US4421792A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Additives for clothes dryers
Assignee: Conopco Inc
•
Filing: 1982-03-10
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Granted: 1983-12-20
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Expires: 2002-03-10
Abstract
Abstract A novel method for applying adjuvants to fabric employing a tumbler-type dryer is disclosed. To achieve uniform distribution in the dryer, the adjuvant, such as a fabric softening agent in accordance with the present invention, is combined with a distributing agent spreadable under the dryer conditions, the concentration of the distributing agent being at least about 5% by weight of the mixture of adjuvant and distributing agent. Novel compositions of matter and articles suitable for use in the practice of this invention are also disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 Jerome Rudy
- 👤 Anthony A. Rapisarda
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 11:16
CPC Classifications
C; C11; C11D; C11D17/00; C11D17/04; C11D17/041; C11D17/047; D; D06; D06M; D06M13/00; D06M13/322; D06M13/46; D06M13/463; D06M23/00; D06M23/06; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/31504; Y10T428/31855; Y10T428/3188; Y10T428/31895; Y10T428/31942; Y10T428/31949; Y10T428/31964; Y10T442/00; Y10T442/20; Y10T442/2352
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
85 words
An article of manufacture for softening fabric by contacting damp fabric in a hot air tumbler fabric dryer in the drying cycle with said article, said article comprising: (a) a composition which comprises: (i) a fabric softening agent; and (ii) at least 5 percent by weight of a distributing agent for said fabric softening agent wherein said distributing agent is meltable, sublimeable, soluble, softenable, or otherwise spreadable at the temperatures encountered in said fabric dryer; and (b) a backing strip or sheet carrying said composition.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
85 words
An article of manufacture for softening fabric by contacting damp fabric in a hot air tumbler fabric dryer in the drying cycle with said article, said article comprising: (a) a composition which comprises: (i) a fabric softening agent; and (ii) at least 5 percent by weight of a distributing agent for said fabric softening agent wherein said distributing agent is meltable, sublimeable, soluble, softenable, or otherwise spreadable at the temperatures encountered in said fabric dryer; and (b) a backing strip or sheet carrying said composition.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
An article according to claim 1 wherein said distributing agent is a nonionic compound, wherein said composition is molten or softened at said dryer temperatures and wherein the surface active characteristics, of said nonionic compound tends to promote spreading of said fabric softening agent.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
An article according to claim 1 wherein said fabric softening agent is present in an amount which is at least 10 percent by weight of said composition.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
An article according to claim 1 wherein said dryer temperatures are from 75 to 200 degrees fahrenheit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
An article according to claim 1 wherein said backing strip or sheet is a towelette.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
An article according to claim 2 wherein said distributing agent is present in an amount which is at least 80 percent by weight of said composition.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
89 words
A method for applying a fabric softening agent to damp fabric in a hot air tumbler fabric dryer comprising adding to said fabric in the drying cycle an article of manufacture comprising: (a) a composition which comprises: (i) a fabric softening agent; and (ii) at least 5 percent by weight of a distributing agent for said fabric softening agent wherein said distributing agent is meltable, sublimeable, soluble, softenable, or otherwise spreadable at the temperatures encountered in said fabric dryer; and (b) a backing strip or sheet carrying said composition.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
89 words
A method for applying a fabric softening agent to damp fabric in a hot air tumbler fabric dryer comprising adding to said fabric in the drying cycle an article of manufacture comprising: (a) a composition which comprises: (i) a fabric softening agent; and (ii) at least 5 percent by weight of a distributing agent for said fabric softening agent wherein said distributing agent is meltable, sublimeable, soluble, softenable, or otherwise spreadable at the temperatures encountered in said fabric dryer; and (b) a backing strip or sheet carrying said composition.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method according to claim 7 wherein said distributing agent is a nonionic compound, wherein said composition is molten or softened at said dryer temperatures and wherein the surface active characteristics of said nonionic compound tends to promote spreading of said fabric softening agent.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 7 wherein said fabric softening agent is present in an amount which is at least 10 percent by weight of said composition.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 7 wherein said dryer temperatures are from 75 to 200 degrees fahrenheit.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 7 wherein said backing strip or sheet is a towelette.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 8 wherein said distributing agent is present in an amount which is at least 80 percent by weight of said composition.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-12-19 | 1987-06-20 | 1987-12-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-12-19 | 1991-06-20 | 1991-12-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-12-19 | 1995-06-20 | 1995-12-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |