Textile laundering composition comprising a self-crosslinking cationic polymer
View Patent ↗A process for the treatment of non-keratinaceous textiles, preferably cellulosic fibers, which comprises the step of treating the textiles with a composition which comprises: a self-crosslinking polymer and a nucleophilic species (preferably a polymer comprising at least one protected thiol group), and a textile compatible carrier. Under domestic washing conditions the polymer forms reactive thiol groups which are capable of causing covalent cross-linking with the polymer. Preferably, the thiol group is protected as an isothiouronium group.
1. A process for the laundering of non-keratinaceous textiles, which comprises the step of laundering the textiles with a composition comprising:
a) a self-crosslinking cationic polymer;
b) a nucleophilic species capable of reacting with polymer;
c) a textile compatible carrier;
d) wherein the nucleophilic species comprises a protecting group which is sufficiently labile that it leaves when the polymer and the laundered textiles are exposed to a pH of above 8 at a temperature of below 50 Celsius; and
e) wherein the composition comprises a detergent active compound in the concentration of 5 to 50 wt. %.
2. A process according to claim 1 , wherein the textile comprises cotton or regenerated cellulose.
3. A process according to claim 1 , wherein the composition further comprises a textile softening and/or conditioning compound.
4. A process according to claim 1 wherein the nucleophile is a polymer comprising at least one protected thiol group, wherein the protecting group is labile under domestic washing conditions.
5. A process according to claim 4 , wherein the protected thiol comprises a terminal or mid chain isothiouronium group.
6. A process according to claim 1 wherein the nucleophile is present in the composition in an amount such that from 0.0005% to 5% by weight on weight of textile is provided.
7. A process according to claim 1 wherein the self-crosslinking cationic polymer comprises a polymer having azetidinium groups and/or one or more functional groups capable of forming azetidinium groups.
8. A process according to claim 7 wherein the composition comprises an amine or amide-epichlorohydrin resin having one or more azetidinium functional groups.
9. A process as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the composition is applied to the textile during the rinse cycle of the laundering process.
10. A detergent composition for use in the process of claim 1 characterized in that the composition comprises:
a) a self-crosslinking cationic polymer;
b) a nucleophilic species capable of reacting with polymer (a);
c) a textile compatible carrier;
d) wherein the nucleophilic species comprises a protecting group which is sufficiently labile that it leaves when the polymer and the laundered textiles are exposed to a pH of above 8 at a temperature of below 50 Celsius; and
e) wherein the composition comprises a detergent active compound in the concentration range of 5 to 50 wt. %.