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US4095946A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Article for cleaning and conditioning fabrics

Assignee: Procter and Gamble Co
•
Filing: 1977-03-25
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Granted: 1978-06-20
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Expires: 1997-03-25
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Abstract

Abstract A laundry article utilizing a water-insoluble substrate is disclosed. This article is added to the automatic washer, and is subsequently carried into the dryer with the fabrics in order to provide cleaning, fabric softening and static control benefits. A method for obtaining cleaning and static control benefits, using these articles, is also disclosed.

Inventors

  • 👤 Kenneth L. Jones
  • 👤 Gary W. Kingry

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-27 17:11
CPC Classifications
C; C11; C11D; C11D17/00; C11D17/04; C11D17/041; C11D17/047; D; D06; D06F; D06F58/00; D06F58/20; D06F58/203; D06F58/30; D06M; D06M23/00

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 32
Claim 1
Independent Claim 325 words
A laundry article, providing cleaning and fabric conditioning benefits, for use in both the washer and the dryer, consisting essentially of a water-insoluble substrate, carrying: (a) an effective amount of a detergent composition comprising from about 5 to 95% of a water-soluble surface-active agent; and (b) an effective amount of an intimate mixture, having a maximum solubility in water of 50 ppm at 25° C, and a softening point of from 100° to 200° F, consisting essentially of (i) from about 10 to 90% by weight of quaternary ammonium fabric-conditioning compounds having the formula [R 1 R 2 R 3 R 4 N] + Y - , wherein one or two of the R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , or R 4 groups is an organic radical containing a group selected from a C 12 to C 22 aliphatic radical, or an alkyl phenyl or alkyl benzyl radical having 10 to 16 carbon atoms in the alkyl chain, the remaining group or groups being selected from C 1 to C 4 alkyl, C 2 to C 4 hydroxy alkyl, and cyclic structures in which the nitrogen atom forms part of the ring, Y constitutes an anionic radical selected from the group consisting of hydroxide, halide, sulfate, methyl sulfate, and phosphate ions; and (ii) from about 10 to 90% by weight of a dispersion inhibitor, being a solid organic material having a maximum solubility in water of 50 ppm at 25° C and a softening point in the range of 100° to 200° F, said material being selected from the group consisting of paraffinic waxes, cyclic and acyclic mono- and polyhydric alcohols, substituted and unsubstituted aliphatic carboxylic acids, esters of cyclic and acyclic mono- and polyhydric alcohols and acids, condensates of C 2 to C 4 alkylene oxide with any of the foregoing types of materials whether or not said materials themselves meet the above solubility and softening point limits, and mixtures thereof.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 325 words
A laundry article, providing cleaning and fabric conditioning benefits, for use in both the washer and the dryer, consisting essentially of a water-insoluble substrate, carrying: (a) an effective amount of a detergent composition comprising from about 5 to 95% of a water-soluble surface-active agent; and (b) an effective amount of an intimate mixture, having a maximum solubility in water of 50 ppm at 25° C, and a softening point of from 100° to 200° F, consisting essentially of (i) from about 10 to 90% by weight of quaternary ammonium fabric-conditioning compounds having the formula [R 1 R 2 R 3 R 4 N] + Y - , wherein one or two of the R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , or R 4 groups is an organic radical containing a group selected from a C 12 to C 22 aliphatic radical, or an alkyl phenyl or alkyl benzyl radical having 10 to 16 carbon atoms in the alkyl chain, the remaining group or groups being selected from C 1 to C 4 alkyl, C 2 to C 4 hydroxy alkyl, and cyclic structures in which the nitrogen atom forms part of the ring, Y constitutes an anionic radical selected from the group consisting of hydroxide, halide, sulfate, methyl sulfate, and phosphate ions; and (ii) from about 10 to 90% by weight of a dispersion inhibitor, being a solid organic material having a maximum solubility in water of 50 ppm at 25° C and a softening point in the range of 100° to 200° F, said material being selected from the group consisting of paraffinic waxes, cyclic and acyclic mono- and polyhydric alcohols, substituted and unsubstituted aliphatic carboxylic acids, esters of cyclic and acyclic mono- and polyhydric alcohols and acids, condensates of C 2 to C 4 alkylene oxide with any of the foregoing types of materials whether or not said materials themselves meet the above solubility and softening point limits, and mixtures thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 22 words
An article according to claim 1 wherein the substrate is made of a flexible, water-insoluble wet-strength paper, woven cloth or nonwoven cloth.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 26 words
An article according to claim 2 wherein the surface-active agent is selected from the group consisting of anionic surfactants, nonionic surfactants, zwitterionic surfactants, and mixtures thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 26 words
An article according to claim 3 wherein the surface-active agent is present, in the detergent composition, in an amount from about 15 to 90% by weight.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 29 words
An article according to claim 4 wherein the substrate carries from about 1 to 20 grams of the intimate mixture of quaternary ammonium fabric conditioning compound and dispersion inhibitor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 20 words
An article according to claim 5 wherein the substrate carries from about 3 to 120 grams of the detergent composition.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 27 words
An article according to claim 6 wherein the weight ratio of quaternary ammonium compound to dispersion inhibitor is in the range of from about 4:1 to 1:4.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 27 words
An article according to claim 7 wherein the weight ratio of quaternary ammonium compound to dispersion inhibitor is in the range of from about 3:1 to 1:3.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 24 words
An article according to claim 8 wherein the intimate mixture is formed from a comelt of the quaternary ammonium compound and the dispersion inhibitor.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 24 words
An article according to claim 9 wherein the dispersion inhibitor has a softening point in the range of from about 150° to 175° F.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 34 words
An article according to claim 9 wherein the intimate mixture of quaternary ammonium compound and dispersion inhibitor is carried by the substrate in areas having an average diameter of greater than about 500 microns.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 26 words
An article according to claim 9 wherein the quaternary ammonium compound is selected from the group consisting of ditallowalkyldimethylammonium chloride, ditallowalkyldimethylammonium methyl sulfate, and dioctadecyldimethylammonium chloride.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 31 words
An article according to claim 12 wherein the dispersion inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of tallow alcohol, and C 10 to C 22 alkyl sorbitan esters, and mixtures thereof.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 55 words
An article according to claim 13 wherein the dispersion inhibitor is a mixture of C 10 to C 22 alkyl sorbitan esters, the major component of which is one or more esters selected from the group consisting of sorbitan trilaurate, sorbitan trimyristate, sorbitan tripalmitate, sorbitan tetralaurate, sorbitan tetramyristate, sorbitan tetrapalmitate, sorbitan tetrastearate, and mixtures thereof.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 19 words
An article according to claim 13 wherein the dispersion inhibitor is a mixture of sorbitan monostearate and tallow alcohol.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 20 words
An article according to claim 13 wherein the substrate carries from about 2 to 8 grams of the intimate mixture.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 20 words
An article according to claim 16 wherein the detergent composition contains from about 1 to 60% of a detergent builder.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 26 words
An article according to claim 17 wherein the intimate mixture consists essentially of ditallowalkyldimethylammonium chloride and tallow alcohol in a ratio of about 1:1 by weight.
Claim 20
Independent Claim 96 words
A method of laundering and conditioning fabrics comprising the steps of: (a) agitating said fabrics in an aqueous laundry solution to which has been added a substrate composition carrying an effective amount of a detergent composition, such that said detergent composition is dissolved in the laundry solution, and a fabric conditioning agent, such that said conditioning agent is not substantially dissolved in the laundry solution; and (b) tumbling said fabrics, under heat, in a laundry dryer together with said substrate composition such that said conditioning agent is transferred to said fabrics while they are being dried.
Claim 21
Independent Claim 96 words
A method of laundering and conditioning fabrics comprising the steps of: (a) agitating said fabrics in an aqueous laundry solution to which has been added a substrate composition carrying an effective amount of a detergent composition, such that said detergent composition is dissolved in the laundry solution, and a fabric conditioning agent, such that said conditioning agent is not substantially dissolved in the laundry solution; and (b) tumbling said fabrics, under heat, in a laundry dryer together with said substrate composition such that said conditioning agent is transferred to said fabrics while they are being dried.
Claim 22
Independent Claim 360 words
A method of providing cleaning, fabric softening and static control benefits to fabrics, comprising the steps of: (A) agitating said fabrics in an aqueous laundry solution to which has been added a water-insoluble substrate detergent composition consisting essentially of a water-insoluble substrate, carrying (a) an effective amount of a detergent composition comprising from about 5 to 95% of a water-soluble surface-active agent; and (b) an effective amount of an intimate mixture, having a maximum solubility of 50 ppm at 25° C, and a softening point of from 100° to 200° F, consisting essentially of: (i) from about 10 to 90% by weight of a quaternary ammonium fabric conditioning compound having the formula [R 1 R 2 R 3 R 4 N] + Y - , wherein one or two of the R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , or R 4 groups is an organic radical containing a group selected from a C 12 to C 22 aliphatic radical, or an alkyl phenyl or alkyl benzyl radical having 10 to 16 carbon atoms in the alkyl chain, the remaining group or groups being selected from C 1 to C 4 alkyl, C 2 to C 4 hydroxy alkyl, and cyclic structures in which the nitrogen atoms forms at least part of the ring, and Y constitutes an anionic radical selected from the group consisting of hydroxide, halide, sulfate, methyl sulfate, and phosphate ions; and (ii) from about 10 to 90% by weight of a dispersion inhibitor, being a solid organic material having a maximum solubility of 50 ppm at 25° C and a softening point in the range of 100° to 200° F, said material being selected from the group consisting of paraffinic waxes, cyclic and acyclic mono- and polyhydric alcohols, substituted and unsubstituted aliphatic carboxylic acids, esters of cyclic and acyclic mono- and polyhydric alcohols and acids, condensates of C 2 to C 4 alkylene oxide with any of the foregoing types of materials whether or not said materials themselves meet the above solubility and softening point limits, and mixtures thereof; and (B) tumbling said fabrics, under heat, in a laundry dryer together with said substrate composition.
Claim 23
Independent Claim 360 words
A method of providing cleaning, fabric softening and static control benefits to fabrics, comprising the steps of: (A) agitating said fabrics in an aqueous laundry solution to which has been added a water-insoluble substrate detergent composition consisting essentially of a water-insoluble substrate, carrying (a) an effective amount of a detergent composition comprising from about 5 to 95% of a water-soluble surface-active agent; and (b) an effective amount of an intimate mixture, having a maximum solubility of 50 ppm at 25° C, and a softening point of from 100° to 200° F, consisting essentially of: (i) from about 10 to 90% by weight of a quaternary ammonium fabric conditioning compound having the formula [R 1 R 2 R 3 R 4 N] + Y - , wherein one or two of the R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , or R 4 groups is an organic radical containing a group selected from a C 12 to C 22 aliphatic radical, or an alkyl phenyl or alkyl benzyl radical having 10 to 16 carbon atoms in the alkyl chain, the remaining group or groups being selected from C 1 to C 4 alkyl, C 2 to C 4 hydroxy alkyl, and cyclic structures in which the nitrogen atoms forms at least part of the ring, and Y constitutes an anionic radical selected from the group consisting of hydroxide, halide, sulfate, methyl sulfate, and phosphate ions; and (ii) from about 10 to 90% by weight of a dispersion inhibitor, being a solid organic material having a maximum solubility of 50 ppm at 25° C and a softening point in the range of 100° to 200° F, said material being selected from the group consisting of paraffinic waxes, cyclic and acyclic mono- and polyhydric alcohols, substituted and unsubstituted aliphatic carboxylic acids, esters of cyclic and acyclic mono- and polyhydric alcohols and acids, condensates of C 2 to C 4 alkylene oxide with any of the foregoing types of materials whether or not said materials themselves meet the above solubility and softening point limits, and mixtures thereof; and (B) tumbling said fabrics, under heat, in a laundry dryer together with said substrate composition.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim 22 words
A method according to claim 20 wherein the substrate is made of a flexible, water-insoluble wet-strength paper, woven cloth or nonwoven cloth.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim 26 words
A method according to claim 21 wherein the surface-active agent is selected from the group consisting of anionic surfactants, nonionic surfactants, zwitterionic surfactants, and mixtures thereof.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim 20 words
A method according to claim 22 wherein the substrate carries from about 1 to 20 grams of the intimate mixture.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim 34 words
A method according to claim 23 wherein the intimate mixture of quaternary ammonium compound and dispersion inhibitor is carried by the substrate in areas having an average diameter of greater than about 500 microns.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim 27 words
A method according to claim 23 wherein the weight ratio of quaternary ammonium compound to dispersion inhibitor lies in the range of from about 4:1 to 1:4.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim 26 words
A method according to claim 25 wherein the quaternary ammonium compound is selected from the group consisting of ditallowalkyldimethylammonium chloride, ditallowalkyldimethylammonium methyl sulfate, and dioctadecyldimethylammonium chloride.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim 30 words
A method according to claim 26 wherein the dispersion inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of tallow alcohol, C 10 to C 22 alkyl sorbitan esters, and mixtures thereof.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim 19 words
A method according to claim 27 wherein the dispersion inhibitor is a mixture of sorbitan monostearate and tallow alcohol.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim 20 words
A method according to claim 28 wherein the substrate carries from about 3 to 120 grams of the detergent composition.

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1981-06-19 1981-12-19 1982-06-20 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1985-06-19 1985-12-19 1986-06-20 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1989-06-19 1989-12-19 1990-06-20 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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