Concentrated, stable, translucent or clear, fabric softening compositions

Abstract

The present invention relates to rinse-added fabric softening compositions, including translucent or clear liquid compositions, wherein the content of solvent and prime solvent is decreased. The compositions of the present invention comprise a)a fabric softening active; b)a prime solvent; c)a prime solvent extender, and d)the balance carriers and adjunct ingredients. Preferred embodiments include low perfume level formulations. A preferred class of prime solvent extenders includes hydrophobic oils that aids in fluidizing the system which is characterized by a freezing point of less than 22 DEG C for in a mixture of the prime solvent extender and 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol(20% / 80% by wt.) These prime solvent extenders include materials such as benzyl benzoate, methyl esters derived from canola oil, and mixtures thereof. Alternatively, the preferred prime solvent extenders include cumene sulfonates, xylene sulfonates, toluene sulfonates, C6-C14 sulfonates and sulfates, and mixtures thereof.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates to translucent or clear concentrated water-based liquid softening compositions having low levels of fragrance and principal solvents. Background of the invention [0002] Translucent or transparent fabric softening compositions and methods of making them are known in the art. Clear fabric softeners offer many benefits to the consumer, including reduced likelihood of fabric staining, reduced feeder clogging or residue, increased softness, and more. However, technical difficulties associated with forming stable clear softeners, including softener actives, which due to their fatty nature and thus preferably only partially water soluble, have not been overcome. [0003] Traditional liquid fabric softeners use mechanical energy (and electrolytes) to form stable dispersions of vesicles of insoluble softener actives. However, this technique cannot be used with translucent or transparent softeners due to the cloudy nature of the...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Although these compositions perform well, the high cost and low availability of certain primary solvents prevent clear, translucent softeners from being made and make them prohibitively expensive

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