AT502114A1 - CLEANING TABLETS - Google Patents

Description

• · · · · · · · · · · · · "··" · "· · • · · · · · · · · ♦ φ · • · · · · · ♦ φφφφ · φ -1 # 5 The present invention relates to cleansing tablets, including dishwashing tablets, laundry cleansing tablets and water softener tablets used in cleaning processes. The invention further relates to cleaning methods using such tablets. It is known that cleaning compositions in various forms for. Use in laundry washing machines such as dish and laundry washing machines.

One of the most common forms in which laundry and dishwashing detergent compositions are used is powder or granules in which the average particle size ranges from 0.1 to 2 mm in diameter. In use, such powder or granules are placed in a chamber from which it is washed out during the wash cycle. Due to the hygroscopic nature of the powder or granules, occasionally 20 lumps are formed, as a result of which the detergent can not be discharged properly into the washing chamber of a dishwasher or a washing machine. It is known to use additives to mitigate this effect, but they may not always be effective. Accordingly, it is known as an alternative to powders or granules to use detergents in tablet form. These tablets are usually made with the addition of tableting aids of the same ingredients as the known powders or granules. The known with powders and granules problems of lumping are avoided by such tablets. The 30 known detergent tablets also have the advantage of being a minimal detergent

FOLLOW-UP -2- the measurement of powder or granules, which sometimes can be a bit complicated and difficult to avoid. *

However, such tablets have a disadvantage in comparison with the use of powder or S granules in that they reduce the flexibility in metering the amount of detergent required. Instead, it is common for each washing cycle to be supplemented with the same amount of detergent as determined by the size of the tablet, regardless of whether the dishes to be cleaned or the laundry are heavily or slightly soiled and / or whether the operated machine 10 is a full or reduced load having.

Known detergent tablets may comprise a detergent composition along with other cleaning aid compositions. For example, known multi-function tablets for automatic dishwashers include three major components: a detergent composition, a water softening function ("salt function"), and a rinse aid function. These ingredients may be provided in separate contiguous layers of the tablet and adapted to dissolve in the wash water during the various stages of the wash.

It is typical for such automatic dishwashing tablets, which include a detergent, a dishwashing salt function and a rinse aid function, to weigh between 20 and 25 g. For example, such a tablet may comprise about 10 25 g of detergent composition, about 10 g of water softener composition and about 1 to 2 g of rinse aid function. For cleaning dishes using a household dishwasher, a single tablet is added regardless of the amount of dishes or the degree of soiling of the dishes to be washed in the dishwasher. ) nachgerbcht {30 -3- • ·

The provision of a dishwashing detergent in the form of smaller tablets is known from EP 0 318 204 A1. However, this document relates to difficulties associated with incompatible components. In this case, it is necessary to use a combination of at least two types of tablets, where -5 are distributed among compatible ingredients in such a manner among the tablet types that substantially only compatible ingredients are formulated in the same type of tablet.

The various types can either be offered separately and blended in the precise proportions by the user or provided as a premixed product. However, both cases have their own difficulties. In the first case, the difficulty arises from maintaining the exact relationships between the various tablet types in measuring the required amount. In the second case, problems arise when the tablet type is mixed in the mixture unevenly or when they are separated during transportation or storage.

Accordingly, there remains the need to provide a detergent composition in a form that allows for variable dosage in a straightforward manner for the consumer.

Accordingly, the invention aims to address at least one disadvantage associated with the prior art, whether discussed herein or otherwise. According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a cleaning tablet for use in a washing process, characterized in that the tablet has a mass of between 1 and 15 g, so that they are used individually or with one or more identical tablets depending on the required washing power can.

POSSIBLE 30 -4- • · ··· ♦ ·· • · • ·

Preferably, the tablet has a mass of not more than 14 g, more preferably not more than 13 g, more preferably not more than 12 g, more preferably not more than 11 g, even more preferably not more than 10 g. blette can have a mass of not more than 9 g, eg not more than 8 g, 7 g, 6 g 5 or 5 g.

Preferably, the tablet has a mass of at least 2 g, more preferably at least 3 g. The tablet may have a mass of at least 4 g, e.g. at least 5 g, 6 g, 7 g, 8 g or 9 g. 10

Suitably, the cleaning tablet comprises a detergent composition. Alternatively, or in addition, the cleaning tablet may comprise a water softener tablet comprising a cleaning composition comprising a water softening composition. 15

Suitably, the cleaning tablet comprises a tablet for use in an automatic laundry washing machine.

Preferably, the cleaning tablet comprises a tablet for use in an automatic dishwashing machine. Suitably, the detergent tablet may be adapted to be used in combination with a separate supply of a dishwasher salt and / or a rinse aid. Thus, the tablet may be substantially free of rinse aid and / or dishwasher salt fuxictions. 25

The term "cleaning composition" is to be understood in the present application in a broad sense, namely that it encompasses all those substances and substance mixtures which can be used in connection with purification processes. These not only include the compositions that are actually active in cleaning, such as detergents, e.g. Dishwashing detergents and washing substances, but all compositions containing the respective cleaning products. Support functions, such as water softeners, or which have the effect of providing protection care, such as fabric treatment agents or final rinse. 5 Included in the term "cleaning composition" are mixtures of ingredients selected from: surfactant, builder, filler, bleach (optionally also containing bleach activator and / or a bleach catalyst), water softener composition, and enzymes. The cleaning composition may contain other minor ingredients such as dye, perfume and optical brightener.

By the use of the term "water softener composition" is meant a mixture of water softening agent (s) with other compounds selected from those mentioned in the previous paragraph or elsewhere in this patent.

Suitably, the cleaning composition comprises a detergent composition. The cleansing composition may comprise a detergent composition along with other ingredients which aid a cleaning action. Alternatively, the cleaning composition may consist essentially of a detergent composition.

As used herein, the term "detergent composition" should be understood to include all those substances and mixtures of substances that are active in cleaning, such as detergents and detergents.

Included within the term "detergent composition" are mixtures of ingredients selected from: surfactant, builder, filler, bleach (optionally also containing bleach activator and / or a bleach catalyst) and enzymes. f nachgerboht |

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The detergent composition may be substantially devoid of ingredients that support cleaning functions, such as water softeners, or that have the effect of providing protective care, such as fabric softeners or final rinse aids. 5

Suitably the tablet comprises a detergent composition in an amount of 1 to 12 g, preferably in an amount of 2 to 8 g, e.g. in an amount of 3 to 6 g. Suitably, the tablet comprises a detergent composition in an amount of not more than 12 g, preferably not more than 11 g, more preferably not more than 10 g, e.g. not more than 9 g, 8 g, 7 g, 6 g, 5 g, 4 g, 3 g or 2 g × 15. Suitably the tablet comprises a detergent composition in an amount of at least 1 g, preferably at least 2 g, e.g. at least 3 g, 4 g, 5 g, 6 g, 7 g or 8 g.

The tablet may include a "benefit" tablet. The tablet may comprise a tablet having a single function for use in a dishwashing machine. Thus, at least 90% by weight of the cleaning composition may comprise a detergent composition, and the cleaning composition may preferably consist essentially of a detergent composition which may comprise, in addition to the active ingredients, suitable fillers and / or tabletting aids.

Suitably, the tablet has a mass between 1 and 7 g, preferably between 2 and 6 g, more preferably between 3 and 5 g, e.g. of about 4 g. I NACHGERBOHT | -7- ··································································································· ········································

Suitably, the tablet has a mass between 5 and 13 g, preferably between 7 and 11 g, more preferably between 8 and 10 g, e.g. of about 9 g. Suitably, the cleaning composition comprises a detergent composition comprising a substantially complete formulation for their particular use. Accordingly, it is suitably not necessary to use a number of tablets according to the invention which comprise different compositions. Difficulties associated with having to count a variety of different tablets can thus be avoided.

Suitably, the tablet is free of phosphorus-containing compounds. The cleaning tablets of the present invention may have a number of advantages over known larger tablets.

Since the tablet is smaller than known tablets, it comprises less detergent, and consequently, when a single tablet is used in a washing cycle of an automatic dishwashing machine, less detergent composition is released into the waterways. The use of a single tablet in a floor standing type washing machine may be suitable for laundering a small load or lightly soiling the load, and thus the use of tablet tablets according to the invention can provide significant environmental benefits.

Tablets according to the invention can also be "dosed several times". For example, for a small load, a tablet with the environmental benefit as described above could be used. For a larger load 30 then two tablets can be used. For a particularly heavily soiled load three tablets can be used. Consequently, the f can be submitted later | -8- Μ ·· ·· · t ·· «·· ························································································ • »« I ····· ······ ····

Consumers are given the flexibility to vary the amount of detergent used in an automatic dishwashing machine, particularly in a floor-standing type machine, without sacrificing the time and energy associated with the use of powder or granular detergents.

The use of two like tablets of the present invention may be more effective than using a known tablet having the same formulation as the tablets of the present invention and a weight equal to the combined weight of two tablets of the present invention.

As a result, it may e.g. it is possible to achieve the same cleaning effect provided by a known 20 g tablet by the use of 15 two 9 g tablets, each having a similar composition to the known tablet. As a result, it may be possible to use about 10% less detergent to achieve the same cleaning effect. The environmental benefits associated with the use of tablets of this invention are readily apparent. While having advantages over known tablets, the tablets of the present invention can also retain the advantages these known tablets have over powder or granule detergent compositions. The tablets according to the invention may be less susceptible to breakage and more easily removed from a machine chamber and distributed in a dishwashing machine than known tablets. A problem that occasionally occurs with known dishwasher detergent tablets, namely that the tablets stick between dishes and, as a result, do not disperse properly, can also be substantially avoided.

Γnachgereiqht I -9-

Suitably, the tablet is such that it need not be used in combination with other tablets of different types. i

The starting material for the cleaning tablets of the invention may be formulated in the same way as conventional powders, granules or tablets. A suitable formulation for a tablet composition may therefore comprise a large number of different ingredients, which may include any of the following: builders, surfactants, enzymes, bleaches, bleach activators, alkalinity sources, dyes, perfumes, blasting agents, lime soap dispersants, organic Polymers, including polymers for inhibiting color transition, crystal growth inhibitors, complexing agents for heavy metal ions, salts, enzyme stabilizers, corrosion inhibitors, solvents, fabric softeners, optical brighteners, hydrotropes, etc. 15

In addition, the tablet composition may contain suitable fillers such as sulfates and chlorides and tabletting aids such as polyethylene glycol, starch or starch derivatives, etc. The tablet may be provided with a water-soluble coating, the nature of this coating being determined by the purpose for which it is intended. Any water-soluble polymer may be provided for a coating, e.g. if the purpose of the coating is to provide greater stability during storage and handling and / or a particular delay in dissolution in the wash liquor. If the goal is the delay for e.g. the ingredients are released at a certain stage of the wash cycle, as in the case of final rinse formulations for machine rinse in the form of the invention, pH-dependent coating materials may be used.

[ATTRIBUTED | 30 -10- -10- • · • ··· ·· • · • · · ♦ * ·· ····

The tablets may also contain a scattering agent or an effervescent system, such as a combination of soda bicarbonate and citric acid, to aid in the rapid dissolution of the tablets, especially when poorly soluble ingredients are included. 5

If the tablet is to be used in laundry, it may typically be added to the cleaning composition, e.g. a bleach, stain remover, water softener, enzyme or fabric softener. The tablet may be designed so that the ingredients are released at various times during laundry washing. For example, a bleach or fabric softener is generally released at the end of a wash and a water softener is generally released at the beginning of a wash. An enzyme can be released at the beginning or end of a wash. If the tablet is to be used in dishwashing, it may e.g. a water softener, a salt, an enzyme, a rinse aid, a bleach or a bleach activator. The tablet may be designed so that the ingredients are released at different times during the wash cycle.

For example, a rinse aid, bleach or bleach activator is generally released at the end of a wash and a water softener, salt or enzyme is generally released at the beginning of a wash.

Examples of particulate water-softeners that can be used in tablets of the invention include: A) homo- or copolymers of the following monomeric units or salts thereof - acrylic, maleic, sulfonic or phosphonic acids; and / or B) citrate salts, e.g. Alkali metal citrates and especially sodium citrate. Preferably, both Class A) and Class B compounds are present in a water softener composition • · • ·

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Additional advantageous compounds in a water-softening composition include one or more of: (1) ion-exchange agents, including alkali metal (preferably sodium) -5-aluminum silicates, either crystalline, amorphous, or a mixture of those; (2) Ion traps - means for preventing metal ions from forming soluble salts or reacting with surfactants such as polyphosphate, monomeric polycarbonates such as citric acid or salts thereof, EDTA, alginates, alginates; and (3) anti-nucleating agents - agents that prevent seed crystal growth, such as polycarbonate polymers such as polyacrylates, acrylic / maleic copolymers, and acrylic phosphonates and sulfonates. 15 The ingredients of a cleaning tablet depend on its intended use. In general, the tablet may contain surfactants such as anionic, nonionic, cationic, amphoteric or zwitterionic surfactants, or mixtures thereof. Examples of anionic surfactants include straight-chain or branched alkyl sulfates and alkyl polyalkoxylated sulfates, also known as alkyl ether sulfates. Such surfactants can be prepared by the reaction of sulfates with higher (e.g., C8-C20) fatty alcohols. Examples of surface active primary alkyl sulfates are those of the formula ROSO'M + wherein R is a linear C 2 -C 20 hydrocarbyl group and M is a water-dissolving cation. Preferably, R is a C10-C16, e.g. Ci2-Ci4-alkyl and M is an alkali metal such as lithium, sodium or potassium.

I handed in later

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Examples of secondary alkyl secondary sulfates are those containing the

Sulfate moiety at the "backbone" of the molecule, e.g. those of the formula: * 5 CHifCHzWCHOSCVM ^ CHzVCHa where m and n are independently 2 or more, the sum of m + n typically being 6 to 20, e.g. 9 to 15, and M is a water-donating cation such as lithium, sodium or potassium.

Particularly preferred secondary alkyl sulfates are the (2,3) alkyl sulfates of the formulas: CH 2 (CH 2) x (CHO 3 O 3 +) CH 3 and CH 3 (CH 2) x (CHO 3 O 3 M) CH 2 CH 3 for the 2-sulfate and 3, respectively -Sulfate. In these formulas, x is at least 4, e.g. 6 to 20, preferably 10 to 16. M is a cation such as an alkali metal, e.g. Lithium, 20 sodium or potassium.

Examples of alkoxylated alkyl sulfates are ethoxylated alkyl sulfates of the formula:

RCKCÄCOnSOsTVT 25 wherein R is a Ce-C2o, preferably Cio-Cie like a Ci2-Ci6-alkyl group, n at least 1, e.g. 1 to 20, preferably 1 to 15, especially 1 to 6 and M is a salt-forming cation such as lithium, sodium, potassium, ammonium, alkylammonium or alkanolammonium. These compounds can provide particularly desirable fabric cleaning performance benefits when used in combination with alkyl sulfates.

Submitted I 30 -13- • 9 # • ··· »• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • ♦ ♦ * • • • 4

The alkyl sulfates and alkyl ether sulfates are generally in the form of

Used mixtures comprising varying alkyl chain lengths and if present * varying degrees of alkoxylation. 5

Other anionic surfactants which may be employed are salts of fatty acids, e.g. Cg-Cig fatty acids, especially the sodium or potassium salts and alkyl, e.g. Cg-Cig, benzenesulfonates. Examples of nonionic surfactants include fatty acid alkoxylates such as fatty acid ethoxylates, especially those of the formula:

R (C2H40) "0H15 wherein R is a straight or branched Cg-C16 alkyl group, preferably a C9-C15, e.g. is a Cio-Cu-alkyl group and n is at least 1, e.g. 1 to 16, preferably 2 to 12, more preferably 3 to 10.

The nonionic alkoxylated fatty alcohol surfactant often has a hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) ranging from 3 to 17, more preferably 6 to 15, most preferably 10 to 15.

Examples of fatty alcohol ethoxylates are those made from alcohols having 12 to 15 carbon atoms and containing about 7 moles of ethylene oxide. Such materials are commercially available from Shell Chemical Company under the trademarks NEODOL 25-7 and NEODOL 23-6.5. Other useful compounds of this type include NEODOL 1-5, an ethoxylated fatty alcohol having an average of 11 carbon atoms in its alkyl chain with about 5 moles of ethylene oxide; NEODOL 23-9, an ethoxylated primary C 1 -Cu alcohol 30 containing about 9 moles of ethylene oxide; and NEODOL 91-10, an ethoxylated C9-C11 primary alcohol with about 10 moles of ethylene oxide.

f later I -14- • # · · · -14- • # · · · * · · · ················································································· it

Alcohol ethoxylates of this type have also been marketed by Shell Chemical Company under the DOBANOL brand. DOBANOL 91-5 is an ethoxylated C9-C11 *

Fatty alcohol with an average of 5 moles of ethylene oxide, and DOBANOL 25-7 is a 5 ethoxylated Ci2-Ci5 fatty alcohol with an average of 7 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of fatty alcohol.

Other examples of suitable ethoxylated nonionic surfactant alcohols include TERGITOL 15-S-7 and TERGITOL 15-S-9, both of which are linear secondary alcohol ethoxylates available from Union Carbide Corporation. TERGITOL 15-S-7 is a mixed ethoxylated product of a linear secondary Cu-Cis alkanol with 7 moles of ethylene oxide and TERGITOL 15-S-9 is the same but with 9 moles of ethylene oxide. Other suitable ethoxylated nonionic surfactant alcohols are NEODOL 45-11, which are similar ethylene oxide condensation products of a fatty alcohol having 14 to 15 carbon atoms and the number of ethylene oxide groups per mole is about 11. Such products are also available from Shell Chemical Company. 20

Other nonionic surfactants are e.g. Cio-Cis-alkyl polyglycosides such as Ci2-Ci6-alkylpolyglycosides. These are particularly useful when high sudsing compositions are desired. Other surfactants are polyhydroxy fatty acid amides such as Cio-Ci8-N- (3-25 methoxypropyl) glycamides and Pluron-type ethylene oxide-propylene oxide block polymers.

Examples of cationic surfactants are those of the quaternary ammonium type. 30

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The total content of surfactants in the tablet is desirably 60 to 95% by weight, especially 75 to 90% by weight. Desirably, if an anionic surfactant is present in an amount of from 50 to 75 weight percent, the nonionic surfactant is present in an amount of from 5 to 50 weight percent and / or the cationic surfactant is present in an amount from 0 to 20 wt .-%, based on the tablet weight before.

The tablets, especially when used as laundry or dishwashing tablets, may also independently comprise enzymes such as protease, lipase 10, amylase, cellulase and peroxidase enzymes. Such enzymes are commercially available and are described e.g. under the registered trademarks ESPERASE, ALCALASE and SAVINASE of Nova Industries A / S and as MAXATASE of International Biosynthetics Inc. Desirably, the enzymes in the tablets are independently present in an amount of from 15% to 0.5%, more preferably 1% to 2%, by weight, when commercially available

Are added, which are not pure, and this represents an equivalent amount of 0.005 to 0.5 wt .-% of pure enzyme. As mentioned above, they can, if desired, be introduced after the extrusion. 20 tablets used in dishwashing usually independently comprise a detergent builder. The builders counteract the effects of calcium or other ion, water hardness. Examples of such materials are citrate, succinate, malonate, carboxymethyl succinate, carboxylate, polycarboxylate and polyacetyl carboxylate salts, e.g. with 25 alkali metal or alkaline earth metal cations, or the corresponding free acids. Specific examples are sodium, potassium and lithium salts of oxymialic acid, mellitic acid, benzene polycarboxylic acids, Cio-C22 fatty acids and citric acid. Other examples are organic phosphonate type sequestering agents such as those sold by Monsanto under the trademark DEQUEST, and alkyl hydroxyphosphonates. Citrate salts and Ci2-Ci8 fatty acid soaps are preferred. Other builders are phosphates such as sodium, potassium or

POSSIBLE -16- • • • • • * * • • • ♦ - «* · ft · ·· Μ

Ammonium salts of mono-, di- or tripoly- or oligophosphates; zeolites;

Silicates, amorphous or structured, such as sodium, potassium or ammonium salts. t

Other suitable builders are polymers and copolymers, of which 5 are known to have builder properties. For example, such materials include suitable polyacrylic, polymaleic and polyacrylic / polymaleic and copolymers and their salts such as those sold by BASF under the trademark SOKALAN. The builder is desirably present in an amount of up to 90% by weight, preferably 15 to 90% by weight, more preferably 15 to 75% by weight, based on the total weight of the tablet. Further details of suitable ingredients are e.g. in EP-A-694,059, EP-A-518,720 and WO 99/06522. The tablets may also optionally include one or more additional ingredients. These include conventional detergent composition ingredients such as other surfactants, bleaches, bleach boosters, builders, suds boosters or suds suppressors, antitrust and anticorrosion agents, organic solvents, cosolvents, phase stabilizers, emulsifiers, preservatives, soil suspending agents, soil release agents, germicides, pH adjusting agents or buffers, alkalinity sources other than builders, chelating agents,

Clays such as smectite clays, enzyme stabilizers, antiscalants, colorants, dyes, hydrotropes, dye transfer inhibiting agents, brighteners and perfumes. When used, such optional ingredients generally do not constitute more than 10% by weight, e.g. 1 to 6 wt .-% of the total weight of the tablets.

Tablets comprising an enzyme may optionally contain materials which preserve the stability of the enzyme. Such enzyme stabilizers include e.g.

Polyols such as propylene glycol, boric acid and borax. Combinations of these

j later I 17 • · • t • · • «* ··» ··· • · r > · Zymstabilisatoren can also be used. When used, the enzyme stabilizers generally form 0.1 to 1% by weight of the tablets.

Preferred dishwashing tablets are suitable for use in automatic dishwashing machines. Due to their specific requirements, a specific formulation is required, and these are illustrated below.

The levels of ingredients may vary widely, but they are preferred automatic dishwashing detergent tablets herein (typically a 1% aqueous solution having a pH above 8, more preferably from 9.5 to 12, most preferably from 10 to 10) From 9.5 to 10.5) those in which: 5 to 90%, preferably 5 to 75% builder; 0.1 to 40%, preferably 0.5 to 30% bleach-15 medium; 0.1 to 15%, preferably 0.2 to 10% of the surfactant system; 0.0001 to 1%, preferably 0.001 to 0.05% of a metal-containing bleach catalyst; and 0.1 to 40%, preferably 0.1 to 20% of a water-soluble silicate. Such fully formulated embodiments typically further comprise from 0.1% to 15% of a polymeric dispersant, from 0.01% to 10% of a chelating agent and from 0.00001% to 10% of a detersive enzyme, although other additional or adjunct ingredients may be present.

Nonionic surfactants useful in automatic dishwashing (ADW) tablets of the present invention desirably include surfactant (s) at levels of 1 to 10% of the composition. In general, bleach-stable surfactants are preferred. Non-ionic surfactants are generally known, as more fully described in Kirk Othmer's Encylopedia of Chemical Technology, Third Edition, Volume 22, pages 360-379, "Surfa-30 cants and Detersive Systems", incorporated herein by reference, are described.

♦ · · · ♦ · · ♦ ··· »···« · »··························································

Preferably, an ADW tablet comprises at least one nonionic surfactant. One class of nonionic surfactants are ethoxylated nonionic surfactants obtained by the reaction of a monohydroxyalkanol or alkylphenol having from 6 to 20 carbon atoms with preferably at least 12 moles, more preferably at least 16 moles and even more preferably at least 20 moles of ethylene oxide per mol of alcohol or alkylphenol. Particularly preferred nonionic surfactants are formed from a linear fatty alcohol having from 16 to 20 carbon atoms and at least 12 moles, more preferably at least 16 moles and even more preferably at least 20 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol. The nonionic surfactant may additionally comprise propylene oxide (PO) units in the molecule. Preferably, these PO units constitute up to 25% by weight, preferably up to 20% by weight and even more preferably up to 15% by weight of the total molecular weight of the nonionic surfactant. Particularly preferred surfactants are ethoxylated mono-20-hydroxyalkanols or alkylphenols additionally comprising polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene block copolymer units. The alcohol or alkylphenol content of such surfactants constitutes greater than 30, preferably greater than 50, more preferably greater than 70 weight percent of the total molecular weight of the nonionic surfactant. / 25

Another class of nonionic surfactants includes reverse block copolymers of polyoxyethylene and polyoxypropylene and block copolymers of polyoxyethylene and polyoxypropylene initiated with trimethylolpropane. Another preferred nonionic surfactant may be represented by the formula:

according to the invention, R 1 is a linear or branched aliphatic hydrocarbon group having 4 to 18 carbon atoms or mixtures thereof, R 2 is a linear or branched aliphatic hydrocarbon radical 2 to 26 carbon atoms or mixtures thereof, x has a value between 0.5 and 1.5 and y has a value of at least 15. Another group of preferred nonionic surfactants are the end-capped polyoxyalkylated nonionic surfactants of the formula: R 10 [CH 2 CH (R 3) O] x [CH 2] k CH (OH) [CH 2] j R 2, wherein R 1 and R 2 represent linear or branched saturated or unsaturated aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbon groups having 1 to 30 carbon atoms, R 3 denotes a hydrogen atom or a methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, 2-butyl or 2 Represents methyl-2-butyl group, x has a value between 20 1 and 30 and k and j have values between 1 and 12, preferably between 1 and 5. If the value of x > 2, each R3 in the above formula may be different. R1 and R2 are preferably linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated, aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbon groups having 6 to 22 carbon atoms, with groups having 8 to 18 carbon atoms being particularly preferred. For the group R3, H, methyl or ethyl are particularly preferred. Particularly preferred values for x are between 1 and 20, preferably between 6 and 15. *

As described above, in the case of x > 2, each R in formula 30 will be different. For example, if x = 3, the group R3 could be selected such that ethylene oxide- (R3 = H) or propylene oxide- (R3 = methyl) Γ could be used after -20- • · ··· «* ·« ft «99 ** ····· · · · · 9 «9 9 9 9« ·· «* * 9 · 999999 · '9 9 9

Units are constructed, which in each single order e.g. (PO) (EO) (EO), (EO) (PO) (EO), (EO) (EO) (PO), (EO) (EO) (EO), (PO) (EO) (PO), (PO) (PO) (EO) and (PO) (PO) (PO) can be used. The value 3 for x is just one example, and larger values can be selected, which would give a higher number of variations of (EO) or (PO) units.

Particularly preferred end-capped polyoxyalkylated alcohols of the above formula are those in which k = 1 and j = 1 derived from molecules of the simplified formula: R 10 [CH 2 CH (R 3) O] x [CH 2 CH (OH) CH 2 OR 2 , 15

The use of mixtures of various nonionic surfactants, e.g. Mixtures of alkoxylated alcohols and hydroxy-containing alkoxylated alcohols are particularly preferred in ADW formulations. 20

A disintegrating agent, e.g. a water-swellable cellulose compound could be present in the tablets.

The cleaning tablets of the present invention may suitably be prepared using a variety of methods, e.g. be made by pressing under pressure. Depending on the requirements imposed on the dissolution behavior and the stability during storage and transport, and depending on the nature of the ingredients, the appropriate pressing pressure can be set accordingly. 30 Another preferred manufacturing process is the compaction, which in this application is to be understood as meaning that the press article has been submitted -21 - • •• 9 glomerization without the use of binders, usually carried out by rollers rotating in opposite directions and with grooves of appropriate dimensions. With this production method it is also possible to use other ingredients which are not usually suitable for pressing, since the pressures during compaction are significantly lower.

Tablets of the present invention may be made using methods other than densification (such as extrusion / injection molding), and non-compaction methods may provide greater flexibility in the manufacturing process.

A cleansing tablet of the invention can be used in a variety of ways. For example, reference is made to use as a dishwashing detergent, as a final rinse in dishwashers, as a detergent in a washing machine or for hand washing, as a water softener or fabric softener rinse in a washing machine or as a descaling agent. Other uses in the detergent industry are conceivable and possible, such as use as a detergent composition for dissolution in water for cleaning hard O-surfaces such as soils.

Suitably, the tablet is adapted such that N tablets can be used in a washing process to wash a load substantially equal to a full load of a laundry machine, and wherein the load has a normal level of soiling, where N is 1,2,3 or 4 is. Preferably, for a floor-standing type N 2 automatic dishwasher, it is convenient that the tablet is adapted so that the number of tablets used in the washing process can be adjusted as described in detail in the following second aspect.

f FOLLOW-UP I 30 22 • · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · * ···· ·· • · • ·

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According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of performing a washing operation, characterized in that the method employs one or more tablets according to the first aspect and an amount of water. 5

Here it has been found that by virtue of the fact that the tablets of the present invention are much smaller than conventional detergent tablets, they are much easier to place in a tablet dispenser. This has been found to be particularly significant when a large amount of cleaning agent (i.e., a large number of cleaning tablets) is required. An obvious reason for this effect is that a large number of small tablets can be accommodated much more easily than a larger tablet because of the flexibility of positioning in a tablet dispenser. For example, it has been found easier to place three tablets weighing 9 g 15 than a large tablet weighing 27 g.

This benefit may seem insignificant, as the larger tablet could simply be placed in the machine's operating part. However, some automatic washing machines (such as dishwashers) operate a pre-wash cycle in which it is not advantageous to dispense any cleaning formulation. Placing the tablets in the dispenser (which is typically out of operation until the main wash cycle) overcomes this disadvantage.

Suitably the tablets comprise a detergent composition. 25

Suitably, when the method employs multiple tablets, the tablets are substantially identical.

Suitably, the method employs only substantially identical tablets 30 according to the first aspect. Consequently, it may not be necessary to use a combination of tablets of different formulations.

REPLACED -23- · ♦ 9 #. , 99 9 999 · 99 • 9 • • • 9 9 • 9 • 9 9 9 9 * 9 * 9 9 * 9 # 99 ' 9 9 '99 • •

Preferably, the method includes washing articles in an automatic laundry washing machine. More preferably, the method comprises * washing articles, e.g. Dishes in an automatic * dishwasher-5 dishwasher.

Preferably, the method comprises the step of determining whether one or more tablets are required depending on the degree of soiling and amount of items to be washed. 10

Suitably, for a load having a normal level of soiling, and where the load is substantially equal to a full load of a laundry machine, the method uses N tablets. Suitably, N is 1 to 4. Suitably, for a floor-standing domestic dishwasher, N is 2, 3 or 4, preferably 2.

Suitably, the tablets are substantially identical. 20

Conveniently, the method uses N + A tablets for a load having a high level of soiling, and where the load is substantially equal to a full load of the laundry machine. Suitably, A is 0 to 2. Suitably, A is greater than or equal to 0 and less than or equal to (N-1). Suitably, A for a floor-standing domestic dishwasher is 1 or 2, preferably 1.

Suitably, for a charge having a light level of soiling, and where the charge is substantially equal to a full load of the commodity washing machine, the method uses N-B tablets. f FOLLOW-UP | 24 ······

5 10 15 20 25

Suitably, B is 0 to 2. Suitably, B is greater than or equal to 0 and less than or equal to (N-1). Suitably, for a floor-standing domestic dishwasher, B is equal to 1 or 2, preferably 1. Suitably, the method employs a charge having a normal level of soiling, and wherein the load is substantially equal to half a load of the laundry machine, N-C tablets. Suitably, C is 0 to 2. Suitably, C is greater than or equal to 0 and less than or equal to (N-1). Suitably, for a floor-standing domestic dishwasher, C is 1 or 2, preferably 1. Suitably, N, A, B and C have fixed values for a given laundry washing machine and tablet combination. Suitably, A, B and C have the same value for a floor standing type dishwashing machine. The variation of the tablet dose may therefore be easy for the user to perform. For a table-top type household dishwasher, N can be 1 or 2, suitably 1. In this case, B and C are suitably 0. In this case, A may also be zero. Thus, while it is not possible to vary the "dose" in the same way, this may not be problematic, as such a dishwasher may e.g. less likely to be partially loaded. The terms "normal level of soiling", "high level of soiling" and "light level of soiling" as well as "full load" and "half load" are somewhat subjective and are to a certain extent in the judgment of the user. Their judgment may depend in part on the efficiency of their machine and the water properties. However, it is the user

REPLACED -25-

··········· It is therefore clear which situation is most likely to apply in a given case, and the user can thus perform the above outlined determination and calculate the number of tablets to use according to the basic criteria given above *. 5

Conveniently, the step of determining that the user notices the degree of soiling of the items to be washed includes noting the degree to which a machine is loaded and determining whether N tablets should be used or whether a vote should be made. Suitably, the value for N is provided with the tablets. Conveniently, if a vote is required, the user will use a value for A, B or C provided with the tablets.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a packaged product comprising a package comprising one or more tablets according to the first aspect; preferably at least two tablets, more preferably at least three tablets and more preferably at least four tablets. Suitably, the package contains up to 10 tablets, preferably up to eight tablets, and more preferably up to six tablets. 20

Suitably, the package comprises a plastic wrapper provided with a watertight container for one or more tablets.

Suitably, the packaged product includes instructions for varying the number of tablets used to perform a wash.

Suitably, the instructions include instructions for performing a method according to the second aspect. Suitably, the instructions include values for N, A, B, and C as described in the second aspect.

[nachgerbcht | -26- • ···· ·· • · • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • ·

Suitably, the package comprises n tablets. Suitably, N is 2. *

The present invention will now be illustrated by way of example. 5

example 1

Cuboid-shaped cleaning tablets of length 24 mm, width 16 mm and thickness 14 mm are made by tabletting 10 a tablet composition to provide a tablet having a mass of about 9 g.

The tablets had the following formulation:

Ingredient Total (wt%) Na2CC> 3 Ή2Ο2 10-15 NasPsOio 15-40 Na3C5H507 0-20 NaHCO3 0-5 Na2CO3 10-40 Polyethylene glycol 2-6 Phosphonate 0-1.5 Polymer 0-5 TAED 0-5 Amylase 0-2 Protease 0-2 Dye 0-0.5 Non-ionic 1-5 Anticorrosive 0-1 Perfume 0-0.5 Water Residual

FOLLOW-UP · ♦ ·· ·· ··· · · β- «27-

Total (% by weight) 100.00

The tablets were prepared according to the following procedure. Solid raw materials are weighed separately into the mixing vessel. Liquids are weighed and added to the mixture. The raw materials are then combined in a blender available for 5 minutes for a period of 10 minutes. The mixtures are then emptied into drums and transferred to the storage container of a rotary press. A rotary press is used to press the tablets, the final compression forces averaged 34 kN.

10 APPLICATION EXAMPLES

Application example I

The bleachability (and other cleaning capabilities) were tested in a Miele-15 type G651SC Plus dishwasher using a 50 ° C cycle according to the IKW method. The formulation was added at the beginning of the main wash cycle of the dishwasher. The water hardness was 9 ° gH. The results (given in Table 1) are expressed in percentages, with 100% being the best rating for a particular property. 20

1 stain Ex. 1 (2 tabs) See bleachable (tea) 32 100 86 starch 96 100 100 protein 59 100 100 burnt 94 100 100

NACHGERBOHT -28-

• · · · ································································ (milk)

Average 70 average 100 average 96 *

Figure 1 is a commercially available 19g weighted dishwashing tablet having a similar formulation to Example 1. The results show that a small tablet of the invention activates a comparable performance to a much larger commercially available tablet for the majority of the measured wash criteria can. Furthermore, with the use of two small tablets according to the invention, greatly improved performance is achieved over all measured washing criteria. 10

It should be understood that the invention is not limited to the details of the above embodiment (s). The invention extends to any novel or any novel combination of features disclosed in this specification, or to any new or any new combination of steps of any method or process thus disclosed. | REVIEWED |

Claims (21)

-29-, 'V ·· Μ · ···· ♦ · ······· «·! Patent Abstract 1. A cleaning tablet for use in a washing process, characterized in that: i indicates that the tablet has a mass between 1 and 15 g, so that it can be used individually or with one or more identical tablets depending on the required washing performance. A tablet according to claim 1 comprising a detergent composition. 3. A tablet according to claim 1 or 2 comprising a water softening composition. A tablet according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tablet is for a laundry machine. 15 The tablet of claim 4, wherein the tablet is for an automatic dishwashing machine. The tablet of claim 5, except as dependent on claim 3, wherein the tablet comprises a detergent tablet having a single function comprising a detergent composition and being substantially free of a dishwasher salt function or a rinse aid function. A tablet according to claim 6, wherein the tablet has a mass between 1 and 7 g. 8. A tablet according to claim 7, wherein the tablet has a mass between 5 and 13 g. I ATTRACTED | * ······························································. • · · »* * * * Μ« #. * • · · * • · ϊ -30- 9. A method for performing a washing process, characterized in that the method uses one or more tablets according to one of the preceding claims and an amount of water. * The method of claim 9, wherein where the method employs multiple tablets, the tablets are substantially identical. The method of claim 9 or 10, wherein the method comprises the step of determining whether one or more tablets are required depending on the degree of soiling and the amount of articles to be washed. 12. A method according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the method comprises the step of determining whether one or more tablets are required depending on the degree of water hardness. The method of any of claims 9 to 12, wherein the method comprises washing articles in an automatic laundry washing machine. 20 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the tablets comprise a detergent composition and the method comprises washing articles in an automatic dishwashing machine. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the dishwasher comprises a floor standing type dishwashing machine and the method for a load having a normal level of soiling, and wherein the load substantially corresponds to a full load of the dishwasher, uses N tablets, wherein N is equal to 2,3 or 4. ΓMACHORED | 30 -31 - • · ♦ · «· A method according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the dishwashing machine comprises a floor-standing type household dishwasher and the method for a load having a high degree of soiling, and wherein the load is substantially a full load of the dishwashing machine where N is 2, 3 or 4 and A is greater than or equal to 0 and less than or equal to (Nl). 17. A method according to any one of claims 14 to 16, wherein the dishwashing machine comprises a floor-standing household dishwasher and the method is for a charge having a slight degree of soiling, and wherein the load is substantially equal to a full load of the dishwasher , NB tablets, where N is 2, 3 or 4 and B is greater than or equal to 0 and less than or equal to (Nl). 18. A method according to any one of claims 14 to 17, wherein the dishwashing machine comprises a floor-standing type household dishwasher and the method for a load having a normal level of soiling, and wherein the load is substantially equal to half a load of the dishwasher, NC tablets where N is 20, 2, 3 or 4 and C is greater than or equal to 0 and less than or equal to (NI). 19. A packaged product comprising one or more tablets according to any one of claims 1 to 8. 20. The packaged product of claim 19 and further comprising instructions for varying the tablet dose to perform a method according to any one of claims 9 to 16. 21. A packaged product according to claim 19 or 20, wherein the tablets are substantially identical REPLACED |