ARTICLES AND METHODS FOR TREATING FABRICS

Abstract: Disclosed are dryer-added fabric conditioning articles and methods utilizing alkyl amine-anionic surfactant ion-pair complexes as fabric conditioning agents. Optionally, these compositions can contain polymeric soil realease agents and the fabric softeners. In the method aspect of the invention, damp fabrics are commingled with the conditioner active and optional components in an auto­ matic laundry dryer and are provided with a soft, antistatic finish concurrently with the drying operation. The fabric con­ ditioning agents herein are preferably employed in combination with a dispensing means adapted for use in an automatic dryer.

Description: TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to articles and methods for providing static control and softening benefits to fabrics in an automatic laundry dryer. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Treatment in an automatic clothes dryer has been shown to be an effective means for imparting desirable tactile properties to fabrics. For example, it has become common to soften fabrics in an automatic clothes dryer rather than during the rinse cycle of a laundering operation. See, for example, U.S. Patent 3,441,692, Gaiser, issued May 6, 1969. Fabric softness or conditioning is usually understood to be that quality of the treated fabric whereby its handle or texture is smooth, pliable and fluffy to the touch. Various chemical compounds have long been known to possess the ability to soften fabrics when applied to them during a laundering operation. Fabric conditioning also connotes the absence of static "cling" in the fabrics, and the commonly used cationic fabric softeners provide both softening and antistatic benefits when applied to fabrics. Indeed, with fabrics such as nylon and polyester, the user is more able to perceive and appreciate an antistatic benefit than a true softening benefit. Fatty alkyl cationic antistatic softening compounds and compositions designed for application to fabrics in an automatic dryer have been the subject of many innovations. See, for example, U.S. Patent 3,634,947, Furgal, issued January 18, 1972, and U.S. Patent 3,686,025, Morton, issued August 22, 1972. Other fatty materials have been suggested for use as dryer-added fabric softeners. See, for example, U.S. Patent 3,676,199, Hewitt et al., issued July 11, 1972. Included among these prior softening compositions are various glycerides in combination with oil-soluble, lower-ethoxylated surfactants. Triglyceride fabric treating agents are disclosed in U.S. Patent 3,785,973, Bernholz et al., issued January 15, 1974. The use of primary amines and the salts of such amines as fabric conditioning agents for use in the washing and rinsing cycles of an automatic washer, as well as the drying cycle of an automatic dryer has been disclosed. See, for example, U.S. Patent 3,095,373, Blomfield, issued June 25, 1963; U.S. Patent 3,442,692, Gaiser, issued May 6, 1969; and South African Patent 69/3923. The use of primary amines in a dryer context, however, causes odor problems and paint softening. These problems are overcome with some salts, but not predictably so. U.S. Patent 4,077,891, Beimesch et al., issued March 7, 1978, discloses the advantages of using the formic acid salt of a long-chain primary amine to impart a softening and antistatic effect to fabrics in an automatic dryer. EP-A-0007135 discloses the use of tertiary amine salts of carboxylic acids as fabric softening and antistatic agents, particularly in compositions employed in a dispensing means adapted for use in an automatic dryer. It has now been surprisingly discovered that certain alkyl-amine-synthetic anionic surfactant ion-pair complexes are fabric conditioning actives that can provide excellent static control and softness to fabrics in an automatic laundry dryer. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide superior static control and softness to fabrics treated with defined alkyl-amine-synthetic anionic surfactant ion-pair complexes in an automatic laundry dryer. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention there is provided an article of manufacture adapted for use to provide fabric care benefits in a automatic laundry dryer comprising: (a) a fabric conditioning composition comprising one or more of a alkyl amine-anionic surfactant ion-pair complex of the formula: wherein R₁ is C₁ to C₂₄ alkyl or alkenyl, R₂ is C₁ to C₂₄ alkyl or alkenyl, and R₃ is H or C₁₋C₂₄ alkyl or alkenyl, and A is an anionic surfactant; and (b) a dispensing means which provides for release of a effective amount of said composition to fabrics in the dryer at automatic dryer operating temperatures; wherein the anionic surfactant is selected from alkyl sulfonates, aryl sulfonates, alkylaryl sulfonates, olefin sulfonates and paraffin sulfonates. The most preferred amines are ditallow amine and ditallow methylamine. The most preferred surfactants are the linear C₈ to C₁₃ alkyl benzene sulfonates. Optionally, these compositions can contain soil release components which provide soil release benefits for fabrics over a wide range of soils including the oily types and clay soils on polyester and polyester/cotton blend fabrics. These compositions may further comprise optional cationic and/or nonionic fabric softening agents. The invention also encompasses a method for imparting fabric care benefits in an automatic laundry dryer comprising tumbling said fabrics under heat in a clothes dryer with an effective amount of the fabric conditioning composition. DESCRIPTION OF THE DEVELOPMENT The present invention relates to an article of manufacture adapted for use to provide fabric care benefits in an automatic laundry dryer comprising: (a) a fabric conditioning composition comprising one or more of an alkyl amine-anionic surfactant ion-pair complex of the formula: wherein R₁ is C₁-C₂₄ alkyl or alkenyl, preferably C₁₆ to C₁₈ alkyl or alkenyl, most preferably C₁₆ to C₁₈ alkyl, R₂ is C₁ to C₂₄ alkyl or alkenyl, preferably C₁₆ to C₁₈ alkyl or alkenyl, most preferably C₁₆ to C₁₈ alkyl, R₃ is H or C₁ to C₂₄ alkyl or alkenyl, most preferably H or CH₃, and A is an anionic surfactant selected from alkyl sulfonates, aryl sulfonates, alkylaryl sulfonates, paraffin sulfonates, and olefin sulfonates; (b) a dispensing means which provides for release of an effective amount of said composition to fabrics in the dryer at automatic dryer operating temperatures. When the dispensing means is a flexible substrate in sheet configuration the fabric conditioning composition is releasably affixed on the substrate to provide a weight ratio of fabric conditioning composition to dry substrate ranging from 10:1 to 0.25:1, preferably from 5:1 to 1:1. The invention also relates to a method for imparting fabric care benefits in an automatic clothes dryer comprising tumbling said fabrics under heat in a clothes dryer with an effective, i.e., conditioning amount of the fabric conditioning composition. Fabric Conditioning Agent The fabric conditioning agent of the present invention comprises water-insoluble amine-anionic surfactant ion-pair complexes which are released from a dispensing means in an automatic laundry dryer. The complex can be represented by the following formula: wherein R₁ is C₁ to C₂₄ alkyl or alkenyl, preferably C₁₆ to C₂₄ alkyl or alkenyl, most preferably C₁₆ to C₁₈ alkyl, R₂ is C₁ to C₂₄ alkyl or alkenyl, preferably C₁₆ to C₂₄ alkyl or alkenyl, most preferably C₁₆ to C₁₈ alkyl, R₃ is H or C₁ to C₂₄ alkyl or alkenyl, most preferably H or CH₃, and A is an anionic surfactant selected from alkyl sulfonates, aryl sulfonates, alkylaryl sulfonates, paraffin sulfonates, and olefin sulfonates. Starting alkylamines are of the formula: wherein R₁ and R₂ are independently C₁ to C₂₄ alkyl or alkenyl, preferably C₁₆ to C₂₄ alkyl or alkenyl, and most preferably C₁₆ to C₁₈ alkyl. R₃ is H or C₁ to C₂₄ alkyl or alkenyl, and most preferably H or CH₃. Suitable starting amines include hydrogenated and unhydrogenated ditallow amine, hydrogenated and unhydrogenated ditallow methylamine, dipalmityl amine, dipalmityl methylamine, distearyl amine, distearyl methylamine, dibehenyl amine, dibehenyl methylamine, diarachidyl amine, diarachidyl methylamine, palmityl stearyl amine, palmityl stearyl methylamine, palmityl arachidyl amine, palmityl arachidyl methylamine, stearyl arachidyl amine, and stearyl arachidyl methylamine. Most preferred are hydrogenated and unhydrogenated ditallow methylamine and hydrogenated and unhydrogenated ditallow amine. The anionic surfactants useful in the present invention are the C₁ to C₂₀ alkyl sulfonates, aryl sulfonates, C₁ to C₂₀ alkylaryl sulfonates, C₁₂ to C₁₈ paraffin sulfonates and C₁₂ to C₁₈ olefin sulfonates. These classes of anionic surfactants are fully described in U.S. Patent 3,929,678, Laughlin et al., issued December 30, 1975, at column 23, line 58 through column 29, line 23 and in U.S. Patent 4,294,710, Hardy et al., issued October 13, 1981. Particularly preferred surfactants are the linear C₁ to C₂₀ alkylaryl sulfonates and most particularly are the linear C₄-C₁₃ alkylaryl sulfonates. This class of surfactants includes the linear C₄ to C₁₃ alkyl benzene sulfonates. Most preferred are the linear C₈ to C₁₃ alkyl benzene sulfonates. The amine and surfactant components are combined in a molar ratio of alkylamine to surfactant ranging from 1:10 to 10:1, preferably from 1:1 to 3:1. This can be accomplished by any of a variety of means, including but not limited to, preparing a melt of the surfactant in the acid form and the amine and maintaining the melt stage for about 30 minutes. The above molten ion-pair can be allowed to cool, preferably while stirring the molten mixture. Other methods of forming this mass include dissolving the components in an organic solvent, or by heating the amine to a liquid state and then adding this molten amine component to a heated acidified aqueous solution of the anionic surfactant, and then extracting the ion-pair complex by using a solvent such as chloroform. It is to be noted that ion-pairs having different melting points can be obtained by changing the mole ratios of the amines to surfactants and/or by changing the alkyl chain length of either the amines or the surfactants or both. Suitable non-limiting examples of ion-pair complexes for use in the present invention include: hydrogenated ditallow amine complexed with a linear C₁-C₂₀ alkyl benzene sulfonate (LAS), hydrogenated ditallow methylamine complexed with a C₁-C₂₀ LAS, unhydrogenated ditallow amine complexed with a C₁-C₂₀ LAS, unhydrogenated ditallow methylamine complexed with a C₁-C₂₀ LAS, dipalmityl amine complexed with a C₁-C₂₀ LAS, dipalmityl methylamine complexed with a C₁-C₂₀ LAS, distearyl amine complexed with a C₁-C₂₀ LAS, distearyl methylamine complexed with a C₁-C₂₀ LAS, diarachidyl amine complexed with a C₁-C₂₀ LAS, diarachidyl methylamine complexed with a C₁-C₂₀ LAS, palmityl stearyl amine complexed with a C₁-C₂₀ LAS, palmityl stearyl methylamine complexed with a C₁-C₂₀ LAS, palmityl arachidyl amine complexed with a C₁-C₂₀ LAS, palmityl arachidyl methylamine complexed with a C₁-C₂₀ LAS, stearyl arachidyl amine complexed with a C₁-C₂₀ LAS, stearyl arachidyl methylamine complexed with a C₁-C₂₀ LAS, ditallow amine (hydrogenated or unhydrogenated) complexed with a C₁-C₂₀ alkyl sulfonate (AS), ditallow methylamine (hydrogenated or unhydrogenated) complexed with a C₁-C₂₀ alkyl sulfonate, dipalmityl amine complexed with a C₁-C₂₀ AS, dipalmityl methylamine complexed with a C₁-C₂₀ AS, distearyl amine complexed with a C₁-C₂₀ AS, distearyl methylamine complexed with a C₁-C₂₀ AS, diarachidyl amine complexed with a C₁-C₂₀ AS, diarachidyl methylamine complexed with a C₁-C₂₀ AS, palmityl stearyl amine complexed with a C₁-C₂₀ AS, palmityl stearyl methylamine complexed with a C₁-C₂₀ AS, palmityl arachidyl amine complexed with a C₁-C₂₀ AS, palmityl arachidyl methylamine complexed with a C₁-C₂₀ AS, stearyl arachidyl amine complexed with a C₁-C₂₀ AS, stearyl arachidyl methylamine complexed with a C₁-C₂₀ AS, ditallow amine (hydrogenated or unhydrogenated) complexed with a C₁₂-C₁₈ paraffin sulfonate (PS), ditallow methylamine (hydrogenated or unhydrogenated) complexed with a C₁₂-C₁₈ paraffin sulfonate, dipalmityl amine complexed with a C₁₂-C₁₈ PS, dipalmityl methylamine complexed with a C₁₂-C₁₈ PS, distearyl amine complexed with a C₁₂-C₁₈ PS, distearyl methylamine complexed with a C₁₂-C₁₈ PS, diarachidyl amine complexed with a C₁₂-C₁₈ PS, diarachidyl methylamine complexed with a C₁₂-C₁₈ PS, palmityl stearyl amine complexed with a C₁₂-C₁₈ PS, palmityl stearyl methylamine complexed with a C₁₂-C₁₈ PS, palmityl arachidyl amine complexed with a C₁₂-C₁₈ PS, palmityl arachidyl methylamine complexed with a C₁₂-C₁₈ PS, stearyl arachidyl amine complexed with a C₁₂-C₁₈ PS, stearyl arachidyl methylamine complexed with a C₁₂-C₁₈ PS, ditallow amine (hydrogenated or unhydrogenated) complexed with a C₁₂-C₁₈ olefin sulfonate (OS), ditallow methylamine (hydrogenated or unhydrogenated) complexed with a C₁₂-C₁₈ OS, dipalmityl amine complexed with a C₁₂-C₁₈ OS, dipalmityl methylamine complexed with a C₁₂-C₁₈ OS, distearyl amine complexed with a C₁₂-C₁₈ OS, distearyl methylamine complexed with a C₁₂-C₁₈ OS, diarachidyl amine complexed with a C₁₂-C₁₈ OS, diarachidyl methylamine complexed with a C₁₂-C₁₈ OS, palmityl stearyl amine complexed with a C₁₂-C₁₈ OS, palmityl stearyl methylamine complexed with a C₁₂-C₁₈ OS, palmityl arachidyl amine complexed with a C₁₂-C₁₈ OS, palmityl arachidyl methylamine complexed with a C₁₂-C₁₈ OS, stearyl arachidyl amine complexed with a C₁₂-C₁₈ OS, stearyl arachidyl methylamine complexed with a C₁₂-C₁₈ OS, and mixtures thereof. More preferred are ion-pair complexes formed from the combination of ditallow amine (hydrogenated or unhydrogenated) with C₁ to C₂₀ LAS, C₁ to C₂₀ AS, C₁₂ to C₁₈ PS or C₁₂ to C₁₈ OS. Even more preferred are those complexes formed from ditallow amine (hydrogenated or unhydrogenated) complexed with a C₁ to C₂₀ LAS. Other preferred ion-pair complexes are those formed from the combination of ditallow methylamine (hydrogenated or unhydrogenated) with C₁ to C₂₀ LAS, C₁ to C₂₀ AS, C₁₂ to C₁₈ PS or C₁₂ to C₁₈ OS. Most preferred are complexes formed from ditallow amine (hydrogenated or unhydrogenated) complexed with C₁₀ to C₁₃ LAS and those complexes formed from ditallow methylamine (hydrogenated or unhydrogenated) with C₁₀ to C₁₃ LAS. The complexes are further characterized by their melting points, which generally lie in the range of from 10° to 75°C. Ion-pairs having different melting points can be obtained by changing the mole ratios of the amines to surfactants and/or by changing the alkyl chain length of either the amines or the surfactants or both. This ability to tailor melting points of ion-par complexes is important for a dryer-added composition to provide fabric conditioner bebfits. The most preferred fabric conditioner agents are solid at room temperature, have a softening phase transition temperature at or above 30°C, and become a flowable liquid below 100°C, preferably below 90°C. A fabric conditioning agent which is solid at room temperatures is desirable in order to keep the dryer-added composition from having a tacky feel, while its softening and fluidity at higher temperatures facilitate the substrate coating process and the subsequent fabric conditioning active transfer from the fabric conditioning sheet to the fabrics in the clothes dryer. Optional Components Polymeric Soil Release Agent The polymeric soil release agents useful in the present invention include hydroxyether cellulosic polymers, block copolymers of polyethylene terephthalate and polyoxyethylene terephthalate, block copolymers of polyethylene phthalate and polyethylene glycol, and cationic guar gums, and the like. The soil release agent is present at a level of from 1% to 70%, more preferably from 10% to 70%, and most preferably from 25% to 50%, by weight of the fabric conditioning composition. The cellulosic derivatives that are functional as soil release agents may be characterized as certain hydroxyethers of cellulose such as Methocel (Trade Mark) HB-15000 (Dow), Methyl Cellulose DM-140 (Buckeye), and Klucel (Trade Mark) (Hercules); also, certain cationic cellulose ether derivatives such as Polymer JR-125, JR-400, and JR-30M (Union Carbide). Other effective soil release agents are cationic guar gums such as Jaguar (Trade Mark) Plus (Stein Hall) and Gendrive (Trade Mark) 458 (General Mills). A preferred fabric conditioning composition has a polymeric soil release agent selected from methyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, or hydroxybutyl methylcellulose, said cellulosic polymer having a viscosity in 2% aqueous solution at 20°C of 15 to 75, Pa sec. A more preferred soil release agent is a copolymer having blocks of polyethylene terephthalate and polyoxyethylene terephthalate. More specifically, these polymers are comprised of repeating units of ethylene terephthalate and polyoxyethylene terephthalate at a molar ratio of ethylene terephthalate units to polyoxyethylene terephthalate units of from 25:75 to 35:65, said polyoxyethylene terephthalate containing polyoxyethylene blocks having molecular weights of from 300 to 700. The molecular weight of this polymeric soil release agent is in the range of from 25,000 to 55,000. These preferred polymers are disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 3,959,230, Hays, issued May 25, 1976,. The melting point of the polymer is preferably below 100°C. Another preferred polymeric soil release agent is crystallizable polyester copolymer with repeating units of ethylene terephthalate containing 10-50% by weight of ethylene terephthalate units together with 10-50% by weight of polyoxyethylene terephthalate units, derived from a polyoxyethylene glycol of average molecular weight of from 300 to 6,000, wherein the molar ratio of ethylene terephthalate units to polyoxyethylene terephthalate units in the crystallizable polymeric compound is between 2:1 and 6:1. A more preferred polymer is that wherein the polyoxyethylene terephthalate units are derived from a polyoxyethylene glycol with an average molecular weight of from 1,000 to 4,000. These polymers are disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 3,416,952, McIntyre and Robertson, issued December 17, 1968,. Examples of these copolymers include the commercially available material Zelcon R 4780 (from DuPont) and Milease R T (from ICI), both having the Chemical Abstracts Service Registry No. 9016-88-0. Both Zelcon 4780 and Milease T are sold in the aqueous dispersion form containing up to 85% water. It is preferable to use the dehydrated polymer to prepare the fabric conditioning composition in order to avoid the incorporation of excess moisture which is believed to make the resulting fabric conditioning articles wet and sticky. The dehydrated polymer is obtained by drying the above-mentioned commercial dispersions, or can be obtained directly in the concentrated form from the manufacturers. An example of the latter is Zelcon PG, the concentrated form of Zelcon 4780, and is obtained from DuPont Co. The most preferred polymer is a solid at room temperature, has a softening phase transition temperature at or above 30°C and becomes a flowable liquid below 100°C, preferably below 90°C. The softening phase transition temperature can be determined by the differential scanning calorimetry method. A polymer that is a hard solid at room temperature is desirable in order to keep the fabric conditioning sheets from having a tacky feel, while its softening and fluidity at higher temperatures facilitate the substrate coating process and the subsequent fabric conditioning active transfer from the fabric conditioning sheet to the fabrics in the clothes dryer. A particularly preferred polymeric soil release agent is disclosed in European Patent Application 185,417, and has the formula: X[(OCH₂CH₂) n (OR³) m ][(A-R¹-A-R²) u (A-R³-A-R²) v ] -A-R⁴-A[(R⁵O) m (CH₂CH₂O) n ]X wherein the A moieties are essentially moieties; the R¹ moieties are essentially 1,4-phenylene moieties; and R² moieties are essentially ethylene moieties, or substituted ethylene moieties having C₁-C₄ alkyl or alkoxy substituents; the R³ moieties are substituted C₂-C₁₈ hydrocarbylene moieties having at least one -SO₃M, -COOM, -O[R⁵O) m (CH₂CH₂O) n ]X or -A[(R²-A-R⁴-A)] w [R⁵O) m (CH₂CH₂O) n ]X substituent or at least one moiety -A[(R²-A-R⁴-A)] w R²-A- crosslinked to another R³ moiety the R⁴ moieties are R¹ or R³ moieties, or a mixture thereof; each R⁵ is C₃-C₄ alkylene, or the moiety -R²-A-R⁶-, wherein R⁶ is a C₁-C₁₂ alkylene, alkenylene, arylene or alkarylene moiety; each M is H or a water-soluble cation; each X is H, C₁-C₄ alkyl or wherein R⁷ is C₁-C₄ alkyl; m and n are numbers such that the moiety -(CH₂CH₂O)- comprises at least 50% by weight of the moiety [R⁵O) m (CH₂CH₂O)n], provided that when R⁵ is the moiety -R²-A-R⁶-, m is 1; each n is at least 10; u and v are numbers such that the sum of u + v + w is from 3 to 25. This latter polymer is particularly preferred when the formula is: wherein each R¹ is a 1,4-phenylene moiety; the R² moieties consist essentially of ethylene moieties, 1,2-propylene moieties or a mixture thereof; each X is ethyl or preferably methyl; each n is from 12 to 43; u is from 3 to 10. A preferred polymeric soil release agent is POET (polyoxyethylene terephthalate), a compound with the general formula: wherein n = 1.75 on average. In general, the soil release polymer is preferably a solid at room temperature, has a softening phase transition temperature at or above 30°C and becomes a flowable liquid below 100°C, more preferably below 90°C. Optional Fabric Softening Agents Examples of optional fabric softening agents are the compositions described in U.S. Patent 4,103,047, Zaki et al., issued July 25, 1978; 4,237.155, Kardouche, issued December 2, 1980; 3,686,025, Morton, issued August 22, 1972; 3,849,435, Diery et al., issued November 19, 1974; and U.S. Patent 4,017,996, Bedenk, issued February 14, 1978. Particularly preferred cationic fabric softeners of this type include quaternary ammonium salts such as dialkyl dimethylammonium chlorides, methylsulfates and ethylsulfates wherein the alkyl groups can be the same or different and contain from 14 to 22 carbon atoms. Examples of such preferred materials include ditallowalkyldimethylammonium methylsulfate, distearyldimethylammonium methylsulfate, dipalmityldimethylammonium methylsulfate and dibehenyldimethylammonium methylsulfate. Also particularly preferred is the carboxylic acid salt of a tertiary alkylamine disclosed in said Karcdouche patent. Examples include stearyldimethylammonium stearate, distearylmethylammonium myristate, stearyldimethylammonium palmitate, distearlymethylammonium palmitate, and distearlymethylammonium laurate. These carboxylic salts can be made in situ by mixing the corresponding amine and carboxylic acid in the molten fabric conditioning composition. Examples of nonionic fabric softeners are the sorbitan esters, described herein and C₁₂-C₂₆ fatty alcohols and fatty amines as described herein. A preferred article of the present invention includes a fabric conditioning composition which additionally comprises from 10% to 70% of polymeric soil release agent, and from 5% to 90% of an optional fabric softening agent, by weight of the fabric conditioning composition, said fabric softening agent being selected from cationic and nonionic fabric softeners, and mixtures thereof. Preferably, the optional fabric softening agent comprises a mixture of a cationic fabric softener and a nonionic fabric softener in a weight ratio of from 1:10 to 10:1. The selection of the components is such that the resulting fabric conditioning composition has a melting point above 38°C and is flowable at dryer operating temperatures. Another preferred optional fabric softening agent comprises a mixture of C₁₀-C₂₆ alkyl sorbitan esters and mixtures thereof, a quaternary ammonium salt and a tertiary alkylamine. The quaternary ammonium salt is preferably present at a level of from 5% to 25%, more preferably from 7% to 20% of the fabric conditioning composition. The sorbitan ester is preferably present at a level of from 10% to 50%, more preferably from 20% to 40%, by weight of the total fabric conditioning composition. The tertiary alkylamine is present at a level of from 5% to 25%, more preferably from 7% to 20% by weight of the fabric conditioning composition. The preferred sorbitan ester comprises a member selected from C₁₀-C₂₆ alkyl sorbitan monoesters and C₁₀-C₂₆ alkyl sorbitan di-esters, and ethoxylates of said esters wherein one or more of the unesterified hydroxyl groups in said esters contain from 1 to 6 oxyethylene units, and mixtures thereof. The quaternary ammonium salt is preferably in the methylsulfate form. The preferred tertiary alkylamine is selected from alkyldimethylamine and dialkylmethylamine and mixtures thereof, wherein the alkyl groups can be the same or different and contain from 14 to 22 carbon atoms. Another preferred optional fabric softening agent comprises a carboxylic acid salt of a tertiary alkylamine, in combination with a fatty alcohol and a quaternary ammonium salt. The carboxylic acid salt of a tertiary amine is used in the fabric conditioning composition preferably at a level of from 5% to 50%, and more preferably, from 15% to 35%, by weight of the fabric conditioning composition. The quaternary ammonium salt is used preferably at a level of from 5% to 25%, and more preferably, from 7% to 20%, by weight of the total fabric conditioning composition. The fatty alcohol can be used preferably at a level of from 10% to 25%, and more preferably from 10% to 20%, by weight of the fabric conditioning composition. The preferred quaternary ammonium salt is selected from the dialkyl dimethylammonium salt wherein the alkyl groups can be the same or different and contain from 14 to 22 carbon atoms and wherein the counteranion is selected from chloride, methylsulfate and ethylsulfate, preferably methylsulfate. The preferred carboxylic acid salt of a tertiary alkylamine is selected from fatty acid salts of alkyldimethylamines wherein the alkyl group contains from 14 to 22 carbon atoms. The preferred fatty alcohol contains from 14 to 22 carbon atoms. Clays can be added to the compositions of the invention in an amount of from 0.5% to 50% of the total composition. See U.S. Patent 4,073,996, Bedenk et al., issued February 14, 1978. Clay promotes even release of the softening composition from substrate-type dispensing means (such as woven or non-woven cloth sheets) thereby minimizing any tendency to stain the treated fabrics which might be caused by uneven transfer of softener to them. Smectite and montmorillonite clays are particularly preferred clays for use herein. An example of a smectite clay is Gelwhite (Trade Mark) GP, which is marketed by Georgia Kaolin Co. An example of a montmorillonite clay is Bentolite (Trade Mark) L, which is marketed by Southern Clay Products. Another additive which can be used to promote even release of the softener composition from a substrate-type dispensing means is a mixture of 1.5% Carbopol (Trade Mark) resin (B.F. Goodrich Co.) and 4% glycerine, based on the total weight of the composition. Other Optional Ingredients Well-known optional components included in the fabric conditioning composition which are useful in the present invention are narrated in U.S. Patent 4,103,047, Zaki et al., issued July 25, 1978, for "Fabric Treatment Compositions,". Such optional components include anti-creasing agents, finishing agents, fumigants, lubricants, fungicides, and sizing agents. The amounts of these additives will generally comprise from 0.01% to 10.0% by weight of the fabric conditioning agent. Dispensing Means The fabric conditioning compositions can be employed by simply adding a measured amount into the dryer, e.g., as liquid dispersion. However, in a preferred embodiment, the fabric conditioners are provided as an article of manufacture in combination with a dispensing means such as a flexible substrate which effectively releases the composition in an automatic clothes dryer. Such dispensing means can be designed for single usage or for multiple uses. One such article comprises a sponge or porous material releasably enclosing enough fabric conditioning composition to effectively impart fabric care benefits during several cycles of clothes. Such a substrate will have a weight ratio of fabric conditioning agent to dry substrate on a dry weight basis ranging from 10:1 to 0.25:1. This multi-use article can be made by filling, for example, a hollow sponge with 20 grams of the fabric conditioning composition. Other devices and articles suitable for dispensing the fabric conditioning composition into automatic dryers include those described in U.S. Patent 4,103,047, Zaki et al., issued July 25, 1978; 3, 736,668, Dillarstone, issued June 5, 1973; 3,701,202, Compa et al., issued October 31, 1972; e,634,947, Furgal, issued January 18, 1972; 3,633,538, Hoeflin, issued January 11, 1972; and 3,435,537, Rumsey, issued April 1, 1969. A highly preferred article herein comprises the fabric conditioning composition releasably affixed to a flexible substrate in a sheet configuration. Highly preferred paper, woven or nonwoven "absorbent" substrates useful herein are fully disclosed in Morton, U.S. Patent No. 3,686,026, issued August 22, 1972,. It is known that most substances are able to absorb a liquid substance to some degree; however, the term "absorbent" as used herein, is intended to mean a substance with an absorbent capacity (i.e., a parameter representing a substrate's ability to take up and retain a liquid) from 4 to 12, preferably from 5 to 7, times its weight of water. Determination of absorbent capacity values is made by using the capacity testing procedures described in U.S. Federal Specifications UU-T-595b, modified as follows: 1. tap water is used instead of distilled water 2. the specimen is immersed for 30 seconds instead of 3 minutes; 3. draining time is 15 seconds instead of 1 minute; and 4. the specimen is immediately weighed on a torsion balance having a pan with turned-up edges. Absorbent capacity values are then calculated in accordance with the formula given in said Specification. Based on this test, one-ply, dense bleached paper (e.g., kraft or bond having a basis weight of 52 g/m² has an absorbent capacity of from 3.5 to 4, commercially available household one-ply toweling paper has a value of from 5 to 6; and commercially available two-ply household toweling paper has a value of from 7 to 9.5. Using a substrate with an absorbent capacity of less than 4 tends to cause too rapid release of the fabric conditioning composition from the substrate resulting in several disadvantages, one of which is uneven conditioning of the fabrics. Using a substrate with an absorbent capacity over 12 is undesirable, inasmuch as too little of the fabric conditioning composition is released to condition the fabrics in optimal fashion during a normal drying cycle. Such a substrate comprises a nonwoven cloth having an absorbent capacity of preferably from 5 to 7 and wherein the weight ratio of fabric conditioning composition to substrate on a dry weight basis ranges from 5:1 to 1:1. Nonwoven cloth substrate preferably comprises cellulosic fibers having a length of from 4.75 mm to 50.5 mm and a linear density of from 0.27 to 0.55 Tex and the substrate is adhesively bonded together with a binder resin. The flexible substrate preferably has openings sufficient in size and number to reduce restriction by said article of the flow of air through an automatic laundry dryer. The better openings comprise a plurality of rectilinear slits extended along one dimension of the substrate. Article Manufacture The articles herein comprise amine-anionic surfactant ion-pair complex conditioner compositions in combination with any dispensing means suitable for releasing the conditioning composition to the fabric load at temperatures encountered in automatic laundry dryers. Preferred articles herein are those wherein the conditioning composition is releasably affixed to an absorbent substrate as an impregnate or as a coating. The impregnation or coating can be accomplished in any convenient manner, and many methods are known in the art. For example, the conditioning composition, in liquid form, can be sprayed onto a substrate or can be added to a wood-pulp slurry from which the substrate is manufactured. Impregnating, rather than coating, the substrate with the conditioner composition is highly preferred for optimal conditioning with minimal fabric staining. The term "coating" connotes the adjoining of one substance to the external surface of another; "impregnating" is intended to mean the permeation of the entire substrate structure, internally as well as externally. One factor affecting a given substrate's absorbent capacity is its free space. Accordingly, when a conditioning composition is applied to an absorbent substrate, it penetrates into the free space; hence, the substrate is deemed impregnated. The free space in a substrate of low absorbency, such as a one-ply kraft or bond paper, is very limited; such a substrate, is therefore, deemed "dense." Thus, while a small portion of the conditioning composition penetrates into the limited free space available in a dense substrate, a rather substantial balance of the conditioner composition does not penetrate and remains on the surface of the substrate so that it is deemed a coating. The difference between coating and impregnation is believed to explain why the conditioner-impregnated sheet substrates of the invention herein substantially reduce the staining of fabrics observed when a conditioner-coated dense substrate is utilized. In one method of making the preferred conditioner-impregnated absorbent sheet substrate, a conditioner composition containing an amine-anionic surfactant ion-pair, alone or with the optional additives, is applied to absorbent paper or nonwoven cloth by a method generally known as "padding." The conditioning composition is preferably applied in liquid form to the substrate. Thus, the conditioner composition, which is normally solid at room temperature should first be melted and/or solvent treated. Methods of melting the conditioner composition and/or for treating the conditioner composition with a solvent are known and can easily be done to provide a satisfactory conditioner-treated substrate. In another preferred method, the conditioner composition, in liquified form, is placed in a pan or trough which can be heated to maintain the conditioner composition in liquid form. The liquid conditioner composition contains any of the desired optional additives. A roll of absorbent paper (or cloth) is then set up on an apparatus so that it can unroll freely. As the paper or cloth unrolls, it travels downwardly and, submersed, passes through the pan or trough containing the liquid fabric conditioning composition at a slow enough speed to allow sufficient impregnation. The absorbent paper or cloth then travels upwardly and through a pair of rollers which remove excess bath liquid and provide the absorbent paper or cloth with from 1 to 12 grams of the conditioning composition per 100 sq. inches to 150 sq. inches (645 to 968 sq. cm) of substrate sheet. The impregnated paper or cloth is then cooled to room temperature, after which it can be folded, cut or perforated at uniform lengths, and subsequently packaged and/or used. The rollers used resemble "squeeze rolls" used by those in the paper and paper-making art; they can be made of hard rubber or steel. Preferably, the rollers are adjustable, so that the opening between their respective surfaces can be regulated to control the amount of the conditioner composition liquid on the paper or cloth. In applying the conditioner composition to the absorbent substrate, the amount of conditioner composition (excluding any solvent which may have been used in the process) impregnated into or coated onto the absorbent substrate is conveniently in the weight ratio range of from 10:1 to 0.25:1 based on the ratio of total conditioner composition to dry, untreated substrate (fiber plus binder). Preferably, the ratio of conditioner composition to dry, untreated substrate ranges from 5:1 to 1:1, most preferably from 3:1 to 1:1. As noted above, the conditioning composition can contain from 5% to 100% of one or more of amine-anionic surfactant ion-pair conditioning agent. Following application of the liquified conditioner composition, the articles are held at room temperature until the conditioner composition solidifies. The resulting dry articles, prepared at the conditioner composition:substrate ratios set forth above, remain flexible; the sheet articles are suitable for packaging in rolls. The sheet articles can optionally be slitted or punched to provide a non-blocking aspect (as described previously) at any convenient time during the manufacturing process. The most highly preferred articles herein are those where the conditioner composition is releasably affixed to a woven or nonwoven cloth substrate of the type disclosed hereinabove having an absorbent capacity of from 2 to 15. A highly preferred substrate for such an article has an absorbent capacity of from 5 to 7. The most highly preferred substrate for the articles comprises a water-laid or air-laid nonwoven cloth consisting essentially of cellulosic fibers, said fibers having a length of from 4.75 mm to 50.5 mm and 1.7 to 5.6 of tex, said fibers being at least partially oriented haphazardly, and adhesively bonded together with a binder-resin. Such water-laid or air-laid nonwoven cloths can easily be prepared having the preferred absorbent capacities set forth above. The most highly preferred articles herein are those wherein the flexible substrate is provided with openings sufficient in size and number to reduce restriction by said article of the flow of air through the automatic dryer. Articles wherein the openings comprise a plurality of rectilinear slits extending along one dimension of the substrate, especially those wherein the slits extend to within 25.4 mm (1 inch) from at least one edge of said dimension of the substrate, articles wherein the slits comprise a plurality of curvilinear slits in a continuous pattern of U-shaped or C-shaped slits, and articles wherein the openings comprise circular holes, are highly preferred herein. It is most convenient to provide an article in the form of a nonblocking sheet substrate having the physical parameters noted hereinabove, said substrate having an area of from 50 sq. in. to 200 sq. in. (322 sq. cm. to 1290 sq. cm.), containing from 1.5 grams to 7.5 grams of the conditioning composition releasably impregnated in said substrate. The articles are provided with openings such as the holes or slits described hereinabove, said openings comprising from 0.5% to 75%, preferably 5% to 40%, of the area of the article, said openings being so disposed as to provide a nonblocking effect. Usage The method aspect of this invention for imparting the above-described fabric conditioning composition to provide static control, softening and optional soil release benefits to fabrics in an automatic laundry dryer comprises: commingling pieces of damp fabrics by tumbling said fabrics under heat in an automatic clothes dryer with an effective amount of the fabric conditioning composition, said composition being flowable at dryer operating temperature, and said composition comprising from 30% to 99% of a fabric conditioning agent selected from one or more of the amine-anionic surfactant ion-pair complexes. The fabric conditioning agent may comprise other cationic and nonionic fabric softeners and mixtures thereof and said composition may additionally comprise from 1% to 70% of a polymeric soil release agent. The method herein is carried out in the following manner. Damp fabrics, usually containing from 1 to 1.5 times their weight of water, are placed in the drum of an automatic clothes dryer. In practice, such damp fabrics are commonly obtained by laundering, rinsing and spin-drying the fabrics in a standard washing machine. The fabric conditioning composition can simply be spread uniformly over all fabric surfaces, for example, by sprinkling the composition onto the fabrics from a shaker device. Alternatively, the composition can be sprayed or otherwise coated on a dryer drum, itself. The dryer is then operated in standard fashion to dry the fabrics, usually at a temperature from 50°C to 80°C for a period from 10 minutes to 60 minutes, depending on the fabric load and type. On removal from the dryer, the dried fabrics have been treated for static control, softening and, optionally, soil release benefits. In a preferred mode, the present process is carried out by fashioning an article comprising the substrate-like dispensing means of the type hereinabove described in releasable combination with a fabric conditioning composition. This article is simply added to a clothes dryer together with the damp fabrics to be treated. The heat and tumbling action of the revolving dryer drum evenly distributes the composition over all fabric surfaces, providing the fabric conditioning benefits and drying the fabrics. EXAMPLES The following examples illustrate the present invention. The abbreviations used are: ETPG ethylene terephthalate-polyoxyethylene glycol copolymer (Zelcon 4780 sold by E.I. duPont as a 15% dispersion in water). Dried Zelcon 4780 is the dehydrated dispersion dried in a thin film at approximately 100°C. Zelcon 4780 is also described herein in the section entitled "Polymeric Soil Release Agent." Milease T ethylene terephthalate-polyoxyethylene glycol copolymer (sold by ICI as a 15% dispersion in water). Dried Milease T is the dehydrated dispersion dried in a thin film at approximately 100°C. This polymer is further described in the section herein entitled "Polymeric Soil Release Agent." POET polyoxyethylene terephthalate is a compound with the general formula described hereinabove. It is synthesized from the following reactants: 1. Poly(ethylene glycol)methyl ester, M.W. 750, Aldrich Chemical Co., 1000 g (1.33 moles) 2. Dimethyl terephthalate, M.W. 195, Aldrich Chemical Co., 359.9g (1.85 moles) 3. Ethylene glycol, M.W. 62, Aldrich Chemical Co., 146.4g (2.36 moles) 4. Calcium acetate, MCB, 7.9g (catalyst) 5 . Antimony trioxide, Fisher Scientific, 7.9g (catalyst) 6. Butylated hydroxytoluene, Aldrich Chemical Co., 3.6 g (antioxidant). The resulting polymer is submitted to a three-solvent (short chain alcohols) extraction (IPA, EtOH, MeOH) and the EtOH, MeOH soluble fractions are combined in the ratio of 67:33. Methocel®A15LV methyl cellulose sold by Dow Chemical Co. DTDMAMS ditallowdimethylammonium methylsulfate DTMA ditallowmethylamine SMS sorbitanmonostearate SDMA stearyldimethylamine PEG 8000 polyethylene glycol Clay Bentolite®L, a montmorillonite clay, obtained from Southern Clay Products DTA-C₁₃ LAS ditallowamine-linear C₁₃ alkyl benzene sulfonate ion-pair complex DTMA - C₁₃LAS ditallow methylamine - linear C₁₃ alkyl benzene sulfonate ion-pair complex DSA - C₁₃LAS distearylamine - linear C₁₃ alkyl benzene sulfonate ion-pair complex DBA - C₁₃LAS dibehanylamine - linear C₁₃ alkyl benzene sulfonate ion-pair complex Example I The DTA-C₁₃LAS ion-pair complex is formed by combining a 1:1 molar ratio of hydrogenated ditallowamine (available from Sherex Chemical Corp., Dublin, Ohio as Adogen R 240) and linear C₁₃ alkylbenzenesulfonate (acid form). The resulting mixture is heated to 70°C with agitation in a beaker to give a homogeneous fluid. After adjusting the final pH to approximately 6, the mixture is allowed to cool down to room temperature with stirring. The ion-pair is co-melted with other softener actives, soil release polymer, clay, and perfume. The substrate (made of the rayon fibers with polyvinyl acetate) is then coated with 4 grams of the molten actives and dried overnight. This provides a weight ratio of fabric conditioning composition:dry substrate of approximately 3. Following solidification of the fabric conditioning composition, the substrate is slit with a knife, said slits being in substantially parallel relationship and extending to within 25.4 mm (1 inch) inch from at least one edge of said substrate. The width of an individual slit is approximately 5.1 mm (0.2 inches). These dryer added sheets are added to a clothes dryer together with damp fabrics to be treated. The heat and tumbling action of the revolving dryer drums evenly distributes the composition over all fabrics, and dries the fabrics. The dryer added sheets exhibit excellent fabric care benefits such as softening, static control, and soil release. Substantially similar results are obtained when the DTA-C₁₃LAS ion-pair complex is replaced in whole or in part with an equivalent amount of: hydrogenated ditallow amine complexed with a linear C₁-C₂₀ alkyl benzene sulfonate (LAS), hydrogenated ditallow methylamine complexed with a linear C₁-C₂₀ alkyl benzene sulfonate, unhydrogenated ditallow amine complexed with a C₁-C₂₀ LAS, unhydrogenated ditallow methylamine complexed with a C₁-C₂₀ LAS, dipalmityl amine complexed with a C₁-C₂₀ LAS, dipalmityl methylamine complexed with a C₁-C₂₀ LAS, distearyl amine complexed with a C₁-C₂₀ LAS, distearyl methylamine complexed with a C₁-C₂₀ LAS, diarachidyl amine complexed with a C₁-C₂₀ LAS, diarachidyl methylamine complexed with a C₁-C₂₀ LAS, palmityl stearyl amine complexed with a C₁-C₂₀ LAS, palmityl stearyl methylamine complexed with a C₁-C₂₀ LAS, palmityl arachidyl amine complexed with a C₁-C₂₀ LAS, palmityl arachidyl methylamine complexed with a C₁-C₂₀ LAS, stearyl arachidyl amine complexed with a C₁-C₂₀ LAS, stearyl arachidyl methylamine complexed with a C₁-C₂₀ LAS, ditallow amine (hydrogenated or unhydrogenated) complexed with a C₁-C₂₀ alkyl sulfonate (AS), ditallow methylamine (hydrogenated or unhydrogenated) complexed with a C₁-C₂₀ alkyl sulfonate, dipalmityl amine complexed with a C₁-C₂₀ AS, dipalmityl methylamine complexed with a C₁-C₂₀ AS, distearyl amine complexed with a C₁-C₂₀ AS, distearyl methylamine complexed with a C₁-C₂₀ AS, diarachidyl amine complexed with a C₁-C₂₀ AS, diarachidyl methylamine complexed with a C₁-C₂₀ AS, palmityl stearyl amine complexed with a C₁-C₂₀ AS, palmityl stearyl methylamine complexed with a C₁-C₂₀ AS, palmityl arachidyl amine complexed with a C₁-C₂₀ AS, palmityl arachidyl methylamine complexed with a C₁-C₂₀ AS, stearyl arachidyl amine complexed with a C₁-C₂₀ AS, stearyl arachidyl methylamine complexed with a C₁-C₂₀ AS, ditallow amine (hydrogenated or unhydrogenated) complexed with a C₁₂-C₁₈ paraffin sulfonate (PS), ditallow methylamine (hydrogenated or unhydrogenated) complexed with a C₁₂-C₁₈ paraffin sulfonate, dipalmityl amine complexed with a C₁₂-C₁₈ PS, dipalmityl methylamine complexed with a C₁₂-C₁₈ PS, distearyl amine complexed with a C₁₂-C₁₈ PS, distearyl methylamine complexed with a C₁₂-C₁₈ PS, diarachidyl amine complexed with a C₁₂-C₁₈ PS, diarachidyl methylamine complexed with a C₁₂-C₁₈ PS, palmityl stearyl amine complexed with a C₁₂-C₁₈ PS, palmityl stearyl methylamine complexed with a C₁₂-C₁₈ PS, palmityl arachidyl amine complexed with a C₁₂-C₁₈ PS, palmityl arachidyl methylamine complexed with a C₁₂-C₁₈ PS, stearyl arachidyl amine complexed with a C₁₂-C₁₈ PS, stearyl arachidyl methylamine complexed with a C₁₂-C₁₈ PS, ditallow amine (hydrogenated or unhydrogenated) complexed with a C₁₂-C₁₈ olefin sulfonate (OS), ditallow methylamine (hydrogenated or unhydrogenated) complexed with a C₁₂-C₁₈ olefin sulfonate, dipalmityl amine complexed with a C₁₂-C₁₈ OS, dipalmityl methylamine complexed with a C₁₂-C₁₈ OS, distearyl amine complexed with C₁₂-C₁₈ OS, distearyl methylamine complexed with a C₁₂-C₁₈ OS, diarachidyl amine complexed with a C₁₂-C₁₈ OS, diarachidyl methylamine complexed with a C₁₂-C₁₈ OS, palmityl stearyl amine complexed with a C₁₂-C₁₈ OS, palmityl stearyl methylamine complexed with a C₁₂-C₁₈ OS, palmityl arachidyl amine complexed with a C₁₂-C₁₈ OS, palmityl arachidyl methylamine complexed with a C₁₂-C₁₈ OS, stearyl arachidyl amine complexed with a C₁₂-C₁₈ OS, and stearyl arachidyl methylamine complexed with a C₁₂-C₁₈ OS and mixtures thereof. Examples II - X The following dryer added sheet compositions are representative of the present invention and are made as described above in Example I. The resulting dryer added sheets exhibit excellent fabric care benefits such as softening, static control, and soil release. EXAMPLES XI-XV The following dryer-added sheets are representative of the present invention and are made as described above in Example 1. The resulting dryer added sheets exhibit excellent fabric care benefits such as softening, static control, and soil release.

Claims: An article of manufacture adapted for use to provide fabric care benefits in a automatic laundry dryer comprising: (a) a fabric conditioning composition comprising one or more of a alkyl amine-anionic surfactant ion-pair complex of the formula: wherein R₁ is C₁ to C₂₄ alkyl or alkenyl, R₂ is C₁ to C₂₄ alkyl or alkenyl, and R₃ is H or C₁-C₂₄ alkyl or alkenyl, and A is a anionic surfactant; and (b) a dispensing means which provides for release of a effective amount of said composition to fabrics in the dryer at automatic dryer operating temperatures; characterised in that the anionic surfactant is selected from alkyl sulfonates aryl sulfonates, alkylaryl sulfonates, olefin sulfonates and paraffin sulfonates. An article according to Claim 1 wherein A is selected from linear C₁ to C₂₀ alkyl sulfonates, linear C₁ to C₂₀ alkylaryl sulfonates, aryl sulfonates, C₁₂ to C₁₈ paraffin sulfonates and C₁₂ to C₁₈ olefin sulfonates. An article according to claim 1 or 2 wherein R₁ is C₁₆ to C₂₄ alkyl or alkenyl and R₂ is C₁₆ to C₂₄ alkyl or alkenyl. An article according to Claim 3 wherein R₁ is C₁₆ to C₁₈ alkyl, R₂ is C₁₆ to C₁₈ alkyl and R₃ is H or CH₃. An article according to Claim 4 wherein the amine component of said ion-pair complex is selected from the group consisting of hydrogenated ditallow amine, hydrogenated ditallow methylamine, unhydrogenated ditallow amine, unhydrogenated ditallow methylamine, dipalmityl amine, dipalmityl methylamine, distearyl amine, distearyl methylamine, diarachidyl amine, diarachidyl methylamine, palmityl stearyl amine, palmityl stearyl methylamine, palmityl arachidyl amine, palmityl arachidyl methylamine, stearyl arachidyl amine, and stearyl arachidyl methylamine. An article according to any one of claims 1-5 additionally comprising from 1% to 70% preferably from 10% to 70% of a polymeric soil release agent by weight of the fabric conditioning composition. An article according to claim 6 wherein the soil release agent component is selected from hydroxy ether cellulotic polymers, copolymeric block of ethylene terephthalate polyethylene oxide, polypropylene oxide terephthalate, cationic guar gums, and mixtures thereof. An article according to claim 7 wherein the soil release polymer is a hydroxy ether cellulosic polymer selected from methyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, hydroxybutyl methyl cellulose and mixtures thereof. An article acording to any one of claims 1-8 additionally comprising from 5% to 90% of a optional fabric softening agent by weight of the fabric conditioning composition, selected from cationic fabric softeners, nonionic fabric softeners, and mixtures thereof. An article according to Claim 9 wherein said fabric softening agent comprises a mixture of cationic fabric softener and nonionic fabric softeners in a weight ratio of from 1:10 to 10:1. An article according to either one of claims 9 or 10 wherein said cationic fabric softener comprises a quaternery ammonium salt, a carboxylic acid salt of a tertiary alkyl amine, or a mixture thereof and wherein said nonionic fabric softener comprises a fatty alkyl sorbitan ester, a fatty alcohol, a fatty amine, or a mixture thereof. An article according to any one of claims 1-11 wherein said fabric conditioning composition is solid at room temperature, has a softening phase transition of at least 30°C and becomes a flowable liquid below 100°C. An article according to any one of claims 1-12 wherein said dispensing means comprises a flexible substrate in sheet configuration having the fabric conditioning composition releasably affixed thereto to provide a weight ratio of fabric conditioning composition to dry substrate ranging from 10:1 to 0.25:1, preferably from 5:1 to 1:1. An article according to any one of claims 1-12 wherein said dispensing means comprises a sponge material releasably enclosing the fabric conditioning composition wherein the weight ratio of fabric conditioning agent to dry substrate ranges from 10:1 to 0.5:1. A method for imparting improved softening and anti-static effects to fabrics in an automatic laundry dryer comprising commingling pieces of damp fabrics by tumbling said damp fabrics under heat in an automatic clothes dryer with an effective amount of a fabric conditioning composition, said composition being flowable at dryer operating temperature, said composition comprising one or more of an alkylamine-anionic surfactant ion-pair complex of the formula: wherein R₁ is C₁ to C₂₄ alkyl or alkenyl, R₂ is C₁ to C₂₄ alkyl or alkenyl, and R₃ is H or C₁ to C₂₄ alkyl or alkenyl, and A is an anionic surfactant characterised in that the anionic surfactant is selected from alkyl sulfonates, aryl sulfonates, alkylaryl sulfonates, paraffin sulfonates, and olefin sulfonates. A method acording to Claim 15 wherein A is selected from linear C₁-C₂₀ alkyl sulfonates, linear C₁-C₂₀ alkylaryl sulfonates, aryl sulfonates, C₁₂-C₁₈ paraffin sulfonates and C₁₂ to C₁₈ olefin sulfonates. A method according to Claim 16 wherein R₁ is C₁₆ to C₁₈ alkyl, R₂ is C₁₆ to C₁₈ alkyl and R₃ is H or CH₃. A method according to Claim 17 wherein the amine component of said ion-pair complex is selected from the group consisting of hydrogenated ditallow amine, hydrogenated ditallow methylamine, unhydrogenated ditallow amine, unhydrogenated ditallow methylamine, dipalmityl amine, dipalmityl methylamine, distearyl amine, distearyl methylamine, diarachidyl amine, diarachidyl methylamine, palmityl stearyl amine, palmityl stearyl methylamine, palmityl arachidyl amine, palmityl arachidyl methylamine, stearyl arachidyl amine, and stearyl arachidyl methylamine.

Inventors: NAYAR, BALA CHANDRAN
Applicants: THE PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY
Application year: 1987
Main classification: C11D17
IPC codes: C11D1, C11D17