Residue-free fabric softening article for use in laundry dryer
First Claim
1. A solid fabric softening and conditioning article in the form of a sheet with a surface to volume ratio of 20:
- 1 to 400;
1 which comprises, by weight 10-99% of at least one fabric softening compound selected from the group consisting of cationic, non-ionic, anionic, and zwitterionic fabric softening compounds and as a reinforcing material for such compound 1-40% of finely divided cellouse, microcrystalline protein or nylon fibers of a length of 0.005 to 0.1 mm and a diameter of 0.001 to 0.01 mm to prevent premature disintegration of the article during use in the softening of moving fabrics in the drying zone of an automatic laundry dryer by contact of the article with them to transfer softening agent to them, which reinforcing material gradually disintegrates during use of the softening article and leaves no residue in the drying zone after use thereof.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An improved article for conditioning fabrics includes at least one fabric conditioning compound, such as a softening agent, and a reinforcing, strengthening or extending material. The fabric conditioning compound and the article comprising it are usually of a waxy nature and are abradable or otherwise transferable to damp, warm fabrics by repeated contacts therewith experienced during tumbling effected in a drying zone, as of an automatic laundry dryer, through which hot drying air normally circulates. When such a softening article is rubbed against fabrics with which it comes in contact in the heat of the drying zone, softener is rubbed off onto the fabrics to be conditioned, after which the fabrics and laundry containing them are dried. The reinforcing or strengthening material is also dried at that time and is either removed from the fabrics by exiting drying air or is desirably held onto the fabrics that were treated, in conjunction with the softening agent. Preferred reinforcing materials are small fibers or particles or natural or synthetic gums or binders. In an aspect of the invention the fabric conditioning compound is employed without reinforcing means and in convenient sheet, strip or other such substrate-free form, preferably with an added humectant or plasticizer. Also described are methods for the use of the softening articles and processes for their manufacture.
59 Citations
11 Claims
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1. A solid fabric softening and conditioning article in the form of a sheet with a surface to volume ratio of 20:
- 1 to 400;
1 which comprises, by weight 10-99% of at least one fabric softening compound selected from the group consisting of cationic, non-ionic, anionic, and zwitterionic fabric softening compounds and as a reinforcing material for such compound 1-40% of finely divided cellouse, microcrystalline protein or nylon fibers of a length of 0.005 to 0.1 mm and a diameter of 0.001 to 0.01 mm to prevent premature disintegration of the article during use in the softening of moving fabrics in the drying zone of an automatic laundry dryer by contact of the article with them to transfer softening agent to them, which reinforcing material gradually disintegrates during use of the softening article and leaves no residue in the drying zone after use thereof. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
- 1 to 400;
Specification