EP1339819A1

EP1339819A1 - A fabric softening composition comprising a malodor controlling agent

Info

Publication number: EP1339819A1
Application number: EP00936248A
Authority: EP
Inventors: M.A. Gonzales Mirasol Gonzales; Johannson J. Tee; Gong-Xiang Chen; Francis C. Ford; Yi-Lun Liu
Original assignee: Procter and Gamble Co
Current assignee: Procter and Gamble Co
Priority date: 2000-05-24
Filing date: 2000-05-24
Publication date: 2003-09-03
Also published as: CA2410189A1; JP2004522010A; AU2000280403A1; WO2003010265A1

Abstract

A fabric softening composition including from about 1% to about 90% by weight of fabric softening acitve, from about 2% to about 15% by weight of a principal solvent having a ClogP of less than about 3, from about 0.05% to about 15% by weight of a malodor controlling agent is selected from the group consisting of a quaternary ammonium antimicrobial agent or mixtures of this ingredients. The present invention also relates to a method for reducing malodor by applying such a composition to a fabric article, and drying the fabric article.

Description

A FABRIC SOFTENING COMPOSITION COMPRISING A MALODOR

CONTROLLING AGENT

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a softening composition. Specifically, the present invention relates to a fabric softening composition for removing malodor on fabrics.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Microorganisms can grow on a fabric article during drying, storing and wearing. Some of the microorganisms are highly infectious and may increase the health risks to the consumer, while the other group of microorganisms, especially bacteria such as S. aureus, can generate malodor. Microorganism accumulation and/or malodor generation are particularly acute for clothing items such as underwear and socks due to the favorable environment for bacteria to grow (e.g., high humidity and easily-available nutrition sources). Another situation which may generate malodors is when fabrics are dried indoors. This is especially relevant in areas, where consumers dry fabrics without a drying machine. When it rains, consumers may need to dry their fabrics indoors. Malodor generation and accumulation during drying is especially prevalent during drying indoors, because the high humidity indoors is a favorable environment for bacteria growth. It is known to control the germ growth on fabrics, for example, by injecting antimicrobial compounds into fabrics during the weaving process to prepare antibacterial fabrics. However, the antibacterial compound may be easily washed away after multiple laundering processes, or the material may become inactivated over time. Accordingly, the need exists for an improved fabric softening composition which reduces malodor on a fabric article. Furthermore, the need exists for a method for reducing malodor on a fabric article.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a fabric softening composition comprising from about 1 % to about 90% by weight of a fabric softening active; from about 2% to about 15% by weight of a principal solvent having a ClogP of from 0 to about 3; from about 0.05% to about 15% by weight of a malodor controlling agent selected from the group consisting of a quaternary ammonium antimicrobial agent and a mixtures thereof. The present invention also relates to a method for reducing malodor by applying such a composition to a fabric article, and drying the fabric article.

It has now been found that a fabric softening composition may provide not only a superior softening benefit and a wrinkle-reducing benefit on a fabric article, but may also provide a significant malodor controlling benefit. Furthermore, the malodor controlling benefit is believed to be dispersed throughout the fabric article, e.g., on the fabric fibers themselves, rather than being limited to the surface of the fabric article. Thus, it is believed that the present composition provides significantly improved malodor control, as compared to known antimicrobial fabric softening compositions. It is also believed that the present method may co-deposit the malodor controlling agent with the softening actives during the rinse, so as to provide both a fabric softening effect and long term malodor reduction/prevention benefits. This may be especially true in the case where the malodor controlling agent is an antimicrobial agent which may therefore provide significant long term and/or residual germ growth prevention benefits.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION All percentages, ratios and proportions herein are by weight, unless otherwise specified. All temperatures are in degrees Celsius (°C) unless otherwise specified. All documents cited are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. Citation of any reference is not an admission regarding any determination as to its availability as prior art to the claimed invention.

As used herein, the term "alkyl" means a hydrocarbyl moiety which is straight or branched, saturated or unsaturated. Unless otherwise specified, alkyl moieties are preferably saturated or unsaturated with double bonds, preferably with one or two double bonds. Included in the term "alkyl" is the alkyl portion of acyl groups.

As used herein, "comprising" means that other steps and other ingredients which do not affect the end of result can be added. This term encompasses the terms "consisting of and "consisting essentially of".

As used herein, the term "fabric article" means any fabric, fabric- containing, or fabric-like item which is laundered, conditioned, or treated on a regular, or irregular basis. Non-limiting examples of a fabric article include clothing, curtains, bed linens, wall hangings, textiles, cloth, etc. Preferably, the fabric article is a woven article, and more preferably, the fabric article is a woven article such as clothing. Furthermore, the fabric article may be made of natural and artificial materials, such as cotton, nylon, rayon, wool, and silk.

Fabric Softening Active

The fabric softening active in the present invention is a quaternary ammonium compound of the formula:

and mixtures thereof, wherein each R is independently selected from the group consisting of a C-i-Cρ. alkyl, a C-i-Cρ. hydroxyalkyl, and benzyl; each R^ is independently selected from the group consisting of a C11-C22 linear alkyl, a C11-C22 branched alkyl, a C11-C22 linear alkenyl, and a C11-C22 branched alkenyl; each Q is independently a carbonyl moiety independently selected from the units having the formula: o o R O o R^Λ

0 - o • N N

O

wherein each R2 is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, a C1-C4 alkyl, and a C C₄ hydroxyalkyl; and each R3 is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and a C1-C4 alkyl, preferably each R³ is independently a C1-C4 alkyl. In a preferred embodiment, each R³ is independently hydrogen or methyl, more preferably methyl, and each Q independently has the formula:

O O

O or NH

X^" is a softener compatible anion, preferably the anion of a strong acid, for example, chloride, bromide, methylsulfate, ethylsulfate, sulfate, nitrate and a mixture thereof, more preferably chloride or methyl sulfate. The anion can also, but less preferably, carry a double charge, in which case X^" represents half a group. The index m has a value of from 1 to 3; the index n has a value of from 1 to 4, preferably 2 or 3, and more preferably 2. Preferably, m and n represent average values. One embodiment of the present invention provides for amines and quaternized amines having two or more different values for the index n per molecule, for example, a softener active prepared from the starting amine methyl(3-aminopropyl)(2-hydroxyethyl)amine.

More preferred softener actives according to the present invention have the formula:

wherein the unit having the formula:

O

— O— C— Rl

is a fatty acyl moiety. Suitable fatty acyl moieties for use in the softener actives of the present invention are derived from sources of triglycerides including tallow, vegetable oils and/or partially hydrogenated vegetable oils including inter alia canola oil, safflower oil, peanut oil, sunflower oil, corn oil, soybean oil, tall oil, rice bran oil.

R1 typically represents a mixture of linear and branched chains of both saturated and unsaturated aliphatic fatty acids, an example of which (canola oil), is described in Table A herein below. Nonlimiting examples of fatty acids are listed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,759,990 to Wahl, et al., issued on June 2, 1998, at column 4, lines 45-66.

Table A

The formulator, depending upon the desired physical and performance properties of the final fabric softener active, may choose any of the above mentioned sources of fatty acyl moieties, or alternatively, may mix sources of triglyceride to form a "customized blend" with the C18:3 being preferred. However, those skilled in the art of fats and oils recognize that the fatty acyl composition may vary, as in the case of vegetable oil, from crop to crop, or from variety of vegetable oil source to variety of vegetable oil source. Fabric softening actives prepared using fatty acids derived from natural sources are preferred.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a fabric softening active comprising R^ units which have at least about 3%, preferably at least about 5%, more preferably at least about 10%, most preferably at least about 15% C11-C22 alkenyl, including polyalkenyl (polyunsaturated) units, inter alia, oleic, linoleic, linolenic.

For the purposes of the present invention the term "mixed chain fatty acyl units" is defined as "a mixture of fatty acyl units comprising alkyl and alkenyl chains having from 10 carbons to 22 carbon atoms including the carbonyl carbon atom, and in the case of alkenyl chains, from one to three double bonds, preferably all double bonds in the cis configuration". With regard to the R^ unit of the present invention, it is preferred that at least a substantial percentage of the fatty acyl groups are unsaturated, e.g., from about 25% to about 70%, preferably from about 50% to about 65%. The total level of fabric softening active containing polyunsaturated fatty acyl groups may be from about 3% to about 30%, preferably from about 5% to about 25%, more preferably from about 10% to about 18%. As stated hereinabove, cis and trans isomers may be used, preferably with a cis/trans ratio is of from 1 :1 , preferably at least 3:1 , and more preferably from about 4:1 to about 50:1 , and even more preferably about 20:1.

The level of unsaturation contained within the tallow, canola, or other fatty acyl unit chain may be measured by the Iodine Value (IV) of the corresponding fatty acid, which in the present case should preferably be in the range of from 5 to 100 with two categories of compounds being distinguished, having a IV below or above 25.

Indeed, for compounds having the formula:

+

(R)—- N-)-(CH₂)_n-Q-Rl X^" m derived from tallow fatty acids, when the Iodine Value is from 5 to 25, preferably 15 to 20, it has been found that a cis/trans isomer weight ratio greater than about 30/70, preferably greater than about 50/50 and more preferably greater than about 70/30 provides optimal concentrability.

For compounds of this type made from tallow fatty acids having a Iodine Value of above 25, the ratio of cis to trans isomers has been found to be less critical unless very high concentrations are needed. A further preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises fabric softening actives wherein the average Iodine Value for Rl is approximately 45.

The R1 units suitable for use in the isotropic liquids present invention may be further characterized in that the Iodine Value (IV) of the parent fatty acid, said IV is preferably from about 10 to about 140, more preferably from about 50 to about 130, most preferably from about 70 to about 100 when R1 is in the form of a fatty acid. However, formulators, depending upon which embodiment of the present invention they choose to execute, may wish to add an amount of fatty acyl units which have Iodine Values outside the range listed herein above. For example, "hardened stock" (IV of less than or equal to about 10) may be combined with the source of fatty acid admixture to adjust the properties of the final fabric softening active.

A preferred source of fatty acyl units useful herein, especially fatty acyl units having branching, for example, "Guerbet branching", methyl, ethyl, etc. units substituted along the primary alkyl chain, is a synthetic source of fatty acyl units. For example, one or more fatty acyl units having a methyl branch at a "non-naturally occurring" position, for example, at the third carbon of a C17 chain may be useful herein. What is meant herein by the term "non-naturally occurring" is "acyl units which are not found in significant (greater than about 0.1%) quantities is common fats and oils which serve as feedstocks for the source of triglycerides described herein." If the desired branched chain fatty acyl unit is unavailable from readily available natural feedstocks, therefore, a synthetic fatty acid may be suitably admixed with other synthetic materials or with other natural triglyceride derived sources of acyl units.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the fabric softening active precursor amine mixture is not fully quaternized, that is, some free amine having the general formula:

may still be present in the final fabric softening active mixture.

A further embodiment of the present invention comprises an amine of the formula:

wherein not all of the Z units are fully reacted with a fatty acyl moiety, thereby leaving an amount of amine and/or quaternized ammonium compound in the final fabric softener active admixture having one or more Z units unreacted, and thereby not transformed into an ester or amide.

In a still further embodiment of the present invention comprises an amine of the formula:

R¹— Q— (CH₂)n- -N- -(CH₂)_n-Q-Rl

R wherein R¹ is independently selected and defined as above, R is defined as above, Q is independently selected and defined as above, and n is independently selected and defined as above. In alternative embodiments, this compound may be quaternized as disclosed above. The following are examples of preferred softener actives according to the present invention.

N,N-di(tallowyl-oxy-ethyl)-N,N-dimethyl ammonium chloride;

N,N-di(canolyl-oxy-ethyl)-N,N-dimethyl ammonium chloride;

N,N-di(tallowyl-oxy-ethyl)-N-methyl, N-(2-hydroxyethyl) ammonium methyl sulfate;

N,N-di(canolyl-oxy-ethyl)-N-methyl, N-(2-hydroxyethyl) ammonium methyl sulfate;

N,N-di(tallowylamidoethyl)-N-methyl, N-(2-hydroxyethyl) ammonium methyl sulfate; N,N-di(2-tallowyloxy-2-oxo-ethyl)-N,N-dimethyl ammonium chloride;

N,N-di(2-canolyloxy-2-oxo-ethyl)-N,N-dimethyl ammonium chloride;

N,N-di(2-tallowyloxyethylcarbonyloxyethyl)-N,N-dimethyl ammonium chloride;

N,N-di(2-canolyloxyethyIcarbonyloxyethyl)-N,N-dimethyI ammonium chloride;

N-(2-tallowoyloxy-2-ethyl)-N-(2-tallowyloxy-2-oxo-ethyl)-N,N-dimethyl ammonium chloride;

N-(2-canolyloxy-2-ethyl)-N-(2-canolyloxy-2-oxo-ethyl)-N,N-dimethyl ammonium chloride; N,N,N-tri(taIlowyl-oxy-ethyl)-N-methyl ammonium chloride;

N,N,N-tri(canolyl-oxy-ethyl)-N-methyl ammonium chloride;

N-(2-tallowyloxy-2-oxoethyl)-N-(tallowyl)-N,N-dimethyl ammonium chloride;

N-(2-canolyloxy-2-oxoethyl)-N-(canolyl)-N,N-dimethyl ammonium chloride; 1 ,2-ditallowyloxy-3-N,N,N-trimethylammoniopropane chloride; and

1 ,2-dicanolyloxy-3-N,N,N-trimethylammoniopropane chloride;

N-tallowyl-oxyethyl-N-tallowyl-amidopropyl-N-methylamine

N-tallowyl-oxyethyl-N-taIIowyl-amidopropyl-N,N-dimethyl ammonium chloride; and mixtures of the above actives. Particularly preferred is N,N-di(tallowoyl-oxy-ethyl)-N,N-dimethyl ammonium chloride, where the tallow chains are at least partially unsaturated; N,N-di(canoloyl-oxy-ethyl)-N,N-dimethyl ammonium chloride; N,N-di(tallowyl-oxy- ethyl)-N-methyl, N-(2-hydroxyethyl) ammonium methyl sulfate; N,N-di(canolyl- oxy-ethyl)-N-methyl, N-(2-hydroxyethyl) ammonium methyl sulfate; and mixtures thereof.

Principal Solvent

The present invention contains from about 2% to about 15%, preferably from about 2% to about 12%, most preferably from about 5% to about 10% by weight of a principal solvent.

The principal solvents of the present invention are primarily used to obtain liquid compositions having sufficient clarity and viscosity. Principal solvents must also be selected to minimize solvent odor impact in the composition. For example, isopropyl alcohol is not an effective principal solvent in that it does not serve to produce a composition having suitable viscosity. Isopropanol also fails as a suitable principal solvent because it has a relatively strong odor.

The principal solvent is also selected for its ability to provide stable compositions at low temperatures, preferably compositions comprising a principal solvent is clear or transparent down to about 4°C and has the ability to fully recover its clarity if stored as low as 7°C.

The principal solvent useful herein is selected based upon its octanol/water partition coefficient (P). The octanol/water partition coefficient is a measure of the ratio of the concentration of a particular principal solvent in octanol and water at equilibrium. The partition coefficients are conveniently expressed and reported as their logarithm to the base 10, i.e., to the logP.

The logP of many principal solvent species has been reported in; for example, the Pomona92 database, available from Daylight Chemical Information Systems, Inc. (Daylight CIS), contains many, along with citations to the original literature. However, the logP values are most conveniently calculated by the "CLOGP" program, also available from Daylight CIS. This program also lists experimental logP values when they are available in the Pomona92 database. The "calculated logP" (ClogP) is determined by the fragment approach of Hansch and Leo (cf., A. Leo, in Comprehensive Medicinal Chemistry, Vol. 4, C. Hansch, P. G. Sammens, J. B. Taylor and C. A. Ransden, Eds., p. 295, Pergamon Press, 1990, incorporated herein by reference). The fragment approach is based on the chemical structure of each HR species, and takes into account the numbers and types of atoms, the atom connectivity, and chemical bonding. ClogP values are the most reliable and widely used estimates for octanol water partitioning. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that while experimental log P values could also be used, they represent a less preferred embodiment of the invention. Where experimental log P values are used, the one hour log P values are preferred. Other methods that may be used to compute ClogP include, e.g., Crippen's fragmentation method as disclosed in J. Chem. Inf. Comput. Sci., 27a, 21 (1987); Viswanadhan's fragmentation method as disclosed in J. Chem. Inf. Comput. Sci., 29, 163 (1989); and Broto's method as disclosed in Eur. J. Med. Chem. - Chim. Theor., 19, 71 (1984).

The principal solvent useful herein has a ClogP of from 0 to about 3, preferably from about 0.15 to about 1 , more preferably from about 0.15 to about 0.64, even more preferably from about 0.25 to about 0.62, and yet even more preferably from about 0.4 to about 0.6. Preferably the principal solvent is at least to some degree an asymmetric molecule, preferably having a melting, or solidification point which allows the principal solvent to be liquid at, or near room temperature. Low molecular weight principal solvents may be desirable for some embodiments. A highly asymmetrical principal solvent is thus preferred.

However, highly symmetrical molecules, inter alia, 1 ,7-heptandiol, 1.4- bis(hydroxymethyl)cyclohexane, and cyclohexane, have a center of symmetry which precludes their use as suitable principal solvents even thought they have ClogP values which fall within the desired range. Highly preferred principal solvents may be identified by the appearance of softener vesicles, as observed via electron microscopy of the compositions that have been diluted to the concentration used in the rinse. These dilute compositions appear to have dispersions of fabric softener that exhibit a more uni-lamellar appearance than conventional fabric softener compositions. A preferred principal solvent includes a mono-alcohol, a CQ diol, a C7 diol, octanediol, a butanediol derivative, trimethylpentanediol, ethylmethylpentanediol, propylpentanediol, dimethylhexanediol, ethylhexanediol, methylheptanediol, octanediol, nonanediol, an alkyl glyceryl ether, a di(hydroxy alkyl) ether, an aryl glyceryl ether, an alicyclic diol derivative, an alkoxylated C3-C7 diol derivative, an aryl diol, and a mixture thereof, as disclosed in WO 97/03169, entitled "Concentrated, Stable, Preferably Clear, Fabric Softening Composition". Isomers of the above principal solvents may also be used.

Nonlimiting examples of a preferred principal solvent includes 1 ,2- hexanediol, 2-ethyl-1 ,3-hexanediol, alcohol ethoxylates of 2-ethyl-1 ,3-hexanediol, 2,2,4-trimethyl-1 ,3-pentanediol, alcohol ethoxylates of 2,2,4-trimethyl-1 ,3- pentanediol, phenoxyethanol, 1 ,2-cyclohexanedimethanol, and a mixture thereof. A preferred embodiment of the present invention is the combination of certain principal solvents. Non-limiting examples of preferred combinations include 2,2,4-trimethyl-1 ,3-pentanediol (TMPD) in combination with 1 ,2- hexanediol, 2-ethyl-1 ,3-hexanediol, or mixtures thereof. These solvent combinations provide increased phase stability across storage temperatures and fully recoverable compositions from below the water freezing point.

Malodor Controlling Agent The malodor controlling agent useful herein is selected from the group of consisting of a quaternary ammonium antimicrobial agent and a mixture thereof. Unless otherwise noted below, the fabric softening composition of the present invention comprises from about 0.05% to about 15% by weight of a malodor controlling agent. A quaternary ammonium antimicrobial agent

The quaternary ammonium antimicrobial agent useful herein typically kills microorganisms located on or inside of the fabric article and/or prevents microorganism growth. Such microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungi, may be a significant cause of malodor. While many types of antimicrobial agents are available, the antimicrobial agent useful herein should meet following requirements: i) The antimicrobial agent should be safe, and typically should not cause any adverse reactions on human skin. Preferably the antimicrobial agent is also environmentally-friendly. ii) The antimicrobial agent should be very effective at even low dosages, in case there is only a limited amount of deposition. The antimicrobial efficacy should include both bacteriocidal efficacy and bacteriostatic efficacy. The antimicrobial agent is preferably able to be deposited onto the fabric article surfaces (surfaces of yarn, and even better to penetrate into the yarn and deposit onto the surfaces of single fibers) by themselves or to be co-deposited with the softening agents. Normally, positively charged antimicrobial agents with high hydrophobicity will have a higher deposition efficiency, iii) The antimicrobial agent's antimicrobial efficacy should be sustainable for a long time to provide a residual antimicrobial efficacy even with the interaction of fabrics which are normally negatively charged. It has been frequently observed that many strong antimicrobial agents lose or possess diminished antimicrobial efficacy upon interaction with negatively-charged surfaces. The efficacy of the antimicrobial agent may be determined by measuring the bacteriocidal efficacy and bacteriostatic efficacy of the MIC/MBC in the solution. Bacteria-growth prevention efficacy may be measured by directly applying the antimicrobial agent to a fabric article's surface. Preferably, the efficacy of the antimicrobial agent is measured by treating fabrics (following consumer habits) with a fabric softener composition containing the antimicrobial agent.

The method/procedure to determine the antimicrobial prevention (bacteriostatic) efficacy was adopted and modified from the SEK method. This method is used by the Japanese Association of Fabric Evaluation Technology to qualify fabrics woven/treated with antimicrobial agents to make relevant claims.

The SEK method is as follows: Bacteria (S. aureus and/or E. coli, or K. pneumonia, respectively) are inoculated (10 ³⁴ cfu/swatch) onto three pieces of fabric swatches (around 10-15 cm², each). The swatches have either been washed in a rinse cycle with an antimicrobial fabric softening composition, or have had an antimicrobial agent applied thereto. The inoculated swatches are kept in a container and sealed to keep in moisture. After incubation under 35 +/- 2 °C for 18 hours, the fabrics are soaked in a neutralizer solution. The bacteria are then extracted from the fabrics with a sonicator. The solution which contains extracted bacteria are then serially diluted. Aliquots (1 ml) from each dilution are pour-plated onto agar medium. After incubation at 35 +1-2 °C for 48 hours, the number of colonies on each plate are counted. The number of bacteria (cfu) on each swatch are then calculated. The number of bacteria grown on non-treated fabrics is used as control.

From extensive screening results, and without intending to be limited by theory, we believe that positively charged quaternary amines (either alkyl or ring- containing) with long hydrophobic side chains are especially useful as antimicrobial agents in the present invention. Without intending to be limite dby theory, it is believed that these antimicrobial agents are especially able to be co- deposited onto individual fabric fibers, along with the fabric softening active. The general structure of this preferred quaternary ammonium antimicrobial agent is:

wherein R R₄ are independently selected from C,-C₂₂ alkyl groups, where X is a negatively charged group, which is preferably selected from the group consisting of halogen, acetic acid or other small negative ions. One of the R R₄ group has a chain length longer than C₁₀. Preferably, R₁ and R₂ are both methyl, while R₃ and R₄ are long chain alkyl groups (e.g., C₁₀-C₁₈). More preferably, R^ and R₂ are both methyl, and R₃ and R₄ are C₁₀ alkyl chains; this antimicrobial agent is known as didecyl dimethyl ammonium. Didecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride is available from Lonza Inc., Fair Law, New Jersey, USA, as BARDAC™. The formula for BARDAC™ is:

CH,

I ³ H₃C-(CH₂)₉ — N+- CH₃ cr

CH₃— (CH₂)₈ CH₂

Another highly preferred quaternary ammonium antimicrobial agent useful herein is a benzalkonium (R₁ and R₂ are both methyl, R₃ is methylbenzyl and R₄ is - (CH₂)_n-CH₃, wherein n is 12-18), or a mixture thereof, such as benzalkonium chloride having the formula below. Preferably, n is from 12 to 18.

ADJUNCT INGREDIENTS

The balance of the fabric softening composition is one or more adjunct ingredients, such as a pH-adjuster, a principal solvent extender, a polyoxyalkylene alkylamide surface active agent, a nonionic surfactant, a stabilizer, a low molecular weight water soluble solvent, a chelating agent, and a combination thereof. Preferably a pH-adjuster is provided herein. For the preceding ester fabric softening agents, the pH is an important parameter, as it influences the stability of the fabric softening active, especially quaternary ammonium or amine precursors compounds, during prolonged storage conditions. Examples of preferred pH-adjusters include a Bronsted acid, an inorganic mineral acid, a carboxylic acid, in particular the low molecular weight (C-j-Cδ) carboxylic acids, and/or an alkylsulfonic acid. Suitable inorganic acids include HCI, H2SO4, HNO3 and H3PO4. Suitable organic acids include formic, acetic, citric, methylsulfonic and ethylsulfonic acid. Preferred pH-adjusters useful herein include citric acid, hydrochloric acid, phosphoric acid, formic acid, methylsulfonic acid, benzoic acid, and a mixture thereof.

The composition herein is operable at pH of less than about 6.0, for optimum hydrolytic stability of these compositions, the pH is preferably from about 2.0 to about 5, more preferably from about 2.5 to about 4.5, and even more preferably from about 2.5 to about 3.5. The pH, as defined in the present context, is measured in the neat compositions at 20 °C.

The principal solvent extender useful herein is especially useful in cases where the perfume of the fabric softening composition is less than about 1 %, by weight. The principal solvent extender useful herein includes the principal solvent extender to enhance stability and clarity of the formulations and in certain instances provide increased softness benefits. The fabric softening composition typically contains from about 0.05% to about 10%, more preferably from about 0.5% to about 5% and most preferably from about 1 % to about 4% principal solvent extender, by weight. The principal solvent extender may include a range of materials with proviso that the material provide stability and clarity to a compositions having reduced principal solvent levels and typically reduced perfume or fragrance levels. Such materials typically include hydrophobic materials such a polar and non-polar oils, and more hydrophilic materials like hydrotropes and salts of groups IIB, III and IV of the periodic table in particular salts of groups MB and NIB such as aluminum, zinc, tin chloride salts, sodium EDTA, sodium DPTA, and other salts used as metal chelators.

The metallic salt herein is also useful in order to remove malodor on fabric. It is believed to aggregate amine-containing compounds and sulfur-containing compounds, which may cause malodor. Without intending to be limited by theory, iyt is believed that a metallic salt is especially useful in combination with the odor encapsulating active, as the metallic salt may aggregate small malodor molecules which are too small to be trapped by the odor encapsulating active.

Preferred metallic salts are water-soluble salts such as a copper salt, a zinc salt and a mixture thereof, especially those described in US 5,783,544 to Trinh, et al., issued on July 21 , 1998 (columns 9-10). If present, the typical level of the metallic salts in the present invention is from about 0.05% to about 3%, preferably, from about 0.05% to about 1%, more preferably, from about 0.1 % to about 0.3%, by weight. Polar hydrophobic oils may be selected from emollients such as fatty esters, e.g. methyl oieates, derivatives of myristic acid such as isopropyl myristate, and triglycerides such as canola oil; free fatty acids such as those derived from canola oils, fatty alcohols such as oleyl alcohol, bulky esters such as benzyl benzoate and benzyl salicilate, diethyl or dibutyl phthalate; bulky alcohols or diols; and perfume oils particularly low-odor perfume oils such as linalool; mono or poly sorbitan esters; and mixtures thereof. Non-polar hydrophobic oils may be selected from petroleum derived oils such as hexane, decane, penta decane, dodecane, isopropyl citrate and perfume bulky oils such as limonene, and mixtures thereof. In particular, the free fatty acids such as partially hardened canola oil may provide increased softness benefits.

Particularly preferred hydrophobic oils include the polar hydrophobic oils. In particular, polar hydrophobic oils which have a freezing point, as defined by a 20% solution of the extender in 2,2,4-trimethyl-1 ,3-pentanediol, of less than about 22°C and more preferably less than about 20°C. Preferred oils in this class include methyl oleate, benzyl benzoate and canola oil.

Suitable hydrotropes include but are not limited to aromatics, polycyclic aromatics (as defined in Introduction to Organic Chemistry. 2^nd Ed., Andrew Streitwieser, Jr. And Clayton H. Heathcock, Macmillan Publishing Co., Inc.1981) substituted with one or more electronegative or ionic moieties (e.g. alcohols, amines, amides, carboxylic acid, carboxylates, sulfates, sulfonates, phosphates, phosphonates, phosphate esters, etc.) which may optionally be substituted with a one or more hydrocarbons, which are linear and/or branched, having less than or equal to about 10 carbons. Nonlimiting examples of such compounds include Etelsols^® AX40, PT45, SC40, SC93 (Albright & Wilson), Burcofac^® 6660K, Burlington Chem. Co., Inc., Additional suitable hydrotropes are compounds with one or more branched or linear hydrocarbon chains, preferably no more than about two chains, having less than or equal to about 14 carbons on each chain and substituted with one or more electronegative or ionic moieties, as described above. Nonlimiting examples of these compounds include Alpha Step^® ML40 (Stepan), Karasurf^® AS-26 (Clark Chemical, Inc.), Monoteric^® 1188M (Mona Industries), Ampholak^® XJO (Berol Nobel AB), Glucopon^® 225 (Henkel Corp./Emery Group). Suitable cationic counterions for anionic hydrotropes include, but are not limited to, groups IA and IIA of the periodic table and ammonium or ammonium compounds (e.g. iso-propyl ammonium, triethyl ammonium or triethanolammonium) and suitable anionic counterions for cationic hydrotropes may be chosen from, but are not limited to, the group of anions suitable for fabric softener actives (see below) especially sulfonate salts particularly alkali metal sulfonates and carboxylic acid derivatives such as isopropyl citrate. In particular, sodium and calcium cumene sulfonates, sodium and calcium xylene sulfones, and sodium and calcium toluene sulfonates. Alternative hydrotropes include benzoic acid and its derivatives, salts of benzoic acid and its derivatives. Diamine compounds may also be employed particularly those having the formula:

(Rl)(R2)N(CX₂)_nN(R3)(R4). wherein X is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, linear or branched, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl having from 1-10 carbons atoms and substituted or unsubstituted aryl having at least 6 carbon atoms; n is an integer from 0 to 6; R<| , R₂, R3, and R4 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen; alkyl; aryl; alkaryl; arylalkyl; hydroxyalkyl; polyhydroxyalkyl; polyalkylether having the formula -((CH2)yO)_zR7 where R7 is hydrogen or a linear, branched, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl chain having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms and where y is an integer from 2 to 10 and z is an integer from 1 to 30; alkoxy; polyalkoxy having the formula: -(O(CH2)y)zR7; ^tne group -C(O)Rs where Rβ is alkyl; alkaryl; arylalkyl; hydroxyalkyl; polyhydroxyalkyl, polyalkylether, carboxylic acid, dicarboxylic acid, phosphonic acid and alkyl phosphonic acid as defined in Rι, R2, R3, and R4; linear or branched carboxylic acid and water soluble salts thereof having the general formula -(CHp(R7)q) wherein t is an integer from 1 to 5, p+q = 2; dicarboxylic acid and water soluble salts thereof; linear, branched or polyfunctional substituted branched alkyldicarboxylic acids and water soluble salts thereof; phosphonic acids and water soluble salts thereof, linear, branched or polyfunctional substituted branched alkylphosponic acids and water soluble salts thereof; and CX2CX2N(R5)(Rg) with no more than one of R-| , R2, R3, and R4 being CX2CX2N(R5)(Rρ.) and wherein R5 and Rg are alkyl; alkaryl; arylalkyl; hydroxyalkyl; polyhydroxyalkyl, polyalkylether, alkoxy, polyalkoxy, carboxylic acid, dicarboxylic acid, phosphonic acid and alkyl phosphonic acid as defined in R-| , R2, R3, and R4; and either of R1 + R3 or R4 or R2 + R3 or R4 can combine to form a cyclic substituent.

Preferred diamines include those where R-j , R2, R3, and R4 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl groups having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms and hydroxyalkyl groups having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, preferably ethyl, methyl, hydroxyethyl, hydroxypropyl and isohydroxypropyl.

Additional suitable hydrophilic materials useful herein as a principal solvent extender include metal chelators such as, but not limited to, ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA), diethylenetriaminepentaacetate (DTPA), ethylene diamine-N,N'-disuccinate (EDDS), and/or citrate, both as neutral compounds or salts with cations especially, but not limited to, cations from Groups IA, IIA, VIA, VIIA, VIII, IB, and IIB of the periodic chart, for instance sodium EDTA, sodium DTPA, and calcium citrate; ammonium and ammonium are also suitable cations for anionic metal chelators. Salts can also be suitable as hydrophilic materials including, but not limited to salts of groups IIB, 1MB and IV of the periodic table, in particular, salts of groups IIB and NIB such as aluminum, zinc, and tin chloride salts are also useful. It should also be understood that a suitable principle solvent extender system may also be considered to comprise any combinations of all principle solvent extenders listed above.

The present invention may comprise from about 0%, preferably from about 0.5% to about 10%, preferably to about 0.5%, more preferably to about 4%, most preferably to about 3% by weight, of one or more polyoxyalkylene alkyl amide surface active agent.

The nonionic surfactants suitable for use in the present invention have the formula: wherein R is C7-C21 linear alkyl, C7-C21 branched alkyl, C7-C21 linear alkenyl, C7-C21 branched alkenyl, and mixtures thereof; R1 is ethylene; R2 is C3-C4 linear alkyl, C3-C4 branched alkyl, and mixtures thereof; preferably R2 is 1 ,2- propylene. Nonionic surfactants which comprise a mixture of R1 and R2 units preferably comprise from about 4 to about 12 ethylene units in combination with from about 1 to about 4 1 ,2-propyIene units. The units may be alternating, or grouped together in any combination suitable to the formulator. Preferably the ratio of R^ units to R2 units is from about 4 : 1 to about 8 : 1. Preferably a R2 unit (i.e. 1 ,2-propylene) is attached to the nitrogen atom followed by the balance of the chain comprising from 4 to 8 ethylene units.

In the above formula, R3 is hydrogen, C1-C4 linear alkyl, C3-C4 branched alkyl, and mixtures thereof; preferably hydrogen or methyl, more preferably hydrogen. R4 is hydrogen, C1-C4 linear alkyl, C3-C4 branched alkyl, and mixtures thereof; preferably hydrogen. When the index m is equal to 2 the index n must be equal to 0 and the R4 unit is absent and is instead replaced by a - [(R¹O)χ(R²O)_yR3] unit.

The index m is 1 or 2, the index n is O or 1 , provided that when m is equal to 1, n is equal to 1 ; and when m is 2 n is 0; preferably m is equal to 1 and n is equal to one, resulting in one -[(R^ O)_x(R2θ)yR3] unit and R4 being present on the nitrogen. The index x is from 0 to about 50, preferably from about 3 to about 25, more preferably from about 3 to about 10. The index y is from 0 to about 10, preferably 0, however when the index y is not equal to 0, y is from 1 to about 4. Preferably all of the alkyleneoxy units are ethyleneoxy units. Those skilled in the art of ethoxylated polyoxyalkylene alkyl amide surface active agents will recognized that the values for the indices x and y are average values and the true values may range over several values depending upon the process used to alkoxylate the amides.

Suitable means for preparing the polyoxyalkylene alkylamide surface active agents of the present invention can be found in "Surfactant Science Series", Editor Martin Schick, Volume I, Chapter 8 (1967) and Volume XIX, Chapter 1 (1987). Suitable nonionic surfactants useful herein serve as the viscosity/dispersability modifiers include addition products of ethylene oxide and, optionally, propylene oxide, with fatty alcohols, fatty acids, fatty amines, etc. They are referred to herein as ethoxylated fatty alcohols, ethoxylated fatty acids, and ethoxylated fatty amines. Any of the alkoxylated materials of the particular type described hereinafter can be used as the nonionic surfactant. In general terms, the nonionics herein, when used alone, in liquid compositions are at a level of from 0% to 5%, preferably from 0.1 % to 5%, more preferably from 0.2% to 3%. A stabilizer is highly desirable herein, such as an antioxidant and/or a reductive agent. A stabilizer is present at from 0% to about 2.0%, preferably from about 0.001 % to about 0.2%, more preferably from about 0.01% to about 0.1% for antioxidants, and more preferably from about 0.01% to about 0.2% for reductive agents. These may provide good odor stability under long term storage conditions. Antioxidants and reductive agent stabilizers are especially critical for unscented or low scent products (no or low perfume).

Examples of antioxidants that can be added to the dispersion compositions include a mixture of ascorbic acid, ascorbic palmitate, propyl gallate, available from Eastman Chemical Products, Inc., under the trade names Tenox® PG and Tenox® S-1 ; a mixture of BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene), BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole), propyl gallate, and citric acid, available from Eastman Chemical Products, Inc., under the trade name Tenox®-6; butylated hydroxytoluene, available from UOP Process Division under the trade name Sustane® BHT; tertiary butylhydroquinone, Eastman Chemical Products, Inc., as Tenox® TBHQ; natural tocopherols, Eastman Chemical Products, Inc., as

Tenox® GT-1/GT-2; and butylated hydroxyanisole, Eastman Chemical Products, Inc., as BHA; long chain esters of gallic acid, e.g., dodecyl gallate;

Irganox® 1010; Irganox® 1035; Irganox® B 1171 ; Irganox® 1425; Irganox® 3114; Irganox® 3125; and mixtures thereof; preferably Irganox® 3125, Irganox® 1425, Irganox® 3114, and mixtures thereof; more preferably Irganox® 3125 alone or mixed with citric acid and/or other chelators such as isopropyl citrate, Dequest® 2010, available from Monsanto with a chemical name of 1- hydroxyethylidene-1 , 1-diphosphonic acid (etidronic acid), and Tiron®, available from Kodak with a chemical name of 4,5-dihydroxy-m-benzene-sulfonic acid/sodium salt and DTPA.RTM., available from Aldrich with a chemical name of diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid. For further examples of suitable stabilizers see U.S. 5,574,179 Wahl, et al., issued February 28, 1995.

The low molecular weight water soluble solvent may be present at from about 0% to about 12%, preferably from about 1% to about 10%, more preferably from about 2% to about 8% by weight. Such solvents include: ethanol; isopropanol; propylene glycol; hexylene glycol, 1 ,2-propanediol; 1 ,3-propanediol; propylene carbonate; 1 ,4 cyclohexanedimethanol; etc. but do not include any of the principal solvents. These water soluble solvents have a greater affinity for water, in the presence of hydrophobic materials like the softener compound, than the principal solvents.

A pro-perfume herein is also useful in order to mask malodor on fabric. A pro-perfume is defined as a perfume precursor that releases a desirable odor and/or perfume molecule- through the breaking of a chemical bond. Typically to form a pro-perfume, a desired perfume raw material is chemically linked with a carrier, preferably a slightly volatile or a sparingly volatile carrier. The combination results in a less volatile and more hydrophobic pro-perfume which results in increased deposition onto the fabric article. The perfume is then released by breaking the bond between the perfume raw material and the carrier either through a change in pH (e.g., due to perspiration during wear), air moisture, heat, and/or sunlight during storage or line drying. Thus, malodor is effectively masked by the release of the perfume raw material.

Thus, a pro-perfume requires a perfume raw material. A perfume raw material is typically a saturated or unsaturated, volatile compound which contains an alcohol, an aldehyde, and/or a ketone group. The perfume raw material useful herein includes fragrant substance or mixture of substances including natural (i.e., obtained by extraction of flowers, herbs, leaves, roots, barks, wood, blossoms or plants), artificial (i.e., a mixture of different nature oils or oil constituents) and synthetic (i.e., synthetically produced) odoriferous substances. Such materials are often accompanied by auxiliary materials, such as fixatives, extenders, stabilizers and solvents. These auxiliaries are also included within the meaning of "perfume", as used herein. Typically, perfumes are complex mixtures of a plurality of organic compounds.

Examples of perfume ingredients useful in the perfumes of the present invention compositions include, but are not limited to, hexyl cinnamic aldehyde; amyl cinnamic aldehyde; amyl salicylate; hexyl salicylate; terpineol; 3,7-dimethyl- cis-2,6-octadien-1-ol; 2,6-dimethyl-2-octanol; 2,6-dimethyl-7-octen-2-ol; 3,7- dimethyl-3-octanol; 3,7-dimethyl-trans-2,6-octadien-1 -ol; 3,7-dimethyl-6-octen-1 - ol; 3,7-dimethyl-1 -octanol; 2-methyl-3-(para-tert-butylphenyl)-propionaldehyde; 4- (4-hydroxy-4-methylpentyl)-3-cyclohexene-1-carboxaldehyde; tricyclodecenyl propionate; tricyclodecenyl acetate; anisaldehyde; 2-methyl-2-(para-iso- propylphenyl)-propionaldehyde; ethyl-3-methyl-3-phenyl glycidate; 4-(para- hydroxyphenyl)-butan-2-one; 1 -(2,6,6-trimethyl-2-cyclohexen-1 -yl)-2-buten-1 -one; para-methoxyacetophenone; para-methoxy-alpha-phenylpropene; methyl-2-n- hexyl-3-oxo-cyclopentane carboxylate; undecalactone gamma. Additional examples of fragrance materials include, but are not limited to, orange oil; lemon oil; grapefruit oil; bergamot oil; clove oil; dodecalactone gamma; methyl-2-(2-pentyl-3-oxo-cyclopentyl) acetate; beta-naphthol methylether; methyl-beta-naphthylketone; coumarin; decylaldehyde; benzaldehyde; 4-tert-butylcyclohexyl acetate; alpha, alpha-dimethylphenethyl acetate; methylphenylcarbinyl acetate; SchifPs base of 4-(4-hydroxy-4- methylpentyl)-3-cyclohexene-1-carboxaldehyde and methyl anthranilate; cyclic ethyleneglycol diester of tridecandioic acid; 3,7-dimethyl-2,6-octadiene-1-nitrile; ionone gamma methyl; ionone alpha; ionone beta; petitgrain; methyl cedrylone; 7-acetyl-1 ,2,3,4,5,6,7,8-octahydro-1 ,1 ,6,7-tetramethyl-naphthalene; ionone methyl; methyl-1 ,6,10-trimethyI-2,5,9-cyclododecatrien-1-yl ketone; 7-acetyl- 1 ,1 , 3,4,4, 6-hexamethyl tetralin; 4-acetyl-6-tert-butyl-1 ,1 -dimethyl indane; benzophenone; 6-acetyl-1 ,1 , 2,3,3, 5-hexamethyl indane; 5-acetyl-3-isopropyl- 1 ,1 ,2,6-tetramethyl indane; 1-dodecanal; 7-hydroxy-3,7-dimethyl octanal; 10- undecen-1-al; iso-hexenyl cyclohexyl carboxaldehyde; formyl tricyclodecan; cyclopentadecanolide; 16-hydroxy-9-hexadecenoic acid lactone; 1 ,3,4,6,7,8- hexahydro-4,6,6,7,8,8-hexamethylcyclopenta-gamma-2-benzopyrane; ambroxane; dodecahydro-3a,6,6,9a-tetramethylnaphtho-[2,1b]furan; cedrol; 5- (2,2,3-trimethylcyclopent-3-enyl)-3-methylpentan-2-ol; 2-ethyl-4-(2,2,3-trimethyl- 3-cyclopenten-1-yl)-2-buten-1-ol; caryophyllene alcohol; cedryl acetate; para-tert- butylcyclohexyl acetate; patchouli; olibanum resinoid; labdanum; vetivert; copaiba balsam; fir balsam; and condensation products of: hydroxycitronellal and methyl anthranilate; hydroxycitronellal and indol; phenyl acetaldehyde and indol; 4-(4-hydroxy-4-methyl pentyl)-3-cyclohexene-1 -carboxaldehyde and methyl anthranilate. More examples of perfume components are geraniol; geranyl acetate; linalool; linalyl acetate; tetrahydrolinalool; citronellol; citronellyl acetate; dihydromyrcenol; dihydromyrcenyl acetate; tetrahydromyrcenol; terpinyl acetate; nopol; nopyl acetate; 2-phenylethanol; 2-phenylethyl acetate; benzyl alcohol; benzyl acetate; benzyl salicylate; benzyl benzoate; styrallyl acetate; dimethylbenzylcarbinol; trichloromethylphenylcarbinyl methylphenylcarbinyl acetate; isononyl acetate; vetiveryl acetate; vetiverol; 2-methyl-3-(p-tert-butylphenyl)-propanal; 2-methyl-3-

(p-isopropylphenyl)-propanal; 3-(p-tert-butylphenyl)-propanal; 4-(4-methyl-3- pentenyl)-3-cyclohexenecarbaldehyde; 4-acetoxy-3-pentyltetrahydropyran; methyl dihydrojasmonate; 2-n-heptylcyclopentanone; 3-methyl-2-pentyl- cyclopentanone; n-decanal; n-dodecanal; 9-decenol-1 ; phenoxyethyl isobutyrate; phenylacetaldehyde dimethylacetal; phenylacetaldehyde diethylacetal; geranonitrile; citronellonitrile; cedryl acetal; 3-isocamphylcyclohexanol; cedryl methylether; isolongifolanone; aubepine nitrile; aubepine; heliotropine; eugenol; vanillin; diphenyl oxide; hydroxycitronellal ionones; methyl ionones; isomethyl ionones; irones; cis-3-hexenol and esters thereof; indane musk fragrances; tetralin musk fragrances; isochroman musk fragrances; macrocyclic ketones; macrolactone musk fragrances; ethylene brassylate.

A preferred pro-perfume useful herein is described in columns 7-14 of U.S. Patent No. 5,378,468 to Suffis, et al., issued on January 3, 1995; and in

U.S. Patent No. 5,652,205 to Hartman, et al., issued on July 29, 1997.

If present, the typical level of odor masking active is from about 0.05% to about 5%, preferably from about 0.1 % to about 4%, more preferably from about

0.3% to about 3%, by weight. Suitable solvents, diluents or carriers for the odor masking active herein include, for examples, ethanol, isopropanol, diethylene glycol, monoethyl ether, dipropylene glycol, diethyl phthalate, triethyl citrate, etc. The amount of such solvents, diluents or carriers incorporated in the perfumes is preferably kept to the minimum needed to provide a homogeneous perfume solution. Hexylene glycol and/or ethanol are preferred co-solvents. Due to processing conditions, some of the I solvents which comprises the compositions of the present invention enter into the formulation by way of the softener active, for example, ethanol, hexylene glycol, and mixtures thereof can be used in preparing the preferred softener actives of the present invention and, therefore, are part of the fabric softening active raw material system.

One or more chelating agents such as copper and/or nickel chelating agents ("chelators"), for example, diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) or ethylenediamine-N,N'-disuccinnic acid (EDDS) may be useful herein. The chelating agent may be added during the formation of the fabric softening active or the fabric softening composition. The chelating agent may be present in the composition in the range of from about 0.001 % to about 10% by weight of the composition. More preferably the chelant is present in the range of from about 0.01% to about 5% and most preferably in the range of from about 0.01% to about 3% by weight of the composition.

Such water-soluble chelating agents can be selected from the group consisting of amino carboxylates, amino phosphonates, polyfunctionally- substituted aromatic chelating agents and mixtures thereof, all as hereinafter defined and all preferably in their acidic form. Amino carboxylates useful as chelating agents herein include ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), N- hydroxyethylethylenediaminetriacetates, nitrilotriacetates (NTA), ethylenediamine tetraproprionates, ethylenediamine-N,N'-diglutamates, 2- hyroxypropylenediamine-N,N'-disuccinates, triethylenetetraaminehexacetates, diethylenetriaminepentaacetates (DTPA) and ethanoldiglycines, including their water-soluble salts such as the alkali metal, ammonium, and substituted ammonium salts thereof and mixtures thereof.

Amino phosphonates are also suitable for use as chelating agents in the compositions of the invention when at least low levels of total phosphorus are permitted in rinse-added fabric softener compositions, and include ethylenediaminetetrakis (methylenephosphonates), diethylenetriamine-

N,N,N',N",N"-pentakis(methane phosphonate) (DTMP) and 1-hydroxyethane-1 ,1- diphosphonate (HEDP). Preferably, these amino phosphonates to not contain alkyl or alkenyl groups with more than about 6 carbon atoms. Preferred chelating agents useful herein include those described in U.S. 5,686,376 to Rusche, et al., issued November 11 , 1997 included herein by reference in its entirety. Additional adjunct ingredients useful herein include a cationic charge booster, a perfume, a dispersability aid, a soil release agent, an enzyme, a dye transfer inhibiting agent, a scum dispersant, a suds suppressor, an optical brightener or other brightening or whitening agent, a dye fixing agent, a light fading protection agent, an oxygen bleach protection agent, a processing aid, a dye or a pigment, and a combination thereof. Examples of such useful adjunct ingredients are described in, for example, U.S. Patent 5,747,443 to Wahl, et al., issued May 5, 1998, and in U.S. Patent Application numbers 08/621 ,019; 08/620,627; 08/620,767; 08/620,513; 08/621 ,285; 08/621 ,299; 08/621 ,298; 08/620,626; 08/620,625; 08/620,772; 08/621 ,281; 08/620,514; and 08/620,958, all filed March 22, 1996, and all having the title "CONCENTRATED, STABLE, PREFERABLY CLEAR, FABRIC SOFTENING COMPOSITION".

Examples of the invention are set forth hereinafter by way of illustration and are not intended to be in any way limiting of the invention.

EXAMPLE 1 The following clear liquid fabric softening compositions comprising an antimicrobial agent may be formulated according to Table I. TABLE I weight %

1. N,N-di-(canolyl-oxy-ethyl)-N-methyl-N-(2-hydroxyethyl) ammonium methyl sulfate

2. 1-hydroxyethane-1 ,1-diphosphonate

EXAMPLE 2 The following clear liquid fabric softening compositions comprising an odor masking active may be formulated according to Table II.

2. 1-hydroxyethane-1 ,1-diphosphonate

3. a pro-perfume.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A fabric softening composition comprising:

A. from about 1% to about 90% by weight of a fabric softening active having the formula:

wherein each R is independently selected from the group consisting of a C C₆ alkyl, a C C₆ hydroxyalkyl, and benzyl; each R is independently selected from the group consisting of a C-| -|-C22 linear alkyl, a C11-C22 branched alkyl, a C11-C22 linear alkenyl, and a C11-C22 branched alkenyl; each Q is independently a

herein each R² is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, a C,-C₄ alkyl, and a C C₄ hydroxyalkyl; each R³ is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and a C,-C₄ alkyl; X^" is a softener compatible anion; m is from 1 to 3; n is from 1 to 4; and wherein R¹ has an Iodine Value (IV) of from about 10 to about 140 when R1 is the form of a fatty acid;

B. from about 2% to about 15% by weight of a principal solvent having a ClogP of from 0 to about 3; C. from about 0.05% to about 15% by weight of a malodor controlling agent selected from the group consisting of a quaternary ammonium antimicrobial agent and a mixture thereof; and

D. the balance being adjunct ingredients,

2. A composition according to Claim 1 , wherein the principal solvent is selected from the group consisting of a mono-alcohol, a CQ diol, a C7 diol, octanediol, a butanediol derivative, trimethylpentanediol, ethylmethylpentanediol, propylpentanediol, dimethylhexanediol, ethylhexanediol, methylheptanediol, octanediol, nonanediol, an alkyl glyceryl ether, a di(hydroxy alkyl) ether, an aryl glyceryl ether, an alicyclic diol derivative, an alkoxylated C3-C7 diol derivative, an aryl diol, and a mixture thereof.

3. The composition according to Claim 1 , wherein the principal solvent has a Clog P of from about 0.15 to about 1.

4. The composition according to Claim 1 , further comprising at least one pro- perfume component.

5. A composition according to Claim 1 , wherein each Q has the formula:

O O

O or MI

6. A composition according to Claim 1 , wherein each R is independently selected from the group consisting of methyl and hydroxyethyl.

7. A composition according to Claim 1 , wherein the fabric softening active has the following formula: O

R-C-O-C ₂H ₄ CH ₃

\ /

N

/ \ R-C-O-C ₂H ₄ CH ₂CH ₂OH

O wherein each R is independently a C₁₄-C₂₀ alkyl chain.

8. The composition according to Claim 1 , further comprising from 0.1% to about 10% by weight of a principal solvent extender.

9. The composition according to Claim 1 , further comprising from about

0.05% to about 15% by weight of pro-perfume.

10. A method for reducing malodor on a fabric article comprising the steps of:

A. providing a fabric softening composition according to Claim 1 ;

B. applying the fabric softening composition to a fabric article; and

C. drying the fabric article.