH control agent, metal ion control agent, crystal growth inhibitor, dispersant, cyclodextrin and derivatives thereof, scum dispersant, anionic surfactant scavenger, and mixtures thereof.

20. The product of claim 18, wherein said set of instructions comprises an instruction to a consumer to use the fabric treatment composition when rinsing fabrics by hand.