US4035307A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fabric conditioner
Assignee: Primerica Inc
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Filing: 1976-04-01
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Granted: 1977-07-12
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Expires: 1996-04-01
Abstract
Abstract A solid fabric conditioner composition comprising a mixture of a conditioning agent and diatomaceous earth in compressed form is employed to condition fabrics in an automatic clothes dryer. Methods for utilizing such products wherein the rate of release of conditioner to fabrics being treated is predetermined and controlled are also provided.
Inventors
- 👤 Franklin Hornor Fry
- 👤 Orville Reinke
- 👤 Wayne A. Marthaler
- 👤 Richard K. Wylie
- 👤 Frederick C. Boye
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 12:08
CPC Classifications
D; D06; D06M; D06M23/00; C; C11; C11D; C11D3/00; C11D3/0005; C11D3/001; C11D3/02; C11D3/12; C11D3/124; C11D3/1246; D06M11/00; D06M11/77; D06M11/79; D06M13/00; D06M13/322; D06M13/46
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
71 words
A method of conditioning fabrics which comprises commingling fabrics in a dryer with a solid fabric conditioner composition consisting essentially of a fabric conditioner adjuvant in admixture with diatomaceous earth, said composition being of sufficient hardness to exhibit a compressive strength of from about 8 to about 26 pounds per square inch, and operating said dryer for a period of time sufficient to effect application of said conditioner to said fabrics.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
71 words
A method of conditioning fabrics which comprises commingling fabrics in a dryer with a solid fabric conditioner composition consisting essentially of a fabric conditioner adjuvant in admixture with diatomaceous earth, said composition being of sufficient hardness to exhibit a compressive strength of from about 8 to about 26 pounds per square inch, and operating said dryer for a period of time sufficient to effect application of said conditioner to said fabrics.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method of conditioning fabrics as claimed in claim 1 wherein said fabric conditioner is selected from the group consisting of germicides, fabric softeners, optical brightners, antistatic agents and soil release agents.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method of conditioning fabrics as claimed in claim 2 in which said fabric conditioner is a quaternary ammonium salt fabric softener.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method of conditioning fabrics as claimed in claim 3 wherein said fabric conditioner consists of from about 70 to 45% by weight of softener and from about 30 to about 55% by weight of diatomaceous earth.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method of conditioning fabrics as claimed in claim 1 wherein said conditioning is effected in the substantial absence of heat.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
85 words
A method for controlling the release of a fabric conditioner to fabrics in a clothes dryer which comprises commingling said fabrics with a fabric conditioner composition in a dryer, said conditioner composition consisting essentially of a conditioning agent in admixture with diatomaceous earth, said composition being in solid, compressed form and of sufficent hardness to release a major proportion of the conditioner to the fabric within a period of time not less than 5 minutes and not greater than 20 minutes after starting the dryer.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
85 words
A method for controlling the release of a fabric conditioner to fabrics in a clothes dryer which comprises commingling said fabrics with a fabric conditioner composition in a dryer, said conditioner composition consisting essentially of a conditioning agent in admixture with diatomaceous earth, said composition being in solid, compressed form and of sufficent hardness to release a major proportion of the conditioner to the fabric within a period of time not less than 5 minutes and not greater than 20 minutes after starting the dryer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as defined in claim 6 in which said fabric conditioner is selected from the group consisting of germicides, fabric softeners, optical brightners, antistatic agents and soil release agents.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method as defined in claim 7 in which the fabric conditioner is a fabric softener.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method as defined in claim 8 in which said fabric softener consists of from about 70 to 45% by weight of a quaternary ammonium salt softener and 30 to 55% by weight of diatomaceous earth.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method as defined in claim 9 in which the solid composition is in briquet form.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method as defined in claim 10 in which said briquet is totally disintegrated and absorbed by the fabric in a period of 5 to 20 minutes after starting the dryer.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as defined in claim 6 in which release of the conditioner is effected in the substantial absence of heat.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-07-11 | 1981-01-10 | 1981-07-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-07-11 | 1985-01-10 | 1985-07-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-07-11 | 1989-01-10 | 1989-07-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |