MXPA06008736A - 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;and (b) from 0.5wt%to 10wt%polydimethylsiloxane;and (c) from 0.1wt%to 5wt%flocculating component;and (d) from 5wt%to 25wt%anionic detersive surfactant;and (e) from 1wt%to 22wt%zeolite;and (f) from 12wt%to 30wt%carbonate, 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 particulate detergent and solid 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 Laundry detergent compositions are known which both clean and soften fabrics 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 of fabrics to be 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. 4,062,647 (Storm, T. D., and Nirschl, J.P .; The Procter &Gamble Company) describes a granular and fortified laundry detergent composition comprising a smectite clay that is capable of both cleaning and 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 2000 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 flocculating clay 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 textile management U.S. Pat. no. 5,277,968 (Canivenc, E., Rhone-Pouíenc Chemie) describes a process for the conditioning of textile substrates for allegedly imparting a pleasant feeling 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) discloses 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 proportion of assistance for dispensing, of a siliconate and preferably of a Bentonite as the fabric softening agent. In another example, patent 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 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) describes an aqueous formulation based on liquid detergent 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 composition for the treatment of fabrics comprising substituted polysiloxanes, fabric softening clay and a flocculant. of clay. 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 USA 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 to be incorporated into a solid and particulate laundry detergent composition to provide a fabric softening benefit. This is due to the effectiveness of polydimethylsiloxane to soften fabrics, its efficiency in weight and its low tendency to interact harmfully with other components of 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 bound by theory, it is believed that the particulate hydrophobic 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 detergent composition for laundry 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 wt% to 20 wt% clay; (b) from 0.5% by weight to 10% by weight 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; (e) from 1% by weight to 22% by weight zeolite; and (f) from 12 wt% to 30 wt% carbonate, wherein the clay and the 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 clay montmorillonite of calcium or a montmorillonite clay Cheto type) having a general formula corresponding to Formula (II) above. The 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-xLix) Si4-yMel "yO10 (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 the load 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 in the present are those marketed by CSM Materials under the name Hectorite U and Hectorite R, respectively. The clay may also comprise one that is selected from the group comprising: allophane clays; Chlorite clays, the preferred chlorite clays are amesite clays, baileychloro clays, camosite clays, clinochlore clays, cookeite clays, corundophyte clays, daphnite clays, delesite clays, gonyerite clays, nimite clays, odinite clays, orthocamosite clays, panantite clays, peninite clays, ripidolite clays, sudoite clays and turingite clays; Hita clays, interlayered clays; iron oxyhydroxide clays, preferred are hematite clays, goethite clays, lepidocrite clays and ferrihydrite clays; kaolin clays, the preferred ones are kaolinite clays, haloisite clays, chiquita clays, nacrite clays and hisingerite clays; smectite clays; vermiculite clays; and I mix these. 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 crystalline clay minerals are Chinese clay, halloysite clays, dioctahedral clays such as kaolinite, rich trioctads such as antigorite and amesite, smectite clays and hormite such as bentonite (montmorillonite), beidilite, nontronite, hectorite, attapulguite, pimelite, mica, moscovite and vermiculite as well as clays pyrophyllite / talcum, willemseite and Minnesota The slightly colored crystalline clay minerals are described in patents GB2357523A and WO01 / 44425. Preferred clays have a cation exchange capacity of at least 70 meq / 100g. The cation exchange capacity of clays can be quantified using the method described in Grimshaw, The Chemistry and Physics of Clays (The Chemistry and Physics of Clays), Interscience Publishers, Inc., pgs. 264-265 (1971). Preferably, the clay has a weighted average primary particle size of, usually within the next range of lower to higher preference, 20 microns, 23 microns, 25 microns or 21 microns at 60 microns, 22 microns at 50 microns, 23 microns at 40 microns. mieras, 24 microns at 30 microns and 25 microns at 28 microns. Clays having these weighted average primary particle sizes provide a greater improved fabric softening benefit. 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 for determining the weighted average primary particle size of the clay: The weighted average primary particle size of the clay is usually determined using the following method: 12 g of clay is placed in a glass beaker containing 250 mL of distilled water and vigorously stirred for 5 minutes to form a solution with the clay. The The clay is not subjected to sonication nor is it microfluidized in a high pressure microflora processor, but it is added to the glass of water in an unprocessed (ie, raw) form. 1 mL of clay solution is added to the reserve volume of an optical sizer for a single Accusizer 780 particle (SPOS) using a micropipette. The clay solution that is added to the reserve volume of the Accusizer 780 SPOS is diluted with more distilled water to form a diluted clay solution; this dilution occurs in the reserve volume of the Accusizer 780 SPOS and is an automated process that is controlled by the Accusizer 780 SPOS, which determines the optimal concentration of the diluted clay solution to determine the weighted weight of the particle size of the clay particles in the diluted clay solution. This diluted clay solution is left in the reserve volume of the Accusizer 780 SPOS for 3 minutes. The clay solution is shaken vigorously throughout the period of time that is in the reserve volume of the Accusizer 780 SPOS. The diluted clay solution is absorbed through the sensors of the Accusizer 780 SPOS; This is an automated process that is controlled by the Accusizer 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. In general, polydimethylsiloxane has a viscosity of 5 Pa.s (5000 cP) at 1000 Pa.s (1, 000,000 cP) or 10 Pa.s (10,000 cP) a 1000 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 softening benefit The viscosity is usually measured using a Brookfield viscometer at 25 ° C according to ASTM D 2983. The polydimethylsiloxane is preferably in pre-emulsified form, which is especially beneficial because the polydimethylsiloxane is mixed with clay; processability of the particulate mixture when the silicone is in pre-form emulsified. In this description, the term previously emulsified form means that the silicone is in the form of an emulsion when mixed with the clay during the process of preparing the particulate mixture. Normally, the emulsion has a primary volumetric volumetric droplet size within the following range from lower to higher preference, 0.1 microns at 5000 microns, 0.1 microns at 50 microns and 0.1 microns at 5 microns. The primary size of the average volumetric droplet is usually measured using a Coulter Multisizer ™ or by the method described in detail below. The emulsion normally has a viscosity ranging from 1.5 Pa.s (1500 cP) to 50 Pa.s (50,000 cP), preferably from 2 Pa.s (2000 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 0.0061 g (3700 Da.) Method for determining the volumetric primary volumetric size of the emulsion: The average primary volume droplet size of the emulsion is usually determined by the following method : An emulsion is applied on a microscope slide by lightly applying the coverslip. The emulsion is observed at 400X and 1000X magnification under the microscope and the volumetric primary droplet size of the emulsion is calculated by comparing it with 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, mixtures thereof. Preferably, the flocculating component is a polymer comprising monomer units selected from the group comprising ethylene oxide, acrylamide, acrylic acid and mixtures thereof. Preferably, the flocculating component is polyethylene oxide. Normally, the flocculent component has a weight 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 0.332 g (200,000 Da) at 1.16 g (700,000 Da.) The weight average molecular weight is usually determined using gel impregnation chromatography. Preferably, the flocculating component comprises polyethylene oxide. This is what is preferred due to its high affinity for clay. Anionic Detergent Surfactant The anionic detergent surfactant may comprise an alkyl sulfate, an alkyl sulfonate, an alkyl phosphate, an alkyl phosphonate, an alkylcarboxylate or any mixture thereof. The anionic surfactant may comprise a molecule selected from the group comprising: C? 0-C18 alkylbenzenesulfonates (LAS) preferably C? 0-C? 3 alkylbenzenesulfonates; primary alkyl sulphates of chain branched, linear chain and random chain of C8-C18 (AS), which normally have the following formula: Formula (V): CH3 (CH2) xCH2-OS03 'M + wherein M is hydrogen or a cation that provides a charge neutrality; the preferred cations are the sodium and ammonium cations, in where x is an integer of at least 7, preferably at least 9; secondary alkyl sulfates (2,3) of C 10 -C 8 which normally have the following formulas: OSO3"M + OSO3- M * CH3 (CH2) X (H) CH3 or CH3 (CH2) and (CH) CH2CH3 Formula (VI): wherein, M is hydrogen or a cation that provides a neutrality of charge, preferred cations include sodium and ammonium cations, where x is an integer with a value of at least 7, preferably at least 9; and is an integer with a value of at least 8, preferably at least 9; C10-C18 alkylalkoxycarboxylates, branched middle chain alkyl sulfates as described in detail in U.S. Pat. num. 6,020,303 and 6,060,443; Modified alkylbenzene sulfonate (MLAS) as described in greater 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; Methyl ester sulfonate (MES); Alpha-olefin sulfonate (AOS), and mixtures thereof. Greater preference is given to linear alkyl sulphates which are obtained by sulfation of the commercially available linear alkyl alcohols; Suitable linear alkyl alcohols include those marketed by Sasol under the names Lial® and Safol® or those supplied by Shell under the name Neodol®. Preferred anionic detergent surfactants comprise a molecule selected from the group comprising: linear or branched, substituted or unsubstituted C8-18 alkylsulphates, linear or branched, substituted or unsubstituted alkylbenzenesulfonates of C, 13, preferably linear alkylbenzenesulfonates of C10-13; and mixtures of these. Linear C10-13 alkylbenzenesulfonates are more preferred. This is especially preferred when it is desired that the composition has a good grease dirt cleaning performance. Particular preference is given to the linear alkylbenzenesulfonates of C-? O-? 3 which are obtained by the sulfonation of commercially available linear alkylbenzenes (LABs); suitable LABs include LAB with low 2-phenyl content, such as those marketed by Sasol under the name Isochem® or those marketed by Petresa under the name Petrelab®, other suitable LABs include LAB with high 2-phenyl content, such as those marketed by Sasol with the name Hyblene®.

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 which 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 C-10-13, and (b) a linear or branched alkyl sulphate, substituted or unsubstituted of C8-? 8 and wherein the weight ratio of the alkylbenzenesulfonate (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-O (CH2CH2O) and S03- 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 y is an integer with a value of 1 to 20, preferably 1 to 10 , more preferably from 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 analema family such as analeima (also known as aluminum silicate and sodium hydrate), polucite and wairakite; Belbergite; bikitaite; bogsita; brewsterita; members of the cabazita family such 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, scolecite; offer; paranatrolite; paulingita; perlialite; members of the stilbite family such as barrerite, stilbite and stellerite; tompsonite; chemiquita; yugawaralita; and mixtures of these. Preferred zeolites are usually selected from a group comprising zeolite A, zeolite P, zeolite MAP, zeolite X and mixtures of this. However, zeolite A is particularly preferred. Typically zeolite A has the general formula: Formula (VIII) Na12 [(AI2O3) 12 (S02)? 2] xH20 wherein - from 20 to 30, preferably 27. A suitable zeolite is provided by Crossfield under the name Doucil®, or by ICL under the trade name of Synthetic Zeolite A ™. It may be preferred that the zeolite have a weighted average particle size of 2 to 8 microns. Carbonate 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 of it, 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 micronized form, which normally has a weighted average particle size in the range of 4 to 40 microns. A preferred carbonate salt is sodium carbonate marketed by Brunner Mond under the name Light Sodium Carbonate ™.

Auxiliary components The additional components are usually selected from the group comprising cationic detersive surfactants, nonionic detersive surfactants, zwitterionic detersive surfactants, additives, polymer coadditives such as polymeric polycarboxylates, bleach, chelating agents, enzymes, antiredepositive polymers, polymers that release the dirt, polymeric soil dispersing and / or suspending agents, dye transfer inhibitors, fabric integrity agents, brighteners, foam suppressors, fabric softeners, flocculants, cationic fabric softening components , perfumes and combinations of these. Laundry Detergent Composition The laundry detergent composition is in solid particulate form, for example in the form of a tablet or more preferably in a fluid particulate form. In this description, the term "fluid 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% to 20% by weight of clay, preferably from 3% to 14% by weight, more preferably from 4% to 8% by weight, or more than 8% to 14% by weight of clay, this is the optimal level of clay to provide a good fabric softening benefit yet achieving good fabric cleaning performance including a good profile for maintaining whiteness: high levels of clay lead to an increased risk of incurring a bad profile for the maintenance of the whiteness. The composition comprises from 0.5% to 10% by weight of polydimethylsiloxane, preferably from 0.5% to 5% by weight, more preferably from 0.5% to 3% by weight, still with a greater preference from 1.3% 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 the 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 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 density apparent from 500 to 1500 g / L, more preferably 700 to 1000 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 blend has a particle size of less than 250 microns and preferably less than 10% by weight of the coparticulate blend has a particle size of greater than 1180 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. 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. It is especially preferred, to ensure optimal profiles for cleaning and softness of fabrics, that the anionic detergent surfactant comprises C? 0-? 3 alkylbenzenesulfonate, wherein the weight ratio of zeolite to C10-13 alkylbenzenesulfonate is less than 2.8: 1, more preferably from 0.1: 1 to 2: 1, or preferably greater than 0.67 to less than 2. If the weight ratio of zeolite to C10-? 3 alkylbenzenesulfonate is 0.67 or less, then the composition preferably comprises a bleach such as a peroxide source; 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-io-13 alkylbenzenesulfonate is less than 2.8: 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 alcohol ethoxylates 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 (8-8.5 MPa (80-85 Bar)), in a countercurrent spray drying tower with a temperature of air inlet from 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 conment 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 microns. 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% active linear alkylbenzene sulphonate aqueous solution in a mixing vessel, mixing well using an agitator of palette for 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 operated 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 with a diameter smaller than 0.25 mm) are removed by means of the air outlet of the fluidised bed and by additional sieving 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 mixer for concrete lots 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 in 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 (23)

NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION CLAIMS

1. A solid and particulate laundry detergent composition comprising: (a) from 2% to 20% by weight clay; (b) from 0.5% to 10% by weight of polydimethylsiloxane; (c) from 0.1% to 5% by weight of flocculant component; (d) from 5% to 25% by weight of anionic detergent surfactant; (e) from 1% to 22% by weight zeolite; (f) from 12% to 30% by weight carbonate; 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 of 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 anionic detergent surfactant comprises a linear or branched, substituted or unsubstituted C 1 to 0-13 alkylbenzenesulfonate

9. The composition according to claim 8, further characterized in that the weight ratio of zeolite to C10-13 alkylbenzenesulfonate 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 C10-13 alkyl benzene sulfonate, linear or branched, substituted or unsubstituted and (b) a Cs-is alkylsulphate linear or branched, substituted or unsubstituted, and wherein the weight ratio of the alkylbenzene sulfonate (a) to the alkyl sulfate (b) is greater than 5: 1

11. The composition according to any of the preceding claims, further curled because the composition comprises from 0.1 wt% to 5 wt% 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 R-i 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 by 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 20s "1 and at a temperature of 20 ° C.

18. The composition in accordance with any of the preceding 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 the 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.

21. The composition according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that the anionic detergent surfactant comprises an alkoxylated anionic detergent surfactant.

22. The composition 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.