阅读说明：本技术 在用于处理含弹性纤维的织物的织物处理组合物中使用抗氧化剂的方法 (Method of using antioxidants in fabric treatment compositions for treating fabrics containing elastic fibers ) 是由 格雷戈里·斯科特·米瑞科 丹尼尔·戴尔·小迪图利奥 王岳熙 于 2020-05-01 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明涉及一种处理含弹性纤维的织物的方法。该方法包括提供具有抗氧化剂和表面活性剂的织物处理组合物,以及提供含弹性纤维的织物的步骤。该方法还包括在存在水的情况下使该含弹性纤维的织物与该织物处理组合物接触的步骤,其中该织物处理组合物和该水形成具有至少25ppb的抗氧化剂浓度、至少10ppm的表面活性剂浓度的处理液,并且其中处理液与含弹性纤维的织物的比率(w/w)为0.1:1至100:1。该抗氧化剂的至少一些部分沉积到该含弹性纤维的织物上。(The present invention relates to a method of treating fabrics containing elastic fibers. The method includes the steps of providing a fabric treatment composition having an antioxidant and a surfactant, and providing a fabric comprising elastic fibers. The method further comprises the step of contacting the elastic fiber-containing fabric with the fabric treatment composition in the presence of water, wherein the fabric treatment composition and the water form a treatment liquor having an antioxidant concentration of at least 25ppb, a surfactant concentration of at least 10ppm, and wherein the ratio (w/w) of treatment liquor to elastic fiber-containing fabric is from 0.1:1 to 100: 1. At least some portion of the antioxidant is deposited onto the elastic fiber-containing web.)

1. A method of treating a fabric containing elastic fibers, the method comprising the steps of:

a) providing a fabric treatment composition comprising an antioxidant and a surfactant;

b) providing a fabric comprising elastic fibers; and

c) contacting the elastic fiber-containing fabric with the fabric treatment composition in the presence of water,

wherein the fabric treatment composition and the water form a treatment liquor having an antioxidant concentration of at least 25ppb, a surfactant concentration of at least 10ppm, and wherein the ratio (w/w) of treatment liquor to elastic fiber-containing fabric is from 0.1:1 to 100: 1;

wherein at least some portion of the antioxidant is deposited onto the elastic fiber-containing fabric.

2. The method of treating an elastic fiber-containing fabric according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the method further comprises the step of rinsing the elastic fiber-containing fabric after the step of contacting the elastic fiber-containing fabric with the fabric treatment composition in the presence of water.

3. The method of treating an elastic fiber-containing fabric according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the elastic fiber-containing fabric comprises an unsaturated organic soil prior to the step of contacting the elastic fiber-containing fabric with the fabric treatment composition in the presence of water.

4. The method of treating an elastic fiber-containing fabric according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the unsaturated organic soil comprises sebum.

5. A method of treating an elastic fiber-containing fabric according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least 1 μ g/g of the antioxidant is deposited onto the elastic fiber-containing fabric as measured according to the antioxidant deposition on fabric test method.

6. The method of treating an elastic fiber-containing fabric according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the treatment fluid comprises at least 1ppm copper.

7. The method of treating an elastic fiber-containing fabric according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the elastic fiber-containing fabric comprises at least 1ppm copper prior to the step of contacting the elastic fiber-containing fabric with the fabric treatment composition in the presence of water.

8. The method of treating an elastic fiber-containing fabric according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the elastic fiber-containing fabric comprises a material selected from the group consisting of: polyester, nylon, cotton, and mixtures thereof.

9. The method of treating an elastic fiber-containing fabric according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the elastic fiber-containing fabric comprises at least 50% nylon by weight of the elastic fiber-containing fabric.

10. The method of treating an elastic fiber-containing fabric according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the elastic fiber-containing fabric comprises at least 50% cotton by weight of the elastic fiber-containing fabric.

11. The method of treating an elastic fiber-containing fabric according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the antioxidant is selected from the group consisting of: alkylated phenols, aryl amines, and mixtures thereof.

12. According to the frontThe method of treating an elastic fiber-containing fabric of any of the preceding claims, wherein the alkylated phenol is a hindered phenol selected from the group consisting of: 2, 6-bis (1, 1-dimethylethyl) -4-methyl-phenol; c of 3, 5-bis (1, 1-dimethylethyl) -4-hydroxy-benzenepropanoic acid₁-C₁₈Linear or branched alkyl esters; and mixtures thereof.

13. The method of treating an elastic fiber-containing fabric according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the treatment fluid has a surfactant concentration of at least 50ppm, and the surfactant comprises an anionic surfactant, a nonionic surfactant, and mixtures thereof.

14. The method of treating an elastic fiber-containing fabric according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the fabric treatment composition comprises an adjunct ingredient selected from the group consisting of: chelating agents, perfumes, structurants, chlorine scavengers, solvents, fabric conditioning actives and mixtures thereof.

15. The method of treating an elastic fiber-containing fabric according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the adjunct ingredient is a chelant.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to methods of using antioxidants in fabric treatment compositions for treating elastic fiber-containing fabrics, particularly for treating already soiled elastic fiber-containing fabrics and for treating not yet soiled elastic fiber-containing fabrics.

Background

Garments intended for use as sportswear are becoming more and more popular, even in non-sports situations. The fabric of such garments typically contains elastomeric synthetic or elastic fibers (also commonly known as spandex) and). Elastic fibers are used for their ability to stretch, provide an unlimited range of motion, and then quickly retract into place. Elastic fibers are also breathable, wick moisture and dry quickly. Such fabrics also typically comprise cotton, polyester, nylon, or blends thereof. When these garments are worn, dirt and human sebum are transferred to the fabric. Even if soil and sebum do not transfer directly to the fabric during wear, soil and sebum may transfer from one fabric to another by direct contact, for example in a basket or by redistribution of soil and sebum across the fabric in a washing environment. Such soils and sebum left on the fabric result in the production of malodorous substances by spontaneous autoxidation. Malodors are often an indicator of consumer clothes being unclean. Consumers continue to express interest in treatment products and methods that remove soil from clothing and make the clothing smell pleasant. Manufacturers of consumer cleaning products are continually seeking to provide treatment compositions and methods that provide improved malodor control or malodor reduction.

Although many soils are removed from fabrics by surfactants during the treatment process, typically some soils remain on the fabrics. The current trends in fabric treatment compositions and methods, such as reduced wash temperatures, reduced wash times, reduced concentrations of cleaning actives (such as surfactants), and the general trend to use fabric treatment compositions with less harsh chemicals, have reduced the efficacy of many fabric treatment compositions and methods. Thus, the level of incompletely removed soil remaining on the fabric after treatment is increased.

Furthermore, even when soil and sebum are removed from fabrics during the treatment process or when the garment is new and considered clean, malodour may quickly reappear when the garment is worn or in direct contact with another piece of soiled garment. Consumers may become frustrated with the frequency with which they need to treat their clothing to remove the malodors of the clothing.

Certain antioxidants are known to be useful as malodor reducing agents in fabric treatment compositions. Such antioxidants can contribute to malodor reduction by delaying the autoxidation events in the soil and sebum that lead to the formation of malodorous substances. Antioxidants can deposit onto fabrics during fabric treatment processes to treat malodors, however, such antioxidants are typically incorporated at low levels into many fabric treatment products and/or cannot deposit onto many types of common fabrics. There may be a significant amount of time, such as days or even weeks, between washing and subsequent wearing of the garment, so consumers may not be able to enjoy the benefits they would presumably have when purchasing and using the treatment product.

Accordingly, there is a need for an improved method of treating fabrics containing elastic fibers that provides malodor benefits when the fabric containing elastic fibers has been soiled and when the fabric containing elastic fibers has not been soiled.

Disclosure of Invention

The present disclosure relates to a method of treating a fabric containing elastic fibers. The method comprises the following steps: fabric treatment compositions comprising antioxidants and surfactants are provided, as well as fabrics comprising elastic fibers. The method further comprises the step of contacting the elastic fiber-containing fabric with the fabric treatment composition in the presence of water, wherein the fabric treatment composition and the water form a treatment liquor having an antioxidant concentration of at least 25ppb, a surfactant concentration of at least 10ppm, and wherein the ratio (w/w) of treatment liquor to elastic fiber-containing fabric is from 0.1:1 to 100: 1. At least some portion of the antioxidant is deposited onto the elastic fiber-containing web.

Drawings

Figure 1 is a graph showing the deposition of antioxidant on various fabrics containing and not containing elastic fibers.

Detailed Description

The present disclosure relates to methods of using antioxidants in fabric treatment compositions for treating elastic fiber-containing fabrics, particularly for treating already soiled elastic fiber-containing fabrics and for treating not yet soiled elastic fiber-containing fabrics. Applicants have found that treating a ballistic fiber containing fabric with a fabric treatment composition comprising an antioxidant can provide surprising malodour benefits such as, for example, slowing the formation of malodorous species resulting from the autoxidation of soils.

Unsaturated organic soils, such as human sebum, left on the surface of fabrics are prone to spontaneous autoxidation. The breakdown of such soils into their oxidation products can release volatile malodorous compounds. During the propagation phase of the scale autoxidation, the scale breaks down into smaller, lower molecular weight volatile aldehyde species. The propagation reaction may be repeated multiple times before terminating by conversion of the alkyl or peroxy radicals to non-radical species. Hydrogen-donating antioxidants, such as hindered phenols and secondary aromatic amines, inhibit oxidation by competing for peroxy radicals with organic substrates. This shortens the kinetic chain length of the propagation reaction. Thus, autoxidation slows down or stops.

To delay the formation of malodorous substances, the antioxidants must be effectively deposited onto the fabric. For fabrics that have been soiled, the antioxidant will typically react with the autoxidisable soil to slow or stop autoxidation. However, for many types of fabrics, once the antioxidant reacts with autoxidisable soil and produces a clean fabric, any residual unreacted antioxidant is often difficult to deposit on the clean fabric. Antioxidants are also often difficult to deposit onto these clean fabrics when there is little soil, such as when the clothing is new or has been cleaned.

Surprisingly, applicants have found that the methods of the present disclosure deliver high levels of antioxidants to fabrics containing elastic fibers such that the antioxidants can be effectively deposited onto the fabrics when autoxidisable soils are present and when little soil is present or the fabrics are cleaned. By allowing the antioxidant to accumulate on the fabric, the antioxidant can act on new soils subsequently added to the fabric, thereby reducing the formation of malodorous species. Consumers may notice that their treated fabrics have reduced malodor over a longer period of time.

The method of treating the elastic fiber-containing fabric of the present disclosure is described in more detail below.

I.Definition of

As used herein, the articles "a" and "an" when used in a claim are understood to mean one or more of what is claimed or described. As used herein, the terms "include," "comprises," and "comprising" are intended to be non-limiting. The treatment compositions of the present disclosure may comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of the components/ingredients of the present disclosure.

As used herein, the phrase "fabric treatment composition" includes compositions and formulations designed to treat fabrics, including garments or other textiles. Such compositions include, but are not limited to, laundry cleaning compositions and detergents, fabric softening compositions, fabric enhancing compositions, fabric freshening compositions, laundry pre-washes, laundry pre-treatments, laundry additives, spray-on products, dry washes or compositions, laundry additives, post-rinse fabric treatments, ironing aids, unit dose formulations, delayed delivery formulations, detergents contained on or in a porous substrate or nonwoven sheet, and other suitable forms that may be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the teachings herein. Such compositions may be used as laundry pre-treatment agents, laundry post-treatment agents, or may be added during the wash cycle of a laundry washing operation.

As used herein, "liquid" includes free-flowing liquids as well as pastes, gels, foams, and mousses. Non-limiting examples of liquids include light and heavy duty liquid detergent compositions, fabric enhancers, detergent gels commonly used for laundry washing, bleaches, and laundry additives. Gases (e.g., suspended bubbles) or solids (e.g., particles) may be contained in the liquid.

As used herein, "pellets" and "particles" refer to a volume of solid or sufficiently solid material having a finite mass. The pellets and particles may be free flowing or suspended in the second composition. Free flowing particles may be similar to those available under the trade nameFrom Procter, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA (The Procter)&Gamble Company, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States).

The term "substantially free" may be used herein. This means that the referenced material is very small, is not intentionally added to the composition to form part of the composition, or preferably the referenced material is not present at analytically detected levels. This is meant to include compositions in which the material referred to is present only as an impurity in one of the other materials intentionally added. The referenced materials, if any, may be present at a level of less than 0.1%, or less than 0.01%, or even 0%, by weight of the composition.

As used herein, the phrases "sufficiently solid" and "solid" mean that a material is capable of retaining its shape without significant deformation when self-standing at room temperature. As used herein, "solid" may include, but is not limited to, pellets, granules, powders, agglomerates, microcapsules, flakes, noodles, pearlized spheres, and mixtures thereof.

As used herein, the phrases "water soluble", "water soluble material", "water soluble carrier material" means that the material or carrier material is soluble or dispersible in water and preferably has a water solubility of at least 50%, preferably at least 75% or even at least 95%, measured according to the method set forth below, using a glass filter having a maximum pore size of 20 microns: 50 grams. + -. 0.1 grams of material and/or support material are added to a pre-weighed 400mL beaker and 245 mL. + -. 1mL of distilled water is added. This was stirred vigorously for 30 minutes on a magnetic stirrer set at 600 rpm. The mixture was then filtered through a porous glass filter having the specified pore size (maximum 20 microns) described above. These steps are performed under ambient conditions. As used herein, "ambient conditions" means 23 ℃ ± 1.0 ℃ and a relative humidity of 50% ± 2%. The moisture in the collected filtrate was dried by any conventional method and the weight of the remaining material (dissolved or dispersed portion) was determined. Then, the percentage of solubility or dispersity can be calculated.

Unless otherwise specified, all components/ingredients or compositions are referenced on a level average to the active portion of the component/ingredient or composition and are exclusive of impurities, such as residual solvents or by-products, that may be present in commercially available sources of such components/ingredients or compositions.

All temperatures herein are in degrees Celsius (. degree. C.) unless otherwise indicated. All measurements herein are made at 20 ℃ and atmospheric pressure unless otherwise indicated.

In all embodiments of the present disclosure, all percentages are by weight of the total composition, unless specifically stated otherwise. All ratios are weight ratios unless otherwise specifically noted.

II.Method for treating fabrics containing elastic fibers

The present disclosure relates to methods of treating fabrics containing elastic fibers with fabric treatment compositions comprising antioxidants.

The method includes the steps of providing a fabric treatment composition comprising an antioxidant and a surfactant, and providing a fabric comprising elastic fibers. Such fabric treatment compositions and fabrics containing elastic fibers are described below.

The method further comprises the step of contacting the elastic fiber-containing fabric with a fabric treatment composition in the presence of water. The fabric treatment composition and water together form a treatment liquor. The fabric treatment composition may be diluted and/or dissolved in water external to the fabric treatment composition to form a treatment liquor. Alternatively, the fabric treatment composition may already comprise water sufficient to form a treatment liquor, such as when the fabric treatment composition is in liquid form and applied as a concentrate. The step of contacting the elastic fiber-containing fabric with the fabric treatment composition in the presence of water can be carried out in any suitable container, such as, for example, a sink or an automatic washing machine (e.g., a top-loading washing machine or a front-loading washing machine), wherein the fabric treatment composition is added to the drum of the automatic washing machine. The step of contacting the elastic fiber-containing fabric with the fabric treatment composition in the presence of water may be performed as part of a wash cycle of an automatic washing machine. When applied as a concentrate, the step of contacting the elastic fiber-containing fabric with the fabric treatment composition in the presence of water can be performed outside of the container, such as by simply spraying or applying the concentrate directly onto the elastic fiber-containing fabric. Optionally, the fabric treatment composition may be pre-measured, for example in a measuring cup, prior to the step of contacting the elastic fiber-containing fabric with the fabric treatment composition in the presence of water. The measuring cup may be separate from the container in which the fabric treatment composition is provided, or may be part of the container in which the fabric treatment composition is provided (if provided in the form of a container, e.g. a cap).

The treatment fluid has an antioxidant concentration of at least 25ppb, preferably at least 100ppb, more preferably at least 250ppb, even more preferably at least 500ppb, even more preferably at least 1000 ppb. The treatment liquid has a surfactant concentration of at least 10ppm, preferably at least 25ppm, more preferably at least 50ppm, even more preferably above 100 ppm. Applicants have found that such levels of antioxidants and surfactants in the treatment solution are effective in treating both fabrics containing elastic fibers that have been soiled as well as fabrics containing elastic fibers that have not been soiled.

The ratio (w/w) of the treatment liquid to the elastic fiber-containing fabric is 0.1:1 to 100: 1. When the fabric treatment composition already comprises sufficient water to form a treatment liquor and is applied as a concentrate, the ratio (w/w) of treatment liquor to elastic fiber-containing fabric may be from 0.1:1 to 1:1 or from 0.25:1 to 0.75: 1. When the fabric treatment composition is diluted and/or dissolved in water external to the fabric treatment composition to form a treatment liquor, the ratio (w/w) of the treatment liquor to the elastic fiber-containing fabric may be from 1:1 to 100:1, or from 5:1 to 90:1, or from 10:1 to 80: 1. Applicants have found that such weight ratios of treatment fluid to spandex-containing fabric provide suitable levels of antioxidant that can deposit onto the spandex-containing fabric and provide long-lasting benefit of malodor reduction on the spandex-containing fabric.

When the elastic fiber-containing fabric is contacted with the fabric treatment composition in the presence of water, at least some portion of the antioxidant is deposited onto the elastic fiber-containing fabric. For example, at least 1 μ g/g, preferably at least 2 μ g/g, more preferably at least 3 μ g/g, even more preferably at least 4 μ g/g, most preferably at least 5 μ g/g of antioxidant can be deposited onto the elastic fiber-containing fabric as measured according to the deposition of antioxidant on fabric test method. Preferably, these levels of antioxidant remain on the elastic fiber-containing fabric for at least 24 hours, preferably at least 3 days, even more preferably at least 7 days.

The method may further comprise the step of rinsing the elastic fiber-containing fabric after the step of contacting the elastic fiber-containing fabric with the fabric treatment composition in the presence of water. Rinsing the elastic fiber-containing fabric removes any residual material, such as surfactants, deposited onto the elastic fiber-containing fabric from the fabric treatment composition. The step of rinsing the spandex-containing fabric can be performed in any suitable container, such as, for example, a sink or an automatic washing machine. The step of rinsing the spandex-containing fabric can be performed as part of the rinse cycle of an automatic washing machine. The elastic fiber-containing fabric may be rinsed with water, such as tap water or deionized water. Applicants have surprisingly found that for fabrics containing elastic fibers, an effective amount of antioxidant will remain deposited on the fabric after the fabric is rinsed.

The method may further comprise the step of drying the elastic fiber-containing fabric after the step of contacting the elastic fiber-containing fabric with the fabric treatment composition in the presence of water. When the elastic fiber-containing fabric is also rinsed, the step of drying the elastic fiber-containing fabric may be performed after the rinsing step. The elastic fiber-containing web may be air dried or dried using a drying apparatus, such as an automatic dryer.

In one aspect, the elastic fiber-containing fabric may comprise an unsaturated organic soil prior to the step of contacting the elastic fiber-containing fabric with the fabric treatment composition in the presence of water. Soils present on fabrics containing elastic fibers can enable the antioxidant to attach and react with the soil. The unsaturated organic soil may be sebum.

In one aspect, the elastic fiber-containing fabric may be substantially free of unsaturated organic soils prior to the step of contacting the elastic fiber-containing fabric with the fabric treatment composition in the presence of water. As applicants have surprisingly found, while antioxidants such as those of the present disclosure generally do not deposit onto most fabrics, or deposit onto most fabrics at very low levels, the antioxidants selectively deposit onto fabrics containing elastic fibers. Such deposition of the antioxidant on the elastic fiber-containing fabric can then be effective to actively retard the formation of malodorous substances when the fabric is subsequently contacted with soil.

Although antioxidants can deposit on fabrics containing elastic fibers, antioxidants will not be able to inhibit oxidation of soils unless metal ions, such as copper ions, are present to initiate the autoxidation process of the soils. In one aspect, the treatment fluid may comprise at least 1ppm copper. The copper may be present in the treatment liquor from external water added to the fabric treatment composition or may be derived from the fabric treatment composition. In another aspect, the elastic fiber-containing fabric may comprise at least 1ppm copper prior to the step of contacting the elastic fiber-containing fabric with the fabric treatment composition in the presence of water. Metal ions such as copper may be present in the scale. Generally, metal ions such as copper are present in sebum.

As applicants have discovered, not all fabrics are capable of depositing the antioxidants of the present disclosure. To effectively deposit the antioxidant, the elastic fiber-containing fabric may comprise at least 1%, or at least 2%, or at least 3%, or at least 4%, or at least 5%, by weight of the elastic fiber-containing fabric. For fabrics comprising polyester, the elastic fiber-containing fabric may comprise at least 4%, or at least 5%, by weight of the elastic fiber-containing fabric. For fabrics comprising nylon, the elastic fiber-containing fabric may comprise at least 5%, or at least 10%, or at least 15%, or at least 20%, by weight of the elastic fiber-containing fabric. For fabrics comprising cotton, the elastic fiber-containing fabric may comprise at least 5%, or at least 6%, or at least 7%, or at least 8%, by weight of the elastic fiber-containing fabric. For garments such as swimwear, the level of elastic fiber in the fabric may be up to about 40% elastic fiber by weight of the fabric containing elastic fiber.

The elastic fiber-containing fabric may comprise a material selected from the group consisting of: polyester, nylon, cotton, and mixtures thereof. Polyester, nylon and cotton and mixtures thereof are generally the most common materials for incorporating elastic fibers.

In non-limiting examples, the elastic fiber-containing fabric may comprise at least 50%, or at least 60%, or at least 70%, or at least 80%, or at least 90%, or at least 95% polyester by weight of the elastic fiber-containing fabric. Polyester is widely used in garments and textiles because it is durable, shrink resistant, strong and lightweight, dries quickly, and is highly resistant to soiling.

In another non-limiting example, the elastic fiber-containing fabric may comprise at least 50%, or at least 60%, or at least 70%, or at least 80%, by weight of the elastic fiber-containing fabric, of nylon. Nylon is widely used in garments and textiles, particularly garments for sports wear, because it is durable, strong and flexible.

In another non-limiting example, the elastic fiber-containing fabric may comprise at least 50%, or at least 60%, or at least 70%, or at least 80%, or at least 90%, or at least 92%, by weight of the elastic fiber-containing fabric, of cotton. Cotton is widely used in garments and textiles, particularly garments for sports wear, because it is breathable, insulating, durable, and is advantageous in controlling moisture.

III.Fabric treatment composition

The present disclosure relates to fabric treatment compositions comprising antioxidants. Such fabric treatment compositions and components thereof are described below.

Such fabric treatment compositions may include, but are not limited to, laundry cleaning compositions and detergents, fabric softening compositions, fabric enhancing compositions, fabric freshening compositions, laundry pre-washes, laundry pre-treatments, laundry additives, spray products, dry washes or compositions, laundry rinse additives, laundry additives, post-rinse fabric treatments, ironing aids, unit dose formulations, delayed delivery formulations, detergents contained on or in a porous substrate or nonwoven sheet, and other suitable forms that may be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the teachings herein. Such fabric treatment compositions may be used as laundry pre-treatment agents, laundry post-treatment agents, or may be added during the rinse cycle or wash cycle of a laundry washing operation, preferably during the wash cycle. Such treatment compositions may also be used in a dry cleaning environment.

The fabric treatment composition may be in any suitable form. The fabric treatment composition may be in a form selected from liquid, solid or a combination thereof. It is contemplated that the fabric treatment composition may be in the form of a solid composition suspended in a liquid.

The fabric treatment composition may be in the form of a liquid composition. The liquid composition may comprise from about 0% to 99%, or from about 30% to about 90%, or from about 50% to about 80%, by weight of the composition, of water. The liquid composition may comprise a non-aqueous liquid detergent.

The fabric treatment composition may be in the form of a solid composition. The solid composition may comprise from about 20% to about 98%, by weight of the composition, of a water-soluble carrier used to form the solid composition. In a non-limiting but preferred example, the water soluble carrier used to form the solid composition can be polyethylene glycol. The polyethylene glycol carrier can have a weight average molecular weight (Mw) of about 2000 daltons to about 20,000 daltons, preferably about 5000 daltons to about 15,000 daltons, more preferably about 6000 daltons to about 12,000 daltons. The solid composition may comprise less than about 20%, preferably less than about 15%, more preferably less than about 5%, even more preferably less than about 1%, by weight of the composition, of water. In a preferred example, the fabric treatment composition is in the form of pellets or granules. The pellets and granules may have a shape selected from the group consisting of: spherical, hemispherical, compressed hemispherical, lentil, oblong, and mixtures thereof. Those skilled in the art will recognize that these shapes are non-limiting and that the pellets and particles may have any other shape known in the art for such pellets and particles. The pellets may have a maximum dimension (i.e., length, width, height, diameter) of about 0.1mm to about 2mm and a minimum dimension (i.e., length, width, height, diameter) of about 0.05mm to about 1.5 mm. The particles can have a maximum dimension (i.e., length, width, height, diameter) of about 2mm to about 10mm and a minimum dimension (i.e., length, width, height, diameter) of about 1.5mm to about 4 mm.

The fabric treatment composition may be free flowing. Such free-flowing fabric treatment compositions may be packaged in a container such that a consumer may open the container and simply dose the desired amount of fabric treatment composition. The container may be any container known in the art suitable for containing a fabric treatment composition. For example, the container may have a width of about 50cm³To about 1500cm³The volume of (a). The container may be of any suitable size and shape for placement on a grocery store shelf, for placement in a consumer's home, or for use in a commercial environment, such as a laundromat.

It is also contemplated that the fabric treatment composition may be incorporated into a combination dosage article such as, for example, a single compartment pouch, a multi-compartment pouch, a dissolvable sheet, a fibrous article, a tablet, a bar, or mixtures thereof. Such pouches typically comprise a water-soluble film, such as a polyvinyl alcohol water-soluble film, which at least partially encapsulates the fabric treatment composition. Suitable films include those commercially available from MonoSol, LLC, Indiana, United States, Limited accountability, Indiana. A multi-compartment pouch may comprise at least two, at least three, or at least four compartments. The multi-compartment pouch may comprise side-by-side and/or stacked compartments. The fabric treatment composition contained in the pouch or compartment thereof may be in liquid form, solid form, or a combination thereof. The fabric treatment composition enclosed within the pouch may have a relatively small amount of water, for example less than about 20%, or less than about 15%, or less than about 12%, or less than about 10%, or less than about 8% water by weight of the fabric treatment composition.

A.Antioxidant agent

The fabric treatment composition comprises an antioxidant. Antioxidants are substances as described in Kirk-Othmer (vol.3, p.424) and Ullmann's Encyclopedia (vol.3, p.91). The fabric treatment composition comprises an antioxidant level sufficient to provide an antioxidant concentration in the treatment liquor of at least 25ppb, preferably at least 100ppb, more preferably at least 250ppb, even more preferably at least 500ppb, even more preferably at least 1000 ppb. The antioxidant level may be from about 0.001% to about 50% by weight of the fabric treatment composition.

The antioxidant may be selected from the group consisting of: alkylated phenols, aryl amines, and mixtures thereof.

The alkylated phenols may have the general formula:

wherein R is¹Is C₃-C₆A branched alkyl group, preferably a tert-butyl group; x is 1 or 2; and R is C₁-C₂₂Straight chain alkyl or C₃-C₂₂Branched alkyl groups, each (1) optionally having one or more esters (-CO) therein₂-) or an ether (-O-) linkage, and (2) is optionally substituted with an organic group comprising an alkyleneoxy or polyalkyleneoxy group selected from EO, PO, BO, and mixtures thereof, more preferably EO alone or a mixture of EO/PO; in one aspect, R is preferably methyl or branched C₃-C₆Alkyl radical, C₁-C₆Alkoxy radicals, preferablyAnd (3) methoxy.

The alkylated phenol may be a hindered phenol. As used herein, the term "hindered phenol" is used to refer to a compound comprising a phenolic group having (a) at least one C attached at an ortho position to at least one phenol-OH group₃Or higher branched alkyl, preferably C₃-C₆A branched alkyl group, preferably a tertiary butyl group, or (b) a substituent independently selected from the group consisting of: c₁-C₆Alkoxy, preferably methoxy; c₁-C₂₂Straight chain alkyl or C₃-C₂₂Branched alkyl, preferably methyl or branched C₃-C₆An alkyl group; or mixtures thereof. If the phenyl ring contains more than one-OH group, the compound is a hindered phenol, provided that at least one such-OH group is substituted as described immediately above.

Hindered phenols suitable for use herein include, but are not limited to, 2, 6-bis (1, 1-dimethylethyl) -4-methyl-phenol (also known as hydroxybutylated toluene, "BHT"); 3, 5-bis (1, 1-dimethylethyl) -4-hydroxy-phenylpropionic acid methyl ester; 3, 5-bis (1, 1-dimethylethyl) -4-hydroxy-benzenepropanoic acid octadecyl ester; delta-tocopherol; 2, 6-bis (1-methylpropyl) phenol; 2- (1, 1-dimethylethyl) -1, 4-benzenediol; 2, 4-bis (1, 1-dimethylethyl) -phenol; 2, 6-bis (1, 1-dimethylethyl) -phenol; 2- (1, 1-dimethylethyl) -4-methylphenol; 2- (1, 1-dimethylethyl) -4, 6-dimethyl-phenol; 3, 5-bis (1, 1-dimethylethyl) -4-hydroxyphenylpropionic acid 1, 1' - [2, 2-bis [ [3- [3, 5-bis (1, 1-dimethylethyl) -4-hydroxyphenyl ] -1-oxopropoxy ] methyl ] -1, 3-propanediyl ] ester; 2, 2' -methylenebis [6- (1, 1-dimethylethyl) -4-methylphenol; 2- (1, 1-dimethylethyl) -phenol; 2,4, 6-tris (1, 1-dimethylethyl) -phenol; 4, 4' -methylenebis [2, 6-bis (1, 1-dimethylethyl) -phenol; 4, 4', 4 "- [ (2,4, 6-trimethyl-1, 3, 5-benzenetriyl) tris (methylene) ] tris [2, 6-bis (1, 1-dimethylethyl) -phenol ]; n, N' -1, 6-adipoylbis [3, 5-bis (1, 1-dimethylethyl) -4-hydroxy-phenylacrylamide; hexadecyl 3, 5-bis (1, 1-dimethylethyl) -4-hydroxybenzoate; p- [ [3, 5-bis (1, 1-dimethylethyl) -4-hydroxypropyl ] methylphosphonic acid diethyl ester; 1,3, 5-tris [ [3, 5-bis (1, 1-dimethylethyl) -4-hydroxyphenyl ] methyl ] -1,3, 5-triazine-2, 4,6(1H,3H,5H) -trione; 3, 5-bis (1, 1-dimethylethyl) -4-hydroxyphenylpropionic acid 2- [3- [3, 5-bis (1, 1-dimethylethyl) -4-hydroxyphenyl ] -1-oxopropyl ] hydrazide; 3- (1, 1-dimethylethyl) -4-hydroxy-5-methylpropanoic acid 1, 1' - [1, 2-ethanediylbis (oxy-2, 1-ethanediyl) ] ester; 4- [ (dimethylamino) methyl ] -2, 6-bis (1, 1-dimethylethyl) phenol; 4- [ [4, 6-bis (octylthio) -1,3, 5-triazin-2-yl ] amino ] -2, 6-bis (1, 1-dimethylethyl) phenol; 1, 1' - (thiobis-2, 1-ethanediyl) 3, 5-bis (1, 1-dimethylethyl) -4-hydroxyphenylpropionic acid ester; 2, 4-bis (1, 1-dimethylethyl) phenyl 3, 5-bis (1, 1-dimethylethyl) -4-hydroxybenzoate; 1, 1' - (1, 6-hexanediyl) 3, 5-bis (1, 1-dimethylethyl) -4-hydroxypropionic acid; 3- (1, 1-dimethylethyl) -4-hydroxy-5-methylpropanoic acid 1, 1' - [2,4,8, 10-tetraoxaspiro [5.5] undecane-3, 9-diylbis (2, 2-dimethyl-2, 1-ethanediyl) ] ester; 3- (1, 1-dimethylethyl) - β - [3- (1, 1-dimethylethyl) -4-hydroxyphenyl ] -4-hydroxy- β -methylpropanoic acid 1, 1' - (1, 2-ethanediyl) ester; 2- [ [3, 5-bis (1, 1-dimethylethyl) -4-hydroxyphenyl ] methyl ] -2-butylmalonic acid 1, 3-bis (1,2,2,6, 6-pentamethyl-4-piperidinyl) ester; 3, 5-bis (1, 1-dimethylethyl) -4-hydroxyphenylpropionic acid 1- [2- [3- [3, 5-bis (1, 1-dimethylethyl) -4-hydroxyphenyl ] -1-oxopropoxy ] ethyl ] -2,2,6, 6-tetramethyl-4-piperidine ester; 3, 4-dihydro-2, 5,7, 8-tetramethyl-2- [ (4R,8R) -4,8, 12-trimethyltridecyl ] - (2R) -2H-1-benzopyran-6-ol; 2, 6-dimethylphenol; 2,3, 5-trimethyl-1, 4-benzenediol; 2,4, 6-trimethylphenol; 2,3, 6-trimethylphenol; 4, 4' - (1-methylethylidene) -bis [2, 6-dimethylphenol ]; 1,3, 5-tris [ [4- (1, 1-dimethylethyl) -3-hydroxy-2, 6-dimethylphenyl ] methyl ] -1,3, 5-triazine-2, 4,6(1H,3H,5H) -trione; 4, 4' -methylenebis [2, 6-dimethylphenol ]; 2, 6-bis (1-methylpropyl) phenol; and mixtures thereof.

Preferably, the hindered phenol is selected from the group consisting of: 2, 6-bis (1, 1-dimethylethyl) -4-methyl-phenol; c of 3, 5-bis (1, 1-dimethylethyl) -4-hydroxy-benzenepropanoic acid₁-C₁₈Linear or branched alkyl esters; and mixtures thereof. C of 3, 5-bis (1, 1-dimethylethyl) -4-hydroxy-benzenepropanoic acid₁-C₁₈Preferred examples of the linear or branched alkyl ester include methyl 3, 5-bis (1, 1-dimethylethyl) -4-hydroxy-phenylpropionate (available under the trade name of methyl ester35 commercially available from Raschig USA of Arlington, Texas (Raschig USA, Arlington, Texas, United States) and octadecyl-3, 5-bis (1, 1-dimethylethyl) -4-hydroxy-phenylpropionate (available under the trade name octadecyl-3, 5-bis (1, 1-dimethylethyl) -phenylpropionateTS from the German Ludwigshafen Basbuffer (BASF, Ludwigshafen, Germany) commercial availability).

In a preferred non-limiting example, the hindered phenol may be 2, 6-bis (1, 1-dimethylethyl) -4-methyl-phenol.

Additional phenolic antioxidants may be employed. Examples of suitable phenolic antioxidants may be selected from alpha-tocopherol, beta-tocopherol, gamma-tocopherol; 2,2, 4-trimethyl-1, 2-dihydroquinoline; tert-butyl hydroxyanisole; 6-hydroxy-2, 5,7, 8-tetramethyl chroman-2-carboxylic acid; and mixtures thereof.

An example of an arylamine suitable for use as an antioxidant in the present disclosure is ethoxyquinoline (e.g., 1, 2-dihydro-6-ethoxy-2, 2, 4-trimethylquinoline, available under the trade name RALUQUIN^TMCommercially available from rasgeg, argington, texas, usa). The arylamine can be a diarylamine. Diarylamines suitable for use in the present invention can be represented by the following general formula:

wherein Ar and Ar' are each independently selected from aromatic aryl and heteroaromatic aryl, wherein at least one aryl group is substituted. Suitable diarylamines can include, but are not limited to, 4- (1,1,3, 3-tetramethylbutyl) -N- [4- (1,1,3, 3-tetramethylbutyl) phenyl]Aniline (trade name: -aniline)5057 Ledeweichi from GermanyCommercially available from basf of harbor) and 4- (1-methyl-1-phenylethyl) -N- [4- (1-methyl-1-phenylethyl) phenyl]Aniline (trade name: -aniline)445 is commercially available from Indivant, Danbury, Connecticut, United States, USA).

B.Surface active agent

The fabric treatment composition may comprise from about 0.1% to about 80%, by weight of the fabric treatment composition, of a surfactant. The surfactant may be selected from the group consisting of: nonionic surfactants, anionic surfactants, amphoteric surfactants, zwitterionic surfactants, cationic surfactants, and mixtures thereof. If the fabric care product is a laundry cleaning composition or detergent, anionic and nonionic surfactants are typically employed. If the fabric treatment composition is a fabric softening composition, a cationic surfactant is typically employed. The surfactant can provide soil removal and help disperse the antioxidant while not adversely affecting the deposition of the antioxidant on the elastic fiber-containing fabric.

Suitable nonionic surfactants can include, but are not limited to, alkoxylated fatty alcohols (e.g., ethoxylated fatty alcohols); an alkoxylated alkylphenol; an alkylphenol condensate; mid-chain branched alcohols; mid-chain branched alkyl alkoxylates; an alkyl polysaccharide; polyhydroxy fatty acid amides; ether-terminated poly (alkoxylated) alcohol surfactants; and mixtures thereof. The alkoxylate units may be ethyleneoxy units, propyleneoxy units, or mixtures thereof. The nonionic surfactant can be linear, branched (e.g., mid-chain branched), or a combination thereof. Examples of suitable nonionic surfactants can include those available under the trade nameThose commercially available from basf of ludwigshafen, germany, under the trade nameNonionic those commercially available from Shell (Shell, The Hague, The Netherlands) of The Netherlands sea teeth and available under The trade nameThose commercially available from Huntsman Corporation (Huntsman Corporation, The Woodlands, Texas, United States) of wood, Texas, usa.

Suitable anionic surfactants may include, but are not limited to: sulphate detersive surfactants (e.g., alkoxylated and/or non-alkoxylated alkyl sulphate materials); and/or a sulphonic detersive surfactant (e.g. alkyl benzene sulphonate). The anionic surfactant can be linear, branched, or a combination thereof. Preferred anionic surfactants may include, but are not limited to, linear alkyl benzene sulfonate (LAS), Alkyl Ethoxylated Sulfate (AES), Alkyl Sulfate (AS), and mixtures thereof. Other suitable anionic surfactants may include branched modified alkyl benzene sulfonates (MLAS), Methyl Ester Sulfonates (MES), and/or Alkyl Ethoxylated Carboxylates (AEC). The anionic surfactant may be present in the acid form, salt form, or mixtures thereof. The anionic surfactant may be partially or fully neutralized, for example, with an alkali metal (e.g., sodium) or an amine (e.g., monoethanolamine). The anionic surfactant may preferably be pre-neutralized with an alkali metal, an alkaline earth metal, an amine (such as ethanolamine), or mixtures thereof.

Suitable amphoteric surfactants can include any conventional amphoteric surfactant known to those skilled in the art, such as amine oxides. Preferred amine oxides may include alkyl dimethyl amine oxide or alkyl amidopropyl dimethyl amine oxide, more preferably alkyl dimethyl amine oxide, and even more preferably coco dimethyl amine oxide. The amine oxide may have a linear or intermediately branched alkyl portion. Typical linear amine oxides may include those containing one R₁ C_8-18Alkyl moiety and two R₂And R₃Part of a water-soluble amine oxide, the R₂And R₃Part selected from the group consisting of C_1-3Alkyl and C_1-3Hydroxyalkyl groups and mixtures thereof. Preferably, the amine oxide may be represented by the formula R₁–N(R₂)(R₃) O, wherein R is₁Is C_8-18Alkyl, and R₂And R₃Selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, 2-hydroxyethyl, 2-hydroxypropyl and 3-hydroxypropyl. The amine oxide surfactant may comprise a linear chain C₁₀-C₁₈Alkyl dimethyl amine oxide and straight chain C₈-C₁₂Alkoxyethyl dihydroxyethyl amine oxide.

Suitable zwitterionic surfactants can include any conventional zwitterionic surfactant known to those skilled in the art, such as betaines, particularly alkyl betaines, alkyl amido betaines, imidazolinium betaines (amidolinium betaines), sulfobetaines, hydroxy betaines, and phosphobetaines. Examples of suitable betaines may include alkyl dimethyl betaine and coco dimethyl amidopropyl betaine, N-alkyl-N, N-dimethylamino-1-propane sulfonate, where the alkyl group may be C₈To C₁₈Or C₁₀To C₁₄。

Suitable cationic surfactants may include, but are not limited to: alkyl pyridinium compounds, alkyl quaternary ammonium compounds, alkyl quaternary phosphonium compounds, alkyl tertiary sulfonium compounds, and mixtures thereof. Preferred cationic surfactants are quaternary ammonium compounds having the general formula: (R)₁)(R₂)(R₃)N⁺X^-Wherein R is a linear or branched, substituted or unsubstituted C_6-18Alkyl or alkenyl moieties, R₁And R₂Independently selected from methyl or ethyl moieties, R₃Is a hydroxyl, hydroxymethyl or hydroxyethyl moiety, X is an anion that provides electrical neutrality, preferred anions include: halide ions, preferably chloride ions; sulfate radical; and a sulfonate group. For the purposes of the present invention, cationic surfactants include those which can deliver fabric care benefits. Non-limiting examples of useful cationic surfactants include: fatty amines, imidazoline quaternary materials, and quaternary ammonium surfactants, preferably N, N-bis (stearoyl-oxy-ethyl) N, N-dimethyl chlorideAmmonium chloride, N-bis (tallowoyl-oxy-ethyl) N, N-dimethylammonium chloride, N-bis (stearoyl-oxy-ethyl) N- (2 hydroxyethyl) N-methylammonium methosulfate; 1,2 bis (stearoyloxy) 3 trimethylpropanammonium chloride; dialkylene dimethyl ammonium salts such as ditalloerucyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, di (hard) tallow dimethyl ammonium chloride, ditalloerucyl dimethyl ammonium methyl sulfate; 1-methyl-1-stearamidoethyl-2-stearoylimidazoline methyl sulfate; 1-tallowamidoethyl-2-tallowimidazoline; n, N "-dialkyldiethylenetriamine; n- (2-hydroxyethyl) -1, 2-ethylenediamine or the reaction product of N- (2-hydroxyisopropyl) -1, 2-ethylenediamine and glycolic acid esterified with fatty acids, wherein the fatty acids are (hydrogenated) tallow fatty acid, palm fatty acid, hydrogenated palm fatty acid, oleic acid, rapeseed fatty acid, hydrogenated rapeseed fatty acid and mixtures of the above.

C. Adjuvant component

The fabric treatment compositions of the present disclosure may include additional adjunct ingredients. Such adjunct ingredients may provide additional treatment benefits to the treated fabric and/or they may act as stabilizing or processing aids for the fabric treatment composition. The fabric treatment composition may comprise an adjunct ingredient selected from the group consisting of: chelating agents, perfumes, structurants, chlorine scavengers, solvents, fabric conditioning actives and mixtures thereof.

i.Chelating agents

The fabric treatment composition may comprise from about 0.1% to about 10% by weight of the fabric treatment composition of a chelating agent. The chelating agent may provide additional malodor control benefits. Suitable chelating agents may include, but are not limited to, ethylenediaminetetraacetate, N- (hydroxyethyl) -ethylenediamine-triacetate, nitrilotriacetate, ethylenediaminetetrapropionate, triethylene-tetramine-hexaacetate, diethylenetriaminepentaacetate, ethanoldiglycine, ethylenediaminetetra (methylene phosphonate), diethylenetriaminepenta (methylene phosphonic acid) (DTPMP), ethylenediamine disuccinate (EDDS), hydroxyethanedimethylenephosphonic acid (HEDP), methylglycinediacetic acid (MGDA), diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA), and 1, 2-dihydroxybenzene-3, 5-disulfonic acid(titanium reagent (Tiron)), their salts, and mixtures thereof. Other non-limiting examples of suitable chelating agents can be found in U.S. patent nos. 7,445,644, 7,585,376, and 2009/0176684a1 (all to procter corporation, cincinnati, ohio, usa). Examples of suitable chelating agents include those available under the trade nameSeries of chelating agents are commercially available from Italian Chemicals (Genoa, Italy) of Therana, Italy, and from Monsanto, St.Louis, Missouri, United States, USA, DuPont Chemicals (DuPont Chemical, Wilmington, Delaware, United States), Wealton, Delton, Delaware, and Nalco Inc., Naperville, Illinois, United States, USA.

ii.Perfume

The fabric treatment composition may comprise from about 0.1% to about 20% by weight of the fabric treatment composition of a perfume. Perfumes can impart fragrance benefits to fabrics treated with fabric treatment compositions. The perfume may be an unencapsulated perfume, an encapsulated perfume or a perfume provided by another perfume delivery technology. Fragrances are generally described in U.S. patent No. 7,186,680 (procter & gamble company, cincinnati, ohio, usa). The encapsulated perfume may be provided as a plurality of perfume microcapsules comprising a perfume oil encapsulated within an outer shell. The perfume microcapsule may be a friable perfume microcapsule. The perfume microcapsules may be those described in U.S. patent publication 2008/0305982 (procter & gamble company, cincinnati, ohio, usa). Encapsulated perfumes can be beneficial in the fabric treatment compositions of the present disclosure because they can enhance the sensory experience of the consumer, particularly when combined with the reduction of malodor caused by antioxidants.

The fabric treatment composition may be substantially free of perfume, for example, when a consumer who is sensitive to perfume or does not wish to perfume treat their fabric requires a perfume-free fabric treatment composition.

In some cases, it may be desirable for the fabric treatment composition to be relatively odorless. In such cases, no additional perfume is added, and the fabric treatment composition may be substantially free of perfume.

iii.Structuring agent

The fabric treatment composition, particularly when the fabric treatment composition is in liquid form, may comprise from about 0.1% to about 10% by weight of the fabric treatment composition of a structurant. The structurant can provide physical stability to the liquid composition. Suitable structurants may include, but are not limited to, non-polymeric crystalline hydroxyl functional structurants and/or polymeric structurants.

The non-polymeric crystalline hydroxy-functional structurant may comprise a crystallizable glyceride which may be pre-emulsified to aid dispersion into the final fabric treatment composition. Suitable crystallizable glycerides may include, but are not limited to, hydrogenated castor oil ("HCO") or derivatives thereof, provided that they are capable of crystallizing in the liquid fabric treatment composition.

The polymeric structurant can include naturally derived structurants and/or synthetic structurants. Naturally derived polymeric structurants may include, but are not limited to, hydroxyethylcellulose, hydrophobically modified hydroxyethylcellulose, carboxymethylcellulose, polysaccharide derivatives, and mixtures thereof. Suitable polysaccharide derivatives may include, but are not limited to, pectin, alginate, arabinogalactan, carrageenan, gellan gum, xanthan gum, guar gum, and mixtures thereof. Synthetic polymeric structurants may include, but are not limited to, polycarboxylates, polyacrylates, hydrophobically modified ethoxylated urethanes, hydrophobically modified nonionic polyols, and mixtures thereof.

iv.Chlorine scavenger

The fabric treatment composition may comprise from about 0.1% to about 10%, by weight of the fabric treatment composition, of a chlorine scavenger. Chlorine may be present in the provided water to form a treatment fluid, and the resulting hypochlorite ions may degrade the elastic fibers. Suitable chlorine scavengers may include, but are not limited to, ammonium chloride, primary amines (such as monoethanolamine), and other chlorine scavengers known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

v.Solvent(s)

The fabric treatment composition may comprise from about 0.1% to about 40% by weight of the fabric treatment composition of a solvent. The solvent may act as a carrier and/or contribute to the stability of the fabric treatment composition, particularly when in liquid form. The non-aqueous solvent may include organic solvents such as methanol, ethanol, propanol, isopropanol, 1, 3-propanediol, 1, 2-propanediol, ethylene glycol, glycerol, glycol ethers, hydrocarbons, and mixtures thereof. Other non-aqueous solvents may include lipophilic fluids such as siloxanes or other silicones, hydrocarbons, perfluorinated amines, perfluorinated solvents, and hydrofluoroether solvents, and mixtures thereof.

vi.Fabric conditioning actives

The fabric treatment composition may comprise from about 1% to about 30% of a fabric conditioning active by weight of the fabric treatment composition. Fabric conditioning actives may be used to provide softness, wrinkle resistance, conditioning, stretch resistance, color and/or appearance benefits to the treated fabric. Suitable conditioning actives may include, but are not limited to, quaternary ammonium ester compounds, silicones, non-ester quaternary ammonium compounds, amines, fatty esters, sucrose esters, silicones, dispersible polyolefins, polysaccharides, fatty acids, softening or conditioning oils, polymer latexes, and combinations thereof. Non-limiting examples of suitable quaternary ammonium ester compounds are those available under the trade nameWE18 andWE 20 is commercially available from Esonik, Essen, Germany, and is available under the trade name Evonik, Essen, GermanyGA90、VK90 andVL90A from Illino, USACommercially available from Spandel, Nustrifeld, Inc. (Stepan Company, Northfield, Illinois, United States).

IV.The method comprises the following steps: method for testing the deposition of antioxidants on textiles

A.Fabric sample preparation method

Stripped 4 "x 4" fabric samples were prepared for testing by washing the fabric four times (two cycles with 1.55g/L of a standard fabric treatment detergent without whitening agent; then two cycles with only water and no detergent, all in a standard washing machine set to a heavy duty cycle of about 49 ℃). The fabric was then dried using a standard dryer set for durable press ironing.

B.Contacting a fabric with a fabric treatment composition

The peeled test fabric samples were prepared according to the fabric sample preparation method. The test fabric samples were weighed together and placed in 500mL erlenmeyer flasks with one 10mm glass ball per fabric sample. An aliquot of the fabric treatment composition to be tested was added to the erlenmeyer flask in an amount sufficient to provide a 25:1 ratio of treatment liquor to fabric (w/w). The Erlenmeyer flask was dosed with 1000gpg of hardness stock solution to achieve a final treatment solution hardness of 6gpg (3:1 Ca: Mg).

The erlenmeyer flask was placed on a standard laboratory shaker and stirred at maximum setting for 12 minutes, after which the treatment solution was removed by aspiration. A volume of rinse water (0gpg) equal to the amount of process liquid removed was added to the erlenmeyer flask. The Erlenmeyer flask was dosed with 1000gpg of a stock solution of hardness to achieve a final rinse hardness of 6gpg (3:1 calcium: magnesium), followed by stirring for more than 4 minutes at the maximum setting. The rinse liquid was removed by suction.

The test fabric samples were then spin dried using a standard spin dryer for 1 minute and then placed in a food dehydrator set at 50 ℃ for 30 minutes. Using a metal cutting die and hydraulic press, a test disc measuring 25mm in diameter was then cut from the test fabric sample and placed in a Mylar bag.

A calibration curve for the antioxidants used at known concentrations was determined using an HPLC instrument set to Ultraviolet (UV) wavelengths, depending on the antioxidant selected. The test fabric swatches were vortexed at room temperature (about 23 ℃) for two hours with an extraction buffer (90/10 acetonitrile/water; approximately 1:8w/w ratio between the test fabric swatch and the extraction buffer) to extract the deposited antioxidant from each test fabric swatch to form an extracted antioxidant solution. An aliquot of each extracted antioxidant solution was added to a separate HPLC vial. A blank solvent (70/30 acetonitrile/water) was added to the extracted antioxidant solution to form a diluted extracted antioxidant solution to fit a calibration curve. The diluted extracted antioxidant solution was then measured and quantified against the antioxidant calibration curve described previously. The measured output of antioxidant deposition on the fabric is given as μ g antioxidant per g of diluted extracted antioxidant solution in the HPLC vial. For conversion to μ g antioxidant/g fabric, the following calculations were performed:

V.examples

Example 1: deposition of antioxidants on various fabrics containing and not containing elastic fibers

To evaluate the deposition of antioxidants on various fabrics, six fabric samples (examples 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 3A, 3C) were prepared according to the "fabric sample preparation method" and the "deposition of antioxidants on fabrics test method" under the following conditions: 1.55g/L Standard reference high Performance liquid detergent for AATCC without whitening agent, part No. 48805A, available from AATCC Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, United States of America; washing machine: kenmore 600 series washing machine; a dryer: a Maytag commercial dryer; a fabric treatment composition with 0.1% antioxidant by dissolving 2g of antioxidant in 18g of non-ionic surfactant to form a 10% antioxidant solution and then adding 1g of the 10% antioxidant solution to 99g of a non-whitening containing solutionAATCC standard reference for agents to a high performance detergent to form a fabric treatment composition with 0.1% antioxidant (the fabric treatment composition with 0.1% antioxidant was then added to deionized water at 1.55 g/1.0L. this dose was prepared by washing to provide an antioxidant level of 1.55ppm (1550 ppb)); the antioxidant selected was butylated hydroxytoluene; nonionic surfactants are available under the trade nameL24-9 was obtained commercially from Hensman, woodland, Texas, USA; laboratory shaker: burrlel Scientific Wrist Action, commercially available from Burrlel Scientific, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States, Pa.^TMA model number 75; rotating the dryer: a mini-bench rotary dryer commercially available from The Laundry replacement of nashuhale, New Hampshire, usa (The Laundry Alternative, inc., Nashua, New Hampshire, United States); a food dehydrator: a neoco American Harvest model FD-80 food dehydrator commercially available from endosco corporation of florfstrom, Wisconsin (Nesco, inc., Two Rivers, Wisconsin, United States); HPLC machine: agilent 1260Infinity Quaternary HPLC machine commercially available from Agilent, Santa Clara, Calif., United States, Santa Clara, Calif., U.S.A.; ultraviolet (UV) wavelength setting: 278 nm; an aliquot of the extracted antioxidant solution was added to the HPLC vial: 1 mL; adding a blank solvent to the extracted antioxidant solution to form a diluted extracted antioxidant solution: 0.2mL of a blank solvent.

Each experiment was performed in triplicate to obtain a mean and standard deviation. The results are in table 1 below and fig. 1.

Table 1: deposition of antioxidants on various fabrics

1 nylon/spandex fabric (type NS, code #19505, commercially available from WFL LLC of rockhill, South Carolina, usa) (WFL America, LLC, Rock Hill, South Carolina, United States).

Nylon fabric (# type 365, commercially available from testfabric, West Pittston, Pennsylvania, United States, testafbrics, West Pittston, pa).

3 polyester/spandex fabric (type PS, code #19507, commercially available from WFL llc of rokhille, south carolina, usa).

4 polyester fabric (PE type, code #19508, commercially available from WFL llc of rokhille, south carolina, usa).

5 Cotton/elastane fabric (# model 4301, commercially available from test fabrics Inc. of west Pittston, Pa.).

6 Cotton fabrics (# type 403, commercially available from test fabrics Inc. of West Pittston, Pa., USA).

As shown by the results in table 1 and figure 1, each of the three fabrics containing elastic fibers had improved antioxidant deposition relative to their respective elastic fiber-free counterparts. As shown in examples 2A and 2B, when no elastic fiber is present in the fabric (example 2B), there is no deposition of antioxidant on the fabric. When elastic fibers are present (example 2A), there is a high level of deposition of antioxidant on the fabric even at low levels, showing that the elastic fibers in the fabric are capable of depositing antioxidant.

Example 2: reduction of malodor from fabrics having antioxidant deposited thereon

This example demonstrates the malodor reduction benefit that can be produced when elastomeric fiber-containing fabrics comprising added antioxidants deposited in an aqueous wash solution with antioxidant-containing compositions are exposed to autoxidisable soils. The malodor reduction benefit is evident when the elastomeric fiber containing fabric is soiled with autoxidisable soil.

A.Preparation of fabric samples

Fabric samples (2 "x 2"; model #4301, 92% cotton/8% spandex, available from testfabrics, West Pittston, PA, West pintston, PA) were prepared for testing by washing the fabric four times (two cycles with 1.55g/L of a standard AATCC heavy duty liquid detergent without whitening agent; then two cycles with only water and no detergent, all in a standard washing machine set to a heavy duty cycle of about 49 ℃), the fabric was contained in a mesh clothes underwear laundry bag and dried using a standard dryer set to a durable press.

B.Deposition of copper (II) on fabrics

Preparation of Cu using copper chloride dihydrate salt (Alfa Aesar, Haverhill, Mass.) of Afahexa sand²⁺Stock solution in deionized water. The cotton/spandex samples were placed on a drying rack and the copper solution dosed individually to achieve 10 μ g Cu per gram of fabric²⁺And then dried in a food dehydrator (30 minutes at 50 ℃).

C.Preparation of body Scale compositions

In a 100mL glass jar with a Teflon-lined top cap, artificial body dirt (ABS) and squalene (CAS #111-02-4) were dissolved in dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether (DPGM; CAS # 34590-94-8). ABS (Accurate Product Development, Fairfield, OH 45014) was melted at 40 ℃ and then added to the jar. The body scale composition contained 8 wt% of each of ABS and squalene.

D.Preparation of Soiled Test Fabric (STF)

To simulate post-wash staining, cotton/spandex fabrics containing 0.45 μmol antioxidant per g fabric were prepared by applying 90 μ l of the body soil composition prepared in step c. above. Three different antioxidants were tested along with the no antioxidant control fabric (see table a). The samples were dried in a food dehydrator set at 50 ℃ for 10 minutes. Each sample was placed in a 10ml glass headspace vial and crimped in place with a Teflon^TMThe cover of the diaphragm (Restek; Bellefonte, Pa.).

E.Assay detection of malodors on soiled test fabrics

Malodor reduction using ABS/squalene malodor sensor was quantified by gas chromatography mass spectrometry using Agilent gas chromatograph 7890B equipped with mass selective detector (5977B), Chemstation quantification pack and Gerstel multi-purpose sampler equipped with Solid Phase Microextraction (SPME) probe. Calibration standards for 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-one (CAS 110-93-0), trans-2-heptenal (18829-55-5), and 3-methyl-2-butenal (107-86-8) were prepared by dissolving known weights of these materials in light mineral oil (CAS 8020-83-5), each material available from Sigma Aldrich. Before analysis, vials were equilibrated for more than 4 hours. The following settings were used in the autosampler: 80 ℃ incubation temperature, 90min incubation time, VT32-10 sample tray type, 22mm vial penetration, 20min extraction time, 54mm injection penetration and 300s desorption time. The following settings were used for the front split/no split inlet helium: split mode, 250 ℃ temperature, 12psi pressure, 79.5mL/min total flow, 3mL/min membrane purge flow, 50:1 split ratio, and 22.5min GC run time. The following settings were used in the oven: initial temperature of 40 ℃, heating program of 12 ℃/min, temperature of 250 ℃ and holding time of 5 min. The total nmol/l of 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-one (K ═ 3353), trans-2-heptenal (K ═ 3434), and 3-methyl-2-butenal (K ═ 1119) were calculated based on the partition coefficient (K at 80 ℃) of each component. The values of these three measurements (in nmol/L) were added together to provide the total ABS/squalene marker (nmol/L) for the given test set.

F.The remaining oxidation product% is calculated

The remaining oxidation products% (OPR%) are provided as a percentage, and the amount of the selected malodor marker detected as provided by the antioxidant-treated fabric is compared to a (non-antioxidant) reference fabric. The values were determined as follows:

remaining oxidation product% (% tag)_testA marker_ref)*100

Marker substance_refAnd markers_testThe values of (a) are defined as follows:

marker substance_refTotal ABS/squalene marker (nmol/L) of fabric dosed with a formulation without antioxidant (e.g. a reference or control formulation)

Marker substance_testTotal ABS/squalene marker (nmol/L) for fabrics dosed with formulations containing antioxidants tested

G.Results

The results of the above experiments are shown in table a. All fabrics containing additional antioxidants (whether diarylamines or hindered phenols) had significantly lower OPR% than the control fabric.

Table a: residual oxidation product% on soiled test fabrics

Since the measured oxidation products are generally considered malodorous, it is believed that the lower the OPR% provided by the composition, the less malodorous the treated fabric may have. Therefore, smaller OPR% values are generally preferred. The compositions and methods of the present disclosure may provide an OPR% value of less than about 90%, or less than about 80%, or less than about 70%, or less than about 60%, or less than about 50%, or less than about 40%, or less than about 30%, or less than about 20%.

VI.Combination of

A. A method of treating a fabric containing elastic fibers, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a fabric treatment composition comprising an antioxidant and a surfactant;

providing a fabric comprising elastic fibers; and

contacting the elastic fiber-containing fabric with the fabric treatment composition in the presence of water, wherein the fabric treatment composition and the water form a treatment liquor having an antioxidant concentration of at least 25ppb, preferably at least 100ppb, more preferably at least 250ppb, even more preferably at least 500ppb, even more preferably at least 1000ppb, a surfactant concentration of at least 10ppm, preferably at least 25ppm, more preferably at least 50ppm, even more preferably at least 100ppm, and wherein the ratio (w/w) of treatment liquor to elastic fiber-containing fabric is from 0.1:1 to 100: 1;

wherein at least some portion, preferably at least 1 μ g/g, more preferably at least 2 μ g/g, more preferably at least 3 μ g/g, even more preferably at least 4 μ g/g, most preferably at least 5 μ g/g of said antioxidant is deposited onto said elastic fiber containing fabric as measured according to the antioxidant deposition on fabric test method.

B. The method of treating an elastic fiber-containing fabric according to paragraph a, wherein the method further comprises a step of rinsing the elastic fiber-containing fabric after the step of contacting the elastic fiber-containing fabric with the fabric treatment composition in the presence of water.

C. The method of treating an elastic fiber-containing fabric according to any of paragraphs a or B, wherein the method further comprises the step of drying the elastic fiber-containing fabric after the step of contacting the elastic fiber-containing fabric with the fabric treatment composition in the presence of water.

D. The method of treating an elastic fiber-containing fabric according to any of paragraphs a to C, wherein the elastic fiber-containing fabric comprises an unsaturated organic soil, preferably wherein the unsaturated organic soil comprises sebum, prior to the step of contacting the elastic fiber-containing fabric with the fabric treatment composition in the presence of water.

E. The method of treating an elastic fiber-containing fabric according to any of paragraphs a to C, wherein the elastic fiber-containing fabric is substantially free of unsaturated organic soils prior to the step of contacting the elastic fiber-containing fabric with the fabric treatment composition in the presence of water.

F. The method of any of paragraphs a through E of treating an elastic fiber-containing fabric, wherein the treatment fluid comprises at least 1ppm copper.

G. The method of treating an elastic fiber-containing fabric according to any of paragraphs a to F, wherein the elastic fiber-containing fabric comprises at least 1ppm copper prior to the step of contacting the elastic fiber-containing fabric with the fabric treatment composition in the presence of water.

H. The method of treating an elastic fiber-containing fabric according to any of paragraphs a to G, wherein the elastic fiber-containing fabric comprises at least 1%, or at least 2%, or at least 3%, or at least 4%, or at least 5% elastic fibers by weight of the elastic fiber-containing fabric.

I. The method of treating an elastic fiber-containing fabric according to any of paragraphs a to H, wherein the elastic fiber-containing fabric comprises a material selected from the group consisting of: polyester, nylon, cotton, and mixtures thereof.

J. The method of treating an elastic fiber-containing fabric according to paragraph I, wherein the elastic fiber-containing fabric comprises at least 50%, or at least 60%, or at least 70%, or at least 80%, or at least 90%, by weight of the elastic fiber-containing fabric, of polyester.

K. The method of treating an elastic fiber-containing fabric according to paragraph I, wherein the elastic fiber-containing fabric comprises at least 50%, or at least 60%, or at least 70%, or at least 80% nylon by weight of the elastic fiber-containing fabric.

L. the method of treating an elastic fiber-containing fabric according to paragraph I, wherein the elastic fiber-containing fabric comprises at least 50%, or at least 60%, or at least 70%, or at least 80%, or at least 90%, or at least 92%, by weight of the elastic fiber-containing fabric, of cotton.

M. the method of treating an elastic fiber-containing fabric according to any of paragraphs a to L, wherein the antioxidant is selected from the group consisting of: alkylated phenols, aryl amines and mixtures thereof, preferably the alkylated phenols are hindered phenols selected from the group consisting of: 2, 6-bis (1, 1-dimethylethyl) -4-methyl-phenol; 3, 5-bis (1, 1-dimethylethyl) -4-hydroxy-phenylpropylC of acids₁-C₁₈Linear or branched alkyl esters; and mixtures thereof, preferably the hindered phenol is 2, 6-bis (1, 1-dimethylethyl) -4-methyl-phenol.

N. the method of treating an elastic fiber-containing fabric according to any of paragraphs a to M, wherein the surfactant comprises an anionic surfactant, a nonionic surfactant, or a combination thereof.

O. the method of treating an elastic fiber-containing fabric according to any of paragraphs a to M, wherein the fabric treatment composition comprises an adjunct ingredient selected from the group consisting of: chelating agents, perfumes, structurants, chlorine scavengers, solvents, fabric conditioning actives and mixtures thereof, preferably wherein the adjunct ingredient is a surfactant and/or chelating agent.

The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Rather, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as "40 mm" is intended to mean "about 40 mm".

Each document cited herein, including any cross referenced or related patent or patent application and any patent application or patent to which this application claims priority or its benefits, is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety unless expressly excluded or otherwise limited. The citation of any document is not an admission that it is prior art with any disclosure of the invention or the claims herein or that it alone, or in combination with any one or more of the references, teaches, suggests or discloses any such invention. Further, to the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to that term in this document shall govern.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention.