Title of Invention	A COMPOSITION FOR PRETREATING FIBER MATERIALS
Abstract	This invention relates to a composition which as well as water, contain certain sulfonate salts or polyhedral alcohols together with ethoxylated/propoxylated alcohols and ethoxylated alcohols are useful for pretreating textile sheet materials. Further ingredients also render them useful for hydrogen peroxide bleaching. The compositions, which provide the textiles with good primary wettability and good rewet ability, are low-foaming. Batch wise pretreatment processes, for example in jet machines, therefore represent no problem.

Title of Invention

A COMPOSITION FOR PRETREATING FIBER MATERIALS

Abstract

This invention relates to a composition which as well as water, contain certain sulfonate salts or polyhedral alcohols together with ethoxylated/propoxylated alcohols and ethoxylated alcohols are useful for pretreating textile sheet materials. Further ingredients also render them useful for hydrogen peroxide bleaching. The compositions, which provide the textiles with good primary wettability and good rewet ability, are low-foaming. Batch wise pretreatment processes, for example in jet machines, therefore represent no problem.

Full Text	Ciba Spezialitatenchemie Pfersee GmbH Oct. 15, 1999 P1/PFE 287 Composition for pretreating fiber materials This invention relates to a composition which includes at least water, an organic sulfonate or a polyhedron alcohol together with an ethoxylated alcohol and an ethoxylated/propoxylated alcohol. It further relates to the use of such compositions for the treatment of fiber materials. Fiber materials in the form of textile sheet materials, for example woven fabrics, normally have to be subjected to a pretreatment before they are dyed. One purpose of the pretreatment is to ensure a defect-free uniform dyeing. Depending on the prior history and provenience of the textile sheet materials or the equipment available, the pretreatment may include the measures of desizing, degreasing/scouring and bleaching the textiles. These measures may be carried out separately, but in the individual case it is also possible to integrate a plurality of these measures in a single process in order that costs may be saved. A successful pretreatment process requires that the textile be readily wettable by aqueous systems not only at the start of the pretreatment but also after the pretreatment, ie. that the textile possess good primary wettability and good rewettability. The latter ensures trouble-free dyeing. To meet the requirements of a useful pretreatment process, various chemical products are used in the pretreatment. These may include, depending on the stated object, wetting agents, laundry detergents, enzymes, bleaching agents, stabilizers, complexion agents, etc. Particular importance attaches here to products whose task it is to impart good post-pretreatment rewettability on the textile sheet materials. Textiles possessing good rewettability make for uniform dyeing in the subsequent dyeing process. But it is important in this connection that the products responsible for good rewettability should bring about no or only an insignificant increase in the foaming tendency of baths that contain the pretreatment products. This requirement is of particular consequence when the pretreatment is carried out as a batch process, for example in jet machines, where increased foaming can be very troublesome and which are more prone to foaming than other processes. The reason why there is frequently a demand for low-foaming pretreatment products is that it is in many cases undesirable to suppress increased foaming by adding antifoams such as silicones. Since classic pretreatment steps such as desizing, degreasing/scouring and bleaching are in a number of cases integrated into a combined pretreatment process, there is also a demand for compositions which can be used for such combined pretreatment processes. The compositions have to be aqueous systems that impart good wettability to the textile material at the start of the pretreatment, but also good hydrophilicity at the end of the pretreatment. This good hydrophilicity leads to the good rewettability needed for the dyeing process. Products for pretreating fiber materials in the form of textile sheet materials are known. EP-A 98 803 describes graft polymers containing a hydrophobic moiety, an attached polyglycol ether moiety and a hydrophilic graft. The hydrophilic graft may contain ionic groups such as sulfonate or carboxylate radicals or the corresponding acid groups. EP-A 462 059 reveals textile auxiliaries comprising an alkoxylated and optionally terminally etherified alcohol, a reaction product of such an alcohol and an acidic compound and optionally a hydrotrope. The reaction product from alkoxylated alcohol and acidic compound may be a sulfonate. WO 92/15664 discloses textile treatment compositions comprising photopolymers of unsaturated sulfonic or carboxylic acids, a nonionic surfactant and optionally a hydrotrope. The surfactant, as with the above-cited EP-A 462 059, is an alkoxylate of an aliphatic alcohol that may also have an organic radical at the other end in place of hydrogen. Such surfactants and their use in textile treatment are also revealed in EP-A 420 802. EP-A 360 736 describes textile pretreatment compositions comprising a phosphorus compound, an interpolymer having a hydrophilic and hydrophobic moiety, a nonionic surfactant and an alkali metal hydroxide. The compositions described in the above-cited documents, although in principle suitable for textile pretreatment, do not have optimum properties in every regard. More particularly, the rewettability of the textile material after the pretreatment has been completed presents problems in a number of cases of compositions for the pretreatment of textiles. Good rewettability due to adequate hydrophilicity has to be present after the pretreatment in order that the dyeing properties of the textile may not be adversely affected. True, it is possible in principle to improve rewettability by using the right type and amount of surfactants in the pretreatment. However, it has been determined that such optimization of the rewettability will frequently have an adverse effect on the primary wettability and/or significantly increase foaming. As mentioned, primary wettability denotes the wettability of the textile sheet material at the start of the pretreatment, ie. at the point of first contact of the textile material with the pretreatment liquor. This primary wettability has to reach a certain minimum level in order that the pretreatment can take place without problems. If, then, compositions are used that lead to good rewettability, ie. good wettability after the pretreatment. this will in many cases result in an inadequate primary wettability. Attempts to optimize both primary wettability and rewettability by using correspondingly large amounts of surfactants, by contrast, frequently lead to increased foaming. This increased foaming becomes noticeable especially in pretreatment processes of the batch type, for example in the course of a batch wise pretreatment in jet machines. True, the foam can be controlled by means of silicones, but this is frequently undesirable. It is an object of the present invention to develop a composition which has excellent utility for the pretreatment of fiber materials, especially textile sheet materials, in that it imparts good primary wettability as well as good rewettability to the textile material and which even without the use of high performance antifoams such as silicones does not produce unacceptable foaming. This object is achieved by a composition which includes at least the components A, B, C and D, where component A is either a sulfonate of the formula (I) I) where n is from 0 to 8, any R1 is independently of the others hydrogen, an alkyl radical of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, an unsubstituted phenyl radical or a phenyl radical substituted by a radical of the formula -SOaM®, and any R1 is independently of the others R1 or a radical of the formula - SOaM®, subject to the proviso that component A contains at least one radical of the formula - SOaM and M is Na, K or NH4. or where component A is a polyhydhc aliphatic alcohol of 2 to 12 carbon atoms, preferably of 4 to 10 carbon atoms, component B is an ethoxylated alcohol of the formula (II) or a mixture of such alcohols R1-0-(-CH2CH2-0-)r-X (II) where r is from 1 to 8, preferably from 2 to 7, component C is an alkoxylate of the formula (III) or a mixture of such alkoxylates R1-0-(-Z-)t-X (III) where t is from 4 to 30, preferably from 6 to 18, 20 to 80% of all the Z groups present are -CH2CH2-O- and 80 to 20% of all the Z groups present are -CHR'-CHR1-0-, where in each case one of R" and R1 is hydrogen and the other is CH3, R"^ in both component B and component C is a linear or branched alkyl radical of 4 to 20, preferably 8 to 18. carbon atoms and 50 to 100%, preferably 100%, of all the X's present are hydrogen and 0 to 50%, preferably 0%. of all the X's present are a methyl, ethyl or phenyl radical, and component D is water. This abovementioned specific combination of components surprisingly solves a whole series of problems due to prior art textile pretreatment formulations. Such compositions according to the invention are very useful for the pretreatment of textile sheet materials even in cases where a plurality of the pretreatment steps mentioned at the beginning are integrated in a combined process. If they are to be used for hydrogen peroxide bleaching processes as well, however, it is advisable for the compositions to additionally include a component E of the kind more particularly described herein below. The compositions of the invention have advantages especially when they are used for batch wise pretreatment processes, for example in jet machines. They are particularly useful for this on account of their low tendency to foam. They impart to the textiles a high post-pretreatment hydrophilicity, and this manifest itself in an excellent rewettability. The primary wettability of the textiles, ie. the first wettability by the pretreatment liquor at the start of the pretreatment, is likewise very good. The advantages mentioned are obtained on complying with the specifications set forth in claim 1 and above for the components of the compositions according to the invention. Component A is either a sulfonate of the formula (I) Here, n is from 0 to 8; in a preferred embodiment, n is from 1 to 3. Any R1 radical is independently of the others hydrogen, a linear or branched alkyl radical of 1 to 4 carbon atoms or a phenyl radical which is either unsubstituted or substituted by a sulfonate radical of the formula –Soa M. Any R radical is independently of the others an R1 radical of the abovementioned kind or a sulfonate radical of the formula –Soa M. When component A is a compound of the formula (I), however, it shall contain at least one sulfonate radical –Soa M . ie. either at least one of all the R1 radicals present shall be –Soa M* or at least one of all the R1 radicals present shall be a phenyl radical which bears an –Soa M* radical as substituents. In a component A containing one or more phenyl radicals substituted by –Soa M , the –Soa M groups may each be disposed on the aromatic ring in any position. In the –Soa M radicals, M® is in each case a sodium, potassium or ammonium ion. Component A may accordingly be a purely aliphatic or an aliphatic-aromatic hydrocarbon in which one or more -C-H moieties are replaced by –Soa M moieties. In a preferred embodiment of compositions according to the invention, component A is a sulfonate of the abovementioned formula (I) where at least one of all the R radicals present is -Soa M . In this case, it can be of advantage for none of the R radicals present to contain a sulfonate group. In compositions according to the invention that are particularly useful for the pretreatment of textiles, component A is a sulfonate of the formula (IV) where w is from 1 to 3, one of the R® radicals is an unsubstituted phenyl radical and all the other R® radicals are hydrogen, and one of the R1 radicals is Soa M* and all the other R1 radicals are hydrogen. The only phenyl radical present and the only sulfonate 4"adical present may here take the place of any of the R1 and R1 radicals of the formula (IV). Sodium cumenesulfonate and potassium cumenesulfonate are particularly useful as component A in compositions according to the invention. Instead of a sulfonate of the formula (I), component A in compositions according to the invention may also be polyhydric aliphatic alcohol having 2 to 12, preferably 4 to 10, carbon atoms and a linear or branched carbon chain. It will be appreciated that compositions according to the invention may also include mixtures of sulfonate of the formula (I) and of such polyhydric alcohols. When component A is not a sulfonate but a polyhydric alcohol, a preferred embodiment of compositions according to the invention comprises component A being a dihydric or trihedral aliphatic alcohol having a linear or branched alkyl chain of 4 to 8 carbon atoms. A particularly useful component A is 1,5-pentanediol in which one of the carbon atoms 2 to 4 bears a methyl group as substituents. Component A must be included in compositions according to the invention. This is because it has been determined that compositions which include water, a component B and a component C but no component A fall short of optimum utility for the pretreatment of textiles. The problem here may be, on the one hand, the rewettability of the textile material after the pretreatment has been carried out: customary amounts of components B and C in the liquors frequently do not provide the required high rewettability performance in the absence of component A. The rewettability problem would in principle be solvable by increasing the amount of compound B and/or C. However, it has been determined that this would necessitate such large amounts that the costs become very high and, in particular, that the foam problem is then no longer controllable without the use of high performance antifoams such as silicones. On the other hand, silicones can have an adverse effect on dyeing characteristics and are therefore undesirable in many cases. Another problem which may arise in the absence of a component A is that it is frequently impossible to obtain a stable liquid, aqueous formulation useful for the treatment of fiber materials and/or that the formulations are excessively prone to foam. Compositions including a component B and a component C and a component D but no component A may take the form of a gel which is not suitable for pretreatment processes. This problem may present itself in the absence of component A even when the abovementioned lack of rewettability would not be a problem in the individual case. However, the use of a component A together with a component B and a component C and water does away with the difficulties discussed here. Sulfonate and polyhydric alcohols useful as component are commercially available, for example sodium cumenesulfonate. or are reparable according to known chemical methods. Instead of a single compound of the formula (I) or (IV), component A may also be a mixture of such compounds or a mixture of polyhydric alcohols. Component B in compositions according to the invention is primarily responsible for the primary wettability and the rewettability of the textile sheet materials at the start and on completion of the pretreatment. The pretreatment liquor should wet the textile quickly and uniformly in order that the purpose of the pretreatment may be achieved in optimal fashion. It has been determined that compositions which include a component A and a component C but no component B of the kind mentioned lead to a normally worse primary wettability. Similarly, the rewettability of the fiber materials on completion of the pretreatment may be too low when no component B is included in the compositions. Component B is an ethoxylated alcohol of the formula (II) or a mixture of such alcohols R -0-(-CH2CH2-0-) (II) Here, r is from 1 to 8, preferably from 2 to 7. Component B is generally a mixture of ethoxylated alcohols, since ethoxylation reactions as of alcohols with ethylene oxide give rise to product mixtures. In such mixtures, the value of r (the degree of ethoxylation) will vary to a certain extent. For a mixture of ethoxylated products of the formula (II) to be useful as component B in compositions according to the invention, the modal value of r in the mixture must certainly not be greater than 8. It is beneficial when not more than 20% of the molecules in the mixture have r greater than 8; preferably, r is not greater than 7 in not less than 80% of the molecules. It has been determined that ethoxylated alcohols of the formula (II) where r is greater than 8 or where more than 20% of the molecules in the mixture have r greater than 8 are not suitable for use as component B in compositions according to the invention. The reason is that the tendency to foam increases with increasing r and can reach an unacceptable level when r is greater than 8. R1 in the formula (II) is a linear or branched alkyl radical of 4 to 20 carbon atoms. Particular usefulness as component B in compositions according to the invention is possessed by ethoxylated products of the formula (II) where R1 contains 8 to 18 carbon atoms. X in the formula (II) can be hydrogen, methyl, ethyl or phenyl. At least 50 to 100% of all X radicals present in component B have to be hydrogen for the required primary wettability to be obtained. So for hydrogen X component B will contain only a single species of ethoxylated molecules of the formula (II), However, since for technical and economic reasons component B will virtually always be a mixture of compounds conforming to the formula (II), the mixture may include compounds where X is hydrogen and compounds where X is -CH3, -C2H5 or -Chess. However, at least 50% of all the X radicals present have to be hydrogen. In a preferred embodiment of’ compositions according to the invention, however, all the X radicals present in component B are hydrogen even when B is a mixture. Products of the formula (II) useful as component B are commercially available. They are reparable in a known manner by reacting the corresponding alcohols R1-OH with ethylene oxide with or without subsequent partial etherification of the terminal OH group. Component C, without being a pronounced antifoam, is a foam-suppressing component and a necessary ingredient of compositions according to the invention. Compositions which include a component A and a component B but no component C can lead to problems in particular when the pretreatment is to be carried out as a batch process in a jet machine. This is because the foam level may then be unacceptably high. Component C is an alkoxylate of the formula (III) or a mixture of such alkoxylates (III) Here, R1 and X are each as defined above in connection with component B. Like component B, component C is normally a mixture of products. The ethoxylation/propoxylation of R1-OH alcohols, like the straight ethoxylation, gives rise to product mixtures. The individual compounds of the formula (III) in these mixtures differ with regard to the value of t and/or the number of polyoxyethylene and polyoxypropylene units. Furthermore, the compounds of the formula (III) may be present as block copolymers or as random copolymers, depending on the production conditions. Block polymers are formed for example when R1-OH is reacted first with ethylene oxide only and then - after the ethylene oxide has been consumed - with propylene oxide only. This species of block polymer is preferred for use as component C in compositions according to the invention, optionally after a partial etherification of the terminal OH group. However, it is also possible to use random polymers formed by reaction of R1-OH with a mixture of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide, or partially terminally etherified random polymers. As in the case of component B, 50 to 100%, preferably 100%, of all the X radicals present in component C has to be hydrogen; 0 to 50% of the X radicals can be -CH3, -C2H5 or -CeHs- The degree of ethoxylation/propoxylation of component C is 4 to 30, ie. t in the formula (111) is from 4 to 30. t is preferably a number from 6 to 18. Z in the formula (111) is a divalent polyoxyalkylene radical. 20 to 80% of all the Z radicals present in component C are the radical -CH2CH2-O-, which is derived from ethylene oxide, while the rest, ie. 80 - 20% of the Z radicals, are the radical –CHR -CHR -0-, which is derived from propylene oxide and in which one of R and R is hydrogen while the other is -CH3. The mixture of compounds that is normally component C may include individual molecules in which there are only -CH2CH2-O-units between R1O and X or individual molecules which contain only polyoxypropylene but no polyoxyethylene units. This is inevitable in an industrial ethoxylation/propoxylation. However, the fraction of such molecules in component C is very low, while the substantially predominant fraction, ie. more than 90% of the molecules in component C, contain both polyoxyethylene and polyoxypropylene units. As in the case of component B, products useful as component C are commercially available or preparable according to generally known methods. Compositions according to the invention further include water (component D). Compositions according to the invention are normally reparable without problems by mixing the components A to D and any further desired components in any order by stirring at room temperature. In individual cases, a certain order of mixing and/or a temperature increase may produce benefits with regard to stability in storage. These statements also apply when compositions according to the invention are to include further components, for example the components E and/or F more particularly described herein below. In a preferred embodiment, compositions according to the invention include a component E and/or a component F as well as the mandatory components A to D. Instead of a single compound, compositions according to the invention may also include mixtures of compounds which fall within the definition of component E and/or F indicated hereinbelow. Component E is a magnesium salt or a calcium salt, preferably a water-soluble inorganic salt. MgCl2 is particularly suitable. The presence of such a salt can increase the suitability of compositions according to the invention for customary pretreatment processes where the textiles are bleached with H2O2. These processes require stabilizers for hydrogen peroxide, and the magnesium and calcium salts mentioned may be used for this purpose. Component F is an alkali metal salt or an ammonium salt of a sulfuric monoester of the formula (V) ie. a salt of the formula R1-O-Soa M , where M is Na, K or NH4. R1 in this formula is a linear or branched alkyl radical of 4 to 12, preferably 6 to 10, carbon atoms. The alcohol R1-OH, from which this monoester salt is derived, can be a primary, secondary or tertiary alcohol, ie. the -O-Soa M® group may be present on any carbon atom in the linear or branched monovalent radical R1. The presence of a component F in compositions according to the invention may enhance the stability of these aqueous compositions. In a preferred embodiment, compositions according to the invention include the aforementioned components in such amounts that the following amounts of components A, B, C, E and F are present per 100 parts by weight of water (component D): 5 to 35 parts by weight of component A, preferably 10 to 25 parts by weight 10 to 40 parts by weight of component B, preferably 15 to 35 parts by weight 3 to 30 parts by weight of component C, preferably 5 to 25 parts by weight 0 to 30 parts by weight of component E, preferably 2 to 20 parts by weight 0 to 20 parts by weight of component F, preferably 2 to 10 parts by weight If desired, compositions according to the invention may include further ingredients, especially with regard to specific pretreatment processes and requirements. Such ingredients may be for example enzymes, completing agents or further surfactants; they can be used in the amounts customary for pretreatment processes. However, it is advisable to precede every individual case of the use of such ingredients by an examination as to whether the abovementioned advantages of compositions according to the invention are not unacceptably reduced as a result. Compositions according to the invention are very useful for treating fiber materials, especially for pretreating textile fiber materials in the form of woven or knits. The fiber materials in question may be textile sheet materials comprising cellulose, regenerated cellulose or synthetic polymers or blends thereof. Compositions according to the invention are particularly useful for pretreating textile sheet materials, which are 70 to 100 percent by weight cotton. The rest of the fibers may be synthetics, for example. A pretreatment of textile sheet materials composed of raw cotton with compositions according to the invention leads to excellent results with regard to primary and rewettability coupled with a tendency to foam which never exceeds an acceptable degree even without the use of high performance antifoams such as silicones. For these reasons, compositions of the invention are also very useful for batch wise pretreatment processes, for example in jet machines. Compositions according to the invention may be applied to the textile material according to methods customary in pretreatment processes, for example by dipping, pad-mangling, etc. The aqueous liquors used for pretreatment advantageously have customary concentrations, for example from 0.03 to 1 percent by weight of the sum total of components A, B and C, based on total liquor. After the pretreatment, the textile material is further treated in a conventional, known manner, for example by dyeing with or without intermediary drying. The invention will now be illustrated by examples. Compositions were prepared in accordance with Table I below, in which the numbers under the respective examples each denote the constituent in question, in % by weight. a) = magnesium chloride hexahydrate (component E) b) = sodium cumenesulfonate (component A) c) = methyl 1,5-pentanediol (component A) d) = mixture of ethoxylated C13 alcohols, 4.6 EO units on average (component B) e) = ethoxylated/propoxylated alcohol (about C12 to Cass), 8 EO, 4 PO, block copolymer (component C) 0 = R'-OSOaNa R '= ethylhexyl (component F) g) = ethoxylated C13 alcohol, 10 EO units on average Examples 1, 2, 5 and 6 include a component A), a component B) and a component C), ie. are inventive examples. Examples 3, 4 and 7 are no inventive, comparative examples in that Example 3 lacks a component B, Example 4 lacks a component C and Example 7 has a degree of ethoxylation for the constituent g) that is higher than stipulated for component B. Compositions # 1 to 7 were ail tested for primary wettability, rewettability and tendency to foam. Primary wettability was determined on woven samples of 100% raw cotton on the lines of the ISO 8022 method. The time was determined (in seconds) until the fabric had been completely wetted by the composition in question. In Table 2 below, accordingly, lower values for the primary wettability denote better/quicker wetting. The tendency to foam under pretreatment conditions was determined in a laboratory jet apparatus charged in each case with dilute NaOH, H2O2, a stabilizer for H2O2 and about 1 g/l of one of the compositions 1 to 7. In addition, a sample of a 100% cotton knit was put into the apparatus in each case. The contents of the apparatus were mechanically agitated while being heated initially to 40°C and then to 98°C and cooled to 80'C. The contents of the apparatus were left to dwell at each of these temperatures for a short time to allow assessment of the amount of foam which had developed. Rewettability was determined by treating the knit samples as indicated above for the determination of foaming. They were then taken from the apparatus and dried. Rewettability was determined by measuring the time (in seconds) within which a drop of water from a dropping pipette completely wetted the fabric. The results of the tests are shown in Table II. 1. A composition which includes at least the components A, B, C and D, where component A is either a sulfonate of the formula (I) where n is from 0 to 8, any R^ is independently of the others hydrogen, an alkyl radical of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, an unsubstituted phenyl radical or a phenyl radical substituted by a radical of the formula –Soa M. and any R is independently of the others R or a radical of the formula - Soa M®, subject to the proviso that component A contains at least one radical of the formula - Soa M® and M is Na, K or NH4. or where component A is a polyhydric aliphatic alcohol of 2 to 12 carbon atoms, preferably of 4 to 10 carbon atoms, component B is an ethoxylated alcohol of the formula (II) or a mixture of son alcohols where r is from 1 to 8, preferably from 2 to 7, component C is an alkoxylate of the formula (III) or a mixture of such alkoxylate where t is from 4 to 30, preferably from 6 to 18. 20 to 80% of all the Z groups present are -CH2CH2-O- and 80 to 20% of all the Z groups present are -CHR^-CHR^-0-, where in each case one of R^ and R^ is hydrogen and the other is CH3, R^ in both component B and component C is a linear or branched alkyl radical of 4 to 20, preferably 8 to 18, carbon atoms and 50 to 100%, preferably 100%. of all the X's present are hydrogen and 0 to 50%, preferably 0%, of all the X's present are a methyl, ethyl or phenyl radical, and component D is water. 2. A composition according to claim 1. wherein component A is a sulfonate of the formula (I) where at least one of all the R^ radicals present is –Soa M. 3. A composition according to claim 1 or 2, wherein component A is a sulfonate of the formula (IV) where w is from 1 to 3, one of the R^ radicals is an unsubstituted phenyl radical and all the other R® radicals are hydrogen, and one of the R^ radicals is –Soa M* and all the other R^ radicals are hydrogen. 4. A composition according to one or more of claims 1 to 3, wherein component A is sodium cumenesulfonate or potassium cumenesulfonate. 5. A composition according to claim 1, wherein component A is a dihydric or trihedral alcohol of 4 to 8 carbon atoms. 6. A composition according to one or more of claims 1 to 5, additionally comprising a component E and/or a component F, component E being a magnesium salt or a calcium salt, preferably a water-soluble inorganic salt and component F being an alkali metal salt or ammonium salt of a sulfuric monoester of the formula (V) where R^ is a linear or branched alkyl radical of 4 to 12, preferably 6 to 10. carbon atoms. 7. A composition according to one or more of claims 1 to 6, including per 100 parts by weight of water (component D) the following amounts of components A, B, C, E, F: 5 to 35 parts by weight of component A, preferably 10 to 25 parts by weight 10 to 40 parts by weight of component B, preferably 15 to 35 parts by weight 3 to 30 parts by weight of component C, preferably 5 to 25 parts by weight 0 to 30 parts by weight of component E, preferably 2 to 20 parts by weight 0 to 20 parts by weight of component F, preferably 2 to 10 parts by weight 8. The use of a composition according to one or more of claims 1 to 7 for treating fiber materials, especially for retreating textile fiber materials in the form of woven or knits. 9. The use according to claim 8, wherefore the fiber materials are 70 to 100% by weight cotton. A composition, substantially as herein described, and exemplified. The use of a composition, substantially as herein described, and exemplified.

Full Text

Ciba Spezialitatenchemie Pfersee GmbH Oct. 15, 1999
P1/PFE 287
Composition for pretreating fiber materials
This invention relates to a composition which includes at least water, an organic sulfonate or a polyhedron alcohol together with an ethoxylated alcohol and an ethoxylated/propoxylated alcohol. It further relates to the use of such compositions for the treatment of fiber materials.
Fiber materials in the form of textile sheet materials, for example woven fabrics, normally have to be subjected to a pretreatment before they are dyed. One purpose of the pretreatment is to ensure a defect-free uniform dyeing. Depending on the prior history and provenience of the textile sheet materials or the equipment available, the pretreatment may include the measures of desizing, degreasing/scouring and bleaching the textiles. These measures may be carried out separately, but in the individual case it is also possible to integrate a plurality of these measures in a single process in order that costs may be saved.
A successful pretreatment process requires that the textile be readily wettable by aqueous systems not only at the start of the pretreatment but also after the pretreatment, ie. that the textile possess good primary wettability and good rewettability. The latter ensures trouble-free dyeing. To meet the requirements of a useful pretreatment process, various chemical products are used in the pretreatment. These may include, depending on the stated object, wetting agents, laundry detergents, enzymes, bleaching agents, stabilizers, complexion agents, etc. Particular importance attaches here to products whose task it is to impart good post-pretreatment rewettability on the textile sheet materials. Textiles possessing good rewettability make for uniform dyeing in the subsequent dyeing process. But it is important in this connection that the products responsible for good rewettability should bring about no or only an insignificant increase in the foaming tendency of baths that contain the pretreatment products. This requirement is of particular consequence when the pretreatment is carried out as a batch process, for example in jet machines, where increased foaming can be very troublesome and which are more prone to foaming than other processes. The reason why there is frequently a demand for low-foaming pretreatment products is that it is in many cases undesirable to suppress increased foaming by adding antifoams such as silicones.
Since classic pretreatment steps such as desizing, degreasing/scouring and bleaching are in a number of cases integrated into a combined pretreatment process, there is also a demand for compositions which can be used for such combined pretreatment processes. The compositions have to be aqueous systems that impart good wettability to the textile material at

the start of the pretreatment, but also good hydrophilicity at the end of the pretreatment. This good hydrophilicity leads to the good rewettability needed for the dyeing process.
Products for pretreating fiber materials in the form of textile sheet materials are known.
EP-A 98 803 describes graft polymers containing a hydrophobic moiety, an attached polyglycol
ether moiety and a hydrophilic graft. The hydrophilic graft may contain ionic groups such as
sulfonate or carboxylate radicals or the corresponding acid groups.
EP-A 462 059 reveals textile auxiliaries comprising an alkoxylated and optionally terminally
etherified alcohol, a reaction product of such an alcohol and an acidic compound and
optionally a hydrotrope. The reaction product from alkoxylated alcohol and acidic compound
may be a sulfonate.
WO 92/15664 discloses textile treatment compositions comprising photopolymers of
unsaturated sulfonic or carboxylic acids, a nonionic surfactant and optionally a hydrotrope. The
surfactant, as with the above-cited EP-A 462 059, is an alkoxylate of an aliphatic alcohol that
may also have an organic radical at the other end in place of hydrogen. Such surfactants and
their use in textile treatment are also revealed in EP-A 420 802.
EP-A 360 736 describes textile pretreatment compositions comprising a phosphorus
compound, an interpolymer having a hydrophilic and hydrophobic moiety, a nonionic surfactant
and an alkali metal hydroxide.
The compositions described in the above-cited documents, although in principle suitable for textile pretreatment, do not have optimum properties in every regard. More particularly, the rewettability of the textile material after the pretreatment has been completed presents problems in a number of cases of compositions for the pretreatment of textiles. Good rewettability due to adequate hydrophilicity has to be present after the pretreatment in order that the dyeing properties of the textile may not be adversely affected. True, it is possible in principle to improve rewettability by using the right type and amount of surfactants in the pretreatment. However, it has been determined that such optimization of the rewettability will frequently have an adverse effect on the primary wettability and/or significantly increase foaming. As mentioned, primary wettability denotes the wettability of the textile sheet material at the start of the pretreatment, ie. at the point of first contact of the textile material with the pretreatment liquor. This primary wettability has to reach a certain minimum level in order that the pretreatment can take place without problems. If, then, compositions are used that lead to good rewettability, ie. good wettability after the pretreatment. this will in many cases result in an inadequate primary wettability. Attempts to optimize both primary wettability and rewettability by using correspondingly large amounts of surfactants, by contrast, frequently lead to increased foaming. This increased foaming becomes noticeable especially in pretreatment processes of the batch type, for example in the course of a batch wise

pretreatment in jet machines. True, the foam can be controlled by means of silicones, but this is frequently undesirable.
It is an object of the present invention to develop a composition which has excellent utility for the pretreatment of fiber materials, especially textile sheet materials, in that it imparts good primary wettability as well as good rewettability to the textile material and which even without the use of high performance antifoams such as silicones does not produce unacceptable foaming.
This object is achieved by a composition which includes at least the components A, B, C and D,
where component A is either a sulfonate of the formula (I)
I)
where n is from 0 to 8, any R1 is independently of the others hydrogen, an alkyl radical of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, an unsubstituted phenyl radical or a phenyl radical substituted by a radical of
the formula -SOaM®, and any R1 is independently of the others R1 or a radical of the formula -
SOaM®, subject to the proviso that component A contains at least one radical of the formula -
SOaM and M is Na, K or NH4.
or where component A is a polyhydhc aliphatic alcohol of 2 to 12 carbon atoms, preferably of 4
to 10 carbon atoms,
component B is an ethoxylated alcohol of the formula (II) or a mixture of such alcohols
R1-0-(-CH2CH2-0-)r-X (II)
where r is from 1 to 8, preferably from 2 to 7,
component C is an alkoxylate of the formula (III) or a mixture of such alkoxylates
R1-0-(-Z-)t-X (III)
where t is from 4 to 30, preferably from 6 to 18, 20 to 80% of all the Z groups present are -CH2CH2-O- and 80 to 20% of all the Z groups present are -CHR'*-CHR1-0-, where in each case one of R"* and R1 is hydrogen and the other is CH3, R"^ in both component B and

component C is a linear or branched alkyl radical of 4 to 20, preferably 8 to 18. carbon atoms and 50 to 100%, preferably 100%, of all the X's present are hydrogen and 0 to 50%, preferably 0%. of all the X's present are a methyl, ethyl or phenyl radical,
and component D is water.
This abovementioned specific combination of components surprisingly solves a whole series of
problems due to prior art textile pretreatment formulations. Such compositions according to the
invention are very useful for the pretreatment of textile sheet materials even in cases where a
plurality of the pretreatment steps mentioned at the beginning are integrated in a combined
process. If they are to be used for hydrogen peroxide bleaching processes as well, however, it
is advisable for the compositions to additionally include a component E of the kind more
particularly described herein below. The compositions of the invention have advantages
especially when they are used for batch wise pretreatment processes, for example in jet
machines. They are particularly useful for this on account of their low tendency to foam. They
impart to the textiles a high post-pretreatment hydrophilicity, and this manifest itself in an

excellent rewettability. The primary wettability of the textiles, ie. the first wettability by the pretreatment liquor at the start of the pretreatment, is likewise very good.
The advantages mentioned are obtained on complying with the specifications set forth in claim 1 and above for the components of the compositions according to the invention.
Component A is either a sulfonate of the formula (I)

Here, n is from 0 to 8; in a preferred embodiment, n is from 1 to 3. Any R1 radical is independently of the others hydrogen, a linear or branched alkyl radical of 1 to 4 carbon atoms or a phenyl radical which is either unsubstituted or substituted by a sulfonate radical of the
formula –Soa M*. Any R radical is independently of the others an R1 radical of the
abovementioned kind or a sulfonate radical of the formula –Soa M*. When component A is a
compound of the formula (I), however, it shall contain at least one sulfonate radical –Soa M .
ie. either at least one of all the R1 radicals present shall be –Soa M* or at least one of all the
R1 radicals present shall be a phenyl radical which bears an –Soa M* radical as substituents. In
a component A containing one or more phenyl radicals substituted by –Soa M , the –Soa M
groups may each be disposed on the aromatic ring in any position. In the –Soa M radicals,

M® is in each case a sodium, potassium or ammonium ion. Component A may accordingly be a purely aliphatic or an aliphatic-aromatic hydrocarbon in which one or more -C-H moieties are
replaced by –Soa M moieties.
In a preferred embodiment of compositions according to the invention, component A is a
sulfonate of the abovementioned formula (I) where at least one of all the R radicals present is
-Soa M . In this case, it can be of advantage for none of the R radicals present to contain a sulfonate group.
In compositions according to the invention that are particularly useful for the pretreatment of textiles, component A is a sulfonate of the formula (IV)

where w is from 1 to 3, one of the R® radicals is an unsubstituted phenyl radical and all the
other R® radicals are hydrogen, and one of the R1 radicals is Soa M* and all the other R1 radicals are hydrogen. The only phenyl radical present and the only sulfonate 4"adical present may here take the place of any of the R1 and R1 radicals of the formula (IV). Sodium cumenesulfonate and potassium cumenesulfonate are particularly useful as component A in compositions according to the invention.
Instead of a sulfonate of the formula (I), component A in compositions according to the invention may also be polyhydric aliphatic alcohol having 2 to 12, preferably 4 to 10, carbon atoms and a linear or branched carbon chain. It will be appreciated that compositions according to the invention may also include mixtures of sulfonate of the formula (I) and of such polyhydric alcohols. When component A is not a sulfonate but a polyhydric alcohol, a preferred embodiment of compositions according to the invention comprises component A being a dihydric or trihedral aliphatic alcohol having a linear or branched alkyl chain of 4 to 8 carbon atoms. A particularly useful component A is 1,5-pentanediol in which one of the carbon atoms 2 to 4 bears a methyl group as substituents.
Component A must be included in compositions according to the invention. This is because it has been determined that compositions which include water, a component B and a component C but no component A fall short of optimum utility for the pretreatment of textiles. The problem here may be, on the one hand, the rewettability of the textile material after the pretreatment has been carried out: customary amounts of components B and C in the liquors frequently do not provide the required high rewettability performance in the absence of component A. The rewettability problem would in principle be solvable by increasing the amount of compound B and/or C. However, it has been determined that this would necessitate such large amounts

that the costs become very high and, in particular, that the foam problem is then no longer controllable without the use of high performance antifoams such as silicones. On the other hand, silicones can have an adverse effect on dyeing characteristics and are therefore undesirable in many cases. Another problem which may arise in the absence of a component A is that it is frequently impossible to obtain a stable liquid, aqueous formulation useful for the treatment of fiber materials and/or that the formulations are excessively prone to foam. Compositions including a component B and a component C and a component D but no component A may take the form of a gel which is not suitable for pretreatment processes. This problem may present itself in the absence of component A even when the abovementioned lack of rewettability would not be a problem in the individual case. However, the use of a component A together with a component B and a component C and water does away with the difficulties discussed here.
Sulfonate and polyhydric alcohols useful as component are commercially available, for example sodium cumenesulfonate. or are reparable according to known chemical methods. Instead of a single compound of the formula (I) or (IV), component A may also be a mixture of such compounds or a mixture of polyhydric alcohols.
Component B in compositions according to the invention is primarily responsible for the primary wettability and the rewettability of the textile sheet materials at the start and on completion of the pretreatment. The pretreatment liquor should wet the textile quickly and uniformly in order that the purpose of the pretreatment may be achieved in optimal fashion. It has been determined that compositions which include a component A and a component C but no component B of the kind mentioned lead to a normally worse primary wettability. Similarly, the rewettability of the fiber materials on completion of the pretreatment may be too low when no component B is included in the compositions.
Component B is an ethoxylated alcohol of the formula (II) or a mixture of such alcohols
R -0-(-CH2CH2-0-) (II)
Here, r is from 1 to 8, preferably from 2 to 7. Component B is generally a mixture of ethoxylated alcohols, since ethoxylation reactions as of alcohols with ethylene oxide give rise to product mixtures. In such mixtures, the value of r (the degree of ethoxylation) will vary to a certain extent. For a mixture of ethoxylated products of the formula (II) to be useful as component B in compositions according to the invention, the modal value of r in the mixture must certainly not be greater than 8. It is beneficial when not more than 20% of the molecules in the mixture have r greater than 8; preferably, r is not greater than 7 in not less than 80% of

the molecules. It has been determined that ethoxylated alcohols of the formula (II) where r is greater than 8 or where more than 20% of the molecules in the mixture have r greater than 8 are not suitable for use as component B in compositions according to the invention. The reason is that the tendency to foam increases with increasing r and can reach an unacceptable level when r is greater than 8.
R1 in the formula (II) is a linear or branched alkyl radical of 4 to 20 carbon atoms. Particular usefulness as component B in compositions according to the invention is possessed by ethoxylated products of the formula (II) where R1 contains 8 to 18 carbon atoms. X in the formula (II) can be hydrogen, methyl, ethyl or phenyl. At least 50 to 100% of all X radicals present in component B have to be hydrogen for the required primary wettability to be obtained. So for hydrogen X component B will contain only a single species of ethoxylated molecules of the formula (II), However, since for technical and economic reasons component B will virtually always be a mixture of compounds conforming to the formula (II), the mixture may include compounds where X is hydrogen and compounds where X is -CH3, -C2H5 or -Chess. However, at least 50% of all the X radicals present have to be hydrogen. In a preferred embodiment of’ compositions according to the invention, however, all the X radicals present in component B are hydrogen even when B is a mixture.
Products of the formula (II) useful as component B are commercially available. They are reparable in a known manner by reacting the corresponding alcohols R1-OH with ethylene oxide with or without subsequent partial etherification of the terminal OH group.
Component C, without being a pronounced antifoam, is a foam-suppressing component and a necessary ingredient of compositions according to the invention. Compositions which include a component A and a component B but no component C can lead to problems in particular when the pretreatment is to be carried out as a batch process in a jet machine. This is because the foam level may then be unacceptably high. Component C is an alkoxylate of the formula (III) or a mixture of such alkoxylates
(III)
Here, R1 and X are each as defined above in connection with component B. Like component B, component C is normally a mixture of products. The ethoxylation/propoxylation of R1-OH alcohols, like the straight ethoxylation, gives rise to product mixtures. The individual compounds of the formula (III) in these mixtures differ with regard to the value of t and/or the number of polyoxyethylene and polyoxypropylene units. Furthermore, the compounds of the formula (III) may be present as block copolymers or as random copolymers, depending on the production conditions. Block polymers are formed for example when R1-OH is reacted first with

ethylene oxide only and then - after the ethylene oxide has been consumed - with propylene oxide only. This species of block polymer is preferred for use as component C in compositions according to the invention, optionally after a partial etherification of the terminal OH group. However, it is also possible to use random polymers formed by reaction of R1-OH with a mixture of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide, or partially terminally etherified random polymers. As in the case of component B, 50 to 100%, preferably 100%, of all the X radicals present in component C has to be hydrogen; 0 to 50% of the X radicals can be -CH3, -C2H5 or -CeHs-
The degree of ethoxylation/propoxylation of component C is 4 to 30, ie. t in the formula (111) is from 4 to 30. t is preferably a number from 6 to 18. Z in the formula (111) is a divalent polyoxyalkylene radical. 20 to 80% of all the Z radicals present in component C are the radical -CH2CH2-O-, which is derived from ethylene oxide, while the rest, ie. 80 - 20% of the Z radicals, are the radical –CHR -CHR -0-, which is derived from propylene oxide and in which one of R and R is hydrogen while the other is -CH3. The mixture of compounds that is normally component C may include individual molecules in which there are only -CH2CH2-O-units between R1O and X or individual molecules which contain only polyoxypropylene but no polyoxyethylene units. This is inevitable in an industrial ethoxylation/propoxylation. However, the fraction of such molecules in component C is very low, while the substantially predominant fraction, ie. more than 90% of the molecules in component C, contain both polyoxyethylene and polyoxypropylene units.
As in the case of component B, products useful as component C are commercially available or preparable according to generally known methods.
Compositions according to the invention further include water (component D).
Compositions according to the invention are normally reparable without problems by mixing the components A to D and any further desired components in any order by stirring at room temperature. In individual cases, a certain order of mixing and/or a temperature increase may produce benefits with regard to stability in storage. These statements also apply when compositions according to the invention are to include further components, for example the components E and/or F more particularly described herein below.
In a preferred embodiment, compositions according to the invention include a component E and/or a component F as well as the mandatory components A to D. Instead of a single compound, compositions according to the invention may also include mixtures of compounds which fall within the definition of component E and/or F indicated hereinbelow.

Component E is a magnesium salt or a calcium salt, preferably a water-soluble inorganic salt. MgCl2 is particularly suitable. The presence of such a salt can increase the suitability of compositions according to the invention for customary pretreatment processes where the textiles are bleached with H2O2. These processes require stabilizers for hydrogen peroxide, and the magnesium and calcium salts mentioned may be used for this purpose.
Component F is an alkali metal salt or an ammonium salt of a sulfuric monoester of the formula (V)

ie. a salt of the formula R1-O-Soa M , where M is Na, K or NH4. R1 in this formula is a linear or branched alkyl radical of 4 to 12, preferably 6 to 10, carbon atoms. The alcohol R1-OH, from which this monoester salt is derived, can be a primary, secondary or tertiary alcohol, ie. the
-O-Soa M® group may be present on any carbon atom in the linear or branched monovalent radical R1.
The presence of a component F in compositions according to the invention may enhance the stability of these aqueous compositions.
In a preferred embodiment, compositions according to the invention include the aforementioned components in such amounts that the following amounts of components A, B, C, E and F are present per 100 parts by weight of water (component D):
5 to 35 parts by weight of component A, preferably 10 to 25 parts by weight
10 to 40 parts by weight of component B, preferably 15 to 35 parts by weight
3 to 30 parts by weight of component C, preferably 5 to 25 parts by weight
0 to 30 parts by weight of component E, preferably 2 to 20 parts by weight
0 to 20 parts by weight of component F, preferably 2 to 10 parts by weight
If desired, compositions according to the invention may include further ingredients, especially with regard to specific pretreatment processes and requirements. Such ingredients may be for example enzymes, completing agents or further surfactants; they can be used in the amounts customary for pretreatment processes. However, it is advisable to precede every individual case of the use of such ingredients by an examination as to whether the abovementioned advantages of compositions according to the invention are not unacceptably reduced as a result.

Compositions according to the invention are very useful for treating fiber materials, especially for pretreating textile fiber materials in the form of woven or knits. The fiber materials in question may be textile sheet materials comprising cellulose, regenerated cellulose or synthetic polymers or blends thereof. Compositions according to the invention are particularly useful for pretreating textile sheet materials, which are 70 to 100 percent by weight cotton. The rest of the fibers may be synthetics, for example. A pretreatment of textile sheet materials composed of raw cotton with compositions according to the invention leads to excellent results with regard to primary and rewettability coupled with a tendency to foam which never exceeds an acceptable degree even without the use of high performance antifoams such as silicones. For these reasons, compositions of the invention are also very useful for batch wise pretreatment processes, for example in jet machines.
Compositions according to the invention may be applied to the textile material according to methods customary in pretreatment processes, for example by dipping, pad-mangling, etc. The aqueous liquors used for pretreatment advantageously have customary concentrations, for example from 0.03 to 1 percent by weight of the sum total of components A, B and C, based on total liquor.
After the pretreatment, the textile material is further treated in a conventional, known manner, for example by dyeing with or without intermediary drying.
The invention will now be illustrated by examples.
Compositions were prepared in accordance with Table I below, in which the numbers under the respective examples each denote the constituent in question, in % by weight.

a) = magnesium chloride hexahydrate (component E)
b) = sodium cumenesulfonate (component A)
c) = methyl 1,5-pentanediol (component A)
d) = mixture of ethoxylated C13 alcohols, 4.6 EO units on average (component B)
e) = ethoxylated/propoxylated alcohol (about C12 to Cass), 8 EO, 4 PO, block copolymer
(component C) 0 = R'-OSOaNa
R '= ethylhexyl (component F) g) = ethoxylated C13 alcohol, 10 EO units on average
Examples 1, 2, 5 and 6 include a component A), a component B) and a component C), ie. are inventive examples. Examples 3, 4 and 7 are no inventive, comparative examples in that Example 3 lacks a component B, Example 4 lacks a component C and Example 7 has a degree of ethoxylation for the constituent g) that is higher than stipulated for component B.
Compositions # 1 to 7 were ail tested for primary wettability, rewettability and tendency to
foam.
Primary wettability was determined on woven samples of 100% raw cotton on the lines of the
ISO 8022 method. The time was determined (in seconds) until the fabric had been completely
wetted by the composition in question. In Table 2 below, accordingly, lower values for the
primary wettability denote better/quicker wetting.
The tendency to foam under pretreatment conditions was determined in a laboratory jet
apparatus charged in each case with dilute NaOH, H2O2, a stabilizer for H2O2 and about 1 g/l
of one of the compositions 1 to 7. In addition, a sample of a 100% cotton knit was put into the
apparatus in each case. The contents of the apparatus were mechanically agitated while being
heated initially to 40°C and then to 98°C and cooled to 80'C. The contents of the apparatus
were left to dwell at each of these temperatures for a short time to allow assessment of the
amount of foam which had developed.
Rewettability was determined by treating the knit samples as indicated above for the
determination of foaming. They were then taken from the apparatus and dried. Rewettability
was determined by measuring the time (in seconds) within which a drop of water from a
dropping pipette completely wetted the fabric.
The results of the tests are shown in Table II.

1. A composition which includes at least the components A, B, C and D, where component A is either a sulfonate of the formula (I)

where n is from 0 to 8, any R^ is independently of the others hydrogen, an alkyl radical of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, an unsubstituted phenyl radical or a phenyl radical substituted by a radical of
the formula –Soa M*. and any R is independently of the others R or a radical of the formula -
Soa M®, subject to the proviso that component A contains at least one radical of the formula -
Soa M® and M is Na, K or NH4.
or where component A is a polyhydric aliphatic alcohol of 2 to 12 carbon atoms, preferably of 4
to 10 carbon atoms,
component B is an ethoxylated alcohol of the formula (II) or a mixture of son alcohols

where r is from 1 to 8, preferably from 2 to 7,
component C is an alkoxylate of the formula (III) or a mixture of such alkoxylate

where t is from 4 to 30, preferably from 6 to 18. 20 to 80% of all the Z groups present are -CH2CH2-O- and 80 to 20% of all the Z groups present are -CHR^-CHR^-0-, where in each case one of R^ and R^ is hydrogen and the other is CH3, R^ in both component B and component C is a linear or branched alkyl radical of 4 to 20, preferably 8 to 18, carbon atoms and 50 to 100%, preferably 100%. of all the X's present are hydrogen and 0 to 50%, preferably 0%, of all the X's present are a methyl, ethyl or phenyl radical,
and component D is water.
2. A composition according to claim 1. wherein component A is a sulfonate of the formula (I) where at least one of all the R^ radicals present is –Soa M*.

3. A composition according to claim 1 or 2, wherein component A is a sulfonate of the formula
(IV)

where w is from 1 to 3, one of the R^ radicals is an unsubstituted phenyl radical and all the
other R® radicals are hydrogen, and one of the R^ radicals is –Soa M* and all the other R^ radicals are hydrogen.
4. A composition according to one or more of claims 1 to 3, wherein component A is sodium
cumenesulfonate or potassium cumenesulfonate.
5. A composition according to claim 1, wherein component A is a dihydric or trihedral alcohol of
4 to 8 carbon atoms.
6. A composition according to one or more of claims 1 to 5, additionally comprising a
component E and/or a component F, component E being a magnesium salt or a calcium salt,
preferably a water-soluble inorganic salt and component F being an alkali metal salt or
ammonium salt of a sulfuric monoester of the formula (V)

where R^ is a linear or branched alkyl radical of 4 to 12, preferably 6 to 10. carbon atoms.
7. A composition according to one or more of claims 1 to 6, including per 100 parts by weight
of water (component D) the following amounts of components A, B, C, E, F:
5 to 35 parts by weight of component A, preferably 10 to 25 parts by weight 10 to 40 parts by weight of component B, preferably 15 to 35 parts by weight 3 to 30 parts by weight of component C, preferably 5 to 25 parts by weight 0 to 30 parts by weight of component E, preferably 2 to 20 parts by weight 0 to 20 parts by weight of component F, preferably 2 to 10 parts by weight
8. The use of a composition according to one or more of claims 1 to 7 for treating fiber
materials, especially for retreating textile fiber materials in the form of woven or knits.
9. The use according to claim 8, wherefore the fiber materials are 70 to 100% by weight cotton.

A composition, substantially as herein described, and exemplified.
The use of a composition, substantially as herein described, and exemplified.

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Patent Number

202255

Indian Patent Application Number

868/MAS/2000

PG Journal Number

05/2007

Publication Date

02-Feb-2007

Grant Date

14-Sep-2006

Date of Filing

13-Oct-2000

Name of Patentee

M/S. CIBA SPEZIALITATENCHEMIE PFERSEE GMBH

Applicant Address

REHLINGER STRASSE 1, D-86462 LANGWEID

Inventors:

#	Inventor's Name	Inventor's Address
1	DR BIANCAMARIA PROZZO	BREISACHERSTRASSE 127 CH-4057 BASEL
2	PETER SEIFERT	WALDSTRASSE 24 D-86485 BIBERBACH

PCT International Classification Number

D06M13/256

PCT International Application Number

N/A

PCT International Filing date

PCT Conventions:

#	PCT Application Number	Date of Convention	Priority Country
1	99120573.3	1999-10-16	EUROPEAN UNION