Patent ID: 6323172
Filing Date: 2001-11-27
Classification: C11D,D06M

Abstract:
An aqueous, stable, fabric softener composition comprising:A. from about 2% to about 80% of fabric softener active selected from the group consisting of:1. fabric softener compound having the formula:[(R).sub.4-m --N.sup.(+) --[(CH.sub.2).sub.n Y--R.sup.1 ].sub.m ]X.sup.(-) (1)wherein each R substituent is H, or a short chain C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl or hydroxyalkyl group, benzyl, or mixtures thereof;each m is 2 or 3;each n is from 1 to about 4;each Y is --O--(O)C--, --(R)N--(O)C--, --C(O)--N(R)--, or --C(O)--O--, but not --OC(O)O--;each R.sup.1 is a long chain hydrocarbyl, or substituted hydrocarbyl substituent group;the sum of carbons in each R.sup.1, or YR.sup.1 when Y is --O--(O)C-- or --(R)N--(O)C--, is C.sub.6 -C.sub.22, and when the sum of carbons in one R.sup.1, or YR.sup.1 when Y is --O--(O)C-- or --(R)N--(O)C--, is less than about 12, then said sum of carbon atoms in the other R.sup.1, or YR.sup.1 when Y is --O--(O)C-- or --(R)N--(O)C--, is at least about 16,and when R.sup.1, or YR.sup.1 when Y is --O--(O)C-- or --(R)N--(O)C--, is C.sub.16 -C.sub.20, the Iodine Value of a YR.sup.1 fatty acid which contains this R.sup.1 group is from about 20 to about 140, and when R.sup.1, or YR.sup.1 when Y is --O--(O)C-- or --(R)N--(O)C--, is C.sub.8 -C.sub.14, the Iodine Value of a fatty acid which contains this R.sup.1 group is about 10 or less;2. fabric softener compound having the formula: ##STR13##wherein each Y, R, R.sup.1, and X.sup.(-) have the same meanings as before; and3. mixtures thereof;B. less than about 40% by weight of the composition of principal solvent having a ClogP of from about 0.15 to about 0.64, and which are not symmetrical, said principal solvent optionally comprising levels of solvents selected from the group consisting of: n-propanol; 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentane diol; the ethoxylate, diethoxylate, or triethoxylate derivatives of 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentane diol; 2-ethylhexyl-1,3-diol, and mixtures thereof, which are insufficient to provide an aqueous stable composition when used by themselves at said levels;C. optionally, an effective level, sufficient to improve clarity, of low molecular weight water soluble solvents selected from the group consisting of: ethanol, isopropanol, propylene glycol, 1,3-propanediol, and propylene carbonate, and mixtures thereof, said water soluble solvents being at a level that will not form clear compositions when used by themselves at that level;D. optionally, an effective amount to improve clarity, of water soluble calcium and/or magnesium salt; andE. the balance being water.