Title of Invention	FABRIC CONDITIONING COMPOSITIONS
Abstract	An aqueous, liquid fabric conditioning composition comprising: (i) a quaternary ammonium cationic softening compound; and (ii) a nonionic surfactant; 10 where the composition comprises an emulsion in which 80% or more 15 by weight of the droplets in the emulsion have a mean diameter of from 0.4 to 60 microns, as measured using a Malvern particle size analyser with a 45mm lens for D[0,1] measurements and both a 45mm and a 1000mm lens for D[0,9] measurements.

Title of Invention

FABRIC CONDITIONING COMPOSITIONS

Abstract

An aqueous, liquid fabric conditioning composition comprising: (i) a quaternary ammonium cationic softening compound; and (ii) a nonionic surfactant; 10 where the composition comprises an emulsion in which 80% or more 15 by weight of the droplets in the emulsion have a mean diameter of from 0.4 to 60 microns, as measured using a Malvern particle size analyser with a 45mm lens for D[0,1] measurements and both a 45mm and a 1000mm lens for D[0,9] measurements.

Full Text	FORM -2 ORIGINAL 61/MUMNP/2004 22/1/2004 THE PATENTS ACT, 1970 (39 of 1970) COMPLETE SPECIFICATION (See Section 10) FABRIC CONDITIONING COMPOSITIONS HINDUSTAN LEVER LIMITED, a company incorporated under the Indian Companies Act,1913 and having its registered office at Hindustan Lever Housed 165/T66; Backbay Reclamation, Mumbai -400 020, Maharashtra, India The following specification particularly describes the nature of invention and the manner in which it is to be performed. GRANTED 19/7/2004 WO 03/012019 PCT/EP02/08064 ■ FABRIC CONDITIONING COMPOSITIONS Field of the Invention 5 The present invention relates to fabric conditioning compositions, and in particular, to fabric conditioning compositions comprising emulsions having emulsion droplets with a mean diameter within a certain size range. 10 Background of the Invention Rinse added fabric conditioning compositions are well known. Typically, such compositions comprise aqueous lamellar phase 15 dispersions which have fabric softening properties. One of the problems frequently associated with conventional fabric conditioning compositions is that such compositions, especially those having a viscosity greater than about 0.08 20 Pa.s at a temperature of 25°C at 106s , measured using a Haake rotoviscometer, exhibit' poor dispersing, dissolution and deposition properties. This problem is made worse when there is little or no agitation of the water after the fabric conditioning composition has been added as is the 25 case with handwashing. It is desirable, that in addition to softening, fabric conditioning compositions have good dispersion,' dissolution and deposition, properties. 30 WO 03/012019 PCT/EP02/08064 DE 199 04233 Al discloses a solid premix for a laundry softening agent in which the dispersibility of the laundry softening raw material is said to be improved by adding, inter alia, a nonionic surfactant to a melt of the raw 5 material and then milling the solidified melt. The resultant powder or granulate is then stirred into cold water to produce a laundry softening agent in the form of a dispersion which is ready for use. However, no evidence of improved dispersibility is provided and there is no 10 disclosure of the formation of emulsions. WO97/03170 discloses aqueous, concentrated, stable, water dispersible fabric softening compositions comprising a fabric softening active and a principal solvent selected 15 from an extensive list. The molar ratio of the principal solvent to the fabric softening active is not less than 3, preferably from about 3.6 to about 100. However, the compositions disclosed are not emulsions. 20 EP-A-0569184 discloses a powder progenitive of a rinse conditioner which is used to form an aqueous dispersion of a rinse conditioner. There is no disclosure of any rinse conditioner formulations in the form of an emulsion. 25 W093/19147 discloses fabric softening compositions which comprise a mixture of a diester quaternary ammonium fabric softener material, a highly ethoxylated hydrophobic material as a scum dispersant, and a liquid carrier. This mixture prevents the formation of scum caused by the interaction of 30 the diester quaternary ammonium fabric softener material with anionic detergent surfactant and/or detergency builder WO 03/012019 PCT/EP02/08064 entrapped in the fabric However, the compositions disclosed are all dispersions, not emulsions. Objects of the Invention 5 The present invention seeks to address one or more of the above-mentioned problems, and, to give one or more of the above-mentioned benefits desired by consumers. 10 Surprisingly, we have found that the dispersion characteristics of a fabric conditioning composition comprising an aqueous emulsion formed from hydrophobic ingredients where the emulsion has droplets within a certain size range can be improved by the addition of low levels of 15 a nonionic surfactant, especially an ethoxylated nonionic surfactant, even in poor agitation conditions. Summary of the Invention 20 According to the present invention , there is provided an aqueous, liquid fabric conditioning composition comprising: (i) a quaternary ammonium cationic softening compound; 25 and (ii) a nonionic surfactant; where the composition comprises an emulsion in which 80% or 30 more by weight of the droplets in the emulsion have a mean diameter of from 0.4 to 60 microns, as measured using a WO 03/012019 PCT/EP02/08064 Malvern particle size analyser with a 45mm lens for D[0, 1] measurements and both a 45mm and a 1000mm lens for D[0,9] measurements. 5 In another aspect, the invention provides a method of forming an aqueous, liquid fabric conditioning composition comprising: (i) mixing with heating a quaternary ammonium cationic 10 softening compound and a nonionic surfactant; and (i.i.) adding the mixture formed in (i) to water and milling 15 so as to form a composition comprising an emulsion in which 80% or more by weight of the droplets in the emulsion have a mean diameter of from 0.4 to 60 microns, as measured using a Malvern particle size analyser with a 45mm lens for D[0,1] measurements and both a 45mm and a 1000mm lens for D[0,9] 20 measurements. In a further aspect, the invention provides a method of forming an aqueous, liquid fabric conditioning composition comprising: . . (i) mixing with heating a quaternary ammonium cationic softening compound and optional ingredient; (ii) dispersing the mixture in water; and (iii) adding a nonionic surfactant with mixing WO 03/012019 PCT/EP02/08064 so as to form a composition comprising an emulsion in which 80% or more by weight of the droplets in the emulsion have a mean diameter of from 0.4 to 60 microns, as measured using a 5 Malvern particle size analyser with a 45mm lens for D[0,1] measurements and both a 45mm and a 1000mm lens for D[0,9] measurements In yet a further aspect, the invention provides use of a 10 nonionic surfactant to improve the dispersibility in water of an aqueous liquid fabric conditioning composition comprising -a quaternary ammonium cationic softening compound where the composition comprises an emulsion in which 80% or more by weight of the droplets in the emulsion have a mean 15 diameter of from 0.4 to 60 microns, as measured using a Malvern particle size analyser with a 45mm lens for D[0,1] measurements and both a 45mm and a 1000mm lens for D[0,9] measurements. 20 In the context of the present invention, the term "comprising" embraces "consisting of" and including but not limited to". Thus, the ingredients or steps following the term "comprising" are not exhaustive. 25 Detailed Description of the Invention The present invention is concerned with aqueous fabric conditioning compositions which comprise. emulsions . 30 In the context of the present invention , the term 'emulsion' means a liquid product which, at ambient temperature, is WO 03/012019 PCT/EP02/08064 opaque, metastable, comprises droplets, or groups of droplets, of one immiscible liquid suspended in another liquid and which shows none of the signatures of a lamellar phase dispersion as evaluated by low angle x-ray diffraction 5 and polarising light microscopy. The term emulsion does not include conventional micro-emulsions which are clear and isotropic and which are thermodynamically stable across a specified temperature 10 range. Furthermore, it does not include conventional fabric conditioning compositions which consist entirely of aqueous lamellar phase dispersions. Aqueous lamellar phase 15 dispersions consist of a suspension of a lamellar liquid crystalline phase in a liquid, in which the molecular packing of the suspended material results in a structure which exhibits long range order. 20 The compositions of the present invention may comprise a mixture of emulsion droplets and dispersions These compositions are entirely different from conventional aqueous lamellar dispersions which are free of an emulsion component. For instance, unlike pure dispersions, mixed 25 emulsion/dispersion compositions do not necessarily exhibit long range order. In the context of the present invention, "long range order" means positional and orientational order of the structure in 30 at least one direction or an explanation of positional and orientational order, see "Introduction to Liquid WO 03/012019 PCT/EP02/08064 Crystals", Chemistry and Physics, P.J. Collings and M Hird, printed 1997, reprinted 1998, pl. Long range order can be verified by detection of Bragg peaks 5 using low angle x-ray diffraction or by observing the composition in a polarising light microscope. Preferably, the compositions of the present invention also comprise a perfume having a Clog P of 2 or more and an oily 10 perfume carrier having a Clog P of 3.5 or more. In such compositions, it is believed that the hydrophobic perfume partitions into the oily perfume carrier and thus forms perfume carrier/perfume emulsion droplets. Without being bound by theory, it is believed that this is because in a 15 mixed emulsion/dispersion system, it will be thermodynarnically preferable for the specified hydrophobic perfume components to partition into the hydrophobic oily perfume carrier (forming emulsion droplets of perfume carrier/perfume) rather than into the dispersion phase. 20 In the rinse cycle of a wash, co-deposition of the mixture. of the perfume carrier and perfume improves the efficiency of perfume delivery to and perfume retention on the fabric being treated. 25 The fabric conditioning compositions of the present invention comprising an emulsion or a mixture of emulsion and dispersion. components (rather than a pure dispersion),, are highly desirable because the emulsion (component) 30 provides further benefits, particularly perfume delivery WO 03/012019 PCT/EP02/08064 benefits and' good lubrication of fabric treated with the composition. Emulsion Droplet Sizes 5 In the composition, 80% or more by weight of the droplets in the emulsion have a mean diameter of from 0.4 to 60 microns, as measured using a Malvern particle size analyser, according to the method below. More preferably, 80% or more 10 by weight of the droplets have a mean diameter of from 0.5 to 50 microns, most preferably from 0.6 to 30 microns, e.g. 0.6 to 35 microns. Without wishing to be bound by theory, when a perfume and an 15 oily perfume carrier are present, it is believed that the droplets, 80% or more by weight of which have a diameter of from 0.4 to 60 microns, as measured using a Malvern particle size analyser, are agglomerations of minute particles of the oily perfume carrier and perfume which comprise both 20 individual oily emulsion particles/droplets and droplets which consist of floes of flocculated oily emulsion., particles/droplets. Thus, in the context of the present invention, the term 25 'droplet' includes both individual oily emulsion particle/droplets as well as floes of flocculated oily emulsion particles/droplets. The nature Of the emulsion droplets being measured will, of 30 course, be apparent to the person skilled in the art using a Malvern particle size analyser and following the method of WO 03/012019 PCT/EP02/08064 measuring droplet size, as set out below and correlating to measured droplet sizes with observations using a phase-contrast ligh't microscope. 5 Method of Measuring Droplet Size The emulsion droplet size is measured using a Malvern particle size analyser using a 45mm lens for D[0,1] measurements and both a 45mm and a 1000mm lens for D[0,9] 10 measurements D[0,1] and D[0,9] readings denote droplet sizes which 10% by weight and 90% by weight respectively of the droplets are below. The particle size analyser is a Malvern Mastersizer X. 15 A presentation code of 2LAD is used to reflect the average refractive index difference between oily droplets and water and between dispersed cationic softening compound lamellar phase particles and water. 20 Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that the results obtained will be dependent at least partly on the lens selected since each lens will have maxima and minima measurement range and thus if particles outside of 25 this range are present they may not be measured Therefore, to ensure that the droplet mean diameter is within the mean diameter range of the invention, as measured using a 45mm lens, it must be ensured that the emulsion does not comprise floes of flocculated particles above the measurement 30 capabilities of a 45mm lens. Accordingly, a 1000mm lens is used to confirm the D[0,9] measurement, using the 4 5mm lens, WO 03/012019 PCT/EP02/08064 so as to ensure that no large floes (not registered using the 4 5mm lens) are present in the emulsion. ClogP measurements 5 The hydrophobicity of the perfume and oily perfume carrier, if present, are measured by ClogP. ClogP is" measured using the "ClogP" program (calculation of hydrophobicities as logP (oil/water)) version 4.01, available from Daylight Chemical 10 Information Systems Inc of Irvine California, USA. Quaternary ammonium cationic fabric softening compound The fabric conditioning composition of the present invention 15 comprises one or more quaternary ammonium cationic fabric softening compounds. It is preferred that the fabric softening compound(s) used is/are selected from those which are typically included in 20 rinse-added fabric softening compositions. The quaternary ammonium fabric softening compounds may have at least one ester group. 25 The cationic softening compounds may comprise quaternary ammonium compounds having two C8-C28 alkyl or alkenyl chains being directly attached to the nitrogen of the quaternary ammonium group. WO 03/012019 PCT/EP02/08064 Preferably., the. average chain length of the alkyl or alkenyl group is at least C14, more preferably at least C16.. Most preferably at least half of the chains have a length of C18. 5 It is generally preferred that the alkyl or alkenyl chains are predominantly linear. An especially preferred type of cationic softening compound is a quaternary ammonium material which comprises a compound having two C12-18 alkyl or alkenyl groups connected to the nitrogen head group via 10 at least one ester link. It is more preferred if the quaternary ammonium material has two ester links present. A first group of preferred ester-linked cationic softening compounds for use in the invention is represented by formula wherein each R group is independently selected from C1-4 alkyl or hydroxyalkyl or C2-4 alkenyl groups; and wherein 2 each R group is independently selected from C8-28 alkyl or alkenyl groups; 5 X is any an:\|on compatible with the cationic surfactant, such as halides or alkyl sulphates, e.g. chloride, methyl sulphate or ethyl sulphate and n is 0 or an integer from 1 to 5. 10 Especially preferred materials within this formula are di- alkenyl esters of triethanol ammonium methyl sulphate and N-N-di (tallowoyloxy ethyl) N,N-dimethyl ammonium chloride. Commercial examples of compounds within this formula are Tetranyl (trade name) AOT-1 (di-oleic ester of triethanol 15 ammonium methyl sulphate 80% active), AHT-1 (di-hardened tallowyl ester of triethanol ammonium methyl sulphate 80% active), AO-1(di-oleic ester of triethanol ammonium methyl sulphate 90% active)-, Ll/90 (partially hardened tallow ester of triethanol ammonium methyl sulphate 90% active), L5/90 20 (palm ester of triethanol ammonium methyl sulphate 90% active (supplied by Kao corporation) and Rewoquat WE15 (C10- C20 and C16-C18 unsaturated fatty acid reaction products with triethanolamine dimethyl sulphate quaternised 90 % active), ex Goldschmidt Corporation. 25 A second preferred type of quaternary ammonium material is represented by formula (II) : WO 03/012019 PCT/EP02/08064 Formula (II) wherein R1 , R2 , n and X are as defined above. 10 Preferred materials of this class such as 1,2 bis[tallowoyloxy]-3- trimethylammonium propane chloride and 1, 2-bis [oleyloxy]-3-trimethylammonium propane chloride and their method of preparation are, for example, described in US 4137180 (Lever Brothers) , the contents of which are 15 incorporated herein. Preferably these materials also comprise small amounts of the corresponding monoester, as described in US 4137180. A third preferred type of quaternary ammonium material is 20 represented by formula "(III): WO 03/012019 PCT/EP02/08064 - 14 - where R1 and R2 are C8-28 alkyl or alkenyl groups; R3 and R4 are C1-4 alky or C2-4 alkenyl groups and X is as defined above. Examples of compounds within this formula include di(tallow alkyl)dimethyl ammonium chloride, di(tallow alkyl) dimethyl ammonium methyl sulphate, dihexadecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, di (hardened tallow alkyl) dimethyl ammonium chloride, dioctadecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride and di (coconut ai kyl) dimethyl ammonium chloride. It is advantageous for environmental reasons if the quaternary ammonium material is biologically degradable. The cationic softening compounds are preferably present in an amount from 1.5 to 60% by weight of cationic surfactant (active ingredient) based on the total weight of the composition, preferably 2 more preferably 1.7 to .45% by weight, most to 31% by weight, e.g. 2.1 to 10% by weight The cationic insoluble. softening compound may be substantially water Substantially water insoluble' compounds in the context of this invention are defined as compounds having a solubility less than 1 x 10 wt% in demineralised water at 20°C. Preferably the cationic softening compounds have a -4 solubility less than 1 x 10 wt%. Most preferably the cationic softening compounds have a solubility at 20°C in demineralised water from 1 x 10 -to 1 x 10 wt%. WO 03/012019 PCT/EP02/08064 Nonionic surfactant Suitable nonionic surfactants to act as dispersibility 5 modifiers include addition products of alkylene oxide, especially ethylene oxide and/or propylene oxide, with fatty alcohols, fatty acids and fatty amines. The" level of alkoxylation denotes the average number of alkoxy groups per molecule and is preferably from 8 to 35, more preferably 10 from 10 to 25] most preferably from 11 to 22, e.g. 10 to 20. Any of the alkoxylated materials of the particular type described hereinafter can be used as the nonionic surfactant. However, ethoxylated nonionic surfactants are 15 preferred. Suitable surfactants are substantially water soluble surfactants or the general formula: 20 R Y (C2H4O)Z C2H4OH where 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 25 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, more preferably 11 to 18 and especially. 12 to 16 carbon atoms. 30 WO 03/012019 PCT/EP02/08064 In the general formula for the ethoxylated nonionic surfactant, Y is typically: in which R ha and Z is at 1 11. s the meaning given above or can be hydrogen; east about 8, preferably at least about 10 or Preferably the nonionic surfactant has an HLB of from about 7 to about 20 , more preferably from 10 to 18, e.g. 12 to 16. Examples of nonionic surfactants follow. In the examples, the integer defines the number of ethoxy (EO) groups in the molecule. A. Straight-chain, Primary Alcohol Alkoxylates Primary alcohol alkoxylates with an alkyl chain length in the alcohol of C11-18, preferably C12-I6, and 1 to 20, preferably 1 to 15 and especially 3 "to 15, alkoxylate groups are particularly suitable. Ethoxylate groups are particularly suitable as alkoxylate groups. The deca-, undeca-, dodeca-, tetradeca-, and pentadecaethoxylates of n-dodecanol, n-tridecanol and n- tetradecanol having an HLB within the range recited herein are useful dispersibility modifiers in the context of this herein as the are C18 EO(10) invention. Exemplary ethoxylated primary alcohols useful dispersibility modifiers of the compositions ; and C18 EO(ll). The ethoxylates of mixed WO 03/012019 PCT/EP02/08064 natural or synthetic alcohols in the "tallow" or "coco"chain length range are- also useful herein. Specific examples of such materials include tallow alcohol-EO(11), tallow alcohol-EO(18), tallow alcohol-EO (25), coco alcohol-5 EO(10), coco alcohol-EO(15) and coco alcohol-EO(20). B.. Straight-Chain, Secondary Alcohol Alkoxylates Secondary alcohol alkoxylates with an alkyl chain length in 10 the alcohol of C11-18, preferably C12-16, and l-20, preferably 1 to 15 and especially 3 to 15, alkoxylate groups are particularly suitable. Ethoxylate groups are particularly suitable as alkoxylate groups. The deca-, undeca-, dodeca-, tetradeca-, pentadeca-, 15 octadeca-, and nonadeca-ethoxylates of 3-hexadecanol, 2-octadecanol, 4-eicosanol, and 5-eicosanol having an HLB within the range recited herein are useful dispersibility modifiers in the context of this invention. Exemplary ethoxylated secondary alcohols useful herein as the 20 dispersibility modifiers of the compositions are: C16 EO(ll); C18 EO(ll); and C16EO(14). Particularly preferred ethoxylated secondary alcohols are those sold under the trade names Tergitol 15-S-3, Tergitol 15-S-5, Tergitol 15-S-7 and Tergitol 15-s-9 (ex Union Carbrde) which are all C12 - 14 25 alcohols ethoxylated with an average of 3, 5, 7 and 9 ethoxylate groups respectively. WO 03/012019 PCT/EP02/08064 C. Alkyl Phelnol Alkoxylates As in the case of the alcohol alkoxylates, the hexa- to octadeca-ethoxylates of alkylated phenols, particularly 5 monohydric alkylphenols, having an HLB within the range recited herein are useful as the 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 10 the dispersibility modifiers of the mixtures herein are: p-tridecylphenol EO(ll) and p-pentadecylphenol EO(18). As used herein and as generally recognised in the art, a phenylene group in the nonionic formula is the equivalent of 15 an alkylene group containing from 2 to 4 carbon atoms. For present purposes, 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. 20 D. Olefinic Alkoxylates The alkenyl alcohols, both primary and secondary, and alkenyl phenols corresponding to those disclosed immediately 25 hereinabove pan be ethoxylated to an HLB within the range" recited herein and used as the dispersibility modifiers of the instant compositions. WO 03/012019 PCT/EP02/08064 E. Branched Chain Alkoxylates Branched chain primary and secondary alcohols which are available from the well-known "0X0" process can be ethoxylated and employed as the dispersibility modifiers of compositions herein. The above ethoxylated 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 surfactants may be present in the composition at low levels', preferably less than 2.0% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition. Preferably, the nonionic surfactant is present in an amount from 0.005 to 2% by weight, particularly 0.01 to 1.0% by weight and especially 0.05 to 0.5% by weight. Particularly preferred ranges for the nonionic surfactant are from 0.005 to 0.3%, more preferably 0.01 to 0.2% and asoecially 0.05 to 0.15%, by weight, based on the total weight of the composition. Perfume Carrier 25 - ■ ■ ■ . ;, The perfume carrier is an oily substance having a ClogP of 3.5 or more, more preferably 6 or more, most preferably 8 or more. Especially preferred are water insoluble oils having a ClogP of 10 or more. 30 WO 03/012019 PCT/EP02/08064 Any oily compound having a- hydrophobicity, as defined by ClogP values and which is thus compatible with the perfume is suitable for use as the carrier in the compositions of the present invention. By "compatible" is meant that the 5 perfume carrier and the perfume form a liquid mixture (of emulsion droplets) at ambient temperature. Preferably the perfume carrier has a slip point below 45°C, more preferably below 37°C. The slip point of a material is 10 measured according to the definition as set out in British Standard BS684 section 1.3 1991 ISO 6321:1991 (UK). Suitable oily perfume carrier materials include mineral/hydrocarbon oils, ester oils, sugar ester oils 15 and/or natural oils such as vegetable oils. However, ester oils or mineral oils are preferred. In the compositions of the present invention, the oily perfume carrier material is not a silicone oil and is 20 preferably not a fluorocarbon oil. The ester oils are hydrophobic in nature. They include fatty esters of mono or polyhydric alcohols having from 1 to 24 carbon atoms in the hydrocarbon chain, and mono or 25 polycarboxylic acids having from 1 to 24 carbon atoms in the hydrocarbon chain, provided that the total number of carbon atoms in the ester oil is equal to or greater than 16, and that at least one of the hydrocarbon chains has 12 or more carbon atoms J 30 WO 03/012019 PCT/EP02/08064 Suitable ester oils include saturated ester oils, such as the PRIOLUBES (ex. Unichema). 2-ethyl hexyl stearate (PRIOLUBE 1545), neopentyl glycol monomerate (PRIOLUBE 2045) and methyl laurate (PRIOLUBE 1415) are particularly 5 preferred although oleic monoglyceride (PRIOLUBE 1407) and neopentyl glycol dioleate (PRIOLUBE 144 6) are also suitable. Other suitable esters oils include fatty acid glyceride esters as declined in EP-A1-0746603, e.g. palm oil and tallow oil. 10 Suitable oily sugar ester compounds include the sugar ester oils defined in WO-A-98/16538, which are hereby incorporated by reference. The oily sugar esters preferably have a viscosity of from 5 to 50 Pa.s, and preferably have a 15 density of from 0.8 to 1.2 gcm-3 , more preferably from 0.9 -3 -3 to 1 gcm , most preferably from 0.93 to 0.99 gcm . It is preferred that the viscosity of the ester oil is from 0.002 to 2.0 Pa.S, more preferably from 0.004 to 0.4 Pa.s at 20 a temperature of 25°C at 106s , measured using a Haake rotoviscometer, and that the density of the mineral oil is from 0.8 to 0.9g.cm-3 at 25°C. Suitable" mineral oils include branched or straight chain 25 hydrocarbons (e.g. paraffins) having 8 to 35, more preferably 9 to 20 carbon atoms in the hydrocarbon chain. Preferred mineral oils include the Marcol technical range of oils (ex Esso) although particularly preferred are the WO 03/012019 PCT/EP02/08064 Sirius range (ex Fuchs),the Semtol (ex. Goldschmidt), or the Merkur Tec range (ex Merkur Vaseline). The molecular weight of the mineral oil is typically within 5 the range 10© to 400. One or more oils of any of the above mentioned types may be used. 10 It is believsd that the oil provides excellent perfume delivery to the cloth and also increases perfume longevity upon storage of the composition. The oil may be present in an amount from 0.1 to 15% by 15 weight, more preferably 0.25 to 14%, by weight most preferably 1 to 10%, e.g. 2 to 9% by weight based on the total weight of the composition. Perfume 20 The compositions of the Invention may comprise one or more perfumes. The perfume has a ClogP of 2 or more, more preferably 3 or 25 more,most preferably 4 or more, e.g. 10 or more. Suitable perfume ingredients having a ClogP of 2 include but are not limited to those disclosed in US -5500137. 30 The perfume is preferably present in an amount from 0.01 to 10% by weight, more preferably 0.05 to 5% by weight, most WO 03/012019 PCT/EP02/08064 preferably 0.07 to 2.5% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition. For good perfume delivery to the' fabric, it is desirable 5 that the weight ratio of perfume to oily perfume carrier is from 1:50 to 2:1, more preferably 1:40 to 1:1, most preferably 1 20 to 1:2. The perfume/perfume carrier emulsion droplets are preferably 10 present at a level of 0.5 to 15% by weight, more preferably 1 to 10% by weight, most preferably 1.5 to 6% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition. It is preferred that the weight ratio of the perfume/perfume 15 carrier emulsion droplets to quaternary ammonium fabric softening compound is from 5:1 to 1:25, more preferably 4:1 to 1:15, most preferably 3:1 to 1:6. Water 20 The compositions of the invention are aqueous baased. Typically, the level of water present is from 50-98% by weight, more preferably 60-97% by weight, most preferably 25 70-96% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition. Co-active Softening Surfactants 30 Co-active softening surface for the cationic surfactant may also be incorporated in an amount from 0.01 to 20% by WO 03/012019 PCT/EP02/08064 weight, more preferably 0.05 to 10%, based on the total weight of the composition. Preferred co-active softening surfactants are fatty acids, fatty esters, fatty alcohols, fatty amines and fatty N-oxides. 5 Preferred fatty acids include hardened tallow fatty acid, which may be present in an amount of from 0.1 to 20 wt%, based on the total weight of the composition. 10 Preferred fatty alcohols include hardened tallow alcohol, which may be present in an amount of from 0.01 to 10 wt%, more preferably 0.03 to 8wt%, based on the total weight of the composition. 15 Preferred fatty esters include compounds having a fatty monoester component, such as glycerol monostearate (GMS). If GMS is present, then it is preferred that the level of GMS in the csmposition is from 0.01 to 10 wt%, based on the total weight of the composition. 20 It is particularly, preferred that GMS is present in the compositions since it is believed that compositions comprising GMS have additional thickening, stabilising and softening benefits. However, for the purposes of the 25 present invention, GMS is not an essential ingredient of the compositions of the invention. Polymeric thickeners 30 It is useful though not essential if the compositions comprise one or more polymeric thickeners. Suitable WO 03/012019 PCT/EP02/08064 polymeric thickeners include nonionic and cationic polymers, such as hydrophobically modified cellulose ethers (e.g. Natrosol Plus, ex Hercules) or cationically modified starches (e.g. Softgel BDA and Softgel BD, both ex Avebe). 5 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- The compositions of the invention are preferably free of 10 polymers which are anionic or have an anionic nature (i.e. polymers which react in a way typical of anionic polymers) Other Optional Ingredients 15 The compositions may also contain one or more optional ingredients conventionally included in fabric conditioning compositions such as pH buffering agents, fluorescers, colourants, hydrotropes, antifoaming agents, antiredeposition agents, polyelectrolytes, enzymes, optical 20 brightening agents, anti-shrinking agents, anti-wrinkle agents, anti-spotting agents, germicides, insecticides, insect repellants, fungicides, antioxidants, sunscreens, anti-corrosion agents, drape imparting agents, anti-static agents, ironing aids and dyes. 25 Product Form In its undiluted state,: at, ambient temperature the product comprises a liquid emulsion or a mixture of an emulsion and 30 a dispersion Preferably the products comprises an emulsion WO 03/012019 PCT/EP02/08064 of oily, droplets alone or in combination with an aqueous cationic lamellar dispersion. It is preferred that the product is free of solid particles, Product Use The composition is preferably used in the rinse cycle of a home textile laundering operation, where, it may be added 10 directly in an undiluted state to the washing machine, e.g. through a dispenser drawer. Alternatively, it can be diluted prior to use. The compositions may also be used in a domestic hand-washing laundry operation. 15 Preparation The compositions of the invention may be prepared according to any suitable method. 20 In a first preferred method, the quaternary ammonium catio.nic softening, compound, nonionic surfactant, perfume carrier and optional co-actives, such as fatty acid and glycerol monostearate, are mixed in a premix vessel and heated to at least 5°C above either the phase transition 25 temperature of the softening compound or the melting point of the optional co-active so as to form a homogeneous premixture. Water is heated to between 35°C and 70°C in a separate vessel and is optionally blended with a pH buffering agent (e.g. phosphoric acid). 30 WO 03/012019 PCT/EP02/08064 The premixture is then mixed with the water and milled with 2 batches or more per hour, more preferably 3 batches or more, passing through the mill. That is, preferably at least 86%, more preferably at least 95% of the batch passes through the mill at least once. Alternatively, the premixture may be injected into the water in a recycle loop prior to passing through the mill, in which case 100% of the batch passes through the mill at least once. The milled mixture is cooled to at least 5°C below the phase transition temperature of the resulting mixture with optional further milling. Perfume and optional ingredients are added (with milling/mixing, if necessary, to achieve a homogeneous composition). In a further alternative, the nonionic surfactant may be added as a last step to the. otherwise complete., composition Examples The invention will now be illustrated by "the following non-limiting examples. Further modification within the scope of the present invention will be apparent to the person skilled in the art. Examples of the invention are represented by a number. Comparative examples are represented by a letter. WO 03/012019 PCT7EP02/08064 Examples 1 to 4, A and B The compositions of examples 1 to 4, A and B were prepared according to the method described above. The composition of Example A corresponds to that of a commercial product. The formulations are shown in Table 1 below. WO 03/012019 PCT/EP02/08064 3Semtol 70/28 is an animal feed grade hydrocarbon oil (ex Goldschmidt) with a ClogP greater than 12. 4 glycerol monostearate (ex Cognis) 5Soft Touch MOD 178 (ex Givaudan Roure) with a ClogP greater than 2. 6Supra (ex Givaudan Roure) with a ClogP greater than 2 7 secondary alcohol ethoxylate with an alkyl chain length of Cl2-14 and average of 7 ethoxylate groups (ex Union Carbide) 8 secondary alcohol ethoxylate with an alkyl chain length of C12-14 and an average of 3 ethoxylate groups (ex Union Carbide) Subjective Pair Comparison of Product Properties Method for laboratory evaluations Trained panel of 12 people 15 g of each sample was placed in a glass jar. Panellists observed samples in pairs (full round robin paired comparison ie A v B; A v C etc) and stated preference for appearance and also gave comments. They then smelled each product and gave a vote of preference for each pair regarding smell, they also gave their opinion on the smell of the product. Two large pljastic bowls were used containing 4 litre of 20°C Wirral water (approx. 15° French Hardness) WO 03/012019 PCT/EP02/08064 One sample was added to each bowl. Panellists made their preference choice regarding dispersion and also commented on the dispersi! on properties of the sample. 5 Gentle agitation was applied to the bowls for 15 seconds using a gentle hand motion. Panellists observed the bowl and stated their preference on the level of -dispersion and again made comments where appropriate. 0 Results Panel test a"s per described method for samples A, B, 1 & 2 Preference results: (percentage Table 2 preference scores ) Smell in bottle Appearance in bottle Appearance in water After agitation A 55 15 21 12 B 58 65 50 62 1 12 69 100 94 2 71 68 35 58 • Panel test as per described method for samples A, B, 3 & 4 Preference results (percentage preference scores) WO 03/012019 PCT/EP02/08064 Table 3 The results in Table 2 show that the compositions of the invention were regarded as having a better smell and appearance in the bottle than the comparative examples. The composition of Example 1 was regarded as having a much better appearance in water, before and after agitation, than either of the comparative examples. The composition of Example 2 was considered to have a much better appearance in water, before and after agitation, than the commercial formulation of Example A and was considered to have a similar appearance in water after agitation to the composition of Example B. The results in Table 3 show that both compositions of the invention were regarded as having a better smell and appearance in the bottle than the commercial formulation of Example A. In addition, the compositions of Examples 3 and 4 were both considered to have a much better appearance in water, before and after agitation, than the commercial formulation of Example A and were both considered to have a much better appearance in water after agitation than the composition of Example B. WO 03/012019 PCI7EP02/08064 These results therefore demonstrate the superior dispersibiliiy, particularly in conditions corresponding to handwashing, of the compositions of the invention. WO 03/012019 PCT/EP02/08064 CLAIMS 1. An aqueous, liquid fabric conditioning composition comprising: (i) a quaternary ammonium cationic softening compound; and (ii) a nonionic surfactant; 10 where the composition comprises an emulsion in which 80% or more 15 by weight of the droplets in the emulsion have a mean diameter of from 0.4 to 60 microns, as measured using a Malvern particle size analyser with a 45mm lens for D[0,1] measurements and both a 45mm and a 1000mm lens for D[0,9] measurements. 20 2. A composition according to claim 1, in which the nonionic surfactant is present at a level of less than 2.0% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition.. 25 3. A composition according to claim 1 or claim 2, in which the nonionic surfactant is present at a level from 0.005 to 2.0%, preferably 0.01 to 1.0%, more preferably 0.05 to 0.5%, by weight, based on the total weight of the composition. 4. A composition according to any one of the preceding 30 claims in which the nonionic surfactant is an addition WO 03/012019 PCT/EP02/08064 product acid or of an alkylene oxide and a fatty alcohol, fatty fatty amine. A composition according to any one of the preceding claims in which the nonionic surfactant is a straight-or branched-chain primary or secondary alcohol alkoxylate, a straight- or branched-chain primary or secondary alkenyl alcohol alkoxylate or an alkyl phenol alkoxylate. A composition according to any one of the preceding claims in which the nonionic surfactant is a straight- or branched-chain primary or secondary alcohol ethoxylate. A composition according to any one of the preceding claims in which the nonionic surfactant is a straight- or branched-chain primary or secondary C11-18 preferably C12-16 alcohol ethoxylated with an average of 8 to 35, preferably 10 to 25, ethoxylate groups, A composition according to any one of the preceding claims which further comprises: i)a perfume having a ClogP of 2 or more; and (ii) an oily perfume carrier having a ClogP of 3.5 or more. WO 03/012019 PCT/EP02/08064 A composition according to any one of the preceding claims in which the quaternary ammonium cationic softening compound is a compound of the general formula in which R1 and R2 each independently represent a C8-28 alkyl or alkenyl group; R3 and R4 each independently represent a C1-4 alkyl or C2-4 alkenyl group; and X is any anion compatible with the cationic surfactant 10. A composition according to any one of the preceding claims in which the quaternary ammonium cationic softening compound is di(hardened tallow alkyl)dimethyl ammonium chloride. 11. A method of forming an aqueous, liquid fabric conditioning composition comprising: (i) mixing with heating a quaternary ammonium cationic softening compound and a nonionic surfactant; and weight of water, the composition comprising an emulsion in which 80% or more by weight of the droplets in the emulsion have a mean diameter of from 0.4 to 60 microns, as measured using a Malvern particle size analyser with a 45mm lens for D[0,1] measurements and both a 45mm and a 1000mm lens for D[0,9] measurements. 11. A method of farming an aqueous, liquid fabric conditioning composition comprising: (1) mixing with heating a quaternary ammonium cationic softening compound and optional ingredients; (ii) dispersing the mixture in water; and (iii) adding a nonionic surfactant with mixing so as to form a composition comprising 0.0.1 to 1.0% by weight of the; nonionic surfactant, and 50 to 98% by weight of water, the composition comprising an emulsion in which 80% or more by weight of the droplets in the emulsion have' a mean diameter of from 0.4 to 60 microns, as measured using a Malvern particle size analyser with a 45mm lens for D[0,1] measurements and both a 45mm and a 1000mm lens for D[0,9] measurements. Dated this 22nd day of January 2004 Dr. Sanchita Sanguli OF S. MAJUMDAR & CO (Applicant's Agent) WO 03/012019 PCT/EP02/08064 ammonium cationic softening compound where the composition comprises an emulsion in which 80% or more by weight of the droplets in the emulsion have a mean diameter of from 0.4 to 60 microns, as measured using a Malvern particle size analyser with a 45mm lens for D[0,1] measurements and both a 45mm and a 1000mm lens for D[o,9] measurements. i Dated this. 22nd day of January 2004 HINDUSTAN LEVER LIMITED (S. Venkatramani) Patents Manager

Full Text

FORM -2

ORIGINAL
61/MUMNP/2004
22/1/2004

THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See Section 10)
FABRIC CONDITIONING COMPOSITIONS
HINDUSTAN LEVER LIMITED, a company incorporated under the Indian Companies Act,1913 and having its registered office at Hindustan Lever Housed 165/T66; Backbay Reclamation, Mumbai -400 020, Maharashtra, India
The following specification particularly describes the nature of invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.

GRANTED
19/7/2004

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■
FABRIC CONDITIONING COMPOSITIONS
Field of the Invention
5
The present invention relates to fabric conditioning compositions, and in particular, to fabric conditioning compositions comprising emulsions having emulsion droplets with a mean diameter within a certain size range. 10
Background of the Invention
Rinse added fabric conditioning compositions are well known. Typically, such compositions comprise aqueous lamellar phase 15 dispersions which have fabric softening properties.
One of the problems frequently associated with conventional fabric conditioning compositions is that such compositions,
especially those having a viscosity greater than about 0.08

20 Pa.s at a temperature of 25°C at 106s , measured using a
Haake rotoviscometer, exhibit' poor dispersing, dissolution and deposition properties. This problem is made worse when there is little or no agitation of the water after the fabric conditioning composition has been added as is the 25 case with handwashing.
It is desirable, that in addition to softening, fabric conditioning compositions have good dispersion,' dissolution and deposition, properties. 30

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DE 199 04233 Al discloses a solid premix for a laundry softening agent in which the dispersibility of the laundry softening raw material is said to be improved by adding, inter alia, a nonionic surfactant to a melt of the raw 5 material and then milling the solidified melt. The
resultant powder or granulate is then stirred into cold water to produce a laundry softening agent in the form of a dispersion which is ready for use. However, no evidence of improved dispersibility is provided and there is no 10 disclosure of the formation of emulsions.
WO97/03170 discloses aqueous, concentrated, stable, water dispersible fabric softening compositions comprising a fabric softening active and a principal solvent selected 15 from an extensive list. The molar ratio of the principal solvent to the fabric softening active is not less than 3, preferably from about 3.6 to about 100. However, the compositions disclosed are not emulsions.
20 EP-A-0569184 discloses a powder progenitive of a rinse
conditioner which is used to form an aqueous dispersion of a rinse conditioner. There is no disclosure of any rinse conditioner formulations in the form of an emulsion.
25 W093/19147 discloses fabric softening compositions which comprise a mixture of a diester quaternary ammonium fabric softener material, a highly ethoxylated hydrophobic material as a scum dispersant, and a liquid carrier. This mixture prevents the formation of scum caused by the interaction of 30 the diester quaternary ammonium fabric softener material with anionic detergent surfactant and/or detergency builder

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entrapped in the fabric However, the compositions disclosed are all dispersions, not emulsions.
Objects of the Invention 5
The present invention seeks to address one or more of the above-mentioned problems, and, to give one or more of the above-mentioned benefits desired by consumers.
10 Surprisingly, we have found that the dispersion
characteristics of a fabric conditioning composition comprising an aqueous emulsion formed from hydrophobic ingredients where the emulsion has droplets within a certain size range can be improved by the addition of low levels of
15 a nonionic surfactant, especially an ethoxylated nonionic surfactant, even in poor agitation conditions.
Summary of the Invention 20
According to the present invention , there is provided an aqueous, liquid fabric conditioning composition comprising:
(i) a quaternary ammonium cationic softening compound;
25 and
(ii) a nonionic surfactant;
where the composition comprises an emulsion in which 80% or 30 more by weight of the droplets in the emulsion have a mean
diameter of from 0.4 to 60 microns, as measured using a

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Malvern particle size analyser with a 45mm lens for D[0, 1] measurements and both a 45mm and a 1000mm lens for D[0,9] measurements.
5 In another aspect, the invention provides a method of
forming an aqueous, liquid fabric conditioning composition
comprising:
(i) mixing with heating a quaternary ammonium cationic
10 softening compound and a nonionic surfactant; and
(i.i.) adding the mixture formed in (i) to water and milling
15 so as to form a composition comprising an emulsion in which 80% or more by weight of the droplets in the emulsion have a mean diameter of from 0.4 to 60 microns, as measured using a Malvern particle size analyser with a 45mm lens for D[0,1] measurements and both a 45mm and a 1000mm lens for D[0,9]
20 measurements.
In a further aspect, the invention provides a method of forming an aqueous, liquid fabric conditioning composition comprising:
. .
(i) mixing with heating a quaternary ammonium cationic softening compound and optional ingredient;
(ii) dispersing the mixture in water; and
(iii) adding a nonionic surfactant with mixing

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so as to form a composition comprising an emulsion in which 80% or more by weight of the droplets in the emulsion have a mean diameter of from 0.4 to 60 microns, as measured using a 5 Malvern particle size analyser with a 45mm lens for D[0,1] measurements and both a 45mm and a 1000mm lens for D[0,9] measurements
In yet a further aspect, the invention provides use of a 10 nonionic surfactant to improve the dispersibility in water of an aqueous liquid fabric conditioning composition comprising -a quaternary ammonium cationic softening compound where the composition comprises an emulsion in which 80% or more by weight of the droplets in the emulsion have a mean 15 diameter of from 0.4 to 60 microns, as measured using a
Malvern particle size analyser with a 45mm lens for D[0,1] measurements and both a 45mm and a 1000mm lens for D[0,9] measurements.
20 In the context of the present invention, the term
"comprising" embraces "consisting of" and including but not limited to". Thus, the ingredients or steps following the term "comprising" are not exhaustive.
25 Detailed Description of the Invention
The present invention is concerned with aqueous fabric conditioning compositions which comprise. emulsions .
30 In the context of the present invention , the term 'emulsion' means a liquid product which, at ambient temperature, is

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opaque, metastable, comprises droplets, or groups of droplets, of one immiscible liquid suspended in another liquid and which shows none of the signatures of a lamellar phase dispersion as evaluated by low angle x-ray diffraction 5 and polarising light microscopy.
The term emulsion does not include conventional micro-emulsions which are clear and isotropic and which are thermodynamically stable across a specified temperature 10 range.
Furthermore, it does not include conventional fabric conditioning compositions which consist entirely of aqueous lamellar phase dispersions. Aqueous lamellar phase 15 dispersions consist of a suspension of a lamellar liquid crystalline phase in a liquid, in which the molecular packing of the suspended material results in a structure which exhibits long range order.
20 The compositions of the present invention may comprise a
mixture of emulsion droplets and dispersions These
compositions are entirely different from conventional aqueous lamellar dispersions which are free of an emulsion component. For instance, unlike pure dispersions, mixed
25 emulsion/dispersion compositions do not necessarily exhibit

long range order.
In the context of the present invention, "long range order" means positional and orientational order of the structure in 30 at least one direction or an explanation of positional and orientational order, see "Introduction to Liquid

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Crystals", Chemistry and Physics, P.J. Collings and M Hird, printed 1997, reprinted 1998, pl.
Long range order can be verified by detection of Bragg peaks
5 using low angle x-ray diffraction or by observing the
composition in a polarising light microscope.
Preferably, the compositions of the present invention also comprise a perfume having a Clog P of 2 or more and an oily 10 perfume carrier having a Clog P of 3.5 or more. In such compositions, it is believed that the hydrophobic perfume partitions into the oily perfume carrier and thus forms perfume carrier/perfume emulsion droplets. Without being
bound by theory, it is believed that this is because in a
15 mixed emulsion/dispersion system, it will be
thermodynarnically preferable for the specified hydrophobic
perfume components to partition into the hydrophobic oily
perfume carrier (forming emulsion droplets of perfume
carrier/perfume) rather than into the dispersion phase.
20
In the rinse cycle of a wash, co-deposition of the mixture.
of the perfume carrier and perfume improves the efficiency
of perfume delivery to and perfume retention on the fabric
being treated. 25
The fabric conditioning compositions of the present invention comprising an emulsion or a mixture of emulsion and dispersion. components (rather than a pure dispersion),, are highly desirable because the emulsion (component) 30 provides further benefits, particularly perfume delivery

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benefits and' good lubrication of fabric treated with the composition.
Emulsion Droplet Sizes 5
In the composition, 80% or more by weight of the droplets in the emulsion have a mean diameter of from 0.4 to 60 microns, as measured using a Malvern particle size analyser, according to the method below. More preferably, 80% or more 10 by weight of the droplets have a mean diameter of from 0.5 to 50 microns, most preferably from 0.6 to 30 microns, e.g. 0.6 to 35 microns.
Without wishing to be bound by theory, when a perfume and an 15 oily perfume carrier are present, it is believed that the
droplets, 80% or more by weight of which have a diameter of from 0.4 to 60 microns, as measured using a Malvern particle size analyser, are agglomerations of minute particles of the oily perfume carrier and perfume which comprise both 20 individual oily emulsion particles/droplets and droplets which consist of floes of flocculated oily emulsion., particles/droplets.
Thus, in the context of the present invention, the term 25 'droplet' includes both individual oily emulsion particle/droplets as well as floes of flocculated oily emulsion particles/droplets.
The nature Of the emulsion droplets being measured will, of 30 course, be apparent to the person skilled in the art using a Malvern particle size analyser and following the method of

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measuring droplet size, as set out below and correlating to measured droplet sizes with observations using a phase-contrast ligh't microscope.
5 Method of Measuring Droplet Size
The emulsion droplet size is measured using a Malvern particle size analyser using a 45mm lens for D[0,1] measurements and both a 45mm and a 1000mm lens for D[0,9] 10 measurements D[0,1] and D[0,9] readings denote droplet
sizes which 10% by weight and 90% by weight respectively of the droplets are below.
The particle size analyser is a Malvern Mastersizer X.
15
A presentation code of 2LAD is used to reflect the average refractive index difference between oily droplets and water and between dispersed cationic softening compound lamellar phase particles and water.
20
Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that
the results obtained will be dependent at least partly on
the lens selected since each lens will have maxima and
minima measurement range and thus if particles outside of
25 this range are present they may not be measured Therefore,
to ensure that the droplet mean diameter is within the mean
diameter range of the invention, as measured using a 45mm
lens, it must be ensured that the emulsion does not comprise
floes of flocculated particles above the measurement
30 capabilities of a 45mm lens. Accordingly, a 1000mm lens is
used to confirm the D[0,9] measurement, using the 4 5mm lens,

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so as to ensure that no large floes (not registered using the 4 5mm lens) are present in the emulsion.
ClogP measurements 5
The hydrophobicity of the perfume and oily perfume carrier, if present, are measured by ClogP. ClogP is" measured using the "ClogP" program (calculation of hydrophobicities as logP (oil/water)) version 4.01, available from Daylight Chemical 10 Information Systems Inc of Irvine California, USA.
Quaternary ammonium cationic fabric softening compound
The fabric conditioning composition of the present invention 15 comprises one or more quaternary ammonium cationic fabric softening compounds.
It is preferred that the fabric softening compound(s) used is/are selected from those which are typically included in 20 rinse-added fabric softening compositions.
The quaternary ammonium fabric softening compounds may have at least one ester group.
25 The cationic softening compounds may comprise quaternary
ammonium compounds having two C8-C28 alkyl or alkenyl chains
being directly attached to the nitrogen of the quaternary ammonium group.

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Preferably., the. average chain length of the alkyl or alkenyl group is at least C14, more preferably at least C16.. Most
preferably at least half of the chains have a length of C18.
5 It is generally preferred that the alkyl or alkenyl chains are predominantly linear. An especially preferred type of cationic softening compound is a quaternary ammonium
material which comprises a compound having two C12-18 alkyl
or alkenyl groups connected to the nitrogen head group via 10 at least one ester link. It is more preferred if the
quaternary ammonium material has two ester links present.
A first group of preferred ester-linked cationic softening compounds for use in the invention is represented by formula

wherein each

R group is independently selected from C1-4

alkyl or hydroxyalkyl or C2-4 alkenyl groups; and wherein
2
each R group is independently selected from C8-28 alkyl or
alkenyl groups;

5 X is any an:|on compatible with the cationic surfactant,
such as halides or alkyl sulphates, e.g. chloride, methyl sulphate or ethyl sulphate and n is 0 or an integer from 1 to 5.
10 Especially preferred materials within this formula are di-
alkenyl esters of triethanol ammonium methyl sulphate and N-N-di (tallowoyloxy ethyl) N,N-dimethyl ammonium chloride. Commercial examples of compounds within this formula are Tetranyl (trade name) AOT-1 (di-oleic ester of triethanol
15 ammonium methyl sulphate 80% active), AHT-1 (di-hardened tallowyl ester of triethanol ammonium methyl sulphate 80% active), AO-1(di-oleic ester of triethanol ammonium methyl sulphate 90% active)-, Ll/90 (partially hardened tallow ester of triethanol ammonium methyl sulphate 90% active), L5/90
20 (palm ester of triethanol ammonium methyl sulphate 90%
active (supplied by Kao corporation) and Rewoquat WE15 (C10-
C20 and C16-C18 unsaturated fatty acid reaction products with
triethanolamine dimethyl sulphate quaternised 90 % active), ex Goldschmidt Corporation. 25
A second preferred type of quaternary ammonium material is represented by formula (II) :

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Formula (II)

wherein R1 , R2 , n and X are as defined above.
10 Preferred materials of this class such as 1,2
bis[tallowoyloxy]-3- trimethylammonium propane chloride and 1, 2-bis [oleyloxy]-3-trimethylammonium propane chloride and their method of preparation are, for example, described in US 4137180 (Lever Brothers) , the contents of which are
15 incorporated herein. Preferably these materials also
comprise small amounts of the corresponding monoester, as described in US 4137180.
A third preferred type of quaternary ammonium material is 20 represented by formula "(III):

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- 14 -

where R1 and

R2 are C8-28 alkyl or alkenyl groups; R3 and R4

are C1-4 alky or C2-4 alkenyl groups and X is as defined above.
Examples of compounds within this formula include di(tallow alkyl)dimethyl ammonium chloride, di(tallow alkyl) dimethyl ammonium methyl sulphate, dihexadecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, di (hardened tallow alkyl) dimethyl ammonium chloride, dioctadecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride and

di (coconut ai

kyl) dimethyl ammonium chloride.

It is advantageous for environmental reasons if the quaternary ammonium material is biologically degradable.
The cationic softening compounds are preferably present in
an amount from 1.5 to 60% by weight of cationic surfactant
(active ingredient) based on the total weight of the

composition, preferably 2
more preferably 1.7 to .45% by weight, most to 31% by weight, e.g. 2.1 to 10% by weight

The cationic insoluble.
softening compound may be substantially water Substantially water insoluble' compounds in the context of this invention are defined as compounds having a
solubility less than 1 x 10 wt% in demineralised water at
20°C. Preferably the cationic softening compounds have a
-4
solubility less than 1 x 10 wt%. Most preferably the
cationic softening compounds have a solubility at 20°C in demineralised water from 1 x 10 -to 1 x 10 wt%.

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Nonionic surfactant
Suitable nonionic surfactants to act as dispersibility 5 modifiers include addition products of alkylene oxide,
especially ethylene oxide and/or propylene oxide, with fatty alcohols, fatty acids and fatty amines. The" level of alkoxylation denotes the average number of alkoxy groups per molecule and is preferably from 8 to 35, more preferably 10 from 10 to 25] most preferably from 11 to 22, e.g. 10 to 20.
Any of the alkoxylated materials of the particular type described hereinafter can be used as the nonionic surfactant. However, ethoxylated nonionic surfactants are 15 preferred.
Suitable surfactants are substantially water soluble
surfactants or the general formula:
20 R Y (C2H4O)Z C2H4OH
where 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
25 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, more preferably 11 to 18 and especially. 12 to 16 carbon atoms.
30

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In the general formula for the ethoxylated nonionic surfactant, Y is typically:

in which R ha and Z is at 1
11.

s the meaning given above or can be hydrogen; east about 8, preferably at least about 10 or

Preferably the nonionic surfactant has an HLB of from about

7 to about 20

, more preferably from 10 to 18, e.g. 12 to 16.

Examples of nonionic surfactants follow. In the examples,
the integer defines the number of ethoxy (EO) groups in the
molecule.
A. Straight-chain, Primary Alcohol Alkoxylates

Primary alcohol alkoxylates with an alkyl chain length in
the alcohol of C11-18, preferably C12-I6, and 1 to 20,
preferably 1 to 15 and especially 3 "to 15, alkoxylate groups are particularly suitable. Ethoxylate groups are particularly suitable as alkoxylate groups. The deca-, undeca-, dodeca-, tetradeca-, and
pentadecaethoxylates of n-dodecanol, n-tridecanol and n-
tetradecanol having an HLB within the range recited herein
are useful dispersibility modifiers in the context of this
herein as the are C18 EO(10)
invention. Exemplary ethoxylated primary alcohols useful
dispersibility modifiers of the compositions
; and C18 EO(ll). The ethoxylates of mixed

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natural or synthetic alcohols in the "tallow" or "coco"chain length range are- also useful herein. Specific examples of such materials include tallow alcohol-EO(11), tallow alcohol-EO(18), tallow alcohol-EO (25), coco alcohol-5 EO(10), coco alcohol-EO(15) and coco alcohol-EO(20).
B.. Straight-Chain, Secondary Alcohol Alkoxylates
Secondary alcohol alkoxylates with an alkyl chain length in
10 the alcohol of C11-18, preferably C12-16, and l-20,
preferably 1 to 15 and especially 3 to 15, alkoxylate groups are particularly suitable. Ethoxylate groups are particularly suitable as alkoxylate groups. The deca-, undeca-, dodeca-, tetradeca-, pentadeca-,
15 octadeca-, and nonadeca-ethoxylates of 3-hexadecanol, 2-octadecanol, 4-eicosanol, and 5-eicosanol having an HLB within the range recited herein are useful dispersibility modifiers in the context of this invention. Exemplary ethoxylated secondary alcohols useful herein as the
20 dispersibility modifiers of the compositions are: C16
EO(ll); C18 EO(ll); and C16EO(14). Particularly preferred
ethoxylated secondary alcohols are those sold under the trade names Tergitol 15-S-3, Tergitol 15-S-5, Tergitol 15-S-7 and Tergitol 15-s-9 (ex Union Carbrde) which are all C12 - 14 25 alcohols ethoxylated with an average of 3, 5, 7 and 9 ethoxylate groups respectively.

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C. Alkyl Phelnol Alkoxylates
As in the case of the alcohol alkoxylates, the hexa- to
octadeca-ethoxylates of alkylated phenols, particularly
5 monohydric alkylphenols, having an HLB within the range
recited herein are useful as the 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 10 the dispersibility modifiers of the mixtures herein are: p-tridecylphenol EO(ll) and p-pentadecylphenol EO(18).
As used herein and as generally recognised in the art, a phenylene group in the nonionic formula is the equivalent of
15 an alkylene group containing from 2 to 4 carbon atoms. For present purposes, 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.
20
D. Olefinic Alkoxylates
The alkenyl alcohols, both primary and secondary, and alkenyl phenols corresponding to those disclosed immediately 25 hereinabove pan be ethoxylated to an HLB within the range" recited herein and used as the dispersibility modifiers of the instant compositions.

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E. Branched Chain Alkoxylates
Branched chain primary and secondary alcohols which are available from the well-known "0X0" process can be ethoxylated and employed as the dispersibility modifiers of

compositions

herein.

The above ethoxylated 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 surfactants may be present in the composition at low levels', preferably less than 2.0% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition. Preferably, the nonionic surfactant is present in an amount from 0.005 to 2% by weight, particularly 0.01 to 1.0% by weight and especially 0.05 to 0.5% by weight. Particularly preferred ranges for the nonionic surfactant are from 0.005 to 0.3%, more preferably 0.01 to 0.2% and asoecially 0.05 to 0.15%, by weight, based on the total weight of the composition.
Perfume Carrier
25 - ■ ■ ■ . ;,
The perfume carrier is an oily substance having a ClogP of 3.5 or more, more preferably 6 or more, most preferably 8 or more. Especially preferred are water insoluble oils having a ClogP of 10 or more.
30

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Any oily compound having a- hydrophobicity, as defined by
ClogP values and which is thus compatible with the perfume
is suitable for use as the carrier in the compositions of
the present invention. By "compatible" is meant that the
5 perfume carrier and the perfume form a liquid mixture (of
emulsion droplets) at ambient temperature.
Preferably the perfume carrier has a slip point below 45°C, more preferably below 37°C. The slip point of a material is 10 measured according to the definition as set out in British Standard BS684 section 1.3 1991 ISO 6321:1991 (UK).
Suitable oily perfume carrier materials include mineral/hydrocarbon oils, ester oils, sugar ester oils 15 and/or natural oils such as vegetable oils. However, ester oils or mineral oils are preferred.
In the compositions of the present invention, the oily perfume carrier material is not a silicone oil and is 20 preferably not a fluorocarbon oil.
The ester oils are hydrophobic in nature. They include fatty esters of mono or polyhydric alcohols having from 1 to
24 carbon atoms in the hydrocarbon chain, and mono or
25 polycarboxylic acids having from 1 to 24 carbon atoms in the
hydrocarbon chain, provided that the total number of carbon
atoms in the ester oil is equal to or greater than 16, and
that at least one of the hydrocarbon chains has 12 or more
carbon atoms J
30

WO 03/012019 PCT/EP02/08064

Suitable ester oils include saturated ester oils, such as the PRIOLUBES (ex. Unichema). 2-ethyl hexyl stearate (PRIOLUBE 1545), neopentyl glycol monomerate (PRIOLUBE 2045) and methyl laurate (PRIOLUBE 1415) are particularly 5 preferred although oleic monoglyceride (PRIOLUBE 1407) and neopentyl glycol dioleate (PRIOLUBE 144 6) are also suitable. Other suitable esters oils include fatty acid glyceride esters as declined in EP-A1-0746603, e.g. palm oil and tallow oil. 10
Suitable oily sugar ester compounds include the sugar ester oils defined in WO-A-98/16538, which are hereby incorporated by reference. The oily sugar esters preferably have a
viscosity of from 5 to 50 Pa.s, and preferably have a

15 density of from 0.8 to 1.2 gcm-3 , more preferably from 0.9
-3 -3
to 1 gcm , most preferably from 0.93 to 0.99 gcm .
It is preferred that the viscosity of the ester oil is from 0.002 to 2.0 Pa.S, more preferably from 0.004 to 0.4 Pa.s at 20 a temperature of 25°C at 106s , measured using a Haake
rotoviscometer, and that the density of the mineral oil is
from 0.8 to 0.9g.cm-3 at 25°C.
Suitable" mineral oils include branched or straight chain 25 hydrocarbons (e.g. paraffins) having 8 to 35, more
preferably 9 to 20 carbon atoms in the hydrocarbon chain.
Preferred mineral oils include the Marcol technical range of

oils (ex Esso) although particularly preferred are the

WO 03/012019 PCT/EP02/08064

Sirius range (ex Fuchs),the Semtol (ex. Goldschmidt), or the Merkur Tec range (ex Merkur Vaseline).
The molecular weight of the mineral oil is typically within 5 the range 10© to 400.
One or more oils of any of the above mentioned types may be used.
10 It is believsd that the oil provides excellent perfume
delivery to the cloth and also increases perfume longevity upon storage of the composition.
The oil may be present in an amount from 0.1 to 15% by 15 weight, more preferably 0.25 to 14%, by weight most
preferably 1 to 10%, e.g. 2 to 9% by weight based on the total weight of the composition.
Perfume 20
The compositions of the Invention may comprise one or more perfumes.
The perfume has a ClogP of 2 or more, more preferably 3 or 25 more,most preferably 4 or more, e.g. 10 or more.
Suitable perfume ingredients having a ClogP of 2 include but are not limited to those disclosed in US -5500137.
30 The perfume is preferably present in an amount from 0.01 to 10% by weight, more preferably 0.05 to 5% by weight, most

WO 03/012019 PCT/EP02/08064

preferably 0.07 to 2.5% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition.
For good perfume delivery to the' fabric, it is desirable 5 that the weight ratio of perfume to oily perfume carrier is from 1:50 to 2:1, more preferably 1:40 to 1:1, most preferably 1 20 to 1:2.
The perfume/perfume carrier emulsion droplets are preferably 10 present at a level of 0.5 to 15% by weight, more preferably 1 to 10% by weight, most preferably 1.5 to 6% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition.
It is preferred that the weight ratio of the perfume/perfume 15 carrier emulsion droplets to quaternary ammonium fabric
softening compound is from 5:1 to 1:25, more preferably 4:1 to 1:15, most preferably 3:1 to 1:6.
Water 20
The compositions of the invention are aqueous baased.
Typically, the level of water present is from 50-98% by
weight, more preferably 60-97% by weight, most preferably
25 70-96% by weight, based on the total weight of the
composition.
Co-active Softening Surfactants
30 Co-active softening surface for the cationic surfactant may also be incorporated in an amount from 0.01 to 20% by

WO 03/012019 PCT/EP02/08064

weight, more preferably 0.05 to 10%, based on the total weight of the composition. Preferred co-active softening surfactants are fatty acids, fatty esters, fatty alcohols, fatty amines and fatty N-oxides. 5
Preferred fatty acids include hardened tallow fatty acid, which may be present in an amount of from 0.1 to 20 wt%, based on the total weight of the composition.
10 Preferred fatty alcohols include hardened tallow alcohol, which may be present in an amount of from 0.01 to 10 wt%, more preferably 0.03 to 8wt%, based on the total weight of the composition.
15 Preferred fatty esters include compounds having a fatty monoester component, such as glycerol monostearate (GMS). If GMS is present, then it is preferred that the level of GMS in the csmposition is from 0.01 to 10 wt%, based on the total weight of the composition.
20
It is particularly, preferred that GMS is present in the compositions since it is believed that compositions comprising GMS have additional thickening, stabilising and softening benefits. However, for the purposes of the
25 present invention, GMS is not an essential ingredient of the compositions of the invention.
Polymeric thickeners
30 It is useful though not essential if the compositions comprise one or more polymeric thickeners. Suitable

WO 03/012019 PCT/EP02/08064
polymeric thickeners include nonionic and cationic polymers, such as hydrophobically modified cellulose ethers (e.g. Natrosol Plus, ex Hercules) or cationically modified starches (e.g. Softgel BDA and Softgel BD, both ex Avebe). 5 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-
The compositions of the invention are preferably free of 10 polymers which are anionic or have an anionic nature (i.e. polymers which react in a way typical of anionic polymers)
Other Optional Ingredients
15 The compositions may also contain one or more optional
ingredients conventionally included in fabric conditioning compositions such as pH buffering agents, fluorescers, colourants, hydrotropes, antifoaming agents, antiredeposition agents, polyelectrolytes, enzymes, optical
20 brightening agents, anti-shrinking agents, anti-wrinkle agents, anti-spotting agents, germicides, insecticides, insect repellants, fungicides, antioxidants, sunscreens, anti-corrosion agents, drape imparting agents, anti-static agents, ironing aids and dyes.
25
Product Form
In its undiluted state,: at, ambient temperature the product comprises a liquid emulsion or a mixture of an emulsion and 30 a dispersion Preferably the products comprises an emulsion

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of oily, droplets alone or in combination with an aqueous cationic lamellar dispersion.
It is preferred that the product is free of solid particles,
Product Use
The composition is preferably used in the rinse cycle of a home textile laundering operation, where, it may be added 10 directly in an undiluted state to the washing machine, e.g. through a dispenser drawer. Alternatively, it can be diluted prior to use. The compositions may also be used in a domestic hand-washing laundry operation.
15 Preparation
The compositions of the invention may be prepared according to any suitable method.
20 In a first preferred method, the quaternary ammonium
catio.nic softening, compound, nonionic surfactant, perfume
carrier and optional co-actives, such as fatty acid and
glycerol monostearate, are mixed in a premix vessel and
heated to at least 5°C above either the phase transition
25 temperature of the softening compound or the melting point
of the optional co-active so as to form a homogeneous
premixture. Water is heated to between 35°C and 70°C in a
separate vessel and is optionally blended with a pH
buffering agent (e.g. phosphoric acid).
30

WO 03/012019 PCT/EP02/08064

The premixture is then mixed with the water and milled with 2 batches or more per hour, more preferably 3 batches or more, passing through the mill. That is, preferably at least 86%, more preferably at least 95% of the batch passes through the mill at least once.
Alternatively, the premixture may be injected into the water in a recycle loop prior to passing through the mill, in which case 100% of the batch passes through the mill at least once.
The milled mixture is cooled to at least 5°C below the phase
transition temperature of the resulting mixture with
optional further milling.
Perfume and optional ingredients are added (with milling/mixing, if necessary, to achieve a homogeneous composition).
In a further alternative, the nonionic surfactant may be added as a last step to the. otherwise complete., composition
Examples
The invention will now be illustrated by "the following non-limiting examples. Further modification within the scope of the present invention will be apparent to the person skilled in the art.
Examples of the invention are represented by a number. Comparative examples are represented by a letter.

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Examples 1 to 4, A and B
The compositions of examples 1 to 4, A and B were prepared according to the method described above. The composition of Example A corresponds to that of a commercial product. The

formulations

are shown in Table 1 below.

WO 03/012019 PCT/EP02/08064

3Semtol 70/28 is an animal feed grade hydrocarbon oil (ex
Goldschmidt) with a ClogP greater than 12.
4 glycerol monostearate (ex Cognis)
5Soft Touch MOD 178 (ex Givaudan Roure) with a ClogP greater than 2.
6Supra (ex Givaudan Roure) with a ClogP greater than 2
7
secondary alcohol ethoxylate with an alkyl chain length of
Cl2-14 and average of 7 ethoxylate groups (ex Union Carbide)
8
secondary alcohol ethoxylate with an alkyl chain length of
C12-14 and an average of 3 ethoxylate groups (ex Union Carbide)
Subjective Pair Comparison of Product Properties

Method for laboratory evaluations
Trained panel of 12 people
15 g of each sample was placed in a glass jar.
Panellists observed samples in pairs (full round robin
paired comparison ie A v B; A v C etc) and stated preference
for appearance and also gave comments.
They then smelled each product and gave a vote of preference
for each pair regarding smell, they also gave their opinion
on the smell of the product.
Two large pljastic bowls were used containing 4 litre of 20°C Wirral water (approx. 15° French Hardness)

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One sample was added to each bowl. Panellists made their preference choice regarding dispersion and also commented on

the dispersi!

on properties of the sample.

5 Gentle agitation was applied to the bowls for 15 seconds
using a gentle hand motion. Panellists observed the bowl
and stated their preference on the level of -dispersion and
again made comments where appropriate.
0 Results
Panel test a"s per described method for samples A, B, 1 & 2 Preference results:
(percentage Table 2 preference scores )
Smell in bottle Appearance in bottle Appearance in water After agitation
A 55 15 21 12
B 58 65 50 62
1 12 69 100 94
2 71 68 35 58
•
Panel test as per described method for samples A, B, 3 & 4
Preference results

(percentage

preference scores)

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Table 3

The results in Table 2 show that the compositions of the invention were regarded as having a better smell and appearance in the bottle than the comparative examples. The composition of Example 1 was regarded as having a much better appearance in water, before and after agitation, than either of the comparative examples. The composition of Example 2 was considered to have a much better appearance in water, before and after agitation, than the commercial formulation of Example A and was considered to have a similar appearance in water after agitation to the composition of Example B.
The results in Table 3 show that both compositions of the invention were regarded as having a better smell and appearance in the bottle than the commercial formulation of Example A. In addition, the compositions of Examples 3 and 4 were both considered to have a much better appearance in water, before and after agitation, than the commercial formulation of Example A and were both considered to have a much better appearance in water after agitation than the composition of Example B.

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These results therefore demonstrate the superior dispersibiliiy, particularly in conditions corresponding to

handwashing,

of the compositions of the invention.

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CLAIMS
1. An aqueous, liquid fabric conditioning composition comprising:
(i) a quaternary ammonium cationic softening compound; and

(ii) a

nonionic surfactant;

10
where the composition comprises an emulsion in which 80%

or more
15

by weight of the droplets in the emulsion have a
mean diameter of from 0.4 to 60 microns, as measured using a Malvern particle size analyser with a 45mm lens for D[0,1] measurements and both a 45mm and a 1000mm lens for D[0,9] measurements.

20

2.

A composition according to claim 1, in which the nonionic surfactant is present at a level of less than 2.0% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition..

25

3. A composition according to claim 1 or claim 2, in which the nonionic surfactant is present at a level from 0.005 to 2.0%, preferably 0.01 to 1.0%, more preferably 0.05 to 0.5%, by weight, based on the total weight of the composition.

4. A composition according to any one of the preceding
30 claims in which the nonionic surfactant is an addition

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PCT/EP02/08064

product acid or

of an alkylene oxide and a fatty alcohol, fatty fatty amine.

A composition according to any one of the preceding claims in which the nonionic surfactant is a straight-or branched-chain primary or secondary alcohol alkoxylate, a straight- or branched-chain primary or secondary alkenyl alcohol alkoxylate or an alkyl phenol alkoxylate.
A composition according to any one of the preceding
claims in which the nonionic surfactant is a straight-

or branched-chain primary or secondary alcohol
ethoxylate.
A composition according to any one of the preceding claims in which the nonionic surfactant is a straight-
or branched-chain primary or secondary C11-18 preferably

C12-16

alcohol ethoxylated with an average of 8 to 35,

preferably 10 to 25, ethoxylate groups,
A composition according to any one of the preceding claims which further comprises:

i)a perfume having a ClogP of 2 or more; and

(ii) an oily perfume carrier having a ClogP of 3.5 or more.

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A composition according to any one of the preceding claims in which the quaternary ammonium cationic softening compound is a compound of the general formula

in which R1 and R2 each independently represent a C8-28
alkyl or alkenyl group;
R3 and R4 each independently represent a C1-4 alkyl or
C2-4 alkenyl group; and
X is any anion compatible with the cationic surfactant
10. A composition according to any one of the preceding claims in which the quaternary ammonium cationic softening compound is di(hardened tallow alkyl)dimethyl ammonium chloride.
11. A method of forming an aqueous, liquid fabric conditioning composition comprising:
(i) mixing with heating a quaternary ammonium cationic softening compound and a nonionic surfactant; and

weight of water, the composition comprising an emulsion in which 80% or more by weight of the droplets in the emulsion have a mean diameter of from 0.4 to 60 microns, as measured using a Malvern particle size analyser with a 45mm lens for D[0,1] measurements and both a 45mm and a 1000mm lens for D[0,9] measurements.
11. A method of farming an aqueous, liquid fabric conditioning composition comprising:
(1) mixing with heating a quaternary ammonium cationic softening compound and optional ingredients;
(ii) dispersing the mixture in water; and
(iii) adding a nonionic surfactant with mixing
so as to form a composition comprising 0.0.1 to 1.0% by weight of the; nonionic surfactant, and 50 to 98% by weight of water, the composition comprising an emulsion in which 80% or more by weight of the droplets in the emulsion have' a mean diameter of from 0.4 to 60 microns, as measured using a Malvern particle size analyser with a 45mm lens for D[0,1] measurements and both a 45mm and a 1000mm lens for D[0,9] measurements.
Dated this 22nd day of January 2004
Dr. Sanchita Sanguli
OF S. MAJUMDAR & CO
(Applicant's Agent)

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ammonium cationic softening compound where the composition comprises an emulsion in which 80% or more by weight of the droplets in the emulsion have a mean diameter of from 0.4 to 60 microns, as measured using a Malvern particle size analyser with a 45mm lens for D[0,1] measurements and both a 45mm and a 1000mm lens for D[o,9] measurements.
i Dated this. 22nd day of January 2004
HINDUSTAN LEVER LIMITED
(S. Venkatramani) Patents Manager

Documents:

61-mumnp-2004-cancelled pages(19-07-2004).pdf

61-mumnp-2004-claims(granted)-(19-07-2004).pdf

61-mumnp-2004-correspondence 1(05-02-2004).pdf

61-mumnp-2004-correspondence 2(07-01-2008).pdf

61-MUMNP-2004-CORRESPONDENCE(8-2-2012).pdf

61-mumnp-2004-correspondence(ipo)-(25-01-2005).pdf

61-mumnp-2004-form 13(17-10-2007).pdf

61-mumnp-2004-form 19(05-02-2004).pdf

61-mumnp-2004-form 1a(22-01-2004).pdf

61-mumnp-2004-form 2(granted)-(19-07-2004).pdf

61-mumnp-2004-form 3(22-01-2004).pdf

61-mumnp-2004-form 5(22-01-2004).pdf

61-mumnp-2004-form-pct-ipea-409(22-01-2004).pdf

61-mumnp-2004-form-pct-isa-210(22-01-2004).pdf

61-mumnp-2004-other(19-07-2004).pdf

61-mumnp-2004-power of attorney(19-07-2004).pdf

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Patent Number

213506

Indian Patent Application Number

61/MUMNP/2004

PG Journal Number

13/2008

Publication Date

31-Mar-2008

Grant Date

07-Jan-2008

Date of Filing

22-Jan-2004

Name of Patentee

HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LIMITED

Applicant Address

HINDUSTAN LEVER HOUSE 165/166 BACKBAY RECLAMATION, MUMBAI 400 020

Inventors:

#	Inventor's Name	Inventor's Address
1	ELLSON, KAREN JANE (BRITISH)	UNILEVER R & D PORT SUNLIGHT, QUARRY ROAD EAST, BEBINGTON, WIRRAL, MERSEYSIDE, CH63 3JW, UNITED KINGDOM
2	HABBARD JOHN FRANCIS (BRITISH)	Unilever R&D Port Sunlight Quarry Road East, Bebington, Wirral, Merseyside, CH63,3JW,

PCT International Classification Number

C11D3/00

PCT International Application Number

PCT/EP02/08064

PCT International Filing date

2002-07-19

PCT Conventions:

#	PCT Application Number	Date of Convention	Priority Country
1	0118347.4	2001-07-27	U.K.