CA2324397A1 - Detergent composition containing cylindrically-shaped bleach activator extrudates having enhanced flowability - Google Patents

Abstract

A bleach-containing detergent composition which contains a peroxygen bleaching compound and a bleach activator is disclosed. The bleach activator is in the form of substantially cylindrically-shaped extrudates having a mean extrudate length of from about 500 microns to about 3500 microns and a mean extrudate diameter of from about 450 microns to about 850 microns wherein said extrudate comprises one or more flowability enhancers.

Description

DETERGENT COMPOSITION CONTAINING
CYLINDRICALLY-SHAPED BLEACH ACTIVATOR EXTRUDATES
HAVING ENHANCED FLOWABILITY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to detergent and bleaching compositions containing a peroxygen bleaching system, said system comprising a peroxygen bleach and a bleach activator comprising extrudate, said extrudate having increased flowability.
The exturdate is substantially cylindrically-shaped and provides improved stability and performance.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
As is known, surface bleaching of textiles is bleaching wherein the bleaching mechanism takes place on the textile surface and, thereby, removes stains and/or soils. Typical bleaching compositions contain peroxygen bleaches capable of yielding hydrogen peroxide in aqueous solutions and bleach activators to enhance bleach performance. It has long been known that peroxygen bleaches are effective for stain and/or soil removal from textiles, but that they are also extremely temperature dependent. Such bleaches are essentially only practicable and/or effective in bleaching solutions, i.e., a bleach and water mixture, wherein the solution temperature is above about 60°C. At bleach solution temperatures of about 60°C, peroxygen bleaches are only partially effective and, therefore, in order to obtain a desirable level of bleaching performance extremely high levels of peroxygen bleach must be added to the system. This is economically impracticable for large-scale commercialization of modern detergent products. As the bleach solution temperature is lowered below 60°C, peroxygen bleaches are rendered ineffective, regardless of the level of peroxygen bleach added to the system. The temperature dependence of peroxygen bleaches is significant because such bleaches are commonly used as a detergent adjuvant in textile wash processes that utilize an automatic household washing machine at wash water temperatures below 60°C. Such wash temperatures are utilized because of textile care and energy considerations. As a consequence of such a wash process, there has been much industrial research to develop substances, generally referred to as bleach activators, that render peroxygen bleaches effective at bleach solution temperatures below 60°C.
Numerous substances have been disclosed in the art as effective bleach activators. For example, bleach activators having the general formula __ WO 99L47633 PCT/1B99100423 O
I I
R-C-L
wherein R is an alkyl group and L is a leaving group, have been disclosed in the art.
Such bleach activators have typically been incorporated into detergent products as an admixed granule, agglomerate or other type of particle. However, one problem with such bleach activators is maintaining the stability of the activator prior to use by the consumer. The bleach activator granule or agglomerate has a tendency to degrade over time which is exacerbated by exposure to environmental effects such as heat and humidity. As a consequence of this, the granule, agglomerate or other particulate foam of the bleach activator must be relatively large in comparison to the other detergent ingredients in a typicai granular detergent product. This, in turn, causes another problem associated with detergent product segregation in that the larger bleach activator particles tend to accumulate at or near the top of the detergent box while relatively smaller particle sized detergent ingredients accumulate at or near the bottom of the box. Additionally, particle segregation occurs during the detergent manufacturing process, leading to increased box to box variability for the detergent active ingredients. The net result of such an undesirable product segregation is decreased performance since the user scoops the product from the top to the bottom and each scoop has a disproportionate amount of bleach activator or other detergent ingredient, and similarly, the performance of product from different boxes is affected by variance in the detergent composition. Thus, it would be desirable to have a detergent composition containing a bleach activator which has improved stability prior to use, and which does not significantly segregate prior to packaging or while stored in the detergent product box. Additionally, it would be desirable to have such a detergent composition which also has acceptable physical properties, for example, acceptable flow properties for bulk handling of the composition as part of large-scale detergent manufacturing.
Yet another problem with the aforementioned bleach activators relates to the inability to advertise the sanitization effects of the above-mentioned bleach/bleach activator systems on fabrics. Currently, most government regulation agencies require that sanitization advertising claims for fabric care can only be made if a relatively high level of microbes are consistently removed from the laundered fabrics as a result of using the bleach-containing detergent product. In the past, however, the relatively large granule, agglomerate or other particle form of the bleach activator has inhibited such sanitization advertising claims in that the product segregation effects of such larger particles prevented the consistent removal of high levels of microbes from the laundered fabrics. The bleach/bleach activator delivery during the laundering process varied too widely to satisfy most governmental agency requirements for sanitization advertising claims. It would therefore be desirable to have a bleach-containing composition detergent which can be used to sanitize fabrics.
Accordingly, there remains a need in the art to have detergent composition containing a bleach activator which has improved stability prior to use. Also, there is a need in the art for a detergent composition containing a bleach activator which does not significantly segregate while stored in the detergent product box and has acceptable physical properties, especially enhanced flowability which serves to aid in the processing of the detergent compositions. Yet another need in the art remains for such a detergent composition which has a more consistent bleach/bleach activator delivery.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to extrudates which comprise bleach activators said extrudates having increased flowability. These extrudates are useful in detergent compositions containing a peroxygen bleaching compound which require the bleach activator in the form of substantially cylindrically-shaped extrudate having a selected relatively small particle size. The smaller sized bleach activator extrudates unexpectedly remain stable over extended storage periods and reduce product segregation in the detergent box in which they are contained as they more closely mirror the particle size of other conventional detergent ingredients. The increase flowability of the extrudates taken together with the particle size of the extrudates delivers enhanced sanitization effects to the laundered fabrics more consistently.
The phrase "cylindrically-shaped extrudates" means an extruded particle having a surface shape generated by a straight line moving parallel to a fixed straight line and intersecting a fixed planar closed curve. An "effective amount" of a detergent composition containing a bleach activator is any amount capable of measurably improving both soil removal from and sanitization of the fabric when it is washed by the consumer. In general, this amount may vary quite widely. As used herein, the terms "disinfecting", "disinfection", "antibacterial", "germ kill", and "sanitization" are intended to mean killing microbes commonly found in and on fabrics requiring laundering. Examples of various microbes include germs, bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fi~ngi/spores. As used herein, "free water" level means the level on a percentage by weight basis of water in the detergent composition which is not bound up or in another detergent ingredient such as zeolite; it is the water level in excess of any water entrained in, adsorbed in, or otherwise bound up in other detergent ingredients.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a bleach containing detergent composition is provided which comprises a bleach activator extrudate, said extrudate comprising:
a} from about 60% to about 95% by weight, of a bleach activator having the formula:
O
I I
R-C-L
wherein R is an alkyl group containing from about 5 to about 18 carbon atoms wherein the longest linear alkyl chain extending from and including the carbonyl carbon contains from about 6 to about 10 carbon atoms and L is a leaving group, the conjugate acid of which has a pKa in the range of from about 6 to about 13;
b) from about 0.1% to about 40% by weight, of one or more. binder materials; and c) from about 0.5%, preferably from about 0.5% to about 10% by weight, of a flowability enhancer;
said bleach activator extrudate is in the form of a substantially cylindrically-shaped extrudate having a mean extrudate length of from about 500 microns to about 3500 microns and a mean extrudate diameter of from about 450 microns to about 850 microns.
Another aspect of the present invention provides a laundry detergent or bleaching composition which utilizes said extrudate, said composition comprising:
a) at least about 0.1% by weight of a peroxygen bleaching compound capable of yielding hydrogen peroxide in an aqueous solution;
b) a bleach-containing extrudate comprising:
i) from about 60% to about 95% by weight, of a bleach activator having the formula:
O
R-C-L
wherein R is an alkyl group containing from about 5 to about 18 carbon atoms wherein the longest linear alkyl chain extending from and including the carbonyl carbon contains from about 6 to about 10 carbon atoms and L is a leaving group, the conjugate acid of which has a pICa in the range of from about 6 to about 13;
ii) from about 0.1 % to about 40% by weight, of one or more binder materials; and iii) from about 0.5% to about 10% by weight, of a flowability enhancer;
wherein said bleach activator extrudate is in the form of a substantially cylindrically-shaped extrudate having a mean extrudate length of from about 500 microns to about 3500 microns and a mean extrudate diameter of from about 450 microns to about 850 microns and provided said extrudate comprises sufficient activator such that the ratio of bleach activator to peroxygen bleaching compound is greater than 1; and c) the balance carriers and other adjunct ingredients.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a method of using the detergent composition to sanitize fabrics is provided. The method comprises the step of contacting said fabrics with an effective amount of a detergent composition as described herein in an aqueous solution to sanitize the fabrics.
Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a detergent composition containing a bleach activator particles which have good stability prior to use and acceptable physical properties. It is also an object of the invention to provide a detergent composition containing a bleach activator which does not significantly segregate while stored in the detergent product box. Another object of the invention is to provide such a detergent product which can be used to sanitize fabrics.
These and other objects, features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from a reading of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment and the appended claims.
All percentages and ratios used herein are expressed as percentages by weight (anhydrous basis) unless otherwise indicated. All cited documents are incorporated herein by reference.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The detergent or bleaching compositions or the present invention comprise a bleaching system having two essential components; a peroxygen bleach which is capable of producing hydrogen peroxide as an aqueous solution, and a bleach activator which enhances the formation of hydrogen peroxide by said peroxygen bleach. The peroxygen bleach may be in any suitable form, for example, a coated particle, however, the bleach activator is in the form of a substantially cylindrically-__ WO 99147633 PCT/IB99/00423 shaped extrudate, said extrudate comprising a flowability enhancer. The bleach activator containing exturdate is formed using one or more flowability enhancers which act to prevent the extrudate particles from clumping or becoming "sticky".
Typically, one or more binder materials are included in the bleach activator extrudates including, but not limited to, palmitic acid, a detersive surfactant, polyethylene glycol and other fatty acids and polyacrylates.
The Peroxygen Bleaching Compound The peroxygen bleaching systems useful herein are those capable of yielding hydrogen peroxide in an aqueous liquor. These compounds are well known in the art and include hydrogen peroxide and the alkali metal peroxides, organic peroxide bleaching compounds such as urea peroxide, and inorganic persalt bleaching compounds, such as the alkali metal perborates, percarbonates, perphosphates, and the like. Mixtures of two or more such bleaching compounds can also be used, if desired.
Preferred peroxygen bleaching compounds include sodium perborate, commercially available in the form of mono-, tri-, and tetra-hydrate, sodium pyrophosphate peroxyhydrate, urea peroxyhydrate, sodium percarbonate, and sodium peroxide. Particularly preferred are sodium perborate tetrahydrate, sodium perbarate monohydrate and sodium percarbonate. Percarbonate is especially preferred because it is very stable during storage and yet still dissolves very quickly in the bleaching liquor. It is believed that such rapid dissolution results in the formation of higher levels of percarboxylic acid and, thus, enhanced surface bleaching performance.
Highly preferred percarbonate can be in uncoated or coated form. The average particle size of uncoated percarbonate ranges from about 400 to about 1200 microns, most preferably from about 400 to about 600 microns. If coated percarbonate is used, the preferred coating materials include mixtures of carbonate and sulphate, silicate, borosilicate, or fatty carboxylic acids.
The peroxygen bleaching compound will comprise at least about 0.1%, preferably from about 1% to about 75%, more preferably from about 3% to about 40%, most preferably from about 3% to about 25%, by weight of bleaching system or detergent composition. The weight ratio of bleach activator to peroxygen bleaching compound in the bleaching system typically ranges from about 2:1 to 1:5.
Preferred ratios range from about 1:1 to about 1:3. The molar ratio of hydrogen peroxide yielded by the peroxygen bleaching compound to the bleach activator is Beater than about 1.0, more preferably greater than about 1.5, and most preferably from about 2.0 to about 10. Preferably, the bleaching compositions herein __ WO 99147633 PCT/IB99/00423 comprise from about 0.5 to about 20, most preferably from about 1 to about 10, wt%. of the peroxygen bleaching compound.
The peroxygen bleaching compound is preferably selected from the group consisting of sodium perborate monohydrate, sodium perborate tetrahydrate, sodium carbonate peroxyhydrate, sodium pyrophosphate peroxyhydrate, urea peroxyhydrate, sodium peroxide and mixtures thereof. It is preferable for the detergent composition of the invention to contain less than about 3%, more preferably less than about 2.5%, and most preferably less than about 2% by weight of free water. While not wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that by maintaining this relatively low level of free water in the composition, the propensity of the bleach activator to degrade via hydrolysis prior to use is lowered.
Thus, the stability of the bleach activator is enhanced and prolonged even further as a result of a selected free water level as set forth herein.
Bleach Activator Comprising Extrudate Flowability Enhancers The bleach activator comprising extrudate of the present invention has enhanced flowability and resistance to agglomeration or sticking. This improvement is achieved by the addition of one or more "dusting agents", "anti-agglomeration agents" or "flowability aids". Non-limiting examples of these flowability enhancers include alumino-silicates, magnesium silicates, fumed silica, pulverized carbonate, talc, corn starch, and the like. Any high surface are which is non-hydroscopic is suitable for use. For example, finely divided and pulverized sodium sulfate or anhydrous magnesium sulfate.
Preferred flowability enhancers can be achieved by pulverizing zeolites, for example zeolite A, zeolite X, or zeolite Y, and adding the required amount of said zeolite to the admixture prior to extrusion. The added benefit to the formulator for adding a material such as pulverized zeolite is that the material is useful as a builder once the extrudate is solublized in the laundry liquor.
Preferably the flowability enhancer has a particle size of less than 10 micron (10 p.), more preferably from 1-10 p, most preferably from 3-5 ~,.
The flowability enhancer is present in the bleach activator comprising extnadate at a level of from at least about 0.5%, preferably from about 0.5%
to about 10%, more preferably from about 2% to about 3% by weight, of the extrudate.
Preferred flow enhancers are selected from the group consisting of aluminosilicates, silicas, crystalline layered silicates MAP zeolites, citrates, amorphous silicates, sodium carbonate, talc, corn starch, and mixtures thereof.
Bleach Activators __ WO 99147633 PCT/IB99/00423 The bleach activator for the bleaching systems useful herein preferably has the following structure:
O
I I
R-C-L
wherein R is an alkyl group containing from about 5 to about 18 carbon atoms wherein the longest linear alkyl chain extending from and including the carbonyl carbon contains from about 6 to about 10 carbon atoms and L is a leaving group, the conjugate acid of which has a pKa in the range of from about 4 to about 13, preferably from about 6 to about 11, most preferably from about 8 to about 11.
L can be essentially any suitable leaving group. A leaving group is any group that is displaced from the bleach activator as a consequence of the nucleophilic attack on the bleach activator by the perhydroxide anion. This, the perhydrolysis reaction, results in the formation of the percarboxylic acid. Generally, for a group to be a suitable leaving group it must exert an electron attracting effect.
This facilitates the nucleophilic attach by the perhydroxide anion.
The L group must be sufficiently reactive for the reaction to occur within the optimum time frame (e.g., a wash cycle). However, if L is too reactive, this activator will be difficult to stabilize. These characteristics are generally paralleled by the pKa of the conjugate acid of the leaving group, although exceptions to this convention are known.
Preferred bleach activators are those of the general formula:

Rl-N-O-R2-C-L or Rl-O-N-R2-O-L
wherein R1 is an alkyl group containing from about 6 to about 12 carbon atoms, R2 is an alkylene containing from 1 to about 6 carbon atoms, RS is H or alkyl, aryl, or alkaryl containing from about 1 to about 10 carbon atoms, and L is selected from the group consisting of -p -O
Y
Y O
-N-C-R6-N~N

I
Y
O
il -N-C-CH-R4-O-C-R6-N ~C~NR4 O
Y O
~C R3 -N~ ~ ~NR4 -O-CH=C-CH=CH2 C
II
O

-O-CH=C-CH=CHZ , -O-C=CHR4 , and O Y

wherein R6 is an alkylene, arylene, or alkarylene group containing from about 1 to about 14 carbon atoms, R3 is an alkyl chain containing from about 1 to about 8 carbon atoms, R4 is H or R3, and Y is H or a solubilizing group. Y is preferably selected from the group consisting of -S03-M+, -COO-M+, -S04-M+, (-N+R'3)X- and O+-N(R'3), wherein R' is an alkyl chain containing from about 1 to about 4 carbon atoms, M is a cation which provides solubility to the bleach activator and X is an anion which provides solubility to the bleach activator.
Preferably, M is an alkali metal, ammonium or substituted ammonium cation, with sodium and potassium being most preferred, and X is an anion selected from the group consisting of halide, hydroxide, methylsulfate and acetate anions. More preferably, Y is -S03-M+ and -COO-M+. It should be noted that bleach activators WO 92/47633 PCT/IB9910b423 with a leaving group that does not contain a solubilizing group should be well dispersed in the bleach solution in order to assist in their dissolution.
Preferred is:

-~ o wherein R3 is as defined above and Y is -S03-M+ or -COO-M+ wherein M is as defined above.
Especially preferred bleach activators are those wherein Rl is a linear alkyl chain containing from about 6 to about 12 carbon atoms, R2 is a linear alkylene chain containing from about 2 to about 6 carbon atoms, RS is H, and L is selected from the group consisting of -O ~ -O
and Y

-O
wherein R3 is as defined above, Y is -S03-M+ or -COO-M+ and M is as defined above.
A preferred bleach activator is:
O
I
C~

I
N =C
R
wherein R is H, alkyl, aryl or alkaryl. This is described in U.S. Patent 4,966,723, Hodge et al., incorporated by reference herein.
Preferred bleach activators are:
O O O
Rl O C-L or R2-C-O O C-L
wherein R1 is H or an alkyl group containing from about 1 to about 6 carbon atoms and R2 is an alkyl group containing from about 1 to about 6 carbon atoms and L
is as defined above.

Preferred bleach activators are also those of the above general formula wherein L is as defined in the general formula, and R1 is H or an alkyl group containing from about 1 to about 4 carbon atoms. Even more preferred are bleach activators of the above general formula wherein L is as defined in the general formula and R1 is a H.
More preferred bleach activators are those of the above general formula wherein R is a linear alkyl chain containing from about 5 to about 9 and preferably from about 6 to about 8 carbon atoms and L is selected from the group consisting of O ~ R2y -N-C-R, -O-C-R, -O

I
Y Y

-O -O
Y

-O-CH=C-CH-~H2, -O-C=CHR3 , O
I
CHZ C
-NwC/NH.
I
O
wherein R, R2, R3 and Y are as defined above.
Particularly preferred bleach activators are those of the above general formula wherein R is an alkyl group containing from about 5 to about 12 carbon atoms wherein the longest linear portion of the alkyl chain extending from and including the carbonyl carbon is from about 6 to about 10 carbon atoms, and L
is selected from the group consisting of:

_. WO 99!47633 PCT/IB99/00423 -O ~ -O Y and -O
herein R2 is an alkyl chain containing from about 1 to about 8 carbon atoms, and Y
is -S03M+ or -COO-M+ wherein M is an alkali metal, ammonium or substituted ammonium ration.
Especially preferred bleach activators are those of the above general formula wherein R is a linear alkyl chain containing from about 5 to about 9 and preferably from about 6 to about 8 carbon atoms and L is selected from the group consisting of -p -O Y and -O
wherein RZ is as defined above and Y is -S03M+ or -COO-M+ wherein M is as defined above.
The most preferred bleach activators have the formula:
O
R-C-O O S03-M+
wherein R is a linear alkyl chain containing from about 5 to about 9 and preferably from about 6 to about 8 carbon atoms and M is sodium or potassium.
Preferably, the bleach activator herein is sodium nonanoyloxybenzenesulfonate (HOBS) or sodium benzoyloxybenzenesulfonate (BOBS).
Further particularly preferred for use in the present invention bleaching compositions are the following bleach activators which are particularly safe for use with machines having natural rubber parts. This is believed to be the result of not producing oily diacylperoxide (DAP) species by the perhydrolysis reaction of these amido acid-derived bleach activators, but rather forming insoluble crystalline solid __ WO 99/47633 PCT/IB99/00423 DAP's. These solids are believed to not form a coating film and thus natural rubber parts are not exposed to DAP's for extended periods of time. These preferred bleach activators are members selected from the group consisting of a) a bleach activator of the general formula:
O O O O
R~-C-N-R2-C-L, R~-N-C-R2-C-L
Rs Rs or mixtures thereof, wherein RI is an alkyl, aryl, or alkaryl group containing from about 1 to about 14 carbon atoms, R2 is an alkylene, arylene or alkarylene group containing from about 1 to about 14 carbon atoms, RS is H or an alkyl, aryl, or alkaryl group containing from about 1 to about 10 carbon atoms, and L is a leaving group;
b) benzoxazin-type bleach activators of the general formula:
O
~O
C-R

Rs wherein R1 is H, alkyl, alkaryl, aryl, arylalkyl, and wherein R2, R3, R4, and RS may be the same or different substituents selected from H, halogen, alkyl, alkenyl, aryl, hydroxyl, alkoxyl, amino, alkylamino, COOR6 (wherein R6 is H or an alkyl group) and carbonyl functions;
c) N-acyl caprolactam bleach activators of the formula:
O
II

R6-C-NBC -C H ~C H2 wherein R6 is H or an alkyl, aryl, alkoxyaryl or alkaryl group containing from 1 to 12 carbons; and d) mixtures of a), b) and c).
Preferred bleach activators of type a) are those wherein RI is an alkyl group containing from about 6 to about 12 carbon atoms, R2 contains from about 1 to about 8 carbon atoms, and RS is H or methyl. Particularly preferred bleach activators are those of the above general formulas wherein R1 is an alkyl group containing from about 7 to about 10 carbon atoms and R2 contains from about 4 to about S carbon atoms.

Preferred bleach activators of type b) are those wherein R2, R3, R4, and RS
are H and R1 is a phenyl group.
The preferred acyl moieties of said N-acyl caprolactam bleach activators of type c) have the formula R6-CO- wherein R6 is H or an alkyl, aryl, alkoxyaryl, or alkaryl group containing from 1 to 12 carbons, preferably from 6 to 12 carbon atoms. In highly preferred embodiments, R6 is a member selected from the goup consisting of phenyl, heptyl, octyl, nonyl, 2,4,4-trimethylpentyl, decenyl and mixtures thereof.
Am~do Derived Bleach Activators - The bleach activators of type a) employed in the present invention are amide substituted compounds of the general formulas:

R'~-C-N-R2-C-L, R~-N-C-R2-C-L
I I
R5 Rs or mixtures thereof, wherein R1, R2 and RS are as defined above and L can be essentially any suitable leaving group. Preferred bleach activators are those of the above general formula wherein R1, R2 and RS are as defined for the peroxyacid and L is selected from the group consisting of -O , -O ~ Y , and -O
a -N-C-R - ~ -N-C-CH-R

I
Y

-O-C H=C-C H=C H2 -O-C H=C-C H=C H2 -N C 2 C NR ~ /NR4 O-C R~ ~C/ 4 , NBC
p O

IS

-O-C=C HR4 , and -N-~-C H-R4 and mixtures thereof, wherein RI is an alkyl, aryl, or alkaryl group containing from about 1 to about 14 carbon atoms, R3 is an alkyl chain containing from 1 to about 8 carbon atoms, R4 is H or R3, and Y is H or a solubilizing group.
The preferred solubilizing groups are -S03-M+, -CO -M+, -S04 M+, N+(R3)43~ and O< N(R3)3 and most preferably -S03-M2+ and -C02-IvI+
wherein R3 is an alkyl chain containing from about 1 to about 4 carbon atoms, M is a cation which provides solubility to the bleach activator and X is an anion which provides solubility to the bleach activator. Preferably, M is an alkali metal, ammonium or substituted ammonium cation, with sodium and potassium being most preferred, and X is a halide, hydroxide, methylsulfate or acetate anion.
It should be noted that bleach activators with a leaving group that does not contain a solubilizing groups should be well dispersed in the bleaching solution in order to assist in their dissolution.
Preferred bleach activators are those of the above general formula wherein L
is selected from the group consisting of -O ~ -O ~ Y , and -O
wherein R3 is as defined above and Y is -S03 M+ or -C02 M+ wherein M is as defined above.
Another important class of bleach activators, including those of type b) and type c), provide organic peracids as described herein by ring-opening as a consequence of the nucleophilic attack on the carbonyl carbon of the cyclic ring by the perhydroxide anion. For instance, this ring-opening reaction in type c) activators involves attack at the caprolactam ring carbonyl by hydrogen peroxide or its anion. Since attack of an acyl caprolactam by hydrogen peroxide or its anion occurs preferably at the exocyclic carbonyl, obtaining a significant fraction of ring-opening may require a catalyst. Another example of ring-opening bleach activators can be found in type b) activators, such as those disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,966,723, Hodge et al, issued Oct. 30, 1990.
Benzoxazin-type Bleach Activators - Such activator compounds disclosed by Hodge include the activators of the benzoxazin-type, having the formula:

__ WO 99147633 PCT/IB99/00423 O
II
O
0 ~c_R, 'N
including the substituted benzoxazins of the type R3 ~O
R4 N C -R, wherein R1 is H, alkyl, alkaryl, aryl, arylalkyl, and wherein R2, R3, R4, and RS
may be the same or different substituents selected from H, halogen, alkyl, alkenyl, aryl, hydroxyl, alkoxyl, amino, alkyl amino, COOR6 (wherein R6 is H or an alkyl group) and carbonyl functions.
A preferred activator of the benzoxazin-type is:

II
I
NC
When the activators are used, optimum surface bleaching performance is obtained with washing solutions wherein the pH of such solution is between about 8.5 and 10.5 and preferably between 9.5 and 10.5 in order to facilitate the perhydrolysis reaction. Such pH can be obtained with substances commonly known as buffering agents, which are optional components of the bleaching systems herein.
N-Acvl Caprolactam Bleach Activators - The N-acyl caprolactam bleach activators of type c) employed in the present invention have the formula:
O
II

R C-N~ ,C H2 wherein R6 is H or an alkyl, aryl, alkoxyaryl, or alkaryl group containing from 1 to 12 carbons. Caprolactam activators wherein the R6 moiety contains at least about 6, preferably from 6 to about 12, carbon atoms provide hydrophobic bleaching which affords nucleophilic and body soil clean-up, as noted above. Caprolactam activators wherein R6 comprises from 1 to about 6 carbon atoms provide hydrophilic bleaching species which are particularly efficient for bleaching beverage stains. Mixtures of hydrophobic and hydrophilic caprolactams, typically at weight ratios of 1:5 to 5:1, preferably 1:1, can be used herein for mixed stain removal benefits.
Highly preferred N-acyl caprolactams are selected from the group consisting ofbenzoyl caprolactam, octanoyl caprolactam, nonanoyl caprolactam, 3,5,5-trimethylhexanoyl caprolactam, decanoyl caprolactam, undecenoyl caprolactam, and mixtures thereof. Methods for making N-acyl caprolactams are well known in the art.
Contrary to the teachings of U.S. Pat. 4,545,784, the bleach activator is preferably not absorbed onto the peroxygen bleaching compound. To do so in the presence of other organic detersive ingredients could cause safety problems.
The bleach activators of type a), b) or c) will comprise at least about 0.1%, preferably from about 0.1% to about 50%, more preferably from about 1% to about 30%, most preferably from about 3% to about 25%, by weight of bleaching system or detergent composition.
The preferred amido-derived and caprolactam bleach activators herein can also be used in combination with rubber-safe, enzyme-safe, hydrophilic activators such as TAED, typically at weight ratios of amido-derived or caprolactam activators:TAED in the range of 1:5 to 5:1, preferably about 1:1.
Binders The bleach activator comprising extrudates of the present invention comprise from about 0.1% to about 40% by weight of one or more binders. Preferably binders include, but are not limited to, palmitic acid, detersive surfactants, polyethylene glycol, and fatty acids.
In a highly preferred embodiment of the invention, the substantially cylindrically-shaped extrudate comprises, by weight of the extrudate, from about 60% to about 95% of a bleach activator, from about 0.1% to about 10% of palmitic acid, from about 0.1% to about 10% of a detersive surfactant, from about 0.1% to about 10%
of polyethylene glycol, and from about 0.1 % to about 10% of fatty acid.
While not intending to be bound by theory, it is believed that by selecting a particle size as described herein, the binder materials in the specific extrudates gavitate or migrate toward the surface of the individual extrudate particles, thereby inhibiting excessive exposure of the bleach activator to environmental conditions such as heat and moisture prior to use. As a consequence, the bleach activator in the substantially cylindrically-shaped extrudates do not degrade and remain stable, while also bearing a particle size closely mirroring the size of the other detergent ingredients in the detergent composition. As mentioned, the added unanimity of particle size renders the detergent composition less susceptible to product segregation in the detergent box prior to use. As is known, product segregation occurs during handling, transporting, and storing the detergent composition prior to use; the vibrating, shaking and otherwise movement of the detergent product box causes the composition to segregate by particle size. The detergent composition of the present invention reduces this problem via a selected choice of particle size and shape.
In that regard, the substantially cylindrically-shaped extrudates have mean extrudate length of from about 500 microns to about 3500 microns, more preferably from about 700 microns to about 3000 microns, and most preferably from about microns to about 2500 microns. Preferably, the mean extrudate diameter is from about 450 microns to about 850 microns, more preferably from about 500 microns to about 800 microns, and most preferably from about 550 microns to about 750 microns. The mean extrudate diameter can be measured in a variety of ways, one of which is to measure a representative sample of the extrudates using a microscope and determining the mean via calculation. The mean diameter can be determined similarly or via extrapolation from the extrusion die hole diameter.
The selected relatively smaller particle size and cylindrical shape of the bleach activator extrudates result in a more consistent delivery of activator to the aqueous laundering solution. Stated differently, the variation around the target level of bleach activator to be delivered to the wash solution is unexpectedly reduced as result of using the aforementioned substantially cylindrically-shaped extrudates.
Fortuitously, this allows the detergent composition to deliver the bleach activator at a more consistent level to achieve sanitization effects on the laundered fabrics.
Most governmental agencies require very little variation around bleach activator or other sanitizing agent target levels in order for sanitization advertising claims to be legally made to the public. Thus, the invention also provides a suitable and convenient method of sanitizing fabrics which may be suitable for public advertising.
Preferably, the number of microbes present on said fabrics is reduced by at least about 50%, more preferably reduced by at least about 90%, and most preferabiy reduced by at least about 99.9%. This sanitizing method is interchangeably used with disinfecting, antibacterial, germ killing, odor-causing germ killing methods in accordance with the invention.
Additionally, the specific bleach activator and peroxygen bleaching composition in the detergent composition are preferably present at specific molar ratios of hydrogen peroxide to bleach activator. Such compositions provide extremely effective and efficient surface bleaching of textiles which thereby remove stains and/or soils from the textiles. Such compositions are particularly effective at removing dingy soils from textiles. Dingy soils are soils that build up on textiles after numerous cycles of usage and washing and, thus, result in a white textile having a gray tint. These soils tend to be a blend of particulate and greasy materials.
The removal of this type of soil is sometimes referred to as "dingy fabric clean up". The bleach-containing detergent compositions of this invention provide such bleaching over a wide range of bleach solution temperatures. Such bleaching is obtained in bleach solutions wherein the solution temperature is at least about 5°C. Without the bleach activator, such peroxygen bleaches would be ineffective and/or impracticable at temperatures below about 60°C.
Much lower levels of the bleach activators within the invention are required, on a molar basis, to achieve the same level of surface bleaching performance that is obtained with similar bleach activators containing only from about 2 to about carbon atoms in the longest linear alkyl chain extending from and including the carbonyl carbon. Without being bound by theory, it is believed that such efficiency is achieved because the bleach activators within the invention exhibit surface activity.
This can be explained as follows. The bleaching mechanism generally, and the surface bleaching mechanism in particular, are not completely understood.
However, it is generally believed that the bleach activator undergoes nucleophilic attack by a perhydroxide anion, which is generated from the hydrogen peroxide evolved by the peroxygen bleach, to form a percarboxylic acid. This reaction is commonly referred to as perhydrolysis. The percarboxylic acid then forms a reactive dimer with its anion which, in turn, evolves a singlet oxygen which is believed to be the active bleaching component. It is theorized that the ringlet oxygen must be evolved at or near the textile surface in order to provide surface bleaching. Otherwise, the ringlet oxygen will provide bleaching, but not at the textile surface. Such bleaching is known as solution bleaching, i.e., the bleaching of soils in the bleach solution.
To ensure that the ringlet oxygen is more effciently evolved at the textile surface, it is essential that the longest linear alkyl chain extending from and including the carbonyl carbon of the percarboxylic acid have from about 6 to about 10 carbon atoms. Such percarboxylic acids are surface active and, therefore, tend to be concentrated at the textile surface. Percarboxylic acids containing fewer carbon atoms in such alkyl chain have similar redox potentials, but do not have the ability to concentrate at the textile surface. Therefore, the bleach activators within the invention are extremely efficient because much lower levels, on a molar basis, of such bleach activators are required to get the same level of surface bleaching performance as with similar bleach activators containing fewer carbon atoms in such an alkyl chain, which are not within the invention.
Optimum surface bleaching performance is obtained with bleaching solutions wherein the pH of such solution is between about 8. S and 10.5 and preferably between 9 and 10. It is preferred that such pH be greater than 9 not only to optimize surface bleaching performance, but also to prevent the bleaching solution from having an undesirable odor. It has been observed that once the pH of the bleaching solution drops below 9, the bleaching solution has an undesirable odor. Such pH can be obtained with substances commonly known as buffering agents, which are optional components of the bleaching compositions herein.
Adjunct Detergent Ingredients Preferably, adjunct detergent ingredients selected from the group consisting of enzymes, soil release agents, dispersing agents, optical brighteners, suds suppressors, fabric softeners, enzyme stabilizers, perfumes, dyes, fillers, dye transfer inhibitors and mixtures thereof are included in the composition of the invention.
The following are representative examples of the detergent surfactants useful in the present detergent composition. When present, the detersive surfactants comprise at least about 0.01% by weight, preferably from about 0.1% to about 60%, more preferably from about 0.1% to about 30% by weight, of a detersive surfactant selected from the group consisting of anionic, cationic, nonionic, zwitterionic, ampholytic surfactants, and mixtures thereof. Water-soluble salts of the higher fatty acids, i.e., "soaps", are useful anionic surfactants in the compositions herein. This includes alkali metal soaps such as the sodium, potassium, ammonium, and alkylolammonium salts of higher fatty acids containing from about 8 to about carbon atoms, and preferably from about 12 to about 18 carbon atoms. Soaps can be made by direct saponification of fats and oils or by the neutralization of free fatty acids. Particularly useful are the sodium and potassium salts of the mixtures of fatty acids derived from coconut oil and tallow, i.e., sodium or potassium tallow and coconut soap.
Additional anionic surfactants which suitable for use herein include the water-soluble salts, preferably the alkali metal, ammonium and alkylolammonium salts, of organic sulfuric reaction products having in their molecular structure a straight-chain alkyl group containing from about 10 to about 20 carbon atoms and a sulfonic acid or sulfuric acid ester group. (Included in the term "alkyl" is the alkyl portion of acyl groups.) Examples of this group of synthetic surfactants are the sodium and potassium alkyl sulfates, especially those obtained by sulfating the higher alcohols __ WO 9St/47633 PCTIIB99/00423 (C8-18 carbon atoms) such as those produced by reducing the glycerides of tallow or coconut oil; and the sodium and potassium alkylbenzene sulfonates in which the alkyl group contains fram about 9 to about 15 carbon atoms, in straight chain, e.g., those of the type described in U.S. Patents 2,220,099 and 2,477,383. Especially valuable are linear straight chain alkylbenzene sulfonates in which the average number of carbon atoms in the alkyl group is from about 11 to 13, abbreviated as C11-13 LAS.
Other anionic surfactants suitable for use herein are the sodium alkyl glyceryl ether sulfonates, especially those ethers of higher alcohols derived from tallow and coconut oil; sodium coconut oil fatty acid monoglyceride sulfonates and sulfates;
sodium or potassium of ethylene oxide per molecule and wherein the alkyl groups contain from about 8 to about 12 carbon atoms; and sodium or potassium salts of alkyl ethylene oxide ether sulfates containing about 1 to about 10 units of ethylene oxide per molecule and wherein the alkyl group contains from about 10 to about carbon atoms.
In addition, suitable anionic surfactants include the water-soluble salts of esters of alpha-sulfonated fatty acids containing from about 6 to 20 carbon atoms in the fatty acid group and from about 1 to 10 carbon atoms in the ester group;
water-soluble salts of 2-acyloxyalkane-1-sulfonic acids containing from about 2 to 9 carbon atoms in the aryl group and from about 9 to about 23 carbon atoms in the alkane moiety; alkyl ether sulfates containing from about 10 to 20 carbon atoms in the alkyl group and from about 1 to 30 moles of ethylene oxide; water-soluble salts of olefin and paraffin sulfonates containing from about 12 to 20 carbon atoms;
and beta-alkyloxy alkane sulfonates containing from about 1 to 3 carbon atoms in the alkyl group and from about 8 to 20 carbon atoms in the alkane moiety.
Preferred essential anionic surfactants for the detergent composition are C10-18 linear alkylbenzene sulfonate and C 10-18 alkyl sulfate. If desired, low moisture (less than about 25% water) alkyl sulfate paste can be the sole ingredient in the surfactant paste. Most preferred are C10-18 alkyl sulfates, linear or branched, and any of primary, secondary or tertiary. A preferred embodiment of the present invention is wherein the surfactant paste comprises from about 20% to about 40% of a mixture of sodium C10-13 linear alkylbenzene sulfonate and sodium C12-16 alkyl sulfate in a weight ratio of about 2:1 to 1:2.
Water-soluble nonionic surfactants are also useful in the instant invention.
Such nonionic materials include compounds produced by the condensation of alkylene oxide groups (hydrophilic in nature) with an organic hydrophobic compound, which may be aliphatic or alkyl aromatic in nature. The length of the polyoxyalkylene group which is condensed with any particular hydrophobic group _. WO 99!47633 PCT/IB99/00423 can be readily adjusted to yield a water-soluble compound having the desired degree of balance between hydrophilic and hydrophobic elements.
Suitable nonionic surfactants include the polyethylene oxide condensates of alkyl phenols, e.g., the condensation products of alkyl phenols having an alkyl group containing from about 6 to 15 carbon atoms, in either a straight chain or branched chain configuration, with from about 3 to 12 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alkyl phenol. Included are the water-soluble and water-dispersible condensation products of aliphatic alcohols containing from 8 to 22 carbon atoms, in either straight chain or branched configuration, with from 3 to 12 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol.
An additional group of nonionics suitable for use herein are semi-polar nonionic surfactants which include water-soluble amine oxides containing one alkyl moiety of from abut 10 to 18 carbon atoms and two moieties selected from the group of alkyl and hydroxyalkyl moieties of from about 1 to about 3 carbon atoms;
water-soluble phosphine oxides containing one alkyl moiety of about 10 to 18 carbon atoms and two moieties selected from the group consisting of alkyl groups and hydroxyalkyl groups containing from about 1 to 3 carbon atoms; and water-soluble sulfoxides containing one alkyl moiety of from about 10 to 18 carbon atoms and a moiety selected from the group consisting of alkyl and hydroxyalkyl moieties of from about 1 to 3 carbon atoms.
Preferred nonionic surfactants are of the formula R1(OC2H4)nOH, wherein R1 is a C 1 a C 16 alkyl group or a C8-C 12 alkyl phenyl group, and n is from 3 to about 80.
Particularly preferred are condensation products of C 12-C 15 alcohols with from about 5 to about 20 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol, e.g., C 12-C 13 alcohol condensed with about 6.5 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol.
Additional suitable nonionic surfactants include polyhydroxy fatty acid amides.
Examples are N-methyl N-1-deoxyglucityl cocoamide and N-methyl N-1-deoxyglucityl oleamide. Processes for making polyhydroxy fatty acid amides are known and can be found in Wilson, U.S. Patent No. 2,965,576 and Schwartz, U.S. Patent No.
2,703,798, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.
Ampholytic surfactants include derivatives of aliphatic or aliphatic derivatives of heterocyclic secondary and tertiary amines in which the aliphatic moiety can be straight chain or branched and wherein one of the aliphatic substituents contains from about 8 to 18 carbon atoms and at least one aliphatic substituent contains an anionic water-solubilizing group.

-_ WO 99!47633 PCT/IB99/00423 Zwitterioruc surfactants include derivatives of aliphatic, quaternary, ammonium, phosphonium, and sulfonium compounds in which one of the aliphatic substituents contains from about 8 to 18 carbon atoms.
Cationic surfactants can also be included in the present invention. Cationic surfactants comprise a wide variety of compounds characterized by one or more organic hydrophobic groups in the cation and generally by a quaternary nitrogen associated with an acid radical. Pentavalent nitrogen ring compounds are also considered quaternary nitrogen compounds. Suitable anions are halides, methyl sulfate and hydroxide. Tertiary amines can have characteristics similar to cationic surfactants at washing solution pH values less than about 8.5. A more complete disclosure of these and other cationic surfactants useful herein can be found in U.S.
Patent 4,228,044, Cambre, issued October 14, 1980, incorporated herein by reference.
Cationic surfactants are often used in detergent compositions to provide fabric softening and/or antistatic benefits. Antistatic agents which provide some softening benefit and which are preferred herein are the quaternary ammonium salts described in U.S. Patent 3,936,537, Baskerville, Jr. et al., issued February 3, 1976, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
In addition to a detersive surfactant, at least one suitable adjunct detergent ingredient such as a builder is preferably included in the detergent composition. For example, the builder can be selected from the group consisting of aluminosilicates, crystalline layered silicates, MAP zeolites, citrates, amorphous silicates, polycarboxylates, sodium carbonates and mixtures thereof. Other suitable auxiliary builders are described hereinafter.
Preferred builders include aluminosilicate ion exchange materials and sodium carbonate. The aluminosilicate ion exchange materials used herein as a detergent builder preferably have both a high calcium ion exchange capacity and a high exchange rate. Without intending to be limited by theory, it is believed that such high calcium ion exchange rate and capacity are a function of several interrelated factors which derive from the method by which the aluminosilicate ion exchange material is produced. In that regard, the aluminosilicate ion exchange materials used herein are preferably produced in accordance with Corkill et al, U.S. Patent No.
4,605,509 (Procter & Gamble), the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
Preferably, the aluminosilicate ion exchange material is in "sodium" form since the potassium and hydrogen forms of the instant aluminosilicate do not exhibit the as high of an exchange rate and capacity as provided by the sodium form.

__ WO 99147633 PCT/IB99/00423 Additionally, the aluminosilicate ion exchange material preferably is in over dried form so as to facilitate production of crisp detergent agglomerates as described herein. The aluminosilicate ion exchange materials used herein preferably have particle size diameters which optimize their effectiveness as detergent builders. The term "particle size diameter" as used herein represents the average particle size diameter of a given aluminosilicate ion exchange material as determined by conventional analytical techniques, such as microscopic determination and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The preferred particle size diameter of the aluminosilicate is from about 0.1 micron to about 10 microns, more preferably from about 0.5 microns to about 9 microns. Most preferably, the particle size diameter is from about 1 microns to about 8 microns.
Preferably, the aluminosilicate ion exchange material has the formula Naz~(~02)z~(Si02)yJxH20 wherein z and y are integers of at least 6, the molar ratio of z to y is from about 1 to about 5 and x is from about 10 to about 264. More preferably, the aluminosilicate has the formula Nal2~(~02)12~(Si02)12J~20 wherein x is from about 20 to about 30, preferably about 27. These preferred aluminosilicates are available commercially, for example under designations Zeolite A, Zeolite B and Zeolite X. Alternatively, naturally-occurring or synthetically derived aluminosilicate ion exchange materials suitable for use herein can be made as described in Krummel et al, U.S. Patent No. 3,985,669, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
The aluminosilicates used herein are further characterized by their ion exchange capacity which is at least about 200 mg equivalent of CaC03 hardness/gam, calculated on an anhydrous basis, and which is preferably in a range from about 300 to 352 mg equivalent of CaC03 hardness/gram. Additionally, the instant aluminosilicate ion exchange materials are still further characterized by their calcium ion exchange rate which is at least about 2 grains Ca'~"~'/gallon/minute/-gam/gallon, and more preferably in a range from about 2 grains Ca'~'~/gallon/minute/-gam/gallon to about 6 grains Ca'~'+lgallon/minute/-gam/gallon In order to make the present invention more readily understood, reference is made to the following examples, which are intended to be illustrative only and not intended to be limiting in scope.

__ WO 99147633 PGT/IB99/00423 The following ingredients are added to a Littleford FM batch mixer: 81% of sodium nonanoyloxybenzene sulfonate ("NOBS"); 6% of palmitic acid, 3% of sodium linear alkylbenzene sulfonate surfactant; 6% of polyethylene glycol (MW =
4000);
2% of Cg fatty acid, and 3% pulverized (3-5 micron) alumino silicate (zeolite A).
The mixture is blended and fed to a lab extruder (Fuji Paudel Co. Ltd., Dome Granulator, DG-L1) and extruded through dies having diameters of 350 microns, microns; 700 microns and 890 microns, respectively. Each of the four different diameter substantially cylindrically-shaped extrudates are sized to a mean length of 2000 microns.
The following examples illustrate the use of the enhanced flowability bleach activator comprising extrudates of the present invention.
TABLE I
weight In redients 2 3 4 5 C12-16 linear alkylbenzene11.0 11.0 11.0 11.0 sulfonate C 14-15 alkyl sulfate/C10.4 10.4 10.4 10.4 al 1 echo sulfate Neodo123-6.51 2.2 2.2 2.2 2.2 Pol ac late =4500 3.0 3.0 3.0 3.0 Polyethylene glycol 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2 =4000 Sodium Sulfate 10.5 10.5 10.5 10.5 Aluminosilicate 26.6 26.6 26.6 26.6 Sodium carbonate 21.0 21.0 21.0 21.0 Protease a a 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 Sodium erborate monoh 2.6 2.6 2.6 2.6 drate Li ase a a 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 Cellulase a a 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 NOBS extrudates (500 6.0 - - -micron diameter NOBS extrudates (700 - 6.0 - -micron diameter NOBS extrudates (350 - - - 6.0 micron diameter NOBS extrudates (890 - - 6.0 -micron diameter Free water Z.0 2.0 2.0 2.0 Minors (bound water, ~ ~$
perfume, etc.

100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 1. C12-13 alkyl ethoxylate (EO=6.5) commercially available from Shell Oil Company.
Having thus described the invention in detail, it will be clear to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention and the invention is not to be considered limited to what is described in the specification.

Claims (10)

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A bleach activator extrudate having enhance flow properties comprising:
a) from 60% to 95% by weight, of a bleach activator having the formula:
wherein R is an alkyl group containing from 5 to 18 carbon atoms wherein the longest linear alkyl chain extending from and including the carbonyl carbon contains from 6 to 10 carbon atoms and L is a leaving group, the conjugate acid of which has a pK .alpha. in the range of from 6 to 13;
b) from 0.1% to 40% by weight, of one or more binder materials; and c) from 0.5% by weight, of a flowability enhancer;
said extrudate is in a substantially cylindrically-shaped form having a mean extrudate length of from 500 microns to 3500 microns and a mean extrudate diameter of from 450 microns to 850 microns.

2. A composition according to Claim 1 wherein said mean extrudate length is from 700 microns to 3000 microns and said mean extrudate diameter is from 500 microns to 800 microns.

3. A composition according to Claim 1 wherein said mean extrudate length is from 900 microns to 2500 microns and wherein said mean extrudate diameter is from 550 microns to 750 microns.

4. A composition according to Claim 1 wherein R is a linear alkyl chain containing from 5 to 9 and L is selected from the group consisting of:

wherein R2 is a linear alkyl chain containing from 2 to 6 carbon atoms, R3 is an alkyl chain containing from 1 to 8 carbon atoms, and Y is -SO3 -M+ or -CO2 -M+wherein M is an alkali metal, ammonium or substituted ammonium cation.

5. A composition according to Claim 1 wherein said bleach activator has the formula:
wherein R is a linear alkyl chain containing from 5 to 9 and M is sodium or potassium.

6. A composition according to Claim 1 wherein said bleach activator is sodium nonanoyloxybenzene sulfonate, sodium benzoyloxybenzenesulfonate, and mixtures thereof.

7. A composition according to Claim 1 wherein said extrudate is coated with from 0.5% to 10% by weight of a flow enhancer selected from the group consisting of aluminosilicates, silicas, crystalline layered silicates MAP
zeolites, citrates, amorphous silicates, sodium carbonate, talc, corn starch, and mixtures thereof.

8. A detergent or bleach composition comprising:
a) at least 0.1% by weight of a peroxygen bleaching compound capable of yielding hydrogen peroxide in an aqueous solution;
b) a bleach-containing extrudate comprising:
i) from 60% to 95% by weight, of a bleach activator having the formula:
wherein R is an alkyl group containing from 5 to 18 carbon atoms wherein the longest linear alkyl chain extending from and including the carbonyl carbon contains from 6 to 10 carbon atoms and L is a leaving group, the conjugate acid of which has a pK .alpha. in the range of from 6 to 13;
ii) from 0.1% to 40% by weight, of one or more binder materials;
and iii) from 0.5% to 10% by weight, of a flowability enhancer;
wherein said bleach activator extrudate is in the form of a substantially cylindrically-shaped extrudate having a mean extrudate length of from 500 microns to 3500 microns and a mean extrudate diameter of from 450 microns to 850 microns and provided said extrudate comprises sufficient activator such that the ratio of bleach activator to peroxygen bleaching compound is greater than 1; and c) the balance carriers and other adjunct ingredients, said adjunct detergent ingredients selected from the group consisting of enzymes, soil release agents, dispersing agents, optical brighteners, suds suppressors, fabric softeners, enzyme stabilizers, perfumes, dyes, fillers, dye transfer inhibitors, and mixtures thereof.

9. A composition according to Claim 1 wherein said extrudate comprises a binder material selected from the group consisting of palmitic acid, a detersive surfactant, polyethylene glycol, C9 fatty acid, polyacrylate, and mixtures thereof.

10. A composition according to Claim 13 further comprising from 0.01% to 60%
by weight of a detersive surfactant selected from the group consisting of anionic, cationic, nonionic, ampholytic, zwitterionic surfactants, and mixtures thereof.