Patent ID: 6291421
Filing Date: 2001-09-18
Classification: C11D

Abstract:
A unit dose wash cycle fabric softening composition for softening or conditioning fabrics in the wash cycle of an automatic washing machine, said unit dose comprising (a) a compacted granular fabric softener composition, the amount of (a) being sufficient to form a unit dose capable of providing effective softening or conditioning of fabrics in the wash cycle of said washing machine, and wherein said fabric softener composition comprises an organic fatty softening material which is a fatty alcohol or a pentaerythritol organic compound (""PEC"") selected from the group consisting of a higher aliphatic acid ester of pentaerythritol, an oligomer of pentaerythritol, a lower alkylene oxide derivative of an oligomer of pentaerythritol, and a mixture thereof, in combination with a treated montmorillonite-containing clay selected to have initial properties as follows:(i) a montmorillonite content of at least 85%; and(ii) when said clay is activated with sodium ions, dried and ground to particles, said ground particles do not swell more than about 2.5 fold over a period of 24 hours when added to deionized water at room temperature; and wherein said montmorillonite-containing clay is treated by the process comprising the following sequential steps:(a) drying said clay to a moisture content of from about 25 to about 35%, by weight;(b) extruding the dried material through a die to form a paste;(c) drying said paste to a moisture content of from about 10% to about 14% by weight; and(d) calcining at a temperature of about 120.degree. C. to about 250.degree. C.