JP2003531312A - Spherical compression unit dose softener - Google Patents

Abstract

  (57) [Summary] CLAIMS 1. A unit dosage laundry composition for softening or conditioning fabric, suitable as an additive to a washing cycle of an automatic washing machine, wherein the unit dosage composition comprises a fabric softener or a fabric conditioner. A granulated composition, wherein the compressed granulated composition has a spherical shape and a separate outer layer composed of an alkaline material to increase the pH of the wash water by dissolving in the wash water. A unit dose laundry composition characterized by having no separate outer layer surrounding said fabric softener or conditioner.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to wash cycle unit dose laundry compositions for softening or conditioning fabrics. More particularly, the present invention relates to unit dose fabric softening compositions that are spherical in shape and are compressed granular compositions suitable for use in the washing cycle of an automatic washing machine.

[0002] Tablets of detergent composition prepared in the form of compressed background detergent powder of the invention are well known in the art. For example, US Pat. No. 5,225,100 describes compressed powder tablets containing anionic detergent compounds that will be well dispersed in the wash water.

Detergent compositions molded as tablets have received much attention in the patent literature, but unit dose fabrics that use such tablets to soften or condition the fabric without reducing detergency. It is not known to provide softeners.

One possible option for providing a unit dose softener is to introduce the softening component directly into the rinse cycle. However, some practical requirements must be met for this type of product to be effective. First of all, the size and shape of the unit-dose container should ensure that it is easily introduced into the dispenser, depending on the geometry of the wide variety of rinse cycle dispensers designed for household washing machines. It must fit easily in shape.

Further, the unit dosage composition is provided by contacting with the water for a time corresponding to the residence time of the unit dosage in the dispenser, ie, the time the water enters and flows through the rinse cycle dispenser. It must be formulated so that it can be easily dispensed. So far, the above practical requirements have not been successfully met, so there is still a need in the prior art for commercially acceptable unit dose softeners that can be activated in the rinse cycle. .

[0006] Wash cycle softeners that condition the fabric during the wash cycle include:
Well known in the prior art. Tablet unit dosages for detergent compositions are also well known. Such tablets are generally flat compression unit compositions,
Conceptually, there are a number of advantages, such as ease of administration; cleaner cleaning cycle dispenser due to the absence of loose powder; smaller volume to carry and dispense; compared to liquids And easy to handle; and provide consumers with the environmental benefits of reduced packaging requirements.

Despite these advantages, however, there are significant drawbacks that occur in front-loading washing machines, which make up at least 90% of the European market and are becoming more consumer-accepted in North America. In a front-loading washing machine, a flat, compressed object is often captured within minutes within a rubber seal surrounding the washing machine window when introduced into the wash cycle. Once trapped in the seal, the tablets tend to remain trapped until the end of the wash cycle and therefore do not disperse in the wash water. Various approaches have been taken to solve this problem.

Some tablet manufacturers provide nets or sachets designed to contain tablet unit doses, thereby avoiding the problem of direct contact between the tablet and the seal. . Another proposed solution involves providing a tablet that can be rapidly dispersed in the wash water by incorporating an effervescent matrix and / or disintegrant into the tablet. However, these proposed options are generally uneconomical, and often result in overly fragile tablets that cannot be easily endured without being destroyed by normal consumer handling. Therefore, there is a need for an economical unit dose tablet that can provide fabric conditioning and that retains physical integrity during normal handling prior to introduction into the washing machine.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is a unit dose laundry composition for softening or conditioning fabrics suitable as an additive to the washing cycle of an automatic washing machine, the unit dose composition comprising: A compressed granular composition comprising a fabric softener or a fabric conditioner, the compressed granular composition having a spherical shape and increasing the pH of the wash water by dissolving an outer layer in the wash water Thus, there is provided a unit dose laundry composition characterized in that it does not have a separate outer layer composed of an alkaline material and surrounding said fabric softener or conditioner.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the fabric softener or conditioner comprises a fabric softening clay and an organic fat softening material. Particularly preferred fabric softeners include clay mineral softeners such as bentonite in combination with the pentaerythritol compounds described further herein. A useful combination of such softeners is
Clay varies from about 83 to about 90% by weight and fat softening materials such as pentaerythritol compounds (often abbreviated herein as "PEC") to about 10 to about 17% by weight.

In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the fabric softener or conditioner is free of soap surfactant. According to a method aspect of the invention there is provided a method for softening or conditioning laundry, comprising contacting the laundry with an effective amount of a unit dose laundry composition as defined above. can get.

[0012] Clay is a useful component of the Detailed Description invented product of the present invention is such as to provide enhanced softening of laundry in cooperation with the organic fatty softener materials. For such clay, (
It has swelling properties (in water) and has a smectite structure whereby it adheres to fibrous material surfaces, in particular cotton and cotton / synthetic blends such as cotton / polyester surfaces, and such fibers Examples include montmorillonite-containing clays that impart surface lubricity or softness to such fabrics. The best smectite clays for use in the present invention are bentonites, and the best bentonites are those which have a considerable swelling capacity in water, such as sodium bentonite and potassium bentonite. Such swellable bentonites are also known as Western or Wyoming bentonites, which are essentially sodium bentonites. Other bentonites, such as calcium bentonite, are usually non-swelling and are generally not themselves acceptable as fabric softeners. However, such non-swelling bentonites in combination with PEC have been found in the present softening compositions to contain sodium (whether it originates from sodium hydroxide added to the composition or a sodium salt such as a functional ingredient of the composition). (Which may result from builders and fillers, which may be) and in the presence of other sources of solubilizing ions, such as alkali metal, exhibit better fabric softening than does swellable bentonite. Was found. Among the preferred bentonites are the normally swellable sodium and potassium bentonites and the normally non-swellable calcium and magnesium bentonites. Of these, it is preferable to utilize calcium bentonite (when a source of sodium is present) and sodium bentonite. The bentonite used can be produced in the United States like Wyoming bentonite, but it can also be obtained as calcium bentonite from Europe including Italy and Spain, which may be converted to sodium bentonite by treatment with sodium carbonate. ,
Alternatively, it may be used as calcium bentonite. Also, the bentonite described herein may be replaced, in whole or in part, with another montmorillonite-containing smectite clay having similar properties to the described bentonite, with similar fabric softening results. Let's do it.

Swellable bentonites and similarly effective clays are in the micron range, eg, 0.
With a final particle size of 01-20 microns, US Sieve Series
And having an actual particle size in the range of 100-400 sieve, preferably 140-325 sieve. Bentonite and other such suitable swellable clays may also agglomerate to larger particle sizes such as the 60-120 sieve, but such agglomerates are preferred unless they also contain PEC. None (in any particulate product).

[0014] The main component of the invented compositions and articles of the present invention, used in combination with the fabric softening clay, is an organic fat softener. The organic softener, anionic or nonionic fatty chains (C ₁₀ -C _22, preferably C ₁₂ -C ₁₈₎ can be. Anionic softeners include fatty acid soaps. Preferred organic softeners are nonionics such as fatty ester, ethoxylated fatty ester, fatty alcohol and polyol polymers. The organic softener is most preferably a higher fatty acid ester of a pentaerythritol compound, which term is used herein to refer to a higher fatty acid ester of pentaerythritol, a higher fatty acid ester of a pentaerythritol oligomer, a lower alkylene oxide of pentaerythritol. The higher fatty acid ester of the derivative and the higher fatty acid ester of the lower alkylene oxide derivative of the pentaerythritol oligomer will be described. The pentaerythritol compound is often abbreviated herein as PEC, the description and abbreviations of which can be applied to any or all of pentaerythritol, its oligomers and its alkoxylated derivatives as is, or more preferably and more generally Can be applied to the ester as may be indicated by the context.

Oligomer of pentaerythritol is preferably one having 2 to 5, more preferably 2 or 3 pentaerythritol moieties, such moieties being linked together via an ether bond. To do. The lower alkylene oxide derivative preferably has ethylene oxide or propylene oxide monomers, dimers or polymers which are terminally hydroxyl and are attached to pentaerythritol or oligomers of pentaerythritol via ether linkages. Preferably 1-10, more preferably 2-6 alkylene oxide moieties will be present in each alkylene oxide chain described above, and 1-10 such groups will be present in the PEC, which will be oligomeric. Depends on At least one, preferably at least two, for example one or 2 to 4 of the OH groups of PEC.
Are esterified with higher fatty acids or other higher aliphatic acids which may have an odd number of carbon atoms.

The higher fatty acid ester of the pentaerythritol compound is preferably a partial ester. After esterification (with pentaerythritol, oligomeric or alkoxyalkane groups) this will more preferably have at least two free hydroxyls. Often, the number of such free hydroxyls is 2 or about 2.
However, sometimes it is 1 as in pentaerythritol tristearate or as high as 8 as in pentaerythritol tetrapalmitate. The higher aliphatic or fatty acid that may be used as the esterified acid has a carbon atom content of 8 to 24, preferably 12 to 22, more preferably 12 to 18, and examples thereof include lauric acid and Myristic acid, palmitic acid, oleic acid, stearic acid and behenic acid. Such may be a mixture of such fatty acids obtained from natural sources such as tallow or coconut oil, or from hydrogenated natural materials. Synthetic acids having an odd or even number of carbon atoms may also be used. Of the fatty acids, lauric acid and stearic acid are often preferred, and such choice can be determined by the pentaerythritol compound being esterified.

Examples of some esters (PEC) within the scope of the present invention follow: monopentaerythritol ester

[0018]

[Chemical 1] Monopentaerythritol dilaurate

[0019]

[Chemical 2] Monopentaerythritol monostearate

[0020]

[Chemical 3] Monopentaerythritol distearate

[0021]

[Chemical 4] Monopentaerythritol tristearate

[0022]

[Chemical 5] Monopentaerythritol monobehenate

[0023]

[Chemical 6] Monopentaerythritol dibehenate

[0024]

[Chemical 7] Dipentaerythritol ester

[0025]

[Chemical 8] Dipentaerythritol tetralaurate

[0026]

[Chemical 9] Dipentaerythritol tetrastearate

[0027]

[Chemical 10] Pentaerythritol 10 ethylene oxide ester

[0028]

[Chemical 11] Monopentaerythritol 10 ethylene oxide distearate

[0029]

[Chemical 12] Pentaerythritol 4-propylene oxide ester

[0030]

[Chemical 13] Monopentaerythritol 4 propylene oxide monostearate

[0031]

[Chemical 14] Monopentaerythritol 4 propylene oxide distearate

[0032]

[Chemical 15] Although the formulas provided herein show some preferred pentaerythritol compounds useful in the practice of the present invention, various other such pentaerythritol compounds within the scope described herein may also be used. It will be appreciated that such include, for example, pentaerythritol dihydrogenated taloate, pentaerythritol ditaloate, pentaerythritol dipalmitate, and dipentaerythritol tetrataloate.

In the presently described unit dose laundry composition, provided that the other fabric softening material is not ecologically unacceptable and does not interfere with the fiber softening action of the clay and organic fat softening material. May be incorporated into. In fact, in some cases such additions may be important if an antistatic effect is desired in the product, for example PEC.
Has some antistatic properties, but is generally insufficient for certain purposes.
Thus, it is possible to formulate fabric softening compositions and articles with PEC, also supplementing with other antistatic agents and fabric softeners. The major of these antistatic materials are the quaternary ammonium salts, which, when present, are said to be toxic to aquatic organisms, thus causing ecological problems. obtain. Other antistatic agents and fabric softeners include the following: higher alkyl neoalkane amides such as N-stearyl neodecane amide; isostearamide; amines such as N, N-ditaroalkyl N-. Methylamine; Esterified quaternary salt or ester quaternary compound species (esterquats): amidoamine; amide 4
Class compound species; imidazoline; imidazolinium salts.

Other useful ingredients for the unit dose laundry composition of the present invention include disintegrating materials for improving the disintegration of the unit dose in wash water. Examples of such a material include a foaming matrix such as citric acid combined with baking soda, or PVP.
Materials such as polymers and cellulose may be mentioned. Granulating agents such as polyethylene glycol, bactericides, fragrances, dyes, materials for protection against fading and dye transfer, anti-pilling materials and anti-shrink materials may be used. For the purpose of improving the aesthetic properties of the final composition, cosmetic ingredients such as dyes, mica and wax
Ingredients) may be used as coating ingredients to improve the appearance and feel of the unit dose.

Example 1 A unit dose composition was prepared from the following ingredients:

[0036]

[Table 1] In this manufacturing method, all ingredients except for fragrance are mixed in a loedige-type mixer (Loedige-ty).
pe mixer). The resulting blend was dried in an oven and then the perfume was added to the dried powder. The powder was then compressed using an alternative or rotary press fitted with a suitable die. The spherical unit dose weighs 60 g, and such a unit dose is “white” at 40 ° C.
Introduced into the wash load at the beginning of the wash in a European Miele W832 front-loading washing machine set to No., and dispersed in water within 20 minutes.

The softness provided by the present unit dosage composition to terry towels, cotton tee shirts and cotton kitchen towels was evaluated after cumulative washing and compared to a commercial liquid fabric softener. 3 kg of wash ballast was used in the washing machine.
Softness was evaluated by a panel of 6 judges in 9 replicates. The results are as follows.

[0038]

[Table 2] Example 2 A unit dose softener composition was prepared as described in Example 1 and had a diameter of 44
Provided 60 grams of spherical softener having mm. A general range of diameters for spherical dosages is about 5 to about 60 mm; preferably about 20 to about 40 mm; most preferably about 30 to about 35 mm. The dissolution behavior of the unit dose softener in the washing machine was compared to a 35 gram compressed tablet. The washing machine made in Europe and the washing conditions were as described in Example 1. The spherical unit dose softeners and tablets of the present invention were introduced into the washing machine prior to the start of washing. The results are as follows.

Dispersion Evaluation Both spherical unit doses and tablets were entrapped in the rubber gasket of the washing machine within minutes of the wash cycle. However, the spherical unit dose could easily be released from the gasket and returned to the laundry, while the tablet remained trapped in the gasket.

During the 10 wash cycles, the tablets were trapped in the rubber gasket of the washing machine each time (10 times). The average time to adhere was about 10 minutes. Unlike this,
During the 10 wash cycles, the spherical unit dose softener was never captured by the rubber gasket and dissolved in the wash water without difficulty.

[Procedure for Amendment] Submission for translation of Article 34 Amendment of Patent Cooperation Treaty

[Submission date] February 12, 2002 (2002.2.12)

[Procedure Amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Name of item to be amended] Claims

[Correction method] Change

[Contents of correction]

[Claims]

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (81) Designated countries EP (AT, BE, CH, CY, DE, DK, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, IE, I T, LU, MC, NL, PT, SE, TR), OA (BF , BJ, CF, CG, CI, CM, GA, GN, GW, ML, MR, NE, SN, TD, TG), AP (GH, G M, KE, LS, MW, MZ, SD, SL, SZ, TZ , UG, ZW), EA (AM, AZ, BY, KG, KZ, MD, RU, TJ, TM), AE, AG, AL, AM, AT, AU, AZ, BA, BB, BG, BR, BY, B Z, CA, CH, CN, CO, CR, CU, CZ, DE , DK, DM, DZ, EE, ES, FI, GB, GD, GE, GH, GM, HR, HU, ID, IL, IN, I S, JP, KE, KG, KP, KR, KZ, LC, LK , LR, LS, LT, LU, LV, MA, MD, MG, MK, MN, MW, MX, MZ, NO, NZ, PL, P T, RO, RU, SD, SE, SG, SI, SK, SL , TJ, TM, TR, TT, TZ, UA, UG, UZ, VN, YU, ZA, ZW (72) Inventor Khao, Hoai-Chow             Belgium B-4000 Liege, Av             New De Tyuule 2 F-term (reference) 4L031 AB31 BA20 BA24 CA00 DA05                 4L033 AB04 AC02 BA21

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A unit dose laundry composition for softening or conditioning fabric, which is suitable as an additive to the washing cycle of an automatic washing machine, the unit dose composition comprising a fabric softener or fabric. A compressed granular composition comprising a conditioner, the compressed granular composition having a spherical shape and composed of an alkaline material to increase the pH of the wash water by dissolving in the wash water. A separate dose outer layer which does not have a separate outer layer surrounding the fabric softener or conditioner. 2. The unit dose laundry composition of claim 1, wherein the fabric softener or fabric conditioner comprises a softening clay in combination with an organic fat softening material. 3. The softening clay is a montmorillonite-containing clay, and the organic fat softening material is a higher aliphatic acid ester of pentaerythritol, an oligomer of pentaerythritol, a lower alkylene oxide derivative of an oligomer of pentaerythritol, and these. A unit dose laundry composition according to claim 2 which is a pentaerythritol compound ("PEC") selected from the group consisting of the mixture of: 4. The softening clay is at least partially coated with the organic fat softening material and serves as a carrier for such fat softening material.
A unit dose laundry composition according to claim 2. 5. Essentially free of quaternary ammonium compound fabric softeners,
A unit dose laundry composition according to claim 1. 6. The unit dose laundry composition of claim 1, wherein the fabric softener or fabric conditioner is free of soap surfactant. 7. The unit dose laundry composition of claim 2, wherein the softening clay is bentonite and the PEC is a higher aliphatic ester of pentaerythritol or a higher aliphatic ester of an oligomer of pentaerythritol. 8. The unit dose laundry composition of claim 7, comprising about 83 to about 90% by weight bentonite and about 10 to about 17% by weight of the PEC. 9. A method for softening or conditioning a laundry comprising contacting the laundry with an effective amount of the unit dosage composition of claim 1. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the fabric softener comprises a softening clay in combination with an organic fat softening material. 11. The softening clay is bentonite, and the organic softening material comprises a higher aliphatic acid ester of pentaerythritol, an oligomer of pentaerythritol, a lower alkylene oxide derivative of an oligomer of pentaerythritol, and a mixture thereof. 11. The method of claim 10, comprising a pentaerythritol compound (PEC) selected from the group consisting of: