IP Library Granted Patent US 7,018,973
Granted Patent B2
US 7,018,973 · App. 11/032,707 · Granted Mar 28, 2006

Compositions useful as rinse cycle fabric softeners

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,018,973
App. No.
11/032,707
Granted
Mar 28, 2006
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 may contain at least one fatty material and at least one polyorganosiloxane.

Claims (42)

1. A composition, comprising:

a. at least one fatty material; and

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

wherein said fatty material is:

i. a fatty acid quaternary ammonium compound having ester functionality;

ii. a fatty acid quaternary ammonium compound having amide functionality;

iii. a fatty acid alkoxylated quaternary ammonium compound;

iv.

v. an alkylmethyl quaternary ammonium compound;

vi. an amido alkoxylated quaternary ammonium compound; or

vii. quaternized amido imidazoline; and

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

wherein said substituents comprise at least about 10% by weight, based on the total weight of said substituents, of non-terminal hydroxyl groups.

2. The composition of claim 1 , wherein said polyorganosiloxane has a melting point less than about 38° C.

3. The composition of claim 1 , wherein said polyorganosiloxane does not contain nitrogen.

4. The composition of claim 1 , wherein said fatty material is:

i. a fatty acid quaternary ammonium compound having amide functionality; or

ii. a fatty acid alkoxylated quaternary ammonium compound.

5. An aqueous composition, comprising:

a. water; and

b. the composition of claim 1 .

6. The aqueous composition of claim 5 , wherein the composition is in the form of an emulsion or suspension.

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

a. at least one fatty material; and

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

wherein said fatty material is:

i. a fatty acid quaternary ammonium compound having ester functionality;

ii. a fatty acid quaternary ammonium compound having amide functionality;

iii. a fatty acid alkoxylated quaternary ammonium compound;

iv.

v. an alkylmethyl quaternary ammonium compound;

vi. an amido alkoxylated quaternary ammonium compound; or

vii. quaternized amido imidazoline; and

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

wherein said substituents comprise at least 10% by weight, based on the total weight of said substituents, of non-terminal hydroxyl.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein said polyorganosiloxane has a melting point less than about 38° C.

9. The method of claim 7 , wherein said polyorganosiloxane does not contain nitrogen.

10. The method of claim 7 , wherein said fatty material is:

i. a fatty acid quaternary ammonium compound having amide functionality; or

ii. a fatty acid alkoxylated quaternary ammonium compound.

11. The method of claim 7 , wherein said textile is made from hydrophilic fibers, hydrophobic fibers or a combination thereof.

12. The method of claim 7 , wherein said composition is added to the rinse water in the laundering process.

Assignments (2)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 31, 2018
From: FIFTH THIRD BANK
To: OPTIMER, INC.
Reel/Frame 046766/0716 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jun 13, 2012
From: OPTIMER, INC.
To: FIFTH THIRD BANK
Reel/Frame 028371/0963 →