Fabric softener composition

Abstract

The invention relates to a fabric softener composition comprising an aqueous phase comprising a cationic softener and a hydrophobic phase comprising a fragrance. The composition should be shaken prior to use for adapting a dispersion which separates into an aqueous phase and a hydrophobic phase after use. The composition may be used as fabric softener to give a pleasant feet, and to prolong the release of fragrance on fabrics up to 7 days.

1 . A fabric softener composition having an upper hydrophobic phase comprising a fragrance and a lower aqueous phase comprising a cationic softener wherein the pH value of the aqueous phase is below 4.  
     
     
         2 . A fabric softener composition according to  claim 1  wherein the cationic softener is selected from the group of imidazolinium salts; amido amines; and ester-linked quaternary ammonium salts.  
     
     
         3 . A fabric softener composition according to  claim 1  comprising up to 18% (w/w) of the cationic softener.  
     
     
         4 . A fabric softener composition according to  claim 1  wherein the upper hydrophobic phase further comprises an oil is selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbon oil, silicone oil and ester oil.  
     
     
         5 . A fabric softener composition according to  claim 4  wherein the oil has a hydrophilic-lipophilic balance less than 5.  
     
     
         6 . A fabric softener composition according to  claim 1  wherein the upper hydrophobic phase further comprises an oil and wherein the fabric softener composition comprising from 1% to 50% (w/w) of the oil.  
     
     
         7 . A fabric softener composition according to  claim 1  comprising 
 from 2% to 18% (w/w) of cationic softener;    from 1% to 50% (w/w) of oil;    from 0.1% to 3% (w/w) of fragrance; and    from 29% to 96.9% (w/w) of water.    
     
     
         8 . A fabric softener composition according to  claim 1  wherein the fragrance is characterised by a clogP greater than 2.  
     
     
         9 . A fabric softener composition according to  claim 1  adapted to disperse upon agitation, wherein the dispersion separates into a hydrophobic phase and an aqueous phase from about 10 to about 40 minutes after agitation.  
     
     
         10 . A method of prolonging the release of fragrance from a fabric up to 7 days comprising the step of treating a fabric with the fabric softener composition of  claim 1 .  
     
     
         11 . A method of prolonging the release of fragrance from a fabric up to 7 days comprising the step of treating a fabric with a fabric softener composition of  claim 1  comprising: 
 from 2% to 18% (w/w) of cationic softener;    from 1% to 50% (w/w) of oil;    from 0.1% to 3% (w/w) of fragrance; and    from 29% to 96.9% (w/w) of water.    
     
     
         12 . A packaged fabric softener composition comprising of: 
 (1) a package;    (2) the fabric softener composition of  claim 1 .    
     
     
         13 . A packaged fabric softener composition of  claim 12  comprising 
 from 2% to 18% (w/w) of cationic softener;    from 1% to 50% (w/w) of oil;    from 0.1% to 3% (w/w) of fragrance; and    from 29% to 96.9% (w/w) of water.    
     
     
         14 . A fabric softener composition according to  claim 7  wherein the cationic softener is selected from the group of imidazolinium salts; amido amines; and ester-linked quaternary ammonium salts.  
     
     
         15 . A fabric softener composition according to  claim 14  wherein the fragrance is characterised by a clogP greater than 2.  
     
     
         16 . A fabric softener composition according to  claim 15  wherein the fragrance is characterised by a clogP greater than 3.  
     
     
         17 . A fabric softener composition according to  claim 8  wherein the fragrance is characterised by a clogP greater than 3.