AU651602B2

AU651602B2 - Package containing a powdered detergent

Info

Publication number: AU651602B2
Application number: AU81131/91A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Daniel Zaagman
Original assignee: Sara Lee DE NV
Current assignee: Sara Lee DE NV
Priority date: 1990-07-19
Filing date: 1991-07-19
Publication date: 1994-07-28
Anticipated expiration: 2011-07-19
Also published as: NL9001651A; ATE121772T1; DE69109200D1; DK0467481T3; EP0467481A3; JPH04226600A; EP0467481A2; AU8113191A; EP0467481B1

Abstract

The invention relates to a package containing a powdered detergent. According to the invention, the powdered detergent is packaged in compressed form in a gas and/or vapour tight foil. The invention further relates to a powdered detergent suitable for use in the package according to the invention, consisting of agglomerates comprising a core, in which the more hygroscopic ingredients are located, and a shell, in which the less hygroscopic ingredients are located. The invention further relates to a method for the preparation of a powdered detergent suitable for use in the package according to the invention, comprising agglomerating a part of the components of the detergent to form primary agglomerates, followed by agglomerating the primary agglomerates with the remaining component(s).

Description

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6516 0 2

AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION NAME OF APPLICANT(S): Sara Lee/DE N. V.

onC, 00. 0 o o o 0 o t o oj to a os 00 Got ADDRESS FOR SERVICE: DAVIES COLLISON Patent Attorneys 1 Little Collins Street, Melbourne, 3000.

INVENTION TITLE: Package containing a powdered detergent The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us:la' This invention relates to a package containing a powdered detergent, more particularly to a gas and/or vapour tight package.

Heretofore, powdered detergents have always been packed as loose powder, i.e. the contents of the package were, at least partly, filled with air. Also because of the low density of powdered detergents, such packages occupy a large volume.

A recent development in the field of powdered detergents concerns detergents of high density. By omitting fillers and other less active components, a detergent with a high concentration of detergent-active components is obtained, so that less volume and weight are required to achieve the same detergency. Thus, a saving of volume has already been achieved.

a° One object of the invention is to provide a package 0° 0°0: containing a powdered detergent which occupies little volume, 0 without necessarily using the high-density formulation for the powdered detergent.

S 20 The invention relates to a package containing a powdered 00:00 odetergent, which is characterized in that the powdered detergent is packed in compressed form in a gas and/or vapour tight foil.

Surprisingly, it has been found that it is possible to package a powder detergent in compressed form without problems S0 arising that involve its stability or its caking into large lumps.

The package may be formed by, for example, a method selected from three variants utilizing compression, namely under vacuum, in a shrink-foil or under external overpressure.

In all of these cases the detergent is compressed, so that it occupies a minimal volume a iend does not set during storage and transport.

According to the first variant, the detergent is packaged under vacuum, which meancuis that a vacuum is produced after filling of the package, so that the powder is compressed after the package has been closed. This system has long been known 940527,p:\operkphhl131-91.147.1 -i t~ -2for the packaging of ground coffee. A requirement for this variant is that the f oil should be reasonably gas tight.

Preferably, an absolute toressure of 0.1 to 0.9 bar is used in this package.

In the second variant, a shrink-foil is used. The powder is packaged in a foil, which is heated after packaging and then shrinks, thereby compressing the powder. Optionally, after shrinking, the package can be sealed hermetically.

However, this is not necessary.

The third variant comprises packaging the powder under pressure. In practice, this means that the powder is put in the package and, subsequently, the assembly is placed under external pressure and sealed, or an overpressure is created during packaging. A particular requirement for the package in this variant is that it must be resistant to the forces 0:00:generated as a result of the pressure applied. The absolute 0:0*:pressure employed preferably ranges from 1.5 to 15 bar.

:00A surprising advantage of the invention is that f or packaging, relatively inexpensive, and often environmentfriendly, materials can be used, such as paper or synthetic foils, for example surlyn foil, polypropylene foil or 00 polyethylene foil, optionally coated and/or laminated with a lacquer, nylon, polyester or aluminum.

0 In principle, the invention can be used f or all types of 00 25 powdered detergents. In view of storage stability and caking 00 o tendencies, however, it is preferred to use an adapted formulation. In this formulation the powdered detergent preferably consists of agglomerates which are composed of a core, in which the more hygroscopic ingredients are located, and a shell, in which the less hygroscopic ingredients are located.

940S27.p: \oper\phh8 31-91.147,2

-A

-3- The package is preferably used with a powdered detergent which is particularly suitable for use in compressed form.

Such a powdered detergent advantageously consists of agglomerates having a core, in which the more hygroscopic ingredients are located, and a shell, in which the less hygroscopic ingredients are located.

More particularly, detergent-active agents and bleaching agents may be located in the core, while bicarbonate may be incorporated in the shell. The shell can contain a metal soap.

The proportions of the amounts of the core and the shell can vary within broad limits. These proportions also depend strongly on the composition of the detergent. In general, the core constitutes about 20-80% by weight of the total detergent and the shell about 20-80% by weight.

According to a preferred composition (calculated on a waterfree basis, but including water of crystallization), the detergent consists of 0.1 3 parts by weight of metal soap 30 parts by weight of detergent 0 20 parts by weight of sodium perborate, 0 5 parts by weight of other components and 65 parts by weight of sodium bicarbonate.

The detergent agents used are preferably anionic or non-ionic S. detergents, such as fatty alcohol ethoxylate and/or sodium 25 dodecyl benzene sulfonate. More particularly, fatty alcohol ethoxylate and sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate are used in o0, equal amounts by weight. As a bleaching agent, preferably sodium perbonate is used, preferably with 4 molecules of water 00,. of crystallization, although the modification with one molecule of water of crystallization can also be used.

Within the 'scope of the present invention, supplementary 00 additives may be used as well, as is conventional for powdered detergents of the present type. Examples are colourings, 0 0 optical whitening agents, perfume, enzymes and the like.

0o 35 A method for preparing the aforementioned powdered detergent may comprise agglomerating a part of the components of the detergent to form primary agglomerates, followed by y 931220,p:\oper\phh,81131-91.354,3 *L c7 i.

-4agglomerating said primary agglomerates with the remaining component(s).

First, the more hygroscopic components are agglomerated to form primary agglomerates, whereupon these primary agglomerates are agglomerated with the less hygroscopic components.

This method can be carried out in the conventional apparatus for powdered detergents, using the conventional conditions.

The invention is explained in and by the following examples, which are not intended to limit the application.

Example 1: An enzymatic soaking detergent A Sodium bicarbonate B Sodium lauryl sulfate C Fatty alcohol ethoxylate 7EO D Fatty alcohol ethoxylate 25E0 E Protease granulate F Cellulase granulate G Minors including perfume, and silicon oxide H Sodium sulfate I II 60 15 10 10 a or o o o- 0 0 0 00 6 01 l aa a i

I

C I o0 D o) 3 3 100 130 931220,p:\oper\phh,81131-91.354,4 r~ 1 i. The dose for I is 90 g detergent for a normal washing machine load that is to be soaked. The dose for II is 130 grams.

Half of the amount of A is applied to a fluid bed apparatus. Added thereto is the mixture of C and D in melted state, so finely divided and so slowly that a pulpy, granular product is obtained. During the subsequent cooling period, B is added first, and then the enzyme granulates and the rest of A and the minors are admixed.

O 10 For formulation II, the sodium sulfate together with half 00 00 0 the amount of the sodium carbonate is initially present.

After cooling, the product formed is stored in a closed vessel in a room of low humidity. The temperature of the room o is 15 0 C and the humidity is less than 40%. The cooled product is finally packaged in a vacuum-packaging machine in an externally lacquered polyethylene foil package, formed in the machine.

o After three months of storage under severe conditions 0 C and 80% relative humidity the activity of the enzymes S 20 in the vacuum-packed product has remained constant within the -O margin of measurement error, while the enzyme activity in the normally packed product has decreased by well over 10%. The vacuum-packed powder is reasonably free-flowing, while the normally packed product has coagulated into a lump. This applies to both the new formulation I and the 'old' formulation II with sodium sulfate.

A

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6 Example 2: An enzymatic prewash detergent A Sodium bicarbonate B Sodium carbonate C Sodium lauryl sulfate D Fatty alcohol ethoxylate 7EO E Fatty alcohol ethoxylate 25EO F Protease granulate .0 G Amylase granulate H Minors including perfume, copolymers and tertiary amine (for foam inhibition) I Sodium sulfate I II 19 39 .9 19 .0 .0 .5 0 00 0 0 00 0 0 00 5 130 0 0 Po 0 0 aout

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b++ The dose for I is 60 g detergent for a normal washing machine load that is to be soaked.

20 The dose for II is 87 g.

The total amount of B and half the amount of A is applied to a fluid bed apparatus. Added thereto is the mixture of D and E in a melted state, so finely divided and so slowly that 25 a pulpy, granular product is obtained. During the subsequent cooling period, C is added first, and then the enzyme granulates and the residue of A and the minors are admixed.

For formulation II, the sodium sulfate together with half of the amount of the sodium carbonate is initially present.

After cooling, the product formed is cooled in a closed vessel in a room of low humidity. The temperature of the room is 15 0 C and the humidity is less than 40%. The cooled product is finally packaged in a vacuum-packaging machine in a package that is formed in the machine from a polyethylene foil coated with aluminum.

IL n i 'i- 7 After three months of storage under severe conditions 0 C and 80% relative humidity the activity of the enzymes in the vacuum-packed product has remained constant within the margin of measurement error, while the enzyme activity in the normally packed product has decreased by well over 10%. The vacuum-packed powder is reasonably free-flowing, while the normally packed product has coagulated into a lump. This applies to both the new fcrmulation I and the 'old' formulation II with sodium sulfate.

S"o Example 3: An enzymatic soaking detergent o 0 I II o A Sodium bicarbonate 41 41 B Soda Oaq 25 C Sodium disilicate 3 3 D Sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate 13 13 E Fatty alcohol ethoxylate 7EO 3 3 F Protease granulate 1 1 G Amylase granulate 1 1 o H Minors including perfume, and silicon oxide 13 13 I Sodium sulfate waterfree 100 130 The dose for I is 90 grams of detergent for a normal washing machine load to be soaked.

The dose for II is 130 grams.

Half of the amount of A and the total amount of B are initially present in a Z-blade mixer of sufficient capacity, after which C and D are successively added. After C, D and F have been added, E, heated to about 90 0 C, is added so slowly that a product of the desired grain size is obtained. After I- ii: 8 cooling, the minors are added first, followed by the enzyme granulates and, finally, the residue of A.

The product formed is stored in a closed vessel in a room of low humidity. The temperature of the room is 15 0 C and the humidity is 40%. The finished product is finally packed in a vacuum-packaging machine in an externally lacquered polyethylene foil package, which is formed in the machine.

10 After three months of storage under severe conditions 0 C and 80% relative humidity the activity of the enzymes in the vacuum-packed product has remained constant within the margin of measurement error, while the enzyme activity in the normally packed product has decreased by well over 10%. The 15 vacuum-packed powder is reasonably free-flowing, while the normally packed product has coagulated into a lump. This applies to both the new formulation I and the 'old' formulation II with sodium sulfate.

o oo o 20 Example 4: An enzymatic prewash detergent I II 0 A Sodium bicarbonate 37 37 B Soda Oaq 21 21 C Sodium disilicate 3 3 0 25 D Sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate 13 13 E Fatty alcohol ethoxylate 7EO 8 8 F Tertiary amine (methyl, tallow fat alcohol) 3 3 G Protease granulate 1 1 H Lipolase granulate 3 3 I Minors including perfume, and silicon oxide 11 11 J Sodium sulfate 100 130 waterfree I- I I r c- 9 methyl and two tallow fat alcoholsThe dose for I is grams of detergent for a normal washing machine load to be soaked.

The dose Ior II is 87 grams.

B together with half of the amount of A is intially present in a Z-blade mixer of sufficient capacity, after which C and D are successively added. After this addition, E, heated to about 90 0 C, is added so slowly that a product of the 0 co0 10 desired grain size is obtained. After cooling, first the o 0 0 minors are added, followed by the enzyme granulates and 0o finally B.

For formulation II, the sodium sulfate together with half 00 0 '0 0 of the amount of the sFdium bicarbonate and the soda is a 0 1 0 o' 15 initially present.

The product formed is stored in a closed vessel in a room of low humidity. The temperature of the room is 15 0 C and the humidity is 40%. The finished product is finally packed in a 0° vacuum-pack ing machine in an externally lacquered o" 20 polyethylene foil package, formed in the machine.

After three months of storage under severe conditions S Q. 300C and 80% relative humidity the activity of the enzymes in the vacuum-packed product has remained constant within the 000 margin of measurement error, while the enzyme activity in the normally packed product has decreased by well over 10%. The S"0' vacuum-packed powder is reasonably free-flowing, while the normally packed product has coagulated into a lump. This applies to both the new formulation I and the 'old' formulation II with sodium sulfate.

-Ile 1 Example 5: An enzymatic main wash detergent The advantages of the new method are particularly evident in the packaging of main wash detergents based on modern bleaching agents which are oversensitive to traces of moisture, such as D(odecane)-P(eroxy)-D(ioxy)-C(arboxylic acid): A DPDC 0 10 B Soda.Oaq o C Sodium disilicate 3 D Sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate 0 0 o (waterfree) 13 S E Fatty alcohol ethoxylate 7EO 8 F Tertiary amine (methyl, tallow fat alcohol) 3 G Protease granulate 1 H Minors including perfume and silicon oxide 12 oo 0 "o 1 00 (see Example 4) The dose is 90 grams of detergent for a normal washing machine 25 (taking in 18 liters of water for washing).

A is initially present in a Z-blade mixer of sufficient capacity, after which B, D, and C are successively added.

Subsequently, E is heated to about 90 0 C and sprayed on so slowly that a product of the desired grain size is obtained.

After cooling, first the minors are added, followed by the enzyme granulates and finally F.

The product formed is stored in a closed vessel in a room of low humidity. The temperature of the room is 15 0 C and the humidity is 40%. The finished product is finally packed in a Ll I I-

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11 vacuum-packaging machine in an externally lacquered polyethylene foil package, formed in the machine.

After three months of storage under severe conditions 0 C and 80% relative humidity the hydrogen peroxide content and the activity of the enzymes in the vacuum-packed product have remained constant within the margin of measurement error, while they have practically disappeared from the normally packed product. The vacuum-packed powder is reasonably freeflowing, while the normally packed product has coagulated into "oi"'Z 10 a lump.

Example 6: An enzymatic main wash detergent o The advantages of the new method are also evident in the ,0 15 packaging of main wash detergents on the basis of modern bleach intensifiers which are oversensitive to traces of moisture, such as phthalic anhydride: 0o oo 0o I 20 A Phthalic anhydride B Perborate.laq 29 O C Soda D Bicarbonace S E Fatty alcohol ethoxylate 7EO 25 F Tertiary amine (methyl, 2 tallow fat alcohol) G Protease granulate 1 H Minors including perfume and amine oxide 3 100 see: example 4 The dose is 90 grams of detergent for a normal washing machine (taking in 18 liters of water for washing).

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12 0 00 c 00 0 0 o00 0 ao o o oo Q 0 1 0 00000 0 0 0 0 0 0 9 0 O 0 0400 8. 00 00 0 A is initially present in a Z-blade mixer of sufficient capacity, after which C and D are successively added.

Subsequently, E, heated to about 90°C, is sprayed onto the prepared powder mixture, so slowly that a product of the desired grain size is obtained. After cooling, the minors are added first, followed by the enzyme granulates and, finally, B and F.

The product formed is stored in a closed vessel in a room of low humidity. The temperature of the room is 15 0 C and the 10 humidity is less than 40%. The finished product is finally packed in a vacuum-packaging machine in an externally lacquered polyethylene foil package, formed in the machine.

After three months of storage under severe conditions 30 0 C and 80% relative humidity the hydrogen peroxide content and the activity of the enzymes in the vacuum-packed product have remained constant within the margin of measurement error, while they have practically disappeared from the normally packed product. The vacuum-packed powder is reasonably freeflowing, while the normally packed product has coagulated into 20 a lump.

Example 7: A concentrated, enzymatic main wash detergent for lower temperatures. The new method is also very useful in this modern trend in the detergent industry.

A Sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate 42 B Fatty alcohol ethoxylate 7EO C Soda 6 D Soap 2 E Disilicate F Sodium aluminum silicate (NAS) G Protease granulate 2 H Cellulase granulate 2 H Minors including perfume and optical whitening agent 1 100 0.0 00 01~4i 13 The dose is 45 grams of detergent for a normal washing machine (taking in 18 liters of water for washing).

F is initially present in a fluid bed of sufficient capacity, after which A, C, D, and E are successively added.

Subsequently, B, heated to about 90 0 C, is added so slowly that a product of the desired grain size is obtained. After cooling, the minors are added first, and finally the enzyme 1 0 granulates.

The product formed is stored in a closed vessel in a room of low humidity. The temperature of the room is 15 0 C and the humidity is about 40%. The finished product is finally packed o 0in a vacuum-packaging machine in a package of externally 1 lacquered polyethylene foil, formed in the machine.

After three months of storage under severe conditions 0 C and 80% relative humidity the hydrogen peroxide content and the activity of the enzymes in the vacuum-packed product have remained constant within the margin of measurement error, oo 20 while they have largely disappeared from the normally packed product. The vacuum-packed powder is reasonably free-flowing, while the normally packed product has coagulated into a lump.

Example 8: A concentrated, enzymatic main wash detergent for S 25 lower temperatures. The new method is also eminently useful in this modern trend in the detergent industry. Also for a less conventional composition.

14 A Sodium lauryl sulfate 42 B Fatty alcohol ethoxylate 7EO C Bicarbonate 6 D Tertiary amine 2 E Disilicate F Bentonite G Protease granulate 2 H Cellulase granulate 2 H Minors including perfume, 0 10 polymers and optical whitening agents 6 0 o 100 0 0 15 The dose is 45 grams of detergent for a normal washing machine (taking in 18 liters of water for washing).

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o 20 Subsequently, B, heated to about 90 0 C, is added so slowly that a product of the desired grain size is obtained. After 0 cooling, the minors are added first, and finally the enzyme granulates.

0o The product formed is stored in a closed vessel in a room 25 of low humidity. The temperature of the room is 15 0 C and the humidity is about 40%. The finished product is finally packed in a vacuum-packaging machine in an externally lacquered polyethylene foil package, formed in the machine.

After three months of storage under severe conditions 30 0 C and 80% relative humidity the hydrogen peroxide content and the activity of the enzymes in the vacuum-packed product have remained constant within the margin of measurement error, while they have largely disappeared from the normally packed product. The vacuum-packed powder is reasonably free-flowing, while the normally packed product has coagulated into a lump.

ML i C i

Claims

1. A package containing a powder detergent, characterized in that the powdered detergent is packaged in compressed form in a gas and/or vapour tight foil.

2. A package as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the detergent is packaged under vacuum, in a shrink-foil or under external overpressure.

3. A package as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that an absolute pressure of 0.1 to 0.9 bar is maintained in the package.

4. A package as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that an absolute pressure of 1.5 to 15 bar is maintained in the package.

A package as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the gas and/or vapour tight foil is paper or a synthetic foil, for example surlyn foil, polypropylene foil or polyethylene foil.

6. A package as claimed in any one of claims 1 to o 25 characterized in that the foil is coated and/or laminated with a lacquer, nylon, polyester or aluminum. o'

7. A package as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the powdered detergent consists of S' 30 agglomerates which are composed of a core in which the more hygroscopic ingredients are located and a shell in which the less hygroscopic ingredients are located.

8. A package as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that 35 the shell contains a metal soap.

9. A package as claimed in claim 7 or 8, characterized in 931220,p:\oper\ph,8113191. 3 5 4 1 I 1 i k- I- -16- that detergent-active substances and bleaching agents are incorporated in the core, while bicarbonate is incorporated in the shell.

10. A package as claimed in claims 7 to 9 characterized in that the detergent consists of 0.1 3 parts by weight of metal soap 30 parts by weight of detergent agent 1 20 parts by weight of sodium perborate, and 20 65 parts by weight of sodium bicarbonate.

11. A package as claimed in claim 1 substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the Examples. DATED this 20th day of December, 1993. SARA LEE/DE N.V. By its Patent Attorneys DAVIES COLLISON CAVE 0 I! 0 0 4 0 8: 931220,p:\oper\phb,8131-91.354,16 ABSTEACT Title: Package containing a powdered detergent. The invention relates to a package containing a powdered detergent. According to the invention, the powdered detergent is packaged in compressed f rm in a gas and/or vapour tight foil. The invention further relates to a powdered detergent suitable for use in the package according to the invention, consisting of agglomerates comprising a core, in which the 0 0 more hygroscopic ingredients are located, and a shell, in which the less hygroscopic ingredients are located. The invention further relates to a method for the preparation of a 10 powdered detergent suitable for use in the package according to the invention, comprising agglomerating a part of the components of the detergent to form primary agglomerates, followed by agglomerating the primary agglomerates with the remaining component(s). S0 .1 Q I pi