U.S. patent application number 12/820352 was filed with the patent office on 2011-01-13 for method of laundering fabric.
Invention is credited to Alan Thomas Brooker, Kim Keltie, Hiroshi Oh, Nigel Patrick Somer Ville Roberts, Colin Ure.
Application Number | 20110005002 12/820352 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42799609 |
Filed Date | 2011-01-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110005002 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Oh; Hiroshi ; et
al. |
January 13, 2011 |
Method of Laundering Fabric
Abstract
Method of laundering soiled fabrics in an automatic washing
machine, which method having the steps of: a) forming an aqueous
laundering solution by mixing from 11 to 40 l of water and a solid
detergent composition comprising a surfactant system, the aqueous
laundering solution having from 200 ppm to 5,000 ppm of the
detergent composition; b) putting in contact soiled fabrics with
the aqueous laundering solution; and c) washing the fabrics in the
solution, wherein the solid detergent composition is such that at
least 30% of the detergent composition dissolves in 60 seconds in
water and wherein the surfactant system has a micellar stability
(.tau.2) of at most 30 seconds.
Inventors: |
Oh; Hiroshi; (Cincinnati,
OH) ; Brooker; Alan Thomas; (Newcastle upon Tyne,
GB) ; Ure; Colin; (Tyne & Wear, GB) ;
Keltie; Kim; (Argyll, GB) ; Somer Ville Roberts;
Nigel Patrick; (Newcastle upon Tyne, GB) |
Correspondence
Address: |
THE PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY;Global Legal Department - IP
Sycamore Building - 4th Floor, 299 East Sixth Street
CINCINNATI
OH
45202
US
|
Family ID: |
42799609 |
Appl. No.: |
12/820352 |
Filed: |
June 22, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61224155 |
Jul 9, 2009 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
8/137 |
Current CPC
Class: |
C11D 3/10 20130101; C11D
1/37 20130101; C11D 11/0017 20130101; C11D 1/22 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
8/137 |
International
Class: |
D06L 1/12 20060101
D06L001/12 |
Claims
1. A method of laundering soiled fabrics in an automatic washing
machine, the method comprises the steps of: a) forming an aqueous
laundering solution by mixing from about 11 to about 40 l of water
and a solid detergent composition comprising a surfactant system,
said aqueous laundering solution comprising from about 200 ppm to
about 5,000 ppm of the detergent composition; b) putting in contact
soiled fabrics with said aqueous laundering solution; and c)
washing said soiled fabrics in said aqueous laundering solution,
wherein said solid detergent composition is such that at least
about 30% of the detergent composition dissolves in about 60
seconds in water according to the dissolution of the solid
detergent composition test and wherein the surfactant system has a
micellar stability .tau.2 of at most about 30 seconds according to
the micellar stability test.
2. The method of laundering soiled fabrics according to claim 1,
wherein the aqueous laundering composition comprises from about 6
to about 15 litres of water.
3. The method of laundering soiled fabrics according to claim 1,
wherein the aqueous laundering composition comprises from about
3000 to about 6000 ppm of detergent composition.
4. The method of laundering soiled fabrics according to claim 1,
wherein the weight ratio of soiled fabric to aqueous laundering
solution ranges from about 1:1 to about 1:10.
5. The method of laundering soiled fabrics according to claim 1,
wherein the solid detergent composition is such that at least about
50% of the detergent composition dissolves in 60 seconds in
water.
6. The method of laundering soiled fabrics according to claim 1,
wherein the solid detergent composition comprises organic matter
and is such that at least about 50% of organic matter of the
detergent composition dissolves in about 60 seconds in water.
7. The method of laundering soiled fabrics according to claim 1,
wherein the solid detergent composition comprises anionic
surfactant and is such that at least about 50% of the anionic
surfactant of the detergent composition dissolves in about 60
seconds in water.
8. The method of laundering soiled fabrics according to claim 1,
wherein the surfactant system has a micellar stability T2 of at
most about 26 seconds and of at least about 10 s.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application Ser. No. 61/224,155, filed Jul. 9, 2009.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to a method for laundering
soiled fabric, the method comprising the use of a detergent
composition having a specific rate of dissolution and comprising a
surfactant system having a specific micellar stability
(.tau.2).
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Many consumers have a desire to conserve resources and
eliminate what they perceive as waste or unnecessary, without a
noticeable or significant reduction in the performance of the
product. Consequently, there is interest in the so called compact
laundry product. However, even though compaction of laundry
detergents may seem to be highly desirable it is problematic and
difficult to deliver a compact product which is having good
economics, provides good cleaning and is perceived by a consumer as
being good value. By way of example, the reduction or increase of
the components of a laundry product, such as builders, fillers,
surfactants etc, to arrive at a compact formula means that the
relative amounts of these components is different to the one
present in the non-compact product. With less solid detergent
composition introduced into the aqueous laundering composition, the
compact composition have less ability to clean well, and less
ability to mitigate the negative effect of calcium ions on
surfactant performance.
[0004] This means that, to produce a compact product which has
comparable performance to a non-compact product, significant time
and effort will be involved.
[0005] Consequently, the need remains for a compact detergent that
is comparable in performance to existing non-compact laundry
detergent.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] In one embodiment of the present invention, the invention
concerns a method of laundering soiled fabrics in an automatic
washing machine, which method comprises the steps of: [0007] a)
forming an aqueous laundering solution by mixing from 11 to 40 l of
water and a solid detergent composition comprising a surfactant
system, said aqueous laundering solution comprising from 200 ppm to
5,000 ppm of the detergent composition; [0008] b) putting in
contact soiled fabrics with said aqueous laundering solution; and
[0009] c) washing said fabrics in said solution, wherein said solid
detergent composition is such that at least 30% of the detergent
composition dissolves in 60 seconds in water (as measured according
to the dissolution of the solid detergent composition test in the
specification) and wherein the surfactant system has a micellar
stability (.tau.2) of at most 30 seconds (as measured according to
the micellar stability test in the specification).
[0010] Step a) and b) may be executed in any order and the soiled
fabrics may be contacted to the water prior to, or after, or
simultaneous with, contacting the solid detergent composition with
water.
[0011] The inventors have found that detergent compositions having
the dissolution of the invention and comprising a surfactant system
having the .tau.2 of the invention were particularly suitable in
compact compositions. The method of laundering of the invention is
providing good cleaning performance while using a low concentration
of detergent composition in the aqueous laundering solution.
[0012] Unless otherwise specified, the percentage and ratio in the
claims and the present specification are by weight.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0013] In one of its embodiment, the invention concerns a method of
laundering soiled fabrics.
[0014] Method of Laundering Soiled Fabrics
[0015] The soiled fabrics are washed in an automatic washing
machine. The automatic washing machine may be a top loading or a
front loading machine typically, the soiled fabric are washed in a
front loading machine. The automatic washing machine may comprise a
rotatable wash drum. The wash drum may be rotatable around a
substantially vertical axis or a round a substantially horizontal
axis.
[0016] An aqueous laundering solution is formed by mixing water and
a solid detergent composition. Typically, the aqueous laundering
solution is formed inside the washing machine. The aqueous
laundering solution may be formed directly in the wash drum.
Typically, the solid detergent composition is placed in a detergent
dispenser drawer and is mixed with water going through the drawer
and then into the drum.
[0017] The aqueous laundering solution may comprise from 1 to 40
litres of water, for example from 6 to 35 or from 8 to 30 or even
from 9 to 25 or from 10 to 20 litres of water.
[0018] The water may be tap water, cold, hot, or a mixture thereof.
The water may be heated at a temperature of at least 20.degree. C.
or at least 30.degree. C. or even 40.degree. C.
[0019] The aqueous laundering solution may be formed by mixing
water with from 25 g to 100 g, or from 30 to 95 g or from 40 to 85
g or even from 50 to 75 g of solid detergent composition. The
aqueous laundering solution may be formed by mixing water with 50 g
or less, 45 g or less, or 40 g or less, or 35 g or less, or 30 g or
less, or 25 g or less, or 20 g or less, or even 15 g or less, or
even 10 g or less of solid detergent composition.
[0020] The aqueous laundering solution comprises from 200 ppm to
5,000 ppm of detergent composition. The aqueous laundering solution
may comprise at least 250 ppm, or 300 ppm or even at least 350 or
400 or 450 or at least 500 or 600 or 700 ppm of detergent
composition. The aqueous laundering solution may comprise at most
4,000 ppm or at most 3,000 ppm or at most 2,000 or 1,000 or 800 ppm
of detergent composition.
[0021] In particular, the aqueous laundering solution may comprise
from 6 to 20 litres of water, in particular from 8 to 15 litres of
water, the aqueous laundering solution may be formed with 50 g to
75 g of solid detergent composition, in particular from 60 to 70 g
of solid detergent composition, and the aqueous laundering solution
may comprise from 500 to 5,000 ppm of detergent composition, in
particular from 1,000 to 2,000 ppm of detergent composition.
[0022] In particular, the aqueous laundering solution may comprise
from 20 to 40 litres of water, in particular from 30 to 35 litres
of water, the aqueous laundering solution may be formed with 20 g
to 50 g of solid detergent composition, in particular from 25 to 40
g of solid detergent composition, and the aqueous laundering
solution may comprise from 400 to 1,000 ppm of detergent
composition, in particular from 500 to 700 or 600 ppm of detergent
composition.
[0023] The concentration of solid detergent composition in the
aqueous laundering solution is the one of the main wash cycle. Any
input of water during any optional rinsing step(s) is not included
when determining the volume of the aqueous laundering solution.
[0024] Soiled fabrics are put in contact with the aqueous
laundering solution. The soiled fabrics may be put in contact
directly with the aqueous laundering solution. The soiled fabrics
may also be put in contact with the aqueous laundering solution by
first putting the soiled fabrics into contact with part of the
aqueous laundering solution, (for example by first putting the
soiled fabrics in contact with part of the water) and then by
adding the remaining part of the aqueous laundering solution (for
example adding the detergent composition and the remaining part of
water).
[0025] The weight ratio of soiled fabric to aqueous laundering
solution may be comprised between 1:25 and 1:1, or between 1:20 and
1:1.5 or between 1:15 and 1:2 or even between 1:10 and 1:3.
[0026] Typically from 0.0 kg to 2 kg of soiled fabric per litre of
aqueous laundering solution is dosed into said aqueous laundering
solution. Typically from 0.01 kg, or from 0.02 kg, or from 0.03 kg,
or from 0.05 kg, or from 0.07 kg, or from 0.10 kg, or from 0.12 kg,
or from 0.15 kg, or from 0.18 kg, or from 0.20 kg, or from 0.22 kg,
or from 0.25 kg soiled fabric per litre of aqueous laundering
solution is dosed into said aqueous laundering solution.
[0027] The soiled fabrics may be soiled clothes, sheets, towels, or
mixtures thereof. The soiled fabrics may comprise natural and/or
synthetic textiles. The textile may comprise wool, silk, cotton,
flax, jute, hemp, modal, acetate, polyester, aramid, acrylic,
nylon, spandex, and mixture thereof.
[0028] The soiled fabric may be soiled with clay, ground-in dirt,
greasy and oily stains, food, body fluids, chocolate, dairy
products, grass, blood, egg, cosmetics, cooking oils, animal fats,
motor oils, body soils, and mixture thereof.
[0029] The soiled fabrics are at least partially washed in the
aqueous laundering solution. The fabrics may be washed by keeping
them in contact with the aqueous laundering solution for at least 5
seconds, or 30 seconds, or 2 minutes, typically for at least 4
minutes or 6 or 8 or even 10 minutes. Typically, while the fabrics
are in contact with the aqueous laundering solution, agitation is
provided, for example by rotation of the drum. While the fabrics
are in contact with the aqueous laundering solution heating may be
provided.
[0030] The at least partially washed soiled fabrics may then be
rinsed in the automatic washing machine. They may be rinsed at
least once or at least twice.
[0031] Solid Detergent Composition
[0032] The solid detergent composition comprises a surfactant
system.
[0033] Micellar Stability (.tau.2)
[0034] In the aqueous laundering solution, there is an equilibrium
between micelles and momomers of surfactants. The time required for
a micelle breakdown into monomers is called the micellar stability
or the .tau.2.
[0035] The surfactant system has a micellar stability (.tau.2) of
at most 30 seconds according to the micellar stability test. In
particular, the surfactant system has a micellar stability (.tau.2)
of at most 28 s, or 26 s, or 24 s, or 22 s, or 20 s, or 18 s, or 16
s, or 14 s, or even 12 s. The surfactant system may have a micellar
stability of at least 10 s, or 12 s, or 14 s, or 16 s, or 18 s, or
even 20 s.
[0036] Rates of Dissolution
[0037] The solid detergent composition is such that at least 30% of
the solid detergent composition dissolves in 60 seconds in water
(as measured according to the dissolution of the solid detergent
composition test below). In particular, at least 40% or 50% or 60%
or 70% or 80% of the detergent composition may dissolves in 60 s in
water according to dissolution of the solid detergent composition
test.
[0038] The solid detergent composition may be such that at least
50% or 60% or 70% or 80% or 90% of the organic matter of the solid
detergent composition dissolves in 60 seconds in water (as measured
according to the dissolution of organic matter of the solid
detergent composition test below).
[0039] The solid detergent composition may be such that at least
50% or 60% or 70% or 80% or 90% of the anionic surfactant of the
solid detergent composition dissolves in 60 seconds in water (as
measured according to the dissolution of the anionic surfactant of
the solid detergent composition test below).
[0040] Surfactant System
[0041] The solid detergent composition comprises a surfactant
system, preferably from 2% to 40% by weight, preferably at least
4%, or 6%, or even at least 8%, or 10%, or 12%, or 15%, or 20%, or
even at least 25% of a surfactant system. The composition may
comprise less than 30%, or less than 20%, or less than 15%, or less
than 10%, or less than 8% by weight of a surfactant system.
[0042] The surfactant system may comprise alkyl benzene sulphonate
and one or more detersive co-surfactants. The surfactant may
comprise C.sub.10-C.sub.13 alkyl benzene sulphonate and one or more
co-surfactants. The co-surfactants may be selected from the group
consisting of C.sub.12-C.sub.18 alkyl ethoxylated alcohols having
an average degree of ethoxylation of from 3 to 7; C.sub.12-C.sub.18
alkyl ethoxylated sulphates having an average degree of
ethoxylation of from 1 to 5; and mixtures thereof. However, other
surfactant systems may be suitable for use in the present
invention.
[0043] Suitable surfactant systems include anionic detersive
surfactants, nonionic detersive surfactants, cationic detersive
surfactants, zwitterionic detersive surfactants, amphoteric
detersive surfactants and mixtures thereof.
[0044] Suitable anionic detersive surfactants include: alkyl
sulphates; alkyl sulphonates; alkyl phosphates; alkyl phosphonates;
alkyl carboxylates; and mixtures thereof. The anionic surfactant
can be selected from the group consisting of: C.sub.10-C.sub.18
alkyl benzene sulphonates (LAS) preferably C.sub.10-C.sub.13 alkyl
benzene sulphonates; C.sub.10-C.sub.20 primary, branched chain,
linear-chain and random-chain alkyl sulphates (AS), typically
having the following formula:
CH.sub.3(CH.sub.2).times.CH.sub.2-OSO.sub.3.sup.-M.sup.+
[0045] wherein, M is hydrogen or a cation which provides charge
neutrality, preferred cations are sodium and ammonium cations,
wherein x is an integer of at least 7, preferably at least 9;
C.sub.10-C.sub.18 secondary (2,3) alkyl sulphates, typically having
the following formulae:
##STR00001##
[0046] wherein, M is hydrogen or a cation which provides charge
neutrality, preferred cations include sodium and ammonium cations,
wherein x is an integer of at least 7, preferably at least 9, y is
an integer of at least 8, preferably at least 9; C.sub.10-C.sub.18
alkyl alkoxy carboxylates; mid-chain branched alkyl sulphates as
described in more detail in U.S. Pat. No. 6,020,303 and U.S. Pat.
No. 6,060,443; modified alkylbenzene sulphonate (MLAS) as described
in more detail in WO 99/05243, WO 99/05242, WO 99/05244, WO
99/05082, WO 99/05084, WO 99/05241, WO 99/07656, WO 00/23549, and
WO 00/23548; methyl ester sulphonate (MES); alpha-olefin sulphonate
(AOS) and mixtures thereof.
[0047] Preferred anionic detersive surfactants include: linear or
branched, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl benzene sulphonate
detersive surfactants, preferably linear C.sub.8-C.sub.18 alkyl
benzene sulphonate detersive surfactants; linear or branched,
substituted or unsubstituted alkyl benzene sulphate detersive
surfactants; linear or branched, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl
sulphate detersive surfactants, including linear C.sub.8-C.sub.18
alkyl sulphate detersive surfactants, C.sub.1-C.sub.3 alkyl
branched C.sub.8-C.sub.18 alkyl sulphate detersive surfactants,
linear or branched alkoxylated C.sub.8-C.sub.18 alkyl sulphate
detersive surfactants and mixtures thereof; linear or branched,
substituted or unsubstituted alkyl sulphonate detersive
surfactants; and mixtures thereof.
[0048] Preferred alkoxylated alkyl sulphate detersive surfactants
are linear or branched, substituted or unsubstituted C.sub.8-18
alkyl alkoxylated sulphate detersive surfactants having an average
degree of alkoxylation of from 1 to 30, preferably from 1 to 10.
Preferably, the alkoxylated alkyl sulphate detersive surfactant is
a linear or branched, substituted or unsubstituted C.sub.8-18 alkyl
ethoxylated sulphate having an average degree of ethoxylation of
from 1 to 10. Most preferably, the alkoxylated alkyl sulphate
detersive surfactant is a linear unsubstituted C.sub.8-18 alkyl
ethoxylated sulphate having an average degree of ethoxylation of
from 3 to 7.
[0049] Preferred anionic detersive surfactants are selected from
the group consisting of: linear or branched, substituted or
unsubstituted, C.sub.12-18 alkyl sulphates; linear or branched,
substituted or unsubstituted, C.sub.10-13 alkylbenzene sulphonates,
preferably linear C.sub.10-13 alkylbenzene sulphonates; and
mixtures thereof. Highly preferred are linear C.sub.10-13
alkylbenzene sulphonates. Highly preferred are linear C.sub.10-13
alkylbenzene sulphonates that are obtainable, preferably obtained,
by sulphonating commercially available linear alkyl benzenes (LAB);
suitable LAB include low 2-phenyl LAB, such as those supplied by
Sasol under the tradename Isochem.RTM. or those supplied by Petresa
under the tradename Petrelab.RTM., other suitable LAB include high
2-phenyl LAB, such as those supplied by Sasol under the tradename
Hyblene.RTM.. A suitable anionic detersive surfactant is alkyl
benzene sulphonate that is obtained by DETAL catalyzed process,
although other synthesis routes, such as HF, may also be
suitable.
[0050] Suitable cationic detersive surfactants include: alkyl
pyridinium compounds; alkyl quaternary ammonium compounds; alkyl
quaternary phosphonium compounds; alkyl ternary sulphonium
compounds; and mixtures thereof. The cationic detersive surfactant
can be selected from the group consisting of: alkoxylate quaternary
ammonium (AQA) surfactants as described in more detail in U.S. Pat.
No. 6,136,769; dimethyl hydroxyethyl quaternary ammonium as
described in more detail in U.S. Pat. No. 6,004,922; polyamine
cationic surfactants as described in more detail in WO 98/35002, WO
98/35003, WO 98/35004, WO 98/35005, and WO 98/35006; cationic ester
surfactants as described in more detail in U.S. Pat. No. 4,228,042,
U.S. Pat. No. 4,239,660, U.S. Pat. No. 4,260,529 and U.S. Pat. No.
6,022,844; amino surfactants as described in more detail in U.S.
Pat. No. 6,221,825 and WO 00/47708, specifically amido
propyldimethyl amine; and mixtures thereof. Preferred cationic
detersive surfactants are quaternary ammonium compounds having the
general formula:
(R)(R.sub.1)(R.sub.2)(R.sub.3)N.sup.+X.sup.-
[0051] wherein, R is a linear or branched, substituted or
unsubstituted C.sub.6-18 alkyl or alkenyl moiety, R.sub.1 and
R.sub.2 are independently selected from methyl or ethyl moieties,
R.sub.3 is a hydroxyl, hydroxymethyl or a hydroxyethyl moiety, X is
an anion which provides charge neutrality, preferred anions include
halides (such as chloride), sulphate and sulphonate. Preferred
cationic detersive surfactants are mono-C.sub.6-18 alkyl
mono-hydroxyethyl di-methyl quaternary ammonium chlorides. Highly
preferred cationic detersive surfactants are mono-C.sub.8-10 alkyl
mono-hydroxyethyl di-methyl quaternary ammonium chloride,
mono-C.sub.10-42 alkyl mono-hydroxyethyl di-methyl quaternary
ammonium chloride and mono-C.sub.10 alkyl mono-hydroxyethyl
di-methyl quaternary ammonium chloride.
[0052] Suitable non-ionic detersive surfactant can be selected from
the group consisting of: C.sub.8-C.sub.18 alkyl ethoxylates, such
as, NEODOL.RTM. non-ionic surfactants from Shell; C.sub.6-C.sub.12
alkyl phenol alkoxylates wherein the alkoxylate units are
ethyleneoxy units, propyleneoxy units or a mixture thereof;
C.sub.12-C.sub.18 alcohol and C.sub.6-C.sub.12 alkyl phenol
condensates with ethylene oxide/propylene oxide block polymers such
as Pluronic.RTM. from BASF; C.sub.14-C.sub.22 mid-chain branched
alcohols, BA, as described in more detail in U.S. Pat. No.
6,150,322; C.sub.14-C.sub.22 mid-chain branched alkyl alkoxylates,
BAEx, wherein x=from 1 to 30, as described in more detail in U.S.
Pat. No. 6,153,577, U.S. Pat. No. 6,020,303 and U.S. Pat. No.
6,093,856; alkylpolysaccharides as described in more detail in U.S.
Pat. No. 4,565,647, specifically alkylpolyglycosides as described
in more detail in U.S. Pat. No. 4,483,780 and U.S. Pat. No.
4,483,779; polyhydroxy fatty acid amides as described in more
detail in U.S. Pat. No. 5,332,528, WO 92/06162, WO 93/19146, WO
93/19038, and WO 94/09099; ether capped poly(oxyalkylated) alcohol
surfactants as described in more detail in U.S. Pat. No. 6,482,994
and WO 01/42408; and mixtures thereof.
[0053] The non-ionic detersive surfactant could be an alkyl
polyglucoside and/or an alkyl alkoxylated alcohol. Preferably the
non-ionic detersive surfactant is a linear or branched, substituted
or unsubstituted C.sub.8-18 alkyl ethoxylated alcohol having an
average degree of ethoxylation of from 1 to 10, more preferably
from 3 to 7.
[0054] Solid Detergent Composition
[0055] The detergent composition may comprise additional adjunct
components. The precise nature of these additional adjunct
components, and levels of incorporation thereof, will depend on the
physical form of the composition and the nature of the operation
for which it is to be used. Suitable adjunct materials include, but
are not limited to, polymeric carboxylate, flocculating aid,
chelating agents, dye transfer inhibitors, enzymes such as
amylases, carbohydrases, cellulases, laccases, lipases, bleaching
enzymes such as oxidases and peroxidases, proteases, pectate lyases
and mannanases enzyme stabilizers, catalytic materials, bleach
activators, hydrogen peroxide, sources of hydrogen peroxide,
preformed peracids, polymeric dispersing agents, clay soil
removal/anti-redeposition agents, brighteners, suds suppressors
systems such as silicone based suds suppressors, dyes, perfumes,
structure elasticizing agents, fabric softeners, carriers,
hydrotropes, processing aids, transition metal catalysts,
brighteners, hueing agents, photobleach, fabric-softening agents
such as clay, silicone and/or quaternary ammonium compounds;
flocculants such as polyethylene oxide; dye transfer inhibitors
such as polyvinylpyrrolidone, poly 4-vinylpyridine N-oxide and/or
co-polymer of vinylpyrrolidone and vinylimidazole; fabric integrity
components such as oligomers produced by the condensation of
imidazole and epichlorhydrin; soil dispersants and soil
anti-redeposition aids such as alkoxylated polyamines and
ethoxylated ethyleneimine polymers; anti-redeposition components
such as polyesters; perfumes such as perfume microcapsules; soap
rings; aesthetic particles; dyes; fillers, although it is preferred
for the composition to be substantially free of fillers; silicate
salt such as sodium silicate, including 1.6 R and 2.0 R sodium
silicate, or sodium metasilicate; co-polyesters of di-carboxylic
acids and diols; cellulosic polymers such as methyl cellulose,
carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxyethoxycellulose, or other alkyl or
alkylalkoxy cellulose; and any combination thereof and/or
pigments.
[0056] POLYMERIC CARBOXYLATE--The composition may comprise
polymeric carboxylate. It may be preferred for the composition to
comprise at least 5 wt % or at least 6 wt %, or at least 7 wt %, or
at least 8 wt %, or even at least 9 wt %, by weight of the
composition, of polymeric carboxylate. The polymeric carboxylate
can sequester free calcium ions in the wash liquor. The carboxylate
polymers can also act as soil dispersants and can provide an
improved particulate stain removal cleaning benefit. Preferred
polymeric carboxylates include: polyacrylates, preferably having a
weight average molecular weight of from 1,000 Da to 20,000 Da;
co-polymers of maleic acid and acrylic acid, preferably having a
molar ratio of maleic acid monomers to acrylic acid monomers of
from 1:1 to 1:10 and a weight average molecular weight of from
10,000 Da to 200,000 Da, or preferably having a molar ratio of
maleic acid monomers to acrylic acid monomers of from 0.3:1 to 3:1
and a weight average molecular weight of from 1,000 Da to 50,000
Da.
[0057] PHOSPHATE AND ZEOLITE BUILDER--Preferably, the composition
comprise from 0 wt % to 10 wt % phosphate builder, preferably to 8
wt %, or to 6 wt %, or to 4 wt %, or even to 2 wt % phosphate
builder. The composition may even be substantially free of
phosphate builder, substantially free means "no deliberately
added". A typical phosphate builder is sodium tri-polyphosphate.
Preferably, the composition comprise from 0 wt % to 10 wt % zeolite
builder, preferably to 8 wt %, or to 6 wt %, or to 4 wt %, or even
to 2 wt % zeolite builder. The composition may even be
substantially free of zeolite builder, substantially free means "no
deliberately added". Typical zeolite builders are zeolite A,
zeolite P and zeolite MAP.
[0058] SOURCE OF CARBONATE--The composition may comprise a source
of carbonate. Preferred sources of carbonate include sodium
carbonate and/or sodium bicarbonate. A highly preferred source of
carbonate is sodium carbonate. Sodium percarbonate may also be used
as the source of carbonate.
[0059] BLEACHING AGENT--The compositions of the present invention
may comprise one or more bleaching agents. In general, when a
bleaching agent is used, the compositions of the present invention
may comprise from about 0.1% to about 50% or even from about 0.1%
to about 25% bleaching agent by weight of the subject detergent
composition. When present, suitable bleaching agents include
bleaching catalysts, photobleaches for example Vitamin K.sub.3 and
zinc or aluminium phtalocyanine sulfonate; bleach activators such
as tetraacetyl ethylene diamine (TAED) and nonanoyloxybenzene
sulfonate (NOBS); hydrogen peroxide; pre-formed peracids; sources
of hydrogen peroxide such as inorganic perhydrate salts, including
alkali metal salts such as sodium salts of perborate (usually mono-
or tetra-hydrate), percarbonate, persulfate, perphosphate,
persilicate salts and mixtures thereof, optionally coated, suitable
coatings including inorganic salts such as alkali metal; and
mixtures thereof.
[0060] BLEACH ACTIVATOR--Preferably, the composition comprises a
bleach activator. Suitable bleach activators are compounds which
when used in conjunction with a hydrogen peroxide source leads to
the in situ production of the peracid corresponding to the bleach
activator. Various non limiting examples of bleach activators are
disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,915,854, issued Apr. 10, 1990 to Mao
et al, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,412,934. The nonanoyloxybenzene
sulfonate (NOBS) and tetraacetylethylenediamine (TAED) activators
are typical, and mixtures thereof can also be used. See also U.S.
Pat. No. 4,634,551 for other typical bleaches and activators useful
herein. Another suitable bleach activator is
decanoyloxybenzenecarboxylic acid (DOBA).
[0061] Highly preferred amido-derived bleach activators are those
of the formulae:
R.sup.1N(R.sup.5)C(O)R.sup.2C(O)L or
R.sup.1C(O)N(R.sup.5)R.sup.2C(O)L
wherein as used for these compounds R.sup.1 is an alkyl group
containing from about 6 to about 12 carbon atoms, R.sup.2 is an
alkylene containing from 1 to about 6 carbon atoms, R.sup.5 is H or
alkyl, aryl, or alkaryl containing from about 1 to about 10 carbon
atoms, and L is any suitable leaving group. A leaving group is any
group that is displaced from the bleach activator as a consequence
of the nucleophilic attack on the bleach activator by the
hydroperoxide anion. A preferred leaving group is
oxybenzenesulfonate.
[0062] Preferred examples of bleach activators of the above
formulae include (6-octanamido-caproyl)oxybenzenesulfonate,
(6-nonanamidocaproyl)oxybenzenesulfonate,
(6-decanamido-caproyl)oxybenzenesulfonate, and mixtures thereof as
described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,634,551, incorporated herein by
reference.
[0063] Another class of bleach activators comprises the
benzoxazin-type activators disclosed by Hodge et al in U.S. Pat.
No. 4,966,723, issued Oct. 30, 1990, incorporated herein by
reference. A highly preferred activator of the benzoxazin-type
is:
##STR00002##
[0064] Still another class of preferred bleach activators includes
the acyl lactam activators, especially acyl caprolactams and acyl
valerolactams of the formulae:
##STR00003##
wherein as used for these compounds R.sup.6 is H or an alkyl, aryl,
alkoxyaryl, or alkaryl group containing from 1 to about 12 carbon
atoms. Highly preferred lactam activators include benzoyl
caprolactam, octanoyl caprolactam, 3,5,5-trimethylhexanoyl
caprolactam, nonanoyl caprolactam, decanoyl caprolactam, undecenoyl
caprolactam, benzoyl valerolactam, octanoyl valerolactam, decanoyl
valerolactam, undecenoyl valerolactam, nonanoyl valerolactam,
3,5,5-trimethylhexanoyl valerolactam and mixtures thereof. See also
U.S. Pat. No. 4,545,784, issued to Sanderson, Oct. 8, 1985,
incorporated herein by reference, which discloses acyl
caprolactams, including benzoyl caprolactam, adsorbed into sodium
perborate. Highly preferred bleach activators are
nonanoyloxybenzene sulfonate (NOBS) and/or
tetraacetylethylenediamine (TAED).
[0065] It is highly preferred for a large amount of bleach
activator relative to the source of hydrogen peroxide to be present
in the laundry detergent composition. Preferably, the weight ratio
of bleach activator to source of hydrogen peroxide present in the
laundry detergent composition is at least 0.5:1, at least 0.6:1, at
least 0.7:1, 0.8:1, preferably at least 0.9:1, or 1.0:1.0, or even
1.2:1 or higher.
[0066] CHELANT--The composition may comprise a chelant. Suitable
chelants include diethylene triamine pentaacetate, diethylene
triamine penta(methyl phosphonic acid), ethylene
diamine-N'N'-disuccinic acid, ethylene diamine tetraacetate,
ethylene diamine tetra(methylene phosphonic acid) and hydroxyethane
di(methylene phosphonic acid). A preferred chelant is ethylene
diamine-N'N'-disuccinic acid (EDDS) and/or hydroxyethane
diphosphonic acid (HEDP). Preferably the ethylene
diamine-N'N'-disuccinic acid is in S'S' enantiomeric form.
[0067] The solid detergent composition is typically a laundry
detergent composition or a dish washing detergent composition.
Typically, the composition is a laundry composition.
[0068] The solid detergent composition is for example in
particulate form, typically in free-flowing particulate form. The
solid detergent composition may be in the form of an agglomerate,
granule, flake, extrudate, bar, tablet or any combination thereof.
The solid composition can be made by methods such as dry-mixing,
agglomerating, compaction, spray drying, pan-granulation,
spheronization or any combination thereof. The solid detergent
composition typically has a bulk density of from 300 g/l to 1,500
g/l, typically from 500 g/l to 1,000 g/l.
[0069] The solid detergent composition may be in unit dose form,
including tablets.
Micellar Stability (.tau.2) Test
[0070] The micellar stability of a surfactant system is measured by
Stopped Flow Conductimetry.
[0071] The experiment is run at 25.degree. C.
[0072] A composition 1 comprising 300 ppm of the surfactant system
to be tested in deionised water is prepared. A composition 2
comprising water having a hardness of 20 gpg (ratio of calcium to
magnesium of 3:1) is prepared.
[0073] Compositions 1 and 2 are pumped by the syringes of a MCS-200
equipment combined with a SFM-20 supplied by the company BioLogic.
The equipment calculate the value of .tau.2.
Dissolution of the Solid Detergent Composition Test
[0074] The dissolution of the solid detergent composition is
measured as follow.
[0075] Using a measuring cylinder 800 ml of deionised water are
added to a tergotometer pot.
[0076] The tergotometer is set to 20.degree. C. and 150 rpm. The
stirrer is started and the solution is allowed to equilibrate for
20 mins.
[0077] Into the Tergotometer pot, 10 g of the solid detergent
composition are added. After sixty seconds, approximately 70 ml of
test solution is removed from the dissolution apparatus. This
solution is immediately filtered through a medium fast filter paper
and the filtrate is collected.
[0078] A 50 ml aliquot of the filtrate is removed using a glass
pipette and added to a tared 400 ml beaker. The beaker is gently
heated on a steam bath, to avoid spitting, until almost dry. The
beaker is cooled in a fume hood and the last few ml of water
allowed to evaporate. The beaker is heated for 10 minutes in an
oven at 105.degree. C. and cooled in a dessicator until successive
weightings agree to within 0.001 g. The residual solids are
expressed as a proportion of the original sample weight in the
solution.
[0079] % of the solid detergent composition dissolved in 60 seconds
in water=100.times. wt of residual solids.times.800/10
g.times.50.
Dissolution of the Organic Matter of the Solid Detergent
Composition Test
[0080] The weight of organic matter in the residual solids of the
method above is measured as follow:
[0081] The residual solids are suspended in approximately 150 ml
ethanol (reagent grade) covered with a watch glass and boiled on a
steam bath for 5 minutes. The beaker and contents are cooled to
about 60.degree. C. and the insoluble matter allowed to settle.
Without disturbing the insoluble matter, the ethanolic portion is
decanted through a medium grade filter paper into a tared beaker.
This extraction is repeated twice more with new 150 ml portions of
ethanol, and the filtrates combined in the tared beaker. The
alcohol insoluble portion of the residue is rinsed into the filter
paper with warm (40.degree. C.) ethanol and washed with 3.times.20
mL portions of warm ethanol. The combined filtrates are evaporated
on a steam bath in a fume hood, taking care to guard against loss
of sample by excessive foaming or bumping. When the last few ml of
solvent remain in the beaker, it is allowed to cool and 10 ml of
acetone are added. The residue is evaporated to dryness taking care
to guard against loss of sample by excessive foaming or bumping.
The beaker is allowed to cool in a desiccator and weighed. The last
drying and cooling steps are repeated until successive weighings
agree to within 0.001 g.
[0082] The weight of organic matter in a sample of the solid
detergent composition is measured as follow:
[0083] A sample of the solid detergent composition having the same
weight as the residue from the Total Dissolved Solids determination
is suspended in approximately 150 ml ethanol (reagent grade)
covered with a watch glass and boiled on a steam bath for 5
minutes. The beaker and contents are cooled to about 60.degree. C.
and the insoluble matter allowed to settle. Without disturbing the
insoluble matter, the ethanolic portion is decanted through a
medium grade filter paper into a tared beaker. This extraction is
repeated twice more with new 150 mL portions of ethanol, and the
filtrates combined in the tared beaker. The alcohol insoluble
portion of the residue is rinsed into the filter paper with warm
(40.degree. C.) ethanol and washed with 3.times.20 mL portions of
warm ethanol. The combined filtrates are evaporated on a steam bath
in a fume hood, taking care to guard against loss of sample by
excessive foaming or bumping. When the last few mL of solvent
remain in the beaker, it is allowed to cool and 10 mL of acetone
are added. The residue is evaporated to dryness taking care to
guard against loss of sample by excessive foaming or bumping. The
beaker is allowed to cool in a dessicator and weighed. The last
drying and cooling steps are repeated until successive weighings
agree to within 0.001 g.
[0084] The percentage of the organic matter of the solid detergent
composition dissolved in 60 seconds in water=100.times. weight of
organic matter in the residual solids/weight of organic matter in
the sample of the solid detergent composition.
Dissolution of the Anionic Surfactant of the Solid Detergent
Composition Test
[0085] the rate of dissolution of the anionic surfactant of the
surfactant system of the detergent composition is measured as
follow:
[0086] 800 ml of deionised water are added into a Tergotometer pot.
The tergotometer pot is set at 20.degree. C. and 150 rpm. The
solution is allowed to equilibrate for 20 minutes.
[0087] Around 1 g of the solid detergent composition is added into
the tergometer.
[0088] After 60 seconds, 10 ml of the test solution are removed and
filtered through a 0.45.mu., acrodisc PDVF filter.
[0089] The excess of anionic surfactant in 5 ml of the filtrate is
ascertained according to the standart method ISO 2271 (1989).
[0090] After 30 minutes stirring 5 ml aliquot of the test solution
are removed and a titration according to the standart method ISO
2271 (1989) on this unfiltered sample is performed. The percentage
of the anionic surfactant dissolved in 60 seconds in water is
calculated with the results of those titrations.
[0091] The following examples are given by way of illustration only
and therefore should not be construed to limit the scope of the
invention.
EXAMPLES
Example 1
[0092] A detergent blown powder is prepared as follows.
[0093] A batch of slurry is prepared from the silicate, part of the
polymers, part of the LAS and part of the carbonate. Identical
batches are made during production as required. 10 bar steam is
added as required to maintain temperature.
[0094] During transfer to the spray nozzle, HLAS and sodium
hydroxide solution are injected into the slurry-containing line so
as to increase the surfactant level in the slurry. The temperature
of the slurry in the line just prior to spraying is 125.degree. C.
high pressure air is may be injected into the slurry line to
further lower density.
[0095] The resulting slurry is then sprayed through a Spray Systems
T4 nozzle into a counter-current tower where it is dried by air at
temperatures between 280 to 300.degree. C. These conditions give a
blown powder of average repour cup density 300 g/l, a median
particle size of 450 microns and an average moisture level of
1.75%.
[0096] This blown powder is then further combined with a surfactant
and polymer paste as follows.
[0097] Other anionic surfactant paste is blended in a food
processor with a solution of part of the polymers.
[0098] The above paste is then dispersed by hand into the above
blown powder. Following this the mix is mixed in a kitchen food
processor at low speed for 30 seconds to further disperse the paste
mix. zeolite is then added and mixed for a further 5 seconds at low
speed. The resulting powder was then pushed through a 1.7 mm sieve
to ensure no oversize.
[0099] The above blown powder/surfactant paste mix was then mixed
with further detergent ingredients: bleach system, part of the
carbonate, sodium sulphate, cationic surfactant, part of the
polymers, enzymes and miscellaneous.
[0100] The following composition is obtained:
TABLE-US-00001 Concentration Ingredient (weight percent) non ionic
surfactant 0-1 cationic surfactant 0.5-1 LAS 12-16 other anionic
surfactant 6-10 Citric Acid 0-0.2 Silicate-1.6R 3-4 Zeolite A 3-4
Na2SO4 10-15 Na2CO3 25-35 Bleach/bleach activator/chelant 5-6
enzymes 1-2 polymers 10-15 Water and miscellaneous Balance to
100
[0101] This composition is showing good cleaning performances, even
at a low concentration in an aqueous laundry detergent
composition.
[0102] The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be
understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values
recited. Instead, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension
is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally
equivalent range surrounding that value. For example, a dimension
disclosed as "40 mm" is intended to mean "about 40 mm".
[0103] Every document cited herein, including any cross referenced
or related patent or application, is hereby incorporated herein by
reference in its entirety unless expressly excluded or otherwise
limited. The citation of any document is not an admission that it
is prior art with respect to any invention disclosed or claimed
herein or that it alone, or in any combination with any other
reference or references, teaches, suggests or discloses any such
invention. Further, to the extent that any meaning or definition of
a term in this document conflicts with any meaning or definition of
the same term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning
or definition assigned to that term in this document shall
govern.
[0104] While particular embodiments of the present invention have
been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those
skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can
be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims
all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of
this invention.
* * * * *