Chelating agents for improved color fidelity
AssigneeThe Procter & Gamble Company
InventorsJohn Robert Rusche, Ellen Schmidt Baker, Axel Masschelein
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Rinsing dyed or white fabrics in a chelator-containing rinse bath restores color and brightness. Rinse added compositions comprising chelators such as diethylenetriaminepentaacetate or ethylenediamine disuccinate are used to restore the appearance of colored and white fabrics whose drab appearance has been caused by interactions with metal ions, especially copper and nickel. Compositions comprising the chelators in combination with fabric care auxiliaries such as fabric softeners, cellulase enzymes and chlorine scavengers are provided.
Claims12
A composition of matter especially adapted for use in the rinse bath of a laundering operation, comprising:
- (a) at least about 0.75%, by weight, of chelating agent for copper cations, nickel cations, or mixtures thereof;
- (b) more than about 10%, by weight, of cationic fabric softener;
- (c) stabilizer selected from the group consisting of polyester material, water-soluble zinc salt, and mixtures thereof;
- (d) optionally, dissolved electrolytes;
- (e) optionally, at least about 0.01%, by weight, of chlorine scavenger;
- (f) optionally, cellulase enzyme;
- and
- (g) optionally, dye transfer inhibiting agent.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.