IP Library Granted Patent US 8,598,109
Granted Patent B2
US 8,598,109 · App. 12/881,077 · Granted Dec 3, 2013

Fabric softener

Inventors: Frederick W. Holzhauer (Novato, CA); Donald H. Frey (West Hollywood, CA)
Assignee: Method Products, Inc.
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,598,109
App. No.
12/881,077
Granted
Dec 3, 2013
Kind
B2
Abstract

A fabric softener formulation according to one embodiment includes 70-80 wt % methyl bis (canola amidoethyl)-2-hydroxyethyl ammonium methyl sulfate; 2-4 wt % dicocoylethyl hydroxyethylmonium CL; >0-12 wt % of a glycol; >0-10 wt % solvent; 0-5 wt % methyl laurate; 0-5 wt % alcohol; and 0-5 wt % fragrance. A fabric softener formulation according to another embodiment includes 20-30 wt % solvent; >0-2 wt % coco methyl ester ethoxylate; >0-3 wt % glycerin; >0-3 wt % dicocoethyl hydroxyethylmonium methosulfate with propylene glycol; 1-5 wt % alcohol; 35-45 wt % methyl bis(canolaamideoethyl)-2-hydroxyethyl ammonium methyl sulfate with propylene glycol; 0-5 wt % fragrance; 0-2 wt % acid; and 20-30 wt % water.

Claims (57)

1. A fabric softener formulation, comprising:

70-80 wt % methyl bis(canola amidoethyl)-2-hydroxyethyl ammonium methyl sulfate;

2-4 wt % dicocoylethyl hydroxyethylmonium-Cl;

>0-12 wt % of a glycol;

>0-10 wt % solvent;

0-5 wt % methyl laurate;

0-5 wt % alcohol; and

0-5 wt % fragrance.

2. The fabric softener formulation of claim 1 , wherein the solvent is selected from a group consisting of ethyl lactate, glycol ether, and a ketal.

3. The fabric softener formulation of claim 1 , wherein the solvent is a ketal.

4. The fabric softener formulation as recited in claim 3 , wherein the ketal is not a volatile organic compound (VOC).

5. The fabric softener formulation of claim 1 , which does not comprise any ingredient that is not environmentally friendly.

6. The fabric softener formulation as recited in claim 5 , wherein each ingredient in the fabric softener formulation is considered readily biodegradable according to an OECD 301F biodegradability standard.

7. The fabric softener formulation of claim 1 , wherein the alcohol is present at >0-5 wt %.

8. The fabric softener formulation of claim 1 , wherein the methyl laurate is present at >0-5 wt %.

9. A hand pump dispenser, comprising the fabric softener formulation of claim 1 , and a pump for dispensing a metered dose of less than about 4 ml of the fabric softener formulation per pump.

10. The fabric softener formulation as recited in claim 1 , which does not comprise any ingredient derived from petroleum.

11. A product comprising:

the fabric softener formulation as recited in claim 1 ; and

a water-soluble capsule,

wherein the fabric softener formulation is encapsulated by the water-soluble capsule,

wherein the water-soluble capsule comprises one or more materials selected from a group consisting of: polyvinyl alcohol, polyethylene oxide, methyl cellulose, partially hydrolyzed polyvinyl acetate, alginates, gelatin, carageenan, and cellulosics.

12. The product as recited in claim 11 , wherein the solvent is a ketal,

wherein the ketal is not a volatile organic compound (VOC)

wherein the fabric softener does not comprise any ingredient that is not environmentally friendly,

wherein the fabric softener does not comprise any ingredient derived from petroleum,

wherein each ingredient in the fabric softener formulation is considered readily biodegradable according to an OECD 301F biodegradability standard,

wherein the fabric softener further comprises <4 wt % of water,

wherein the alcohol is present at >0-5 wt %, and

wherein the methyl laurate is present at >0-5 wt %.

13. A method for softening laundry, comprising:

causing the fabric softener formulation of claim 1 to be added to a volume of external water to form a diluted aqueous composition; and

contacting the diluted aqueous fabric softener formulation with laundry to soften the laundry.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the fabric softener formulation is caused to be added to the volume of external water by pumping a hand pump dispenser no more than 8 times to dispense the fabric softener formulation into a washing machine, wherein the hand pump dispenser dispenses about 4 ml or less per pump.

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the fabric softener formulation is added to the volume of external water by pumping a hand pump dispenser no more than 6 times, wherein the hand pump dispenser dispenses about 3 ml or less per pump.

16. A fabric softener formulation, comprising:

70-80 wt % methyl bis(canola amidoethyl)-2-hydroxyethyl ammonium methyl sulfate;

2-4 wt % dicocoylethyl hydroxyethylmonium-Cl;

>0-12 wt % of a glycol;

>0-10 wt % solvent;

0-5 wt % methyl laurate;

0-5 wt % alcohol; and

0-5 wt % fragrance,

wherein the fabric softener is anhydrous.

17. A product, comprising:

the fabric softener formulation as recited in claim 16 ; and

a water-soluble capsule,

wherein the fabric softener formulation is encapsulated by the water-soluble capsule,

wherein the water-soluble capsule comprises one or more materials selected from a group consisting of: polyvinyl alcohol, polyethylene oxide, methyl cellulose, partially hydrolyzed polyvinyl acetate, alginates, gelatin, carageenan, and cellulosics.

18. The fabric softener formulation of claim 16 , wherein the solvent is ethyl lactate.

19. A hand pump dispenser, comprising the fabric softener formulation of claim 16 , and a pump for dispensing a metered dose of less than about 4 ml of the fabric softener formulation per pump.

20. The product as recited in claim 17 , wherein the solvent is selected from a group consisting of ethyl lactate, glycol ether, and a ketal,

wherein the fabric softener does not comprise any ingredient that is not environmentally friendly,

wherein the fabric softener does not comprise any ingredient derived from petroleum,

wherein each ingredient in the fabric softener formulation is considered readily biodegradable according to an OECD 301F biodegradability standard,

wherein the alcohol is present at >0-5 wt %, and

wherein the methyl laurate is present at >0-5 wt %.

Assignments (5)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 31, 2018
From: U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: METHOD PRODUCTS PBC
Reel/Frame 046765/0593 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Apr 9, 2015
From: METHOD PRODUCTS, INC.
To: METHOD PRODUCTS, PBC
Reel/Frame 035402/0118 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 9, 2013
From: METHOD PRODUCTS, PBC
To: U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 030994/0201 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jun 21, 2013
From: METHOD PRODUCTS, INC.
To: U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 030666/0601 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 23, 2010
From: HOLZHAUER, FREDERICK W.; FREY, DONALD H.
To: METHOD PRODUCTS, INC.
Reel/Frame 025081/0641 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 61241834 · Sep 11, 2009
Related Publication 20110061173A1 · Mar 17, 2011