U.S. patent application number 15/989646 was filed with the patent office on 2018-10-04 for foam control composition.
The applicant listed for this patent is Dow Silicones Corporation. Invention is credited to Pascal DELBRASSINNE, Laurence GALLEZ, Mathilde GUETTE, Jean-Paul LECOMTE.
Application Number | 20180281025 15/989646 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43859544 |
Filed Date | 2018-10-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180281025 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
DELBRASSINNE; Pascal ; et
al. |
October 4, 2018 |
FOAM CONTROL COMPOSITION
Abstract
A process for washing a substrate. The process involves
providing a detergent composition that includes a surfactant and an
antifoam. The antifoam comprises a hydrophobic fluid having a
surface tension of at least 27 mN/m and less than 40 mN/m and a
finely divided solid hydrophobic filler dispersed in the
hydrophobic fluid. The process further involves washing the
substrate in an aqueous medium with the detergent composition. The
antifoam does not affect foaming during the washing step. During
the washing step, the detergent composition is applied to the
substrate. The process further involves rinsing the substrate with
the applied detergent composition with water, whereby foaming
during the rinsing step is inhibited.
Inventors: |
DELBRASSINNE; Pascal;
(Rixensart, BE) ; GALLEZ; Laurence; (Jurbise,
BE) ; GUETTE; Mathilde; (Saint Benoit, FR) ;
LECOMTE; Jean-Paul; (Bruxelles, BE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Dow Silicones Corporation |
Midland |
MI |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
43859544 |
Appl. No.: |
15/989646 |
Filed: |
May 25, 2018 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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13985310 |
Aug 14, 2013 |
10005110 |
|
|
PCT/US2012/025474 |
Feb 16, 2012 |
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15989646 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
C11D 3/373 20130101;
C11D 3/0026 20130101; C11D 3/1246 20130101; C11D 3/3749 20130101;
C11D 11/0017 20130101; B08B 3/04 20130101; C11D 3/3707
20130101 |
International
Class: |
B08B 3/04 20060101
B08B003/04; C11D 11/00 20060101 C11D011/00; C11D 3/37 20060101
C11D003/37; C11D 3/00 20060101 C11D003/00; C11D 3/12 20060101
C11D003/12 |
Claims
1-11. (canceled)
12. A detergent composition comprising: a surfactant; and an
antifoam comprising; (A) a hydrophobic fluid having a surface
tension of at least 27 mN/m and less than 40 mN/m, and (B) a finely
divided solid hydrophobic filler dispersed in the (A) hydrophobic
fluid; wherein the detergent composition is free of an
organosilicon resin; and wherein the detergent composition is
adapted to have foaming in a washing step of a process for washing
a substrate and is adapted to have inhibited foaming in a rinsing
step of the process for washing a substrate.
13. The detergent composition of claim 12, wherein the (A)
hydrophobic fluid is an organopolysiloxane fluid.
14. The detergent composition of claim 13, wherein the
organopolysiloxane fluid contains aryl groups.
15. The detergent composition of claim 14, wherein the
organopolysiloxane fluid contains phenyl groups.
16. The detergent composition of claim 12, wherein the amount of
the (B) finely divided solid hydrophobic filler is 0.5 to 50% by
weight based on the (A) hydrophobic fluid.
17. The detergent composition of claim 16, wherein the amount of
the (B) finely divided solid hydrophobic filler is 1 to 15% by
weight based on the (A) hydrophobic fluid.
18. The detergent composition of claim 12, wherein the (B) finely
divided solid hydrophobic filler is hydrophobic silica.
19. The detergent composition of claim 12, wherein the surfactant
has a critical micelle concentration of between 0.2 g/L and 0.6
g/L.
20. The detergent composition of claim 19, wherein the washing step
is further defined as washing the substrate in an aqueous medium
with the detergent composition, the rinsing step is further defined
as rinsing the substrate with the applied detergent composition
with water, the concentration of the surfactant in the aqueous
medium during the washing step is above the critical micelle
concentration, and the concentration of the surfactant in the rinse
water in the rinsing step is below the critical micelle
concentration.
21. The detergent composition of claim 12, wherein the surfactant
comprises an anionic surfactant and/or a nonionic surfactant.
22. The detergent composition of claim 21, wherein the surfactant
comprises an anionic surfactant.
23. The detergent composition of claim 12, wherein the surfactant
is present in an amount of from 5 to 40 wt % of the detergent
composition.
24. The detergent composition of claim 12, wherein the detergent
composition is a laundry detergent composition.
25. The detergent composition of claim 12, wherein the detergent
composition is a personal care composition.
26. The detergent composition of claim 25, wherein the personal
care composition is a shampoo, a shower gel, or soap bar.
27. The detergent composition of claim 12, wherein the detergent
composition is in powder, liquid or tablet form, or in the form of
a solid bar.
28. The detergent composition of claim 27, wherein the detergent
composition is in powder form and contains a granulated foam
control agent comprising the antifoam supported on a particulate
carrier.
29. A silicone oil-in-water emulsion comprising; an antifoam; and
water; wherein the emulsion is free of an organosilicon resin; and
wherein the antifoam comprises; (A) a hydrophobic fluid having a
surface tension of at least 27 mN/m and less than 40 mN/m, and (B)
a finely divided solid hydrophobic filler dispersed in the (A)
hydrophobic fluid.
30. Foam inhibiting granules comprising: an antifoam; a particulate
carrier; and a binder; wherein the granules are free of an
organosilicon resin; and wherein the antifoam comprises; (A) a
hydrophobic fluid having a surface tension of at least 27 mN/m and
less than 40 mN/m, and (B) a finely divided solid hydrophobic
filler dispersed in the (A) hydrophobic fluid.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to foam control agents for use in
laundry detergents and to detergent compositions containing the
foam control agents. The foam control agents of the invention can
be added to detergent compositions to inhibit unwanted foaming when
the detergent is used in washing.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Washing of clothes by hand or in semi-automatic machines is
widespread in many countries; seventy percent of the world's
population still wash their clothes in this way. When doing so,
consumers usually like to see a lot of lather (foam) as they
associate foaming with detergent efficiency. However, removing the
lather requires numerous rinses, generally three or more rinses,
which costs a lot of effort and wastes water.
[0003] Most foam control agents are designed for use in automatic
washing machines. They are active in the washing stage to avoid
overflow of foam. They are less suitable for hand washing
applications as they eliminate or greatly reduce the lather in the
washing stage. A foam control agent that would not greatly reduce
the foam level in the washing stage but would cause fast defoaming
in the rinse would allow saving of significant quantities of water
and reduce the time and efforts needed for rinsing.
[0004] According to the present inventive concepts, a new antifoam
has been devised which is active in diluted surfactant
concentration and which is inactive in concentrated surfactant
solution. It will be appreciated that the main difference between
the washing stage and the rinse stage of a wash process is the
surfactant concentration.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] This invention relates to a process for washing a substrate.
The process involves providing a detergent composition that
includes a surfactant and an antifoam. The antifoam comprises (a) a
hydrophobic fluid having a surface tension of at least 27 mN/m and
less than 40 mN/m, and (b) a finely divided solid hydrophobic
filler dispersed in the hydrophobic fluid. The process further
involves washing the substrate in an aqueous medium with the
detergent composition. The antifoam does not affect foaming during
the washing step. During the washing step, the detergent
composition is applied to the substrate. The process further
involves rinsing the substrate with the applied detergent
composition with water, whereby foaming during the rinsing step is
inhibited. The concentration of the surfactant in the aqueous
medium during the washing step is above a critical micelle
concentration and the concentration of the surfactant in the rinse
water from the rinsing step is below the critical micelle
concentration. The substrate may be fabric and the detergent
composition may be a laundry detergent composition. The hydrophobic
fluid may be an organopolysiloxane fluid or polyisobutylene. The
finely divided solid hydrophobic filler may be hydrophobic silica.
The laundry detergent composition may be in powder form and may
contain a granulated foam control agent comprising the antifoam
supported on a particulate carrier.
[0006] Additional aspects of the invention will be apparent to
those of ordinary skill in the art in view of the detailed
description of various embodiments, a brief description of which is
provided below.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0007] A detergent composition according to the inventive concepts
comprises a detersive surfactant and an antifoam comprising (a) a
hydrophobic fluid and (b) a finely divided solid hydrophobic filler
dispersed in the hydrophobic fluid. The hydrophobic fluid (a) has a
surface tension which is greater than or approximately equal to the
dynamic surface tension of an aqueous dispersion of the detergent
at above the critical micelle concentration of the surfactant but
is less than 62. By `greater than or approximately equal to the
dynamic surface tension of an aqueous dispersion of the detergent
at above the critical micelle concentration`, it is intended that
the static surface tension of the hydrophobic fluid is at least 95%
of the dynamic surface tension of an aqueous dispersion of the
detergent at above the critical micelle concentration.
[0008] In some embodiments, the hydrophobic fluid has a surface
tension of at least 27 mN/m and less than 40 mN/m. The hydrophobic
fluid having a surface tension between 27 and 40 mN/m does not
contain any polar groups having active hydrogen that can be ionized
in the aqueous medium with the detergent composition. Such groups
are, for example, carboxylic, sulfonate, sulfate, amide or
phosphate.
[0009] The dynamic surface tension of an aqueous dispersion of the
detergent is measured on a 0.35% by weight aqueous solution of the
detergent by the method of ASTM D-3825 using a Sita DynoTester
bubble pressure tensiometer supplied by Sita Messtechnik GmbH. A
bubble formed within a liquid is being compressed by the surface
tension. The resulting pressure rises with the decreasing bubble
radius. This increased pressure, in comparison to the outside of
the bubble, is used to measure surface tension. In the test, air is
pumped through a capillary into a liquid. The so-created bubble
surface bulges, hence continuously decreasing the bubble radius.
During this process, the pressure rises to a maximum pressure.
Here, the bubble has its smallest radius. This radius equals the
radius of the capillary and forms a half sphere. After passing this
point, the bubble bursts and breaks away from the capillary. Now, a
new bubble can form at the capillary. During this process, the
characteristic course of pressure can be measured in the bubble.
From this characteristic course of pressure, the surface tension
can be calculated. The bubble pressure tensiometer produces bubbles
with increasing lifetime, starting at 0.030 seconds and increasing
by a factor of 1.3 up to 40 seconds. The dynamic surface tension
specified herein is the value taken at the end of the measurement,
which corresponds to a bubble lifetime of 40 seconds. This is a
dynamic measurement, which is quite representative of the use of
the surfactant in the washing and rinsing process.
[0010] The surface tension of the hydrophobic fluid (a) is measured
by the drop shape method. In this test, a drop of pure antifoam
compound is made in air by using a syringe and the surface tension
is calculated from measurements of the pendant drop curvature. The
drop shape test method is explained in the paper `Surface tension
measurements using the drop shape method` by R. P. Woodward
published by First Ten Angstroms of 465 Dinwiddie Street,
Portsmouth, Va., U.S.A. The surface tension of the antifoam
measured by the drop shape method may be regarded as the static
surface tension. This is less representative of the use of the
antifoam in the washing and rinsing process, but any attempt to
measure the dynamic surface tension of the antifoam alone will also
be unrepresentative of the use of the antifoam in the washing and
rinsing process. All surface tension measurements specified herein
(both dynamic surface tension measurements and static surface
tension measurements) are surface tensions at 25.degree. C.
[0011] It is believed that an antifoam compound which has a much
lower surface tension than the dynamic surface tension of the
detergent solution will migrate quickly to the bubble interface and
break the foam, as demonstrated in the wash by conventional
antifoams used in laundry detergents. According the inventive
concepts described herein, the foam inhibitor, which is based on a
hydrophobic fluid having a surface tension greater than the surface
tension of conventional antifoams used in laundry detergents, does
not spread on the surface of concentrated surfactant solution and
is ineffective to reduce foam in the washing stage when surfactant
concentration is high. It is believed that an antifoam compound
which has a surface tension greater than or approximately equal to
the dynamic surface tension of the aqueous dispersion of the
detergent in the wash, where the surfactant solution is above the
critical micelle concentration, will migrate too slowly to the
bubble interface and will hardly break the foam.
[0012] Once the detergent solution is diluted below the critical
micelle concentration of the surfactant, the surface tension of the
solution increases and becomes higher than the antifoam surface
tension. Migration of the surfactant to the bubble interface
becomes less effective below the critical micelle concentration.
This happens in the rinse cycle. Surprisingly, it was been observed
that despite dilution of the antifoam by removal of washing liquor
and replacement with fresh water in each rinsing step, the antifoam
of the inventive concepts is still effective at the rinsing stage.
Migration of antifoam to the bubble interface competes effectively
with migration of the surfactant, and the antifoam starts to be
effective.
[0013] A process according to the inventive concepts for inhibiting
foam during the washing of a substrate comprises (i) applying a
detergent to a substrate in an aqueous medium and (ii) rinsing the
substrate from step (i), wherein the detergent in step (i) contains
an antifoam comprising (a) a hydrophobic fluid having a surface
tension of at least 27 mN/m and less than 40 mN/m, and (b) a finely
divided solid hydrophobic filler dispersed in the hydrophobic
fluid
[0014] The invention includes a fabric washing process comprising
washing a fabric in an aqueous dispersion of a detergent
composition according to the invention as defined above at a
concentration of surfactant in the aqueous dispersion above the
critical micelle concentration, and subsequently rinsing the fabric
in water wherein the concentration of surfactant is below the
critical micelle concentration.
[0015] The critical micelle concentration of a surfactant in
aqueous dispersion can be found by measuring the dynamic surface
tension of aqueous dispersions of that surfactant at varying
concentrations. Surfactant molecules absorb at the air/water
interface, reducing surface tension. As the interface becomes
saturated at the critical micelle concentration, the surfactant
molecules start to form micelles, with the surface tension
remaining constant. A graph of surface tension against surfactant
concentration shows an abrupt change of gradient around the
critical micelle concentration. Above the critical micelle
concentration, the surface tension is substantially constant over a
range of surfactant concentrations. Below the critical micelle
concentration, the surface tension increases with increasing
dilution, until it approaches the surface tension of water for very
dilute dispersions. The critical micelle concentration for most
surfactants commonly used in laundry detergent powders is
equivalent to between 0.2 g/L and 0.6 g/L detergent powder,
compared to the recommendations of the suppliers on the detergent
packages for a concentration of powder detergent in the wash of 2
to 4 g/L. The surface tension of an aqueous dispersion of a laundry
detergent at above the critical micelle concentration is usually in
the range 25 to 30 mN/m. For a typical powder detergent used at 3.5
g/L with a sevenfold dilution in each rinsing step, it has been
observed that the surface tension in the wash is 27 mN/m, the
surface tension in the first rinse is 35 mN/m and the surface
tension in the second rinse is 62 mN/m.
[0016] The hydrophobic fluid (a) used as the antifoam can, for
example, be a fluid organopolysiloxane. Fluid organopolysiloxanes
are well known as antifoams, but the fluid organopolysiloxanes
commonly used as antifoams generally have a surface tension below
27 mN/m. Polydimethylsiloxane, for example, has a surface tension
of 21 mN/m.
[0017] The invention includes the use of a composition comprising
(a) a hydrophobic fluid organopolysiloxane having a surface tension
of at least 27 mN/m and less than 40 mN/m, and (b) a finely divided
solid hydrophobic filler dispersed in the hydrophobic fluid, to
inhibit foam in the rinsing step of a washing process. In
particular, such a composition is used to inhibit foam in the
rinsing step by incorporating the composition in the washing
process, for example by adding it to the detergent composition used
for washing.
[0018] A composition according to another aspect of the present
concepts for inhibiting foam in the rinsing step of a washing
process without substantially reducing foam in the washing step of
the washing process comprises (a) a fluid organopolysiloxane
containing pendant esterified carboxyalkyl groups, and (b) a finely
divided solid hydrophobic filler dispersed in the fluid
organopolysiloxane.
[0019] A composition according to another aspect of the present
concepts for inhibiting foam in the rinsing step of a washing
process without substantially reducing foam in the washing step of
the washing process comprises (a) a fluid organopolysiloxane and
(b) a finely divided solid hydrophobic filler dispersed in the
fluid organopolysiloxane, wherein the fluid organopolysiloxane (a)
is a trimethylsiloxy-terminated poly(phenylmethylsiloxane).
[0020] One type of fluid organopolysiloxane which has a surface
tension of at least 27 mN/m and which is suitable for use in
embodiments of the present invention is a fluid organopolysiloxane
containing pendant esterified carboxyalkyl groups. The fluid
organopolysiloxane containing pendant esterified carboxyalkyl
groups can, for example, be a substantially linear
polydiorganosiloxane or can be a branched organopolysiloxane
containing for example up to 10 mole % branching units. The
carboxalkyl groups can, for example, contain 2 to 12 carbon atoms,
particularly 2 to 5 carbon atoms, and can, for example, be
carboxymethyl, 2-carboxyethyl, 2-methyl-2-carboxyethyl or
2-ethyl-2-carboxyethyl groups. The carboxyalkyl groups can be
esterified by alkyl, aryl, aralkyl or cycloalkyl groups, for
example the carboxyalkyl groups can each be esterified by an alkyl
group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms. Preferably, all or most of the
carboxyalkyl groups are esterified by an alkyl group having 8 to 18
carbon atoms, for example a n-octyl, 2-ethylhexyl, lauryl,
tetradecyl, hexadecyl or stearyl group. A mixture of different
alkyl groups, for example alkyl groups of different chain length,
can be used such as a mixture of C.sub.12 and C.sub.14 alkyl
groups.
[0021] Preferably, at least 10% of the siloxane units in such an
organopolysiloxane carry a pendant esterified carboxyalkyl group,
for example 25 to 100% of the siloxane units may carry a pendant
esterified carboxyalkyl group. Other substituents in the
organopolysiloxane can, for example, be selected from alkyl groups
having 1 to 20 carbon atoms and phenyl groups. The
organopolysiloxane can be prepared by reaction of an
organopolysiloxane containing Si--H groups with an ester of an
ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid, for example an acrylate
or methacrylate, in the presence of a hydrosilylation catalyst. The
organopolysiloxane containing Si--H groups can, for example, be
poly(methylhydrogensiloxane) or a dimethylsiloxane
methylhydrogensiloxane copolymer, so that in many cases most or all
of the siloxane groups in the organopolysiloxane contain a methyl
substituent.
[0022] It may be preferred that the fluid organopolysiloxane
containing pendant esterified carboxyalkyl groups also has pendant
alkyl substituents having 2 to 20 carbon atoms in addition to
esterified carboxyalkyl groups and methyl groups. Such alkyl
substituents can, for example, be ethyl, hexyl, octyl, lauryl,
tetradecyl, hexadecyl or stearyl substituents. In particular, it
may be preferred that the fluid organopolysiloxane contains alkyl
substituents having 8 to 18 carbon atoms bonded to Si atoms of the
organopolysiloxane as well as methyl groups and carboxyalkyl groups
esterified by an alkyl group having 8 to 18 carbon atoms. The fluid
organopolysiloxane can, for example, be prepared by reacting
poly(methylhydrogensiloxane) or a dimethylsiloxane
methylhydrogensiloxane copolymer with a mixture of one or more
alpha-alkene having 8 to 18 carbon atoms and one or more 8-18C
alkyl methacrylate or acrylate ester, such as a mixture of C.sub.12
to C.sub.14 alkenes and C.sub.12 to C.sub.14 alkyl methacrylates.
The molar ratio of pendant esterified carboxyalkyl groups to
pendant alkyl substituents having 2 to 20 carbon atoms can, for
example, be in the range 10:1 to 1:2, with each siloxane unit
generally containing a methyl group. A substantially linear
polydiorganosiloxane comprising methyl C.sub.12-14 alkyl siloxane
units and methyl 2-methyl-2-carboxyethyl siloxane units in
substantially equimolar amounts, in which the carboxyethyl groups
are esterified by C.sub.12-14 alkyl groups has a surface tension of
27.2 mN/m.
[0023] An alternative type of fluid organopolysiloxane which has a
surface tension of at least 27 mN/m and is suitable for use in
embodiments of the present invention is a fluid organopolysiloxane
containing aryl groups, preferably phenyl groups, bonded to
silicon. The aryl organopolysiloxane can, for example, be a
substantially linear polydiorganosiloxane or can be a branched
organopolysiloxane containing for example up to 10 mole % branching
units. Organopolysiloxanes having a phenyl group bonded to
substantially all the silicon atoms of the organopolysiloxane are
particularly effective. One preferred example of such an
organopolysiloxane is a poly(methylphenylsiloxane). One
trimethylsiloxy-terminated poly(methylphenylsiloxane), known as a
heat transfer fluid, has a surface tension of 27.1 mN/m. A
silanol-terminated poly(methylphenylsiloxane) of similar molecular
weight has a surface tension of 33.9 mN/m. Another
poly(methylphenylsiloxane), described in Example 1 of
WO-2008/152042, has a surface tension of 32.8 mN/m. All of these
fluid organopolysiloxanes containing phenyl groups are suitable for
use in embodiments of the present invention as hydrophobic fluid of
the antifoam.
[0024] The hydrophobic fluid (a) used as an antifoam in embodiments
of the present invention can alternatively be an organic fluid
containing no silicon. It can, for example, be a hydrocarbon fluid
such as a liquid polyisobutylene. The liquid polyisobutylene sold
by Univar (The Netherlands) under the trade mark Dynapak poly 55
has a surface tension of 30.4 mN/m.
[0025] Alternative organic hydrophobic fluids which is suitable for
use as the hydrophobic fluid (a) in the antifoam in the embodiments
of the present invention are polyethers in which the repeating
ether unit has at least 3 carbon atoms, for example polypropylene
oxide, polybutylene oxide or polytetramethylene oxide.
Polypropylene oxide has a surface tension of 29.0 mN/m.
[0026] The foam control composition contains a hydrophobic filler
(b) dispersed in the polydiorganosiloxane fluid. Hydrophobic
fillers for foam control agents are well known and are particulate
materials which are solid at 100.degree. C., such as silica,
preferably with a surface area as measured by BET measurement of at
least 50 m.sup.2/g., titania, ground quartz, alumina, an
aluminosilicate, zinc oxide, magnesium oxide, a salt of an
aliphatic carboxylic acids, a reaction product of an isocyanate
with an amine, e.g. cyclohexylamine, or an alkyl amide such as
ethylenebisstearamide or methylenebisstearamide. Mixtures of two or
more of these can be used.
[0027] Some of the fillers mentioned above are not hydrophobic in
nature, but can be used if made hydrophobic. This can be done
either in situ (i.e. when dispersed in the polysiloxane fluid), or
by pre-treatment of the filler prior to mixing with the
polysiloxane fluid. A preferred filler is silica which is made
hydrophobic. Preferred silica materials are those which are
prepared by heating, e.g. fumed silica, or precipitation. The
silica filler may, for example, have an average particle size of
0.5 to 50 .mu.m, preferably 2 to 30 and most preferably 5 to 25
.mu.m. It can be made hydrophobic by treatment with a fatty acid,
but is preferably made hydrophobic by the use of methyl substituted
organosilicon materials such as dimethylsiloxane polymers which are
end-blocked with silanol or silicon-bonded alkoxy groups,
hexamethyldisilazane, hexamethyldisiloxane or organosilicon resins
containing (CH.sub.3).sub.3SiO.sub.1/2 groups and silanol groups.
Hydrophobing is generally carried out at a temperature of at least
100.degree. C. Mixtures of fillers can be used, for example a
highly hydrophobic silica filler such as that sold under the
trademark Sipernat.RTM. D10 from Evonik Industries (Germany) can be
used together with a partially hydrophobic silica such as that sold
under the trademark Aerosil.RTM. R972 from Evonik Industries.
[0028] The amount of hydrophobic filler (b) in the foam control
composition of embodiments of the invention is preferably 0.5-50%
by weight based on the hydrophobic fluid (a), more preferably from
1 up to 10 or 15% and most preferably 2 to 8% by weight.
[0029] The detergent composition of embodiments of the invention is
preferably a laundry detergent, but can alternatively be a
detergent for dish washing or a detergent composition for personal
care use such as a shampoo, shower gel or soap bar. In all of these
applications, the consumer may prefer to see lather during the
washing step but rapid defoaming in the rinsing step.
[0030] The detergent composition comprises at least one detersive
surfactant, which may be chosen from soap and non-soap anionic,
cationic, nonionic, amphoteric and zwitterionic detergent-active
surfactants, and mixtures thereof. Many suitable detergent-active
surfactants are available and are fully described in the
literature, for example, in "Surface-Active Agents and Detergents",
Volumes I and II, by Schwartz, Perry and Berch. The preferred
detersive surfactants that can be used are soaps and/or synthetic
non-soap anionic and/or nonionic compounds. The total amount of
surfactant present is suitably within the range of from 5 to 40 wt
% of the detergent composition.
[0031] Examples of anionic surfactants include alkylbenzene
sulphonates, particularly linear alkylbenzene sulphonates having an
alkyl chain length of 8 to 16 carbon atoms; primary and secondary
alkyl sulphates, particularly primary alkyl sulphates having an
alkyl chain length of 8 to 16 carbon atoms; alkyl ethersulphates;
olefin sulphonates; alkyl xylene sulphonates; dialkyl
sulphosuccinates; and fatty acid ester sulphonates. Sodium salts
are generally preferred. The detergent composition preferably
contains an anionic surfactant, optionally with a nonionic
surfactant.
[0032] Nonionic surfactants that may be used include the primary
and secondary alcohol ethoxylates, especially aliphatic alcohols
having 8 to 20 carbon atoms ethoxylated with an average of from 1
to 20 moles, preferably 1 to 10 moles, of ethylene oxide per mole
of alcohol. Suitable non-ethoxylated nonionic surfactants include
alkylpolyglycosides, glycerol monoethers, and
polyhydroxyamides.
[0033] Examples of cationic organic detergent surfactants include
alkylamine salts, quaternary ammonium salts, sulphonium salts and
phosphonium salts.
[0034] The detergent compositions of embodiments of the invention
will usually also contain one or more detergency builders. The
total amount of detergency builder in the compositions will
suitably range from 5 to 80 wt %, preferably from 10 to 60 wt %.
Inorganic builders that may be present include sodium carbonate,
crystalline and amorphous aluminosilicates, for example, zeolites,
and layered silicates. Inorganic phosphate builders, for example,
sodium orthophosphate, pyrophosphate and tripolyphosphate, may also
be present. Organic builders that may be present include
polycarboxylate polymers such as polyacrylates, acrylic/maleic
copolymers, and acrylic phosphinates; monomeric polycarboxylates
such as citrates, gluconates, oxydisuccinates, glycerol mono-, di-
and trisuccinates, carboxymethyloxysuccinates,
carboxymethyloxymalonates, dipicolinates,
hydroxyethyliminodiacetates, alkyl- and alkenylmalonates and
succinates; and sulphonated fatty acid salts. Builders, both
inorganic and organic, are preferably present in alkali metal salt,
especially sodium salt, form.
[0035] The detergent composition of embodiments of the invention
may also suitably contain a peroxy bleach compound, for example, an
inorganic persalt or an organic peroxyacid, capable of yielding
hydrogen peroxide in aqueous solution. Preferred inorganic persalts
arc sodium perborate monohydrate and tetrahydrate, and sodium
percarbonate. The peroxy bleach compound may be used in conjunction
with a bleach activator (bleach precursor), for example a
peroxycarboxylic acid precursor, more especially a peracetic acid
precursor such as tetraacetyl ethylenediamine, or a peroxybenzoic
acid or peroxycarbonic acid precursor.
[0036] Detergent compositions intended for personal care use such
as shampoo compositions can contain other ingredients selected for
example from conditioners to facilitate combing and/or styling of
the hair and/or to improve the shine and/or softness of the hair,
perfumes, fragrances, colorants such as dyes, essential oils,
vitamins, buffering agents, stabilizers and preservatives.
[0037] The detergent composition of embodiments of the invention
may be in powder, liquid or tablet form, or in the form of a solid
bar (soap bar). Laundry detergents for hand washing or for use in
semi-automatic machines are commonly sold in powder form. Detergent
powders can, for example, be prepared by spray-drying a slurry of
compatible heat insensitive ingredients, or by mixing and
granulation of raw materials, preferably using a high-speed
mixer/granulator. Less robust or more heat sensitive ingredients
can be subsequently incorporated into the detergent powder; the
foam-inhibiting composition of the invention is preferably
subsequently incorporated in this way.
[0038] Examples of commercial detergents in which the foam
inhibiting composition of the invention can be incorporated include
Omo Total as sold by Unilever in China; Omo MA as sold by Unilever
in Brazil; Persil.RTM. Express as sold by Henkel in Greece; and
Ariel.RTM. as sold by The Procter & Gamble Company in
China.
[0039] For use in a detergent composition sold in powder form, the
foam inhibiting composition of the invention may be in granule
form. The foam inhibiting composition of the invention can, for
example, be supported on a particulate carrier which is
agglomerated into granules by a binder.
[0040] Examples of carriers are sodium sulfate, zeolites, other
aluminosilicates or silicates, for example magnesium silicate,
phosphates, for example sodium tripolyphosphate, sodium carbonate,
sodium perborate, a cellulose derivative such as sodium
carboxymethylcellulose, granulated starch, clay, sodium citrate,
sodium acetate, sodium sesquicarbonate, sodium bicarbonate and
native starch. The mean particle size of the carrier is preferably
in the range 1 to 250 .mu.m, particularly from 5 .mu.m up to 30 or
40 .mu.m. The carrier particles generally form from 60% by weight
to 85 or 90% by weight of the granulated product. The foam
inhibiting hydrophobic fluid generally forms from 5% by weight to
20 or 25% by weight of the granulated product.
[0041] The binder is a material which can be applied to the carrier
as a liquid binding medium and which can be solidified to a solid
which binds carrier particles together. The binder is preferably a
material which at room temperature, i.e. from 20 to 25.degree. C.,
has a solid consistency, for example a waxy material of melting
point 35 to 100.degree. C. Such a binder can be applied in a molten
state to the sodium sulfate carrier and can be solidified by
cooling to agglomerate the carrier. Alternatively, the binder can
comprise a water-soluble or water-dispersible polymer, preferably a
film-forming polymer, which can be applied as an aqueous solution
or emulsion to the carrier and can be solidified by drying to
agglomerate the carrier. The binder may, for example, be present in
the foam inhibiting granules at 10-200% by weight based on the
hydrophobic foam inhibiting fluid, most preferably at 20 up to 100
or 120% based on the foam inhibiting fluid.
[0042] The foam inhibiting granules can be made by an agglomeration
process in which the antifoam, comprising hydrophobic fluid (a)
with a finely divided solid hydrophobic filler (b) dispersed
therein, and the liquid binding medium are sprayed onto the carrier
particles while agitating the particles. The particles can, for
example, be agitated in a high shear mixer through which the
particles pass continuously. One type of suitable mixer is a
vertical, continuous high shear mixer in which the foam inhibiting
fluid and the binder in a liquid state are sprayed onto the
particles. One example of such a mixer is a Flexomix mixer supplied
by Hosokawa Schugi. Alternative suitable mixers include horizontal
high shear mixers, in which an annular layer of the powder--liquid
mixture is formed in the mixing chamber, with a residence time of a
few seconds up to about 2 minutes. Examples of this family of
machines are pin mixers (e.g. TAG series supplied by LB, RM-type
machines from Rubberg-Mischtechnik or pin mixers supplied by
Lodige), and paddle mixers. Other suitable mixers include Glatt
granulators, ploughshare mixers, as sold for example by Lodige
GmbH, twin counter-rotating paddle mixers, known as Forberg-type
mixers, and intensive mixers including a high shear mixing arm
within a rotating cylindrical vessel.
[0043] Foam inhibiting granules generally have a mean particle
diameter of at least 0.1 mm, preferably over 0.25 or 0.5 mm, up to
a mean diameter of 1.2 or 1.5 or even 2 mm. Granules according to
the invention of this particle size, particularly 0.5 to 1 mm, have
good flow properties and resistance to compaction.
[0044] For use in shampoo, laundry liquid detergent or liquid
dishwashing detergent the foam control agent may be in an emulsion
form, preferably an oil-in-water emulsion. The emulsions may be
macro-emulsions or micro-emulsions. In general, they comprise the
foam control agent as the disperse phase, one or more surfactants,
water and standard additives, such as preservatives, viscosity
modifiers and thickeners. The surfactants may be selected from
anionic, cationic, nonionic or amphoteric materials as described
above. The concentration of the foam control agent in the emulsion
can, for example, be 10 to 50%, more preferably 25 to 40%.
[0045] The hydrophobic foam inhibiting fluid (a) is generally
present in the detergent composition at 0.01 to 2% by weight,
preferably 0.03 to 0.2% by weight of the detergent composition. A
granulated foam control composition according to the invention is
typically added to detergent powders at 0.1 to 10% by weight,
preferably 0.2 to 0.5 or 1.0%.
EXAMPLES
[0046] These examples are intended to illustrate the invention to
one of ordinary skill in the art and should not be interpreted as
limiting the scope of the invention set forth in the claims. All
parts and percentages in the examples are on a weight basis and all
measurements were indicated at about 25.degree. C., unless
indicated to the contrary.
Example 1
[0047] A fluid substantially linear polydiorganosiloxane comprising
methyl C.sub.12-14 alkyl siloxane units and methyl
2-methyl-2-carboxyethyl siloxane units in substantially equimolar
amounts, in which the carboxyethyl groups are esterified by
C.sub.12-13 alkyl groups, was compounded with 6% Sipernat.RTM. D10
hydrophobic silica to form a foam inhibiting composition.
[0048] The foam control properties of the composition were tested
in a series of shake tests. In these tests 0.35 g OMO Total
detergent powder as sold by Unilever in China was dissolved in 100
g demineralised water in a 250 ml bottle. 4.5 mg of antifoam
composition was absorbed onto 1 g sucrose and was added to the
solution. This procedure was used to avoid errors arising from the
viscous antifoam fluid adhering to the walls of vessels used to
transfer it. A scale from 0 to 100% was marked on the bottle: 0 is
the interface between liquid and air and 100% is the top of the
bottle. The bottle was capped without mixing or agitation and
placed in the clamp on the shaker arm of a shaking machine whose
shake speed was fixed at 400 strokes/minute. The bottle was shaken
during exactly 8 seconds, then shaking was stopped and the initial
foam height after shaking and the foam height after 2 minutes (120
seconds) collapse time were recorded. The shake test was repeated
using different times of shaking (32, 48 and 96 seconds). The
results arc recorded in Table 1; the initial foam height is listed
as `init` and the foam height after 2 minutes is listed as `2
m`.
[0049] The 3.5 g/L solution of detergent powder used in this first
set of tests simulated the washing step of a wash cycle. In a
second set of tests the detergent solution was diluted to 0.47 g/L
(thereby also diluting the antifoam concentration), to simulate the
first rinse step of a wash cycle. In a third set of tests, the
detergent solution was further diluted to 0.062 g/L, to simulate
the second rinse step.
[0050] In a comparative example C1, the shake tests were carried
out using the same amounts of OMO Total detergent powder and sugar
without added antifoam. These results are also shown in Table
1.
Example 2
[0051] Example 1 was repeated using Dynapak poly 55 liquid
polyisobutylene in place of the fluid polydiorganosiloxane. The
results of the shake tests carried out in Example 2 are shown in
Table 1.
Example 3
[0052] Example 1 was repeated using trimethylsiloxy-terminated
poly(methylphenylsiloxane) in place of the fluid
polydiorganosiloxane. In Example 3, the poly(methylphenylsiloxane)
fluid was compounded with 4% Sipernat.RTM. D10 hydrophobic silica
to form the foam inhibiting composition. The results of the shake
tests carried out in Example 3 are shown in Table 1.
[0053] In a comparative example C2, Example 1 was repeated using
trimethylsiloxy-terminated polydimethylsiloxane in place of the
fluid polydiorganosiloxane. The results of the shake tests carried
out in comparative example C2 are shown in Table 1.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Foam Height (%) Detergent Without Com-
concentration and antifoam Sample Sample Sample parative time of
shaking (C1) 1 2 3 Sample C2 3.5 g/L, 8 s, init 70 60 60 60 20 3.5
g/L, 8 s, 2 m 70 55 60 60 20 3.5 g/L, 32 s, init 100 90 100 100 35
3.5 g/L, 32 s, 2 m 100 80 100 100 30 3.5 g/L, 48 s, init 100 100
100 100 40 3.5 g/L, 48 s, 2 m 100 100 100 100 40 3.5 g/L, 96 s,
init 100 100 100 100 45 3.5 g/L, 96 s, 2 m 100 100 100 100 45 0.47
g/L, 8 s, init 13 15 15 10 0 0.47 g/L, 8 s, 2 m 13 15 15 10 0 0.47
g/L, 32 s, init 15 15 15 10 1 0.47 g/L, 32 s, 2 m 15 10 15 10 1
0.47 g/L, 48 s, init 19 18 15 18 5 0.47 g/L, 48 s, 2 m 18 15 15 18
5 0.47 g/L, 96 s, init 20 20 15 20 10 0.47 g/L, 96 s, 2 m 20 18 15
20 10 0.062 g/L, 8 s, init 5 0 0 0 0 0.062 g/L, 8 s, 2 m 5 0 0 0 0
0.062 g/L, 32 s, init 8 0 0 0 0 0.062 g/L, 32 s, 2 m 7 0 0 0 0
0.062 g/L, 48 s, init 10 0 0 0 0 0.062 g/L, 48 s, 2 m 10 0 0 0 0
0.062 g/L, 96 s, init 10 0 0 0 0 0.062 g/L, 96 s, 2 m 10 0 0 0
0
[0054] It can be seen from Table 1 that the antifoam compositions
of the invention of Examples 1 to 3 had very little effect on the
foam generated at a detergent concentration equal to that in the
washing step, but substantially reduced the foam when the detergent
solution was diluted to concentrations equal to those in the rinse
steps, despite the concentration of antifoam being correspondingly
diluted. No lasting foam was seen at a detergent concentration
equal to that in the second rinse step. A consumer would be
satisfied that rinsing was complete. In comparative example C1
without the antifoam composition of the invention, a noticeable
amount of foam was seen at a detergent concentration equal to that
in the second rinse step. In comparative example C2 using a
conventional antifoam, the foam level in the wash was substantially
reduced to the extent that a consumer might doubt the detergent
efficiency.
[0055] The antifoam composition of Example 1 was tested in a
laundry hand washing process. 5.25 g OMO Total detergent powder as
sold in China mixed with 4 mg of the antifoam composition was added
to 1.5 L water of hardness 24 FH, Ca/Mg 4:1 at a temperature of
30.degree. C. After the powder was completely dissolved, the wash
solution was whisked for 20 seconds and 300 g woven cotton pillow
cases were added. The wash was soaked for 30 minutes then each
pillow case was dipped in the wash liquor 3 times and squeezed.
After the third squeeze the fabric load was removed from the wash
with a carry over of 400 g liquid (weight of wet fabric 700 g). The
foam height in the wash liquor was measured with a ruler.
[0056] The squeezed wet fabric load was added to 2.6 L rinse water
of the same hardness. Each pillow case was dipped in the rinse
liquor 3 times and squeezed. After the third squeeze the fabric
load was removed from the rinse with a carry over of 400 g liquid
(weight of wet fabric 700 g).
[0057] The squeezed wet fabric load after rinsing was added to 2.6
L rinse water of the same hardness for a second rinse step using
the same rinsing procedure. After removal of the fabric load with a
carry over of 400 g liquid (weight of wet fabric 700 g) the foam
height in the second rinse liquor was measured. After removal of
the fabric, a picture was taken from the top of the rinse vessel
and the image was analyzed with a software that facilitates
counting the number of pixels darker than a defined threshold which
correspond to the areas where no foam is present anymore at the
surface. The higher the number of pixels, the more efficient is the
rinse in removing foam. From the number of pixels, the % of the
foam surface covered by foam can be calculated.
[0058] In a comparative experiment, the hand washing tests were
repeated using 5.25 g OMO Total detergent powder to which no
antifoam had been added. The results of the hand wash and rinse
tests are shown in Table 2. The results for foam after rinse are
those using the picture analysis method (number of pixels after the
second rinse) were
TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Foam height after Rinse foam Surface free of
Sample wash (pixels) foam after rinse 4 3.7 cm 920338 30%
Comparative 3.8 cm 1278 0.1%
[0059] As can be seen from Table 2, the antifoam composition of
Sample 4 had no significant effect on foam during washing, but
substantially removed the foam that was otherwise present after
rinsing.
Example 4
[0060] A fluid substantially linear polydiorganosiloxane comprising
methyl C.sub.12-14 alkyl siloxane units and methyl
2-methyl-2-carboxyethyl siloxane units in substantially equimolar
amounts, in which the carboxyethyl groups are esterified by
C.sub.12-13 alkyl groups, was compounded with 6% CAB-O-SIL.RTM.
TS-530 from Cabot Corporation (Boston, Mass.) and 3% AEROSIL.RTM. R
972.
[0061] The resulting compound was emulsified with fatty alcohol
ethoxylates, Volpo S2 and Volpo S20 from Croda (Europe). 0.98 g of
Volpo S2 and 0.98 g of Volpo S20 were added to 10 g of the compound
which had been pre-heated at a temperature of 70.degree. C. The
ingredients were mixed in a dental mixer for 30 seconds. 15.7 g of
an aqueous solution of Ketrol RD (8%) from CP Kelco (Europe),
Natrosol.RTM. LR (23%) from Ashland (Europe) and Kathon.RTM. LX
(1%) from The Dow Chemical Company (Midland, Mich.) are then added,
followed by the addition of 22.5 g of demineralized water.
[0062] The resulting emulsion was evaluated in a shampoo
formulation. 10 .mu.L of the emulsion was mixed slowly with a
shampoo (Pantene.RTM. from The Procter and Gamble Company). The
resulting mixture was diluted into 1 L of water. The foam control
properties of the composition were tested in a series of shake
tests as described in Example 1. In the present example, only the
initial foam height was recorded after 8, 32, 48 or 96 seconds
shaking. The results are recorded in Table 3.
[0063] The concentration of shampoo in demineralized water was
first defined as 6 g/L, to simulate the washing step of a hair
cleaning operation. The concentration of shampoo used in a second
set of tests was 1 g/L, to simulate the rinse step.
[0064] In a comparative experiment, the shake tests were carried
out using the same concentrations of shampoo without added
antifoam. These results are also shown in Table 3.
Example 5
[0065] Example 4 was repeated using Dynapak poly 55 liquid
polyisobutylene in place of the fluid polydiorganosiloxane. The
results of the shake tests carried out in Example 4 are shown in
Table 3.
TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 Shampoo Foam Height (%) concentration and
Without antifoam time of shaking (Comparison) Sample 5 Sample 6 6
g/L, 8 s 100 50 70 6 g/L, 32 s 100 90 100 6 g/L, 48 s 100 100 100 6
g/L, 96 s 100 100 100 1 g/L, 8 s 60 20 40 1 g/L, 32 s 100 40 50 1
g/L, 48 s 100 50 50 1 g/L, 96 s 100 60 70
[0066] It can be seen from Table 3 that the antifoam compositions
of the invention of Samples 5 and 6 had very little effect on the
foam generated at a shampoo concentration equal to that in the
washing step, but substantially reduced the foam at detergent
concentrations equal to those in the rinse steps.
[0067] While the invention is susceptible to various modifications
and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way
of example in the examples and described in detail herein. It
should be understood, however, that the invention is not intended
to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the
invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and
alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention
as defined by the appended claims.
* * * * *