Use of fabric softening compositions to reduce the release of airborne fibers from dryers

Abstract

The present invention provides the use of a fabric softening composition that reduces the release of airborne fibers during processing of fabrics in a ventilated tumble dryer. [Solution] A use is provided for a fabric softening composition which is applied during the rinsing stage of a first fabric processing process or directly to the fabric to reduce the release of airborne fibers during subsequent processing of the fabric in a ventilated tumble dryer. Preferably, the use comprises 1 to 30% by weight, preferably 2 to 15% by weight, of the fabric softening composition, and preferably, the use comprises 0.5 to 6% by weight, preferably 1 to 5% by weight, of the fabric softening composition, of the composition, of the silicone compound.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of fabric processing. In particular, this invention relates to the use of a fabric softening composition to reduce the release of airborne fibers during fabric processing in a dryer. [Background technology]

[0002] Ventilated tumble dryers typically release warm, moist air from the fabric drying process into the external environment through piping that connects the machine to vents within the exterior wall. While such dryers have integrated lint filters intended to remove fibers from this airflow, recent reports suggest that this process is incomplete, leading to fibers being released into the warm air within the ducts and subsequently contaminating the external environment. [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0003] The objective of the present invention is to reduce the release of airborne fibers during the processing of fabrics in a ventilated tumble dryer. [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] The present invention provides the use of a fabric softening composition to reduce the release of airborne fibers during processing of fabrics in a ventilated tumble dryer. The fabric softening composition is delivered in a first fabric processing process and / or applied directly to the fabric. The fabric is then processed in a tumble dryer. Preferably, the softening composition comprises a quaternary ammonium softening compound. Preferably, the softening composition comprises a silicone softening compound. Further better results in reducing airborne fibers are obtained when the processing of the fabric in the tumble dryer is carried out in the presence of a dryer sheet. Preferably, the dryer sheet comprises a nonwoven fabric substrate, more preferably the nonwoven fabric substrate comprises polyester. Preferably, the dye sheet comprises a fabric processing composition, more preferably the softening composition, preferably the softening composition comprises a quaternary ammonium softening compound. Preferably, the softening composition comprises a silicone softening compound. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0005] The present invention encompasses the use of a fabric softening composition to reduce the release of airborne fibers during processing of fabrics in a ventilated tumble dryer, preferably the processing being drying.

[0006] The threads in fabric are composed of twisted filaments. During washing, these filaments fall out due to the effects of water, friction, and abrasion. Filaments also fall out during processing in a tumble dryer. Different types of fabrics shed more than others. Tightly woven fabrics with tightly twisted threads (which have a flat and smooth feel) shed less than loosely woven fabrics with loosely twisted threads (which have a cottony or fuzzy feel).

[0007] The first fabric treatment process can be carried out in whole or in part in any suitable container, for example, in an automatic washing machine. Such a machine may be a top-loading or front-loading machine. The first fabric treatment process is preferably carried out in a washing machine. Alternatively, the first fabric treatment process can be carried out by hand.

[0008] The first fabric treatment process includes a rinsing step. The rinsing may follow the washing step or be a separate rinse. The aqueous treatment solution may be an aqueous rinse solution. The fabric softening composition delivered during the rinsing step of the first fabric treatment process may be added to the drawer or drum of an automatic washing machine during the rinsing step.

[0009] The first fabric treatment process may include contacting the fabric with an aqueous cleaning solution. This step may occur before contacting the fabric with an aqueous rinse solution. Such a step may occur during a single treatment cycle. The aqueous cleaning solution may include a cleaning composition, such as a granular or liquid laundry detergent composition, which is soluble in or diluted in water. The detergent composition may include an anionic surfactant. The aqueous cleaning solution may contain about 50 to about 5000 ppm, or about 100 to about 1000 ppm, of anionic surfactant.

[0010] Alternatively, an aqueous solution can be delivered from the product to the fabric in the form of a spray from a spray dispenser.

[0011] During the research leading to the present invention, it was found that treating fabric with a fabric softening composition reduces the amount of airborne fibers released during subsequent processing of the fabric in a ventilated tumble dryer. This reduction is further increased when the processing in the ventilated tumble dryer is carried out in the presence of a dryer sheet, preferably when the dryer sheet also contains the fabric softening composition. It was found that the sheet collects fibers during the drying process.

[0012] Tumble dryer sheets are used in several markets to deliver the benefits of softness, antistatic properties, and cleanliness to fabrics during processing, preferably during drying, in a tumble dryer.

[0013] Fabrics processed in a dryer may be wet, damp, or dry. After washing, the fabric may be processed in a wet state and then rinsed, or rinsed only in the presence of a fabric softening composition. Alternatively, the fabric may be processed in a dry state to refresh it.

[0014] When used herein, the articles “a” and “an” as used in the claims are understood to mean one or more of the claims or described herein. When used herein, the terms “include,” “includes,” and “including” are meant to be non-limiting. The compositions of the Disclosure may include, be essentially composed of, or consist of the components of the Disclosure.

[0015] All percentages, ratios, and proportions used herein are weight percent of the composition unless otherwise specified. All average values ​​are calculated "by weight" of the composition unless otherwise explicitly indicated. All ratios are calculated as weight / weight level unless otherwise specified.

[0016] Unless otherwise specified, all measurements will be performed at 25°C.

[0017] Unless otherwise noted, all concentrations of components or compositions refer to the active portion of that component or composition, excluding impurities that may be present in the commercially available source of such components or compositions, such as residual solvents or by-products.

[0018] As used herein, the term “floating fiber” means a fiber that can be transported by air.

[0019] As used herein, the term "fabric" is intended to include any object, article, or item made from, or at least partially containing, any woven or non-woven fabric portion that can be treated in an automatic dryer cycle.

[0020] "Fabric softener composition" is sometimes referred to herein as "the fabric softener composition of the present invention" or "the composition of the present invention".

[0021] As used herein, the term "dryer sheet" means a sheet for use in a dryer, which sheet is dry and is not part of the fabric to be treated. "Dryer sheets" are used to provide benefits to the treated fabric. A "dyer sheet" is sometimes referred to herein as "the dryer sheet of the present invention".

[0022] The dryer for use in the present invention is a ventilated tumble dryer. In a tumble dryer, the fabric and optionally the dryer sheet are provided in a rotating drum that tumbles the fabric during operation of the dryer. Tumble dryers are commonly found in residential, commercial, and industrial laundry operations. As noted earlier herein, the fabric may be wet, damp, or dry. The drying cycle is initiated in the dryer. Typically, the fabric is subjected to a temperature ranging from about 40°C to about 100°C. The duration of the drying process is usually determined as a function of the wetness of the fabric.

[0023] The dryer sheets disclosed herein are conveniently used for treating fabric in a dryer, preferably during a drying process in the dryer. The dryer sheet can be used for treating unwashed fabric, or after the fabric has been washed with a laundry detergent, or after the fabric has been treated by direct application such as, for example, spraying onto a fabric softener composition.

[0024] Fabric Softener Composition The compositions of the present invention may provide the benefits of softness, wrinkle resistance, antistatic properties, conditioning, stretch resistance, color, and / or appearance. Examples of fabric softening active substances include quaternary ammonium ester compounds, silicones, non-esterified quaternary ammonium compounds, amines, fatty acid esters, sucrose esters, dispersible polyolefins, polysaccharides, fatty acids, softening or conditioning oils, polymer latex, or combinations thereof.

[0025] The composition may be in any suitable form. The product may be in the form of a liquid composition, a granular composition, a single-compartment pouch, a multi-compartment pouch, a sheet, a lozenge or beads, a fibrous article, a tablet, a bar, a flake, or a mixture thereof. The product may be liquid, solid, or a combination thereof.

[0026] The composition may be in liquid form. The composition may contain water. The composition may be aqueous. A composition that may be a liquid composition may contain at least 50% by weight of water, preferably at least 90% by weight, or more than 95% by weight of water. The composition may contain about 10% to about 98% by weight, preferably about 25% to about 96%, more preferably about 45% to about 95% of water. The liquid may be packaged in a refillable bottle. The liquid may be packaged in an aerosol can or other spray bottle and can be applied directly to fabric.

[0027] The fabric softening composition has a pressure of 1 to 1500 centipoise (1 to 1500 mPa) at 20s-1 and 21°C. * s), 100-1000 centipoise (100-1000 mPa) * s), or 200-500 centipoise (200-500 mPa) * It may have a viscosity of s).

[0028] The composition may be in the form of unit-dose articles such as tablets, pouches, sheets, or textile articles. Such pouches typically contain a water-soluble film, such as a polyvinyl alcohol water-soluble film, that at least partially encapsulates the composition. Suitable films are available from MonoSol, LLC (Indiana, USA). The composition may be encapsulated in a single-compartment pouch or a multi-compartment pouch. A multi-compartment pouch may have at least two, at least three, or at least four compartments. A multi-compartment pouch may contain compartments arranged side by side and / or overlapping. The composition contained in the pouch or its compartments may be liquid, solid (such as powder), or a combination thereof. The pouch composition may contain a relatively small amount of water, such as less than about 20% by weight, or less than about 15% by weight, or less than about 12% by weight, or less than about 10% by weight, or less than about 8% by weight of the detergent composition.

[0029] The composition may be in the form of lozenges or beads. The lozenges may contain polyethylene glycol as a carrier. The polyethylene glycol may have a weight-average molecular weight of about 2,000 to about 20,000 daltons, preferably about 5,000 to about 15,000 daltons, and more preferably about 6,000 to about 12,000 daltons.

[0030] The fabric softening compositions of this disclosure preferably comprise a quaternary ammonium softening compound, and more preferably a quaternary ammonium ester compound. The quaternary ammonium ester compound can act as a fabric softening activator that can provide the benefits of softness, wrinkle resistance, antistatic properties, conditioning, stretch resistance, color, and / or appearance.

[0031] Preferably, the quaternary ammonium ester compound includes a triester quaternary ammonium material ("tryster quat").

[0032] This disclosure also relates to a fabric softening composition in which a quaternary ammonium ester compound is derived from a fatty acid having an alkyl moiety containing about 13 to about 22 carbon atoms.

[0033] The fabric softening compositions of this disclosure may be characterized by a pH of about 2 to about 12, or about 2 to about 8.5, or about 2 to about 7, or about 2 to about 5. The compositions of this disclosure may preferably be in aqueous liquid form and have a pH of about 2 to about 4, preferably about 2 to about 3.7, and more preferably about 2 to about 3.5. Such pH concentrations are thought to promote the stability of the quaternary ammonium ester compounds. The pH of the composition is measured by dissolving / dispersing the composition in deionized water to form a 10% solution at about 20°C.

[0034] Quaternary ammonium ester compounds The composition may contain a quaternary ammonium ester compound that can act as a fabric conditioning active ("FCA"). The type and amount of the quaternary ammonium ester compound may be selected for the target beneficial agent to be delivered and / or the fabric to be treated.

[0035] Quaternary ammonium ester compounds (sometimes called "esterquats") may be present in the composition at a concentration of about 0.1% to about 50% by weight, or about 2% to about 40% by weight, or about 3% to about 25% by weight, preferably 4% to 18% by weight, and more preferably 5% to 15% by weight. Quaternary ammonium ester compounds may be present in the composition at a concentration of more than 0% to about 30% by weight, about 1% to about 25% by weight, about 3% to about 20% by weight, about 4.0% to 18% by weight, more preferably 4.5% to 15% by weight, and even more preferably 5.0% to 12% by weight. Quaternary ammonium ester compounds may be present in the fabric care composition at a concentration of about 1% to about 8% by weight, or about 1.5% to about 5% by weight. The concentration of quaternary ammonium ester compounds may depend on the desired concentration of the total fabric conditioning active substance in the composition (diluted or concentrated composition) and the presence (or absence) of other FCAs. However, the risk of viscosity increasing over time is typically higher in fabric treatment compositions with higher FCA concentrations. On the other hand, at very high FCA concentrations, viscosity may no longer be adequately controlled, rendering the product unsuitable for use.

[0036] Quaternary ammonium ester compounds may be derived from fatty acids (sometimes called parent fatty acids). The fatty acids may include saturated and / or unsaturated fatty acids. The fatty acids may be characterized by their iodine value (see Method). Preferably, the iodine value of the fatty acids forming the quaternary ammonium fabric compounds is 0 to 140, or 0 to about 90, or about 10 to about 70, about 15 to about 50, or about 18 to about 30. The iodine value may also be about 25 to 50, preferably 30 to 48, more preferably 32 to 45. While not theoretically bound, if the fatty acids forming the quaternary ammonium compounds are at least partially unsaturated, a lower melting point is obtained, which facilitates the processability of the FCA. In particular, biunsaturated fatty acids are considered to contribute to the processability of the FCA.

[0037] The fatty acid may contain an alkyl moiety containing, on a weight average, approximately 13 to approximately 22 carbon atoms, or approximately 14 to approximately 20 carbon atoms, preferably approximately 16 to approximately 18 carbon atoms.

[0038] Suitable fatty acids may include (1) animal fats such as beef tallow and lard and / or partially hydrogenated animal fats; (2) vegetable oils such as canola oil, safflower oil, peanut oil, sunflower oil, sesame seed oil, rapeseed oil, cottonseed oil, corn oil, soybean oil, tall oil, rice bran oil, palm oil, palm kernel oil, coconut oil, other tropical palm oils, linseed oil, tuni oil and / or partially hydrogenated vegetable oils; (3) processed oils such as linseed oil or tuni oil and / or stand oils obtained by heat treatment, pressure treatment, alkali isomerization treatment and catalytic treatment; and (4) derivatives of these that produce saturated (e.g., stearic acid), unsaturated (e.g., oleic acid), polyunsaturated (linoleic acid), branched (e.g., isostearic acid), or cyclic (e.g., saturated or unsaturated α-disubstituted cyclopentyl or cyclohexyl derivatives of polyunsaturated acids) fatty acids.

[0039] Quaternary ammonium ester compounds may include compounds formed from unsaturated fatty acids. The fatty acids may include unsaturated C18 chains, which may contain a single double bond ("C18:1") or be double unsaturated ("C18:2").

[0040] Quaternary ammonium ester compounds may be derived from fatty acids and, optionally, from C18 fatty acids, including triethanolamine, preferably an unsaturated fatty acid containing 18 carbon atoms ("C18 fatty acid"), more preferably a single double-carbon fatty acid ("C18:1 fatty acid"). The quaternary ammonium ester compound may also contain about 10% to about 40% by weight of the quaternary ammonium ester compound, or about 10% to about 30% by weight, or about 15% to about 30% by weight, of compounds derived from triethanolamine and C18:1 fatty acids. Such concentrations of fatty acids may facilitate the handling of the resulting ester quaternary ammonium compound material.

[0041] The fatty acids forming the quaternary ammonium conditioning active substances may include 1.0% to 20.0% by weight, preferably 1.5% to 18.0% by weight, or 3.0% to 15.0% by weight, more preferably 4.0% to 15.0% by weight, of the total fatty acid chains as biunsaturated C18 chains ("C18:2"). About 2% to 10% by weight, or about 2% to 8% by weight, or about 2% to 6% by weight of the total fatty acids used to form the quaternary ammonium ester compound may be C18:2 fatty acids.

[0042] On the other hand, to minimize the formation of malodorous odors as a result of oxidation of the fabric softener composition over time, very high concentrations of unsaturated fatty acid chains should be avoided.

[0043] Suitable quaternary ammonium ester compounds include materials selected from the group consisting of monoester quaternary materials ("monoester quat"), diester quaternary materials ("diester quat"), triester quaternary materials ("trimester quat"), and mixtures thereof. The concentration of monoester quat may be 2% to 40% by weight, the concentration of diester quat may be 40% to 98% by weight, and the concentration of triester quat may be 0% to 30% by weight, relative to the total weight of the quaternary ammonium ester compound. The concentration of monoester quat may be 2% to 40% by weight, the concentration of diester quat may be 40% to 98% by weight, and the concentration of triester quat may be less than 5% by weight, less than 1% by weight, or 0% by weight, relative to the total weight of the quaternary ammonium ester compound. The concentration of monoester quat may be 15% to 40% by weight, the concentration of diester quat may be 40% to 60% by weight, and the concentration of triester quat may be 15% to 38% by weight, relative to the total weight of the quaternary ammonium ester compound. The quaternary ammonium ester compound may also contain triester quaternary ammonium material ("tryster quat").

[0044] Suitable quaternary ammonium ester compounds may be derived from alkanolamines, such as C1-C4 alkanolamines, preferably C2 alkanolamines (e.g., ethanolamine). Quaternary ammonium ester compounds may be derived from monoalkanolamines, dialkanolamines, trialkanolamines, or mixtures thereof, preferably monoethanolamine, diethanolamine, di-isopropanolamine, triethanolamine, or mixtures thereof. Quaternary ammonium ester compounds may be derived from diethanolamine. Quaternary ammonium ester compounds may be derived from di-isopropanolamine. Quaternary ammonium ester compounds may be derived from triethanolamine. The alkanolamine from which the quaternary ammonium ester compound is derived may be an alkylated mono- or dialkanolamine, such as a C1-C4 alkylated alkanolamine, preferably a C1 alkylated alkanolamine (e.g., N-methyldiethanolamine).

[0045] Quaternary ammonium ester compounds may contain at least partially substituted quaternary nitrogen atoms. The quaternary nitrogen atoms may be at least partially substituted with one or more C1-C3 alkyl groups or C1-C3 hydroxylalkyl groups. The quaternary nitrogen atoms may be at least partially substituted with a portion selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, propyl, hydroxyethyl, 2-hydroxypropyl, 1-methyl-2-hydroxyethyl, poly(C2-C3-alkoxy), polyethoxy, benzyl, more preferably methyl or hydroxyethyl.

[0046] Quaternary ammonium ester compounds may include compounds according to formula (I), {R2(4-m)-N+-[XY-R1]m}A- Formula (I) During the ceremony, m is 1, 2, or 3, provided that in a given molecule, each value of m is the same, and (a) if the quaternary ammonium ester compound contains a triester quaternary ammonium material ("tryster quat"), then with respect to at least a portion of the compound according to formula (I), m is 3 (i.e., triester). Each R1, which may contain 13 to 22 carbon atoms, is independently a linear hydrocarbyl group or a branched hydrocarbyl group, preferably R1 is linear, and more preferably R1 is a partially unsaturated linear alkyl chain. Each R2 is independently a C1-C3 alkyl or hydroxyalkyl group, and / or each R2 is selected from methyl, ethyl, propyl, hydroxyethyl, 2-hydroxypropyl, 1-methyl-2-hydroxyethyl, poly(C2-C3 alkoxy), polyethoxy, benzyl, more preferably methyl or hydroxyethyl. Each X is independently -(CH2)n-, -CH2-CH(CH3)-, or -CH(CH3)-CH2-, and each n is independently 1, 2, 3, or 4, preferably each n is 2. Each Y is independently -O-(O)C- or -C(O)-O-, and A- is independently selected from the group consisting of chlorides, bromides, methyl sulfate, ethyl sulfate, sulfuric acid, and nitric acid, preferably A- is selected from the group consisting of chlorides and methyl sulfate, and more preferably A- is methyl sulfate.

[0047] At least one X, preferably each X, may be independently selected from -CH2-CH(CH3)- or -CH(CH3)-CH2-. When m is 2, X is * -CH2-CH(CH3)-, * -CH(CH3)-CH2- or a mixture thereof may be selected. * This indicates the end closest to the nitrogen atom of the quaternary ammonium ester compound. If there are two or more X groups in a single compound, at least two of the X groups may be different from each other. For example, if m is 2, then one of the X groups (e.g., the first X) is* may be -CH2-CH(CH3)-, and the other X (for example, the second X) is * may be -CH(CH3)-CH2-, * indicates the terminal closest to the nitrogen of the quaternary ammonium ester compound. It has been found that such selection of the subscript m and the X group can improve the hydrolysis stability of the quaternary ammonium ester compound, and further improve the stability of the composition.

[0048] For similar stability reasons, the quaternary ammonium ester compound may comprise a mixture of bis-(2-hydroxypropyl)-dimethylammonium methylsulfate fatty acid ester, (2-hydroxypropyl)-(1-methyl-2-hydroxyethyl)-dimethylammonium methylsulfate fatty acid ester, and bis-(1-methyl-2-hydroxyethyl)-dimethylammonium methylsulfate fatty acid ester, wherein the fatty acid ester is produced from a C12~C18 fatty acid mixture. The quaternary ammonium ester compound may comprise any of the fatty acid esters listed in this paragraph individually or as a mixture.

[0049] Each X may be -(CH2)n-, each n is independently 1, 2, 3, or 4, and preferably each n is 2.

[0050] Each R1 group may correspond to and / or be derived from the alkyl moiety of any of the parent fatty acids provided above. The R1 group may contain from about 13 to about 22 carbon atoms on a weight average basis, or from about 14 to about 20 carbon atoms, preferably from about 16 to about 18 carbon atoms. When Y is * -O-(O)C- ( * indicates the terminal closest to the X moiety), the total number of carbons in each R1 may be 13 to 21, preferably 13 to 19.

[0051] The quaternary ammonium compounds of this disclosure may include mixtures of quaternary ammonium compounds according to formula (I), for example, having several compounds where m=1 (e.g., monoesters) and several compounds where m=2 (e.g., diesters). Some mixtures may further include compounds where m=3 (e.g., triesters). The quaternary ammonium compounds may include compounds according to formula (I), where m is 1 or 2 but not 3 (e.g., substantially free of triesters).

[0052] The quaternary ammonium compounds of this disclosure may include compounds of formula (I), where each R2 is a methyl group. The quaternary ammonium compounds of this disclosure may include compounds of formula (I), where at least one R2, preferably at least one R2, is a hydroxyethyl group, and at least one R2 is a methyl group. In the case of the compound of formula (I), m may be equal to 1, and only one R2 may be a hydroxyethyl group.

[0053] The quaternary ammonium compounds of this disclosure may contain methyl sulfate as a counterion.

[0054] The quaternary ammonium compounds disclosed herein are (A) Bis-(2-hydroxypropyl)-dimethylammonium methyl sulfate fatty acid esters, isomers of bis-(2-hydroxypropyl)-dimethylammonium methyl sulfate fatty acid esters, and / or mixtures thereof; N,N-bis-(2-(acyl-oxy)-propyl)-N,N-dimethylammonium methyl sulfate and / or N-(2-(acyl-oxy)-propyl)N-(2-(acyl-oxy)1-methyl-ethyl)N,N-dimethylammonium methyl sulfate and / or mixtures thereof, derived from c12-c22 fatty acids and / or other suitable fatty acids such as palm, tallow, and canola, and / or mixtures thereof, in which the acyl portion can be fractionated and / or hydrogenated; (B) 1,2-di(acyloxy)-3-trimethylammoniumpropane chloride, the acyl moiety of which is derived from C12-C22 fatty acids and / or other suitable fatty acids and / or mixtures thereof, such as palm, tallow, and canola, which can be fractionated and / or hydrogenated; (C)N,N-bis(hydroxyethyl)-N,N-dimethylammonium chloride fatty acid esters; N,N-bis(acyl-oxyethyl)-N,N-dimethylammonium chloride, such as N,N-bis(tallowoyl-oxyethyl)N,N-dimethylammonium chloride, where the acyl moiety is derived from c12-c22 fatty acids and / or other suitable fatty acids and / or mixtures thereof, such as N,N-bis(tallowoyl-oxyethyl)N,N-dimethylammonium chloride, which can be fractionated and / or hydrogenated; (D) Esterification products of fatty acids and triethanolamine quaternized with dimethyl sulfate; N,N-bis(acyl-oxyethyl)N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-N-methylammonium methyl sulfate, such as N,N-bis(tallow oil-oxyethyl)N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-N-methylammonium methyl sulfate, derived from c12-c22 fatty acids and / or other suitable fatty acids and / or mixtures thereof, where the acyl moiety can be fractionated and / or hydrogenated; (E) Dicanoladimethylammonium chloride; di(hard)talodimethylammonium chloride; dicanoladimethylammonium methyl sulfate; 1-methyl-1-stearoylamidoethyl-2-stearoylimidazolinium methyl sulfate; 1-taloylamidoethyl-2-taloylimidazoline; dipalmylmethylhydroxyethylammonium methyl sulfate; and / or (F) May include one or more members selected from the group consisting of mixtures thereof.

[0055] Examples of suitable quaternary ammonium ester compounds are commercially available from Evonik under the trade names Rewoquat WE18 and / or Rewoquat WE20, and from Stepan under the trade names Stepantex GA90, Stepantex VK90 and / or Stepantex VL90A.

[0056] It is understood that a composition containing a quaternary ammonium ester compound as a fabric softening active substance may further contain non-quaternary derivatives of such compounds and unreacted reactants (e.g., free fatty acids).

[0057] The fabric softening compositions of this disclosure may, for example, include other fabric softening active substances in addition to quaternary ammonium ester compounds. Other FCAs may include silicones, non-esterified quaternary ammonium compounds, amines, fatty acid esters, sucrose esters, silicones, dispersible polyolefins, polysaccharides, fatty acids, softening oils or conditioning oils, polymer latexes, or combinations thereof, preferably silicones. The total amount of quaternary ammonium ester compounds and silicones may be about 5% to about 70% by weight of the composition, or about 6% to about 50% by weight, or about 7% to about 40% by weight, or about 10% to about 30% by weight, or about 15% to about 25% by weight. The composition may contain a quaternary ammonium ester compound and silicone in a weight ratio of approximately 1:10 to approximately 10:1, or approximately 1:5 to approximately 5:1, or approximately 1:3 to approximately 1:3, or approximately 1:2 to approximately 2:1, or approximately 1:1.5 to approximately 1.5:1, or approximately 1:1.

[0058] spray dispenser The fabric softening composition may be applied directly to the fabric by using a spray dispenser. The spray dispenser may be able to withstand internal pressures ranging from about 20 p.sig to about 140 p.sig, or alternatively, about 80 to about 130 p.sig. The total composition output and spray droplet / particle size distribution may be selected to support the particle removal effect while avoiding the problem of surface wetting. The total output is determined by the flow rate of the composition as it is discharged from the spray dispenser. To obtain a spray profile that produces minimal surface wetting, it is desirable to have a low flow rate and five small spray droplets.

[0059] The flow rate of the composition discharged from the spray dispenser can be approximately 0.0001 grams / second (g / s) to approximately 2.5 grams / second. Alternatively, the flow rate may be approximately 0.001 grams / second to approximately 2.5 grams / second, or approximately 0.01 grams / second to approximately 2.0 grams / second. For aerosol sprayers, the flow rate is determined by measuring the rate at which the composition is discharged by the spray dispenser for any 60-second use.

[0060] The Sauta mean particle size of the spray droplets may be in the range of approximately 10 μm to approximately 100 μm, or alternatively, approximately 20 μm to approximately 60 μm. The size of at least some of the spray droplets is small enough to remain suspended in the air for at least approximately 10 minutes, in some cases at least approximately 15 minutes, or at least approximately 30 minutes. Small particles can be efficiently produced when the spray is dispensed at a wide cone angle. With respect to a given nozzle component and delivery tube, the cone angle can be modified by changing the insertion depth of the nozzle in the delivery tube. This cone angle can be greater than approximately 20 degrees, or greater than approximately 30 degrees, or greater than approximately 35 degrees, or greater than approximately 40 degrees, or greater than approximately 50 degrees.

[0061] A spray dispenser may be configured to spray the softening composition at an angle between an angle parallel to the base of the container and an angle perpendicular to the base of the container. The desired size of the spray droplets can be delivered by other types of spray dispensers that can be configured to provide a narrow range of droplet sizes. Such other spray dispensers include, but are not limited to, atomizers, ultrasonic nebulizers, electrostatic atomizers, and rotary disc atomizers. Spray dispensers can be made of a variety of materials, including plastics, metals, glass, or combinations thereof. Spray dispensers may be pressurized or unpressurized, and may be non-aerosol.

[0062] Non-aerosol spray dispensers may include pre-compression trigger sprayers.

[0063] One preferred non-aerosol spray dispenser is a plastic non-aerosol dispenser. The dispenser may be constructed from polyethylene such as high-density polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate ("PET"), vinyl acetate, rubber elastomer, and combinations thereof. The spray dispenser may be made from transparent PET. Another preferred spray dispenser is a continuous-operation sprayer, such as the FLAIROSOL® dispenser manufactured by Afa Dispensing Group. The FLAIROSOL® dispenser includes a bag-in-bag or bag-in-can type container with a pre-compression spray engine, and an aerosol-like compressor for the freshening composition. An example of the FLAIROSOL® dispenser is described in U.S. Patent No. 8,905,271(B2).

[0064] A pressurized spray dispenser may contain a propellant. A variety of propellants may be used. Propellant may include hydrocarbons; compressed gases such as nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and air; liquefied gases or hydrofluoroolefins ("HFO"); and mixtures thereof. Preferably, the product contains a propellant selected from the group consisting of compressed gases such as compressed air, compressed nitrogen, and combinations thereof. Propellants listed in the U.S. Federal Register 30 49C.FR §1.73.115, Part II, Section 2.2 are considered acceptable. Propellant may include, in particular, trans-1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropa-1-ene and optionally the gas with CAS number 1645-83-6. Such propellants offer the benefit of being non-flammable, but the freshening composition is not limited to non-flammable propellants. One such propellant is commercially available from Honeywell International (Morristown, New Jersey) under the trade names HFO-5 1234ze or GWP-6. If desired, the propellant may be condensable. "Condensing" means that the propellant changes from a gaseous state to a liquid state under the pressure generated within the spray dispenser and during use. Generally, the peak pressure occurs after the spray dispenser is filled with the freshening composition, but before the user first disperses the freshening composition. Condensing propellants offer the benefit of a flatter pressure curve as the freshening composition is depleted during use.

[0065] The pressurized spray dispenser does not necessarily contain a hydrocarbon propellant. The flexuring composition may be delivered from a spray dispenser that includes, but is not limited to, delivery components such as a valve for controlling the flow and sealing the freshening composition within the spray dispenser, a button actuator, and a nozzle for dispersing the freshening composition into the environment. The flexuring composition may be contained in a bag-in-can type plastic spray dispenser.

[0066] Dryer sheets The dryer sheet of the present invention comprises a base material and optionally a fabric treatment composition, preferably a fabric softener composition.

[0067] Dryer sheets can be prepared by immersing an absorbent flexible substrate in a liquid mixture of a fabric treatment composition, pressing the resulting immersed sheet to remove any excess liquid, and then drying the sheet. Dryer sheets known in the art are preferably prepared by coating an absorbent flexible substrate with a molten mixture of a fabric treatment composition, and then allowing the mixture to solidify. The fabric treatment composition migrates to the fabric during the drying operation to impart fabric conditioning properties to the fabric. At the activation temperature achieved during the drying cycle in the dryer, at least a portion of the fabric treatment composition migrates from the substrate to the fabric to impart fabric conditioning properties. The activation temperature refers to the temperature at which the fabric treatment composition migrates to the fabric.

[0068] Dryer sheets may be provided from components that are considered biodegradable or compostable. The terms biodegradable or compostable refer to the ability of a dryer sheet to decompose via biodegradation or hydrolysis under conditions favorable to biodegradation or hydrolysis (e.g., a composting environment of 95% relative humidity and 180°F) such that at least 95% of the components are considered to decompose within a period of about 90 days. Dryer sheets may be manufactured solely from materials that are considered biodegradable or compostable, or they may be manufactured from a combination of materials that are considered biodegradable or compostable and materials that do not meet biodegradability or compostability tests. Furthermore, dryer sheets may be provided to be characterized as biodegradable under ASTM D 6868-03. ASTM D 6868-03 refers to the definition of biodegradability for plastics used as coatings on paper, but this definition may be used to determine the biodegradability of paper products.

[0069] The dryer sheet preferably includes a fibrous substrate, which may be a woven or nonwoven fabric substrate. The substrate may be a single-layer or double-layer substrate. The double-layer substrate includes a first fibrous layer, the first layer having an inner surface and a first outer surface facing the inner surface, the first outer surface having a first outer surface area, and a second layer of nonwoven fibers bonded to the first layer, the second layer having an inner surface and a second outer surface facing the inner surface, the second outer surface having a second outer surface area, and the inner surface of the second layer being oriented toward the inner surface of the first layer. The dryer sheet preferably includes a fabric treatment composition. In a double-layer substrate, a portion of the fabric treatment composition is preferably on the inner surface of the first layer and partially permeates the first layer, the outer surface of the first layer does not contain the fabric treatment composition over more than about 60% of its surface, and the outer surface of the second layer does not contain the fabric treatment composition over more than about 60% of its surface. Preferably, the fabric treatment composition is present in a weight ratio of about 10:1 to about 1000:1 with respect to the combined first and second layers.

[0070] Nonwoven fiber materials Nonwoven fiber materials provide suitable functionality as carriers for purifying microorganisms and fabric treatment compositions. The nonwoven fiber material may be a polyester nonwoven fiber material. For example, the nonwoven fiber material may be polyester terephthalate. The nonwoven fiber material may be spunbond polyester terephthalate. Optionally, the nonwoven fiber material may be continuous filament spunbond polyester terephthalate. Other nonwoven fiber materials, such as rayon, may also be practical.

[0071] The nonwoven fiber material weighs approximately 10 g / m². 2 ~about 50g / m 2 It can have a basis weight. Such a fibrous material has a composition sufficient to support a desired amount of treatment composition.

[0072] To provide the desired release of the treated composition, the nonwoven fiber material may have a permeability of about 50 darcy to about 150 darcy, optionally about 90 darcy to about 140 darcy. The fibers constituting the nonwoven fiber material may have a denier of about 2 to about 6. The nonwoven fiber material may have calipers of about 0.1 mm to about 0.5 mm, or optionally about 0.1 mm to about 0.4 mm. The larger the caliper, the larger the space within the nonwoven fiber material for holding the fabric treated composition.

[0073] The nonwoven fabric substrate may contain natural fibers and regenerated cellulose fibers. The substrate may contain a sufficient amount of regenerated cellulose fibers to provide the nonwoven fabric substrate with the desired fabric or texture characteristics and to provide the nonwoven fabric substrate with the desired porosity.

[0074] Natural fibers refer to fibers formed from plants or animals. Natural fibers are not fibers formed as a result of extrusion or spinning. Natural fibers can be obtained from fiber sources using techniques such as chemical pulping, chemical-mechanical pulping, semi-chemical pulping, or mechanical pulping. Plant-derived natural fibers are often referred to as cellulose fibers.

[0075] Examples of natural fibers that can be used to form nonwoven fabric bases include wood fibers and non-wood natural fibers, such as plant fibers, cotton, various types of straw (e.g., wheat, rye, and others), various types of rattan (e.g., bagasse and kenaf), silk, animal fibers (e.g., wool), grass (e.g., bamboo), hemp, corn stalks, and Manila hemp.

[0076] Wood fibers can be obtained from wood pulp. Wood pulp may contain hardwood fibers, softwood fibers, or blends of hardwood and softwood fibers. Pulp can be provided as cellulose fibers from chemically pulped wood and may contain blends from coniferous and deciduous trees. For example, wood fibers may be from northern hardwood, northern softwood, southern hardwood, or southern softwood. Hardwood fibers tend to be more brittle, but are generally more cost-effective to use because the pulp yield from hardwood is higher than that from softwood. Pulp may contain about 0 to about 100% or about 0 to about 70% hardwood fibers, based on fiber weight. Softwood fibers have the desired papermaking characteristics but are generally more expensive than hardwood fibers. Pulp may contain about 0 to about 100% softwood fibers, based on fiber weight. Pulp may contain blends of hardwood and softwood fibers.

[0077] Natural fibers can be extracted using various pulping techniques. For example, mechanical or high-yield pulping can be used for crushed wood, pressure-crushed wood, refined mechanical pulp, and thermomechanical pulp. Chemical pulping incorporating kraft, sulfite, and soda treatments can be used. Semi-chemical and chemical-mechanical pulping, which involves combinations of mechanical and chemical processes to produce chemical-thermomechanical pulp, can also be used.

[0078] Natural fibers may be bleached or unbleached. Those skilled in the art will understand that bleaching can be achieved by many methods, including the use of chlorine, hypochlorite, chlorine dioxide, oxygen, peroxide, ozone, or caustic extraction.

[0079] Pulp can include recycled sources of recycled fibers. Exemplary recycled sources include post-consumer waste (PCW) fibers, office waste, and cardboard waste. Post-consumer waste fibers refer to fibers recovered from paper that is recycled after consumer use. Office waste refers to fibers obtained from office waste, and cardboard waste refers to fibers obtained from cardboard boxes. Additional sources of recycled fibers include newspapers and magazines. Recycled fibers can include both natural and synthetic fibers. Incorporating recycled fibers into nonwoven substrates can help with the efficient use of sources and increase end-user satisfaction with dryer sheets.

[0080] Refining is the process of treating pulp fibers to develop their papermaking properties. Refining increases the strength of interfiber bonds by increasing the surface area of ​​the fibers and making them more flexible and conformable to each other. This increases the bonding surface area, resulting in a denser sheet with fewer voids. Most of the strength properties of paper depend on interfiber bonds and therefore increase with pulp refinement. Tear strength, which largely depends on the strength of individual fibers, tends to decrease with refinement. Pulp refinement increases the flexibility of the fibers, resulting in a denser substrate. This means that bulk, opacity, and porosity decrease with refinement (densometer value increases). Fibrillation is a result of paper fiber refinement. Fibrillation is the creation of a rough surface on the fiber by mechanical and / or chemical action. Refiners break down the outer layer of the fiber, e.g., the primary cell wall, and cause fibrils from the secondary cell wall to protrude from the fiber surface.

[0081] The fibers can be purified so that the resulting nonwoven substrate provides a desired Canadian standard filtration rate. Generally, less purified fibers can provide a nonwoven substrate with more pores and voids, thereby allowing for greater penetration into the nonwoven substrate. It may be desirable to provide a desired level of purification to control the presence of pores or voids so that the nonwoven substrate can contain a desired amount or load of fabric softening composition.

[0082] The nonwoven fabric substrate may contain natural fibers and regenerated cellulose fibers. The substrate may contain a sufficient amount of regenerated cellulose fibers to provide the nonwoven fabric substrate with the desired fabric or texture characteristics and to provide the nonwoven fabric substrate with the desired porosity.

[0083] Regenerated cellulose fibers can be considered a type of fiber prepared from cellulose, and the fibers are formed as a result of extrusion or spinning. Exemplary regenerated cellulose fibers may be called rayon or viscose. Viscose is generally understood to be another term for rayon.

[0084] The nonwoven fabric substrate may contain a sufficient amount of regenerated cellulose fibers so that the dryer sheet exhibits the desired fabric and texture characteristics. Generally, the fabric or texture characteristics of the dryer sheet can be provided to be similar to those of commercially available dryer sheet products, such as those available from The Procter & Gamble Company under the names Bounce® and Downy®. Natural fibers can provide nonwoven fabric substrates for use as dryer sheets, which are relatively inexpensive but tend to provide rigidity to the dryer sheet. Regenerated cellulose fibers may be included in the nonwoven fabric substrate in an amount sufficient to improve the fabric and texture characteristics of the nonwoven fabric substrate.

[0085] The nonwoven substrate may contain a sufficient amount of regenerated cellulose fibers so that the resulting nonwoven substrate has a desired level of porosity or air permeability. Generally, providing a nonwoven substrate with a desired level of air permeability allows the nonwoven substrate to handle or contain a desired amount or load of fabric conditioning agent. The air permeability of the nonwoven substrate can be controlled to allow for a sufficient load of fabric conditioning agent onto the nonwoven substrate. It may be desirable for the nonwoven substrate to have an air permeability of at least 6 CFM (cubic feet / min / ft²) according to Tappi T 251CM-85.

[0086] Nonwoven fabric substrates may be prepared from fibers containing natural fibers, regenerated cellulose fibers, or a mixture of natural fibers and regenerated cellulose fibers. Based on the weight of the fibers in the nonwoven fabric substrate, the nonwoven fabric substrate may contain 0% to 100% by weight of natural fibers and 0% to 100% by weight of regenerated cellulose fibers. To provide the nonwoven fabric substrate with desired fabric and tactile properties, or to provide the nonwoven fabric substrate with desired air permeability, the nonwoven fabric substrate may be prepared from a mixture of natural fibers and regenerated cellulose fibers. The nonwoven fabric substrate may be prepared from a mixture containing about 10% to about 95% by weight of natural fibers, about 20% to about 92% by weight of natural fibers, about 40% to about 90% by weight of natural fibers, or about 50% to about 85% by weight of natural fibers. The nonwoven fabric substrate may be prepared from a mixture containing approximately 0.5% to 75% by weight of regenerated cellulose fibers, approximately 2% to 60% by weight of regenerated cellulose fibers, approximately 10% to 55% by weight of regenerated cellulose fibers, or approximately 20% to 50% by weight of regenerated cellulose fibers. The weight percentage of fibers is based on the fiber content of the nonwoven fabric substrate.

[0087] To obtain the greatest benefit from the presence of regenerated cellulose fibers, it may be desirable to provide regenerated cellulose fibers that are as long as possible for forming nonwoven fabric substrates on papermaking machines. Generally, it is expected that using longer regenerated cellulose fibers may allow for the use of less regenerated cellulose fibers prepared using nonwoven fabric substrates that use shorter fibers. Generally, the length of exemplary regenerated cellulose fibers that can be used on papermaking machines is about 3 mm to about 6 mm (about 1 / 8 inch to about 1 / 4 inch). It may be desirable to provide regenerated cellulose fibers with a maximum length of about 2 inches.

[0088] Regenerated cellulose fibers may have a denier selected to provide the desired fabric or texture characteristics. Generally, lower denier may be used to enhance the fabric or texture characteristics. Fibers with higher denier tend to be coarser. Therefore, regenerated cellulose fibers may have denier values ​​of about 0.5 to about 20, about 0.5 to about 10, about 0.5 to about 5, or about 1.0 to about 2.

[0089] Nonwoven fiber materials may be continuous filaments of polyester homopolymer and binder filaments formed from polyester copolymer. Nonwoven fiber materials may be polyolefin nonwovens. Nonwoven fiber materials may be spunbond nonwovens. Nonwoven fiber materials may be area-bonded nonwovens or point-bonded nonwovens. Nonwoven fiber materials may be spunbond polyethylene terephthalate having trilobal fibers having about 5 to about 6 denier. Nonwoven fiber materials may be spunbond two-component fibers having a polyethylene terephthalate core and copolyethylene terephthalate having isophthalate, and / or mixtures thereof.

[0090] Nonwoven fiber materials may contain two-component fibers. These two-component fibers may have a core-sheath structure or a lobe structure. Nonwoven fiber materials may contain two-component fibers having a polyethylene / polyethylene terephthalate core-sheath structure, where either component forms the core or the sheath. The two-component fibers may also be polyethylene / polypropylene, where either component forms the core or the sheath.

[0091] The nonwoven fiber material may be the same as, or similar to, the nonwoven fiber material currently or previously used in, BOUNCE dryer sheets available from The Procter & Gamble Company, Cincinnati, OH, United States of America; SNUGGLE dryer sheets available from Henkel Corporation, Stamford, Connecticut, United States of America; and / or SUAVITEL dryer sheets available from Colgate-Palmolive Company, New York, New York, United States of America.

[0092] The nonwoven fiber material can be cellulose.

[0093] Manufacturing process Dryer sheets can actually be formed using a continuous web conversion process. A nonwoven fiber web can be provided. The nonwoven fiber web may have an upper surface, an opposing bottom surface, and a pair of web transverse edges. A fabric treatment composition, preferably a fabric softener composition, can be applied to the upper surface. The nonwoven fiber web can be folded toward the upper surface around a fold that divides the first and second layers in order to align the web transverse edges with each other so that the second layer is on top of the first layer. The nonwoven fiber web can be cut to form a dryer sheet. The nonwoven fiber web can actually be cut before or after folding, but if the nonwoven fiber web is cut after folding, it may be easier to convert.

[0094] Fabric treatment compositions may be applied to the upper surface by slot coating, spray coating, kiss roll, printing, rotary gravure, and other processes for applying purifying microorganisms as a liquid. When a nonwoven fiber layer is used herein, one practical approach for applying a fabric treatment composition to a nonwoven fiber material is to slot coat the nonwoven fiber material and use a scraper set up on or just above the surface to which the composition is applied to scrape off the composition at a certain level on or above the surface of the nonwoven fiber material to remove any excess composition.

[0095] The fabric treatment composition can partially penetrate the nonwoven fiber web. The fabric treatment composition can be applied to one of the inner surfaces of the first layer and / or the inner surface of the second layer. The folding process can be conveniently achieved using folding rails. Other folding processes can be used if the nonwoven fiber web is cut in the cross direction (CD) before folding, or if individual pieces of the nonwoven fiber web are provided and each dryer sheet is then folded individually.

[0096] When a nonwoven fiber web or individual pieces of a nonwoven fiber web are folded over themselves, the transverse edges of the web can be joined together. The joining process may be performed before or after the cutting process in the intersecting direction CD. The joining can provide adhesion to the dryer sheet, as described above.

[0097] Once the first and second layers, or pieces or portions of the nonwoven fiber web that will ultimately become the first and second layers, are arranged as desired, the layers are embossed to provide the layers with an embossed appearance and to compress the fabric treatment composition, if present, within the layers so that it completely penetrates the layers. Embossing can be achieved by an embossing roll, such as a cylindrical roll having raised embossed features of the desired pattern in working relationship with an anvil roll.

[0098] Another approach to forming a dryer sheet is to provide a first layer and a second layer. The first and second layers may be supplied integrally with each other as a single nonwoven fiber web moving in the machine direction (MD). The fabric treatment composition may be applied to the inner surface of the first layer and / or the inner surface of the second layer if the first and second layers are supplied as individual lanes, or the nonwoven fiber web may be cut in the machine direction (MD) after the fabric treatment composition has been applied to form lanes of material that will ultimately become the first and second layers.

[0099] One of the first and second layers may be turned inside out. Turning inside out allows the surfaces of the layers to which the treatment composition is applied to be oriented toward each other when the first layer is stacked on top of the second layer. Turning inside out may be performed before or after the nonwoven fiber web is cut in the cross direction CD.

[0100] When one of the layers is turned inside out, the first and second layers can be stacked such that the inner surface of the first layer is oriented toward the inner surface of the second layer. The first layer can be bonded to the second layer, which has the benefit of helping to maintain the shape of the dryer sheet before, during, and after use.

[0101] Fabric treatment composition A preferred dryer sheet comprises a fabric treatment composition which may provide care, fragrance, wrinkle prevention, color protection, antistatic, softening benefits, and any other benefits to extend the life and feel of the fabric. The fabric treatment composition may be any of the fabric softening compositions currently or previously used in BOUNCE dryer sheets available from The Procter & Gamble Company, Cincinnati, OH, United States of America; SNUGGLE dryer sheets available from Henkel Corporation, Stamford, Connecticut, United States of America; and / or SUAVITEL dryer sheets available from Colgate-Palmolive Company, New York, New York, United States of America, or similar to those currently or previously used.

[0102] The fabric treatment composition is preferably a fabric softening composition. The fabric softening composition preferably contains about 10% to about 90% by weight of a softening agent, preferably a quaternary ammonium softening compound. The quaternary ammonium compound may be ester and / or amide linked.

[0103] The fabric softening composition may contain a cationic nitrogen-containing compound such as a quaternary ammonium compound having one or two linear organic groups of at least eight carbon atoms, optionally one or two such groups of 12 to 22 carbon atoms, and optionally ester and / or amide-bonded.Specific non-limiting examples of fabric softening active substances include: ditalo, dimethylammonium methyl sulfate, N,N-di(oleyl-oxy-ethyl)-N,N-dimethylammonium chloride, N,N-di(canolyl-oxy-ethyl)-N,N-dimethylammonium chloride, N,N-di(oleyl-oxy-ethyl)-N-methyl, N-(2-hydroxyethyl)ammonium methyl sulfate, N,N-di(canolyl-oxy-ethyl)-N-methyl, N-(2-hydro N,N-(2-hydroxyethyl)ammonium methyl sulfate, N,N-di(oleylamideethyl)-N-methyl, N-(2-hydroxyethyl)ammonium methyl sulfate, N,N-di(2-oleyloxyoxo-ethyl)-N,N-dimethylammonium chloride, N,N-di(2-canolyloxyoxo-ethyl)-N,N-dimethylammonium chloride, N,N-di(2-oleyloxyethyl carbonyloxyethyl)-N,N-dimethylammonium chloride, N,N-di( 2-Canolyloxyethylcarbonyloxyethyl)-N,N-dimethylammonium chloride, N-(2-oleyloxyethyl)-N-(2-oleyloxyoxoethyl)-N,N-dimethylammonium chloride, N-(2-canolyloxyethyl)-N-(2-canolyloxyoxoethyl)-N,N-dimethylammonium chloride, N,N,N-tri(oleyloxyethyl)-N-methylammonium chloride, N,N,N-tri(canolyi) Examples include N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-N-methylammonium chloride, N-(2-oleyloxyoxoethyl)-N-(oleyl)-N,N-dimethylammonium chloride, N-(2-canolyloxyoxoethyl)-N-(canolyl)-N,N-dimethylammonium chloride, 1,2-dioleyloxy N,N,N-trimethylammoniumpropane chloride, and 5,2-dicanoloxy N,N,N-trimethylammoniumpropane chloride, as well as combinations thereof. In one embodiment, the fabric conditioning active substance is N,N-di(taloyl-oxyethyl)-N-methyl,N-(2-hydroxyethyl)ammonium methyl sulfate.

[0104] The fabric softening composition may contain components such as nonionic materials. Suitable nonionic materials include polyoxyalkylene glycol, higher fatty alcohol esters of polyoxyalkylene glycol, higher fatty alcohol esters of polyoxyalkylene glycol, ethoxylates of long-chain alcohols with 8 to 30 carbon atoms, such as ethoxylates of coconut, palm, tallow alcohol, or hydrogenated alcohols of 4 to 40 moles of ethylene oxide, and alkanolamides. The fabric softening composition may further contain fatty acids, ethoxylated fatty acids, and combinations thereof, with or without the nonionic materials. Suitable fatty acids include those with long chains of unsubstituted or substituted alkyl or alkenyl groups with about 8 to 30 carbon atoms. Specific examples of fatty acids include lauric acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, and / or combinations thereof.

[0105] Fabric softening compositions may contain one or more organic compounds having at least one relatively long hydrocarbon group that provides lubricity and / or antistatic effects. Such groups include alkyl groups containing eight or more carbon atoms, or even 12 to 22 carbon atoms. Suitable fabric softening compositions may contain cationic, anionic, nonionic, or zwitterionic compounds. Cationic nitrogen-containing compounds, such as quaternary ammonium compounds having one or two linear organic groups with at least eight carbon atoms, are practical.

[0106] The fabric softening composition may contain less than about 5% by weight of fatty acids. The fabric softening composition may be selected from the group consisting of polyglyceryl distearate, paraffin wax, branched paraffin wax, polyglyceryl ether, and combinations thereof.

[0107] Suitable fabric softening compositions include cationic, anionic, nonionic, or zwitterionic compounds. The fabric softening composition may be a quaternary imidazolinium salt. Optionally, the fabric softening composition may be a polyoxyalkylene glycol containing a higher fatty alcohol ester of polyoxyalkylene glycol and a higher fatty alcohol ether of polyoxyalkylene glycol. The fabric softening composition may be a fatty acid ester of sorbitan and an ethoxylate of such ester.

[0108] Other fabric treatment components The fabric treatment composition may contain various other components. The fabric treatment composition may contain non-encapsulated fragrances, encapsulated fragrances, and combinations thereof. If provided, the encapsulated fragrance may be selected from the group consisting of easily shatterable encapsulated materials, water-activated encapsulated materials, heat-activated encapsulated materials, and combinations thereof.

[0109] Fabric softening compositions may contain components selected from the group consisting of softening agents, stain-removing agents, antistatic agents, fabric creasing agents, waterproofing / stain-removing agents, stain-removing agents, cooling agents, disinfectants, anti-wrinkle agents, wrinkle removers, deodorizers, odor control agents, abrasion-preventing and protective agents, solvents, insect / pet repellents, humidifiers, chlorine removers, fluorescent dyes, UV protective agents, skin / fabric conditioning agents, skin / fabric enhancers, skin / fabric moisturizers, color protectants, dye fixatives, color transfer inhibitors, silicones, preservatives and antibacterial agents, disinfectants, fabric shrinkage-reducing agents, glossing agents, hue dyes, bleaching agents, chelating agents, defoaming agents, scum-preventing agents, whitening agents, catalysts, cyclodextrins, zeolites, petrolatum, glycerin, triglycerides, vitamins, other skin care activators such as aloe vera, chamomile, and shea butter, mineral oils, and combinations thereof.

[0110] fragrance In addition to the fabric treatment composition, the dryer sheet may further contain 0.1% to about 20% by weight of fragrance. The fragrance may be unencapsulated fragrance, encapsulated fragrance, fragrance delivered by fragrance supply technology, or fragrance delivered by any other means. Fragrances are described in general terms in U.S. Patent No. 7,186,680, column 10, line 56 to column 25, line 22. The dryer sheet may contain unencapsulated fragrance and essentially does not contain fragrance carriers such as fragrance microcapsules. The dryer sheet may contain fragrance carrier materials (and fragrances contained therein). Examples of fragrance carrier materials are described in U.S. Patent No. 7,186,680, column 25, line 23 to column 31, line 7. Specific examples of fragrance carrier materials may include cyclodextrin and zeolite.

[0111] The dryer sheet may contain fragrance in an amount of approximately 0.1% to approximately 20% by weight, alternatively approximately 1% to approximately 15% by weight, alternatively 2% to approximately 10% by weight, alternatively combinations thereof, and any integer percentage within the aforementioned ranges. The dryer sheet may contain fragrance in an amount of approximately 0.1% to approximately 6% by weight. This fragrance may be non-encapsulated fragrance and / or encapsulated fragrance.

[0112] Dryer sheets may contain or substantially not contain fragrance carriers. Any dryer sheet may contain approximately 0.1% to approximately 20% by weight, alternatively approximately 1% to approximately 15% by weight, alternatively 2% to approximately 10% by weight, alternatively combinations thereof, and any integer percentage.

[0113] Dryer sheets may contain unencapsulated fragrances and fragrance microcapsules. Dryer sheets may contain unencapsulated fragrances in about 0.1% to about 20% by weight, alternatively about 1% to about 15% by weight, alternatively about 2% to about 10% by weight, alternatively combinations thereof, and any integer percentage within any of the aforementioned ranges or in a range of integer percentages. Such levels of unencapsulated fragrances may be appropriate for any dryer sheet disclosed herein having unencapsulated fragrances.

[0114] Dryer sheets may contain unencapsulated fragrances and fragrance microcapsules, but may not contain or be essentially free of other fragrance carriers. Dryer sheets may contain unencapsulated fragrances and fragrance microcapsules, but may not contain other fragrance carriers.

[0115] Dryer sheets may contain encapsulated fragrances. The encapsulated fragrances may be provided as multiple fragrance microcapsules. Each fragrance microcapsule contains a fragrance oil encapsulated within a shell. The shell may have an average shell thickness less than the maximum dimension of the fragrance core. The fragrance microcapsules may be easily crushed. The fragrance microcapsules may be water-activated fragrance microcapsules.

[0116] Fragrance microcapsules may contain a melamine / formaldehyde shell. Fragrance microcapsules may be available from Appleton, Quest International, International Flavor & Fragrances, or other suitable suppliers. The shell of the fragrance microcapsule may be coated with a polymer to enhance the adhesion of the fragrance microcapsule to clothing. This may be desirable if the particles are designed to be a fabric treatment composition. Fragrance microcapsules may be those described in U.S. Patent Application Publication 2008 / 0305982.

[0117] The dryer sheet may contain encapsulated fragrances in an amount of approximately 0.1% to approximately 20% by weight, alternatively approximately 0.1% to approximately 10% by weight, alternatively approximately 1% to approximately 15% by weight, alternatively 2% to approximately 10% by weight, alternatively combinations thereof, and any integer percentage within the aforementioned ranges.

[0118] The dryer sheets may contain fragrance microcapsules, but may not contain or be essentially without uncapsulated fragrances. The particles may contain capsulated fragrances in amounts of about 0.1% to about 20% by weight, alternatively about 1% to about 15% by weight, alternatively about 2% to about 10% by weight, alternatively combinations thereof, and any integer percentage within any of the aforementioned ranges.

[0119] The following table shows fabric softening compositions suitable for use in the present invention.

[0120] [Table 1] (1) N,N-bis(hydroxyethyl)-N,N-dimethylammonium chloride fatty acid ester. The iodine value of the parent fatty acid of this material is 18-22. The material obtained from Evonik contains impurities in the form of free fatty acids, the monoester form of N,N-bis(hydroxyethyl)-N,N-dimethylammonium chloride fatty acid ester, and the fatty acid ester of N,N-bis(hydroxyethyl)-N-methylamine. (2) Di-(talocarboxyethyl)hydroxyethylmethylammonium active mesosulfate, available from Evonik, 90% active (3) MP10 (registered trademark), 8% active, supplied by Dow Corning [Examples]

[0121] General washing and drying conditions The following examples involve tests conducted to evaluate the effect of different liquid fabric softening compositions on the release of airborne fibers from a ventilated tumble dryer. Each test is performed using 10 cotton T-shirts (Fruit of the Loom® Original T-shirt, product code 61-082, size L, 100% cotton, density 145 g / m²). 2 ) and 10 polyester T-shirts (Fruit of the Loom® Performance T-shirt, product code 61-390, size L, 100% polyester, density 140g / m²) 2 This involved four wash-and-dry cycles with a new load of clean laundry, including ).

[0122] All tests were conducted using a Maytag® Bravo (model MVWX655DW1) high-efficiency top-loader washing machine, with North American washing conditions, 6 grains per US gallon of hard water. The tests were performed using a customized North America Median program (cycle settings: medium soiling, fabric conditioner knob set to "on", extra rinse knob set to "off", wash temperature: 25°C, main wash volume: 38L, rinse temperature: 15°C, rinse volume: 43L, and total duration: 52 minutes). Washes and rinses were performed using these conditions, the same conditions were used for two rinse cycles, and then the machines were cleaned without fabrics or products. All tests were conducted using a set of four identical machines supplied by the same water supply unit. The four washing machines were alternated in their treatment, with each machine performing three consecutive wash cycles. After each wash cycle, this wash load was dried for 1 hour on high heat using an Indesit® ventilated tumble dryer (Model IDV75). Detergent was added to the washing machine drum at the start of each cycle. For legs where detergent was present, fabric conditioner was added to a dedicated compartment in the washing machine at the start of each cycle for automatic discharge to the final rinse.

[0123] General method for quantifying fiber release from ventilated tumble dryers During the drying cycle, the released fibers were collected from the tumble dryer exhaust using a 20μm CellMicroSieve® (BioDesign Inc., Carmel, NY, USA), which was attached to the dryer exhaust using a 100mm plastic pipe connector (Model 414c, Manrose Manufacturing Ltd., UK). The CellMicroSieve® was connected to one side of the plastic pipe connector using a 450mm long, 10mm wide cable tie (Product 90526, Screwfix Direct Ltd., UK). At the end of each drying cycle, the built-in lint filter, designed to safely collect fibers generated by the dryer for safe disposal in household waste, was cleaned, and its fiber contents were suspended in approximately 1L of cold tap water. The CellMicroSieve® attached to collect fibers released from the dryer exhaust was thoroughly cleaned, and its fiber contents were suspended in approximately 3L of cold tap water. Fibers collected in both the lint filter and the dryer exhaust were gravimetrically quantified by filtering onto white filter paper using the protocol described in Lant NJ, Hayward AS, Peththawadu MMD, Sheridan KJ, Dean JR. Microfiber release from real soiled consumer laundry and the impact of fabric care products and washing conditions. PLoS One. 2020;15:1-18. doi:10.1371 / journal.pone.0233332.

[0124] Results are presented as average fiber release in ppm (mg of collected fiber per kg of fabric load) for all four wash cycles and three iterations of each treatment, i.e., over n=12 per leg. The percentage change in fiber release for the present invention compared to a comparative reference is also shown. Statistical significance at a 95% confidence level is indicated by the letter "s" following the percentage change, based on Student's t-test and p-value < 0.05.

[0125] (Example 1) This test evaluated the effect of the rinse-added liquid fabric softening composition, Ultra Downy® April Fresh. This is a commercially available product manufactured by Procter & Gamble and sold in the United States, and its ingredients are listed below. Ultra Downy (registered trademark) April Fresh - Ingredients water Diethyl ester dimethylammonium chloride air freshener Polyquaternium-33 Formic acid Blend of polyoxyalkylene-substituted chromophores (blue and red) Pentasodium pentetate result

[0126] [Table 2]

[0127] The results show that the use of the liquid softening composition according to the present invention significantly reduced the level of airborne fibers released from the dryer exhaust to 21.6% compared to a comparative example without the use of the fabric softening composition. The use of the liquid softening composition was associated with a significant increase in fiber collection on the dryer lint filter to 29.9%.

[0128] (Example 2) This test evaluated the effect of Downy® WrinkleGuard Fresh, a rinse-add liquid fabric conditioner designed for wrinkle prevention. This is a commercially available product manufactured by Procter & Gamble and sold in the United States, and its ingredients are listed below. Downy (registered trademark) WrinkleGuard Fresh - Ingredients water Diethyl ester dimethylammonium chloride Amodimethicone air freshener Polyquaternium-33 calcium chloride Formic acid Pentasodium pentetate result

[0129] [Table 3]

[0130] The results show that the use of the liquid wrinkle-preventing fabric conditioner with the softening composition of the present invention significantly reduced the level of airborne fibers released from the dryer exhaust to 35.6% compared to a comparative example without the use of the liquid wrinkle-preventing fabric conditioner. The use of the liquid wrinkle-preventing fabric conditioner was associated with a significant increase in fiber collection on the dryer lint filter to 47.0%.

[0131] Data from both examples lead to the conclusion that different types of rinse-added fabric softening compositions significantly reduce airborne fiber contamination by increasing the efficiency of the dryer's lint filter. This is surprising, as fabric conditioners are associated with increased fiber lubrication and therefore could be expected to exacerbate fiber loss during tumble drying, leading to higher levels of airborne fiber release. The results above indicate that total fiber release in the dryer does indeed increase with the use of rinse-added fabric softening compositions, but this is unexpectedly accompanied by a reduction in airborne fiber release from the exhaust.

[0132] The dimensions and values ​​disclosed herein should not be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values ​​listed. Instead, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean both the listed value and the functionally equivalent range encompassing that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as "40 mm" is intended to mean "approximately 40 mm."

Claims

1. The use of a fabric softening composition, i) During the rinsing stage of the first fabric treatment process, or ii) Applied directly to the fabric, Use to reduce the release of airborne fibers during subsequent processing of the fabric in a ventilated tumble dryer.

2. The use according to claim 1, wherein the fabric softening composition comprises 1 to 30% by weight, preferably 2 to 15% by weight, of a quaternary ammonium softening compound.

3. The use according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the fabric softening composition contains 0.5 to 6% by weight, preferably 1 to 5% by weight, of the silicone compound.

4. The use according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first fabric processing process is performed in a washing machine.

5. The use according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the fabric softening composition is delivered in the final rinsing step.

6. The use according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the fabric softening composition is applied directly to the fabric in a spray form.

7. The use according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the subsequent processing is a drying process.

8. The use according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the subsequent processing involves the use of a drying sheet.

9. The use according to claim 8, wherein the dryer sheet includes a nonwoven fabric base material.

10. The use according to claim 9, wherein the nonwoven fabric base material includes polyester.

11. The use according to claim 9, wherein the nonwoven fabric base material includes natural fibers.

12. The use according to claim 11, wherein the natural fiber includes cellulose fiber.

13. The use according to any one of claims 8 to 12, wherein the dryer sheet comprises a fabric treatment composition.

14. The use according to claim 13, wherein the fabric treatment composition on the sheet includes a softening composition.

15. The use according to claim 14, wherein the fabric softening composition comprises a quaternary ammonium softening compound.

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