JP7582862B2 - Liquid fabric softener composition - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a liquid fabric softener composition.

In recent years, the market size of liquid fabric softeners in Japan has been expanding, and in particular, the share of fabric softeners that have the function of imparting deodorizing properties to textile products has been growing year by year.
Among deodorizing technologies, scent masking is used in many fabric softeners because it leaves a strong impression on users, but it also raises concerns about smell harassment.
Known examples of deodorizing technologies used in fabric softeners include the inclusion of highly branched cyclic dextrin, which is an inclusion compound (Patent Document 1), and the inclusion of an antibacterial agent such as benzalkonium chloride (Patent Document 2).
Another known deodorizing technique is the incorporation of a cationic polymer (Patent Document 3).
In addition, techniques are known in which a cationic polymer is blended for purposes other than deodorization (Patent Documents 4 to 8).

JP 2014-1490 A JP 2001-200475 A JP 2015-101795 A Special table 2019-506500 publication Special Publication No. 2015-531008 JP 2012-172283 A JP 2012-87440 A JP 2011-236518 A

Although fabric softeners containing cationic polymers can impart deodorizing properties to textile products, the inventors discovered that separation occurs during storage, resulting in a deterioration in appearance.

As a result of thorough research into this issue, the present inventors have found that blending a cationic polymer with a specific structure and a nonionic surfactant into a liquid fabric softener containing a cationic surfactant with a specific structure as a base can provide excellent deodorizing properties to textile products (especially synthetic textile products) while maintaining stability against separation during storage (separation stability). The present invention is based on this finding.

（式中、
Ｒ₁は、炭素数２～４のヒドロキシアルカンから水素原子２個を除去してなる２価の基であり、
Ｒ₂は、同一でも異なっていてもよい炭素数１～３のアルキル基であり、
Ｘ^-は、対イオンである。）；及び
（Ｃ）ノニオン界面活性剤を含む、液体柔軟剤組成物。
〔２〕（Ａ）成分の含量が、液体柔軟剤組成物の総質量に対して５～２０質量％である、前記〔１〕に記載の液体柔軟剤組成物。
〔３〕一般式（Ｂ１）において、Ｒ₁が２－ヒドロキシトリメチレン基又は１－ヒドロキシトリメチレン基であり、かつＲ₂がすべてメチル基である、前記〔１〕又は〔２〕に記載の液体柔軟剤組成物。
〔４〕（Ｂ）成分の２５℃における粘度が２０～１４０ｍＰａ・sである、前記〔１〕～〔３〕のいずれか一項に記載の液体柔軟剤組成物。
〔５〕（Ｂ）成分の含量が、液体柔軟剤組成物の総質量に対して０．１～１０質量％である、前記〔１〕～〔４〕のいずれか一項に記載の液体柔軟剤組成物。
〔６〕（Ｃ）成分が、アルコール若しくは脂肪酸のアルキレンオキサイド付加物、又はポリオキシエチレン基を付加した硬化ヒマシ油である、前記〔１〕～〔５〕のいずれか一項に記載の液体柔軟剤組成物。
〔７〕アルコール若しくは脂肪酸のアルキレンオキサイド付加物が、一級イソトリデシルアルコールのエチレンオキサイド付加物（エチレンオキサイドの平均付加モル数：１０～１００モル）である、前記〔６〕に記載の液体柔軟剤組成物。
〔８〕ポリオキシエチレン基を付加した硬化ヒマシ油におけるエチレンオキサイドの平均付加モル数が１０～１００モルである、前記〔６〕に記載の液体柔軟剤組成物。
〔９〕（Ｃ）成分の含量が、液体柔軟剤組成物の総質量に対して０．１～１０質量％である、前記〔１〕～〔８〕のいずれか一項に記載の液体柔軟剤組成物。
〔１０〕（Ｂ）成分と（Ｃ）成分との質量比（Ｂ／Ｃ）が０．０５～３である、前記〔１〕～〔９〕のいずれか一項に記載の液体柔軟剤組成物。
〔１１〕（Ａ）成分と（Ｂ）成分との質量比（Ａ／Ｂ）が２～５０である、前記〔１〕～〔１０〕のいずれか一項に記載の液体柔軟剤組成物。 That is, the present invention relates to the following [1] to [11].
[1] The following components (A) to (C):
(A) at least one compound selected from the group consisting of amine compounds having 1 to 3 hydrocarbon groups having 10 to 26 carbon atoms in the molecule, which may be interrupted by an ester group (-COO-) and/or an amide group (-NHCO-), a salt thereof, and a quaternary compound thereof;
(B) A cationic polymer having a repeating structural unit represented by formula (B1)

(Wherein,
R ₁ is a divalent group obtained by removing two hydrogen atoms from a hydroxyalkane having 2 to 4 carbon atoms,
_R2 is an alkyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, which may be the same or different;
X ⁻ is a counter ion; and (C) a nonionic surfactant.
[2] The liquid softener composition according to [1] above, wherein the content of component (A) is 5 to 20 mass% based on the total mass of the liquid softener composition.
[3] The liquid softener composition according to the above [1] or [2], wherein, in general formula (B1), R ₁ is a 2-hydroxytrimethylene group or a 1-hydroxytrimethylene group, and all R ₂ are methyl groups.
[4] The liquid fabric softener composition according to any one of [1] to [3] above, wherein the viscosity of component (B) at 25°C is 20 to 140 mPa·s.
[5] The liquid softener composition according to any one of [1] to [4], wherein the content of the component (B) is 0.1 to 10 mass% based on the total mass of the liquid softener composition.
[6] The liquid fabric softener composition according to any one of [1] to [5], wherein the component (C) is an alkylene oxide adduct of an alcohol or a fatty acid, or a hydrogenated castor oil having a polyoxyethylene group added thereto.
[7] The liquid softener composition according to [6] above, wherein the alkylene oxide adduct of an alcohol or a fatty acid is an ethylene oxide adduct of primary isotridecyl alcohol (average number of moles of ethylene oxide added: 10 to 100 moles).
[8] The liquid softener composition according to [6] above, wherein the average number of moles of ethylene oxide added in the hydrogenated castor oil having polyoxyethylene groups added thereto is 10 to 100 moles.
[9] The liquid softener composition according to any one of [1] to [8], wherein the content of the component (C) is 0.1 to 10 mass% based on the total mass of the liquid softener composition.
[10] The liquid fabric softener composition according to any one of [1] to [9] above, wherein the mass ratio (B/C) of the component (B) to the component (C) is 0.05 to 3.
[11] The liquid fabric softener composition according to any one of [1] to [10] above, wherein the mass ratio (A/B) of the component (A) to the component (B) is 2 to 50.

As shown in the examples below, the liquid fabric softener composition of the present invention has separation stability and can impart excellent deodorizing properties to textile products. Therefore, the present invention can provide a liquid fabric softener with added value not found in conventional products.

[Component (A): Cationic Surfactant]
Component (A) is a soft base material and is added to impart softness to textile products.
The component (A) is a cationic surfactant which is "at least one compound selected from the group consisting of amine compounds having 1 to 3 hydrocarbon groups having 10 to 26 carbon atoms in the molecule, which may be interrupted by an ester group (-COO-) and/or an amide group (-NHCO-), their salts, and their quaternary products."

The number of carbon atoms in the hydrocarbon group having 10 to 26 carbon atoms (hereinafter also referred to as "long-chain hydrocarbon group") is preferably 17 to 26, and more preferably 18 to 24. When the number of carbon atoms is 10 or more, the softening effect is good, and when it is 26 or less, the handleability of the liquid softener composition is good.
The long-chain hydrocarbon group may be saturated or unsaturated. When the long-chain hydrocarbon group is unsaturated, the double bond may be located anywhere, but when there is one double bond, it is preferable that the double bond is located in the center of the long-chain hydrocarbon group or distributed around the median.
The long chain hydrocarbon group may be a chain-like hydrocarbon group or a hydrocarbon group containing a ring in the structure, and is preferably a chain-like hydrocarbon group. The chain-like hydrocarbon group may be either a straight chain or a branched chain. As the chain-like hydrocarbon group, an alkyl group or an alkenyl group is preferable, and an alkyl group is more preferable.
The long chain hydrocarbon group may be interrupted by a interrupting group. The interruption may be at one position or at two or more positions, and is preferably at one position.
The interrupting group is an ester group (--COO--) or an amide group (--NHCO--). When the long chain hydrocarbon group has two or more interrupting groups, each interrupting group may be the same or different.
The carbon atoms of the dividing group are counted in the number of carbon atoms of the long-chain hydrocarbon group.
The long-chain hydrocarbon group is usually introduced by using an industrially used unhydrogenated fatty acid derived from beef tallow, a fatty acid obtained by hydrogenating or partially hydrogenating an unsaturated portion, an unhydrogenated fatty acid or fatty acid ester derived from a plant such as palm or oil palm, or a fatty acid or fatty acid ester obtained by hydrogenating or partially hydrogenating an unsaturated portion.
The number of long-chain hydrocarbon groups in an "amine compound having 1 to 3 hydrocarbon groups having 10 to 26 carbon atoms in the molecule, which may be interrupted by an ester group (-COO-) or an amide group (-NHCO-) (hereinafter also referred to as "amine compound")" is 1 to 3. The number of long-chain hydrocarbon groups is preferably 2 (secondary amine compound) or 3 (tertiary amine compound), and more preferably 3.

（式中、Ｒ¹～Ｒ³はそれぞれ独立に、－ＣＨ₂ＣＨ（Ｙ）ＯＣＯＲ⁴（Ｙは水素原子又はＣＨ₃であり、Ｒ⁴は炭素数７～２１の炭化水素基である）、－（ＣＨ₂）_nＮＨＣＯＲ⁵（ｎは２又は３であり、Ｒ⁵は炭素数７～２１の炭化水素基である）、水素原子、炭素数１～４のアルキル基、－ＣＨ₂ＣＨ（Ｙ）ＯＨ（Ｙは水素原子又はＣＨ₃である）、又は、－（ＣＨ₂）_nＮＨ₂（ｎは２又は３である）であり、
Ｒ¹～Ｒ³のうちの少なくとも１つは、－ＣＨ₂ＣＨ（Ｙ）ＯＣＯＲ⁴及び／又は－（ＣＨ₂）_nＮＨＣＯＲ⁵である。）
一般式（Ａ１）における基「－ＣＨ₂ＣＨ（Ｙ）ＯＣＯＲ⁴」中、Ｙとしては水素原子が好ましい。
Ｒ⁴としては、炭素数１５～１９の炭化水素基が好ましい。一般式（Ａ１）で表される化合物中にＲ⁴が複数存在するとき、該複数のＲ⁴は互いに同一であってもよく、それぞれ異なっていても構わない。
Ｒ⁴の炭化水素基は、炭素数８～２２の脂肪酸（Ｒ⁴ＣＯＯＨ）からカルボキシ基を除いた残基（脂肪酸残基）であり、Ｒ⁴の素となる脂肪酸（Ｒ⁴ＣＯＯＨ）は、飽和脂肪酸でも不飽和脂肪酸でもよく、また、直鎖脂肪酸でも分岐脂肪酸でもよい。なかでも、飽和又は不飽和の直鎖脂肪酸が好ましい。柔軟処理した衣類に良好な吸水性を付与するために、Ｒ⁴のもととなる脂肪酸の飽和／不飽和比率（質量比）は、９０／１０～０／１００が好ましく、９０／１０～４０／６０より好ましく、９０／１０～７０／３０が特に好ましい。
Ｒ⁴が不飽和脂肪酸残基である場合、シス体とトランス体が存在するが、シス体／トランス体の質量比率は、４０／６０～１００／０が好ましく、７０／３０～９０／１０が特に好ましい。
Ｒ⁴の素となる脂肪酸として具体的には、ステアリン酸、パルミチン酸、ミリスチン酸、ラウリン酸、オレイン酸、エライジン酸、リノール酸、部分水添パーム油脂肪酸（ヨウ素価１０～６０）や、部分水添牛脂脂肪酸（ヨウ素価１０～６０）などが挙げられる。なかでも、ステアリン酸、パルミチン酸、ミリスチン酸、オレイン酸、エライジン酸、およびリノール酸から選ばれる２種以上を所定量ずつ組み合わせて、以下の条件（ａ）～（ｃ）を満たすように調整した脂肪酸組成物を用いることが好ましい。
（ａ）飽和脂肪酸／不飽和脂肪酸の比率（質量比）が９０／１０～０／１００、より好ましくは９０／１０～４０／６０、特に好ましくは９０／１０～７０／３０である。
（ｂ）シス体／トランス体の比率（質量比）が４０／６０～１００／０、より好ましくは７０／３０～９０／１０である。
（ｃ）炭素数１８の脂肪酸が６０質量％以上、好ましくは８０質量％以上であり、炭素数２０の脂肪酸が２質量％未満であり、炭素数２１～２２の脂肪酸が１質量％未満である。
一般式（Ａ１）における、基「－（ＣＨ₂）_nＮＨＣＯＲ⁵」中、ｎは３が好ましい。
Ｒ⁵は、炭素数１５～１９の炭化水素基が好ましい。一般式（Ａ１）で表される化合物中にＲ⁵が複数存在するとき、該複数のＲ⁵は互いに同一であってもよく、それぞれ異なっていても構わない。
Ｒ⁵としては、Ｒ⁴と同様のものが具体的に挙げられる。 The amine compound includes a compound represented by the following general formula (A1).

(wherein R ¹ to R ³ each independently represent -CH ₂ CH(Y)OCOR ⁴ (Y is a hydrogen atom or CH ₃ , and R ⁴ is a hydrocarbon group having 7 to 21 carbon atoms), -(CH ₂ ) _n NHCOR ⁵ (n is 2 or 3, and R ⁵ is a hydrocarbon group having 7 to 21 carbon atoms), a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, -CH ₂ CH(Y)OH (Y is a hydrogen atom or CH ₃ ), or -(CH ₂ ) _n NH ₂ (n is 2 or 3);
At least one of R ¹ to R ³ is —CH ₂ CH(Y)OCOR ⁴ and/or —(CH ₂ ) _n NHCOR ⁵ .
In the group " _--CH.sub.2 CH(Y) ^OCOR.sub.4 " in formula (A1), Y is preferably a hydrogen atom.
R ⁴ is preferably a hydrocarbon group having a carbon number of 15 to 19. When a plurality of R ^4s are present in the compound represented by general formula (A1), the plurality of R ^4s may be the same or different from each other.
The hydrocarbon group of R ⁴ is a residue (fatty acid residue) obtained by removing a carboxy group from a fatty acid (R ⁴ COOH) having 8 to 22 carbon atoms, and the fatty acid (R ⁴ COOH) from which R ⁴ is derived may be a saturated or unsaturated fatty acid, and may also be a straight-chain or branched fatty acid. Of these, saturated or unsaturated straight-chain fatty acids are preferred. In order to impart good water absorbency to softening-treated clothing, the saturated/unsaturated ratio (mass ratio) of the fatty acid from which R ⁴ is derived is preferably 90/10 to 0/100, more preferably 90/10 to 40/60, and particularly preferably 90/10 to 70/30.
When R ⁴ is an unsaturated fatty acid residue, it exists in cis and trans forms, and the mass ratio of cis/trans isomers is preferably 40/60 to 100/0, particularly preferably 70/30 to 90/10.
Specific examples of fatty acids that are the source of ^R4 include stearic acid, palmitic acid, myristic acid, lauric acid, oleic acid, elaidic acid, linoleic acid, partially hydrogenated palm oil fatty acid (iodine value 10 to 60), partially hydrogenated beef tallow fatty acid (iodine value 10 to 60), etc. Among these, it is preferable to use a fatty acid composition prepared by combining two or more kinds selected from stearic acid, palmitic acid, myristic acid, oleic acid, elaidic acid, and linoleic acid in predetermined amounts so as to satisfy the following conditions (a) to (c).
(a) The ratio (mass ratio) of saturated fatty acids to unsaturated fatty acids is from 90/10 to 0/100, more preferably from 90/10 to 40/60, and particularly preferably from 90/10 to 70/30.
(b) The ratio (mass ratio) of cis isomer/trans isomer is 40/60 to 100/0, more preferably 70/30 to 90/10.
(c) The fatty acid having 18 carbon atoms is 60% by mass or more, preferably 80% by mass or more, the fatty acid having 20 carbon atoms is less than 2% by mass, and the fatty acid having 21 to 22 carbon atoms is less than 1% by mass.
In the group "--(CH ₂ ) _n NHCOR ⁵ " in formula (A1), n is preferably 3.
R ⁵ is preferably a hydrocarbon group having a carbon number of 15 to 19. When a plurality of R ^5s are present in the compound represented by general formula (A1), the plurality of R ^5s may be the same or different from each other.
Specific examples of ^R5 include the same as those of ^R4 .

In formula (A1), at least one of R ¹ to R ³ is -CH ₂ CH(Y)OCOR ⁴ and/or -(CH ₂ ) _n NHCOR ⁵ . It is preferable that two of R ¹ to R ³ are -CH ₂ CH(Y)OCOR ⁴ and/or -(CH ₂ ) _n NHCOR ⁵ .
When one or two of R ¹ to R ³ are -CH ₂ CH(Y)OCOR ⁴ and/or -(CH ₂ ) _n NHCOR ⁵ , the remaining two or one are a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, -CH ₂ CH(Y)OH (Y is a hydrogen atom or CH ₃ ), or -(CH ₂ ) _n NH ₂ (n is 2 or 3), and preferably an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, -CH ₂ CH(Y)OH, or -(CH ₂ ) _n NH _2. Here, the alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms is preferably a methyl group or an ethyl group, and particularly preferably a methyl group. Y in -CH ₂ CH(Y)OH is the same as Y in -CH ₂ CH(Y)OCOR ⁴ . n in --(CH ₂ ) _{n NH2} is the same as n in --(CH ₂ ) _n NHCOR ⁵ .

（（Ａ１－１）～（Ａ１－７）の各式中、Ｒ⁹はそれぞれ独立に、炭素数７～２１の炭化水素基であり、（Ａ１－６）～（Ａ１－７）の各式中、Ｒ¹⁰はそれぞれ独立に、炭素数７～２１の炭化水素基である。） Preferred examples of the compound represented by formula (A1) include tertiary amine compounds represented by the following formulae (A1-1) to (A1-7).

(In each of the formulas (A1-1) to (A1-7), R ⁹ is independently a hydrocarbon group having 7 to 21 carbon atoms, and in each of the formulas (A1-6) to (A1-7), R ¹⁰ is independently a hydrocarbon group having 7 to 21 carbon atoms.)

Examples of the hydrocarbon group having 7 to 21 carbon atoms in ^R9 and ^R10 include the same as the hydrocarbon group having 7 to 21 carbon atoms in ^R4 in the general formula (A1), and are preferably alkyl and alkenyl groups having 15 to 17 carbon atoms. When a plurality of ^R9s are present in the general formula, the plurality of ^R9s may be the same or different.

The component (A) may be a salt of an amine compound.
The salt of an amine compound can be obtained by neutralizing the amine compound with an acid. The acid used for neutralization may be an organic acid or an inorganic acid, such as hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, methylsulfuric acid, etc. The neutralization of the amine compound can be carried out by a known method.
The quaternary product of an amine compound can be obtained by reacting an amine compound with a quaternizing agent. Examples of the quaternizing agent include alkyl halides such as methyl chloride and dialkyl sulfates such as dimethyl sulfate. When these quaternizing agents are reacted with an amine compound, the alkyl group of the quaternizing agent is introduced to the nitrogen atom of the amine compound, and a salt of a quaternary ammonium ion and a halogen ion or a monoalkyl sulfate ion is formed. The alkyl group introduced by the quaternizing agent is preferably an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, more preferably a methyl group or an ethyl group, and particularly preferably a methyl group. The quaternization of an amine compound can be carried out by a known method.

The compounds represented by the general formulae (A1) and (A1-1) to (A1-7), their salts and their quaternary derivatives may be commercially available or may be produced by known methods.
For example, the compound represented by general formula (A1-1) (hereinafter referred to as "compound (A1-1)") and the compound represented by general formula (A1-2) (hereinafter referred to as "compound (A1-2)") can be synthesized by a condensation reaction between the fatty acid composition described in the column of ^R4 in general formula (1) or a fatty acid methyl ester composition in which the fatty acid in the fatty acid composition is replaced with a methyl ester of the fatty acid, and methyldiethanolamine. In this case, from the viewpoint of imparting good flexibility, it is preferable to synthesize the compound so that the abundance ratio represented by "compound (A1-1)/compound (A1-2)" is 99/1 to 50/50 by mass ratio.
Furthermore, when the quaternized product is used, it is more preferable to use dimethyl sulfate as the quaternizing agent. In this case, from the viewpoint of imparting flexibility, it is preferable to synthesize the compound (A1-1) so that the abundance ratio represented by "quaternized product of compound (A1-1)/quaternized product of compound (A1-2)" is 99/1 to 50/50 by mass ratio.

The compound represented by the general formula (A1-3) (hereinafter referred to as "compound (A1-3)"), the compound represented by the general formula (A1-4) (hereinafter referred to as "compound (A1-4)"), and the compound represented by the general formula (A1-5) (hereinafter referred to as "compound (A1-5)") can be synthesized by a condensation reaction between the fatty acid composition or fatty acid methyl ester composition described in the column of R ⁴ of the general formula (1) and triethanolamine. In this case, from the viewpoint of imparting flexibility, the content ratio of each component relative to the total mass of the compounds (A1-3), (A1-4) and (A1-5) is preferably 1 to 60 mass% for the compound (A1-3), 5 to 98 mass% for the compound (A1-4), and 0.1 to 40 mass% for the compound (A1-5), and more preferably 30 to 60 mass% for the compound (A1-3), 10 to 55 mass% for the compound (A1-4), and 5 to 35 mass% for the compound (A1-5).
In addition, when the quaternized product is used, it is more preferable to use dimethyl sulfate as the quaternizing agent in order to sufficiently proceed with the quaternization reaction. The abundance ratio of each of the quaternized products of the compounds (A1-3), (A1-4), and (A1-5) is, in terms of imparting flexibility, preferably 1 to 60% by mass of the quaternized product of the compound (A1-3), 5 to 98% by mass of the quaternized product of the compound (A1-4), and 0.1 to 40% by mass of the quaternized product of the compound (A1-5), more preferably 30 to 60% by mass of the quaternized product of the compound (A1-3), 10 to 55% by mass of the quaternized product of the compound (A1-4), and 5 to 35% by mass of the quaternized product of the compound (A1-5).
In addition, when the compounds (A1-3), (A1-4), and (A1-5) are quaternized, generally, non-quaternized esteramine remains even after the quaternization reaction. In this case, the ratio of "quaternized product/non-quaternized esteramine" is preferably within a mass ratio range of 70/30 to 99/1.

The compound represented by the general formula (A1-6) (hereinafter referred to as "compound (A1-6)") and the compound represented by the general formula (A1-7) (hereinafter referred to as "compound (A1-7)") can be synthesized by a condensation reaction of the fatty acid composition described in the R ⁴ column of the general formula (1) with N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-N-methyl-1,3-propylenediamine, which is synthesized from an adduct of N-methylethanolamine and acrylonitrile by a known method described in J. Org. Chem., 26, 3409 (1960). In this case, it is preferable to synthesize the compound so that the abundance ratio represented by "compound (A1-6)/compound (A1-7)" is 99/1 to 50/50 by mass ratio.
When the quaternized product is used, it is preferable to use methyl chloride as a quaternizing agent, and it is preferable to synthesize the compound so that the abundance ratio represented by "quaternized product of compound (A1-6)/quaternized product of compound (A1-7)" is 99/1 to 50/50 in mass ratio.

The component (A) is
At least one selected from the group consisting of a compound represented by general formula (A1), a salt thereof, and a quaternary compound thereof is preferred,
More preferably, the compound is at least one selected from the group consisting of compounds represented by general formulas (A1-1) to (A1-7), salts thereof, and quaternary products thereof.
More preferred is at least one selected from the group consisting of compounds represented by formulas (A1-3) to (A1-5), salts thereof and quaternary products thereof.

Component (A) is a known substance and is readily available on the market or can be prepared.
The component (A) may be a single type, or a combination of two or more types (for example, a mixture of the compounds represented by general formulas (A1-3) to (A1-5)).

The content of component (A) is not particularly limited as long as the blending purpose can be achieved, but is preferably 5 to 20 mass %, and more preferably 8 to 15 mass %, relative to the total mass of the liquid softener composition. When the content of component (A) is 5 mass % or more, excellent softening function is exhibited, and further, component (B), described below, can be stably blended in the liquid softener composition. When the content is 20 mass % or less, separation and thickening are further suppressed.

（式中、
Ｒ₁は、炭素数２～４のヒドロキシアルカンから水素原子２個を除去してなる２価の基であり、
Ｒ₂は、同一でも異なっていてもよい炭素数１～３のアルキル基であり、
Ｘ^-は、対イオンである。） [Component (B): Cationic Polymer]
Component (B) is blended to impart deodorizing properties to the textile product. Here, deodorization refers to the removal of unpleasant odors attached to the textile product (deodorization) and/or the inhibition of the generation of unpleasant odors from the textile product (deodorization), etc.
The component (B) is a cationic polymer having a repeating structural unit represented by general formula (B1).

(Wherein,
R ₁ is a divalent group obtained by removing two hydrogen atoms from a hydroxyalkane having 2 to 4 carbon atoms,
_R2 is an alkyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, which may be the same or different;
X ⁻ is a counter ion.

General formula (B1) will now be described.
There are no particular limitations on the position of the hydroxy group in R _1. Examples of R ₁ include a 2-hydroxytrimethylene group (-CH ₂ CH(OH)CH ₂ -) and a 1-hydroxytrimethylene group (-CH(OH)CH ₂ CH ₂ -), with the 2-hydroxytrimethylene group being preferred.
It is preferred that all _R2 's are methyl groups.
Examples of X ⁻ include a chlorine ion, a bromine ion, a chloride ion, a bromide ion, and the like, with a chlorine ion being preferred.
The number of repeating structural units represented by formula (B1) is, for example, 10 to 1,000.

The viscosity of component (B) at 25°C is, for example, 20 to 140 mPa·s. The viscosity can be measured using a B-type viscometer.

Component (B) is a known substance and is readily available on the market or can be prepared. Commercially available products include Barquat PQ (manufactured by Lonza) and Catiomaster PD (PD-7) (manufactured by Yokkaichi Chemical Co., Ltd.) (amine-epichlorohydrin condensation polymer aqueous solution).
The component (B) may be used alone or in combination of two or more types.

The content of component (B) is not particularly limited as long as the blending purpose can be achieved, but is preferably 0.1 to 10 mass%, more preferably 0.2 to 5 mass%, and even more preferably 0.2 to 2 mass%, based on the total mass of the liquid softener composition. When the content of component (B) is 0.1 mass% or more, a more excellent deodorizing function is exhibited, and when it is 10 mass% or less, higher separation stability is obtained.
The mass ratio (A/B) of the component (A) to the component (B) is preferably 2 to 50, more preferably 10 to 40, and even more preferably 20 to 30. When A/B is 2 or more, a liquid softener composition having more excellent separation stability can be obtained, and when it is 50 or less, higher deodorizing properties can be imparted.

[Component (C): Nonionic Surfactant]
Component (C) is incorporated in order to suppress the occurrence of separation due to the incorporation of component (B) (in other words, to impart separation stability to the liquid softener composition).
As the component (C), any nonionic surfactant known in the field of liquid fabric softeners can be used without particular limitation. Examples include alkylene oxide adducts of alcohols or fatty acids.
The carbon chain portions of the alcohol and fatty acid constituting the "alkylene oxide adduct of alcohol or fatty acid" may be either branched or straight chain, and may contain unsaturated groups. The carbon chain may have a distribution. The number of carbon atoms in the carbon chain is preferably 6 to 20, more preferably 8 to 18. When the carbon chain is straight chain, the number of carbon atoms is preferably 6 to 14, more preferably 8 to 12, and particularly preferably 10 to 12. When the carbon chain is branched chain, the number of carbon atoms is preferably 6 to 18, more preferably 9 to 18, and particularly preferably 13.
As the raw material of the nonionic surfactant, Exxal manufactured by ExxonMobil, LUTENSOL series manufactured by BASF, OXOCOLE manufactured by Kyowa Hakko Kogyo, DOBANOL series manufactured by Shell, etc. can be used. When component (C) is an alkylene oxide adduct of alcohol, either primary alcohol or secondary alcohol can be used as the raw material. Alcohol with 13 carbon atoms is produced from, for example, dodecene, but the starting material can be either butylene or propylene.
When the carbon chain contains an unsaturated group, the number of carbon atoms is particularly preferably 18. The stereoisomeric structure of the unsaturated group may be either a cis or trans isomer, or a mixture of both, but it is particularly preferable that the ratio of cis/trans isomers is 25/75 to 100/0 (mass ratio).
As the alkylene oxide, ethylene oxide (EO) is preferred, but propylene oxide (PO) or butylene oxide (BO) may be further added in addition to EO. The average number of moles of EO added is preferably 10 to 100 moles, more preferably 20 to 80 moles, and particularly preferably 40 to 70 moles. The average number of moles of PO or BO added together with EO is preferably 1 to 5, and more preferably 1 to 3 moles. In this embodiment, PO or BO may be added after EO is added, or EO may be added after PO or BO is added.
Preferred examples of the "alkylene oxide adduct of alcohol or fatty acid" include EO and PO adducts of nonyl alcohol (average number of moles added: EO: 9 moles, PO: 1 mole), an EO adduct of primary isononyl alcohol (average number of moles added of EO: 40 moles), an EO adduct of primary isodecyl alcohol (average number of moles added of EO: 20 moles), an EO adduct of lauryl alcohol (average number of moles added of EO: 20 moles), an EO adduct of primary isohexadecyl alcohol (average number of moles added of EO: 60 moles), an EO adduct of primary isotridecyl alcohol (average number of moles added of EO: 40 moles or 60 moles), an EO adduct of tridecyl alcohol (average number of moles added of EO: 50 moles), and an EO adduct of lauric acid (average number of moles added of EO: 20 moles). Commercially available products that can be used include the EMALEX series manufactured by Nippon Emulsion Co., Ltd., the Emulmin series manufactured by Sanyo Chemical Industry Co., Ltd., the TDA series manufactured by Lion Chemical Industry Co., Ltd., the SOFTANOL series manufactured by Nippon Shokubai Co., Ltd., the LUTESOL series manufactured by BASF Corporation, and the NIKKOL series manufactured by Nikko Chemicals Co., Ltd.

Other examples of component (C) include hydrogenated castor oil, POE castor oil, POE sorbitol fatty acid ester, POE sorbitan fatty acid ester, POE glycerin fatty acid ester, polyglycerin fatty acid ester, etc., to which polyoxyethylene (hereinafter, POE) groups have been added, with the average number of moles of EO added being 10 to 100 moles. Of these, POE hydrogenated castor oil, POE castor oil, and POE sorbitol fatty acid ester are preferred, and POE hydrogenated castor oil with an average number of moles of EO added being 30 to 70 moles is preferred.

Component (C) is a known substance and is readily available on the market or can be prepared.
The component (C) may be used alone or in combination of two or more types.

The content of component (C) is not particularly limited as long as the blending purpose can be achieved, but is preferably 0.1 to 10 mass%, more preferably 0.5 to 7 mass%, and particularly preferably 1 to 4 mass%, based on the total mass of the liquid softener composition. A more excellent blending effect is achieved when the content of component (C) is 0.1 to 10 mass%.

[Mixing ratio of component (B) and component (C)]
The mass ratio (B/C) of component (B) to component (C) is preferably 0.05 to 3, and more preferably 0.1 to 2. When the mass ratio is within this range, the blending effect of each component (i.e., imparting deodorizing properties to a textile product while maintaining separation stability) is further improved.

[Optional components]
The liquid softener composition may contain the following optional components other than the essential components (A) to (C) as long as the effects of the present invention are not impaired.

[(D) Component: Fragrance]
The component (D) is blended for the purpose of imparting fragrance to the liquid softener composition and for imparting fragrance to textile products after treatment with the composition (including exerting a fragrance masking effect).
Component (D) is a fragrance that is not encapsulated in a capsule (free fragrance), and is different from the fragrance contained as a core material in the encapsulated fragrance (functional capsule) described below.
Component (D) is a known substance and is readily available on the market or can be prepared.
As the component (D), any fragrance commonly used in the field of fabric softeners can be used without any particular restrictions. A list of usable fragrance raw materials can be found in various documents, for example, "Perfume and Flavor Chemicals", Vol. I and II, Steffen et al. Arctander, Allured Pub. Co. (1994) and "Synthetic Fragrances: Chemistry and Product Knowledge", Genichi Indo, Chemical Daily Co. (1996) and "Perfume and Flavor Materials of Natural Origin", Steffen Arctander, Allured Pub. Co. ． (1994) and "Encyclopedia of Fragrance", edited by the Japan Fragrance Association, Asakura Publishing (1989) and "Perfumery Material Performance V.3.3", Boelens Aroma Chemical Information Service (1996) and "Flower oils and Floral Compounds In Perfumery" , Danute Lajaujis Anonis, Allured Pub. Co. (1993), and the like.
In addition, some compounds used as fragrance ingredients act as antagonists of malodor receptors. In order to enhance the deodorizing effect of liquid fabric softener compositions, for example, JP 2017-101224 A and JP 2013-131666 A have been proposed. Olfactory receptor antagonists described in, for example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 2015-193643 and Japanese Translation of PCT International Publication No. 2020-500589 may be used as component (D).
Examples of the component (D) include aldehydes, phenols, alcohols, ethers, esters, hydrocarbons, ketones, lactones, musks, fragrances having a terpene skeleton, natural fragrances, and animal fragrances. Specific examples include β-ionone, methyl dihydrojasmonate, hexylisalicylate, δ-damascone, geraniol, dihydromyrcenol and benzaldehyde, and methyl dihydrojasmonate, which further improves the deodorizing properties of textile products, is particularly preferred. Monate, dihydromyrcenol and β-ionone are preferred.

The component (D) may be used alone or in combination with a plurality of types (fragrance composition).
There are no particular limitations on the fragrance components used in the fragrance composition, and they can be appropriately selected depending on the purpose.
The fragrance composition may contain a solvent and/or an antioxidant that is generally used in liquid fabric softeners. Examples of the solvent for fragrances include dipropylene glycol (DPG). Examples of the antioxidant for fragrances include 3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxytoluene (BHT).

The content of component (D) is not particularly limited as long as the blending purpose can be achieved, but is preferably 0.001 to 2 mass %, and more preferably 0.5 to 1.5 mass %, based on the total mass of the liquid softener composition.

[Functional Capsule]
The functional capsules are formulated to impart various functions resulting from the core substance encapsulated in the capsule to the liquid softener composition.
The functional capsule is composed of a core substance and a wall substance that covers the core substance.

As the core material, any material generally used as an encapsulating material in the field of liquid fabric softeners can be used without any particular limitation, including, for example, perfumes, essential oils, whitening agents, insect repellents, silicones, waxes, flavorings, vitamins, skin care agents, enzymes, probiotics, dyes, pigments, perfume precursors, cooling agents, warming agents, attractants such as pheromones, antibacterial agents, bleaching agents, flavorings, sweeteners, waxes, medicines, fertilizers, herbicides, etc.
The core material may be used alone or in combination of two or more kinds.

As the wall material, any encapsulation material generally used in the field of liquid softeners can be used without any particular limitation, including natural polymers such as gelatin and agar, oily film-forming substances such as fats and oils and waxes, and synthetic polymers such as polyacrylic acid, polyvinyl, polymethacrylic acid, melamine, and urethane.
A single type of wall material may be used, or multiple types may be used in combination.

Specific examples of encapsulated fragrances having a fragrance as a core material include BLUEFLOWERPOP "FFMHN2814" manufactured by Firmenich; GREEN BREEZE CAPS, ORCHARD GARDEN CAPS, RAINBOW CAPS, VELVET CAPS, AURORACAPS, and COSMIC CAPS manufactured by Givaudan; and UNICAP101 and UNICAP503 manufactured by IFF.
Specific examples of cooling capsules having a cooling agent as a core material include MultiSal SalCool, HydroSal FreshCool, and SalSphere SalCool manufactured by SALVONA Technologies, and Neoage AROMA-C manufactured by NICCA CHEMICAL CO., LTD.
Specific examples of the warming capsules having a warming agent as the core material include Riken Resin RMC-TO manufactured by Miki Riken Co., Ltd. and Hydrosal Heat manufactured by SALVONA Technologies.
Other specific examples include Riken Resin NFHO-W (antibacterial effect), Riken Resin RMC-HBP (insect repellent effect), and RMC-PT (insect repellent effect), all manufactured by Miki Riken Co., Ltd.

The average particle size of the functional capsules is preferably 10 to 30 μm. Functional capsules having the above particle size have excellent adsorption to textile products and can be stably dispersed in the liquid softener composition.
The functional capsules may be of a single type or of a combination of multiple types.
The content of the functional capsules is not particularly limited as long as the purpose of the blending can be achieved, but it is preferably 0.0001 to 1% by mass based on the total mass of the liquid softener composition.

[Inclusion base]
The inclusion base is added to enhance the deodorizing properties of the textile product.
Examples of the inclusion base include cyclodextrin and highly branched cyclic dextrin.
The highly branched cyclic dextrin includes dextrin which is a glucan having an inner branched cyclic structure portion and an outer branched structure portion and a degree of polymerization of 50 to 10,000. The inner branched cyclic structure portion is a cyclic glucan chain formed of α-1,4-glucosidic bonds and α-1,6-glucosidic bonds, and the outer branched structure portion is a non-cyclic glucan chain bonded to the inner branched cyclic structure portion. An example of the highly branched cyclic dextrin includes cluster dextrin (manufactured by Glico Nutrition Foods Co., Ltd.).
The inclusion base may be used alone or in combination of two or more kinds.
The content of the inclusion base is not particularly limited as long as the purpose of the inclusion is achieved, but it is preferably 0.01 to 5% by mass based on the total mass of the liquid softener composition.

[Preservatives]
The preservative is added to the liquid fabric softener composition in order to enhance the preservative and bactericidal power of the liquid fabric softener composition and to maintain the preservative properties during long-term storage.
As the preservative, any component known in the field of liquid fabric softeners can be used without particular limitation, specific examples of which include isothiazolone-based organic sulfur compounds, benzisothiazolone-based organic sulfur compounds, benzoic acids, 2-bromo-2-nitro-1,3-propanediol, etc.
Examples of the isothiazolone organic sulfur compound include 5-chloro-2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one, 2-n-butyl-3-isothiazolone, 2-benzyl-3-isothiazolone, 2-phenyl-3-isothiazolone, 2-methyl-4,5-dichloroisothiazolone, 5-chloro-2-methyl-3-isothiazolone, 2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one, and mixtures thereof. Among these, 5-chloro-2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one and 2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one are preferred, a mixture of 5-chloro-2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one and 2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one is more preferred, and a mixture of about 77% by mass of the former and about 23% by mass of the latter or a dilution thereof (for example, an isothiazolone solution) is particularly preferred.
Examples of the benzisothiazolone organic sulfur compounds include 1,2-benzisothiazolin-3-one, 2-methyl-4,5-trimethylene-4-isothiazolin-3-one, and related compounds such as dithio-2,2-bis(benzmethylamide), and mixtures thereof. Among these, 1,2-benzisothiazolin-3-one is particularly preferred.
Examples of the benzoic acids include benzoic acid or a salt thereof, parahydroxybenzoic acid or a salt thereof, methyl parahydroxybenzoate, ethyl parahydroxybenzoate, propyl parahydroxybenzoate, butyl parahydroxybenzoate, and benzyl parahydroxybenzoate.
A single type of preservative may be used, or multiple types may be used in combination.
The content of the preservative is not particularly limited as long as the purpose of the preservative can be achieved, but is preferably 0.0001 to 1% by mass based on the total mass of the liquid softener composition.

[Viscosity modifier]
The viscosity modifier is incorporated in the liquid softener composition to improve its ease of use.
Specific examples of the viscosity modifier include calcium chloride, magnesium chloride, sodium chloride, sodium p-toluenesulfonate, sodium citrate, etc. Of these, calcium chloride is preferred.
The viscosity modifier may be used alone or in combination of two or more kinds.
The content of the viscosity modifier is preferably 0.001 to 0.5% by mass, more preferably 0.003 to 0.2% by mass, based on the total mass of the liquid softener composition.

〔water〕
The liquid softener composition is preferably an aqueous composition that contains water.
The water that can be used may be tap water, ion-exchanged water, pure water, distilled water, etc. Among these, ion-exchanged water is preferable.
The water content is not particularly limited, but is preferably 50% by mass or more, more preferably 60% by mass or more, based on the total mass of the liquid softener composition. When the water content is 50% by mass or more, the handling property becomes better.

[Repellents]
The repellent is added to the textile product to impart repellency against insects (mosquitoes, black flies, horseflies, stinging flies, mites, moths, ants, etc.).
Repellents include diethyl toluamide, paramenthan-3,8-diol, anise oil, cinnamic acetate, neryl propionate, methyl anthranilate, citronella, neryl formate, cyclic terpene alcohol, cypress oil, bever oil, bromoamphor, laurel oil, and eucalyptus oil.
Among these, paramenthane-3,8-diol, diethyltoluamide, and laurel oil are preferred, as they are excellent in long-lasting mosquito repellent effect and safety, and paramenthane-3,8-diol and diethyltoluamide are more preferred.

[Skin protection ingredients]
The skin protection ingredient is added to impart skin moisturizing properties to the textile product.
Skin protective ingredients include liquid paraffin, petrolatum, montan wax, squalane, squalene, olive oil, avocado oil, evening primrose oil, jojoba oil, camellia oil, macadamia nut oil, peppermint oil, sunflower oil, rapeseed oil, sesame oil, wheat germ oil, castor oil, safflower oil, cottonseed oil, soybean oil, jojoba oil, ceramides, and pseudo-ceramides.

[Ultraviolet absorber]
The ultraviolet absorbing agent is added to impart ultraviolet protection properties to the textile product.
Examples of the ultraviolet absorber include aminobenzoic acid derivatives (p-aminobenzoic acid, ethyl p-aminobenzoate, glyceryl p-aminobenzoate, amyl p-dimethylaminobenzoate, etc.); salicylic acid derivatives (ethylene glycol salicylate, dipropylene glycol salicylate, octyl salicylate, myristyl salicylate, etc.); cinnamic acid derivatives (methyl diisopropylcinnamate, ethyl p-methoxycinnamate, isopropyl p-methoxycinnamate, 2-ethylhexyl p-methoxycinnamate, butyl p-methoxycinnamate, etc.); benzophenone derivatives (2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone, 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone-5-sulfonic acid, 2,2'-dihydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone, etc.); azole compounds (urocanic acid, ethyl urocanate, etc.); and 4-t-butyl-4'-methoxybenzoylmethane.

[Antibacterial Agents]
The antibacterial agent is added to impart antibacterial properties to the textile product.
Examples of antibacterial agents include diclosan, triclosan, bis-(2-pyridylthio-1-oxide) zinc, polyhexamethylene biguanidine hydrochloride, 8-oxyquinoline, and polylysine.

[Antiviral Agents]
The antiviral agent is added to impart antiviral properties to the textile product.
Examples of the antiviral agent include polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers having an alkyl or alkenyl group with 10 to 22 carbon atoms and an average added mole number of EO of 3 to 5 moles, and ricinoleic acid monoglyceride.

[Water-soluble solvent]
The water-soluble solvent is added to the liquid softener composition in order to further improve the stability of the composition.
Examples of the water-soluble solvent include primary alcohols having 2 to 3 carbon atoms (ethanol, isopropanol, etc.); glycols having 2 to 6 carbon atoms (ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, etc.); and polyhydric alcohols having 3 to 8 carbon atoms (glycerin, diethylene glycol monobutyl ether, etc.).
Among these, primary alcohols and polyhydric alcohols having 2 to 3 carbon atoms are preferred from the standpoint of fragrance and price, with ethanol and glycerin being more preferred.
The water-soluble solvent may be used alone or in combination of two or more kinds.

[Other optional ingredients]
In addition to the above components, additives such as antioxidants and antifoaming agents may be contained.

[pH of liquid softener composition]
The pH of the liquid softener composition is not particularly limited, but from the viewpoint of suppressing hydrolysis of the component (A) over storage time, the pH at 25° C. is preferably adjusted to a range of 1 to 6, more preferably 2 to 4.
For adjusting the pH, hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, alkyl sulfuric acid, benzoic acid, paratoluenesulfonic acid, citric acid, malic acid, succinic acid, lactic acid, glycolic acid, hydroxyethanediphosphonic acid, phytic acid, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, short-chain amine compounds such as dimethylamine, alkali metal hydroxides such as sodium hydroxide, alkali metal carbonates, alkali metal silicates, etc. can be used.

[Viscosity of Liquid Softener Composition]
The viscosity of the liquid softener composition is not particularly limited, but the viscosity is preferably less than 500 mPa·s, and more preferably less than 300 mPa·s at 25° C. The viscosity can be measured using a B-type viscometer (manufactured by TOKIMEC Corporation).

[Production method]
The liquid fabric softener composition can be produced by a known method, for example, a method similar to the method for producing a conventional liquid fabric softener composition using a cationic surfactant as the main component.
For example, an oil phase containing components (A) and (C) is mixed with an aqueous phase at a temperature equal to or higher than the melting point of component (A) to prepare an emulsion, and component (B) is added to and mixed with the obtained emulsion to produce a liquid fabric softener composition.
The method for adding component (B) is not limited to the above. For example, a part of component (B) may be blended with an oil phase containing components (A) and (C), and then mixed with an aqueous phase at a temperature equal to or higher than the melting point of component (A) to prepare an emulsion, and the remaining amount of component (B) may be added to the emulsion.
Furthermore, the method of adding the component (C) is not limited to the above. For example, an emulsion may be prepared by mixing an aqueous phase containing a part or all of the component (C) with an oil phase containing the component (A).

[Method of using the liquid softener composition]
The method of treating textile products using the liquid softener composition is not particularly limited, and it can be used in the same way as conventional liquid softeners. For example, the liquid softener composition is dissolved in rinsing water at the stage of washing, or the liquid softener composition is dissolved in water in a container such as a basin, and then the textile product is placed in the container and soaked in the composition. In either case, the composition is used after being diluted to an appropriate concentration, and the liquor ratio (weight ratio of the treatment liquid to the textile product) is preferably 3 to 100 times, particularly 5 to 50 times. Specifically, the composition is used in an amount such that the concentration of component (A) is preferably 0.01 ppm to 1000 ppm, more preferably 0.1 ppm to 300 ppm, based on the total amount of water used.
The type of textile product that can be treated is not limited. Examples of textile products include clothing, curtains, sofas, carpets, towels, handkerchiefs, sheets, pillowcases, etc. The material of the textile product is also not particularly limited, and may be natural fibers such as cotton, silk, wool, etc., or chemical fibers such as polyester, but chemical fibers are preferred.

The present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to examples, but the present invention is not limited thereto.
In the examples and comparative examples, the blending amount of each component is shown in mass % (based on the pure content unless otherwise specified).

[Component (A): Cationic Surfactant]
The following A-1 was used.

A-1: A cationic surfactant synthesized according to the procedure described in Example 4 of JP-A-2003-12471. A-1 is a composition containing compounds represented by the general formulae (A1-3), (A1-4) and (A1-5) (in each formula, R ⁹ is an alkyl or alkenyl group having 15 to 17 carbon atoms) quaternized with dimethyl sulfate.

[Component (B): Cationic Polymer]
The following B-1 to B-2 were used.

B-1: Barquat PQ (manufactured by Lonza). B-1 is a cationic polymer having a repeating structural unit represented by the general formula (B1) (wherein R ₁ is a 2-hydroxytrimethylene group, all R ₂ are methyl groups, and X ⁻ is a chloride ion).

B-2: MERQUAT 100 (manufactured by NALCO) B-2 is a dimethyldiallylammonium chloride polymer, but it does not satisfy the requirements for R ₁ in formula B-1, and was therefore used in the comparative example.

[Component (C): Nonionic Surfactant]
The following C-1 to C-4 were used.

C-1: Trade name: TA-600-75 (manufactured by Lion Chemical Co., Ltd.) C-1 is polyoxyethylene isotridecyl ether EO 60 moles (an average EO 60 moles adduct of primary isotridecyl alcohol (C13)).

C-2: LEOCOL TDA-400-75 (manufactured by Lion Specialty Chemicals Co., Ltd.) C-2 is polyoxyethylene isotridecyl ether EO 40 moles (an average of EO 40 moles adduct of primary isotridecyl alcohol (C13)).

C-3: NIKKOL HCO-60 (manufactured by Nikko Chemicals Co., Ltd.) C-3 is POE hydrogenated castor oil (average number of moles of EO added: 60 moles).

C-4: NIKKOL HCO-40 (manufactured by Nikko Chemicals Co., Ltd.) C-4 is POE hydrogenated castor oil (average number of moles of EO added: 40 moles).

[(D) Component: Fragrance]
A fragrance composition D-1 having the composition shown in the following table was used. The numerical value of each fragrance component in the table is the mass % relative to the total mass of fragrance composition D-1.

D-1

[Other ingredients]
The following common component E-1 was used. The content in the table is the value relative to the total weight of the liquid fabric softener composition.

E-1

[Method of preparing liquid softener composition]
Liquid fabric softener compositions were prepared having the formulations shown in Table 1 below. In Table 1, the units of the numerical values for each component are % by mass relative to the total mass of the liquid fabric softener composition.
In Table 1, "A/B" indicates the mass ratio of component (A) to component (B).
In Table 1, "B/C" indicates the mass ratio of component (B) to component (C).

A liquid fabric softener composition was prepared using a glass container (inner diameter 100 mm, height 150 mm) and an agitator (Ajiter SJ type, manufactured by Shimadzu Corporation) according to the following procedure.
First, components (A), (C) and (D) were mixed and stirred to obtain an oil phase mixture.
On the other hand, the preservative was dissolved in ion-exchanged water for the balance to obtain an aqueous phase mixture. The mass of the ion-exchanged water for the balance was equivalent to the remainder obtained by subtracting the total amount of the oil phase mixture, component (B), and common components (excluding the preservative) from 980 g.
Next, the oil phase mixture heated to above the melting point of component (A) was placed in a glass container and stirred, while the aqueous phase mixture heated to above the melting point of component (A) was added in two separate portions and stirred. The aqueous phase mixture was divided into two portions at a ratio of 30:70 (mass ratio), and stirring (rotation speed 1,500 rpm) was performed for 3 minutes after the first addition of the aqueous phase mixture and for 2 minutes after the second addition of the aqueous phase mixture.
Thereafter, component (B) and the common components (except for the preservative) were added, and if necessary, an appropriate amount of hydrochloric acid (1 mol/L, Kanto Chemical) or sodium hydroxide (1 mol/L, Kanto Chemical) was added to adjust the pH to 2.5 (25°C), and ion-exchanged water was added to make the total mass 1,000 g to obtain the target softener composition. The viscosity (25°C) of the obtained softener composition was measured using a B-type viscometer (manufactured by TOKIMEC Corporation).

[Evaluation of the ability to impart deodorizing properties to textile products]
The ability of the liquid fabric softener composition to impart deodorizing properties to textile products was evaluated using the odor of the treated textile products dried indoors as an indicator.
The evaluation cloth was a worn-out sportswear made of chemical fibers that is present in ordinary households and has a worrying half-dried odor. The evaluation cloth was washed for 10 minutes with a commercial detergent "Top Platinum Clear" (manufactured by Lion Corporation) using a two-tub washing machine (Mitsubishi Electric CW-C30A1-H) (standard usage amount, standard course, bath ratio 20 times, tap water at 25 ° C.), the first rinse (3 minutes), and the subsequent second rinse was softened for 3 minutes with a liquid softener composition (10 mL of liquid softener composition for 1.5 kg of test cloth, bath ratio 20 times, tap water at 25 ° C.). The evaluation cloth that was dehydrated after the softening treatment was left indoors (25 ° C., 100% RH) for 6 hours (drying indoors).
The odor of the evaluation cloth after drying indoors was subjected to a sensory evaluation according to the following evaluation criteria. The evaluation was performed by two expert panelists. The average score of the two panelists (calculated to the first decimal place) was applied to the following evaluation criteria to evaluate the indoor drying odor suppression effect of the liquid fabric softener composition. The evaluation results are shown in the "Deodorizing property" column in Table 1. An average score of less than 3.0 points was considered to pass.

<Evaluation criteria>
0 points: No unpleasant odor at all.
1 point: The odor is barely perceptible.
2 points: The odor is weak.
3 points: The odor is rather strong.
4 points: A strong unpleasant odor is felt.
5 points: A strong odor is felt.

[Evaluation of separation stability]
An evaluation sample was prepared by placing 80 mL of the liquid softener composition in a lightweight PS glass bottle (PS-No. 11, manufactured by Tanuma Glass Industry Co., Ltd.) and sealing it. The evaluation sample was stored at 25°C for 3 months, and the state after storage (degree of separation of the liquid softener composition) was evaluated based on the following criteria. The evaluation was performed by five expert panelists. The average score of the five panelists (calculated to the first decimal place) was applied to the following judgment criteria to judge the separation stability of the liquid softener composition. The results are shown in the "separation stability" column in Table 1. In terms of commercial value, a score of ○ or higher was considered to be acceptable.

<Evaluation criteria>
3 points: Recognized as equivalent to the sample before storage.
2 points: slight separation observed.
1 point: Separation is clearly observed.

<Criteria>
◎: 2.5 points or more ○: 1.5 points or more, less than 2.5 points ×: Less than 1.5 points

This invention can be used in the fabric softener field.

Claims (11)

The following components (A) to (C):
(A) at least one compound selected from the group consisting of amine compounds having 1 to 3 hydrocarbon groups having 10 to 26 carbon atoms in the molecule, which may be interrupted by an ester group (-COO-) and/or an amide group (-NHCO-), a salt thereof, and a quaternary compound thereof;
(B) A cationic polymer having a repeating structural unit represented by formula (B1)

(Wherein,
R ₁ is a divalent group obtained by removing two hydrogen atoms from a hydroxyalkane having 2 to 4 carbon atoms,
_R2 is an alkyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, which may be the same or different;
X ⁻ is a counter ion; and (C) a nonionic surfactant. The liquid fabric softener composition according to claim 1, wherein the content of component (A) is 5 to 20% by mass based on the total mass of the liquid fabric softener composition. 3. The liquid softener composition according to claim 1, wherein, in general formula (B1), R ₁ is a 2-hydroxytrimethylene group or a 1-hydroxytrimethylene group, and all R ₂ are methyl groups. The liquid fabric softener composition according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the viscosity of component (B) at 25°C is 20 to 140 mPa·s. The liquid fabric softener composition according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the content of component (B) is 0.1 to 10 mass % based on the total mass of the liquid fabric softener composition. The liquid fabric softener composition according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein component (C) is an alkylene oxide adduct of an alcohol or a fatty acid, or hydrogenated castor oil to which a polyoxyethylene group has been added. The liquid fabric softener composition according to claim 6, wherein the alkylene oxide adduct of alcohol or fatty acid is an ethylene oxide adduct of primary isotridecyl alcohol (average number of moles of ethylene oxide added: 10 to 100 moles). The liquid fabric softener composition according to claim 6, wherein the average number of moles of ethylene oxide added in the hydrogenated castor oil to which polyoxyethylene groups have been added is 10 to 100 moles. The liquid fabric softener composition according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the content of component (C) is 0.1 to 10 mass % based on the total mass of the liquid fabric softener composition. The liquid fabric softener composition according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the mass ratio (B/C) of component (B) to component (C) is 0.05 to 3. The liquid fabric softener composition according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the mass ratio (A/B) of component (A) to component (B) is 2 to 50.