US Patent 7723459 Polymeric polysorbate softeners

The present invention is directed to a class of polyesters that are lightly crosslinked polyesters made by reacting polysorbate units (linked by the reaction of their hydroxyl groups) to the carboxyl group of dimer acid. As will become clear, lightly crosslinked as used herein relates to reactions in which there is an excess of hydroxyl groups on a molar basis to carboxylic groups on the dimer acid. The polymers and a contribute softness, lubricity and antistatic properties when applied to hair, skin, textile fiber and paper.