IP Library › Granted Patent US 9,150,819
Granted Patent B2
US 9,150,819 · App. 13/273,363 · Granted Oct 6, 2015

Solid fabric conditioner composition and method of use

Inventors: Amanda L. Wetrosky (Golden Valley, MN); Caleb W. Jones (Minneapolis, MN); Charles A. Hodge (Cottage Grove, MN); Erin J. Dahlquist (West St. Paul, MN); Amanda R. Blattner (Prior Lake, MN)
Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
C11D1/62C11D3/0015C11D3/3742D06L1/12D06M13/461D06M13/463D06M13/467D06M13/473D06M15/6436D06M2200/50
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,150,819
App. No.
13/273,363
Granted
Oct 6, 2015
Kind
B2
Abstract

The present invention relates to a composition and method for treating a textile under industrial and institutional fabric care conditions to impart softness with reduced yellowing. More particularly, the present invention relates to a solid fabric conditioning composition and a method for treating a textile with a solid fabric conditioning composition.

Claims (23)

1. A solid fabric softening composition comprising:

(a) from about 5 wt. % to about 10 wt. % of one or more nonionic ethoxylated surfactants selected from the group consisting of linear alcohol C14-15 ethoxylate, isotridecyl alcohol ethoxylates and mixtures thereof;

(b) from about 40 wt. % to about 60 wt.% of one or more solidification agents comprising polyethylene glycol having a molecular weight of 4000 (PEG-4000) and urea to incorporate the surfactant(s) in a urea driven solidification; and

(c) from about 45 wt. % to about 55 wt. % of one or more softening agents comprising a quaternary ammonium component methyl bis[ethyl (tallowate)] -2-hydroxyethyl ammonium methyl sulfate and a polydimethyl siloxane with amino alkyl group,

wherein the composition is free of fragrance, wherein the quaternary ammonium component is about 40 wt. % to about 45 wt. % of the composition and the polydimethyl siloxane is about 5 wt. % to about 10 wt. % of the composition, wherein the ratio of quaternary ammonium component to polydimethyl siloxane is between about 7:1 to about 8:1; wherein the composition is a solid block that is dilutable with water for delivery into a washing machine and remains solid up to and at 122 degrees F.

2. The composition of claim 1 wherein the nonionic ethoxylated surfactant is a linear alcohol C14-15 ethoxylate.

3. The composition of claim 1 wherein the solidification agent is about 19 wt. % to about 30 wt. % urea.

4. The composition of claim 1 wherein the pH of the composition is in the range of about 2 to about 8.

5. A method of softening fabrics, comprising:

(a) washing the fabrics in a detergent with a pH range of about 7 to about 14;

(b) contacting the fabrics with the composition of claim 1 ; and,

(c) drying the fabrics in industrial or institutional conditions having a maximum fabric temperature in the range of between about 180 degrees F. and about 270 degrees F.

6. A method of softening fabrics, comprising:

(a) washing the fabrics in a detergent with a pH range of about 7 to about 14;

(b) diluting a solid block fabric softening composition which remains solid up to and at 122 degrees F. with water by a ratio of more than 100:1 water to fabric softener to obtain a treatment dilution;

(c) contacting the fabrics in a wash cycle or final rinse with the treatment dilution, wherein the composition comprises:

i. from about 5 wt. % to about 10 wt. % of one or more nonionic ethoxylated surfactants selected from the group consisting of linear alcohol C14-15 ethoxylate, isotridecyl alcohol ethoxylates and mixtures thereof;

ii. from about 40 wt. % to about 60 wt.% of one or more solidification agents comprising polyethylene glycol having a molecular weight of 4000 (PEG-4000) and urea to incorporate the surfactant(s) in a urea driven solidification;

iii. from about 45 wt. % to about 55 wt. % of one or more softening agents comprising a quaternary ammonium component methyl bis[ethyl (tallowate)] -2-hydroxyethyl ammonium methyl sulfate and a polydimethyl siloxane with amino alkyl group, wherein the quaternary ammonium component is about 40 wt. % to about 45 wt. % of the composition and the polydimethyl siloxane is about 5 wt. % to about 10 wt. % of the composition, and wherein the ratio of quaternary ammonium component to polydimethyl siloxane is between about 7:1 to about 8:1, and wherein the composition is free of fragrance; and

(d) drying the fabrics in industrial or institutional conditions having a maximum fabric temperature in the range of between about 180 degrees F. and about 270 degrees F.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the nonionic ethoxylated surfactant is a linear alcohol C14-15 ethoxylate.

8. The method of claim 6 wherein the solidification agent is about 19 wt. % to about 30 wt. % urea.

9. The method of claim 6 wherein the pH of the composition is in the range of about 2 to about 8.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 14, 2011
From: WETROSKY, AMANDA L; JONES, CALEB W.; HODGE, CHARLES A.; DAHLQUIST, ERIN J.; BLATTNER, AMANDA R.
To: ECOLAB USA INC.
Reel/Frame 027061/0738 →
Continuity (4)
Continuation In Part 13116746 · May 26, 2011
Continuation 12138021 · Jun 12, 2008
Provisional Application 60934752 · Jun 15, 2007
Related Publication 20120030882A1 · Feb 9, 2012