EP1119605A1

EP1119605A1 - Process for delivering chelant agglomerate into detergent composition for improving its storage stability, flowability and scoopability

Info

Publication number: EP1119605A1
Application number: EP99956515A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Wendell I. Norman; Dennis Lee Perkins
Original assignee: Procter and Gamble Co
Current assignee: Procter and Gamble Co
Priority date: 1998-10-05
Filing date: 1999-10-01
Publication date: 2001-08-01
Also published as: BR9914614A; CA2345737C; WO2000020550A1; AU1311200A; JP2002526642A; CA2345737A1; AR020710A1; CN1329660A

Abstract

The present invention provides a process for preparation of a chelant composition by a non-spray-drying process, a process for improving one or more of flowability and scoopability of a laundry detergent composition, and a chelant agglomerate useful as an ad-mix in a particulate laundry detergent. In one aspect of the present invention, the process for preparation of a chelant composition by a non-spray-drying process includes the steps of admixing a transition metal chelant and an inorganic compound to form a mixture, agllomerating the mixture in an aqueous medium to form a chelant agglomerate and drying the chelant agglomerate.

Description

PROCESS FOR DELIVERING CHELANT AGGLOMERATE INTO DETERGENT

COMPOSITION FOR IMPROVING ITS STORAGE STABILITY,

FLOWABILITY AND SCOOPABILITY

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a laundry detergent compositions and more particularly, to a process for improving storage stability and scoopabihty of laundry detergent compositions by incorporation of useful levels of a concentrated chelant agglomerate into a laundry detergent composition

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION It has been extremely desirable to have a process for increasing the storage stability and scoopabihty of detergent compositions This is a characteristic that most consumers are very desirous of because consumers do not want to have to deal with detergent compositions that "clump^*" together after the detergent box has been laid open for an extended period of time due to the inadvertent absorption of moisture It has been recognized that the incorporation of a transition metal chelant into the base granules of the laundry detergent composition causes the promotion of interlocking crystalline needle growth which is suspected to detrimentally affect the resultant paniculate laundry detergent composition's fiowability and scoopabihty properties Thus it has been recognized by the inventors of this particular invention that it is extremely advantageous to devise a method of separating the transition metal chelant from the base granule of the laundry detergent composition, so that any useful level of the transition metal chelant may be incorporated in the overall laundry detergent composition without adversely affecting its fiowability and scoopabihty properties. It has thus been extremely desirable to have a process or a method whereby any useful level of a chelant agglomerate can be ad-mixed into a laundry detergent composition such that the chelant agglomerate desirably improves the solubility and storage stability of the resultant ad-mixed detergent composition formulation and at the very least, does not detrimentally affect the laundry detergent composition's fiowability and scoopabihty characteristics. The present invention overcomes the problems, as set forth above.

BACKGROUND ART U.S. Patent 5,108,646 discloses a process for making detergent builder agglomerates by mixing a detergent builder with a selected binder to form free flowing agglomerates.

International Publication Number WO 97/09415 dicsloses a non-spray-dπed particulate detergent composition prepared by mixing and granulating liquid and solid ingredients in a high- speed mixer/granulator, containing a builder polymer and/or a soil-release polymer, wherein the polymer is incorporated duπng the mixing and granulating process in the form of a non-aqueous premix with a non-aqueous diluent

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention meets the needs above by providing a process for preparation of a chelant composition by a non-spray-drying process, a process for improving one or more of storage stability, fiowability and scoopabihty of a laundry detergent composition, and a chelant agglomerate useful as an ad-mix in a particulate laundry detergent.

In one aspect of the present invention, a process for preparation of a chelant composition by a non-spray-drying process includes the steps of admixing a transition metal chelant and an inorganic compound to form a mixture, agglomerating the mixture in an aqueous medium to form a chelant agglomerate and drying the chelant agglomerate.

In another aspect of the present invention, a process for improving one or more of storage stability, fiowability and scoopabihty of a laundry detergent composition includes the steps of providing a chelant composition prepared by a non-spray-drying process and incorporating the chelant composition into a particulate laundry detergent material in a weight ratio in a range of from about 0 05 99.95 to about 2 98, chelant composition to particulate laundry detergent material The non-spray-drying process includes the steps of admixing a transition metal chelant and an inorganic compound to form a mixture, agglomerating the mixture in an aqueous medium to form a chelant agglomerate, and drying the chelant agglomerate.

In yet another aspect of the present invention, a chelant agglomerate useful as an ad-mix in a particulate laundry detergent is disclosed. The chelant agglomerate has a composition including a transition metal chelant, an inorganic compound and water. The chelant agglomerate is formed by admixing the transition metal chelant and the inorganic compound to form a mixture, agglomerating the mixture in the water to form the chelant agglomerate, and drying the chelant agglomerate.

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 descπption of the preferred embodiment and the appended claims. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the process for preparation of a chelant composition by a non-spray-drying process includes the steps of admixing a transition metal chelant and an inorganic compound to form a mixture, agglomerating the mixture in an aqueous medium to form a chelant agglomerate, and drying the chelant agglomerate. In the preferred embodiment, the transition metal chelant is sodium ditπaminepentaacetate and the inorganic compound is selected from the group consisting of sulfates, carbonates, silicates, alummosihcates and mixtures thereof. Desirably, the inorganic compound is an aluminosilicate material and preferably, the inorganic compound is an aluminosilicate ion exchange mateπal of the formula, MnVnr(AlO-_>)m(SιO₂)yl»xH O where n is the valence of the cation M, x is the number of water molecules per unit cell, m and y are the total number of tetrahedra per unit cell, and y/m is 1 to 100, and wherein M is selected from the group consisting of sodium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium Most preferably, the inorganic compound is zeolite. In the preferred embodiment, the step of admixing includes mixing and granulating the transition metal chelant and the inorganic compound in one or more of a high-speed mixer and granulator, desirably in a weight ratio in a range of from about 10'90 to about 80:20 respectively, preferably in a weight ratio in a range of from about 15:85 to about 60 40 respectively and most preferably in a weight ratio in a range of from about 25.75 to about 35:65 respectively In the preferred embodiment, the step of agglomerating includes forming a chelant- lnorganic compound pre-mix with water before agglomerating, desirably in a weight ratio in a range of from about 10:90 to about 80:20 respectively, preferably in a weight ratio in a range of from about 15:85 to about 60-40 respectively and most preferably in a weight ratio in a range of from about 25:75 to about 35:65 respectively In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a process for improving storage stability and scoopabihty of a laundry detergent composition is disclosed. In this preferred embodiment of the present invention, the process includes the first step of forming a chelant agglomerate. It has very surprisingly been found that when the chelant particles are separated from the rest of the laundry detergent composition and chelant agglomerates are formed and then the chelant agglomerates are incorporated into a particulate laundry detergent composition, there is a dramatic increase in the resultant laundry detergent composition's storage stability and scoopabihty when the chelant agglomerate is eventually ad-mixed with the detergent powder in a desired weight ratio in a range of from about 0.05:99.95 to about 2:98, a preferred weight ratio m a range of from about 0.3:99.7 to about 1.5:98.5, and a most preferred weight ratio in a range of from about 0.1 :99.9 chelant agglomerate:laundry detergent composition. Thus it has been surprisingly found that by expressly separating the chelant particles from the laundry detergent composition and only incorporating a chelant agglomerate into a laundry detergent composition, the finish product, i.e., the laundry detergent composition , has much improved "lump cake" properties, i.e., that the detergent composition having a chelant, has improved storage stability and scoopabihty Without being bound to any specific theory, it is believed that this improvement is achieved as a result of having separated the hygroscopic transition metal chelant from the rest of the "sticky" laundry composition.

For the purposes herein, the tern "lump cake" property is meant to include composition storage stability and powder solubility in water. The term "sticky" components is meant to include a mixture of one or more of surfactants, polyethylene glycol, polyacrylates and water. The term "builder" is intended to mean all materials which tend to remove calcium ion from solution, either by ion exchange, complexation, sequestration or precipitation The term "scoopabihty" is defined on a scale of 1 to 5, 1 being the least desirable value and 5 being the most desirable value, of the ability or characteristic of a laundry composition to be scooped up in a spoon without exhibiting tackiness or dumpiness Chelants

The chelating agents can be selected from the group consisting of ammo carboxylates, ammo phosphonates, polyfunctionally-substiruted aromatic chelating agents, sodium ditriammepentaacetate and mixtures thereof Without intending to be bound by theory, it is believed that the benefit of these materials is due in part to their exceptional ability to remove iron and manganese ions from washing solutions by formation of soluble chelates.

Amino carboxylates useful as optional chelating agents include ethylenediaminetetracetates, N-hydroxyethylethylenediammetriacetates, nitrilo-triacetates, ethylenediamine tetrapropπonates, tπethylenetetraaminehexacetates, diethylenetπaminepentaacetates, and ethanoldiglycines, alkali metal, ammonium, and substituted ammonium salts therein and mixtures therein.

Ammo phosphonates are also suitable for use as chelating agents in the compositions of the invention when at lease low levels of total phosphorus are permitted in detergent compositions, and include ethylenediaminetetrakis (methylenephosphonates) as DEQUEST. Preferred, these amino phosphonates to not contain alkyl or alkenyl groups with more than about 6 carbon atoms.

Polyfunctionally-substiruted aromatic chelating agents are also useful in the compositions herein. See U.S. Patent 3,812,044, issued May 21, 1974, to Connor et al Preferred compounds of this type in acid form are dihydroxydisulfobenzenes such as l,2-dιhydroxy-3,5- disulfobenzene.

A preferred biodegradable chelator for use herein is ethylenediamine disuccinate ("EDDS"), especially the [S,S] isomer as descπbed in U.S. Patent 4,704,233, November 3, 1987, to Hartman and Perkins.

If utilized, these chelating agents will generally comprise from about 0.05% to about 10% by weight of the detergent compositions herein. More preferably, if utilized, the chelating agents will comprise from about 0.05% to about 3.0% by weight of such compositions.

The most preferred transition metal chelant used to carry out the present invention is sodium ditriammepentaacetate (DTPA). The DTPA is preferably used a weight ratio of from about 0.1 :99.9 to about 1.5:98.5, DTPA agglomerate: laundry detergent composition and most preferably, in a weight ratio of 0 4:99.6. Preferably the chelant agglomerate consists of DTPA and zeolite in a preferred weight ratio in a range of from about 15:85 to about 25:75, DTPA. zeolite. Aluminosilicate mateπal

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the structural formula of an aluminosilicate mateπal is based on the crystal unit cell, the smallest unit of structure represented by:

Mm n[(AlO₂)m(SιO₂)y]^«xH₂O where n is the valence of the cation M, x is the number of water molecules per unit cell, m and y are the total number of terrahedra per unit cell, and y/m is 1 to 100. Most preferably, y/m is 1 to 5. The cation M can be Group IA and Group IIA elements, such as sodium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium The preferred aluminosilicate materials are zeolites. The most preferred zeolites are zeolite A, zeolite X, zeolite Y, zeolite P, zeolite MAP and mixtures thereof. The aluminosilicate ion exchange mateπals used herein for chelant agglomerates 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 mateπals 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 mateπal 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. Additionally, the aluminosilicate ion exchange material preferably is m over dried form so as to facilitate production of crisp chelant agglomerates as described herein. The aluminosilicate ion exchange mateπals 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. In a preferred embodiment, the crystalline aluminosilicate ion exchange material has the formula Na₁₂[(Alθ2)i 2(Srθ2)i2] xH₂0 wherein x is from about 20 to about 30, especially about 27. This material is known as Zeolite A Dehydrated zeolites (x = 0 - 10) may also be used herein Preferably, the aluminosilicate has a particle size of about 0.1-10 microns in diameter. Laundry detergent composition

In the preferred embodiment, the laundry detergent composition has a composition including a chelant agglomerate made according to the present invention and incorporated into the laundry detergent composition The laundry detergent composition also comprises a builder made by agglomeration or spray dried process, sodium carbonate, sodium sulfate, sodium tπpolyphosphate, anionic and nonionic surfactants and balance water. Laundry detergent compositions are well known in the art and various examples of various laundry detergent compositions are disclosed, for example in U.S. Patent No. 5,554,587, issued to Scott W. Capeci, and assigned to The Procter & Gamble Company. Chelant agglomerates made by agglomeration process

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the chelant agglomerates are made by an agglomeration process. The agglomeration process

The agglomeration process comprises the steps of: I) admixing one or more ingredients to form a mixture; and n) agglomerating the mixture to form agglomerated particles or "agglomerates", and in) drying the agglomerate.

Typically, such an agglomeration process involves mixing the ingredients in one or more agglomerators such as a pan agglomerator, a Z-blade mixer or more preferably in-line mixers, preferably two, such as those manufactured by Schugi (Holland) BV, 29 Chroomstraat 8211 AS, Lelystad, Netherlands, and Gebruder Lodige Maschinenbau GmbH, D-4790 Paderborn 1 , Elsenerstrasse 7-9, Postfach 2050, Germany. Preferably a high shear mixer is used, such as a Lodige CB (Trade Name). Most preferably, a high shear mixer is used in combination with a low shear mixer, such as a Lodige CB (Trade Name) and a Lodige KM (Trade name) or Schugi KM (Trade Name). Optionally, only one or more low shear mixer are used. Preferably, the agglomerates are thereafter dπed and/ or cooled. An excellent descπption of an agglomeration process is contained in U.S. Patent No. 5,554,587, issued to Scott W. Capeci, and assigned to The Procter & Gamble Company. Another agglomeration process involves mixing of various components of the final agglomorate in different stages, using an fluidized bed. For example, a detergent powder can be agglomerated by spraying on of surfactants and optionally a wax, or mixtures thereof, to the acid source in powdered form and other optional ingredients. Then, additional components, including the perborate bleach and optionally the alkali source or part thereof, can be added and agglomerated in one or more stages, thus forming the final agglomerate particle.

The agglomerates may take the form of flakes, prills, marumes, noodles, πbbons, but preferably take the form of granules. A preferred way to process the particles is by agglomerating dry material (e g. aluminosilicate, carbonate) with high active surfactant pastes and to control the particle size of the resulting agglomerates within specified limits. Typical particle sizes are from 0.10 mm to 5.0 mm in diameter, preferably from 0.25 mm to 3.0 mm in diameter, most preferably from 0.40 mm to 1.00 mm in diameter. Typically, the "agglomerates" have a bulk density desirably .of at least 700 g 1 and preferably, in a range of from about 700 g/1 to about 900 g/1. Adjunct Detergent Ingredients The adjunct ingredients include other detergency builders, bleaches, bleach activators, suds boosters or suds suppressers, anti-tamish and anticorrosion agents, soil suspending agents, soil release agents, germicides, pH adjusting agents, non-builder alkalinity sources, chelating agents, smectite clays, enzymes, enzyme-stabilizing agents and perfumes. See U.S. Patent 3,936,537, issued February 3, 1976 to Baskerville, Jr. et al, incorporated herein by reference. Bleaching agents and activators are described in U.S. Patent 4,412,934, Chung et al., issued November 1, 1983, and in U.S. Patent 4,483,781, Hartman, issued November 20, 1984, both of which are incorporated herein by reference. Chelating agents are also described in U.S. Patent 4,663,071, Bush et al., from Column 17, line 54 through Column 18, line 68, incorporated herein by reference. Suds modifiers are also optional ingredients and are descπbed in U.S. Patents 3,933,672, issued January 20, 1976 to Bartoletta et al., and 4,136,045, issued January 23, 1979 to Gault et al., both incorporated herein by reference.

Suitable smectite clays for use herein are descπbed in U.S. Patent 4,762,645, Tucker et al. issued August 9, 1988, Column 6, line 3 through Column 7, line 24, incorporated herein by reference. Suitable additional detergency builders for use herein are enumerated m the Baskerville patent, Column 13, line 54 through Column 16, line 16, and in U.S. Patent 4,663,071, Bush et al, issued May 5, 1987, both incorporated herein by reference. Surfactants Anionic Surfactant - The preferred amonic surfactants include C \ \ -C \ g alkyl benzene sulfonates (LAS) and primary, branched-chain and random C10-C20 alkyl sulfates (AS), the

Cio-Cig secondary (2,3) alkyl sulfates of the formula CH₃(CH₂)_x(CHOSθ3^"M⁺) CH₃ and

CH₃ (CH2)y(CHOS0₃ ^"M⁺) CH₂CH₃ where x and (y + 1) are integers of at least about 7, preferably at least about 9, and M is a water-solubihzing cation, especially sodium, unsaturated sulfates such as oleyl sulfate, the Cio-C_j g alkyl alkoxy sulfates ("AE_XS"; especially EO 1-7 ethoxy sulfates), C \ Q-C 1 g alkyl alkoxy carboxylates (especially the EO 1 -5 ethoxycarboxylates), the Cjrj-18 g'y^cer°l ethers, the Cjo-Cj g alkyl polyglycosides and their corresponding sulfated polyglycosides, and Cι ₂-Cj g alpha-sulfonated fatty acid esters

Generally speaking, anionic surfactants useful herein are disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,285,841 , Barrat et al, issued August 25, 1981 , and in U.S. Patent No. 3,919,678, Laughhn et al. issued December 30, 1975.

Useful anionic surfactants include the water-soluble salts, particularly the alkali metal, ammonium and alkylolammonium (e.g., monoethanolammonium or tπethanolammonium) salts, of organic sulfuπc reaction products having in their molecular structure an alkyl group containing from about 10 to about 20 carbon atoms and a sulfomc acid or sulfuπc acid ester group. (Included in the term "alkyl" is the alkyl portion of aryl groups.) Examples of this group of synthetic surfactants are the alkyl sulfates, especially those obtained by sulfatmg the higher alcohols (Cg-C_j carbon atoms) such as those produced by reducing the glyceπdes of tallow or coconut oil.

Other anionic surfactants herein are the water-soluble salts of alkyl phenol ethylene oxide ether sulfates containing from about 1 to about 4 units of ethylene oxide per molecule and from about 8 to about 12 carbon atoms in the alkyl group. Other useful anionic surfactants herein include the water-soluble salts of esters of a- 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-acyloxy-alkane-l- sulfonιc acids containing from about 2 to 9 carbon atoms in the acyl group and from about 9 to about 23 carbon atoms in the alkane moiety; water-soluble salts of olefin sulfonates containing from about 12 to 24 carbon atoms; and b-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.

Other useful anionic surfactants herein are the alkyl polyethoxylate sulfates of the formula RO(C₂H₄0)_xS0₃-M⁺ wherem R is an alkyl chain having from about 10 to about 22 carbon atoms, saturated or unsaturated. M is a cation which makes the compound water-soluble, especially an alkali metal, ammonium or substituted ammonium cation, and x averages from about 1 to about 15.

Other alkyl sulfate surfactants are the non-ethoxylated C j 2- 15 primary and secondary alkyl sulfates. Under cold water washing conditions, i.e., less than abut 65°F (18.3°C), it is preferred that there be a mixture of such ethoxylated and non-ethoxylated alkyl sulfates. Examples of fatty acids include capπc, lauπc, myπstic, palmitic, steaπc, arachidic, and behenic acid. Other fatty acids include palmitoleic, oleic, noleic, hnolenic, and πcinoleic acid. Nonio c Surfactant - Conventional nonio c and amphoteπc surfactants include Cj -C_j alkyl ethoxylates (AE) including the so-called narrow peaked alkyl ethoxylates and Cβ-C^ alkyl phenol alkoxylates (especially ethoxylates and mixed ethoxy/propoxy) The Cj_Q- i N-alkyl polyhydroxy fatty acid amides can also be used. Typical examples include the C_{] 2}-C_] g N- methylglucamides. See WO 9,206,154. Other sugar-deπved surfactants include the N-alkoxy polyhydroxy fatty acid amides, such as Cjn-Ci N-(3-methoxypropyl) glucamide. The N- propyl through N-hexyl Cι ₂-Cι g glucamides can be used for low sudsing. Cιo-C₂o conventional soaps may also be used. If high sudsing is desired, the branched-chain Ci_Q-Ci g soaps may be used. Examples of noniomc surfactants are described in U.S. Patent No. 4,285,841, Barrat et al, issued August 25, 1981.

Examples of surfactants also include ethoxylated alcohols and ethoxylated alkyl phenols of the formula R(OC2H4)_nOH, wherein R is selected from the group consisting of aliphatic hydrocarbon radicals containing from about 8 to about 15 carbon atoms and alkyl phenyl radicals in which the alkyl groups contain from about 8 to about 12 carbon atoms, and the average value of n is from about 5 to about 15. These surfactants are more fully descπbed in U.S. Patent No. 4,284,532, Leikhim et al, issued August 18, 1981. Other surfactants include ethoxylated alcohols having an average of from about 10 to abut 15 carbon atoms in the alcohol and an average degree of ethoxylation of from about 6 to about 12 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol. Mixtures of anionic and noniomc surfactants are especially useful. Other conventional useful surfactants are listed m standard texts, including polyhydroxy fatty acid amides, alkyl glucosides, polyalkyl glucosides, Cι ₂-C_] g betames and sulfobeta es (sultames). Examples include the Cι₂-Cι N-methylglucamides. See WO

9,206, 154 Other sugar-deπved surfactants include the N-alkoxy polyhydroxy fatty acid amides, such as C_jo-C_j g N-(3-methoxypropyl) glucamide. The N-propyl through N-hexyl

C_j -C ι g glucamides can be used for low sudsing.

Canonic Surfactants

One class of useful cationic surfactants are the mono alkyl quaternary ammonium surfactants although any cationic surfactant useful in detergent compositions are suitable for use herein. The cationic surfactants which can be used herein include quaternary ammonium surfactants of the formula:

wherein R_j and R₂ are individually selected from the group consisting of C1 -C4 alkyl, C1-C4 hydroxy alkyl, benzyl, and -(C₂H4θ)_xH where x has a value from about 2 to about 5; X is an anion; and (1) R3 and R4 are each a C -C 14 alkyl or (2) R3 is a C6-Cιg alkyl, and R4 is selected from the group consisting of CI -C I Q alkyl, C J -C JQ hydroxyalkyl, benzyl, and -

(C H4θ)_xH where x has a value from 2 to 5.

Other useful quaternary ammonium surfactants are the chloπde, bromide, and methylsulfate salts. Examples of desirable mono-long chain alkyl quaternary ammonium surfactants are those wherein Ri , R₂, and R4 are each methyl and R3 is a C -Cjβ alkyl; or wherein R3 is Cg._j alkyl and R\ , R₂, and R4 are selected from methyl and hydroxyalkyl moieties Lauryl tπmethyl ammonium chloπde, myπstyl tπmethyl ammonium chloride, palmityl tπmethyl ammonium chloride, coconut tπmethylammonium chloπde, coconut tnmethylammonium methylsulfate, coconut dimethyl-monohydroxy-ethylammonium chlonde, coconut dimethyl-monohydroxyethylammonium methylsulfate, steryl dimethyl-monohydroxy- ethylammonium chloπde, steryl dimethyl-monohydroxyethylammonium methylsulfate, di- Cj -

Cj4 alkyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, and mixtures thereof are also desirable ADOGEN

412™, a lauryl tπmethyl ammonium chloride commercially available from Witco, is also desirable Other desirable surfactants are lauryl tπmethyl ammonium chloride and myπstyl tπmethyl ammonium chloride

Another group of suitable cationic surfactants are the alkanol amidal quaternary surfactants of the formula

0

Rl— C— N ( CH₂ ) _n-Y ( CH₂ ) _n-X

R2

wherein R' can be Ci Q_ι g alkyl or a substituted or unsubstituted phenyl R^ can be a C]_4 alkyl, H, or (EO)_y, wherein y is from about 1 to about 5, Y is O or -N(R³)(R⁴), R³ can be H,

C_] _4 alkyl, or (EO)_y, wherein y is from about 1 to about 5, R _\ if present, can be C_]_4 alkyl or

(EO)y wherein y is from about 1 to about 5, each n is independently selected from about 1 to about 6, preferably from about 2 to about 4, X is hydroxyl or

-N(R⁵)(R⁶)(R⁷), wherein R⁵, R⁶, R⁷ are independently selected from C_j_4 alkyl, H, or (EO)_y, v herein > is from about 1 to about 5

Amine Oxide Surfactants - The laundry detergent compositions herein also contain amine oxide surfactants of the formula

R¹ (EO)_x(PO)_y(BO)_zN(0)(CH₂R')₂ qH₂0 (I)

In general, it can be seen that the structure (I) provides one long-chain moiety Rl (EO)_x(PO)_y(BO)_z and two short chain moieties, CH R' R' is preferably selected from hydrogen, methyl and -CH₂OH In general R' is a pπmary or branched hydrocarbyl moiety which can be saturated or unsaturated, preferably, R S a primary alkyl moiety W en x+y+z = 0, R ' is a hydrocarbyl moiety having chainlength of from about 8 to about 18 When x+y+z is different from 0. R^ may be somewhat longer, having a chainlength in the range Ci ₂-C 4 The general formula also encompasses amine oxides wherein x+y+z = 0, R^ = Cg-Ci g, R' is H and q is 0-2, preferably 2 These amme oxides are illustrated by C 12-14 alkyldimethyl amine oxide, hexadecyl dimethylamme oxide, octadecylamine oxide and their hydrates, especially the dihydrates as disclosed in U.S Patents 5,075,501 and 5,071,594, incorporated herein by reference

The invention also encompasses amme oxides wherein x+y+z is different from zero, specifically x+y+z is from about 1 to about 10, R* is a pπmary alkyl group containing 8 to about 24 carbons, preferably from about 12 to about 16 carbon atoms, in these embodiments y + z is preferably 0 and x is preferably from about 1 to about 6, more preferably from about 2 to about 4, EO represents ethyl eneoxy, PO represents propyleneoxy, and BO represents butyleneoxy Such amine oxides can be prepared by conventional synthetic methods, e g , by the reaction of alkylethoxysulfates with dimethylamine followed by oxidation of the ethoxylated amine with hydrogen peroxide

Desirable amine oxides herein are solids at ambient temperature, more preferably they have melting-points in the range 30°C to 90°C Amme oxides suitable for use herein are made commercially by a number of suppliers, including Akzo Chemie, Ethyl Corp , and Procter & Gamble See McCutcheon's compilation and Kirk-Othmer review article for alternate amme oxide manufacturers Other desirable commercially available amine oxides are the solid, dihydrate ADMOX 16 and ADMOX 18, ADMOX 12 and especially ADMOX 14 from Ethyl Corp

Other embodiments include dodecyldimethylamine oxide dihydrate, hexadecyldimethylamine oxide dihydrate, octadecyldimethylamine oxide dihydrate, hexadecyltπs(ethyleneoxy)dιmethyl-amιne oxide, tetradecyldimethylamme oxide dihydrate, and mixtures thereof Whereas in certain embodiments R' is H, there is some latitude with respect to having R' slightly larger than H Alternate embodiments include wherein R' is CH₂OH, such as hexadecylbιs(2- hydroxyethyl)amιne oxide, tallowbιs(2-hydroxyethyl)amme oxide, stearylbιs(2-hydroxyethyl)amιne oxide and oleylbιs(2- hydroxyethyl)amιne oxide Enzymes

Enzymes can be included in the formulations herein for a wide variety of fabπc laundering purposes, including removal of protein-based, carbohydrate-based, or tπglyceπde- based stains, for example, and for fabπc restoration The enzymes to be incorporated include proteases, amylases, hpases, and cellulases, as well as mixtures thereof Other types of enzymes may also be included They may be of any suitable oπgin, such as vegetable, animal, bacterial, fungal and yeast origin However, their choice is governed by several factors such as pH-activity and/or stability optima, thermostability, stability versus active detergents, builders and so on In this respect bacterial or fungal enzymes are preferred, such as bacterial amylases and proteases, and fungal cellulases Enzymes are normally incorporated at levels sufficient to provide up to about 5 mg by weight, more typically about 0.01 mg to about 3 mg, of active enzyme per gram of the composition. Stated otherwise, the compositions herein will typically comprise from about 0.001% to about 5%, preferably 0.01% to 1% by weight of a commercial enzyme preparation. Protease enzymes are usually present in such commercial preparations at levels sufficient to provide from 0.005 to 0.1 Anson units (AU) of activity per gram of composition.

Suitable examples of proteases are the subtihsins which are obtained from particular strains of B. subti s and B. hcheniforms. Another suitable protease is obtained from a strain of Bacillus, having maximum activity throughout the pH range of 8-12, developed and sold by Novo Industries A/S under the registered tradename ESPERASE. The preparation of this enzyme and analogous enzymes is described in British Patent Specification No. 1,243,784 of Novo. Proteolytic enzymes suitable for removing protein-based stains that are commercially available include those sold under the trade names ALCALASE and SAVINASE by Novo Industries A/S (Denmark) and MAXATASE by International Bio-Synthetics, Inc. (The Netherlands). Other proteases include Protease A (see European Patent Application 130,756, published January 9, 1985) and Protease B (see European Patent Application Serial No. 87303761.8, filed April 28, 1987, and European Patent Application 130,756, Bott et al, published January 9, 1985).

Amylases include, for example, α-amylases descπbed in British Patent Specification No. 1 ,296,839 (Novo), RAPIDASE, International Bio-Synthetics, Inc. and TERMAMYL, Novo Industπes.

The cellulase usable in the present invention include both bacterial or fungal cellulase. Preferably, they will have a pH optimum of between 5 and 9.5. Suitable cellulases are disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,435,307, Barbesgoard et al, issued March 6, 1984, which discloses fungal cellulase produced from Humicola insolens and Humicola strain DSM1800 or a cellulase 212- producing fungus belonging to the genus Aeromonas, and cellulase extracted from the hepatopancreas of a aπne mollusk (Dolabella Auπcula Solander). Suitable cellulases are also disclosed GB-A-2.075.028; GB-A-2.095.275 and DE-OS-2.247.832. CAREZYME (Novo) is especially useful. Suitable lipase enzymes for detergent usage include those produced by microorganisms of the Pseudomonas group, such as Pseudomonas stutzeπ ATCC 19.154, as disclosed m Bπtish Patent 1,372,034. See also hpases in Japanese Patent Application 53,20487, laid open to public inspection on February 24, 1978. This lipase is available from Amano Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Nagoya, Japan, under the trade name Lipase P "Amano," hereinafter referred to as "Amano-P." Other commercial hpases include Amano-CES, hpases ex Chromobacter viscosum, e.g. Chromobacter viscosum var. hpolyticum NRRLB 3673, commercially available from Toyo Jozo Co., Tagata, Japan; and further Chromobacter viscosum hpases from U.S. Biochemical Corp., U.S.A. and Diosynth Co., The Netherlands, and hpases ex Pseudomonas gladioli. The LIPOLASE enzyme deπved from Humicola lanugmosa and commercially available from Novo (see also EPO 341,947) is a preferred lipase for use herein.

A wide range of enzyme mateπals and means for their incorporation into synthetic detergent compositions are also disclosed m U.S. Patent 3,553,139, issued January 5, 1971 to McCarty et al Enzymes are further disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,101,457, Place et al, issued July 18, 1978, and in U.S. Patent 4,507,219, Hughes, issued March 26, 1985, both. Enzyme mateπals useful for liquid detergent formulations, and their incorporation into such formulations, are disclosed m U S Patent 4,261,868, Hora et al, issued Apπl 14, 1981. Enzymes for use in detergents can be stabilized by various techniques. Enzyme stabilization techniques are disclosed and exemplified in U.S. Patent 3,600,319, issued August 17, 1971 to Gedge. et al, and European Patent Application Publication No. 0 199 405, Application No. 86200586.5, published October 29, 1986, Venegas Enzyme stabilization systems are also described, for example, in U.S Patent 3,519,570.

The enzymes employed herein may be stabilized by the presence of water-soluble sources of calcium and/or magnesium ions in the finished compositions which provide such ions to the enzymes (Calcium ions are generally somewhat more effective than magnesium ions and are preferred herein if only one type of cation is being used.) Additional stability can be provided by the presence of vaπous other art-disclosed stabilizers, especially borate species. See Severson, U.S. 4,537,706 Typical detergents, especially liquids, will comprise from about 1 to about 30, preferably from about 2 to about 20, more preferably from about 5 to about 15, and most preferably from about 8 to about 12, milhmoles of calcium ion per liter of finished composition. This can vary somewhat, depending on the amount of enzyme present and its response to the calcium or magnesium ions. The level of calcium or magnesium ions should be selected so that there is always some minimum level available for the enzyme, after allowing for complexation with builders, fatty acids, etc., m the composition. Any water-soluble calcium or magnesium salt can be used as the source of calcium or magnesium ions, including, but not limited to, calcium chloπde, calcium sulfate, calcium malate, calcium maleate, calcium hydroxide, calcium formate, and calcium acetate, and the corresponding magnesium salts. A small amount of calcium ion, generally from about 0.05 to about 0.4 milhmoles per liter, is often also present the composition due to calcium in the enzyme slurry and formula water. In so d detergent compositions the formulation may include a sufficient quantity of a water- soluble calcium ion source to provide such amounts in the laundry liquor. In the alternative, natural water hardness may suffice.

It is to be understood that the foregoing levels of calcium and/or magnesium ions are sufficient to provide enzyme stability. More calcium and/or magnesium ions can be added to the compositions to provide an additional measure of grease removal performance. Accordingly, as a general proposition the compositions herein will typically compπse from about 0.05% to about 2% by weight of a water-soluble source of calcium or magnesium ions, or both The amount can vary, of course, with the amount and type of enzyme employed in the composition.

The laundry detergent compositions herein may also optionally, but preferably, contain various additional stabilizers, especially borate-type stabilizers. Typically, such stabilizers will be used at levels in the compositions from about 0.25% to about 10%, preferably from about 0.5% to about 5%, more preferably from about 0.75% to about 4%, by weight of boric acid or other borate compound capable of forming bone acid in the composition (calculated on the basis of boric acid). Boric acid is prefened, although other compounds such as boric oxide, borax and other alkali metal borates (e.g , sodium ortho-, meta- and pyroborate, and sodium pentaborate) are suitable. Substituted boric acids (e.g., phenylboronic acid, butane boromc acid, and p-bromo phenylboronic acid) can also be used in place of boric acid. Polymeric Soil Release Agent

Any polymeric soil release agent known to those skilled in the art can optionally be employed m the compositions and processes of this invention. Polymeric soil release agents are charactenzed by having both hydrophihc segments, to hydrophihze the surface of hydrophobic fibers, such as polyester and nylon, and hydrophobic segments, to deposit upon hydrophobic fibers and remain adhered thereto through completion of washing and rinsing cycles and, thus, serve as an anchor for the hydrophihc segments. This can enable stains occurπng subsequent to treatment with the soil release agent to be more easily cleaned m later washing procedures.

Examples of polymenc soil release agents useful herein include U.S. Patent 4,721,580, issued January 26, 1988 to Gossehnk; U.S. Patent 4,000,093, issued December 28, 1976 to Nicol, et al.; European Patent Application 0 219 048, published Apπl 22, 1987 by Kud, et al.; U.S. Patent 4,702,857, issued October 27, 1987 to Gossehnk; U.S. Patent 4,968,451, issued November 6, 1990 to J.J. Scheibel. Commercially available soil release agents include the SOKALAN type of mateπal, e.g., SOKALAN HP-22, available from BASF (West Germany). Also see U.S. Patent 3,959,230 to Hays, issued May 25, 1976 and U.S. Patent 3,893,929 to Basadur issued July 8, 1975. Examples of this polymer include the commercially available material ZELCON 5126 (from Dupont) and MELEASE T (from ICI). Other suitable polymeπc soil release agents include the terephthalate polyesters of U.S. Patent 4,71 1,730, issued December 8, 1987 to Gossehnk et al, the anionic end-capped ohgomeπc esters of U.S. Patent 4,721,580, issued January 26, 1988 to Gossehnk, and the block polyester ohgomeπc compounds of U.S. Patent 4,702,857, issued October 27, 1987 to Gossehnk. Preferred polymeric soil release agents also include the soil release agents of U.S. Patent 4,877,896, issued October 31 , 1989 to Maldonado et al.

If utilized, soil release agents will generally comprise from about 0.01% to about 10.0%, by weight, of the detergent compositions herein, typically from about 0.1% to about 5%, preferably from about 0.2% to about 3.0%. Clay Soil Removal/Anti-redeposition Agents

The laundry detergent compositions of the present invention can also optionally contain water-soluble ethoxylated amines having clay soil removal and antiredeposition properties. Liquid detergent compositions typically contain about 0.01% to about 5%.

The most preferred soil release and anti-redeposition agent is ethoxylated tetraethylenepentamine. Exemplary ethoxylated amines are further described in U S. Patent 4,597,898, VanderMeer, issued July 1 , 1986. Another group of preferred clay soil removal- antiredeposition agents are the cationic compounds disclosed in European Patent Application 1 1 1 ,965, Oh and Gossehnk, published June 27, 1984 Other clay soil removal/antiredeposition agents which can be used include the ethoxylated amine polymers disclosed in European Patent Application 1 1 1 ,984, Gossehnk, published June 27, 1984; the zwitteπonic polymers disclosed in European Patent Application 1 12,592, Gossehnk, published July 4, 1984; and the amine oxides disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,548,744, Connor, issued October 22, 1985. Other clay soil removal and/or anti redeposition agents known m the art can also be utilized m the compositions herein. Another type of preferred antiredeposition agent includes the carboxy methyl cellulose (CMC) mateπals. These materials are well known m the art.

Polymeπc Dispersing Agents

Polymenc dispersing agents can advantageously be utilized at levels from about 0.1% to about 7%, by weight, m the compositions herein, especially m the presence of zeolite and/or layered silicate builders. Suitable polymeric dispersing agents include polymeric polycarboxylates and polyethylene glycols, although others known m the art can also be used. It is believed, though it is not intended to be limited by theory, that polymeπc dispersing agents enhance overall detergent builder performance, when used m combination with other builders (including lower molecular weight polycarboxylates) by crystal growth inhibition, particulate soil release peptization, and anti-redeposition.

Polymeric polycarboxylate mateπals can be prepared by polymeπzmg or copolymeπzmg suitable unsaturated monomers, preferably m their acid form. Unsaturated monomeπc acids that can be polymeπzed to form suitable polymeπc polycarboxylates include acrylic acid, maleic acid (or maleic anhydπde), fumaπc acid, ltaconic acid, acomtic acid, mesaconic acid, citraconic acid and methylenemalonic acid The presence m the polymeπc polycarboxylates herein or monomeπc segments, containing no carboxylate radicals such as vinylmethyl ether, styrene, ethylene, etc is suitable provided that such segments do not constitute more than about 40% by weight.

Particularly suitable polymeπc polycarboxylates can be derived from acrylic acid. Such acrylic acid-based polymers which are useful herein are the water-soluble salts of polymeπzed acrylic acid The average molecular weight of such polymers in the acid form preferably ranges from about 2,000 to 10,000, more preferably from about 4,000 to 7,000 and most preferably from about 4,000 to 5,000 Water-soluble salts of such acrylic acid polymers can include, for example, the alkali metal, ammonium and substituted ammonium salts Soluble polymers of this type are known materials Use of polyacrylates of this type in detergent compositions has been disclosed, for example, in Diehl, U.S Patent 3,308,067, issued march 7, 1967.

Acrylic/maleic-based copolymers may also be used as a preferred component of the dispersing/anti-redeposition agent. Such materials include the water-soluble salts of copolymers of acrylic acid and maleic acid The average molecular weight of such copolymers in the acid form preferably ranges from about 2,000 to 100,000, more preferably from about 5,000 to 75,000, most preferably from about 7,000 to 65,000 The ratio of acrylate to maleate segments in such copolymers will generally range from about 30: 1 to about 1 : 1, more preferably from about 10: 1 to 2: 1. Water-soluble salts of such acrylic acid/maleic acid copolymers can include, for example, the alkali metal, ammonium and substituted ammonium salts Soluble acrylate/maleate copolymers of this type are known mateπals which are descπbed in European Patent Application No. 66915, published December 15, 1982, as well as in EP 193,360, published September 3, 1986, which also describes such polymers compπsing hydroxypropylacrylate Still other useful dispersing agents include the maleic/acrylic/vinyl alcohol terpolymers. Such mateπals are also disclosed m EP 193,360, including, for example, the 45/45/10 terpolymer of acryhc/maleic/vmyl alcohol.

Another polymeric mateπal which can be included is polyethylene glycol (PEG). PEG can exhibit dispersing agent performance as well as act as a clay soil removal-antiredeposition agent. Typical molecular weight ranges for these purposes range from about 500 to about 100,000, preferably from about 1,000 to about 50,000, more preferably from about 1,500 to about 10,000.

Polyaspartate and polyglutamate dispersing agents may also be used, especially m conjunction with zeolite builders. Dispersing agents such as polyaspartate preferably have a molecular weight (avg.) of about 10,000. Bπghtener

Any optical bπghteners or other bπghten g or whitening agents known m the art can be incorporated at levels typically from about 0.05% to about 1.2%, by weight, into the detergent compositions herein. Commercial optical bπghteners which may be useful m the present invention can be classified into subgroups, which include, but are not necessarily limited to, derivatives of stilbene, pyrazohne, coumaπn, carboxyhc acid, methmecyanmes, dιbenzothιphene-5,5-dιoxιde, azoles, 5- and 6-membered-πng heterocycles, and other miscellaneous agents Examples of such bπghteners are disclosed in "The Production and Application of Fluorescent Brightening Agents", M. Zahradmk, Published by John Wiley & Sons, New York (1982).

Specific examples of optical bπghteners which are useful in the present compositions are those identified in U.S. Patent 4,790,856, issued to Wixon on December 13, 1988. These bπghteners include the PHOR WHITE series of bπghteners from Verona Other bπghteners disclosed in this reference include Tmopal UNPA, Tmopal CBS and Tinopal 5BM; available from Ciba-Geigy; Artie White CC and Artie White CWD, available from Hilton-Davis, located in Italy, the 2-(4-stryl-phenyl)-2H-napthol[l,2-d]tπazoles; 4,4'-bιs- (l,2,3-tπazol-2-yl)-stιl- benes, 4,4'-bιs(stryl)bιsphenyls; and the aminocoumaπns. Specific examples of these bπghteners include 4-methyl-7-dιethyl- ammo coumaπn; l,2-bιs(-venzιmιdazol-2-yl)ethylene; 1 ,3-diphenyl-phrazohnes; 2,5-bιs(benzoxazol-2-yl)thιophene; 2-stryl-napth-[l,2-d]oxazole; and 2-(stιlbene-4-yl)-2H-naphtho- [l,2-d]tπazole. See also U.S. Patent 3,646,015, issued February 29, 1972 to Hamilton. Anionic bπghteners are preferred herein. Suds Suppressors

Compounds for reducing or suppressing the formation of suds can be incorporated into the compositions of the present invention. Suds suppression can be of particular importance in the so-called "high concentration cleaning process" as descπbed in U.S. 4,489,455 and 4,489,574 and in front-loading European-style washing machines.

A wide vaπety of materials may be used as suds suppressors, and suds suppressors are well known to those skilled in the art. See, for example, Kirk Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, Third Edition, Volume 7, pages 430-447 (John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1979). One category of suds suppressor of particular interest encompasses monocarboxyhc fatty acid and soluble salts therein. See U.S. Patent 2,954,347, issued September 27, 1960 to Wayne St. John. The monocarboxyhc fatty acids and salts thereof used 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 alkanolammomum salts.

The laundry detergent compositions herein may also contain non-surfactant suds suppressors These include, for example: high molecular weight hydrocarbons such as paraffin, fatty acid esters (e.g., fatty acid triglycerides), fatty acid esters of monovalent alcohols, aliphatic C\ -C4_Q ketones (e.g., stearone), etc Other suds inhibitors include N-alkylated amino tπazines such as tπ- to hexa-alkylmelamines or di- to tetra-alkyldiamine chlortπazmes formed as products of cyanuπc chloπde with two or three moles of a pπmary or secondary amme containing 1 to 24 carbon atoms, propylene oxide, and monostearyl phosphates such as monostearyl alcohol phosphate ester and monostearyl di-alkah metal (e.g., K, Na, and Li) phosphates and phosphate esters The hydrocarbons such as paraffin and haloparaffin can be utilized in liquid form The liquid hydrocarbons will be liquid at room temperature and atmospheric pressure, and will have a pour point in the range of about -40°C and about 50°C, and a minimum boiling point not less than about 1 10°C (atmospheπc pressure). It is also known to utilize waxy hydrocarbons, preferably having a melting point below about 100°C. The hydrocarbons constitute a preferred category of suds suppressor for detergent compositions Hydrocarbon suds suppressors are described, for example, in U.S. Patent 4,265,779, issued May 5, 1981 to Gandolfo et al. The hydrocarbons, thus, include aliphatic, alicychc, aromatic, and heterocychc saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbons having from about 12 to about 70 carbon atoms. The term "paraffin," as used in this suds suppressor discussion, is intended to include mixtures of true paraffins and cyclic hydrocarbons.

Another preferred category of non-surfactant suds suppressors compπses sihcone suds suppressors This category includes the use of polyorganosiloxane oils, such as polydimethylsiloxane, dispersions or emulsions of polyorganosiloxane oils or resins, and combinations of polyorganosiloxane with silica particles wherein the polyorganosiloxane is chemisorbed or fused onto the silica. Sihcone suds suppressors are well known in the art and are, for example, disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,265,779, issued May 5, 1981 to Gandolfo et al and European Patent Application No. 89307851.9, published February 7, 1990, by Starch, M. S. Other sihcone suds suppressors are disclosed in U.S. Patent 3,455,839 which relates to compositions and processes for defoaming aqueous solutions by incorporating therein small amounts of polydimethylsiloxane fluids.

Mixtures of sihcone and silanated silica are descπbed, for instance, in German Patent Application DOS 2, 124,526.

In the preferred sihcone suds suppressor used herein, the solvent for a continuous phase is made up of certain polyethylene glycols or polyethylene-polypropylene glycol copolymers or mixtures thereof (preferred), or polypropylene glycol. The pπmary sihcone suds suppressor is branched/crosshnked and preferably not linear. To illustrate this point further, typical liquid laundry detergent compositions with controlled suds will optionally comprise from about 0.001 to about 1 , preferably from about 0 01 to about 0.7, most preferably from about 0 05 to about 0.5, weight % of said sihcone suds suppressor, which compπses (1) a nonaqueous emulsion of a pπmary antifoam agent which is a mixture of (a) a polyorganosiloxane, (b) a resinous siloxane or a sihcone resm-producmg sihcone compound, (c) a finely divided filler material, and (d) a catalyst to promote the reaction of mixture components (a), (b) and (c), to form silanolates; (2) at least one noniomc sihcone surfactant; and (3) polyethylene glycol or a copolymer of polyethylene-polypropylene glycol having a solubility in water at room temperature of more than about 2 weight %, and without polypropylene glycol See also U.S Patents 4,978,471, Starch, issued December 18, 1990, and 4,983,316, Starch, issued January 8, 1991, 5,288,431 , Huber et al., issued February 22, 1994, and U.S Patents 4,639,489 and 4,749,740, Aizawa et al at column 1 , line 46 through column 4, line 35.

The sihcone suds suppressor herein preferably comprises polyethylene glycol and a copolymer of polyethylene glycol/polypropylene glycol, all having an average molecular weight of less than about 1,000, preferably between about 100 and 800. The polyethylene glycol and polyethylene/polypropylene copolymers herein have a solubility in water at room temperature of more than about 2 weight %, preferably more than about 5 weight %.

The preferred solvent herein is polyethylene glycol having an average molecular weight of less than about 1,000, more preferably between about 100 and 800, most preferably between 200 and 400, and a copolymer of polyethylene glycol/polypropylene glycol, preferably PPG 200/PEG 300. Preferred is a weight ratio of between about 1 : 1 and 1 :10, most preferably between 1 :3 and 1 :6, of polyethylene glycol: copolymer of polyethylene -polypropylene glycol. The preferred sihcone suds suppressors used herein do not contain polypropylene glycol, particularly of 4,000 molecular weight. They also preferably do not contain block copolymers of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide, like PLURONIC L101.

Other suds suppressors useful herein compπse the secondary alcohols (e.g., 2-alkyl alkanols) and mixtures of such alcohols with sihcone oils, such as the sihcones disclosed in U.S. 4,798,679, 4,075,1 18 and EP 150,872. The secondary alcohols include the C₆-C₁₆ alkyl alcohols having a Cj-C_jg chain. A preferred alcohol is 2-butyl octanol, which is available from

Condea under the trademark ISOFOL 12. Mixtures of secondary alcohols are available under the trademark ISALCHEM 123 from Enichem. Mixed suds suppressors typically comprise mixtures of alcohol + sihcone at a weight ratio of 1 :5 to 5: 1.

For any detergent compositions to be used in automatic laundry washing machines, suds should not form to the extent that they overflow the washing machine. Suds suppressors, when utilized, are preferably present in a "suds suppressing amount. By "suds suppressing amount" is meant that the formulator of the composition can select an amount of this suds controlling agent that will sufficiently control the suds to result in a low-sudsing laundry detergent for use in automatic laundry washing machines.

The laundry detergent compositions herein will generally comprise from 0% to about 5% of suds suppressor When utilized as suds suppressors, monocarboxyhc fatty acids, and salts therein, will be present typically in amounts up to about 5%, by weight, of the detergent composition Sihcone suds suppressors are typically utilized in amounts up to about 2.0%, by weight, of the detergent composition, although higher amounts may be used This upper limit is practical in nature, due pπmaπly to concern with keeping costs minimized and effectiveness of lower amounts for effectively controlling sudsing Preferably from about 0.01% to about 1% of sihcone suds suppressor is used, more preferably from about 0.25% to about 0.5% As used herein, these weight percentage values include any silica that may be utilized in combination with polyorganosiloxane, as well as any adjunct mateπals that may be utilized. Monostearyl phosphate suds suppressors are generally utilized in amounts ranging from about 0.1 % to about 2%, by weight, of the composition Hydrocarbon suds suppressors are typically utilized in amounts ranging from about 0.01% to about 5.0%, although higher levels can be used. The alcohol suds suppressors are typically used at 0.2%-3% by weight of the finished compositions. Dye Transfer Inhibiting Agents

The laundry detergent compositions of the present invention may also include one or more mateπals effective for inhibiting the transfer of dyes from one fabric to another duπng the cleaning process Generally, such dye transfer inhibiting agents include polyvmyl pyrrohdone polymers, polyamme N-oxide polymers, copolymers of N-vmylpyrrohdone and N- vinyhmidazole, manganese phthalocya ne, peroxidases, and mixtures thereof. If used, these agents typically comprise from about 0.01% to about 10% by weight of the composition, preferably from about 0.01% to about 5%, and more preferably from about 0.05% to about 2%. More specifically, the polyamme N-oxide polymers preferred for use herein contain units having the following structural formula: R-A_x-P; wherem P is a polymenzable unit to which an

N-0 group can be attached or the N-0 group can form part of the polymenzable unit or the N-0 group can be attached to both units; A is one of the following structures: -NC(O)-, -C(0)0-, -S-, -O-, -N=; x is 0 or 1 ; and R is aliphatic, ethoxylated ahphatics, aromatics, heterocychc or alicychc groups or any combination thereof to which the nitrogen of the N-O group can be attached or the N-0 group is part of these groups. Preferred polyamme N-oxides are those wherein R is a heterocychc group such as pyndine, pyπole, lmidazole, pyrrohdine, pipendine and derivatives thereof.

The N-0 group can be represented by the following general structures:

O O

I I

(R, )x-N— (R₂)_y; =N— (R,)χ

(R3) wherein R_j , R₂, R3 are aliphatic, aromatic, heterocychc or alicychc groups or combinations thereof; x, y and z are 0 or 1 ; and the nitrogen of the N-0 group can be attached or form part of any of the aforementioned groups. The amine oxide unit of the polyamme N-oxides has a pKa <10, preferably pKa <7, more prefened pKa <6. Any polymer backbone can be used as long as the amme oxide polymer formed is water- soluble and has dye transfer inhibiting properties Examples of suitable polymeric backbones are polyvinyls, polyalkylenes, polyesters, polyethers, polyamide, polyimides, polyacrylates and mixtures thereof. These polymers include random or block copolymers where one monomer type is an amme N-oxide and the other monomer type is an N-oxide. The amine N-oxide polymers typically have a ratio of amine to the amme N-oxide of 10: 1 to 1 : 1 ,000,000.

However, the number of amme oxide groups present in the polyamme oxide polymer can be vaπed by appropπate copolymeπzation or by an appropnate degree of N-oxidation. The polyamme oxides can be obtained in almost any degree of polymeπzation. Typically, the average molecular weight is within the range of 500 to 1,000,000; more prefened 1,000 to 500,000; most prefened 5,000 to 100,000. This prefened class of materials can be refened to as "PVNO". The most prefened polyamme N-oxide useful m the detergent compositions herein is poly(4-vmylpyndme-N-oxιde) which as an average molecular weight of about 50,000 and an amine to amine N-oxide ratio of about 1 :4.

Copolymers of N-vinylpynohdone and N-vinyhmidazole polymers (refened to as a class as "PVPVI") are also prefened for use herein. Preferably the PVPVI has an average molecular weight range from 5,000 to 1,000,000, more preferably from 5,000 to 200,000, and most preferably from 10,000 to 20,000. (The average molecular weight range is determined by light scatteπng as descπbed in Barth, et al., Chemical Analysis, Vol 113. "Modern Methods of Polymer Charactenzation", the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.) The PVPVI copolymers typically have a molar ratio of N-vinyhmidazole to N-vmylpynohdone from 1 : 1 to 0 2: 1 , more preferably from 0.8: 1 to 0.3: 1, most preferably from 0.6: 1 to 0.4: 1. These copolymers can be either linear or branched.

The laundry detergent compositions also may employ a polyvmylpynohdone ("PVP") having an average molecular weight of from about 5,000 to about 400,000, preferably from about 5,000 to about 200,000, and more preferably from about 5,000 to about 50,000 PVP's are known to persons skilled in the detergent field; see, for example, EP-A-262,897 and EP-A- 256.696, incorporated herein by reference. Compositions containing PVP can also contain polyethylene glycol ("PEG") having an average molecular weight from about 500 to about 100,000, preferably from about 1,000 to about 10,000. Preferably, the ratio of PEG to PVP on a ppm basis delivered in wash solutions is from about 2: 1 to about 50: 1, and more preferably from about 3: 1 to about 10: 1.

The laundry detergent compositions herein may also optionally contain from about 0.005% to 5% by weight of certain types of hydrophihc optical bπghteners 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 bπghteners.

The hydrophihc optical bπghteners useful in the present invention are those having the structural formula:

wherein R\ is selected from amhno, N-2-bιs-hydroxyethyl and NH-2-hydroxyethyl; R₂ is selected from N-2-bιs-hydroxyethyl, N-2-hydroxyethyl-N-methylammo, morphihno, chloro and amino; and M is a salt-forming cation such as sodium or potassium.

When in the above formula, Rj is amhno, R is N-2-bιs-hydroxyethyl and M is a cation such as sodium, the bπghtener is 4,4',-bιs[(4-anιlmo-6-(N-2-bιs-hydroxyethyl)-s-tnazιne-2- yl)amιno]-2,2'-stιlbenedιsulfomc acid and disodium salt. This particular bπghtener species is commercially marketed under the tradename Tinopal-UNPA-GX by Ciba-Geigy Corporation. Tinopal-UNPA-GX is the prefened hydrophihc optical bnghtener useful in the detergent compositions herein When in the above formula, Rj is amhno, R₂ is N-2-hydroxyethyl-N-2-methylamιno and

M is a cation such as sodium, the bπghtener is 4,4'-bιs[(4-anιhno-6-(N-2-hydroxyethyl-N- methylamιno)-s-tπazme-2-yl)amιno]2.2'-stιlbenedιsulfonιc acid disodium salt. This particular bnghtener species is commercially marketed under the tradename Tinopal 5BM-GX by Ciba- Geigy Corporation. When in the above formula, R j is amhno, R₂ is morphihno and M is a cation such as sodium, the bnghtener is 4,4'-bιs[(4-anιhno-6-morphιhno-s-tπazιne-2-yl)amιno]2,2'- stilbenedisulfo c acid, sodium salt This particular bnghtener species is commercially marketed under the tradename Tinopal AMS-GX by Ciba Geigy Corporation.

The specific optical bnghtener 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 polymenc materials (e.g., PVNO and/or PVPVI) with such selected optical bπghteners (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 bπghteners work this way because they have high affinity for fabπcs in the wash solution and therefore deposit relatively quick on these fabrics. The extent to which bπghteners 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 bπghtener mateπal deposited on fabnc to b) the initial bnghtener concentration the wash liquor. Bnghteners with relatively high exhaustion coefficients are the most suitable for inhibiting dye transfer in the context of the present invention. Of course, it will be appreciated that other, conventional optical bnghtener types of compounds can optionally be used in the present compositions to provide conventional fabnc "bπghtness" benefits, rather than a true dye transfer inhibiting effect. Such usage is conventional and well-known to detergent formulations. Bleaching Compounds - Bleaching Agents and Bleach Activators

The laundry detergent compositions herein may optionally contain bleaching agents or bleaching compositions containing a bleaching agent and one or more bleach activators. When present, bleaching agents will typically be at levels of from about 1% to about 30%, more typically from about 5% to about 20%, of the detergent composition, especially for fabric laundering If present, the amount of bleach activators will typically be from about 0.1% to about 60%, more typically from about 0.5% to about 40% of the bleaching composition comprising the bleaching agent-plus-bleach activator.

The bleaching agents used herein can be any of the bleaching agents useful for detergent compositions in textile cleaning, hard surface cleaning, or other cleaning purposes that are now known or become known These include oxygen bleaches as well as other bleaching agents. Perborate bleaches, e.g.. sodium perborate (e.g., mono- or tetra-hydrate) and percarbonate bleaches can be used herein.

Another category of bleaching agent that can be used without restriction encompasses percarboxyhc acid bleaching agents and salts thereof. Suitable examples of this class of agents include magnesium monoperoxyphthalate hexahydrate, the magnesium salt of metachloro perbenzoic acid, 4-nonylamιno-4-oxoperoxybutyπc acid and diperoxydodecanedioic acid. Such bleaching agents are disclosed in U.S Patent 4,483,781 , Hartman, issued November 20, 1984, U.S. Patent Application 740,446, Burns et al, filed June 3, 1985, European Patent Application 0,133,354, Banks et al, published February 20, 1985, and U.S. Patent 4,412,934, Chung et al, issued November 1, 1983. Highly prefened bleaching agents also include 6-nonylamιno-6- oxoperoxycaproic acid as described in U.S. Patent 4,634,551 , issued January 6, 1987 to Burns et al.

Peroxygen bleaching agents can also be used. Suitable peroxygen bleaching compounds include sodium carbonate peroxyhydrate and equivalent "percarbonate" bleaches, sodium pyrophosphate peroxyhydrate, urea peroxyhydrate, and sodium peroxide. Persulfate bleach (e.g., OXONE, manufactured commercially by DuPont) can also be used. Mixtures of bleaching agents can also be used.

Peroxygen bleaching agents, the perborates, the percarbonates, etc., are preferably combined with bleach activators, which lead to the in situ production aqueous solution (i.e., duπng the washing process) of the peroxy acid conespondmg to the bleach activator. Various nonhmiting examples of activators are disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,915,854, issued April 10, 1990 to Mao et al, and U.S. Patent 4,412,934. The nonanoyloxybenzene sulfonate (NOBS) and tetraacetyl ethylene diamine (TAED) activators are typical, and mixtures thereof can also be used. See also U.S 4,634,551 for other typical bleaches and activators useful herein. Highly prefened armdo-deπved bleach activators are those of the formulae:

R 1 N(R5 )C(0)R²C(0)L or R ^l C(0)N(R⁵)R²C(0)L wherein R* 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, R^ is H or alkyl, aryl, or alkaryl containing from about 1 to about 10 carbon atoms, and L is any suitable leaving group A leaving group is any group that is displaced from the bleach activator as a consequence of the nucleophihc attack on the bleach activator by the perhydrolysis anion. A prefened leaving group is phenyl sulfonate.

Prefened examples of bleach activators of the above formulae include (6- octanamιdocaproyl)oxybenzenesulfonate, (6-nonanamιdocaproyl)oxybenzenesul-fonate, (6- decanamιdocaproyl)oxybenzenesulfonate, and mixtures thereof as described in U.S Patent 4,634,551 , incorporated herein by reference.

Another class of bleach activators comprises the benzoxazm-type activators disclosed by Hodge et al in U.S. Patent 4,966,723, issued October 30, 1990, incorporated herein by reference. Still another class of prefened bleach activators includes the acyl lactam activators, especially acyl caprolactams and acyl valerolactams Highly prefened lactam activators include benzoyl caprolactam, octanoyl caprolactam, 3,5,5-tπmethylhexanoyl caprolactam, nonanoyl caprolactam, decanoyl caprolactam, undecenoyl caprolactam, benzoyl valerolactam, octanoyl valerolactam, decanoyl valerolactam, undecenoyl valerolactam, nonanoyl valerolactam, 3,5,5- tπmethylhexanoyl valerolactam and mixtures thereof See also U.S. Patent 4,545,784, issued to Sanderson, October 8, 1985, incorporated herein by reference, which discloses acyl caprolactams, including benzoyl caprolactam, adsorbed into sodium perborate.

Bleaching agents other than oxygen bleaching agents are also known m the art and can be utilized herein. One type of non-oxygen bleaching agent of particular interest includes photoactivated bleaching agents such as the sulfonated zmc and or aluminum phthalocyamnes. See U.S. Patent 4,033,718, issued July 5, 1977 to Holcombe et al. If used, detergent compositions will typically contain from about 0.025% to about 1.25%, by weight, of such bleaches, especially sulfonate zinc phthalocyamne. If desired, the bleaching compounds can be catalyzed by means of a manganese compound. Such compounds are well known the art and include, for example, the manganese-based catalysts disclosed in U.S. Pat. 5,246,621, U.S. Pat. 5,244,594; U.S. Pat. 5,194,416; U.S. Pat. 5,1 14,606; and European Pat. App. Pub. Nos. 549.271A1, 549.272A1, 544,440 A2, and 544,490 A 1. As a practical matter, and not by way of limitation, the 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 0.1 ppm to about 700 ppm, more preferably from about 1 ppm to about 500 ppm, of the catalyst species m the laundry liquor. Anti-Static Agents

The laundry detergent compositions can also compπse anti-static agents as illustrated in U S Pat. 4,861 ,502. Prefened examples of anti-static agents include alkyl amine-anio c surfactant ion pairs, such as distearyl amine-cumene sulfonate ion pairs. If present, anti-static agents are present in an amount of from about 0.5% to about 20%, preferably from about 1% to about 10%, more preferably from about 1% to about 5%, by weight of the detergent composition.

In the following Example A, an embodiment of the present invention of a chelant agglomerate is exemplified:

EXAMPLE A

Ingredient Wt%

Zeolite 85.00 DTPA 15.00 Total 100.0%

Accordingly, having thus descπbed the invention in detail, it will be obvious 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

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS :

1. A process for preparation of a chelant composition by a non-spray-drymg process, characterized by the steps of: a) admixing a transition metal chelant and an inorganic compound to form a mixture; b) agglomerating said mixture in an aqueous medium to form a chelant agglomerate; and c) drying said chelant agglomerate.

2. A process according to claim 1 , wherein said transition metal chelant is selected from the group consisting of amino carboxylates, amino phosphonates, polyfunctionally-substiruted aromatic chelating agents, sodium ditriammepentaacetate, and mixtures thereof.

3. A process according to claim 1 , wherein said transition metal chelant is sodium ditriammepentaacetate.

4 A process according to claim 1 , wherein said inorganic compound is selected from the group consisting of sulfates, carbonates, silicates, aluminosihcates and mixtures thereof.

5. A process according to claim 4, wherein said inorganic compound is an aluminosilicate ion exchange mateπal of the formula, Mm n[(A10₂)m(Si0₂)yl_*xH₂0 ^{wnere n 1S} the valence of the cation M, x is the number of water molecules per unit cell, m and y are the total number of tetrahedra per unit cell, and y/m is 1 to 100, and wherein M is selected from the group consisting of sodium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium.

6. A process according to claim 1 , wherein said step of admixing includes mixing and granulating said transition metal chelant and said inorganic compound in one or more of a highspeed mixer and granulator.

7. A process according to claim 1, wherem said step of agglomerating includes forming a chelant-morganic compound pre-mix with water.

8. A process according to claim 1 wherein said transition metal chelant and said inorganic compound are admixed in a weight ratio in a range of from 10:90 to 80:20 respectively.

9. A process for improving one or more of storage stability, fiowability and scoopabihty of a laundry detergent composition, charactenzed by the steps of:

(a) providing a chelant composition prepared by a non-spray-drymg process, charactenzed by the steps of:

(I) admixing a transition metal chelant and an inorganic compound to form a mixture; (n) agglomerating said mixture in an aqueous medium to form a chelant agglomerate; and (in) drying said chelant agglomerate; and

(b) incorporating said chelant composition into a particulate laundry detergent matenal in a weight ratio in a range of from 0.05 '99.95 to 2.98, chelant composition to particulate laundry detergent mateπal.

10 A chelant agglomerate useful as an ad-mix in a particulate laundry detergent, having a composition, characterized by: a transition metal chelant; an inorganic compound; and water; said chelant agglomerate being formed by admixing said transition metal chelant and said inorganic compound to form a mixture, agglomerating said mixture in said water to form said chelant agglomerate and drying the chelant agglomerate.