EP1360364A1 - Use of non-ionic polysaccharides in a composition for textile care - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention concerns the use, in a composition for textile care in aqueous or wet medium, of a non-ionic polysaccharide whereof the native skeleton is formed of a main chain comprising similar or different anhydrohexose units, and branches including at least an anhydropentose and/or anhydrohexose unit. The anhydrohexose and/or anhydropentose units of the native skeleton being modified by at least a non-ionic group. The composition is designed for washing and/or rinsing and/or softening, prespotting textile articles ,drying wet clothes in a dryer or for facilitating ironing.

Description

 USE OF NON-IONIC POLYSACCHARIDE IN A COMPOSITION FOR THE CARE OF TEXTILE FIBER ARTICLES

The subject of the present invention is the use, in a composition for the care of articles made of textile fibers ("textile care"), based in particular on cotton, colored in particular, of at least one nonionic polysaccharide, as agent making it possible to avoid the degradation of these articles, to protect the colors of said articles and or to provide them with anti-creasing and / or softening properties.

It is advantageous, in particular during washing or rinsing operations, to protect articles made of textile fibers, linen in particular, from physical or chemical degradation phenomena (in particular to protect the colors of colored articles) and / or to provide them with benefits such as softening and / or anti-creasing properties.

Machine washing of the linen leads to physical and chemical degradation of the fibers and especially of the cotton fibers. The alkalinity delivered by detergents as well as certain specific compounds such as oxidizing substances (perborate, percarbonate) or certain enzymes can be at the origin of the chemical degradation of cotton fibers. But it is generally the conjunction of chemical and mechanical actions that leads to fiber degradation. The mechanical action is produced during washing, rinsing, spinning or drying, when the latter takes place in a dryer. This degradation of the fibers leads to the formation of fibrils on the surface of the textile which ultimately give a loss of luster in colored textiles. This degradation also induces a reduction in the resistance of the textile which in the extreme can lead to a tearing of the fabrics. This degradation of the textiles can be quantitatively evaluated either by a loss of the colors of the colored textiles or by a reduction in the breaking energy of the textile. It is generally necessary to carry out 10 to 20 cumulative machine washes to perceive this type of degradation.

Cleaning in a washing machine which systematically includes a spinning operation also results in a crumpled cloth which is accentuated during drying, in particular by the formation of inter-fiber hydrogen bonds. An ironing operation is therefore necessary to obtain a presentable appearance of the laundry.

In order to reduce the degradation of the fibers during washing or rinsing, the suppliers of chemical products or detergents have resorted to modifications of detergent formulas or to the use of certain specific additives.

Mention may in particular be made of detergents which do not comprise an oxidizing system, but which have reduced cleaning capacities. Compounds based on silicone have also been used and in particular amino silicones (US-A-4,585,563; WO 92/07927; WO 98/39401).

It is known to use hydroxypropyl guar as a thickening agent in liquid detergent compositions for textiles (JP 11 335698 A).

The Applicant has found that the use, in compositions for the treatment of articles of textile fibers, in particular based on cotton, colored in particular, of certain nonionic polysaccharides carrying hydrophobic substituents, soluble under the conditions of use (" working conditions ") in an aqueous or humid medium of said compositions, made it possible to avoid the degradation of these articles, made it possible to protect the colors and / or provided them with anti-crease and / or softening properties.

Such compositions may in particular be compositions for washing and / or rinsing and / or softening articles of textile fibers, for stain removal of articles of textile fibers before washing ("prespotting"), for drying articles in textile fibers in a tumble dryer or to facilitate ironing of textile fiber articles.

A first object of the invention consists in the use, in a composition for caring for articles made of textile fibers in an aqueous or humid medium, of at least one nonionic polysaccharide soluble under the conditions of use of said composition, polysaccharide of which the native skeleton is formed * of a main chain comprising similar or different anhydrohexose units

* and of branches comprising at least one anhydropentose and / or anhydrohexose unit the anhydrohexose and / or anhydropentose units of the native skeleton being modified by at least one nonionic group, the MS modification rate of the anhydrohexose and / or anhydropentose units by said at least one nonionic group (s) being at least 0.001 , preferably at least 0.01, as an agent making it possible to avoid the degradation of said articles and to protect the colors of said articles and / or to provide them with anti-crease and / or softening properties.

The viscosity of an aqueous solution containing 1% by weight of said nonionic polysaccharides, measured at 25 ° C. using a viscometer

Brookfield at 20 revolutions / minute, can preferably range from 200 to 5000 mPa.s.

The rate of modification MS is expressed in average number of moles of precursor of the nonionic modifying group having reacted by anhydrohexose and / or anhydropentose unit. The MS modification rate can vary depending on the nature of the precursor of said modifying group.

If the said precursor is not capable of forming new reactive hydroxyl groups (alkylation precursor for example), the rate of modification by the nonionic groups is less than 3 by definition. If said precursor is capable of forming new reactive hydroxyl groups (precursor of hydroxyalkylation for example), the rate of modification MS is theoretically not limited; it can for example go up to 6, preferably up to 2.

Said nonionic groups are linked to the carbon atoms of the sugar skeleton either directly or via bonds

-O-.

Among the nonionic groups, mention may be made of those of formula:

• - [- CH ₂ -CH (R) -0] _x -R ¹ where

R is a hydrogen atom or an alkyl radical containing from 1 to 4 carbon atoms x is an integer ranging from 0 to 6

R ¹ represents

. a hydrogen atom when x is different from 0 . an alkyl radical containing from 1 to 22 carbon atoms optionally interrupted by one or more oxygen and or nitrogen heteroatom, cycloalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, containing from 6 to 12 carbon atoms

. a radical - (CH2) _y -COOR. a radical - (CH2) _y -CN

. a radical - (CH ₂ ) _y -CONHR2 R ² representing an alkyl, aryl or arylalkyl radical containing from 1 to 22 carbon atoms, and y is an integer ranging from 0 to 5 • -CO-NH-R1 linked to a carbon atom of the sugar skeleton via an -O- bond, with R ¹ having the definition given above.

Mention may be made in particular of groups. methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, hexyl, octyl, dodecyl, octadecyl, phenyl, benzyl, linked to a carbon atom of the sugar skeleton via an ether, ester, amide or urethane bond,

. cyanoethyl, hydroxyethyl, hydroxypropyl, hydroxybutyl, linked to a carbon atom of the sugar skeleton via a -O- bond.

The hexose units (similar or different) of the main chain of the native skeleton can be D-glucose, D- or L-galactose, D-mannose, D- or L-fucose, L-rhamnose ...

The pentose and / or hexose units (similar or different) of the ramifications of the native skeleton can be D-xylose ..., L- or D- arabinose, D-glucose, D- or L-galactose, D-mannose, D- or L-fucose, L- rhamnose ... As examples of a native skeleton, mention may be made of galactomannans, galactoglucomannans, xyloglucans, scleroglucans ...

Preferably, the native skeleton is a galactomannan. Galactomannans are macromolecules comprising a main chain of D-mannopyranose units linked in position β (1 -4) substituted by D-galactopyranose units in position α (1-6). Among these, we can mention guar, carob, tara gums. Most preferably, the native skeleton is a guar gum. Guar gums have a mannose / galactose ratio of 2.

The nonionic polysaccharides according to the invention can be obtained in a known manner. Most of them are commercial products.

By way of examples of nonionic polysaccharides according to the invention, mention may very particularly be made of hydroxypropyl galactomannans, in particular hydroxypropyl guars.

For a good implementation of the invention, these can have a rate of modification of the order of 0.1 to 6, preferably from 0.1 to 1.6, very particularly from 0.4 to 1.2. .

A second object of the invention consists in a process for improving the properties of a composition for caring for articles of textile fibers in an aqueous or humid medium, by adding to said composition an effective amount of at least one non-polysaccharide. ionic according to the invention making it possible to avoid the degradation of said articles and to protect the colors of said articles and / or to provide them with anti-creasing and / or softening properties.

A third object of the invention consists of a method for preventing the degradation of articles made of textile fibers and for protecting the colors of said articles and / or providing them with anti-creasing and / or softening properties, by treating said articles. , in an aqueous or wet medium, using a composition comprising at least one nonionic polysaccharide according to the invention.

The form of the composition and the conditions of use (or treatment) can be multiple.

Said composition can be presented

* in the form of a solid (powder, granules, tablets, etc.) or a dispersion or a concentrated aqueous solution, brought into contact with the articles to be treated, after dilution in water; * in the form of a dispersion or a concentrated aqueous solution previously deposited on the dry articles to be treated before dilution in water;

* in the form of a dispersion or an aqueous solution to be deposited directly on the dry articles to be treated without dilution or of a solid support (stick) comprising said nonionic polysaccharide, to be applied directly to the dry articles to be treated;

* in the form of an insoluble solid support comprising said nonionic polysaccharide brought into contact directly with the articles to be treated in the wet state.

Thus the composition of the invention can be:

- a solid or liquid detergent formulation capable of directly forming by dilution a detergent bath;

- a liquid rinsing and / or softening formulation capable of directly forming, by dilution, a rinsing and / or softening bath;

- a solid material, textile in particular, comprising said non-ionic polysaccharide, intended to be brought into contact with wet articles in a dryer (said solid material is hereinafter called "drying additive");

- an aqueous ironing formulation; - a washing additive ("prespotter") intended to be deposited on dry articles prior to a washing operation using a detergent formulation containing or not containing said nonionic polysaccharide (said additive is called ci- after "washing additive").

The composition of the invention is particularly well suited to the care of articles (linen) in particular cotton-based, in particular containing at least

35% cotton. It is particularly suitable for the care of colored articles.

The nonionic polysaccharides according to the invention are soluble under the conditions of use ("working conditions") in aqueous or wet medium of said composition. Said nonionic polysaccharides are considered to be soluble when more than 50%, preferably more than 70% of their weight, are soluble in the aqueous or moist medium of use of the composition of the invention, that is to say in particular under the temperature and pH conditions of said medium.

The pH of use of the composition of the invention can range from approximately 2 to approximately 12, depending on the desired use. As it's about

- a detergent formulation, the pH of the detergent bath is generally of the order of 7 to 11, preferably of 8 to 10.5; - a rinsing and / or softening formulation, the pH of the rinsing and / or softening bath is generally of the order of 2 to 8;

- a drying additive, the pH to be considered is that of residual water, which can be of the order of 2 to 9;

- an aqueous ironing formulation, the pH of said formulation is generally of the order of 5 to 9;

- of a washing additive ("prespotter"), the pH to be considered is that of the pH of the washing bath of the following washing operation, namely of the order of 7 to 11, preferably from 8 to 10.5.

The amount of non-ionic polysaccharide present in the care composition according to the invention can range from 0.05 to 10% by dry weight of the weight of said composition in dry matter, depending on the desired application. Thus, said nonionic polysaccharide (PN) can be implemented as follows:

Other constituents may be present, alongside the nonionic polysaccharide, in the care composition according to the invention. Said composition can contain at least one surfactant and / or a detergency and / or rinsing and / or softening additive for articles made of textile fibers and / or a solid support (especially textile) of said nonionic polysaccharide. The nature of these constituents depends on the intended use of said composition. Thus, when it is a detergent formulation, for washing textile fiber articles, this generally comprises:

- at least one natural and / or synthetic surfactant,

- at least one detergency builder (optionally) an oxidizing agent or system,

- and a series of specific additives.

The detergent formulation may include surfactants in an amount corresponding to about 3 to 40% by weight based on the detergent formulation, surfactants such as anionic surfactants

. alkyl ester sulphonates of formula R-CH (Sθ3M) -COOR ', where R represents an alkyl radical _Cβ-20> ^preferably C10-C16. R ¹ an alkyl radical in C- | - CQ, preferably in C1-C3 and M an alkali cation (sodium, potassium, lithium), substituted or unsubstituted ammonium (methyl-, dimethyl-, trimethyl-, tetramethylammonium, dimethylpiperidinium. ..) or derived from an alkanolamine (monoethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine ...). Mention may very particularly be made of methyl ester sulfonates whose radicals R is C-14-Cιe; . alkyl sulfates of formula ROSO3M, where R represents a C5-C24, preferably C10-C 8, alkyl or hydroxyalkyl radical, M representing a hydrogen atom or a cation of the same definition as above, as well as their ethoxylenated derivatives (OE) and / or propoxylenated (OP), having on average from 0.5 to 30 units, preferably from 0.5 to 10 OE and / or OP units; . sulfated alkylamides of formula RCONHROSO3M where R represents a C2-C22 alkyl radical. preferably at C6-C20> R 'a C - C3 alkyl radical, M representing a hydrogen atom or a cation of the same definition as above, as well as their ethoxylenated (OE) and / or propoxylenated (OP) derivatives , having on average from 0.5 to 60 EO and / or OP units; . the salts of C8-C24, preferably C-14-C20, saturated or unsaturated fatty acids "Cg-C20 alkylbenzenesulfonates _> C8-C22 primary or secondary alkylsulfonates. alkyl glycerol sulfonates, sulfonated polycarboxylic acids described in GB-A-1 082 179, paraffin sulfonates, N-acyl N-alkyltaurates, alkylphosphates, isethionates, alkylsuccinamates, alkylsulfosuccinates, monoesters or diesters of sulfosuccinates, N-acyl sarcosinates, alkyl glycoside sulfates, polyethoxycarboxylates; the cation being an alkali metal (sodium, potassium, lithium), a substituted or unsubstituted ammonium residue (methyl-, dimethyl-, trimethyl-, tetramethylammonium, dimethylpiperidinium ...) or derived from an alkanolamine (monoethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine ...); Nonionic surfactants

. polyoxyalkylenated (polyoxyethylenated, polyoxypropylenated, polyoxybutylenated) alkylphenols in which the alkyl substituent is C6-C12 and containing from 5 to 25 oxyalkylene units; by way of example, mention may be made of the Triton X-45, X-114, X-100 or X-102 sold by Rohm & Haas Cy. ; . glucosamide, glucamide, glycerolamide;

. polyoxyalkylenated C8-C22 aliphatic alcohols containing from 1 to 25 oxyalkylene units (oxyethylene, oxypropylene); by way of example, mention may be made of TERGITOL 15-S-9, TERGITOL 24-L-6 NMW sold by Union Carbide Corp., NEODOL 45-9, NEODOL 23-65, NEODOL 45-7, NEODOL 45-4 marketed by Shell Chemical Cy., KYRO EOB marketed by The Procter & Gamble Cy. ;

. the products resulting from the condensation of ethylene oxide, the compound resulting from the condensation of propylene oxide with propylene glycol, such as the PLURONIC sold by BASF;

. the products resulting from the condensation of ethylene oxide, the compound resulting from the condensation of propylene oxide with ethylenediamine, such as TETRONIC sold by BASF; . amine oxides such as alkyl oxides C-j Q-CI Q dimethylamines, alkoxy oxides C8-C22 ethyl dihydroxy ethylamines; . the alkylpolyglycosides described in US-A-4,565,647; . amides of C8-C20 fatty acids; . ethoxylated fatty acids; . ethoxylated fatty amides; . ethoxylated amines.

Amphoteric and zwitterionic surfactants alkyldimethylbetaines, alkylamidopropyldimethylbetaines, alkyltrimethylsulfobetaines, condensation products of fatty acids and protein hydrolysates; alkylamphoacetates or alkylamphodiacetates in which the alkyl group contains from 6 to 20 carbon atoms.

Detergency builders improving the properties of surfactants can be used in amounts corresponding to about 5-50%, preferably about 5-30% by weight for liquid detergent formulas or about 10 -80%, preferably 15-50% by weight for detergent formulas in powders, detergency builders such as: Inorganic detergency builders

. polyphosphates (tripolyphosphates, pyrophosphates, orthophosphates, hexametaphosphates) of alkali metals, ammonium or alkanolamines. tetraborates or borate precursors; . silicates, in particular those having an Siθ2 / Na2θ ratio of the order of 1.6 / 1 to 3.2 / 1 and the lamellar silicates described in US-A-4,664,839; . alkali or alkaline earth carbonates (bicarbonates, sesquicarbonates); . cogranules of hydrated alkali metal silicates and alkali metal carbonates (sodium or potassium) rich in silicon atoms in Q2 or Q3 form, described in EP-A-488 868;

. crystalline or amorphous aluminosilicates of alkali metals (sodium, potassium) or ammonium, such as zeolites A, P, X ...; Zeolite A with a particle size of the order of 0.1-10 micrometers is preferred. Organic detergency builders water-soluble polyphosphonates (ethane 1-hydroxy-1, 1 - diphosphonates, methylene salts diphosphonates ...); water-soluble salts of carboxylic polymers or copolymers or their water-soluble salts such as: polycarboxylate ethers (oxidisuccinic acid and its salts, acid monosuccinic tartrate and its salts, disuccinic acid tartrate and its salts); hydroxypolycarboxylate ethers; citric acid and its salts, mellitic acid, succinic acid and their salts; the salts of polyacetic acids (ethylenediaminetetraacetates, nitrilotriacetates, N- (2 hydroxyethyl) -nitrilodiacetates); succinic C5-C20 alkyl acids and their salts (2-dodecenylsuccinates, lauryl succinates); - polyacetal carboxylic esters; polyaspartic acid, polyglutamic acid and their salts; polyimides derived from the polycondensation of aspartic acid and / or glutamic acid; polycarboxymethylated derivatives of glutamic acid or other amino acids.

The detergent formulation may further comprise at least one oxygen-releasing bleaching agent comprising a per-compound, preferably a persalt.

Said bleaching agent can be present in an amount corresponding to approximately 1 to 30%, preferably from 4 to 20% by weight relative to the detergent formulation.

As examples of per-compounds capable of being used as bleaching agents, mention should be made in particular of perborates such as sodium perborate monohydrate or tetrahydrate; peroxygenated compounds such as sodium carbonate peroxyhydrate, pyrophosphate peroxyhydrate, urea peroxyhydrate, sodium peroxide, sodium persulfate.

Preferred bleaching agents are sodium perborate, mono- or tetrahydrate and / or sodium carbonate peroxyhydrate. Said agents are generally combined with a bleach activator generating in situ in the washing medium, a peroxycarboxylic acid, in an amount corresponding to approximately 0.1 to 12%, preferably from 0.5 to 8% by weight relative to the detergent formulation. Among these activators, mention may be made of tetraacetylethylenediamine, tetraacetylmethylenediamine, tetraacetylglycoluryl, sodium p-acetoxybenzenesulfonate, pentaacetylglucose, octaacetyllactose. Mention may also be made of non-oxygenated bleaching agents, acting by photoactivation in the presence of oxygen, agents such as sulfonated aluminum and / or zinc phthalocyanines.

The detergent formulation may further comprise anti-soil release agents, anti-redeposition agents, chelating agents, dispersants, fluorescence agents, foam suppressants, softeners, enzymes and other various additives. Anti-fouling agents

They can be used in amounts of approximately 0.01-10%, preferably approximately 0.1-5%, and more preferably of the order of 0.2-3% by weight.

Mention may more particularly be made of agents such as:. cellulosic derivatives such as cellulose hydroxyethers, methylcellulose, ethylcellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, hydroxybutyl methylcellulose;

. polyvinyl esters grafted on polyalkylene trunks such as polyvinyl acetates grafted on polyoxyethylene trunks (EP-A-219048); . polyvinyl alcohols; . polyester copolymers based on ethylene terephthalate and / or propylene terephthalate and polyoxyethylene terephthalate units, with a molar ratio (number of units) ethylene terephthalate and / or propylene terephthalate / (number of units) polyoxyethylene terephthalate of the order of 1/10 to 10/1, preferably of the order of 1/1 to 9/1, the polyoxyethylene terephthalates having polyoxyethylene units having a molecular weight of the order of 300 to 5000, preferably of the order of 600 to 5000 (US-A-3,959,230, US-A-3,893,929, US-A-4 116896, US-A-4702 857, US-A-4770666);

. sulfonated polyester oligomers obtained by sulfonation of an oligomer derived from ethoxylated allyl alcohol, dimethyl terephthalate and 1,2-propylene diol, having from 1 to 4 sulfonated groups (US-A-4968451); . polyester copolymers based on propylene terephthalate and polyoxyethylene terephthalate units and terminated with ethyl or methyl units (US Pat. No. 4,711,730) or polyester oligomers terminated by groups alkylpolyethoxy (US-A-4,702,857) or sulfopolyethoxy anionic groups

(US-A-4,721,580), sulfoaroyl (US-A-4877 896);

. sulfonated polyester copolymers derived from terephthalic, isophthalic and sulfoisophthalic acid, anhydride or diester and a diol (FR-A-2 720 399). Anti-redeposition agents,

They can be used in quantities generally of about 0.01-

10% by weight for a powdered detergent formulation, approximately 0.01-5% by weight for a liquid detergent formulation.

Mention may in particular be made of agents such as:. ethoxylated monoamines or polyamines, polymers of ethoxylated amines

(US-A-4,597,898, EP-A-11,984);

. carboxymethylcellulose;

. sulfonated polyester oligomers obtained by condensation of isophthalic acid, dimethyl sulfosuccinate and diethylene glycol (FR-A-2 236926);

. polyvinylpyrollidones.

Chelating agents

The iron and magnesium chelating agents can be present in amounts of the order of 0.1-10%, preferably of the order of 0.1 -3% by weight. Among others, we can mention:

. aminocarboxylates such as ethylenediaminetetraacetates, hydroxyethylethylenediaminetriacetates, nitrilotriacetates;

. aminophosphonates such as nitrilotris- (methylenephosphonates);

. polyfunctional aromatic compounds such as dihydroxy-disulfobenzenes.

Polymeric dispersing agents,

They can be present in an amount of the order of 0.1-7% by weight, to control the hardness of calcium and magnesium, agents such as

. the water-soluble salts of polycarboxylic acids with a molecular mass of the order of 2000 to 100,000, obtained by polymerization or copolymerization of ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acids such as acrylic acid, maleic acid or anhydride, fumaric acid, itaconic acid, aconitic acid, mesaconic acid, citraconic acid, methylenemalonic acid, and all particularly the polyacrylates of molecular mass of the order of 2000 to 10

000 (US-A-3 308 067), the copolymers of arylic acid and maleic anhydride of molecular mass of the order of 5000 to 75 000 (EP-A-66915)

. polyethylene glycols of molecular mass of the order of 1000 to 50,000. Fluorescent agents (brighteners),

They may be present in an amount of about 0.05-1.2% by weight, agents such as: stilbene derivatives, pyrazoline, coumarin, fumaric acid, cinnamic acid, azoles, methinecyanins, thiophenes ... ("The production and application of fluorescent brightening agents "- M. Zahradnik, published by John Wiley & Sons, New York -1982).

Foam suppressants,

They can be present in amounts of up to 5% by weight, agents such as:

. C- monocarboxylic fatty acids | 0- ^ 24 ^or ' ^{βurs se} ' ^sa ' ^ca li ^ns , ammonium or alkanolamines, triglycerides of fatty acids;

. aliphatic, alicyclic, aromatic or heterocyclic saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbons, such as paraffins, waxes;

. N-alkylaminotriazines;

. monostearylphosphates, monostearylalcoholphosphates; . polyorganosiloxane oils or resins optionally combined with silica particles.

Softening agents

They can be present in amounts of about 0.5-10% by weight, agents such as clays. enzymes

They can be present in an amount of up to 5 mg by weight, preferably of the order of 0.05-3 mg of active enzyme / g of detergent formulation, enzymes such as:

. proteases, amylases, lipases, cellulases, peroxidases (US-A-3,553,139, US-A-4,101,457, US-A-4507219, US-A-4261 868).

Other additives

We can cite among others:

. buffering agents, . perfumes, . pigments.

The detergent formulation can be used, in particular in a washing machine, at a rate of 0.5g / l to 20g / l, preferably from 2g / l to 10g / l to carry out washing operations at a temperature of range from 25 to 90 ° C.

A second embodiment of the care composition of the invention consists of an aqueous liquid formulation for rinsing and / or softening articles of textile fibers.

This can be carried out at a rate of 0.2 to 10 g / l, preferably from 2 to 10 g / l.

Besides the nonionic polysaccharide, other constituents of the type may be present.

- combinations of cationic surfactants (triethanolamine diester quaternized by dimethylsulfate, N-methylimidazoline tallow methyl sulfate ester, dialkyldimethylammonium chloride, alkylbenzyldimethylammonium chloride, methyl and alkylimidazolinium sulfate, methyl and methyl bis bis ( alkylamidoethyl) -2 - hydroxyethylammonium ...) in an amount which can range from 3 to 50%, preferably from 4 to 30% of said formulation optionally associated with nonionic surfactants (ethoxylated fatty alcohols, ethoxylated alkylphenols ...) up to 3%;

- polyorganosiloxanes (0.1 to 10%)

- optical brighteners (0.1 to 0.2%);

- possibly anti-color transfer agents (polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyvinyloxazolidone, polymethacrylamide ... 0.03 to 25%, preferably 0.1 to

15%)

- dyes,

- perfumes,

- solvents, in particular alcohols (methanol, ethanol, propanol, isopropanol, ethylene glycol, glycerin)

- foam limiters. A third embodiment of the care composition of the invention consists of an additive for drying textile fiber articles in an appropriate drying machine.

Said additive comprises a flexible solid support constituted for example by a strip of woven or nonwoven fabric, a sheet of cellulose, impregnated with said nonionic polysaccharide; said additive is introduced on drying in the damp linen to be dried at a temperature of the order of 50 to 80 ° C for 10 to 60 minutes.

Said additive may further comprise cationic softening agents (up to 99%) and anti-color transfer agents (up to 80%) such as those mentioned above.

A fourth embodiment of the care composition of the invention consists of an ironing formulation which can be sprayed directly onto the dry linen before the ironing operation. Said formulation may also contain polymers based on silicone (of

0.2 to 5%), nonionic surfactants (from 0.5 to 5%) or anionic surfactants (from

0.5 to 5%), perfumes (0.1 to 3%), cellulose derivatives (0.1 to 3%) such as starch; spraying said formulation on the linen makes it easier to iron and limit wrinkling of the linen when worn. A fifth embodiment of the care composition of the invention consists of a washing additive ("prespotter") in the form of an aqueous solution or dispersion or a solid (stick) .

Besides the nonionic polysaccharide, other constituents of the type - anionic surfactants such as those already mentioned above, may be present, in an amount of at least 5% of the weight of the composition.

- nonionic surfactants such as those already mentioned above, in an amount which can range from 15% to 40% of the weight of the composition

- Aliphatic hydrocarbons, in an amount which can range from 5% to 20% of the weight of the composition. The following examples are given by way of illustration.

The nonionic polysaccharides used in the following examples are

* hydroxypropyl guar HPG1 with a modification rate of 1, 2 and a dynamic viscosity of 1300 mPa.s

* hydroxypropyl guar HPG2 with a modification rate of 0.6 and a dynamic viscosity of 3000 mPa.s

Example 1

Detergent formulation

A washing operation is carried out in a laboratory apparatus Tergotometer well known in the profession of formulators of detergent compositions. The device simulates the mechanical and thermal effects of washing machines of the American type with pulsator, but thanks to the presence of 6 washing pots, it allows to carry out series of simultaneous tests with an appreciable saving of time.

We cut out test pieces of loose cotton (supplied under the reference 2436W by Phoenix Colio Ltd.) of dimensions 10X10 cm. The cotton test pieces are first ironed in order to all have the same level of crumpling before washing.

They are then washed using the above detergent formulations containing or not containing the nonionic polysaccharide and rinsed 3 times, under the following conditions:

- number of test tubes per jar of the Tergotometer: 10 - volume of water: 1 liter

- water with French hardness 30 ° TH obtained by appropriate dilution of Contrexéville® brand mineral water

- detergent concentration: 5 g / l

- washing temperature: 40 ° C - washing time: 20 min

- Tergotometer stirring speed: 100 revolutions / minute

- rinse with cold water (around 30 ° TH)

- rinse time: 5 minutes

The test pieces are then crumpled under a 150 gxcm ^"2 press for 90 seconds, then allowed to dry horizontally overnight.

A digital color photograph of the dry specimens is then produced, which is then transformed into 256 levels of gray (gray scale from 0 to 255).

We count the number of pixels corresponding to each gray level. For each histogram obtained, the standard deviation σ of the distribution of the gray level is measured. σl corresponds to the standard deviation obtained with the detergent formulation not containing non-ionic polysaccharide. σ2 corresponds to the standard deviation obtained with the detergent formulation containing the nonionic polysaccharide.

The performance value WR ("Wrinckle Recovery") is given by the following equation

WR (%) = [(σl-σ2) / σl] f x 100 being a normalization factor, here of the order of 2.1. A value of:

- 0% corresponds to zero profit

- 100% corresponds to a non-crumpled surface (flat surface obtained after ironing)

The performance values obtained are as follows:

These positive WR values are representative of an anti-crease property provided by the detergent formulation comprising the nonionic polysaccharide according to the invention.

Example 2

Rinse / softening formulation

EXAMPLE 3 MEASUREMENT OF THE PROTECTION OF COLORS PRINCIPLE

It consists of carrying out, under defined conditions, 10 washes of a sample of several colored cotton fabrics. The color protection efficiency is tested in an automated washing machine. The actual evaluation is carried out by a reflectance measurement. The tissues are examined before and after 10 advages. The color variation thus recorded (ΔE *) constitutes the loss of color on each type of fabric. APPARATUS - REAGENTS * AEG Lavamat 2050 Turbo automated washing machine:

Commercial washing machine with front window - washing cycles at 40 ° C - volume of water in washing: 13 liters

Recorded program: 10 wash cycles

* LUCI100 reflectometer - Dr Lange: It is a reflectance device used to measure the colors of fabrics before and after washing.

* 6 tea towels: in ecru cotton referenced 402MBLI (from D. PORTHAULT SA)

* 4 Towels (as ballast): Terry cotton towel terry 500 g / m2 (from D. PORTHAULT SA)

* Sampling of 5 different colored commercial fabrics. black woven cotton

. red woven cotton

. turquoise woven cotton. blue woven cotton

. printed woven cotton

OPERATING MODE

Washing conditions:

Washing temperature: 40 ° C Duration: about 67 min

Number of washing: 10

Linen load: 3 kg dry (4 towels + 6 tea towels + colored fabrics)

Bath volume: 13 liters ± 1 liter Water hardness: around 23 ° TH French

Concentration washing formula: 5 ± 0.1 g / l

Operating mode: 5 steps

. Color measurement of test specimens of new fabrics . Sewing of test pieces of colored fabrics on the tea towels to avoid fraying during successive washings

. 10 washes without drying between cycles

. Drying in the open air . color measurement on washed fabrics

The colors are measured on a LUCI100 reflectometer:

The measurement system used is the CIE-L * a * b * (DIN6174, CIE-LAB 1976).

It breaks down as follows:

L * corresponds to the degree of white on a white - black scale. L * = 100 for a white test tube

L * = 0 for a black test tube a * locates the color in a range from green to red, a * ≥O the color draws on red, a * ≤O the color draws on green b * locates the color in the moon range going from yellow to blue, b * ≥O the color turns to yellow, b * ≤O the color turns to blue.

Each tissue specimen is measured at 5 different points (one in the center and one at each corner) and the average of the components L *, a * and b * is calculated. EXPLOITATION OF RESULTS :

The reflectometer is equipped with software which indirectly calculates the ΔE * from the data previously recorded. This value corresponds to the variation in color recorded on the fabric after washing and is expressed as follows:

ΔL * = L * after washing - L * before washing Δa * = a * after washing - a * before washing

Δb * = b * after washing - b * before washing

The loss of color for each fabric is then given by the following expression:

ΔE ^* = (ΔZ /) ² + (Δ_. ^* ) ² + (Δb ^* ) ² The performance of the polysaccharide is evaluated in%, according to the following equation

/ ΔE 'r „ef, -Δ ^f -" E- * t_r it, é performance% = l00%

ΔE ref _t ΔE _r e _f corresponding to the ΔE obtained with the formulation (G) of Example 1 without non-ionic polysaccharide

Δ Processed corresponding to the ΔE obtained with the formulation (D) of Example 1 containing a nonionic polysaccharide

A performance of

- 0% corresponds to zero benefit compared to fabric washed without non-ionic polysaccharide

- 100% corresponds to an absence of color change (the fabric is like new)

The results obtained are as follows:

These results show that the presence of nonionic polysaccharide in formulation (D) makes it possible to considerably improve color protection.

Claims

1) Use, in a composition for the care of articles of textile fibers in an aqueous or humid medium, of at least one nonionic polysaccharide soluble under the conditions of use of said composition, a polysaccharide of which the native skeleton is formed

* a main chain comprising similar or different anhydrohexose units

* and of ramifications comprising at least one anhydropentose and / or anhydrohexose unit, the anhydrohexoses and / or anhydropentoses units of the native skeleton being modified by at least one nonionic group, the rate of modification MS of the anhydrohexoses and / or anhydropentoses units by said or said non-ionic group (s) being at least 0.001, preferably at least 0.01, as an agent which makes it possible to avoid the degradation of said articles and to protect the colors of said articles and / or to provide those these have anti-crease and / or softening properties.

2) Use according to claim 1), characterized in that the MS modification rate is up to 6.

3) Use according to claim 1) or 2), characterized in that the MS modification rate is less than 3.

4) Use according to any one of claims 1) to 3), characterized in that the MS modification rate is up to 2.

5) Use according to any one of claims 1) to 4), characterized in that the nonionic groups are linked to the carbon atoms of the sugar skeleton either directly or via -O- bonds. 6) Use according to any one of claims 1) to 5), characterized in that the nonionic groups have the formula:

• - [- CH ₂ -CH (R) -0] _X -R1 where

R is a hydrogen atom or an alkyl radical containing from 1 to 4 carbon atoms x is an integer ranging from 0 to 6 R ¹ represents

. a hydrogen atom when x is different from 0. an alkyl radical containing from 1 to 22 carbon atoms optionally interrupted by one or more oxygen and / or nitrogen heteroatom, cycloalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, containing from 6 to 12 carbon atoms. a radical - (CH2) y-COOR ² . a radical - (CH2) _y -CN. a radical - (CH ₂ ) _y -CONHR ² R ² representing an alkyl, aryl or arylalk radical containing it from 1 to 22 carbon atoms, and y is an integer ranging from 0 to 5

• -CO-NH-R ¹ linked to a carbon atom of the sugar skeleton via an -O- bond, with R ¹ having the definition given above.

7) Use according to any one of claims 1) to 6), characterized in that said nonionic groups are groups

. methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, hexyl, octyl, dodecyl, octadecyl, phenyl, benzyl, linked to a carbon atom of the sugar skeleton via an ether, ester, amide or urethane bond,

. cyanoethyl, hydroxyethyl, hydroxypropyl, hydroxybutyl, linked to a carbon atom of the sugar skeleton via a -O- bond.

8) Use according to any one of claims 1) to 7), characterized in that the hexose units (similar or different) of the main chain of the native skeleton are D-glucose, D- or L-galactose, D units -mannosis, D- or L-fucose, L-rhamnose. 9) Use according to any one of claims 1) to 8), characterized in that the pentose and / or hexose units (similar or different) of the branches of the native skeleton are D-xylose, L- or D-arabinose units , D-glucose, D- or L-galactose, D-mannose, D- or L-fucose, L- rhamnose.

10) Use according to any one of claims 1) to 9), characterized in that said native skeleton is a galactomannan, galactoglucomannan, xyloglucane, scleroglucane.

11) Use according to claim 10), characterized in that said native skeleton is a galactomannan.

12) Use according to claim 11), characterized in that said nonionic polysaccharide is a hydroxypropyl galactomannan.

13) Use according to claim 12), characterized in that said nonionic polysaccharide is a hydroxypropyl guar.

14) Use according to claim 13), characterized in that said hydroxypropyl guar has a modification rate from 0.1 to 6, preferably from 0.1 to 1.6, very particularly from 0.4 to 1.2.

15) Use according to any one of claims 1) to 14) characterized in that said composition is in the form

* a solid, a dispersion or a concentrated aqueous solution, brought into contact with the articles of textile fibers to be treated, after dilution in water;

* a dispersion or a concentrated aqueous solution previously deposited on the articles of dry textile fibers to be treated before dilution in water; * a dispersion or an aqueous solution to be deposited directly on the articles of dry textile fibers to be treated without dilution or a solid support comprising said nonionic polysaccharide, to be applied directly to the dry articles to be treated; * or of an insoluble solid support comprising said nonionic polysaccharide brought into contact directly with the articles of textile fibers to be treated in the wet state.

16) Use according to any one of claims 1) to 15), characterized in that said composition comprises from 0.05 to 10% of said nonionic polysaccharide expressed as dry.

17) Use according to any one of claims 1) to 16), characterized in that said composition is

- A solid or liquid detergent formulation comprising from 0.05 to 5%, preferably from 0.1 to 3% of said nonionic polysaccharide, expressed as dry, capable of directly forming by dilution a detergent bath;

a liquid rinsing and / or softening formulation comprising from 0.05 to 3%, preferably from 0.1 to 2% of said nonionic polysaccharide, expressed in dry form, capable of directly forming by rinsing a rinsing bath and / or softening;

a solid material, textile in particular, comprising from 0.05 to 10%, preferably from 0.1 to 5% of said nonionic polysaccharide, expressed in dry matter, intended to be brought into contact with articles of wet textile fibers in a clothes dryer ;

an aqueous ironing formulation comprising from 0.05 to 10%, preferably from 0.1 to 5% of said nonionic polysaccharide, expressed in dry matter;

a washing additive comprising from 0.05 to 10%, preferably from 0.1 to 5% of said non-ionic polysaccharide, expressed in dry matter, intended to be deposited on articles of dry textile fibers prior to a washing operation using a detergent formulation containing or not containing said nonionic polysaccharide.

18) Use according to any one of claims 1) to 17), characterized in that said composition contains at least one surfactant and / or a detergency and / or rinsing and / or softening additive for fiber articles textiles and / or a solid support for said nonionic polysaccharide. 19) Process for improving the properties of a composition for caring for articles made of textile fibers in an aqueous or humid medium, by adding to said composition at least one nonionic polysaccharide, the use of which is the subject of any one of claims 1) to 14), in a quantity which makes it possible to avoid the degradation of said articles and to protect the colors of said articles and / or to provide them with anti-crease and / or softening properties.

20) Method for avoiding the degradation of articles made of textile fibers and protecting the colors of said articles and / or providing them with anti-crease and / or softening properties, by treatment of said articles, in an aqueous or wet medium, using a composition comprising at least one nonionic polysaccharide, the use of which is the subject of any one of claims 1) to 14).

21) Method according to claim 19) or 20), characterized in that said composition is in the form

* a solid, a dispersion or a concentrated aqueous solution, brought into contact with the articles of textile fibers to be treated, after dilution in water; * a dispersion or a concentrated aqueous solution previously deposited on the articles of dry textile fibers to be treated before dilution in water;

* a dispersion or an aqueous solution to be deposited directly on the articles of dry textile fibers to be treated without dilution or a solid support comprising said nonionic polysaccharide, to be applied directly to the dry articles to be treated;

* or of an insoluble solid support comprising said nonionic polysaccharide brought into contact directly with the articles of textile fibers to be treated in the wet state.

22) Method according to any one of claims 19 to 21), characterized in that said composition is - A solid or liquid detergent formulation comprising from 0.05 to 5%, preferably from 0.1 to 3% of said nonionic polysaccharide, expressed as dry, capable of directly forming by dilution a detergent bath;

a liquid rinsing and / or softening formulation comprising from 0.05 to 3%, preferably from 0.1 to 2% of said nonionic polysaccharide, expressed in dry form, capable of directly forming by rinsing a rinsing bath and / or softening;

- a solid material, textile in particular, comprising from 0.05 to 10%, preferably from 0.1 to 5% of said nonionic polysaccharide, expressed in dry matter, intended to be brought into contact with damp linen in a dryer laundry ;

an aqueous ironing formulation comprising from 0.05 to 10%, preferably from 0.1 to 5% of said nonionic polysaccharide, expressed in dry matter;

a washing additive comprising from 0.05 to 10%, preferably from 0.1 to 5% of said non-ionic polysaccharide, expressed in dry matter, intended to be deposited on articles of dry textile fibers prior to a washing operation using a detergent formulation containing or not containing said nonionic polysaccharide.

23) Method according to any one of claims 19) to 22), characterized in that said articles contain at least 35% by weight of cotton, preferably colored.