IP Library Granted Patent US 7,402,555
Granted Patent B2
US 7,402,555 · App. 10/589,839 · Granted Jul 22, 2008

Compositions useful as fabric softeners

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,402,555
App. No.
10/589,839
Granted
Jul 22, 2008
Kind
B2
Abstract

Compositions and methods of treating textiles are disclosed. More specifically, stable compositions and methods for softening a wide range of fabrics are disclosed, including 100% cotton and hydrophobic synthetic fabrics, without detrimentally affecting the water absorbency properties of the fabrics. The compositions and methods provide desirable odor control without interfering with the stability of the product. The compositions contain at least one fatty material, water-dispersible polyolefin or at least one water-soluble or waterdispersible polyorganosiloxane, and at least one bleaching agent, preferably hydrogen peroxide. The compositions may optionally contain discrete, individual polymer particles, preferably polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyvinyl acetate (PVA), polyvinyl acetate/acrylic copolymer (PVA/a), or a combination thereof. The compositions are particularly useful when added to the rinse water in the laundering process, or in the final scouring of a fabric finishing operation.

Claims (56)

1. A composition, comprising:

a. at least one fatty material, wherein said fatty material is a fatty acid quaternary ammonium compound having amide functionality;

b. at least one water-soluble polyorganosiloxane having substituents; and

c. at least one bleaching agent;

wherein said polyorganosiloxane is present at a level of at least about 35% by weight, based on the total weight of said fatty material, said polyorganosiloxane, said polyolefin, and said bleaching agent; and

wherein said substituents comprise at least about 5% by weight, based on the total weight of said substituents, of non-terminal hydroxyl groups.

2. The composition of claim 1 ,

wherein said bleaching agent is hydrogen peroxide, inorganic peroxohydrate, organic peroxohydrate, or organic peroxyacid.

3. The composition of claim 2 ,

wherein said bleaching agent is hydrogen peroxide.

4. The composition of claim 1 ,

wherein said polyorganosiloxane has a melting point less than about 38° C.

5. The composition of claim 1 ,

wherein said polyorganosiloxane does not contain nitrogen.

6. The composition of claim 1 , further comprising at least one emulsifier.

7. The composition of claim 6 ,

wherein said emulsifier is a cationic surfactant or a nonionic surfactant.

8. The composition of claim 7 ,

wherein said emulsifier is a cationic surfactant.

9. The composition of claim 1 further comprising at least one detergent.

10. A method of treating a textile, comprising the step of:

contacting said textile with a composition of claim 9 .

11. An aqueous composition, comprising:

a. Water; and

b. the composition of claim 1 .

12. The aqueous composition of claim 11 ,

wherein said composition is in the form of an emulsion or suspension.

13. The composition of claim 1 ,

further comprising discrete, individual polymer particles, wherein said polymer particles are polytetrafluoroethylene.

14. The composition of claim 13 ,

further comprising at least one wetting agent.

15. A method of treating a textile, comprising the step of:

contacting said textile with said composition of claim 13 .

16. The method of claim 15 ,

wherein said textile is made from hydrophilic fibers, hydrophobic fibers or a combination thereof.

17. The method of claim 15 ,

wherein said composition is added to rinse water in a laundering process, or in a final scouring of a fabric finishing operation.

18. The method of claim 17 ,

wherein said composition is added to rinse water in a laundering process.

19. A method of treating a textile, comprising the step of:

contacting said textile with said composition of claim 1 .

20. The method of claim 19 ,

wherein said textile is made from hydrophilic fibers, hydrophobic fibers or a combination thereof.

21. The method of claim 19 ,

wherein said composition is added to rinse water in a laundering process, or in a final scouring of a fabric finishing operation.

22. The method of claim 21 ,

wherein said composition is added to rinse water in a laundering process.

23. A composition, comprising:

a. at least one fatty material, wherein said fatty material is a fatty acid quaternary ammonium compound having amide functionality;

b. at least one water-soluble polyorganosiloxane having substituents

c. discrete, individual polymer particles, wherein said polymer particles are polytetrafluoroethylene;

d. optionally, at least one bleaching agent; and

e. at least one oxylated detergent;

wherein said polyorganosiloxane is present at a level of at least about 35% by weight, based on the total weight of said fatty material, said polyorganosiloxane, said polyolefin, and said bleaching agent; and

wherein said substituents comprise at least about 5% by weight, based on the total weight of said substituents, of non-terminal hydroxyl groups.

24. A method of treating a textile, comprising the step of: contacting said textile with a composition of claim 23 .

Assignments (4)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 31, 2018
From: FIFTH THIRD BANK
To: OPTIMER, INC.
Reel/Frame 046766/0716 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 23, 2018
From: WINTRUST BANK
To: DRIFIRE, LLC; OPTIMER, INC.; OPTIMER PERFORMANCE FIBERS, INC.
Reel/Frame 046674/0304 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 23, 2015
From: DRIFIRE, LLC; OPTIMER, INC.; OPTIMER PERFORMANCE FIBERS, INC.
To: WINTRUST BANK
Reel/Frame 035008/0830 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jun 13, 2012
From: OPTIMER, INC.
To: FIFTH THIRD BANK
Reel/Frame 028371/0963 →