Chemical softening composition useful in fibrous cellulosic materials

Abstract

Chemical softening compositions are provided comprising a mixture of a quaternary ammonium compound and a polyhydroxy compound. Preferred quaternary ammonium compounds include dialkyldimethylammonium salts such as di(hydrogenated) tallow dimethyl ammonium chloride and di(hydrogenated) tallow dimethyl ammonium methyl sulfate. Preferred polyhydroxy compounds are selected from the group consisting of glycerol, and polyethylene glycols and polypropylene glycols having a weight average molecular weight from about 200 to 4000. The chemical softening compositions are prepared by first mixing the polyhydroxy compound into the quaternary ammonium compound at a specific temperature range wherein the polyhydroxy compound is miscible with the quaternary ammonium compound and then diluting the mixture with water at an elevated temperature to form an aqueous vesicle dispersion suitable for treating fibrous cellulosic material. The chemical softening compositions disclosed herein are primarily intended for softening disposable paper products such as tissues and towels. However, the chemical softening compositions can also be used to soften fibrous cellulosic materials in textile form.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.