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WO-2026090700-A1 - COMPOSITION FOR CONDITIONING FIBERS; RELATED USES AND METHODS

WO2026090700A1WO 2026090700 A1WO2026090700 A1WO 2026090700A1WO-2026090700-A1

Abstract

The present patent application discloses novel compositions for conditioning fibers, these being particularly useful for softening, protecting color, improving combability, reducing volume and frizz, reducing wrinkling level, protecting against pilling, reducing permanent deformation, protecting against fraying, reducing fiber breakage caused by brushing, and/or reducing electrostatic charges of the fibers. It further discloses the uses thereof and related methods.

Inventors

  • ROGERIO PRINCIVAL, Cleverson
  • KUCHENBECKER, Vinicius
  • KATEKAWA, Edson
  • ROBERTO ROSSAN, Marcos
  • DOS SANTOS FERREIRA QUARANTA JORGE, Guilherme
  • BUENO DE CAMARGO JUNIOR, FLAVIO
  • VIDAL MAGALHÃES, Wagner

Assignees

  • CHEMYUNION LTDA

Dates

Publication Date
20260507
Application Date
20251029
Priority Date
20241029

Claims (15)

  1. 1. Fiber conditioning composition characterized by comprising at least one esterquat of General Formula (I): (R f )q-(1 ,3-DPO)nR B wherein: q is an integer between 1 and 10 and n is an integer between 1 and 50; each R f , identical or different, represents a saturated, mono- or polyunsaturated or hydroxylated C8-C22 acyl radical; (1,3-DPO) represents the repeating unit -O- CH2 - CH2 - CH2 -O-; R B is a betaine unit linked by an ester and with the general formula -OC(=O)- CH 2 -N + (CH 3 ) 3 X“; and X is an acceptable contraion selected from at least one of the following: halides; sulfur oxyanions; phosphate oxyanions; C1- C22 carboxylates; sulfonates; citrates, tartrates, carbonates/bicarbonates, and mixtures thereof.
  2. 2. Composition according to claim 1, characterized in that n is an integer between 1 and 20.
  3. 3. Composition according to claim 1, characterized in that q is an integer between 1 and 5.
  4. 4. Composition according to claim 1, characterized by comprising from 0.1% to 30% by mass of one or more esterquats of Formula (I) in a textile softening or conditioning base, or in a cosmetic conditioning base.
  5. 5. Composition according to claim 1, characterized by comprising water as a vehicle and one or more additional components selected from: cetearyl alcohol, C12-15 alkyl benzoate, ceteareth-20, glycerin, chelating agents, fragrances, preservatives and colorants.
  6. 6. Composition according to claim 1, characterized in that X” is selected from chloride, lactate, palmitate.
  7. 7. Composition according to claim 1, characterized in that each R f is selected from caprylic (C8), palmitic (C16), ricinoleic (C18:1-OH) or mixtures thereof, preferably of vegetable origin, including castor oil derivatives.
  8. 8. Composition, according to claim 1, characterized by conditioning, softening, protecting color, improving combability, reducing volume and frizz, reducing the level of wrinkling, protecting against pilling, reducing permanent deformation, protecting against fraying, reducing fiber breakage by brushing and/or reducing electrostatic charges on the fibers.
  9. 9. Composition according to claim 1, characterized in that the esterquats of Formula (I) are the product of the reaction between: (a) 1,3-propanediol oligomers, or 1,3-propanediol esters or hydroxyesters; (b) trimethylglycine or its hydrohalic salt, preferably trimethylglycine hydrochloride, or trimethylglycine carboxylates selected from trimethylglycine palmitate and trimethylglycine lactate; (c) one or more C8 - C22 fatty acids.
  10. 10. Composition according to claim 9, characterized in that the esterquats are obtained by a process comprising: (i) the oligomerization of 1,3-propanediol under acid catalysis, (ii) the formation of the betaine unit by ester by reaction of the oligomer with trimethylglycine or its salt, and (iii) acylation of remaining hydroxyls with C8 - C22 fatty acid(s) or reactive derivatives.
  11. 11. Composition according to claim 9, characterized in that the esterquats are obtained by a process comprising: (i) the transesterification of castor oil with 1,3-propanediol under basic catalysis; and; (ii) formation of the betaine unit by ester by reaction of the hydroxyester with trimethylglycine carboxylate(s) under acid catalysis.
  12. 12. Use of a composition, as defined in any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that it is for conditioning the fibers.
  13. 13. Use, according to claim 12, characterized by conditioning, softening, protecting color, improving combability, reducing volume and frizz, reducing fiber breakage from brushing and/or reducing electrostatic charges on the fibers.
  14. 14. Fiber conditioning method, characterized by comprising the application of a composition as defined in any one of claims 1 to 11 onto one or more fibers.
  15. 15. Method, according to claim 14, characterized by conditioning, softening, protecting color, improving combability, reducing volume and frizz, reducing fiber breakage from brushing and/or reducing electrostatic charges on the fibers.

Description

Composition for fiber conditioning; related uses and methods. Technical Field of the Patent Application [0001] This patent application discloses new compositions for fiber conditioning, their uses and related methods. This patent application falls within the technical fields of new fiber treatment compositions and the production of compositions derived from quaternary esters. State of the Art [0002] Fibers are filamentous structures that can be found in nature or even produced artificially. Examples of natural fibers include silk, cotton fibers, asbestos, and hair. Artificial fibers can be obtained through various processes, aiming at the formation of filaments chemically composed of synthetic polymers, such as nylon and polyester, and semi-synthetic polymers, such as rayon. [0003] Fibers can have diverse applications, with the production of textile fabrics being one of the most significant. A textile fabric is obtained through one or more fiber grouping processes. One of the most important processes is spinning, which transforms fibers into yarns; these can be used directly in this form or interwoven, forming some types of textile fabrics. [0004] Unlike the fibers used in the production of textile fabrics, hair fibers can be characterized as cylindrical hair filaments that originate from the scalp and are formed through the keratinization of epithelial cells that are distributed in four main structural units: the cuticle, the cortex, the medulla, and the intercellular cement. [0005] Hair, in itself, has significant social importance and can have a major impact on personal image and self-confidence. The perception of shiny, healthy, and soft hair depends on environmental exposure, hair treatments, and everyday hair care habits. [0006] An essential step in hair care is the washing process, where shampoos remove dirt, cosmetic residue, and excess sebum accumulated on the scalp and hair fibers. However, this process can excessively remove lipids and degrade keratin due to the use of anionic surfactants, as well as abrasion, leaving hair dry and rough. Other chemical, mechanical, and thermal treatments, such as straightening, perms, and bleaching, also... These factors modify the properties of the hair; associated with UV exposure, there may be removal of the outer lipid layer of 18-methyleicosanoic acid covalently bonded to the hair cuticle, or even oxidation of disulfide bonds to cysteic acid. Such alterations lead to hair with a hydrophilic surface and an accumulation of charges, causing the hair to become dry, frizzy, rough, and difficult to comb. [0007] The intrinsic properties of fibers can be modified through physical and chemical treatments, commonly called conditioning. Conditioning aims to improve characteristics for a specific application – such as water absorption capacity, elasticity, and strength. These treatments can have varying durability, depending not only on the type of treatment but also on the intended use of the material composed of these fibers. The performance of these conditioners depends on their composition, their ability to deposit on the fibers and surfaces, and their ability to remain bonded to them. [0008] In the specific case of hair fibers, conditioning agents prevent or treat unwanted changes. Conditioners contain molecules that accumulate on the scales of the damaged cuticle, filling fractures and fissures. This results in a smooth surface with reduced friction between the fibers, providing softness and shine to the hair, reducing frizz and improving its manageability and ease of combing. [0009] Most conditioner formulations are based on cationic surfactants known as quaternary ammonium compounds. These compounds have a positively charged hydrophilic group that interacts with hair fibers through electrostatic interactions and one or more hydrophobic alkyl chains that point toward the outer surface, recovering some of the hydrophobicity lost due to damage. This type of surfactant neutralizes the negative charges of the hair fibers, reducing static electricity. The thin film of conditioner that adsorbs onto the fiber surface flattens the cuticles, making them smooth and improving the softness, combability, and shine of the hair. [0010] We can mention behentrimonium chloride (BTAC), dimethylammonium hydrogenated disetaub chloride, and quaternary esters, or “esterquats” (quaternary ammonium compounds containing two long hydrophobic chains with two ester groups) as substances used in fiber conditioning. The first is widely used in hair products and others in fabric softeners. [0011] An irregular surface is perceived as rougher to the touch - or less soft - and has a greater capacity to generate friction, which can also lead to an increase in the generation of static charges. Hair conditioning agents such as BTAC, for example, adhere to hair fibers, replenishing the hydrophobic layers lost due to damage to the hair fiber, providing hydration and giving more uniformity to the surf