[0001] The present invention relates to fabric conditioning compositions comprising unsaturated
quaternary ammonium compounds and packaging therefor.
[0002] Quaternary ammonium compounds provide effective fabric conditioning agents. Unsaturated
forms are particularly advantageous (as compared with saturated forms) due to the
increased formulation flexibility offered. Unsaturated quaternary ammonium compounds
allow more freedom in the selection of perfume within a fabric conditioning composition
than their saturated counterparts. The unsaturated compounds are also cheaper.
[0003] However such unsaturated quaternary ammonium compounds suffer the disadvantage that
they decompose (rancidify) when exposed to air with resultant discolouration and malodour.
[0004] Fabric conditioning liquid formulations are often stored in bottles with screw top
lids. However, such bottles are often only partially closed by the consumer in the
haste to complete the job of laundering. Coupled with this problem is the habit of
some consumers to use fabric conditioners infrequently. Such infrequent use arises
because of the unsuitability of many fabric conditioning agents for certain articles.
For example many activities are now catered for by garments manufactured from 'technical'
fabrics e.g. for fast-wicking away of sweat or for synthetic waterproofing after a
wash. Many of such garments carry advisory labels instructing the user to wash the
garments without the use of fabric conditioners. This can mean, that for certain users,
a bottle of fabric conditioner may be partially open on a shelf, window ledge for
an extended period in time.
[0005] An object of the invention is therefore to provide a packaged fabric conditioning
composition which offers formulation flexibility together with improved protection
against rancidification.
[0006] Accordingly in a first aspect, the invention provides a fabric conditioning composition
comprising 0.5-40% by weight of at least one unsaturated quaternary ammonium compound
in combination with a package comprising a resilient material and comprising a chamber
containing the fabric condition composition, said chamber having a dispensing opening
which can be closed by a lid relative to the dispensing opening, the dispensing opening
and closure incorporating interengageable locking members whereby locked closure of
the chamber with the lid produces an audible sound by manually forced interengagement
of the locking members.
[0007] The invention is advantageous as the user receives both tactile (by the action of
manually forcing interengagement) and audible feedback that the bottle is properly
shut. The provision of the combination of manually forced interengagement and an audible
click informs the consumer when the bottle is properly shut. This feedback also 'teaches'
the consumer to close the device properly as they become accustomed to continue closing
the container until the click sound is heard.
[0008] The closure may be a push on - push off lid when is pushed onto package chamber so
as to close the dispensing opening.
[0009] With push on - push off lids, the interengageable locking members may be located
to ensure that they interengage no matter what the relative orientation of the lid
and dispensing opening. In this respect the locking members may extend around more
than half the circumference of the lid/dispensing opening so that there is always
some overlap (circumferentially) no matter the relative orientation. Alternatively,
the lid and dispensing opening may be configured to ensure a specific rotational orientation
by e.g. a hinge (which may be a living hinge) or e.g. by respective lugs to ensure
correct orientation.
[0010] However, closing may be affected by rotation, but preferably only to the extent that
steps additional to that of maintaining a firm grip on the lid are not required. With
the invention, the consumer is required to close the product properly by manually
forcing rotation so that interengagement of the locking members is effected, the audible
sound confirming the procedure is complete.
[0011] Opening of the package is preferably executed by rotation only (e.g. without additional
push/pull steps often a feature of child resistant safety lids) so that a firm grip
sufficient to force rotation of the lid as the locking members disengage is all that
is required. Opening of the chamber may also produce an audible click by manually
forced disengagement of the locking members.
[0012] The package may comprise a lidded container e.g. a bottle. The container may comprise
an external screw thread proximate the dispensing opening on e.g. a neck of the container.
The lid may comprise a screw-on lid, having an internal screw thread, which corresponds
with the external screw thread of the container.
[0013] Preferably, respective screw threads describe a helical path around the opening.
[0014] The interengageable locking members may comprise corresponding projections e.g. lugs,
flaps, ridges and recesses e.g. notches, channels, grooves.
[0015] Preferably the interengageable locking members are structurally separate from the
screw threads.
[0016] Preferably the locking members comprise at least one radially outwardly (centrifugally)
projection on an outer surface of the dispensing opening and at least one corresponding
radially inwardly (centripetally) orientated recess on an inner surface of the lid.
[0017] The at least one recess may be continuous with an elongate guide, wherein the guide
follows an arc around the circumference of the dispensing opening. The angle of the
arc may be approximately 30-180 degrees, preferably 90-180 degrees.
[0018] The guide may comprise a groove, or lip which guides the at least one projection
toward the recess as the lid is screwed downwardly relative to the dispensing opening.
The guide may project radially from an inner surface of the lid or outer surface of
the packaging. The guide may be follow an arc of a helical path or it may follow a
circumferential path of unvarying height (such that when viewed side on, it appears
straight).
[0019] Preferably the recess incorporates a retaining wall over which the projection must
be forced to enter the recess.
The retaining wall may be located at the recess/guide intersection. The retaining
wall may comprise a peak in the profile of the guide (when viewed from the side).
[0020] The guide may comprise a lip which abuts the projection during rotation of the lid.
Preferably the guide abuts an upper surface of the projection so that downward application
of the cap brings the guide to bear downwardly on the upper surface of the projection.
[0021] In a particularly preferred embodiment there are two projections which may be diametrically
opposed (approximately 180 degrees apart) and also two corresponding recesses and
associated guides.
[0022] The lid preferably incorporates a sealing mechanism for sealing engagement with the
opening, whereby the sealing mechanism is aligned with the locking members such that
locking and sealing both occur, either at the same time of sequentially whereby one
initiates the other. For example, the action of locking may initiate sealing.
[0023] The lid may comprise an outer wall and an inner sealing wall, wherein the inner sealing
wall may be generally concentric with the outer wall. The inner sealing wall or flange
preferably forms a seal with the packaging opening e.g. bottle neck. Preferably the
inner sealing wall fits in sealing engagement, e.g. by friction fit due to respective
diameters of the flange and opening, with the inside the package opening, e.g. bottle
neck. Preferably the arrangement of the screw threads, locking members and sealing
wall and package opening are such that as the locking members are manually forced
into engagement, the sealing wall is forced into sealing (e.g. frictional) engagement
with the package opening e.g. neck.
The inner sealing wall preferably tapers radially outwardly in the direction of travel
during closure. This together with the corresponding diameters and resilient material
provides a close fit for good sealing.
[0024] The locking members may act as a temporary brake on angular velocity, which manual
pressure overcomes and this accumulated energy then drives the screw threads into
improved mutual sealing engagement. Accordingly the locking members may comprise interengaging
surfaces with stepped profiles or profiles having a sharp gradient.
[0025] Preferably the packaging material has an oxygen permeability of less than 8 nmol/m.s
GPA (measured at 20°C and 75% RH).
[0026] The package preferably comprises a resilient plastic material. The interengageable
locking members may be resilient to allow the interengagement. However, such resilience
should not be excessive as interengagement should require some force to provide the
tactile feedback.
[0027] Preferable the packaging comprises a resilient polymeric material, and may comprise
a polyolefin. The packaging material is preferably thermoplastic. The packaging material
may be a mono-layer or multi-layer (e.g. laminate). The chamber preferably comprises
polyester and further preferably it comprises polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The
invention is particularly applicable to rigid, shaped, containers, and especially
injection stretch blow molded biaxially oriented hollow thermoplastic containers,
such as bottles, formed from synthetic linear polyesters, such as polyethylene terephthalate,
polybutylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate, and the like, including homopolymers
and copolymers of ethylene terephthalate and ethylene naphthalate. PET packaging materials
are preferably in the range 200-400 microns thick.
[0028] The lid is preferably opaque and may comprise polypropylene.
Fabric Conditioning Composition
[0029] Compositions with higher levels of unsaturated quaternary ammonium compounds are
more prone to such disadvantages. Accordingly the fabric conditioning composition
preferably comprises 1-40% by weight, more preferably 30-40% by weight of the unsaturated
quaternary ammonium compound.
[0030] The fabric treatment composition of the invention is suitable for use in a laundry
process. Examples include a softening-in-the-wash main wash composition, a rinse treatment
(e.g. conditioner or finisher), or a posttreatment 'wet tissue' type product. The
compositions of the present invention are preferably laundry compositions, especially
softening-in-the-wash compositions or rinse-added softening compositions.
[0031] The compositions of the invention may be in any physical form e.g. a solid such as
a powder or granules, a tablet, a solid bar, a paste, gel or liquid, especially, an
aqueous based liquid, spray, stick, impregnated substrates, foam or mousse. In particular
the compositions may be liquid, powder, or unit dose such as tablet laundry compositions.
The liquid products of the invention may have pH ranging from 2.5 (for fabric care
compositions) to 12 (for fabric softening-in-the-wash compositions). This pH range
preferably remains stable over the shelf life of the product.
The Quaternary Ammonium Compound
[0032] The quaternary ammonium fabric softening material for use in compositions of the
present invention can be an ester-linked triethanolamine (TEA) quaternary ammonium
compound comprising a mixture of mono-, di- and tri-ester linked components.
[0033] Typically, TEA-based fabric softening compounds comprise a mixture of mono, di- and
tri-ester forms of the compound where the di-ester linked component comprises no more
than 70% by weight of the fabric softening compound, preferably no more than 60%,
e.g. no more than 55%, or even no more than 45% of the fabric softening compound and
at least 10 % of the monoester linked component by weight of the fabric softening
compound.
[0034] A first group of quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) suitable for use in the present
invention is represented by formula (I):
wherein each R is independently selected from a C
5-35 alkyl or alkenyl group; R
1 represents a C
1-4 alkyl, C
2-4 alkenyl or a C
1-4 hydroxyalkyl group; T is generally O-CO. (i.e. an ester group bound to R via its
carbon atom), but may alternatively be CO-O (i.e. an ester group bound to R via its
oxygen atom); n is a number selected from 1 to 4; m is a number selected from 1, 2,
or 3; and X
- is an anionic counter-ion, such as a halide or alkyl sulphate, e.g. chloride or methylsulphate.
Di-esters variants of formula I (i.e. m = 2) are preferred and typically have mono-
and tri-ester analogues associated with them. Such materials are particularly suitable
for use in the present invention.
[0035] Especially preferred agents are di-esters of triethanolamine methylsulphate, otherwise
referred to as "TEA ester quats.". Commercial examples include Prapagen TQ (ex Clariant),
Tetranyl L1-90 (ex Kao), Stepantex VT-90 and VK-90 (ex Stepan), Rewoquat WE18 (ex
Evonik) all di-[partially hardened tallow ester] of triethanolamine methylsulphate).
[0036] Preferred are Au57 ex Cognis and Stepantex SP-90 both (di-[palm ester] of triethanolamine
methylsulphate).
[0037] The second group of QACs suitable for use in the invention is represented by formula
(II):
wherein each R
1 group is independently selected from C
1-4 alkyl, hydroxyalkyl or C
2-4 alkenyl groups; and wherein each R
2 group is independently selected from C
8-28 alkyl or alkenyl groups; and wherein n, T, and X
- are as defined above. Preferred materials of this second group include 1,2
bis[tallowoyloxy]-3-trimethylamine propane chloride, 1,2
bis[hardened tallowoyloxy]-3-trimethylamine propane chloride, 1,2-
bis[oleoyloxy]-3-trimethylamine propane chloride, and 1,2
bis[stearoyloxy]-3-trimethylamine propane chloride. Such materials are described in
US 4,137,180 (Lever Brothers). Preferably, these materials also comprise an amount of the corresponding
mono-ester.
[0038] A third group of QACs suitable for use in the invention is represented by formula
(III):
(R
1)
2-N
+-[(CH
2)
n-T-R
2]
2X
- (III)
wherein each R
1 group is independently selected from C
1-4 alkyl, or C
2-4 alkenyl groups; and wherein each R
2 group is independently selected from C
8-28 alkyl or alkenyl groups; and n, T, and X
- are as defined above. Preferred materials of this third group include bis(2-tallowoyloxyethyl)dimethyl
ammonium chloride and hardened versions thereof. A commercial example of this material
is Armosoft DEQ (ex AKZO).
[0039] The iodine value of the quaternary ammonium fabric softening material is preferably
from 20 to 60, more preferably from 20 to 40.
[0040] Iodine value is defined as the number of grams of iodine absorbed per 100 g of test
material.
[0042] Iodine value is defined as the number of grams of iodine absorbed per 100g of the
test material. Olefinic materials absorb 1 gram of iodine per atom of olefinic hydrogen.
Hence measurement can be converted to the equivalent Iodine Value. The hydrogen nmr
spectrum at 360 MHz is obtained for the test material. The integral intensity, I
s, of the band derived from olefinic hydrogen in the alkyl chain and the integral intensity,
I
m, of the band derived from terminal methyl groups in the alkyl chains are measured.
[0043] The number of olefinic hydrogens per molecule is given by:
and the Iodine Value is given by:
where MMW is the mean molecular weight of the test material.
[0044] The non-ester softening compound preferably has the alkyl or alkenyl chain lengths
referred to above for the non-ester softening compound. One preferred type of non-ester
softening compound is a quaternary ammonium material represented by formula (IV):-
wherein each R
1 group is independently selected from C
1-4 alkyl, hydroxyalkyl or C
2-4 alkenyl groups; R
2 group is independently selected from C
8-28 alkyl or alkenyl groups, and X- is as defined above.
[0045] The compositions may alternatively or additionally contain nonionic fabric softening
agents such as lanolin and derivatives thereof. A further nonionic fabric softening
agent suitable for use in the compositions of the invention is Castor oil, for example,
from Now Chemicals.
[0046] Lecithins and other phospholipids are also suitable softening compounds.
[0047] In fabric softening compositions nonionic stabilising agent may be present. Suitable
nonionic stabilising agents may be present such as linear C8 to C22 alcohols alkoxylated
with 10 to 20 moles of alkylene oxide, C10 to C20 alcohols, or mixtures thereof. Other
stabilising agents include the deflocculating polymers as described in
EP 0415698A2 and
[0049] Advantageously the nonionic stabilising agent is a linear C8 to C22 alcohol alkoxylated
with 10 to 20 moles of alkylene oxide. Preferably, the level of nonionic stabiliser
is within the range from 0.1 to 10% by weight, more preferably from 0.5 to 5% by weight,
most preferably from 1 to 4% by weight. The mole ratio of the quaternary ammonium
compound and/or other cationic softening agent to the nonionic stabilising agent is
suitably within the range from 40:1 to about 1:1, preferably within the range from
18:1 to about 3:1.
[0050] The composition can also contain fatty acids, for example C8 to C24 alkyl or alkenyl
monocarboxylic acids or polymers thereof. Preferably the fatty acid is non-saponified,
more preferably the fatty acid is free, for example oleic acid, lauric acid or tallow
fatty acid. The level of fatty acid material is preferably more than 0.1% by weight,
more preferably more than 0.2% by weight. Concentrated compositions may comprise from
0.5 to 20% by weight of fatty acid, more preferably 1% to 10% by weight. The weight
ratio of quaternary ammonium material or other cationic softening agent to fatty acid
material is preferably from 10:1 to 1:10.
[0051] It is also possible to include certain mono-alkyl cationic surfactants which can
be used in main-wash compositions for fabrics. Cationic surfactants that may be used
include quaternary ammonium salts of the general formula R1R2R3R4N
+ X
- wherein the R groups are long or short hydrocarbon chains, typically alkyl, hydroxyalkyl
or ethoxylated alkyl groups, and X is a counter-ion (for example, compounds in which
R1 is a C8-C22 alkyl group, preferably a C8-C10 or C12-C14 alkyl group, R2 is a methyl
group, and R3 and R4, which may be the same or different, are methyl or hydroxyethyl
groups); and cationic esters (for example, choline esters). Softening in the wash
compositions in accordance with the invention comprise a surface-active compound,
selected from anionic surfactants, cationic surfactants, non-ionic surfactants, zwitterionic
surfactants, amphoteric surfactants and mixtures thereof. The choice of surface-active
compound (surfactant), and the amount present, will depend on the intended use of
the detergent composition. In fabric washing compositions, different surfactant systems
may be chosen, as is well known to the skilled formulator, for handwashing products
and for products intended for use in different types of washing machine.
[0052] The total amount of surfactant present will also depend on the intended end use and
may be as high as 60 wt%, for example, in a composition for washing fabrics by hand.
In compositions for machine washing of fabrics, an amount of from 5 to 40 wt% is generally
appropriate. Typically the compositions will comprise at least 2 wt% surfactant e.g.
2-60%, preferably 15-40% most preferably 25-35%, by weight of the composition.
[0053] The fabric treatment compositions of the invention can also contain adjuvants that
are normal in the cosmetic, pharmaceutical and/or dermatological field, such as hydrophilic
or lipophilic gelling agents, hydrophilic or lipophilic active agents, preserving
agents, antioxidants, solvents, fragrances, fillers, screening agents, bactericides,
odour absorbers, photobleaches (singlet oxygen or radical type) and dyestuffs. The
amounts of these various adjuvants are those conventionally used in the field under
consideration and are, for example, from 0.01 to 20 % of the total weight of the composition.
Depending on their nature, these adjuvants can be introduced into the fatty phase
and/or into the aqueous phase. Examples of suitable biocides for use in the present
invention include Proxel (1,2-benzisothiazolin-3-one), available from, for example,
Univar, Avecia and Uniqema; and Kathon CG (Methylchloroisothiazolinone and Methylisothiazolinone),
available from Rhom and Haas.
[0054] Various non-limiting embodiments of the invention will now be more particularly described
with reference to the following figures in which:
Figure 1 shows a cross sectional view of a package according to one embodiment of
the invention, the lid shown in closed position;
Figure 2 shows an enlarged cross sectional view of the locking members of figure 1;
Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the bottle only (neck region) of figure 1;
Figure 4 shows a perspective view of an annular section of the inner attachment surface
of the cap of figure 1, to illustrate the guide formation.
[0055] Referring to the drawings, a package 1 is shown. The package contains a liquid fabric
conditioning composition (not shown) comprising unsaturated quaternary ammonium compounds
which may be according to any of the examples hereinbelow.
[0056] The package 1 comprises a bottle 5 and a lid which is a screw-on cap 7. The bottle
5 has a chamber 9 (shown only partially) containing the fabric condition composition
3.
[0057] The chamber 9 has a dispensing opening 11 which has a neck region 10 and which can
be closed by rotating the cap 7 (which fits over the neck 10) relative to the dispensing
opening 11. The dispensing opening 11 and cap 7 incorporate interengageable locking
members 13, 15 (see figures 3 and 4) whereby locked closure of the chamber 9 with
the cap 7 produces an audible sound by manually forced interengagement of the locking
members 13, 15.
[0058] The bottle has an external screw thread 20 proximate the dispensing opening 11 i.e.
around the neck 10. The cap 7 has a corresponding internal screw thread 22 on an outer
attachment wall 8.
[0059] The respective screw threads 20, 22 describe a 520 degree helical path around the
opening.
[0060] The interengageable locking members 13, 15 are structurally separate from the screw
threads.
[0061] The locking members 13, 15 comprise two radially outwardly (centrifugally) projections
15 on an outer surface of the dispensing opening 11 i.e. neck 10 and two corresponding
radially inwardly (centripetally) orientated recesses 13 on an inner surface of the
lid 7. There are two projections, diametrically opposed (180 degrees apart) and also
two corresponding recesses and associated guides.
[0062] As shown more clearly in figure 4, each recess is continuous with a respective elongate
guide 17, wherein the guide follows an arc (shown only partially in figure 4 around
the circumference of the neck. The angle of the arc is approximately 170-180 degrees.
[0063] Each guide 17 comprises a lip 17 projecting radially from the inner surface of the
attachment wall 8 of the cap 7 and this guides the projection 15 toward the recess
13 during rotation of the cap 7 in closure. Thus, as the lid 7 is screwed downwardly
relative to the bottle, each guide 17 abuts an upper surface 15
a of a respective projection 15 so that downward application of the cap brings the
lower surface 17
a of each guide 17 to bear downwardly on the upper surface 15
a of each projection 15.
[0064] The profile of each guide (i.e. it's height relative to the cap 7 when viewed from
the side) tapers circumferentially to ease location of a respective projection 15
in to the guide 17 (see ref 50 in fig 4).
[0065] Each recess 13 incorporates a retaining wall 19 over which the projection 15 must
be forced to enter the recess 13. The retaining wall 19 is located at the recess/guide
intersection 21. The retaining wall 19 comprises a peak in the elevation profile of
the guide 17 (when viewed from the side).
[0066] An alternative arrangement (not shown) is where the retaining wall is configured
to abut an under surface of the projection 15 and so give upward support.
[0067] The cap 7 incorporates a sealing mechanism comprising a sealing wall 30 of the cap
7 and corresponding neck portion 32 of the bottle.
[0068] The sealing wall 30 is generally concentric with the attachment wall 8, and tapers
radially outwardly in the direction of travel during closure i.e. forming a truncated
cone. This shape together with the corresponding diameters of the wall 30 and neck
portion 32 (i.e. wall 30 diameter slightly exceeds neck portion 32 diameter) and the
resilience of the material so that the wall 30 flexes to provide a close friction
fit for good sealing.
[0069] The sealing mechanism is aligned positionally with the locking members such that
locking and sealing both occur generally at the same time.
[0070] The packaging material comprises a monolayer polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and
has an oxygen transmission rate of less than 8 nmole/m.s.GPA (20°C, 75% RH).
[0071] PET provides the interengageable locking members with sufficient resilience to allow
the interengagement under manual force for audio and tactile feedback.
[0072] The PET is preferably in the range 200-400 microns thick and is in this embodiment
0.2 mm thick.
[0073] The lid comprises polypropylene.
[0074] Non-limiting Examples of Fabric conditioning compositions according to embodiments
of the invention as described above.
[0075] Unless stated otherwise, all proportions are given in weight percent by weight of
the total composition.
Exemplary: Fabric conditioner compositions 1, 2 and 3
[0076]
Composition |
1 |
2 |
3 |
Softener |
|
|
|
Soft TEA Quat* |
16.5 |
10 |
16.5 |
Fatty alcohol** |
- |
0.5 |
|
Other components |
|
|
Electrolyte (CaCl2) |
0.015 |
0.015 |
0.015 |
Perfume |
1.00 |
1.00 |
1.00 |
Water |
to 100 |
to 100 |
to 100 |
* Soft TEA quat is a cationic softener based on triethanolamine with tallow and 15%
IPA as solvent. Compositions 1 and 2: (VT-90 ex Stepan) Composition 3: Soft DEEDMAC
(Armosoft DEQ ex Akzo)
** C16C18 fatty alcohol (Hydrenol D ex Cognis) |
[0077] It is of course to be understood that the invention is not intended to be restricted
to the details of the above embodiment which are described by way of example only.
1. A fabric conditioning composition comprising 0.5-40% by weight of at least one unsaturated
quaternary ammonium compound in combination with a package comprising a resilient
material and comprising a chamber containing the fabric condition composition, said
chamber having a dispensing opening which can be closed by a lid, the dispensing opening
and closure comprising interengageable locking members whereby locked closure of the
chamber with the lid produces an audible sound by manually forced interengagement
of the locking members.
2. The combination of claim 1 wherein the package comprises a lidded container having
an external screw thread proximate the dispensing opening and a screw-on lid, having
an internal screw thread, which corresponds with the external screw thread of the
container.
4. A combination according to claim 2 wherein the locking members comprise corresponding
projections and recesses which are structurally independent of the screw threads.
5. A combination according to any of claims 2-4 wherein the screw threads describe a
helical path around the opening having a maximum of 720 degrees such that less than
two 360 degree rotations of the lid are required to secure closure.
6. A combination according to any preceding claim wherein the lid incorporates a sealing
mechanism for sealing engagement with the opening, whereby the sealing mechanism is
aligned with the locking members such that locking and sealing both occur, either
at the same time of sequentially whereby one initiates the other.
7. A combination according to claim 6 wherein the lid comprises an outer wall and an
inner sealing wall or flange, wherein the inner sealing wall or flange is generally
concentric with the outer wall and forms a seal with the packaging opening.
8. A combination according to claim 7 wherein the screw threads, locking members and
sealing wall/flange and package opening are arranged such that as the locking members
are manually forced into engagement, the sealing flange/wall is forced into sealing
engagement with the package opening.
9. A combination according to any preceding claim wherein the packaging material has
an oxygen permeability of less than 8 nmol/m.s.GPA (20°C, 75% RH).
10. A combination according to any preceding claim wherein the package comprises a resilient
plastic material.
11. A combination according to any preceding claim wherein the at least one unsaturated
quaternary ammonium compound comprises an ester-linked triethanolamine (TEA) quaternary
ammonium compound comprising a mixture of mono-, di- and tri-ester linked components.
12. A combination according to any preceding claim wherein the iodine value of the quaternary
ammonium fabric compound is from 20 to 60.
13. A combination according to claim 12 wherein the iodine value of the unsaturated quaternary
ammonium fabric softening compound is from 20 to 40.
14. A combination according to any preceding claim wherein the composition comprises
a total amount of between 20-40 % by weight of the unsaturated quaternary ammonium
compounds.
15. A combination according to claim 14 wherein the composition comprises a total amount
of between 30-40 % by wt by weight of the unsaturated quaternary ammonium compounds.
16. A process comprising the step of treating a fabric article using the combination
according to any preceding step, the process including the step of closing the package
by rotating the lid relative to the dispensing opening such that closure of the chamber
with the lid produces an audible sound by manually forced interengagement of the locking
members.