Water-insoluble textile articles containing active agents

Abstract

Provided are active agent-containing textile elements and / or articles, more specifically water-insoluble textile elements and / or articles, e.g., consumable single-use water-insoluble articles such as shaving preparation articles, comprising one or more active agents, e.g., one or more fatty amphiphiles and one or more cationic surfactants, and one or more adjunct ingredients, e.g., structuring agents, textile elements containing such active agents and adjunct ingredients, methods for making such articles and textile elements, and methods of using such articles.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to active agent-containing fiber elements and / or articles, and more particularly to water-insoluble fiber elements and / or articles, e.g., consumable single-use water-insoluble articles such as shave prep articles, comprising one or more active agents, e.g., one or more fatty amphiphilic active agents such as fatty alcohols, fatty acids, fatty acids, such as quaternary ammonium compounds, and one or more cationic surfactants, and one or more auxiliary ingredients, e.g., structuring agents such as polymeric structuring agents; fiber elements containing the active agents and auxiliary ingredients; methods for making such articles and fiber elements; and methods of using such articles. [Background technology]

[0002] Water-insoluble articles comprising active agents, such as fatty amphiphiles and cationic surfactants, and optionally auxiliary ingredients, such as structuring agents, are known, as described in U.S. Patent No. 10,975,339. However, such known water-insoluble articles and the water-insoluble fiber elements forming such known water-insoluble articles can become over-hydrated for shaving preparation applications, causing such water-insoluble fiber elements and / or water-insoluble articles to swell excessively, e.g., to the point of completely swelling to the point of falling apart and / or becoming completely hydrated, causing the fiber elements to soften to the point of losing their physical structure, integrity, and strength, and / or reducing the modulus of elasticity of the fiber elements. When known water-insoluble fiber elements swell in this manner, the water-insoluble fiber elements and / or water-insoluble articles comprising such water-insoluble fiber elements spread over a surface, such as the skin, when shear is applied to the water-insoluble fiber elements and / or water-insoluble articles. While such properties and / or characteristics of such known water-insoluble fibrous elements and / or water-insoluble articles may be desirable for hair conditioning applications, such properties and / or characteristics are undesirable for shaving preparation applications because they cause drawbacks in rinsing the shaving preparation composition, e.g., cream, after application to the skin and / or in rinsing the shaving preparation composition from the razor after use.

[0003] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, one problem with such known water-insoluble articles (the comparative examples of Figures 1 and 2) and the water-insoluble fibrous elements that make up such water-insoluble articles is that such known water-insoluble articles and / or water-insoluble fibrous elements can become over-hydrated, making them unsuitable for use in certain applications, such as shaving preparation applications, due to the negative properties discussed above. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Thus, there is a need for water-insoluble articles and / or fibrous elements comprising one or more active agents, such as fatty amphiphiles and cationic surfactants, and optionally auxiliary ingredients, such as structuring agents, that exhibit hydration properties that prevent excessive swelling and / or falling apart during use, and / or that exhibit other drawbacks present in known water-insoluble articles and / or fibrous elements as discussed above, methods for making such articles and fibrous elements, and methods of using such articles. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The present invention meets the above-mentioned needs by providing water-insoluble articles, for example, consumable, single-use, water-insoluble, active-agent-containing articles such as consumable, single-use, water-insoluble, active-agent-containing shaving preparation articles, water-insoluble fibrous elements for use in water-insoluble articles, methods for making same, and methods for using same.

[0006] One solution to the above-identified problems is to provide active agent-containing fiber elements and / or articles comprising such fiber elements, more specifically, water-insoluble articles, e.g., consumable, single-use, water-insoluble articles such as shaving preparation articles, in which the fiber elements of the article comprise one or more active agents, e.g., one or more shaving preparation active agents and / or one or more fatty amphiphilic active agents and one or more cationic surfactants, and one or more auxiliary ingredients, e.g., a structuring agent such as a polymeric structuring agent, wherein the one or more active agents and the one or more auxiliary ingredients are present in the plurality of water-insoluble fiber elements that form the water-insoluble article such that the water-insoluble fiber elements and the water-insoluble article avoid the drawbacks of over-hydration as shown in Figures 1 and 2 (Examples 1 and 3 of Figures 1 and 2), as well as methods of using such articles. Furthermore, the water-insoluble article is capable of forming a lamellar structure (exhibiting a lamellar structure response) as measured by the Lamellar Structure Test Method described herein.

[0007] In one embodiment of the present invention, a. one or more active agents; b. one or more accessory ingredients, and c. A water-insoluble fiber component comprising a fiber component hydration control system is provided.

[0008] In another embodiment of the present invention, a water-insoluble article is provided that includes one or more active agents, one or more adjunct ingredients, and a plurality of water-insoluble fiber elements that include a fiber element hydration control system.

[0009] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a water-insoluble article is provided that includes a plurality of water-insoluble fiber elements that include one or more active agents, one or more auxiliary ingredients, and a fiber element hydration control system, and a plurality of particles.

[0010] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a water-insoluble article is provided comprising a plurality of water-insoluble fiber elements comprising one or more active agents, and one or more auxiliary ingredients, and optionally a fiber element hydration control system, wherein the water-insoluble article further comprises an external fiber element hydration control system.

[0011] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a water-insoluble article is provided that includes one or more active agents, one or more auxiliary ingredients, and a plurality of water-insoluble fiber elements that include a fiber element hydration control system, wherein the water-insoluble article exhibits a lamellar structure response when measured according to the Lamellar Structure Test Method.

[0012] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a water-insoluble article is provided comprising a plurality of water-insoluble fiber elements comprising one or more active agents, and one or more auxiliary ingredients, and optionally a fiber element hydration control system, wherein the water-insoluble article exhibits a lamellar structure response when measured according to the Lamellar Structure Test Method.

[0013] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a water-insoluble article is provided comprising one or more active agents, one or more auxiliary ingredients, and a plurality of water-insoluble fiber elements comprising a fiber element hydration control system, wherein the water-insoluble article exhibits a lamellar structure response in a wet state but does not exhibit a lamellar structure response in a dry state when measured according to the Lamellar Structure Test Method.

[0014] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a water-insoluble article comprising a plurality of water-insoluble fiber elements comprising one or more active agents, and one or more auxiliary ingredients, and optionally a fiber element hydration control system, wherein the water-insoluble article exhibits a lamellar structure response in a wet state but does not exhibit a lamellar structure response in a dry state when measured according to the Lamellar Structure Test Method.

[0015] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a water-insoluble article comprising a plurality of water-insoluble fiber elements of the present invention, wherein the plurality of fiber elements comprises one or more active agents and one or more auxiliary ingredients, and the water-insoluble article further comprises a plurality of particles, wherein the plurality of particles comprises an external fiber element hydration control system.

[0016] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an article, e.g., a water-insoluble article, comprising a plurality of fiber elements, e.g., a plurality of water-insoluble fiber elements, which swells less than known articles, e.g., known water-insoluble articles, such as hair conditioning articles, when exposed to intended conditions of use, such as contact with water, such as in a shaving preparation application to create a cream from the article.

[0017] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an article, e.g., a water-insoluble article, comprising a plurality of fibrous elements, e.g., a plurality of water-insoluble fibrous elements, that produces a cream from the article when exposed to intended conditions of use, such as contact with water in a shaving preparation application, wherein the article, e.g., the water-insoluble article, and / or the fibrous elements, e.g., the water-insoluble fibrous elements, after contact with water and optionally after being sheared, e.g., by rubbing with hands, swells to less than 100%, and / or less than 80%, and / or less than 60%, and / or less than 50%, and / or less than 40%, and / or less than 30%, and / or less than 20%, and / or less than 10%, and / or to about 0% and / or to about 5% of its original state before exposure to intended conditions of use, such as contact with water, e.g., after 30 seconds, and / or 1 minute, and / or 5 minutes, and / or 10 minutes, and / or 20 minutes, and / or 30 minutes.

[0018] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method for producing a fiber element-forming composition, comprising the steps of: a. melting one or more activators to form a melt; b. adding one or more auxiliary ingredients to the melt; and c. A method is provided, comprising the step of adding a fiber element hydration control system to one or more active agents before, simultaneously with, or after melting the one or more active agents to form a fiber element forming composition.

[0019] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method for manufacturing a plurality of fiber elements, the method comprising: a. providing a fiber element-forming composition according to the present invention; and b. producing a plurality of fiber elements from the fiber element-forming composition.

[0020] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method for making the article of the present invention, comprising the steps of: a. subjecting one or more active agents to a temperature sufficient to melt the active agents; b. adding one or more auxiliary ingredients, such as a structuring agent, to the molten active agent to form a fiber element-forming composition; c. producing a plurality of fiber elements from the fiber element-forming composition, for example, by spinning the fiber element-forming composition; d. adding one or more fiber element hydration control systems to the molten active agent before or after adding one or more auxiliary ingredients, and / or adding one or more external fiber element hydration control systems to a plurality of fiber elements formed from the fiber element-forming composition; e. Collecting a plurality of fiber elements having or having one or more external fiber element hydration control systems in a collection device to form a fiber structure and / or article comprising a plurality of fiber elements according to the present invention.

[0021] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method of using the article of the present invention, comprising the steps of: a. providing an article according to the present invention; b. adding a liquid, such as water, to the article to form a wet article; c. converting the wet article into a cream, for example by rubbing with the user's hands; d. applying the cream to the skin and / or hair of a user; and e. removing at least a portion of the cream with a razor and / or razor blade during a shaving operation.

[0022] The present invention provides novel fibrous elements, fibrous structures, and articles useful in shaving preparation applications, as well as methods for making and using the same. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1] 1 is an image showing the hydration of fiber elements of a comparative example and fiber elements of Examples 1 and 3 of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is an image of creams produced from a comparative example article and an example of the present invention, Example 3. [Figure 3] 1 is a schematic diagram of an example of a fiber element (in this case a filament) according to the present disclosure. [Figure 4] 1 is a schematic diagram of an example of a fibrous structure including a plurality of filaments according to the present disclosure. [Figure 5] 1 is a scanning electron micrograph of a cross-section of an example fibrous structure according to the present disclosure. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a fibrous structure according to the present disclosure. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a fibrous structure according to the present disclosure. [Figure 8] 1 is a scanning electron micrograph of a cross-section of another embodiment of a fibrous structure according to the present disclosure. [Figure 9] 1 is a schematic diagram of an example process for manufacturing an example fibrous structure according to the present disclosure. [Figure 10] 10 is a schematic diagram, including an enlarged view, of an embodiment of a die used in the process of FIG. 9. FIG. [Figure 11] 1 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of another process for manufacturing an embodiment of a fibrous structure according to the present disclosure. [Figure 12] 1 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of a process for manufacturing another embodiment of a fibrous structure according to the present disclosure. [Figure 13] 1 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of a process for manufacturing another embodiment of a fibrous structure according to the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] As used herein, an "article," e.g., a "water-insoluble article," refers to a consumer use unit, consumer unit dose unit, consumer use saleable unit, single dose unit, or other form of use that includes one or more fibrous structures of the present invention, e.g., one or more water-insoluble fibrous structures, e.g., one or more integral fibrous structures, e.g., one or more integral water-insoluble fibrous structures and / or a plurality of water-insoluble fibrous elements.

[0025] In one embodiment, the article of the present invention, e.g., a fibrous structure, has a basis weight of 1 g / m when measured according to the basis weight test method described herein. 2 and / or 10 g / m 2 and / or 20 g / m 2 and / or 30 g / m 2 and / or 40 g / m 2 More than and / or about 1 g / m 2 ~About 3000g / m 2 , and / or about 10 g / m 2 ~about 5000g / m 2 , and / or about 3000 g / m 2 up to and / or about 2000 g / m 2 up to and / or about 20 g / m 2 ~About 2000g / m 2 , and / or about 30 g / m 2 ~About 1000g / m 2 , and / or about 30 g / m 2 ~about 500g / m 2 , and / or about 30 g / m 2 ~about 300g / m 2 , and / or about 40 g / m 2 ~about 100g / m 2 , and / or about 40 g / m 2 ~about 80g / m 2 In one example, the article, e.g., fibrous structure, includes two or more layers, and the fibrous elements and / or film have a basis weight of about 1 g / m when measured according to the Basis Weight Test Method described herein. 2 ~about 500g / m 2 and is present in at least one of the layers.

[0026] As used herein, "fibrous structure" and / or "water-insoluble fibrous structure" refers to a structure comprising a plurality of fibrous elements, e.g., a plurality of water-insoluble fibrous elements, and optionally one or more particles. In one embodiment, a fibrous structure according to the present invention refers to an association of water-insoluble fibrous elements, in one embodiment, intertwined water-insoluble fibrous elements, and optionally, an association of particles that together form a structure, such as a unitary structure capable of performing a function, such as a shaving preparation function. The particles may be 1) co-formed, e.g., via a co-forming process; 2) laminated between layers or plies of water-insoluble fibrous elements; and / or 3) a combination of these two within the fibrous structures and / or articles of the present invention.

[0027] The fibrous structures of the present invention may be homogeneous or layered. If layered, the fibrous structure may include at least two, and / or at least three, and / or at least four, and / or at least five, e.g., one or more fiber element layers, one or more particle layers, and / or one or more mixed fiber element / particle layers. Layers may include particle layers within the fibrous structure or between fiber element layers within the fibrous structure.

[0028] In one embodiment, one or more fibrous structures of the present invention may be joined to one or more other fibrous structures by bonding, such as by thermal bonding or adhesive or crimping, to form a multi-ply fibrous structure.

[0029] In one embodiment, a fibrous structure or fibrous structure ply according to the present invention, such as a single-ply fibrous structure or a multi-ply fibrous structure comprising one or more fibrous structure plies according to the present invention, has a basis weight of 5000 g / m when measured according to the basis weight test method described herein. 2 In one embodiment, a single-ply or multi-ply fibrous structure according to the present invention may exhibit a basis weight of less than 10 g / m when measured according to the Basis Weight Test Method. 2 Super~approx. 5000g / m 2 , and / or 10 g / m 2 Super ~ about 3000g / m 2 , and / or 10 g / m 2Super ~ about 2000g / m 2 , and / or 10 g / m 2 Super ~ about 1000g / m 2 , and / or 20 g / m 2 Super ~ about 800g / m 2 , and / or 30 g / m 2 Super ~ about 600g / m 2 , and / or 50g / m 2 Super~approx. 500g / m 2 , and / or 300 g / m 2 Super ~ about 3000g / m 2 , and / or 500g / m 2 Super ~ about 2000g / m 2 It may have a basis weight of

[0030] In one embodiment, the fibrous structure of the present invention is a "monolithic fibrous structure."

[0031] As used herein, a "monolithic fibrous structure" is an arrangement comprising one or more particles and a plurality of two or more and / or three or more fibrous elements that are intertwined or otherwise bonded to one another to form a fibrous structure. The monolithic fibrous structure of the present invention can be one or more plies within a multi-ply fibrous structure. In one example, the monolithic fibrous structure of the present invention can comprise three or more different fibrous elements. In another example, the monolithic fibrous structure of the present invention can comprise two different fibrous elements, such as a co-formed fibrous structure, on top of which a different fibrous element is deposited to form a fibrous structure comprising three or more different fibrous elements.

[0032] As used herein, "fiber element" means an elongated particle having a length that is significantly greater than its average diameter, i.e., a length to average diameter ratio of at least about 10. A fiber element can be a filament or a fiber. In one embodiment, the fiber element is a single fiber element rather than a yarn containing multiple fiber elements.

[0033] The fiber elements of the present invention can be spun from a fiber element-forming composition, also referred to as a filament-forming composition, via a suitable spinning process operation, such as meltblowing, spunbonding, electrospinning, and / or rotary spinning.

[0034] The fiber elements of the present invention can be monocomponent (a single, integral, solid piece rather than two distinct parts such as core / sheath bicomponent) and / or multicomponent. For example, the fiber elements may comprise bicomponent fibers and / or filaments. The bicomponent fibers and / or filaments can be in any configuration, such as side-by-side, sheath-core, islands-in-the-sea, etc.

[0035] 3, the fiber elements 10, e.g., filaments, of the present invention made from the fiber element-forming composition of the present invention are such that one or more active agents 12 can be present in the fiber element 10, rather than being present on the surface of the fiber element as in a coating composition (if present) or the like comprising one or more active agents that may be the same as or different from the active agents in the fiber element and / or particles. The total concentration of fiber element-forming materials and the total concentration of active agents present in the fiber element-forming composition can be any suitable amount, so long as a fiber element of the present invention can be made therefrom.

[0036] In one embodiment, one or more active agents may be present in the fiber element, and one or more additional active agents, e.g., optional active agents, may be present on the surface of the fiber element as a coating or partial coating. In another embodiment, the fiber element of the present invention may include one or more active agents that are originally present in the fiber element during manufacture and that bloom to the surface of the fiber element before and / or upon exposure to the intended use conditions of the fiber element.

[0037] As used herein, "filament" means an elongated particle as defined above exhibiting a length of 2 inches or more, and / or 3 inches or more, and / or 4 inches or more, and / or 6 inches or more.

[0038] Filaments are typically considered to be essentially continuous or substantially continuous. Filaments are relatively longer than fibers.

[0039] As used herein, "fiber" means an elongated particle as defined above exhibiting a length of less than 2 inches and / or less than 1.5 inches and / or less than 1 inch.

[0040] Typically, fibers are considered discontinuous in nature. Non-limiting examples of fibers include staple fibers made by spinning filaments or filament tows of the present invention and then chopping the filaments or filament tows into pieces less than 2 inches to produce fibers.

[0041] In one embodiment, one or more fibers can be formed from the filaments of the present invention, such as when the filaments are cut into shorter lengths (e.g., lengths less than 5.08 cm). Thus, in one embodiment, the present invention also includes fibers made from the filaments of the present invention, such as fibers comprising one or more filament-forming materials and one or more active agents. Accordingly, references herein to filaments of the present invention also include fibers made from such filaments, unless otherwise specified. Fibers are typically considered to be essentially discontinuous, as opposed to filaments, which are considered to be essentially continuous.

[0042] As used herein, "fiber element-forming composition" and / or "filament-forming composition" refers to a non-aqueous composition that is suitable for producing the fiber elements of the present invention (in the case of fiber elements) by spinning, e.g., meltblowing and / or spunbonding, etc. The fiber element-forming composition includes one or more active agents that are suitable for producing fiber elements and / or a plurality of fiber elements, such as by spinning into a plurality of fiber elements. In addition to the one or more active agents, the fiber element-forming composition may include one or more auxiliary components, such as one or more filament-forming materials, e.g., one or more structuring agents, that exhibit properties that make the fiber element-forming composition more suitable for spinning into fiber elements. In one example, the auxiliary component includes one or more structuring agents, such as one or more polymeric structuring agents and / or inorganic structuring agents. In one embodiment, one or more auxiliary components are present in the fiber element-forming composition and the resulting fiber elements formed therefrom in less than 50% by weight, and / or less than about 45% by weight, and / or less than about 40% by weight, and / or less than about 35% by weight, and / or less than about 30% by weight, and / or less than about 25% by weight, and / or to greater than 0% by weight, and / or to greater than about 5% by weight, and / or to greater than about 10% by weight, and / or to greater than about 15% by weight, and / or from about 1% to less than 50% by weight of the fiber element-forming composition and the resulting fiber elements formed therefrom. In one embodiment, the one or more active agents are present in the fiber element-forming composition and the resulting fiber elements formed therefrom in greater than about 20% by weight, and / or greater than about 30% by weight, and / or greater than about 40% by weight, and / or greater than about 50% by weight, and / or greater than about 60% by weight, and / or greater than about 70% by weight, up to about 99% by weight, and / or about 95% by weight, and / or about 90% by weight, and / or up to about 85% by weight, and / or up to about 80% by weight of the fiber element-forming composition and the fiber elements formed therefrom.

[0043] In one example, a filament-forming composition can be produced by heating and optionally stirring one or more activators until the molten activator is homogeneous. The homogeneous molten activator, in this case a fiber element-forming composition, can then be spun into a plurality of fiber elements. Alternatively, one or more auxiliary components, such as fiber element-forming materials, e.g., structuring agents such as polymeric structuring agents and / or inorganic structuring agents, can be added to the homogeneous molten activator without stirring and / or agitation and dissolved, e.g., homogeneously dissolved, and / or dispersed, e.g., homogeneously dispersed, in the one or more activators, e.g., the one or more molten activators, to form a fiber element-forming composition, which can then be spun into a plurality of fiber elements.

[0044] As used herein, "active agent" refers to a material that produces an intended effect in the external environment of the article of the present invention, such as when the article is exposed to the conditions for which the article is intended to be used. In one embodiment, the active agent includes a material that treats a surface, such as a soft surface (i.e., hair, skin), during use of the article by a user for shaving preparation purposes.

[0045] "Treating," as used herein with respect to treating a surface, means that the active agent provides a benefit to the surface or environment. Treating includes adjusting and / or rapidly improving the appearance, cleanliness, odor, purity, and / or feel, and / or softness, and / or smoothness of the surface or environment. In one example, treating, with respect to treating a keratinous tissue (e.g., skin and / or hair) surface, refers to adjusting and / or rapidly improving the cosmetic appearance and / or feel of the keratinous tissue. For example, "regulating the condition of skin or hair (keratinous tissue)" includes preventing loss of skin or hair elasticity (loss, damage, and / or inactivation of functional skin elastin), such as thickening of the skin or hair (e.g., building up of the epidermal and / or dermal and / or subcutaneous [e.g., subcutaneous fat or muscle] layers of the skin, and, if applicable, building up of the stratum corneum of the nails and hair shaft), to reduce atrophy of the skin or hair; increased convolution of the dermal-epidermal junction (also known as interpapillary ridges); fibrosis; sagging; loss of recovery from deformation of the skin or hair; and prevention of melanotic or non-melanotic changes in skin or hair color, such as dark circles under the eyes, blemishes (e.g., uneven redness, such as due to rosacea) (hereinafter referred to as "erythema"), paleness (paleness), discoloration caused by telangiectasia or spider veins, and gray hair.

[0046] As used herein, "shave prep active" means an active agent that may be useful in treating the condition of keratinous tissue (eg, hair or skin), particularly during a shaving preparation experience.

[0047] As used herein, "auxiliary component" and / or "fiber element-forming material" and / or "filament-forming material" refers to a material, such as a structuring agent, e.g., a polymeric structuring agent and / or an inorganic structuring agent, that exhibits properties within a fiber element-forming composition that aid in the production of fiber elements, such as by spinning the fiber element-forming composition. The inorganic structuring agent can also act as a filler, viscosity modifier, and / or to structure the fiber elements. In one example, the auxiliary component is a structuring agent. As used herein, "structuring agent" refers to a material, e.g., a polymer, such as a polymeric structuring agent, that improves the spinning of fiber elements from a molten active agent, such as an aliphatic alcohol, an aliphatic quaternary ammonium compound, or an aliphatic amphiphile, such as a fatty acid. The structuring agent increases the shear and elongational viscosity of the molten active agent, enabling fiber element formation. In one embodiment, the structuring agent exhibits a weight average molecular weight of about 10,000 to about 4,000,000 g / mol, and / or about 15,000 to about 3,000,000 g / mol, and / or about 20,000 to about 2,500,000 g / mol, and / or about 30,000 to less than 2,000,000 g / mol, and / or about 40,000 to about 1,700,000 g / mol. The weight average molecular weight is calculated by adding the average molecular weights of each polymer raw material and multiplying their respective relative weight percentages by the total weight of polymers present in the article. In one embodiment, the structuring agent is soluble in the oily mixture to allow for viscosity buildup for fiber element spinning. In addition, the structuring agent may also be soluble in water to facilitate removal and prevent buildup. Suitable structuring agents include, but are not limited to, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polydimethylacrylamide, and combinations thereof. These polymers are oil (fatty alcohols, fatty acids, fatty quaternary ammonium compounds), water soluble, water miscible, and can be made with high molecular weights.For example, suitable polymers for use include polyvinylpyrrolidone PVP K90 (Ashland Inc.) having a molecular weight of about 1,000,000 to about 1,700,000 g / mol, and polyvinylpyrrolidone PVP K30 (Ashland Inc.) having a molecular weight of about 40,000 to about 80,000 g / mol, which allow fibrous elements to be spun, formed, and collected on a collection device such as a belt. Additional suitable polymers include copolymers of polyvinylpyrrolidone, such as Ganex® from Ashland Inc. or PVP / VA (weight average molecular weight about 50,000 g / mol), which also function as suitable structuring agents, but require higher concentrations to be effective due to their lower molecular weight. Additionally, copolymers of polydimethylacrylamide also function as suitable structuring agents. Hydroxypropyl cellulose can also function as a suitable structuring agent.

[0048] Non-limiting examples of structuring agents suitable for the present invention include polymeric structuring agents, inorganic structuring agents, and mixtures thereof. In one embodiment, the structuring agent comprises a polymeric structuring agent selected from the group consisting of polylactams, such as polyvinylpyrrolidone and copolymers of vinylpyrrolidone, polydimethylacrylamide, copolymers of dimethylacrylamide, and mixtures thereof. In one embodiment, the structuring agent comprises polyvinylpyrrolidone. In another embodiment, the structuring agent comprises polydimethylacrylamide. In yet another embodiment, the structure comprises polyvinylpyrrolidone and polydimethylacrylamide. In one embodiment, the structuring agent comprises an inorganic structuring agent selected from the group consisting of clay, silica, and mixtures thereof.

[0049] In one embodiment, the adjunct component, eg, structuring agent, comprises one or more substituted polymers, such as cationic polymers.

[0050] As used herein, "vinylpyrrolidone copolymer" (and "copolymer" when used in reference thereto) refers to a polymeric structurant of the following structure:

[0051] [ka] where n is an integer such that the polymeric structurant has a degree of polymerization such that it has the properties described herein. For clarity, the use of the term "copolymer" is intended to convey that vinylpyrrolidone monomers can be copolymerized with other monomers such as, but not limited to, vinyl acetate, alkylated vinylpyrrolidone, vinylcaprolactam, acrylic acid, methacrylate, acrylamide, methacrylamide, dimethacrylamide, alkylaminomethacrylate, and alkylaminomethacrylamide monomers.

[0052] As used herein, a "fiber element hydration control system" refers to a material or combination of materials that can function as both a fiber element hydration control material and an active agent, preventing and / or inhibiting and / or delaying and / or reducing hydration of one or more of the fiber elements, e.g., one or more of the water-insoluble fiber elements, e.g., a plurality of the water-insoluble fiber elements of the present invention, when the fiber elements and / or an article, e.g., a water-insoluble shaving preparation article, containing the fiber elements, come into contact with water, such as excess water from a tap, during use. As shown in the comparative example of FIG. 1 , fiber elements lacking a fiber element hydration control system exhibit undesirable levels of hydration of the fiber elements, resulting in negative performance, including excessive swelling of the fiber elements and / or the article containing the fiber elements, causing the fiber elements to lose their integrity by swelling completely and / or breaking apart. This negative performance can cause the fiber elements to spread too easily upon shearing and / or exhibit drawbacks, such as rinsing from a user's skin and / or the user's razor. In one embodiment, the fiber element hydration control system comprises one or more hydration control materials present in the fiber element and / or fiber element-forming composition from which the fiber element is produced. In one embodiment, the fiber element hydration control system results in the fiber element and / or a plurality of fiber elements and / or an article comprising the fiber elements resulting from hydration.

[0053] As used herein, "external fiber element hydration control system" refers to a material or combination of materials that can function as both an external fiber element hydration control material and an active agent, which prevents and / or inhibits and / or delays and / or reduces hydration of one or more of the fiber elements, e.g., one or more of the water-insoluble fiber elements, e.g., a plurality of the water-insoluble fiber elements of the present invention, when the fiber elements and / or an article, e.g., a water-insoluble shaving preparation article, containing the fiber elements, come into contact with water, such as excess water from a tap, during use. In one embodiment, the external fiber element hydration control system comprises one or more hydration control materials that are external to the fiber elements and / or the fiber element-forming composition from which the fiber elements are made. In one embodiment, the external fiber element hydration control system may be present on the exterior surface of the fiber elements, e.g., as a coating. In another embodiment, the external fiber element hydration control system may be separate and distinct from the fiber elements and / or may be present in the article of the present invention as a mixture of the separate fiber elements and the separate external fiber element hydration control system. In one embodiment, the outer fiber element hydration control system comprises a salt generating system, hi another embodiment, the outer fiber element hydration control system comprises an effervescent system.

[0054] As used herein, "salt generating system," e.g., as a fiber element hydration control system and / or an external fiber element hydration control system, refers to a material and / or combination of materials that generates salts when exposed to a liquid, such as water, during use of the fiber elements and / or articles of the present invention, e.g., for shaving preparation purposes.

[0055] As used herein, "effervescent system" refers to a material or combination of materials that generates effervescence, e.g., a gas such as CO2. In one embodiment, the effervescent system includes an effervescent acid or effervescent acid particles and an effervescent salt or effervescent salt particles. In one embodiment, the effervescent system includes an aggregate including an effervescent acid or effervescent acid particles and an effervescent salt or effervescent salt particles. In one embodiment, the selection of a particular effervescent acid, e.g., effervescent acid particles, and / or effervescent salt, e.g., effervescent salt particles, and their proportions depend, at least in part, on the amount of gas, e.g., CO2 release, required. In one embodiment, the effervescent acid, e.g., effervescent acid particles such as citric acid, may be added in an amount of about 10% to about 60% by weight based on the weight of the effervescent system, and the effervescent salt, e.g., effervescent salt particles such as an alkali metal salt, e.g., sodium bicarbonate, may also be added in an amount of about 10% to 60% by weight based on the weight of the effervescent ingredients.

[0056] As used herein, "effervescent acid" or "effervescent acid particles" refers to an acid and / or acid particles that, when combined with an effervescent salt or effervescent salt particle, produces effervescence, e.g., a gas such as CO2. Non-limiting examples of effervescent acids and / or effervescent acid particles suitable for use in the effervescent compositions of the present invention include, but are not limited to, tartaric acid, citric acid, fumaric acid, adipic acid, malic acid, oxalic acid, sulfamic acid, and mixtures thereof. In one example, the effervescent acid and / or effervescent acid particles comprise citric acid or a mixture of citric acid and tartaric acid. The effervescent acid and / or effervescent acid particles may be anhydrous.

[0057] As used herein, "effervescent salt" or "effervescent salt particles" refers to salts and / or salt particles that, when combined with an effervescent acid and / or effervescent acid particles, produce effervescence, e.g., a gas such as CO2. Non-limiting examples of suitable effervescent salts and / or effervescent salt particles include, but are not limited to, alkali metal salts and / or carbonates and / or bicarbonates, such as sodium carbonate, calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate, ammonium carbonate, potassium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, calcium bicarbonate, and mixtures thereof. The effervescent salts and / or effervescent salt particles may be anhydrous.

[0058] As used herein, "particles," e.g., "effervescent acid particles" and / or "effervescent salt particles" and / or "agglomerates" and / or "active agent-containing particles" and / or "optional active agent-containing particles," refer to powders, granules, encapsulates, microcapsules, matrix particles, globules, and / or aggregates. The shape of the particles may be in the form of a sphere, rod, dish, tube, square, rectangle, disk, star, fiber, or may have a regular or irregular random shape. The particles of the present invention, at least those particles of at least 44 μm, can be measured by the Median Particle Size Test Method described herein. For particles less than 44 μm, different test methods, e.g., light scattering methods, can be used to determine particle sizes less than 44 μm, e.g., perfume microcapsules typically ranging in size from about 15 μm to about 44 μm and / or about 25 μm. In one example, the particles exhibit a median particle size of 2000 μm or less when measured according to the Median Particle Size Test Method described herein. In another embodiment, the particles exhibit a median particle size of from about 1 μm to about 2000 μm, and / or from about 1 μm to about 1600 μm, and / or from about 1 μm to about 800 μm, and / or from about 5 μm to about 500 μm, and / or from about 10 μm to about 300 μm, and / or from about 10 μm to about 100 μm, and / or from about 10 μm to about 50 μm, and / or from about 10 μm to about 30 μm, when measured according to the Median Particle Size Test Method described herein.

[0059] In one example, the particles of the present invention may exhibit a particle ion content of less than 10 μS / g / 40 mL of water, and / or less than 8 μS / g / 40 mL of water, and / or less than 6 μS / g / 40 mL of water, and / or less than 4 μS / g / 40 mL of water, and / or less than 2 μS / g / 40 mL of water, as measured using a conductivity probe. Non-limiting examples of particles exhibiting a particle ion content of less than 10 μS / g / 40 mL of water are matrix particles such as fragrances having aminosilicones and / or hydroxyl polymers such as polyvinyl alcohol and / or starch as carriers. Non-limiting examples of matrix particles suitable for inclusion in the articles of the present invention are described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020 / 0093711 A1, which is incorporated by reference.

[0060] In one aspect, the particles may comprise recycled fibrous structural material, specifically, the fibrous material is recycled by grinding the fibers into finely divided solids and reincorporating the finely divided solids into aggregates, granules, or other particulate forms. In another aspect, the particles may comprise recycled fibrous structural material, specifically, the fibrous material is incorporated into a fluid paste, suspension, or solution and then processed to form aggregates, granules, or other particulate forms. In another aspect, the fluid paste, suspension, or solution containing recycled fibrous material may be applied directly to a fibrous layer in the process of making a new fibrous article.

[0061] In one example, the particles of the present invention, e.g., effervescent acid particles and / or effervescent salt particles, which may be coated particles, e.g., coated effervescent salt particles, exhibit a D50 of less than 500 μm, and / or less than 450 μm, and / or less than 400 μm, and / or less than 350 μm, to about 100 μm, and / or to about 150 μm, and / or to about 200 μm, when measured according to the Median Particle Size Test Method described herein, and provide better stable foam than particles exhibiting a D50 of more than 1000 μm, when measured according to the Median Particle Size Test Method described herein.

[0062] In one example, the particles, which may be discrete particles and / or aggregates (e.g., discrete particles bound together by a surfactant), may exhibit a D50 particle size of from about 100 μm to about 5000 μm, and / or from about 100 μm to about 2000 μm, and / or from about 250 μm to about 1200 μm, and / or from about 250 μm to about 850 μm, when measured according to the Median Particle Size Test Method described herein.

[0063] In one example, the particles, which may be discrete particles and / or agglomerates (e.g., discrete particles bound together by a surfactant), may exhibit a D10 of 250 μm when measured according to the Median Particle Size Test Method described herein.

[0064] In another example, the particles, which may be discrete particles and / or agglomerates (e.g., discrete particles bound together by a surfactant), may exhibit a D90 of 1200 μm and / or 850 μm when measured according to the Median Particle Size Test Method described herein.

[0065] In one example, the particles, which may be discrete particles and / or agglomerates (e.g., discrete particles bound together by a surfactant), may exhibit a D10 of greater than 44 μm, and / or greater than 90 μm, and / or greater than 150 μm, and / or greater than 212 μm, and / or greater than 300 μm, when measured according to the Median Particle Size Test Method described herein.

[0066] In one example, the particles, which may be discrete particles and / or agglomerates (e.g., discrete particles bound together by a surfactant), may exhibit a D90 of less than 1400 μm, and / or less than 1180 μm, and / or less than 850 μm, and / or less than 600 μm, and / or less than 425 μm, when measured according to the Median Particle Size Test Method described herein.

[0067] In one example, the particles, which may be discrete particles and / or aggregates (e.g., discrete particles bound together by a surfactant), may exhibit any combination of the D10, D50, and / or D90 specified above, so long as D50, if present, is greater than D10, if present, and D90, if present, is greater than D10 and D50, if present.

[0068] In one example, the particles, which may be discrete particles and / or aggregates (e.g., discrete particles bound together by a surfactant), may exhibit any combination of the D10 and D90 specified above, so long as the D90 is greater than the D10.

[0069] In one example, the particles, which may be discrete particles and / or agglomerates (e.g., discrete particles bound together by a surfactant), may exhibit a D10 of greater than 212 μm and a D90 of less than 1180 μm, when measured according to the Median Particle Size Test Method described herein.

[0070] In one example, the particles, which may be discrete particles and / or agglomerates (e.g., discrete particles bound together by a surfactant), may exhibit a D10 of greater than 90 μm and a D90 of less than 425 μm when measured according to the Median Particle Size Test Method described herein.

[0071] As used herein, "active agent-containing particles" and / or "optional active agent-containing particles" refer to particles that include one or more active agents and / or optional active agents. In one example, the active agent-containing particles are active agents in particle form (i.e., the particles contain 100% active agent). The active agent-containing particles can have a median particle size of 2000 μm or less, as measured according to the Median Particle Size Test Method described herein. In another example, the active agent-containing particles have a median particle size of about 1 μm to about 2000 μm, and / or about 1 μm to about 800 μm, and / or about 5 μm to about 500 μm, and / or about 10 μm to about 300 μm, and / or about 10 μm to about 100 μm, and / or about 10 μm to about 50 μm, and / or about 10 μm to about 30 μm, as measured according to the Median Particle Size Test Method described herein. In one embodiment, one or more of the active agents are in the form of particles exhibiting a median particle size of 20 μm or less when measured according to the Median Particle Size Test Method described herein.

[0072] In one embodiment of the present invention, the article, e.g., a fibrous structure, comprises a plurality of particles, e.g., active agent-containing particles and / or optional active agent-containing particles, and a plurality of fibrous elements, in a ratio of 1:100 or more, and / or 1:50 or more, and / or 1:10 or more, and / or 1:3 or more, and / or 1:2 or more, and / or 1:1 or more, and / or 2:1 or more, and / or 3:1 or more, and / or 4:1 or more, and / or 5:1 or more, and / or 7:1 or more, and and / or a weight ratio of particles, e.g., active agent-containing particles and / or optional active agent-containing particles to fiber elements of 8:1 or more, and / or 10:1 or more, and / or from about 10:1 to about 1:100, and / or from about 8:1 to about 1:50, and / or from about 7:1 to about 1:10, and / or from about 7:1 to about 1:3, and / or from about 6:1 to 1:2, and / or from about 5:1 to about 1:1, and / or from about 4:1 to about 1:1, and / or from about 3:1 to about 1.5:1.

[0073] In another embodiment of the present invention, an article, e.g., a fibrous structure, comprises a plurality of particles, e.g., active agent-containing particles and / or optional active agent-containing particles, and a plurality of fibrous elements, in a weight ratio of particles, e.g., active agent-containing particles and / or optional active agent-containing particles to fibrous elements of from about 10:1 to about 1:1, and / or from about 8:1 to about 1.5:1, and / or from about 7:1 to about 2:1, and / or from about 6:1 to about 2.5:1.

[0074] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, an article, e.g., a fibrous structure, comprises a plurality of particles, e.g., active agent-containing particles and / or optional active agent-containing particles, and a plurality of fibrous elements, in a weight ratio of particles, e.g., active agent-containing particles and / or optional active agent-containing particles to fibrous elements, of from about 1:1 to about 1:100, and / or from about 1:15 to about 1:80, and / or from about 1:2 to about 1:60, and / or from about 1:3 to about 1:50, and / or from about 1:3 to about 1:40.

[0075] In another embodiment, the article of the present invention, e.g., a fibrous structure, can comprise a plurality of particles, e.g., active agent-containing particles and / or optional active agent-containing particles, having a basis weight of at least 1 g / m when measured according to the basis weight test method described herein. 2 and / or 10 g / m2 and / or 20 g / m 2 and / or 30 g / m 2 and / or 40 g / m 2 More than and / or about 1 g / m 2 ~about 5000g / m 2 , and / or about 3500 g / m 2 up to and / or about 2000 g / m 2 up to and / or about 1 g / m 2 ~About 2000g / m 2 , and / or about 10 g / m 2 ~About 1000g / m 2 , and / or about 10 g / m 2 ~about 500g / m 2 , and / or about 20 g / m 2 ~about 400g / m 2 , and / or about 30 g / m 2 ~about 300g / m 2 , and / or about 40 g / m 2 ~about 200g / m 2 Includes basis weight.

[0076] In another embodiment, an article of the invention, e.g., a fibrous structure, e.g., a water-insoluble article, comprises a plurality of fibrous elements comprising one or more auxiliary components, e.g., one or more structuring agents, such as one or more polymeric structuring agents and / or inorganic structuring agents, wherein the one or more auxiliary components are present in the fiber element-forming composition and the resulting fiber element formed therefrom at a concentration by weight of greater than 0% to 100% and / or greater than 10% to less than 95% of the fiber element-forming composition and the resulting fiber element formed therefrom, and / or the article further comprises a plurality of particles, e.g., active agent-containing particles and / or optional active agent-containing particles, based on the weight of the fiber element-forming composition and the resulting fiber element formed therefrom.

[0077] As used herein, "intermixing" and / or "intermixing" refer to a state or form in which particles are intermixed with fiber elements, e.g., filaments. The intermixing of fiber elements and particles can be present throughout the composite structure or within a plane or region of the composite structure. In one example, the intermixed fiber elements and particles can form at least a surface of the composite structure. In one example, the particles can be homogeneously dispersed within the composite structure and / or within a plane and / or region of the composite structure. In one example, the particles can be uniformly distributed within the composite structure, thereby avoiding and / or preventing sagging and / or free movement and / or migration of particles within the composite structure to other regions within the composite structure, thus resulting in zones of higher particle concentration and zones of lower or no particle concentration within the composite structure. In one example, μCT cross-sections of a composite structure can indicate whether particles are homogeneously distributed within the composite structure.

[0078] As used herein, "intended use conditions" refers to the temperature, physical, chemical, and / or mechanical conditions to which an article of the present invention will be exposed when used for one or more of its designed purposes. For example, if an article of the present invention is designed to be used as a shaving preparation product, the intended use conditions include the temperature, chemical, physical (including, for example, shear, friction, application to skin, such as the face), and / or mechanical conditions present during shaving preparation and / or shaving, under which the water-insoluble article may form a lamellar structure (exhibit a lamellar structure response) as measured by the Lamellar Structure Test Method described herein.

[0079] As used herein, "weight ratio" refers to the ratio between two materials on a dry basis. For example, the weight ratio of an active agent to an auxiliary component (such as a structuring agent) in a fiber element and / or a plurality of fiber elements is the ratio of the weight (g or %) of the active agent on a dry weight basis in the fiber element to the weight (g or %, in the same units as the weight of the active agent) of the auxiliary component on a dry weight basis in the fiber element. In another example, the weight ratio of particles to fiber elements in a fibrous structure is the ratio of the weight (g or %) of particles on a dry weight basis in the fibrous structure to the weight (g or % (in the same units as the weight of the particles)) of fiber elements on a dry weight basis in the fibrous structure.

[0080] As used herein, "water-insoluble" with respect to an article and / or material refers to a fibrous element and / or article and / or material of the present invention that does not dissolve in excess water and / or is not miscible in water. In other words, a water-insoluble fibrous element and / or article may swell when subjected to agitation in excess water, but not significantly in the presence of a hydration control system, remaining intact, and even if shattered, the pieces remain intact and do not dissolve in water. In one example, a fibrous element and / or article and / or film and / or material that exhibits a lamellar structure (exhibits a lamellar structure response) as determined according to the Lamellar Structure Test Method is considered water-insoluble for purposes of the present invention.

[0081] In one embodiment, the fiber elements and / or articles of the present invention are water-insoluble. As defined herein, water-insoluble means that the fiber elements and / or articles do not completely dissolve or disintegrate when exposed to water, for example, during a shaving preparation experience. In one embodiment, when the fiber elements and / or articles of the present invention are designed for use in shaving preparation, water-soluble auxiliary components, if present, are used in place of water-insoluble auxiliary components.

[0082] As used herein, "ambient conditions" means 23°C ± 1.0°C and 50% ± 2% relative humidity.

[0083] As used herein, "weight average molecular weight" means the weight average molecular weight determined using the industry standard method, gel permeation chromatography.

[0084] As used herein with respect to fiber elements, "diameter" is measured according to the Diameter Test Method described herein. In one embodiment, fiber elements of the present invention exhibit a diameter, when measured according to the Diameter Test Method described herein, of less than 100 μm, and / or less than 75 μm, and / or less than 50 μm, and / or less than 25 μm, and / or less than 20 μm, and / or less than 15 μm, and / or less than 10 μm, and / or less than 6 μm, and / or greater than 1 μm, and / or greater than 3 μm.

[0085] As used herein, "triggering condition" refers, in one embodiment, to anything that acts as a stimulus and initiates or causes a change in the article of the present invention or a portion of the article, such as a loss or change in the article's physical structure, and / or the release of an active agent therefrom. In another embodiment, the triggering condition may be present in the environment, such as water, heat, shear, etc., during wetting and / or friction / shearing of the article in preparation for shaving, and the water-insoluble article may form a lamellar structure (exhibit a lamellar structure response) as measured by the Lamellar Structure Test Method described herein, which may be applied to skin, e.g., the face, prior to shaving with a razor.

[0086] Goods The articles of the present invention may comprise a plurality of fiber elements, e.g., a plurality of filaments, such as a plurality of active agent-containing fiber elements, and optionally one or more particles, e.g., one or more active agent-containing particles and / or optional active agent-containing granules, e.g., water-soluble active agent-containing particles and / or water-insoluble particles, such as zeolite, porous zeolite, perfume-loaded zeolite, active agent-loaded zeolite, silica, perfume-loaded silica, active agent-loaded zeolite, perfume microcapsules, clay, and mixtures thereof.

[0087] The articles may be in the form of a roll (rolled or rolled product), e.g., multiple articles connected to adjacent sheets by perforations for dispensing the individual articles from the rolled form, where the article is convolutedly wound on itself, either around a core or without a core, to form the rolled article. In one embodiment, a multi-article sheet product is provided that includes multiple articles separated from adjacent articles by perforations. Alternatively, the articles may be in the form of separate individual sheets, or in an unrolled form of multiple articles connected to adjacent sheets by perforations for dispensing the individual articles from the unrolled form. In yet another embodiment, the articles of the present invention are stand-alone entities ready for use, and a collection and / or a multiplicity of these entities may be dispensed to a consumer in a product transport assembly, e.g., a protective product transport assembly, and / or in a container or dispenser for dispensing one or more individual articles.

[0088] For articles comprising one or more fibrous elements, the fibrous elements and / or fibrous structures of the present invention are in solid form, however, the filament-forming composition used to make the fibrous elements of the present invention may be in liquid form.

[0089] In one embodiment, a fibrous structure includes a plurality of fibrous elements identical or substantially identical in composition to the fibrous elements of the present invention. In another embodiment, a fibrous structure may include two or more different fibrous elements of the present invention. Non-limiting examples of differences between the fibrous elements include physical differences, such as differences in diameter, length, texture, shape, stiffness, and elasticity; chemical differences, such as crosslinking level, solubility, melting point, Tg, active agent, filament-forming material, color, active agent concentration, basis weight, filament-forming material concentration, the presence of any coating on the fibrous elements, biodegradability, hydrophobicity, and contact angle; differences in whether the fibrous elements lose their physical structure when exposed to the intended use conditions; differences in whether the morphology of the fibrous elements changes when exposed to the intended use conditions; and differences in the rate at which the fibrous elements release one or more of their active agents when exposed to the intended use conditions. In one embodiment, two or more fibrous elements and / or particles within a fibrous structure may contain different active agents. This may be the case when different active agents, such as anionic surfactants and cationic surfactants, are incompatible with each other.

[0090] In another example, the fibrous structure may exhibit different regions, e.g., regions of different basis weight, density, and / or thickness. In yet another example, the fibrous structure may include a texture on one or more of its surfaces. The surface of the fibrous structure may include a pattern, such as a non-random repeating pattern. The fibrous structure may be embossed with an embossed pattern. In another example, the fibrous structure may include apertures. The apertures may be arranged in a non-random repeating pattern.

[0091] In one example, the fibrous structure may include discrete regions of fibrous elements that are distinct from other portions of the fibrous structure.

[0092] The fibrous structures of the present invention may be used as is or may be coated with one or more active agents.

[0093] In one example, the fibrous structure may exhibit a thickness of greater than 0.01 mm, and / or greater than 0.05 mm, and / or greater than 0.1 mm, and / or up to about 50 mm, and / or up to about 20 mm, and / or up to about 10 mm, and / or up to about 5 mm, and / or up to about 2 mm, and / or up to about 0.5 mm, and / or up to about 0.3 mm.

[0094] Non-limiting examples of other fibrous structures suitable for the present invention are disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013 / 0171421 A1 and U.S. Patent No. 9,139,802, which are incorporated by reference.

[0095] The articles of the present invention may exhibit one or more of the following properties:

[0096] In one example, the articles and / or fiber elements of the present invention may exhibit a lamellar structure (a lamellar structure response) when wet, as determined by the Lamellar Structure Test Method described herein.

[0097] In one example, the articles and / or fiber elements of the present invention may exhibit a lamellar structure (may exhibit a lamellar structure response) when wet as determined by the Lamellar Structure Test Method described herein, but do not exhibit a lamellar structure (do not exhibit a lamellar structure response) in a dry, only conditioned state as determined by the Lamellar Structure Test Method.

[0098] In one embodiment, the article is a nonwoven comprising one or more fibrous elements, e.g., a fibrous structure comprising a plurality of filaments. The article may comprise two or more nonwovens, multi-ply nonwovens, and / or multi-ply fibrous structures.

[0099] In one embodiment, the article, for example, a fibrous structure, may include one or more apertures.

[0100] In one embodiment, an article, such as a fibrous structure, may include a graphic printed on one or more surfaces. The graphic may be formed from an ink and may traverse the intertwined filaments and / or void areas of the surface. In one embodiment, the graphic is formed from an ink, and at least a portion of the ink penetrates the intertwined fibrous elements, such as filaments, and the void areas of the surface of the fibrous structure to a depth of 100 micrometers or less.

[0101] In one embodiment, the article exhibits a geometric mean peak elongation of greater than or equal to about 5% when measured according to the Tensile Testing Method.

[0102] In one embodiment, the article exhibits a geometric mean modulus of less than or equal to about 5000 g / cm, as measured according to the Tensile Testing Method.

[0103] In one embodiment, the article exhibits a geometric mean tensile strength of greater than or equal to about 100 g / inch according to the Tensile Test Method.

[0104] In one embodiment, the article exhibits a moisture content of about 0% to about 20% and / or about 0% to about 5% when measured according to the Moisture Content Test Method. In one embodiment, the article exhibits a moisture content of about 2% to about 15%, and / or about 2% to about 10%, and / or about 5% to about 10% when measured according to the Moisture Content Test Method.

[0105] In one embodiment, the fibrous elements and / or fibrous structures and / or articles of the present invention are "soap-free." In one embodiment, the fibrous elements and / or fibrous structures and / or articles of the present invention contain less than about 5%, or less than about 3%, or less than about 2% of one or more lathering surfactants or soaps. In one embodiment, the fibrous elements and / or fibrous structures and / or articles are free or substantially free of lathering surfactants or soaps. Lathering surfactants are defined as surfactants that generate foam or lather when combined with water and mechanically agitated. Lathering surfactants include anionic and amphoteric lathering surfactants, and mixtures thereof. Anionic lathering surfactants include sarcosinates, sulfates, sulfonates, isethionates, taurates, phosphates, lactylates, glutamates, alkali metal salts of fatty acids having 8 to 24 carbon atoms (i.e., soaps), and mixtures thereof. "Soap-free" means that the fibrous element and / or fibrous structure and / or article contains less than 5% by weight, and / or less than about 3% by weight, or less than about 2% by weight, and / or less than 1% by weight, and / or about 0% by weight or 0% by weight of salts of fatty acids.

[0106] The fibrous elements and / or fibrous structures and / or articles may comprise, for example be substantially free of, less than 5% by weight, and / or less than 1% by weight, and / or less than about 0% by weight of soap (i.e., salts of aliphatic C4-C30 acids) or lathering surfactants as defined herein above.

[0107] As indicated by the title, soaps are salts of fatty acids. Fatty acids are molecules with a carboxylic acid, i.e., a COOH acid fragment (circled in the structure below), attached to a long hydrocarbon tail (shown below). The hydrocarbon portion may be saturated, containing only single carbon-carbon bonds, as in stearic acid, or unsaturated, as in oleic acid. Unsaturated fatty acids have carbon-carbon double bonds at either one location in the chain (monounsaturated) or multiple locations (polyunsaturated). In either case, the hydrocarbon chain is nonpolar. In one embodiment, the fatty acid is stearic acid, a saturated fatty acid. In one embodiment, the fatty acid is oleic acid, a monounsaturated fatty acid.

[0108] As shown in FIG. 4 , one embodiment of an article 20 of the present invention, e.g., a multi-ply fibrous structure according to the present invention, may include two or more different fibrous structure plies 22, 24 (in the z-direction of the article 20 of fibrous elements 10 of the present invention, in this case filaments, forming the fibrous structure of the article 20). The fibrous elements 10 in ply 22 may be identical to or different from the fibrous elements 10 in ply 24. Each ply 22, 24 may include multiple fibrous elements 10 that are identical, substantially identical, or different. For example, fibrous elements that may release an active agent at a faster rate than other fibrous elements in the article 20 and / or one or more fibrous structure plies 22, 24 of the article 20 may be positioned as an outer surface of the article 20. The plies 22 and 24 may be bonded to one another, for example, by mechanical interlocking at their interface between the two plies and / or by thermal or adhesive bonding and / or by lodging and / or embossing and / or crimping. In one example, a plurality of fiber elements may be deposited, such as by spinning, directly onto an existing fiber structure such that additional layers of the fiber structure are formed by the additional fiber elements.

[0109] As shown in FIG. 5 , an article 20, e.g., another embodiment of a fibrous structure according to the present invention, includes a first fibrous structure ply 22 including a plurality of fibrous elements 10, e.g., filaments, of the present invention, a second fibrous structure ply 24 including a plurality of fibrous elements 10, e.g., filaments, of the present invention, and a plurality of particles 26 or particle layer positioned between the first fibrous structure ply 22 and the second fibrous structure ply 24.

[0110] As shown in FIG. 6 , another example of an article 20, e.g., a fibrous structure (multilayer fibrous structure) of the present invention, includes a first fibrous structure layer 30 including a plurality of fibrous elements 10, e.g., filaments, of the present invention. The first fibrous structure layer 30 includes one or more pockets 28 (also referred to as recesses, unfilled domes, or deflection zones), which may be in an irregular or non-random repeating pattern. One or more of the pockets 28 may include one or more particles 26. The article 20 of this example further includes a second fibrous structure layer 32 bonded to the first fibrous structure layer 30 such that the particles 26 are encapsulated in the pockets 28. A similar article may be formed by depositing a plurality of particles in the pockets of a first ply of a fibrous structure including a plurality of fibrous elements, and then bonding a second ply of a fibrous structure including a plurality of fibrous elements such that the particles are encapsulated in the pockets of the first ply. In one example, the pockets may be separated from the fibrous structure to create separate pockets.

[0111] As shown in FIG. 7, an article 20, e.g., another embodiment of a multi-ply fibrous structure of the present invention, includes a first ply 22 of a fibrous structure according to FIG. 5 above and a second ply 24 of a fibrous structure bonded to the first ply 22, the second ply 24 including a plurality of fibrous elements, e.g., filaments 10, and a plurality of particles 26 dispersed, in this case randomly, in the x-, y-, and z-axes throughout the article 20.

[0112] As shown in FIG. 8 , an article 20, e.g., another embodiment of a fibrous structure of the present invention, includes a plurality of fibrous elements 10, e.g., filaments 10, such as active agent-containing filaments, and a plurality of particles 26, e.g., active agent-containing particles, co-formed with the plurality of fibrous elements 10 such that the plurality of particles 26 are dispersed, in this case randomly, in the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis throughout the fibrous structure of the article 20.

[0113] In one example, the fibrous structure may include discrete regions of fibrous elements that are distinct from other portions of the fibrous structure.

[0114] The fibrous structures of the present invention may be used as is or may be coated with one or more active agents.

[0115] Fiber elements The fiber elements of the present invention are water-insoluble. In one embodiment, the fiber elements include one or more active agents that are releasable from the fiber elements, such as when the fiber elements and / or a fiber structure including the fiber elements are exposed to intended use conditions. In addition to the one or more active agents, the fiber elements may include one or more active agents. The one or more active agents may be releasable from the fiber elements when exposed to intended use conditions.

[0116] In one embodiment, the total concentration of one or more active agents present in the fibrous element and / or article is 70% by weight or more, and / or 75% by weight or more, and / or 80% by weight or more, and / or more than 85% by weight, and / or more than 90% by weight, and / or more than 95% by weight, and / or more than 96% by weight, and / or more than 97% by weight, and / or more than 98% by weight, and / or more than 99% by weight, and / or up to about 100% by weight, based on the dry fibrous element and / or dry fibrous structure and / or dry article. In one example, one or more auxiliary components, e.g., one or more filament-forming materials such as one or more structuring agents, may be present in the fibrous element and / or article at a total concentration of 30% by weight or less, and / or 25% by weight or less, and / or 20% by weight or less, and / or less than 15% by weight, and / or less than 10% by weight, and / or less than 5% by weight, and / or less than 4% by weight, and / or less than 3% by weight, and / or less than 2% by weight, and / or less than 1% by weight, and / or down to about 0% by weight, based on the dry fibrous element and / or dry fibrous structure and / or dry article.

[0117] In one example, the fiber elements exhibit a diameter of less than 100 μm, and / or less than 75 μm, and / or less than 50 μm, and / or less than 25 μm, and / or less than 10 μm, and / or less than 5 μm, and / or less than 1 μm, when measured according to the Diameter Test Method described herein. In another example, the fiber elements of the present invention exhibit a diameter of greater than 1 μm, when measured according to the Diameter Test Method described herein. The diameter of the fiber elements of the present invention can be used to control the release rate of one or more active agents present in the fiber elements and / or the rate of loss and / or change in the physical structure of the fiber elements.

[0118] The fiber elements may include two or more different active agents. In one embodiment, the fiber elements include two or more different active agents, where the two or more different active agents are compatible with each other. In another embodiment, the fiber elements include two or more different active agents, where the two or more different active agents are incompatible with each other.

[0119] In one example, a fiber element may include an active agent within the fiber element and an active agent on the exterior surface of the fiber element, such as an active agent coated on the fiber element. The active agent on the exterior surface of the fiber element may be the same as or different from the active agent present within the fiber element. If different, the active agents may be compatible or incompatible with each other.

[0120] In another embodiment, a fibrous structure or article of the present invention may include a coating on the outer fibrous elements or filaments located on one of the surfaces of the plies of the article. This coating may be applied to the surface of the ply, and the surface having the coating may be the outer surface of the entire article or an interior surface of the article. The placement of the coating will depend on the benefit agent or active agent desired to be delivered. For example, a coating on the outer surface ply of the article will be more readily visible to the consumer because it is on a surface that the consumer can see. A coating on the inner surface ply of the article may be less visible because it may be hidden from the consumer's direct view. The placement of the coating on the inner and / or outer surfaces of the article will be achieved as part of the article manufacturing process. The coating on the inner surface ply may be different from or the same as the coating on the outer surface of the article. In one embodiment, the article may have a coating on the outer and / or inner surface of the article. In another embodiment, the article may have a coating on the outer and / or inner surface of the plies that make up the article. In yet another embodiment, the article may have a silicone active agent, including an aminosilicone, containing coating or coating on the exterior and / or interior surfaces of the plies comprising the article.

[0121] In one embodiment, one or more active agents may be uniformly or substantially uniformly distributed throughout the fiber element. In another embodiment, one or more active agents may be distributed as discrete regions within the fiber element. In yet another embodiment, at least one active agent is uniformly or substantially uniformly distributed throughout the fiber element, and at least one other active agent is distributed as one or more discrete regions within the fiber element. In yet another embodiment, at least one active agent is distributed as one or more discrete regions within the fiber element, and at least one other active agent is distributed as one or more discrete regions within the fiber element that are different from the first discrete region.

[0122] activator Non-limiting examples of active agents suitable for use in the fiber elements and / or articles of the present invention include surfactants such as fatty amphiphilic active agents, such as fatty alcohols, fatty acids, fatty quaternary ammonium compounds, and mixtures thereof, cationic surfactants, such as quaternary ammonium compounds, and shaving prep active agents.

[0123] In one embodiment, the fiber elements and / or fiber element-forming compositions and / or articles of the present invention comprise one or more fatty amphiphilic active agents, such as one or more fatty acids and / or one or more fatty quaternary ammonium compounds and / or one or more fatty alcohols, and one or more quaternary ammonium compound active agents.

[0124] In one embodiment, the fiber elements and / or fiber element-forming compositions and / or articles of the present invention comprise one or more aliphatic alcohols and one or more quaternary ammonium compounds in a weight ratio of greater than 1:1, and / or greater than 1.5:1, and / or greater than 1.75:1, and / or greater than 1.9:1.

[0125] In one embodiment, the fiber elements and / or fiber element-forming compositions and / or articles of the present invention comprise one or more fatty acids and one or more quaternary ammonium compounds. In one embodiment, the article of the present invention comprises one or more fatty acids and one or more quaternary ammonium compounds in a weight ratio of greater than 1:1, and / or greater than 1.5:1, and / or greater than 1.75:1, and / or greater than 1.9:1.

[0126] In one embodiment, the water-insoluble fiber element and / or water-insoluble article and / or fiber element forming composition comprises one or more active agents selected from the group consisting of fatty acids, fatty acid derivatives, sulfonic acid derivatives, quaternary ammonium compounds, tertiary amines and their salts, nonionic surfactants, fatty alcohols, and mixtures thereof.

[0127] In one embodiment, the water-insoluble fiber element and / or water-insoluble article and / or fiber element forming composition comprises one or more active agents comprising a fatty acid selected from the group consisting of myristic acid, stearic acid, isostearic acid, cetearic acid, dodecanoic acid, linoleic acid, oleic acid, palmitic acid, lauric acid, and mixtures thereof.

[0128] In one embodiment, the water-insoluble fiber element and / or water-insoluble article and / or fiber element forming composition comprises one or more active agents comprising a quaternary ammonium compound selected from the group consisting of di(tallowyloxyethyl)hydroxyethylmethylammonium methylsulfate, dimethylbis(stearoyloxyethyl)ammonium chloride, dimethylbis(tallowyloxyethyl)ammonium chloride, dimethylbis(tallowyloxyisopropyl)ammonium methylsulfate, behentrimonium methosulfate, behentrimonium chloride, behenamidopropyldimethylamine, and mixtures thereof.

[0129] In one embodiment, the water-insoluble fiber element and / or water-insoluble article and / or fiber element forming composition comprises one or more active agents comprising a fatty alcohol selected from the group consisting of cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, behenyl alcohol, lauryl alcohol, myristyl alcohol, isostearyl alcohol, arachidyl alcohol, and mixtures thereof.

[0130] The water-insoluble fibrous elements of the present invention may comprise more than 60%, and / or more than 70%, and / or more than 75%, and / or more than 80%, and / or more than 85%, and / or more than 90%, and / or more than 95%, and / or more than 97% up to about 100% and / or about 99% by weight of the dry fibrous element of one or more active agents.

[0131] Non-limiting examples of other active agents useful in the fiber elements and / or fiber element-forming compositions and / or articles of the present invention are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,103,047 (Zaki et al., issued July 25, 1978), U.S. Pat. No. 4,237,155 (Kardouche, issued December 2, 1980), U.S. Pat. No. 3,686,025 (Morton, issued August 22, 1972), U.S. Pat. No. 3,849,435 (Diery et al., issued November 19, 1974), and U.S. Pat. No. 4,073,996 (Bedenk, issued February 14, 1978), which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0132] Quaternary ammonium compound surfactant In one embodiment, the fiber elements and / or fiber element-forming compositions and / or articles of the present invention comprise a quaternary ammonium compound. Non-limiting examples of quaternary ammonium compounds include alkylated quaternary ammonium compounds, cyclic or cyclic quaternary ammonium compounds, aromatic quaternary ammonium compounds, diquaternary ammonium compounds, alkoxylated quaternary ammonium compounds, amidoamine quaternary ammonium compounds, ester quaternary ammonium compounds, and mixtures thereof. See U.S. Patent Publication No. 2005 / 0192207, pages 57-66.

[0133] Non-limiting examples of suitable quaternary ammonium compounds include cationic surfactants and salts thereof, such as dialkyldimethylammonium chloride, methyl sulfate, and ethyl sulfate, where the alkyl groups, which may be the same or different, contain from about 12 to about 22 carbon atoms. Non-limiting examples of such cationic surfactants include ditallowalkyldimethylammonium methylsulfate (DTDMAMS), distearyldimethylammonium methylsulfate, dipalmityldimethylammonium methylsulfate, and dibehenyldimethylammonium methylsulfate. In one example, the quaternary ammonium compound can include distearyldimonium chloride.

[0134] Another example of a suitable activator is an ester quaternary ammonium compound (EQA) selected from formulas IA, IB, II, III, IV, and mixtures thereof.

[0135] Formula IA is

[0136] [ka] wherein each Y is —O—(O)C— or —C(O)—O—; p is 1 to 3; each v is an integer from 1 to 4 and mixtures thereof; and each R 1 The substituents are short chain C1-C6 and / or C1-C3 alkyl groups, such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, etc., benzyl, and mixtures thereof, and each R 2 are long-chain, saturated, and / or unsaturated (about 3 to about 60 iodine value), C8 to C 30 hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl substituents, and mixtures thereof; and counterion X -may be any softener compatible anion, such as methyl sulfate, ethyl sulfate, chloride, bromide, formate, sulfate, lactate, nitrate, benzoate, and the like, for example, methyl sulfate.

[0137] Substituent R of formula IA 1 and R 2 It will be understood that the -YR groups may be optionally substituted with various groups, such as alkoxyl or hydroxyl groups. In one embodiment, the compound of formula IA is a diester quaternary ammonium salt (DEQA). At least about 25% of the DEQA is in the diester form, and 0% to about 40%, and / or less than about 30%, and / or less than about 20% is an EQA monoester (e.g., one -YR group). 2 The group may be only a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group.

[0138] Formula IB is: [(R 1 ) 4-p -N + -((CH2CHR 3 ) v -YR 2 ) p ]X - wherein each Y is —O—(O)C— or —C(O)—O—; p is 1 to 3; each v is an integer from 1 to 4 and mixtures thereof; and each R 1 The substituents are short chain C1-C6 and / or C1-C3 alkyl groups, such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, etc., benzyl, and mixtures thereof, and each R 2 are long-chain, saturated, and / or unsaturated (about 3 to about 60 iodine value), C8 to C 30 hydrocarbyl, or substituted hydrocarbyl substituents, and mixtures thereof, wherein each R 3 The substituents are short chain C1-C6 and / or C1-C3 alkyl groups, including benzyl, e.g., methyl, ethyl, propyl, and / or C1-C2, e.g., methyl, ethyl, and mixtures thereof, and the counterion X -may be any softener compatible anion, such as methyl sulfate, ethyl sulfate, chloride, bromide, formate, sulfate, lactate, nitrate, benzoate, and the like, for example, methyl sulfate.

[0139] Substituent R of formula IB 1 and R 2 It will be understood that the -YR groups may be optionally substituted with various groups, such as alkoxyl or hydroxyl groups. In one embodiment, the compound of formula IB is a diester quaternary ammonium salt (DEQA). At least about 25% of the DEQA is in the diester form, and 0% to about 40%, and / or less than about 30%, and / or less than about 20% is an EQA monoester (e.g., one -YR group). 2 The group may be only a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group.

[0140] As used herein, when a diester is specified, it includes the monoester which is normally present. The concentration of monoester present can be controlled in the production of the EQA.

[0141] The following are non-limiting examples of EQA Formula IA or IB, where all long chain alkyl substituents are linear:

[0142] saturation

[0143] [ka] In the formula, -C(O)R 2 is derived from saturated tallow.

[0144] unsaturated

[0145] [ka] In the formula, -C(O)R 2 is derived from partially hydrogenated or modified tallow having the properties described herein.

[0146] In addition to the compounds of formulas IA and IB, the compositions and articles of the present invention include an EQA compound of formula II:

[0147] [ka] wherein for any molecule, each Q is —O—C(O)— or —C(O)—O— and each R 1 is C1-C4 alkyl or hydroxyalkyl, and R 2 and v are defined above for formulas IA and IB, e.g., R 1 is a methyl group, v is 1, Q is -OC(O)-, and each R 2 is C 14 ~C 18 and X - is methyl sulfate.

[0148] R is a straight or branched alkyl or alkenyl chain 2 has a linear chain having about 8 to about 30 carbon atoms, and / or about 14 to about 18 carbon atoms, and / or about 14 to about 18 carbon atoms.

[0149] Tallow is a convenient and inexpensive source of long chain alkyl and alkenyl materials.

[0150] A specific example of a Formula II EQA compound suitable for use herein is 1,2-bis(tallowyloxy)-3-trimethylammoniopropane methylsulfate (DTTMAPMS).

[0151] Other examples of suitable Formula II EQA compounds of the present invention can be obtained by replacing "tallowyl" in the above compounds with, for example, cocoyl, lauryl, oleyl, stearyl, palmityl, etc.; replacing "methyl" in the above compounds with ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, t-butyl, or hydroxy-substituted analogs of these radicals; and / or replacing "methyl sulfate" in the above compounds with chloride, ethyl sulfate, bromide, formate, sulfate, lactate, nitrate, etc., such as methyl sulfate.

[0152] In addition to the compounds of formulas IA and IB and II, the articles of the invention may include EQA compounds of formula III:

[0153] [ka] In the formula, R 4 is a short chain C1-C4 alcohol, p is 2, and R 1 , R 2 , v, Y, and X - is as previously defined for formulas IA and IB.

[0154] A specific example of a compound of formula III suitable for use as an activator is N-methyl-N,N-di-(2-(C 14 ~C 18 One example of such a compound is N-methyl, N,N-di-(2-oleyloxyethyl)N-2-hydroxyethylammonium methyl sulfate.

[0155] The active agent of the present invention may also include a compound of formula IV.

[0156] [ka] In the formula, R 1 , R 2 , p, v, and X -is as previously defined in formulas IA and IB, and

[0157] [ka] and mixtures thereof, wherein at least one Y″ group is:

[0158] [ka]

[0159] An example of this compound is methyl bis(oleylamidoethyl) 2-hydroxyethylammonium methyl sulfate.

[0160] In one embodiment, the activator of the present invention is a quaternary ammonium compound.

[0161] The quaternary ammonium compounds herein can be prepared by standard esterification and quaternization reactions using readily available starting materials. A general method for preparation is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,137,180, which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0162] Tertiary amines and their salts Another active agent useful in the fiber elements and / or articles of the present invention is a carboxylate salt of a tertiary amine and / or ester amine having the formula:

[0163] [ka] In the formula, R 5 is a long chain aliphatic group containing from about 8 to about 30 carbon atoms, and R 6 and R 4 are the same or different and are aliphatic groups containing from about 1 to about 30 carbon atoms, 8 OH, a hydroxyalkyl group (wherein R 8 is an alkylene group of about 2 to about 30 carbon atoms), and9 O(C n H 2n O) m (In the formula, R 9 , alkyl and alkenyl having from about 1 to about 30 carbon atoms, and hydrogen; n is 2 or 3; and m is from about 1 to about 30; 4 , R 5 , R 6 , R 8 , and R 9 The chain may be an ester intervening group, R 7 is selected from the group consisting of unsubstituted alkyl, alkenyl, aryl, alkaryl, and aralkyl having from about 8 to about 30 carbon atoms, and substituted alkyl, alkenyl, aryl, alkaryl, and aralkyl having from about 1 to about 30 carbon atoms, wherein the substituents are selected from the group consisting of halogen, carboxyl, and hydroxyl, and the composition has a thermal softening point of from about 35° C. to about 100° C. In one embodiment, R 4 , R 5 , R 6 , R 7 , R 8 , and / or R 9 Any of the chains can contain unsaturation.

[0164] In one embodiment, R 5 is an aliphatic chain containing from about 12 to about 30 carbon atoms, and R 6 is an aliphatic chain of about 1 to about 30 carbon atoms, and R 4 is an aliphatic chain of about 1 to about 30 carbon atoms. In one embodiment, suitable tertiary amines for static control performance are those containing unsaturation, such as oleyl dimethylamine and / or soft tallow dimethylamine.

[0165] Examples of tertiary amines suitable as starting materials for the reaction between the amine and a carboxylic acid to form the tertiary amine salt are lauryl dimethylamine, myristyl dimethyl-amine, stearyl dimethylamine, tallow dimethylamine, coconut dimethylamine, dilauryl methylamine, distearyl methylamine, ditallow methylamine, oleyl dimethylamine, dioleyl methylamine, lauryl di(3-hydroxypropyl)amine, stearyl di(2-hydroxyethyl)amine, trilaurin amine, lauryl ethyl methylamine, and the following:

[0166] [ka]

[0167] Non-limiting examples of suitable fatty acids include R 7 is a long chain, unsubstituted alkyl or alkenyl group of about 8 to about 30 carbon atoms and / or about 11 to about 17 carbon atoms.

[0168] Examples of specific carboxylic acids as starting materials are formic acid, acetic acid, lauric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, oxalic acid, adipic acid, 12-hydroxystearic acid, benzoic acid, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, 3-chlorobenzoic acid, 4-nitrobenzoic acid, 4-ethylbenzoic acid, 4-(2-chloroethyl)benzoic acid, phenylacetic acid, (4-chlorophenyl)acetic acid, (4-hydroxyphenyl)acetic acid, and phthalic acid.

[0169] Non-limiting examples of suitable carboxylic acids are stearic acid, oleic acid, lauric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, and mixtures thereof.

[0170] Amine salts are well known in the art and can be formed by a simple addition reaction as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,237,155 (Kardouche, issued December 2, 1980), which is incorporated herein by reference. Excessive levels of free amine can result in odor problems, and free amine generally provides poorer softening performance than amine salts.

[0171] Non-limiting examples of amine salts for use herein include those in which the amine moiety is C8-C 30 Alkyl or alkenyl dimethylamine and / or di-C8-C 30 Alkyl or alkenylmethylamine, the acid moiety of which is C8-C 30 These are alkyl and / or alkenyl monocarboxylic acids. The amines and acids used to form the amine salts, respectively, are often mixed chain lengths rather than a single chain length because these materials are typically derived from natural fats and oils or synthetically processed, which produces a mixture of chain lengths. It is also often desirable to utilize a mixture of different chain lengths to modify the physical or performance properties of the softening composition.

[0172] Specific examples of amine salts for use in the present invention are oleyl dimethylamine stearate, stearyl dimethylamine stearate, stearyl dimethylamine myristate, stearyl dimethylamine oleate, stearyl dimethylamine palmitate, distearyl methylamine palmitate, distearyl methylamine laurate, and mixtures thereof. In one embodiment, the mixture of amine salts is oleyl dimethylamine stearate and distearyl methylamine myristate in a ratio of 1:10 to 10:1 and / or about 1:1.

[0173] Sulfonic acid fatty acid amine salts Other fatty acid amine acids can be used in the present invention. These salts are similar to those described above, but replace the carboxylic acid with a sulfonic acid derivative. Amine salts are well known in the art and can be formed by a simple addition reaction as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,861,502 (Caswell, issued August 29, 1989), which is incorporated herein by reference. Such sulfonic acid derivatives include, but are not limited to, methylsulfonic acid, benzenesulfonic acid, toluenesulfonic acid, cumenesulfonic acid, and mixtures thereof.

[0174] Nonionic surfactants Non-limiting examples of nonionic active agents suitable for use in the fiber elements and / or articles of the present invention have an HLB of from about 2 to about 9, more typically from about 3 to about 7. Generally, the material selected should be relatively crystalline and have a higher melting point (e.g., above 25°C).

[0175] The concentration of the optional non-ionic active agent in the Article is typically from about 0.1% to about 50%, and / or from about 5% to about 30%.

[0176] Non-limiting examples of suitable nonionic surfactants are fatty acid partial esters of polyhydric alcohols or anhydrides thereof, where the alcohol or anhydride contains from about 2 to about 18 and / or from about 2 to about 8 carbon atoms, and each fatty acid moiety contains from about 8 to about 30 and / or from about 12 to about 20 carbon atoms. Typically, such nonionic surfactants contain from about 1 to about 3 and / or about 2 fatty acid groups per molecule.

[0177] The polyhydric alcohol portion of the ester may be ethylene glycol, glycerol, poly (e.g., di-, tri-, tetra-, penta-, and / or hexa-)glycerol, xylitol, sucrose, erythritol, pentaerythritol, sorbitol, or sorbitol.

[0178] The fatty acid portion of the ester is typically derived from a fatty acid having from about 8 to about 30 and / or from about 12 to about 22 carbon atoms, typical examples of which are lauric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, and behenic acid.

[0179] Non-limiting examples of non-ionic surfactants suitable for use in the present invention include C 10 ~C 26 Acyl sorbitan esters and polyglycerol monostearates. Sorbitan esters are the esterified dehydration products of sorbitol. Sorbitan esters are C 10 ~C 26 Acyl sorbitan monoester, and / or C 10 ~C 26 The sorbitan ester may comprise a member selected from the group consisting of acyl sorbitan diesters, and / or ethoxylates of such esters in which one or more unesterified hydroxyl groups contain from about 1 to about 6 oxyethylene units, and mixtures thereof. For purposes of the present invention, sorbitan esters containing unsaturation (e.g., sorbitan monooleate) may be utilized.

[0180] Sorbitol, typically prepared by catalytic hydrogenation of glucose, can be dehydrated by well-known methods to form a mixture of 1,4- and 1,5-sorbitol anhydrides with small amounts of isosorbide (see U.S. Pat. No. 2,322,821, issued June 29, 1943, to Brown, which is incorporated herein by reference).

[0181] The above types of complex mixtures of sorbitol anhydrides are collectively referred to herein as "sorbitan." It will be recognized that this "sorbitan" mixture also contains some free, uncyclized sorbitol.

[0182] In one example, sorbitan-based active agents of the type used herein can be prepared by esterifying "sorbitan" mixtures with fatty acyl groups in standard manner, for example, by reaction with fatty acid halides, fatty acid esters, and / or fatty acids. The esterification reaction can occur at any of the available hydroxyl groups, and a variety of mono-, di-, etc. esters can be prepared. In practice, mixtures of mono-, di-, tri-, etc. esters almost always result from such reactions, and the stoichiometric ratio of the reactants can be simply adjusted to select the desired reaction product.

[0183] For commercial production of sorbitan ester materials, etherification and esterification are generally accomplished in the same process step by directly reacting sorbitol with fatty acids. Such methods of sorbitan ester preparation are described in more detail by MacDonald, "Emulsifiers: Processing and Quality Control," Journal of the American Oil Chemists' Society, Vol. 45, October 1968. Details of examples of sorbitan esters, including formulas, can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,128,484, incorporated herein by reference.

[0184] Certain derivatives of the sorbitan esters herein are also useful in the articles of the invention, particularly the "lower" ethoxylates thereof (i.e., mono-, di-, and triesters in which one or more of the non-esterified -OH groups contains from 1 to about 20 oxyethylene moieties (Tweens®)). Thus, the term "sorbitan ester" is intended to include such derivatives.

[0185] For purposes of the present invention, in one embodiment, significant amounts of di- and tri-sorbitan esters are present in the ester mixture. In another embodiment, the ester mixture may have about 20-50% mono-esters, about 25-50% di-esters, and about 10-35% triesters and tetra-esters. Materials commercially available as sorbitan mono-esters (e.g., monostearates) typically contain significant amounts of di- and tri-esters. A typical analysis of commercially available sorbitan monostearate indicates that it contains about 27% mono-esters, about 32% di-esters, and about 30% tri- and tetra-esters. Mixtures of sorbitan stearates and sorbitan palmitates with stearate / palmitate weight ratios ranging from 10:1 to 1:10, as well as 1,5-sorbitan esters, are also useful. Additionally, both 1,4- and 1,5-sorbitan esters are useful herein.

[0186] Other useful alkyl sorbitan esters for use as active agents herein include sorbitan monolaurate, sorbitan monomyristate, sorbitan monopalmitate, sorbitan monobehenate, sorbitan monooleate, sorbitan dilaurate, sorbitan dimyristate, sorbitan dipalmitate, sorbitan distearate, sorbitan dibehenate, sorbitan dioleate, and mixtures thereof, as well as mixed tallow alkyl sorbitan mono- and diesters. Such mixtures are readily prepared by reacting the above-mentioned hydroxy-substituted sorbitans, particularly 1,4- and 1,5-sorbitan, with the corresponding acids, esters, or acid chlorides in a simple esterification reaction. Of course, it should be recognized that commercial materials prepared in this manner include mixtures that typically contain trace amounts of non-cyclized sorbitol, fatty acids, polymers, isosorbide structures, and the like. In the present invention, it is desirable to maintain such impurities at as low a concentration as practical.

[0187] As used herein, the sorbitan esters contain up to about 15% by weight of C 20 ~C26 and higher fatty acid esters, and minor amounts of C8 and lower fatty acid esters.

[0188] Glycerol and polyglycerol esters, particularly glycerol, diglycerol, triglycerol, and polyglycerol mono- and / or di-esters, in one embodiment mono- (e.g., polyglycerol monostearate having the trade name Radiasurf 7248). Glycerol esters can be prepared from naturally occurring triglycerides by conventional extraction, purification, and / or transesterification processes, or by esterification processes of the type described above for sorbitan esters. Partial esters of glycerin can also be ethoxylated to form usable derivatives encompassed within the term "glycerol esters."

[0189] Useful glycerol and polyglycerol esters include mono-esters with stearic acid, oleic acid, palmitic acid, lauric acid, isostearic acid, myristic acid, and / or behenic acid, and di-esters of stearic acid, oleic acid, palmitic acid, lauric acid, isostearic acid, behenic acid, and / or myristic acid, it being understood that typical mono-esters also contain some di- and triesters, etc.

[0190] "Glycerol ester" also includes polyglycerols, such as diglycerol through octaglycerol esters. Polyglycerol polyols are formed by condensing glycerin or epichlorohydrin together, linking the glycerol moieties through ether bonds. Mono- and / or diesters of polyglycerol polyols may be used, with the fatty acyl groups typically being those described above for sorbitan and glycerol esters.

[0191] Aliphatic surfactants The fiber elements and / or articles of the present invention may include one or more aliphatic active agents, such as one or more high melting point aliphatic compounds. The high melting point aliphatic compounds may be included in the fiber element, article, and / or fiber element-forming composition at a concentration of about 10% to about 85%, and / or 20% to 70%, and / or about 50% to about 70%, and / or about 10% to about 20% by weight of the fiber element, article, and / or fiber element-forming composition. In one embodiment, the aliphatic active agent is selected from the group consisting of aliphatic amphiphiles, fatty alcohols, fatty acids, fatty acid amides, fatty esters, and mixtures thereof.

[0192] In one embodiment, the aliphatic active agent has a melting point of 25° C. or higher, and / or 40° C. or higher, and / or 45° C. or higher, and / or 50° C. or higher, and / or up to about 90° C., and / or up to about 80° C., and / or up to about 70° C., and / or up to about 65° C., and is considered a high melting point aliphatic active agent. The aliphatic active agent may be used as a single compound or as a blend or mixture of at least two aliphatic active agents. When used as such a blend or mixture, the melting point referred to above refers to the melting point of the blend or mixture.

[0193] The fatty active agents useful herein may be selected from the group consisting of fatty alcohols, fatty acids, fatty alcohol derivatives, fatty acid derivatives, and mixtures thereof. Those skilled in the art will understand that the fatty active agents disclosed herein may in some cases belong to more than one category (e.g., some fatty alcohol derivatives may also be classified as fatty acid derivatives). However, a given classification is not intended to limit the specific compound, but is made so for the convenience of classification and nomenclature. Furthermore, those skilled in the art will understand that certain fatty active agents with certain required carbon atoms may have melting points below the above range, depending on the number and position of double bonds and the length and position of branching. Such fatty active agents with low melting points (melting points below 25°C and / or below 20°C) are not intended to be included in this section. Non-limiting examples of high-melting point fatty active agents can be found in the International Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary, Fifth Edition, 1993, and the CTFA Cosmetic Ingredient Handbook, Second Edition, 1992.

[0194] a. Fatty acids The aliphatic active agent may comprise a fatty acid active agent.Typically, the fatty acid is present to improve the processability of the composition, especially when mixed with any material or materials that are difficult to process as a result of having a high viscosity.The fatty acid can provide improved viscosity and / or processability.

[0195] Non-limiting examples of suitable fatty acids are those containing long-chain, unsubstituted alkenyl groups of about 8 to about 30 carbon atoms and / or about 11 to about 18 carbon atoms. Examples of specific carboxylic acids are oleic acid, linoleic acid, and mixtures thereof. While unsaturated fatty acids are preferred, unsaturated fatty acids may also be used in combination with saturated fatty acids such as stearic acid, palmitic acid, and / or lauric acid. Non-limiting examples of suitable carboxylic acids are oleic acid, linoleic acid, tallow fatty acid, and mixtures thereof.

[0196] In one embodiment, a fatty acid may be added to the quaternization reaction mixture used to form the biodegradable quaternary ammonium compounds of Formula II, III, and / or IV above to reduce the viscosity of the reaction mixture to less than about 1500 cps, and / or less than about 1000 cps, and / or less than about 800 cps. The solvent concentration of the added fatty acid may be about 5% to about 30%, and / or about 10% to about 25%, and / or about 10% to about 20%. The unsaturated fatty acid may be added before the start of the quaternization reaction and / or during the quaternization reaction if necessary to reduce the viscosity, which increases with increasing levels of quaternization. In one embodiment, addition occurs when at least about 60% of the product has been quaternized. This allows for a low viscosity for processing while minimizing side reactions that may occur when the quaternizing agent reacts with the fatty acid. Quaternization reactions are well known and include, for example, the processes described in U.S. Patent Nos. 3,915,867 (Kang et al., issued October 28, 1975), 4,830,771 (Ruback et al., issued May 16, 1989), and 5,296,622 (Uphues et al., issued March 22, 1994) for compounds of formula IA and / or IB, all of which are incorporated herein by reference. The resulting quaternized biodegradable active agents can be used without removing the unsaturated fatty acids and are, in fact, more useful because the mixture is more fluid and easier to handle.

[0197] Further examples of the types of active agents suitable for use herein are described in detail in U.S. Pat. No. 4,661,269 to Toan Trinh, Errol H. Wahl, Donald M. Swartley, and Ronald L. Hemingway, issued April 28, 1987, which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0198] b. Fatty alcohol Non-limiting examples of suitable fatty alcohols useful as fatty active agents are fatty alcohols having from about 14 to about 30 carbon atoms and / or from about 16 to about 22 carbon atoms. These fatty alcohols are saturated and may be straight or branched chain alcohols.

[0199] Suitable fatty alcohols include cetyl alcohol (having a melting point of about 56°C), stearyl alcohol (having a melting point of about 58-59°C), behenyl alcohol (having a melting point of about 71°C), and mixtures thereof. While these fatty alcohols are known to have the above melting points, they often have lower melting points when supplied because such supplied products are often mixtures of fatty alcohols having an alkyl chain length distribution in which the predominant alkyl chain is a cetyl, stearyl, or behenyl group. Generally, the weight ratio of cetyl alcohol to stearyl alcohol in the mixture may preferably be about 1:9 to 9:1, and / or about 1:4 to about 4:1, and / or about 1:2.3 to about 1.5:1.

[0200] surfactants The active agent of the present invention may further comprise one or more surfactants, such as one or more nonionic surfactants and / or one or more cationic surfactants, which may function as both an active agent and a fiber element hydration control system.

[0201] a. Nonionic surfactants The total concentration of nonionic surfactant in the fiber element and / or article can be from about 1% to about 30% by weight of the composition, alternatively from about 5% to about 15% by weight, and alternatively from about 5% to about 10% by weight. Non-limiting examples of nonionic surfactants include alkyl glucamides, such as lauroyl / myristoyl methyl glucamide. Alkyl glucamides contain a hydrophobic tail of about 8 to 18 carbons and a nonionic glucamide head group. With respect to alkyl glucamides, the presence of amide and hydroxyl groups provides sufficient polarity to balance the hydrophobic carbon tail in a manner that allows solubility of the surfactant in the fiber element-forming composition and / or provides sufficient polarity to provide rapid dispersion of the article's composition upon exposure to water. Other suitable nonionic surfactants include reverse alkyl glucamides, betaines such as cocamidopropyl betaine, alkyl glucosides, tertiary amino compounds such as triethanolamine (TEA), alkanolamides such as cocamide DEA, cocamide MEA, cocamide MIPA, isostearamide DEA, isostearamide MEA, isostearamide MIPA, lanolinamide DEA, lauramide DEA, lauramide MEA, lauramide MIPA, linoleamide DEA, linoleamide MEA, linoleamide MIPA, myristamide DEA, myristamide MEA , myristamide MIPA, oleamide DEA, oleamide MEA, oleamide MIPA, palmamide DEA, palmamide MEA, palmamide MIPA, palmitamide DEA, palmitamide MEA, palm kernel fatty acid amide DEA, palm kernel fatty acid amide MEA, palm kernel fatty acid amide MIPA, peanutamide MEA, peanutamide MIPA, soyamide DEA, stearamide DEA, stearamide MEA, stearamide MIPA, tallowamide DEA, tallowamide MEA, undecylenamide DEA, undecylenamide MEA, and the like, and mixtures thereof.

[0202] b. Cationic surfactants When present, the cationic surfactant may be present at a concentration of from about 1% to about 60% by weight of the fiber element and / or fiber element-forming composition and / or article, alternatively from about 10% to about 50% by weight, and alternatively from about 20% to about 40% by weight.

[0203] The cationic surfactant useful herein can be one cationic surfactant or a mixture of two or more cationic surfactants.The cationic surfactant can be selected from the group consisting of, but not limited to, mono-long chain alkyl quaternized ammonium salt; a combination of mono-long chain alkyl quaternized ammonium salt and di-long chain alkyl quaternized ammonium salt; a mono-long chain alkyl amine; a combination of mono-long chain alkyl amine and di-long chain alkyl quaternized ammonium salt; and a combination of mono-long chain alkyl amine and mono-long chain alkyl quaternized ammonium salt, tertiary amine, and combinations thereof.

[0204] In one embodiment, the water-insoluble fiber elements and / or water-insoluble articles of the present invention comprise one or more quaternary ammonium compounds, which may be cationic surfactants, containing about 8-30, and / or about 8-24, and / or about 8-22, and / or about 8-20, and / or about 10-18, and / or about 12-18, and / or about 14-18 carbon atoms.

[0205] i. Mono-long chain alkylamines Non-limiting examples of mono-long chain alkylamines useful herein are those having a single long alkyl chain of about 8-30, and / or about 8-22, and / or about 8-20, and / or about 10-20, and / or about 10-18, and / or about 12-18, and / or about 14-18, and / or about 16-18 carbon atoms, alternatively 16-24 carbon atoms, alternatively 18-22 alkyl groups. Mono-long chain alkylamines useful herein also include mono-long chain alkylamidoamines. Primary, secondary, and tertiary aliphatic amines are useful.

[0206] Tertiary amidoamines having alkyl groups of about 12 to about 22 carbon atoms are suitable for use in the fiber elements and / or articles of the present invention. Exemplary tertiary amidoamines include stearamidopropyl dimethylamine, stearamidopropyl diethylamine, stearamidoethyl diethylamine, stearamidoethyl dimethylamine, palmitamidopropyl dimethylamine, palmitamidopropyl diethylamine, palmitamidoethyl diethylamine, palmitamidoethyl dimethylamine, behenamidopropyl dimethylamine, behenamidopropyl diethylamine, behenamidoethyl diethylamine, behenamidoethyl dimethylamine, arachidamidopropyl dimethylamine, arachidamidopropyl diethylamine, arachidamidoethyl diethylamine, arachidamidoethyl dimethylamine, and diethylaminoethyl stearamide. Amines useful in the present invention are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,275,055 (Nachtigal et al.).

[0207] These amines may be used in combination with acids such as λ-glutamic acid, lactic acid, hydrochloric acid, malic acid, succinic acid, acetic acid, fumaric acid, tartaric acid, citric acid, λ-glutamic acid hydrochloride, maleic acid, and mixtures thereof, alternatively λ-glutamic acid, lactic acid, citric acid, etc., in a molar ratio of amine to acid of about 1:0.3 to about 1:2, alternatively about 1:0.4 to about 1:1.

[0208] ii. Mono-long chain alkyl quaternized ammonium salts Non-limiting examples of mono-long chain alkyl quaternized ammonium salts useful herein are those having one long alkyl chain of 12 to 30 carbon atoms, alternatively 16 to 24 carbon atoms, alternatively a C18-22 alkyl group. The remaining groups attached to the nitrogen are independently selected from alkyl groups of 1 to about 4 carbon atoms, or alkoxy, polyoxyalkylene, alkylamido, hydroxyalkyl, aryl, or alkylaryl groups having up to about 4 carbon atoms.

[0209] Mono-long chain alkyl quaternized ammonium salts useful herein are those having the following formula (V):

[0210] [ka] (In the formula, R 75 , R 76 , R 77 , and R 78 is selected from an alkyl group of 12 to 30 carbon atoms, or an aromatic group, an alkoxy group, a polyoxyalkylene group, an alkylamido group, a hydroxyalkyl group, an aryl group, or an alkylaryl group having up to about 30 carbon atoms; 75 , R 76 , R 77 , and R 78 the remainder are independently selected from alkyl groups of 1 to about 4 carbon atoms, or alkoxy groups having up to about 4 carbon atoms, polyoxyalkylene groups, alkylamido groups, hydroxyalkyl groups, aryl groups, or alkylaryl groups; and X - R has a salt-forming anion, such as one selected from halogen (e.g., chloride, bromide), acetate, citrate, lactate, glycolate, phosphate, nitrate, sulfonate, sulfate, alkyl sulfate, and alkyl sulfonate groups. In addition to carbon and hydrogen atoms, the alkyl group may contain ether and / or ester linkages, as well as other groups such as amino groups. Longer chain alkyl groups, e.g., those having about 12 carbon atoms or more, may be saturated or unsaturated. R 75 , R 76 , R 77 , and R 78 may be selected from alkyl groups of 12 to 30 carbon atoms, alternatively 16 to 24 carbon atoms, alternatively 18 to 22 carbon atoms, alternatively 22 carbon atoms; and R 75 , R 76 , R 77 , and R 78 The remainder may be independently selected from CH3, C2H5, C2H4OH, and mixtures thereof, and X may be selected from the group consisting of Cl, Br, CH3OSO3, C2H5OSO3, and mixtures thereof.

[0211] Non-limiting examples of such mono-long chain alkyl quaternized ammonium salt cationic surfactants include behenyltrimethylammonium salts, stearyltrimethylammonium salts, cetyltrimethylammonium salts, and hydrogenated tallowalkyltrimethylammonium salts.

[0212] iii. Di-long chain alkyl quaternized ammonium salts When used, the di-long-chain alkyl quaternized ammonium salt may be combined with the mono-long-chain alkyl quaternized ammonium salt and / or the mono-long-chain alkyl amine salt in a weight ratio of 1:1 to 1:5, alternatively 1:1.2 to 1:5, alternatively 1:1.5 to 1:4, from the standpoint of stability of the rheological effect and conditioning effect.

[0213] Non-limiting examples of di-long chain alkyl quaternized ammonium salts useful herein are those having two long alkyl chains of 12 to 30 carbon atoms, alternatively 16 to 24 carbon atoms, alternatively 18 to 22 carbon atoms. Such di-long chain alkyl quaternized ammonium salts useful herein have the formula (VI):

[0214] [ka] [In the formula, R 71 , R 72 , R 73 , and R 74 two of R are selected from an aliphatic group of 12 to 30 carbon atoms, alternatively 16 to 24 carbon atoms, alternatively 18 to 22 carbon atoms, or an aromatic group having up to about 30 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group, a polyoxyalkylene group, an alkylamido group, a hydroxyalkyl group, an aryl group, or an alkylaryl group; 71 , R 72 , R 73 , and R 74the remainder are independently selected from aliphatic groups of 1 to about 8 carbon atoms, alternatively 1 to 3 carbon atoms, or aromatic groups having up to about 8 carbon atoms, alkoxy groups, polyoxyalkylene groups, alkylamido groups, hydroxyalkyl groups, aryl groups, or alkylaryl groups; and X - is a salt-forming anion selected from the group consisting of halides (e.g., chloride and bromide), C1-C4 alkyl sulfates (e.g., methosulfate and ethosulfate), and mixtures thereof. The aliphatic groups may contain, in addition to carbon and hydrogen atoms, ether linking groups, and other groups such as amino groups. Longer chain aliphatic groups, e.g., those having about 16 carbon atoms or more, may be saturated or unsaturated. R 71 , R 72 , R 73 , and R 74 two of which may be selected from alkyl groups of 12 to 30 carbon atoms, alternatively 16 to 24 carbon atoms, alternatively 18 to 22 carbon atoms; R 71 , R 72 , R 73 , and R 74 the remainder are independently selected from CH3, C2H5, C2H4OH, CH2C6H5, and mixtures thereof.

[0215] Suitable di-long chain alkyl cationic surfactants include, for example, dialkyl(14-18)dimethylammonium chloride, ditallowalkyldimethylammonium chloride, dihydroadded tallowalkyldimethylammonium chloride, distearyldimethylammonium chloride, and dicetyldimethylammonium chloride.

[0216] Supplementary ingredients In addition to one or more active agents, the fiber elements and / or fiber element-forming compositions and / or articles of the present invention may further comprise one or more auxiliary components, e.g., one or more structuring agents, such as one or more polymeric structuring agents. In one example, the auxiliary component is derived from a non-naturally occurring polymer, in other words, the auxiliary component is not derived from, for example, starch or cellulose.

[0217] Non-limiting examples of suitable auxiliary components, e.g., structurants, are selected from the group consisting of polymeric structurants, inorganic structurants, and mixtures thereof. In one embodiment, the auxiliary component, e.g., structurant, comprises a polymeric structurant selected from the group consisting of polyvinylpyrrolidone, copolymers of vinylpyrrolidone, polydimethylacrylamide, copolymers of dimethylacrylamide, and mixtures thereof. In one embodiment, the structurant comprises polyvinylpyrrolidone. In one embodiment, the structurant comprises polydimethylacrylamide. In one embodiment, the structurant comprises an inorganic structurant selected from the group consisting of clay, silica, and mixtures thereof.

[0218] When present, one or more auxiliary components, such as one or more structuring agents, may be dispersed, for example homogeneously, in the filament-forming composition and / or the fiber elements and / or the fiber structure and / or the one or more active agents within the article.

[0219] If present, one or more auxiliary ingredients may be present in the filament-forming composition and / or fibrous element and / or fibrous structure and / or article at a total concentration of less than or equal to 20% by weight, and / or less than 15% by weight, and / or less than 10% by weight, and / or less than 5% by weight, and / or less than 4% by weight, and / or less than 3% by weight, and / or less than 2% by weight, and / or less than 1% by weight, and / or about 0% by weight, based on the dry filament-forming composition and / or dry fibrous element and / or dry fibrous structure and / or dry article.

[0220] Non-limiting examples of suitable structuring agents include polyacrylic acid and its copolymers, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and its copolymers, such as polyvinylpyrrolidone / trimethyl amino ethyl methacrylate (PVP / trimethyl amino ethyl methacrylate (TMAEMA)), polyvinylpyrrolidone / dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate (PVP / dimethyl aminoethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA)), and polyvinylpyrrolidone / dimethylaminopropyl methacrylate (PVP / dimethyl and their cationic copolymers such as N-aminopropylmethyacrylate (DMAPMA), polyacrylamide and copolymers thereof, polyoxazoline and copolymers thereof such as poly(2-ethyloxazoline), polyvinyl methyl ether, polyethyleneimine, polymethacrylic acid, other water-soluble acrylic polymers such as N-isopropylacrylamide, N-N-dimethylacrylamide, polyvinyloxazolidone, polycaprolactam, polystyrene sulfonate, polyvinyl formamide, polyvinylamine, alkylated vinylpyrrolidone, vinyl caprolactam, vinyl valerolactam, vinyl imidazole, acrylic acid, methacrylate, acrylamide, methacrylamide, dimethacrylamide, alkylamino methacrylate, and alkylamino methacrylamide monomers, and combinations thereof. For clarity, the use of the term "copolymer" is intended to convey that vinylpyrrolidone monomers may be copolymerized with other monomers such as, but not limited to, vinyl acetate, alkylated vinylpyrrolidone, vinyl caprolactam, vinyl valerolactam, vinyl imidazole, acrylic acid, methacrylate, acrylamide, methacrylamide, dimethacrylamide, alkylamino methacrylate, and alkylamino methacrylamide monomers.

[0221] In one embodiment, the structuring agent comprises a polymeric structuring agent selected from the group consisting of polyvinylpyrrolidone, copolymers of vinylpyrrolidone, polydimethylacrylamide, copolymers of dimethylacrylamide, and mixtures thereof. In one embodiment, the structuring agent comprises polyvinylpyrrolidone. In another embodiment, the structuring agent comprises polydimethylacrylamide.

[0222] In one embodiment, at least one of the one or more auxiliary components, e.g., a structuring agent such as a polymeric structuring agent, exhibits a weight average molecular weight of from about 10,000 to about 3,000,000 g / mol, and / or from about 20,000 to about 2,500,000 g / mol, and / or from about 30,000 to less than 2,000,000 g / mol, and / or from about 40,000 to about 1,700,000 g / mol.

[0223] Fiber element hydration control system In addition to active agents and adjunct ingredients, the fiber elements and / or fiber element-forming compositions and / or articles of the present invention include a fiber element hydration control system. Such a fiber element hydration control system may be present in the fiber element and / or fiber element-forming composition and ultimately in the article made therefrom, and / or may be an external fiber element hydration control system not present in the fiber element or fiber element-forming composition.

[0224] Non-limiting examples of fiber element hydration control systems suitable for use in the fiber elements and / or fiber element-forming compositions, and ultimately articles made therefrom, include quaternary ammonium compounds, such as C8-C9 ammonium salts, which may also function as cationic surfactants. 22 Included are quaternary ammonium compounds, surfactants such as nonionic surfactants, salts and salt-forming systems such as effervescent systems, and mixtures thereof.

[0225] a. Quaternary ammonium compounds In one embodiment, the fiber element hydration control system comprises one or more quaternary ammonium compounds. In one embodiment, the fiber element hydration control system comprises one or more C8-C 22 Quaternary ammonium compounds and / or one or more C8-C20 Quaternary ammonium compounds, and / or one or more C 10 ~C 18 Quaternary ammonium compounds, and / or one or more C 12 ~C 18 Quaternary ammonium compounds, and / or one or more C 14 ~C 18 Quaternary ammonium compounds, and / or one or more C 16 ~C 18 Contains quaternary ammonium compounds.

[0226] In one embodiment, the fiber element hydration control system comprises a quaternary ammonium compound selected from the group consisting of behentrimonium methosulfate, behentrimonium chloride, behenamidopropyl dimethylamine, and mixtures thereof.

[0227] B. surfactants In one embodiment, the fiber element hydration control system comprises a surfactant. In one embodiment, the fiber element hydration control system comprises a non-ionic surfactant.

[0228] Non-limiting examples of nonionic surfactants suitable for use as the fiber element hydration control system include nonionic surfactants selected from the group consisting of reverse alkyl glucamides, betaines, alkyl glucosides, tertiary amino compounds, alkanolamides, and mixtures thereof.

[0229] In one embodiment, the fiber element hydration control system comprises an alkanolamide. Non-limiting examples of alkanolamides suitable for use as the fiber element hydration control system include cocamide DEA, cocamide MEA, cocamide MIPA, isostearamide DEA, isostearamide MEA, isostearamide MIPA, lanolinamide DEA, lauramide DEA, lauramide MEA, lauramide MIPA, linoleamide DEA, linoleamide MEA, linoleamide MIPA, myristamide DEA, myristamide MEA, myristamide MIPA, oleamide DEA, oleamide MEA, oleamide MIPA, palmamide DEA, palm ... and mixtures thereof.

[0230] In one embodiment, the fiber element hydration control system includes triethanolamine.

[0231] c. Salt or salt-forming system In one embodiment, the fiber element hydration control system comprises a salt, which may be present in the fiber element and / or fiber element-forming composition and ultimately in the article formed therefrom, and / or may be an external fiber element hydration control system.

[0232] In one embodiment, the fiber element includes a hydration control system and a salt generating system, which may be an effervescent system.

[0233] In one embodiment, the fibrous element hydration control system includes an effervescent system. The effervescent system may include an acid, such as an effervescent acid, e.g., effervescent acid particles, a salt, such as an effervescent salt, e.g., effervescent salt particles, and combinations thereof. In one embodiment, the effervescent system includes one or more particles (in particle form), e.g., effervescent acid particles and / or effervescent salt particles. In one embodiment, the effervescent system includes an agglomerate including an acid, e.g., an effervescent acid, e.g., effervescent acid particles, and a salt, e.g., effervescent salt, e.g., effervescent salt particles, with or without a binder, such as a surfactant.

[0234] In one embodiment, the outer fiber element hydration control system includes an effervescent system. The effervescent system may include one or more effervescent acids, e.g., effervescent acid particles, and one or more effervescent salts, e.g., effervescent salt particles. In one embodiment, either or both of the effervescent acids and effervescent salts may be in anhydrous form.

[0235] Examples of suitable effervescent salts that may be in particulate form include salts such as alkali and alkaline earth metal salts. Non-limiting examples of suitable alkali metal salts include sodium carbonate, calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate, ammonium carbonate, potassium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, potassium bicarbonate, calcium bicarbonate, or mixtures thereof. In one example, the effervescent salt particles may exhibit a particle size range of about 50 μm to about 200 μm and / or about 50 μm to about 150 μm and / or about 50 μm to about 100 μm.

[0236] Examples of suitable effervescent acids, which may be in particulate form, include, but are not limited to, tartaric acid, citric acid, fumaric acid, succinic acid, adipic acid, malic acid, oxalic acid, or sulfamic acid (alone or in combination). Polymeric organic salts may also be used, non-limiting examples of which include poly(acrylic acid), poly(acrylic acid-co-maleic acid), poly(maleic acid), and the like. Non-limiting examples of inorganic acids that may be used include urea hydrochloride, sodium bisulfate, phosphoric acid, and the like. In one embodiment, the effervescent acid is citric acid and / or tartaric acid.

[0237] In certain embodiments, the effervescent acid comprises a coating. The coating can help prevent premature activation of the effervescent salt by the effervescent acid. Suitable coatings include anti-caking agents such as maltodextrin, citrate, or silicon dioxide. In one example, the effervescent acid comprises maltodextrin-coated citric acid (available under the trade name Citric Acid DC), citrate-coated citric acid (available under the trade name CITROCOAT® N), or silicon dioxide-coated citric acid (available under the trade name Citric Acid S40).

[0238] In one embodiment, the effervescent acid may be added in an amount of about 10% to about 60% by weight of the effervescent system, and the effervescent salt may be added in an amount of about 10% to about 60% by weight of the effervescent system.

[0239] In one embodiment, the effervescent acid and / or effervescent salt may comprise from about 0.1% to about 50% by weight and / or from about 1% to about 40% by weight and / or from about 5% to about 30% by weight based on the dry fiber component and / or dry particle and / or dry fiber structure and / or dry article.

[0240] Optional Activator In addition to the active agents described above, the fiber elements and / or fiber element-forming compositions and / or articles of the present invention may further comprise one or more optional active agents, which may be in the form of particles, e.g., active agent-containing particles. The optional active agent may be present in the fiber elements and / or fiber element-forming compositions and / or external to the fiber elements, e.g., mixed with the fiber elements as active agent-containing particles before forming the article of the present invention, and / or applied to the surface of the fiber elements before or after forming the article of the present invention, and / or added as a layer between two or more layers of fiber elements during formation of the article of the present invention, and / or added between two or more fiber structures when forming the multi-fiber structure / multi-ply article of the present invention.

[0241] Non-limiting examples of optional active agents include fragrances, colorants, e.g., dyes and / or pigments, preservatives, opacifiers, e.g., titanium dioxide, mica, sunscreens including organic and / or inorganic sunscreens, e.g., zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, mica, natural oils, vitamins, e.g., panthenol, vitamin E, vitamin B, vitamin C, skin conditioners, e.g., petrolatum, mineral oil, silicones, skin soothing agents, e.g., PEG-10 ... agents such as zinc oxide, petrolatum, sensates such as cooling agents, e.g., menthol and menthol lactate, and / or warming agents, e.g., capsaicin and carvacrol, powders such as henna powder, turmeric powder, antioxidants, rosacea agents such as salicylic acid, mica, azelaic acid, skin benefit agents such as retinol, hyaluronic acid, moisturizers, peptides, pyrithiones, e.g., zinc pyrithione, strobilurins, e.g., azoxystrobin, piroctone derivatives and / or salts such as piroctone olamine, and mixtures thereof.

[0242] In one embodiment, the one or more optional active agents may include warming agents, such as encapsulated warming agents, and / or activators, such as zeolites, salts, and other reactive components, that undergo an exothermic reaction (release heat) when contacted with, for example, water.

[0243] In one embodiment, the one or more optional active agents may include a cooling agent, such as an encapsulated coolant, and / or an active agent that undergoes an endothermic reaction (absorbs heat and thus cools its surroundings) when in contact with, for example, water.

[0244] In one embodiment, the optional active agent comprises a vitamin, eg, a B vitamin such as vitamin B-3, eg, niacinamide, and / or vitamin E.

[0245] In one embodiment, the optional active agent comprises niacinamide.

[0246] In one embodiment, the optional active agent comprises panthenol.

[0247] In one embodiment, the optional active agents include oils, such as natural oils, and / or butters, such as shea butter and cocoa butter, which may be in pure form and / or encapsulated form and / or particulate form and / or matrix particulate form.

[0248] The oil may be a natural oil, such as a vegetable-based oil.

[0249] In one embodiment, the oil may be a synthetic oil, such as a hydrocarbon oil and / or a triglyceride oil, hi one embodiment, the oil may be a medium chain triglyceride (MCT) oil.

[0250] Non-limiting examples of oils, e.g., natural oils, for use in the present invention are selected from the group consisting of peppermint oil, spearmint oil, argan oil, jojoba oil, coconut oil, palm oil, palm kernel oil, olive oil, soybean oil, flax oil, almond oil, avocado oil, grapeseed oil, rapeseed oil, sunflower oil, safflower oil, tetrahydrocurcumin oil, and mixtures thereof.

[0251] In one embodiment, optional active agents include vitamins, for example, B vitamins such as niacinamide, and natural oils, for example, jojoba oil.

[0252] In one embodiment, optional active agents include niacinamide and a natural oil, such as jojoba oil.

[0253] In one embodiment, optional active agents include skin benefit agents, such as retinol, hyaluronic acid, moisturizers, peptides, and mixtures thereof.

[0254] In one embodiment, the optional active agent includes a moisturizer, such as aloe.

[0255] Non-limiting examples of optional active agents include those that provide moisturizing, barrier improving, antifungal, antibacterial and antioxidant, anti-itch, and cooling and / or warming effects. Non-limiting examples of such optional active agents include, but are not limited to, vitamins E and F, natural extracts / oils such as aloe, peppermint, e.g., peppermint oil, spearmint oil, argan oil, jojoba oil, coconut oil, palm kernel oil, soybean oil, and other vegetable oils such as seed-derived oils (flax oil, almond oil, etc.) and fruit-derived oils (avocado oil), salicylic acid, niacinamide, caffeine, panthenol, glycol, glycolic acid, lactic acid, PCA, PEG, erythritol, glycerin, triclosan, lactic acid, hyaluronate, allantoin and other ureas, betaine, sorbitol, glutamic acid, xylitol, menthol, methyl lactate, isocyclomone, benzyl alcohol, compounds comprising the following structure:

[0256] [ka] R is H, alkyl, aminoalkyl, alkoxy; H2, O, -OR1, -N(R1)2, OPO(OR1) x , -PO(OR1) x , -P(OR1) x (In the formula, x=1-2);NR1, O, -OPO(OR1) x , -PO(OR1) x , -P(OR1) x (in the formula, x=1-2); When n=0, X is independently selected from H, aryl, naphthyl; when n≧1, X is aliphatic CH or aromatic CH, and Z is selected from aliphatic CH, aromatic CH, or a heteroatom; lower alkoxy, lower alkylthio, aryl, substituted aryl, or fused aryl, and the stereochemistry is * The position of the mark is variable.

[0257] In one embodiment, the optional active agent comprises one or more sensates. The sensate may be, for example, a material that provides a sensation of thermal change, such as heating or cooling. The sensate provides skin sensation and comfort benefits. Non-limiting examples of sensates include p-methane-3,8-diol; isopulegol; menthoxypropane-1,2-diol; curcumin; menthyl lactate; gingerol; icilin; menthol; tea tree oil; methyl salicylate; camphor; peppermint oil; N-ethyl-p-menthane-3-carboxamide; N-[4-(cyanomethyl)phenyl]-2-isopropyl-5-methylcyclohexane-carboxamide; ethyl 3-(p-menthane-3-carboxamide) acetate; 2-isopropyl-N,2,3-trimethylbutyramide; menthone glycerol ketal; capsaicin, carvacrol, menthol, and mixtures thereof.

[0258] Some optional active agents can be considered to be different classes of optional active agents, for example, peppermint oil can be considered an oil, eg, a natural oil, as well as a sensate.

[0259] In one embodiment, the fiber elements and / or articles may include one or more optional active agents and one or more fiber element hydration control systems, for example, external fiber element hydration control systems such as effervescent systems.

[0260] printing The article of the present invention may further include a graphic printed on one or more of its surfaces. The graphic may be printed directly on the fibrous structure. More specifically, the fibrous structure may include a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, and one or more graphics may be printed directly on the first and / or second surfaces of the fibrous structure. In some embodiments, the graphic includes ink positioned on the first and / or second surfaces. It should also be understood that the ink penetrates fibrous elements, such as intertwined fibrous elements such as filaments, and void areas, and may penetrate into the fibrous structure below the surface to which the ink is applied, for example, up to 100 micrometers or less. Thus, the ink may be present on and / or within the fibrous structure at various depths below the first and / or second surfaces. In some embodiments, the graphic may be applied so that the fibrous structure has various wet and / or dry ink adhesion ratings. Additionally, graphics may be applied to enable the fibrous structure to exhibit particular desired physical properties, such as a desired range of geometric mean modulus, geometric mean elongation, and / or geometric mean tensile strength.

[0261] particle In addition to the fiber elements, the articles of the present invention may further include particles. The particles may be water-soluble or water-insoluble. In one example, some particles may be water-soluble and other particles may be water-insoluble. In another example, the particles may include one or more active agents and / or one or more optional active agents, such as oils (in other words, the particles may include active agent-containing particles and / or optional active agent-containing particles). In another example, the particles may include one or more fiber element hydration control systems, for example, external fiber element hydration control systems such as effervescent systems. In yet another example, the particles may consist essentially of and / or consist of one or more active agents and / or optional active agents (in other words, the particles may include 100% or about 100% by weight of one or more active agents and / or optional active agents, based on the dry particle weight). In yet another embodiment, the particle may consist essentially of and / or consist of one or more fiber element hydration control systems, e.g., external fiber element hydration control systems (in other words, the particle may comprise 100% or about 100% by weight of one or more fiber element hydration control systems, e.g., external fiber element hydration control systems, based on the dry particle).

[0262] In one example, the particles comprise different sub-particles of aggregates of different materials, for example, one or more effervescent salt particles, such as sodium bicarbonate, one or more effervescent acid particles, such as citric acid, and the particles may be coated with a binder, such as a surfactant.

[0263] In one embodiment, the fibrous structures and / or articles of the present invention comprise a plurality of particles and a plurality of fibrous elements, e.g., filaments, in a weight ratio of particles to fibrous elements of from about 3:1 to about 20:1, and / or from about 5:1 to about 15:1, and / or from about 5:1 to about 12:1, and / or from about 7:1 to about 12:1.

[0264] a. Matrix particles The articles of the present invention may include one or more matrix particles. A "matrix particle" includes one or more matrix materials in the form of a porous structure comprising a plurality of pores, and one or more other materials present within at least one of the pores, such as one or more active agents and / or one or more optional active agents. The matrix particle may be a hollow matrix particle. In another example, the matrix particle may be solid, e.g., a continuous porous structure (formed by one or more matrix materials) comprising a plurality of pores, with at least one other material present within at least one of the pores. Examples of matrix particles and materials used therein, as well as processes for producing such matrix particles, are described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020 / 0093711 A1.

[0265] In one embodiment, the matrix particles of the present invention are water-soluble. In another embodiment, the matrix particles of the present invention are water-insoluble. In one embodiment, the plurality of matrix particles may include water-soluble matrix particles and water-insoluble matrix particles.

[0266] In one embodiment, one or more matrix materials are selected for the matrix particulates based on their compatibility with one or more other materials present within the pores.

[0267] In one embodiment, if the matrix particles are water-soluble matrix particles, e.g., if they include one or more other materials, e.g., fragrance and / or silicone, the one or more other materials are released from the matrix particles when the matrix particles come into contact with a polar solvent, e.g., water, and / or when part or all of the matrix particles and / or one or more, e.g., all, of the matrix materials dissolve.

[0268] In one embodiment, when the matrix particles are water-insoluble, for example, when they contain one or more other materials, such as fragrances and / or silicones, the one or more other materials are released from the matrix particles when the matrix particles come into contact with a polar solvent. The polar solvent swells the matrix particles, promoting diffusion, for example, increasing the diffusion of the one or more other materials from the water-insoluble matrix particles. The diffusion of the one or more other materials may not be complete or rapid. This ability to diffuse from the matrix particles is aided by the fact that the one or more matrix materials of the matrix particles are not crosslinked with a crosslinker, particularly when the other materials include silicones.

[0269] Whether the matrix particles are water-soluble or water-insoluble, the leakage (in this case, diffusion) of one or more other materials is affected by the viscosity of the other materials present in the pores. For example, because silicone agents have a higher viscosity than fragrance agents, silicones leak / diffuse from the matrix particles more slowly and / or less completely than fragrance agents, especially when the matrix particles are in a dry state. Taking this fact into consideration, in one embodiment, matrix particles containing one or more silicones as other materials, e.g., free or substantially free of fragrance, comprise a non-crosslinked matrix material. In another embodiment, matrix particles containing one or more fragrances as other materials, e.g., free or substantially free of silicones, comprise a crosslinked matrix material.

[0270] This design of the matrix particles can result in stronger particles even if there is some breakage in the matrix particles.If the matrix particles are broken, only the broken part of the matrix particle will release other materials, such as fragrance, from its pores, while the remaining part of the broken matrix particle will retain those other materials in their pores until exposed to conditions that trigger release and / or until it breaks again.This ability of the matrix particles to retain other materials in their pores despite their breakage gives them an advantage over encapsulated particles, such as core / shell encapsulates, whose breakage results in the complete loss of the other materials originally encapsulated in the core / shell encapsulate.

[0271] In one embodiment, the matrix particles may comprise, based on the total weight of the matrix particles, about 10-70 wt. % of one or more other materials present within the pores, about 21-72 wt. % of one or more matrix materials, about 3-12 wt. % of a crosslinker, and about 1-6 wt. % of a catalyst (not to exceed 100%).

[0272] If present, the crosslinking agent can be present in an amount effective (in the presence of a catalyst) to crosslink the matrix material, e.g., a polysaccharide such as starch, to an extent effective to impart the desired durability to the matrix particle, which can be, for example, at least about 1 wt.%, and / or at least about 2 wt.%, and / or at least about 3 wt.%, and / or at least about 3.80 wt.%, and / or at least about 5 wt.%, and / or up to about 15 wt.%, and / or up to about 12 wt.%, and / or up to about 10 wt.%, and / or up to about 8 wt.% of the total weight of the matrix particle.

[0273] Non-limiting examples of suitable crosslinkers may be selected from the group consisting of dimethyldihydroxyurea, dimethyloldihhyrodyethylene urea, dimethylol urea, dihydroxyethylene urea, dimethylolethylene urea, dimethyldihydroxyethylene urea, citric acid, tartaric acid, malic acid, succinic acid, glutaric acid, citraconic acid, itaconic acid, tartaric acid monosuccinic acid, maleic acid, poly(acrylic acid), poly(methacrylic acid), poly(maleic acid), poly(methyl vinyl ether-co-maleate) copolymer, copolymers of acrylic acid and copolymers of maleic acid, and mixtures thereof.

[0274] In addition to the cross-linking agent, the matrix material may further comprise an amount of a catalyst effective to catalyze the cross-linking of the matrix material, e.g., a polysaccharide such as starch, to an extent effective to impart the desired durability to the matrix particle, which may be, for example, at least about 0.1 wt.%, and / or at least about 0.5 wt.%, and / or at least about 1 wt.%, and / or at least about 2 wt.%, and / or up to about 7 wt.%, and / or up to about 6 wt.%, and / or up to about 5 wt.%, and / or up to about 2.5 wt.% of the total weight of the matrix particle.

[0275] The catalyst, when present, may be a reducing agent and / or electron donor and may be selected from the group consisting of ammonium chloride, ammonium sulfate, aluminum chloride, magnesium chloride, magnesium nitrate, sodium hypophosphite, and mixtures thereof.

[0276] A flow aid, such as a silica flow aid, may be included in the matrix particles. Silica flow aids may include precipitated silica, fumed silica, hydrophobic silica, and mixtures thereof. However, adding a flow aid, such as a silica flow aid, may prevent and / or inhibit aggregation of the matrix particles. Thus, in one embodiment, the matrix particles of the present invention may be free and / or substantially free of a flow aid, such as a silica flow aid. In another embodiment, the matrix particles may include less than 1 wt. %, and / or less than 0.5 wt. %, and / or less than 0.1 wt. %, and / or less than 0.05 wt. % of a flow aid, such as a silica flow aid, based on the total weight of the matrix particles.

[0277] In one embodiment, the matrix particle comprises one or more matrix materials in the form of a porous structure comprising a plurality of pores, and one or more other materials are present within at least one of the pores and / or dispersed throughout the one or more matrix materials, and optionally, at least one of the one or more other materials is released from the matrix particle upon contact with water and / or upon dissolution of some or all of the matrix particle and / or one or more, e.g., all, of the matrix materials.

[0278] In one embodiment, the matrix particles of the present invention comprise one or more matrix materials, e.g., non-crosslinked polyvinyl alcohol, and one or more other materials present within one or more pores, e.g., silicones, e.g., aminosilicones, e.g., terminated aminosilicones. In one embodiment, such matrix particles can be aggregated with other matrix particles, e.g., the same or different, to form aggregate particles comprising multiple matrix particles.

[0279] In one embodiment, the matrix particles of the present invention comprise one or more matrix materials, e.g., non-crosslinked polyvinyl alcohol, and one or more other materials, e.g., fragrance. In one embodiment, such matrix particles can be aggregated with other matrix particles, e.g., the same or different, to form aggregate particles comprising multiple matrix particles.

[0280] In one embodiment, at least one of the one or more matrix materials is a water soluble matrix material, hi one embodiment, at least one of the one or more matrix materials is selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl alcohol, polysaccharides, gums, gelatin, dextrin, polyethylene glycol, gum arabic, larch, pectin, tragacanth, carob, guar, alginate, carrageenan, cellulose gum, karaya, and mixtures thereof.

[0281] In one embodiment, the matrix particles exhibit dimensions of less than 500 μm, and / or less than 400 μm, and / or less than 300 μm, and / or less than 200 μm, and / or less than 100 μm, and / or up to about 20 μm, and / or up to about 30 μm, and / or from about 20 μm to about 500 μm, and / or from about 20 μm to about 400 μm, and / or from about 20 μm to about 300 μm, and / or from about 20 μm to about 200 μm, and / or from about 20 μm to about 100 μm, and / or from about 20 μm to about 90 μm, and / or from about 30 μm to about 80 μm, when measured according to the Median Particle Size Test Method described herein.

[0282] ai. Matrix material The matrix particles of the present invention may comprise from about 10% to about 90% by weight, and / or from about 30% to about 85% by weight, and / or from about 40% to about 85% by weight, and / or from about 45% to about 80% by weight, and / or from about 50% to about 75% by weight of one or more matrix materials, based on the total weight of the matrix particles.

[0283] Non-limiting examples of suitable matrix materials include water-soluble polymers, polyvinyl alcohol, polysaccharides, cross-linking agents, catalysts, polyethylene glycol (PEG), and the like. glycol, PEG), starch, gum, gelatin, dextrin, and hydrolyzed gums and gelatins, polyacrylic acid and copolymers thereof, polyvinylpyrrolidone and copolymers thereof, such as cationic copolymers thereof, e.g., polyvinylpyrrolidone / trimethylaminoethyl methacrylate (PVP / TMAEMA), polyvinylpyrrolidone / dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate (PVP / DMAEMA) and polyvinylpyrrolidone / dimethylaminopropyl methacrylate (PVP / DMAPMA), polyacrylamide and copolymers thereof, polyoxazoline and copolymers thereof, such as poly(2-ethyloxazoline), polyvinyl methyl ether, polyethyleneimine, polymethacrylic acid, N-isopropylacrylamide, nn-dimethylacrylamide, other water-soluble acrylic polymers, polyvinyloxazolidone, polycaprolactam, polystyrene sulfonate, polyvinyl formamide, polyvinylamine, and mixtures thereof. Non-limiting examples of suitable starches include gum arabic, larch, pectin, tragacanth, carob, guar, alginates such as sodium alginate and propylene glycol alginate, carrageenan, cellulose gums such as carboxymethylcellulose, and karaya. While some suitable matrix materials have a melting point and can therefore be melted, in the present invention, in one embodiment, a suitable matrix material is soluble in a polar solvent, such as water, such that, upon removal of the polar solvent, such as water, during a drying process, such as a spray-drying process, the matrix material forms a porous structure containing a plurality of pores. Such a porous structure formed by the matrix material does not form upon cooling of the molten matrix material. In other words, cooling of the molten matrix material forms a non-porous structure.

[0284] In one embodiment, at least one of the one or more matrix materials is selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl alcohol, polysaccharides, gums, gelatin, dextrin, polyethylene glycol, gum arabic, larch, pectin, tragacanth, carob, guar, alginate, carrageenan, cellulose gum, karaya, polyacrylic acid, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyacrylamide, and mixtures thereof.

[0285] In one embodiment, at least one of the one or more matrix materials comprises polyvinyl alcohol, for example, water-soluble polyvinyl alcohol.

[0286] In one embodiment, at least one of the one or more matrix materials comprises a polysaccharide, such as a starch.

[0287] In one embodiment, at least one of the one or more matrix materials comprises polyethylene glycol in dissolved form, such as an aqueous solution of polyethylene glycol. Polyethylene glycol in a melted and subsequently cooled form is not within the scope of the present invention.

[0288] In another example, the matrix material may include dextrin, such as carboxylated dextrins derived from oxidized starches containing a controlled amount of carboxyl groups. These carboxylated dextrins can be prepared from oxidized grain starches such as corn, wheat, waxy corn, and waxy sorghum starch. Carboxylated dextrins derived from oxidized subterranean starches such as tapioca and potato starch can also be used. All of these carboxylated dextrins can be compatible with volatile oils, such as flavorings.

[0289] The matrix material may comprise polyethylene glycol (PEG). The PEG may have a molecular weight of about 4000 to about 10,000 g / mol, and / or about 6000 to about 9,000 g / mol, and / or about 7000 to about 8000 g / mol. In one embodiment, the PEG may have a molecular weight of about 4000 to about 8000 g / mol. The PEG may be solid at room temperature (about 23°C) and have a melting point of about 60°C. In one embodiment, the matrix particles may comprise PEG 8000.

[0290] The matrix material may include a polysaccharide, which may be present in an amount effective to provide the matrix particle with desired structural and release characteristics, for example, at a level of at least about 5%, and / or at least about 10%, and / or at least about 21%, and / or at least about 25%, up to about 80%, and / or about 72%, and / or about 60%, and / or up to about 50% by weight of the total weight of the matrix particle. The polysaccharide may be selected from the group consisting of octenyl succinic anhydride modified starch, such as modified corn starch, gum arabic, xanthan gum, gellan gum, pectin gum, konjac gum, and carboxyalkyl cellulose, and mixtures thereof.

[0291] aii. Other materials, e.g., hydrophobic materials / hydrophobic active agents The matrix particles of the present invention may comprise from about 10% to about 90% by weight, and / or from about 15% to about 70% by weight, and / or from about 20% to about 50% by weight, and / or from about 30% to about 45% by weight of one or more other materials based on the total weight of the matrix particles.

[0292] The other materials may be non-polar materials. Other materials include fragrances, essential oils, oils, vitamin oils, vegetable oils, silicones, shea butter, cocoa butter, petrolatum, tea tree oil, medium chain (C6-C 12) triglycerides, and mixtures thereof. In one embodiment, the other material may be a fragrance. In another embodiment, the other material may include a fragrance in combination with a silicone, such as amino-terminated silicone and / or polydimethylsilicone, and / or an oligomeric vegetable oil. In another embodiment, the other material may include two or more and / or three or more different fragrances.

[0293] In one embodiment, at least one of the one or more other ingredients is selected from the group consisting of fragrances, essential oils, oils, vitamin oils, vegetable oils, silicones, shea butter, cocoa butter, petrolatum, grapeseed oil, sunflower oil, olive oil, argan oil, vitamin E, and mixtures thereof.

[0294] In one example, the other materials may include water-insoluble hydrophobic active agent particles such as silica, titanium dioxide, and / or sodium hexametaphosphate (commonly referred to as Glass H®), and mixtures thereof.

[0295] When the other ingredients include a fragrance, the fragrance may comprise a fragrance composition comprising fragrance materials having a logP (logarithm of the octanol-water partition coefficient) of from about 2 to about 12, and / or from about 2.5 to about 8, and / or from about 2.5 to about 6. In one example, the fragrance may exhibit a boiling point of less than about 280° C., and / or from about 50° C. to less than about 280° C., and / or from about 50° C. to less than about 265° C., and / or from about 80° C. to less than about 250° C. In one example, the fragrance may exhibit an ODT (odor detection threshold) of less than about 100 parts per billion (ppb), and / or from about 0.00001 ppb to less than about 100 ppb, and / or from about 0.00001 ppb to less than about 50 ppb, and / or from about 0.00001 ppb to less than about 20 ppb.

[0296] A wide variety of natural and synthetic chemical compounds useful as perfumes and / or perfume ingredients, including but not limited to aldehydes, ketones, esters, and mixtures thereof, may be used as one or more other materials, for example, as perfumes in the matrix particles of the present invention. Non-limiting examples of essential oils that can be used as one or more hydrophobic active agents include orange oil, lemon oil, thyme, lemongrass, citrus, anise, clove, aniseed, rose extract, lavender, citronella, eucalyptus, mint, camphor, sandalwood, cinnamon leaf, cedar, pine oil, musk, patchouli, balsamic essence, and mixtures thereof. Essential oils that exhibit antibacterial properties may also be used as one or more other materials.

[0297] The one or more other ingredients may include vitamin oils, non-limiting examples of which include fat-soluble vitamin active materials, provitamins, and pure or substantially pure vitamins (both natural and synthetic), or chemical derivatives thereof, crude extracts containing such materials, vitamin A, vitamin D, and vitamin E active materials, as well as vitamin K, carotenes, etc., or mixtures of such vitamin materials.

[0298] Non-limiting examples of vegetable oils that can be used with other ingredients include, but are not limited to, oils derived from palm, corn, canola, sunflower, safflower, rapeseed, castor, olive, soybean, coconut, etc., in both unsaturated and hydrogenated forms, and mixtures thereof.

[0299] In one embodiment, the diluent can be mixed with other materials. Suitable diluents for mixing with o may be miscible with other materials, such as perfume oils or other oils or silicones, and may act to reduce the volatility of other materials, such as fragrance oils. Non-limiting examples of diluents include isopropyl myristate, iso-E-spar, triethyl citrate, vegetable oils, hydrogenated oils, and mixtures thereof.

[0300] In one embodiment, the other material exhibits a particle and / or droplet diameter of at least 0.02 μm to about 200 μm, and / or at least 0.1 μm to about 100 μm, and / or about 0.25 μm to about 100 μm, and / or about 0.5 μm to about 75 μm, and / or about 1 μm to about 50 μm, and / or about 1 μm to about 30 μm, and / or about 2 μm to about 15 μm, and / or about 5 μm to about 10 μm. In one embodiment, the droplet diameter of the hydrophobic active agent is greater than 5 μm, and / or greater than 10 μm, and / or greater than 15 μm, and / or greater than 20 μm, and / or greater than 25 μm, and / or less than 100 μm, and / or less than 75 μm, and / or less than 50 μm, and / or less than 40 μm. The droplet size of the other material can be measured by any suitable method known in the art, for example, the droplet size of the other material may be measured before making the matrix particles, e.g., if the other material is present as droplets in an emulsion, and / or the droplet size of the other material may be measured by dissolving the matrix material of the matrix particles in water and leaving droplets of the other material in the water.

[0301] Method for producing a fiber element-forming composition The fiber element-forming composition of the present invention may be produced by any suitable process, so long as the fiber element-forming composition is suitable for producing the fiber elements and articles of the present invention.

[0302] In one example, one or more activators, e.g., one or more activators, are added to a metal beaker (in the absence of free water) and heated to a temperature sufficient to dissolve the activators, e.g., 80° C. The activators are dissolved and optionally stirred until they form a homogeneous fluid.

[0303] After the active agent is dissolved, one or more auxiliary ingredients, such as one or more structuring agents, may be added to the active agent homogeneous fluid. If added, the auxiliary ingredients are stirred into the active agent homogeneous fluid until the auxiliary ingredients are dispersed (e.g., homogeneously dispersed) and / or homogeneously dissolved within the active agent homogeneous fluid. All this is done while maintaining the active agent homogeneous fluid at a temperature of at least the melting point of the lowest melting point active agent, e.g., from about 70°C to about 110°C, and / or from about 80°C to about 110°C.

[0304] The fiber element-forming composition can then be used to make fiber elements and / or fiber structures and / or articles of the present invention.

[0305] Method for manufacturing a fiber element The fiber elements of the present invention may be manufactured by any suitable process. Non-limiting examples of suitable processes for manufacturing fiber elements are described below.

[0306] As shown in Figures 9 and 10, the fiber element 10 of the present invention can be manufactured as follows. The fiber element 10 can be formed by a small-scale apparatus 34, a schematic diagram of which is shown in Figures 9 and 10. A pressurized tank 39 suitable for batch operation is filled with a suitable fiber element-forming composition according to the present invention. The pressurized tank 39 is manufactured by the Zenith Pump Division of Parker Hannifin Corporation (Sanford, NC, USA) and is capable of pumping at 5.0 cubic centimeters (cm) per revolution. 3 A pump 40, such as a Zenith® PEP II model having a capacity of 1000 rpm (1000 / rev) can be used to facilitate the transport of the filament-forming composition to the spinning die 42 through a pipe 41. The flow rate of the fiber element-forming composition from the pressurized tank 39 to the spinning die 42 can be controlled by adjusting the revolutions per minute (rpm) of the pump 40. The pipe 41 is used to connect the pressurized tank 39, the pump 40, and the spinning die 42.

[0307] The spinning die 42 shown in Figures 9 and 10 has several rows of circular extrusion nozzles (fiber element-forming holes 44) spaced from one another at a pitch P of about 1.524 millimeters (about 0.060 inches). The nozzles have individual inner diameters of about 0.305 millimeters (about 0.012 inches) and individual outer diameters of about 0.813 millimeters (about 0.032 inches). Each individual nozzle is surrounded by an annular, diverging, flared orifice (concentric attenuation fluid hole 48) for supplying attenuation air to each individual molten capillary 46. The fiber element-forming composition extruded through the nozzle is surrounded and attenuated by a generally cylindrical stream of heated air, which may be humidified and supplied through the orifice.

[0308] In one embodiment, as shown in Figures 9 and 10, a method for manufacturing a fiber element 10 according to the present invention comprises: a. providing a fiber element-forming composition comprising one or more active agents, one or more adjunct ingredients such as one or more structuring agents, and optionally a fiber element hydration control system, e.g., the fiber element-forming composition is a melt having a temperature of about 70°C to about 110°C; and b. Spinning the fiber element-forming composition, such as through a spinning die 42, into one or more fiber elements 10, such as filaments, comprising one or more active agents and one or more auxiliary ingredients, and optionally a fiber element hydration control system.

[0309] As shown in FIG. 10 , the spinning die 42 may include a plurality of fiber element forming cavities 44 including molten capillaries 46 surrounded by concentric attenuation fluid holes 48 through which a fluid (such as air) passes to facilitate attenuation of the fiber element forming composition into fiber elements, e.g., filaments 10, as the fiber element forming composition exits the fiber element forming cavities 44.

[0310] Attenuated air can be provided by heating compressed air from a supply with an electric resistance heater, such as a heater manufactured by Chromalox, Division of Emerson Electric (Pittsburgh, Pa., USA). An appropriate amount of steam is added to saturate or nearly saturate the heated air at conditions in an electrically heated, thermostatically controlled delivery pipe. Condensate is removed in an electrically heated, thermostatically controlled separator.

[0311] The initial fiber elements from the hot spinning die, e.g., at a temperature of about 70°C to about 110°C, are then quenched and cooled by one or more cold air streams. The cold air streams, e.g., have a temperature of about 5°C to about 25°C, and are fed through a cooling nozzle and emitted at an angle of about 90° relative to the general orientation of the initial fiber elements being spun. The cooled initial fiber elements are then collected on a collector, such as a belt, e.g., a moving perforated belt or a patterned collection belt, to form a fibrous structure and / or article comprising a plurality of fiber elements. The fiber elements may be at a temperature of less than 50°C, and / or less than 45°C, and / or typically about 40°C, when collected on the collector. In one embodiment, a plurality of particles of the present invention, e.g., optional active agent-containing particles, and / or an external fiber element hydration control system, may be injected into and / or mixed with the spun fiber elements prior to collection on the collector, such that a mixture of the particles and fiber elements is collected to form a fibrous structure and / or article. The addition of a vacuum source directly below the collection device (forming zone) where the fiber elements, and optionally any particles mixed with the fiber elements, are concentrated may be used to assist in the collection of the fiber elements.

[0312] The fiber element-forming composition is spun into one or more fiber elements by any suitable spinning process, such as meltblowing, spunbonding, electrospinning, and / or rotary spinning. In one embodiment, the fiber element-forming composition is spun into a plurality of fiber elements by meltblowing. For example, the fiber element-forming composition may be pumped from a tank to a meltblown spinneret. Upon exiting one or more of the fiber element-forming holes in the spinneret, the fiber element-forming composition is attenuated by air to form one or more fiber elements. The fiber elements may then be quenched and cooled before being collected in a collection device.

[0313] Method for manufacturing an article In one embodiment, the article of the present invention comprises: a. subjecting one or more active agents to a temperature sufficient to melt the active agent(s), such as greater than 70°C to about 110°C, and / or from about 75°C to about 110°C, and / or from about 75°C to about 100°C, and / or from about 80°C to about 95°C (in the absence of water); b. adding one or more auxiliary ingredients, such as a structuring agent, to the molten active agent to form a fiber element-forming composition; c. adding one or more fiber element hydration control systems to the molten active agent, either before or after adding one or more auxiliary ingredients; d. producing one or more fiber elements from the fiber element-forming composition, for example, by spinning the fiber element-forming composition; e. collecting a plurality of fibrous elements with a collector to form a fibrous structure and / or article comprising a plurality of fibrous elements according to the present invention.

[0314] In another embodiment of the present invention, a method for making the article of the present invention comprises the steps of: a. subjecting one or more active agents to a temperature sufficient to melt the active agents; b. adding one or more auxiliary ingredients, such as a structuring agent, to the molten active agent to form a fiber element-forming composition; c. producing a plurality of fiber elements from the fiber element-forming composition, for example, by spinning the fiber element-forming composition; d. adding one or more fiber element hydration control systems to the molten active agent before or after adding one or more auxiliary ingredients, and / or adding one or more external fiber element hydration control systems to a plurality of fiber elements formed from the fiber element-forming composition; e. Collecting a plurality of fibrous elements having or having one or more external fibrous element hydration control systems on a collector to form a fibrous structure and / or article comprising a plurality of fibrous elements according to the present invention.

[0315] In one embodiment, the articles of the present invention may be manufactured by any suitable process. Non-limiting examples of suitable processes for manufacturing the articles of the present invention are described below.

[0316] The fibrous structure 22 and / or articles of the present invention, e.g., fibrous structure layers or plies, may be produced by spinning a fibrous element-forming composition from a spinning die 42 to form a plurality of fibrous elements 10, such as filaments, as depicted in Figures 9 and 10, which are then collected on a collecting device such as a belt 52, e.g., a patterned collecting belt, that imparts a texture, such as a three-dimensional texture, to at least one surface of the formed fibrous structure 22 and / or article.

[0317] As shown in Figure 11, a fibrous structure 22 and / or article, e.g., a fibrous structure layer or ply, of the present invention may be produced by spinning a fibrous element-forming composition from a spinning die 42 to form a plurality of fibrous elements 10, such as filaments, and then optionally combining one or more particles 26 supplied by a particle source 50, e.g., a sifter or airlaid forming head, as shown in Figures 9 and 10. The particles 26 may be dispersed within the plurality of fibrous elements 10, e.g., filaments 10. The mixture of particles 26 and fibrous elements 10 may be collected on a collection device, such as a belt 52, e.g., a patterned collection belt, that imparts a texture, such as a three-dimensional texture, to at least one surface of the formed fibrous structure 22 and / or article.

[0318] Figure 12 shows one embodiment of a method for manufacturing the article 20 according to Figure 6. The method includes forming a first fibrous structure layer 30 of a plurality of fibrous elements 10, e.g., filaments, such that pockets 28 are formed in the surface of the first fibrous structure layer 30. One or more particles 26 are deposited into the pockets 28 from a particle source 50. A second fibrous structure layer 32 including a plurality of fibrous elements 10, e.g., filaments, produced from a spinning die 42 is then formed on the surface of the first fibrous structure layer 30 such that the particles 26 are encapsulated in the pockets 28.

[0319] 13 illustrates yet another embodiment of a method for producing an article 20 similar to FIG. 5 but which is a multi-layer fibrous structure rather than a multi-ply fibrous structure. The method includes forming a first fibrous structure layer 30 of a plurality of fibrous elements 10, e.g., filaments. One or more particles 26 are deposited on a surface of the first fibrous structure layer 30 from a particle source 50. A second fibrous structure layer 32 comprising a plurality of fibrous elements 10, e.g., filaments, produced from a spinning die 42 is formed over the particles 26 such that the particles 26 are positioned between the first fibrous structure layer 30 and the second fibrous structure layer 32.

[0320] In one embodiment, in a multi-ply article, one or more fibrous structure plies may be formed and / or deposited directly onto an existing fibrous structure ply to form a multi-ply fibrous structure. Two or more existing fibrous structure plies may be joined with one or more other existing fibrous structure plies to form a multi-ply article of the present invention, for example, by thermal bonding, adhesive bonding, embossing, perforating, lodging, rotary knife drilling, die cutting, die punching, needle punching, knurling, pneumatic forming, hydroforming, laser cutting, tufting, and / or other mechanical joining processes.

[0321] printing As mentioned above, the fibrous structure and / or article may further include a graphic printed thereon. Printing generally occurs after the fibrous structure and / or article is formed. One or more graphics may be printed onto the fibrous structure and / or article by any suitable printing process, for example, contact printing and / or non-contact printing, including inkjet printing.

[0322] As previously mentioned, one or more graphics may be printed onto the surface of the web and / or fibrous structure and / or article of the present invention. Printing can be characterized as an industrial process in which a graphic is reproduced on a surface. The web and / or fibrous structure and / or article may move relative to a printing station and / or print head. Alternatively and / or in addition, the printing station may be configured to move relative to the web and / or fibrous structure and / or article during printing. For example, the printing station may move back and forth laterally relative to the web and / or fibrous structure and / or article while printing a graphic.

[0323] Various types of printing processes may be used to create graphics on fibrous structures and / or articles. For example, flexography may be used. Specifically, flexography may utilize a printing plate made from rubber or plastic with a slightly raised image thereon. The inked plate is rotated on a cylinder that transfers the image to a sheet. Flexography may be a relatively fast printing process that uses fast-drying inks. Another example is gravure printing. More specifically, gravure printing utilizes an image etched onto the surface of a metal plate. The etched area is filled with ink, and the plate is rotated on a cylinder that transfers the image to a sheet. An example of a suitable printing apparatus is disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012 / 0222576 A1.

[0324] In one embodiment, the printing station used in the printing process may include a printer in the form of an inkjet printer. Inkjet printing is a non-impact, dot-matrix printing technology that ejects droplets of ink from a small orifice directly onto a medium at designated locations to form graphics. Two examples of inkjet technologies include thermal or bubble jet and piezoelectric. Thermal bubble jets use heat to apply ink, while piezoelectrics use crystals and electrical charges to apply ink. In some configurations, the printing station may include a corona treater, which may be located upstream of the printer. The corona treater may be configured to increase the surface energy of the surface of the web material being printed. In some configurations, the printing station may also include an ink curing device. In some configurations, the ink curing device may be in the form of an ultraviolet (UV) light source, which may include one or more ultraviolet (UV) lamps, located downstream from the printer to promote curing of the ink deposited onto the web material from the printer to form the graphics. In some configurations, the ink curing device may also include an infrared (IR) dryer light source, which may include one or more infrared (IR) lamps, and may be positioned downstream from the printer to facilitate drying of water-based or solvent-based inks deposited from the printer onto the web material to form graphics. In some configurations, the ink curing device may include an electron beam (EB or E-beam) generator, which may include one or more E-beam electrodes, and may be positioned downstream from the printer to facilitate curing of inks deposited from the printer onto the web material to form graphics.

[0325] In addition to the various types of printing processes described above, it should be understood that various types of inks or ink systems, such as solvent-based inks, water-based inks, and UV-curable inks, can be applied to various types of sheets to create the disclosed patterns. In some embodiments, inks such as Artistri® Inks available from DuPont™ can be utilized, including 500 Series Acid Dye Ink, 5000 Series Pigment Ink, 700 Series Acid Dye Ink, 700 Series Disperse Dye Ink, 700 Series Reactive Dye Ink, 700 Series Pigment Ink, 2500 Series Acid Dye Ink, 2500 Series Disperse Dye Ink, 2500 Series Reactive Dye Ink, 2500 Series Pigment Dye Ink, 3500 Series Disperse Dye Ink, 3500 Series Pigment Dye Ink, and Solar Brite™ Ink. Inks such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,137,721 can also be used. Water-based inks that can be utilized are available from Environmental Inks and Coatings Corporation of Morganton, North Carolina, under the following code numbers: EH034677 (yellow), EH057960 (magenta), EH028676 (cyan), EH092391 (black), EH034676 (orange), and EH064447 (green). In some embodiments, water-based inks can be utilized that are composed of food-grade ingredients and formulated to be printed directly onto ingestible food or drug products, such as the Candymark Series inks available in colors such as Black Pro, Red Pro, Blue Pro, and Yellow Pro, available from Inkcups of Danvers, Massachusetts.A wide range of other general purpose and specialty inks may also be used, including food grade inks available from Videojet Technologies, Inc., Wood Dale, Illinois.

[0326] The primary difference between ink systems is the method used to dry or cure the ink. For example, solvent-based and water-based inks dry by evaporation, while UV-curable inks cure through a chemical reaction. Inks may contain components such as solvents, colorants, resins, additives, and (in the case of ultraviolet inks only) UV-curable compounds, which perform various functions. In some embodiments, a multi-stage printing system may be used.

[0327] To improve the rub-off resistance of the ink, the ink compositions used herein may contain a wax. Such a wax may include a polyethylene wax emulsion. Adding a wax to the ink composition can improve rub-off resistance by forming a barrier that prevents physical disruption of the ink film after application of the ink to the fibrous sheet. Based on the solids weight percent of the total ink composition, the wax loading range can be about 0.5% to 10% solids weight percent. An example of a polyethylene wax emulsion is JONWAX 26 supplied by SC Johnson & Sons, Inc. (Racine, WI).

[0328] package The articles of the present invention may be enclosed in packages, individually wrapped, and / or multi-article packages. In one embodiment, the package provides a saturation of about 1.0 g H2O / day / m 2 Less than and / or about 0.5 gH2O / day / m 2 Less than and / or about 0.3 gH2O / day / m 2 Less than and / or about 0.1 gH2O / day / m 2 The moisture barrier has a water vapor transmission rate of less than 100%.

[0329] In one embodiment, the package includes a container or dispenser that dispenses the individual items during use.

[0330] How to use The present invention also provides a method for treating skin and / or hair, e.g., body hair, e.g., facial hair and / or hair on legs or other private body parts, using an article of the present invention to, for example, prepare the skin and / or hair for shaving and / or provide skin and / or hair benefits. In one embodiment, the method for treating skin and / or hair includes contacting a plurality of textile elements and / or textile structures and / or articles according to the present invention with a fluid, such as water, while a user holds the textile elements and / or textile structures and / or articles in their hands or a hand substitute. Once wet, the user rubs the wetted textile elements and / or textile structures and / or articles with their hands to form a cream. The user then applies the cream to the user's skin and / or hair to be treated. The user can then shave the skin and / or hair using a razor / razor blade or the like to remove the hair.

[0331] In one embodiment, a plurality of fiber elements and / or fiber structures and / or articles of the present invention are contacted with water, e.g., water at a temperature above 15°C, and / or above 20°C, and / or above 25°C, and / or above 30°C, and / or above 35°C, and / or above 40°C, and / or below 65°C, and / or below 60°C, and / or below 55°C, and / or below 50°C, and wetting the fiber elements and / or fiber structures and / or articles includes hydrating the fiber elements and / or fiber structures and / or articles. After contacting and hydrating the fiber elements and / or fiber structures and / or articles with water, the user may wait a short time, e.g., several seconds, before rubbing the wetted fiber elements and / or fiber structures and / or articles. The hydration time of the wetted fiber elements and / or fiber structures and / or articles may vary depending on the fiber element-forming composition and the structure of the fiber elements within the fiber structures and / or articles, but is generally in the range of 2 to 20 seconds. In one embodiment, the hydration time is about 2 to about 20 seconds, and / or about 5 to about 15 seconds, and / or about 5 to about 10 seconds. In one embodiment, hydration times greater than about 40 seconds, and / or greater than 30 seconds, and / or greater than 20 seconds may result in an undesirable consumer experience. In one embodiment, hydration times less than about 1 second and / or about 2 seconds may result in an undesirable consumer experience.

[0332] In one embodiment, the article of the present invention is suitable for single use as it is designed so that the article changes from a solid form to a flowable state such as a cream, then is applied to the skin and / or hair, removed, for example by shaving, and then washed down the drain with water, for example with excess water, before finally disappearing; in other words, the article is a consumable single use article.

[0333] In one embodiment, the fiber elements and / or fiber element-forming compositions and / or fiber structures and / or articles of the present invention comprise one or more fiber element hydration control systems and / or external hydration control systems that facilitate easier removal of the cream obtained from the water-insoluble fiber elements and / or water-insoluble fiber structures and / or articles from skin and / or hair and / or razors, such as razor blades, by rinsing with a liquid such as water. Without being bound by theory, it is believed that the fiber element hydration control systems and / or external fiber element hydration control systems prevent and / or inhibit and / or reduce and / or reduce and / or delay hydration (and thus swelling) of the water-insoluble fiber elements and / or water-insoluble fibrous structures and / or articles sufficiently to enable the formation of a cream that avoids the drawbacks associated with water-insoluble fiber elements and / or water-insoluble fibrous structures and / or articles that do not comprise the fiber element hydration control systems and / or external fiber element hydration control systems of the present invention. Water-insoluble fiber elements and / or water-insoluble fiber structures and / or water-insoluble articles comprising such water-insoluble fiber elements and / or water-insoluble fibrous structures and / or water-insoluble articles without a fiber element hydration control system and / or external fiber element hydration control system can become overly hydrated, resulting in undesirable swelling, at least for shaving preparation applications, which creates a shaving preparation cream in which the water-insoluble fiber elements break down and spread, causing undesirable rinsing defects when the user attempts to rinse the user's skin and / or hair and / or razor, e.g., razor blades.

[0334] In one embodiment, the fibrous elements and / or fibrous structures and / or articles of the present invention are dry, e.g., dry to the touch, which disappears and / or is completely consumed during use. As used herein, "dry to the touch" means that the article is substantially free of liquid, e.g., water, so that it does not feel wet or damp prior to contact with water or other liquid. In other words, dry-to-the-touch articles of the present invention do not contain liquids such as water. In one non-limiting example, a dry-to-the-touch article has a moisture content of less than about 20%, and / or less than about 15%, and / or less than about 10%, and / or less than about 5%, and / or less than about 3%, and / or less than about 1%, and / or about 0%, as measured according to the Moisture Content Test Method described herein.

[0335] Without being bound by theory, the inventors have surprisingly discovered that the articles of the present invention provide consumers with consumable, single-use articles that provide a combination of 1) disappearance and / or complete consumption, 2) dryness to the touch, and 3) leaving no visible residue on the treated surface. The inventors have also discovered that the articles of the present invention may be designed to be transportable in a configuration suitable for efficient e-commerce.

[0336] Non-limiting examples Non-limiting examples of articles made from the fiber element-forming compositions of the present invention are shown in Table 1 below: a. adding one or more activators to a metal beaker; b. Heating the metal beaker, e.g., to 80°C, stirring / agitating as needed, until a homogeneous fluid of activator is formed; c. maintaining a metal beaker at 80°C; d. adding one or more auxiliary ingredients (such as a structuring agent) to the homogenous fluid of active agent, with stirring / agitation as necessary, until the auxiliary ingredients are homogenously dispersed and / or homogenously dissolved in the homogenous fluid of active agent, to obtain a fiber element-forming composition that, when collected in a collection device, is ready to be produced (e.g., by spinning) into water-insoluble fiber elements that form water-insoluble fibrous structures and / or water-insoluble articles; e. optionally, adding one or more fiber element hydration control systems to the homogeneous fluid of the active agent simultaneously with the addition of the active agent and / or before and / or simultaneously with and / or after the addition of auxiliary ingredients to the homogeneous fluid of the active agent; f. optionally, adding one or more external fiber element hydration control systems to the water-insoluble fiber elements prior to collecting the water-insoluble fiber elements in a collecting device and / or after forming the water-insoluble fiber elements into a water-insoluble fibrous structure and / or water-insoluble article; g. Optionally adding optional active agents such as oils, vitamins, fragrances, and other optional active agents anywhere in the process.

[0337] [Table 1]

[0338] [Table 2]

[0339] Comparative Example The comparative example is prepared according to Example 7 of U.S. Patent No. 10,975,339. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, water-insoluble articles prepared from the fiber element-forming compositions exhibit undesirable hydration of the water-insoluble fiber elements when used in shaving preparation applications, resulting in undesirable swelling and related drawbacks.

[0340] The water-insoluble fibrous elements and water-insoluble articles of this comparative example are manufactured as described in US Pat. No. 10,975,339.

[0341] Three plies of the fibrous structure produced according to this comparative example are stacked and then combined and bonded together by a rod-to-rod lodging solid-state forming process with 100 DOE to form a multi-ply fibrous structure.

[0342] The multi-ply fibrous structure is then die cut into 3.9 cm x 3.9 cm rounded squares to form articles having an average weight of 1.24 g ± 0.04 g per article and an average caliper of 2.99 mm per article.

[0343] Examples of the invention

[0344] Example 1 As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the water-insoluble articles produced from the fibrous element-forming composition of Example 1 exhibit acceptable hydration of the water-insoluble fibrous elements, resulting in little or no swelling of the water-insoluble fibrous elements, and thus avoiding the disadvantages associated with the water-insoluble fibrous elements and water-insoluble articles of the comparative examples.

[0345] The water-insoluble fiber elements and water-insoluble articles of Example 1 are prepared as described above and below.

[0346] Three plies of the fibrous structure produced according to this comparative example are stacked and then combined and bonded together by a rod-to-rod lodging solid state forming process with a DOE of 125 to form a multi-ply fibrous structure.

[0347] The multi-ply fibrous structure is then die cut into 3.9 cm x 3.9 cm rounded squares to form articles having an average weight of 1.29 g ± 0.04 g per article and an average caliper of 3.22 mm per article.

[0348] Example 2 The water-insoluble articles produced from the fibrous element-forming composition of Example 2 exhibit acceptable hydration of the water-insoluble fibrous elements (similar to or better than Example 1) and result in little or no swelling of the water-insoluble fibrous elements, thus avoiding the disadvantages associated with the water-insoluble fibrous elements and water-insoluble articles of the comparative examples.

[0349] The water-insoluble fiber elements and water-insoluble articles of Example 2 are prepared as described above and below.

[0350] Three plies of the fibrous structure produced according to this comparative example are stacked and then combined and bonded together by a rod-to-rod lodging solid state forming process with a DOE of 150 to form a multi-ply fibrous structure.

[0351] The multi-ply fibrous structure is then die cut into 3.9 cm x 3.9 cm rounded squares to form articles having an average weight of 1.19 g ± 0.04 g per article and an average caliper of 3.19 mm per article.

[0352] Example 3 As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the water-insoluble articles produced from the fibrous element-forming composition of Example 3 exhibit acceptable hydration of the water-insoluble fibrous elements (similar to or better than Example 1) and result in little or no swelling of the water-insoluble fibrous elements, thus avoiding the disadvantages associated with the water-insoluble fibrous elements and water-insoluble articles of the comparative examples.

[0353] The water-insoluble fiber elements and water-insoluble articles of Example 3 are prepared as described above and below.

[0354] Three plies of the fibrous structure produced according to this comparative example are stacked and then combined and bonded together by a rod-to-rod lodging solid state forming process with a DOE of 175 to form a multi-ply fibrous structure.

[0355] The multi-ply fibrous structure is then die cut into 3.9 cm x 3.9 cm rounded squares to form articles having an average weight of 1.22 g ± 0.04 g per article and an average caliper of 3.48 mm per article.

[0356] Example 4 The water-insoluble articles produced from the fibrous element-forming composition of Example 4 exhibit acceptable hydration of the water-insoluble fibrous elements (similar to or better than that of Example 1) and result in little or no swelling of the water-insoluble fibrous elements, thus avoiding the disadvantages associated with the water-insoluble fibrous elements and water-insoluble articles of the comparative examples.

[0357] The water-insoluble fiber elements and water-insoluble articles of Example 4 are prepared as described above and below.

[0358] Three plies of the fibrous structure produced according to this comparative example are stacked and then combined and bonded together by a rod-to-rod lodging solid-state forming process having a DOE of about 100-175 to form a multi-ply fibrous structure.

[0359] The multi-ply fibrous structure is then die cut into 3.9 cm x 3.9 cm rounded squares to form articles having an average weight of about 1.00 g to about 1.50 g per article and an average caliper of about 2.50 mm to about 4.00 mm per article.

[0360] Example 5 The water-insoluble articles produced from the fibrous element-forming composition of Example 5 exhibit acceptable hydration of the water-insoluble fibrous elements (similar to or better than Example 1) and result in little or no swelling of the water-insoluble fibrous elements, thus avoiding the disadvantages associated with the water-insoluble fibrous elements and water-insoluble articles of the comparative examples.

[0361] The water-insoluble fiber elements and water-insoluble articles of Example 5 are prepared as described above and below.

[0362] Three plies of the fibrous structure produced according to this comparative example are stacked and then combined and bonded together by a rod-to-rod lodging solid-state forming process having a DOE of about 100-175 to form a multi-ply fibrous structure.

[0363] The multi-ply fibrous structure is then die cut into 3.9 cm x 3.9 cm rounded squares to form articles having an average weight of about 1.00 g to about 1.50 g per article and an average caliper of about 2.50 mm to about 4.00 mm per article.

[0364] Test Method Unless otherwise indicated, all tests described herein, including those described in the Definitions section, and the following test methods, are performed on samples that have been conditioned for a minimum of two hours prior to testing in a room conditioned to a temperature of 23°C ± 1.0°C and a relative humidity of 50% ± 2%. The tested sample is a "usable unit." As used herein, "usable unit" refers to a fibrous structure and / or article. All tests are performed under the same environmental conditions and in a room so conditioned. Samples with defects, such as wrinkles, tears, holes, etc., are not tested. Samples conditioned as described herein are considered dry samples (e.g., "dry filament") for testing purposes. All equipment is calibrated according to manufacturer specifications.

[0365] Basis weight test method Calculate the basis weight of an article by dividing the mass of the article by the projected area of ​​the article as viewed perpendicular to the plane of the length and width of the article. 2 Report in units.

[0366] Tensile Testing Methods: Elongation, Tensile Strength, TEA, and Modulus Elongation, tensile strength, TEA, and tangent modulus are measured at a constant rate on a computer-interfaced extension tensile tester (a suitable instrument is the EJA Vantage from Thwing-Albert Instrument Co., West Berlin, NJ) using a load cell in which the measured force is within 10% to 90% of the cell's limits. Both the movable (upper) and fixed (lower) pneumatic jaws are equipped with smooth, stainless steel-lined jaws that are 25.4 mm high and wider than the width of the test specimen. Approximately 60 psi of air pressure is supplied to the jaws.

[0367] Divide the eight usable units of fibrous structure or article sheet into two laminates of four samples each. Ensure that the samples in each laminate are oriented in the machine direction (MD) and cross direction (CD). One laminate is for MD testing and the other is for CD testing. Using a 1-inch precision cutter (Thwing Albert JDC-1-10 or similar), cut four MD strips from one laminate and four CD strips (1.00 inch ± 0.01 inch wide x 3.0-4.0 inch long) from the other laminate. Each strip of one usable unit thickness is treated as a single specimen for testing.

[0368] The tensile tester is programmed to increase the crosshead speed to 2.00 in / min (5.08 cm / min) and conduct the extension test while collecting force and extension data at a 20 Hz acquisition rate until the specimen breaks. The break sensitivity is set to 80%, i.e., the test ends when the measured force drops to 20% of the maximum peak force, after which the crosshead returns to the starting position.

[0369] Set the gage length to 1.00 inches. Zero the crosshead and load cell. Insert at least 1.0 inches of the single specimen into the upper jaw, align it vertically within the upper and lower jaws, and close the upper jaw. Insert the single specimen into the lower jaw and close. The single specimen must be under a tensile force sufficient to remove any slack, but less than 5.0 g of force on the load cell. Start the tensile tester and begin data collection. Repeat the test for all four CD and four MD single specimens in the same manner. Program the software to calculate the following from the constructed force (g) vs. extension (inch) curve:

[0370] Tensile strength is determined by dividing the maximum peak force (g) by the sample width (in) and is reported as g / in with a unit of 1 g / in.

[0371] The adjusted gauge length is calculated as the extension (in) measured when a force of 3.0 g is applied to the original gauge length (in).

[0372] Elongation was calculated by dividing the elongation at maximum peak force (in) by the adjusted gauge length (in) multiplied by 100 and is reported as a % to the nearest 0.1%.

[0373] Total energy (TEA) is the area (g) under the force curve integrated from zero extension to the extension at the maximum peak force. * Calculated as the gage length (in) divided by the product of the adjusted gage length (in) and the specimen width (in), * in / in 2 Report in units.

[0374] The force (g) vs. extension curve (in) is replotted as a force (g) vs. strain curve, where strain is defined herein as extension (in) divided by the adjusted gauge length (in).

[0375] Program the software to calculate the following from the constructed force (g) versus strain curve:

[0376] Tangent modulus was calculated as the slope of a linear line drawn between two data points on the force (g) versus strain curve, where one data point is the first data point recorded after a force of 28 g and the other data point is the first data point recorded after a force of 48 g. This slope was then divided by the specimen width (2.54 cm) and reported in 1 g / cm.

[0377] Tensile strength (g / in), elongation (%), total energy (g * in / in 2 ), and tangent modulus (g / cm) are calculated for four CD single specimens and four MD single specimens. The mean of each parameter is calculated separately for the CD and MD specimens.

[0378] Calculation: Geometric mean tensile strength = square root of [MD tensile strength (g / in) x CD tensile strength (g / in)] Geometric mean peak elongation = square root of [MD elongation (%) x CD elongation (%)] Geometric mean TEA=[MD TEA(g * in / in 2 )×CD TEA(g / in 2 )] square root Geometric mean modulus = square root of [MD modulus (g / cm) × CD modulus (g / cm)] Total dry tensile strength (TDT) = MD tensile strength (g / in) + CD tensile strength (g / in) Total TEA = MD TEA (g * in / in 2 )+CD TEA(g * in / in 2 ) Total modulus = MD modulus (g / cm) + CD modulus (g / cm) Tensile ratio = MD tensile strength (g / in) / CD tensile strength (g / in)

[0379] Moisture content test method The moisture content (moisture content) present in an article is measured using the following moisture content test method. An article sample or portion thereof is placed in a room conditioned at a temperature of 23±1.0°C and a relative humidity of 50%±2% for at least 24 hours prior to testing. Under the above temperature and humidity conditions, the weight of the sample is recorded every 5 minutes using a balance capable of measuring to at least four decimal places, until the weight changes by less than 0.5% from the previous (measured) weight within 10 minutes. The final weight is recorded as the "equilibrated weight." Within 10 minutes, the sample is placed on foil or inside aluminum foil in a forced air oven for drying at 70°C±2°C and a relative humidity of 4%±2% for 24 hours. After 24 hours of drying, the sample is removed and its weight is measured within 15 seconds. This weight is referred to as the "dry weight" of the sample. The moisture content (moisture content) of the sample is calculated according to the following equation:

[0380]

number

[0381] Median particle size test method This test method must be used to determine the average particle size.

[0382] A median particle size test is conducted to determine the median particle size of the seed material using ASTM D 502-89, "Standard Test Method for Particle Size of Soaps and Other Detergents," approved May 26, 1989, with further specifications for the sieve sizes used in the analysis. According to Section 7, "Procedure using machine-sieving method," clean, dry nested sieves are required, including American Standard (ASTM E11) sieves #8 (2360 um), #12 (1700 um), #16 (1180 um), #20 (850 um), #30 (600 um), #40 (425 um), #50 (300 um), #70 (212 um), and #100 (150 um). The specified machine-sieving method is used with the nested sieves listed above. The seed material is used as the sample. A suitable sieve shaker is available from WS Tyler Company (Mentor, Ohio, USA).

[0383] The data are plotted on a semi-log plot where the micrometer size openings for each sieve are plotted against the logarithmic horizontal axis and the cumulative mass percent (Q3) is plotted against the linear vertical axis. An example of such data representation is given in Figure A.4 of ISO 9276-1:1998, "Representation of results of particle size analysis - Part 1: Graphical Representation." For purposes of this disclosure, the median particle size (D) of the seed material is used. 50 ) is defined as the abscissa value at the point where cumulative mass percent equals 50 percent and is calculated by linear interpolation between the data points just above (a50) and just below (b50) the 50% value using the following equation: D 50 =10^[Log(D a50 )-(Log(D a50 )-Log(D b50 )) * (Q a50 -50%) / (Q a50 -Q b50 )] (In the formula, Q a50 and Q b50 are the cumulative mass percentiles of the data just above and just below the 50th percentile, respectively, and D a50 and D b50 are the sieve size values ​​in micrometers corresponding to these data).

[0384] If the 50th percentile value is smaller than the finest sieve size (150 um) or larger than the coarsest sieve size (2360 um), additional sieves should be added to the nest according to a geometric progression of 1.5 or less until the median falls between the two measured sieve sizes.

[0385] The distribution span of the seed material is a measure of the total width of the seed size distribution around the median. It is calculated according to: Span = (D 84 / D 50 +D 50 / D 16 ) / 2 In the formula, D 50 is the median particle size, and D 84 and D 16 are the particle sizes at the 16th and 84th percentiles, respectively, on the retained plot of cumulative mass percent.

[0386] D 16 If the value is smaller than the finest sieve size (150 um), the span is calculated as follows: Span = (D 84 / D 50 ).

[0387] D 84If the value is greater than the coarsest sieve size (2360 um), the span is calculated as follows: Span = (D 50 / D 16 ).

[0388] D 16 The value is smaller than the finest sieve size (150 μm) and D 84 If the value is greater than the coarsest sieve size (2360 um), the distribution span is set to a maximum value of 5.7.

[0389] Diameter Test Method The diameter of discrete fiber elements or fiber elements within a fiber structure is determined using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) or optical microscope and image analysis software. A magnification of 200x to 10,000x is selected to adequately magnify the fiber elements for measurement. When using an SEM, the sample is sputtered with gold or palladium compounds to prevent charging and vibration of the fiber elements in the electron beam. The diameter of the fiber elements is determined manually from the image (on the monitor screen) obtained with the SEM or optical microscope. Using the mouse and cursor tools, locate the edge of a randomly selected fiber element and then measure across its width (i.e., perpendicular to the orientation of the fiber element at that point) to the other edge of the fiber element. A calibrated image analysis tool with a scale provides a scale for obtaining actual readings in μm. For fiber elements within a fiber structure, a few fiber elements are randomly selected from the entire fiber structure sample using the SEM or optical microscope. At least two sections of the fiber structure are cut and tested in this manner. A total of at least 100 such measurements are performed and all data is then recorded for statistical analysis, which is used to calculate the mean (average) fiber element diameter, the standard deviation of the fiber element diameter, and the median fiber element diameter.

[0390] Another useful statistic is the calculation of the amount of fiber element population smaller than a particular upper limit. To determine this statistic, the software is programmed to count the number of fiber element diameter results smaller than the upper limit, and the count (divided by the total number of data points and multiplied by 100%) is recorded as a percentage smaller than the upper limit (e.g., percent smaller than 1 micrometer or submicron %). We refer to the measured diameter (μm) of an individual circular fiber element as di.

[0391] If the fiber element has a non-circular cross section, the diameter measurement of the fiber element is determined as and set equal to the hydraulic diameter, which is the cross-sectional area of ​​the fiber element multiplied by four divided by the perimeter of the cross section of the fiber element (or the outer perimeter in the case of hollow fiber elements). The number-average diameter, alternatively the mean diameter, is calculated as follows:

[0392]

number

[0393] Lamellar structure test method The Lamellar Structure Test Method uses small-angle x-ray scattering (SAXS) to determine whether lamellar structure is present in an article in either a conditioned dry state or an article that has already been in a conditioned dry state and then wetted. The textile article is conditioned at a temperature of 23°C ± 2.0°C and a relative humidity of 40% ± 10% for a minimum of 12 hours prior to testing. Articles conditioned as described herein are considered to be in a conditioned dry state for purposes of this invention. All equipment is calibrated according to manufacturer specifications.

[0394] Dry sample preparation To prepare samples to be directly analyzed in a conditioned, dry state, a disk specimen approximately 1.0 cm in diameter is isolated from the center of the article and loaded into a conventional SAXS solid sample holder with a 4-5 mm hole diameter. Multiple specimen disks may be extracted from multiple articles and stacked as needed to ensure sufficient scattering cross-section. The loaded sample holder is immediately placed into an appropriate instrument for data collection.

[0395] Wet sample preparation Three samples are analyzed wet from the dry, conditioned state. Specimens are extracted from the dry, conditioned articles and hydrated with water to obtain three separate preparations, each with a different specimen-to-water mass ratio. The three different specimen-to-water mass ratios prepared are 1:5, 1:9, and 1:20. For each mass ratio, one or more 1 cm diameter specimens (as needed) are extracted from the geometric center of one or more articles in the dry, conditioned state and hydrated with filtered deionized (DI) water at 23°C ± 2.0°C to achieve the intended specimen-to-water mass ratio. Each of the three specimen / water mixtures (each corresponding to a different mass ratio) is gently stirred under low shear by hand at room temperature using a spatula until visibly homogenous. Each specimen / water mixture is then immediately loaded into a separate quartz capillary tube with a diameter of 2.0 mm and a wall thickness of 0.01 mm. The capillary tube is immediately sealed with a sealant such as epoxy resin to prevent water evaporation from the preparation. The sealant is allowed to dry for at least 2 hours and at a temperature of 23° C.±2.0° C. until dry prior to sample analysis. Each prepared wet sample is introduced into an appropriate SAXS instrument and data is collected.

[0396] Testing and Analysis Samples are examined using SAXS in two-dimensional (2D) transmission mode over an angular range of 0.3° to 3.0° 2θ to observe the presence and spacing of any intensity bands in the X-ray scattering pattern. The examination is performed using a SAXS instrument (such as NanoSTAR, Bruker AXS Inc. (Madison, Wisconsin, USA) or equivalent). Prepared dry samples are analyzed under ambient pressure. Sealed liquid samples are analyzed in the instrument under vacuum. All samples are analyzed at a temperature of 23°C ± 2.0°C. The instrument's X-ray tube is operated at sufficient power to ensure that any scattering bands present are clearly detected. The beam diameter is 550 ± 50 μm. One suitable set of operating conditions includes the following selections: NanoSTAR instrument; microfocus Cu X-ray tube using Kα radiation at 1.54 Å; 45 kV and 0.650 mA power; Vantec2K two-dimensional area detector; 1200 s collection time; and sample-to-detector distance of 112.050 cm. Raw 2-D SAXS scattering patterns were azimuthally integrated to determine intensity (I) as a function of scattering vector (q), which is expressed throughout the method in reciprocal angstroms (Å). -1 The value of q is calculated by the SAXS instrument according to the following equation:

[0397]

number

[0398] For each integrated SAXS analyzed, the Å corresponding to each intensity peak on the plot of I vs. q -1 Identify and record the values ​​of q in q from smallest to largest. (Those skilled in the art will recognize that sharp peaks in q near the origin correspond to beam stop scattering and are ignored in this method.) The value of q corresponding to the first intensity peak (the lowest value of q) is q * It is called.

[0399] For samples corresponding to specimens (obtained from textile articles) analyzed directly in the dry, conditioned state, the intensity peak is 2q * ±0.002Å -1 The fibrous material from which the article is constructed is determined to exhibit a lamellar structure, with a characteristic d-spacing parameter of 2π / q * The intensity peak is defined as 2q * ±0.002Å -1 If no lamellar structure is present, the fibrous material from which the article is constructed is determined not to exhibit a lamellar structure.

[0400] For samples analyzed wet from a dry prepared state, the intensity peak was 2q * ±0.002Å -1 If the sample exists at 2π / q, the sample is determined to exhibit a lamellar structure, and the characteristic d-spacing parameter is 2π / q * The intensity peak is defined as 2q * ±0.002Å -1 If the lamellar structure is determined to be present in at least one of the three prepared specimen / water ratios, the sample is determined not to exhibit a lamellar structure. If the lamellar structure is determined to be present in at least one of the three prepared specimen / water ratios, the material from which the article is constructed is determined to exhibit a lamellar structure when wet. If the intensity peak is greater than 2q at any of the three prepared specimen / water ratios, the sample is determined not to exhibit a lamellar structure. * ±0.002Å -1 If no lamellar structure is present, the material from which the article is constructed is determined not to exhibit a lamellar structure when wet.

[0401] Fiber element composition test method To prepare the fiber elements for fiber element composition measurement, the fiber elements are conditioned by removing any removable coating compositions and / or materials present on the exterior surface of the fiber elements. An example of how to do this is to wash the fiber elements three times with a suitable solvent that removes the exterior coating without altering the fiber element. The fiber elements are then air-dried at a temperature of 23°C ± 1.0°C until the moisture content of the fiber elements is less than 10%. Chemical analysis of the conditioned fiber elements is then performed to determine the compositional makeup of the fiber elements with respect to filament-forming materials and active agents, as well as the levels of filament-forming materials and active agents present in the fiber elements.

[0402] The composition of the fiber element forming materials and active agents may also be determined by completing cross-sectional analysis using TOF-SIM or SEM. Yet another method for determining the composition of fiber elements is to use fluorescent dyes as markers. Furthermore, fiber element manufacturers must always know the composition of their fiber elements.

[0403] Dimensions and values ​​disclosed herein should not be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values ​​recited. Instead, unless otherwise indicated, each such dimension is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as "40 mm" is intended to mean "about 40 mm."

[0404] All documents cited herein, including any cross-referenced or related patents or patent applications, and any patent applications or patents to which this application claims priority or benefit, are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety, unless expressly stated to the contrary. The citation of any document shall not be deemed to be prior art to any invention disclosed or claimed herein, or to teach, suggest, or disclose any such invention, either alone or in combination with any other reference(s). Furthermore, to the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to that term in this document shall govern.

[0405] While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention.

Claims

1. 1. A water-insoluble shaving preparation article comprising a plurality of water-insoluble fibrous elements, The non-water soluble shaving preparation article comprises: a. one or more active agents, and b. 10-30 wt. % of one or more adjunct ingredients; The article further comprises: C 8 ~C 22 Contains quaternary ammonium compounds, at least one of the one or more active agents comprises a shaving preparation active agent; A water-insoluble article wherein at least one of said one or more auxiliary ingredients comprises a structuring agent exhibiting a weight average molecular weight of 10,000 to 4,000,000 g / mol.

2. The water-insoluble article of claim 1 , wherein the structuring agent is polyvinylpyrrolidone, polydimethylacrylamide, and combinations thereof.

3. The water-insoluble article of claim 1 , wherein the structurant is dispersed in the one or more active agents.

4. 10. The water-insoluble article of claim 1, further comprising one or more optional active agents selected from the group consisting of fragrances, colorants, preservatives, opacifiers, sunscreens, natural oils, vitamins, skin conditioning agents, skin soothing agents, sensates, powders, antioxidants, rosacea treatments, skin benefit agents, and mixtures thereof.

5. The water-insoluble article of claim 1 , comprising a surfactant.

6. The water-insoluble article of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the water-insoluble article exhibits a lamellar structure response when measured according to the Lamellar Structure Test Method.

7. 6. The water-insoluble article of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the water-insoluble article exhibits a lamellar structure response in a wet state but does not exhibit a lamellar structure response in a dry state when measured according to the Lamellar Structure Test Method.

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