Softening lotion composition, use thereof in paper making, and resulting paper product

The invention concerns a composition for a softening lotion which is liquid at a temperature of at least 5.degree. C. and which is meant/to be used in treating an absorbent paper product. In the invention, this composition comprises: (a) from 1 to 10% by wt. of a component essentially containing a quaternary ammonium compound; (b) from 5 to 99% by wt. of an aqueous emollient component which contains, as active substances: (i) one or more saturated linear fatty alcohols having at least 16 carbon atoms, (ii) one or more waxy esters having a total of at least 24 carbon atoms and, where called for, (iii) one or more nonionic and/or amphoteric emulsifiers; and (c) a balance to 100% by wt. of the required amount of a solvent of the type polyol, mineral oil or their mixtures. The invention relates to the manufacture of absorbent paper products.

The invention concerns overall a novel composition for a softening lotion 
used in treating an absorbent paper product, such as a sheet of wadding 
cotton or tissue paper. This lotion is applied or impregnated onto at 
least one surface of the paper product and imparts a soft, slippery feel 
to the paper while being dry, i.e, without being greasy or oily. The 
invention also relates to the absorbent paper products wherein at least 
one surface is impregnated with such a lotion. 
The invention is applicable to the manufacture of paper products such as 
domestic or sanitary papers. Among these in particular are papers 
entailing direct contact with the skin and repeated rubbing against the 
skin, for example disposable paper handkerchiefs, toilet paper or any 
other paper products for wiping the skin, for removing make-up, dry linen, 
and the like. 
People afflicted with colds, influenza or various allergies causing nasal 
flow will wipe their noses frequently. Oftentimes such people's noses are 
irritated and red because of skin hypersensitization from this nasal flow. 
For practical reasons such people use conventional paper handkerchiefs 
available commercially in the form of boxed handkerchiefs, also called 
"facial" tissue, or folded handkerchiefs in small cases. Following several 
sequential nose wipings with these handkerchiefs, the skin at and around 
the nose becomes increasingly irritated, even inflamed and painful. 
Consequently, the surface of these handkerchiefs must be softened in order 
to limit, even suppress, any irritation caused by rubbing the handkerchief 
surface against the skin. Ideally the feeling should be the softness 
offered by a cloth handkerchief that has just been washed and pressed. 
In another field, namely that of toilet paper, the same softness is 
required for repeated contacts with the skin taking place with 
simultaneous rubbing. In particular as concerns persons suffering from 
skin irritation in the anal region or in the case of hemorrhoids, a toilet 
paper with a somewhat rough feel will only further irritate the skin when 
this paper is pressed against this skin. 
Accordingly, endeavors have been underway to generally soften the paper 
sheets or products such as the tissue paper webs using a variety of 
mechanical or chemical means. 
As regards the mechanical means, techniques have been developed to improve 
in particular the appearance and the surface condition of the paper sheet 
by endowing it with a more slippery feel. In the case of handkerchiefs, 
illustratively, the sheet is calendered to flatten the crests formed when 
creping the sheet. Also the sheet surface may be frictionally treated in 
order to eliminate all roughnesses. However, these approaches often are 
insufficient. European Patent No. 0 029 269 describes a particular 
manufacturing procedure for such a sheet wherein the nature of the 
suspensions of fibers forming the various sheet layers as well as the 
combination of these layers among each other are significant factors for 
the desired velvety feel. However, this procedure limits the selection of 
appropriate fibers and entails constraints in the first stages of the wet 
process phase. 
The expression "chemical means" covers any softening composition based on 
one or several chemical compounds. A distinction may be made between two 
categories of softening compositions. On one hand, the softening additives 
or compositions which are directly incorporated into the manufacturing 
pulp or composition or else are applied to a wet web of paper. And on the 
other hand, the softening compositions or lotions which are applied to the 
surface of a product or a sheet of paper in the dry state, i.e., where 
previous drying took place. 
In the first case, these additives as a rule are used as fiber debonding 
agents and thereby the sheet so made is allowed to flexibilize. Many 
patents have been filed in this field, illustratively, EP-A-0 049 924; 
EP-B-0 347 176; U.S. Pat. No. 2,944,931; U.S. Pat. No. 5,415,737 and 
International Application No. WO 95/10661. 
EP-A-0 049 924 discloses the incorporation of a quaternary ammonium 
compound and at least one nonionic surfactant selected from the fatty acid 
and the fatty alcohol ethylene oxide derivatives into the manufacturing 
composition in order to achieve a soft absorbent paper. The object of 
EP-B-0 347 176 is a tissue paper comprising at least one non-cationic 
surfactant applied to a wet web of paper. However, the surfactant can 
migrate into the sheet inside and wholly clad the fibers, thereby 
debonding them and decreasing tensile strength. U.S. Pat. No. 2,944,931 
discloses a process for improving the softness of toilet paper and its 
feel consisting in adding a stable aqueous emulsion containing from 1 to 
90 wt. % lanolin and from 10 to 99 wt. % of a cationic emulsifier, such as 
quaternary ammonium salts, to the manufacturing composition. U.S. Pat. No. 
5,415,737 concerns a finished soft paper product comprising a vegetal 
oil-based quaternary ammonium ester compound which is also added to the 
manufacturing composition. International Application No. WO 95/10661 
discloses a manufacturing process for a soft paper with improved feel 
consisting in added fatty acid ester salts of quaternary amine triethanol 
as softeners in the fiber aqueous suspensions. However, on the whole as 
regards these patents, the product or web surface does not offer the 
desired slippery feature. It is only the product or the web as a whole 
which is more soft. Moreover, the losses of softening composition during 
the sheet manufacturing process are more than trivial. 
In the same vein, U.S. Pat. No. 5,279,767 describes more specifically a 
softening composition comprising a mixture of a quaternary ammonium 
compound and a polyhydroxy compound. This composition is prepared by 
mixing in a first stage these two compounds at a high temperature at which 
they are miscible, then in diluting the mixture in high temperature water 
in order to form an aqueous dispersion of vesicles (or micelles). This 
composition is preferably incorporated into the manufacturing composition 
and might be applied to the surface of the formed web, when wet, before 
drying. It is felt in this patent that the vesicles break up at the time 
of drying. Most of the polyhydroxy compound so "released" penetrates into 
the interior of the cellulose fibers and improves the fiber flexibility, 
while the other part is retained at the fiber surface and increases the 
absorbency rate of fibers. Because of the ionic bonds, the quaternary 
ammonium compound remains at the surface of the cellulose fibers and 
thereby the product softness and feel can be improved. This patent does 
not mention a slippery feel in spite of improved softness. This type of 
compound addresses an increase in fiber flexibility and it acts 
substantially within the internal sheet structure, not directly and mainly 
at the sheet surface. Variations of this composition are described in 
other patent documents such as International Application Nos. WO 94/29,520 
and WO 94/29,521. 
In the second case, the softening compositions are meant to be applied 
directly to the product surface or to the absorbent paper sheet surface 
that was previously dried. Their main function is as a skin emollient. 
Many patents illustrate this kind of lotion. 
Illustratively, with respect to toilet paper or paper towels used in 
proctology, U.S. Pat. No. 3,264,188 and also French Patent No. 2,376,650 
describe lotions providing a fatty feel. The latter patent describes a 
skin wiping paper product treated with a lipophilic and cleaning 
emollient, the composition being substantially non-polar and non-aqueous. 
This emollient can be a mineral oil, petrolatum, paraffin waxes, fatty 
acids, fatty alcohols, fatty acid esters, derivatives of glycerides, 
lanolin, polysiloxanes, and the like. The emollient settles on the skin 
surface where it forms a thin film. It allows cleaning the skin by 
removing soil. Furthermore, U.S. Pat. No. 4,481,243 has as its object a 
two ply sheet. An emollient which provides a fatty feel is spread over a 
large part of the sheet surface. However, the emollient is not applied in 
a zone where the plies are combined by embossing. 
Silicone oils, such as polysiloxanes, can be applied to a tissue paper web 
in the manner disclosed in European Patent Nos. 0 347 153 and 0 595 994 
and in European Patent Application No. 0 656 971. However, some silicone 
oils are hydrophobic and lower the wettability at the surface of the paper 
so treated. 
The object of U.S. Pat. No. 3,305,392 is a sheet of paper having an 
emollient applied to its surface by displacing the sheet over a 
comparatively solid block of an emollient composition similar to wax. This 
composition comprises a lubricating and softening portion such as zinc 
stearate; aluminum-, sodium-, calcium- or magnesium-stearate; stearic 
acid; esters of palmitic or spermacetic acid; stearic alcohol; and where 
called for additionally esters of stearic and lauric acid polyethylene 
glycol as effective lubricants. Compounds such as oleic acid, mineral oil, 
tallow glyceride, distearyl methylamine, primary and secondary fatty 
amines and derivatives of lanolin allowing the composition to assume a 
plastic shape can also be added. In order to reduce the migration of the 
compounds inside the sheet, agents can also be provided that contain an 
active group affixing itself on the cellulose fibers, these agents being 
cationic. Because this kind of composition is in a fairly solid state, it 
can be used only at lower speeds and the applied quantities will not be 
optimized by such techniques. 
There are other patents which also relate to lotions which at ambient 
temperature are solid or semi-solid. U.S. Pat. No. 3,896,807 describes an 
emollient composition in the form of a non-adhesive and non-oily solid. 
This composition is heated or admixed with non-aqueous solvents of the 
type such as acetone, chloroform, trichloroethylene, xylene, xylol and 
other aromatic solvents in order to be impregnated in liquid form onto a 
substrate, for example, made of paper. Accordingly, this composition 
requires for application either heating means or solvents which for the 
most part for toxicologic reasons cannot be used. The main components of 
this composition are an oil phase containing an oil material such as 
mineral oil, petrolatum, paraffin, vegetal oil and different animal oils, 
and possibly emollients such as cetyl alcohol, propylene glycol, glycerin, 
triethylene glycol, waxes, and an emulsifier. This kind of lotion is 
significant because when moisture makes contact with the skin, this 
composition forms an oil emulsion in water to act as an emollient. 
A more recent International Patent Application, namely WO 95/16824, 
furthermore suggests an anhydrous lotion which is solid or semi-solid at 
20.degree. C. but which entails constraints regarding its application to 
the sheet. This procedure assumes heating means and all the entailing 
problems both with respect to the material selected for impregnation and 
the liquid and stable state of the lotion which in this procedure must 
remain at a fairly constant temperature. 
Some emollients, such as lanolin, incur drawbacks linked to their odor or 
to the fact they decrease the sheet absorption. European Patent No. 0 365 
726 attempts to remedy these problems by proposing lotions with a single 
water-soluble component, namely lauroampho-glycinate, quaternary ammonium 
homo- or co-polymeric derivatives, a triguaternary phospholipidic complex 
or a glutamate glucose complex. 
French Patent No. 2,538,238 describes a process in which a substrate, for 
example, a strip of paper from which paper towels will be made, passes 
through a lotion dissolved in an organic solvent and then this solvent is 
made to evaporate. The substrate furthermore can be impregnated 
practically up to saturation with an aqueous emulsion of which the 
ingredients are absorbed by the substrate and then dried to completely 
eliminate the water from the emulsion. The lotion contains a surfactant 
compound and a fatty body. The two above mentioned procedures entail 
subsequent evaporation or drying stages that preferably are avoided when 
manufacturing tissue paper webs. 
Once applied, some lotions will alter the physical and mechanical 
properties of such sheets of paper, for example absorbency, tensile 
strength both in the direction of advance and in the transverse direction, 
and the like. It is especially important with respect to a 
lotion-impregnated sheet to retain strength properties as good as found in 
the same sheet if no lotion had been applied to it. 
The object of the present invention is to palliate the set of drawbacks met 
with when using lotions applied to an absorbent paper product both when 
applying the lotion to a product surface and when the product is used in 
various ways of wiping the skin. 
The object of the invention is to provide a composition for a lotion that 
provides an especially soft and slippery feel to the paper, thereby 
limiting the irritation following rubbing the paper against the skin. 
Other objects of the invention are to provide a composition imparting to 
the paper a more velvety feel and greater flexibility. Moreover, this feel 
remains dry, contrary to the case of some lotions which once impregnated 
onto a paper product leave behind a fatty feel because a film of fat is 
deposited on the skin or on spectacles occasionally wiped with this kind 
of product, handkerchief or facial tissue. 
The object of the invention is to provide a lotion composition which is 
liquid at a temperature of at least 5.degree. C. Preferably, the 
composition is liquid at a temperature from about 10 to about 40.degree. 
C. thereby eliminating any difficulty in applying lotions which are solid 
or semi-solid at ambient temperature and, in general, requiring heating 
for application to the surface of a product or a sheet. 
Another object of the invention is to apply a lotion in small amounts to 
the surface of paper products. 
Another object of the invention is to provide a paper product of which at 
least one surface has been impregnated with such a lotion, and all 
consequential paper products. 
The physical and mechanical properties of the absorbent paper product thus 
treated are not significantly modified both as regards its thickness and 
its absorbency and its tensile strength in the direction of advance or in 
the transverse direction. A product treated with the lotion can be 
advantageously embossed without thereby incurring any problem. 
In the following description, the expression "absorbent paper product" 
means a sheet substantially containing paper fibers and meant for the 
manufacture of paper products for domestic and sanitary uses or the 
finished absorbent paper as such. This sheet of paper may be a tissue 
paper web or wadded fabric, a sheet of absorbent paper of low surface 
specific weight for example manufactured using a through-drying procedure, 
a sheet or fleece formed in the dry way and consisting of paper fibers 
linked by a thermoplastic binder such as a latex, or also an absorbent 
paper sheet constituted mostly of paper fibers and of synthetic fibers or 
any other equivalent paper product. The sheet can be creped or not and 
calendered or not. The sheet is formed by one or several plies. Other 
features in particular relating to the specific surface weight are 
elucidated in the description below. 
An object of the invention is a softening lotion which is liquid at a 
temperature of at least 5.degree. C. and is suitable for treating an 
absorbent paper product. 
In an essential feature of the invention, the composition comprises: 
(a) from 1 to 10 wt. % of a component substantially containing a quaternary 
ammonium compound; 
(b) from 5 to 99 wt. % of an aqueous emollient component containing, as the 
active substances: 
(i) one or more linear, saturated fatty alcohols having at least 16 carbon 
atoms, 
(ii) one or more waxy esters having at least a total of 24 carbon atoms, 
and where appropriate 
(iii) one or more nonionic and/or amphoteric emulsifiers; and 
(c) a balance to 100 wt. % of a sufficient amount of a solvent of the type 
such as polyol, mineral oil or their mixtures. 
In another feature of the invention, the above aqueous component is an 
aqueous dispersion. 
In an advantageous feature of the invention, the above aqueous emollient 
component comprises 15 to 45 wt. % of active substances and 55 to 85 wt. % 
water and, preferably, 20 to 40 wt. % of active substances and 60 to 80 
wt. % water. 
In still another feature of the invention, the above aqueous emollient 
component comprises in wt. % the following active substances: 
(i) 35 to 90% saturated linear fatty acids with 18 to 24 carbon atoms, 
(ii) 1 to 50% of waxy esters with a total of 24 to 48 carbon atoms, 
(iii) 0 to 20% nonionic and/or amphoteric emulsifiers, and 
(iv) 0 to 50% wax or mineral oil. 
The total of the above quantities being about 100% by wt. of the active 
substances. 
In a preferred feature of the invention, the composition comprises: 
(a) 1 to 6 wt. % of the component containing mainly a quaternary ammonium 
compound, 
(b) 10 to 60 wt. % of the aqueous emollient component, and 
(c) a balance to 100 wt. % of the amount required as solvent. 
In another preferred feature of the invention, the above quaternary 
ammonium compound is a salt of the following formula (I): 
##STR1## 
where R.sub.1 is an aliphatic group, preferably with 12 to 18 carbon 
atoms; R.sub.2 is an aliphatic group, preferably with 12 to 18 carbon 
atoms or an aryl group, preferably benzyl; and X is a chlorine-type 
halogen. 
Another object of the invention is the use of a softening lotion of which 
the composition is defined above for treating an absorbent paper product. 
In an essential feature of the invention, a quantity of about 0.30 to about 
20 wt. %, referring to the dry weight of the product, of the lotion with 
the above defined composition is applied to the product. 
In this manner, a slight emollient film is deposited and is partly fixed 
onto the surface of the product, whereby this product is made soft and 
slippery when in contact with skin. 
Another object of the invention is an absorbent paper product. 
In an essential feature of the invention, at least one surface of the 
product is impregnated with a lotion of the above defined composition. 
In an another essential feature of the invention, at least one surface of 
the product is impregnated with a lotion and this product comprises: 
paper fibers, 
at least one quaternary ammonium compound, 
at least one saturated linear fatty alcohol having at least 16 carbon 
atoms, and 
at least one waxy ester having at least 24 carbon atoms. 
In an advantageous feature of the invention, this product is a disposable 
paper handkerchief. 
Other features and advantages of the invention are elucidated in the 
following description. 
The compounds used in preparing the lotion are as follows: 
The component (a) essentially contains a quaternary ammonium compound. 
The quaternary ammonium compound also includes quaternary ammonium salts 
such as quaternary ammonium ester salts. 
The quaternary ammonium salts assume the following formula (I): 
##STR2## 
where R.sub.1 is an aliphatic group preferably with 12 to 18 carbon atoms; 
R.sub.2 is an aliphatic group, preferably with 12 to 18 carbon atoms or an 
aryl group, preferably benzyl; and X is a chlorine-type halogen. One 
example of such a salt is a dimethyl ditallow quaternary ammonium chloride 
and, more specifically, the form wherein the tallow-alkyl group is 
hydrogenated. Illustratively, this can be the compound marketed as ARQUAD 
2HT-75 by Akzo Chemie. At 25.degree. C., this compound is pasty. 
Furthermore, a quaternary ammonium salt can be used which meets the above 
definition and which is liquid at 25.degree. C. If, for a quaternary 
ammonium compound, the terms R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 in the above formula 
represent aliphatic groups having preferably 12 to 18 carbon atoms, then 
the component (a) can only contain this compound, alone or mixed with 
slight amounts of propanol. Also, the component (a) can contain a 
quaternary ammonium compound deemed essential and mixed with an 
ethoxylated fatty alcohol. An illustration of this mixture includes a 
chloride of alkyl benzyl dimethyl ammonium and an ethoxylated fatty 
alcohol. 
The quaternary ammonium ester salts have the following formula (II): 
##STR3## 
where R' is an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms; 
R" is an alkyl group having 12 to 18 carbon atoms; 
R.sub.3 is an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, preferably methyl; 
R.sub.4 is an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, a hydroxyl alkyl 
group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, or a 
##STR4## 
group; 
R.sub.5 is alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, a hydroxyl alkyl group 
having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, or a 
##STR5## 
group; 
X.sup.- is an anion such as a chlorine-type halogen or methyl sulfate. 
Advantageously some of these compounds are biodegradable. 
Illustratively, a salt of the above formula (II) is referred to, wherein R' 
is an ethylene radical, R" is a alkyl group having 16 to 18 carbon atoms 
of the tallow type, R.sub.3 is a methyl group, R.sub.4 is a OH--CH.sub.2 
--CH.sub.2 group, R.sub.5 is a 
##STR6## 
group, wherein R' and R" are defined above and X.sup.- is a methyl 
sulfate. 
This compound also is called methyl triethanol ammonium sulfate 
dialkylester. 
Other quaternary ammonium ester salts of formula (II) above can be prepared 
from fatty acids such as palmitic and stearic acids. 
The component (a) may contain one or more compounds, quaternary ammonium 
ester salts, alone or mixed with a fatty alcohol and/or a solvent of the 
dipropylene glycol type. 
The component (a) is a cationic agent. When the lotion is applied to the 
product or to a sheet, then in the final lotion composition, this agent 
serves to affix itself by means of the positive charges of the quaternary 
ammonium on the fibers of the sheet, in particular on the fibers at the 
surface of the sheet. Thereby, the other lotion components are "held back" 
at the surface of the sheet. The cationic compounds of the quaternary 
ammonium type when used in appropriate amounts also serve to flexibilize 
the product or sheet. 
The aqueous emollient component (b) per se is of the following composition. 
It is noted that each of the essential constituents of the component are 
naturally emollient. 
The component (i) comprises one or more saturated linear fatty alcohols 
having at least 16 carbon atoms. In general, the component (i) is a 
mixture of fatty alcohols of which the largest fraction (exceeding 50% by 
wt.) evinces chain lengths exceeding 16 carbon atoms. Therefore, most of 
the fatty alcohols evince a chain length above 16 carbon atoms while a 
small fraction of fatty alcohols is below that number. More specifically, 
the component (a) is a mixture of fatty alcohols with 16 to 28 carbon 
atoms, preferably 18 to 24 carbon atoms. Still more preferred, these 
saturated linear fatty alcohols have 22 to 24 carbon atoms. Examples of 
fatty alcohols are cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, arachyl alcohol, 
behenic alcohol, lignoceric alcohol and ceryl alcohol. Preferably the 
component (i) contains behenic alcohol. The fatty alcohols are selected as 
natural, vegetal or animal, and as a result the aqueous emollient (b) can 
be biodegradable. Illustratively, the fatty alcohols are prepared from 
vegetal oil by transesterification, distillation, hydrogenation of the 
obtained esters and by fractionating crude fatty alcohols in the runoff 
mode. These fatty alcohols are qualified as industrial. 
The length of the carbon chain of the fatty alcohol is essential to the 
lotion as regards its application to the surface of the paper products. A 
sufficiently long chain allows this kind of molecule to remain at the 
surface of the paper product, for example a sheet of paper, and will not 
penetrate the inside of the product. 
The component (ii) comprises one of more waxy esters with a total of at 
least 24 carbon atoms. Again, a mixture of waxy esters is involved of 
which the largest fraction has chain lengths larger than 24. Preferably 
the waxy esters contain a total of 24 to 48 carbon atoms and are saturated 
and linear. Even more preferred, the waxy esters have a total of at least 
28 carbon atoms. Ester saturation allows limiting the odor problems 
relating to some ester compounds. The waxy esters can be natural or 
synthetic. 
The waxy esters are derived from saturated linear fatty acids with 6 to 24, 
preferably 10 to 24 carbon atoms, and more prefereably 12 to 22 carbon 
atoms, and of saturated linear fatty alcohols with 6 to 24, preferably 10 
to 24 carbon atoms, and more preferably 12 to 22 carbon atoms. 
These waxy esters therefore can be prepared from a long-chain fatty acid 
with a fatty alcohol of a shorter chain, or vice-versa. The chain lengths 
of the alcohol and the fatty acid furthermore can be identical provided 
that the ester has at least 24 carbon atoms. Preferably, these esters are 
obtained from a fatty acid and a fatty alcohol of similar and relatively 
long chain lengths, that is higher than 14. 
Examples of waxy esters are the esters of the lauric, myristic, palmitic, 
stearic, arachidic and behenic acids with the lauric, myristic, cetyl, 
stearyl, arachyl and behenic alcohols. Illustratively, they can be decyl 
stearate, stearyl laurate and behenyl behenilate. Preferably cetyl 
stearate is used. 
The component (iii) comprises one or more emulsifiers which allow the 
formation of a dispersion of the components (i) and (ii) in water. 
Preferably, the component (iii) consists of one or more nonionic and/or 
amphoteric emulsifiers. These are combinations of nonionic and/or 
amphoteric surfactants which are distinguished by an alkylaryl, alkylene, 
alkyl, linear, lipophilic part and at least one hydrophilic group. This 
hydrophilic function can be just as well an ionic group as a nonionic 
group. 
The nonionic emulsifiers contain hydrophilic groups, such as a polyol 
group, a polyalkylene glycol ether group or a combination of polyols and 
polyglycol ether groups. 
Preferably oil-in-water (o/w) type emulsifiers are used that contain at 
least one of the compounds selected from a group consisting of: 
(c1) linear C8-C24 alcohol derivatives, C12-C22 fatty acids, alkyl C8-C15 
phenols or alkyl polyols, with 2 to 50 moles of ethylene oxide and/or 0 to 
5 moles of propylene oxide, 
(c2) C6 to C22 unsaturated or saturated fatty acid mono- or di-esters and 
ethoxylated or not sorbitol or glycerol mono- or di-esters, 
(c3) C8-C22 alkyl mono- and oligo-glucoside or their ethoxylated analogues, 
(c4) ricinus oil and ricinus oil hydrogenated with 15 to 60 moles of 
ethylene oxide, 
(c5) polyols, in particular polyglycerol ester such as polyglycerol 
polyricinoleate or polyglycerol poly-12-hydroxystearate, and/or mixtures 
of these compounds. 
The amphoteric emulsifiers are of the betaine type, such as the derivatives 
of C2 to C18 aminated acid or imidazoline derivatives. 
Derivatives of the following compounds can be used as the amphoteric 
emulsifiers: 
N-alkyl-N,N-dimethyl glycinate of ammonium, for instance ammonium dimethyl 
glycinate of copra fatty acid; 
ammonium N-acyl-aminopropyl-N,N-dimethylglycinate; 
2-alkyl-3-carboxymethyl-3-hydroxyethylimidazoline wherein the alkyl chain 
comprises 8 to 18 carbon atoms; and 
cocoasacyl-aminoethylhydroxyethylcarboxymethylglycinate. 
In particular, the derivatives of fatty acid amides known as CFTA 
cocoamidopropylbetaine can be used. 
Amphoteric emulsifiers derived from a C8-C18 or acyl alkyl group can be 
used of which the molecule contains at least one free amine group and a 
functional --COOH-- or --SO.sub.3 H--, for example C2-C18 aminated acid 
derivatives such as N-alkylglycin, N-alkylaminopropionate, 
N-alkylsarcosinate and N-alkyliminodipropionate are preferred. 
Amphoteric emulsifiers such as N-cocoalkyl-aminopropionates, 
cocacylaminopropionates and acylsarcosinates in C12-C18 are preferred. 
The component (iii) is optional if a dispersion of components (i) and (iii) 
in water is desired to be carried out by mechanical means. 
The fatty alcohols, waxy esters and emulsifiers are selected in such a 
manner that they will not raise odor problems in the lotion composition. 
Other secondary emollient components (fatty acids and short chain esters, 
etc.) can be considered also, provided they do not alter the properties of 
the aqueous emollient component. 
The aqueous emollient component (b) comprises, by wt. of active substances, 
35 to 90% component (i), 1 to 50% component (ii), 0 to 20% component (iii) 
and 0 to 50% wax or mineral oil (iv), the sum of the components (i), (ii) 
(iii) and (iv) amounting to about 100%. Preferably, from 1 to 7 and 
especially from 1.5 to 5% by wt. of active substance of emulsifier (iii) 
is used. 
The emollient component (b) of the lotion is aqueous in the form of a 
suspension or dispersion. Preferably it is in the form of a dispersion. 
The expression "dispersion" is construed broadly to mean a mixture of a 
liquid or solid phase in the form of globules or particles in another 
liquid phase serving as vehicle. The emollient component comprises 1 to 
50% by wt. of active substances. More specifically, it comprises about 15 
to about 45% by wt. active substances and about 55 to 85% by wt. water, 
and preferably about 20 to about 40% by wt. active substances and about 60 
to about 80% by wt. water. Part of the water can be replaced by a mineral 
origin wax or oil, such as paraffin wax or oil. The concentration of the 
mineral-origin wax or oil (iv) in the aqueous emollient component then is 
about 1 to 10% by wt. of active substances. An emollient component 
containing only a little water is preferred for treating absorbent paper 
products. 
Whatever the composition of the emollient component (b) defined in the 
above discussion, its state will be liquid at a temperature of at least 
5.degree. C. Preferably, the emollient component is liquid at ambient 
temperature, that is between about 10.degree. C. and about 40.degree. C. 
The aqueous emollient component is biodegradable. 
The aqueous dispersion is prepared in a vat fitted with a mixer, a cooling 
system and a heat exchanger. The mixture so prepared moves into a 
homogenizer. The dispersion is chemically and physically stable. It is 
homogeneous. It does not separate and practically does not thicken. The 
dispersion is an emollient for the skin. A compound of the fatty acid 
alkyl ester type is known per se to evince the function of lubricating the 
skin and to avert evaporative losses of skin moisture so as to preclude 
any skin drying. A compound of fatty alcohol type is known per se to 
evince the function of softening and smoothing the skin surface. 
More specific illustrations concerning the aqueous emollient component are 
listed below. 
______________________________________ 
Component 1 Component 2 
______________________________________ 
(a) C18-C24 saturated linear 
(a) C18-C22 saturated linear 
fatty alcohols fatty alcohols 
(b) C32 saturated linear 
(b) C28 saturated linear waxy 
waxy esters esters 
(c) emulsifier: ethoxylated 
(c) emulsifier: ethoxylated 
fatty alcohols fatty alcohols 
______________________________________ 
Component (c) is a solvent of the polyol, mineral oil type or their 
mixtures. The term "polyol" herein means, for example, propylene glycol, 
dipropylene glycol or any equivalent compound. The mineral oil is a white 
vaseline oil type such as the mineral oils marketed as MARCOL or PRIMOL by 
Esso Corp. 
Where called for, other secondary additives can be added to the lotion 
composition. These are conventional agents for lotions, creams or any 
emollient products. Among these are, for example, thickeners, perfumes, 
vegetal extracts, menthol, eucalyptus, niaouli and also virucidal, 
bactericidal compounds and the like. These agents are added in appropriate 
quantities to the lotion. 
Components with soothing or cicatrizant properties relating to skin 
irritations, in particular of the nose, may be incorporated into the 
lotion. Known examples of such components are allantoin and some vegetal 
extracts. 
The lotion is prepared by mixing the components (a), (b) and (c) in the 
presence of agitation. 
The lotion composition will be, when all three constituents are present, 
from 1 to 10% by wt. component (a) containing essentially the quaternary 
ammonium compound, from 5 to 99% by wt. aqueous emollient compound (b), 
and a balance to 100% by wt. of the required quantity of solvent (c). 
Preferably, this lotion composition comprises 1 to 6% by wt. component (a), 
10 to 60% by wt. aqueous emollient component (b), and a balance to 100% by 
wt. of the required quantity of solvent (c). 
Another lotion composition can comprise the aqueous emollient (b) and a 
component (c) as solvent, the components (b) and (c) then being merely 
mixed with component (b) being dispersed in the component, i.e., solvent 
(c). This kind of lotion comprises 5 to 100% by wt. aqueous emollient 
component (b) and a sufficient quantity for 100% by wt. of the required 
quantity of the component (c). 
Whatever the lotion composition described above, its state will be liquid 
at a temperature of at least 5.degree. C. Preferably, the composition is 
liquid at ambient temperature, that is approximately between 10.degree. C. 
and 40.degree. C., thereby allowing its direct application to an absorbent 
paper product using conventional means. Moreover, it is stable and 
homogeneous. Phase separation or decantation do not take place. Its 
viscosity is suitable to allow application in a conventional manner, 
namely spraying, coating or the like, onto the surface of the absorbent 
paper product. It can be prepared well before being applied to the product 
or sheet, and this latitude eliminates the need for preparation equipment 
at the industrial site where the lotion is applied to the product. 
The lotion composition of the above formulation when applied to an 
absorbent paper product softens the surface of the product. The main 
effect of the lotion on one hand is to impart a soft and slippery feel to 
the paper while nevertheless remaining dry, and on the other hand to 
soften the surface of the skin in contact with this paper. In the 
illustrative case of paper handkerchiefs, the emollient and softening 
composition imparts a noticeably soft feel to the handkerchiefs and allows 
clear reduction of the irritation incurred by people who frequently wipe 
their noses using conventional handkerchiefs. 
The discussion below elucidates the application of the lotion to paper 
products and in particular to a tissue paper web which is made suitable 
for the manufacture of paper handkerchiefs. The paper products can be 
treated or impregnated in part or in whole with the lotion. 
The tissue paper web to be treated can be produced by any conventional 
manufacturing method of tissue paper. The pulps used are conventional. 
They can be chemical virgin pulps and/or they can be bleached in CTMP 
(chemical thermo-mechanical) manner. They can be from hardwood and/or 
coniferous sources, de-inked pulps, pulps from resinous sources or their 
mixtures. The manufacturing composition or aqueous fiber suspension 
illustratively comprises a mixture of 60% of chemically bleached conifer 
pulp and 40% of chemically bleached eucalyptus pulp. When using recycled 
fibers, the manufacturing composition comprises, for example, 50 to 95% by 
wt. of de-inked pulp. 
The tissue paper web to be treated can be produced by any conventional 
manufacturing method for tissue paper. A humid resistant additive can be 
added in the wet phase of the sheet manufacture. The sheet can be creped 
or not. As regards handkerchiefs, the sheet can be calendered or not. 
Further, the sheet can be stratified or not. The laminae or layers may be 
of an identical or different fibrous and/or chemical composition. The 
sheet is composed of one or several plies, and preferably is of two or 
three plies. 
A preferred manufacturing method for the handkerchiefs consists in making a 
handkerchief comprising three plies of a different nature or composition. 
The central ply's composition is fibrous and comprises mostly long fibers, 
for example pulps based on resin fibers, preferably from pine trees and 
spruces. A moisture-resistant additive is incorporated into the 
manufacturing composition of this ply. If this additive is already present 
in some amount in each of the other two plies, a large quantity shall be 
incorporated into the central ply. Illustratively, this additive is a 
moisture resistant resin of the epichlorohydrine polyamide type marketed 
as KYMENE SLX by Hercules Corp. The two other plies are placed one on each 
side of the central ply and constitute the web's surfaces. Their 
composition is substantially of short fibers, for example based on 
eucalyptus fiber-containing pulps. These plies comprise a softener or a 
debonder. The web so made offers very good wet strength and hence good 
solidity in particular on account of the central ply. This web also 
provides improved surface softness due to the selection of the fibrous and 
chemical compositions of the other two outer plies. 
The specific surface weight of the sheet ranges approximately from 12 to 65 
g/m.sup.2. For facial tissue corresponding to the commercial boxed 
handkerchiefs, the specific surface weight is about 30 to 45 g/m.sup.2 and 
for a handkerchief folded and conditioned in a small case, the specific 
surface weight is about 35 to 65 g/m.sup.2. 
The lotion is applied at least to one side of the tissue paper web in its 
dry state and preferably on both outer sides of the sheet. This treatment 
can be carried out in several stages of the sheet manufacture as soon as 
the sheet has been dried. On a conventional paper-making machine, this 
treatment can take place immediately following the sheet's drying stage on 
the yankee cylinder once the sheet has been creped or following the drying 
stage by through-drying for another manufacturing procedure. At this stage 
a single ply is being treated on a single side. The treatment also can 
take place at the re-spooling stage when several plies are combined to 
form the sheet. One or both external sides of the sheet are treated 
consecutively or simultaneously. The lotion also can be applied during the 
conversion phase of the sheet into a finished product, toilet paper, 
handkerchief, etc. In the case of handkerchief manufacture, the two sides 
of the sheet illustratively are treated just before the embossing stage of 
the edges defining a handkerchief, this stage occurring before the stage 
of cutting and folding the handkerchief, (an edge embossing procedure is 
described in French Patent No. 2,698,314), alternatively, for example, 
after embossing and combining the plies. The product may be embossed on 
only one of its sides. It may be embossed also on all or part of its 
surfaces. Any processing other than embossing to impart a specific pattern 
or appearance to the paper web also may be considered. Further, there can 
also be lotion treatment of the finished absorbent paper product. It has 
been observed with surprise that the sheet surfaces treated with and hence 
impregnated by the lotion no matter at what point in the manufacturing 
procedure or conversion of the sheet (following sheet drying) will be 
embossable without any difficulty. This feature is an advantage over the 
lotions of the prior art, in particular some lotions evincing a fat feel, 
that could not be applied onto paper surfaces that subsequently would be 
embossed and thus precluded the paper from being embossed. 
The lotion is applied to the product or sheet in an amount of about 0.30 to 
about 20, and preferably from about 0.65 to about 15, % by wt. (weight of 
the aqueous composition) based on dry weight of the product (before the 
lotion is applied). Preferably, the lotion is applied in an amount of 
about 1 to about 10% by wt. of dry fibers. This amounts to applying a 
quantity from about 0.3 g/m.sup.2 to about 3 g/m.sup.2 to each surface of 
the product or sheet. 
More preferably, and by optimizing the quantities of lotion used and the 
desired paper surface softness, less than 2% by wt. of active ingredient 
lotion relative to the dry product weight is applied. The end product so 
treated then includes less than 2% of active lotion ingredients relative 
to the dry weight of the absorbent paper. 
In general, clearly improved surface softness is achieved in selecting for 
the lotion composition at least one waxy ester having at least a total of 
24 to 48 carbon atoms and incorporating it in sufficient quantity into the 
composition to have at least 3% by wt. of active ingredients of this ester 
on the surface of dry weight of the absorbent paper product at the surface 
of the absorbent paper product. 
The lotion can be applied in different ways, for example spraying or 
atomization, coating, flexographic printing or any other method allowing 
deposition of the lotion on the web surface. 
Atomization or spraying is carried out using a system of conventional 
nozzles, wherein lotion droplets are projected onto an outer sheet 
surface. Atomization is further carried out by devices with air mixing or 
without air and at low pressure or using rotors. This is a simple 
application procedure and the sheet does not make contact with the 
application device. It has been observed that when the application is by 
atomization, and when treating the two outer surfaces of a sheet with 
three plies, the lotion will partly penetrate inside the sheet as far as 
the inner ply. When using this technique, quantities of about 1.5 to 3 
g/m.sup.2 are applied. 
Coating is carried out using a cylinder-screen onto which the lotion is 
deposited. The cylinder is made to contact one side of the sheet. The two 
sides of the sheet can be treated simultaneously using one cylinder per 
side. The lotion can be deposited on all or a part of the cylinder 
surface, for example in the form of strips. Moreover, variable quantities 
of lotion can be deposited on parts of the cylinder surface and 
consequently as such on the side of the sheet. Using such a coating 
procedure, it has been noted that the lotion does not penetrate the inside 
of a three-ply sheet as far as the inner ply and does remain well 
localized on the sheet surface. As a result, it is possible to 
advantageously reduce the quantities of applied lotion of the invention on 
each side of the sheet. The quantities applied by the coating technique 
range from about 0.3 to about 2 g/m.sup.2, and preferably from about 0.5 
to about 1.5 g/m.sup.2, per side. Other appropriate coating techniques 
also can be considered. 
Tests on a prototype machine were carried out using different lotion 
compositions. A three-ply sheet was treated on both sides. Treatment was 
either by atomization from a rotor-fitted device or using a coating 
cylinder. 
Control 0 
A tissue paper web comprising three plies each of 18 g/m.sup.2 was 
converted into cut handkerchiefs of which the edges were bonded and 
embossed in the manner described in French Patent No. 2,698,314.

EXAMPLE 1 
A composition was used containing 100% by wt. of the aqueous emollient 
component corresponding to the Lotion A of which the composition is as 
follows: 
______________________________________ 
Lotion A (dispersion) 
______________________________________ 
(i) C18-C24 saturated linear fatty 
alcohols 
(ii) C32 saturated linear waxy 
esters 
(iii) 
Emulsifier: ethoxylated 
fatty alcohols 
______________________________________ 
This lotion was applied on a pilot machine to a tissue paper web by means 
of a rotor-fitted device. In the dry state, the tissue paper web to be 
treated comprising three plies each of 17 g/m.sup.2 was calendered. The 
lotion was applied at the rate of 2.5 g/m.sup.2 per side. The web thusly 
treated with the Lotion A then was converted into a handkerchief in the 
manner of the procedure described in French Patent No. 2,698,314. 
The same web, but untreated by the lotion, also was converted into a 
handkerchief by the above procedure and served as Control 1. 
EXAMPLE 2 
The composition of Lotion A of Example 1 was applied to a calendered web 
comprising three plies each of 20.5 g/m.sup.2. The treatment was 
implemented using a coating cylinder. A quantity of 0.6 g/m.sup.2 was 
applied to each side of the sheet, the total applied quantity being 
comparatively small and especially advantageous. The sheet so treated with 
Lotion A then was converted into a handkerchief in the manner of French 
Patent No. 2,698,314. 
The same web untreated with Lotion A also was converted into a handkerchief 
by the above described procedure and served as Control 2. 
EXAMPLE 3 
A Lotion B based on the three components (a), (b) and (c) was prepared. The 
composition of Lotion B was as follows: 
______________________________________ 
Lotion B 
% by 
weight 
______________________________________ 
(a) Dimethyl ditallow 
4% 
quaternary ammonium 
chloride (ARQUAD 2 HT-75) 
(b) Aqueous emollient 
20% 
component- 
(i) C18-C24 saturated 
linear fatty alcohols 
(ii) C32 saturated linear 
waxy esters 
(iii) emulsifier: 
ethoxylated fatty 
alcohols 
(c) Propylene glycol 76% 
______________________________________ 
Lotion B was applied by a rotor-fitted device. The tissue paper web to be 
treated comprised three plies each of 18 g/m.sup.2 and was calendered. The 
quantity applied to each side was 2.5 g/m.sup.2. The web thusly treated 
with Lotion B then was converted into a handkerchief in the manner of 
French Patent No. 2,698,314. 
The same web, but untreated with the Lotion, also was converted into a 
handkerchief by the above procedure and served as Control 3. 
EXAMPLE 4 
A Lotion C of the following composition was prepared: 
______________________________________ 
Lotion C 
% by 
weight 
______________________________________ 
(a) Dimethyl ditallow 
4% 
quaternary ammonium 
chloride (ARQUAD 2 HT-75) 
(b) Aqueous emollient 
40% 
component- 
(i) C18-C24 saturated 
linear fatty alcohols 
(ii) C32 saturated linear 
waxy esters 
(iii) emulsifier: 
ethoxylated fatty alcohols 
(c) Propylene glycol 56% 
______________________________________ 
This lotion was then applied to a sheet of paper by a coating cylinder. The 
tissue paper web to be treated comprised three plies each of 20.5 
g/m.sup.2 and was calendered. The applied quantity was 0.6 g/m.sup.2. The 
sheet thusly treated with Lotion C then was converted into a handkerchief 
in the manner of French Patent No. 2,698,314. 
The same sheet, but untreated with Lotion C, corresponds to Control 2. 
EXAMPLE 5 
The Lotion C composition was used to treat a sheet which was similar to 
that of Example 4 on a prototype coating machine. Only the amount of 
applied Lotion was changed. The quantity applied per side in this instance 
was 1.3 g/m.sup.2. The sheet thusly treated with Lotion C then was 
converted into a handkerchief in the manner of French Patent No. 
2,698,314. 
The same sheet, but untreated with the Lotion, corresponds to Control 2. 
The handkerchiefs made in Examples 1 through 5 and the Control 
handkerchiefs were sense-tested on 40 persons. 
A series of tests were carried out concerning the parameters of softness, 
flexibility and thickness. The person testing the product selects a 
qualifier on a verbal scale. The method consisted in giving grades to this 
verbal scale as shown in the Table below by comparing on one hand one of 
the handkerchiefs of one of Examples 1 through 5 and on the other hand the 
Control handkerchief corresponding to 1 through 5 with the same Control 0 
for a given parameter. 
______________________________________ 
Verbal scale/Grade 
______________________________________ 
Clearly less 
-3 
Less -2 
Probably less 
-1 
The same 0 
Probably more 
+1 
More +2 
Clearly more 
+3 
______________________________________ 
The number of persons having selected a given qualifier was multiplied by 
the grade of this qualifier. Then the products obtained were added and the 
addition divided by the total number of persons to obtain the average 
grade. This average grade which must be between -3 and +3 is the test 
result. Table I below lists the test results. Be it noted that the 
Controls 1 through 5 without lotion already evince a fairly high level of 
softness which is inherent in the particular manufacturing procedure of 
the tissue paper web. Accordingly, the softness of the handkerchiefs 
impregnated with the lotion of the invention is appreciated relative to a 
level which is already known as being good. 
TABLE I 
______________________________________ 
Softness Flexibility 
Thickness 
______________________________________ 
Control 1 
+0.15 -0.6 -0.6 
Example 1 
+1.2 +0.2 -0.45 
Control 2 
+0.35 -0.3 -0.15 
Example 2 
+1.15 +0.1 -0.25 
Control 3 
+1 -0.45 -0.25 
Example 3 
+1.65 -0.35 -0.25 
Control 2 
+0.55 -0.35 -0.1 
Example 4 
+1.45 -0.15 0 
Control 2 
+0.75 -0.15 -0.2 
Example 5 
+2 +0.05 +0.1 
______________________________________ 
Test result significance is computed by the X.sup.2 method. 
The results of Example 1 and Control 1 are significant to 1% regarding 
flexibility and softness. The result concerning thickness of Control 1 is 
significant to 1% and the result concerning the thickness of Example 1 is 
significant to 5%. 
The results for Example 3 and Control 3 are significant to 1% regarding 
softness. 
No significance attaches to the results for flexibility and thickness 
concerning Examples 2, 4 and 5 and their respective Controls 2. 
On the other hand for these same Examples 2, 4 and 5 and the respective 
Control 2, the results are significant to 1% regarding softness. 
Only parameters with significant test results will be discussed. Thickness 
is perceived being practically unmodified. 
For the case of significant results, flexibility is improved. 
Lastly for almost all the significant results of Examples 1 through 5, the 
handkerchiefs were perceived as probably being softer (verbal scale) 
compared with the Control 0 which per se was already soft. 
The difference between an Example and its Control allows evaluation of the 
effect of the lotion per se on the sheet by eliminating the influence of 
the sheet and of its manufacture. 
The best results (difference between Example 1 and its Control) regarding 
softness obtained for Examples 5 and 1 respectively corresponding to the 
Lotion C applied by coating at a rate of 1.3 g/m.sup.2 per side and to the 
Lotion A applied by atomization at a rate of 2.5 g/m.sup.2 per side. 
With respect to the quantity applied, the test results for the 
handkerchiefs of Examples 5, 4 and 2 (difference between the Example and 
its Control) that are the most significant, namely, for Examples 5 and 4, 
for Lotion C applied by coating at a rate of 0.6 and 1.3 g/m.sup.2 per 
side and as regards Example 2, for Lotion A applied by coating at a rate 
of 0.6 g/m.sup.2 per side. 
A hierarchy was set up for some handkerchiefs regarding the softness 
parameter and the overall preference of the set of parameters softness, 
flexibility and thickness. The method used in this hierarchy is that of 
the mean rank. Table II below shows the results: 
TABLE II 
______________________________________ 
Softness 
Overall 
preference 
preference 
______________________________________ 
Example 2.2 2.5 
Example 2.3 2 
4 
Example 1.5 1.5 
5 
______________________________________ 
The handkerchiefs of Examples 2, 4 and 5 illustrate the coating procedure. 
The handkerchief of Example 5 was clearly first in preference both 
regarding softness and the set of parameters. 
The handkerchiefs of Examples 2 and 4 practically are even in second place 
with respect to softness. 
The handkerchief of Example 4 is in second place for overall preference and 
the handkerchief of Example 2 is in third position. 
Consequently, Lotion C (Examples 4 and 5) was generally preferred over 
Lotion A (Example 2) and more definitively when it was applied by coating 
at a rate of 1.3 g/m.sup.2 per side. 
As regards the physical and mechanical properties of the handkerchiefs 
thusly impregnated, the dry strengths were measured in the direction of 
advance (DA) and in the transverse direction (TD); the elongation measured 
in the direction of advance (DA); and the wet strengths in the direction 
of advance (DA) and in the transverse direction (TD). 
The test results for Examples 4 and 5 are listed in Table III below. 
TABLE III 
______________________________________ 
DRY STRENGTHS WET STRENGTHS 
DA TD elongation DA 
DA TD 
______________________________________ 
Example 4/Control 2 
0% 5% 0% -1% -5% 
Example 5/Control 2 
0% 0% 0% -8% 3% 
______________________________________ 
The properties listed by the test results in Table III are not 
substantially affected. They are as good as those of the Control (a 
difference of 5 to 8% lacking significance for the wet strengths). This 
feature represents an appreciable advantage. 
The absorbencies also were measured for the handkerchiefs of the set of 
Examples. While a significant loss in such a property was expected, in 
fact the losses proved slight. 
Accordingly, treating the absorbent paper products with the lotion of the 
invention does not entail negative effects on the physical and mechanical 
properties of the product.