US4082678A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fabric conditioning articles and process
Assignee: Procter and Gamble Co
•
Filing: 1976-11-10
•
Granted: 1978-04-04
•
Expires: 1996-11-10
Abstract
Abstract Fabric conditioning articles comprising a receptacle releasably containing an agent for making an inner receptacle water insoluble/indispersible which is normally water soluble/dispersible, the inner receptacle containing a fabric conditioning composition. Methods of using the conditioning articles are also provided.
Inventors
- 👤 Hans Joachim Pracht
- 👤 Louis Fay Wong
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 07:59
CPC Classifications
C; C11; C11D; C11D17/00; C11D17/04; C11D17/041; C11D17/047; C11D17/0039; C11D17/042; C11D17/044; C11D3/00; C11D3/0005; C11D3/001; D; D06; D06M; D06M23/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 29
Claim 1
Independent Claim
127 words
A fabric conditioning article especially designed for conditioning fabrics in a clothes washer comprising: (A) a closed receptacle, at least a part of one wall of said receptacle comprising a water soluble/dispersible material; (B) an effective amount of a fabric conditioning composition, said composition being contained within the receptacle of (A); (c) an amount of an agent selected from the group consisting of electrolytes, pH control agents and mixtures thereof sufficient to make the receptacle of (A) water insoluble/indispersible in the volume of wash water in which it is used; and (D) a second closed, flexible receptacle, at least a part of one wall of said receptacle comprising a water soluble/dispersible or porous, water insoluble/indispersible material, said second receptacle enclosing the receptacle of (A) and component (C).
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
127 words
A fabric conditioning article especially designed for conditioning fabrics in a clothes washer comprising: (A) a closed receptacle, at least a part of one wall of said receptacle comprising a water soluble/dispersible material; (B) an effective amount of a fabric conditioning composition, said composition being contained within the receptacle of (A); (c) an amount of an agent selected from the group consisting of electrolytes, pH control agents and mixtures thereof sufficient to make the receptacle of (A) water insoluble/indispersible in the volume of wash water in which it is used; and (D) a second closed, flexible receptacle, at least a part of one wall of said receptacle comprising a water soluble/dispersible or porous, water insoluble/indispersible material, said second receptacle enclosing the receptacle of (A) and component (C).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
An article according to claim 1 wherein at least a part of one wall of the receptacle of (D) is porous and is selected from the group consisting of open cell foams and nonwoven materials.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
An article according to claim 2 wherein the two receptacles are in the form of pouches.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
An article according to claim 3 wherein both walls of the pouch of (A) are made of a water soluble/dispersible material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
An article according to claim 4 wherein both walls of the pouch of (D) are made of a material selected from the group consisting of open cell foams and nonwoven materials.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
An article according to claim 5 wherein the fabric conditioning composition is a fabric softener/antistat composition.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
An article according to claim 6 wherein the fabric softener/antistat composition contains a fabric softener/antistat agent selected from the group consisting of cationic agents, nonionic agents and mixtures thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
An article according to claim 7 wherein the fabric softener/antistat composition contains a mixture of ditallowdimethylammonium methylsulfate and 1-methyl-1-[(tallowamide)ethyl]-2-tallowimidazolinium methylsulfate in a ratio of from about 65:35 to about 35:65.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
An article according to claim 8 wherein the fabric softener/antistat composition additionally contains sorbitan tristearate in a ratio of from about 50:50 to about 5:95, sorbitan tristearate to the total amount of ditallowdimethylammonium methylsulfate and 1-methyl-1-[(tallowamide)ethyl]-2-tallowimidazolinium methylsulfate.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
43 words
An article according to claim 5 wherein both walls of the pouch of (D) are nonwoven polyester materials and the walls of the pouch of (A) are made of a material selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl alcohol, gelatin and other proteins.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
An article according to claim 10 wherein both walls of the pouch of (A) are polyvinyl alcohol having a degree of hydrolysis of from about 86% to about 98%.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
66 words
An article according to claim 11 wherein component (C) is an electrolyte selected from the group consisting of sodium borate, sodium metaborate, ammonium sulfate, sodium sulfate, potassium sulfate, zinc sulfate, cupric sulfate, ferrous sulfate, magnesium sulfate, aluminum sulfate, potassium aluminum sulfate, ammonium nitrate, sodium nitrate, potassium nitrate, aluminum nitrate, sodium chloride, potassium chloride, sodium phosphate, potassium chromate, potassium citrate, sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate, and mixtures thereof.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
An article according to claim 12 wherein the electrolyte is selected from the group consisting of sodium borate, sodium metaborate and mixtures thereof.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
An article according to claim 13 wherein said article contains the fabric softener/antistat composition of claim 9.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
33 words
An article according to claim 1 wherein the receptacle of (A) is in the form of a coating which is present on individual or agglomerated particles of the fabric conditioning composition of (B).
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
29 words
A process for conditioning fabrics comprising the following steps: (A) adding to a clothes washer, containing fabrics and a normal amount of a detergent, a fabric conditioning article comprising:
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
29 words
A process for conditioning fabrics comprising the following steps: (A) adding to a clothes washer, containing fabrics and a normal amount of a detergent, a fabric conditioning article comprising:
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
128 words
a closed receptacle, at least a part of one wall of said receptacle comprising a water soluble/dispersible material; 2. an effective amount of a fabric conditioning composition, said composition being contained within the receptacle of (1); 3. an amount of an agent selected from the group consisting of electrolytes, pH control agents and mixtures thereof sufficient to make the receptacle of (1) water insoluble/indispersible in the volume of wash water in which the article is used; and 4. a second closed, flexible receptacle, at least a part of one wall of said receptacle comprising a water soluble/dispersible or porous, water insoluble/indispersible material, said second receptacle enclosing the receptacle of (1) and component (3); and (B) operating said washer at normal operating conditions through the wash and rinse cycles.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
128 words
a closed receptacle, at least a part of one wall of said receptacle comprising a water soluble/dispersible material; 2. an effective amount of a fabric conditioning composition, said composition being contained within the receptacle of (1); 3. an amount of an agent selected from the group consisting of electrolytes, pH control agents and mixtures thereof sufficient to make the receptacle of (1) water insoluble/indispersible in the volume of wash water in which the article is used; and 4. a second closed, flexible receptacle, at least a part of one wall of said receptacle comprising a water soluble/dispersible or porous, water insoluble/indispersible material, said second receptacle enclosing the receptacle of (1) and component (3); and (B) operating said washer at normal operating conditions through the wash and rinse cycles.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
45 words
A process according to claim 16 wherein the following steps are added: (C) the washed fabrics and fabric conditioning article from step (B) are transferred to a clothes dryer; and (D) said dryer is operated for an effective period of time at dryer operating conditions.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
35 words
A process according to claim 17 wherein at least a part of one wall of the receptacle of (4) is porous and is selected from the group consisting of open cell foams and nonwoven materials.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
16 words
A process according to claim 18 wherein the two receptacles are in the form of pouches.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
42 words
A process according to claim 19 wherein both walls of the pouch of (1) are made of a water soluble/dispersible material and both walls of the pouch of (4) are selected from the group consisting of open cell foams and nonwoven materials.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
36 words
A process according to claim 20 wherein the fabric conditioning composition is a fabric softener/antistat composition said composition containing a fabric softener/antistat agent selected from the group consisting of cationic agents, nonionic agents and mixtures thereof.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
31 words
A process according to claim 21 wherein the walls of the pouch of (1) are made of a material selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl alcohol, gelatin and other proteins.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
34 words
A process according to claim 22 wherein the walls of the pouch of (1) are made of polyvinyl alcohol and the walls of the pouch of (4) are made of a polyester nonwoven material.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
25 words
A process according to claim 23 wherein component (3) is an electrolyte selected from the group consisting of sodium borate, sodium metaborate and mixtures thereof.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
59 words
A process according to claim 24 wherein the fabric softener/antistat composition contains a mixture of ditallowdimethylammonium methylsulfate and 1-methyl-1-[(tallowamide)ethyl] imidazolinium methylsulfate in a ratio of from about 65:35 to about 35:65 and sorbitan tristearate in a ratio of from about 50:50 to about 5:95, sorbitan tristearate to the total amount of ditallowdimethylammonium methyl sulfate and 1-methyl-1-[(tallowamide) ethyl]-2-tallow imidazolinium methylsulfate.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-04-03 | 1981-10-03 | 1982-04-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-04-03 | 1985-10-03 | 1986-04-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-04-03 | 1989-10-03 | 1990-04-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |