Patent ID: 6194374
Filing Date: 2001-02-27
Classification: C11D

Abstract:
A process for preparing a biodegradable fabric softening composition comprising a particulate clay carrier in combination with a fabric softening amount of a pentaerythritol compound (PEC) and in the absence of a quaternary ammonium compound fabric softener comprising the sequential steps of:(a) heating said particulate clay carrier to a temperature of at least about 80.degree. C.;(b) contacting the heated clay particles of (a) with a polyphosphonate compound characterized by containing at least two moieties having the structure --CH.sub.2 --PO(OX).sub.2 wherein X is Na or K, such that at least a portion of said polyphosphonate compound is electrostatically bound to the clay particles;(c) heating said PEC which is a compound selected from the group consisting of a higher aliphatic C.sub.12 -C.sub.22 ester of pentaerythritol, an oligomer of pentaerythritol, a C.sub.2 -C.sub.3 alkylene oxide derivative of pentaerythritol or a C.sub.2 -C.sub.3 alkylene oxide derivative of an oligomer of pentaerythritol, and mixtures thereof, to a temperature above about its melting point; and then(d) contacting the molten PEC of (c) with the clay particles of (b) such that at least a portion of said molten PEC is adsorbed on the surface of said clay particles whereby the sequential addition of said polyphosphonate compound to said clay particles prior to the addition of said molten PEC to said clay particles provides a fabric softening composition or article capable of providing a significantly enhanced softening benefit as compared to the softening benefit provided by an otherwise identical softening composition or article containing said PEC in combination with the clay carrier but in the absence of said polyphosphonate compound and wherein said composition or article is essentially free of a quaternary ammonium compound softener.