US5385642A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process for treating tissue paper with tri-component biodegradable softener composition
Assignee: Procter and Gamble Co
•
Filing: 1993-05-13
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Granted: 1995-01-31
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Expires: 2013-05-13
Abstract
Abstract A process for making tissue papers, in particular pattern densified tissue papers, having an enhanced tactile sense of softness when treated with tri-component biodegradable softener compositions are disclosed. These tri-component softener compositions comprise nonionic softeners, nonionic surfactant compatibilizers and polyhydroxy compounds. The weight ratio of the nonionic softeners to the nonionic surfactant compatibilizers ranges typically from about 10:1 to 1:10. The weight ratio of the nonionic softeners to the polyhydroxy compounds ranges typically from about 10:1 to 1:10. The tri-component biodegradable softeners are typically applied from an aqueous dispersion to at least one surface of the dry tissue paper web.
Inventors
- 👤 Dean Van Phan
- 👤 Paul D. Trokhan
- 👤 David C. Hippe
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 01:00
CPC Classifications
D; D21; D21H; D21H19/00; D21H19/10; D21H19/14; D21H21/00; D21H21/14; D21H21/22; D21H21/24
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
164 words
A process for softening a tissue paper web which comprises the step of treating at least one surface of a dry tissue paper web with a tri-component biodegradable softener composition comprising a mixture of: (a) a nonionic softener selected from the group consisting of sorbitan mono-, di-, tri- esters and mixtures thereof; (b) a nonionic surfactant compatibilizer selected from the group consisting of ethoxylated sorbitan esters, propoxylated sorbitan esters, alkylpolyglycosides and mixtures thereof; and (c) a polyhydoxy compound selected from the group consisting of glycerol, polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol and mixtures thereof; wherein the weight ratio of the nonionic softener to the nonionic surfactant compatibilizer ranges from about 10:1 to 1:10 and wherein the weight ratio of the nonionic softener to the polyhydroxy compound ranges from about 10:1 to 1:10, in a manner such that the tri-component softener is applied to said at least one surface in an amount of from about 0.1 to about 3% by weight of the dry tissue paper web.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
164 words
A process for softening a tissue paper web which comprises the step of treating at least one surface of a dry tissue paper web with a tri-component biodegradable softener composition comprising a mixture of: (a) a nonionic softener selected from the group consisting of sorbitan mono-, di-, tri- esters and mixtures thereof; (b) a nonionic surfactant compatibilizer selected from the group consisting of ethoxylated sorbitan esters, propoxylated sorbitan esters, alkylpolyglycosides and mixtures thereof; and (c) a polyhydoxy compound selected from the group consisting of glycerol, polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol and mixtures thereof; wherein the weight ratio of the nonionic softener to the nonionic surfactant compatibilizer ranges from about 10:1 to 1:10 and wherein the weight ratio of the nonionic softener to the polyhydroxy compound ranges from about 10:1 to 1:10, in a manner such that the tri-component softener is applied to said at least one surface in an amount of from about 0.1 to about 3% by weight of the dry tissue paper web.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the nonionic softener is mixed with the nonionic surfactant compatibilizer at a temperature of at least about 48° C. before being mixed with said polyhydroxy compound.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
The process of claim 2 wherein the mixture of the nonionic softener, the nonionic surfactant compatibilizer and the polyhydroxy compound is dispersed in an aqueous media before being applied to said at least one surface of the dry tissue paper web.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process of claim 3 wherein the aqueous media is heated up to a temperature of at least about 48° C.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The process of claim 3 wherein the mixture of the nonionic softener, the nonionic surfactant compatibilizer and the polyhydroxy compound is added gradually into said aqueous media with adequate mixing.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process of claim 5 wherein the average particle size of the nonionic softener ranges from about 10 to 200 microns.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process of claim 6 wherein the average particle size of the nonionic softener ranges from about 30 to 100 microns.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the dry tissue paper web has a moisture content of about 10% or less and wherein the softener is applied nonuniformly to said at least one surface.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The process of claim 8 wherein the softener is applied to said at least one surface of the dry tissue paper web as a pattern of softener droplets.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The process of claim 8 wherein the softener is applied to said at least one surface of the dry tissue paper web by printing.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
The process of claim 8 wherein the softener is applied to said at least one surface in an amount of from about 0.2 to about 0.8% by weight of the dry tissue paper web.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
The process of claim 8 wherein the softener is applied to said at least one surface after creping and prior to calendering of the dry tissue paper web.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
The process of claim 8 wherein the softener is applied to said at least one surface simultaneous with calendering of the dry tissue paper web.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
49 words
The process of claim 8 wherein the dry tissue paper web is a pattern densified tissue paper having a moisture content of about 6% or less, a basis weight between about 10 g/m 2 and about 65 g/m 2 and a density of about 0.6 g/cm 3 or less.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the nonionic softener is a sorbitan esters of a C 12 -C 22 fatty acid.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
29 words
The process of claim 15 wherein the sorbitan ester is selected from the group consisting of sorbitan laurates, sorbitan myristates, sorbitan palmitates, sorbitan stearates, sorbitan behenates and mixtures thereof.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
36 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the nonionic surfactant compatibilizer is an ethoxylated sorbitan ester of a C 12 -C 22 fatty acid having an average degree of ethoxylation of from about 1 to about 20.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
52 words
The process of claim 17 wherein the ethoxylated sorbitan ester is selected from the group consisting of ethoxylated sorbitan laurates, ethoxylated sorbitan myristates, ethoxylated sorbitan palmitates, ethoxylated sorbitan stearates, ethoxylated sorbitan behenates and mixtures thereof, the ethoxylated sorbitan ester having an average degree of ethoxylation of from about 2 to about 10.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
33 words
The process of claim 18 wherein the ethoxylated sorbitan ester is selected from the group consisting of ethoxylated sorbitan stearates having an average degree of ethoxylation of from about 2 to about 6.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
11 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the polyhydroxy compound is glycerol.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
25 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the polyhydroxy compound is polyethylene glycol having a weight average molecular weight ranging from about 200 to about 4000.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
25 words
The process of claim 21 wherein the polyhydroxy compound is polyethylene glycol having a weight average molecular weight ranging from about 200 to about 600.
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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) | 1998-01-30 | 1998-08-01 | 1999-01-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-01-30 | 2002-08-01 | 2003-01-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-01-30 | 2006-08-01 | 2007-01-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |