Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
142 words
A solid fabric softening and conditioning article in the form of a sheet with a surface to volume ratio of 20:1 to 400:1 which comprises, by weight 10-99% of at least one fabric softening compound selected from the group consisting of cationic, non-ionic, anionic, and zwitterionic fabric softening compounds and as a reinforcing material for such compound 1-40% of finely divided cellouse, microcrystalline protein or nylon fibers of a length of 0.005 to 0.1 mm and a diameter of 0.001 to 0.01 mm to prevent premature disintegration of the article during use in the softening of moving fabrics in the drying zone of an automatic laundry dryer by contact of the article with them to transfer softening agent to them, which reinforcing material gradually disintegrates during use of the softening article and leaves no residue in the drying zone after use thereof.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
142 words
A solid fabric softening and conditioning article in the form of a sheet with a surface to volume ratio of 20:1 to 400:1 which comprises, by weight 10-99% of at least one fabric softening compound selected from the group consisting of cationic, non-ionic, anionic, and zwitterionic fabric softening compounds and as a reinforcing material for such compound 1-40% of finely divided cellouse, microcrystalline protein or nylon fibers of a length of 0.005 to 0.1 mm and a diameter of 0.001 to 0.01 mm to prevent premature disintegration of the article during use in the softening of moving fabrics in the drying zone of an automatic laundry dryer by contact of the article with them to transfer softening agent to them, which reinforcing material gradually disintegrates during use of the softening article and leaves no residue in the drying zone after use thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
A fabric softening article according to claim 1 wherein the softening compound is an anionic softener.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
A fabric softening article according to claim 2 wherein the anionic softener is a sodium soap of a higher fatty acid of 12-18 carbon atoms or a mixture of such acids, and the reinforcing material is finely divided cellulose fibers.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
A fabric softening article according to claim 1 wherein the fabric softening compound is a zwitterionic fabric softener.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
60 words
A fabric softening article according to claim 4 which comprises, by weight from 0.5 to 10% of di-lower alkyl di-higher alkyl ammonium halide, 60 to 90% of higher fatty acid mono-lower alkanolamide, 1 to 20% of C 7-10 alkyl phenoxy polyethoxy ethanol of 4 to 20 ethoxy groups per mol and from 2 to 20% of purified wood cellulose fibers.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
A fabric softening article according to claim 4 wherein the fabric softening compound is a higher fatty alkyl di-lower alkyl glycine or a higher fatty acyl amidopropyl di-lower alkyl glycine.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
A fabric softening article according to claim 6 wherein a humectant is present.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
A fabric softening article according to claim 7 wherein the fabric softening compound is a higher fatty alkyl dimethyl glycine and there is also present a sodium higher fatty acid soap.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
40 words
A fabric softening article according to claim 8 which comprises, by weight 10 to 97.5% of coconut oil fatty alkyl dimethyl glycine, 1 to 20% of sodium stearate, 0.5 to 30% of glycerol and 1 to 40% of reinforcing material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
72 words
A fabric softening article according to claim 9 wherein the article is a strip 0.3 to 2 mm. thick and of a weight of 0.2 to 10 grams, and the reinforcing material is a mixture of finely divided cellulose fibers of a length of 0.025 to 0.1 mm. and a diamter of 0.002 to 0.01 mm., and polyvinyl alcohol, in a weight ratio of about 1 to 10 to 10 to 1.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
66 words
A method of making a strengthened fabric softening and conditioning article as defined in claim 1 which comprises preparing a solution of dispersion of the fabric, softening composition, dispersing the reinforcing material in such solution or dispersion and solidifying the solution or dispersion, in sheet form by evaporating moisture from it, thus cooling it fast enough, preventing separation of the reinforcing material from the softening composition.