NL1013168C1 - Detergent for detergent tablet. - Google Patents

Description

5 - 1 - 10

Dispenser for detergent tablet

15

Technical terrain

The invention relates to devices for dispensing a detergent composition in tablet form.

20

Background of the invention

In particular, tablets are used in the field of dishwashing or dishwashing in a washing machine to facilitate handling of the detergent composition compared to alternative forms such as powder, granules, liquids or paste. However, in order to maintain the dispersion properties of a tablet formulated detergent composition compared to the above alternative forms, it is preferable to use a specific tablet formulation dispenser.

For example, it is known from WO98 / 40550 to use a device to disperse a detergent tablet, the device comprising a sleeve with at least one opening for inserting the tablet, the sleeve 1013168-2 at least is partially formed of a water permeable material, with tablet fitting loosely into the sleeve.

Among the advantages of detergent dispersion tablet devices is their ability to improve the dispersion properties of a tablet, which may result from an increase in mechanical disintegration.

Although they have these and other advantages, devices for dispersing a detergent tablet have drawbacks. For example, such devices usually contain closing means to prevent the tablet from escaping from the device during the wash, such closing means making the manufacture of the device and its use more complex.

The invention seeks to provide a device of the above-mentioned kind which makes it possible to prevent the tablet from escaping from the device during washing and which is less complex to manufacture and easier to use.

20

Summary of the invention

According to the invention, this object is achieved with a device for dispersing a detergent tablet, the device comprising a sleeve with at least one opening for inserting the tablet, the sleeve being at least partially formed of a water-permeable material the tablet fits loosely into the sleeve characterized in that the sleeve has a length and a flexibility that allows the tablet to prevent the sleeve from escaping during the normal washing operation, the opening being a permanent opening.

A device formed according to the invention has a number of advantages. Due to the length and flexibility of the sleeve, the tablet can remain entangled in the sleeve in such a way as to prevent it from escaping from the sleeve. This eliminates the need to add capping agents to the device, thereby reducing the complexity of its manufacture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a detergent tablet dispenser. Delivery device is to be understood to mean a device used to deliver the tablet into an aqueous solution, the delivery usually being facilitated by the use of the delivery device. Dispensers already exist for detergent powders, as suggested, for example, in EP-A-343069 or EP-A-343070. Liquid detergent dispensers also exist, as suggested, for example, in FR-A-2563250. Depending on the form of the detergent, the dispensers have different features.

The dispensing device according to the invention relates to a detergent tablet. A detergent tablet is usually obtained by compressing a washing powder. A detergent tablet may or may not be coated and have one or more layers. Detergent tablets are currently sold. Typical detergent tablets are described, for example, in EP-A-846755.

The device of the invention is at least partially formed of a flexible water-permeable material. Flexible should be understood to mean that the material is not rigid. Such a property of the material usually results in improved tablet disintegration due to the mechanical squeezing effect incurred by the deformation of the flexible material during a normal wash, such deformation resulting, for example, from collisions between the device and the washable laundry or collisions between the fixture and a washing machine wall. Typically, flexible materials include, for example, synthetic polymeric materials (nylon, polyolefin) or vegetable materials (cotton, cellulose). The flexible material is also permeable to water 1013168-4. It should be understood that liquid water is not prevented from flowing through the material. This property allows dispersion of a tablet. facilitate by inflow or outflow of the aqueous solution into which the tablet disperses.

Tablet dispersion is used herein as a general term which includes equivalent terms such as, for example, tablet disintegration or tablet solution.

The device includes a sleeve. Usually a sleeve 10 is a piece of material in the form of a double ended tube. The sleeve has at least one opening for inserting the tablet. What is meant by "opening to insert the tablet" is an opening that has dimensions that allow insertion of a tablet without permanent deformation of the device.

In a preferred embodiment, the sleeve has only one opening to insert the tablet. It should be noted that this preferred device may also include other openings, such openings usually being smaller than the opening for tipping the tablet, so that the other openings are not openings as far as the tablet is concerned. Preferably, this opening is simply placed at one end of the sleeve, the other end of the sleeve being closed as far as a tablet is concerned.

In another preferred embodiment, the sleeve has two openings for a tablet. Typically, each of these two openings is placed at either end of the sleeve. The advantage of such a device is that the manufacture is made particularly simple because the device simply consists of a sleeve without the need to close one of the ends of such a sleeve.

The tablets fit loosely into the sleeve, in fact the tablet should not be tightly enclosed by the wall of the sleeve so that the tablet can move relatively freely in the mi 31 r r-5 sleeve. This facilitates the insertion of the tablet into the sleeve and may also promote disintegration of the tablet.

The sleeve has a length and flexibility that allow t to prevent the tablet from escaping from the sleeve 5 during a normal washing operation. In fact, the combination of the length and the flexibility of the sleeve is such as to prevent the release of a tablet inserted into the sleeve. Preferably, the sleeve should have a length and flexibility that allow to wrap the tablet in the sleeve. More preferably, the length and flexibility of the sleeve allows to wrap the sleeve around the tablet so that the wrapping portion of the sleeve goes all the way around the tablet at least once.

In the specific case where the sleeve has only one opening to insert the tablet, the portion of the sleeve used to wrap the tablet is usually the portion of the sleeve that includes the opening, the tablet usually being the other part is opposite the opening.

In another specific case where the sleeve includes two openings, one at each end of the sleeve, the tablet will usually sit roughly in the center of the sleeve, wrapping each of the free end of the sleeve around the tablet.

It should be noted that wrapping can be obtained directly by the user for washing the device together with the tablet in a washing machine, or could also be obtained in the washing machine due to the interaction of the device with the laundry. itself, in combination with the movement brought about by the washing machine.

In a preferred embodiment, the sleeve has a length of at least 10 cm, more preferably at least 17 cm, even more preferably at least 22 cm, and most preferably at least 30 cm.

Preferably, the sleeve has such flexibility that it is freely pliable or bendable. Usually, a material is considered flexible here when it collapses 1013168-6 when subjected to its own weight.

The sleeve has at least one opening to insert the tablet, the sleeve being a permanent opening.

5 Having a permanent opening makes it possible to simplify the production process, since no closing means are required and also facilitates the insertion of the tablet. Such a permanent opening is compensated for by the flexibility and length of the sleeve in that such flexibility and length prevent a tablet from escaping from the sleeve.

Preferably, the device comprises at least one wall, but it can also comprise more than one wall, for example to make it more resistant.

In a preferred embodiment, the flexible water-permeable material is a net material. Such a material can be, for example, woven, extruded or non-woven. Preferably, the material should withstand the high temperature for machine washing, detergent compositions and use over several cycles. It is further preferred that the material is not abrasive to avoid damaging fabrics.

In a preferred embodiment, the device 25 is partially formed of a flexible water impermeable material. A water-impermeable material is screen-tight so that liquid water cannot pass through such a material. The presence of such a screen-tight material makes it possible to prevent the passage of even the thinnest solid particles that can be separated from the tablet by, for example, friction. Thus, when a user who picks up such a device by placing the fingers on the screen-tight material avoids contact between such solid particles or even direct skin contact with the tablet.

In a further preferred embodiment, the device has a part opposite the opening, the part 1013168-7 opposite the opening being formed from the flexible water-impermeable material. A part opposite the opening is to be understood to mean a part located on the bottom of the device, if the opening is at the top of the device. It is preferred that the portion opposite the opening is formed of the flexible water impermeable material to prevent the thinnest solid particles that can be separated from the tablet by, for example, friction from falling through it and depositing on a support for the device before putting the device in a washing machine. In fact, a user will usually place the empty device on a supporting surface, where the portion opposite the opening is in contact with the supporting surface, and insert a tablet into the device through the opening, leaving the tablet together with solid particles which can be separated from the tablet by, for example, putting friction in it, thereby preventing such solid particles from contaminating the supporting surface by means of the impermeable material forming the part opposite the opening.

In another preferred embodiment, the part of the device formed from the flexible water-impermeable material is in the form of tape. Typically, such a band is placed around the device allowing the possible user to place the fingers on the belt when holding the device, thereby minimizing any direct skin contact with the detergent tablet in particular. The device is at least partly formed from a flexible water-permeable material and also partly formed from a flexible water-impermeable material. In essence, the device is preferably formed entirely of the combination of the flexible water-permeable material and the flexible water-impermeable material, although it may include additional optional elements such as closure means or such as structural means. The flexible material that forms the device has a total surface. The total area of the flexible material preferably consists of more than -50% of the permeable material and less than 50% of the impermeable material. More preferably, the total area of the flexible material consists of more than 60% of the permeable material and less than 40% of the impermeable material. Even more preferably, the total area of the flexible material 10 consists of more than 75% of the permeable material and less than 25% of the impermeable material. Most preferably, the total area of the flexible material consists of more than 90% of the permeable material and less than 10% of the impermeable material. Furthermore, the flexible impermeable material should preferably cover a surface of at least half of the total external surface of a laundry detergent tablet. Typically, the flexible impermeable material should have a surface area of at least 10 cm2, more preferably at least 15 cm2, more preferably at least 20 cm2, and most preferably at least 30 cm2.

The invention also relates to a method for dispersing a detergent tablet in an aqueous solution in a washing machine comprising the first step of providing a detergent tablet and a device according to the invention, a second step of putting in the device the tablet and a third step of washing the device containing the tablet in the washing machine.

The method of the invention is particularly advantageous with a tablet with a tensile strength of at least 30 kPa. In fact, it has been found that a high tensile strength tablet will require improved dispersion by means of a device when compared to a low tensile strength tablet. More preferably, the invention relates to a tablet with a tensile strength of at least 40 kPa, even more preferably of at least 50 kPa.

1013168 - 9 -

It should be noted that the method is preferred when two or more tablets are placed in the device. In fact, putting more than one tablet in there may increase disintegration due to mechanical friction between the different tablets. Furthermore, at equivalent total product amount, the surface activity of two tablets will usually be higher than the surface activity of only one tablet.

A kit comprising a device according to the invention and further a plurality of detergent tablets, the device and the multiple detergent tablets being supplied in a package. Usually the package is a cardboard box, the cardboard box containing the detergent tablets which may be present in secondary packages such as flow wraps, the device preferably being collapsible and placed on the top part of the box.

Specific information about detergent tablets is provided in the following paragraphs.

The tablets can contain components such as perfume, surfactants, enzymes, detergent, etc. Typical tablet compositions for the preferred embodiment of the invention are described, for example, in the pending European applicants of applicant 96203471.6, 96203462.5, 96203473.2 and 96203464.1. Elements commonly found in the composition of detergent tablets or other detergent compositions such as liquid or granules are described in the following paragraphs.

30

Highly soluble compounds

The tablet may contain a highly soluble compound. Such a compound could be a mixture or a single compound. A highly soluble compound is defined as follows: 1013168 - 10 -

A solution containing deionized water as well as 20 g per liter of a specific compound is prepared as follows: 1- 20 g of the specific compound is placed in a 5 Sotax beaker. This beaker is placed in a constant temperature bath set at 10 ° C. A marine propeller agitator is placed in the beaker so that the bottom of the agitator is 5 mm above the bottom of the Sotax beaker. The mixer is set at a rotational speed of 200 rpm.

2- 980 g of the deionized water is placed in the Sotax beaker.

3-10 s after the introduction of the water, the conductivity of the solution is measured with a conductivity meter.

4- Step 3 is repeated after 2 0 s, 3 0 s, 40 s, 50 s, 1 min, 2 min, 5 min and 10 min after step 2.

5- The measurement taken after 10 minutes is used as the plateau value or maximum value.

The specific compound of the invention is highly soluble when the conductivity of the solution reaches 80% of the maximum value in less than 10 seconds, starting from the complete addition of the deionized water to the compound. In fact, when the conductivity is monitored in such a way, the conductivity reaches a plateau after a certain time, this plateau being considered the maximum value. Such a compound is preferably in the form of a liquid material consisting of 30 solid particles at temperatures between 10 and 80 ° C for ease of handling, but other shapes may be used such as a paste or a liquid.

Examples of highly soluble compounds include, for example, sodium diisoalkylbenzene sulfonate (DIBS) or sodium toluene sulfonate.

1013188 - 11 -

Cohesive effect

The tablet may comprise a compound having a cohesive effect on the particulate material of a detergent matrix constituting the tablet. The cohesive effect on the particulate material of a detergent matrix forming the tablet or a layer of the tablet is characterized by the force required to break a tablet or layer based on the tested detergent matrix pressed under controlled pressing conditions . For a given compression force, a high tablet or layer strength indicates that the grains adhere strongly when pressed so that a strong cohesive effect occurs. Means for determining tablet or film strength (also referred to as diametral fracture stress) are provided in Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms: Tablets, Vol. 1, H.A. Lieberman et al., Published in 1989.

The cohesive effect is measured by comparing the tablet or layer strength of the original base powder without a compound with a cohesive effect to the 20 tablet or layer strength of a powder mixture containing 97 parts of the original base powder and three parts of the compound with a cohesive effect. contains. The compound having a cohesive effect is preferably added to the matrix in a form substantially free of water (water content below 10% (preferably below 5%)). The temperature of the addition is between 10 and 80 ° C, more preferably between 10 and 40 ° C.

A compound is defined as having a cohesive effect on the particulate material of the invention when, at a given compressive force of 3000 N in tablets weighing 50 g of particulate detergent material and 55 mm in diameter, the tensile strength of the tablet increases by more than 30% (preferably 60 and more preferably 100%) by the presence of 3% of the compound having a cohesive effect in the particulate base material.

1013168 - 12 -

An example of a compound with a cohesive effect is sodium diisoalkyl benzene sulfonate.

When a highly soluble compound having also a cohesive effect on the particulate material used for a tablet or layer formed by compressing a particulate material comprising a surfactant is included, the tablet or layer is dissolved in an aqueous medium or aqueous solution increased significantly. In a preferred embodiment, at least 0.5% by weight of the tablet or layer consists of the highly soluble compound, more preferably at least 0.75% by weight, more preferably at least 2% by weight, and most preferably at least at least 4% by weight of the tablet or layer consists of the highly soluble compound with a cohesive effect on the particulate material.

It should be noted that a composition containing a highly soluble compound as well as a surfactant is described in EP-A-0 524 075, wherein this composition is a liquid composition.

A highly soluble compound with a cohesive effect on the particulate material makes it possible to obtain a tablet with a higher tensile strength at constant compressive force or an equal tensile strength at lower compressive force when compared to traditional tablets. Usually, a whole tablet will have a tensile strength of more than 5 kPa, preferably of more than 10 kPa, more preferably, especially for use in laundry applications, of more than 15 kPa, even more preferably of more than 30 kPa and most preferably greater than 50 kPa, especially for use in dishwashing or automatic dishwashing applications; and a tensile strength of less than 300 kPa, preferably less than 200 kPa, more preferably less than 100 kPa, even more preferably less than 8 kPa, and most preferably less than 60 kPa. In fact, in the case of laundry applications, the tablets should be less compressed than, for example, in the case of automatic dishwashing applications so that dissolution is more easily achieved, so that in a laundry application the tensile strength is preferably lower than 30 kPa.

This makes it possible to produce tablets or layers that have a strength and mechanical resistance comparable to the strength or mechanical resistance of conventional tablets, while having a less compact tablet or less compact layer, so that they dissolve more easily. Furthermore, since the compound is highly soluble, dissolution of the tablet or layer is further facilitated, leading to a synergy leading to easy dissolution of a tablet of the invention.

15 Tablet Manufacture

The tablet can comprise several layers. For the purpose of manufacturing a single layer, the layer itself can be considered a tablet.

Detergent tablets can be easily manufactured by mixing the solid ingredients together and pressing the mixture in a conventional tablet press as used, for example, in the pharmaceutical industry. Preferably, the major ingredients, especially gelling surfactants, are used in particulate form. Any liquid ingredients, for example surfactant or suds suppressor, can be incorporated in the solid particulate ingredients in a conventional manner.

In particular for laundry tablets 30, the ingredients such as builder and surfactant can be spray dried in a conventional manner and then compressed at a suitable pressure. Preferably, the tablets according to the invention are pressed with a force of less than 100000 N, more preferably less than 350000 N, even more preferably less than 5000 N and most preferably less than 3000 N. In fact, the most preferred embodiment is a tablet suitable for laundry pressed 1013168 - 14 - with a force less than 2500 N, but automatic dishwashing tablets may also be considered, for example, such automatic dishwashing tablets are usually more compressed than laundry tablets 5.

The particulate material used to make a tablet can be made by any method of particle formation or granulation. An example of such a method is spray drying (in a co-current or counter-current spray drying tower) which usually gives low bulk densities of 600 g / l or less. Higher density particulate materials can be prepared by granulation and compaction in a high shear batch mixer / granulator or by a continuous granulation and compaction process (eg, with Lodige® CB and / or Lodige® KM mixers). Other suitable methods include fluidized bed methods, densification methods (eg roll compaction), extrusion, as well as any particulate material made by a chemical method such as flocculation, crystallization, sintering, etc. Individual particles can also be any other particle, granule, sphere or grain.

The components of the particulate material can be mixed together by any conventional means. Portion wise is suitable in, for example, a concrete mixer, Nauta mixer, ribbon mixer or any other. Also, the mixing process can be carried out continuously by measuring each component by weight on a moving belt and mixing them in one or more drums or mixers. Non-yellow binder can be sprayed onto the mixture of some, or all, components of the particulate material. Other liquid ingredients can also be sprayed onto the mixture of components either individually or pre-mixed. For example, perfume and optical whitener slurries can be sprayed. A finely divided flow aid (dust-forming agent such as zeolites, carbonates, silicas) can be added to the particulate material after spraying 1013168-15, preferably towards the end of the process, to make the mixture less tacky.

The tablets can be made by any compression method, such as tabletting, briquetting, or extrusion, preferably tabletting. Suitable equipment includes a standard single-stroke or rotary press (such as Coutoy®, Korch®, Manesty®, or Bonals®). The tablets manufactured according to this invention preferably have a diameter of between 20 and 60 mm, preferably of at least 35 and up to 55 mm, and a weight between 25 and 100 g. The height to diameter (or width) ratio of the tablets is preferably greater than 1: 3, more preferably greater than 1: 2. In another preferred embodiment, the tablets have a 15 square cross section of 45 mm by 45 mm and are 25 mm high. The compression pressure used to make these tablets should not exceed 100000 kN / m2, preferably not exceed 30000 kN / m2, more preferably not exceed 5000 kN / m2, more preferably not exceed 20 3000 kN / m2 m2 and preferably do not exceed 1000 kN / m2. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the tablet has a density of at least 0.9 g / cm3, more preferably at least 1.0 g / cm3, and preferably less than 2.0 g / cm3, more preferably less than 1.5 g / cm3, more preferably less than 1.25 g / cm3 and most preferably less than 1.15 g / cm3.

Multilayer tablets are usually formed in rotary presses by placing the particulate matter of each layer one after the other in press feed flasks. As the process continues, the layers of particulate matter are then compressed in the prepress and press step stations to form the multilayer tablet. With some rotary presses it is also possible to press the first food layer before the whole tablet is pressed.

35 Hydrotropic compound

A highly soluble compound with a cohesive effect can be incorporated in a detergent tablet, this compound also being a hydrotropic compound. Such a hydrotropic compound can generally be used to aid surfactant dissolution by avoiding gelling. A specific compound is defined as being hydrotrope as follows (see SE Friberg and M. Chiu, J. Dispersion Science and Technology, 9 (5 & 6), pp. 443-457, (1988-1989)): 1. Er a solution is prepared containing 25% by weight of the specific compound and 75% by weight of water.

2. Octanoic acid is then added to the solution in an amount of 1.6 times the weight of the specific compound in solution, the solution having a temperature of 20 ° C. The solution is mixed in a Sotax beaker with a marine screw stirrer, the screw being about 5 mm above the bottom of the beaker, the mixer set at a rotation speed of 200 rpm.

3. The specific compound is hydrotropic when the octanoic acid is completely dissolved, ie when the solution contains only one phase, the phase being a liquid phase.

It should be noted that in a preferred embodiment of the invention the hydrotropic compound is a liquid material consisting of solid particles at operating conditions between 15 and 60 ° C.

Hydrotropic compounds include the compounds listed below: A list of commercially available hydrotropes can be found in McCutcheon's Emulsifiers and Detergents published by the McCutcheon division of Manufacturing Confectioners Company. Compounds of interest also include: 1013168 - 17 - 1. Nonionic hydrotrope having the following structure: R-O- (CHa-CHJ0) x (CH-CH20) y H 5 CH 3 wherein R is a C 1 -C 10 alkyl chain, x varies from 1 to 15 and y from 3 to 10.

2. Anionic hydrotropes such as alkali metal aryl-10 sulfonates. These include alkali metal salts of benzoic acid, salicylic acid, benzenesulfonic acid and many of its derivatives, naphthoic acid and various hydroaromatic acids. Examples of these are sodium, potassium and ammonium benzene sulfonate salts derived from toluene sulfonic acid, xylene-15 sulfonic acid, cumene sulfonic acid, tetraline sulfonic acid, naphthalene sulfonic acid, methylnaphthalene sulfonic acid, dimethylnaphthalene sulfonic acid, trimethylnaphthalene sulfonic acid, trimethylnaphthonic acid. Other examples include dialkyl benzene sulfonic acid salts such as diisopropyl benzene sulfonic acid salts, ethyl methyl benzene sulfonic acid, alkyl benzene sulfonic acid of an alkyl chain length of 3 to 10 (preferably 4 to 9), linear or branched alkyl sulfonates of an alkyl chain of 1 to 18 carbon atoms.

3. Solvent hydrotropes such as alkoxylated glycerines and alkoxylated glycerides, esters of alkoxylated glycerines, alkoxylated fatty acids, esters of glycerine, polyglycerol esters. Preferred alkoxylated glycerines have the following structure: 1013168

- 18 -R

CH2-0 (-CH2CHO-) mH 5

R

CH2 -0 (-CHlCHO-) mH 10 R

CH2-0 (-CH2CH0-) „H

wherein 1, m and n are each a number from 0 to 20, 15 where 1 + m + n = about 2 to about 60, preferably about 10 to about 45, and R represents H, CH 3, or C 2 H 2.

Preferred alkoxylated glycerides have the following structure: HjC-Ri H C-R2

25 R

h2c-o- (ch2ch-o) -h where Rx and R2 are each CnCOO or - (CH2CHR3-0) XH, where O3 = H, CH3 or C2HS and 1 is a number from 1 to about 60 and n a number is from about 6 to about 24.

4. Polymeric hydrotropes such as those described in EP636687: 35 R R,

I I

- (CH2-C) X- (CH2-C) y-E R2 • i wherein E is a hydrophilic functional group, R is H or a C 1 -C 10 alkyl group or is a hydrophilic functional group; i n 1 s i R 8 - 19 -

R x is H, a lower alkyl group or an aromatic group, R 2 is H or a cyclic alkyl or aromatic group.

The polymer usually has a molecular weight between about 1000 and 1000000.

5. Hydrotrope with unusual structure such as 5-carboxy-4-hexyl-2-cyclohexen-1-yloctanoic acid (Diacide®)

Use of such a compound in the invention would further increase the dissolution rate of the tablet, for example, as a hydrotropic compound that facilitates the dissolution of surfactants. Such a compound could be a mixture or a single compound.

15

Tensile strength

For the purpose of measuring the tensile strength of a layer, the layer itself can be considered a tablet.

Depending on the composition of the starting material and the shape of the tablets, the compression force used can be adjusted so as not to affect the tensile strength and disintegration time in the washing machine. This method can be used to produce homogeneous or layered tablets of any size or shape.

For a cylindrical tablet, the tensile strength corresponds to the diametrical fracture stress (DFS), which is a way of expressing the strength of a tablet or layer, and is determined by the following equation.

30

Tensile strength = 2F / 7rDt

Where F is the maximum force (newtons) to cause tensile fracture (fracture) measured with a VK 200 tablet hardness tester supplied by Van Keil Industries, Inc. D is the diameter of the tablet or layer and t is the thickness of the 1013168-20 tablet or layer. For a non-round tablet, πϋ can easily be replaced by the outline of the tablet.

(Method Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms: Tablets, part 2, biz. 213 to 217).

5 A tablet with a diametral fracture stress of less than 20 kPa is considered to be fragile and is likely to result in some broken tablets being delivered to the user. A diametral fracture stress of at least 25 kPa is preferred.

This also applies to non-cylindrical tablets, to define the tensile strength, where the cross-section is normally round to the height of the tablet and the force is in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the height of the tablet and normally applied to the side of the tablet, the side being perpendicular to the non-circular cross section.

Tablet delivery

The release rate of a detergent tablet can be determined in the following manner:

Two tablets, each nominally 50 grams, are weighed and then placed in the dispenser of a Bauknecht® WA9850 washing machine. The water supply to the washing machine is set at a temperature of 20 ° C and a hardness of 21 grains per gallon, with the water inlet flow rate for the dispenser set at 8 1 / min. The content of tablet residues remaining in the dispenser is checked by turning on the washing machine and setting the wash cycle to 30 wash program 4 (white / color, short cycle). The residual release percentage is determined as follows:% release = residual weight x 100 / original weight of tablet 35 The residual content is determined by repeating the procedure ten times and an average residual content is calculated based on the ten individual measurements. In this 1013168-21 loaded test, a remainder of 40% of the starting tablet weight was considered acceptable. A balance of less than 30% is preferred and less than 25% is more preferred.

It should be noted that the water hardness is given in the traditional "grain per gallon" unit, where 0.001 mol per liter = 7.0 grain per gallon, which represents the concentration of Ca 2+ ions in solution.

10 Effervescent

Detergent tablets may further contain an effervescent.

Effervescence as defined herein means development of gas bubbles from a liquid, resulting from a chemical reaction between a soluble acid source and an alkali metal carbonate to form carbon dioxide gas, ie C6H807 + 3 NaHCO ·, * Na3C6H507 + 3 CO2 + 3 H20 20

Further examples of acid and carbonate sources and other effervescent systems can be found in: Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms: Tablets, part 1, biz. 287 to 291.

An effervescent may be added to the tablet mixture in addition to the detergent ingredients. The addition of this effervescent to the detergent tablet improves the disintegration time of the tablet. The amount will preferably be between 5 and 20% by weight, and most preferably between 10 and 20% by weight, of the tablet. Preferably, the effervescent agent should be added as an agglomerate of the different particles or as a compressed whole and not as separate particles.

Due to the gas generated by the effervescence in the tablet, the tablet may have a higher D.F.S. and have the same disintegration time as a non-effervescent tablet. When the D.F.S. of the effervescent tablet is kept the same as a tablet without it, the disintegration of the effervescent tablet will be faster.

Further aid in dissolution could be provided by using compounds such as sodium acetate or urea. A list of suitable dissolution tools can also be found in Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms: Tablets, Part 1, Second Edition, edited by H.A. Lieberman et al., ISBN 0-8247-8044-2.

10 Upholstery

The firmness of a tablet can be improved by making a coated tablet, the coating covering an uncoated tablet, so that the mechanical properties of the tablet are improved.

This applies very advantageously to multilayer tablets, where the mechanical properties of an elastic layer can be transferred via the coating to the rest of the tablet, so that the advantage of the coating is combined with the advantage of the elastic layer. In fact, mechanical stresses will transfer through the coating, improving the mechanical integrity of the tablet.

In one embodiment of the invention, the tablets can then be coated so that the tablet does not absorb moisture or absorbs moisture only at a very slow rate. The coating is also strong, so that moderate mechanical shocks to which the tablets are exposed during handling, packaging and transportation lead to no more than very low levels of breakage or attrition. Finally, the coating is preferably brittle, so that the tablet breaks up quickly when exposed to a stronger mechanical shock. Furthermore, it is advantageous if the coating material is dissolved under basic conditions, or easily emulsified by surfactants. This helps to avoid the problem of visible residue in a pre-loading washing machine during the washing cycle and also avoids deposition of 1013168-23-undissolved particles or chunks of coating material on the laundry load.

Water solubility is measured according to the test protocol of AS ™ E1148-87 entitled, “Standard Test 5 Method for Measurements of Aqueous Solubility”.

The coating material preferably has a melting point of 40 to 200 ° C.

The coating can be applied in a number of ways. Two preferred methods of coating are a) coating with a molten material and b) coating with a solution of the material.

In a), the coating material is applied at a temperature above its melting point and solidifies on the tablet. At b), the coating is applied as a solution, the solvent being dried to leave a coherent coating. The substantially insoluble material can be applied to the tablet by, for example, spraying or immersion. Usually, when the molten material is sprayed onto the tablet, it will solidify quickly to form a coherent coating. When tablets are immersed in the molten material and then removed, rapid cooling again causes the coating material to solidify quickly. During the clotting phase, the coating 25 undergoes some internal stress (for example, shrinkage on cooling) and external stress (for example, tablet relaxation). This is likely to cause some cracks in the structure such as splitting at the edge if the coating material is too brittle to withstand this mechanical stress, which is often the case when a coating is made only of components that are solid at 25 ° C. In fact, it is preferred that the coating contain a component that is liquid at 25 ° C. It is believed that this liquid component will allow the coating 35 to better withstand and absorb mechanical stress by making the coating structure more flexible. The component which is liquid at 25 ° C is preferably added to the coating materials in amounts of less than 10% by weight of the coating, more preferably less than 5% by weight of the coating and most preferably less than 3 wt%. The component which is liquid at 25 ° C is preferably added to the coating materials in amounts of more than 0.1 wt% of the coating, more preferably more than 0.3 wt% and most preferably more than 0.5 wt% .%. Furthermore, the addition of reinforcing fibers to the coating to further strengthen the structure is preferred.

Preferably, the coating comprises a crystallized structure. By crystallized it is to be understood that the coating comprises a material which is solid at ambient temperature (25 ° C) and has a structure of some order. This can usually be observed with conventional crystallography techniques, eg X-ray analysis, on the material itself. In a more preferred embodiment, the material forming the crystallized structure does not co-crystallize, or only partially, with the aforementioned optional component which is liquid at 25 ° C. In fact, it is preferred that the optional component remains in the liquid crystalline structure at 25 ° C in the coating crystalline structure to provide structure flexibility and resistance to mechanical stress. In another embodiment, the optional component which is liquid at 25 ° C can advantageously have a function in washing laundry, for example, silicone oil that provides foam suppression benefits or perfume oil.

The cladding may also contain other optional components 30. Suitable coating materials are, for example, dicarboxylic acids. Particularly suitable dicarboxylic acids are selected from the group consisting of oxalic, malonic, succinic, glutaric, adipic, pimelic, turmeric, azelaic, sebacic, undecanedioic, dead. Canedioic acid, tridecanedioic acid and mixtures thereof. Most preferred is adipic acid.

1 η n 1 r 8 - 25 -

Of course, substantially insoluble materials with a melting point below 40 ° C are often not sufficiently solid at ambient temperatures and materials with a melting point above 200 ° C have been found to be impractical to use.

Preferably, an acid with a melting point higher than 90 ° C, such as azelaic acid, sebacic acid and dodecanedioic acid, is used. It is even more preferred to use an acid with a melting point above 145 ° C such as adipic acid.

By "melting point" is meant the temperature at which the material when slowly heated in, for example, a capillary tube becomes a clear liquid.

A coating of any desired thickness can be applied according to the invention. For most purposes, the coating forms 1 to 10%, preferably 1.5 to 5%, of the tablet weight.

Tablet coatings are very hard and provide additional strength to the tablet.

Examples of optional components that are liquid at 25 ° C include polyethylene glycols, thermal oil, silicone oil, esters of dicarboxylic acids, mono-carboxylic acids, paraffin, triacetin, perfumes or basic solutions. It is preferred that the structure of the component which is liquid at 25 ° C is close to the material that forms the crystallized structure, so that the structure is not unduly disturbed. In a most preferred embodiment, the crystallized structure is adipic acid, the component which is liquid at 25 ° C and available under the name Coasol "from Chemoxy International being a mixture of the diisobutyl esters of glutaric acid , succinic acid and adipic acid. The advantage of using this component is the good dispersion in adipic acid to provide flexibility. It should be noted that disintegration of the adipic acid is further improved by the adipate content of Coasol ".

1013168 - 26 -

Breaking of the coating in the wax can be improved by adding a disintegrant into the coating. This disintegrant will swell up once. it comes into contact with water and breaks the coating into small pieces. This will improve the dissolution of the coating in the wash solution. The disintegrant is suspended in the coating melt at a level of up to 30%, preferably between 5 and 20%, most preferably between 5 and 10% by weight. Possible disintegrants are described in Handbook 10 of Pharmaceutical Excipients (1986). Examples of suitable disintegrants include starch: natural, modified or pregelatinized starch, sodium starch glycollate; gum: agar gum, guar gum, carob gum, karaya gum, pectin gum, tragacanth gum; croscarmylose sodium, crospovidone, cellulose, carboxymethylcellulose, alginic acid and its salts, including sodium alginate, silicon dioxide, clay, polyvinylpyrrolidone, soy polysaccharides, ion exchange resins, polymers containing cationic groups (for example, quaternary ammonium acrylates), substituted with amine polymerized cationic amino acids such as poly-L-lysine, polyallylamine hydrochloride and mixtures thereof.

Preferably, the coating comprises an acid with a melting temperature of at least 145 ° C such as, for example, adipic acid as well as a clay such as, for example, a bentonite clay, the clay being used as a disintegrant and also to make the structure of adipic acid more suitable for penetration by water, thereby improving the dispersion of the adipic acid in an aqueous medium. Preferred clays have a particle size of less than 75 μπι, more preferably less than 5 3 μτη to obtain the desired effect on the structure of the acid. Bentonite clays are preferred. In fact, the acid has a melting point such that traditional cellulose disintegrants undergo thermal degradation during the coating process, while such clays have been found to be more stable in heat. Furthermore, it has been found that traditional cellulose disintegrants, such as, for example, Nymcel ', turn brown at these temperatures.

In another preferred embodiment, the coating further contains reinforcing fibers. It has been found that such fibers further improve the resistance of the coating to mechanical stress and minimize the occurrence of cleavage errors. Such fibers preferably have a length of at least 10 0 μτη, more preferably at least 200 μτη and most preferably at least 250 μτη to allow reinforcement of the structure. Such fibers preferably have a length of less than 500 μτη, more preferably less than 400 mm, and most preferably less than 350 μτη, so as not to affect the dispersion of the coating in an aqueous medium. Materials that can be used for these fibers include viscose rayon, natural nylon, synthetic nylon (type 6 and 6.66 polyamides), acrylic, polyester, cotton and cellulose derivatives such as CMCs. Most preferred is a cellulose material available under the trademark Solka-Floc ”from Fibers Sales Sc Development. It should be noted that such fibers usually do not require pre-compression to reinforce the coating structure. Such fibers are preferably added at a level of less than 5% by weight of the coating, more preferably less than 3% by weight. Such fibers are preferably added at a level of more than 0.5% by weight of the coating, more preferably more than 1% by weight.

30 Cleansing surfactants

Surfactants are usually present in a detergent composition. Dissolving surfactants are aided by the addition of the highly soluble compound.

Non-limiting examples of surfactants useful herein, at levels usually from about 1 to about 55% by weight, include the usual 101,316 8-28 -C11 alkyl benzene sulfonates ("LAS") and primary branched chain and statistical C10-C20 alkyl sulfates ("AS"), the C10-Cia secondary (2,3) alkyl sulfates of the formula CHj (CH2) x (CHOSOj-m *) CH3 and CH3 (CHj) y (CH0S03-M +) CH2CH3, wherein x5 and (y + 1) are integers of at least about 7, preferably at least about 9, and M is a water-solubilizing cation, especially sodium, unsaturated sulfates such as oleyl sulfates, the C10-C18 alkylalkoxy sulfates ("AEXS"; in particular EO 1-7 ethoxy sulfates), C10-C18-al-10alkylalkoxycarboxylates (especially the EO 1-5 ethoxy carboxylates), the C10-C18 glycerol ethers, the C10 C18 alkyl polyglycosides and their correspondingly sulfated polyglycosides and C12-C18 ar sulfated fatty acid esters. If desired, the usual nonionic and amphoteric surfactants such as the CX2-C18 alkyl ethoxylates ("AE") including the so-called "narrow peak" alkyl ethoxylates and C6-C12 alkyl phenoxyalkoxylates (especially ethoxylates and mixed ethoxy / propoxy), C12-C1B betaines and sulfobetaines ("sultaines"), C10-C18 amine oxides and the like are also included in the total compositions. The C10-C18-N-alkyl polyhydroxy fatty acid amides can also be used. Typical examples include the C12-C18-N-methyl glucamides. See WO92 / 06154. Other derived surfactants include the N-alkoxy polyhydroxy fatty acid amines, such as C10-C18-N (3-methoxypropyl) glucamide. The N-propyl to N-hexyl-C12-C18 glucamides can be used for low foaming. Conventional C10-C20 soaps can also be used. If high foaming is desired, the C10-C16 branched chain soaps can be used. Mixtures of anionic and non-ionic surfactants are particularly useful. Other common useful surfactants are listed in standard texts. In a preferred embodiment, the tablet contains at least 5 wt% surfactant, more preferably at least 15 wt%, even more preferably at least 25 wt%, and most preferably between 35 and 45 wt% surfactant.

101 31S 8 - 29 -

Non-gelling binders

Non-gelling binders can be included in detergent compositions to further facilitate dissolution.

When non-gelling binders are used, suitable non-gelling binders include synthetic organic polymers such as polyethylene glycols, polyvinylpyrrolidones, polyacrylates and water-soluble acrylate copolymers. The Handbook of Pharmaceutical Exci-10 pients, second edition, has the following binder classification: acacia, alginic acid, carbomer, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, dextrin, ethyl cellulose, gelatin, guar gum, hydrogenated oil type I, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose, liquid glucose , magnesium-15 aluminum silicate, maltodextrin, methyl cellulose, polymethacrylates, povidone, sodium alginate, starch and zein. The most preferred binders also have an active detergent in laundry laundering such as cationic polymers, ie ethoxylated quaternary hexamethylene diamine compounds, bishexamethylene triamines or others such as pentamines, ethoxylated polyethylene amines, maleic acrylic acid polymers.

Non-gelling binder materials are preferably sprayed on and thus have a suitable melting temperature below 90 ° C, preferably below 70 ° C and even more preferably below 50 ° C so as not to damage or break down the other active ingredients in the matrix . Most preferred are non-aqueous liquid binders (ie, not in aqueous solution) that can be sprayed in molten form. However, they may also be solid binders incorporated into the matrix by dry addition, but which have bonding properties in the tablet.

Non-gelling binder materials are preferably used in an amount in the range of from 0.1% to 15% of the composition, more preferably less than 5%, and especially when it is a non-wax active material, less than 4 wt. % of the tablet.

1013168 - 30 -

It is preferred that gelling binders, such as nonionic surfactants in their liquid or molten form, be avoided. Non-ionic surfactants and other gelling binders are not excluded from the compositions, but it is preferred that they be incorporated into the detergent tablets as components of particulate materials and not as liquids.

10 Builders

Detergent builders may optionally be included in the compositions herein to assist in controlling mineral hardness. Inorganic as well as organic builders can be used. Builders are usually used in fabric washing compositions to assist in the removal of particulate dirt.

The builder content can vary widely depending on the end use of the composition.

Inorganic or P-containing detergent builders include, but are not limited to, the alkali metal, ammonium, and alkanolammonium salts of polyphosphates (exemplified by the tripolyphosphates, pyrophosphates, and vitreous polymers metaphosphates), phosphonates, phytic acid, silicates, carbonates (including bicarbonates and sesquicarbonates), sulfates and aluminosilicates. However, non-phosphate builders are required in some places. Importantly, even in the presence of the so-called "weak" builders (compared to phosphates) such as citrates, or in the so-called "underbuilt" situation that can occur with zeolite or layered silicate builders, the compositions herein function surprisingly well.

Examples of silicate builders are the alkali metal silicates, especially those with an SiO 2: Na 2 O ratio in the range of 1.6: 1 to 3.2: 1 and layered silicates such as the layered sodium silicates described in U.S. U.S. Patent 4,664,839, issued May 12, 1986, to HP Rieck. NaSKS-6 is the trademark 1013168-31 - of a crystalline layered silicate sold by Hoechst (commonly abbreviated herein as "SKS-6"). Unlike the zeolite builders, the NaSKS-6 silicate builder does not contain aluminum. NaSKS-β has the delta-Na2SiOs morphology-5 form of layered silicate. It can be prepared by methods such as those described in DE-A-3,417,649 and DE-A-3,742,043. SKS-6 is a highly preferred layered silicate for use herein, but other such layered silicates such as those of the general formula NaMSix02xtl * yH 2 O, wherein M is sodium or hydrogen, x a number from 1.9 to 4, preferably is 2 and y is a number from 0 to 20, preferably 0, may be used herein. Several other layered silicates from Hoechst include NaSKS-5, NaSKS-7 and NaSKS-11, such as the alpha, beta-15 and gamma forms. As noted above, the delta-Na2SiOs (NaSKS-6 form) is most preferred for use herein. Other silicates may also be useful, such as, for example, magnesium silicate, which can serve as a stabilizer for oxygen bleaches and as a component of foam control systems.

Examples of carbonate builders are the alkaline earth potassium and alkali metal carbonates as described in German patent application 2,321,001, published November 15, 1973.

Aluminosilicate builders are useful in the invention. Aluminosilicate builders are of great importance in most currently sold heavy duty granular detergent compositions and can also be an important builder ingredient in liquid detergent compositions. Aluminosilicate builders include those with the empirical formula:

Mz (zA102) y] · χΗ20 3 5 where z and y are integers of at least 6, the mol ratio of z to y is in the range of 1.0 1013168 - 32 - to about 0.5 and x is an integer from about 15 to about 264.

Useful aluminosilicate ion exchange materials are commercially available. These aluminosilicates 5 can be crystalline or amorphous in structure and can be naturally occurring aluminosilicates or synthetically derived. A method of producing aluminosilicate ion exchange materials is described in U.S. Patent 3,985,669, Krummel et el., Issued October 12, 1976. Preferred synthetic crystalline aluminosilicate ion exchange materials useful herein are available under the designations Zeolite A, Zeolite P (B), Zeolite MAP and Zeolite X. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the crystalline aluminosilicate ion exchange material has the formula:

Na12 [{AlO2) 12 (SiO2) 12] · χΗ20 20 wherein x is about 20 to about 30, especially about 27. This material is known as Zeolite A. Dehydrated zeolites (x = 0-10) can also be used herein. Preferably, the aluminosilicate has a particle size of about 0.1-10 microns in diameter.

Organic detergent builders suitable for the purposes of the invention include, but are not limited to, a wide variety of polycarboxylate compounds. As used herein, "polycarboxylate" refers to compounds with multiple carboxylate groups, preferably at least 3 carboxylates. Polycarboxylate builder can generally be added to the composition in an acidic form, but it can also be added in the form of a neutralized salt. When used in salt form, alkali metal salts such as sodium, potassium and lithium or alkanolammonium salts are preferred.

Polycarboxylate builders include several categories of suitable materials. An important 1013168-33 category of polycarboxylate builders includes the ether polycarboxylates, including oxydisuccinate, as described in Berg, U.S. Pat. 3,128,287, issued April 7, 1964, and Lamberti et al., U.S. Patent 5 3,635,830, issued 18 January 1972. See also "TMS / TDS" builders of U.S. Patent 4,663,071 issued to Bush et al. on May 5, 1987. Suitable ether polycarboxylates also include cyclic compounds, especially alicyclic compounds, such as those described. 10 in U.S. Patents 3,923,679, 3,835,163, 4,158,635, 4,120,874 and 4,102,903.

Other useful detergent builders include the ether hydroxypolycarboxylates, maleic anhydride copolymers with ethylene or vinyl methyl ether, 1,3,5-trihydroxybenzene-2,4,6-trisulfonic acid and carboxymethyl oxybromic acid, the various alkali metal, ammonium salts and substituted ammonium salts polyacetic acids such as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid and nitrillotriacetic acid, as well as polycarboxylates such as mellitic acid, succinic acid, oxydisuccinic acid, polymaleic acid, benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxylic acid, carboxymethyloxy succinic acid and soluble salts thereof.

Citrate builders, for example citric acid and its soluble salts (especially sodium salt), are carboxylate builders of particular interest for bulk laundry detergent compositions due to their availability from renewable sources and their biodegradability. Citrates can also be used in granular compositions, especially with zeolite 30 and / or layered silicate builders. Oxydisuccinates are also particularly useful in such compositions and combinations.

Also suitable in the detergent compositions of the invention are the 3,3-dicarboxy-4-oxa-1,6-hexanedioates and the related compounds described in U.S. Patent 4,566,984, Bush, issued January 28, 1986. Useful succinic acid builders comprising Cs -C30 alkyl and 1013168 - 34 - alkenyl succinic acids and their salts. A particularly preferred compound of this type is dodecenyl succinic acid. Specific examples of succinate builders include: lauryl succinate, myristyl succinate, palmityl succinate, 2-dodecenyl succinate (preferred), 2-pentadecenyl succinate, and the like. Lauryl succinates are the preferred builders of this group and are described in European patent application 86200690.5 / 0.200.263, published November 5, 1986.

Other suitable polycarboxylates are described in U.S. Patent 4,144,226, Crutchfield et al, issued March 13, 1979 and in U.S. Patent 3,308,067, Diehl, issued March 7, 1967. See also Diehl, U.S. Patent 3,723,322.

Fatty acids, eg C12-C18 monocarboxylic acids, can also be included in the compositions alone or in combination with the aforementioned builders, especially citrate and / or the succinate builders, to provide additional builder activity. Such use of fatty acids will generally lead to a reduction in foaming that could be taken into account by the formulator.

In situations where builders of phosphorus base can be used, and in particular in the composition of bars used for handwashing operations, the various alkali metal phosphates such as the well known sodium tripolyphosphates, sodium pyrophosphate and sodium orthophosphate can be used. Phosphonate builders such as ethane-1-hydroxy-1,1-diphosphonate and other known phosphonates (see, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,159,581, 3,213,030, 3,422,021, 3,400,148, and 3,422,137) may also be used.

Bleach The detergent compositions herein may optionally contain bleaches or bleach compositions containing a bleach and one or more bleach activators. If present, the bleaching agents will usually have levels of from about 1 to about 30%, often from about 5 to about 20% of the detergent composition, especially for fabric washing. If present, the amount of bleach activators will usually be about 0.1 to about 60%, more often about 0.5 to about 40% of the bleaching composition containing the bleach plus bleach activator.

The bleaches used herein may be any of the bleaches useful for detergent compositions in textile cleaning, hard surface cleaning or other cleaning purposes which are now known or will become known. These include oxygen bleaches as well as other bleaches. Perborate bleaches, eg sodium perborate (eg mono- or tetrahydrate) can be used herein.

Another category of bleach that can be used without limitation includes percarboxylic acid bleaches 20 and salts thereof. Suitable examples of this class of agents include magnesium monoperoxyphthalate hexahydrate, the magnesium salt of metachloroperbenzoic acid, 4-nonylamino-4-oxoperoxybutyric acid and diperoxydodecanedioic acid. Such bleaching agents are described in U.S. Patent 4,483,781, Hartman, issued November 20, 1984, U.S. Patent Application 740,446, Burns et al., Filed June 3, 1985, European Patent Application 0,133,354, Banks et al., Published in February 20, 1985 and U.S. Patent 4,412,934, Chung et al., Issued November 1, 1983. Highly preferred bleaches also include 6-nonylamino-6-oxoperoxycaproic acid as described in U.S. Patent 4,634,551, assigned January 6, 1987 to Burns et al.

Peroxygen bleaches can also be used. Suitable peroxygen bleaching compounds include sodium carbonate peroxyhydrate and equivalent "percarbonate" bleaches, sodium pyrophosphate peroxyhydrate, urea peroxyhydroxyl138168-36, and sodium peroxide. Persulfate bleach (e.g., OXONE, commercially manufactured by DuPont) can also be used.

1 A preferred percarbonate bleaching agent 5 comprises dry particles having an average particle size in the range of from about 500 micrometers to about 1000 microns, with no more than 10% by weight of the particles being less than about 200 microns and no more than about 10% by weight of the particles is greater than about 10 1250 microns. Optionally, the percarbonate can be coated with silicate, borate or water-soluble surfactants. Percarbonate is available from various commercial sources such as FMC, Solvay and Tokai Denka.

Blends of bleaches can also be used.

Peroxygen bleaches, the perborates, percarbonates, etc., are preferably combined with bleach activators leading to the in situ formation in aqueous solution (ie, during the washing process) of the peroxyacid corresponding to the bleach activator. Several non-limiting examples of activators are described in U.S. Patent 4,195,854 issued April 10, 1990 to Mao et al., And U.S. Patent 4,412,934. The nonanoyloxybenzene sulfonate (NOBS) and tetracetylethylenediamine (TAED) activators are typical and mixtures thereof can also be used. See also US Patent 4,634,551 for other typical bleaches and activators useful herein.

Highly preferred amido-derived bleach activators are those with the formulas: 1 ^ (1 ^) (:( 0) 1 ^ (:( 0) 1, or r1c (o) n (r5) r2c (o) l Wherein R 1 is an alkyl group of about 6 to about 12 carbon atoms, R 2 is an alkylene of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, R 5 is H or alkyl, aryl or aralkyl of about 1 to 10 carbon atoms, and L is any is a suitable leaving group A leaving group is any group that is replaced by the bleach activator due to the nucleophilic attack on the bleach activator by the perhydrolysis anion A preferred leaving group is phenyl sulfonate.

Preferred examples of bleach activators of the above formulas include (6-octanamidocap-10 royl) oxybenzenesulfonate, (6-nonanamidocaproyl) oxybenzenesulfonate, (6-decanamidocaproyl) oxybenzenesulfonate and mixtures thereof as described in U.S. Patent 4,634,551, herein. reference included.

Another class of bleach activators includes the benzoxazine type activators described by Hodge et al., In U.S. Patent 4,966,723, issued October 30, 1990, incorporated herein by reference. A highly preferred activator of the benzoxazine type is · 20

O

25 © C / -®

Yet another preferred class of bleach activators includes the acyllactam activators, especially acyl caprolactams and acylvalerolactams of formulas 1013168 - 38 - 0 Η ο c-ch2-ch2 ο c-ch2-ch2

. R6-C-N, ch2 r6-c-n ^ I

5 ^ ch2-ch2 ^ ch2-ch2 wherein R8 is H or an alkyl, aryl, alkoxyaryl or alkaryl group 10 TUSt 1 to OTlC [eVOSX "12 carbon fines. Xj3.CtSrn3CtlV3t03TGH Highly Preferred activators include benzoyl caprolactam, octanoyl caprolactam, 3,5,5-trimethylhexanoyl caprolactam, nonanoyl caprolactam, decanoyl caprolactam, undecanoylcaprolactam, faenzoylvalerolactam, octanoyl, deca-15 noylvalerolactam, undecanoylvalerolactam, nonanoylvalero- valerolactam, 3,5,5-trimethylhexanoyl and mixtures thereof. See also U.S. Patent 4,545,784 issued to Sanderson on October 8, 1985, incorporated herein by reference, which describes acyl caprolactams, including benzoyl caprolactam, adsorbed in sodium perborate.

Bleaches other than oxygen bleaches are also known in the art and are used herein. A type of non-oxygen bleach of particular interest includes light-activated bleaches such as the sulfonated zinc and / or aluminum phthalocyanines. See U.S. Patent 4,033,718, issued July 5, 1977 to Holcombe et al. When used, detergent compositions will usually contain from about 0.025% to about 1.25% by weight of such bleaches, especially sulfonated zinc phthalocyanine.

If desired, the bleaching compounds can be catalyzed by means of a manganese compound. Such compounds are well known in the art and include, for example, the manganese-based catalysts described in U.S. Patent 5,246,621, U.S. Patent 5,244,594, U.S. Patent 1013168-39-5,194,416, U.S. Patent 5,114,606 and European Patent Applications. with publication number 549.271A1, 549.272A1, 544.440A2 and 544.490A1. Preferred examples of these catalysts include MnIV2 (uO) 3 {1,4,7-trimethyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononane) 2 (PFe) 2 »Mn11 ^ (u-0) 3 (u-OAc) 2 (1 4,7-trimethyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononane) 2 (CI04) 2, MnIV4 (u-0) 6 (1,4,7-triazacyclononane) 4 (CI04) 4, MnIZIMnIV4 (u-0) 1 (u-OAc) 2_ (1,4,7-trimethyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononane) 2 (CI04) 3, MnIV (1,4,7-trimethyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononane) (0CH3 ) 3 (PF6) and mixtures 10 thereof. Other metal-based bleaching catalysts are those described in U.S. Patent 4,430,243 and U.S. Patent 5,114,611. The use of manganese with various complex ligands to enhance bleaching is also disclosed in the following US patents: 4,728,455, 5,284,944, 5,246,612, 5,256,779, 5,280,117, 5,274,147, 5,153,161, and 5,227 .084.

In practice, and not by way of limitation, the compositions and methods herein can be adjusted so that on the order of at least one part per ten million of the active bleaching catalyst species are supplied in the aqueous wash liquor, and preferably about 0 1ppm to about 700ppm, more preferably about 1ppm to about 500ppm of the catalyst species in the wash liquid.

25

Enzymes

Suitable enzymes for use in the composition of the invention include enzymes selected from cellulases, hemicellulases, peroxidases, proteases, gluco-amylases, amylases, xylanases, lipases, phospholipases, esterases, cutinases, pectinases, keratanases, reductases, oxidases, phenoxy oxidases, lipoxygenases , ligninases, pullulanases, tannases, pentosanases, mannanases, β-glucanases, arabino-sidases, hyaluronidase, chondroitinase, laccase or mixtures thereof. A preferred combination is a cocktail of conventionally applicable enzymes such as protease, amylase, lipase, 1013168-40 cutinase and / or cellulase together with one or more plant cell wall degrading enzymes.

The cellulases useful in the invention include both bacterial cellulases and fungal cellulases. Preferably they will have a pH optimum between 5 and 12 and a specific activity above 50 CEVU / mg (Cellulose Viscosity Unit). Suitable cellulases are described in U.S. Patent 4,435,307, Barbes-goard et al., J61078384 and WO96 / 02653 which describes fungal cellulase derived from Humicola insolens, Trichoderma, Thielavia and Sporotrichum, respectively. EP-729,982 describes cellulases isolated from new Bacillus species. Suitable cellulases are also described in GB-A-2.075.028, GB-A-2.095. 275, 15 DE-OS-2,247,832 and WO95 / 26398.

Examples of such cellulases are cellulases produced by a strain of Humicola insolens (Humicula grisea var. Thermoidea), in particular the Humicola strain DSM 1800. Preferred are these cellulases from Humicola insolens with a molecular weight of about 50 kDa, an iso 5.5 electric point with 415 amino acids and a ~ 43 kD endoglucanase derived from Humicola insolens, DSM 1800, exhibiting cellulase activity; a preferred endoglucanase component has the amino acid sequence described in PCT patent application WO91 / 17243. Suitable cellulases are also the EGIII cellulases of Trichoderma longibrachiatum described in WO94 / 21801, Genencor, published September 29, 1994. Particularly suitable cellulases are cellulases with color protection advantages. Examples of such cellulases are cellulases described in European patent application 91202879.2 filed November 6, 1991 (Novo). Carezyme and Celluzyme (Novo Nordisk A / S) are particularly useful. See also WO91 / 17244 and WO91 / 21801. Other suitable cellulases for care and / or cleaning properties for fabrics are described in WO96 / 34092, WO96 / 17994 and WO95 / 24471.

101 316 8 - 41 -

The cellulases are usually incorporated into the detergent composition at levels from 0.0001% to 2% pure enzyme based on the weight of the detergent composition.

Enzymatic systems can be used as bleaching agents: the hydrogen peroxide can also be present by adding an enzymatic system (ie an enzyme and a substrate for it) that can form hydrogen peroxide at the beginning or during the wash and / or rinse. process. Such enzyme systems are described in European patent application 91202655.6 filed October 9, 1991.

Peroxidase enzymes are used in combination with oxygen sources, for example, percarbonate, perborate, persulfate, hydrogen peroxide, etc., and with a phenol substrate as a bleach-enhancing molecule. They are used for "solution bleaching", ie to prevent transfer of dyes or pigments removed from substrates during wash operations to other substrates in the wash solution. Peroxidase enzymes are known in the art and preferably include horseradish peroxidase, ligninase and haloperoxide phase such as chlorine and bromine peroxidase. Peroxidase-containing detergent compositions are described, for example, in PCT international application 25 W08 9/099813, WO89 / 09813 and in European patent application EP 91202882.6 filed November 6, 1991 and EP 96870013.8 filed February 20, 1996. The laccase enzyme is also suitable.

Improvers are generally present at a level of from 0.1 to 5% by weight of the total composition. Preferred improvers are substituted penthiazine and phenoxazine, 10-phenothiazine propionic acid (PPT), 10-ethylphenothiazine-4-carboxylic acid (EPC), 10-phenoxazine propionic acid (POP), and 10-methylphenoxazine (described in 35 WO94 / 12621) and substituted syringates (C3-C8 substituted alkyl syringates) and phenols. Sodium percarbonate or perborate are the preferred sources of hydrogen peroxide.

101 318 8 - 42 -

The peroxidases are usually included in the detergent composition at levels from 0.0001% to 2% pure enzyme based on the weight of the detergent composition.

Other preferred enzymes that can be included in the detergent compositions of the invention include lipases. Suitable detergent lipase enzymes include those produced by microorganisms of the Pseudomonas group, such as Pseudomonas stutzeri ATCC 10 19,154, as described in British Patent 1,372,034.

Suitable lipases include those that show a positive immunological cross-reaction with the antibodies of the lipase produced by the microorganism Pseudomonas fluorescent IAM 1057. This lipase is available from Amano 15 Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. Nagoya, Japan, under the trade name Lipase P "Amano", hereinafter referred to as "Amano-P". Other suitable commercial lipases include Amano-CES, Chromobacter viscosum lipases, for example Chromobacter viscosum var. lipolytic NRRLB 3 673 3 673 from Toyo Jozo 20 Co., Tagata, Japan; Chromobacter viscosum lipases from U.S. Biochemical Corp., USA and Diosynth Co., The Netherlands and lipases from Pseudomonas gladioli. Particularly suitable lipases are lipases such as M1 LipaseR and Lipomax * (Gist-Brocades) and LipolaseR and Lipolase Ultra "(Novo) which have been found to be very effective when used in combination with the compositions of the invention. Also suitable the lipolytic enzymes described in EP 258068, YJ092 / 05249 and WO95 / 22615 from Novo Nordisk and in WO94 / 03578, WO95 / 35381 and WO96 / 00292 from Unilever.

Also suitable are cutinases [EC 3.1.1.50] which can be considered as a special kind of lipase, namely lipases which do not require interface activation. Addition of cutinases to detergent composition is described in, for example, WO88 / 09367 (Genencor), WO9 0/09446 (Plant Genetic System) and WO94 / 14963 and WO94 / 14964 (Unilever).

1013168 - 43 -

The lipases and / or cutinases are usually included in the detergent composition at levels of 0.0001 to 2% pure enzyme based on the weight of the detergent composition.

Suitable proteases are the subtilisins obtained from certain strains of B. subtilis and B. licheniformis (subtilisin BPN and BPN '). A suitable protease is obtained from a strain of Bacillus with a maximum activity in the pH range of 8-12, developed 10 and sold as ESPERASE® by Novo Industries A / S from

Denmark, hereinafter "Novo". The preparation of this enzyme and analogous enzymes is described in GB 1,243,784 to Novo. Other suitable proteases include ALCALASE®, DURAZYM® and SAVINASE® from Novo and MAXATASE®, MAXACAL®, 15 PROPERASE® and MAXAPEM® (protein engineered MAXACAL) from

Yeast-Brocades. Also suitable for the invention are proteases disclosed in patent applications EP 251446 and WO91 / 06637, protease BLAP® disclosed in WO91 / 027992 and their variants disclosed in WO95 / 23221. See also a high pH protease of Bacillus sp. NCIMB 40338 described in WO93 / 18140 A to Novo. Enzymatic detergents containing protease, one or more other enzymes and a reversible protease inhibitor are described in WO92 / 3529 A to Novo. If desired, a protease with decreased adsorption and increased hydrolysis is available as described in WO95 / 07791 to Procter & Gamble. A recombinant detergent trypsin-like protease suitable herein is described in WO94 / 26583 to Novo. Other suitable proteases are described in Unilever EP 516 200.

Proteolytic enzymes also include modified bacterial serine proteases, such as those described in European Patent Application Serial No. 87303761.8 filed April 28, 1987 (in particular pp. 17, 24 and 98) and herein referred to as "Protease B", and in European Patent Application 199,404, Venegas, published October 29, 1986, relating to a bacterial serine proteolytic 1013168-44 enzyme referred to herein as "Protease A". Suitable is what is termed "Protease C" herein, which is a variant of an alkaline serine protease from Bacillus in which lysine replaces arginine at position 27, replaces tyrosine valine at position 104, replaces serine asparagine at position 123, and replaces alanine threonine at position 274 . Protease C is described in EP 90915958.4, corresponding to WO91 / 06637, published May 16, 1991. Genetically modified variants, particularly Protease C, 10 are also included.

A preferred protease designated as "Protease D" is a carbonyl hydrolase variant with an amino acid sequence not found in nature, which is derived from a precursor carbonyl hydrolase by replacing multiple amino acid residues with another amino acid at a position in the carbonyl hydrolase equivalent to position +76, preferably also in combination with one or more amino acid residues equivalent to those selected from the group consisting of +99, +101, +103, +104, +107, +123, 20 +27, +105, +109, +126, +128, +135, +156, +166, +195, +197, +204, +206, +210, +216, +217, +218, +222, +260, +265 and / or +274 according to the numbering of subtilisin from Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, as described in WO95 / 10591 and in the patent application of C. Ghosh et al., "Bleaching Compositi-25 us Comprising Protease Enzymes" with US Serial No. 08 / 322,677 filed October 13, 1994. Also suitable is a carbonyl hydrolase variant of the protease described in WO95 / 10591 with an am inoic acid sequence derived by replacement of multiple amino acid residues in the precursor enzyme 30 corresponding to position +210 in combination with one or more of the following residues: +33, +62, +67, +76, +100, +101, +103, +104 , +107, +128, +129, +130, +132, +135, +156, +158, +164, +166, +167, +170, +209, +215, +217, +218 and + 222, wherein the numbered position corresponds to naturally occurring Bacillus amyloliquefaciens subtilisin or equivalent amino acid residues in other carbonyl hydrolases or subtilisins, such as Bacillus lentus subtilisin! 1013168-45 - (Pending Patent Application US Serial No. 60 / 048,550 filed June 4, 1997).

More preferred proteases are poly-substituted protease variants. These protease variants include replacement of an amino acid residue with another naturally occurring amino acid residue at an amino acid residue corresponding to position 103 of Bacillus aminoliquefaciens subtilisin in combination with a replacement of an amino acid residue corresponding to positions 1, 3, 4, 8 , 9, 10, 12, 13,16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 24, 27, 33, 37, 38, 42, 43, 48, 55, 57, 58, 61, 62, 68 , 72, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 86, 87, 89, 97, 98, 99, 101, 102, 104, 106, 107, 109, 111, 114, 116, 117, 119, 121, 123 , 126, 128, 130, 131, 133, 134, 137, 140, 141, 142, 146, 15 147, 158, 159, 160, 166, 167, 170, 173, 174, 177, 181, 182, 183, 184, 185, 188, 192, 194, 198, 203, 204, 205, 206, 209, 210, 211, 212, 213, 214, 215, 216, 217, 218, 222, 224, 227, 228, 230, 232, 236, 237, 2, 68, 240, 242, 243, 244, 245, 246, 247, 248, 249, 251, 252, 253, 254, 255, 256, 257, 258, 20 259, 260, 261 , 262, 263, 265, 268, 269, 270, 271, 272, 274, 275 of Bacillus a subtilisin myloliquefaciens; wherein when the protease variant includes a replacement of amino acid residues at positions corresponding to 103 and 76, there is also a replacement of an amino acid residue at one or more amino acid residues other than amino acid residues according to positions 27, 99, 101, 104, 107, 109 , 123, 128, 166, 204, 206, 210, 216, 217, 218, 222, 260, 265 or 264 of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens subtilisin and / or protease variants with multiple replacement comprising replacing an amino acid residue with another naturally occurring amino acid residue at one or more amino acid residue positions corresponding to positions 62, 212, 230, 232, 252, 257 of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens subtilisin as described in PCT Applications PCT / US98 / 22588, PCT / US98 / 22482 35 and PCT / US98 / 22486 all filed October 23, 1998 by The Procter & Gamble Company.

1013168 - 46 -

The proteolytic enzymes are included in the detergent compositions of the invention at a level of 0.0001% to 2%, preferably 0.001% to 0.2%, more preferably 0.005% to 0.1% pure enzyme by weight of the 5 composition.

Amylases (α and / or β) can be included for the removal of carbohydrate-based stains. WO94 / 02597, Novo Nordisk A / S, published February 3, 1994, discloses cleaning compositions containing mutant amylases. See also WO95 / 0603, Novo Nordisk A / S, published April 20, 1995. Other amylases known for use in cleaning compositions include both a- and 0-amylases. α-amylases are known in the art and include those described in US Patent 5,003,257, EP 252,666, WO91 / 00353, FR 2,676,456, EP 285,123, EP 525,610, EP 368,341 and British Patent Application 1,296,839 (Novo). Other suitable amylases are stability-enhanced amylases described in WO94 / 18314 published August 18, 1994 and WO96 / 05292, Genencor, published February 22, 1996 and amylases with additional modification in the immediate parent compound available from Novo Nordisk A / S, described in WO95 / 10603, published April 1995. Also suitable are amylases described in EP 277 216, WO95 / 26397 and WO96 / 23873 (all from Novo Nordisk). Examples of commercial α-amylase products are Purafect Ox Am® from Genencor and Termamyl®, Ban®, Fungamyl® and Duramyl®, all available from Novo Nordisk A / S Denmark. WO95 / 26397 describes other suitable amylases: α-amylases characterized in that they have a specific activity which is at least 25% higher than the specific activity of Termamyl® in a temperature range of 25 to 55 ° C and at a pH value in a range from 8 to 10, measured by the Phadebas® α-amylase activity assay. Preferred are variants of the above enzymes described in WO96 / 23873 (Novo Nordisk). Preferably, the variants exhibiting that improved thermal stability are more preferably those in which at least one amino acid residue equivalent to F280, R181, G182, T183, G184 or K185 has been removed from the parent α-amylase. Especially preferred are those variants with improved thermal stability which include the amino acid deletions R181 * + G182 * or T183 * + G184 *. Other amylolytic enzymes with improved properties over the activity level and the combination of thermal stability and a higher activity level are described in WO95 / 35382.

The amylolytic enzymes are included in the detergent composition of the invention at a level of 0.0001% to 2%, preferably 0.00018% to 0.06%, more preferably 0.00024% to 0.048% pure enzyme based of the weight of the composition.

The above enzymes may be of any suitable origin, such as vegetable, animal, bacterial, or fungal and yeast origin. The origin may further be mesophilic, extremophilic (psychrophilic, psychrotrophic, thermophilic, barophilic, alkalophilic, acidophilic, halophilic, etc.). Purified or non-purified forms of these enzymes can be used. Also included by definition are natural enzyme mutants. Mutants can be obtained, for example, by protein and / or genetic engineering, chemical and / or physical modifications of natural enzymes. Also common is expression of the enzyme via host organisms in which the genetic material responsible for the production of the enzyme has been cloned.

The enzymes are usually included in the detergent composition at levels from 0.0001% to 2% pure enzyme based on the weight of the detergent composition. The enzymes can be added as separate single ingredients ("prills", granules, stabilized liquids, etc. containing one enzyme) or mixtures of two or more enzymes (eg, cogranulates).

1013168 - 48 -

Other suitable detergent ingredients that can be added are enzyme oxidation scavengers described in pending European patent application 92870018.6 filed January 31, 1992. Examples of such enzyme oxidation scavengers are ethoxylated tetraethylene polyamines.

A series of enzyme materials and agents for their incorporation into synthetic detergent compositions are also described in WO93 / 07263A and WO93 / 02760A in the name of Genencor International, WO98 / 08694A in the name of Novo and US 3,553,139, January 5, 1971 in the name of McCarty et al. already.

Enzymes are further described in US 4,101,457, Place et al, July 18, 1978 and in US 4,507,219, Hughes, March 26, 1985. Enzyme materials useful for liquid detergent compositions and their incorporation into such compositions are described in US 4,261,868, Hora et al, April 14, 1981. Enzymes for use in detergents can be stabilized by various techniques. Enzyme stabilization techniques are described and illustrated in US 3,600,319 August 17, 1971, Gedge et al., EP 199,405 and EP 200,586, October 29, 1986, Venegas. Enzyme stabilization systems are also described, for example, in US 3,519,570. A useful Bacillus sp. AC13 giving proteases, xylanases and cellulases is described in Novo WO94 / 01532A.

Other components commonly used in detergent compositions and which can be included in detergent tablets include chelating agents, soil release agents, anti-redeposition agents, dispersants, suds suppressors, fabric softeners, dye inhibitors and perfumes.

The compounds described above for a product are advantageously packaged in a packaging system.

A packaging system can be formed from a sheet of flexible material. Materials suitable for 1013168-49 use as a flexible sheet include monolayer, co-extruded or laminated films. Such films can contain various components, such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene and polyethylene terephthalate. Preferably, the packaging system consists of a coextruded film of polyethylene and bi-oriented polypropylene with an MVTR of less than 5 g / day / m2. The MVTR of the packaging system is preferably less than 10 g / day / m2, more preferably less than 5 g / day / m2. The film (2) 10 can have different thicknesses. The thickness should usually be between 10 and 150 μτα, preferably between 15 and 120 μτη, more preferably between 20 and 100 μτα, more preferably between 25 and 80 μπι, and preferably between 30 and 40 μτα.

A packaging material preferably comprises a barrier layer, usually found in packaging materials with a low oxygen transmission rate, usually less than 300 cmVmV day, preferably less than 150 cm3 / m2 / day, more preferably less than 100 cm3 / m2 / day, more preferably less than 50 cm3 / m2 / day and preferably less than 10 cm3 / m2 / day. Typical materials with such barrier properties include bi-oriented polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, nylon, poly (ethylene vinyl alcohol) or laminated materials containing any one of these, as well as SiOx (silicon oxide), or metal foils, such as, for example, aluminum foil. Such packaging material can have a favorable influence on the stability of the product during storage, for example.

The packaging methods used typically include the wrapping methods described in WO92 / 20593, including flow wrapping or wrapping. If such methods are used, a longitudinal seal which may be a fin seal or an overlapping seal is provided, after which a first end of the packaging system is closed with a first end seal, followed by closure of the second end with a second end seal . The packaging system may include reclosing means as described in WO92 / 20593. In particular, the use of 1013168 - 50 - a twist lock, a cold seal material or an adhesive is very suitable. In fact, a tape of cold seal material or a tape of the adhesive can be applied to the surface of the packaging system in a position adjacent to the second end of the packaging system, so that this tape can provide both the initial seal and the reclose of the packaging system. to deliver. In such a case, the tape of adhesive or cold sealant may correspond to an area having a cohesive surface, that is, a surface that will adhere only to another cohesive surface. Such reclosing means may also include spacers that will prevent unwanted adhesion. Such spacers are described in WO95 / 13225, published May 18, 1995. A number of spacers and a number of strips of adhesive material may also be present. The main requirement is that communication between the exterior and interior of the packaging must be minimal even after first opening the packaging system. A cold seal material can be used, in particular a cold seal material grid, the cold seal material being adapted to facilitate opening of the packaging system.

The invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 illustrates a first embodiment of a device according to the invention.

Figure 2 illustrates the device of Figure 1, wherein a detergent tablet is inserted into the device.

Figure 3 illustrates the device of Figure 1, the device containing a detergent tablet.

Figure 4 illustrates the device and tablet of Figure 3 35 before being put in a washing machine.

Figure 5 illustrates a second embodiment of a device according to the invention.

101 3168 - 51 -

Figure 6 illustrates the device of Figure 5, wherein a detergent tablet is inserted into the device.

Figure 7 illustrates the device of Figure 5, the device containing a detergent tablet.

Figure 8 illustrates the device and tablet of Figure 7 before being put in a washing machine.

The device 11 of Figure 1 is simply formed from a sleeve 3 made of a flexible permeable net material with two openings 40, 41, each located at one end of the sleeve 3. As illustrated in Figure 2, a detergent tablet can be inserted into the sleeve 3 illustrated in Figure 1 so that a combination of the device 11 of the invention containing a detergent tablet 2 as illustrated in Figure 3 is obtained, wherein the tablet 2 fits loosely into the sleeve 3. Optionally, each end of sleeve 3 can be wrapped around the tablet as illustrated in Figure 4, although such wrapping will usually occur in the washing machine due to the interaction between the laundry to be washed and sleeve 3, so that usually the tablet 2 is prevented from escaping from the sleeve 3. An advantage of using such a sleeve is that the manufacture can be greatly simplified when compared to other tablet dispersing devices, whereby a very long sleeve can first be manufactured and the very long sleeve is then simply cut directly into several sleeves 3 according to the invention.

The device 10 of Figure 5 is formed of a sleeve 3 made of a flexible permeable net material with only one opening at one end of the sleeve. As illustrated in Figure 6, a detergent tablet 2 may be inserted into the sleeve 3 illustrated in Figure 5 to obtain a combination of the device 10 of the invention containing a detergent tablet 2 as illustrated in Figure 7, wherein the tablet 2 is loosely packed in the sleeve 3 fits.

Optionally, the end of the sleeve containing the opening 40 may be wrapped around the tablet 2 as illustrated in Figure 8, although such a wrap will usually occur in the washing machine due to the interaction between the cartridge 1013168 - 52. wash laundry and the sleeve to prevent the tablet from escaping from the sleeve 3.

1013168

Claims (10)

5 A device (10, 11) for dispersing a detergent tablet (2), 10, the device (10, 11) comprising a sleeve (3) with at least one opening (40) for inserting the tablet (2), the sleeve (3) being at least partially formed of a water-permeable material and the tablet (2) fitting loosely into the sleeve (3), characterized in that the sleeve (3) has a length and a flexibility that allow prevent the tablet (2) from escaping from the sleeve (3) during a normal washing operation, the opening (40) being a permanent opening. The device (10, 11) according to claim 1, 20, wherein the sleeve has a length and a flexibility allowing to wrap the tablet in the sleeve. The device (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the sleeve has only one opening (40). Device (11) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sleeve has two openings (40, 41). Dispensing device (10, 11) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the water-permeable material is a net material. Dispensing device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the device is partly formed of a flexible water-impermeable material. A method for dispersing a detergent tablet (2) in an aqueous solution in a washing machine comprising the first step of providing a detergent tablet (2) and a device (10, 11) according to any one of the preceding claims, a second step of putting the tablet (2) in the device (10, 11) and a third step of putting the device (10, 11) containing the tablet (2) in the washing machine. The method of claim 7, wherein the tablet (2) has a tensile strength of at least 30 kPa. A method according to any of claims 7 or 8, wherein two or more detergent tablets (2) are inserted into the device (10, 11). Kit comprising a device (10, 11) according to any one of claims 1 to 6 and a plurality of detergent-10 tablets (2), wherein the device (10, 11) and the multiple detergent tablets (2) are supplied in a package .