Classifications

• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C11—ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE OILS, FATS, FATTY SUBSTANCES OR WAXES; FATTY ACIDS THEREFROM; DETERGENTS; CANDLES
  • C11D—DETERGENT COMPOSITIONS; USE OF SINGLE SUBSTANCES AS DETERGENTS; SOAP OR SOAP-MAKING; RESIN SOAPS; RECOVERY OF GLYCEROL
  • C11D17/00—Detergent materials or soaps characterised by their shape or physical properties
  • C11D17/04—Detergent materials or soaps characterised by their shape or physical properties combined with or containing other objects
  • C11D17/041—Compositions releasably affixed on a substrate or incorporated into a dispensing means
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C11—ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE OILS, FATS, FATTY SUBSTANCES OR WAXES; FATTY ACIDS THEREFROM; DETERGENTS; CANDLES
  • C11D—DETERGENT COMPOSITIONS; USE OF SINGLE SUBSTANCES AS DETERGENTS; SOAP OR SOAP-MAKING; RESIN SOAPS; RECOVERY OF GLYCEROL
  • C11D3/00—Other compounding ingredients of detergent compositions covered in group C11D1/00
  • C11D3/0005—Other compounding ingredients characterised by their effect
  • C11D3/001—Softening compositions
  • C11D3/0015—Softening compositions liquid

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a kit for rinsing fabrics, a rinse conditioning system, a method of preparing a dispersion and the use of a permeable article to prepare a dispersion.
• Fabric conditioning compositions for use in the laundry are typically added to the laundry process after the washing stage. Where the laundry process involves an automatic washing machine, the conditioning composition may need to be dosed either directly into the drum or via a dispensing tray. For hand-wash processes, the composition will be dosed into the hand-wash liquor.
• the fabric conditioning composition must firstly be sufficiently dispersed into the rinse liquor so that it can act on the fabrics being laundered.
• composition is inadequately dispersed, there is a significant risk that it will not be deposited evenly on the fabric but will instead deposit at excessive concentrations on small portions thereof which in turn may lead to spotting or staining. There is also the risk that the ingredients within the composition may not deposit at all and will instead remain in an undispersed state within the rinse liquor.
• Dispersion of the composition may often not be fully complete before the composition is contacted with the fabrics to be treated. In the dispensing drawer of an automatic washing machine, this can manifest itself as a build up of a gel-like residue requiring the consumer to carry out additional undesirable cleaning of the drawer.
• a scrubbing apparatus used for personal hygiene commonly referred to as a polymer mesh puff, is often used in cleansing the skin.
• These polymer mesh puffs are typically manufactured from one or more pieces of synthetic open cell mesh which are bound together and manipulated into a plurality of random folds to form a generally rounded shape, or puff.
• US 3,226,751 discloses a combination sponge and scouring device.
• the implement includes a soft and flexible cellular base section made of any suitable, flexible expanded plastic and scouring elements.
• US 3,414,928 discloses a combination sponge and scour.
• the device includes a cellular expanded plastic base, an unexpanded material secured to a portion of the surface of the base, and a plurality of scouring elements secured to and supported by the unexpanded plastic material.
• WO 95/00116 discloses a system for cleaning the skin which comprises a diamond mesh sponge and a liquid cleansing and moisturising composition, which system is said to have excellent lather.
• US 3,634,901 discloses a combined cleaning and abrading or scouring utensil.
• US 4,980,943 discloses a cleaning glove.
• US 5,465,452 discloses a first extended tubular scrim having a diamond mesh pattern used to construct a personal cleaning implement .
• US 4,154,542 is directed to a shower mitt which includes a mesh sheet of nylon net to provide a soap-retaining pocket.
• US 4,606,964 is directed to a bulked web composite which comprises a differentially tensioned reticulated web of elastic material banded to at least one gatherable web.
• US 2,581,779 discloses a scouring pad said to have a greater ease of manipulation.
• US 3,103,031 discloses a composite scouring pad made by folding plastic fibres with metallic filaments into an open batt .
• US 2,817,865' discloses a sponge covered strand washcloth with soap pocket.
• the strands cross and are interwoven.
• US 5,144,744 discloses a hand-held ball-like polymeric mesh sponge. It is a diamond-mesh polyethylene sponge obtained from a number of netting tubes stretched over supports, joined and bound together at the centre and then released from the supports.
• US 3,343,196 discloses a method for manufacturing a puff from an open cell mesh.
• US 4,190,550 is directed to a fibrous soap filled pad which when used as a bathing aid imparts a cleansing and mildly stimulating rubbing action to human skin.
• US 4,969,225 is directed to improved scrub brushes specifically made to contain a bar of soap for use for bathing, cleansing and the like.
• polymeric mesh sponges are sold by The Body Shop and Bynum Concepts, Inc. Other suppliers include Supremia Use in New Jersey, Sponge Factory Dominicana in the Dominican Republic and Integrated Marketing Group in Harrison, New York.
• washing implements as described above find their greatest utility in combination with a liquid cleanser, since there is a need with liquid cleansers for the consumers to have an implement to grasp and with which to generate lather.
• the liquid cleanser includes a moisturising ingredient in addition to a surfactant.
• a moisturising ingredient in addition to a surfactant.
• the present invention seeks . to address one or more of the abovementioned problems and/or to provide one or more of the abovementioned benefits.
• a permeable, preferably porous article provides an excellent dispersing means for fabric conditioning compositions.
• a system for conditioning fabrics comprising a fabric conditioning composition in combination with a permeable article for improving dispersion of the composition in a liquid.
• the invention further provides a kit for conditioning fabric comprising a fabric conditioning composition in combination with a permeable article for improving dispersion of the composition in a liquid.
• the invention provides a package comprising a permeable, preferably porous article, a fabric conditioning composition and instructions to disperse the composition in a liquid, preferably water, using the permeable article.
• the invention also provides the use of a permeable, preferably porous article to disperse a fabric conditioning composition in a liquid, preferably water.
• the invention provides a method of dispersing a fabric conditioning composition in a liquid, preferably water, by introducing the composition onto or into the permeable, preferably porous article, submersing the article in the liquid and agitating the article so as to assist dispersion of the composition.
• the invention still further provides a method of conditioning fabrics comprising dispersing a fabric conditioning composition in a liquid, preferably water, with the aid of a permeable, preferably porous article and then contacting the dispersed composition with fabrics to be treated.
• the system of the invention comprises a permeable article.
• the article is porous and/or absorbent. More preferably the article is a sponge or meshed article.
• the article is compressible and it is particularly preferred that the article is resilient.
• the average diameter of the uncompressed article is typically from 2cm to 20cm, more preferably from 3cm to 15cm, most preferably from 4cm to 10cm.
• the article can be prepared from readily available raw materials or with specially designed mesh materials.
• a suitable meshed article is preferably prepared from extruded tubular netting mesh which has been prepared from special strong and flexible polymeric material. Extruded tubular netting mesh of this type, and particularly those prepared from polyethylene, have been used for the covering of meat and poultry and are readily available in industry.
• a polymeric meshed article preferably comprises a plurality of plys of an extruded tubular netting mesh prepared from a strong flexible polymer, preferably of the group consisting of addition polymers of olefin monomers, and polyamides of polycarboxylic acids and polyamines.
• the plys of tubular netting mesh are typically folded upon itself numerous times to form a soft ball-like polymeric mesh sponge.
• the mesh can be formed by binding a piece of tubular mesh or a sheet of mesh about a centre-point with a piece of string, and then forming a series of random folds about this centre-point through various means of manipulation.
• each ply In general the cross-sectional dimensions of each ply will be small in relation to the length of the ply.
• the plys may be filaments.
• the ply may be elastomeric or non-elastomeric, but preferably the plys are elastomeric as this provides greater freedom of movement of plys relative to each other.
• plys Preferably use of a large plurality of tiny plys offer substantial gripping surface area. Indeed, the user of the article will be enabled to thread his or her fingers through the plys. While the use of plys that have a very small diameter as compared to ply length is envisioned primarily, the use of larger plys may also be advantageous.
• the article is preferably substantially spherical with a plurality of floppy filaments radiating in a dense, bushy manner from a central core region. Generally, the plys will radiate outwardly in plural offset planes.
• the preferably open cell structure of the mesh advantageously forms a structure which is highly resilient, resulting in a puff which retains its shape throughout use.
• the diameter for the filaments will range from 0.25 to 3mm, preferably from 0.75 to 1.5mm.
• diameter in this context is meant the maximum width or thickness in the case of a ribbon-like structure or the like, or the true diameter in the case of a rod-like structure.
• the length of the filaments is preferably from 1cm to 10cm, especially from 2 to 5cm for non-crimped filaments and from 2 to 15cm, especially from 5 to 12cm for crimped filaments (measured with the filament straightened) .
• the preferred shape for the implement is spherical, other shapes such as a flattened oval, a football or a figure are contemplated.
• the plys or filaments are preferably straight since this makes for a less "frilly” appearance, but they can also be curled or crimped.
• the polymeric material of which the meshed article is made may be inherently mildly abrasive, it preferably does not incorporate abrasive particles or a scouring material .
• abrasives such as pumice, aluminium oxide, volcanic ash, and silica are preferably omitted.
• the meshed article should not be ammonia- or oxygen- releasing and preferably does not include bleaching materials.
• a suitable sponge is an open-cell sponge which possesses an interconnected cell structure permitting limited absorption and circulation of gases and fluids. Outer surface of the material may be continuous or porous and exhibits good physical durability. Because air can pass freely between its cells, sponge offers a high degree of compressibility and displays fast recovery upon release from compression.
• Suitable sponges include both natural sponges such as sea sponges, e.g. silk, sea wool and yellow sponges and synthetic sponges, such as synthetic cellulosic sponges.
• the system of the invention excludes "personal washing” compositions, that is compositions designed specifically for washing of the skin of human beings.
• the system of the invention comprises the permeable article in combination with a fabric conditioning composition.
• Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a permeable, meshed article
• Figure 2 shows the meshed article of Figure 1 together with a rope
• Figure 3 shows netting material used in making the article of Fig's 1 and 2.
• FIG 1 there is shown a representation of a polymeric hand held ball-like meshed article showing a rope handle 7 used in the present invention.
• a security band 13 holds the multi-layered netting mesh together to form the polymeric mesh sponge.
• the netting mesh that can be used in making the polymeric mesh sponge is illustrated in figure 3 wherein 21 represents the mesh in stretched position.
• the fine polymeric filaments used in making the netting are represented by 18 with 19 representing the spot bonding of the filaments to form the open mesh 20.
• Two netting tubes at 60 cm length each can be used to make a 7cm ball sponge. They can be bundled manually with a loop or rope to form a ball-like polymeric mesh sponge.
• Other designs such as rectangular gloves and washings implements made with the mesh material also work very well in the present invention system.
• the fabric conditioning composition will typically comprises a cationic softening material.
• the cationic softener is preferably a quaternary ammonium fabric softening material.
• Particularly preferred quaternary ammonium fabric softening materials comprise two C12- 2 8 alkyl or alkenyl groups connected to the nitrogen head group, preferably via at least one ester link. It is more preferred if the quaternary ammonium material has two ester links present.
• the average chain length of the alkyl or alkenyl group is at least C3 .4 , more preferably at least C Q . Most preferably at least half of the chains have a length of Cis-
• the first group of cationic fabric softening compounds suitable for use in the invention is represented by formula (I) : [(CH 2 ) n (TR) Jm I x ⁇ R 1 -N + -[(CH 2 )n(OH)] 3 - m (I)
• each R is independently selected from a C 5 - 35 alkyl or alkenyl group, R represents a C 1 - 4 alkyl, C 2 - 4 alkenyl or a C ⁇ - 4 hydroxyalkyl group,
• T is -O-C- or -C-0-
• n is 0 or a number selected from 1 to 4
• m is 1, 2 or 3 and denotes the number of moieties to which it relates that pend directly from the N atom
• X is an anionic group, such as halides or alkyl sulphates, e.g. chloride, methyl sulphate or ethyl sulphate.
• Especially preferred materials within this group are di- alkenyl esters of triethanol ammonium methyl sulphate.
• Commercial examples include Tetranyl AHT-1 (di-hardened tallow ester of triethanol ammonium methyl sulphate 85% active in 15% IPA) , AT-1 (di-oleic ester of triethanol ammonium methyl sulphate 90% active) , L5/90 (palm ester of triethanol ammonium methyl sulphate 90% active) , all ex Kao, and Rewoquat WE15 (C10-C20 an -d Ci6 ⁇ Ci8 unsaturated fatty acid reaction products with triethanolamine dimethyl sulphate quaternised 90 % active) , ex Witco Corporation.
• the second group of cationic fabric softening compounds suitable for use in the invention is represented by formula (II) : TR 2
• each R group is independently selected from C1- 4 alkyl, hydroxyalkyl or C2- 4 alkenyl groups; and wherein each 2 R group is independently selected from C8-28 alkyl or alkenyl groups; n is 0 or an integer from 1 to 5 and T and
• X are as defined above.
• a third group of cationic fabric softening compounds suitable for use in the invention is represented by formula (III) : R 1
• each R group is independently selected from C1- 4 2 alkyl, or C2-4 alkenyl groups; and wherein each R group is
• n independently selected from Cs-28 alkyl or alkenyl groups
• T and X are as defined above.
• a fourth group of cationic fabric softening compounds suitable for use in the invention is represented by formula (IV) : R 1
• R 2 1 wherein each R group is independently selected from C ⁇ _4 2 alkyl, or C2-4 alkenyl groups; and wherein each R group is independently selected from C8-28 alkyl or alkenyl groups; and X is as defined above.
• the iodine value of the parent fatty acyl compound or acid from which the cationic softening material is formed is preferably from 0 to 140, more preferably from 0 to 100, most preferably from 0 to 60.
• the iodine value of the parent compound is from 0 to 20, more preferably 0 to 9, most preferably 0 to 4, e.g. 2 or less or even 1.5 or less. Where the iodine value is 4 or less, the softening material provides excellent softening results and has improved resistance to oxidation and associated odour problems upon storage.
• the cis: trans weight ratio of the material is 50:50 or more, more preferably 60:40 or more, most preferably 70:30 or more, e.g. 85:15 or more.
• the iodine value of the parent fatty acid or acyl compound is measured according to the method set out in WO-A1- 01/46513. - If
• the softening material is preferably present in an amount of from 1 to 60% by weight of the total composition, more preferably from 2 to 40%, most preferably from 3 to 30% by weight.
• the composition preferably comprises a fatty acid.
• Preferred fatty acids include hardened tallow fatty acid (available under the tradename Pristerene, ex Uniqema) .
• the fatty acid is preferably present at a level from 0.1 to 15% by weight based on the total weight of the composition, more preferably from 0.3 to 10%, most preferably from 0.5 to 5%, e.g. 0.7 to 4% by weight.
• composition may comprise a silicone.
• a suitable silicone comprises a cyclic polydi- (C ⁇ _6) alkyl siloxane.
• Typical silicones of this class have the general formula R a SiO( 4 - a )/2 wherein each R is the same or different and is selected from hydrocarbon and hydroxyl groups, ⁇ a ⁇ being from 0 to 3. In the bulk material, ⁇ a ⁇ typically has an average value of from 1.85-2.2.
• the silicone is preferably comprised of a homopolymer. Preferably the silicone is free of cross-linking. It is further preferred that the silicone is free of amine or amide l nkages.
• a particularly preferred silicone comprises a cyclic poly- dimethyl-siloxane .
• Suitable commercially available silicones include DC245 (polydimethylcyclopentasiloxane also known as D5) , DC246 (polydimethylcyclohexasiloxane also known as D6) , DC1184 (a pre-emulsified polydimethylpentasiloxane also known as L5) and DC347 (a pre-emulsified lOOcSt PDMS fluid), all ex Dow Corning .
• the silicone may be received and incorporated into the composition either directly as an oil or pre-emulsified.
• Pre-emulsification is typically required when the silicone is of a more viscous nature.
• Suitable emulsifiers include cationic emulsifiers, nonionic emulsifiers or mixtures thereof. Silicone viscosity
• the reference to the viscosity of the silicone denotes either the viscosity before emulsification when the silicone is provided as an emulsion for incorporation into the fabric conditioning composition or the viscosity of the silicone itself when provided as an oil for incorporation into the fabric conditioning composition.
• the silicone preferably has a viscosity (as measured on a
• Brookfield RV4 viscometer at 25°C using spindle No.4 at 100 rp of from lcSt to less than 10,000 cSt (centi-Stokes) , preferably from lcSt to 5,000cSt, more preferably from 2cSt to l,000cSt and most preferably 2cSt to lOOcSt.
• drying time can be reduced using silicones having a viscosity of from 1 to 500,000 cSt .
• significantly improved results are obtained when the viscosity is from 1 to less than 10,000cSt.
• the silicone is preferably present at a level of from 0.5 to 20%, more preferably from 1 to 12%, most preferably from 1 to 8% by weight of active ingredient, based on the total weight of the composition.
• one or more un-alkoxylated fatty alcohols are present in the composition.
• Preferred alcohols have a hydrocarbyl chain length of from 10 to 22 carbon atoms, more preferably 11 to 20 carbon atoms, most preferably 15 to 19 carbon atoms.
• the fatty alcohol may be saturated or unsaturated, though saturated fatty alcohols are preferred as these have been found to deliver greater benefits in terms of stability, especially low temperature stability.
• Suitable commercially available fatty alcohols include hardened tallow alcohol (available as Hydrenol S3, ex Sidobre Sinnova, and Laurex CS, ex Clariant) .
• the fatty alcohol content in the compositions is from 0 to 10% by weight, more preferably from 0.005 to 5% by weight, most preferably from 0.01 to 3% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition.
• a fatty alcohol is present if the composition is concentrated, that is if more than 8% by weight of the cationic softening agent is present in the composition.
• Co-active softeners for the cationic surfactant may also be incorporated in an amount from 0.01 to 20% by weight, more preferably 0.05 to 10%, based on the total weight of the composition.
• Preferred co-active softeners include fatty esters, and fatty N-oxides.
• Preferred fatty esters include fatty monoesters, such as glycerol monostearate (hereinafter referred to as "GMS") . If GMS is present, then it is preferred that the level of GMS in the composition is from 0.01 to 10% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition.
• the co-active softener may also comprise an oily sugar derivative.
• oily sugar derivatives Suitable oily sugar derivatives, their methods of manufacture and their preferred amounts are described in WO-Al-01/46361 on page 5 line 16 to page 11 line 20, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein.
• compositions further comprise a nonionic surfactant. Typically these can be included for the purpose of stabilising the compositions.
• Suitable nonionic surfactants include addition products of ethylene oxide and/or propylene oxide with fatty alcohols, fatty acids and fatty amines.
• any of the alkoxylated materials of the particular type described hereinafter can be used as the nonionic surfactant.
• Suitable surfactants are substantially water soluble surfactants of the general formula: R — Y — ( C2H 4 0 ) Z — C2H4OH
• R is selected from the group consisting of primary, secondary and branched chain alkyl and/or acyl hydrocarbyl groups; primary, secondary and branched chain alkenyl hydrocarbyl groups; and primary, secondary and branched chain alkenyl-substituted phenolic hydrocarbyl groups; the hydrocarbyl groups having a chain length of from 8 to about 25, preferably 10 to 20, e.g. 14 to 18 carbon atoms.
• Y is typically:
• R has the meaning given above or can be hydrogen; and Z is preferably from 8 to 40, more preferably from 10 to 30, most preferably from 11 to 25, e.g. 12 to 22.
• the level of alkoxylation, Z denotes the average number of alkoxy groups per molecule.
• the nonionic surfactant has an HLB of from about 7 to about 20, more preferably from 10 to 18, e.g. 12 to 16.
• nonionic surfactants follow.
• the integer defines the number of ethoxy (EO) groups in the molecule .
• EO ethoxy
• deca—, undeca-, dodeca-, tetradeca-, and pentadecaethoxylates of n-hexadecanol, and n-octadecanol having an HLB within the range recited herein are useful viscosity/dispersibility modifiers in the context of this invention.
• Exemplary ethoxylated primary alcohols useful herein as the viscosity/dispersibility modifiers of the compositions are Cis EO(10); and Cis EO(ll).
• the ethoxylates of mixed natural or synthetic alcohols in the "tallow" chain length range are also useful herein.
• Such materials include tallow alcohol-EO (11) , tallow alcohol-EO (18) , and tallow alcohol-EO (25), coco alcohol- EO (10), coco alcohol-EO (15) , coco alcohol-EO (20) and coco alcohol-EO (25) .
• deca—, undeca-, dodeca-, tetradeca-, pentadeca-, octadeca-, and nonadeca-ethoxylates of 3-hexadecanol
• 2-octadecanol, 4-eicosanol, and 5-eicosanol having an HLB within the range recited herein are useful viscosity and/or dispersibility modifiers in the context of this invention.
• Exemplary ethoxylated secondary alcohols useful herein as the viscosity and/or dispersibility modifiers of the compositions are: Ci 6 EO(ll); C 20 EO(ll); and Ci6
• the hexa- to octadeca-ethoxylates of alkylated phenols, particularly monohydric alkylphenols, having an HLB within the range recited herein are useful as the viscosity and/or dispersibility modifiers of the instant compositions.
• the hexa- to octadeca-ethoxylates of p-tri-decylphenol, m- pentadecylphenol, and the like, are useful herein.
• Exemplary ethoxylated alkylphenols useful as the viscosity and/or dispersibility modifiers of the mixtures herein are: p-tridecylphenol E0(11) and p-pentadecylphenol E0(18).
• a phenylene group in the nonionic formula is the equivalent of an alkylene group containing from 2 to 4 carbon atoms.
• nonionics containing a phenylene group are considered to contain an equivalent number of carbon atoms calculated as the sum of the carbon atoms in the alkyl group plus about 3.3 carbon atoms for each phenylene group.
• alkenyl alcohols both primary and secondary, and alkenyl phenols corresponding to those disclosed immediately hereinabove can be ethoxylated to an HLB within the range recited herein and used as the viscosity and/or dispersibility modifiers of the instant compositions.
• E. Branched Chain Alkoxylates E. Branched Chain Alkoxylates
• Branched chain primary and secondary alcohols which are available from the well-known "OXO" process can be ethoxylated and employed as the viscosity and/or dispersibility modifiers of compositions herein.
• Suitable polyol based surfactants include sucrose esters such as sucrose monooleates, alkyl polyglucosides such as stearyl monoglucosides and stearyl triglucoside and alkyl polyglycerols ..
• nonionic surfactants are useful in the present compositions alone or in combination, and the term “nonionic surfactant” encompasses mixed nonionic surface active agents.
• the nonionic surfactant is preferably present in an amount of from 0.01 to 10%, more preferably 0.1 to 5%, most preferably 0.35 to 3.5%, e.g. 0.5 to 2% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition.
• compositions of the invention preferably comprise one or more perfumes in order to provide an odour desirable to consumers .
• perfume is typically provided as a mixture of components. Suitable components for use in the perfume include those described In "Perfume and Flavor Chemicals (Aroma Chemicals) by Steffen Arctander, published by the author, 1969, Montclait, N.J. (US), reprinted 1 st April 1982 Library of Congress Catalog Number 75-91398, incorporated herein.
• the perfume comprises substantive perfume ingredients as described in US-A1- 2003/0050220 paragraphs 60 to 72, incorporated herein.
• the perfume is preferably present in an amount from 0.01 to 10% by weight, more preferably 0.05 to 5% by weight, most preferably 0.5 to 4.0% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition.
• a liquid carrier is preferably employed in the instant compositions.
• the liquid carrier is at least partly water due to its low cost, relative availability, safety, and environmental compatibility.
• the level of water in the liquid carrier is more than about 50%, preferably more than about 80%, more preferably more than about 85%, by weight of the carrier.
• the level of liquid carrier is greater than about 50%, preferably greater than about 65%, more preferably greater than about 70%.
• Mixtures of water and a low molecular weight, e.g. ⁇ 100, organic solvent, e.g. a lower alcohol such as ethanol, propanol, isopropanol or butanol are useful as the carrier liquid.
• Low molecular weight alcohols including monohydric, dihydric (glycol, etc.) trihydric (glycerol, etc.), and polyhydric (polyols) alcohols are also suitable carriers for use in the compositions of the present invention.
• compositions comprise one or more polymeric viscosity control agents.
• Suitable polymeric viscosity control agents include nonionic and cationic polymers, such as hydrophobically modified cellulose ethers (e.g. Natrosol Plus, ex Hercules), cationically modified starches (e.g. Softgel BDA and Softgel BD, both ex Avebe) .
• a particularly preferred viscosity control agent is a copolymer of methacrylate and cationic acrylamide available under the tradename Flosoft 200 (ex SNF Floerger) .
• Nonionic and/or cationic polymers are preferably present in an amount of 0.01 to 5wt%, more preferably 0.02 to 4wt%, based on the total weight of the composition.
• composition comprises an antifoaming agent.
• the antifoaming agent is preferably present at a level of from 0.001 to 5% by weight, more preferably 0.002 to 3% by weight, most preferably 0.003 to 1% by weight, e.g. 0.004 to 0.7% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition.
• a typical antifoaming agent suitable for use in the composition is DOW CORNING® 1520 Silicone antifoam (a 20% active silicone emulsion) .
• compositions of the invention may also be incorporated in the compositions of the invention.
• compositions may also contain one or more optional ingredients conventionally included in fabric conditioning compositions such as pH buffering agents, perfume carriers, fluorescers, colourants, hydrotropes, antiredeposition agents, polyelectrolytes, enzymes, optical brightening agents, pearlescers, anti-shrinking agents, anti-wrinkle agents, anti-spotting agents, antioxidants, sunscreens, anti-corrosion agents, drape imparting agents, dye fixatives, sequestrants, preservatives, anti-static agents, ironing aids and dyes.
• optional ingredients conventionally included in fabric conditioning compositions such as pH buffering agents, perfume carriers, fluorescers, colourants, hydrotropes, antiredeposition agents, polyelectrolytes, enzymes, optical brightening agents, pearlescers, anti-shrinking agents, anti-wrinkle agents, anti-spotting agents, antioxidants, sunscreens, anti-corrosion agents, drape imparting agents, dye fixatives, sequestrants, preservatives, anti-static agents, ironing aids
• the fabric conditioning composition may be a liquid, such as an aqueous liquid, preferably an aqueous dispersion of the cationic softening material, a soft solid such as a gel, cream or paste, or a solid such as a granular material.
• the product is a liquid or soft solid.
• the invention is especially useful for very high viscosity compositions since these are often much harder to disperse than low viscosity compositions.
• the composition has a viscosity as measured using a Haake Rotoviscometer with MV1 cup and Bob at 106s-l of greater than 200mPaS, more preferably greater than 400mPaS, most preferably greater than 500mPaS, e.g. greater than 600mPaS.
• Conventional liquid fabric conditioning compositions have a viscosity of from 20-150mPaS.
• the composition is preferably used in a domestic laundry operation such as an automatic washing machine, e.g. a top- loading washing machine, or a hand-washing laundry operation. It is particularly preferred that the present invention is used in a hand-washing operation where the fabrics are laundered by hand in a receptacle such as, for example, a bucket, sink, bath or other suitably sized container.
• a receptacle such as, for example, a bucket, sink, bath or other suitably sized container.
• the system of the invention may, for instance, be sold in the form of a pack or kit.
• the meshed article can thus be packaged together with a separate fabric conditioning composition such that none of the composition is impregnated or otherwise initially incorporated onto or into the implement.
• the fabric conditioning composition can be, in use, dosed either onto and/or into the meshed article and then placed in the wash/rinse liquor and dispersed or dosed directly into the wash/rinse liquor and then the meshed article is introduced into the liquor and used to disperse the composition or a combination of the above.
• the kit may be supplied to the consumer with the permeable article pre-dosed with a fabric conditioning composition.
• the consumer is not required to dose the permeable article with the fabric conditioning composition.
• Samples of the invention are represented by a number. Comparative samples are represented by a letter.
• the following fabric conditioning composition was prepared by melting together the quat, fatty acid, and lecithin, adding this mixture to heated water, milling the mixture and then allowing it to cool. During cooling the citric acid, calcium chloride, perfume and minors were added. Table 1
• ARQUAD 2HT-75E (ex Akzo) (2) PRISTERINE 4916 (ex Uniqema) (3) ALCOLEC Z7 (ex American Lecithin Company) (4) Dosed at a concentration of 10% The viscosity of the resulting product was greater than 8000 mPas measured at 106s-l using a Rotoviscometer and MV1 cup and bob.
• a comparative product (sample A) was prepared by placing 3.5g/51 of the composition onto hands, submersing hands in 51 water and then rubbing together for 30 seconds.
• a dispersion according to the invention (sample B) was made using a meshed article by dispersing 3.5g/51 of the composition onto and into the meshed article and then submersing the meshed article into 51 water and agitating the meshed article for 30 seconds. The dispersion was then visually assessed by a test panel of 4 people on a scale of 0 to 5 wherein 0 represents full dispersion and 5 represents extremely poor dispersion. The results are given in the following table:

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