EP1134281B1 - Tablette détergente - Google Patents

Tablette détergente Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1134281B1
EP1134281B1 EP01112070A EP01112070A EP1134281B1 EP 1134281 B1 EP1134281 B1 EP 1134281B1 EP 01112070 A EP01112070 A EP 01112070A EP 01112070 A EP01112070 A EP 01112070A EP 1134281 B1 EP1134281 B1 EP 1134281B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
compressed portion
detergent
compressed
detergent tablet
tablet according
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP01112070A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP1134281A1 (fr
Inventor
Barry Rowland
Alasdair Duncan Mcgregor
Michael Crombie Addison
Lynda Anne Speed
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Procter and Gamble Co
Original Assignee
Procter and Gamble Co
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
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Application filed by Procter and Gamble Co filed Critical Procter and Gamble Co
Publication of EP1134281A1 publication Critical patent/EP1134281A1/fr
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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
    • C11D3/16—Organic compounds
    • C11D3/37—Polymers
    • 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
    • C11D17/00—Detergent materials or soaps characterised by their shape or physical properties
    • C11D17/0047—Detergents in the form of bars or tablets
    • C11D17/0065—Solid detergents containing builders
    • C11D17/0073—Tablets
    • C11D17/0078—Multilayered tablets
    • 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
    • C11D17/00—Detergent materials or soaps characterised by their shape or physical properties
    • C11D17/0047—Detergents in the form of bars or tablets
    • C11D17/0065—Solid detergents containing builders
    • C11D17/0073—Tablets
    • C11D17/0091—Dishwashing tablets
    • 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
    • C11D3/04—Water-soluble compounds
    • C11D3/08—Silicates
    • 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
    • C11D3/16—Organic compounds
    • C11D3/20—Organic compounds containing oxygen
    • C11D3/22—Carbohydrates or derivatives thereof
    • C11D3/222—Natural or synthetic polysaccharides, e.g. cellulose, starch, gum, alginic acid or cyclodextrin
    • 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
    • C11D3/16—Organic compounds
    • C11D3/38—Products with no well-defined composition, e.g. natural products
    • C11D3/384—Animal products
    • 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
    • C11D3/16—Organic compounds
    • C11D3/38—Products with no well-defined composition, e.g. natural products
    • C11D3/386—Preparations containing enzymes, e.g. protease or amylase
    • 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

Definitions

  • the present invention provides a detergent tablet comprising a compressed portion and a non-compressed, non-encapsulating portion.
  • detergent compositions in tablet form are known in the art. It is understood that detergent compositions in tablet form hold several advantages over detergent compositions in particulate form, such as ease of handling, transportation and storage.
  • Detergent tablets are most commonly prepared by pre-mixing components of a detergent composition and forming the pre-mixed detergent components into a tablet using a tablet press. Tablets are typically formed by compression of the components of the detergent composition into a tablet. However, the Applicant has found that some components of a detergent composition are adversely affected by the compression pressure used to form the tablets. These components could not previously be included in a detergent tablet composition without sustaining a loss in performance. In some cases the components may even have become unstable or inactive as a result of the compression.
  • EP-A 0,224,135 describes a dishwashing detergent in a form which comprises a warm water-soluble melt, into which is pressed a cold water-soluble tablet.
  • the document teaches a detergent composition that consists of two parts, the first part dissolving in the pre-rinse and the second part dissolving in the main wash of the dishwasher.
  • EP-B-0,055,100 describes a lavatory block formed by combining a slow dissolving shaped body with a tablet.
  • the lavatory block is designed to be placed in the cistern of a lavatory and dissolves over a period of days, preferably weeks.
  • solubility control agents are paradichlorobenzene, waxes, long chain fatty acids and alcohols and esters thereof and fatty alkylamides.
  • Detergent tablets for use in laundry or automatic dishwashing must substantially dissolve within one cycle of the washing or dishwashing machine, i.e. within 30 to 120 minutes.
  • the Applicant has found that by providing a detergent tablet comprising a compressed portion and a non-encapsulating, non-compressed portion detergent components previously considered to be unacceptable for detergent tablets, can be incorporated into a detergent tablet. In addition, potentially reactive components of the detergent composition can be effectively separated.
  • a further advantage of using a detergent tablet as described herein, is the performance benefits which may be achieved in being able to prepare the detergent tablet so that if required, the compressed portion and the non-compressed portion have different rates of dissolution. Such performance benefits are achieved by selectively delivering active detergent components into the wash solution at different times.
  • a detergent tablet comprising:
  • the detergent tablet comprises silicate.
  • the detergent tablet has a dissolution rate of greater than 0.33 g/min as determined using the SOTAX dissolution test method described herein.
  • the weight of the detergent tablet is less than 40g and the detergent tablet has a dissolution rate of greater than 0.33 g/min as determined using the SOTAX dissolution test method described herein.
  • active detergent components of a detergent tablet previously adversely affected by the compression pressure used to form the tablets can now be included in a detergent tablet.
  • these components include bleaching agents and enzymes.
  • active detergent components of a detergent tablet may be separated from one another by having one or more compatible components contained in a compressed portion and one or more compatible components contained in a non-compressed portion of the tablet Examples of components that may interact and may therefore require separation include bleaching agents, bleach activators or catalyst and enzymes; bleaching agents and bleach catalysts or activators; bleaching agents and surfactants; alkalinity sources and enzymes.
  • the compressed and the non-compressed portions such that they dissolve in wash water with different dissolution rates.
  • rate of dissolution of each portion relative to one another, and by selection of the active detergent components in the respective portions, their order of release into the wash water can be controlled and the cleaning performance of the detergent tablet may be improved.
  • enzymes are delivered to the wash prior to bleaching agent and/or bleach activator.
  • a source of alkalinity is released into the wash water more rapidly than other components of the detergent tablet.
  • the tablet may comprise a plurality of compressed or non-compressed portions.
  • a plurality of compressed portions may be arranged in layers and/or a plurality of non-compressed portions may be present as discrete sections of the tablet separated by a compressed portion.
  • Such a plurality of compressed or non-compressed portions may be advantageous, enabling a tablet to be produced which has for example, a first and second and optional subsequent portions so that they have different rates of dissolution.
  • Such performance benefits are achieved by selectively delivering active detergent components into the wash water at different times.
  • the detergent tablets described herein are preferably between 15g and 100g in weight, more preferably between 18g and 80g in weight, even more preferably between 20g and 60g in weight.
  • Detergent tablets suitable for use in fabric laundering methods are most preferably between 40g and 100g, more preferably between 40g and 80g, most preferably between 40g and 65g in weight.
  • the weight ratio of compressed portion to non-compressed portion is greater than 4:1, most preferably at least 5:1.
  • the detergent tablets described herein have Child Bite Strength (CBS) which is generally greater than 10Kg, preferably greater than 12Kg, most preferably greater than 14Kg. CBS is measured as per the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Test Specification.
  • Child Bite Strength Test Method According to this method the tablet is placed horizontally between two strips/plates of metal.
  • the upper and lower plates are hinged on one side, such that the plates resemble a human jaw.
  • An increasing downward force is applied to the upper plate, mimicking the closing action of the jaw, until the tablet breaks.
  • the CBS of the tablet is a measure of the force in Kilograms, required to break the tablet.
  • the detergent tablets described herein generally have a dissolution rate of faster than 0.33 g/min, preferably faster than 0.5 g/min, more preferably faster than 1.00 g/min, even more preferably faster than 2.00 g/m, most preferably faster than 2.73 g/min.
  • Dissolution rate is measured using the SOTAX dissolution test method.
  • dissolution of detergent tablets is achieved using a SOTAX (tradename) machine; model number AT7 available from SOTAX.
  • the SOTAX machine consists of a temperature controlled waterbath with lid. 7 pots are suspended in the water bath. 7 electric stirring rods are suspended from the underside of the lid-in positions corresponding to the position of the pots in the waterbath. The lid of the waterbath also serves as a lid on the pots.
  • the SOTAX waterbath is filled with water and the temperature gauge set to 50°C. Each pot is then filled with 1 litre of deionised water and the stirrer set to revolve at 250rpm. The lid of the waterbath is closed, allowing the temperature of the deionised water in the pots to equilibrate with the water in the waterbath for 1 hour.
  • the tablets are weighed and one tablet is placed in each pot, the lid is then closed. The tablet is visually monitored until it completely dissolves. The time is noted when the tablet has completely dissolved.
  • the dissolution rate of the tablet is calculated as the average weight (g) of tablet dissolved in deionised water per minute.
  • the compressed portion of the detergent tablet comprises at least one active detergent component but may comprise a mixture of more than one active detergent components, which are compressed.
  • Any detergent tablet component conventionally used in known detergent tablets is suitable for incorporation into the compressed portion of the detergent tablets of this invention.
  • Suitable active detergent components are described hereinafter.
  • Preferred active detergent components include builder compound, surfactant, bleaching agent, bleach activator, bleach catalyst, enzyme and an alkalinity source.
  • Active detergent component(s) present in the compressed layer may optionally be prepared in combination with a carrier and/or a binder for example water, polymer (e.g. PEG), liquid silicate.
  • the active detergent components are preferably prepared in particulate form (i.e. powder or granular form) and may be prepared by any known method, for example conventional spray drying, granulation or agglomeration.
  • the particulate active detergent component(s) are then compressed using any suitable equipment suitable for forming compressed tablets, blocks, bricks or briquettes; described in more detail hereafter.
  • the non-compressed, non-encapsulating portion comprises at least one active detergent component, but may comprise a mixture of more than one active detergent components.
  • Active detergent components suitable for incorporation in the non-compressed portion include components that interact with one or more detergent components present in the compressed portion.
  • preferred components of the non-compressed portion are those that are adversely affected by compression pressure of for example a compression tablet press.
  • active detergent components include, but are not limited to, surfactant, bleaching agent, bleach activator, bleach catalyst, enzyme, corrosion inhibitor, perfume and an alkalinity source. These components are described in more detail below.
  • the active detergent component(s) may be in any form for example particulate (i.e. powder or granular), gel or liquid form.
  • the non-compressed portion in addition to comprising an active detergent component, may also optionally comprise a carrier component.
  • the active detergent component may be present in the form of a solid, gel or liquid, prior to combination with a carrier component.
  • the non-compressed portion of the detergent tablet is in, gel or solidified melt form.
  • the detergent tablet of the present invention requires that the non-compressed portion be delivered to the compressed portion such that the compressed portion and non-compressed portion contact each other.
  • the non-compressed portion may be delivered to the compressed portion in solid or flowable form. Where the non-compressed portion is in solid form, it is pre-prepared, optionally shaped and then delivered to the compressed portion. The non-compressed portion is then affixed to a pre-formed compressed portion, for example by adhesion or by insertion of the non-compressed portion to a co-operating surface of the compressed portion.
  • the compressed portion comprises a pre-prepared depression or mould into which the non-compressed portion is delivered.
  • the non-compressed portion is preferably delivered to the compressed portion in flowable form.
  • the non-compressed portion is then affixed to the compressed portion for example by adhesion, by forming a coating over the non-compressed layer to secure it to the compressed portion, or by hardening, for example (i) by cooling to below the melting point where the flowable composition becomes a solidified melt; (ii) by evaporation of a solvent; (iii) by crystallisation; (iv) by polymerisation of a polymeric component of the flowable non-compressed portion; (v) through pseudo-plastic properties where the flowable non-compressed portion comprises a polymer and shear forces are applied to the non-compressed portion; (vi) combining a binding agent with the flowable non-compressed portion.
  • the flowable non-compressed portion may be an extrudate that is affixed to the compressed portion by for example any of the mechanism described above or by expansion of the extrudate to the parameters of a mould provided by the compressed portion.
  • the compressed portion comprises a pre-prepared depression or mould (hereafter referred to as 'mould') into which the non-compressed portion is delivered.
  • the surface of the compressed portion comprises more than one mould into which the non-compressed portion may be delivered.
  • the mould(s) preferably at least partially accommodates one or more non-compressed portions. The non-compressed portion(s) is then delivered into the mould and affixed to the compressed portion as described above.
  • the non-compressed portion may comprise particulates.
  • the particulates may be prepared by any known method, for example conventional spray drying, granulation encapsulation or agglomeration. Particulates may be affixed to the compressed portion by incorporating a binding agent or by forming a coating layer over the non-compressed portion.
  • the first and second and optional subsequent non-compressed portions may comprise particulates having substantially different average particle size.
  • substantially different average particle size we mean that the difference between the average particle size of the first and second and/or subsequent compositions is greater than 5%, preferably greater than 10%, more preferably greater than 15% or even 20% of the smaller average particle size.
  • the average particle size of the particulate detergent active components used herein is calculated using a series of Tyler sieves.
  • the series consists of a number of sieves each having a different aperture size.
  • Samples of a composition of active detergent components are sieved through the series of sieves (typically 5 sieves).
  • the weight of a sample of composition retained in the sieve is plotted against the aperture size of the sieve.
  • the average particle size of the composition is defined as the aperture size through which 50% by weight of the sample of composition would pass.
  • first and second and optional subsequent compositions of active detergent components have substantially different density such that the difference between the density of the first and second and/or subsequent compositions is greater than 5%, preferably greater than 10%, more preferably greater than 15% or even 20% of the smaller density.
  • Density of the particulate composition of active detergent components can be measured by any known method suitable for measuring density of particulate material.
  • the density of the composition of active detergent components is measured using a simple funnel and cup device consisting of a conical funnel moulded rigidly on a base and provided with a flap valve at its lower extremity to allow the contents of the funnel to be emptied into an axially aligned cylindrical cup disposed below the funnel.
  • the funnel is 130 mm high and has internal diameters of 130 mm and 40 mm at its respective upper and lower extremities. It is mounted so that the lower extremity is 140 mm above the upper surface of the base.
  • the cup has an overall height of 90 mm, an internal height of 87 mm and an internal diameter of 84 mm. Its nominal volume is 500 ml.
  • a density measurement is taken by hand pouring the composition into the funnel. Once the funnel is filled, the flap valve is opened and powder allowed to run through the funnel, overfilling the cup. The filled cup is removed from the frame and excess powder removed from the cup by passing a straight edged implement e.g. a knife, across its upper edge. The filled cup is then weighed and the value obtained for the weight of powder doubled to provide a bulk density in grams/litre. Replicate measurements are made as required.
  • Tablets in which one or more of the non-compressed portions comprise particulates and the average particle size and/or density of the first and second and optionally subsequent non-compressed portions are substantially different are preferred where the first and second and optionally subsequent non-compressed portions are required to have different rates of dissolution.
  • the melt is prepared by heating a composition comprising a detergent active component and optional carrier component(s) to above its melting point to form a flowable melt.
  • the flowable melt is then poured into a mould and allowed to cool. As the melt ccols it becomes solid, taking the shape of the mould at ambient temperature.
  • the carrier component(s) may be heated to above their melting point, and then an active detergent component may be added.
  • Carrier components suitable for preparing a solidified melt are typically non-active components that can be heated to above melting point to form a liquid and cooled to form an intermolecular matrix that can effectively trap active detergent components.
  • a preferred non-active carrier component is an organic polymer that is solid at ambient temperature.
  • the non-active detergent components is polyethylene glycol (PEG).
  • the compressed portion of the detergent tablet preferably provides a mould to accommodate the melt.
  • the flowable non-compressed portion may be in a form comprising a dissolved or suspended active detergent component.
  • the flowable non-compressed portion may harden over time to form a solid, semi solid or highly viscous liquid non-compressed portion by any of the methods described above.
  • the flowable non-compressed portion may harden by evaporation of a solvent Solvents suitable for use herein may include any known solvent in which a binding agent is soluble.
  • Preferred solvents may be polar or non-polar and may include water, alcohol, (for example ethanol, acetone) and alcohol derivatives. In an alternative embodiment more than one solvent may be used.
  • the flowable non-compressed portion may comprise one or more binding agents.
  • Any binding agent that has the effect of causing the composition to become solid, semi-solid or highly viscous over time is envisaged for use herein.
  • mechanisms by which the binding agent causes a non-solid composition to become solid, semi-solid or highly viscous include: chemical reaction (such as chemical cross linking), or effect interaction between two or more components of the flowable compositions either; chemical or physical interaction of the binding agent with a component of the composition.
  • Preferred binding agents include a sugar/gelatine combination, starch, glycerol and organic polymers.
  • the sugar may be any monosaccharide (e.g. glucose), disaccharide (e.g.
  • sucrose or maltose or polysaccharide.
  • the most preferred sugar is commonly available sucrose.
  • type A or B gelatine may be used, available from for example Sigma.
  • Type A gelatine is preferred since it has greater stability in alkaline conditions in comparison to type B.
  • Preferred gelatine also has a bloom strength of between 65 and 300, most preferably between 75 and 100.
  • Preferred organic polymers include polyethylene glycol (PEG) of molecular weight from 500 to 10,000, preferably from 750 to 8000, most preferably from 1000 to 6000 available from Hoechst.
  • the extrudate is prepared by premixing the active detergent components with optional carrier components to form a viscous paste.
  • the viscous paste is then extruded using any suitable commonly available extrusion equipment such as for example a single or twin screw extruder available from for example APV Baker, Peterborough, U.K.
  • the extrudate is then cut to size either after delivery to the compressed portion, or prior to delivery to the compressed portion of the detergent tablet.
  • the compressed portion of the tablet preferably comprises a mould into which the extruded non-compressed portion may be delivered.
  • the non-compressed portion is coated with a coating layer.
  • the coating may be used to affix a non-compressed portion to the compressed portion. This may be particularly advantageous where the non-compressed portion comprises flowable particulates, gels or liquids.
  • the coating layer preferably comprises a material that becomes solid on contacting the compressed and/or the non-compressed portions within preferably less than 15 minutes, more preferably less than 10 minutes, even more preferably less than 5 minutes, most preferably less than 60 seconds.
  • the coating layer is water-soluble.
  • Preferred coating layers comprise materials selected from the group consisting of fatty acids, alcohols, diols, esters and ethers, adipic acid, carboxylic acid, dicarboxylic acid, polyvinyl acetate (PVA), polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP), polyacetic acid (PLA), polyethylene glycol (PEG) and mixtures thereof.
  • Preferred carboxylic or dicarboxylic acids preferably comprise an even number of carbon atoms.
  • carboxylic or dicarboxylic acids comprise at least 4, more preferably at least 6, even more preferably at least 8 carbon atoms, most preferably between 8 and 13 carbon atoms.
  • Preferred dicarboxylic acids include adipic acid, suberic acid, azelaic acid, subacic acid, undecanedioic acid, dodecandioic acid, tridecanedioic and mixtures thereof.
  • Preferred fatty acids are those having a carbon chain length of from C12 to C22, most preferably from C18 to C22.
  • the coating layer may also preferably comprise a disrupting agent. Where present the coating layer generally present at a level of at least 0.05%, preferably at least 0.1%, more preferably at least 1%, most preferably at least 2% or even at least 5% of the detergent tablet.
  • the coating layer may encapsulate the detergent tablet.
  • the coating layer is present at a level of at least 4%, more preferably at least 5%, most preferably at least 10% of the detergent tablet.
  • the compressed and/or non-compressed portions and/or coating layer additionally comprise a disrupting agent.
  • the disrupting agent may be a disintegrating or effervescing agent.
  • Suitable disintegrating agents include agents that swell on contact with water or facilitated water influx and/or efflux by forming channels in compressed and/or non-compressed portions . Any known disintegrating or effervescing agent suitable for use in laundry or dishwashing applications is envisaged for use herein.
  • Suitable disintegrating agent include starch, starch derivatives, alginates, carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), CMC-based polymers, sodium acetate, aluminium oxide.
  • Suitable effervescing agents are those that produce a gas on contact with water.
  • Suitable effervesing agents may be oxygen, nitrogen dioxide or carbon dioxide evolving species.
  • Examples of preferred effervesing agents may be selected from the group consisting of perborate, percarbonate, carbonate, bicarbonate and carboxylic acids such as citric or maleic acid.
  • An advantage of including a disrupting agent in the detergent tablet of the present invention is the transport, storage and handling benefits that can be achieved by increasing the hardness of the detergent tablet without adversely affecting the cleaning performance.
  • a process for preparing a detergent tablet for use in washing laundry in a washing machine which comprises:
  • the detergent tablets described herein are prepared by separately preparing the composition of active detergent components forming the respective compressed portion and the non-compressed portion, then delivering or adhering the composition of the non-compressed portion to the compressed portion.
  • the compressed portion is prepared by obtaining at least one active detergent component and optionally premixing with carrier components. Any pre-mixing will be carried out in a suitable mixer; for example a pan mixer, rotary drum, vertical blender or high shear mixer.
  • a suitable mixer for example a pan mixer, rotary drum, vertical blender or high shear mixer.
  • dry particulate components are admixed in a mixer, as described above, and liquid components are applied to the dry particulate components, for example by spraying the liquid components directly onto the dry particulate components.
  • the resulting composition is then formed into a compressed portion in a compression step using any known suitable equipment.
  • the composition is formed into a compressed portion using a tablet press, wherein the tablet is prepared by compression of the composition between an upper and a lower punch.
  • the composition is delivered into a punch cavity of a tablet press and compressed to form a compressed portion using a pressure of preferably greater than 6.3KN/cm 2 , more preferably greater than 9KN/cm 2 , most preferably greater than 14.4KN/cm 2 .
  • the compressed portion provides a mould to receive the non-compressed portion
  • the compressed portion is prepared using a modified tablet press comprising modified upper an/or lower punches.
  • the upper and lower punches of the modified tablet press are modified such that the compressed portion provides one or more indentations which form a mould(s) to which the non-compressed portion is delivered.
  • the non-compressed portion comprises at least one active detergent component. Where the non-compressed portion comprises more than one active detergent component the components are pre-mixed using any known suitable mixing equipment. In addition the non-compressed portion may optionally comprise a carrier with which the active detergent components are combined.
  • the non-compressed portion may be prepared in solid or flowable form. Once prepared the composition is delivered to the compressed portion.
  • the non-compressed portion may be delivered to the compressed portion by manual delivery or using a nozzle feeder or extruder. Where the compressed portion comprises a mould, the non-compressed portion is preferably delivered to the mould using accurate delivery equipment, for example a nozzle feeder, such as a loss in weight screw feeder available from Optima, Germany or an extruder.
  • the process comprises delivering a flowable non-compressed portion to the compressed portion in a delivery step and then coating at least a portion of the non-compressed portion with a coating layer such that the coating layer has the effect of substantially adhering the non-compressed portion to the compressed portion.
  • the process comprises a delivery step in which the flowable non-compressed portion is delivered to the compressed portion and a subsequent conditioning step, wherein the non-compressed portion hardens.
  • a conditioning step may comprise drying, cooling, binding, polymerisation etc. of the non-compressed portion, during which the non-compressed portion becomes solid, semi-solid or highly viscous.
  • Heat may be used in a drying step. Heat, or exposure to radiation may be used to effect polymerisation in a polymerisation step.
  • the compressed portion may be prepared having a plurality of moulds.
  • the plurality of moulds are then filled with a non-compressed portion.
  • each mould can be filled with a different non-compressed portion or alternatively, each mould can be filled with a plurality of different non-compressed portions.
  • the compressed portion of the detergent tablets described herein are prepared by compression composition of active detergent components.
  • a suitable composition may include a variety of different detergent active components including builder compounds, surfactants, enzymes, bleaching agents, alkalinity sources, colourants, perfume, lime soap dispersants, organic polymeric compounds including polymeric dye transfer inhibiting agents, crystal growth inhibitors, heavy metal ion sequestrants, metal ion salts, enzyme stabilisers, corrosion inhibitors, suds suppressers, solvents, fabric softening agents, optical brighteners and hydrotropes.
  • Highly preferred active detergent components include a builder compound, a surfactant, an enzyme and a bleaching agent.
  • the detergent tablets of the present invention preferably contain a 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 of active detergent components.
  • 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, and mixtures of any of the foregoing.
  • the carboxylate or polycarboxylate builder can be monomeric 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 .1,3,3-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 50°C, especially less than 40°C.
  • carbonate builders are the alkaline earth and alkali metal carbonates, including sodium carbonate and sesqui-carbonate and mixtures thereof with ultrafine calcium carbonate as disclosed in German Patent Application No. 2,321,001 published on November 15, 1973.
  • Highly preferred builder compounds for use in the present invention are water-soluble phosphate builders.
  • 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 polymerisation ranges from 6 to 21, and salts of phytic acid.
  • 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 6 to 21, and salts of phytic acid.
  • Partially soluble or insoluble builder compound Partially soluble or insoluble builder compound
  • the detergent tablets of the present invention may contain a partially soluble or insoluble builder compound.
  • Partially soluble and insoluble builder compounds are particularly suitable for use in tablets prepared for use in laundry cleaning methods.
  • partially water soluble builders include the crystalline layered silicates as disclosed for example, in EP-A-0164514, DE-A-3417649 and DE-A-3742043.
  • Preferred are the crystalline layered sodium silicates of general formula NaMSi x O 2+1 .yH 2 O 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 preferably have a two dimensional 'sheet' structure, such as the so called ⁇ -layered structure, as described in EP 0 164514 and EP 0 293640.
  • Methods for preparation of crystalline layered silicates of this type 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 crystalline layered sodium silicate compound has the formula ⁇ -Na 2 Si 2 O 5 , known as NaSKS-6 (trade name), available from Hoechst AG.
  • 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. WO92/18594.
  • the solid, water-soluble ionisable material is selected from organic acids, organic and inorganic acid salts and mixtures thereof, with citric acid being preferred.
  • Examples of largely water insoluble builders include the sodium aluminosilicates.
  • Suitable aluminosilicates include the aluminosilicate zeolites having the unit cell formula Na z [(AlO 2 ) z (SiO 2 )y]. xH 2 O 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, Zeolite HS and mixtures thereof.
  • a preferred method of synthesizing aluminosilicate zeolites is that described by Schoeman et al (published in Zeolite (1994) 14(2), 110-116), in which the author describes a method of preparing colloidal aluminosilicate zeolites.
  • the colloidal aluminosilicate zeolite particles should preferably be such that no more than 5% of the particles are of size greater than 1 ⁇ m in diameter and not more than 5% of particles are of size less then 0.05 ⁇ m in diameter.
  • the aluminosilicate zeolite particles have an average particle size diameter of between 0.01 ⁇ m and 1 ⁇ m, more preferably between 0.05 ⁇ m and 0.9 ⁇ m, most preferably between 0.1 ⁇ m and 0.6 ⁇ m.
  • Zeolite A has the formula
  • Zeolite MAP as disclosed in EP-B-384,070 is a preferred zeolite builder herein.
  • Preferred aluminosilicate zeolites are the colloidal aluminosilicate zeolites.
  • colloidal aluminosilicate zeolites especially colloidal zeolite A, provide enhanced builder performance in terms of providing improved stain removal.
  • Enhanced builder performance is also seen in terms of reduced fabric encrustation and improved fabric whiteness maintenance; problems believed to be associated with poorly built detergent compositions.
  • mixed aluminosilicate zeolite detergent compositions comprising colloidal zeolite A and colloidal zeolite Y provide equal calcium ion sequestration performance versus an equal weight of commercially available zeolite A.
  • Another surprising finding is that mixed aluminosilicate zeolite detergent compositions, described above, provide improved magnesium ion sequestration performance versus an equal weight of commercially available zeolite A.
  • Surfactants are preferred detergent active components of the compositions described herein. Suitable surfactants are selected from anionic, cationic, nonionic ampholytic and zwitterionic surfactants and mixtures thereof. Automatic dishwashing machine products should be low foaming in character and thus the foaming of the surfactant system for use in dishwashing methods must be suppressed or more preferably be low foaming, typically nonionic in character. Sudsing caused by surfactant systems used in laundry cleaning methods need not be suppressed to the same extent as is necessary for dishwashing. The surfactant is typically present at a level of from 0.2% to 30% by weight, more preferably from 0.5% to 10% by weight, most preferably from 1% to 5% by weight of the composition of active detergent components.
  • any nonionic surfactants useful for detersive purposes can be included in the detergent tablet.
  • Preferred, non-limiting classes of useful nonionic surfactants are listed below.
  • alkyl ethoxylate condensation products of aliphatic alcohols with from 1 to 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 2 to 10 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol.
  • a suitable endcapped alkyl alkoxylate surfactant is the epoxy-capped poly(oxyalkylated) alcohols represented by the formula: R 1 O[CH 2 CH(CH 3 )O] x [CH 2 CH 2 O] y [CH 2 CH(OH)R 2 ] wherein R 1 is a linear or branched, aliphatic hydrocarbon radical having from 4 to 18 carbon atoms; R 2 is a linear or branched aliphatic hydrocarbon radical having from 2 to 26 carbon atoms; x is an integer having an average value of from 0.5 to 1.5, more preferably 1; and y is an integer having a value of at least 15, more preferably at least 20.
  • the surfactant of formula I at least 10 carbon atoms in the terminal epoxide unit [CH 2 CH(OH)R 2 ].
  • Suitable surfactants of formula I are Olin Corporation's POLY-TERGENT® SLF-18B nonionic surfactants, as described, for example, in WO 94/22800, published October 13, 1994 by Olin Corporation.
  • Preferred surfactants for use herein include ether-capped poly(oxyalkylated) alcohols having the formula: R 1 O[CH 2 CH(R 3 )O] x [CH 2 ] k CH(OH)[CH 2 ] j OR 2 wherein R 1 and R 2 are linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated, aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbon radicals having from 1 to 30 carbon atoms; R 3 is H, or a linear aliphatic hydrocarbon radical having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms; x is an integer having an average value from 1 to 30, wherein when x is 2 or greater R 3 may be the same or different and k and j are integers having an average value of from 1 to 12, and more preferably 1 to 5.
  • R 1 and R 2 are preferably linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated, aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbon radicals having from 6 to 22 carbon atoms with 8 to 18 carbon atoms being most preferred. H or a linear aliphatic hydrocarbon radical having from 1 to 2 carbon atoms is most preferred for R 3 .
  • x is an integer having an average value of from 1 to 20, more preferably from 6 to 15.
  • R 3 may be the same or different. That is, R 3 may vary between any of the alklyeneoxy units as described above. For instance, if x is 3, R 3 may be be selected to form ethlyeneoxy(EO) or propyleneoxy(PO) and may vary in order of (EO)(PO)(EO), (EO)(EO)(PO); (EO)(EO)(EO); (PO)(EO)(PO); (PO)(PO)(EO) and (PO)(PO)(PO).
  • the integer three is chosen for example only and the variation may be much larger with a higher integer value for x and include, for example, mulitple (EO) units and a much small number of (PO) units.
  • Particularly preferred surfactants as described above include those that have a low cloud point of less than 20°C. These low cloud point surfactants may then be employed in conjunction with a high cloud point surfactant as described in detail below for superior grease cleaning benefits.
  • ether-capped poly(oxyalkylated) alcohol surfactants are those wherein k is 1 and j is 1 so that the surfactants have the formula: R 1 O[CH 2 CH(R 3 )O] x CH 2 CH(OH)CH 2 OR 2 where R 1 , R 2 and R 3 are defined as above and x is an integer with an average value of from I to 30, preferably from 1 to 20, and even more preferably from 6 to 18. Most preferred are surfactants wherein R 1 and R 2 range from 9 to 14, R 3 is H forming ethyleneoxy and x ranges from 6 to 15.
  • the ether-capped poly(oxyalkylated) alcohol surfactants comprise three general components, namely a linear or branched alcohol, an alkylene oxide and an alkyl ether end cap.
  • the alkyl ether end cap and the alcohol serve as a hydrophobic, oil-soluble portion or me molecule while the alkylene oxide group forms the hydrophilic, water-soluble portion of the molecule.
  • surfactants exhibit significant improvements in spotting and filming characteristics and removal of greasy soils, when used in conjunction with high cloud point surfactants, relative to conventional surfactants.
  • the ether-capped poly(oxyalkylene) alcohol surfactants of the present invention may be produced by reacting an aliphatic alcohol with an epoxide to form an ether which is then reacted with a base to form a second epoxide. The second epoxide is then reacted with an alkoxylated alcohol to form the novel compounds of the present invention. Examples of methods of preparing the ether-capped poly(oxyalkylated) alcohol surfactants are described below:
  • a C 12/14 fatty alcohol (100.00 g, 0.515 mol.) and tin (IV) chloride (0.58 g, 2.23 mmol, available from Aldrich) are combined in a 500 mL three-necked round-bottomed flask fitted with a condenser, argon inlet, addition funnel, magnetic stirrer and internal temperature probe. The mixture is heated to 60 °C. Epichlorhydrin (47.70 g, 0.515 mol, available from Aldrich) is added dropwise so as to keep the temperature between 60-65 °C. After stirring an additional hour at 60 °C, the mixture is cooled to room temperature.
  • the mixture is treated with a 50% solution of sodium hydroxide (61.80 g, 0.773 mol, 50%) while being stirred mechanically. After addition is completed, the mixture is heated to 90 °C for 1.5 h, cooled, and filtered with the aid of ethanol. The filtrate is separated and the organic phase is washed with water 100 mL), dried over MgSO 4 , filtered, and concentrated. Distillation of the oil at 100-120 °C (0.1 mm Hg) providing the glycidyl ether as an oil.
  • Neodol® 91-8 (20.60 g, 0.0393 mol ethoxylated alcohol available from the Shell chemical Co.) and tin (IV) chloride (0.58 g, 2.23 mmol) are combined in a 250 mL three-necked round-bottomed flask fitted with a condenser, argon inlet, addition funnel, magnetic stirrer and internal temperature probe. The mixture is heated to 60 °C at which point C 12/14 alkyl glycidyl ether (11.00 g, 0.0393 mol) is added dropwise over 15 min. After stirring for 18 h at 60 °C, the mixture is cooled to room temperature and dissolved in an equal portion of dichloromethane.
  • the solution is passed through a 1 inch pad of silica gel while eluting with dichloromethane.
  • the filtrate is concentrated by rotary evaporation and then stripped in a kugelrohr oven (100 °C, 0.5 mm Hg) to yield the surfactant as an oil.
  • the ethoxylated C 6 -C 18 fatty alcohols and C 6 -C 18 mixed ethoxylated/propoxylated fatty alcohols are suitable surfactants for use herein, particularly where water soluble.
  • the ethoxylated fatty alcohols are the C 10 -C 18 ethoxylated fatty alcohols with a degree of ethoxylation of from 3 to 50, most preferably these are the C 12 -C 18 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 1500 to 1800 and exhibits water insolubility.
  • Examples of compounds of this type include certain of the commercially-available Pluronic TM 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 2500 to 3000.
  • this type of nonionic surfactant include certain of the commercially available TetronicTM compounds, marketed by BASF.
  • the detergent tablet comprises a mixed nonionic surfactant system comprising at least one low cloud point nonionic surfactant and at least one high cloud point nonionic surfactant.
  • Cloud point is a well known property of nonionic surfactants which is the result of the surfactant becoming less soluble with increasing temperature, the temperature at which the appearance of a second phase is observable is referred to as the “cloud point” (See Kirk Othmer's Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, 3 rd Ed. Vol. 22, pp. 360-379).
  • a "low cloud point" nonionic surfactant is defined as a nonionic surfactant system ingredient having a cloud point of less than 30°C, preferably less than 20°C, and most preferably less than 10°C.
  • Typical low cloud point nonionic surfactants include nonionic alkoxylated surfactants, especially ethoxylates derived from primary alcohol, and polyoxypropylene/polyoxyethylene/polyoxypropylene (PO/EO/PO) reverse block polymers.
  • low cloud point nonionic surfactants include, for example, ethoxylated-propoxylated alcohol (e.g., Olin Corporation's Poly-Tergent® SLF18), epoxy-capped poly(oxyalkylated) alcohols (e.g., Olin Corporation's Poly-Tergent® SLF18B series of nonionics, as described, for example, in WO 94/22800, published October 13, 1994 by Olin Corporation)and the ether-capped poly(oxyalkylated) alcohol surfactants.
  • ethoxylated-propoxylated alcohol e.g., Olin Corporation's Poly-Tergent® SLF18
  • epoxy-capped poly(oxyalkylated) alcohols e.g., Olin Corporation's Poly-Tergent® SLF18B series of nonionics, as described, for example, in WO 94/22800, published October 13, 1994 by Olin Corporation
  • ether-capped poly(oxyalkylated) alcohol surfactants ethoxyl
  • Nonionic surfactants can optionally contain propylene oxide in an amount up to 15% by weight.
  • Other preferred nonionic surfactants can be prepared by the processes described in U.S. Patent 4,223,163, issued September 16, 1980, Builloty, incorporated herein by reference.
  • Low cloud point nonionic surfactants additionally comprise a polyoxyethylene, polyoxypropylene block polymeric compound.
  • Block polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene polymeric compounds include those based on ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, glycerol, trimethylolpropane and ethylenediamine as initiator reactive hydrogen compound.
  • Certain of the block polymer surfactant compounds designated PLURONIC®, REVERSED PLURONIC®, and TETRONIC® by the BASF-Wyandotte Corp., Wyandotte, Michigan, are suitable in ADD compositions of the invention.
  • Preferred examples include REVERSED PLURONIC® 25R2 and TETRONIC® 702, Such surfactants are typically useful herein as low cloud point nonionic surfactants.
  • a "high cloud point" nonionic surfactant is defined as a nonionic surfactant system ingredient having a cloud point of greater than 40°C, preferably greater than 50°C, and more preferably greater than 60°C.
  • the nonionic surfactant system comprises an ethoxylated surfactant derived from the reaction of a monohydroxy alcohol or alkylphenol containing from 8 to 20 carbon atoms, with from 6 to 15 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol or alkyl phenol on an average basis.
  • Such high cloud point nonionic surfactants include, for example, Tergitol 15S9 (supplied by Union Carbide), Rhodasurf TMD 8.5 (supplied by Rhone Poulenc), and Neodol 91-8 (supplied by Shell).
  • the high cloud point nonionic surfactant further have a hydrophile-lipophile balance ("HLB"; see Kirk Othmer hereinbefore) value within the range of from 9 to 15, preferably 11 to 15.
  • HLB hydrophile-lipophile balance
  • Such materials include, for example, Tergitol 15S9 (supplied by Union Carbide), Rhodasurf TMD 8.5 (supplied by Rhone Poulenc), and Neodol 91-8 (supplied by Shell).
  • high cloud point nonionic surfactant is derived from a straight or preferably branched chain or secondary fatty alcohol containing from 6 to 20 carbon atoms (C 6 -C 20 alcohol), including secondary alcohols and branched chain primary alcohols.
  • high cloud point nonionic surfactants are branched or secondary alcohol ethoxylates, more preferably mixed C9/11 or C11/15 branched alcohol ethoxylates, condensed with an average of from 6 to 15 moles, preferably from 6 to 12 moles, and most preferably from 6 to 9 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol.
  • the ethoxylated nonionic surfactant so derived has a narrow ethoxylate distribution relative to the average.
  • the detergent tablet comprising such a mixed surfactant system also comprises an amount of water-soluble salt to provide conductivity in deionised water measured at 25°C greater than 3 milli Siemens/cm, preferably greater than 4 milli Siemens/cm, most preferably greater than 4.5 milli Siemens/cm as described in co-pending GB Patent Application (attorney docket number CM 1573F).
  • the mixed surfactant system dissolves in water having a hardness of 1.246mmol/L in any suitable cold-fill automatic dishwasher to provide a solution with a surface tension of less than 4 Dynes/cm 2 at less than 45°C, preferably less than 40°C, most preferably less than 35°C as described in co-pending U.S. Patent Application (attorney docket number 6252).
  • the high cloud point and low cloud point surfactants of the mixed surfactant system are separated such that one of either the high cloud point or low cloud point surfactants is present in a first matrix and the other is present in a second matrix as described in co-pending U.S. Patent Application (attorney docket number 6252).
  • the first matrix may be a first particulate and the second matrix may be a second particulate.
  • a surfactant may be applied to a particulate by any suitable known method, preferably the surfactant is sprayed onto the particulate.
  • the first matrix is the compressed portion and the second matrix is the non-compressed portion of the detergent tablet of the present invention.
  • the low cloud point surfactant is present in the compressed portion and the high cloud point surfactant is present in the non-compressed portion of the detergent tablet of the present invention.
  • anionic surfactants useful for detersive purposes are suitable. 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. Anionic sulfate surfactants are preferred.
  • 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 C 12 -C 18 monoesters) diesters of sulfosuccinate (especially saturated and unsaturated C 6 -C 14 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 and secondary alkyl sulfates, alkyl ethoxysulfates, fatty oleoyl glycerol sulfates. alkyl phenol ethylene oxide ether sulfates, the C 5 -C 17 acyl-N-(C 1 -C 4 alkyl) and -N-(C 1 -C 2 hydroxyalkyl) glucamine sulfates, and sulfates of alkylpolysaccharides such as the sulfates of alkylpolyglucoside (the nonionic nonsulfated compounds being described herein).
  • Alkyl sulfate surfactants are preferably selected from the linear and branched primary C 10 -C 18 alkyl sulfates, more preferably the C 11 -C 15 branched chain alkyl sulfates and the C 12 -C 14 linear chain alkyl sulfates.
  • Alkyl ethoxysulfate surfactants are preferably selected from the group consisting of the C 10 -C 18 alkyl sulfates which have been ethoxylated with from 0.5 to 20 moles of ethylene oxide per molecule. More preferably, the alkyl ethoxysulfate surfactant is a C 11 -C 18 , most preferably C 11 -C 15 alkyl sulfate which has been ethoxylated with from 0.5 to 7, preferably from 1 to 5, moles of ethylene oxide per molecule.
  • a particularly preferred aspect of the invention employs mixtures of the preferred alkyl sulfate and alkyl ethoxysulfate surfactants. Such mixtures have been disclosed in PCT Patent Application No. WO 93/18124.
  • Anionic sulfonate surfactant Anionic sulfonate surfactant
  • Anionic sulfonate surfactants suitable for use herein include the salts of C 5 -C 20 linear alkylbenzene sulfonates, alkyl ester sulfonates, C 6 -C 22 primary or secondary alkane sulfonates, C 6 -C 24 olefin sulfonates, sulfonated polycarboxylic acids, alkyl glycerol sulfonates, fatty acyl glycerol sulfonates, fatty oleyl glycerol sulfonates, and any mixtures thereof.
  • Suitable anionic carboxylate surfactants include the alkyl ethoxy carboxylates, the alkyl polyethoxy polycarboxylate surfactants and the soaps ('alkyl carboxyls'), especially certain secondary soaps as described herein.
  • Suitable alkyl ethoxy carboxylates include those with the formula RO(CH 2 CH 2 O) x CH 2 COO - M + wherein R is a C 6 to C 1 g alkyl group, x ranges from O to 10, and the ethoxylate distribution is such that, on a weight basis, the amount of material where x is 0 is less than 20 % and M is a cation.
  • Suitable alkyl polyethoxy polycarboxylate surfactants include those having the formula RO-(CHR 1 -CHR 2 -O)-R 3 wherein R is a C 6 to C 18 alkyl group, x is from 1 to 25, R 1 and R 2 are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, methyl acid radical, succinic acid radical, hydroxysuccinic acid radical, and mixtures thereof, and R 3 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbon having between 1 and 8 carbon atoms, and mixtures thereof.
  • Suitable soap surfactants include the secondary soap surfactants which contain a carboxyl unit connected to a secondary carbon.
  • 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 acii. Certain soaps may also be included as suds suppressors.
  • alkali metal sarcosinates of formula R-CON (R 1 ) CH 2 COOM, wherein R is a C 5 -C 17 linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl group, R 1 is a C 1 -C 4 alkyl group and M is an alkali metal ion.
  • R is a C 5 -C 17 linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl group
  • R 1 is a C 1 -C 4 alkyl group
  • M is an alkali metal ion.
  • Suitable amphoteric surfactants for use herein include the amine oxide surfactants and the alkyl amphocarboxylic acids.
  • Suitable amine oxides include those compounds having the formula R 3 (OR 4 ) x N 0 (R 5 ) 2 wherein R 3 is selected from an alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, acylamidopropoyl and alkyl phenyl group, or mixtures thereof, containing from 8 to 26 carbon atoms; R 4 is an alkylene or hydroxyalkylene group containing from 2 to 3 carbon atoms, or mixtures thereof; x is from 0 to 5, preferably from 0 to 3; and each R 5 is an alkyl or hydroxyalkyl group containing from 1 to 3, or a polyethylene oxide group containing from 1 to 3 ethylene oxide groups.
  • Preferred are C 10 -C 18 alkyl dimethylamine oxide, and C 10-18 acylamido alkyl dimethylamine oxide.
  • a suitable example of an alkyl aphodicarboxylic acid is Miranol(TM) C2M Conc. manufactured by Miranol, Inc., Dayton, NJ.
  • 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.
  • Suitable betaines are those compounds having the formula R(R') 2 N + R 2 COO - wherein R is a C 6 -C 18 hydrocarbyl group, each R 1 is typically C 1 -C 3 alkyl, and R 2 is a C 1 -C 5 hydrocarbyl group.
  • Preferred betaines are C 12-18 dimethyl-ammonio hexanoate and the C 10-18 acylamidopropane (or ethane) dimethyl (or diethyl) betaines.
  • Complex betaine surfactants are also suitable for use herein.
  • Cationic ester surfactants used in this invention are preferably water dispersible compound having surfactant properties comprising at least one ester (i.e. -COO-) linkage and at least one cationically charged group.
  • Other suitable cationic ester surfactants, including choline ester surfactants, have for example been disclosed in US Patents No.s 4228042, 4239660 and 4260529.
  • Suitable cationic surfactants include the quaternary ammonium surfactants selected from mono C 6 -C 16 , preferably C 6 -C 10 N-alkyl or alkenyl ammonium surfactants wherein the remaining N positions are substituted by methyl, hydroxyethyl or hydroxypropyl groups.
  • an enzyme is an essential feature of the detergent tablet.
  • an enzyme is an optional detergent active component.
  • said enzymes are selected from the group consisting of cellulases, hemicellulases, peroxidases, proteases, glucoamylases, amylases, xylanases, lipases, phospholipases, esterases, cutinases, pectinases, keratanases, reductases, oxidases, phenoloxidases, lipoxygenases, ligninases, pullulanases, tannases, pentosanases, malanases, ⁇ -glucanases, arabinosidases, hyaluronidase, chondroitinase, laccase or mixtures thereof.
  • Preferred enzymes include protease, amylase, lipase, peroxidases, cutinase and/or cellulase in conjunction with one or more plant cell wall degrading enzymes.
  • the cellulases usable in the present invention include both bacterial or fungal cellulase. Preferably, they will have a pH optimum of between 5 and 12 and an activity above 50 CEVU (Cellulose Viscosity Unit).
  • CEVU Cellulose Viscosity Unit
  • Suitable cellulases are disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,435,307, Barbesgoard et al, J61078384 and WO96/02653 which disclose fungal cellulases produced respectively from Humicola insolens, Trichoderma, Thielavia and Sporotrichum.
  • EP 739 982 describes cellulases isolated from novel Bacillus species. Suitable cellulases are also disclosed in GB-A-2.075.028; GB-A-2.095.275; DE-OS-2.247.832 and WO95/26398.
  • cellulases examples include cellulases produced by a strain of Humicola insolens (Humicola grisea var. thermoidea), particularly the Humicola strain DSM 1800.
  • Other suitable cellulases are cellulases originated from Humicola insolens having a molecular weight of 50KDa, an isoelectric point of 5.5 and containing 415 amino acids; and a ⁇ 43kD endoglucanase derived from Humicola insolens, DSM 1800, exhibiting cellulase activity; a preferred endoglucanase component has the amino acid sequence disclosed in PCT Patent Application No. WO 91/17243.
  • suitable cellulases are the EGIII cellulases from Trichoderma longibrachiatum described in WO94/21801, Genencor, published September 29, 1994. Especially suitable cellulases are the cellulases having color care benefits. Examples of such cellulases are cellulases described in European patent application No. 91202879.2, filed November 6, 1991 (Novo). Carezyme and Celluzyme (Novo Nordisk A/S) are especially useful. See also WO91/17244 and WO91/21801. Other suitable cellulases for fabric care and/or cleaning properties are described in WO96/34092, WO96/17994 and WO95/24471.
  • Said cellulases are normally incorporated in the detergent composition at levels from 0.0001% to 2% of active enzyme by weight of the detergent composition.
  • Peroxidase enzymes are used in combination with oxygen sources, e.g. percarbonate, perborate, persulfate, hydrogen peroxide, etc. They are used for "solution bleaching", i.e. to prevent transfer of dyes or pigments removed from substrates during wash operations to other substrates in the wash solution.
  • Peroxidase enzymes are known in the art, and include, for example, horseradish peroxidase, ligninase and haloperoxidase such as chloro- and bromo-peroxidase.
  • Peroxidase-containing detergent compositions are disclosed, for example, in PCT International Application WO 89/099813, WO89/09813 and in European Patent application EP No. 91202882.6, filed on November 6, 1991 and EP No. 96870013.8, filed February 20, 1996. Also suitable is the laccase enzyme.
  • Preferred enhancers are substitued phenthiazine and phenoxasine 10-Phenothiazinepropionicacid (PPT), 10-ethylphenothiazine-4-carboxylic acid (EPC), 10-phenoxazinepropionic acid (POP) and 10-methylphenoxazine (described in WO 94/12621) and substitued syringates (C3-C5 substitued alkyl syringates) and phenols.
  • Sodium percarbonate or perborate are preferred sources of hydrogen peroxide.
  • Said cellulases and/or peroxidases are normally incorporated in the detergent composition at levels from 0.0001% to 2% of active enzyme by weight of the detergent composition.
  • Suitable lipase enzymes for detergent usage include those produced by microorganisms of the Pseudomonas group, such as Pseudomonas stutzeri ATCC 19.154, as disclosed in British Patent 1,372,034.
  • Suitable lipases include those which show a positive immunological cross-reaction with the antibody of the lipase, produced by the microorganism Pseudomonas fluorescent IAM 1057. This lipase is available from Amano Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Nagoya, Japan, under the trade name Lipase P "Amano,” hereinafter referred to as "Amano-P".
  • lipases include Amano-CES, lipases ex Chromobacter viscosum, e.g. Chromobacter viscosum var. lipolyticum NRRLB 3673 from Toyo Jozo Co., Tagata, Japan; Chromobacter viscosum lipases from U.S. Biochemical Corp., U.S.A. and Disoynth Co., The Netherlands, and lipases ex Pseudomonas gladioli.
  • lipases such as Ml Lipase R and Lipomax R (Gist-Brocades) and Lipolase R and Lipolase Ultra R (Novo) which have found to be very effective when used in combination with the compositions of the present invention.
  • lipolytic enzymes described in EP 258 068, WO 92/05249 and WO 95/22615 by Novo Nordisk and in WO 94/03578, WO 95/35381 and WO 96/00292 by Unilever.
  • cutinases [EC 3.1.1.50] which can be considered as a special kind of lipase, namely lipases which do not require interfacial activation. Addition of cutinases to detergent compositions have been described in e.g. WO-A-88/09367 (Genencor); WO 90/09446 (Plant Genetic System) and WO 94/14963 and WO 94/14964 (Unilever).
  • the lipases and/or cutinases are normally incorporated in the detergent composition at levels from 0.0001% to 2% of active enzyme by weight of the detergent composition.
  • Suitable proteases are the subtilisins which are obtained from particular strains of B . subtilis and B. licheniformis (subtilisin BPN and BPN').
  • One suitable protease is obtained from a strain of Bacillus, having maximum activity throughout the pH range of 8-12, developed and sold as ESPERASE® by Novo Industries A/S of Denmark, hereinafter "Novo". The preparation of this enzyme and analogous enzymes is described in GB 1,243,784 to Novo.
  • Other suitable proteases include ALCALASE® DURAZYM® and SAVINASE® from Novo and MAXATASE® MAXACAL® PROPERASE® and MAXAPEM® (protein engineered Maxacal) from Gist-Brocades.
  • Proteolytic enzymes also encompass modified bacterial serine proteases, such as those described in European Patent Application Serial Number 87 303761.8, filed April 28, 1987 (particularly pages 17, 24 and 98), and which is called herein "Protease B", and in European Patent Application 199,404, Venegas, published October 29, 1986, which refers to a modified bacterial serine protealytic enzyme which is called "Protease A” herein.
  • Protease C is a variant of an alkaline serine protease from Bacillus in which lysine replaced arginine at position 27, tyrosine replaced valine at position 104, serine replaced asparagine at position 123, and alanine replaced threonine at position 274.
  • Protease C is described in EP 90915958:4, corresponding to WO 91/06637, Published May 16, 1991. Genetically modified variants, particularly of Protease C, are also included herein.
  • a preferred protease referred to as "Protease D” is a carbonyl hydrolase variant having an amino acid sequence not found in nature, which is derived from a precursor carbonyl hydrolase by substituting a different amino acid for a plurality of amino acid residues at a position in said carbonyl hydrolase equivalent to position +76, preferably also in combination with one or more amino acid residue positions equivalent to those selected from the group consisting of +99, +101, +103, +104, +107, +123, +27, +105, +109, +126, +128, +135, +156, +166, +195, +197, +204, +206, +210, +216, +217, +218, +222, +260, +265, and/or +274 according to the numbering of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens subtilisin, as described in WO95/10591 and in the patent application of C. Ghosh, et al, "Bleaching Compositions Comprising Protease Enzymes
  • proteases described in patent applications EP 251 446 and WO 91/06637, protease BLAP® described in WO91/02792 and their variants described in WO 95/23221.
  • protease from Bacillus sp. NCIMB 40338 described in WO 93/18140 A to Novo.
  • Enzymatic detergents comprising protease, one or more other enzymes, and a reversible protease inhibitor are described in WO 92/03529 A to Novo.
  • a protease having decreased adsorption and increased hydrolysis is available as described in WO 95/07791 to Procter & Gamble.
  • a recombinant trypsin-like protease for detergents suitable herein is described in WO 94/25583 to Novo.
  • Other suitable proteases are described in EP 516 200 by Unilever.
  • protease enzymes which are a carbonyl hydrolase variant having an amino acid sequence not found in nature, which is derived by replacement of a plurality of amino acid residues of a precursor carbonyl hydrolase with different amino acids, wherein said plurality of amino acid residues replaced in the precursor enzyme correspond to position +210 in combination with one or more of the following residues: +33, +62, +67, +76, +100, +101, +103, +104, +107, +128, +129, +130, +132, +135, +156, +158, +164, +166, +167, +170, +209, +215, +217, +218 and +222, where the numbered positions correspond to naturally-occurring subtilisin from Bacillus amyloliquefaciens or to equivalent amino acid residues in other carbonyl hydrolases or subtilisins (such as Bacillus lentus subtilisin).
  • Preferred enzymes of this type include those having position changes +210,
  • the proteolytic enzymes are incorporated in the detergent compositions of the present invention a level of from 0.0001% to 2%, preferably from 0.001% to 0.2%, more preferably from 0.005% to 0.1% pure enzyme by weight of the composition.
  • Amylases can be included for removal of carbohydrate-based stains.
  • WO94/02597 Novo Nordisk A/S published February 03, 1994, describes cleaning compositions which incorporate mutant amylases. See also WO95/10603, Novo Nordisk A/S, published April 20, 1995.
  • Other amylases known for use in cleaning compositions include both ⁇ - and ⁇ -amylases.
  • ⁇ -Amylases are known in the art and include those disclosed in US Pat. no. 5,003,257; EP 252,666; WO/91/00353; FR 2,676,456; EP 285,123; EP 525,610; EP 368,341; and British Patent specification no. 1,296,839 (Novo).
  • amylases are stability-enhanced amylases described in WO94/18314, published August 18, 1994 and WO96/05295, Genencor, published February 22, 1996 and amylase variants having additional modification in the immediate parent available from Novo Nordisk A/S, disclosed in WO 95/10603, published April 95. Also suitable are amylases described in EP 277 216, WO95/26397 and WO96/23873 (all by Novo Nordisk).
  • ⁇ -amylases examples are Purafect Ox Am® from Genencor and Termamyl®, Ban® ,Fungamyl® and Duramyl®, all available from Novo Nordisk A/S Denmark.
  • WO95/26397 describes other suitable amylases : ⁇ -amylases characterised by having a specific activity at least 25% higher than the specific activity of Termamyl® at a temperature range of 25°C to 55°C and at a pH value in the range of 8 to 10, measured by the Phadebas® ⁇ -amylase activity assay. Suitable are variants of the above enzymes, described in WO96/23873 (Novo Nordisk). Other amylolytic enzymes with improved properties with respect to the activity level and the combination of thermostability and a higher activity level are described in WO95/35382.
  • Preferred amylase enzymes include those described in WO95/26397 and in co-pending application by Novo Nordisk PCT/DK96/00056.
  • amylolytic enzymes are incorporated in the detergent compositions of the present invention a level of from 0.0001% to 2%, preferably from 0.00018% to 0.06%, more preferably from 0.00024% to 0.048% pure enzyme by weight of the composition
  • detergent tablets of the present invention comprise amylase enzymes, particularly those described in WO95/26397 and co-pending application by Novo Nordisk PCT/DK96/00056 in combination with a complementary amylase.
  • complementary it is meant the addition of one or more amylase suitable for detergency purposes.
  • Examples of complementary amylases ( ⁇ and/or ⁇ ) are described below.
  • WO94/02597 and WO95/10603, Novo Nordisk A/S describe cleaning compositions which incorporate mutant amylases.
  • Other amylases known for use in cleaning compositions include both ⁇ - and ⁇ -amylases.
  • ⁇ -Amylases are known in the art and include those disclosed in US Pat. no. 5,003,257; EP 252,666; WO/91/00353; FR 2,676,456; EP 285,123; EP 525,610; EP 368,341; and British Patent specification no. 1,296,839 (Novo).
  • amylases are stability-enhanced amylases described in WO94/18314, and WO96/05295, Genencor and amylase variants having additional modification in the immediate parent available from Novo Nordisk A/S, disclosed in WO 95/10603. Also suitable are amylases described in EP 277 216 (Novo Nordisk). Examples of commercial ⁇ -amylases products are Purafect Ox Am® from Genencor and Termamyl®, Ban® ,Fungamyl® and Duramyl® all available from Novo Nordisk A/S Denmark.
  • WO95/26397 describes other suitable amylases : ⁇ -amylases characterised by having a specific activity at least 25% higher than the specific activity of Termamyl® at a temperature range of 25°C to 55°C and at a pH value in the range of 8 to 10, measured by the Phadebas® ⁇ -amylase activity assay. Suitable are variants of the above enzymes, described in WO96/23873 (Novo Nordisk). Other amylolytic enzymes with improved properties with respect to the activity level and the combination of thermostability and a higher activity level are described in WO95/35382.
  • Preferred complementary amylases for the present invention are the amylases sold under the tradename Purafect Ox AmR described in WO 94/18314, WO96/05295 sold by Genencor; Termamyl® Fungamyl®, Ban® and Duramyl® all available from Novo Nordisk A/S and Maxamyl® by Gist-Brocades.
  • Said complementary amylase is generally incorporated in the detergent compositions of the present invention a level of from 0.0001% to 2%, preferably from 0.00018% to 0.06%, more preferably from 0.00024% to 0.048% pure enzyme by weight of the composition.
  • a weight of pure enzyme ratio of specific amylase to the complementary amylase is comprised between 9:1 to 1:9, more preferably between 4:1 to 1:4, and most preferably between 2:1 and 1:2.
  • the above-mentioned enzymes may be of any suitable origin, such as vegetable, animal, bacterial, fungal and yeast origin. Origin can further be mesophilic or extremophilic (psychrophilic, psychrotrophic, thermophilic, barophilic, alkalophilic, acidophilic, halophilic, etc.). Purified or non-purified forms of these enzymes may be used. Also included by definition, are mutants of native enzymes. Mutants can be obtained e.g. by protein and/or genetic engineering, chemical and/or physical modifications of native enzymes. Common practice as well is the expression of the enzyme via host organisms in which the genetic material responsible for the production of the enzyme has been cloned.
  • Said enzymes are normally incorporated in the detergent composition at levels from 0.0001% to 2% of active enzyme by weight of the detergent composition.
  • the enzymes can be added as separate single ingredients (prills, granulates, stabilized liquids, etc... containing one enzyme ) or as mixtures of two or more enzymes ( e.g. cogranulates ).
  • enzyme oxidation scavengers which are described in Copending European Patent application 92870018.6 filed on January 31, 1992.
  • enzyme oxidation scavengers are ethoxylated tetraethylene polyamines.
  • a range of enzyme materials and means for their incorporation into synthetic detergent compositions is also disclosed in WO 9307263 A and WO 9307260 A to Genencor International, WO 8908694 A to Novo, and U.S. 3,553,139, January 5, 1971 to McCarty et al. Enzymes are further disclosed in U.S. 4,101,457, Place et al, July 18, 1978, and in U.S. 4,507,219, Hughes, March 26, 1985. Enzyme materials useful for liquid detergent formulations, and their incorporation into such formulations, are disclosed in U.S. 4,261,868, Hora et al, April 14, 1981. Enzymes for use in detergents can be stabilised by various techniques.
  • Enzyme stabilisation techniques are disclosed and exemplified in U.S. 3,600,319, August 17, 1971, Gedge et al, EP 199,405 and EP 200,586, October 29, 1986, Venegas. Enzyme stabilisation systems are also described, for example, in U.S. 3,519,570. A useful Bacillus, sp. AC13 giving proteases, xylanases and cellulases, is described in WO 9401532 A to Novo.
  • a highly preferred component of the composition of active detergent components is a bleaching agent.
  • Suitable bleaching agents include chlorine and oxygen-releasing bleaching agents.
  • the oxygen-releasing bleaching agent contains a hydrogen peroxide source and an organic peroxyacid bleach precursor compound.
  • the production of the organic 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.
  • a preformed organic peroxyacid is incorporated directly into the composition.
  • Compositions containing mixtures of a hydrogen peroxide source and organic peroxyacid precursor in combination with a preformed organic peroxyacid are also envisaged.
  • compositions of active detergent components preferably include a hydrogen peroxide source, as an oxygen-releasing bleach.
  • Suitable hydrogen peroxide sources include the inorganic perhydrate salts.
  • the inorganic perhydrate 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 NaBO 2 H 2 O 2 or the tetrahydrate NaBO 2 H 2 O 2 .3H 2 O.
  • Alkali metal percarbonates, particularly sodium percarbonate are preferred perhydrates for inclusion in compositions in accordance with the invention.
  • Sodium percarbonate is an addition compound having a formula corresponding to 2Na 2 CO 3 .3H 2 O 2 , and is available commercially as a crystalline solid.
  • Sodium percarbonate, being a hydrogen peroxide addition compound tends on dissolution to release the hydrogen peroxide quite rapidly which can increase the tendency for localised high bleach concentrations to arise.
  • 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 Na 2 SO 4 .n.Na 2 CO 3 wherein n is from 0.1 to 3, preferably n is from 0.3 to 1.0 and most preferably n is from 0.2 to 0.5.
  • Another suitable coating material providing in product stability comprises sodium silicate of SiO 2 : Na 2 O ratio from 1.8 : 1 to 3.0 : 1, preferably 1.8:1 to 2.4:1, and/or sodium metasilicate, preferably applied at a level of from 2% to 10%, (normally from 3% to 5%) of SiO 2 by weight of the inorganic perhydrate salt.
  • Magnesium silicate can also be included in the coating. Coatings that contain silicate and borate salts or boric acids or other inorganics are also suitable.
  • Potassium peroxymonopersulfate is another inorganic perhydrate salt of utility in the compositions herein.
  • Peroxyacid bleach precursors are compounds which react with hydrogen peroxide in a perhydrolysis reaction to produce a peroxyacid.
  • peroxyacid bleach precursors may be represented as where L is a leaving group and X is essentially any functionality, such that on perhydrolysis the structure of the peroxyacid produced is
  • Peroxyacid bleach precursor compounds are preferably incorporated at a level of from 0.5% to 20% by weight, more preferably from 1% to 10% by weight, most preferably from 1.5% to 5% by weight of the compositions.
  • Suitable peroxyacid bleach precursor compounds typically contain one or more Nor O-acyl groups, which precursors can be selected from a wide range of classes.
  • Suitable classes include anhydrides, esters, imides, lactams 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.
  • L group The leaving group, hereinafter L group, must be sufficiently reactive for the perhydrolysis 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 stabilise for use in a bleaching composition.
  • Preferred L groups are selected from the group consisting of: 48 and mixtures thereof, wherein R 1 is an alkyl, aryl. or alkaryl group containing from 1 to 14 carbon atoms, R 3 is an alkyl chain containing from 1 to 8 carbon atoms, R 4 is H or R 3 , R 5 is an alkenyl chain containing from 1 to 8 carbon atoms and Y is H or a solubilizing group. Any of R 1 , R 3 and R 4 may be substituted by essentially any functional group including, for example alkyl, hydroxy, alkoxy, halogen, amine, nitrosyl, amide and ammonium or alkyl ammonium groups.
  • the preferred solubilizing groups are -SO 3 - M + , -CO 2 - M + , -SO 4 - M + , -N + (R 3 ) 4 X - and O ⁇ --N(R 3 ) 3 and most preferably -SO 3 - M + and -CO 2 - M + wherein R 3 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.
  • Perbenzoic acid precursor compounds provide perbenzoic acid on perhydrolysis.
  • Suitable O-acylated perbenzoic acid precursor compounds include the substituted and unsubstituted benzoyl oxybenzene sulfonates, including for example benzoyl oxybenzene sulfonate:
  • 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.
  • 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 N-acylated lactam perbenzoic acid precursors have the formula: wherein n is from 0 to 8, preferably from 0 to 2, and R 6 is a benzoyl group.
  • Perbenzoic acid derivative precursors provide substituted perbenzoic acids on perhydrolysis.
  • Suitable substituted perbenzoic acid derivative precursors include any of the herein disclosed perbenzoic precursors in which the benzoyl group is substituted by essentially any non-positively charged (i.e.; non-cationic) functional group including, for example alkyl, hydroxy, alkoxy, halogen, amine, nitrosyl and amide groups.
  • a preferred class of substituted perbenzoic acid precursor compounds are the amide substituted compounds of the following general formulae: wherein R 1 is an aryl or alkaryl group with from 1 to 14 carbon atoms, R 2 is an arylene, or alkarylene group containing from 1 to 14 carbon atoms, and R 5 is H or an alkyl, aryl, or alkaryl group containing I to 10 carbon atoms and L can be essentially any leaving group.
  • R 1 preferably contains from 6 to 12 carbon atoms.
  • R 2 preferably contains from 4 to 8 carbon atoms.
  • R 1 may be aryl, 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.
  • R 2 Analogous structural variations are permissible for R 2 .
  • the substitution can include alkyl, aryl, halogen, nitrogen, sulphur and other typical substituent groups or organic compounds.
  • R 5 is preferably H or methyl.
  • R 1 and R 5 should not contain more than 18 carbon atoms in total. Amide substituted bleach activator compounds of this type are described in EP-A-0170386.
  • Cationic peroxyacid precursor compounds produce cationic peroxyacids on perhydrolysis.
  • cationic peroxyacid precursors are formed by substituting the peroxyacid part of a suitable peroxyacid precursor compound with a positively charged functional group, such as an ammonium or alkyl ammonium group, preferably an ethyl or methyl ammonium group.
  • Cationic peroxyacid precursors are typically present in the compositions as a salt with a suitable anion, such as for example a halide ion or a methylsulfate ion.
  • the peroxyacid precursor compound to be so cationically substituted may be a perbenzoic acid, or substituted derivative thereof, precursor compound as described hereinbefore.
  • the peroxyacid precursor compound may be an alkyl percarboxylic acid precursor compound or an amide substituted alkyl peroxyacid precursor as described hereinafter
  • 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 has the formula:
  • Preferred cationic peroxyacid precursors of the N-acylated caprolactam class include the trialkyl ammonium methylene benzoyl caprolactams, particularly trimethyl ammonium methylene benzoyl caprolactam:
  • N-acylated caprolactam class examples include the trialkyl ammonium methylene alkyl caprolactams: where n is from 0 to 12, particularly from 1 to 5.
  • Another preferred cationic peroxyacid precursor is 2-(N,N,N-trimethyl ammonium) ethyl sodium 4-sulphophenyl carbonate chloride.
  • Alkyl percarboxylic acid bleach precursors form percarboxylic acids on perhydrolysis.
  • Preferred precursors of this type provide peracetic acid on perhydrolysis.
  • Preferred alkyl percarboxylic precursor compounds of the imide type include the N-,N,N 1 N 1 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
  • alkyl percarboxylic acid precursors include sodium 3,5,5-tri-methyl hexanoyloxybenzene sulfonate (iso-NOBS), sodium nonanoyloxybenzene sulfonate (NOBS), sodium acetoxybenzene sulfonate (ABS) and penta acetyl glucose.
  • Amide substituted alkyl peroxyacid precursor compounds are also suitable, including those of the following general formulae: wherein R 1 is an alkyl group with from 1 to 14 carbon atoms, R 2 is an alkylene group containing from 1 to 14 carbon atoms, and R 5 is H or an alkyl group containing 1 to 10 carbon atoms and L can be essentially any leaving group.
  • R 1 preferably contains from 6 to 12 carbon atoms.
  • R 2 preferably contains from 4 to 8 carbon atoms.
  • R 1 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. Analogous structural variations are permissible for R 2 .
  • substitution can include alkyl, halogen, nitrogen, sulphur and other typical substituent groups or organic compounds.
  • R 5 is preferably H or methyl.
  • R 1 and R 5 should not contain more than 18 carbon atoms in total. Amide substituted bleach activator compounds of this type are described in EP-A-0170386.
  • precursor compounds of the benzoxazin-type as disclosed for example in EP-A-332,294 and EP-A-482,807, particularly those having the formula: including the substituted benzoxazins of the type wherein R 1 is H, alkyl, alkaryl, aryl, arylalkyl, and wherein R 2 , R 3 , R 4 , and R 5 may be the same or different substituents selected from H, halogen, alkyl, alkenyl, aryl, hydroxyl, alkoxyl, amino, alkyl amino, COOR 6 (wherein R 6 is H or an alkyl group) and carbonyl functions.
  • An especially preferred precursor of the benzoxazin-type is:
  • the organic peroxyacid bleaching system may contain, in addition to, or as an alternative to, an organic peroxyacid bleach precursor compound, a preformed organic peroxyacid , typically at a level of from 0.5% to 25% 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 R 1 is an alkyl, aryl or alkaryl group with from I to 14 carbon atoms, R 2 is an alkylene, arylene, and alkarylene group containing from 1 to 14 carbon atoms, and R 5 is H or an alkyl, aryl, or alkaryl group containing 1 to 10 carbon atoms. R 1 preferably contains from 6 to 12 carbon atoms. R 2 preferably contains from 4 to 8 carbon atoms.
  • R 1 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 R 2 . The substitution can include alkyl, aryl, halogen, nitrogen, sulphur and other typical substituent groups or organic compounds.
  • R 5 is preferably H or methyl. R 1 and R 5 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 diacyl and tetraacylperoxides, especially diperoxydodecanedioc acid, diperoxytetradecanedioc acid, and diperoxyhexadecanedioc acid.
  • Dibenzoyl peroxide is a preferred organic peroxyacid herein.
  • Mono- and diperazelaic acid, mono- and diperbrassylic acid, and N-phthaloylaminoperoxicaproic acid are also suitable herein.
  • Controlled rate of release - means
  • a means may be provided for controlling the rate of release of bleaching agent, particularly oxygen bleach to the wash solution.
  • Means for controlling the rate of release of the bleach may provide for controlled release of peroxide species to the wash solution.
  • Such means could, for example, include controlling the release of any inorganic perhydrate salt, acting as a hydrogen peroxide source, to the wash solution.
  • Suitable controlled release means can include confining the bleach to either the compressed or non-compressed portions. Where more than one non-compressed portions are present, the bleach may be confined to the first and/or second and/or optional subsequent non-compressed portions.
  • Another mechanism for controlling the rate of release of bleach may be by coating the bleach with a coating designed to provide the controlled release.
  • the coating may therefore, for example, comprise a poorly water soluble material, or be a coating of sufficient thickness that the kinetics of dissolution of the thick coating provide the controlled rate of release.
  • the coating material may be applied using various methods. Any coating material is typically present at a weight ratio of coating material to bleach of from 1:99 to 1:2, preferably from 1:49 to 1:9.
  • Suitable coating materials include triglycerides (e.g. partially) hydrogenated vegetable oil, soy bean oil, cotton seed oil) mono or diglycerides, microcrystalline waxes, gelatin, cellulose, fatty acids and any mixtures thereof.
  • suitable coating materials can comprise the alkali and alkaline earth metal sulphates, silicates and carbonates, including calcium carbonate and silicas.
  • a preferred coating material particularly for an inorganic perhydrate salt bleach source, comprises sodium silicate of SiO 2 : Na 2 O ratio from 1.8 : 1 to 3.0 : 1, preferably 1.8:1 to 2.4:1, and/or sodium metasilicate, preferably applied at a level of from 2% to 10%, (normally from 3% to 5%) SiO 2 by weight of the inorganic perhydrate salt.
  • Magnesium silicate can also be included in the coating.
  • Suitable binders include the C C 10 -C 20 alcohol ethoxylates containing from 5 - 100 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol and more preferably the C 15 -C 20 primary alcohol ethoxylates containing from 20 - 100 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol.
  • binders include certain polymeric materials.
  • Polyvinylpyrrolidones with an average molecular weight of from 12,000 to 700,000 and polyethylene glycols (PEG) with an average molecular weight of from 600 to 5 x 10 6 preferably 1000 to 400,000 most preferably 1000 to 10,000 are examples of such polymeric materials.
  • Copolymers of maleic anhydride with ethylene, methylvinyl ether or methacrylic acid, the maleic anhydride constituting at least 20 mole percent of the polymer are further examples of polymeric materials useful as binder agents.
  • polymeric materials may be used as such or in combination with solvents such as water, propylene glycol and the above mentioned C 10 -C 20 alcohol ethoxylates containing from 5 - 100 moles of ethylene oxide per mole.
  • solvents such as water, propylene glycol and the above mentioned C 10 -C 20 alcohol ethoxylates containing from 5 - 100 moles of ethylene oxide per mole.
  • binders include the C 10 -C 20 mono- and diglycerol ethers and also the C 10 -C 20 fatty acids.
  • Cellulose derivatives such as methylcellulose, carboxymethylcellulose and hydroxyethylcellulose, and homo- or co-polymeric polycarboxylic acids or their salts are other examples of binders suitable for use herein.
  • One method for applying the coating material involves agglomeration.
  • Preferred agglomeration processes include the use of any of the organic binder materials described hereinabove. Any conventional agglomerator/mixer may be used including, but not limited to pan, rotary drum and vertical blender types. Molten coating compositions may also be applied either by being poured onto, or spray atomized onto a moving bed of bleaching agent.
  • Suitable means of providing the required controlled release include mechanical means for altering the physical characteristics of the bleach to control its solubility and rate of release. Suitable protocols could include compression, mechanical injection, manual injection, and adjustment of the solubility of the bleach compound by selection of particle size of any particulate component.
  • particle size Whilst the choice of particle size will depend both on the composition of the particulate component, and the desire to meet the desired controlled release kinetics, it is desirable that the particle size should be more than 500 micrometers, preferably having an average particle diameter of from 800 to 1200 micrometers.
  • Additional protocols for providing the means of controlled release include the suitable choice of any other components of the detergent composition matrix such that when the composition is introduced to the wash solution the ionic strength environment therein provided enables the required controlled release kinetics to be achieved.
  • compositions described herein which contain bleach as an active detergent component may additionally contain as a preferred component, a metal containing bleach catalyst.
  • a metal containing bleach catalyst is a transition metal containing bleach catalyst, more preferably a manganese or cobalt-containing bleach catalyst.
  • a suitable type of bleach catalyst is a catalyst comprising a heavy metal cation of defined bleach catalytic activity, such as copper, iron cations, an auxiliary metal cation having little or no bleach catalytic activity, such as zinc or aluminium 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 cations
  • an auxiliary metal cation having little or no bleach catalytic activity such as zinc or aluminium 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.
  • Preferred types of 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 -(PF 6 ) 2 , Mn III 2 (u-O) 1 (u-OAc) 2 (1,4,7-trimethyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononane) 2 -(ClO 4 ) 2 , Mn IV 4(u-O) 6 (1,4,7-triazacyclononane)4-(ClO 4 ) 2 , Mn III Mn IV 4 (u-O) 1 (u-OAc) 2 -(1,4,7-trimethyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononane) 2 -(CIO 4 ) 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-triazacyclononane, 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)(OCH 3 ) 3 -(PF 6 ).
  • 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, meso-inositol, 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.
  • R 5 , R 6 , and R 7 can each be H, alkyl, or aryl groups, including substituted or unsubstituted groups.
  • Preferred ligands include pyridine, pyridazine, pyrimidine, pyrazine, imidazole, pyrazole, and triazole rings.
  • 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)Cl 2 , Di(isothiocyanato)bispyridylamine-cobalt (II), trisdipyridylamine-cobalt(II) perchlorate, Co(2,2-bispyridylamine) 2 O 2 CIO 4 , Bis-(2,2'-bispyridylamine) copper(II) perchlorate, tris(di-2-pyridylamine) iron(II) perchlorate, and mixtures thereof.
  • Preferred examples include binuclear Mn complexes with tetra-N-dentate and bi-N-dentate ligands, including N 4 Mn III (u-O) 2 Mn IV N 4 ) + and [Bipy 2 Mn III (u-O) 2 Mn IV bipy 2 ]-(CIO 4 ) 3 .
  • the bleach-catalyzing manganese complexes of the present invention have not been elucidated, it may be speculated that they comprise chelates or other hydrated coordination complexes which result from the interaction of the carboxyl and nitrogen atoms of the ligand with the manganese cation.
  • the oxidation state of the manganese cation during the catalytic process is not known with certainty, and may be the (+II), (+III), (+IV) or (+V) valence state. Due to the ligands' possible six points of attachment to the manganese cation, it may be reasonably speculated that multi-nuclear species and/or "cage" structures may exist in the aqueous bleaching media. Whatever the form of the active Mn-ligand species which actually exists, it functions in an apparently catalytic manner to provide improved bleaching performances on stubborn stains such as tea, ketchup, coffee, wine, juice, and the like.
  • 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 (metallo-porphyrin 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 preferred cobalt catalyst of this type useful herein are cobalt pentaamine chloride salts having the formula [Co(NH 3 ) 5 Cl] Yy, and especially [Co(NH 3 ) 5 Cl]Cl 2 .
  • T are selected from the group consisting of chloride, iodide, I 3 - , formate, nitrate, nitrite, sulfate, sulfite, citrate, acetate, carbonate, bromide, PF 6 -, BF 4 - , B(Ph) 4 -, phosphate, phosphite, silicate, tosylate, methanesulfonate, and combinations thereof.
  • T can be protonated if more than one anionic group exists in T, e.g., HPO 4 2- , HCO 3 - , H 2 PO 4 - , etc.
  • T may be selected from the group consisting of non-traditional inorganic anions such as anionic surfactants (e.g., linear alkylbenzene sulfonates (LAS), alkyl sulfates (AS), alkylethoxysulfonates (AES), etc.) and/or anionic polymers (e.g., polyacrylates, polymethacrylates, etc.).
  • anionic surfactants e.g., linear alkylbenzene sulfonates (LAS), alkyl sulfates (AS), alkylethoxysulfonates (AES), etc.
  • anionic polymers e.g., polyacrylates, polymethacrylates, etc.
  • the M moieties include, but are not limited to, for example, F-, SO 4 -2 , NCS - , SCN - , S 2 O 3 -2 , NH 3 , PO 4 3- , and carboxylates (which preferably are mono-carboxylates, but more than one carboxylate may be present in the moiety as long as the binding to the cobalt is by only one carboxylate per moiety, in which case the other carboxylate in the M moiety may be protonated or in its salt form).
  • carboxylates which preferably are mono-carboxylates, but more than one carboxylate may be present in the moiety as long as the binding to the cobalt is by only one carboxylate per moiety, in which case the other carboxylate in the M moiety may be protonated or in its salt form).
  • M can be protonated if more than one anionic group exists in M (e.g., HPO 4 2- , HCO 3 - , H 2 PO 4 - , HOC(O)CH 2 C(O)O-, etc.)
  • Preferred M moieties are substituted and unsubstituted C 1 -C 30 carboxylic acids having the formulas: RC(O)O- wherein R is preferably selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and C 1 -C 30 (preferably C 1 -C 18 ) unsubstituted and substituted alkyl, C 6 -C 30 (preferably C 6 -C 18 ) unsubstituted and substituted aryl, and C 3 -C 30 (preferably C 5 -C 18 ) unsubstituted and substituted heteroaryl, wherein substituents are selected from the group consisting of-NR' 3 , -NR' 4 + , -C(O)OR', -OR', -C(O)NR' 2
  • M are carboxylic acids having the formula above wherein R is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl, straight or branched C 4 -C 12 alkyl, and benzyl. Most preferred R is methyl.
  • Preferred carboxylic acid M moieties include formic, benzoic, octanoic, nonanoic, decanoic, dodecanoic, malonic, maleic, succinic, adipic, phthalic, 2-ethylhexanoic, naphthenoic, oleic, palmitic, triflate, tartrate, stearic, butyric, citric, acrylic, aspartic, fumaric, lauric, linoleic, lactic, malic, and especially acetic acid.
  • the B moieties include carbonate, di- and higher carboxylates (e.g., oxalate, malonate, malic, succinate, maleate), picolinic acid, and alpha and beta amino acids (e.g., glycine, alanine, beta-alanine, phenylalanine).
  • carboxylates e.g., oxalate, malonate, malic, succinate, maleate
  • picolinic acid e.g., glycine, alanine, beta-alanine, phenylalanine.
  • Cobalt bleach catalysts useful herein are known, being described for example along with their base hydrolysis rates, in M. L. Tobe, "Base Hydrolysis of Transition-Metal Complexes", Adv. Inorg. Bioinorg. Mech. , (1983), 2, pages 1-94.
  • cobalt pentaamine acetate salts having the formula [Co(NH 3 ) 5 OAc] T y , wherein OAc represents an acetate moiety, and especially cobalt pentaamine acetate chloride, [Co(NH 3 ) 5 OAc]Cl 2 ; as well as [Co(NH 3 ) 5 OAc](OAc) 2 ; [Co(NH 3 ) 5 OAc](PF 6 ) 2 ; [Co(NH 3 ) 5 OAc](SO 4 ); [Co - (NH 3 ) 5 OAc](BF 4 ) 2 ; and [Co(NH 3 ) 5 OAc](NO 3 ) 2 (herein "PAC").
  • PAC cobalt pentaamine acetate salts having the formula [Co(NH 3 ) 5 OAc] T y , wherein OAc represents an acetate moiety, and especially cobalt pentaamine acetate chloride, [Co(NH 3
  • Cobalt catalysts suitable for incorporation into the detergent tablets of the present invention may be produced according to the synthetic routes disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,559,261, 5,581,005, and 5,597,936, the disclosures of which are herein incorporated by reference.
  • catalysts may be co-processed with adjunct materials so as to reduce the colour impact if desired for the aesthetics of the product, or to be included in enzyme-containing particles as exemplified hereinafter, or the compositions may be manufactured to contain catalyst "speckles".
  • Organic polymeric compounds may be added as preferred components of the detergent tablets in accord with the invention.
  • organic polymeric compound it is meant essentially any polymeric organic compound commonly found in detergent compositions having dispersant, anti-redeposition, soil release agents or other detergency properties.
  • 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, modified polycarboxylates 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 molecular weight 2000-10000 and their copolymers with any suitable other monomer units including modified acrylic, fumaric, maleic, itaconic, aconitic.
  • mesaconic, citraconic and methylenemalonic acid or their salts maleic anhydride, acrylamide, alkylene, vinylmethyl ether, styrene and any mixtures thereof.
  • Preferred are the copolymers of acrylic acid and maleic anhydride having a molecular weight of from 20,000 to 100,000.
  • Preferred commercially available acrylic acid containing polymers having a molecular weight below 15,000 include those sold under the tradename Sokalan PA30, PA20, PA15, PA10 and Sokalan CP10 by BASF GmbH, and those sold under the tradename Acusol 45N, 480N, 460N by Rohm and Haas.
  • Preferred acrylic acid containing copolymers include those which contain as monomer units: a) from 90% to 10%, preferably from 80% to 20% by weight acrylic acid or its salts and b) from 10% to 90%, preferably from 20% to 80% by weight of a substituted acrylic monomer or its salts having the general formula -[CR 2 -CR 1 (CO-O-R 3 )]- wherein at least one of the substituents R 1 , R 2 or R 3 , preferably R 1 or R 2 is a 1 to 4 carbon alkyl or hydroxyalkyl group, R 1 or R 2 can be a hydrogen and R 3 can be a hydrogen or alkali metal salt.
  • the most preferred copolymer of this type has a molecular weight of 3500 and contains 60% to 80% by weight of acrylic acid and 40% to 20% by weight of methacrylic acid.
  • polyamine and modified polyamine 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.
  • Other optional polymers may polyvinyl alcohols and acetates both modified and non-modified, cellulosics and modified cellulosics, polyoxyethylenes polyoxypropylenes, and copolymers thereof, both modified and non-modified, terephthalate esters of ethylene or propylene glycol or mixtures thereof with polyoxyalkylene units.
  • Suitable polymeric soil release agents include those soil release agents having: (a) one or more nonionic hydrophile components consisting essentially of (i) polyoxyethylene segments with a degree of polymerization of at least 2, or (ii) oxypropylene or polyoxypropylene segments with a degree of polymerization of from 2 to 10, wherein said hydrophile segment does not encompass any oxypropylene unit unless it is bonded to adjacent moieties at each end by ether linkages, or (iii) a mixture of oxyalkylene units comprising oxyethylene and from 1 to 30 oxypropylene units, said hydrophile segments preferably comprising at least 25% oxyethylene units and more preferably, especially for such components having 20 to 30 oxypropylene units, at least 50% oxyethylene units; or (b) one or more hydrophobe components comprising (i) C 3 oxyalkylene terephthalate segments, wherein, if said hydrophobe components also comprise oxyethylene terephthalate, the ratio of oxyethylene ter
  • the polyoxyethylene segments of (a)(i) will have a degree of polymerization of from 200, although higher levels can be used, preferably from 3 to 150, more preferably from 6 to 100.
  • Suitable oxy C 4 -C 6 alkylene hydrophobe segments include, but are not limited to, end-caps of polymeric soil release agents such as MO 3 S(CH 2 ) n OCH 2 CH 2 O-, where M is sodium and n is an integer from 4-6, as disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,721,580, issued January 26, 1988 to Gosselink.
  • Polymeric soil release agents useful herein also include cellulosic derivatives such as hydroxyether cellulosic polymers, copolymeric blocks of ethylene terephthalate or propylene terephthalate with polyethylene oxide or polypropylene oxide terephthalate, and the like. Such agents are commercially available and include hydroxyethers of cellulose such as METHOCEL (Dow). Cellulosic soil release agents for use herein also include those selected from the group consisting of C 1 -C 4 alkyl and C 4 hydroxyalkyl cellulose; see U.S. Patent 4,000,093, issued December 28, 1976 to Nicol, et al.
  • Soil release agents characterized by poly(vinyl ester) hydrophobe segments include graft copolymers of poly(vinyl ester), e.g., C 1 -C 6 vinyl esters, preferably poly(vinyl acetate) grafted onto polyalkylene oxide backbones, such as polyethylene oxide backbones.
  • poly(vinyl ester) e.g., C 1 -C 6 vinyl esters
  • poly(vinyl acetate) grafted onto polyalkylene oxide backbones such as polyethylene oxide backbones.
  • Another suitable soil release agent is a copolymer having random blocks of ethylene terephthalate and polyethylene oxide (PEO) terephthalate.
  • the molecular weight of this polymeric soil release agent is in the range of from 25,000 to 55,000. 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.
  • Another suitable polymeric soil release agent is a polyester with repeat units of ethylene terephthalate units contains 10-15% by weight of ethylene terephthalate units together with 90-80% by weight of polyoxyethylene terephthalate units, derived from a polyoxyethylene glycol of average molecular weight 300-5,000.
  • Another suitable polymeric soil release agent is a sulfonated product of a substantially linear ester oligomer comprised of an oligomeric ester backbone of terephthaloyl and oxyalkyleneoxy repeat units and terminal moieties covalently attached to the backbone.
  • These soil release agents are described fully in U.S. Patent 4,968,451, issued November 6, 1990 to J.J. Scheibel and E.P. Gosselink.
  • Other suitable polymeric soil release agents include the terephthalate polyesters of U.S. Patent 4,711,730, issued December 8, 1987 to Gosselink et al, the anionic end-capped oligomeric esters of U.S.
  • Patent 4,721,580 issued January 26, 1988 to Gosselink
  • block polyester oligomeric compounds of U.S. Patent 4,702,857 issued October 27, 1987 to Gosselink.
  • Other 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, which discloses anionic, especially sulfoarolyl, end-capped terephthalate esters.
  • Another soil release agent is an oligomer with repeat units of terephthaloyl units, sulfoisoterephthaloyl units, oxyethyleneoxy and oxy-1,2-propylene units.
  • the repeat units form the backbone of the oligomer and are preferably terminated with modified isethionate end-caps.
  • a particularly preferred soil release agent of this type comprises one sulfoisophthaloyl unit, 5 terephthaloyl units, oxyethyleneoxy and oxy-1,2-propyleneoxy units in a ratio of from 1.7 to 1.8, and two end-cap units of sodium 2-(2-hydroxyethoxy)-ethanesulfonate.
  • the detergent tablets 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.
  • 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.
  • 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 hydroxy-ethylene 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
  • alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, ammonium, or substituted ammonium salts thereof, or mixtures thereof Especially preferred is ethylenediamine-N,N'-disuccinic acid (EDDS) or the alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, ammonium, or substituted ammonium salts thereof, or mixtures thereof.
  • Preferred EDDS compounds are the free acid form and the sodium or magnesium salt or complex thereof.
  • the detergent tablets preferably contain a crystal growth inhibitor component, preferably an organodiphosphonic acid component, incorporated preferably at a level of from 0.01% to 5%, more preferably from 0.1% to 2% by weight of the compositions.
  • a crystal growth inhibitor component preferably an organodiphosphonic acid component
  • organo diphosphonic acid it is meant herein an organo diphosphonic acid which does not contain nitrogen as part of its chemical structure. This definition therefore excludes the organo aminophosphonates, which however may be included in compositions of the invention as heavy metal ion sequestrant components.
  • the organo diphosphonic acid is preferably a C 1 -C 4 diphosphonic acid, more preferably a C 2 diphosphonic acid, such as ethylene diphosphonic acid, or most preferably ethane 1-hydroxy-1,1 -diphosphonic acid (HEDP) and may be present in partially or fully ionized form, particularly as a salt or complex.
  • HEDP ethane 1-hydroxy-1,1 -diphosphonic acid
  • the detergent tablet optionally contains a water-soluble sulfate salt.
  • the water-soluble sulfate salt is at the level of from 0.1% to 40%, more preferably from 1% to 30%, most preferably from 5% to 25% by weight of the compositions.
  • the water-soluble sulfate salt may be essentially any salt of sulfate with any counter cation.
  • Preferred salts are selected from the sulfates of the alkali and alkaline earth metals, particularly sodium sulfate.
  • an alkali metal silicate is an essential component of the detergent tablet.
  • the presence of an alkali metal silicate is optional.
  • a preferred alkali metal silicate is sodium silicate having an SiO 2 :Na 2 O ratio of from 1.8 to 3.0, preferably from 1.8 to 2.4, most preferably 2.0.
  • Sodium silicate is preferably present at a level of less than 20%, preferably from 1% to 15%, most preferably from 3% to 12% by weight of SiO 2 .
  • the alkali metal silicate may be in the form of either the anhydrous salt or a hydrated salt.
  • Alkali metal silicate may also be present as a component of an alkalinity system.
  • the alkalinity system also preferably contains sodium metasilicate, present at a level of at least 0.4% SiO 2 by weight.
  • Sodium metasilicate has a nominal SiO 2 Na 2 O ratio of 1.0.
  • the weight ratio of said sodium silicate to said sodium metasilicate, measured as SiO 2 is preferably from 50:1 to 5:4, more preferably from 15:1 to 2:1, most preferably from 10:1 to 5:2.
  • colourant means any substance that absorbs specific wavelengths of light from the visible light spectrum. Such colourants when added to a detergent composition have the effect of changing the visible colour and thus the appearance of the detergent composition.
  • Colourants may be for example either dyes or pigments.
  • the colourants are stable in composition in which they are to be incorported. Thus in a composition of high pH the colourant is preferably alkali stable and in a composition of low pH the colourant is preferably acid stable.
  • the compressed portion and/or non compressed may contain a colourant, a mixture of colourants, coloured particles or mixture of coloured particles such that the compressed portion and the non-compressed portion have different visual appearances.
  • a colourant a mixture of colourants, coloured particles or mixture of coloured particles such that the compressed portion and the non-compressed portion have different visual appearances.
  • one of either the compressed portion or the non-compressed comprises a colourant.
  • the non-compressed portion comprises two or more compositions of active detergent components, preferably at least one of either the first and second and/or subsequent compositions comprises a colourant. Where both the first and second and/or subsequent compositions comprise a colourant it is preferred that the colourants have a different visual appearance.
  • the coating layer preferably comprises a colourant.
  • the compressed portion and the coating layer comprise a colourant, it is preferred that the colourants provide a different visual effect.
  • suitable dyes include reactive dyes, direct dyes, azo dyes.
  • Preferred dyes include phthalocyanine dyes, anthraquinone dye, quinoline dyes, monoazo, disazo and polyazo. More preferred dyes include anthraquinone, quinoline and monoazo dyes.
  • Preferred dyes include SANDOLAN E-HRL 180% (tradename), SANDOLAN MILLING BLUE (tradename), TURQUOISE ACID BLUE (tradename) and SANDOLAN BRILLIANT GREEN (tradename) all available from Clariant UK, HEXACOL QUINOLINE YELLOW (tradename) and HEXACOL BRILLIANT BLUE (tradename both available from Pointings. UK, ULTRA MARINE BLUE (tradename available from Holliday or LEVAFIX TURQUISE BLUE EBA (tradename) available from Bayer, USA.
  • the colourant may be incorporated into the compressed and/or non-compressed portion by any suitable method. Suitable methods include mixing all or selected active detergent components with a colourant in a drum or spraying all or selected active detergent components with the colourant in a rotating dnun.
  • Colourant when present as a component of the compressed portion is present at a level of from 0.001% to 1.5%, preferably from 0.01 % to 1.0%, most preferably from 0.1% to 0.3%.
  • colourant is generally present at a level of from 0.001% to 0.1 %, more preferably from 0.005% to 0.05%, most preferably from 0.007% to 0.02%.
  • colourant is present at a level of from 0.01% to 0.5%, more preferably from 0.02% to 0.1%, most preferably from 0.03% to 0.06%.
  • Another preferred active detergent component for use in the present invention is a hydrocarbon oil, typically a predominancy long chain, aliphatic hydrocarbons having a number of carbon atoms in the range of from 20 to 50; preferred hydrocarbons are saturated and/or branched; preferred hydrocarbon oil selected from. predominantly branched C 25-45 species with a ratio of cyclic to noncyclic hydrocarbons of from 1:10 to 2:1, preferably from 1:5 to 1:1.
  • a preferred hydrocarbon oil is paraffin.
  • a paraffin oil meeting the characteristics as outlined above, having a ratio of cyclic to noncyclic hydrocarbons of 32:68, is sold by Wintershall, Salzbergen, Germany, under the trade name WINOG 70.
  • Preferred enzyme-containing compositions herein may comprise from 0.001% to 10%, preferably from 0.005% to 8%, most preferably from 0.01% to 6%, by weight of an enzyme stabilizing system.
  • the enzyme stabilizing system can be any stabilizing system which is compatible with the detersive enzyme.
  • Such stabilizing systems can comprise calcium ion, boric acid, propylene glycol, short chain carboxylic acid, boronic acid, chlorine bleach scavengers and mixtures thereof.
  • Such stabilizing systems can also comprise reversible enzyme inhibitors, such as reversible protease inhibitors.
  • compositions of active detergent components may contain a lime soap dispersant compound, preferably present at a level of from 0.1% to 40% by weight, more preferably 1% to 20% by weight, most preferably from 2% to 10% by weight of the compositions.
  • a lime soap dispersant is a material that prevents the precipitation of alkali metal, ammonium or amine salts of fatty acids by calcium or magnesium ions.
  • Preferred lime soap disperant compounds are disclosed in PCT Application No. WO93/08877.
  • the detergent tablets of the present 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 ar.y known antifoam compound, including, for example silicone antifoam compounds, 2-alkyl and alcanol antifoam compounds.
  • Preferred suds suppressing systems and antifoam compounds are disclosed in PCT Application No. WO93/08876 and EP-A-705 324.
  • the detergent tablets 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.
  • the detergent tablets suitable for use in laundry washing methods as described herein also optionally contain from 0.005% to 5% by weight of certain types of hydrophilic optical brighteners.
  • Hydrophilic optical brighteners useful herein include those having the structural formula: wherein R 1 is selected from anilino, N-2-bis-hydroxyethyl and NH-2-hydroxyethyl; R 2 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.
  • R 1 is anilino
  • R 2 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.
  • R 1 is anilino
  • R 2 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.
  • R 1 is anilino
  • R 2 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 detergent tablets suitable for use in laundry cleaning methods may contain a clay softening system comprising a clay mineral compound and optionally a clay flocculating agent.
  • 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.
  • European Patents No.s EP-A-299,575 and EP-A-313,146 in the name of the Procter and Gamble Company describe suitable organic polymeric clay flocculating agents.
  • Cationic fabric softening agents can also be incorporated into compositions in accordance with the present invention which are suitable for use in methods of laundry washing.
  • Suitable cationic fabric softening agents include the water insoluble tertiary amines or dilong chain amide materials as disclosed in GB-A-1 514276 and EP-B-0 011 340.
  • 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 and filler salts, with sodium sulfate being a preferred filler salt.
  • the detergent tablets of the present invention are preferably not formulated to have an unduly high pH, in preference having a pH measured as a 1% solution in distilled water of from 8.0 to 12.5, more preferably from 9.0 to 11.8, most preferably from 9.5 to 11.5.
  • the compressed and non-compressed portions are formulated to deliver different pH.
  • 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 tablet composition in accord with the invention.
  • an effective amount of the detergent tablet 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 is employed in the washing method.
  • the dispensing device is charged with the detergent product, and is used to introduce the product directly into the drum of the washing machine before the commencement of the wash cycle. 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 contact with 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.
  • the dispensing device may be a flexible container, such as a bag or pouch.
  • the bag may be of fibrous construction coated with a water impermeable protective material so as to retain the contents, such as is disclosed in European published Patent Application No. 0018678.
  • it may be formed of a water-insoluble synthetic polymeric material provided with an edge seal or closure designed to rupture in aqueous media as disclosed in European published Patent Application Nos. 0011500, 0011501, 0011502, and 0011968.
  • a convenient form of water frangible closure comprises a water soluble adhesive disposed along and sealing one edge of a pouch formed of a water impermeable polymeric film such as polyethylene or polypropylene.

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  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Oil, Petroleum & Natural Gas (AREA)
  • Wood Science & Technology (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Zoology (AREA)
  • Inorganic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Molecular Biology (AREA)
  • Emergency Medicine (AREA)
  • Detergent Compositions (AREA)
  • Cosmetics (AREA)
  • Washing And Drying Of Tableware (AREA)
  • Medicinal Preparation (AREA)
  • External Artificial Organs (AREA)

Claims (24)

  1. Tablette détergente pour utilisation dans le lavage de linge dans une machine à laver et qui comprend :
    a) une partie comprimée comprenant un composant détergent actif; et
    b) une partie non comprimée non encapsulante comprenant un composant détergent actif, dans laquelle la partie comprimée forme un moule préalablement préparé et la partie non comprimée se présente sous la forme d'un gel ou d'une masse fondue solidifiée et est au moins partiellement contenue dans le moule, et le rapport pondéral de la partie comprimée à la partie non comprimée est supérieur à 4:1.
  2. Tablette détergente selon la revendication 1, dans laquelle la partie non comprimée est fixée à la partie comprimée par adhérence ou durcissement
  3. Tablette détergente selon la revendication 1 ou 2, dans laquelle la tablette comprend une pluralité de parties non comprimées agencées en couches.
  4. Tablette détergente selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans laquelle la tablette comprend une pluralité de parties non comprimées et dans laquelle la partie comprimée forme une pluralité de moules et chaque partie non comprimée est au moins partiellement contenue dans un moule.
  5. Tablette détergente selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans laquelle la partie non comprimée est une masse fondue solidifiée.
  6. Tablette détergente selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans laquelle la partie non comprimée comprend un agent liant choisi dans le groupe constitué du sucre, de l'amidon, de la gélatine et de polymères organiques.
  7. Tablette détergente selon la revendication 6, dans laquelle la partie non comprimée comprend un agent liant qui est un polymère organique.
  8. Tablette détergente selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans laquelle la vitesse de dissolution de la partie non comprimée est supérieure à la vitesse de dissolution de la partie comprimée mesurée en utilisant la méthode d'essai de dissolution SOTAX décrite dans la présente demande.
  9. Tablette détergente selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 7, dans laquelle la vitesse de dissolution de la partie comprimée est supérieure à la vitesse de dissolution de la partie non comprimée mesurée en utilisant la méthode d'essai de dissolution SOTAX décrite dans la présente demande.
  10. Tablette détergente selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, comprenant une enzyme.
  11. Tablette détergente selon la revendication 10, dans laquelle l'enzyme est choisie dans le groupe constitué des amylases, des protéases, des cellulases, des hémicellulases, des peroxydases, des lipases, des phospholipases et de leurs mélanges.
  12. Tablette détergente selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans laquelle le composant détergent actif de la partie non comprimée est choisi parmi un agent tensioactif, un agent de blanchiment, un activateur de blanchiment, un catalyseur de blanchiment, une enzyme, un inhibiteur de corrosion, un parfum et une source d'alcalinité.
  13. Tablette détergente selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans laquelle le composant détergent actif de la partie non comprimée est une enzyme.
  14. Tablette détergente selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans laquelle le composant détergent actif de la partie comprimée est choisi parmi un composé adjuvant, un agent tensioactif, un agent de blanchiment, un activateur de blanchiment, un catalyseur de blanchiment, une enzyme et une source d'alcalinité.
  15. Tablette détergente selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans laquelle le composant détergent actif de la partie comprimée est un agent de blanchiment
  16. Tablette détergente selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, comprenant un silicate de métal alcalin.
  17. Tablette détergente selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans laquelle la tablette détergente comprend un silicate et la tablette détergente comprend au moins 20% en poids de composés adjuvants, par rapport aux composants détergents actifs.
  18. Tablette détergente selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans laquelle la partie non comprimée est enrobée d'une couche d'enrobage.
  19. Tablette détergente selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans laquelle la tablette détergente comprend en outre un agent de rupture qui est un agent désintégrant, un agent effervescent ou leurs mélanges.
  20. Tablette détergente selon la revendication 19, dans laquelle l'agent de rupture est choisi dans le groupe constitué de l'amidon, de dérivés d'amidon, d'un alginate, de polymères à base de carboxyméthylcellulose (CMC), de l'acétate de sodium, de l'oxyde d'aluminium, des carbonates, des bicarbonates, des acides carboxyliques et de leurs mélanges.
  21. Procédé de lavage de linge comprenant le traitement de linge sale avec une solution de lavage aqueuse dans une machine de lavage, dans laquelle est dissoute ou distribuée une tablette détergente selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 20.
  22. Utilisation d'une tablette détergente dans un procédé de lavage de linge dans une machine à laver, dans laquelle la tablette comprend :
    a) une partie comprimée comprenant un composant détergent actif; et
    b) une partie non comprimée non encapsulante comprenant un composant détergent actif, dans laquelle la partie comprimée forme un moule préparé préalablement et la partie non comprimée se présente sous la forme d'un gel ou d'une masse fondue solidifiée et est au moins partiellement contenue dans le moule, et le rapport pondéral de la partie comprimée à la partie non comprimée est supérieur à 4:1.
  23. Utilisation selon la revendication 22, dans laquelle la tablette a l'une quelconque des caractéristiques supplémentaires mentionnées dans les revendications 2 à 20.
  24. Procédé de préparation d'une tablette détergente pour une utilisation dans le lavage de linge dans une machine à laver et qui comprend:
    a) une partie comprimée comprenant un composant détergent actif; et
    b) une partie non comprimée non encapsulante comprenant un composant détergent actif, dans lequel la partie comprimée forme un moule préparé préalablement et la partie non comprimée se présente sous la forme d'un gel ou d'une masse fondue solidifiée et est au moins partiellement contenue dans le moule, et le rapport pondéral de la partie comprimée à la partie non comprimée est supérieur à 4:1, le procédé comprenant les étapes suivantes :
    i. compression d'un composant détergent actif pour former la partie comprimée et formation d'un moule dans la partie comprimée; et
    ii. distribution d'une partie non comprimée non encapulanté comprenant un composant détergent actif dans le moule de la partie comprimée.
EP01112070A 1997-08-02 1998-08-03 Tablette détergente Expired - Lifetime EP1134281B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9716351 1997-08-02
GB9716351A GB2327949A (en) 1997-08-02 1997-08-02 Detergent tablet
EP98938306A EP0960187B1 (fr) 1997-08-02 1998-08-03 Procede pour laver la vaisselle

Related Parent Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP98938306A Division EP0960187B1 (fr) 1997-08-02 1998-08-03 Procede pour laver la vaisselle

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1134281A1 EP1134281A1 (fr) 2001-09-19
EP1134281B1 true EP1134281B1 (fr) 2003-10-08

Family

ID=10816870

Family Applications (3)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP01203388A Revoked EP1162258B1 (fr) 1997-08-02 1998-08-03 Tablette détergente
EP01112070A Expired - Lifetime EP1134281B1 (fr) 1997-08-02 1998-08-03 Tablette détergente
EP98938306A Expired - Lifetime EP0960187B1 (fr) 1997-08-02 1998-08-03 Procede pour laver la vaisselle

Family Applications Before (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP01203388A Revoked EP1162258B1 (fr) 1997-08-02 1998-08-03 Tablette détergente

Family Applications After (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP98938306A Expired - Lifetime EP0960187B1 (fr) 1997-08-02 1998-08-03 Procede pour laver la vaisselle

Country Status (12)

Country Link
EP (3) EP1162258B1 (fr)
JP (1) JP2001512177A (fr)
CN (1) CN1218029C (fr)
AT (3) ATE350456T1 (fr)
BR (1) BR9815605A (fr)
CA (1) CA2298510C (fr)
DE (3) DE69836835T2 (fr)
DK (1) DK0960187T3 (fr)
ES (3) ES2142782T3 (fr)
GB (1) GB2327949A (fr)
PT (1) PT960187E (fr)
WO (1) WO1999006522A1 (fr)

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DK0960187T3 (da) 2003-02-24
CN1218029C (zh) 2005-09-07
DE69808885D1 (de) 2002-11-28
EP1162258A2 (fr) 2001-12-12
PT960187E (pt) 2003-03-31
DE69818871T2 (de) 2004-07-22
ATE226626T1 (de) 2002-11-15
CN1272875A (zh) 2000-11-08
GB2327949A (en) 1999-02-10
ES2206365T3 (es) 2004-05-16
GB9716351D0 (en) 1997-10-08
EP0960187B1 (fr) 2002-10-23
ATE251665T1 (de) 2003-10-15
EP1162258B1 (fr) 2007-01-03
EP0960187A1 (fr) 1999-12-01
ATE350456T1 (de) 2007-01-15
DE69836835T2 (de) 2007-10-11
DE69808885T2 (de) 2003-06-18
ES2280302T3 (es) 2007-09-16
DE69836835D1 (de) 2007-02-15
EP1162258A3 (fr) 2004-01-14
CA2298510A1 (fr) 1999-02-11
WO1999006522A1 (fr) 1999-02-11
JP2001512177A (ja) 2001-08-21
ES2142782T3 (es) 2003-05-01
DE69818871D1 (de) 2003-11-13
ES2142782T1 (es) 2000-05-01
CA2298510C (fr) 2004-05-11
EP1134281A1 (fr) 2001-09-19
BR9815605A (pt) 2001-11-20

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