MXPA06008735A - A solid particulate laundry detergent composition comprising clay and polydimethylsiloxane - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a solid particulate laundry detergent composition comprising:(a) from 2wt%to 20wt%clay;(b) from 0.5wt%to 10wt%polydimethylsiloxane;(c) from 0.1wt%to 5wt%flocculating component;(d) from 5wt%to 25wt%anionic detersive surfactant comprising a substituted or unsubstituted linear or branched alkyl benzene sulphonate;(e) from 1wt%to 22wt%zeolite;wherein the weight ratio of zeolite to alkyl benzene sulphonate is from 0.1:1 to less than 2.8:1, and wherein the clay and polydimethylsiloxane are present together in the composition in the form of a co-particulate admixture.

Description

COMPOSITION PARTICULATE SOLID DETERGENT FOR LAUNDRY THAT INCLUDES CLAY AND POLYDIMETILSILOXANE TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a detergent, solid and particulate composition for laundry, especially those in particulate and flowing form. With more specificity, the present invention relates to a laundry detergent composition comprising clay and a polydimethylsiloxane.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Detergent compositions for laundry are known to clean as well as soften fabrics during the laundry process and have been developed and marketed by laundry detergent manufacturers for many years. Typically, these laundry detergent compositions comprise components that are capable of providing a softening benefit to fabrics that have been washed; These fabric softening components include clays and silicones. The following references describe the incorporation of clay in laundry detergent compositions to impart a fabric softening benefit to the washed fabric. In the U.S. patent no.

No. 4,062,647 (Storm, TD, and Nirschl, JP; The Procter &Gamble Company) discloses a granular, fortified laundry detergent composition comprising a smectite clay that is capable of cleaning as well as softening a fabric during a laundry process . In GB 2 138 037 (Alien, E., Coutureau, M., and Dillarstone, A., Colgate-Palmolive Company) a heavy-duty fabric softening detergent comprising bentonite clay agglomerates is disclosed. In the U.S. patent no. 4,885,101 (Tai, H.T .: Lever Brothers Company) laundry detergent compositions are described which contain fabric softening clays with sizes between 150 and 2,000 microns. The fabric softening performance of a clay-containing laundry detergent composition is enhanced by the incorporation of a flocculating auxiliary in the clay-containing laundry detergent composition. For example, a detergent composition comprising a smectite-like clay and a clay flocculating polymeric agent is described in EP 0 299 575 (Raemdonck, H., and Busch, A.; The Procter &Gamble Company). The use of silicones to provide a fabric softening benefit to a washed fabric during a laundry process is described in the following references. U.S. Pat. no. No. 4,585,563 (Busch, A., and Kosmas, S., The Procter &Gamble Company) discloses that specific organofunctional polydialkylsiloxanes can be advantageously incorporated into granular detergents to provide remarkable benefits, including softening during washing and other improvements for the handling of textiles. US 5,277,968 (Canivenc, E., Rhone-Poulenc Chemie) describes a process for conditioning textile substrates for allegedly imparting a pleasant feel and good hydrophobicity thereto, which comprises treating these textile substances with an effective conditioning amount of a specific polydiorganosiloxane. Detergent manufacturers have tried to incorporate both clay and silicone into the same laundry detergent composition. U.S. Pat. no. 4, 419, 250 (Alien, E., Dillarstone, R., and Reul, J.A., Colgate-Palmolive Company) disclose agglomerated bentonite particles comprising a salt of lower alkylsiliconic acid and / or the polymerization products thereof. U.S. Pat. no. 4, 421, 657 (Alien, E., Dillarstone, R., and Reul, J.A., Colgate-Palmolive Company) discloses a heavy duty laundry and fabric softener composition in particulate form comprising bentonite clay and a siliconate. U.S. Pat. no. 4, 482, 477 (Alien, E., Dillarstone, R., and Reul, JA; Colgate-Palmolive Company) discloses a fortified and particulate organic-synthetic detergent composition that includes the assisting ratio for the release, of a siliconate and preferably of a bentonite as the fabric softening agent. In another example, EP 0 163 352 (York, D.W.; The Procter & Gamble Company) describes the incorporation of silicone in a laundry detergent composition containing clay in an attempt to control the excessive foam that is generated by the laundry detergent composition containing clay during the laundry process. EP 0 381 487 (Biggin, I.S., and Cartwright, P.S., BP Chemicals Limited) discloses an aqueous-based liquid detergent formulation comprising clay that is pretreated with a barrier material such as a polysiloxane. Detergent manufacturers have also tried to incorporate a silicone, a clay and a flocculating agent into a laundry detergent composition. For example, WO 92/07927 (Marteleur, CAAVJ, and Convenis, A. C; The Procter &Gamble Company) discloses a fabric treatment composition comprising substituted polysiloxanes, fabric softening clay and a clay flocculant. . More recently, fabric care compositions comprising an organophilic clay and an oil with added functional groups are described in U.S. Pat. no. 6,656, 901 B2 (Moorfield, D. and Whilton, N .; Unilever Home &Personal Care, US Division of Conopeo, Inc.). WO02 / 092748 (Instone, T. et al, Unilever PLC) discloses a granular composition comprising an intimate mixture of a nonionic surfactant and a water insoluble liquid and a granular carrier material. WO03 / 055966 (Cocardo, D.M., et al, Hindustan Lever Limited) discloses a fabric care composition comprising a solid carrier of an anti-wrinkle agent. However, polydimethylsiloxane is the preferred silicone component for incorporation into a solid and particulate laundry detergent composition to provide a fabric softening benefit. This is due to the efficacy of the polydimethylsiloxane for softening fabrics, its weight efficiency and its low tendency to interact nociously with other components of the laundry detergent composition. Moreover, the chemically unsubstituted nature of the structure of the polydimethylsiloxane leads to a good stability profile in the product due to the low probability that the polydimethylsiloxane undergoes chemical decomposition. However, the unsubstituted nature of the polydimethylsiloxane also means that it is a highly hydrophobic material. In addition, the polydimethylsiloxane is in the form of fluid under ambient conditions and simply can not be added dry to a solid and particulate laundry detergent composition; a suitable solid carrier material should be used. Clay is the most preferred solid carrier material for polydimethylsiloxane. This is due to the good absorbency of the clay, its insolubility in water and the profile of palpability: the clay is able to swell and disperse in the wash liquor so that it is deposited on the fabric in a way that promotes a good softening of the the fabric However, due to the highly hydrophobic nature of the polydimethylsiloxane, when this is mixed with a clay, the resulting particulate mixture becomes hydrophobic, which leads to a low fabric softening performance. Without wishing to be limited by theory, it is believed that the hydrophobic particulate clay-polydimethylsiloxane mixture does not readily swell or disperse in the wash liquor and therefore does not provide a good fabric softening benefit. Surprisingly, the inventors have discovered that both the polydimethylsiloxane and the clay can be mixed together and incorporated into a solid and particulate laundry detergent composition to provide good fabric softening performance by selectively modifying the amounts of other specific components that need to be present in the composition. .

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a solid and particulate laundry detergent composition comprising: (a) from 2% by weight to 20% by weight clay; (b) from 0.5% by weight to 10% by weight of polydimethylsiloxane; (c) from 0.1% by weight to 5% by weight of flocculant component; (d) from 5% by weight to 25% by weight of anionic detergent surfactant comprising an alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted, linear or branched alkylbenzenesulfonate; (e) from 1% by weight to 22% by weight of zeolite; wherein the weight ratio of zeolite to alkylbenzene sulfonate is 0.1: 1 to less than 2.8: 1 and where clay and polydimethylsiloxane are present together in the composition in the form of a coparticulate mixture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Clay Normally, clay comprises a fabric softening clay like smectite clay. The preferred smectite clays are beidelite, hectorite, laponite, montmorillonite, nontronite, saponite and mixtures thereof. Preferably, the smectite clay is a dioctahedral smectite clay, more preferably a montmorillonite clay. Smectite dioctahedral clays usually have one of the following two general formulas: Formula (I) NaxAI2-xMgxSi4O10 (OH) 2 Formula (II) CaxAI2-xMgxSi4O10 (OH) 2 where x is a number with a value of 0.1 to 0.5, preferably 0.2 to 0.4. Preferred clays are low load montmorillonite clays (also known as sodium montmorillonite clay or Wyoming montmorillonite clay) having a general formula corresponding to Formula (I) above. Preferred clays are also high load montmorillonite clays (also known as a montmorillonite calcium clay or a montmorillonite clay Cheto type) having a general formula corresponding to Formula (II) above. Preferred clays are marketed under the names: Fulasoft 1 by Activated Andean Clays; White Bentonite STP by Fordamin; Laundrosil ex 0242 by Sud Chemie; and Detercal P7 by Laviosa Chemica Mineraria SPA. Smectite clays and more specifically montmorillonite clays, are preferred because of their desirable swelling and dispersion properties, which leads to a good fabric softening profile. The clay may comprise a hectorite clay. The typical hectorite clay has the general formula: Formula (lll) [(Mg3-? Lix) Si4-yMel "y01o (OH2-zFz)] - (x + y) ((x + y) / n) Mn + where y = 0 to 0.4, if y = > 0, then Me '"is Al, Fe or B, preferably y = 0; Mn + is a monovalent (n = 1) or divalent metal ion (n = 2), preferably selected from Na, K, Mg, Ca and Mr. x is a number with a value from 0.1 to 0.5, preferably 0.2 to 0.4, more preferably 0.25 to 0.35, z is a number with a value from 0 to 2. The value of (x + y) is loading of the clay layer, preferably the value of (x + y) is in the range of 0.1 to 0.5, preferably 0.2 to 0.4, more preferably 0.25 to 0.35 A preferred hectorite clay is that marketed by Rheox with the name Bentone HC Other preferred hectorite clays for use herein are those marketed by CSM Materials under the names Hectorite U and Hectorite R. The clay may also comprise one that is selected from the group comprising: clays allophan; chlorite clays, among which amesite, baileycloro, chamosite, clinochlore, cookeite, cor undefita, dafnita, delessita, gonyerita, nimita, odinita, ortochamosita, pennantita, penninita, ripidolita, sudoita and thuringita; clay litas; interbedded clays; iron oxyhydroxide clays, among which hematite, goethite, lepidocrite and ferrihydrite are preferred; kaolin clays, among which kaolinite, halloysite, dickite, nacrite and hisingerite are preferred; smectite clays; Vermiculite clays and mixtures thereof. The clay may also comprise a slightly colored crystalline clay mineral, preferably with a minimum reflectance value of 60, more preferably 70 or 80 at a wavelength of 460 nm. The preferred light colored clay clay minerals are Chinese clay, halloysite, dioctahedral clays, such as kaolinite, trioctahedral as antigorite and amesite, smectite clays and hormite such as bentonite (montmorillonite), beidilite, nontronite, hectorite, attapulguite, pimelite, mica, Muscovite and vermiculite as well as pyrophyllite / talc, willemseite and minnesotaite clays. The slightly colored crystalline clay minerals are described in GB2357523A and WO01 / 44425. Preferred clays have a cation exchange capacity of at least 70 meq / 100g. The cation exchange capacity of the clays can be quantified using the method described in Grimshaw, The Chemistry and Physics of Clays, Interscience Publishers, Inc., pgs. 264-265 (1971). Preferably, the clay has a weighted average primary particle size usually greater than 20 microns, preferably more than 23 microns, preferably more than 25 microns, or preferably 21 to 60 microns, more preferably 22 to 50 microns, more preferably from 23 to 40 microns, more preferably from 24 to 30 microns, more preferably from 25 to 28 microns. Clays having these preferred weighted average particle primary sizes provide an even better benefit of fabric softener. However, it may also be preferred that the clay have a weighted average particle size of 10 to 50 microns, more preferably 20 to 40 microns. Hereinafter, the method for determining the weighted average particle size of the clay is described. Method to determine the primary weighted average particle size of the clay: The primary weighted average particle size of the clay is normally determined using the following method: 12 g of clay are placed in a beaker containing 250 mL of distilled water and stir vigorously for 5 minutes to form a clay solution. The clay is not subjected to sonication nor is it microfluidized in a high pressure microfluidizer processor, but it is added to the beaker with water in an unprocessed (i.e. in crude) form. 1 mL of clay solution is added to the reserve volume of an optical sizer for a single Aecusizer 780 particle (SPOS) using a micropipette. The clay solution that is added to the reserve volume of the Aecusizer 780 SPOS is diluted with more distilled water to form a diluted clay solution; this dilution occurs in the reserve volume of the Aecusizer 780 SPOS and is an automated process that is controlled by the Aecusizer 780 SPOS, which determines the optimal concentration of the diluted clay solution to determine the weighted average particle size of the particles of clay in the diluted clay solution. This diluted clay solution is left in the reserve volume of the Aecusizer 780 SPOS for 3 minutes. The clay solution is shaken vigorously during the whole period of time in the reserve volume of the Aecusizer 780 SPOS. The diluted clay solution is absorbed through the sensors of the Aecusizer 780 SPOS. This is an automated process that is controlled by the Aecusizer 780 SPOS, which determines the optimal flow rate of the diluted clay solution through the sensors to determine the weighted average particle size of the clay particles in the diluted solution of clay. All steps of this method are carried out at a temperature of 20 ° C. This method is carried out in triplicate and the average of these results is determined. Polydimethylsiloxane The polydimethylsiloxane has the general formula: Formula (IV): wherein each Ri and R2 are methyl; and x is a number, usually greater than 50. Polydimethylsiloxane usually has a viscosity of 5 Pa.s (5,000 cP) at 1,000 Pa.s (1,000,000 cP), or 10 Pa.s (10,000 cP) at 1, 000 Pa.s (1, 000,000 cP), or from 10 Pa.s (10,000 cP) to 600 Pa.s (600,000 cP), more preferably from 50 Pa.s (50,000 cP) to 400 Pa.s (400,000 cP) when measured at a cutting speed of 20 s "1 and at ambient conditions (20 ° C and 101 kPa (1 atmosphere).) Polydimethylsiloxanes having these preferred viscosities have an optimum deposit on the fabric to provide a good fabric softening benefit Normally the viscosity is measured using a Brookfield viscometer at 25 ° C according to the method ASTM D 2983. The polydimethylsiloxane is preferably in pre-emulsified form, this is especially beneficial because the polydimethylsiloxane is mixed with clay; The processability of the particulate mixture is improved when the silicone is in a previously emulsified form. this description, the term, previously emulsified form means that the silicone is in the form of an emulsion when it is mixed with the clay during the process of preparing the particulate mixture.

Normally, the emulsion has an average primary droplet volumetric size within the following range from least to greatest preference, 0.1 micrometers to 5,000 micrometers, 0.1 micrometers to 50 micrometers and 0.1 micrometers to 5 micrometers. The average primary volumetric particle size is usually measured using a Coulter Multisizer ™ or by the method described in detail below. The emulsion normally has a viscosity of 1.5 Pa.s (1,500 cP) at 50 Pa.s (50,000 cP), preferably from 2 Pa.s (2,000 cP) to 15 Pa.s (15,000 cP). The emulsion may comprise water and / or other solvents in an amount effective to assist in the emulsification of the polydimethylsiloxane / solvent mixture. Normally, the polydimethylsiloxane has a weight average molecular weight greater than 0.00614 g (3,700 Da.) Method for determining the average volumetric droplet size of the emulsion: The volumetric average droplet size of the emulsion is usually determined by the following method: apply an emulsion on a microscope slide by lightly applying the coverslip. The emulsion is observed at 400X and 1,000X magnification under the microscope and the average volumetric droplet size of the emulsion is calculated by comparing it to a standard phase micrometer. Flocculant component The flocculent component is able to flocculate the clay. Normally, the flocculant component is polymeric. Preferably, the flocculating component is a polymer comprising monomer units selected from the group comprising ethylene oxide, acrylamide, acrylic acid, (dimethylamino) ethyl methacrylate, vinyl alcohol, vinylpyrrolidone, ethylene imine and mixtures thereof. Preferably, the flocculating component is a polymer comprising monomeric units selected from the group comprising ethylene oxide, acrylamide, acrylic acid and mixtures thereof. Preferably, the flocculating component is polyethylene oxide. Normally, the flocculation component has a weighted average molecular weight of at least 0.16 g (100,000 Da), preferably from 0.25 g (150,000 Da) to 8.3 g (5,000,000 Da) and most preferably 0.33 g (200,000 Da) at 1.16 g (700,000 Da.) The weight average molecular weight is usually determined using gel permeation chromatography. Preferably, the flocculating component comprises polyethylene oxide. This is preferred because of its high affinity for clay. Anionic detergent surfactant The anionic detergent surfactant is composed of a substituted or unsubstituted, linear or branched alkylbenzene sulphonate. Preferably, the anionic detergent surfactant comprises a linear or branched alkylbenzene sulfonate, substituted or unsubstituted, of C-p.13, preferably a linear alkylbenzenesulfonate of C-10-13. Linear C10-13 alkylbenzenesulfonates are more preferred. This is especially preferred when it is desired that the composition has a good cleansing performance in oily dirt. Preference is given to the linear alkylbenzenesulfonates of C-? O-13 which are obtained by sulfonizing linear alkylbenzenes (LABs) which are commercially available; suitable LABs include lower 2-phenyl LAB, such as those provided by Sasol under the trade name of Isochem® or those provided by Petresa under the trade name of Petrelab®, other suitable LABs include 2-phenyl top LABs, such as those provided by Sasol with the commercial name of Hyblene®. The anionic surfactant detergent may comprise a modified alkylbenzene sulfonate (MLAS) as described in more detail in WO 99/05243, WO 99/05242, WO 99/05244, WO 99/05082, WO 99 / 05084, WO 99/05241, WO 99/07656, WO 00/23549, and WO 00/23548. The anionic detergent surfactant may further comprise an alkyl sulfate, an alkyl sulfonate, an alkyl phosphate, an alkyl phosphonate, an alkylcarboxylate or any mixture thereof. The anionic surfactant may comprise: primary, branched chain, straight chain and C8-C18 random chain alkyl (AS) alkyl which normally have the following formula: Formula (V): CH3 (CH2) xCH2-OS? 3 ~ M + wherein, M is hydrogen or a cation that provides a charge neutrality, the preferred cations are the sodium and ammonium cations, wherein x is an integer of at least 7, preferably at least 9; alkyl sulfates secondary (2.3) C? o-C? 8 that normally have the following formulas: OSO3"M + OSO3" M + CH3 (CH2) X (H) CH3 or CH3 (CH2) and (CH) CH2CH3 Formula (VI): where M is hydrogen or a cation that provides a charge neutrality, the preferred cations are the sodium and ammonium cations, wherein x is an integer with a value of at least 7, preferably at least 9, and in where y is an integer with a value of at least 8, preferably of at least 9; alkoxy alkyl carboxylates of C-io-C-is; alkyl sulfates of branched half chain as described in greater detail in U.S. Pat. num. 6,020,303 and US 6,060,443; methyl ester sulfonate (MES); Alpha-olefin sulfonates (AOS) in English) and mixtures thereof. There is a greater preference for the linear alkyl sulphates which are obtained by sulfation of the linear alkyl alcohols available on the market; linear alkyl alcohols suitable include those marketed by Sasol with the names Lial® and Safol® or those supplied by Shell under the name Neodol®.

The anionic detergent surfactant is usually in particulate form, such as an agglomerate, a spray-dried powder, an extruded product, a bead, in elongated form or as a needle or scale. It may be preferable that part of the anionic detergent surfactant is in the form of a spray-dried powder (for example a blown powder) and that part of the anionic detergent surfactant is in the form of a powder that has not been spray dried (for example an agglomerate). or an extruded product or a flake such as a linear alkyl benzene sulphonate flake, the suitable linear alkylbenzene sulphonate flakes are sold by Pilot Chemical under the name F90®, or by Stepan under the name Nacconol 90G®). It may be preferable that the anionic detergent surfactant comprises: (a) a linear or branched, substituted or unsubstituted alkylbenzenesulfonate of C10-13, and (b) a linear or branched alkyl sulfate, substituted or unsubstituted of C8-18 and wherein the weight ratio of the alkylbenzene sulfonate (a) to the alkyl sulfate (b) is greater than 5: 1 and even greater than 10: 1. This is preferred to ensure good cleaning through a wide range of dirt types. It may be preferable that the anionic detergent surfactant comprises an alkoxylated anionic detergent surfactant. These preferred alkoxylated anionic detergent surfactants are the ethoxylated alkyl sulfates, which usually have the following formula: Formula (VII) CH3 (CH2) xCH2-0 (CH2CH20) and S? 3"M + wherein M is hydrogen or a cation that provides a charge neutrality, the preferred cations are the sodium and ammonium cations, wherein x is an integer with a value of at least 7, preferably at least 9, and wherein and is an integer with a value between 1 to 20, preferably 1 to 10, more preferably 2 to 4. This is especially preferred when it is desired that the composition has a good fabric cleaning performance under hard water conditions. Zeolite The zeolite can be any type of zeolite, including: members of the analcime family such as analcima (also known as aluminum silicate and sodium hydrate), polucite and wairakite; Belbergite; bikitaite; bogsita; brewsterita; members of the cabazita family as cabazita and willhendersonita; cowlesita; daquiardite; edingtonite; epistybit erionite; faujastita; ferrierite; members of the gismondina family such as amicita, garronita, gismondita and gobinsita; gmelinite; gonardite; goosecreekita; members of the harmotone family such as harmotoma, filipsita and wellsita; members of the heulandite family such as clinoptilolite and heulandite; laumonite; Lenina; mazita; merlinoite; montesomaite; mordenite; members of the natrolite family such as mesolite, natrolite, escolecite; offer; paranatrolite; paulingita; perlialite; members of the stilbite family such as barrerite, stilbite and stellerite; tompsonite; chemiquita; yugawaralita; and its mixtures. Preferred zeolites are usually selected from a group consisting of zeolite A, zeolite P, zeolite MAP, zeolite X and mixtures thereof. However, zeolite A is particularly preferred. Typically zeolite A has the general formula: Formula (VIII) Na12 [(AI2? 3) i2 (S02) 12] xH20 wherein x = from 20 to 30, preferably 27. A suitable zeolite is that available by Crossfield under the trade name of Doucil®, or that available by ICL under the tradename Synthetic Zeolite A ™. It may be preferred that the zeolite have a weighted average particle size of 2 to 8 microns. Auxiliary Components Additional components are usually selected from the group consisting of cationic detersive surfactants, nonionic detersive surfactants, zwitterionic detersive surfactants, additives, polymer coadditives such as polymeric polycarboxylates, bleach, chelating agents, enzymes, antiredepositive polymers, soil release polymers. , polymeric agents dispersing dirt and / or dirt suspension, inhibitors of the transfer of dyes, agents to maintain the integrity of the fabric, brighteners, suds suppressors, fabric softeners, flocculants, cathic fabric softening components, perfumes and combinations of these. A particularly preferred auxiliary component is the carbonate salt. The carbonate salt is usually an alkaline or alkaline earth metal carbonate salt. A preferred carbonate salt is sodium carbonate and / or sodium bicarbonate. A very preferred carbonate salt is sodium carbonate. The carbonate salt or at least part thereof is usually in particulate form, usually having a weighted average particle size in the range of 100 to 500 microns, or 100 to 120 microns. However, it may be preferred that the carbonate salt or at least part of it be in particulate and mechronized form, which normally has a weighted average particle size within the range of 4 to 40 microns. A preferred carbonate salt is sodium carbonate marketed by Brunner Mond under the name Light Sodium Carbonate ™. Laundry Detergent Composition The laundry detergent composition is in solid particulate form, for example in the form of a tablet or more preferably in flowing particulate form. In this description, the term "flowing particulate form" usually means that it is in the form of discrete discrete particles. Preferably, the composition is a granular composition that is not in the form of a stick or tablet. Laundry detergent in flowing particulate form typically has a bulk density of 300 g / L to 1500 g / L, preferably 450 g / L to 850 g / L. The composition comprises from 2% by weight to 20% by weight of the clay, preferably from 3% by weight to 14% by weight, more preferably from 4% by weight to 8% by weight, or by more than 8% by weight. weight to 14% by weight of the clay. This is the optimum level of clay to provide a good fabric softening benefit yet achieving good fabric cleaning performance including a good profile for maintenance of whiteness: high levels of clay lead to an increased risk of incurring a bad profile for the maintenance of whiteness. The composition comprises from 0.5% by weight to 10% by weight of polydimethylsiloxane, preferably from 0.5% by weight to 5% by weight, more preferably from 0.5% by weight to 3% by weight, even more preferably from 1.3% by weight. weight to 1.8% by weight of polydimethylsiloxane. This is the optimum level of polydimethylsiloxane to be mixed with the required level of clay to achieve a particulate mixture with good processability and good flow profiles. Preferably, the weight ratio of clay to polydimethylsiloxane is in the range of greater than 5: 1 to 10: 1. Alternatively, it may be preferred that the weight ratio of the clay to the polydimethylsiloxane is in the range of greater than 2: 1 to less than 5: 1. The polydimethylsiloxane and clay are present together in the composition in the form of a coparticulate mixture. In this description, the term coparticulate mixture means that the clay and silicone are present together in the composition and in the same particles; for example they are mixed together to form particles comprising both the polydimethylsiloxane and the clay. Preferably, the coparticulate mixture is in the form of an agglomerate, usually the agglomerate is obtained by any process suitable for the agglomeration of laundry detergent. Preferably, the coparticulate mixture has a bulk density of 500 to 1, 500 g / L, more preferably 700 to 1, 000 g / L. Preferably, the coparticulate blend has a weighted average particle size of 300 to 800 microns, more preferably 500 to 600 microns. Preferably, less than 10% by weight of the coparticulate mixture has a particle size of less than 250 microns and preferably less than 10% by weight of the coparticulate mixture has a particle size of greater than 1. 180 microns. The composition comprises from 0.1% by weight to 5% by weight of flocculant component, preferably 0.1% by weight to 0.4% by weight of flocculant component. This is the optimum level to ensure a good fabric softening profile. The composition comprises from 5% by weight to 25% by weight of anionic detergent surfactant, preferably 5% by weight to 20% by weight or preferably from 6% by weight to 12% by weight of anionic detergent surfactant. The composition comprises from 1% by weight to 22% by weight of zeolite, preferably 4% by weight to 16% by weight, preferably 8% by weight to 12% by weight of zeolite or preferably more than 12% by weight to 16% by weight. Preferably, the composition comprises 12% by weight to 30% by weight of carbonate salt, preferably 15% by weight to 21% by weight of carbonate salt. These levels of anionic detergent surfactant, zeolite and carbonate are the optimum levels to achieve a good fabric softening performance while ensuring a good fabric cleaning profile. In order to ensure optimum cleaning and softening performance of fabrics, it is essential that the anionic detergent surfactant comprises a substituted or unsubstituted, linear or branched alkylbenzene sulfonate, preferably a C10-13 alkylbenzenesulfonate and it is essential that the weight ratio of zeolite with respect to the alkylbenzenesulfonate is from 0.1: 1 to less than 2.8: 1, more preferably from 0.1: 1 to 2: 1, and even more preferably from a value greater than 0.67 to one less than 2. If the ratio in weight of zeolite with respect to the alkylbenzenesulfonate of C- | 0-13 is 0.67 or less, then the composition preferably comprises a bleach, as a source of peroxide compound; the presence of the bleach in these compositions helps improve or restore the whiteness performance of the composition. The composition usually comprises one or more auxiliary components. Preferably, the composition comprises from 0.1% by weight to 5% by weight of polymeric polycarboxylate as a copolymer of maleic acid and acrylic. This is preferred to ensure that the composition has a good cleaning and whiteness profile and is especially preferred when the weight ratio of zeolite to C 0-13 alkylbenzenesulfonate is less than 28: 1. Preferably, the composition comprises less than 2% by weight of nonionic detersive surfactant. This is preferred to ensure a good cleaning performance of the fabric in warm water conditions also ensuring a good fabric softening profile. Nonionic detergent surfactants include ethoxylates of alcohols such as those commercially available from Shell under the tradename Neodol ™. However, it may be preferred that the composition be free of nonionic detergent surfactants. Preferably, the composition comprises less than 2% by weight of sodium acetate trihydrate, more preferably the composition is free of sodium acetate trihydrate.

Examples Composition of aqueous pulp.

Preparation of a spray-dried powder. An aqueous pulp is prepared having the composition described above and having a moisture content of 26.3%. The aqueous pulp is heated to 80 ° C and pumped at high pressure (80-85 Bar), in a countercurrent spray drying tower with an air inlet temperature of 270 ° C to 300 ° C. The aqueous pulp is atomized, and the atomized pulp is dried to produce a solid mixture, which is then cooled and sieved to remove the too large material (> 1.8 mm) in order to form a spray-dried powder, which flows. The fine material (<0.15 mm) was sedimented with the exhaust air in the spray-drying tower and collected in a later containment system in the tower. The spray-dried powder has a moisture content of 3.0% by weight, a bulk density between 360-410 g / L and a particle size distribution such that 92.5% by weight of the spray-dried powder has a size of particle between 150 to 710 micrometers. The composition of the spray-dried powder is given below.

Composition of spray-dried powder.

Preparation of an agglomerate of silicone and clay. Preparation of the emulsion: 1.17 kg of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) is added at a viscosity of 100,000 cP (100 Pa.s) to 0.12 kg of 30% linear alkylbenzene sulfonate aqueous solution in a mixing vessel mixing well using a paddle stirrer during 1 to 2 minutes until a homogeneous emulsion of PDMS is formed. Agglomerate elaboration: the agglomerate is made in an FM 50 Lodige batch mixer, with a batch size of 8 kg. The pulverized clay is added to the mixer. Subsequently, the main shaft (which holds the blades in the form of a plow grid) and the high-speed cutter are put into operation to agitate and fluidize the powder. While the mixer is in operation, 0.45 kg of water and 1.29 kg of the homogeneous PDMS emulsion are dosed simultaneously into the mixer near the cutter blade to disperse the fluids in the powder. The mixing continues until sufficient agglomeration occurs to form wet agglomerates. Then the wet agglomerates are dried in a fluidized bed dryer at 140 ° C for 3 and 4 minutes until the moisture in the agglomerate is between 4% and 8% by weight (measured by infrared). Too large particles (for example those with a diameter greater than 1.4 mm) are removed by sieving and too fine particles (for example those having a diameter smaller than 0.25 mm) are removed by means of the air outlet of the fluidized bed and by additional screening if necessary. The resultant agglomerates of PDMS / clay have the following composition and are handled for incorporation in laundry detergent compositions.

Composition of PDMS / clay agglomerate Ingredient Quantity (% by weight) Bentonite clay 77.52 Silicone 16.00 LAS 0.48 Water 6.00 Preparation of a granular laundry detergent composition in accordance with the present invention. They are dosed in a concrete mixer for batches of 1 meter in diameter operating at 2.5 rad / s (24 rpm), 9.89 kg of spray-dried powder, 2.12 kg of PDMS / clay agglomerates and 7.99 kg (total amount) of another material added in dry and individually dosed. Once all the materials have been dosed into the mixer, the mixture is mixed for 5 minutes, while perfume is applied by spraying to form a granular laundry detergent composition. The formulation of the laundry detergent granular composition is described below.

A granular laundry detergent composition according to the present invention.

Claims (24)

NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION CLAIMS

1. A solid and particulate laundry detergent composition comprising: (a) from 2% by weight to 20% by weight of the clay; (b) from 0.5% to 10% by weight of polydimethylsiloxane; (c) from 0.1% by weight to 5% by weight of the flocculation component; (d) from 5% by weight to 25% by weight of anionic detergent surfactant comprising a substituted or unsubstituted, linear or branched alkylbenzenesulfonate; (e) from 1% by weight to 22% by weight of the zeolite; wherein the weight ratio of zeolite to the alkylbenzene sulfonate is from 0.1: 1 to less than 2.8: 1, and wherein the clay and the polydimethylsiloxane are present together in the composition in the form of a coparticulate mixture.

2. The composition according to claim 1, further characterized in that the composition is in particulate and flowing form.

3. The composition according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that the composition comprises from 4% to 8% by weight of clay.

4. The composition according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that the composition comprises from 1.3% to 1.8% by weight of polydimethylsiloxane.

5. The composition according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that the composition comprises from 6% to 12% by weight of anionic detergent surfactant. 6. The composition according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that the composition comprises from 8% to 12% by weight zeolite. The composition according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that the composition comprises from 15% to 21% by weight of carbonate salt. The composition according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that the composition comprises from 6% by weight to 12% by weight of a linear or branched, substituted or unsubstituted C10-13 alkylbenzenesulfonate. 9. The composition according to claim 8, further characterized in that the weight ratio of zeolite to C10.13 alkylbenzene sulfonate is greater than 0.67 or less than 2. 10. The composition according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that the anionic detergent surfactant comprises: (a) A C- or C-13 alkyl, linear or branched, substituted or unsubstituted alkylbenzenesulfonate and (b) a C8-18 linear or branched alkyl sulphate, substituted or unsubstituted and in where the weight ratio of the alkylbenzenesulfonate (a) to the alkyl sulfate (b) is greater than 5: 1.

11. The composition according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that the composition comprises from 0.1% by weight to 5% by weight of polymeric polycarboxylate. 12. The composition according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that the clay comprises a smectite clay. 13. The composition according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that the clay comprises a montmorillonite clay. The composition according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that the composition comprises 0.1% to 0.4% by weight of flocculant component. 15. The composition according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that the flocculating component comprises polyethylene oxide. 16. The composition according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that the polydimethylsiloxane has a general formula: Formula (IV) wherein each Ri and R2 is methyl; and x is a number with a value greater than 50. 17. The composition according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that the polydimethylsiloxane has a viscosity of 50., 000 cP (50 Pa.s) to 400,000 cP (400 Pa.s), when measured at a cutting speed of 20 s "1 and at a temperature of 20 ° C. 18. The composition in accordance with any of the previous claims, further characterized in that the polydimethylsiloxane is in pre-emulsified form 19. The composition according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that the weight ratio of clay to polydimethylsiloxane is in the range greater than 5: 1 to 10. : 1. The composition according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that the weight ratio of clay to polydimethylsiloxane is in the range greater than 2: 1 to less than 5: 1. according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that the anionic detergent surfactant comprises an alkoxylated anionic detergent surfactant. according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that the composition comprises less than 2% by weight of nonionic detersive surfactant.

23. The composition according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that the composition comprises less than 2% by weight of sodium acetate trihydrate. The composition according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that the composition comprises from 12 wt% to 30 wt% carbonate salt.