Softening-through-the-wash composition and process of manufacture
First Claim
1. A softening-through-the-wash composition for dispensing in a wash cycle of a laundering process to provide softening of fabrics in the wash cycle or during a subsequent rinse cycle, the composition comprising:
- (a) a particulate fabric softening active having an average particle size of less than about 800 microns in diameter; and
(b) optionally, a particulate co-softening compound having an average particle size of less than about 800 microns in diameter;
wherein the composition comprises an effective amount of the particulate fabric softening active and the optional particulate co-softening compound to provide a concentration of the particulate fabric softening active and the optional particulate co-softening compound of at least about 50 parts per million when the composition is dispensed in a wash solution of the laundering process;
wherein the composition is substantially free of detersive surfactant and silicone material; and
provided that when the composition comprises a montmorillonite clay, the composition is substantially free of a fatty alcohol or pentaerythritol compound.
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Abstract
Softening-through-the-wash compositions (“STW compositions”) are added to the wash cycle of a laundering process to soften fabrics. The STW compositions of the present invention comprise a particulate fabric softening active having an average particle size of less than about 800 microns in diameter. The STW compositions are substantially free of detersive surfactants and silicone materials. The STW compositions can further comprise a particulate co-softening compound having an average particle size of less than about 800 microns in diameter. The STW compositions comprise an effective amount of the particulate fabric softening active and optional particulate co-softening compound to provide a concentration of the fabric softening active and optional co-softening compound of at least about 50 parts per million when the STW composition is dispensed in a wash solution of the laundering process. Processes to make these STW compositions are also encompassed in the present invention.
43 Citations
29 Claims
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1. A softening-through-the-wash composition for dispensing in a wash cycle of a laundering process to provide softening of fabrics in the wash cycle or during a subsequent rinse cycle, the composition comprising:
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(a) a particulate fabric softening active having an average particle size of less than about 800 microns in diameter; and
(b) optionally, a particulate co-softening compound having an average particle size of less than about 800 microns in diameter;
wherein the composition comprises an effective amount of the particulate fabric softening active and the optional particulate co-softening compound to provide a concentration of the particulate fabric softening active and the optional particulate co-softening compound of at least about 50 parts per million when the composition is dispensed in a wash solution of the laundering process;
wherein the composition is substantially free of detersive surfactant and silicone material; and
provided that when the composition comprises a montmorillonite clay, the composition is substantially free of a fatty alcohol or pentaerythritol compound. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A process for manufacturing a softening-through-the-wash composition comprising a particulate fabric softening active, the process comprising the steps of:
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(a) applying heat and/or pressure to the softening-through-the-wash composition; and
(b) forming particles having an average diameter of less than about 800 microns from the softening-through-the-wash composition using a technique selected from the group consisting of extrusion, prilling, agglomeration, and combinations thereof. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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Specification