Classifications

• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C11—ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE OILS, FATS, FATTY SUBSTANCES OR WAXES; FATTY ACIDS THEREFROM; DETERGENTS; CANDLES
  • C11D—DETERGENT COMPOSITIONS; USE OF SINGLE SUBSTANCES AS DETERGENTS; SOAP OR SOAP-MAKING; RESIN SOAPS; RECOVERY OF GLYCEROL
  • C11D3/00—Other compounding ingredients of detergent compositions covered in group C11D1/00
  • C11D3/39—Organic or inorganic per-compounds
  • C11D3/3902—Organic or inorganic per-compounds combined with specific additives
  • C11D3/3905—Bleach activators or bleach catalysts
  • C11D3/3932—Inorganic compounds or complexes
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C11—ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE OILS, FATS, FATTY SUBSTANCES OR WAXES; FATTY ACIDS THEREFROM; DETERGENTS; CANDLES
  • C11D—DETERGENT COMPOSITIONS; USE OF SINGLE SUBSTANCES AS DETERGENTS; SOAP OR SOAP-MAKING; RESIN SOAPS; RECOVERY OF GLYCEROL
  • C11D3/00—Other compounding ingredients of detergent compositions covered in group C11D1/00
  • C11D3/02—Inorganic compounds ; Elemental compounds
  • C11D3/12—Water-insoluble compounds
  • C11D3/124—Silicon containing, e.g. silica, silex, quartz or glass beads
  • C11D3/1246—Silicates, e.g. diatomaceous earth
  • C11D3/1253—Layer silicates, e.g. talcum, kaolin, clay, bentonite, smectite, montmorillonite, hectorite or attapulgite
  • C11D3/1273—Crystalline layered silicates of type NaMeSixO2x+1YH2O

Definitions

• This invention relates to bleaching compositions containing an oxygen releasing bleach system, a bleach catalyst, a crystalline layered silicate and preferably a flocculating agent.
• bleach components such as oxygen bleaches, including hydrogen peroxide and organic peroxyacids.
• the organic peroxyacids are often obtained by the in situ perhydrolysis reaction between hydrogen peroxide and an organic peroxyacid bleach precursor. More recently, products containing bleach catalysts, particularly manganese bleach catalysts have become of interest.
• a problem which is encountered with bleaches containing bleach catalysts in laundry washing methods is the propensity of these bleaches to damage the fabrics being washed.
• Types of fabric damage can include fading of coloured dyes on the fabrics, or in more extreme cases structural damage to the fibres of the fabric resulting for example, in 'pin-hole' formation in the fabrics.
• the problem can, in particular, be encountered when the detergent product is added in bulk to a bath containing a tightly compressed fabric load during a pretreatment soaking method.
• the detergent formulator thus faces the dual challenge of formulating a product which maximises bleachable soil/stain removal but minimises the occurrence of any unwelcome fabric damage effects of the catalytic bleaching system.
• the Applicants have found that the problem of fabric damage, and particularly of fabric colour fading, can be reduced by the inclusion of a crystalline layered silicate into a bleaching composition having a bleach system employing a transition metal bleach catalyst. This reduction in fabric damage is enhanced by the inclusion additionally of a flocculating agent into the composition.
• Laundry compositions including preferred flocculating agents, in combination with clay mineral compounds for the purpose of providing fabric softening effects have previously been disclosed in European Patent Applications No.s EP-A-299,575 and EP-A-313,146. Whilst these documents disclose that the compositions may contain optional bleaching agents they contain no disclosure relating to the use of bleach catalysts. Furthermore, they provide no teaching of the use of crystalline layered silicates, particularly in combination with the flocculating agents described therein, to inhibit fabric damage, including colour fading.
• Bleach compositions including manganese containing bleach catalyst have been described, for example, in European Patent Applications No.s EP-A-549,271; EP-A-549,272; EP-A-544,490, EP-A-544,440, EP-A-458,397; EP-A-458,398 and U.S. Patents No.s US 4,430,243; US 4,728,455; US 5,114,606; US 5,114,611, US 5,153,161, US 5,194,416; US 5,227,084; US 5,244,594; US 5,246,621; US 5,256,779; US 5,274,147; US 5,280,117; and US 5,284,944. None of these documents disclose the use of crystalline layered silicates to inhibit fabric colour fading associated with the manganese bleach catalyst component.
• Crystalline layered silicates have been disclosed in EP-A-0164514 and methods for their preparation disclosed in DE-A-3417649 and DE-A-3742043.
• Preferred compositions including crystalline layered silicates have been disclosed in PCT Patent Applications No.s WO 92/03525 and WO 92/18594. None of these documents recognize the use of crystalline layered silicates as fabric colour fading inhibitors.
• a bleaching composition adapted for use in a laundry washing method containing
• the composition contains a clay flocculating agent.
• the crystalline layered silicate is a crystalline layered sodium silicate with the general formula NaMSi x 0 2x+1 .yH 2 0 wherein M is sodium or hydrogen, x is a number from 1.9 to 4 and y is a number from 0 to 20.
• the crystalline layered silicate is present at a level of from 0.05% to 40% by weight of the composition.
• the flocculating agent where present is an organic polymeric material having an average molecular weight of from 100,000 to 10,000,000, preferably present at a level of from 0.005% to 10% by weight of the composition.
• the weight ratio of the crystalline layered silicate to any flocculating agent is from 300: 1 to 5:1.
• the transition metal containing bleach catalyst is typically selected from the group consisting of Mn IV 2 (u-O)3(1,4,7-trimethyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononane)2-(PF6)2; Mn III 2 (u-O)1(u-OAc)2(1,4,7-tri-methyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononane)2-(ClO4)2; Mn IV 4 (u-O)6(1,4,7-triazacyclononane)4-(ClO4)2; Mn III Mn IV 4 (u-O)1(u-OAc)2 (1,4,7-trimethyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononane)2-(ClO4)3;Mn(1,4,7-trimethyl-1,4,7-triaza-cyclononane(OCH3)3-(PF6); Co(2,2'-bispyridyl-amine)Cl2; Di-(isothio-cyanato)bispyridylamine-cobalt (I
• a bleaching composition containing an oxygen-releasing bleach system and a transition metal containing bleach catalyst wherein said composition contains a crystalline layered silicate to inhibit damage to the fabrics during the wash.
• An essential feature of the invention is an oxygen-releasing bleaching system containing essentially an oxygen bleaching species including for example, inorganic perhydrate bleaches and organic peroxyacids.
• the bleaching system contains a hydrogen peroxide source and a peroxyacid bleach precursor compound.
• the production of the peroxyacid occurs by an in situ reaction of the precursor with a source of hydrogen peroxide.
• Preferred sources of hydrogen peroxide include inorganic perhydrate bleaches.
• Inorganic perhydrate salts are a preferred source of hydrogen peroxide. These salts are normally incorporated in the form of the sodium salt at a level of from 1% to 40% by weight, more preferably from 2% to 30% by weight and most preferably from 5% to 25% by weight of the compositions.
• inorganic perhydrate salts include perborate, percarbonate, perphosphate, persulfate and persilicate salts.
• the inorganic perhydrate salts are normally the alkali metal salts.
• the inorganic perhydrate salt may be included as the crystalline solid without additional protection.
• the preferred executions of such granular compositions utilize a coated form of the material which provides better storage stability for the perhydrate salt in the granular product.
• Sodium perborate can be in the form of the monohydrate of nominal formula NaBO2H2O2 or the tetrahydrate NaBO2H2O2.3H2O.
• Sodium percarbonate which is a preferred perhydrate for inclusion in compositions in accordance with the invention, is an addition compound having a formula corresponding to 2Na2CO3.3H2O2, and is available commercially as a crystalline solid.
• the percarbonate is most preferably incorporated into such compositions in a coated form which provides in product stability.
• a suitable coating material providing in product stability comprises mixed salt of a water soluble alkali metal sulphate and carbonate.
• the weight ratio of the mixed salt coating material to percarbonate lies in the range from 1 : 200 to 1 : 4, more preferably from 1 : 99 to 1 : 9, and most preferably from 1 : 49 to 1 : 19.
• the mixed salt is of sodium sulphate and sodium carbonate which has the general formula Na2SO4.n.Na2CO3 wherein n is form 0.1 to 3, preferably n is from 0.3 to 1.0 and most preferably n is from 0.2 to 0.5.
• coatings which contain silicate (alone or with borate salts or boric acids or other inorganics), waxes, oils, fatty soaps can alos be used advantageously within the present invention.
• Potassium peroxymonopersulfate is another inorganic perhydrate salt of use in the detergent compositions herein.
• Peroxyacid bleach precursors are preferably incorporated at a level of from 0.5% to 20% by weight, more preferably from 1% to 15% by weight, most preferably from 1.5% to 10% by weight of the compositions.
• Suitable peroxyacid bleach precursors typically contain one or more N- or 0- acyl groups, which precursors can be selected from a wide range of classes.
• Suitable classes include anhydrides, esters, imides and acylated derivatives of imidazoles and oximes. Examples of useful materials within these classes are disclosed in GB-A-1586789. Suitable esters are disclosed in GB-A-836988, 864798, 1147871,2143231 and EP-A-0170386.
• N-acylated precursor compounds of the lactam class are disclosed generally in GB-A-855735. Whilst the broadest aspect of the invention contemplates the use of any lactam useful as a peroxyacid precursor, preferred materials comprise the caprolactams and valerolactams.
• Suitable N-acylated lactam precursors have the formula: wherein n is from 0 to about 8, preferably from 0 to 2, and R6 is H, an alkyl, aryl, alkoxyaryl or alkaryl group containing from 1 to 12 carbons, or a substituted phenyl group containing from 6 to 18 carbon atoms
• Suitable caprolactam bleach precursors are of the formula: wherein R1 is H or an alkyl, aryl, alkoxyaryl or alkaryl group containing from 1 to 12 carbon atoms, preferably from 6 to 12 carbon atoms, most preferably R1 is phenyl.
• Suitable valero lactams have the formula: wherein R1 is H or an alkyl, aryl, alkoxyaryl or alkaryl group containing from 1 to 12 carbon atoms, preferably from 6 to 12 carbon atoms.
• R1 is selected from phenyl, heptyl, octyl, nonyl, 2,4,4-trimethylpentyl, decenyl and mixtures thereof.
• the most preferred materials are those which are normally solid at ⁇ 30°C, particularly the phenyl derivatives, ie. benzoyl valerolactam, benzoyl caprolactam and their substituted benzoyl analogues such as chloro, amino alkyl, alkyl, aryl and alkoxy derivatives.
• Precursor compounds wherein R1 comprises from 1 to 6 carbon atoms provide hydrophilic bleaching species which are particularly efficient for bleaching beverage stains.
• Mixtures of 'hydrophobic' and 'hydrophilic' caprolactams and valero lactams, typically at weight ratios of 1:5 to 5:1, preferably 1:1, can be used herein for mixed stain removal benefits.
• caprolactam and valerolactam precursors include benzoyl caprolactam, nonanoyl capro-lactam, benzoyl valerolactam, nonanoyl valerolactam, 3,5,5-trimethylhexanoyl caprolactam,3,5,5-trimethylhexanoyl valerolactam, octanoyl caprolactam, octanoyl valerolactam, decanoyl caprolactam, decanoyl valerolactam, undecenoyl caprolactam, undecenoyl valerolactam, (6-octanamidocaproyl)oxybenzene-sulfonate, (6-nonanamidocaproyl)oxybenzenesulfonate, (6-decanamidocaproyl)-oxybenzenesulfonate, and mixtures thereof.
• Examples of highly preferred substituted benzoyl lactams include methylbenzoyl caprolactam, methylbenzoyl valerolactam, ethylbenzoyl caprolactam, ethylbenzoyl valerolactam, propylbenzoyl caprolactam, propylbenzoyl valerolactam, isopropylbenzoyl caprolactam, isopropylbenzoyl valerolactam, butylbenzoyl caprolactam, butylbenzoyl valerolactam, tert-butylbenzoyl caprolactam, tert-butylbenzoyl valerolactam, pentylbenzoyl caprolactam, pentylbenzoyl valerolactam, hexylbenzoyl caprolactam, hexylbenzoyl valerolactam, ethoxybenzoyl caprolactam, ethoxybenzo
• any perbenzoic acid precursors are suitable herein, including those of the N-acylated lactam class, which are preferred.
• Suitable O-acylated perbenzoic acid precursor compounds include the substituted and unsubstituted benzoyl oxybenzene sulfonates, including for example benzoyl oxybenzene sulfonate:
• Preferred perbenzoic acid precursor compounds of the imide type include N-benzoyl succinimide, tetrabenzoyl ethylene diamine and the N-benzoyl substituted ureas.
• Suitable imidazole type perbenzoic acid precursors include N-benzoyl imidazole and N-benzoyl benzimidazole and other useful N-acyl group-containing perbenzoic acid precursors include N-benzoyl pyrrolidone, dibenzoyl taurine and benzoyl pyroglutamic acid.
• Preferred perbenzoic acid precursors include the benzoyl diacyl peroxides, the benzoyl tetraacyl peroxides, and the compound having the formula:
• Phthalic anhydride is another suitable perbenzoic acid precursor compound herein:
• Suitable perbenzoic acid derivative precursors include any of the herein disclosed perbenzoic precursors in which the perbenzoic group is substituted by essentially any functional group including alkyl groups.
• Cationic peroxyacid precursor compounds are also suitable herein.
• cationic peroxyacid precursors are formed by substituting the peroxyacid part with an ammonium or alkyl ammmonium group, preferably an ethyl or methyl ammonium group.
• Cationic peroxyacid precursors are described in U.S. Patents 4,904,406; 4,751,015; 4,988,451; 4,397,757; 5,269,962; 5,127,852; 5,093,022; 5,106,528; U.K. 1,382,594; EP 475,512, 458,396 and 284,292; and in JP 87-318,332.
• Suitable cationic peroxyacid precursors include any of the ammonium or alkyl ammonium substituted alkyl or benzoyl oxybenzene sulfonates, N-acylated caprolactams, and monobenzoyltetraacetyl glucose benzoyl peroxides.
• a preferred cationically substituted benzoyl oxybenzene sulfonate is the 4-(trimethyl ammonium) methyl derivative of benzoyl oxybenzene sulfonate:
• a preferred cationically substituted alkyl oxybenzene sulfonate is the methyl ammonium derivative of 2,3,3-tri-methyl hexanoyloxybenzene sulfonate.
• Preferred cationic peroxyacid precursors of the N-acylated caprolactam class include the trialkyl ammonium methylene benzoyl caprolactams, particularly trimethyl ammonium methylene benzoyl caprolactam:
• Another preferred cationic peroxyacid precursor is 2-(N,N,N-trimethyl ammonium) ethyl sodium 4-sulphophenyl carbonate chloride.
• Alkyl fatty peroxyacid bleach precursors form alkyl fatty peroxyacids on perhydrolysis.
• Preferred precursors of this type give rise to peracetic acid on perhydrolysis.
• Preferred alkyl fatty peroxyacid precursor compounds of the imide type include the N-,N,N1N1 tetra acetylated alkylene diamines wherein the alkylene group contains from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, particularly those compounds in which the alkylene group contains 1, 2 and 6 carbon atoms. Tetraacetyl ethylene diamine (TAED) is particularly preferred.
• TAED Tetraacetyl ethylene diamine
• R1 is an alkyl or aryl group with from 1 to 14 carbon atoms
• R2 is an alkylene, arylene, and alkarylene group containing from 1 to 14 carbon atoms
• R5 is H or an alkyl, aryl, or alkaryl group containing I to 10 carbon atoms and L can be essentially any leaving group.
• R1 preferably contains from 6 to 12 carbon atoms.
• R2 preferably contains from 4 to 8 carbon atoms.
• R1 may be straight chain or branched alkyl containing branching, substitution, or both and may be sourced from either synthetic sources or natural sources including for example, tallow fat.
• R2 Analogous structural variations are permissible for R2.
• the substitution can include alkyl, aryl, halogen, nitrogen, sulphur and other typical substituent groups or organic compounds.
• R5 is preferably H or methyl.
• R1 and R5 should not contain more than 18 carbon atoms in total.
• L may be selected from any of the leaving groups described hereinbefore for the analogues having R1 as an aryl or alkaryl group.
• Amide substituted bleach activator compounds of this type are described in EP-A-0170386.
• 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 for use in a bleaching composition.
• 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 4 to 13, preferably from 6 to 11 and most preferably from 8 to 11.
• Preferred bleach precursors are those wherein R1, R2 and R5 are as defined for the amide substituted compounds and L is selected from the group consisting of: and mixtures thereof, wherein R1 is an alkyl, aryl, or alkaryl group containing from 1 to 14 carbon atoms, R3 is an alkyl chain containing from 1 to 8 carbon atoms, R4 is H or R3, and Y is H or a solubilizing group.
• the preferred solubilizing groups are -SO 3 - M+, -CO2-M+, -SO 4 - M+, -N+(R3)4X ⁇ and O ⁇ --N(R3)3 and most preferably -SO 3 - M+ and -CO 2 - M+ wherein R3 is an alkyl chain containing from 1 to 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.
• 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.
• compositions may contain as components of the bleaching system organic peroxyacids, typically at a level of from 1% to 15% by weight, more preferably from 1% to 10% by weight of the composition.
• a preferred class of organic peroxyacid compounds are the amide substituted compounds of the following general formulae: wherein R1 is an alkyl, aryl or alkaryl group with from 1 to 14 carbon atoms, R2 is an alkylene, arylene, and alkarylene group containing from 1 to 14 carbon atoms, and R5 is H or an alkyl, aryl, or alkaryl group containing 1 to 10 carbon atoms. R1 preferably contains from 6 to 12 carbon atoms. R2 preferably contains from 4 to 8 carbon atoms.
• R1 may be straight chain or branched alkyl, substituted aryl or alkylaryl containing branching, substitution, or both and may be sourced from either synthetic sources or natural sources including for example, tallow fat. Analogous structural variations are permissible for R2. The substitution can include alkyl, aryl, halogen, nitrogen, sulphur and other typical substituent groups or organic compounds.
• R5 is preferably H or methyl. R1 and R5 should not contain more than 18 carbon atoms in total. Amide substituted organic peroxyacid compounds of this type are described in EP-A-0170386.
• organic peroxyacids include diperoxydodecanedioc acid, diperoxytetradecanedioc acid, diperoxyhexadecanedioc acid, mono- and diperazelaic acid, mono- and diperbrassylic acid.
• compositions contain a transition metal containing bleach catalyst.
• One suitable type of bleach catalyst is a catalyst system comprising a heavy metal cation of defined bleach catalytic activity, such as copper, iron or manganese cations, an auxiliary metal cation having little or no bleach catalytic activity, such as zinc or aluminum cations, and a sequestrant having defined stability constants for the catalytic and auxiliary metal cations, particularly ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, ethylenediaminetetra(methylenephosphonic acid) and water-soluble salts thereof.
• a heavy metal cation of defined bleach catalytic activity such as copper, iron or manganese cations
• an auxiliary metal cation having little or no bleach catalytic activity such as zinc or aluminum cations
• a sequestrant having defined stability constants for the catalytic and auxiliary metal cations, particularly ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, ethylenediaminetetra(methylenephosphonic acid) and water-soluble salts thereof.
• bleach catalysts include the manganese-based complexes disclosed in U.S. Pat. 5,246,621 and U.S. Pat. 5,244,594.
• Preferred examples of these catalysts include Mn IV 2 (u-O)3(1,4,7-trimethyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononane)2-(PF6)2, Mn III 2 (u-O)1(u-OAc)2(1,4,7-trimethyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononane)2-(ClO4)2, Mn IV 4 (u-O)6(1,4,7-triazacyclononane)4-(ClO4)2, Mn III Mn IV 4 (u.O)1(u-OAc)2 ⁇ (1,4,7-trimethyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononane)2-(ClO4)3, and mixtures thereof.
• ligands suitable for use herein include 1,5,9-trimethyl-1,5,9-triazacyclododecane, 2-methyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononane, 2-methyl-1,4,7-triazacydononane, 1,2,4,7-tetramethyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononane, and mixtures thereof.
• bleach catalysts useful in the compositions herein may also be selected as appropriate for the present invention.
• suitable bleach catalysts see U.S. Pat. 4,246,612 and U.S. Pat. 5,227,084. See also U.S. Pat. 5,194,416 which teaches mononuclear manganese (IV) complexes such as Mn(1,4,7-trimethyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononane)(OCH3)3 ⁇ (PF6).
• Still another type of bleach catalyst is a water-soluble complex of manganese (III), and/or (IV) with a ligand which is a non-carboxylate polyhydroxy compound having at least three consecutive C-OH groups.
• Preferred ligands include sorbitol, iditol, dulsitol, mannitol, xylithol, arabitol, adonitol, meso-erythritol, mesoinositol, lactose, and mixtures thereof.
• U.S. Pat. 5,114,611 teaches a bleach catalyst comprising a complex of transition metals, including Mn, Co, Fe, or Cu, with an non-(macro)-cyclic ligand.
• B is a bridging group selected from O, S.
• Preferred ligands include pyridine, pyridazine, pyrimidine, pyrazine, imidazole, pyrazole, and triazole rings. Optionally, said rings may be substituted with substituents such as alkyl, aryl, alkoxy, halide, and nitro. Particularly preferred is the ligand 2,2'-bispyridylamine.
• Preferred bleach catalysts include Co, Cu, Mn, Fe,-bispyridylmethane and - bispyridylamine complexes.
• Highly preferred catalysts include Co(2,2'-bispyridylamine)Cl2, Di(isothiocyanato)bispyridylamine-cobalt (II), trisdipyridylamine-cobalt(II) perchlorate, Co(2,2-bispyridylamine)2O2ClO4, Bis-(2,2'-bispyridylamine) copper(II) perchlorate, tris(di-2-pyridylamine) iron(II) perchlorate, and mixtures thereof.
• binuclear Mn complexed with tetra-N-dentate and bi-N-dentate ligands including N4Mn III (u-O)2Mn IV N4)+and [Bipy2Mn III (u-O)2Mn IV bipy2]-(ClO4)3.
• bleach catalysts are described, for example, in European patent application, publication no. 408,131 (cobalt complex catalysts), European patent applications, publication nos. 384,503, and 306,089 (metalloporphyrin catalysts), U.S. 4,728,455 (manganese/multidentate ligand catalyst), U.S. 4,711,748 and European patent application, publication no. 224,952, (absorbed manganese on aluminosilicate catalyst), U.S. 4,601,845 (aluminosilicate support with manganese and zinc or magnesium salt), U.S. 4,626,373 (manganese/ligand catalyst), U.S. 4,119,557 (ferric complex catalyst), German Pat.
• the bleach catalyst is typically used in a catalytically effective amount in the compositions and processes herein.
• catalytically effective amount is meant an amount which is sufficient, under whatever comparative test conditions are employed, to enhance bleaching and removal of the stain or stains of interest from the target substrate.
• the test conditions will vary, depending on the type of washing appliance used and the habits of the user. Some users elect to use very hot water; others use warm or even cold water in laundering operations. Of course, the catalytic performance of the bleach catalyst will be affected by such considerations, and the levels of bleach catalyst used in fully-formulated detergent and bleach compositions can be appropriately adjusted.
• compositions and processes herein can be adjusted to provide on the order of at least one part per ten million of the active bleach catalyst species in the aqueous washing liquor, and will preferably provide from about 1 ppm to about 200 ppm of the catalyst species in the wash liquor.
• 3 micromolar manganese catalyst is effective at 40°C, pH 10 under European conditions using perborate and a bleach precursor. An increase in concentration of 3-5 fold may be required under U.S. conditions to achieve the same results.
• compositions of the invention contain a crystalline layered silicate, preferably present at a level of from 0.05% to 40%, more preferably from 0.5% to 30%, most preferably from 2% to 20% by weight of the composition.
• the weight ratio of crystalline layered silicate to any peroxyacid bleach precursor compound is preferably from 10:1 to 1:5, more preferably from 5:1 to 1:2, most preferably from 3:1 to 1 :1 .
• crystalline layered sodium silicates having the general formula NaMSi x 0 2x+1 .yH 2 0 wherein M is sodium or hydrogen, x is a number from 1.9 to 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.
• x in the general formula above has a value of 2, 3 or 4 and is preferably 2.
• the most preferred material is ⁇ -Na2Si205, available from Hoechst AG as NaSKS-6.
• the crystalline layered sodium silicate material is preferably present in granular detergent compositions as a particulate in intimate admixture with a solid, water-soluble ionisable material as described in PCT Patent Application No. WO 92/18594.
• the solid, water-soluble ionisable material is selected from organic acids, organic and inorganic acid salts and mixtures thereof, with citric acid being preferred.
• compositions of the invention preferably contain a flocculating agent, preferably present at a level of from 0.005% to 10%, more preferably from 0.05% to 5%, most preferably from 0.1% to 2% by weight of the composition.
• the weight ratio of crystalline layered silicate to flocculating agent is preferably from 300: 1 to 1:1, more preferably from 80:1 to 10:1, most preferably from 60:1 to 20:1.
• the flocculating agent functions such as to bring together particles of crystalline layered silicate in the wash solution and hence to aid their deposition onto the surface of the fabrics in the wash. This functional requirement is hence different from that of dispersant compounds which are commonly added to laundry detergent compositions to aid the removal of clay soils from fabrics and enable their dispersion within the wash solution.
• Preferred as flocculating agents herein are organic polymeric materials having an average weight of from 100,000 to 10,000,000, preferably from 150,000 to 5,000,000, more preferably from 200,000 to 2,000,000.
• Suitable organic polymeric materials comprise homopolymers or copolymers containing monomeric units selected from alkylene oxide, particularly ethylene oxide, acrylamide, acrylic acid, vinyl alcohol, vinyl pyrrolidone, and ethylene imine. Homopolymers of ethylene oxide, acrylamide and acrylic acid are preferred.
• EP-A-299,575 and EP-A-313,146 in the name of the Procter and Gamble Company describe preferred organic polymeric flocculating agents for use herein.
• Inorganic flocculating agents are also suitable herein, typical examples of which include lime and alum.
• the detergent compositions of the invention may also contain additional detergent components.
• additional detergent components and levels of incorporation thereof will depend on the physical form of the composition, and the precise nature of the laundering operation for which it is to be used.
• compositions of the invention may for example, be formulated as hand and machine laundry detergent compositions, including laundry additive compositions and compositions suitable for use in the pretreatment of stained fabrics.
• compositions of the invention preferably contain one or more additional detergent components selected from surfactants, builders, organic polymeric compounds, additional enzymes, suds suppressors, lime soap dispersants, soil suspension and anti-redeposition agents and corrosion inhibitors.
• the detergent compositions of the invention preferably contain as an additional detergent component a surfactant selected from anionic, cationic, nonionic ampholytic, amphoteric and zwitterionic surfactants and mixtures thereof.
• the surfactant is typically present at a level of from 0.1% to 60% by weight. More preferred levels of incorporation of surfactant are from 1% to 35% by weight, most preferably from 1% to 20% by weight.
• ampholytic, amphoteric and zwitteronic surfactants are generally used in combination with one or more anionic and/or nonionic surfactants.
• any anionic surfactants useful for detersive purposes can be included in the compositions. These can include salts (including, for example, sodium, potassium, ammonium, and substituted ammonium salts such as mono-, di- and triethanolamine salts) of the anionic sulfate, sulfonate, carboxylate and sarcosinate surfactants.
• salts including, for example, sodium, potassium, ammonium, and substituted ammonium salts such as mono-, di- and triethanolamine salts of the anionic sulfate, sulfonate, carboxylate and sarcosinate surfactants.
• anionic surfactants include the isethionates such as the acyl isethionates, N-acyl taurates, fatty acid amides of methyl tauride, alkyl succinates and sulfosuccinates, monoesters of sulfosuccinate (especially saturated and unsaturated C12-C18 monoesters) diesters of sulfosuccinate (especially saturated and unsaturated C6-C14 diesters), N-acyl sarcosinates.
• Resin acids and hydrogenated resin acids are also suitable, such as rosin, hydrogenated rosin, and resin acids and hydrogenated resin acids present in or derived from tallow oil.
• Anionic sulfate surfactants suitable for use herein include the linear and branched primary alkyl sulfates, alkyl ethoxysulfates, fatty oleoyl glycerol sulfates, alkyl phenol ethylene oxide ether sulfates, the C5-C17 acyl-N-(C1-C4 alkyl) and -N-(C1-C2 hydroxyalkyl) glucamine sulfates, and sulfates of alkylpolysaccharides such as the sulfates of alkylpolyglucoside (the nonionic nonsulfated compounds being described herein).
• Alkyl ethoxysulfate surfactants are preferably selected from the group consisting of the C6-C18 alkyl sulfates which have been ethoxylated with from about 0.5 to about 20 moles of ethylene oxide per molecule. More preferably, the alkyl ethoxysulfate surfactant is a C6-C18 alkyl sulfate which has been ethoxylated with from about 0.5 to about 20, preferably from about 0.5 to about 5, moles of ethylene oxide per molecule.
• Anionic sulfonate surfactant Anionic sulfonate surfactant
• Anionic sulfonate surfactants suitable for use herein include the salts of C5-C20 linear alkylbenzene sulfonates, alkyl ester sulfonates, C6-C22 primary or secondary alkane sulfonates, C6-C24 olefin sulfonates, sulfonated polycarboxylic acids, alkyl glycerol sulfonates, fatty acyl glycerol sulfonates, fatty oleyl glycerol sulfonates, and any mixtures thereof.
• Anionic carboxylate surfactants suitable for use herein include the alkyl ethoxy carboxylates, the alkyl polyethoxy polycarboxylate surfactants and the soaps ('alkyl carboxyls'), especially certain secondary soaps as described herein.
• Preferred alkyl ethoxy carboxylates for use herein include those with the formula RO(CH2CH20) x CH2C00 ⁇ M+ wherein R is a C6 to C18 alkyl group, x ranges from 0 to 10, and the ethoxylate distribution is such that, on a weight basis, the amount of material where x is 0 is less than about 20 %, and the amount of material where x is greater than 7, is less than about 25 %, the average x is from about 2 to 4 when the average R is C13 or less, and the average x is from about 3 to 10 when the average R is greater than C13, and M is a cation, preferably chosen from alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, ammonium, mono-, di-, and tri-ethanol-ammonium, most preferably from sodium, potassium, ammonium and mixtures thereof with magnesium ions.
• the preferred alkyl ethoxy carboxylates are those where R is a C12 to C18 alkyl group
• Alkyl polyethoxy polycarboxylate surfactants suitable for use herein include those having the formula RO-(CHR1-CHR2-O)-R3 wherein R is a C6 to C18 alkyl group, x is from 1 to 25, R1 and R2 are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, methyl acid radical, succinic acid radical, hydroxysuccinic acid radical, and mixtures thereof, wherein at least one R1 or R2 is a succinic acid radical or hydroxysuccinic acid radical, and R3 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbon having between 1 and 8 carbon atoms, and mixtures thereof.
• Preferred soap surfactants are secondary soap surfactants which contain a carboxyl unit connected to a secondary carbon.
• the secondary carbon can be in a ring structure, e.g. as in p-octyl benzoic acid, or as in alkylsubstituted cyclohexyl carboxylates.
• the secondary soap surfactants should preferably contain no ether linkages, no ester linkages and no hydroxyl groups. There should preferably be no nitrogen atoms in the head-group (amphiphilic portion).
• the secondary soap surfactants usually contain 11-15 total carbon atoms, although slightly more (e.g., up to 16) can be tolerated, e.g. p-octyl benzoic acid.
• the species M can be any suitable, especially water-solubilizing, counterion.
• Especially preferred secondary soap surfactants for use herein are water-soluble members selected from the group consisting of the water-soluble salts of 2-methyl-1-undecanoic acid, 2-ethyl-1-decanoic acid, 2-propyl-1-nonanoic acid, 2-butyl-1-octanoic acid and 2-pentyl-1-heptanoic acid.
• alkali metal sarcosinates of formula R-CON(R1)CH2 COOM, wherein R is a C5-C17 linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl group, R1 is a C1-C4 alkyl group and M is an alkali metal ion.
• R is a C5-C17 linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl group
• R1 is a C1-C4 alkyl group
• M is an alkali metal ion.
• any anionic surfactants useful for detersive purposes can be included in the compositions.
• Exemplary, non-limiting classes of useful nonionic surfactants are listed below.
• Nonionic polyhydroxy fatty acid amide surfactant Nonionic polyhydroxy fatty acid amide surfactant
• Polyhydroxy fatty acid amides suitable for use herein are those having the structural formula R2CONR1Z wherein : R1 is H, C1-C4 hydrocarbyl, 2-hydroxy ethyl, 2-hydroxy propyl, or a mixture thereof, preferable C1-C4 alkyl, more preferably C1 or C2 alkyl, most preferably C1 alkyl (i.e., methyl); and R2 is a C5-C31 hydrocarbyl, preferably straight-chain C5-C19 alkyl or alkenyl, more preferably straight-chain C9-C17 alkyl or alkenyl, most preferably straight-chain C11-C17 alkyl or alkenyl, or mixture thereof; and Z is a polyhydroxyhydrocarbyl having a linear hydrocarbyl chain with at least 3 hydroxyls directly connected to the chain, or an alkoxylated derivative (preferably ethoxylated or propoxylated) thereof. Z preferably will be derived from a reducing
• polyethylene, polypropylene, and polybutylene oxide condensates of alkyl phenols are suitable for use herein.
• the polyethylene oxide condensates are preferred.
• These compounds include the condensation products of alkyl phenols having an alkyl group containing from about 6 to about 18 carbon atoms in either a straight chain or branched chain configuration with the alkylene oxide.
• alkyl ethoxylate condensation products of aliphatic alcohols with from about 1 to about 25 moles of ethylene oxide are suitable for use herein.
• the alkyl chain of the aliphatic alcohol can either be straight or branched, primary or secondary, and generally contains from 6 to 22 carbon atoms.
• Particularly preferred are the condensation products of alcohols having an alkyl group containing from 8 to 20 carbon atoms with from about 2 to about 10 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol.
• the ethoxylated C6-C18 fatty alcohols and C6-C18 mixed ethoxylated/propoxylated fatty alcohols are suitable surfactants for use herein, particularly where water soluble.
• the ethoxylated fatty alcohols are the C10-C18 ethoxylated fatty alcohols with a degree of ethoxylation of from 3 to 50, most preferably these are the C12-C18 ethoxylated fatty alcohols with a degree of ethoxylation from 3 to 40.
• the mixed ethoxylated/propoxylated fatty alcohols have an alkyl chain length of from 10 to 18 carbon atoms, a degree of ethoxylation of from 3 to 30 and a degree of propoxylation of from 1 to 10.
• the condensation products of ethylene oxide with a hydrophobic base formed by the condensation of propylene oxide with propylene glycol are suitable for use herein.
• the hydrophobic portion of these compounds preferably has a molecular weight of from about 1500 to about 1800 and exhibits water insolubility.
• Examples of compounds of this type include certain of the commercially-available PluronicTM surfactants, marketed by BASF.
• condensation products of ethylene oxide with the product resulting from the reaction of propylene oxide and ethylenediamine are suitable for use herein.
• the hydrophobic moiety of these products consists of the reaction product of ethylenediamine and excess propylene oxide, and generally has a molecular weight of from about 2500 to about 3000.
• this type of nonionic surfactant include certain of the commercially available TetronicTM compounds, marketed by BASF.
• Suitable alkylpolysaccharides for use herein are disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,565,647, Llenado, issued January 21, 1986, having a hydrophobic group containing from about 6 to about 30 carbon atoms, preferably from about 10 to about 16 carbon atoms and a polysaccharide, e.g., a polyglycoside, hydrophilic group containing from about 1.3 to about 10, preferably from about 1.3 to about 3, most preferably from about 1.3 to about 2.7 saccharide units.
• Any reducing saccharide containing 5 or 6 carbon atoms can be used, e.g., glucose, galactose and galactosyl moieties can be substituted for the glucosyl moieties.
• the hydrophobic group is attached at the 2-, 3-, 4-, etc. positions thus giving a glucose or galactose as opposed to a glucoside or galactoside.
• the intersaccharide bonds can be, e.g., between the one position of the additional saccharide units and the 2-, 3-, 4-, and/or 6- positions on the preceding saccharide units.
• the preferred alkylpolyglycosides have the formula R 2 O(C n H 2n O)t(glycosyl) x wherein R2 is selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkylphenyl, hydroxyalkyl, hydroxyalkylphenyl, and mixtures thereof in which the alkyl groups contain from 10 to 18, preferably from 12 to 14, carbon atoms; n is 2 or 3; t is from 0 to 10, preferably 0, and X is from 1.3 to 8, preferably from 1.3 to 3, most preferably from 1.3 to 2.7.
• the glycosyl is preferably derived from glucose.
• Nonionic fatty acid amide surfactant Nonionic fatty acid amide surfactant
• Fatty acid amide surfactants suitable for use herein are those having the formula: R6CON(R7)2 wherein R6 is an alkyl group containing from 7 to 21, preferably from 9 to 17 carbon atoms and each R7 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 hydroxyalkyl, and - (C2H4O) x H, where x is in the range of from 1 to 3.
• Suitable amphoteric surfactants for use herein include the amine oxide surfactants and the alkyl amphocarboxylic acids.
• a suitable example of an alkyl aphodicarboxylic acid for use herein is Miranol(TM) C2M Conc. manufactured by Miranol, Inc., Dayton, NJ.
• Amine oxides useful herein include those compounds having the formula R3(OR4) x N0(R5)2 wherein R3 is selected from an alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, acylamidopropoyl and alkyl phenyl group, or mixtures thereof, containing from 8 to 26 carbon atoms, preferably 8 to 18 carbon atoms; R4 is an alkylene or hydroxyalkylene group containing from 2 to 3 carbon atoms, preferably 2 carbon atoms, or mixtures thereof; x is from 0 to 5, preferably from 0 to 3; and each R5 is an alkyl or hydyroxyalkyl group containing from 1 to 3, preferably from 1 to 2 carbon atoms, or a polyethylene oxide group containing from 1 to 3, preferable 1, ethylene oxide groups.
• the R5 groups can be attached to each other, e.g., through an oxygen or nitrogen atom, to form a ring structure.
• amine oxide surfactants in particular include C10-C18 alkyl dimethyl amine oxides and C8-C18 alkoxy ethyl dihydroxyethyl amine oxides.
• examples of such materials include dimethyloctylamine oxide, diethyldecylamine oxide, bis-(2-hydroxyethyl)dodecylamine oxide, dimethyldodecylamine oxide, dipropyltetradecylamine oxide, methylethylhexadecylamine oxide, dodecylamidopropyl dimethylamine oxide, cetyl dimethylamine oxide, stearyl dimethylamine oxide, tallow dimethylamine oxide and dimethyl-2-hydroxyoctadecylamine oxide.
• Preferred are C10-C18 alkyl dimethylamine oxide, and C10 ⁇ 18 acylamido alkyl dimethylamine oxide.
• Zwitterionic surfactants can also be incorporated into the detergent compositions hereof. These surfactants can be broadly described as derivatives of secondary and tertiary amines, derivatives of heterocyclic secondary and tertiary amines, or derivatives of quaternary ammonium, quaternary phosphonium or tertiary sulfonium compounds. Betaine and sultaine surfactants are exemplary zwitterionic surfactants for use herein.
• the betaines useful herein are those compounds having the formula R(R')2N+R2COO- wherein R is a C6-C18 hydrocarbyl group, preferably a C10-C16 alkyl group or C10 ⁇ 16 acylamido alkyl group, each R1 is typically C1-C3 alkyl, preferably methyl,m and R2 is a C1-C5 hydrocarbyl group, preferably a C1-C3 alkylene group, more preferably a C1-C2 alkylene group.
• betaines examples include coconut acylamidopropyldimethyl betaine; hexadecyl dimethyl betaine; C12 ⁇ 14 acylamidopropylbetaine; C8 ⁇ 14 acylamidohexyldiethyl betaine; 4[C14 ⁇ 16 acylmethylamidodiethylammonio]-1-carboxybutane; C16 ⁇ 18 acylamidodimethylbetaine; C12 ⁇ 16 acylamidopentanediethyl-betaine; [C12 ⁇ 16 acylmethylamidodimethylbetaine.
• Preferred betaines are C12 ⁇ 18 dimethyl-ammonio hexanoate and the C10 ⁇ 18 acylamidopropane (or ethane) dimethyl (or diethyl) betaines.
• Complex betaine surfactants are also suitable for use herein.
• the sultaines useful herein are those compounds having the formula (R(R1)2N+R2SO3- wherein R is a C6-C18 hydrocarbyl group, preferably a C10-C16 alkyl group, more preferably a C12-C13 alkyl group, each R1 is typically C1-C3 alkyl, preferably methyl, and R2 is a C1-C6 hydrocarbyl group, preferably a C1-C3 alkylene or, preferably, hydroxyalkylene group.
• Ampholytic surfactants can be incorporated into the detergent compositions herein. These surfactants can be broadly described as aliphatic derivatives of secondary or tertiary amines, or aliphatic derivatives of heterocyclic secondary and tertiary amines in which the aliphatic radical can be straight chain or branched.
• Cationic surfactants can also be used in the detergent compositions herein.
• Suitable cationic surfactants include the quaternary ammonium surfactants selected from mono C6-C16, preferably C6-C10 N-alkyl or alkenyl ammonium surfactants wherein the remaining N positions are substituted by methyl, hydroxyethyl or hydroxypropyl groups.
• the detergent compositions of the present invention preferably contain a water-soluble builder compound, typically present at a level of from 1% to 80% by weight, preferably from 10% to 70% by weight, most preferably from 20% to 60% by weight of the composition.
• Suitable water-soluble builder compounds include the water soluble monomeric polycarboxylates, or their acid forms, homo or copolymeric polycarboxylic acids or their salts in which the polycarboxylic acid comprises at least two carboxylic radicals separated from each other by not more that two carbon atoms, carbonates, bicarbonates, borates, phosphates, silicates and mixtures of any of the foregoing.
• the carboxylate or polycarboxylate builder can be momomeric or oligomeric in type although monomeric polycarboxylates are generally preferred for reasons of cost and performance.
• Suitable carboxylates containing one carboxy group include the water soluble salts of lactic acid, glycolic acid and ether derivatives thereof.
• Polycarboxylates containing two carboxy groups include the water-soluble salts of succinic acid, malonic acid, (ethylenedioxy) diacetic acid, maleic acid, diglycolic acid, tartaric acid, tartronic acid and fumaric acid, as well as the ether carboxylates and the sulfinyl carboxylates.
• 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.
• Polycarboxylates containing four carboxy groups include oxydisuccinates disclosed in British Patent No. 1,261,829, 1,1,2,2-ethane tetracarboxylates, 1,1,3,3-propane tetracarboxylates and 1,1,2,3-propane tetracarboxylates.
• Polycarboxylates containing sulfo substituents include the sulfosuccinate derivatives disclosed in British Patent Nos. 1,398,421 and 1,398,422 and in U.S. Patent No. 3,936,448, and the sulfonated pyrolysed citrates described in British Patent No. 1,439,000.
• Alicyclic and heterocyclic polycarboxylates include cyclopentane-cis,cis,cis-tetracarboxylates, cyclopentadienide pentacarboxylates, 2,3,4,5-tetrahydrofuran - cis, cis, cis-tetracarboxylates, 2,5-tetrahydrofuran - cis - dicarboxylates, 2,2,5,5-tetrahydrofuran-tetracarboxylates, 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexane - hexacarboxylates and carboxymethyl derivatives of polyhydric alcohols such as sorbitol, mannitol and xylitol.
• Aromatic polycarboxylates include mellitic acid, pyromellitic acid and the phthalic acid derivatives disclosed in British Patent No. 1,425,343.
• the preferred polycarboxylates are hydroxycarboxylates containing up to three carboxy groups per molecule, more particularly citrates.
• the parent acids of the monomeric or oligomeric polycarboxylate chelating agents or mixtures thereof with their salts e.g. citric acid or citrate/citric acid mixtures are also contemplated as useful builder components.
• Borate builders, as well as builders containing borate-forming materials that can produce borate under detergent storage or wash conditions can also be used but are not preferred at wash conditions less that about 50°C, especially less than about 40°C.
• carbonate builders are the alkaline earth and alkali metal carbonates, including sodium carbonate and sesqui-carbonate and mixtures thereof with ultra-fine calcium carbonate as disclosed in German Patent Application No. 2,321,001 published on November 15, 1973.
• water-soluble phosphate builders are the alkali metal tripolyphosphates, sodium, potassium and ammonium pyrophosphate, sodium and potassium and ammonium pyrophosphate, sodium and potassium orthophosphate, sodium polymeta/phosphate in which the degree of polymerization ranges from about 6 to 21, and salts of phytic acid.
• Suitable silicates include the water soluble sodium silicates with an Si02: Na20 ratio of from 1.0 to 2.8, with ratios of from 1.6 to 2.4 being preferred, and 2.0 ratio being most preferred.
• the silicates may be in the form of either the anhydrous salt or a hydrated salt.
• Sodium silicate with an SiO2: Na20 ratio of 2.0 is the most preferred silicate.
• Silicates are preferably present in the detergent compositions in accord with the invention at a level of from 5% to 50% by weight of the composition, more preferably from 10% to 40% by weight.
• Partially soluble or insoluble builder compound Partially soluble or insoluble builder compound
• the detergent compositions of the present invention may contain a partially soluble or insoluble builder compound, typically present at a level of from 1% to 80% by weight, preferably from 10% to 70% by weight, most preferably from 20% to 60% weight of the composition.
• Examples of largely water insoluble builders include the sodium aluminosilicates.
• Suitable aluminosilicate zeolites have the unit cell formula Na z [(AlO2) z (SiO2)y]. XH2O wherein z and y are at least 6; the molar ratio of z to y is from 1.0 to 0.5 and x is at least 5, preferably from 7.5 to 276, more preferably from 10 to 264.
• the aluminosilicate material are in hydrated form and are preferably crystalline, containing from 10% to 28%, more preferably from 18% to 22% water in bound form.
• the aluminosilicate zeolites can be naturally occurring materials, but are preferably synthetically derived. Synthetic crystalline aluminosilicate ion exchange materials are available under the designations Zeolite A, Zeolite B, Zeolite P, Zeolite X, Zeoilte MAP, Zeolite HS and mixtures thereof. Zeolite A has the formula Na 12 [AlO 2 ) 12 (SiO 2 ) 12 ].xH 2 O wherein x is from 20 to 30, especially 27. Zeolite X has the formula Na86 [(AlO2)86(SiO2)106]. 276 H2O.
• the detergent compositions of the invention preferably contain as an optional component a heavy metal ion sequestrant.
• heavy metal ion sequestrant it is meant herein components which act to sequester (chelate) heavy metal ions. These components may also have calcium and magnesium chelation capacity, but preferentially they show selectivity to binding heavy metal ions such as iron, manganese and copper.
• Heavy metal ion sequestrants are generally present at a level of from 0.005% to 20%, preferably from 0.1% to 10%, more preferably from 0.25% to 7.5% and most preferably from 0.5% to 5% by weight of the compositions.
• Heavy metal ion sequestrants which are acidic in nature, having for example phosphonic acid or carboxylic acid functionalities, may be present either in their acid form or as a complex/salt with a suitable counter cation such as an alkali or alkaline metal ion, ammonium, or substituted ammonium ion, or any mixtures thereof.
• a suitable counter cation such as an alkali or alkaline metal ion, ammonium, or substituted ammonium ion, or any mixtures thereof.
• any salts/complexes are water soluble.
• the molar ratio of said counter cation to the heavy metal ion sequestrant is preferably at least 1:1.
• Suitable heavy metal ion sequestrants for use herein include organic phosphonates, such as the amino alkylene poly (alkylene phosphonates), alkali metal ethane 1-hydroxy disphosphonates and nitrilo trimethylene phosphonates.
• Preferred among the above species are diethylene triamine penta (methylene phosphonate), ethylene diamine tri (methylene phosphonate) hexamethylene diamine tetra (methylene phosphonate) and hydroxyethylene 1,1 diphosphonate.
• Suitable heavy metal ion sequestrant for use herein include nitrilotriacetic acid and polyaminocarboxylic acids such as ethylenediaminotetracetic acid, ethylenetriamine pentacetic acid, ethylenediamine disuccinic acid, ethylenediamine diglutaric acid, 2-hydroxypropylenediamine disuccinic acid or any salts thereof.
• EDDS ethylenediamine-N,N'-disuccinic acid
• Preferred EDDS compounds are the free acid form and the sodium or magnesium salt or complex thereof.
• Examples of such preferred sodium salts of EDDS include Na2EDDS and Na3EDDS.
• Examples of such preferred magnesium complexes of EDDS include MgEDDS and Mg2EDDS.
• Suitable heavy metal ion sequestrants for use herein are iminodiacetic acid derivatives such as 2-hydroxyethyl diacetic acid or glyceryl imino diacetic acid, described in EP-A-317,542 and EP-A-399,133.
• the iminodiacetic acid-N-2-hydroxypropyl sulfonic acid and aspartic acid N-carboxymethyl N-2-hydroxypropyl-3-sulfonic acid sequestrants described in EP-A-516,102 are also suitable herein.
• the ⁇ -alanine-N,N'-diacetic acid, aspartic acid-N,N'-diacetic acid, aspartic acid-N-monoacetic acid and iminodisuccinic acid sequestrants described in EP-A-509,382 are also suitable.
• EP-A-476,257 describes suitable amino based sequestrants.
• EP-A-510,331 describes suitable sequestrants derived from collagen, keratin or casein.
• EP-A-528,859 describes a suitable alkyl iminodiacetic acid sequestrant. Dipicolinic acid and 2-phosphonobutane- 1,2,4-tricarboxylic acid are alos suitable.
• Glycinamide-N,N'-disuccinic acid (GADS) is also suitable.
• Another preferred ingredient useful in the detergent compositions is one or more additional enzymes.
• Preferred additional enzymatic materials include the commercially available lipases, amylases, neutral and alkaline proteases, esterases, cellulases, pectinases, lactases and peroxidases conventionally incorporated into detergent compositions. Suitable enzymes are discussed in US Patents 3,519,570 and 3,533,139.
• protease enzymes include those sold under the tradenames Alcalase, Savinase, Primase, Durazym, and Esperase by Novo Industries A/S (Denmark), those sold under the tradename Maxatase, Maxacal and Maxapem by Gist-Brocades, those sold by Genencor International, and those sold under the tradename Opticlean and Optimase by Solvay Enzymes.
• Protease enzyme may be incorporated into the compositions in accordance with the invention at a level of from 0.0001% to 4% active enzyme by weight of the composition.
• Preferred amylases include, for example, ⁇ -amylases obtained from a special strain of B licheniformis, described in more detail in GB-1,269,839 (Novo).
• Preferred commercially available amylases include for example, those sold under the tradename Rapidase by Gist-Brocades, and those sold under the tradename Termamyl and BAN by Novo Industries A/S.
• Amylase enzyme may be incorporated into the composition in accordance with the invention at a level of from 0.0001% to 2% active enzyme by weight of the composition.
• Lipolytic enzyme may be present at levels of active lipolytic enzyme of from 0.0001% to 2% by weight, preferably 0.001% to 1% by weight, most preferably from 0.001% to 0.5% by weight of the compositions.
• the lipase may be fungal or bacterial in origin being obtained, for example, from a lipase producing strain of Humicola sp., Thermomyces sp. or Pseudomonas sp. including Pseudomonas pseudoalcaligenes or Pseudomas fluorescens . Lipase from chemically or genetically modified mutants of these strains are also useful herein.
• a preferred lipase is derived from Pseudomonas pseudoalcaligenes , which is described in Granted European Patent, EP-B-0218272.
• Another preferred lipase herein is obtained by cloning the gene from Humicola lanuginosa and expressing the gene in Aspergillus oryza , as host, as described in European Patent Application, EP-A-0258 068, which is commercially available from Novo Industri A/S, Bagsvaerd, Denmark, under the trade name Lipolase. This lipase is also described in U.S. Patent 4,810,414, Huge-Jensen et al, issued March 7, 1989.
• Organic polymeric compounds are preferred additional components of the detergent compositions in accord with the invention.
• organic polymeric compound it is meant herein essentially any polymeric organic compound commonly used as dispersants, and anti-redeposition and soil suspension agents in detergent compositions, but excluding any of the high molecular weight organic polymeric compounds described as flocculating agents herein.
• Organic polymeric compound is typically incorporated in the detergent compositions of the invention at a level of from 0.1% to 30%, preferably from 0.5% to 15%, most preferably from 1% to 10% by weight of the compositions.
• organic polymeric compounds include the water soluble organic 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.
• salts are polyacrylates of MWt 2000-5000 and their copolymers with maleic anhydride, such copolymers having a molecular weight of from 20,000 to 100,000, especially 40,000 to 80,000.
• Suitable organic polymeric compounds include the copolymers of acrylamide and acrylate having a molecular weight of from 3,000 to 100,000, and the acrylate/fumarate copolymers having a molecular weight of from 2,000 to 80,000.
• polyamino compounds are useful herein including those derived from aspartic acid such as those disclosed in EP-A-305282, EP-A-305283 and EP-A-351629.
• Terpolymers containing monomer units selected from maleic acid, acrylic acid, polyaspartic acid and vinyl alcohol, particularly those having an average molecular weight of from 5,000 to 10,000, are also suitable herein.
• organic polymeric compounds suitable for incorporation in the detergent compositions herein include cellulose derivatives such as methylcellulose, carboxymethylcellulose and hydroxyethylcellulose.
• organic polymeric compounds are the polyethylene glycols, particularly those of molecular weight 1000-10000, more particularly 2000 to 8000 and most preferably about 4000.
• the detergent compositions of the invention when formulated for use in machine washing compositions, preferably comprise a suds suppressing system present at a level of from 0.01% to 15%, preferably from 0.05% to 10%, most preferably from 0.1% to 5% by weight of the composition.
• Suitable suds suppressing systems for use herein may comprise essentially any known antifoam compound, including, for example silicone antifoam compounds, 2-alkyl and alcanol antifoam compounds.
• antifoam compound any compound or mixtures of compounds which act such as to depress the foaming or sudsing produced by a solution of a detergent composition, particularly in the presence of agitation of that solution.
• Particularly preferred antifoam compounds for use herein are silicone antifoam compounds defined herein as any antifoam compound including a silicone component. Such silicone antifoam compounds also typically contain a silica component.
• silicone antifoam compounds as used herein, and in general throughout the industry, encompasses a variety of relatively high molecular weight polymers containing siloxane units and hydrocarbyl group of various types.
• Preferred silicone antifoam compounds are the siloxanes, particularly the polydimethylsiloxanes having trimethylsilyl end blocking units.
• Suitable antifoam compounds include the monocarboxylic fatty acids and soluble salts thereof. These materials are described in US Patent 2,954,347, issued September 27, 1960 to Wayne St. John.
• the monocarboxylic fatty acids, and salts thereof, for use as suds suppressor typically have hydrocarbyl chains of 10 to about 24 carbon atoms, preferably 12 to 18 carbon atoms.
• Suitable salts include the alkali metal salts such as sodium, potassium, and lithium salts, and ammonium and alkanolammonium salts.
• Suitable antifoam compounds include, for example, high molecular weight fatty esters (e.g. fatty acid triglycerides), fatty acid esters of monovalent alcohols, aiiphatic C18-C40 ketones (e.g. stearone) N-alkylated amino triazines such as tri- to hexa-alkylmelamines or di- to tetra alkyldiamine chlortfiazines formed as products of cyanuric chloride with two or three moles of a primary or secondary amine containing 1 to 24 carbon atoms, propylene oxide, bis stearic acid amide and monostearyl di-alkali metal (e.g. sodium, potassium, lithium) phosphates and phosphate esters.
• high molecular weight fatty esters e.g. fatty acid triglycerides
• fatty acid esters of monovalent alcohols e.g. fatty acid esters of monovalent alcohols
• Copolymers of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide particularly the mixed ethoxylated/propoxylated fatty alcohols with an alkyl chain length of from 10 to 16 carbon atoms, a degree of ethoxylation of from 3 to 30 and a degree of propoxylation of from 1 to 10, are also suitable antifoam compounds for use herein.
• 2-alky-alcanols antifoam compounds for use herein have been described in DE 40 21 265.
• the 2-alkyl-alcanols suitable for use herein consist of a C6 to C16 alkyl chain carrying a terminal hydroxy group, and said alkyl chain is substituted in the a position by a C1 to C10 alkyl chain.
• Mixtures of 2-alkyl-alcanols can be used in the compositions according to the present invention.
• a preferred suds suppressing system comprises
• a preferred particulate suds suppressor system useful herein comprises a mixture of an alkylated siloxane of the type hereinabove disclosed and solid silica.
• the solid silica can be a fumed silica, a precipitated silica or a silica, made by the gel formation technique.
• the silica particles suitable have an average particle size of from 0.1 to 50 micrometers, preferably from 1 to 20 micrometers and a surface area of at least 50m2/g.
• These silica particles can be rendered hydrophobic by treating them with dialkylsilyl groups and/or trialkylsilyl groups either bonded directly onto the silica or by means of a silicone resin. It is preferred to employ a silica the particles of which have been rendered hydrophobic with dimethyl and/or trimethyl silyl groups.
• a preferred particulate antifoam compound for inclusion in the detergent compositions in accordance with the invention suitably contain an amount of silica such that the weight ratio of silica to silicone lies in the range from 1:100 to 3:10, preferably from 1:50 to 1:7.
• Another suitable particulate suds suppressing system 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 50m2/g, intimately admixed with dimethyl silicone fluid having a molecular weight in the range from 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 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 50m2/g, intimately admixed with dimethyl silicone fluid having a molecular weight in the range from 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 highly preferred particulate suds suppressing system is described in EP-A-0210731 and comprises a silicone antifoam compound and an organic carrier material having a melting point in the range 50°C to 85°C, wherein the organic carrier material comprises a monoester of glycerol and a fatty acid having a carbon chain containing from 12 to 20 carbon atoms.
• EP-A-0210721 discloses other preferred particulate suds suppressing systems wherein the organic carrier material is a fatty acid or alcohol having a carbon chain containing from 12 to 20 carbon atoms, or a mixture thereof, with a melting point of from 45°C to 80°C.
• An exemplary particulate suds suppressing system for use herein is a particulate agglomerate component, made by an agglomeration process, comprising in combination
• the detergent compositions herein may also comprise from 0.01% to 10 %, preferably from 0.05% to 0.5% by weight of polymeric dye transfer inhibiting agents.
• the polymeric dye transfer inhibiting agents are preferably selected from polyamine N-oxide polymers, copolymers of N-vinylpyrrolidone and N-vinylimidazole, polyvinylpyrrolidonepolymers or combinations thereof.
• Polyamine N-oxide polymers suitable for use herein contain units having the following structure formula : wherein P is a polymerisable unit, whereto the R-N-O group can be attached to, or wherein the R-N-O group forms part of the polymerisable unit or a combination of both.
• A is -O-, -S-, -N-; x is O or 1;
• R are aliphatic, ethoxylated aliphatics, aromatic, heterocyclic or alicyclic groups or any combination thereof whereto the nitrogen of the N-O group can be attached or wherein the nitrogen of the N-O group is part of these groups.
• the N-O group can be represented by the following general structures : wherein R1, R2, and R3 are aliphatic groups, aromatic, heterocyclic or alicyclic groups or combinations thereof, x or/and y or/and z is 0 or 1 and wherein the nitrogen of the N-O group can be attached or wherein the nitrogen of the N-O group forms part of these groups.
• the N-O group can be part of the polymerisable unit (P) or can be attached to the polymeric backbone or a combination of both.
• Suitable polyamine N-oxides wherein the N-O group forms part of the polymerisable unit comprise polyamine N-oxides wherein R is selected from aliphatic, aromatic, alicyclic or heterocyclic groups.
• R is selected from aliphatic, aromatic, alicyclic or heterocyclic groups.
• One class of said polyamine N-oxides comprises the group of polyamine N-oxides wherein the nitrogen of the N-O group forms part of the R-group.
• Preferred polyamine N-oxides are those wherein R is a heterocyclic group such as pyrridine, pyrrole, imidazole, pyrrolidine, piperidine, quinoline, acridine and derivatives thereof.
• Another class of said polyamine N-oxides comprises the group of polyamine N-oxides wherein the nitrogen of the N-O group is attached to the R-group.
• polyamine N-oxides are the polyamine oxides whereto the N-O group is attached to the polymerisable unit.
• polyamine N-oxides are the polyamine N-oxides having the general formula (I) wherein R is an aromatic,heterocyclic or alicyclic groups wherein the nitrogen of the N-0 functional group is part of said R group.
• R is an aromatic,heterocyclic or alicyclic groups wherein the nitrogen of the N-0 functional group is part of said R group.
• polyamine oxides wherein R is a heterocyclic compound such as pyrridine, pyrrole, imidazole and derivatives thereof.
• polyamine N-oxides are the polyamine oxides having the general formula (I) wherein R are aromatic, heterocyclic or alicyclic groups wherein the nitrogen of the N-0 functional group is attached to said R groups.
• R groups can be aromatic such as phenyl.
• Any polymer backbone can be used as long as the amine oxide polymer formed is water-soluble and has dye transfer inhibiting properties.
• suitable polymeric backbones are polyvinyls, polyalkylenes, polyesters, polyethers, polyamide, polyimides, polyacrylates and mixtures thereof.
• the amine N-oxide polymers of the present invention typically have a ratio of amine to the amine N-oxide of 10:1 to 1:1000000.
• the amount of amine oxide groups present in the polyamine oxide polymer can be varied by appropriate copolymerization or by appropriate degree of N-oxidation.
• the ratio of amine to amine N-oxide is from 2:3 to 1:1000000. More preferably from 1:4 to 1:1000000, most preferably from 1:7 to 1:1000000.
• the polymers of the present invention actually encompass random or block copolymers where one monomer type is an amine N-oxide and the other monomer type is either an amine N-oxide or not.
• the amine oxide unit of the polyamine N-oxides has a PKa ⁇ 10, preferably PKa ⁇ 7, more preferred PKa ⁇ 6.
• the polyamine oxides can be obtained in almost any degree of polymerisation.
• the degree of polymerisation is not critical provided the material has the desired water-solubility and dye-suspending power.
• the average molecular weight is within the range of 500 to 1000,000; preferably from 1,000 to 50,000, more preferably from 2,000 to 30,000, most preferably from 3,000 to 20,000.
• Preferred polymers for use herein may comprise a polymer selected from N-vinylimidazole N-vinylpyrrolidone copolymers wherein said polymer has an average molecular weight range from 5,000 to 50,000 more preferably from 8,000 to 30,000, most preferably from 10,000 to 20,000.
• the preferred N-vinylimidazole N-vinylpyrrolidone copolymers have a molar ratio of N-vinylimidazole to N-vinylpyrrolidone from 1 to 0.2, more preferably from 0.8 to 0.3, most preferably from 0.6 to 0.4 .
• the detergent compositions herein may also utilize polyvinylpyrrolidone ("PVP" having an average molecular weight of from 2,500 to 400,000, preferably from 5,000 to 200,000, more preferably from 5,000 to 50,000, and most preferably from 5,000 to 15,000.
• PVP polyvinylpyrrolidone
• Suitable polyvinylpyrrolidones are commercially vailable from ISP Corporation, New York, NY and Montreal, Canada under the product names PVP K-15 (viscosity molecular weight of 10,000), PVP K-30 (average molecular weight of 40,000), PVP K-60 (average molecular weight of 160,000), and PVP K-90 (average molecular weight of 360,000).
• PVP K-15 is also available from ISP Corporation.
• Other suitable polyvinylpyrrolidones which are commercially available from BASF Cooperation include Sokalan HP 165 and Sokalan HP 12.
• Polyvinylpyrrolidone may be incorporated in the detergent compositions herein at a level of from 0.01% to 5% by weight of the detergent, preferably from 0.05% to 3% by weight, and more preferably from 0.1% to 2% by weight.
• the amount of polyvinylpyrrolidone delivered in the wash solution is preferably from 0.5 ppm to 250 ppm, preferably from 2.5 ppm to 150 ppm, more preferably from 5 ppm to 100 ppm.
• the detergent compositions herein may also utilize polyvinyloxazolidones as polymeric dye transfer inhibiting agents.
• Said polyvinyloxazolidones have an average molecular weight of from 2,500 to 400,000, preferably from 5,000 to 200,000, more preferably from 5,000 to 50,000, and most preferably from 5,000 to 15,000.
• the amount of polyvinyloxazolidone incorporated in the detergent compositions may be from 0.01% to 5% by weight, preferably from 0.05% to 3% by weight, and more preferably from 0.1% to 2% by weight.
• the amount of polyvinyloxazolidone delivered in the wash solution is typically from 0.5 ppm to 250 ppm, preferably from 2.5 ppm to 150 ppm, more preferably from 5 ppm to 100 ppm.
• the detergent compositions herein may also utilize polyvinylimidazole as polymeric dye transfer inhibiting agent.
• Said polyvinylimidazoles preferably have an average molecular weight of from 2,500 to 400,000, more preferably from 5,000 to 50,000, and most preferably from 5,000 to 15,000.
• the amount of polyvinylimidazole incoraliad in the detergent compositions may be from 0.01% to 5% by weight, preferably from 0.05% to 3% by weight, and more preferably from 0.1% to 2% by weight.
• the amount of polyvinylimidazole delivered in the wash solution is from 0.5 ppm to 250 ppm, preferably from 2.5 ppm to 150 ppm, more preferably from 5 ppm to 100 ppm.
• the detergent compositions herein may also optionally contain from about 0.005% to 5% by weight of certain types of hydrophilic optical brighteners which also provide a dye transfer inhibition action. If used, the compositions herein will preferably comprise from about 0.01% to 1% by weight of such optical brighteners.
• Hydrophilic optical brighteners useful herein include those having the structural formula: wherein R1 is selected from anilino, N-2-bis-hydroxyethyl and NH-2-hydroxyethyl; R2 is selected from N-2-bis-hydroxyethyl, N-2-hydroxyethyl-N-methylamino, morphilino, chloro and amino; and M is a salt-forming cation such as sodium or potassium.
• R1 is anilino
• R2 is N-2-bis-hydroxyethyl and M is a cation such as sodium
• the brightener is 4,4',-bis[(4-anilino-6-(N-2-bis-hydroxyethyl)-s-triazine-2-yl)amino]-2,2'-stilbenedisulfonic acid and disodium salt.
• This particular brightener species is commercially marketed under the tradename Tinopal-UNPA-GX by Ciba-Geigy Corporation.
• Tinopal-UNPA-GX is the preferred hydrophilic optical brightener useful in the detergent compositions herein.
• R1 is anilino
• R2 is N-2-hydroxyethyl-N-2-methylamino
• M is a cation such as sodium
• the brightener is 4,4'-bis[(4-anilino-6-(N-2-hydroxyethyl-N-methylamino)-s-triazine-2-yl)amino]2,2'-stilbenedisulfonic acid disodium salt.
• This particular brightener species is commercially marketed under the tradename Tinopal 5BM-GX by Ciba-Geigy Corporation.
• R1 is anilino
• R2 is morphilino
• M is a cation such as sodium
• the brightener is 4,4'-bis[(4-anilino-6-morphilino-s-triazine-2-yl)amino]2,2'-stilbenedisulfonic acid, sodium salt.
• This particular brightener species is commercially marketed under the tradename Tinopal AMS-GX by Ciba Geigy Corporation.
• the specific optical brightener species selected for use in the present invention provide especially effective dye transfer inhibition performance benefits when used in combination with the selected polymeric dye transfer inhibiting agents hereinbefore described.
• the combination of such selected polymeric materials (e.g., PVNO and/or PVPVI) with such selected optical brighteners (e.g., Tinopal UNPA-GX, Tinopal 5BM-GX and/or Tinopal AMS-GX) provides significantly better dye transfer inhibition in aqueous wash solutions than does either of these two detergent composition components when used alone. Without being bound by theory, it is believed that such brighteners work this way because they have high affinity for fabrics in the wash solution and therefore deposit relatively quick on these fabrics.
• the extent to which brighteners deposit on fabrics in the wash solution can be defined by a parameter called the "exhaustion coefficient".
• the exhaustion coefficient is in general as the ratio of a) the brightener material deposited on fabric to b) the initial brightener concentration in the wash liquor. Brighteners with relatively high exhaustion coefficients are the most suitable for inhibiting dye transfer in the context of the present invention.
• compositions of the invention may contain as a fabric softening component a clay mineral compound, preferably present at a level of from 0.05% to 40%, more preferably from 0.5% to 30%, most preferably from 2% to 20% by weight of the composition.
• a clay mineral compound preferably present at a level of from 0.05% to 40%, more preferably from 0.5% to 30%, most preferably from 2% to 20% by weight of the composition.
• clay mineral excludes sodium aluminosilicate builder compounds.
• the weight ratio of clay mineral compound to any peroxyacid bleach precursor compound is preferably from 10:1 to 1:5, more preferably from 5:1 to 1:2, most preferably from 3:1 to 1:1.
• the clay mineral compound is preferably a smectite clay compound.
• Smectite clays are disclosed in the US Patents No.s 3,862,058 3,948,790, 3,954,632 and 4,062,647 and European Patents No.s EP-A-299,575 and EP-A-313,146 all in the name of the Procter and Gamble Company.
• smectite clays herein includes both the clays in which aluminium oxide is present in a silicate lattice and the clays in which magnesium oxide is present in a silicate lattice.
• Typical smectite clay compounds include the compounds having the general formula Al2(Si2O5)2(OH)2.nH2O and the compounds having the general formula Mg3(Si2O5)2(OH)2.nH2O. Smectite clays tend to adopt an expandable three layer structure.
• Suitable smectite clays include those selected from the classes of the montmorillonites, hectorites, volchonskoites, nontronites, saponites and sauconites, particularly those having an alkali or alkaline earth metal ion within the crystal lattice structure.
• Sodium or calcium montmorillonite are particularly preferred.
• Suitable smectite clays are sold by various suppliers including English China Clays, Laviosa, Georgia Kaolin and Colin Stewart Minerals.
• Clays for use herein preferably have a largest particle dimension of from 0.01 ⁇ m to 800 ⁇ m, more preferably from 1mm to 400 mm, more preferably from 5mm to 200 mm.
• Particles of the clay mineral compound may be included as components of agglomerate particles containing other detergent compounds.
• the term "largest particle dimension" of the clay mineral compound refers to the largest dimension of the clay mineral compound refers to the largest dimension of the clay mineral component as such and not to the agglomerated particle as a whole.
• Substitution of small cations, such as protons, sodium ions, potassium ions, magensium ions and calcium ions, and of certain organic molecules inlcuding those having positively charged functional groups can typically take place within the crystal lattice structure of the smectite clays.
• a clay may be chosen for its ability to preferentially absorb one cation type, such ability being assessed by measurements of relative ion exchange capacity.
• the smectite clays suitable herein typically have a cation exchange capacity of at least 50 meq/100g.
• U.S. Patent No. 3,954,632 describes a method for measurement of cation exchange capacity.
• the crystal lattice structure of the clay mineral compounds may have, in a preferred execution, a cationic fabric softening agent substituted therein.
• a cationic fabric softening agent substituted therein Such substituted clays have been termed 'hydrophobically activated' clays.
• the cationic fabric softening agents are typically present at a weight ratio, cationic fabric softening agent to clay, of from 1:200 to 1:10, preferably from 1:100 to 1:20.
• Preferred cationic fabric softening agents include the water insoluble tertiary amines or dilong chain amide materials as disclosed in GB-A-1 514 276 and EP-B-0 011 340.
• Cationic fabric softening agents can also be incorporated into compositions in accordance with the present invention. These may be present as distinct components or as components of the, hereinbefore described, hydrophobically activated clay materials.
• Suitable cationic fabric softening agents include the water insoluble tertiary amines or dilong chain amide materials as disclosed in GB-A-1 514 276 and EP-B-0 011340.
• Cationic fabric softening agents are typically incorporated at total levels of from 0.5% to 15% by weight, normally from 1% to 5% by weight.
• compositions of the invention include perfumes, colours and filler salts, with sodium sulfate being a preferred filler salt.
• the detergent compositions of the invention can be formulated in any desirable form such as powders, granulates, pastes, and tablets.
• the detergent compositions of the invention are preferably in the form of solids, such as powders and granules.
• the particle size of the components of granular compositions in accordance with the invention should preferably be such that no more that 5% of particles are greater than 1.4mm in diameter and not more than 5% of particles are less than 0.15mm in diameter.
• the bulk density of granular detergent compositions in accordance with the present invention typically have a bulk density of at least 450 g/litre, more usually at least 600 g/litre and more preferably from 650 g/litre to 1200 g/litre.
• granular detergent compositions in accordance with the present invention can be made via a variety of methods including dry mixing, spray drying, agglomeration and granulation.
• compositions of the invention may be used in essentially any washing or cleaning method, including machine laundry washing methods.
• Machine laundry methods herein typically comprise treating soiled laundry with an aqueous wash solution in a washing machine having dissolved or dispensed therein an effective amount of a machine laundry detergent composition in accord with the invention.
• the detergent can be added to the wash solution either via the dispenser drawer of the washing machine or by a dispensing device.
• an effective amount of the detergent composition it is meant from 40g to 300g of product dissolved or dispersed in a wash solution of volume from 5 to 65 litres, as are typical product dosages and wash solution volumes commonly employed in conventional machine laundry methods.
• a dispensing device containing an effective amount of detergent product is introduced into the drum of a front-loading washing machine before the commencement of the wash cycle.
• the dispensing device is a container for the detergent product which is used to deliver the product directly into the drum of the washing machine. Its volume capacity should be such as to be able to contain sufficient detergent product as would normally be used in the washing method.
• the dispensing device containing the detergent product is placed inside the drum.
• water is introduced into the drum and the drum periodically rotates.
• the design of the dispensing device should be such that it permits containment of the dry detergent product but then allows release of this product during the wash cycle in response to its agitation as the drum rotates and also as a result of its immersion in the wash water.
• the device may possess a number of openings through which the product may pass.
• the device may be made of a material which is permeable to liquid but impermeable to the solid product, which will allow release of dissolved product.
• the detergent product will be rapidly released at the start of the wash cycle thereby providing transient localised high concentrations of product in the drum of the washing machine at this stage of the wash cycle.
• Preferred dispensing devices are reusable and are designed in such a way that container integrity is maintained in both the dry state and during the wash cycle.
• Especially preferred dispensing devices for use in accord with the invention have been described in the following patents; GB-B-2,157, 717, GB-B-2,157,718, EP-A-0201376, EP-A-0288345 and EP-A-0288346.
• An article by J.Bland published in Manufacturing Chemist, November 1989, pages 41-46 also describes especially preferred dispensing devices for use with granular laundry products which are of a type commonly know as the "granulette”.
• Especially preferred dispensing devices are disclosed in European Patent Application Publication Nos. 0343069 & 0343070.
• the latter Application discloses a device comprising a flexible sheath in the form of a bag extending from a support ring defining an orifice, the orifice being adapted to admit to the bag sufficient product for one washing cycle in a washing process. A portion of the washing medium flows through the orifice into the bag, dissolves the product, and the solution then passes outwardly through the orifice into the washing medium.
• the support ring is provided with a masking arrangemnt to prevent egress of wetted, undissolved, product, this arrangement typically comprising radially extending walls extending from a central boss in a spoked wheel configuration, or a similar structure in which the walls have a helical form.
• laundry detergent compositions A to D were prepared in accord with the invention:
• laundry detergent compositions E to H were prepared in accord with the invention:

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• 1994
  • 1994-11-05 GB GB9422373A patent/GB2294705A/en not_active Withdrawn
• 1995
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