GB2358403A

GB2358403A - Coloured particulate detergent

Info

Publication number: GB2358403A
Application number: GB0001545A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Sara Louise Mawhinney; Cornelius Paulus Mari Montanus; Jean Rimmer; Remy Antal Verburgh; Gilbert Martin Verschelling; Karin Vrieswijk
Original assignee: Unilever PLC
Current assignee: Unilever PLC
Priority date: 2000-01-24
Filing date: 2000-01-24
Publication date: 2001-07-25
Anticipated expiration: 2020-01-24
Also published as: BR0100148B1; ZA200100411B; ZA200100409B; GB2358403B; BR0100148A; BR0100149A; GB0001545D0

Abstract

A particulate laundry detergent composition comprises a major proportion of white or light-coloured particles and a minor proportion of visually contrasting bodies of significantly larger average particle size in at least one dimension than the average particle size of the white or light-coloured particles. Preferably the bodies are of regular shape and uniform size, and formed of brightly-coloured material which is preferably highly reflective and/or fluorescent. The visually contrasting bodies provide strong cues to the consumer, for example, to demonstrate the presence of a beneficial ingredient, even if present in very small amounts.

Description

PC3993 2358403 DETERGENT COMPOSITIONS

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to laundry detergent powders, for use in laundering fabrics by hand or machine.

BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART

It is well known to include visually contrasting particles, for example, coloured speckles or noodles, in laundry detergent powders. These may be included as a cue to the consumer, to indicate the presence of some specific ingredient, for example, bleach, or may simply be present to give the product an attractive appearance.

The present inventors now propose the inclusion of contrasting bodies providing a greater visual contrast and impact than previously used speckles and noodles. These bodies can provide strong cues to the consumer, f or example, to demonstrate the presence of a beneficial ingredient, even if present only in very small amounts.

DEFINITION OF THE INVENTION The present invention accordingly provides a particulate laundry detergent composition comprising a major proportion of white or light-coloured particles and a minor proportion PC- 3 9 9 3 2 of visually contrasting bodies of significantly larger average particle size in at least one dimension than the average particle size of the white or 'Light-coloured particles.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The visually contrasting bodies The detergent compositions of the invention contain visuaL y contrasting bodies. These may or may not contaln detergen. functional ingredients.

It is essential that the visually contrasting bodies are significantly larger, in at least one dimension, than the, bulk of the particles constituting -the detergent composition. Preferably at least one dimension of the vLsually constrasting bodies, on average, is at least 2 times, preferably at least 5 times and more preferably at least 10 times as large as the average particle diameter -f the detergent composition particles.

The visually contrasting bodies should also provide the i greatest possible visual contrast, in cclour, shape and i 1 1 size, to the bulk of the detergent composition, so that visual impact is maximised. Because detergent particles i3 Ire 1 irregularly shaped, the visually contrasting bodies are i preferably regular in shape. Because detergent particles have a relatively broad particle size distribution, the visually contrasting bodies are preferably uniform in sizel.

PC3993 3 They may, for example, all be of identical size and shape, but that is not essential. More than one size or shape may be present but if so these are preferably discrete and clearly defined rather than forming a continuum.

The visually contrasting bodies are preferably formed of brightly coloured material, which may if desired be fluorescent. Advantageously the material is highly reflective (shiny). Not all bodies need be the same colour. 10 As previously indicated, the visually contrasting bodies are preferably regular in shape. They may suitably possess a relatively high degree of symmetry. However some aesthetically pleasing shapes may not be highly symmetrical. 15 According to one preferred embodiment of the invention, the the visually contrasting bodies are lamellae, for example, of coloured watersoluble plastic film.

The lamellae may suitably have symmetrical and regular shapes, such as circles, squares, triangles, and stars. All lamellae may be of the same shape and colour, or different shapes and colours may be used together. The lamellae may be of identical size, or of several different, but discrete, 25 sizes.

As an alternative to the use of identical shapes, matched sets of shapes may be used, for example, geometrical shapes (triangles, squares, pentagons, hexagons), numerals, letters 30 of the alphabet, heavenly bodies (sun, moon, stars).

PC3993 4 Congruent sets having the same shape but different sizeslirray also be used. Each set may have its own colour. i i j i As an alternative t:o lamellae, regular three-dimensional shapes such as spheres may be used. Spherical bodies mai i advantageously be shiny, for example, silver or gold.

Another embodiment of the invention envisages the use of small coloured tablet- or pastille-shaped bodies. These may suitably be formed of coloured compressed detergent ingredients or coloured compressed detergent base powder. The tablet- or pastille-shaped bodies may contain specific beneficial ingredients, or may simply act as cues to indicate that these specific ingredients are present is elsewhere in the formulation.

The visually contrasting bodies need be present only at veiv low concentrations, for example, 0.02 to 1 wt%, preferabl from 0.05 to 0.5 wt%, to make a significant visual impact.jl Detergent compositions The laundry detergent compositions of the invention also contain other conventional detergent ingredients. Essential ingredients are surfactants (detergent-active compounds) ln detergency builders, and other conventional ingredients ma Y optionally be present.

Detergent compositions of the invention may suitably comprise from 5 to 60 wt% of one or more detergent PC3993 surfactants and from 10 to 80 wt% of one or more detergency builders, and optionally other detergent ingredients to 100 wt-'O.

The detergent compositions will contain, as essential ingredients, one or more detergent active compounds (surfactants) which may be chosen from soap and non-soap anionic, cationic, nonionic, amphoteric and zwitterionic detergent active compounds, and mixtures thereof.

Many suitable detergent active compounds are available and are fully described in the literature, for example, in "Surface-Active Agents and Detergents", Volumes I and II, by Schwartz, Perry and Berch.

The preferred detergent active compounds that can be used are soaps and synthetic non-soap anionic and nonionic compounds.

Anionic surfactants are well-known to those skilled in the art. Examples include alkylbenzene sulphonates, particularly linear alkylbenzene sulphonates having an alkyl chain length of C8_CI5; primary and secondary alkylsulphates, particularly Ca-C15 primary alkyl sulphates; alkyl ether sulphates; olefin sulphonates; alkyl xylene sulphonates; dialkyl sulphosuccinates; and fatty acid ester sulphonates. Sodium salts are generally preferred.

Nonionic surfactants that may be used include the primary and secondary alcohol ethoxylates, especially the C8_C20 aliphatic alcohols ethoxylated with an average of from 1 to 20 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol, and more PC3993 6 especially the C10-Cls primary and secondary aliphatic alcohols ethoxylated with an average of from 1 to 10 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol. Non-ethoxylated nonionic suri-acta-----k-s include alkylpolyglycosides, glycer,,)11 5 monoethers, and polyhydroxyamides (glucamide).

Cationic surfactants that may be used include quaternary ammonium salts of the general formula R1R2R3R4N+ X- wherein the R groups are long or short hydrocarbyl chains, typicaLly 10 alkyl, hydroxyalkyl or ethoxylated alkyl groups, and X is 12 solubilising cation (for example, compounds in which R, i,; 4 C8-C22 alkyl group, preferably a C8-Clo or C12-C14 alkyl grou, R2 is a methyl group, and R3 and R4. which may be the same ( r different, are methyl or hydroxyethyl groups); and cation:( 15 esters (for example, choline esters).

In an especially preferred cationic surfactant of the 1 1 general formula R1R2R3R4N+ X-, R, represents a C8-Clo or C12- C 14 alkyl group, R2 and R3 represent methyl groups, and R 20 presents a hydroxyethyl group.

Amphoteric surfactants, for example, amine oxides, and zwitterionic surfactants, for example, betaines, may alsoibe present. 25 Preferably, the quantity of anionic surfactant is in the range of from 5 to 50% by weight of the total composition. More preferably, the quantity of anionic surfactant is in the range of from 8 to 35% by weight. 30 PC3993 7 Nonionic surfactant, if present, is -preferably used in an amount within the range of from 1 to 20% by weight.

The total amount of surf-actant prese--.-- is preferably within 5 the range of from 5 to 60 wt%.

The compositions may suitably contain from 10 to 80%, preferably from 15 to 70% by weight, of detergency builder. Preferably, the quantity of builder is in the range of from 15 to 50% by weight.

The detergent compositions may contain as builder a crystalline aluminosilicate, preferably an alkali metal aluminosilicate, more preferably a sodium aluminosilicate (zeolite).

The zeolite used as a builder may be the commercially available zeolite A (zeolite 4A) now widely used in laundry detergent powders. Alternatively, the zeolite may be maximum aluminium zeolite P (zeolite MAP) as described and claimed in EP 384 070B (Unilever), and commercially available as Doucil (Trade Mark) A24 from Crosfield Chemicals Ltd, UK.

Zeolite MAP is defined as an alkali metal aluminosilicate of zeolite P type having a silicon to aluminium ratio not exceeding 1.33, preferably within the range of from 0.90 to 1.33, preferably within the range of from 0.90 to 1.20.

Especially preferred is zeolite MAP having a silicon to aluminium ratio not exceeding 1.07, more preferably about 1.00. The particle size of the zeolite is not critical.

PC3993 8 Zeclite A or zeolite MAP of any suitable particle size m: 1 be used.

Also preferred according to the present invention are i phosphate builders, especially sodium tripolyphosphate.

This may be used in combination with sodium orthophosphate, and/or sodium pyrophosphate.

other inorganic builders that may be present additiona-L-Ly)r alternatively include sodium carbonate, layered silicate,! amorphous aluminosilicates.

Organic builders that may be present include polycarboxyl, e polymers such as polyacrylates and acrylic/maleic is copolymers; polyaspartates; monomeric polycarboxylates such as citrates, gluconates, oxydisuccinates, glycerol mono-d:-and trisuccinates, carboxymethyloxysuccinates, carboxymethyloxymalonates, dipicolinates, hydroxyethyliminodiacetates, alkyl- and alkeny1malonates Erd succinates; and sulphonated fatty acid salts.

Organic builders may be used in minor amounts as supplemer+ to inorganic builders such as phosphates and zeolites. Especially preferred supplementary organic builders are citrates, suitably used in amounts of from 5 to 30 wt %, preferably from 10 to 25 wt %; and acrylic polymers, more especially acrylic/maleic copolymers, suitably used in amounts of from 0.5 to 15 wt %, preferably from 1 to 10 wt;%.

Builders, both inorganic and organic, are preferably prese in alkali metal salt, especially sodium salt, form.

PC3993 9 Detergent compositions according to the invention may also suitably contain a bleach system, although non-bleaching formulations are also within the scope of the invention.

The bleach system is preferably based on peroxy bleach compounds, for example, inorganic persalts or organic peroxyacids, capable of yielding hydrogen peroxide in aqueous solution. Suitable peroxy bleach compounds include organic peroxides such as urea peroxide, and inorganic persalts such as the alkali metal perborates, percarbonates, perphosphates, persilicates and persulphates. Preferred inorganic persalts are sodium perborate monohydrate and tetrahydrate, and sodium percarbonate. The peroxy bleach compound is suitably present in an amount of from 5 to 35 wt%, preferably from 10 to 25 wt%.

The peroxy bleach compound may be used in conjunction with a bleach activator (bleach precursor) to improve bleaching action at low wash temperatures. The bleach precursor is suitably present in an amount of from 1 to 8 wt%, preferably from 2 to 5 wt%.

Preferred bleach precursors are peroxycarboxylic acid precursors. more especially peracetic acid precursors and peroxybenzoic acid precursors; and peroxycarbonic acid precursors. An especially preferred bleach precursor suitable for use in the present invention is N,N,N1,W tetracetyl ethylenediamine (TAED).

A bleach stabiliser (heavy metal sequestrant) may also be present. Suitable bleach stabilisers include PC3993 ethylenediamine tetraacetate (EDTA) and the polyphosphon,,:+s such as Dequest (Trade Mark), EDTMP.

The detergent compositions may also contain one or more enzymes. Suitable enzymes include the proteases, amylases, cellulases, oxidases, peroxidases and lipases usable for incorporation in detergent compositions.

Preferred proteolytic enzymes (proteases) are catalytical y active protein materials which degrade or alter protein t-)'e'2" of stains when present as in fabric stains in a hydrolysi. reaction. They may be of any suitable origin, such as vegetable, animal, bacterial or yeast origin. Proteolytic enzymes or proteases of various qualities and origins and having activity in various pH ranges of from 4-2 are available. Proteases of both high and low isoelectric point are suitable.

Other enzymes that may suitably be present include lipase, amylases, and cellulases including high-activity cellulases': such as Carezyme ex Novo.

In particulate detergent compositions, detergency enzymes ate commonly employed in granular form in amounts of from about 0.1 to about 3.0 wt%. However, any suitable physical forr If enzyme may be used in any effective amount.

Antiredeposition agents, for example, cellulose esters and ethers, for example sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, may a]. D be present.

PC3993 The compositions may also contain soil release polymers, for example sulphonated and unsulphonated PET/POET polymers, both end-capped and non- end-capped, and polyethylene glycol/polyvinyl alcohol graft copolymers such as Sokolan 5 (Trade Mark) HP22.

Especially preferred soil release polymers are the sulphonated non-endcapped polyesters described and claimed in WO 95 32997A (Rhodia Chimie).

other ingredients that may be present include solvents, hydrotropes, fluorescers, photob.leaches, foam boosters or foam controllers (antifoams) as appropriate, sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, sodium silicate, sodium is sulphate, calcium chloride, other inorganic salts, flow aids such as silicas and amorphous aluminosilicates, fabric conditioning compounds, and perfumes.

Powders of low to moderate bulk density may be prepared by spray-drying a slurry, and optionally postdosing (drymixing) further ingredients. "Concentrated" or "compact" powders may be prepared by mixing and granulating processes, for example, using a high-speed mixer/granulator, or other non-tower processes. In both types of powder, the visually contrasting bodies may be incorporated by postdosing (dry mixing).

3 12 EXAMPLES

The invention will now be illustrated in further detail 1 means of the following Examples, in which parts and percentages are by weight unless otherwise stated.

Trade marks are indicated by an asterisk.

EXAMPLES 1 to 3 Preparation of small coloured tablets of coloured compre d detergent base powder A detergent base powder was prepared by conventional spra drying techniques to the following formulation:

Ingredient weigh Sodium linear alkylbenzene sulphonate 76-7 Sodium tripolyphosphate 22.1 Sodium alkaline silicate 10.7 Sodium sulphate 1SA! Acrylate/maleate copolymer (Sokalan CPS ex BASF) 3.C Sodium carboxymethyl cellulose Fluorescer 0.8' Water and minor impurities to 100.01, Small coloured tablets were prepared by impregnating the detergent base powder with a suitable dye and pressing isi19 the plastic cover of a microtitre plate (11.5 x 7.8 cm).

PC399 11-1, is PC3993 n The depressions in the cover were filled with coloured powder which was pressed down using a small press. The resulting mini-tablets, about the size of artificial sweetener tablets, were released by bending the cover.

Example 1: red mini-tablets The detergent powder was impregnated with 1 wt% of Octocolor Red 7 CaLake C4307 (ex Warner Jenkinson Europe Lts) before the pressing of the mini-tablets.

Example 2: green mini-tablets is The detergent powder was impregnated with 1 wt% of 5206680 Siccomet GrCn P 74260 (ex BASF).

Example 3: blue mini-tablets with bleach To the detergent formulation above was added 4 wt% of the bleach N,NI- phthaloylaminoperoxycaproic acid (PAP). The powder was compressed and formed into mini-tablets as described above.

PC3993 14 EXAMPLES 4 TO 6 Preparation of coloured lamellae Example 4: green circles (11 2etals11) Water-soluble film (Klucel GFF ex Aqualon) was coloured i with green food colouring (10 drops). The resulting translucent shiny green film was cut into circular lamel3-,dz,g P'petals") having a diameter of 0.5 cm.

Example 5: white circles Ppetals") Water-soluble film (Klucel GFF ex Aqualon) was coloured i i white by incorporation of 25 wt% titanium dioxide. The 1 resulting opaque white film was cut into circular lamellae Ppetals") having a diameter of 0.5 cm.

Example 6: red stars Water-soluble film (Klucel GFF ex Aqualon) was coloured ir=c by incorporation of red food colouring (10 drops) and titanium dioxide (9 wt%). The resulting opaque shiny red film was cut into six-pointed stars (largest dimension 0.5 cm).

PC3993 EXAMPLE 7

Detergent powder containing mini-tablets A detergent base powder having the following formulation was prepared by a fluid bed granulation technique:

Ingredient Weight % Sodium linear alkylbenzene sulphonate 19 Sodium carbonate (light soda ash) 36.3 Sodium tripolyphosphate 34.3 Calcite 10.4 Red, green and blue mini-tablets (Examples 1 to 3) were drymixed with the powder to give the following final composition:

Component Weight % Detergent base powder (as above) 99.7 Red mini-tablets (Example 1) 0.1 Green mini-tablets (Example 2) 0.1 Blue mini-tablets with bleach (Example 3) 0.1 The coloured mini-tablets made a strong visual impact despite their low concentration.

PC3993 16 EXAMPLES 8 and 9 Detergent powders containing coloured lamellae i i Coloured lamellae were dry-mixed into detergent base powd 1 4s having the formulation given in Example 7, as follows:

Example 8: green and white "petals" Ingredient Weight Detergent base powder (as in Example 7) 99.6 Green "petals" (Example 4) 0.2 White "petals" (Example 5) 0.2 The "petals" made a significant visual impact despite the,! r low concentration in the formulation.

Example 9: red stars Ingredient Weight Detergent base powder (as in Example 7) 99.9 Red stars (Example 6) 0.1 Despite their extremely low concentration, the red stars made a very significant visual impact.

PC3993 GB 17

Claims

1 A particulate laundry detergent composition comprising a major proportion of white or light-coloured particles and a minor proportion of visually contrasting bodies of significantly larger average particle size in at least one dimension than the average particle size of the white or light-coloured particles.

2 A composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the visually contrasting bodies have at least one dimension which, on average, is at least 2 times, preferably at least is 5 times, more preferably at least 10 times as large as the average particle diameter of the white- or light-coloured detergent composition particles.

3 A composition as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the visually contrasting bodies are of regular shape.

4 A composition as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the visually contrasting bodies are of uniform size and shape.

A composition as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the visually contrasting bodies are of brightly coloured material.

PC3993 GB 1 18 6 A composition as claimed in any preceding claim, i wherein the visually contrasting bodies are pf highly reflective material.

7 A composition as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the visually contrasting bodies are of fluorescen,It material. 10 8 A composition as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the visually contrasting bodies are lamellae. i 9 A composition as claimed in claim 8, wherein the visually contrasting bodies are lamellae of water-soluble coloured plastic film. 1 10 A composition as claimed in claim 8 or claim 9, wher.iii the visually contrasting bodies are lamellae having shape selected from circles, squares, triangles, and stars.

11 A composition as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the visually contrasting bodies are of regular three-dimensional shape.

12 A composition as claimed in claim 11, wherein the visually contrasting bodies are spherical.

PC3993 GB 13 A composition as claimed in claim 12, wherein the visually contrasting bodies are in the shape of small tablets or pastilles.

14 A composition as claimed in claim 13, wherein the tablet- or pastilleshaped bodies are of a coloured compressed detergent powder ingredient.

15 A composition as claimed in claim 14, wherein the tablet- or pastilleshaped bodies are of coloured compressed detergent base powder.

is 16 A composition as claimed in any preceding claim, which comprises from 5 to 60 wt% of detergent-active material, from 10 to 80 wt% of detergency builder, from 0.02 to 1 wt% of the visually contrasting bodies, and optionally other 20 detergent ingredients to 100 wt%.