CA2133820C - Concentrated laundry detergent containing stable amide peroxyacid bleach - Google Patents

Abstract

Detergent compositions containing amide substituted peroxyacid bleaching compounds are provided in which at least 60%
of the originally added peroxyacid bleach remains after 28 days storage at 32°C and 80°RH. The compositions contain at least one multi-ingredient component and have a density in excess of 650g/litre, a total Iron, Manganese and Copper content of less than 40ppm, an Equilibrium Relative Humidity at 32°C of less than 30% and preferably a sodium sulphate content of less than 2.5% by weight.

Description

~Y~ 93/20172 2 1 3 ~ 8 2 0 PC~r/VS93/02945 CXrKl~NTRATED LAUNDRY D~-l~KGEMT CONTAINING STABLE
AMIDE PEROXYACID Rr.~A~

This invention relates to laundry detergent compositions containing one or more amide substituted peroxyacid bleaching compounds and more especially to solid laundry detergent compositions cont~ining such compounds.

The use of amide substituted peroxyacid bleaching compounds in detergent compositions has been disclosed in, for example7 EP-A- -0170386. These bleaching cornpounds perform well over wide temperature and pH ranges and are effective at removing hydrophobic soils including body soils and greasy soils from fabrics to provide overall good dingy fabric cleaning. Their use in detergent compositions is complemented by the presence of one or more additional bleaching ~ompon~nts such as peroxy acid bleach precu}sors (bleach activato~s) which typically give effective removal of hydrophilic stains including tea, wine and coffee. ,~

The Applicants have now discovered that such amide substitu~ed peroxyacid ble~chin~ compounds are particularly suitable for inclusion in laundry compositiolls formulated for use in the cleaning of coloured ~abrics. Their suitabilit~y for this purpose arises from their unexpected laclc of propensity to cause colour damage to such fabrics during the wash process and their ability to limit fabric malodour caused by microbial spoilage. Furthermore, these 'colour-sa~e' bleaches have also been found to give surprisingly good performance under r:
conditions of high pH ( > 10.5) and water hardness ( ~12~ Clark hardness).

However, the inclusion of peroxyacid ble~chin~ compounds in detergent compositions has been restricted hitherto by the relative instability of these compounds both as is and in use. Peroxyacid wo g3,20l72 2 1 3 3 8 2 0 PCI/US93/0294~.

bleaching compounds lose available oxygen at a significant rate in the presence of free ions of heavy metals such as iron, copper and manganese and also in the presence of moisture, these effects being accelerated at temperatures in excess of about 30~C.

Moisture and free heavy metal ions are unavoidable components of conventional granular detergent compositions. The presence of these components has resulted in only marginally acceptable peroxyacid bleaching compound stability when in such compositions under Northern European summer conditions, where the average m~ximum temperature over the hottest months is from 21~C to 25~C.
Unacceptable stability is obtained under temperatures higher than this ~-such as are found in the Middle East and Southern Asia and also in Southern Europe where average maximum temperatures are in the ~--27~C to 33~C range for the hottest summer months.

Attempts have been made to increase the stability of peroxyacid ;-bleaching compounds when in detergent formulations with the aim of m~kin~ them viable components of such formulations. These attempts have tended to concentrate on the protection of the peroxyacid ble~chin~ compounds by coating the crystalline product or by inclusion of stabilising agents during its manufacture, or both. ' Phosphate builders may act as heavy metal ion sequestrants, a property which tends to mitigate peroxyacid ble~ching compound decomposition in phosphate-built detergent products. The problem of ;;
low peroxyacid bleaching compound stability is by contrast particularly si~nific~nt in compositions which contain only non-phosphate builder systems where the builder compounds may not show great heavy metal ion sequestration ability. Phosphate is often excluded from detergent compositions for reasons of environmental concern.

While it has proved possible to incorporate peroxyacid ble~cllin~
compounds in conventional detergent compositions so as to have acceptable peroxyacid bleach stability over periods reflecting normal ' -product shelf life, these compositions have proved complex and expensive to manufacture. This has restricted their broadscale I ~
U'O 93/20172 ~2 1 3 3 8 2 o PcrJUS93/~294s utilisation, as evidenced by the small number of commercially available products containing peroxyacid bleaching compounds.

Peroxyacid bleaching compounds may be incorporated into detergent compositions by dry addition of the bleaching compound to the remainder of the particulate components towards the end of the detergent manufacturing process. In conventional detergent processing the bulk of these particulate components are in the form of spray-dried granules. The requirements for making spray dried granules of the required density, particle flow and solution characteristics are such that little or no scope for modifying the basic nature of these granules has been possible.

The Applicants have now discovered that the formulation and processing of certain so-called 'concentrated' products of higher ingredient activity can be arranged so that the constraints applying to spray-dried granular products can be significantly reduced, if not overcome completely. This, in turn, has permitted the formulation of particulate laundry detergent products cont~ininp~ peroxyacid ble~cllin~
compounds with no, or only basic, coating/stability agents, in which the peroxyacid bleaching compounds have an acceptable stability over a period of time correspQnding to the normal shelf life of the products.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a concentrated particulate laundry detergent composition incorporating one or more amide substituted peroxyacid ble~çhing compounds, said ble~ching compounds displaying acceptable storage stability, together with satisfactory particle flow and solubility characteristics over the expected normal shelf life of the composition in the trade and in ' particular when stored under conditions of high ambient temperatures such as are experienced in equatorial geographies during the summer months.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a concentrated partic~ te laundry detergent composition incorporating one or more amide substituted peroxyacid bleaching compounds displaying wo 93/20172 2 1 3 3 8 2 Q PCI'/US93/02945 ~

acceptable s~orage stability, in which the peroxyacid bleaching compounds do not require complex protection techniques.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a concentrated particulate laundry detergent composition incorporating one or more ;~
amide substituted peroxyacîd bleaching compounds which is ~:
~articularly suitable for the 'colour-safe' laundering of coloured fabrics :~
over a range of pH and hardness conditions. :

According to the pr~sent invention there is provided a solid laundry detergent composition, comprising by weight: ::
a) from 5% to 30% of one or more surf?ct~nts;
b) from 15% to 80~o of one or more non-phosphate detergent builder salts;
c) from 1% ~o lS~o of one or more ble~rl-in~ compounds which -provide in an aqueous solution an amide substitu~ed peroxyacid ble~c~ compound of the formula: :~

R1--C--N-R2 -C - OOH or R~- N--C-E?2-C - OC)H
o ~5 ~ R5 ~ O
r wherein Rl is an allyl, aIyl or alkaryl group cont~inin~ from 1 to 14 car~on atoms, R2 is an allylene, arylene or alkarylene group cont~inin~ from 1 to 14 carbon atoms, and RS is H or an allyl, aryl or alkaryl group cont~ining from 1 to 10 carbon atoms; '!~
d~ from 0% to 30% of additional ble~ehing components selected from oxygen ble~hes, peroxyacid bleach precursors and , photoactivated bleaches;
e) from 0% to 67% of dete~gent ingredients other than those in a) to d) wherein the composition i) has a bulk de~ of at least 650 g/litre, and comprises at least one multi-ingredient component;

2 213 3 8 2 0 PCl'tUS93/02945 ii) contains less than 40 ppm total of free Iron, Copper and Manganese ions; and iii) has an Equilibrium Relative Humidity of not more than 30% at 32 C, whereby the weight percentage of the original bleaching compound (c) remaining undecomposed after 2~ days storage in closed wax l~min~ted paperboard cartons at 32~C and 805'o Relative Humidity is at least 60%.

Preferably the Equilibrium Relative Humidi~y is no more than 25% by weight at 32~C. The Equilibrium Relative Humidity reflects the level of active moisture in the cornposition.

For the purposes of the present invention, Equilibrium Relative Humidi~ is measured as follows: 300 g of product is placed in a 1 litre container made of a water impermeable material and ~ltted with a lid capable of sealing the container. The lid is provided with a sealable hole adapted to allow insertion of a probe into the container interior.
The container and contents are maintained at a temperature of 32~C
for 24 hours to allow temperature equilibration. A solid state Hygrometer (Hygrotest 6100, marketed by Testoterm Ltd, Old Flour Mill, Queen Street, Emsworth, Hampshire, Fngl~nd) is used to measure the water vapour pressure in the space over the products.
Whilst the container is maintained at 32~C, the probe is inserted through the hole in the lid and measurements of the water vapour pressure are made at ten minute intervals until the vapour pressure has equilibrated, as evidenced by no change in two sl~ccessive re~rling~.
The instrument converts the water vapour pressure measurement into a direct read-out of the Equilibrium Relative Humidity.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, one multi-ingredient ~:
component comprises an agglomerate of non-spray-dried ingredients -together with a second multi-ingredient component comprising a spray-dried powder.

WO 93/20172 2 i 3 3 ~ 2 0 PCr/US93/0294~ ~

The first essential component of the detergent compositions in accord with the invention is a surfactant system comprising one or more surfactants. A wide range of surfactants can be used in the detergent compositions. A ~,rpical listing of anionic, nonionic, ampholytic and -zwitterionic classes, and species of these surfactants, is given in US
Patent 3929678 issued to Laughlin and Heuring on December 30, 1975.
A list of suitable cationic surfactants is given in US Patent 4259217 issued to Murphy on March 31, 1981. ~

Mixtures of anionic surfactants are suitable herein, particularly blends -' of sulphate, sulphonate and/or carboxylate surfactants. Mixtures of sulphonate and sulphate surfactants are normally employed in a sulphonate to sulphate weight ratio of from 5:1 to 1:2, preferably from 3:1 to 2:3, more preferably from 3:1 to 1:1. Preferred sulphonates include alkyl benzene sulphonates having from 9 to 15, especially 11 to 13 carbon atoms in the alkyl radical and the alpha-sulphonated methyl -fatty acid esters in which the fatty acid is derived from a C12-C1g fatty source, preferably from a C16-C1g fatty source. In each instance the cation is an alkali metal, preferably sodium. Preferred sulphate ;
surfactants in such sulphonate sulphate mLxtures are alkyl sulphates having from 12 to 22, preferably 16 to 18 carbon atoms in the allyl radical. Another useful surfactant system comprises a mixture of two alkyl sulphate materials whose respective mean chain lengths differ from each other. One such system comprises a mLxture of C14-C1s alkyl sulphate and C16-C1g alkyl sulphate in a weight ratio of C14-C1s: C16-C18 of from 3:1 to 1:1- The alkyl sulphates may also be combined with allyl ethoxy sulphates having from 10 to 20, preferably 10 to 16 carbon atoms in the alkyl radical and an average degree of ethoxylation of 1 to 6. The cation in each instance is again an alkali metal, preferably sodium.
;; .
Other anionic surfactants suitable for the purposes of the invention are the alkali metal sarcosinates of formula wo 93/20172 2 1 3 3 ~ Z O PCI/US9310294~

O R' I' I '.
R C N CH~OOM

wherein R is a Cg-C17 linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl group, R' is a Cl-C4 alkyl group and M is an alkali metal ion. Preferred examples are the lauroyl, Cocoyl (C12-C14), myristyl and oleyl methyl sarcosinates in the form of their sodium salts.

One class of nonionic surfactants useful in the present invention co m prises condensates of ethylene oxide with a hydrophobic m oiety, providing surfactants having an average hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) in the range from 8 to 17, preferably fro m 9.5 to 13.5, m ore preferably from 10 to 12.5 in which the hydrophobic ~lipophilic) moiety may be aliphatic or aromatic in nature.

Especially preferred nonionic surfactants of this type are the Cg-C1s primary alcohol ethoxylates containing 3-8 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol, particularly the C14-C1s primary alcohols Cont~inin~
6-8 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol and the Cl~-C14 primaIy alcohols containing 3-5 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol.

A further prefelTed class of nonionic surfactants comprises polyhydroxy fatty acid amides of general formula O Rl Il I

wherein R1 is H, a C1-C4 hydrocarbyl, 2 hydroxyethyl9 2-hydroxypropyl or mixtures thereof, R2 is a Cs-C31 hydrocarbyl and Z is a polyhydroxyhydrocarbyl having a linear hydrocarbyl chain with at least three hydroxy groups directly connected to the chain, or an alkoxylated derivative thereof. In preferred members of this class the polyhydroxy hydrocarbyl moiety is derived from glucose or maltose or mixtllres thereof and the R7 group is a Cll-Clg alkyl or alkenyl. Highly WO 93/201 72 2 1 3 ~ 8 2 1~ '; PCl il~S93/0294~
, preferred compounds utilise a C1s-C19 alkyl moiety as the Rl group.
Compositions incorporating such highly preferred polyhydroxy fatty acid amides are disclosed in the copending British Application No.
9113139 filed June 18, 1991.
...~
Another class of nonionic surfactants comprises allcyl polyglucoside compounds of general formula :

RO (cnH2no)tzx wherein Z is a moiety derived from glucose; R is a saturated hydrophobic alkyl group that contains from 12 to 18 carbon atoms; t is :
from 0 to 10 and n is 2 or 3; x is from 1.3 to 4, the compounds including '' less than 10~o unreacted fatty alcohol and less than 50% short chain - ' alkyl polyglucosides, where in this case 'short chain' means no more than 6 carbon atoms in the chain. Compounds of this type and their use in detergent compositions are disclosed in EP-B-0070074, 0070077, ~
0075996 and 0094118. :

A further class of surfactants are the semi-polar surfactants such as ::~
amine oxides. Suitable amine oxides are selected from mono Cg-C20, preferably C1o-C14 N-alkyl of alkenyl amine oxides and propylene-1, 3~ min~ dioxides wherein the re~n~inin~ N positions are substituted by methyl, hydroxyethyl or hydroxypropyl groups.

Cationic surfactants can also be used in the detergent compositions herein and suitable quaternary ammonium surfactants are selected from rnono Cg~C1~6, preferably Clo-C14 N-alkyl or alkenyl ammonium surfactants wherein rem~ining N positions are substituted by methyl, hydroxyethyl or hydroxypropyl groups.

The detergent compositions comprise from 5% to 30% of surfactant but more usually comprise from 7% to 20%, more preferably from 10% to 15% by weight of the composition.

wo 93/20172 2 1 '3 3 8 2 0 PCI/US93/02945 Combinations of surfactant types are preferred, more especially anionic-nonionic and also anionic-nonionic-cationic blends.
Particularly preferred combinations are described in GB-A-2040987, GB-9113139 and EP-A-0087914. Although the surfactants can be incorporated into the compositions as mL~ttures, it is preferable to control the point of addition of each surfactant in order to optimise the physical characteristics of the composition and to avoid processing problems. Preferred modes and orders of surf~ct~nt addition are described hereinafter.

The second essential component of oomposi~ions in accordance with the invention is a detergent builder system comprising one or more non-phosphate detergent builders. These can include, but are not restricted to alkali metal carbonates, bicarbonates, silicates, aluminosilicates, monomeric and oligomeric polycarboxylates, homo or copolymeric polycarbo.~qlic acids or their salts in which the polyc~rboxylic acid comprises at least two carboxylic radicals separated from each other by not more than two carbon atoms, organic phosphonates and aminoal~ylene poly (allylene phosphonates) and mLxtures of any of the foregoing. The builder system is present in an amount of from 15% to 80% by weight of the con-~osition, more preferably from 30% to 60% by weight. -Preferred builder sys~ems are free of boron compounds and anypolymeric organic materials are preferably biodegrada~le.

Suitable silicates are those having an SiO2:Na20 ratio in the range from 1.6 to 3.4, the so-called amorphous silicates of SiO2:Na20 ratios from 2.0 to 2.8 being preferred. These materials can be added at various points of the manufacturing process, such as in a slurry of components that are spray-dried or in the form of an aqueous solution ~.
seIving as agglomerating agent for other solid components, or, where the silicates are themselves in par~ic~ te form, as solids to the other partic~ e components of the composition. Ho~e-er, for compositions ;n which the percentage of spray~ried components is low ie 30%, it is preferred to include the amorphous s~ te in the spray-dried components.

WO 93/20172 2 1 ~ 3 8 2 0 PCl'/US93/0294~ ' ~

Within the silicate class, highly preferred materials are crystalline layered sodium silicates of general formula NaMSix02x + 1 ~YH20 -where;n M is sodium or hydrogen, x is a number from 1.9 ~o 4 and y is a number from 0 to 20. Crystalline layered sodium silicates of this type are disclosed in EP-A-0164514 and methods for their preparation are disclosed in DE-A-3417649 and DE-A-3742043. For the purposes of the present invention, x in the general formula above has a value of 2,3 or 4 and is preferably 2. More preferably M is sodium and y is 0 and preferred examples of this formula comprise the~, ~, ~ and~forms of Na2Si2Os. These materials are available from Hoechst A~ FRG as respectively NaSKS-5, NaSKS-7, NaSKS-11 and NaSKS-6. The most preferred material is ~-Na2Si2Os, NaSKS-6. Cryst~lline layered silicates are incorporated either as dry mixed solids, or as solid components of agglomerates with other components.

Whilst a range of aluminosilicate ion exch~n~e ma~erials can be used, preferred sodium aluminosilicate zeolites have the unit cell formula.
Naz [(A1~2)i: (SiO2)yl xH2O

wherein z and y are at least 6; the molar ratio of z l:o y is from 1.0 to 0.5 and x is at least S, preferably from 7.5 to 276, more preferably from 10 -;
to 264. The aluminosilicate materials are in hydrated form and are preferably crystalline, cont~inin~ from 10% to 28%, more preferably from 18% to 22% water in bound form. -' ::
The a~ove aluminosilicate ion exchange materials are further characterised by a particle size diameter of from 0.1 to 10 micrometers, preferably from 0.2 to 4 micrometers. The term "particle size diameter" herein represents the average particle size diameter of a given ion exch~nge material as determined by conventional analytical terhnirlues such as, for example, microscopic determination ll~ili7inE a WO 93/20172 2 1 3 3 8 2 0 PCl/US93/02945 scanning electron microscope or by means of a laser granulometer.
The aluminosilicate ion exchange materials are further characterised by their calcium ion exchange capacity, which is a~ least 200 mg equivalent of CaCO3 water hardness/g of aluminosilicate, calculated on an anhydrous basis, and which generally is in the range of from 300 mg eq./g to 352 mg eq./g. The aluminosilicate ion exchange materials herein are still further characterised by their calcium ion exchange rate which is at least 130 mg equivalent of CaCO3/li~re/minute/(g/litre) [2 grains Ca+ +/gallon/minute/ (gram/gallon)] of aluminosilicate (anhydrous basis3, and which generally lies within the range of from 130 mg equivalent of CaCO3/litre/minute/(gram/litre) [2 grains/gallon/
minute (gram/gallon)], to 390 mg equivalent of CaC03/litrelminute/
(gram/litre) [6 grains/ga}lon/minute/(gram/gallon)], based on calcium ion hardness. Optimum aluminosilicates for builder purposes exhibit a calcium ion exchange rate of at least 260 rng equivalent of CaCO3/litre/ minute/~gram/litre) [4 grains/gallon/minute/(gram/gallon)].

Aluminosilicate ion exchange materiaIs useful in the practice of this invention are commercially available and can be naturally occurring materials, but are preferably synthetically derived. A method for producing aluminosilicate ion exchange materials is discussed in US
Patent 3,985,669. Preferred synthetic crystalline aluminosilicate ion exchange materials useful herein are available under the designations Zeolite A, Zeolite B, Zeolite P, Zeolite X, Zeolite HS and mLxtures thereof. In an especially preferred embodiment, the crystalline aluminosilicate ion exchange material is Zeolite A and has the formula Nal2[(AI02)12 (sio2)l2].xH2o wherein x is from 20 to 30, especially 27. Zeolite X of formula Na86 :
[(A1~2)86(Si~2)106]- 276 H20 is also suitable, as well as Zeolite HS
of formula Na6[(AIo2)6(sio2)6] 7-5 H20)-WO 93/20172 2 1 3 3 8 2 0 PCI/US93/02945 ' Suitable water-soluble monomeric and oligomeric carboxylate builders can be selected from a wide range of compounds but such compounds preferably have a first carboxyl logarithmic acidity constant (pKl) of less than 9, preferably of between 2 and 8.5, more preferably between 4 and 7.5.

The logarithmic acidity constant is defined by reference to the equilibrium H + + A~

where A- is the singly ioni~ed anion of the carboxylate builder salt.

The equilibrium constant is therefore for dilute solutions given by theexpression K1 = [HA] .
[H+]~A-]
and pK1 = logloKl For the purposes of this specification, acidity cons~ants are defined as 25~C and at zero ionic strength. Literature values are taken where possible (see Stability Constants of Metal-Ion Complexes, Special ;-Publication ~o. 25, the Chemical Society, London): where doubt arises they are determined by potentiometric titration using a glass electrode.

The carboxylate or polycarboxylate builders can be monomeric or oligomeric in type although monomeric carboxylates are generally preferred for reasons of cost and performance.

Monomeric and oligomeric builders can be selected from acyclic, alicyclic, heterocyclic and aromatic carboxylates having the general : -formulae WO 93/20172 2 1 3 3 8 2 0 PCI'/VS93/02945 Rl X C 112 Z D~

(b) ~f f o~

wherein Rl represents H,Cl 30 alkyl or alkenyl optionally substi~uted by hydroxy, carboxy, sulfo or phosphono groups or at~ached to a polyethylenoxy moie~ containing up to 20 ethyleneoxy groups; :R2 represents H,Cl.4 alkyl, alkenyl or hydroxy alkyl, or allcaryl, sulfo or phosphono groups;
X represents a single bond; O; S; SO; SO2; or NR1; .
Y represents H; carboxy; hydroxy; carboxymethyloxy; or Cl 30 all~yl or alkenyl optionally substitutEd by hydroxy or carbo~ oups;
z represents H; or carboxy;
m is an integer from 1 to 10; l.
n is an integer from 3 to 6;
p, q are integers from 0 to 6, p + q being from 1 to 6; and wherein, X, Y arid Z each have the same or different representations when repç~te~ in a given molecular formula, and wherein at least one Y or Z
in a molecule contain a carboxyl group.

Suitable carboxylates containing one carboxy group include lactic acid, glycollic acid and ether derivatives thereof as disclosed in Belgian patent ~os. 831,368, 821,369 and 821,370. Polycarboxylates cont~inin~
two carboxy groups include the water-solu~le salts of s~ccinic acid, malonic acid, (ethylenedioxy) diacetic acid, maleic acid, diglycollic acid, tartaric acid, tar~ronic acid and fumaric acid9 as well as the ether carboxylates described in German Offenlegenschrift 2,446,686, and 2,446,687 and U.S. Patent No. 3.935,257 and the sulfinyl carboxylates W0 93/20172 2 113,'-3(~'0 PCI/U593/()2945 ~ ~
14 ::
described in Belgian Patent No. 840,623. Polycarboxylates containing three carboxy groups include, in particular, water-soluble citrates, aconitrates and citraconates as well as succinate derivatives such as the carboxymethyloxysuccinates described in British Patent No.1,379,241, lactoxysuccinates described in British Patent No. 1,389,732, and aminosuccinates described in British Patent No. 1,389,732, and aminos--ccinates described in Netherlands application 7205873, and the oxypolycarboxylate materials such as 2-oxa-1,1,3-propane tricarboxylates described in British Patent No. 1,387,44~.

Polycarboxylates cont~inin~ four carboxy groups include oxydisuccinates disclosed in British Patent No. 1,261,829, and the 1,1,2,2-ethane tetracarboxylates, 1,1,3,3-propane tetracarboxylates and 1,1,2,3-propane tetracarboxylates. Polycarboxylates cont~ining sulfo substituents include the sulfosuccinate derivatives disclosed in British Patent Nos. 1,398,421 and 1,398,422 and U.S. Patent No. 3,936,448, and the sulfonated pyrolysed citrates described in British Patent No.
1,082,179, while polycarboxylates cont~inin~ phosphone substituents are disclosed in British Patent No. 1,439,000.

Alicyclic and heterocyclic polycarboxylate~ include cyclopentane-cis,cis,cis-tetracarboxylates,cyclopentadienide pent~c~rboxylates, ~-2,3,4,5-tetrahydrofuran - cis, cis, cis-tetracarboxylates, 2,5-tetrahydrofuran - cis - dicarboxylates, s 2,2,5,5-tetrahydrofuran - tetracarboxylates, 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexane - h~Y~c~rboxylates and carboxymethyl derivatives of polyhydric ?lcohols such as sor~itol, m~n~itol and xylitol. Aromatic poly~.b~xylates include mellitic acid, pyromellitic acid and the phthalic acid derivatives disclosed in British Patent No. 1,42S,343.

Of the above, the preferred polycarboxylates are hydrocarboxylates cont~ining up to three carboxy groups per molecule, more partic~ rly citrates. -The parent acids of the monomeric or oligomeric polycarboxylate chelating agents of mixtures thereof with their salts, eg citric acid or w o 93/20172 -2 1~3'3 8 2 0 P~/US~3/02945 ci~rate/citric acid mLxtures are also conte m plated as eo m ponents of buildersyste ms usefulin the presentinvention.

Other suitable water soluble organic salts are the homo- or co polymeric polycarboxylic acids or their salts in which the polycarboxylic acid comprises at least two carboxyl radicals separated from each other by not more than two carbon atoms. Polymers of the latter type are disclosed in GB-A-1,596,756. Examples of such salts are polyacrylates of MWt 2000-5000 and their copolyme~s v ith maleic anhydride, such copolymers having a molecular weight of from 20,000 to 70,~, especially about 40,000. These materials are normally used at levels of . from 0.5~o tO lQ~o by weight more preferably from 0.75% to 8%, most preferably from 1% to 6% by weight of the composition.

Organic phosphonates and amino alkylene poly (alkylene phosphonates ) include alkali metal ethane 1-hydroxy diphosphonates, nitrilo trimethylene phosphonates, ethylene di~mine tetra methylene phosphonates and diethylene triamine penta methylene phosphonates, although th~se materials are less preferred where the minimi~tion of phosphorous compounds in the compositions is desired.

For the ~,~ses of compositions in accordan~e with the invention, the non-phosphate builder ingredient v~ll compnse from 15% to 80% by weight of the coln~osilions, more preferably from 30% to 60% by weight. Within the prefe~ed compositions, a sodium alumino~cili~te such as Zeolite A will comprise from 20% to 60% by weight of the total amount of builder, a monomeric or oligomeric carboxylate will comprise from 10~o to 30% by weight of the total amount of builder t and a cryst~lline layered silic~te will comprise from 10% to 65% by weight of the total amount of builder and a cryst~lline layered silicate will comprise from 10% to 65% by weight of the total amount of ~' builder. In such compositions the builder ingredient preferably also incorporates a combination of allYili~ry inorganic and organic builders such as sodium carbonate and maleic anhydride/acrylic acid copolymers in amounts of up to 35% by weight of the total builder.

WO 93/2017~ 2 1 ~ 3 8 2 0 PCl'/l~S93/0294~

The compositions of the present invention can be prepared in a variety of ways so as to display Equilibrium Relative Humidity of not more than the critical value of 30%. When the non-phosphate detergent builder is an alkali metal aluminosilicate zeolite the process conditions used in the preparation of the spray-dried powder component can be modified to lead to overdIying, by removal of the accessible water of the aluminosilicate zeolite. The modifications which may be made to the process conditions can include increasing the temperature in the spray-drying tower, typically by about 20~C, and/or incre~in~ the residence time that the powder spends in the tower, typically by about 20%. Such overdried aluminosilicate zeolite in the spray-dried powder displays dessicant characteristics and may act as an in-built desiccant or 'moisture sink' when incorporated as a component of a detergent composition thereby le~ing to a composition of overall lower Equilibrium Relative Humidity. For this reason it is preferable that compositions in accord with the invention should m~Yimi~e the amount of any aluminosilicate zeolite added in any spray-dried powder components.
'5 It is, however, generally desirable that compositions in accord with the present invention contain no more than 35%, and preferably no more than 40%~ by weight of spray-dried powder components. One of the s factors ~lict~tin~ this preference is that spray-dried powders tend to be a source of free heavy metal ion cont~min~tion.

The third essential component of the detergent compositions of the invention is at least one ble~c~ in~ compound or rniY~l)re of such compounds which provide in aqueous solution an amide substituted '-pe~o~acid of the following general formulae:

Rl--C--N-R2-C - OOH or Rl- ~N--~-R2-fi - OOH

wherein Rl is an aryl or alkaryl group with from about 1 to about 14 carbon atoms, R2 is an alkylene, arylene, and alkarylene group 4 cont~ining from about 1 to 14 carbon atoms, and R5 is H or an allyl, w0 93/20172 ' ' 94 aryl, or alkaryl group containing 1 to 10 carbon atoms. Rl preferably contains from about 6 to 12 carbon atoms. R2 preferably contains from about 4 to 8 carbon atoms. R1 may be straight chain or branched alkyl, substituted aryl or alkyla}yl containing branching, substitution, or both and may be sourced from either synthetic sources or natural sources including for example, tallow fat.. Analagous structural v~riations are permissible for R2. The substitution can include alkyl, aIyl, halogen, nitrogen, sulphur and other ~ypical substituent groups of organic compounds. R5 is preferably H or methyl. Rl and R5 should not contain more than 18 carbon atoms total.

The bleaching compounds or mLxtures thereof are present in an amount of from 1% to lS~o by weight, preferably from 1% to 8~ by weight, and most preferably from 2% to 5% by weight of the composition.

The amide substituted peroxyacids provided in aqueous solution by the ble~cllin~. compounds of the invention provide effective and ef~lcient surface bleaching of textiles which thereby removes stains and/or soils from the textiles. These peroxyacids are particularly efficient at removing dingy soils from textiles. Dingy soils are those that build up on textiles after much usage and w~hin~, and result in a grey or yellow tinge on a white textile. These soils are a blend of particulate and greasy materials.

The ~mi~le substituted peroxyacids provided in aqueous solution by the ble~hin~ compounds of the invention in addition provide effect*e ble~hin~ over a wide range of temperature (5~C to 85~C), a preferred range being from about 30~C to about 60~C. These peroxyacids also provide for ~colour-safe' laundering of coloured fabrics over a wide range of pH and hardness conditions.

Preferred examples of the bleaching compounds of the invention are simply the preformed peroxyacids of formulae Rl- C - N-R2- C - OOH or Rl - N - C-R2 -C - OOH
~1 1 11 1 il 11 WO 93/20172 .~ 1 3.~ ~ O PCI'/US93/02945.~_ Ç-wherein R1, R2 and RS are as de~lned previously.

A further preferred group of bleaching compounds which provide the hereinbefore described amide substituted peroxyacids are the magnesium salts of the peroxyacids of the following general formulae:

Rl _ C - N-R2- C - ~~ - h'9 X2_n ,YH10 or Rl - - C-R2- C - 00 _ Mg X2-n ~YH2~

wherein Rl, R2 and RS are as defined for the peroxyacid, X is a compatible anion, n is 1 or 2, and Y is from 0 to about 6.

The compounds are solid. The active oxygen in t~e magnesium peroxycarboxylate is readily available. This means that the solid magnesium peroxycarboxylates are readily soluble or disy~lsible and yield solutions cont~ining peroxyacids. When tbe solution is aqueous, it cannot be distinguished from an aqueous solution prepared from the corresponding peroxyacid and an equivalent amount of magnesium, when the solutions are adjusted to the same pH.

The magnesium peroxycarboxylates can be prepared via the process of U.S. Patent 4,483,781, Hartman, issued November 20,1984, incorporated herein by reference.

Preferred peroxyacid bleach precursors (bleach activators) which may provide the hereinbefore described amide substituted peroxyacids are ~mi~e s~lbsti~te~l compounds of the general formulae:

~vo 93/20172 2 13 3 8 2 0 PCl/US93/02945 R1- C - N-R2-C - L or R N, 5 IC C L

wherein Rl, R2 and RS are as defined for the peroxyacid, and L can be essentially any suitable leaving group. A leaving group is any group that is displaced from the peroxyacid bleach precursor as a consequence of the nucleophilic attack on the peroxyacid bleach precursor by the perhydrQxide anion. This, the perhydrolysis reaction, results in the formation of the peroxycarboxylic acid. The perhydroxide anion is provided by a suitable oxygen bleach the presence of which is necessary when such peroxyacid bleach precursor compounds are employed. Preferred examples of oxygen bleaches are described hereinafter.

Generally, for a group to be a suitable leaving group it must exert an electron attracting effect. It should also form a stable entity so that the rate of the back reaction is negligible. This facilitates the nucleophilic attack by the perhydroxide anion.

The L group must be sufficiently reactive for the reactiQn to occur within the optimum time frame (eg, a wash cycle). However, if L is too reactive, this activator will be difficult to stabilize for use in a ble~ching composition. These characteristics are generally paralleled by the pKa of the conjugate acid of the leaving group, although exceptions to this convention are known. Ordinarily, leaving groups that exhibit such behaviour are those in which their conjugate acid has a pKa in the range of from about 4 to about 13, preferably from about 6 to about 11 and most preferably from about 8 to 11.

Préferred peroxyacid bleach precursors in accord with this aspect of the invention are those of the above general formula wherein Rl, R2 and RS are as defined for the peroxyacid and L is selected from the group consisting of:

.

WO 93~2û172 . ~ 1 3 ~ 8 2 ~) 20 PCI/US93/0294~ ,_ R3Y R~3 Y O
~~~ ' ~~~ ~ ~ ~ {~ . -N-C-R
Y y -N~ O
C ~ Rq O Y O

~ 1 / 2 ~IR~ _ N ~ NR

1~
O O
R3 y ;, ~O-CH s ~ 2~ ~~~~ ~ 2 ~R ~ Y
-O-C = Cl~R4, and - t~ R~
R3 o wherein Rl is as de~lned for the peroxyacid, R3 is an allyl chain cont~in;n~ from about 1 to 8 carbon atoms? R4 is H or R3, and Y is H '' or a solubilizing group. The prefe~ed solubilizing groups are -S03-M~, -COO-M+, -S04~ a (-N+R34)X- and O N(R34) and most preferably -S03-M + and -COO-M + wherein R3 is an alkyl chain cont~inin~ ~rom about 1 to about 4 carbon atoms, M is a cation which provides solubility to ~he peroxyacid bleach precu~sor, aIld X is an anion which provides solubility to the peroxyacid bleach precursor.
Preferably, M is an alkali metal, ammonium or substituted ammonium cation, with sodium and potassium being most preferred, and X is a halide, hydroxide, methylsulphate or acetate anion. It should be noted that peroxyacid bleach precursors with a leaving group that does not c~ntain a solubili7in~ group should be well dispersed in the ble~c~lin~
solution in order to assist in their dissolution.

W O 93/20172 i': 2'1 3 3 8 2 0 P ~ /US93/02945 Preferred peroxyacid bleach precursors are those wherein L is a leaving group as previously defined, Rl is an alkyl group cont~ining from 6 to 12 car~on atoms, R2 is an alkylene group containing from 4 carbon atoms to 8 carbon atoms, and R5 is H, and L is selected from the group consisting of:

wherein R3 is as defined above and Y is -SO3-M+ or COO-M+
wherein M is as de~lned above.
-Especially preferred peroxyacid bleach precursors are those whereinR1 is a linear alkyl chain cont~inin~ from 6 to 12 carbon atoms, R2 is a linear allylene chain cont~ining from 4 to 8 carbon atoms, R5 is H, and L is selected from the group consisting of:

y ~ 3 R3Y

wherein R3 is as defined above and Y is -SO3-M+ or COO-M+
wherein M is as defined above.

For the purposes of the present invention, the peroxyacid ble~chin~
compounds can be incorporated into detergent compositions without additional protection, but preferred embodiments of the invention lltilire a coated form of material. Although a variety of c~ting~ can be used, the most economical is sodium silicate of SiO2:Na20 ratio from 1.6:1 to 2.8:1, preferably 2.0:1, applied as an aqueous solution to give a level of from 2% to 10%, (normally from 3% to 5%) of silic~te solids by weight of the percall,onate. Magnesium silicate can also be used W O 93/20172 ~t ', ~, .' ~ P ~ /US93/02945 ~

and a chelant such as one of those mentioned hereinbefore can also be included in the coating.

It has been found that the total level of free Iron, Copper and Manganese ions in the product should not exceed 40 ppm by weight of the composition and preferably should be less than 25 ppm in order tO
avoid an unacceptably adverse effect on peroxyacid bleach compound stability. In particular the level of free Iron ions should be less than 40ppm by weight of the composition7 more preferably less than 25ppm, most preferably less than 20ppm.

E~y free Iron, Copper and Manganese ions in the product it is meant - those ;ons which, by virtue of their not being strongly complexed/bound by a ligand of high binding constant, are sufficiently mobile or labile to be available to act so as to catalyse decomposition of peroxyacid bleaching compounds in the product.

The free Iron, Copper and Manganese ions will, in general, be present as impurities in the detergent product. These impurities are essentially present in the ~vlo-luct as a result of the incorporation of raw material components into the product which themselves contain high levels of free transition metal ions impurities. Examples of raw material components which may contain high levels of such transition metal ion impurities are sodium sulfate, sodium silicate and sodium carbonate.
Iron impurity levels are often particularly high in these raw material components, and are desirably minimised when such raw materials are incorporated into the compositions of the inventions. The level of Iron, Copper and Manganese ion impurities in the raw material components incorporated into compositions in accord with the invention should be such as to provide less than 40ppm in total by weight of the composition Iron, Copper and Manganese ions when incorporated ;nto the compositions in accord with the invention.

Detergent components con~inin~ strongly bound/complexed transition metal ions may be incorporated into the compositions of the invention. These components in which the transition metal ion is strongly complexed will not, in general, have any adverse effect on the W O 93/20~72 ; 213 3 8 2 0 P ~ /US93/02945 stability of the peroxyacid bleaching compounds present in the composition in that the metal ions are not labile, and therefore not available to catalyse decomposition of the bleach. Examples of detergent components containing strongly bound (and therefore not free) heavy metal ions include Cu-EDTA and the Mn-porphyrins. The binding constants (Kc) for Cu-EDTA at 298K is of the order of 1018, the transition metal ion hence being strongly complexed.

Compositions in accord with the invention may also contain additional ble~c~ing components selected from oxygen bleaches, peroxyacid bleach precursors (bleach activators) and photoactivated bleaches.
The additional bleaching components may be present in an amount of from 0% to 30% by weight of the composition.

The presence of these additional bleaching components is desirable in laundry detergent compositions for use in general laundering applications where the laundry load can include both white and coloured fabrics. However, in laundry detergent compositions Aesi~ed for use in the specific application of 'colour-safe' laundering of coloùred. and dye~ fabrics it is desirable that t~ese conl~o~ti~ns contain no ~ itional ble~ching components.

Where one or more of the additional bleaching components is an ' oxygen bleach these are present in an amount of from 1% to 20%, more ~.eferably from 5% to 15% and most preferably from 8% to 15%
by weight of the composition. Where one or more of the additional ble-~çhin~ components is a peroxyacid bleach precursor these are present in an amount of from 1% to 10%, more preferably from 2% to 6% by weight of the composition.

A prefeITed example of an oxygen bleach is a solid percarbonate bleach, normally in the form of the sodium salt.

Sodium percarbonate is an addition compound having a formula corles~onding to 2Na2CO3.3H2O2, and is available commercially as a cryst~lline solid. Most commercially available material includes a low WO 93/20172 . 2 ~ 3 3 8 ~ O PCI'/US93/02945 2~
level of a heavy metal sequestrant such as EDTA, 1-hydroxyethylidene 1,1-diphosphonic acid (HEDP) or an amino-phosphonate, that is incorporated during the manufacturing process. For the purposes of the present invention, the percarbonate can be incorporated into detergent compositions without additional protection, but preferred embodiments of the invention utilise a coated form of the material.
Although a variety of coatings can be used, the mos~ economical is sodium silicate of SiO2:Na2O ratio from 1.6:1 to 2.8:1, preferably 2.0:1, applied as an aqueous solution to give a level of from 2% to 10%, (normally from 3% to S~o) of silicate solids by weight of the percarbonate. Magnesium silicate can also be used and a chelant such - as one of those mentioned above can also be included in the coating.

The particle size range of the crystalline percarbonate is from 350 micrometers to 450 micrometers with a mean of approximately 400 micrometers. When coated, the crystals have a size in the range from 400 to 600 micrometers.

Other suitable oxygen bleaches include the inorganic perhyd~ates such as sodium perborate monohydrate and tet~a~ydratej sodium perphosphate and sodium persilicate. Of these, the sodium perborate salts are the most preferred.

Photoactivated bleaches include the zinc and aluminium salts of tri and tetra sulphonated phthaloc yanine which are normally added as dispersions in other materials because of their low levels of usage, typically from 0.0005 to 0.01% by weight of composition.

Peroxyacid bleach precursors (bleach activators) as additional bleaching components in accord with the invention can be selected from a wide range of classes and are preferably those cont~inin~ one or more N- or O- acyl groups.

Suitable classes include anhydrides, esters, amides and ac~lated derivativesof imidazoles and oximes, and examples of useful materials u~ithin these cl~ses are disclosed in GB-A-1586789. The most preferred cl~ses are esters such as are disclosed in GB-A-836 988, 864 WO 93/20172 . ' 2 I '3''3 8 2 o P~us93~0294~

798, 1 147 871 and 2 143 231 and amides such as are disclosed in GB-A-855 735 and 1246 338.

Particularly pre~rred precursor compounds as additional bleaching components in accord with the invention are the N-,N,N1N1 tetra acetylated compounds of formula CH3 - C - / C - C~I3 - N - (c~2)x - N
CH3 . C - \ C - CH3 O

where x can be O or an integer be~ween 1 and 6.

FY~n~P1eS include tetra acet~l methylene di~mine (TAMD) in which x= 1, tetra acetyl ethylene ~ mine (TAED) in which x = 2 and Tetraacetyl hex~lene ~ mine (TAHD) in which x = 6. These and analogous compounds are described in GB-A-907 356. The most preferred peroxyacid bleach precllrsor as an additional ble~c-hin~
component is TAED. Levels of incorporation range from 1% to 10%
more preferably from 2% to 6% by weight of the composition.

Solid peroxyacid bleach precursors useful as additional ble~-~hin~ :
components in compositions of the present invention have a melting point > 30~C and preferably > 40~C. Such precursors will normally be ~:
in fine powder or c~ystalline form in which at least 90% by weight of the powder has a particle size > 150 micrometers.

WO 93/20172 1 3 3 8 2 0 PCI /US93/0294~ !

Compositions in accordance with the invention can also contain up to 67% of non-surfactant non detergent builder components as optional ingredients. Anti-redeposition and soil-suspension agents, optical brighteners, soil release agents, dyes and pigments are examples of such optional ingredients and can be added in varying amounts as desired.

Anti-redeposition and soil-suspension agents suitable herein include cellulose derivatives such as methylcellulose, carboxymethylcellulose and hydroxyethylcellulose, and homo- or co-polymeric polycarboxylic acids or their salts. Polymers of this type include copolymers of maleic anhydride with ethylene, methylvinyl ether or methacrylic acid, the - maleic anhydride constituting at least 20 mole percent of the co-polymer. These materia~s are normally used at levels of from 0.5% to 10% by weight, more preferably from 0.75% to 8%, most preferably from 1% to 6% by weight of the composition.

Other useful polymeric materials are the polyethylene glycols, parti~ rly those of molecular weight 1000-10000, more partic~ rly 2000 t~ 8000 and mos;t preferably about 4000. These ~e used at levels of f~om 0.20% to 5% more preferably from 0.25% to 2.5% by weight.
These polymers and the previously mentioned homo- or co-polymeric polycarboxylate salts are valuable for improving whiteness maintenance, fabric ash deposition, and cleaning performance on clay, proteinaceous and o~ 7~ble soils in the presence of transition metal impurities.

Preferred optical brighteners are anionic in character, eY~mples of which are disodium 4, 41-bis-(2-diethanolamino-4-arlilino -s- triazin-6-ylamino) stilbene-2:21 disulphonate, disodium 4, 41-bis-(2-morpholino-4-anilino-s-triazin-6-ylaminostilbene-2:21 - disulphonate, disodium 4, 41-bis-(2,4-~ nili~o-s-triazin-6-ylamino)stilbene-2:21-disulphonate, ..
monosodium 41.411-bis-(2,4-~ nilino-s-triazin-6 ylamino)stilbene-2-sulphonate, disodium 4,41-bis-(2-anilino-4-(N-methyl-N-2-hy~o~ethylamino) -s-triazin-6-ylamino)stilbene-2,21 -disulphonate, disodium 4,41-bis-(4-phenyl-2,1,3-triazol-2-yl)-stilbene-2,21 wo 93/20172 ' 2 1 3 3 8 2 o Pcr/USg3/0294~

disulphonate, disodium 4,41bis(2-anilino-4-(1-methyl-2-hydroxyethylamino)-s-triazin-6-ylamino)stilbene-292ldisulphonate and sodium 2(stilbyl-411-naptho-11, 21:4,5)-1,2,3 - triazole-211-sulphonate.

Soil-release agents useful in compositions of the present invention are conventionally co-polymers or terpolymers of terephthalic acid with ethylene glycol and/or propylene glycol units in various arrangements.
Examples of such polymers are disclosed in the commonly assigned US
Patent Nos. 4116885 and 4711730 and European Published Patent Application No. 0272033. A particular preferred polymer in accordance with EP-A-0272033 has the formula (~H3(PEG)43)o.75(poH)o.2s[(T-po)2~8 (T-pEG)o.4]T~po~H)o2s((pEG)43cH3)o~7s where PEG is -(OC2H4)0-, PO is (OC3H60) and T is (pCOC6H4CO).

Certain polymeric materials such as polyvinyl pyrrolidones typically of melting point 5000-20000, preferably 10000-15000, also form useful agents in preventing the transfer of labile dyestuffs be~veen fabrics during the w~shin~ process.

Another optional ingredient is a suds suppressor, exemplified by silicones, and silica-silicone mixtures. Silicones can be generally represented by allylated polysiloxane materials while sil;ca is normally used in finely divided forms, exemplified by silica aerogels and xerogels and hydrophobic silicas of various types. These materials can be incorporated as particulates in which the suds suppressor is ~-advantageously releasably incorporated in a water-soluble or water-dispersible, substantially non-surface-active detergent-impermeable carrier. Alternatively the suds suppressor can be dissolved or dispersed in a liquid carrîer and applied by spraying on to one or more of the other components.

As mentioned above, useful silicone suds controlling agents can comprise a mixture of an alkylated siloxane, of the type referred to hereinbefore, and solid silica. Such mixtures are prepared by ~ffixin~
the silicone to the surface of the solid silica. A preferred silicone suds W O 93/20172 2 ~ ~3 8 2 0 PCT/~S93/0294~ _ ~8 controlling agent is represented by a hydrophobic silanated (most preferably trimethyl-silanated) silica having a particle size in the range from 10 nanometers to 20 nanometers and a specific surface area above 50 m2/g, intimately admLxed with dimethyl silicone fluid having a molecular weight in the range ~orm about 500 to about 200,000 at a weight ratio of silicone to silanated silica of from about 1:1 to about 1:2.

A preferred silicone suds controlling agent is disclosed in Bartollota et al. U.S. Patent 3,933,672. Other particularly useful suds suppressors are the self-emulsifying silicone suds suppressors, described in German Patent Application DTOS 2,646,126 published April 28, 1977. An example of such a compound îs DC-544, commercially available from Dow Corning, which is a siloxane/glycol co~polymer.

The suds suppressors described above are normally employed at levels of form 0.001% to 0.5% by weight of the composition, preferably from 0.01% to 0.1% by weight.

The preferred methods of incorporation comprise either application of the suds suppressors in liquid form by spray-on to one or more of the major components of the composition or alternatively the formation of the suds suppressors into separate particulates that can then be mLxed with the other solid components of the composition. I'he incorporation of the suds modi~lers as separate partic~ tes also permits the inclusion thesein of other suds controlling materials such as C2~C24 fatty acids, microcrystalline wa~ces and high MWt co-polymers of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide which would otherwise adversely affect the dispersibility of the matr~x. Techniques for forming such suds modifying particulates are disclosed in the previously mentioned Bartolotta et al U.S. Patent No. 3,933,672.

Another optional ingredient useful in the present invention is one or more ~nzymes.

Prefelled enzymatic materials include the commercially available amylases, neutral and ~lk~line proteases, lipases, esterases and WO 93/20172 21 3382 o PCT/US93/0294s ~9 celllases conventionally incorporated into detergent compositions.
Suitable enzymes are discussed in U.S. Patents 3,519,570 and 3,533,139.

Fabric softening agents can also be incorpo~ated into detergent compositions in accordance with the present invention. These agents f.
may be inorganic or organic in type. Inorganic softening agents are exempli~led by the smectite clays disclosed in GB-A-1,400,898.
Organic fabric softening agents include the water insoluble tertiary amines as disclosed in GB-A-1514276 and EP-B-0011340.

Their combination with mono C12-C14 quaternary ammonium salts is disclosed in EP-B-0027527 & EP-B-0027528. Other useful organic fabric softening agents are the dilong c~ain amides as disclosed in EP-B-0242919. Additional organie ingredients of fabric softening systems include high molecular weight polyethylene oxide materials as disclosed in EP-A-0299575 and 0313146.

Levels of smectite clay are normally in the range from 5% to 15%, more preferably form 8% to 12% by weight, with the material being l as a dry mixed component to the remainder of the formu~ation.
Organic fabric softening agents such as the water-insoluble tertiary amines or dilong chain amide materials are incorporated at levels of from 0.5% to 5% by weight, normally from 1% to 3% by weight, whilst the high molecular weight polyethylene oxide materials and the water soluble cationic materials are added a~ levels of from 0.1% to 2%, normally from 0.15~o to l.S~o by weight. Where a portion of the composition is spray-dried, these materials can be added to the aqueous slurry fed to the spray drying tower, although in some inst~nces it may be more convenient to add them as a dry mi~e~
partic~ te, or spray them as a molten liquid on to other solid components of the composition.

A feature of the compositions of the present invention is that they are of relatively high density in comparison with conventional laundry detergent compositions. Such high density compositions have become known as concentrated products and are characterised by a buL~
density of at least 650 g/litre, more usually at least 700 g/litre and , ~ . ! . , WO 93/20172 ; ; ' PCr/US93/02945 ~

more preferably in excess of 800 g/litre. Bulk density is measured by means of a simple funnel and cup device consisting of a conical funnel moulded rigidly on a base and provided with a flap valve at its lower extremity to allow the contents of the funnel to be emptied into an axially aligned cylindrical cup disposed below the funnel. The funnel is 130 mm high and has internal diameters of 130 mm and 40 mm at its respective upper and lower extremities. It is mounted so that the lower extremity is 140 mm above the upper surface of the base. The cup has an overall height of 90 mm, an internal height of 87 mm and an internal diameter of 84 mm. Its nominal volume is 500 ml.

To carry out a measurem~nt, the funnel is filled with powder by hand pouring, the flap valve is opened and powder allowed to overfill the cup. The filled cup is removed from the frame and e-xcess powder removed from the cup by p~ssing a straight edged implement, e.g. a knife, across its upper edge. The filled cup is then weighed and the value obtained for the weight of powder doubled to provide the bulk densiq in gllitre. Replicate measurements are made as required.

~nothcr feature of compositions of the present in~ention is that they incorporate at least one multi-ingredient component, i.e. they do not comprise compositions formed merely by dry-mixing individual ingredients. Compositions in which each individual ingredient is dry-miYerl are generally dusty, slow to dissolve and also tend to cake and de~elop poor particl- flow characteristics in storage.

Subject to the above bulk density and component content limitations, the compositions of the invention can be made via a variety of methods inclll~ing dry mixing, spray-drying, agglomeration and granulation and preferred methods involve combinations of these tecllniques. A
preferred method of m~l~ing the compositions involves a combination of spray-drying, agglomeration in a high speed mixer and dry miYing.

~efe~-ed detergent compositions in accordance with the invention comprise at least two particulate multi-ingredient components. The first component comprises at least 15%, conventionally from 25% to 50%, but more preferably no more than 35% by weight of the ' WO 93/20172 2 1 3 3 8 2 0 PCr/US93/02945 composition and the second component from 1% to 50%, more preferab~y lO'Yo to 40~o by weight of the composition.

The first component comprises a particulate incorporating an anionic surfactant in an amount of from 0.75% to 40% by weight of the powder and one or more inorganic and/or organic salts in an amount of from 99.25% to 60% by weight of the powder. The particulate can have any suitable form such as granules, flakes, prills, marumes or noodles but is preferably granular. The granules themselves may be agglomerates formed by pan or drum agglomeration or by in line mixers but are customarily spray-dried particles produced by atomi.cin~ an aqueous slurry of the ingredients in a hot air stream which removes most of the water. The spray-dried granules are then subjected to densification steps, e.g. by high speed cutter mLxers and/or compacting mills, to increase density before being reagglomerated. For illustrative purposes, the ~lrst component is described hereinater as a spray-dried powder.

Suitable anionic surfactants for the purposes of the first component have been found to be slowly dissolvi!ng linear allyl sulphate salts in which the alkyl group has an average of from 16 to 22 carbon atoms, and linear alkyl carboxylate salts in which the alkyl group has an ;~
average of from 16 to 24 carbon atoms.

Tbe alkyl groups for both types of surfactant are preferably derived from natural fats such as tallow. Shorter chain allyl sulphates or carboxylates, in which the alkyl group is derived from sources '-Co~ isillg a mixture of alkyl moieties more than 40% of which contain 14 or less carbon atoms, are less suitable as they cause the first component to form a gel like mass during dissolution.

The level of anionic surfactant in the spray-dried powder forming the rst component is from 0.75% to 40% by weight, more usually 2.5% to ~
25% preferably from 3% to 20% and most preferably from 5% to 15~o -by weight. Water-soluble surfactants such as linear alkyl benzene sulphonates or C14-C1s alkyl sulphates can be inclu~1e~1 or WO 93/20172 2 1 3 3 8 2 0 PCr/US93/0294~ ~

alternatively may be applied subsequently to the spray-dried powder by spray on.

The other major ingredient of the spray-dried powder is one or more inorganic or organic salts that provide the crystalline structure for the granules. The inorganic and/or organic salts may be water-soluble or water-insoluble, the latter :ype being comprised by the, or the major part of the, water-insoluble builders where these form part of the builder ingredient. Suitable water soluble inorganic slats include the alkali metal carbonates and bicarbonates. Alkali metal silicat~s other than crystalline layered silicates can also be present in the spray-dried granule provided that aluminosilicate does not form part of the spray-dried component.
, HoweYer, for the purposes of the present invention it is preferred thatwater-soluble sulphate, particularly sodium sulphate, should be present at a level of more than 2.5% by weight of the composition. Preferably no sodium sulphate is added as a separate ingredient and its incorporation as a by-product, e.g. with sulph(on)ated surfactants, should be.m-nimiced.

Where an aluminosilicate zeolite forms the, or part of the, builder ingredient, it is preferred that it is not added directly by dry-mixing to the other components, but is incorporated into the multi-ingredient component(s). Where incorporation of the zeolite takes place in the spray-dried granule, any silicate present should not form part of the spray-dried granule. In these circumstances incorporation of the silicate can be achieved in several ways, e.g. by producing a separate silicate- ont~inin~ spray-dried particulate, by incorporating the silicate into an agglomerate of other ingredients, or more preferably by ;q~ ing the silicate as a dry mixed solid ingredient.

The first component can also include up to 15% by weight of misc~llaneous ingredients such as brighteners, anti-redeposition agents and heavy metal sequestering agents. Where the first component is a spray-dried powder it will normally be dried to a moisture content of from 7% to 11% by weight, more preferably from 8% to 10% by weight WO 93/20172 2 1 3 3 8 2 0 PCT/US93/~2945 of the spray-dried powder. Moisture contents of powders produced by other processes such as agglomeration may be lower and can be in the range l-lO~o by weight.

The particle size of the first component is conventional and preferably not more than 5% by weight should be above 1.4 mm, while not more than 10% by weight should be less than 0.15 mm in maximum dimension. Preferably at least 60~o, and most preferably at least 80%, by weight of the powder lies between 0.7 mm and 0.25 mm in size. For spray-dried powders, the bulk densi~y of the particles from the spray-drying tower is conventionally in the range *om 540 to 600 g/litre and . this is then enhanced by further processing steps such as size reduction -in a high speed cutter/mixer followed by compaction. Alternatively, processes other than spray-drying may be used to form a high density partic~ e directly.

A second component of a preferred composition in accordance with ' the invention is another multi-ingredient particulate cont~ining a water soluble surfactant.

This may be anionic, nonionic, ationic or semipolar in t~ype or a -mi~ re of any of these. Suitable surfactants are listed hereinbefore but preferred surf~ct~nts are C14-C1s alkyl sulphates linear C11-C1s alkyl benzene sulphonates and fatty C14-C1g methyl ester sulphonates.

The second component may have any suitable physical form, i.e. it may tal~e the form of flakes, prills, marumes, noodles, ribbons, or granules -~
which may be spray-dried or non spray-dried agglomerates. Although the second component could in theory comprise the water soluble surf~ct~nt on its own, in practice at least one organic or inorganic salt is included to facilitate processin~. This provides a degree of crystallinity, and hence acceptable flow characteristics, to the partic~ te and may be any one or more of the organic or inorganic salts present in the first component.

The particle size range of the second component is not critical but should be such as to obviate segregation from the particles of the first WO 931~0172 2 1 3 3 8 2 0 PCr/US93/0~945 ~

component when blended therewith. Thus not more ehan 5~o by weight should be above 1.4 mm while not more than 10~o should be less than 0.15 mm in maximum dimension.

The bulk density of the second component will be a function of its mode of preparation. However, the preferred form of the second component is a mechanically mLxed agglomerate which may be made by adding the ingredients dry or with an agglomerating agent to a pan agglomerator, Z blade mixer or more preferably an in-line mixer such as those manufactured by Schugi (Holland) BV, 29 Chroomstraat 8211 AS, Lelystad, Netherlands and Gebruder Lodige Maschinenban GmbH, D-4790 Paderborn 1, Elsenerstrasse 7-9, Postfach 2050 F.R.G.
By this means the second component can be given a bulk density in the range from 650 g/litre to 1190 g/litre more, preferably from 750 g/litre to 850 g/litre.

Preferred compositions include a level of alkali me~al carbonate in thesecond component corresponding to an amount of from 3% to 15% by weight of the composition, more preferably from 5% to 12% by weight.
This will provide a level of carbonate in the second component of from 20~Yo tO 40% by weight.

A highly preferred ingredient of the second component is also a hydrated water insoluble aluminosilicate ion excll~n~e material of the synthetic zeolite type, described hereinbefore, present at from 10% to 35% by weight of the second component. The amount of water insoluble aluminosilicate material incorporated in this way is from 1%
to 10% by weight of the composition, more preferably from 2~o to 8%
by weight.

In one process for preparing the second component, the surfactant salt is formed in situ in an in-line mLxer. The liquid acid form of the s-lrfact~nt is added to a mixture of particulate anhydous sodium carbonate and hydrated sodium aluminosilicate in a continuous high speed blender such as a Lodige KM mixer and neutralised to form the surf~ct~nt salt whilst maint~inin~ the particulate nature of the mixture.
The resultant agglomerated mixture forms the second componen~

wo 93/20172 2 1 3 3 8 2 o Pcr/US93,0294~

which is then added to other components of the product. In a variant of this process, the surfactant salt is pre-neutralised and added as a viscous paste to the m~xture of the other ingredients. In this variant, the mixer serves merely to agglomerate the ingredients to form the second component.

In a particularly preferred process for making compositions in aceordance with the inventicn, part of the spray-dried product -~
eomprising the first granular component is diverted and subjected to a low level of nonionic surfactant spray on before being reblended with the remainder. The second granular component is made using the -preferred process described above. The first and second components together with other dry mix ingredients such as any carboxylate chelating agent, the sodium percarbonate bleach, bleach activator, soil-release polymer, silicate of conventional or crystalline layered type and enzyme are then fed to a conveyor belt, from which they are transferred to a horizontally rotating drum in which perfume and silicone suds suppressor are sprayed on to the product. In highly --plefel~ed compositions, a further drum mLxing step is employed in which a low (approx. 2% by weight) level of finely divided crystalline material is introduced to increase density and improve granular flow characeeristics. This material should not however be an aluminosilicate zeolite builder as it has been found that zeolite builders present in ' discrete particulate form in the product have an adverse effect on percarbonate stability.

Compositions in accordance with the invention can also benefit from delivery systems that provide transient loc~ ed high concentrations of product ;n the drum of an automatic washing machine at the start of .
the wash cycle, thereby also avoiding problems associated with loss of product in the pipework or sump of the machine.

Delivery to the drum an most easily be achieved by incorporation of the composition in a bag or container from which it is rapidly rele~c~ble at the start of the wash cycle in response to agitation, a rise in temperature or immersion in the wash water in the drum.
Alternatively the washing machine itself may be adapted to permit WO93/Z~172 - pCI/lJ593/0294s_ direct addition of the composition to the drum, e.g. by a dispensing arrangement in the access door.

Products comprising a detergent composition enclosed in a bag or container are usually designed in such a way that container integrity is maintained in the dry state tO prevent egress of the contents when dry, but are adapted for release of the container contents on exposure to a washing environment, normally on immersion in ~n aqueous solution.

Usually the container will be flexible, such as a bag or pouch. The bag may be of fibrous construction coated with a water impermeable protective material so as to retain the contents, such as is disclosed in European published Patent Application No. 0018678. Alternatively it may be formed of a water-insoluble synthetic polymeric material provided with an edge seal or closure designed to rupture in aqueous media as disclosed in European published Patent Application Nos.
0011500, 0011501, 0011S02, and 0011968. A convenient form of water frangible closure comprises a water soluble adhesive disposed along and sealing one edge of a pouch formed of a water impermeable polymeric film such as polyethylene or polypropylene.

In a variant of the bag or container product form, l~min~ted sheet ;-products can be employed in which a central flexible layer is impregnated-and/or coated with a composition and then one or more outer layers are applied to produce a fabric-like aesthetic effect. The layers may be sealed together so as to remain attached during use or may separate on contact with water to facilitate the release of the coated or impregnated material.

An alternative laminate form comprises one layer embossed or deformed to provide a series of pouch-like containers into each of which the detergent components are deposited in measured amounts~
with a second layer overlying the first layer and sealed thereto in those areas between the pouch-like containers where the two layers are in contact. The components may be deposited in particulate, paste or molten form and the l~min~te layers should prevent egress of the contents of the pouch-like containers prior to their addition to water.

WO 93/20172 . ' ; ~ PCr/US93/02945 The layers may separate or may remain attached together on contact with water, the only requirement being that the structure should permit ' rapid release of the contents of the pouch-like containers into solution.
The number of pouch-like containers per unit area of substrate is a matter of choice but will normally vary between 500 and 25,000 per square metre.

Suitable material which can be used for the flexible laminate layers in this aspect of the invention include, among others, sponges, paper and woven and non-woven fabrics.

However the preferred means of carrying out the process of ~he -invention is to introduce the composition into the liquid surrounding the fabrics that are in the drum via a reusable dispensing device having walls that are permeable to liquid but impermeable to the solid composition.

Devices of this kind are disclosed in European Patent Application Publication Nos. 0343069 & 0343070. The latter Application discloses a device comp~ising a flexible sheath in the form of a bag extending from a support ring defining an oIifice, the orifice being adapted to admit to the bag suf~lcient product for one w~ching cycle in a w~shin~
cycle. A portion of the washing medium flows through the orifice into the bag, dissolves the product, and the solution then passes outwardly through the ori~lce into the washing medium. The support ring is provided with a m~skin~ arrangement to prevent eg~ess of wetted, ncli~solved, product, this arrangement typically comprising radially extending walls extending from a central boss in a spoked wheel configuration, or a simil~r structure in which the walls have a helical form.

The invention is illustrated in the following non limiting F.x~mples, in which all percentages are on a weight basis unless otherwise stated.

WO 93~20172 ; ~ ! ' ' ; 2 0 P~/US93/0294~ _ In detergent compositions, the abbreviated component identifications have the following meanings:

C12 LAS : Sodium linear C12 al~yl benzene sulphonate TAS : Sodium tallow alcohol sulphate TAEn : Tallow alcohol ethoxylated with n moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol 45E7 : A C14-C1s predomin~ntly linear primary alcohol condensed with an average of 7 moles of ethylene oxide Silic~te : Amorphous sodium silicate (SiO2:Na20 ratio normally follows) Carbonate : Anhydrous sodium carbonate CMC : Sodium carboxymethyl cellulose Zeolite A : Hydrated sodium aluminosilicate of formula Nal2(AI02SiO2)12. 27H~O
having a primary particle size - the range from 1 to 10 micrometers A
Citrate : Tri-sodium citrate dihydrate Photoactivated : Tetra sulphonated zinc Bleach phthalocyanine WO 93/20~72 2 1 3 3 8 2 0 PCI/US93/02945 MA/AA : Copolymer of 1:4 maleic/acrylic acid, average molecular weight about 80,000 Perborate : Sodium perborate tetrahydrate of nominal formula NaB02.3H20 H202 Enzyme : MLxed proteolyticand amylolytic enzyme sold by Novo Industrie AS

Brightener : Disodium 4,4'-bis(2-morpholino-4-anilino-s-triazin-6-ylamino) -stilbene-2:2'-disulphonate DETPMP : Diethylene triamine penta (me~hylene phosphonic acid), marketed by Monsanto under the ~:
Trade name Dequest 2060 Mixed Suds : 25% paraffin wax Mpt 50~C, Suppressor 17% hydrophobic silica, 58%
paraffin oil NAPAA : Nonyl Amido Peroxy Adipic Acid I~on, Manganese, Copper : Free heavy metal ion t~ont~min~tion levels Sulphate : Sodium sulphate - i ~
WO 93/20172 2 1 3 3 8 2 0 PCI'/US93J02945,~
~ . ~ . ' ' 4 0 , . i Example 1 Detergent products were prepared with the following compositions by weight. Product B is in accordance with the invention, while product A
is a comparative product:

A B
C12~S 6.80 6.80 TAS 2.20 2.20 45~7 3.26 3.26 TAE11 1.00 1.00 Zeolite A 22.18 22.18 Silicate,SiO2:Na2O = 2.0:1 3.50 3.50 Citrate 8.00 8.00 MA/AA 4.70 ~ 4.70 Carbonate 16.50 16.50 Perborate 10.00 10.00 NAPAA 2.00 2.00 DEI PMP 0.19 0.19 Enzyme L40 1.40 CMC 0.48 0.48 Photoactivated Bleach 20ppm 20ppm Brightener 0.24 0.24 MLxedSuds Suppressor 0.49 0.49 Per~me 0-43 0O43 Miscellaneous 2.40 2.40 Moisture* 6.00 ~ 4.00 Iron 20.5ppm 20.5ppm M~n~nese 2ppm 2ppm Copper 2ppm 2ppm Sulphate 1.00max 1.00max Density g/litre 700 700 Equilibrium Relative Humidity RH (%? 34 20 W093/~0172 2133820 PCI/US93/02945 * 'Moisture' - for product A this is free and bound moisture. For product B this is essentially bound moisture.

Product A was made by a combination of spray-drying, agglomeration and dry mixing techniques. A spray-dried powder was made incorporating all of the TAS, approximately one quarter of the LAS, all of the maleic anhydride/acrylic acid copolymer, DETPMP, CMC
and brightener and approximately 80% of the zeolite builder. The spray-dried product was passed through a Lodige KM high speed mLxer/cutter, following which the 45E7 nonionic was sprayed on to the granules. The treated granules were then transferred to a conveyor belt. The bulk of the remainder of the LAS and zeolite together with approximately 30~o of the carbonate were processed in a Lodige KM
high speed mixer to form agglomerated particles which were fed to the conveyor belt. The other dry solid ingredients viz. the citrate, silicate and the remainder of the carbonate were also added to the belt at the same time. Finally the mLxed particulates were subjected to a low intensity blending step in a mLx drum, during which step the perfume and suds suppressor were sprayed on to the particulates to form a nil-bleach product.

The nil-bleach product was then divided into two equal parts. To the first part of this nil-bleach product were added the perborate and NAPAA cont~inin~ particles of 35-50% activity. T~ese NAPAA
cont~ining particles also contained sodium sulphate and minor amounts of LAS as processing/b~-lkin~ agents and took the physical form of extruded prills. This product, denoted product A, had an Equilibrium Relative Humidity, measured as hereinbefore described, of 34%.

The second part of the nil-bleach product was then placed in a vacuum oven at 60~C for 18 hours during which time the free moisture in the product was driven off thus reducing the total moisture content by 2- ' 3%. To this portion of the nil-bleach product were added the perborate and the NAPAA cont~inin~ particles as with product A to give product B with an Equilibrium Relative Humidity of 20% in accord with the invention.

WO 93/20172 ' PCI/US93/0294S ,_ 213~8~0 The products A & B were then placed in storage at 32~C and 80% RH
in separate closed wax laminated cardboard cartons and determinations were made of the amount of peroxyacid (NAPAA) rem~inin~ undecomposed in the products after 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks.
Four weeks storage under these conditions is believed to correlate with storage for at least 6 months under Southern European summer conditions.

The amount of NAPAA remaining undecomposed in the products was determined as now described. A 10 g sample was removed using a Pascal sampling device and the samples analysed for NAPAA content using the standard thiosulphate/iodide analytical method described hereinafter. This procedure was repeated on each sampling date until consistent results for the amount of NAPAA content were obtained.

The thiosulphate/iodide analytical method is a well known method for determining peroxyacid levels in a product. The 10 g sample is dissolved in 60 ml acetic acid and stirred on a hotplate for 5 minutes.
This solution is then rinsed into a beaker cont~i~ing 500 ml distilled water at 20~C and stirred for at least 2 minutes at 180 rpm to ensure even ~ ing. A 10 ml aliquot is taken and placed in a titration beaker cont~inin~ 15 ml acetic acid and 10 ml water maintained at around 0~C
by pl~in~ in an ice bath. S ml of 1% potassium iodide is ~ e~l to the contents of this titration beaker just prior to titration. This solution was titrated with 0.002N sodium thiosulphate according to the standard thiosulphate/iodide analytical method.

The results were as follows, expressed as ~o of the original amount of NAPAA present. The error limits at the 95% confidence level amount to no more than 1 6%.

2 weeks 4 weeks 6 weeks 8 weeks B 100 87 ~2 56 WO 93/20172 P(~/US93/02945 - 21~820 -i3 It can be seen that Product B in accordance with ~he invention displays acceptable peroxyacid stability under the stated storage conditions, whereas the comparison product A does not have an acceptable peroxyacid (NAPAA) s~ability.

Claims (24)

1. A solid laundry detergent composition, comprising by weight:
a) from 5% to 30% of one or more surfactants;
b) from 15% to 80% of one or more non-phosphate detergent builder salts;
c) from 1% to 15% of one or more bleaching compounds which provide in an aqueous solution an amide substituted peroxyacid bleaching compound of the formula:

or wherein R1 is an alkyl, aryl or alkaryl group containing from 1 to 14 carbon atoms, R2 is an alkylene, arylene or alkarylene group containing from 1 to 14 carbon atoms, and R5 is H or an alkyl, aryl or alkaryl group containing from 1 to 10 carbon atoms;
d) from 0% to 30% of additional bleaching components selected from oxygen bleaches, peroxyacid bleach precursors and photoactivated bleaches;
e) from 0% to 67% of detergent ingredients other than those in a) to d) wherein the composition i) has a bulk density of at least 650 g/litre, and comprises at least one multi-ingredient component;
ii) contains less than 40 ppm total of free Iron, Copper and Manganese ions; and iii) has an Equilibrium Relative Humidity of not more than 30% at 32°C, whereby the weight percentage of the original one or more bleaching compounds remaining undecomposed after 28 days storage in closed wax laminated paperboard cartons at 32°C and 80% Relative Humidity is at least 60%.

2. A detergent composition according to Claim 1 wherein one or more of the bleaching compounds is a preformed peroxyacid of formula:

or wherein R1, R2 and R5 are as defined in Claim 1.

3. A detergent composition according to Claim 1 wherein one or more of the bleaching compounds is a magnesium peroxycarboxylate of the following general formulae:

or wherein R1, R2 and R5 are as defined in Claim 1 wherein X is a compatible anion, n is 1 or 2, and Y is from 0 to 6.

4. A detergent composition according to Claim 1 wherein one or more of the bleaching compounds is obtained from a bleach activator of the general formula:

or wherein R1 is an alkyl, aryl or alkaryl group containing from 1 to 14 carbon atoms, R2 is an alkylene, arylene or alkarylene group containing from 1 to 14 carbon atoms, and R5 is H or an alkyl, aryl or alkaryl group containing from 1 to 10 carbon atoms, and L is a leaving group.

5. A detergent composition according to any one of Claims 1-4 wherein R1 is an alkyl group containing from 6 to 12 carbon atoms, R2 is an alkylene group containing from 4 to 8 carbon atoms, and R5 is H or methyl.

6. A composition according to any one of Claims 1-5 wherein the Equilibrium Relative Humidity is not more than 25% at 32°C.

7. A composition according to any one of Claims 1-6 wherein one additional bleaching component is tetra acetyl ethylene diamine (TAED) in an amount from 2% to 6% by weight of the composition.

8. A composition according to any one of Claims 1-7 wherein one or more of the bleaching compounds is coated.

9. A composition according to Claim 8 wherein the coating comprises sodium silicate, preferably in an amount of from 2%
to 5% by weight of the bleaching compound(s).

10. A composition according to either one of Claims 8 and 9 wherein the weight percentage of the original bleaching compound(s) remaining undecomposed after 28 days storage in closed wax laminated paperboard cartons at 32°C and 80% Relative Humidity is at least 80%.

11. A composition according to any one of Claims 1-10 containing not more than 2.5% by weight of sodium sulphate.

12. A composition according to any one of Claims 1-11 wherein any sodium sulphate present is not in the form of a separately added ingredient.

13. A solid laundry detergent composition according to any one of Claims 1-12 wherein one multi-component ingredient comprises a spray-dried powder.

14. A solid laundry detergent composition according to any one of Claims 1-13 wherein one multi-ingredient component comprises an agglomerate of non-spray-dried ingredients.

15. A composition according to Claim 14 incorporating at least one agglomerate and also spray-dried powder, each containing a proportion of both ingredients a) and b) and optionally one or more ingredients (e).

16. A composition according to any one of Claims 1-15 wherein the non-phosphate detergent builder ingredient is selected from alkali metal carbonates, bicarbonates, silicates, aluminosilicates, polycarboxylates, amino poly (alkylene phosphonates) and mixtures thereof.

17. A composition according to any one of Claims 1-16 wherein the non-phosphate detergent builder ingredient is completely water-soluble.

18. A composition according to any one of Claims 1-17 wherein the non-phosphate detergent builder ingredient is a mixture of water-soluble and water-insoluble compounds.

19. A composition according to Claim 18 wherein the non-phosphate detergent builder ingredient includes a sodium aluminosilicae zeolite of formula Naz[(AIO2)z(SiO2)y] xH2O
wherein z and y are at least 6, the ratio of z to y is form 1.0 to 0.5 and x is at least 5, preferably from 7.5 to 27.6, said zeolite being present solely as part of one or more multi-ingredient compounds.

20. A composition according to any one of Claims 16-19 wherein said non-phosphate detergent builder comprises sodium silicate having a ratio of SiO2 to Na2O of from 1.6 to 3.0, said sodium silicate being present in a form that is discrete relative to any sodium aluminosilicate present in the composition.

21. A composition according to Claim 20 wherein the non-phosphate detergent builder ingredient comprises a mixture of hydrated sodium zeolite A, sodium silicate, tri-sodium citrate dihydrate and sodium carbonate, optionally together with an alkali metal alkylene amino (poly alkylene phosphonate).

22. A composition according to either one of Claims 20 and 21 wherein the sodium silicate is a solid at ambient temperatures and is present as a discrete particulate.

23. A composition according to Claim 22 wherein the sodium silicate is a crystalline layered silicate of formula NaMSixO22+1.yH2O
wherein M is sodium or hydrogen, x is a number from 1.9 to 4 and y is a number from 0 to 20.

24. A composition according to Claim 23 wherein M is Na, x is 2 and y is 0.