Quaternary ammonium compound compositions and methods for making and using same

1. A quaternary ammonium compound composition comprising:

a. greater than 25% by weight of a quaternary ammonium compound; and

b. less than 75% by weight of water;

wherein the quaternary ammonium compound composition exhibits an average particle size distribution of from about 100 nm to about 50 μm as measured according to the Average Particle Size Distribution Test Method such that the quaternary ammonium compound composition exhibits a viscosity of less than 250 cP after 14 days as measured according to the Viscosity Test Method..

2. The quaternary ammonium compound composition according to claim 1 wherein the quaternary ammonium compound is selected from the group consisting of: quaternary ammonium compounds that exhibit a melting point of greater than 30° C.

3. The quaternary ammonium compound composition according to claim 1 wherein the quaternary ammonium compound has the formula:

wherein:

m is 1 to 3; each R 1 is independently a C 1 -C 6 alkyl group, hydroxyalkyl group, hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl group, alkoxylated group, benzyl group, alkenyl group, or mixtures thereof; each R 2 is independently a C 14 -C 22 alkyl group, hydroxyalkyl group, hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl group, alkoxylated group, benzyl group, alkenyl group, or mixtures thereof; and X − is a compatible anion.

4. The quaternary ammonium compound composition according to claim 3 wherein each R 1 is independently a C 1 -C 6 alkyl or alkenyl group or mixtures thereof.

5. The quaternary ammonium compound composition according to claim 3 wherein each R 2 is independently a C 16 -C 18 alkyl or alkenyl group or mixtures thereof.

6. The quaternary ammonium compound composition according to claim 1 wherein the quaternary ammonium compound has the formula:

(R 1 ) 4-m —N + —[(CH 2 ) n —Y—R 3 ] m X −

wherein:

Y is independently —O—(O)C—, —C(O)—O—, —NH—C(O)—, or —C(O)—NH—, or mixtures thereof; m is 1 to 3; n is 0 to 4; each R 1 is independently a C 1 -C 6 alkyl group, hydroxyalkyl group, hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl group, alkoxylated group, benzyl group, alkenyl group, or mixtures thereof; each R 3 is independently a C 13 -C 21 alkyl group, hydroxyalkyl group, hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl group, alkoxylated group, benzyl group, alkenyl group, or mixtures thereof, and X − is a compatible anion.

7. The quaternary ammonium compound composition according to claim 6 wherein the quaternary ammonium compound is selected from the group consisting of: dialkyldialkylammonium salts and mixtures thereof.

8. The quaternary ammonium compound composition according to claim 6 wherein the quaternary ammonium compound is selected from the group consisting of: diester ditallow dimethyl ammonium chloride, diester distearyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, monoester ditallow dimethyl ammonium chloride, diester di(hydrogenated)tallow dimethyl ammonium methyl sulfate, diester di(hydrogenated)tallow dimethyl ammonium chloride, monoester di(hydrogenated)tallow dimethyl ammonium chloride, diester di(non hydrogenated)tallow dimethyl ammonium chloride, diester di(touch hydrogenated)tallow dimethyl ammonium chloride, diester di(hydrogenated)tallow dimethyl ammonium chloride, and mixtures thereof.

9. The quaternary ammonium compound composition according to claim 1 wherein the quaternary ammonium compound composition comprises greater than 30% by weight of the quaternary ammonium compound.

10. The quaternary ammonium compound composition according to claim 1 wherein the quaternary ammonium compound composition comprises less than 70% by weight of water.

11. The quaternary ammonium compound composition according to claim 1 wherein the quaternary ammonium compound composition exhibits an average particle size distribution of from about 100 μm to about 50 μm as measured according to the Average Particle Size Distribution Test Method.

12. The quaternary ammonium compound composition according to claim 1 wherein the quaternary ammonium compound composition further comprises one or more surfactants.

13. The quaternary ammonium compound composition according to claim 1 wherein the quaternary ammonium compound composition comprises a plurality of vesicles dispersed throughout a continuous phase comprising the water.

14. The quaternary ammonium compound composition according to claim 13 wherein the vesicles comprise the quaternary ammonium compound.

15. A quaternary ammonium compound composition comprising:

a. greater than 25% but less than 40% by weight of a quaternary ammonium compound; and

b. greater than 60% to less than 75% by weight of water;

wherein the quaternary ammonium compound composition exhibits aan average particle size distribution of from about 100 nm to about 50 μm as measured according to the Average Particle Size Distribution Test Method.

16. A quaternary ammonium compound composition comprising:

a. greater than 25% but less than 40% by weight of a quaternary ammonium compound;

b. less than 75% by weight of water; and

c. salt;

wherein the quaternary ammonium compound composition exhibits an average particle size distribution of from about 100 nm to about 50 μm as measured according to the Average Particle Size Distribution Test Method.

c. adding water, for example water comprising a salt to dilute the level of the quaternary ammonium compound in the quaternary ammonium compound composition to less than 40%.

17. A fibrous structure comprising a surface comprising a dewatered form of the quaternary ammonium compound composition according to claim 1 .