IP Library Granted Patent US 7,371,718
Granted Patent B2
US 7,371,718 · App. 10/907,988 · Granted May 13, 2008

Liquid fabric softener

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,371,718
App. No.
10/907,988
Granted
May 13, 2008
Kind
B2
Abstract

A liquid fabric softener composition is provided which includes a texture enhancing component, such as a long chain difatty acid, that is deposited on a fabric during laundering, the deposited enhancing component changing the “feel” of the fabric. Preferably, the deposited enhancing component substantially detaches from the fabric in subsequent laundering cycles to reduce build-up. The enhancing component is preferably water-insoluble in an acidic pH, such as during the rinse cycle occurring after washing fabrics with a detergent, yet water soluble in an alkaline medium enabling the deposited enhancing component to be detached from fabric in subsequent “wash” cycles.

Claims (8)

1. A liquid fabric softener comprising: a long chain difatty acid wherein said long chain difatty acid is water insoluble in an acidic pH and soluble in an alkaline medium, and wherein said long chain fatty acid is not present in a complex with a tertiary amine; a cationic softener; and water.

2. The liquid fabric softener of claim 1 , wherein said long chain difatty acid has at least 18 carbon atoms.

3. The liquid fabric softener of claim 1 , wherein said long chain difatty acid is a liquid monocyclic C-21 dicarboxylic acid.

4. The liquid fabric softener of claim 1 , wherein said long chain difatty acid is present in an amount of from about 0.1% to about 40% by weight of the composition.

5. The liquid fabric softener of claim 1 , wherein said cationic softener is a quaternary ammonium compound or an alkylimidazolinium salt.

6. The liquid fabric softener of claim 1 , wherein said cationic softener is present in an amount of from about 0 to about 30% by weight of the composition.

7. The liquid fabric softener of claim 1 , further comprising one of a fragrance, dye, salt, antifoam agent, and combinations thereof.

8. The liquid fabric softener of claim 1 , further comprising no polysiloxanes.

Assignments (3)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 9, 2022
From: HENKEL IP & HOLDING GMBH
To: HENKEL AG & CO. KGAA
Reel/Frame 059357/0267 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 28, 2017
From: HENKEL US IV CORPORATION
To: HENKEL IP & HOLDING GMBH
Reel/Frame 042108/0150 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 9, 2017
From: THE DIAL CORPORATION
To: HENKEL US IV CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 041671/0407 →