Soil release polymer compositions having improved processability

Claim 2

A composition of matter comprising a mixture of: (A) a soil release polymer having a viscosity at about 85? C. of greater than about 10,000 cps; and (B) an effective amount, but an amount that gives a ratio of (A) to (B) of more than about 1:1, of a viscosity reducing agent selected from the group consisting of: (a) polyhdroxy compounds containing from 2 to about 4 hydroxyl groups and from 2 to about 6 carbon atoms; (b) alkyl ethers of propylene glycol containing from one to two alkyl groups wherein each alkyl groups contains from about 4 to about 6 carbon atoms; (c) dialkyl ethers of ethylene glycol wherein each alkyl group contains from about 4 to about 6 carbons atoms; and (d) mixtures thereof; said muxture of (A) and (B) forming a phase stable mixture at about 85° C. with a viscosity of less than about 10,000 cps.

Claim 3

The composition of matter of claim 1 wherein said viscosity reducing agent (B) is a polyhydroxy solvent containing from 2 to about 4 hydroxy groups and from 2 to about 6 carbon atoms.

Claim 4

The composition of matter of claim 1 wherein said soil release polymer (A) comprises is an anionic soil release polymer.

Claim 5

The composition of matter of claim 1 wherein said soil release polymer (A) comprises is a nonionic soil release polymer.

Claim 6

An article of manufacture adapted for use to provide fabric soil release benefits and to soften fabrics in an automatic laundry dryer comprising: I. a fabric conditioning composition having a melting point above about 35° C. and being flowable at dryer operation temperatures, said composition comprising: i. about 1% to about 70% of a mixture comprising: (A) from about 1% to about 70% based on the weight of said composition of a polymeric soil release agent having a viscosity at 85° C. of more than about 10,000 cps; and (B) from about 1% to about 35% of a viscosity reducing agent selected from the group consisting of: (a) polyhydroxy compounds containg from 2 to about 4 hydroxyl groups and from 2 to about 6 carbon atoms; (b) alkyl ethers of propylene glycol containing from one to two alkyl groups wherein each alkyl group contains from about 4 to about 6 carbon atoms; (c) dialkyl ethers of ethylene glycol wherein each alkyl group contains from about 4 to about 6 carbon atoms; and (d) mixtures thereof; to lower said viscosity of said polymeric soil release agent (A) to less than about 10,000 cps at about 85° C.; and ii. from about 30% to about 99% of a fabric softening agent; and II. A dispensing means which provides for release of an effective amount of said composition to fabrics in the dryer at automatic dryer operating temperatures.

Claim 7

An article of manufacture adapted for use to provide fabric soil release benefits and to soften fabrics in an automatic laundry dryer comprising: I. a fabric conditioning composition having a melting point above about 35° C. and being flowable at dryer operation temperatures, said composition comprising: i. about 1% to about 70% of a mixture comprising: (A) from about 1% to about 70% based on the weight of said composition of a polymeric soil release agent having a viscosity at 85° C. of more than about 10,000 cps; and (B) from about 1% to about 35% of a viscosity reducing agent selected from the group consisting of: (a) polyhydroxy compounds containg from 2 to about 4 hydroxyl groups and from 2 to about 6 carbon atoms; (b) alkyl ethers of propylene glycol containing from one to two alkyl groups wherein each alkyl group contains from about 4 to about 6 carbon atoms; (c) dialkyl ethers of ethylene glycol wherein each alkyl group contains from about 4 to about 6 carbon atoms; and (d) mixtures thereof; to lower said viscosity of said polymeric soil release agent (A) to less than about 10,000 cps at about 85° C.; and ii. from about 30% to about 99% of a fabric softening agent; and II. A dispensing means which provides for release of an effective amount of said composition to fabrics in the dryer at automatic dryer operating temperatures.

Claim 8

The article of manufacture of claim 5 wherein said soil release polymer comprises an anionic soil release polymer.

Claim 9

The article of manufacture of claim 6 wherein said viscosity reducing agent (B) comprises polyhydroxy solvent containing from 2 to about 4 hydroxy groups and from 2 to about 6 carbon atoms.

Claim 10

The process of preparing the article of manufacture of claim 6 comprising the step wherein (A) and (B) are first admixed to form a premix which is then admixed with said fabric softener ii.