AU2009332711A1

AU2009332711A1 - Detergent composition

Info

Publication number: AU2009332711A1
Application number: AU2009332711A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Roberto Casonati
Original assignee: Reckitt Benckiser NV
Current assignee: Reckitt Benckiser NV
Priority date: 2008-12-22
Filing date: 2009-12-21
Publication date: 2011-08-04
Also published as: BRPI0922621A2; ZA201105006B; GB0823344D0; EP2373775A1; WO2010073000A1

Abstract

A detergent composition comprises a particulate material. The particulate is an agglomerate of an anionic soap component and a secondary detergent component.

Description

WO 2010/073000 PCT/GB2009/002923 DETERGENT COMPOSITION The present invention relates to detergent composition compris ing a particulate material. Typical household detergent compositions comprise a number of different components. Each of these components has its own be spoke role to play in the cleaning process to which the overall composition is addressed. For example enzymes are used to tar get specific biological based stains, bleaches are used to de colour / destroy a broad-spectrum of stains by oxidation and surfactants are used to target / dissolve grease from the items. To arrive at the overall formulation is usually a relatively complex exercise and involves a consideration of the materials being cleaned, the stains likely to be targeted as well as other considerations such as cost and importantly the stability of the composition. Stability of the composition is important because the efficacy of the composition should not be unduly affected before its point of use. Some detergent components, such as inorganic ma terials display a high display of stability in transport and storage over a variety of storage conditions. Some other deter gent components are more sensitive and less stable, e.g. en zymes. This problem can be exacerbated in that some detergent components are detrimentally antagonistic against one another. This is especially true of bleaches and oxidation sensitive com ponents, such as dyes and enzymes. Means have been used to separate / protect sensitive ingredients in detergent compositions. However, these means are usually complex and / or expensive.

WO 2010/073000 PCT/GB2009/002923 2 Examples of the methods used include tabletting of detergents wherein the tablets have a plurality of different layers such that sensitive components can be located in one layer away from antagonistic elements. Nevertheless, these kinds of tabletting 5 machines, whilst relatively commonplace, are complicated and ex pensive. Additionally the formulation employed has to be tai lored to suit a tabletting operation, e.g. by the inclusion of binders, which, though necessary to provide structural integrity to the tablet, are expensive and commonly provide no detergent 10 function per se. Furthermore the particle size of the tabletted formulation has to be highly regulated. Other stability / separation means include the coating of sensi tive components and separation of detergent compositions in mul tiple chamber containers; again this is expensive as it requires 15 the preparation of a multiple chamber container. The object of the present invention is to obviate / mitigate the problems outlined above. According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a detergent composition comprising a particulate material, wherein 20 the particulate is an agglomerate of an anionic soap component and a secondary detergent component. We have found that a detergent composition in accordance with the invention has numerous surprising advantageous properties. These include chiefly the added stability (e.g. in storage / 25 transport) of the overall detergent composition and especially of the secondary component which forms a co-particulate with the soap. In addition the composition of the invention has been found to display excellent release properties in use. Without wanting to 30 be limited by theory it appears that the soap particles dissolve relatively slowly when applied to the item being cleaned, e.g.

WO 2010/073000 PCT/GB2009/002923 3 in a wash liquor. Thus as a result any detrimental reaction between the secondary detergent component contained in the soap particulate and any other antagonistic component contained in the detergent is vastly reduced. 5 Furthermore as the coating itself is active in a washing process the particles of the present invention have been found to be ex ceptional in terms of packaging efficacy and performance. Generally the soap is an anionic soap. Preferred examples of such anionic soaps include salts of fatty acids, for example C 8 10 C1B fatty acids, especially the sodium potassium or alkanolammo nium salts, and alkyl, for example

C

8 -Ci 8 , benzene sulfonates. Other anionic surfactants and / or nonionic surfactants (e.g. such as fatty alcohol ethoxylates / propoxylates) may be used as the soap provided that the melting point of the surfactant is at 15 or above room temperature. Generally the content of the secondary detergent component in the particulate is from 1 to 50%, more preferably from 1 to 40wt%, more preferably from 5 to 30wt% and most preferably about 20wt%. 20 Preferably the secondary detergent component is an enzyme. In this regard the release properties of the composition have been found to be particularly beneficial. Since the soap flakes have a relatively slow dissolution time the remainder of the deter gent formulation is released first into the wash liquor, whilst 25 the enzymes are released more slowly. In this way detrimental reaction with any other detergent components is significantly reduced. Preferred examples of enzymes include one or more of protease, lipase, amylase and cellulase enzymes.

WO 2010/073000 PCT/GB2009/002923 4 Additionally / alternatively the secondary detergent component comprises a dye transfer inhibitor (DTI) . Indeed it has been found that most DTIs exhibit higher stability and better flow properties when encompassed within the particulate material of 5 the invention. Preferred examples of DTIs include one or more of PVP, PVNO, PVP-VI. The particulate may also contain a filler. Where a filler is present the proportion of the filler in the particulate is pref 10 erably from 1 to 50%, more preferably from 1 to 40wt%, more preferably from 5 to 40wt% and most preferably about 30wt%. Preferred examples of fillers includes zeolites. Preferably the composition has a particle size of 100pm to 2mm. Preferably the particles are in the form of a prills, noodles, 15 flakes. Most preferably the particles are in the form of flakes. According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a method of producing a composition according to the first as pect of the invention. 20 The particle is preferably produced by extrusion, pelletisation and / or lamination.

Claims

1. A detergent composition comprising a particulate material, wherein the particulate is an agglomerate of an anionic soap 5 component and a secondary detergent component.

2. A composition according to claim 1, wherein the content of the secondary detergent component in the particulate is about 20wt%.

3. A composition according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the secon 10 dary detergent component is a DTI or an enzyme.

4. A composition according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the par ticle size of the particulate is

5. A composition according to claim 4, wherein the particles are in the form of a prills, noodles, flakes.