ES2648240T3 - Low hygroscopicity particle composition comprising one or more aminopolycarboxylate chelating compounds - Google Patents

Abstract

A particulate composition in which at least part of the particles present in said composition comprise (i) at least 5% (w / w) of a hygroscopic aminopolycarboxylate chelating compound A, and (ii) (a) another chelating compound of aminopolycarboxylate B having a chemical structure different from chelating agent A, and compounds A and B are independently selected from the group comprising 2- (hydroxyethyl) ethylenediaminetriacetic acid (HEDTA), diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA), methylglycin-N acid, Ndiacetic (MGDA), glutamic acid-N, N-diacetic acid (GLDA), iminodisuccinic acid (IDS), hydroxyiminodisuccinic acid (HIDS), ethylenediaminodisuccinic acid (EDDS), aspartic acid-N, N-diacetic acid (ASDA), its salts or mixtures thereof, with the proviso that if the aminopolycarboxylate chelating compound A is GLDA and there is no silicate present in the composition, the aminopolycarboxylate chelating compound B is not MGDA, or (b) a a mixture of said chelating compound B of aminopolycarboxylate and a silicate, wherein the silicate is an alkali metal silicate of general formula (III) M2O: nSiO2 (III) in which M represents an alkali metal and n is in the range of 1 to 3.5, and wherein the combined amount of aminopolycarboxylate chelating compound or compounds in said particles is equal to or greater than 40% (w / w), based on the weight of the particles, and the amount of silicate varies from 0 40% (w / w), based on the weight of said particles, and where the proportion of the amount of silicate to the amount of aminopolycarboxylate chelating compounds combined, both based on the weight of the particles, is less than 0 , 75, and wherein the hygroscopicity of compound B is less than the hygroscopicity of compound A.

Description

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DESCRIPTION

Low hygroscopicity particle composition comprising one or more aminopolycarboxylate chelating compounds

The present invention relates to a particulate composition, in which at least a part of the particles that form said composition comprises (i) a chelating compound A of aminopolycarboxylate, and (ii) (a) another chelating compound B of aminopolycarboxylate which it has a chemical structure different from the chelating compound A, or (b) a mixture of said chelating compound B from aminopolycarboxylate and a silicate having a defined structure.

For many years, phosphates, such as, for example, sodium tripolyphosphate and tetrasodium pyrophosphate, have been used to reduce stains and / or the deposit of scabs produced by hard water. However, due to environmental reasons, in particular, eutrophication problems, these sequestrants / improvers are now banned in many countries. Accordingly, attempts have been made to replace phosphates with other sequestrants and / or enhancers, such as, for example, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA). However, EDTA is not biodegradable, while it is suspected that NTA causes cancer. For this reason, attempts have been made to provide other chelating agents that have a chelating power comparable to that of EDTA or NTA without presenting their toxicological or environmental disadvantages.

Glutamic acid-N, N-diacetic acid (GLDA), for example, is a potent chelating agent, its chelating power being comparable to that of EDTA and NTA, while, in contrast to the latter, it is not considered carcinogenic. In addition, GLDA is biodegradable and can be produced from a sustainable natural source. On the other hand, a drawback of GLDA is that GLDA, as well as its alkali metal and ammonium salts, is considerably hygroscopic, which complicates its use in particular in solid detergent and cleaning compositions, such as, for example, compositions for washing clothes or automatic dishwashers.

In particular, hygroscopic particle compositions can absorb a large amount of water from the atmosphere, thus leading to said particles forming cakes during manufacturing, packaging, storage and / or dosing by the user. In addition, when handling hygroscopic substances it is quite difficult to ensure a constant level of water in the final product.

In the past several ways of solving the problem of incorporating hygroscopic substances in solid particulate compositions have been proposed. For example, a powder or a granulate, which consists mainly of the hygroscopic substance, can be coated with a non-hygroscopic substance, thus preventing the uptake of water by the hygroscopic substance (which is now coated). This strategy solves the problem associated with hygroscopicity, but the coating is an expensive process and, thus, the production costs increase significantly.

In another strategy, such as that presented in WO2009103822, solutions of the hygroscopic substance have been sprayed onto carrier particles. Although it is a convenient way to incorporate non-solid and / or very hygroscopic substances into a formulation, the problem associated with hygroscopicity usually increases, because the hygroscopic substance is presented in a finely divided manner over a fairly large surface. In any case, the percentage of hygroscopic substance that can be incorporated in this way into a solid composition is limited and usually does not exceed an amount of about 5%, based on the formulation.

For these reasons, a solid particulate composition comprising a fairly high amount of one or more chelating aminopolycarboxylate compounds would be desirable, that is, comprising a high amount of ingredients having a complexing capacity for divalent cations, in which the compound or aminopolycarboxylate chelating compounds are formulated such that the particulate composition has a relatively slow moisture uptake or a relatively low maximum moisture uptake or both, during packaging, storage and / or dosing, to prevent the formation of cakes of the particulate substance and to ensure the fluidity of the particulate substance over an extended period of time. Preferably, the maximum moisture uptake of a particulate composition of the present invention should not be greater than 80% by weight at 37 ± 1 ° C and 75 ± 2% relative humidity, based on a particulate composition having a content Initial water composition preferably less than 12% (w / w) per hour at 37 ± 1 ° C and 75 ± 2% relative humidity.

Accordingly, an objective of the present invention is to provide a particulate composition comprising at least 5% (w / w) of an aminopolycarboxylate chelating compound A, in which the particulate composition, as a whole, has an uptake of relatively slow humidity or a maximum collection of relatively low humidity or both, of water from the atmosphere during packaging, storage and / or subsequent processing of the particulate composition, including handling and dosing by the user. In terms of the present invention, a relatively slow humidity uptake is defined as less than 12% (w / w) per hour at 37 +/- 1 ° C and 75 +/- 2% relative humidity. A relatively slow maximum humidity uptake is defined as a maximum uptake of 80% (w / w) at 37 +/- 1 ° C and 75 +/- 2% humidity

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relative.

This problem has been solved by the composition of the present invention. The present invention provides a particulate composition in which at least part of the particles present in said composition comprise

(i) at least 5% (w / w) of a hygroscopic aminopolycarboxylate chelating compound A, and

(ii)

(a) another aminopolycarboxylate chelating compound B having a chemical structure different from chelating agent A, compounds A and B being selected independently from the group comprising 2- (hydroxyethyl) ethylenediaminetriacetic acid (HEDTA), diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA), methylglycine acid -N, N-diacetic (MGDA), glutamic acid-N, N-diacetic acid (GLDA), iminodisuccinic acid (IDS), hydroxyiminodisuccinic acid (HIDS), ethylenediamine diisuccinic acid (EDDS), aspartic acid-N, N-diacetic acid (ASDA), its salts or mixtures thereof, with the proviso that if the aminopolycarboxylate chelating compound A is GLDA and there is no silicate present in the composition, the aminopolycarboxylate chelating compound B is not MGDa, or

(b) a mixture of said chelating compound B of aminopolycarboxylate and a silicate, wherein the silicate is an alkali metal silicate of the general formula (III)

M2O: nSiÜ2 (III)

in which M represents an alkali metal, and n is in the range of 1 to 3.5, and

wherein the combined amount of aminopolycarboxylate chelating compound or compounds in said particles is equal to or greater than 40% (w / w), based on the weight of the particles, and the amount of silicate ranges from 0 to 40% (p / p), based on the weight of said particles,

and in which the proportion of the amount of silicate to the amount of aminopolycarboxylate chelating compounds

combined, both based on the weight of the particles, is less than 0.75, and

wherein the hygroscopicity of compound B is less than the hygroscopicity of compound A.

It has been found, surprisingly, that a high amount of even a hygroscopic aminopolycarboxylate A can be incorporated into a stable particulate composition, that is, essentially of low hygroscopicity, if said aminopolycarboxylate A is provided as a cogranulate comprising an appropriate amount of an aminopolycarboxylate B or a mixture of said aminopolycarboxylate B and silicate. The percentage of aminopolycarboxylate A in the cogranulate is at least 5% (w / w). The percentage of said cogranulate in the particle composition is at least 20%, based on the entire particle composition.

The amounts of aminopolycarboxylate B or the mixture of silicate and aminopolycarboxylate B in the cogranulate containing the aminopolycarboxylate A affect the maximum uptake of moisture and / or the rate of moisture uptake of the cogranulate. Optimization of the cogranulate composition produces a cogranulate with a fairly low hygroscopic character that can be mixed in a stable particle composition without presenting significant problems due to the hygroscopic properties of the aminopolycarboxylate A.

The composition of the present invention has a low humidity uptake and / or a fairly low maximum humidity uptake. In addition, not only the chelating compound A of hygroscopic aminopolycarboxylate, but also the compound B and the silicate which are added to control the moisture uptake of the composition, possess a chelating capacity.

In terms of the present invention, a particulate composition is a composition comprising a plurality of fairly small solid "objects" (particles) that, in principle, move freely from one another, such as, in particular, a powder or a granulate . The average particle size can preferably be in the range of 0.4 mm to 2.0 mm. Preferably, no more than 10% (w / w) of the particles of the particulate composition and, in particular, the particles comprising at least compound A and at least one of compound B and a silicate, have a particle size less than 0.4 mm. Preferably, no more than 10% of the particles have a particle size greater than 2.0 mm, when determined by sieve analysis on a Retsch Sieve Shaker AS200 sieve shaker for 5 minutes at an amplitude of 1 mm.

At least a portion of the particles present in the particulate composition comprises (i) a chelating compound A of aminopolycarboxylate and at least one additional compound, selected from the group consisting of (ii) (a) another chelating compound B of aminopolycarboxylate having a different chemical structure of the chelating compound A, as defined in the claims, or (b) a mixture of said chelating compound B of aminopolycarboxylate, as defined in the claims, and a silicate. Said particles, which comprise at least one compound A and at least one of a compound B or a mixture of the compound B with a silicate, preferably comprise an intimate mixture of said compounds A and B or of said compounds A, B and said silicate.

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Preferably, said compounds may be homogeneously dispersed within the particles comprising these compounds. The particles comprising these compounds may preferably be uncoated particles.

Most preferably, at least 99.9% (w / w) of the particles present in the particulate composition of the present invention comprise compound A and compound B, or a mixture of compounds A, B and silicate in an amount as defined above. The proportion of the amount of silicate, indicated in percentage by weight based on the entire composition, to the amount of aminopolycarboxylate chelating compound (compounds), both based on the weight of the composition, must be less than 0.75, more preferably less than 0.5, even more preferably less than 0.3 and most preferably less than 0.25, being, for example, 0.2.

If two different aminopolycarboxylate chelating compounds A and B are present in at least a part of the particles present in said composition, the presence of a silicate is not necessary. If the particles in the particulate composition of the present invention comprise a silicate, said particles should comprise said silicate in an amount from more than 5% to 95% (w / w, based on the weight of said particles).

However, it is preferred that the silicate is present in said particles in an amount of 5% to 40% (w / w) if said particles comprise a mixture of at least two different aminopolycarboxylate chelating compounds.

Preferably, said particles comprising compound A and compound B and / or silicate do not comprise EDTA, NTA and / or a phosphate. Preferably, said particles do not comprise any of the substances mentioned above. More preferably, the complete particle composition according to the present invention does not comprise any of these substances, even if the amount of particles comprising at least one compound A and at least one of a compound B or a mixture of compound B and a silicate in said particle composition is less than 100% (w / w).

Preferably, the (combined) amount of aminopolycarboxylate chelating compound or compounds in said particles may be equal to or greater than 40% (w / w), more preferably greater than 50% (w / w), even more preferably greater than 60%. (w / w), even more preferably greater than 65% (w / w), and most preferably in the range of 65% to 95%, based on the weight of the particle.

According to the invention, compounds A and B are independently selected from the group comprising 2- (hydroxyethyl) ethylenediaminetriacetic acid (HEDTA), diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA), methylglycine-N, N-diacetic acid (MGDA), glutamic acid-N acid , N-diacetic (GLDa), iminodisuccinic acid (IDS), hydroxyiminodisuccinic acid (HIDS), ethylenediamine diisuccinic acid (EDDS), aspartic acid-N, N-diacetic acid (ASDA), its salts or mixtures, with the condition that If the aminopolycarboxylate chelating compound A is GLDA and there is no silicate present in the composition, the aminopolycarboxylate chelating compound B is not MGDA.

It may be particularly preferred that the hygroscopicity of compound B is less than the hygroscopicity of compound A, and that the proportion of compound B, indicated in percentage by weight based on the particulate composition, to the amount of compound A (B / A) it may be equal to or less than 20, preferably equal to or less than 16, more preferably equal to or less than 12, and most preferably it may be in the range of 9 to 3, including 8, 7, 6, 5 and 4.

Preferably, compound A may represent GLDA, or one of its salts, in particular the sodium salt, and compound B may preferably represent IDS, or one of its salts, in particular its sodium salt.

The particles may preferably comprise 5% to 50% (w / w) of compound A, and 40% to 85% (w / w) of compound B, both based on the weight of said particles. The total amount of compound A and B in the particles can probably add up to 45% to 90% (w / w). WO2011 / 079940 describes a particulate composition comprising a glutamic acid-N, N-diacetic acid (GLDA) core, its salt and / or derivative, and a cover of another aminopolycarboxylate, such as methylglycin-N, N acid -diacetic (MGDA), or its alkali metal, ammonium or substituted amino salt. If the particles in the particulate composition of the present invention comprise a silicate, said silicate is an alkali metal silicate of the general formula (III)

M2O: nSiO2 (III)

wherein n is in the range of 1 to 3.5, preferably 1.6 to 2.6, more preferably 1.8 to 2.2, and the alkali metal is preferably selected from the group consisting of lithium, sodium, potassium and mixtures Preferably, an aqueous solution of said silicate is preferably used in the composition of the present invention.

The amount of water in the particles of the particulate composition of the present invention is preferably in the range of 5% to 15% (w / w), based on the weight of the particles. As an example of the particle composition of the present invention, said composition may consist of particles containing a compound A

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aminopolycarboxylate chelator in an amount of 5% to 20%, and a compound B aminopolycarboxylate chelator in an amount of 45% to 70% (w / w), based on the weight of the composition. Here, compounds A and B preferably represent the compounds described above, and are present in a combined amount of about 60% to 90% (w / w), based on the weight of the particles. A disilicate may be present in an amount of 10% to 25% by weight, and the combined amount of both aminopolycarboxylate chelating compounds A and B amounts to about 90% to 100%, the remainder being water plus some additional components in small amounts. .

On the other hand, the particles of the composition may also comprise at least one other component selected from the group consisting of organic surfactants and polymers, preferably selected from the group consisting of non-ionic surfactants and organic polymers, most preferably selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl pyrrolidones, polyvinyl acetate, polyalkylene glycols or mixtures or copolymers thereof, such as, for example, a polyvinyl alcohol-polyethylene graft copolymer. Alternatively or in addition, the particles may also comprise at least one source of alkalinity, preferably selected from the group consisting of carbonate salts, hydroxide salts, phosphonate salts, more preferably their alkaline and / or ammonium salts.

The present invention also relates to a method for preparing the particulate composition of the present invention, which comprises the steps of

(I) mixing the ingredients, which comprise at least compound A and at least one of compound B or a mixture of compound B and a silicate,

(II) spray dry the mixture, and

(III) (optionally) granulate the obtained mixture,

wherein at least compounds A and B are present, at least temporarily, in liquid form during the mixing process, more preferably in the form of an aqueous solution.

To ensure an intimate mixture of the compounds present in the particles of the particulate composition, at least compound A and compound B must be present, at least temporarily, in liquid form during the mixing process. For example, the particulate composition of the invention can be prepared by mixing its ingredients in solid form, for example, in powder form, and then adding a suitable solvent, preferably water, in an amount sufficient to dissolve or, at least, more or least suspend at least compound A and compound B.

At least compound A and compound B can also be provided in liquid form, preferably in the form of an aqueous solution, before combining them with each other and / or with any other ingredient that may be present in solid or liquid form. If present, the silicate can preferably be provided in liquid form, preferably in the form of an aqueous solution as well.

In a particular preferred embodiment of the method of the present invention, solutions of compound A, compound B and silicate are mixed. A particularly preferred particular composition of the present can be prepared, for example, by mixing from about 10% to 25% (w / w), based on the complete mixture, of an aqueous solution of compound A, which comprises about 30% to 50%. % (w / w), based on said solution

aqueous, of compound A, from about 40% to 80% (w / w), based on the complete mixture, of a solution

aqueous of compound B comprising from about 25% to 45% (w / w), based on said solution

aqueous, of compound B, and about 5% to 25% (w / w), based on the complete mixture, of a solution

aqueous of the silicate comprising from about 20% to 50% (w / w), based on said aqueous solution, of the silicate.

After mixing the ingredients, the mixture is dried, preferably spray dried. Optionally, the dried mixture can then be granulated in a stage of granulation and / or granulation in the molten state.

The composition or particulate compositions of the invention can be used as an ingredient in detergent and / or cleaning formulations, as well as for the manufacture of said detergent and / or cleaning formulations, and for cleaning and / or washing items, preferably in the automatic washing of fabrics or dishes.

Accordingly, the present also refers to a detergent and / or cleaning formulation comprising the particulate composition of the present invention. Preferably, the detergent and / or cleaning formulation comprises 0.5% to 80% (w / w), based on the weight of the formulation, of the particulate composition of the invention.

The particulate composition may preferably be used for manufacturing and / or be comprised in any formulation that usually comprises a chelating agent, preferably any detergent and / or cleaning formulation, more preferably a detergent formulation for washing fabrics or dishes, more preferably for automatic washing of fabrics or dishes. The ingredients of said wash formulations

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Automatic fabrics / dishes are shown in detail below. In principle, detergent and / or cleaning formulations may have any form known in the state of the art, including solids, melts, liquids, gels and pastes. However, it may be preferred to provide the formulation in the form of a solid composition, which includes a powder, granules, a tablet, a bar, a block, pellet, balls, beads or any other suitable solid form or combinations thereof. Preferably, the formulation is provided in the form of tablets and granules.

The detergent tablets of the present invention can be single-phase tablets, as well as multi-phase tablets. The different phases in a multi-phase tablet may comprise partially or completely different ingredients. They can also have different colors. The different phases in said multistage tablet represent discrete regions of the tablet, and may have the form of layers, one or more cores or inserts, stripes, one or more points, one or more strands, one or more extruded lines, or a pattern on another portion or on another portion of the detergent formulation, or a coating on at least part or about at least part of the surface of the tablet.

OTHER INGREDIENTS

The following additional ingredients may be included in the particle chelator composition of the present invention, or they may be ingredients of the detergent and / or cleaning formulation combined with the particle composition of the present invention or manufactured using said composition. The following ingredients may be combined in any suitable manner, for example, some may be included in the mixture of the particulate composition, while some may be part of the detergent and / or cleaning formulation, or several of them may be included in the formulation detergent and / or cleaning, while the chelating particulate composition does not comprise any other ingredient.

Preferably, the particle chelating composition of the present invention is provided in combination with a detergent and / or cleaning composition and / or as a part of said composition. If the chelating particulate composition is combined with a cleaning, washing and / or detergent composition, the amount of the chelating particulate composition in the detergent and / or cleaning composition is preferably in the range of 10% to 50%.

The detergent and / or cleaning formulation or formulations of the present invention may comprise any of the ingredients known in the art for being common ingredients in detergent and / or cleaning compositions, preferably in automatic fabric and / or dishwashing composition. Such ingredients are, for example, (other) surfactants, enhancers, chelants, complexing agents, bleaching agents, bleaching activators, bleaching catalysts, optical brighteners, rinse aid additives, corrosion inhibitors, anti-depot agents, enzymes, agents dispersants, pH modifiers, dyes, dyes, perfume, not limited to these. Preferably, the detergent and / or cleaning formulation or formulations of the present invention are provided as a tablet, powder, or granulate.

In addition, all optional ingredients known in the state of the art can be included because they are effective or can be used in detergent compositions.

The following ingredients do not limit the present invention.

IMPROVERS

The composition of the present invention may optionally comprise one or more additional improvers.

The main function of the improvers is to soften the wash water, provide alkalinity and buffering capacity to the wash liquid and have an anti-reservoir or dispersant function in the detergent composition. The physical properties of the detergent composition also depend on the improvers used.

Inorganic improvers that are not phosphates include, but are not limited to phosphonates, silicates, carbonates, sulfates, citrate, and aluminosilicates.

Organic improvers include, but are not limited to a wide variety of (poly) carboxylated compounds having one or more carboxylate groups.

Phosphoric enhancers include, but are not limited to various alkali metal phosphates, such as tripolyphosphate, pyrophosphate, orthophosphate, etc. However, as mentioned above, the detergent and / or cleaning formulation preferably does not contain phosphates.

Complexing agents are commonly used as feeders to support the performance of breeders.

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The improvers and comedors in general can be added to the composition in acidic, neutralized or partially neutralized form. When used partially or completely neutralized, alkali metal salts, such as sodium, potassium and lithium or alkylammonium salts, are preferred.

TENSIOACTIVE

The composition of the present invention may optionally comprise one or more surfactants.

The main functions of surfactants are to change the surface tension, disperse, control the foam and modify the surface. A special type of surfactants used in detergent compositions for automatic dishwashing are continuous-acting surfactants ("carry-over"). In a continuous-acting surfactant, an amount of the surfactant used remains in the machine after the rinse cycles to act during the final rinse cycle and the drying phase (optional) of the full dishwashing cycle of the dishwasher. This type of surfactant is described in more detail in EP 1 524 313.

For detergent compositions for automatic dishwashing, alkoxylated nonionic surfactants and Gemini surfactants are usually used. Alkoxy groups consist mainly of ethylene oxide, propylene oxide and butylene oxide, or combinations thereof. The use of amphoteric surfactants in detergent compositions for automatic dishwashing is also known.

Alkyl polyglucoside (APG) surfactants can also be used in detergent compositions for automatic dishwashing, preferably in a low foaming form.

In addition, all surfactants that are usually used in detergent compositions can be part of the composition. These include all anionic, nonionic, cationic and amphoteric surfactants known in the art. The present invention is not limited by any of the surfactants commonly used in compositions for automatic dishwashing.

ENZYMES

The composition of the present invention may optionally comprise one or more enzymes.

Enzymes are often used to help stain removal. In most cases, enzymes react with dirt and break it down into particles that have a greater water solubility or can be better dispersed in the washing liquid.

Enzymes that can be used in detergent and / or cleaning formulations include, but are not limited to proteases, amylases, lipases, cellulases, mannanase, peroxidase, oxidase, xylanase, pululanase, glucanase, pectinase, cutinase, hemicellulases, glucoamylases, phospholipases , esterases, queratanases, reductases, phenoloxidases, lipoxygenases, ligninases, tanases, pentosanases, malanases, arabinosidases, hyaluronidase, chondroitinase, laccase or mixtures thereof. These enzymes are known to those skilled in the art and can be used as a granulate and a liquid in usual amounts.

ANTI-CORROSION AGENTS

The detergent and / or cleaning composition of the present invention may optionally comprise one or more anti-corrosion agents.

The main function of anti-corrosion agents is to minimize the amount of material damage caused to glass and metal during automatic dishwashing.

Glass corrosion occurs because metal ions on the glass surface dissolve and are removed. This occurs more intensely when soft tap water is used for cleaning. In this case, improvers and complexing agents can only bind to a limited amount of ions responsible for the hardness of tap water. In turn, they extract metals (alkaline earth) from the surface of the glass. The corrosion of the glass also influences the washing temperature, the quality of the glassware and the duration of the cleaning program.

The corrosion of the glass becomes visible by means of white lines or white clouds on the surface of the glass. Corrosion damage of the glass can be repaired by replacing the extracted metal ions, although preferably the glassware can be protected against corrosion of the glass.

Corrosion of metal occurs in many cases when oxides, sulfides and / or chlorides are present in the washing liquid, which is usually a mixture of tap water, dirt and a detergent composition. The anions react with the metal or metal alloy surface of the items that are contained in the dishwasher. In the case of silver, the silver salts that are formed cause a discoloration of the metallic silver surfaces that becomes visible after one or more wash cycles in a washing machine

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Automatic tableware.

The appearance of corrosion of metals can be stopped or inhibited by the use of detergent ingredients that provide the metal with a protective film, or of ingredients that form compounds with oxides, sulfides and / or chlorides to prevent them from reacting with the metal surface.

The protective film can be formed because the inhibitor ingredient becomes insoluble on the metal surface or metal alloy, or due to adsorption to the surface with the help of electron free pairs of donor atoms (such as N, S, O, P ). The metals can be silver, copper, stainless steel, iron, etc.

Anti-corrosion agents that are often employed in detergent compositions or described in the literature include, but are not limited to compounds with a triazole base (such as tolyltriazole and 1,2,3-benzotriazole), polymers with binding affinity to glass surfaces, strong oxidants (such as permanganate), cystine (as a protector of silver), silicates, inorganic or organic metal salts, or metal salts of biopolymers. The metal of these metallic salts can be selected from the group of aluminum, strontium, barium, titanium, zirconium, manganese, lanthanum, bismuth, zinc, the latter two being the most frequently applied for the prevention of corrosion of glass. Other components that can be added are, for example, manganese compounds, as described, for example, in WO 2005/095570.

POLYMERS

The composition of the present invention may optionally comprise one or more polymers.

The main function of the polymers is to act as (co) improver or dispersing agent. The dispersing agents are used to inhibit the growth of crystals and / or to disperse insoluble materials in the wash liquor, such as dirt (grease), organic or inorganic salts, etc. Dispersing agents often have a polymeric character and are at least partially hydrophilic. Dispersing agents are described, for example, in particular in DE 199 34 704 A1.

Polymers that are often employed in detergent and / or cleaning compositions include, but are not limited to homo-, co- or terpolymers of oleic monomers, acrylic acid, methacrylic acid or maleic acid, or based on these, or their " salts "which are obtained by neutralizing the acidic moieties present in these polymers, totally or partially. These polymers can be combined with monomers or can include monomers that impart a special function to the polymer, such as better dispersant properties, better water solubility, etc. These polymers often also contain monomers with various properties, such as, for example, sulfonated styrene, styrene, 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid (AMPS), metalylsulfonic acid, acrylamide, etc. These polymers are known and are described, for example, in EP-A 1 363 986, EP-A 1 268 729, EP-A1 299 513 and EP-A 0 877 002.

COMPLEXING AGENTS

The composition of the present invention may optionally comprise one or more additional complexing agents.

A function of complexing agents is to capture trace metal ions, such as Cu (II), Fe (II), Fe (III), Mn (II), Cd (II), Co (II), Cr (III) , Hg (II), Ni (II), Pb (II), Pd (II), Zn (II). These ions can interfere with or alter certain detergent processes in the washing machine, such as, for example, the bleaching performance. Complexing agents can also be used as a feeder or improver.

Complexing agents known to be used in detergent and / or cleaning compositions include, but are not limited to S, S-ethylenediamine-N, N'-disucinic acid (S, S-EDDS), ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), diethylenetriamine penta (methylene phosphonate) (DETPMP), nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA), ethanol diglycine (EDG), iminodisuccinic acid (IDS), methylglycine-N acid, N-diacetic acid (MGDA), diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA), ethylenediamine dihydroxyethylacetic acid (EDP) N- (hydroxyethyl) ethylenediaminetriacetic acid (HEDTA), hydroxyethylidene-1,1,1-diphosphonic acid (HEDP), phytic acid, diethylenetriamine (DETA), triethylenetetramine (TETA), tetraethylenepentamine (TEPA), aminoethylene ethanolamine (AEEA) acid N, N-diacetic acid (GLDA), 1,3-propylenediaminetetraacetic acid (PDTA), glucoheptonic acid, dipicolinic acid, ethylenediaminetetra (methylene phosphonic acid) (EDTMPA), 2-hydroxyethyliminodiacetic acid (HEIDA) or its soluble salts s in water or mixtures thereof. As mentioned above, the compositions of the present invention preferably do not comprise EDTA or NTA.

ANTIREDEPOSITE AGENTS

The composition of the present invention may optionally comprise one or more anti-redeposition agents.

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The main function of antiredeposition agents is to help prevent dirt from being redeposited on the wash substrate when a wash liquor provides an insufficient anti-refill capacity of the dirt.

The antiredeposition agent or agents can provide their effect by adsorbing, irreversibly or reversibly, on the dirt particles or on the substrate. With this, the dirt is better dispersed in the wash liquor or the substrate is occupied with an antiredeposition agent or agents in these places, so that the dirt cannot be redeposited.

The antiredeposition agent or agents known to be employed in detergent compositions include, but are not limited to carboxymethyl cellulose, polyester-PEG copolymer, polyvinylpyrrolidone-based polymers, etc.

WHITENING AGENTS

The composition of the present invention may optionally comprise one or more bleaching agents.

The bleaching agents can be used in a detergent composition alone or in combination with a bleach activator and / or a bleach catalyst. The function of the bleaching agent is the elimination of spots that can be bleached and achieve an antibacterial effect on the load and inside the fabric or dishwashing machine.

Bleaching agents that are commonly used as the only bleaching ingredient in detergents react with dirt.

When an inorganic oxygen based bleaching agent is used in combination with a bleach activator, it does not react with the bleach activator. One of the products of the reaction is the one that provides the real performance.

When an inorganic oxygen based bleaching agent is used in combination with a bleaching catalyst, the catalyst catalyzes the oxidation reaction with the substrate. The oxidized bleach catalyst provides the actual bleaching performance. Optionally a bleach activator may be present.

Bleaching agents that can be used in detergent and / or cleaning compositions include, but are not limited to active chlorine compounds, inorganic peroxygen compounds and organic peracids. Examples are sodium percarbonate, sodium perborate monohydrate, sodium perborate tetrahydrate, hydrogen peroxide, compounds based on hydrogen peroxide, persulfates, peroximonosulfate, peroxodisulfate, £ -phthalimido-perox-caproic acid, benzoyl peroxide, sodium hypochlorite , sodium dichloroisocyanurate, etc., as well as mixtures thereof.

WHITENING ACTIVATORS

The composition of the present invention may optionally comprise one or more bleach activators.

When bleaching agents based on inorganic peroxygen are applied, a bleach activator provides the possibility of using a comparatively low temperature to achieve the desired bleaching performance. The bleach activator reacts with the peroxygen to form an organic peracid. Depending on the bleach activator used, these peracids have a hydrophobic or hydrophilic character.

Bleaching agents that can be used in detergent compositions include, but are not limited to tetraacetylethylenediamine (TAED), sodium nonanoyloxybenzene sulfonate (NOBS), acetyl caprolactone, N-methyl morpholinium acetonitrile and salts thereof, 4- (2-decanoyloxyethoxycarbonyloxy) benzenesulfonate sodium (DECOBS) and its salts, etc.

BLEACHING CATALYSTS

The composition of the present invention may optionally comprise one or more bleaching catalysts.

A bleach catalyst may be used in addition to or instead of a bleach activator. Most of the activators used are transition metal ion complexes with organic ligands. The metal ions that can be applied in catalysts are manganese, iron, copper, cobalt and molybdenum. The complexes that include these metals can interact with organic and inorganic peroxygen compounds to form reactive intermediates. The use of a bleaching catalyst can achieve the desired bleaching performance at an even lower temperature than that required for bleach activators.

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The bleaching catalysts that can be used in detergent and / or cleaning compositions are fully described in the art. These include, but are not limited to a manganese (IV) complex with 1,4,7-trimethyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononane (MnMe3TACN), tris [2- (salicylicidenamino) ethyl] manganese amine (III), siderophore-metal complexes (as described, for example, in WO 2008/101909), metal complexes containing 1,4,7-triazacyclononane ligands (TACN), manganese-protein complexes, etc.

DYES

The composition of the present invention may optionally comprise one or more dyes. The dye is used to color the detergent, parts of the detergent or specks in the detergent. This can make the product more attractive to the consumer. Dyes that may be employed in detergent compositions include, but are not limited to Nylosan N-7GL yellow, Sanolin 8GZ bright flavin, Sanolin BG yellow, Vitasyn 70 quinoline yellow, Vitasyn X90 tartrazine, Puricolor AYE23, Basacid 232 yellow, Vibracolor yellow AYE17, Simacid Y eosin, Puricolor ARE27 red, Puricolor ARE14 red, Vibracolor ARE18 red, Vibracolor ARE52 red, Vibracolor SRE3 red, Basacid 316 red, Ponceau SX, Iragon DBL86, Sanolin EHRL blue, Sanolin FBL turquoise blue, Basacid 750 blue, Iragon ABL80 blue, Vitasyn AE90 blue, Basacid 755 blue, Vitasyn V 8501 patented blue, Vibracolor AGR25 green. These dyes are available at Clariant or BASF.

FRAGRANCE

The composition of the present invention may optionally comprise one or more perfumes. The perfume is added to the detergent to improve the sensory properties of the product or the load of the machine after cleaning.

The perfume can be added to the detergent as a liquid, a paste or a cogranulate with a carrier material for the perfume. To improve the stability of the perfume, it can be used in an encapsulated form or in the form of a complex, such as a perfume-cyclodextrin complex.

Perfumes with deodorant effect can also be applied. These perfumes or raw materials encapsulate the bad smell by joining their sulfur groups.

PROCESS ASSISTANTS

The composition of the present invention may optionally comprise one or more process adjuvants. Process adjuvants are used to improve certain properties of the product or production.

The process adjuvants used in the detergent and / or cleaning compositions are used for various reasons that often depend on the physical form of the final product. Process adjuvants, for example, can optimize compressibility, friability, strength, elasticity, disintegration rate, hygroscopicity, density, fluidity properties, tackiness, viscosity, rheology, etc. of a detergent product in a specific physical form. These process adjuvants are widely described in the art.

Furthermore, the invention relates to the use of a disilicate, preferably a disilicate as described above, for the preparation of a particulate composition according to the present invention. Most notably, with the use of said disilicate it is possible to prepare a particle composition comprising particles comprising at least 15% (w / w), based on the weight of the particles, of at least one hygroscopic aminopolycarboxylate chelating compound in the form of a relatively low hygroscopic granulate according to the present invention.

Figures

Figure 1 shows the rate of moisture uptake of two particulate compositions according to the present invention (granules 2.2 and 2.3) compared to a commercially available granulate comprising the same compound A (granulate 2.1) (example 2).

Figure 2 shows the maximum moisture uptake of said granules (example 2).

Examples

Example 1: Preparation of cogranulates according to the present invention

Aqueous solutions of sodium silicate and one or more aminopolycarboxylates were mixed homogeneously. This mixture was spray dried to produce a cogranulate. Said spray-dried cogranulate was compacted and broken or ground to achieve the desired particle size.

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In this example the following raw materials were used: silicate is an approximately 30% aqueous solution of sodium disilicate, aminopolycarboxylate A is an approximately 38% aqueous solution of GLDA tetrasodium (Dissolvine GL-47-S from AkzoNobel), and aminopolycarboxylate B is an approximately 34% aqueous solution of IDS tetrasodium (Baypure CX100 / 34 from LANXESS).

Both cogranulates 1.1 and 1.2 were easy to produce, show a hygroscopicity of acceptable to good, and contain as high as 15% of the strong chelating agent of aminopolycarboxylate A (GLDA).

A hygroscopicity of acceptable to good means that the cogranulate can be handled properly without having to face problems caused by the hygroscopicity of the cogranulate. A cogranulate with a relatively good hygroscopicity has a relatively low humidity uptake of a maximum of 12% (w / w) per hour at 37 +/- 1 ° C and 75 +/- 2% relative humidity, and a maximum uptake of relatively low humidity of a maximum of 80% (w / w) at 37 +/- 1 ° C and 75 +/- 2% relative humidity.

Two cogranulates 1.1 and 1.2 were prepared according to the present invention.

Table 1

 Particle cogranulate

 1.1 1.2

 Silicate

 fifteen -

 Aminopolycarboxylate A

 15 15

 Aminopolycarboxylate B

 55 68

 Water and other materials

 15 17

All the percentages mentioned can have a deviation of up to 10%.

Example 2: Maximum humidity and humidity collection rate

The rate of moisture uptake and the maximum uptake of moisture from the cogranulates according to the present invention (2.2 and 2.3) are determined. The composition of the cogranulates is listed below.

Table 2

 Particle cogranulate

 (2.1) (2.2) (2.3)

 Silicate

   fifteen

 Aminopolycarboxylate A

 75 15 15

 Aminopolycarboxylate B

 - 55 68

 Water and other materials

 25 15 17

All the percentages mentioned can have a deviation of up to 10%. Cogranulates 2.2 and 2.3 are prepared as described in Example 1. Cogranulate 2.1 is commercially available as Dissolvine GL-PD-S from LANXESS (Leverkusen, Germany).

The granules were placed in a watch glass and kept in a heated chamber at 37 +/- 1 ° C and 75 +/- 2% relative humidity. The weight gain was measured several times until a stable weight was reached, that is, until a weight gain could not be detected.

Figure 1 shows the speed of moisture collection, and Figure 2 shows the maximum humidity collection.

This test demonstrates that the cogranulates of the invention (2.2) and (2.3) have a humidity uptake of less than 12% (w / w) per hour at 37 +/- 1 ° C and 75 +/- 2% relative humidity , and the maximum humidity uptake is below 80% (w / w) at 37 +/- 1 ° C and 75 +/- 2% relative humidity.

Claims (12)

5 10 fifteen twenty 25 30 35 40 Four. Five fifty 55 60 65 1. A particulate composition in which at least part of the particles present in said composition comprise (i) at least 5% (w / w) of a hygroscopic aminopolycarboxylate chelating compound A, and (ii) (a) another chelating compound of aminopolycarboxylate B having a chemical structure different from chelating agent A, and compounds A and B are independently selected from the group comprising 2- (hydroxyethyl) ethylenediaminetriacetic acid (HEDTA), diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA), Methylglycine-N, N-diacetic acid (MGDA), glutamic acid-N, N-diacetic acid (GLDA), iminodisuccinic acid (IDS), hydroxyiminodisuccinic acid (HIDS), ethylenediamine diisuccinic acid (EDDS), aspartic acid-N, N -diacetic (ASDA), its salts or mixtures thereof, provided that if the aminopolycarboxylate chelating compound A is GLDA and there is no silicate present in the composition, the aminopolycarboxylate chelating compound B is not MGDA, or (b) a mixture of said chelating compound B of aminopolycarboxylate and a silicate, wherein the silicate is an alkali metal silicate of general formula (III) M2O: nSiÜ2 (III) where M represents an alkali metal and n is in the range of 1 to 3.5, and wherein the combined amount of aminopolycarboxylate chelating compound or compounds in said particles is equal to or greater than 40% (w / w), based on the weight of the particles, and the amount of silicate ranges from 0 to 40% (w / p), based on the weight of said particles, and wherein the proportion of the amount of silicate to the amount of aminopolycarboxylate chelating compounds combined, both based on the weight of the particles, is less than 0.75, and wherein the hygroscopicity of compound B is less than the hygroscopicity of compound A. 2. A composition according to claim 1, wherein compound A represents GLDA or one of its salts and compound B preferably represents IDS or one of its salts. 3. A composition according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the particles comprise 5% to 50% (w / w) of compound A and 40% to 85% (w / w) of compound B, both based on the weight of said particles, and the total amount of compound A and B in the particles sum up to 45% to 90% (w / w). 4. A composition according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the alkali metal silicate of general formula (III) is characterized in that n is also in the range of 1.6 to 2.6, preferably 1.8 at 2.2, and the alkali metal is preferably selected from the group consisting of lithium, sodium, potassium and mixtures thereof. 5. A composition according to claims 1 to 4, wherein the composition is a fluid composition, preferably a powder or a fluid granulate, and most preferably a fluid granulate. 6. A composition according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the average particle size is in the range of 0.4 to 2.0 mm. 7. A composition according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the particles comprise at least one other component selected from the group consisting of organic surfactants and polymers, preferably selected from the group consisting of non-ionic surfactants and organic polymers, most preferably selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinylpyrrolidones, polyvinyl acetate, polyalkylene glycols or mixtures or copolymers thereof. 8. A method for preparing a particulate composition according to any one of claims 1 to 7 comprising the steps of (i) mixing the ingredients, which comprise at least compound A and compound B or compound B and a silicate, (ii) spray dry the mixture, and (iii) (optionally) granulate the obtained mixture, wherein preferably at least compounds A and B are present, at least temporarily, in liquid form during the mixing process, more preferably in the form of an aqueous solution. 9. The use of a particulate composition according to any one of claims 1 to 7, or a particulate composition prepared according to claim 8, as an ingredient in detergent and / or cleaning formulations, for the manufacture of said detergent and / or cleaning formulations, and for cleaning and / or washing items. 10. A detergent and / or cleaning formulation comprising 0.5% to 80% (w / w), based on the weight of the formulation, of a particulate composition according to any one of claims 1 to 7. 5 11. A detergent and / or cleaning formulation according to claim 10, wherein the composition is a dishwasher formulation, preferably for automatic dishwashers. 12. A detergent and / or cleaning formulation according to claim 11, further comprising at least another ingredient selected from the group consisting of other surfactants, builders, chelators, agents complexing agents, bleaching agents, bleaching activators, bleaching catalysts, optical brighteners, rinse aid additives, corrosion inhibitors, anti-reservoir agents, enzymes, dispersing agents, pH modifiers, dyes, perfumes. 13. The use of a disilicate, preferably a disilicate according to claim 4, for the preparation of a particle composition according to any one of claims 1 to 7.