NL8801792A - STABLE NON-AQUEOUS CLEANING COMPOSITION, CONTAINING FILLING MATERIAL OF LOW DENSITY, AND METHOD FOR USE THEREOF. - Google Patents

Description

VO 1199

Title: Stable non-aqueous cleaning composition containing low density filler material and method for its use.

The invention relates to non-aqueous liquid compositions for the treatment of fabrics. More particularly, the invention relates to non-aqueous laundry detergent compositions which are stable to phase separation and gel formation and are easily pourable, to a method of preparing these compositions, and to the use of these compositions for cleaning dirty fabrics.

Heavy duty liquid non-aqueous laundry detergent compositions are well known. Compositions of this type may contain a liquid nonionic surfactant material in which particles of a builder are dispersed, such as e.g. described in U.S. Patents 4,316,812, 3,630,929, 4,254,466 and 4,661,280.

Liquid detergents are often thought to be easier to use than dry powder or particulate products and have therefore found favorable reception among consumers. They are easy to measure, quickly dissolve in the wash water and can be easily applied to dirty clothes to be washed in concentrated solutions or dispersions, do not dust and usually take up less storage space. Furthermore, the liquid detergents in their composition may contain materials which cannot be dried without deterioration, which materials are often desirable for use in the preparation of particulate detergent products.

While liquid detergents have many advantages over unitary or particulate solid products, they also have certain drawbacks that must be overcome in order to produce acceptable commercial detergent products. Some such products show separation on storage and others on cooling and are not easily redispersible. The product viscosity changes in some cases and becomes either too thick to be poured or so thin that the product appears watery. When standing, some clear products become cloudy and others form a gel.

In an extensive study of the rheological behavior of non-ionic liquid surfactant systems containing particulate matter suspended therein, particular attention was paid to non-aqueous build-up liquid detergent compositions and the problems of phase separation and settling of the suspended build-up material and an-10. other detergent additives. Such phenomena affect e.g. the pourability, dispersibility and stability of the product.

The rheological behavior of the non-aqueous build-up liquid laundry detergents can be compared with the rheological behavior of paints, in which the suspended building material particles correspond to the inorganic pigment and in which the non-ionic liquid surfactant corresponds to the non-aqueous paint carrier.

It is known that one of the major problems with built up liquid laundry detergents is their physical stability. This problem arises from the fact that the density of the solid suspended particles 20 is greater than that of the liquid matrix. As a result, the particles tend to settle according to Stoke's law. There are basically two solutions to this settling problem: increasing the viscosity of the liquid matrix and reducing the particle size of the solid material.

It is e.g. it is known that such anti-settling suspensions can be stabilized by the addition of inorganic or organic thickeners or dispersants, such as very large surface inorganic materials, e.g. finely divided silica, clay material and the like, organic thickeners such as cellulose ethers, acrylic and acrylamide polymers, polyelectrolytes and the like. Such an increase in the viscosity of the slurry is, of course, limited by the requirement that the liquid slurry be easily pourable and liquid even at low temperature. Furthermore, these additives do not contribute to the cleaning behavior of the composition. U.S. Patent No. 4,661,280 describes the use of aluminum 8801792-3-urastearate to increase the stability of builder salt suspensions in liquid nonionic surfactant. The addition of small amounts of aluminum stearate increases the yield stress without increasing the plastic viscosity.

According to US Patent 3,985,668, an aqueous apparently viscous abrasive cleaning composition is prepared from an aqueous liquid and a suitable colloid-forming material, such as clay or other inorganic or organic thickening or suspending agent, in particular smectite clay material, and a relatively light, water-insoluble particulate filler material which, like the abrasive material, is suspended through the apparently viscous liquid phase. The light filler material has particle diameters of 1 - 250 µm and less specific gravity than the apparently viscous liquid phase.

The patent states that incorporation of the relatively light insoluble filler material into the apparently viscous phase helps minimize phase separation, ie minimize the formation of a clear liquid layer above the apparently viscous abrasive composition, in the firstly, thanks to the buoyancy of the filler material, which exerts an upward force on the structure of the colloid-forming agent in the apparently viscous phase, which tends to compress the apparently viscous structure and liquid out of the viscous viscous liquid counteracts. Second, the filler material acts as a mass-forming agent, replacing a portion of the water that would normally be used in the absence of the filler material, whereby less aqueous liquid is available to cause clear coat formation and secretion .

British patent application GB 2,168,377A discloses aqueous liquid dishwashing detergent compositions with an abrasive colloidal clay thickener and low density particulate filler with particle sizes of 1 - 250 µm and a density of 0.01 - 0.5 g / cm3, used in a amount of 0.07-1% by weight, based on the composition. The filler material is said to improve stability by reducing the specific gravity of the clay to float in the liquid phase of the composition. The filler material is selected in terms of type and amount such that the specific gravity of the final composition is matched to that of the clear liquid (i.e. the composition without clay or abrasive materials). The low density particulate fillers mentioned on pages 4, lines 33 to 35 of the British patent application can also be used as low density particles in the compositions according to the invention.

It is also known to use a very large surface inorganic insoluble thickener or dispersant, such as finely divided silica with an extremely fine particle size (eg 5-100 nm, as available under the brand name Aerosil) or the other high-volume inorganic carrier materials , described in U.S. Patent 3,630,929.

U.S. patent application filed July 17, 1987 (reference number IR-347LG) discloses incorporation into non-aqueous liquid compositions for the treatment of fabrics of up to about 1% by weight of an organophilic water-swellable smectite clay, modified with a cationic nitrogen-containing compound containing at least one long hydrocarbon chain of 8-22 carbon atoms, forming an elastic network or structure through the slurry to increase the yield value and increase the stability of the slurry.

Grinding while reducing particle size as a means of increasing product stability offers the following advantages: 1. The specific surface area of the particles is increased, where wetting of the particles by the non-aqueous carrier (liquid non-ionic) makes them proportional improved.

2. The average distance between pigment particles is reduced with a proportional increase in the interaction between the particles.

Each of these effects contributes to an increase in the residual gel strength and the yield stress of the suspension, while at the same time grinding significantly reduces the plastic viscosity.

Said U.S. Patent 4,316,812 describes the beneficial effects of grinding solid particles, e.g. builder and bleach, to an average particle diameter of less than 10 µm.

<.8801792 - 5 -

However, it has been found that grinding to such small particle sizes alone does not in itself provide sufficient long-term stability against phase separation.

There is therefore a need for further improvements in the stability of non-aqueous liquid compositions for the treatment of fabrics.

An object of the invention is to provide liquid compositions for the treatment of fabrics, which are suspensions of insoluble fabric-treating particles in a non-aqueous liquid, which compositions are storage stable, can be poured easily and in cold, warm or hot water are dispersible.

It has been found that by adding a small amount of low density filler material to the non-aqueous liquid suspension, the filler material and other functional suspended particles unexpectedly interact such that essentially a suspension of particles having a density of substantially the same value as that of the continuous liquid phase, allowing settling of the suspended solid tissue-treating particles, e.g. detergent builder, bleach, antistatic agent and the like, is inhibited and conversely also the formation of a clear liquid phase is inhibited.

In one aspect, therefore, the invention relates to a heavy duty liquid detergent composition composed of a suspension of a detergent build-up salt in a liquid nonionic surfactant, which composition contains an amount of low density filler material to enhance the stability of the suspension.

In another aspect, the invention relates to a method of cleaning soiled fabrics by contacting these soiled fabrics with the non-aqueous laundry detergent composition as described above.

In a further aspect, the invention relates to a method for stabilizing a suspension of a first finely divided particulate solid in a continuous liquid carrier phase, which suspended solids have a greater density than the .8801792 -6 liquid phase, according to which method a quantity of finely divided filler material is added to the suspension of solid particles, which filler material has a smaller density than the liquid phase, such that the density of the dispersed solid particles together with the filler material becomes equal to the density of the liquid phase.

The liquid phase of the non-aqueous liquid detergent composition according to the invention consists wholly or predominantly of liquid nonionic synthetic organic detergent. However, a portion of the liquid phase may be composed of organic solvents, which may enter the composition as solvents or carriers for one or more of the solid particulate components, such as enzyme suspensions, perfumes and the like. As will be described in more detail, organic solvents, such as alcohols and ethers, can also be added as viscosity control and anti-gelling agents.

In the practice of the invention, the nonionic synthetic organic detergents to be used can be selected from a wide variety of such compounds, which are well known and e.g. described in detail in Surface Active Agents, Vol. II by Schwartz, Perry and Berch, published in 1958 by Interscience 20 Publishers, and in McCutcheon's Detergents and Emulsifiers, 1969 Annual. Usually, the nonionic detergents are poly-low alkoxylated lipophiles in which the desired hydrophilic-lipophilic balance is obtained by addition of a hydrophilic poly-layer alkoxy group to a lipophilic molecular moiety. A preferred class of nonionic detergents to be used is poly-low alkoxylated high alkanols, in which the alkanols contain 10-22 carbon atoms and in which the number of molecules of low alkylene oxide (2 or 3 carbon atoms) is 3-20. Preferably, such materials are used such that the higher alkanol is a fatty alcohol with 10-11 or 12-15 carbon atoms, and containing 5-18, preferably 6-14 lower alkoxy groups per mole.

The lower alkoxy is often ethoxy, but it may in some cases be desirably mixed with propoxy, which is then often used in a minor (less than 50%) amount. Examples of such compounds are those in which the alkanol contains 12-15 carbon atoms and in which about 7 ethylene oxide groups are present per mole. 8801792-7, e.g. Neodol 25-7 and Neodol 23-6.5, which products are manufactured by Shell Chemical Company, Inc. are being produced. The former product is a condensation product of a mixture of higher fatty alcohols having an average of about 12-15 carbon atoms with about 7 moles of ethylene-5 oxide, and the latter product is a corresponding mixture in which the number of carbon atoms of the fatty alcohol is 12-13. number of ethylene oxide groups averages about 6.5. The higher alcohols are primary alcohols. Other examples of such detergents are Tergitol 15-S-7 and Tergitol 15-S-9, both of which are linear se-10 secondary alcohol ethoxylates manufactured by Union Carbide Corp. The former is a mixed ethoxylation product of a linear secondary alkanol of 11-15 carbon atoms with 7 moles of ethylene oxide, and the latter is a similar product, but with 9 moles of ethylene oxide.

Also useful in the present compositions as a component of the nonionic detergent are higher molecular weight nonionic materials, such as Neodol 45-11, which are also condensation products of ethylene oxide and higher fatty alcohols, in which the higher fatty alcohol contains 14-15 carbon atoms and the number of ethylene oxide groups per mole is about 11-20. Such products are also produced by Shell Chemical Company. Another preferred class of suitable nonionic materials is the reaction products of a higher linear alcohol and a mixture of ethylene and propylene oxide containing a mixed chain of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide ending in a hydroxyl group. Examples are the nonionic materials, available under the brand name Plurafac from BASF, such as Plurafac RA30, Plurafac RA40 (a C ^ “C fatty alcohol condensed with 7 moles propylene oxide and 4 moles ethylene oxide), Plurafac D25 (a C ^ - C ^ fatty alcohol condensed with 5 moles of propylene oxide and 10 moles of ethylene oxide), Plurafac 30 B26 and Plurafac RA50 (a mixture of equal amounts of Plurafac D25 and Plurafac RA40).

Generally, the mixed ethylene oxide-propylene oxide-fatty alcohol condensation products of the general formula RO (C_HcO) (C_H.0) H 3 6 p 2 4 q 35 where R may be a linear or branched primary or secondary aliphatic Γ880 f792-8-hydrocarbon group, at preferably alkyl or alkenyl, with particular preference for alkyl, with 6-20, preferably 10-18 and most preferably 12-18 carbon atoms, p is a number with a value of 2-8, preferably 3-6, and q a number is from 2 to 12, preferably from 4 to 10, advantageously used when little foaming is desired. These surfactants also have the advantage of low gelling temperatures.

Another group of liquid nonionic materials is available from Shell Chemical Company, Inc. under the trade name Dobanol: Dobanol 91-5 is an ethoxylated CQ-C .. fatty alcohol with an average of 5 µmole of ethylene oxide; Dobanol 25-7 is an ethoxylated C 2 fatty alcohol with an average of 7 moles of ethylene oxide, etc.

In order to obtain the best balance of hydrophilic and lipophilic molecular moieties in the preferred poly-lower alkoxy higher alkanols, the number of lower alkoxy groups will usually be 40-100% of the number of carbon atoms in the higher alcohol, such as 40-60% thereof. the nonionic detergent often contains at least 50% of such poly-lower alkoxy higher alkanol.

Higher molecular weight alkanols and various other normally solid non-ionic detergents and surfactants may contribute to gel formation of the liquid detergent and will therefore be omitted or limited in amount in the present compositions, although minor amounts may be reduced for their cleaning properties and the like applied. In both the preferred and the less preferred nonionic detergents, the alkyl groups contained therein are generally linear, although branching may be allowed, e.g. on a carbon atom next to or 2 carbon atoms from the terminal carbon of the linear chain and on the other side of the alkoxy chain, provided that such branched alkyl is no longer than 30 carbon atoms. Normally, the number of carbon atoms in such a branched configuration will be minor and rarely exceed 20% of the total carbon atom content of the alkyl. Although linear alkyl groups which are terminally bound to the alkylene oxide chains are highly preferred and are believed to result in the best combination of detergent, biodegradability and non-yellowing properties, medial or secondary prevent binding to the alkylene oxide in the chain. This is usually in only a minor number of such alkyl groups, usually less than 20%, but that number may also be greater, as is the case with the said Tergitols. When propylene oxide is present in the lower alkylene oxide chain, it will usually be less than 20% thereof, and preferably less than 10% thereof.

When using larger amounts of non-terminal alkoxylated alkanols, propylene oxide containing poly-layer alkoxy-alkanols and non-ionic detergent with a less favorable hydrophilic-lipophilic balance than described above, and when using other non-ionic detergents in Instead of the preferred nonionic materials mentioned herein, the product may not have such good detergent, stability, viscosity and non-gelling properties as the preferred compositions, but may utilize viscosity and gelling control compounds then improve the properties of the detergents based on such nonionic materials. In some instances, such as when a high molecular weight poly-low alkoxy-higher alkanol is used, often because of its detergent, the amount thereof will be controlled or limited according to the results of routine tests, to obtain the desired detergent while the product is still non-gel-forming and has the desired viscosity. It has also been found that it is rarely necessary to use the high molecular weight nonionic materials because of their detergent properties, as the nonionic materials described herein are excellent detergents and also allow to achieve the desired viscosity in the liquid detergent without gel formation at low temperatures. Mixtures of two or more of these liquid non-ionic materials can also be used, and in some cases advantages can be realized by using such mixtures.

Because of their low gelling temperatures and low pour points, another preferred class of nonionic surfactants include the O 2 2 C 3 secondary fatty alcohols with relatively narrow levels of ethylene oxide in the range of 7-9 moles, especially 8801792 - 10 - about 8 moles of ethylene oxide per molecule, and the C 8 -, especially fatty alcohols, ethoxylated with about 6 moles of ethylene oxide.

Furthermore, it may be advantageous in the compositions of the invention to include an organic solvent or diluent, which can act as a viscosity control and gel inhibitor for the liquid nonionic surfactants. Low (C 1 -C 8) aliphatic alcohols and glycols, such as ethanol, isopropanol, ethylene glycol, hexylene glycol and the like have been used for this purpose. Polyethylene glycols, such as PEG 400, are also suitable diluents. Alkylene glycol ethers, such as the compounds available under the trade names Carbopol and Carbitol, which contain relatively short hydrocarbon chain lengths - Cg) and low ethylene oxide content (about 2-6 EO units per molecule) are particularly suitable viscosity control and anti-gelling solvents in the compositions of the invention. This use of the alkylene glycol ethers is described in U.S. patent application 687,815, filed December 31, 1984. Suitable glycol ethers have the formula RO (CHoCH-O) H 2 2 n where R represents a C 2 -C 8, preferably-C 6 alkyl group and n 20 a number with an average value of about 1-6, preferably 1-4.

Specific examples of suitable solvents are ethylene glycol monoethyl ether (C ^ Hg-O-CH ^ CH2OH), diethylene glycol monobutyl ether

(C „H -O- (CELCELO)„ H), tetraethylene glycol monoooctyl ether (C0H .- 0- (CH „-4 9 112. ol / Z

25 ° C ^ O ^ H) and the like. Diethylene glycol monobutyl ether is particularly preferred.

Another suitable anti-gelling agent which can be included as a minor component of the liquid phase is an aliphatic linear or aliphatic monocyclic dicarboxylic acid, such as the C 30 alkyl and alkenyl derivatives of succinic or maleic acid and the corresponding anhydrides or an aliphatic monocyclic dicarboxylic acid compound. The use of these compounds as anti-gelling agents in non-aqueous liquid heavy duty laundry detergent compositions is described in U.S. Patent Application 756,334, filed July 18, 1985.

^ 8801792 - 11 -

These gel inhibiting compounds are aliphatic linear or aliphatic monocyclic dicarboxylic acid compounds. The aliphatic part of the molecule can be saturated or ethylenically unsaturated and the aliphatic linear part can be linear or branched. The aliphatic monocyclic molecules can be saturated or contain a single double bond in the ring. Furthermore, the aliphatic hydrocarbon ring may contain 5 or 6 ring atoms, ie cyclopentyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl or cyclohexenyl, where one carboxyl group is directly bonded to a ring carbon atom and the other carboxyl group is ringed by a linear alkyl or alkenyl group be bound to.

The aliphatic linear dicarboxylic acids have at least 6 carbon atoms in the aliphatic molecule portion and can be alkyl or alkenyl with at most about 14 carbon atoms, preferably 8-13 carbon atoms and most preferably 9-12 carbon atoms. One of the carboxyl groups (-COOH) is preferably bonded to the terminal (alpha) carbon of the aliphatic chain and the other carboxyl group is preferably bonded to the adjacent (beta) carbon or at a distance of 2 or 3 carbon atoms from the Oi 'position are attached, ie to the J * or / \ carbon atom. The preferred aliphatic dicarboxylic acids are the Λ / 3-dicarboxylic acids and the corresponding anhydrides, and particularly preferred are the derivatives of succinic or maleic acid of formula 1 or 2 shown in the formula sheet, wherein R * is an alkyl or alkenyl group having 6-12 carbon atoms, preferably 7-11 carbon atoms and most preferably 8-10 carbon atoms.

The alkyl or alkenyl group can be linear or branched. Linear alkenyl groups are particularly preferred. R * need not be a single alkyl or alkenyl group, since mixtures of different carbon chain lengths may also be present, depending on the starting materials used to prepare the dicarboxylic acid.

The aliphatic monocyclic dicarboxylic acid can contain rings of 5 or 6 carbon atoms with 1 or 2 linear aliphatic groups bonded to ring carbon atoms. The linear aliphatic groups contain at least 6, preferably at least 8, and most preferably at least 10 carbon atoms in total and at most 22, preferably at most 18, and most preferably at most 15 carbon atoms. When two aliphatic carbon atoms are bound to the aliphatic ring, they are preferably paramount. The preferred aliphatic cyclic dicarboxylic acid compounds can be represented by formula 3, wherein -T- stands for -C 1-4, -CH =, or -CH = CH-; 5 R 1 represents an alkyl or alkenyl group with 3-12 carbon atoms and 3 R represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl or alkenyl group with 1-12 carbon atoms, 2 3

with the proviso that the total number of carbon atoms in R and R.

6-22.

Preferably -T- stands for -CH2-CH2- or -CH = CH-, especially for -CH = CH-.

R 3 and R 3 are preferably alkyl groups with 3-10 carbon atoms, especially 4-9 carbon atoms, the total number of carbon 2 3 atoms in R and R being 8-15. The alkyl or alkenyl groups can be linear or branched, but are preferably linear.

The amount of nonionic surfactant material is generally 20-70%, such as 22-60%, preferably 25%, 30%, 35%, or 40% by weight of the composition. The amount of solvent or diluent, if present, is usually at most 20%, preferably at most 15%, e.g. 0.5-15%, preferably 5.0-12%. The weight ratio of nonionic surfactant to alkylene glycol ether as the viscosity regulating and anti-gelling agent, when present, as is the case in the preferred embodiment of the invention, is from 100: 1 to 1: 1, preferably 50 : 1 to 2: 1, 25 such as 10: 1, 8: 1, 6: 1, 4: 1 or 3: 1.

The amount of the dicarboxylic acid acting as a gel-inhibiting compound, when used, depends on factors such as the nature of the liquid nonionic surfactant, e.g. its gelling temperature, the nature of the dicarboxylic acid, other components in the composition that may affect the gelling temperature, and its intended use (e.g., with hot or cold water, geographic climate, and the like). In general, it is possible to lower the gelation temperature to no greater than about 3 ° C, preferably no greater than about 0 ° C, with amounts of dicarboxylic acid anti-gel-35 former of 1 - 30%, preferably 1 .5 - 15%, based on the weight of the liquid nonionic surfactant, although in each particular case the optimum amount can be easily determined by routine tests.

In the preferred embodiment, the detergent compositions of the invention contain water-soluble and / or water-dispersible detergent build-up salts as an essential ingredient. Typically suitable building materials are e.g. described in said U.S. Patents 4,316,812, 4,264,466, 3,630,929 and many others. Water-soluble inorganic alkaline build-up salts, which can be used alone with the detergent compound or mixed with other builders, include alkali metal carbonates, borates, phosphates, polyphosphates, bicarbonates and silicates (ammonium or substituted ammonium salts may be used). Specific examples of such salts are sodium tripolyphosphate, sodium carbonate, sodium tetraborate, sodium pyrophosphate, potassium pyrophosphate, sodium bicarbonate, potassium tripolyphosphate, sodium hexametaphosphate, sodium sesquicarbonate, sodium monosodium and potassium bicarbonate. Sodium tripolyphosphate (TPP) is particularly preferred where phosphate-containing ingredients are not banned for environmental reasons. The alkali metal silicates are useful builder salts, which also make the composition anti-corrosive for washing machine parts. Sodium silicates with SiO 2 ratios from 1.6 / 1 to 1 / 3.2, in particular from 1/2 to 1 / 2.8, are preferred. Potassium silicates with the same proportions can also be used.

Another class of builders are water-insoluble aluminosilicates, both of the crystalline and amorphous type.

Various crystalline zeolites (i.e., aluminosilicates) are described in British Patent 1,504,168, U.S. Patent 4,409,136, and Canadian Patent Nos. 072,835 and 1,087,477. An example of suitable amorphous zeolites can be found in Belgian patent 835,351. The zeolites generally have the formula (M_0). (A1_CL ·). (Si0o) .WH00 2x 2 3 y 2z 2 where x = 1, y = 0.8-1.2 and preferably = 1.2 = 1.5-3.5 or higher and preferably = 2-3, W = 0-9, preferably = 2.5-6 and M is preferably sodium. A typical zeolite is type A or analogous structure, with type 4A being particularly preferred. The preferred alumino-8801792-14-silicates have calcium ion exchange capacities of about 200 meq / g or more, e.g. 400 meq / g.

Examples of organic alkaline sequestering builder salts, which can be used alone with the detergent or mixed with other organic and inorganic builder substances, are alkali metal, ammonium or substituted ammonium aminopolycarboxylates, e.g. sodium and potassium ethylenediamine tetraacetate (EDTA), sodium and potassium nitrile triacetates (NTA) and triethanolammonium N- (2-hydroxyethyl) nitrile diacetates. Mixed salts of these polycarboxylates are also suitable.

Examples of other suitable organic-type builders include carboxymethyl succinates, tartronates and glycolates and the polyacetal carboxylates. The polyacetal carboxylates and their use in detergent compositions are described in U.S. Patents 4,144,226, 4,315,092, and 4,146,495. Other patents related to analogous builders include U.S. Patents 4,141,676, 4,169,934, 4,201,858, 4,204,852, 4,224,420, 4,225,685, 4,226,960, 4,233,422, 4,233 .423, 4,302,564, and 4,303,777. Also relevant are European patent applications 0.015.024, 0.021.491 and 0.063.399.

The amount of the suspended detergent builder, based on the total composition, is usually 10-60 wt%, such as 20-50 wt%, e.g. 25 - 40% by weight of the composition.

According to the invention, the physical stability of the suspension of the detergent builder compound or compounds or any other suspended additive, such as bleach and the like, in the liquid carrier is drastically improved by the presence of a low density filler material such that the density of the continuous liquid phase is approximately equal to the density of the solid particulate dispersed phase, including the low density filler material.

As the low density filler material, any inorganic or organic particulate material which is insoluble in the liquid phase / solvents used in the composition and compatible with the various components of the composition may be used. Furthermore, the filler material particles must have sufficient mechanical strength to withstand the shear stress that awaits the product during formulation, packaging, transportation and use.

Particulate filler materials suitable within said general criteria have effective densities of 0.01 - 0.50 g / cm3, in particular of 0.01 - 0.20 g / cm, in particular of 0.02 - 0.20 g / cm3, measured at room temperature, e.g. 23 ° C, and particle diameters of 1 - 300 µm, preferably 4 - 200 µm, with average particle diameters of 20 - 100 µm, preferably of 30 - 80 µm.

The types of inorganic and organic filler materials, which have such low mass densities, are generally hollow microspheres or at least highly porous solid particulate materials.

Thus, e.g. inorganic or organic microspheres, such as microspheres from various organic polymers or glass bubbles, are preferred. Specific, non-limiting examples of organic polymeric microspheres include polyvinylidene chloride, polystyrene, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyurethanes, polycarbonates, polyamides and the like. In addition to hollow microspheres, other low density inorganic fillers may also be used, e.g. aluminosilicate zeolites, spray dried clay materials, and the like.

However, according to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the low-density filler material is formed from a water-soluble material. This has the advantage that when used to wash dirty fabrics in an aqueous wash bath, the water-soluble particles will dissolve and therefore will not settle on the fabric being washed. In contrast, the water-insoluble filler particles can more easily adhere to or be adsorbed on or to the fibers or surface of the washed fabric.

As a specific example of such a light filler material which is insoluble in the non-aqueous liquid phase of the composition of the invention but which is soluble in water, sodium borosilicate glass, such as the hollow microspheres, which are available under the brand name Q-Cell, in particular Q-Cell 400, Q-Cell 200, Q-Cell 500 etc. These materials have the further advantage of providing silica ions in the washing bath, which as anti-corrosion agents "8801792 - 16 - function.

Examples of water-soluble organic material suitable for the manufacture of low density hollow microspheres are e.g. starch, hydroxyethyl cellulose, polyvinyl alcohol and polyvinylpyrrolidone, which latter material can also act as a soil suspending agent when dissolved in the aqueous washing bath.

One of the critical aspects of the invention is that the amount of the low density filler material added to the non-aqueous liquid suspension is such that the average 10 statistically weighted densities of the suspended particles and filler material of low density is equal to or not much different from the density of the liquid phase (including nonionic surfactant and other solvents, liquids, and solutes). Practically speaking, this means that the density of the entire composition after the addition of the low-density filler material is equal to or approximately equal to the density of the liquid phase per se and also the density of the dispersed phase per se.

The amount of the low density filler material to be added therefore depends on the density of the filler material, the density of the liquid phase per se and the density of the entire composition without the low density filler material. For a given liquid dispersion, the required amount will be. of the low density filler material the greater the density of the filler material, and conversely a smaller amount of the low density filler material will be required to obtain a given density reduction of the final composition as the filler material density becomes smaller is.

The amount of low density filler material needed to equalize the densities of the liquid phase (known) and of the dispersed phase can be theoretically calculated from the following equation, which is based on the assumption of ideal mixing of the low density filler material and non-aqueous dispersion: .8801782-17 - jni / iliia]

Mf ^ liql ldo-dmSy where / ^

M

mg - represents the mass fraction of low density filler material

Mf 5 (e.g. microspheres) to be added to the slurry to make the density of the final composition equal to the density of the liquid; dms = liquid displacement density of the low density filler material; 10 d ^ = density of the liquid phase of the suspension; d ^ = density of the starting composition (i.e. the suspension before the addition of filler material); M- = mass of the final composition (i.e. after the addition of filler material); and 15 M = mass of the filler material to be added, ms

Generally, the amount of low density filler material needed to equalize the densities of the dispersed phase and the liquid phase will be between 0.01 and 10 wt%, preferably between 0.05 and 6 .0 wt.%, Based on the weight of the non-aqueous dispersion before the addition of the filler material.

Although it is preferable to equalize the densities of the liquid phase and of the dispersed phase, ie d ^ g / ds £ = 1.0, in order to obtain the highest degree of stability, slight densities will differ, e.g. d ^^ / d ^ = 0.90 - 1.10, in particular 0.95 - 1.05 (where d ^ is the final density of the dispersed phase after the addition of the filler material) in most cases still accepted give stabilities, generally evidenced by the absence of phase separation, e.g. no appearance of a clear liquid phase, for at least 3-6 months or more.

As just described, the invention requires that a sufficient amount of low density filler material be added to the non-aqueous liquid suspension of finely divided tissue-treating solids to obtain an average statistically weighted density of the solids and filler particles, 8801792 - 18 - equal to or approximately equal to the density of the continuous liquid phase. However, the fact that the statistically weighted average density of the dispersed phase is equal to or approximately equal to the density of the liquid phase does not in itself explain how or why the low-density filler material has a stabilizing effect, since the final composition has the relatively dense dispersed tissue-treating solid particles, e.g. phosphates, which would normally settle, and will continue to contain the low density filler material, which would normally rise in the liquid phase.

Although it is not intended to bind the invention to any particular theory, it is believed, and experimental data and microscopic observations seem to confirm the assumption that the dispersed detergent-active solid particles, such as builder, bleach and the like, in fact are attracted to and adhere to the particles of the low-density filler material to form a mono- or poly-layer of dispersed particles and surround them to form "composite" particles which effectively function as single unitary particles. These composite particles can then be considered to have a density approximating a volume weighted average of the densities of all the individual particles forming the composite particles:

vL

d + - d Η V L

d = --- CP v

. L

25 1 + -

H

where d = density of a composite particle; cp d = density of the dispersed phase (heavy particle);

H

d = density of the filling material (light particle);

L

30 V = total volume of particles of the dispersed phase in the H

assembly; V = total volume of the filler material particles in the assembly.

L

In order for the density of the composite particle to be equal to or approximately equal to that of the liquid phase, a large number of dispersed particles must interact with each of the filler materials. 880 f - 19 - eel particles, and, for example, depending on the relative densities, several hundred to several thousand of the dispersed (heavy) particles must associate with each low density filler material particle.

Therefore, another aspect of the compositions and method of the invention is that the mean particle diameter of the low density filler material must be greater than the mean particle diameter of the particles of the dispersed phase, such as detergent builder and the like, in order to the surface of the filling material particle to accommodate the large number of dispersed particles. In this regard, it has been found that the ratio of the average particle diameter of the low density filler material to the average particle diameter of the dispersed particles should be at least 6: 1, such as 6: 1 to 30: 1, especially 8: 1 to 20: 1, achieving the best results at a ratio of about 10: 1. Satisfactory results will generally not be obtained at diameter ratios less than 6: 1, although some improvement in stabilization may occur depending on the relative densities of the dispersed particles and the filler material particles and on the density of the liquid phase.

p 20 For the preferred range of mean particle diameters for the low density filler material of 20 - 100 µm, in particular 30 - 80 µm, the dispersed phase particles will have average particle diameters of 1 - 18 µm, in particular of 2 - Should have 10 ym. These particle sizes can be obtained by a suitable milling treatment, as will be described further.

Since the compositions of the invention are generally highly concentrated and can therefore be used in relatively small doses, it is often desirable to supplement any phosphate build-up salt (such as sodium tripolyphosphate) with an auxiliary build-up salt, such as a polymeric carboxylic acid with a high calcium binding ability to inhibit crusting which might otherwise be caused by the formation of insoluble calcium phosphate. Such auxiliary building materials are generally known. Reporting can e.g. are made from Sokolan CP5, a copolymer of approximately equal molar amounts of methacrylic acid 35 and maleic anhydride, completely neutralized to form the .8801792-20 sodium salt thereof. The amount of auxiliary build-up salt is generally up to about 6% by weight, preferably 1/4 - 4%, such as 1%, 2% or 3%, based on the total weight of the composition. Of course, the present compositions can also be prepared without any phosphate build-up salt, where this is required by environmental regulations.

In addition to the detergent builders, various other detergent additives or adjuvants may be present in the detergent product to impart further desirable properties of a functional or aesthetic nature. For example, minor amounts of soil suspending or anti-redeposition agents may be included in the composition, e.g. polyvinyl alcohol, fatty amides, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, usually in amounts up to 10% by weight, e.g. 0.1-10%, preferably 1-5%; optical brighteners, e.g. cotton, polyamide, and polyester brighteners, such as stilbene, triazole and benzidine sulfone compositions, especially sulfonated substituted triazinyl stilbene, sulfonated naphthotriazole stilbene, benzidine sulfone and the like, with stilbene and triazole combinations being most preferred. The optical brightener can typically be used in amounts up to about 2 wt%, preferably up to 1 wt%, such as 0.1-0.8 wt%.

Further excipients are blue agents, such as ultramarine blue; enzymes, preferably proteolytic enzymes, such as subtilisin, bromine, papain, trypalne and pepsin, as well as amylase type enzymes, lipase type enzymes and mixtures thereof; bactericides, e.g. Tetrachlorosalicylanilide, hexachlorophene; fungicides; dyes; pigments (dispersible in water); preservatives; ultraviolet absorbents; anti-yellowing agents, such as sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, complex Tan "C 4 alkyl alcohol with alkyl sulfate; pH modifiers and pH buffers; color-safe bleaches, perfume, and anti-foaming agents or suds suppressants, for example, silicon compounds.

For convenience, the bleaches are broadly classified as chlorine bleaches and oxygen bleaches. Typical examples of chlorine bleaches are sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), potassium dichloroiso-35 cyanurate (59% available chlorine) and trichloroisocyanuric acid (95% available chlorine). Oxygen bleaches are preferred and are represented by per compounds which release hydrogen peroxide in solution. Preferred examples are sodium and potassium perborates, percarbonates and perphosphates and potassium monopersulfate. The per-borates, in particular sodium perborate monohydrate, are especially preferred.

The peroxygen compound is preferably used in combination with an activator therefor. Suitable activators, which can lower the effective working temperature of the peroxide bleach, are e.g.

10 is described in U.S. Patent 4,264,466 or in column 1 of U.S. Patent 4,430,244. Polyacylated compounds are preferred activators; among these, compounds such as tetraacetylethylenediamine (TAED) and pentaacetyl glucose are particularly preferred.

Examples of other suitable activators are acetylsalicylic acid derivatives, ethylidene benzoate acetate and its salts, ethylidene carboxylate acetate and its salts, alkyl and alkenyl succinic anhydride, tetraacetyl glycouril (TAGU) and derivatives of such compounds. Other suitable classes of activators are described in e.g.

U.S. Patents 4,111,826, 4,422,950 and 3,661,789.

The bleach activator usually interacts with the peroxygen compound to form a peroxyacid bleach in the wash water. Preferably, a high complexing power sequestrant is added to inhibit undesired reactions between such peroxyacid and hydrogen peroxide in the wash solution in the presence of metal ions. Preferred sequestrants are capable of ++ forming a complex with Cu ions such that the stability constant (pK) of the complex formation at 25 ° C is equal to or greater than 6 in water of an ionic strength of 0.1 mol / liter, which pK conventionally is defined by the formula: pK = -log K, where K represents the equilibrium constant. For example, e.g. the pK values for the complex formation of copper ions with NTA and EDTA under the stated conditions, respectively. 12.7 and 18.8. Examples of suitable sequestering agents in addition to those already mentioned are the compounds available under the trade name Dequest, e.g. diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid, diethylene tri-8801792 ft-22-amine pentamethylene phosphoric acid and ethylene diamine tetramethylene phosphoric acid.

In order to avoid loss of peroxide bleach, e.g. sodium borate, due to preventing decomposition induced by enzymes such as catalase enzyme, the compositions may contain an enzyme inhibitor, i.e. a compound capable of inhibiting the enzyme-induced decomposition of the peroxide bleach. Suitable inhibitor compounds are described in U.S. Patent 3,606,990.

Of particular interest as inhibitor compounds are hydroxyl-10 amine sulfate and other water-soluble hydroxylamine salts. In the preferred non-aqueous compositions of the invention, suitable amounts of the hydroxylamine salt inhibitors may be as small as about 0.01-0.4%. Generally, however, suitable amounts of enzyme inhibitors are up to about 15%, e.g. 0.1 - 10%, calculated on the weight of the composition.

While not necessary to achieve acceptable product stability, other suspension stabilizers, theological additives and anti-gelling agents may also be present in the composition of the invention. For example, e.g. the aluminum salts of higher fatty acids, especially aluminum stearate, as described in U.S. Patent 4,661,280, are added to the composition, e.g. in an amount of 0-3% by weight, preferably 0-1% by weight.

Another suitable stabilizer for use in combination with the low-density filler material is an acidic organic phosphorus compound with an acidic POH group, as described in U.S. Patent Application 781,189, filed September 25, 1985. The acidic organic phosphorus compound may e.g. a partial ester of phosphoric acid and an alcohol, such as an alkanol of lipophilic character, e.g. more than 5 carbon atoms, e.g. Contains 8-20 carbon atoms. A specific example is a partial ester of phosphoric acid and a C 1-6 alkanol. Empiphos 5632 (Marchon) consists of approximately 35% monoester and 65% diester. If used, amounts of the phosphoric acid compound up to about 3%, preferably up to 1%, are sufficient.

As disclosed in U.S. Patent Application 926,851, filed November 3, 1986, the composition may further incorporate a nonionic surfactant material which has been modified to convert the theological properties to further improve the theological properties. a free hydroxyl group in a molecule portion with a free carboxyl group, such as a partial ester of a nonionic surfactant and a polycarboxylic acid. Amounts of such nonionic surfactant with terminal acid group to one part are sufficient.

Suitable amounts of the optional detergent additives are: enzymes - 0 to 2%, especially 0.1 to 1.3%; corrosion inhi-10 bitors - 0 to 40%, preferably 5 to 30%; anti-foaming agents and suds suppressants - 0 to 15%, preferably 0 to 5%, e.g.

0.1 to 3%; thickeners and dispersants - 0 to 1-5%, e.g. 0.1 to 10%, preferably 1 to 5%; soil suspending agents or anti-redeposition agents and anti-yellowing agents - 0 to 10%, preferably 0.5 to 5%; colorants, perfumes, brighteners and bluing agents in total 0 to 2% and preferably 0 to 1%; pH modifiers and pH buffers - 0 to 5%, preferably 0 to 2%; bleach - 0 to 40% and preferably 0 to 25%, e.g. 2 to 20%; bleach stabilizers and bleach activators - 0 to 15%, preferably 0 to 10%, e.g. 0.1 to 20%; enzyme inhibitors - 0 to 15%, e.g. 0.01 to 15%, preferably 0.1 to 10%; high complexing ability sequestrant - up to about 5%, preferably 1/4 to 3%, such as about 1/2 to 2%. The adjuvants should be selected to be compatible with the major components of the detergent composition.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the mixture of liquid nonionic surfactant and solids (other than low density filler material) is subjected to a milling treatment, e.g. in a sand mill or ball mill. Particularly suitable are friction type mills, such as those sold by Wiener (Amsterdam) or Netzsch (Germany), in which the particle size of the solid components is reduced to less than about 18 µm, e.g. to an average particle size of 2 - 10 µm or even less (e.g. 1 µm). Preferably less than 10%, especially less than 5%, of all suspended particles have particle sizes greater than 15 µm, preferably 10 µm. In connection with the rising cost. As the particle size decreases, it is often preferred that the average particle size be at least 3 µm, especially about 4 µm. Compositions, the dispersed particles of which have such small dimensions, have improved stability against separation or settling on storage. Other types of grinders can also be used, such as gear wheels, needle mills and the like.

During grinding, the amount of solid ingredients is preferably so large (eg, at least about 40%, such as about 50%), that the solids come into contact and are not significantly shielded from each other by the nonionic capillary -active liquid. Mills, in which grinding balls (ball mills) or analog mobile grinding elements are used, give very good results.

For example, one can use a laboratory friction grinder with stea-tite grinding balls with a diameter of 8 mm. For larger-scale work, a continuously operating mill can be used, in which grinding balls with a diameter of 1 mm or 1.5 mm operate in a very small gap between a stator and a rotor rotating at a relatively high speed (eg a CoBall mill ); if such a mill is used, it is desirable to first pass the mixture of nonionic surfactant and solids through a mill in which the material is not so finely ground (eg, a colloid mill) while reducing the particle size to less than 100 µm (eg, to about 40 µm), before milling the material in the continuous ball mill to an average particle diameter of less than 18 or 15 µm.

Also, the powdery solids can be finely ground to the desired size before being mixed with the liquid matrix, e.g. in a jet mill.

The final compositions of the invention are non-aqueous liquid suspensions, which generally exhibit non-Newtonian flow characteristics. After the addition of the low-density filler material, the compositions are slightly thixotropic and typically exhibit reduced viscosity under applied stress or shear; they behave rheologically almost in accordance with Casson's equation. The final compositions are characterized by a yield stress between about 2.5 and 45 Pascal, usually between 10 and 35 Pascal, such as 15, 20 or 25 Pascal. Furthermore, the compositions have room temperature viscosities, measured with an LVT-D viscometer with axis Nb.4 at 50 rpm, of 500-5000 centipoise, usually of 800-3000 centipoise. However, the product is smoothly liquid when shaken or subjected to stress, e.g. when it is squeezed into a squeeze bottle through a narrow opening. The compositions of the invention can be suitably packaged in ordinary drums, e.g. of glass or plastic, rigid or flexible bottles, 10 bowls or other containers, and dosed therefrom directly into the aqueous wash bath, e.g. in an automatic washing machine, in usual amounts, such as 55 - 350 cm 3, e.g. 110 cm3, per wash load (e.g. from about 1.5 - 7.5 kg), usually in 30 - 70 liters of water. The preferred compositions will remain stable (no more than 1 or 2 mm of liquid-15 phase separation) for periods of 3-6 months or longer.

It is to be noted that the foregoing detailed description is for illustrative purposes only and variations are possible without departing from the essence of the invention.

The term "non-aqueous" means the absence of water, but small amounts of water, e.g. up to about 5%, preferably up to about 2%, can be tolerated in the compositions, especially when low density water insoluble filler is used, so that "non-aqueous" compositions can contain such small amounts of water, either directly added or as a carrier or solvent for any of the other ingredients in the composition.

The liquid compositions for treating fabrics of the invention may be packaged in conventional glass or plastic containers and also in single-use containers such as the doserettes and disposable pouches described in U.S. Patent Application (Reference No. IR-347LG).

The invention is further illustrated by the following non-limiting example, in which all amounts and percentages are by weight unless otherwise stated. Atmospheric pressure is also used, unless otherwise indicated.

.8801702 - 26 -

Example

A non-aqueous built-up liquid detergent composition of the invention is prepared by mixing and finely grinding to about 4 µm of the ingredients listed in the table below, except for the 5 Q-Cell filler, in the aforementioned amounts, then stirring. Q-Cell filler material is added to the resulting dispersion.

To add the light filler material, the milled dispersion is mixed with a propeller mixer, rotating at a speed between 2000 and 5000 rpm, under low shear to form a cavity (vortex), in the center of the mixing vessel and the Q-Cell filler material particles are added near the top of the vortex, so that the filler material particles are uniformly dispersed throughout the composition while minimizing shear forces that could cause rupture of the hollow microspheres.

15 wt%

I II

_ (control) nonionic surfactant 1) 34.6 36.6 diethylene glycol monobutyl ether 10.5 10.5 2q sodium tripolyphosphate (hydrated) 27.5 29.5

Sokolan HC 9786 2) 4.0 4.0 HOW 2817 4) 2.0 2.0 sodium perborate monohydrate 9.0 9.0 tetraacetylethylenediamine 4.5 4.5 25 DEQUEST 2066 3) 1.0 1.0

Esperase 8 SL (enzyme) 1.0 1.0 Q-Cell 400 5) 4.0 fragrance, brightener, dye, miscellaneous residual 100.0 100.0 2Q viscosity (centipoise) 2000 900 1) Involved from BASF, condensation product of a fatty alcohol of 13-15 carbon atoms with propylene oxide (4 mol) and ethylene oxide (7 mol), 2 ^ 2) Copolymer of methacrylic acid and maleic anhydride.

88D1792-27-3) Diethylene triamine pentamethylene phosphonic acid.

4) A Cg derivative of maleic acid (American Hoechst).

5) Hollow microspheres of sodium borosilicate glass, particle size range 10 - 200 ψα, average particle size 75 µm, effective density 0.16 - 0.18 g / cra3.

The composition I and the comparative composition II without the Q-Cell filler material are placed in glass vessels and left at room temperature (about 22 ° C). After 6 weeks, the amount of free liquid on the top of each sample is measured. The results are shown in the table below.

Physical stability after 6 weeks

Liquid separation (%)

Composition I (with Q-Cell) 0

Composit II (without Q-Cell) 9.5 It therefore appears that the addition of a small amount of low density filler material significantly improves the physical stability of the non-aqueous suspension.

Repeating this example with 1% Expancel (microspheres from polyvinylidene chloride, particle size range 10 - 100 µm, average particle size 40 µm; density 0.03 g / cm3) instead of 4% Q-Cell 400, similar results are obtained . Replacement of the nonionic surfactant with Plurafac RA2G, Plurafac D25, Plurafac RA50 or Dobanol 25-7 or Neodol 23-6.5 also gives similar results.

.88DJ792

Claims (20)

A non-aqueous liquid composition for the treatment of fabrics, comprising a non-aqueous liquid containing a non-ionic surfactant and tissue-treating solid particles suspended in the non-aqueous liquid, characterized by a filler Low density material in an amount sufficient to make the density of the continuous liquid phase substantially equal to the density of the suspended particulate phase, including the low density fill material and the suspended tissue treating solid particles, while inhibiting settling of the suspended part-10s. Composition according to claim 1, characterized in that the fabric-treated suspended particles have an average particle size of 15 µm or less, wherein no more than 10% by weight of the particles have a particle size of more than 15 µm, and the filler material of low density has an average particle size between 20 and 100 µm. Composition according to claim 2, characterized in that the suspended particles have an average particle size of 1-10 µm, wherein no more than 10% by weight of these particles have a particle size of 20 more than 10 µm, and the filler material of low density has an average particle size between 20 and 80 µm. 4. A composition according to claims 2-3, characterized in that the ratio of the average particle diameter of the low density filler material to the average particle diameter of the suspended particles is at least 6: 1. Composition according to claims 1-4, characterized in that the low-density filling material consists of hollow microspheres of plastic with a density of 0.01 - 0.5 g / cm3. 6. Composition according to claims 1-4, that the low density filling material consists of hollow glass microspheres with a density of 0.01 - 0.5 g / cm3. Composition according to claim 6, characterized in that the low-density filler material consists of microspheres of water-soluble borosilicate glass. 8. Composition according to claims 1-7, characterized in that the non-ionic surfactant material is an alkoxylated fatty alcohol with 10 to 22 carbon atoms. Composition according to claim 8, characterized in that the fatty alcohol is a CJ2 - CJ8 alcohol which is alkoxylated with at most 12 moles of ethylene oxide and at most 8 moles of propylene oxide. 10. Composition according to claim 9, characterized in that the non-aqueous liquid further contains a diluent or organic solvent selected from low alcohols with 1-6 carbon atoms and alkylene glycols with 2-6 carbon atoms. 11. Composition according to claim 9, characterized in that the non-aqueous liquid also contains a viscosity-controlling and gel-inhibiting amount of an alkylene glycol ether of the formula RO (CH_CH_O) H zzn wherein R represents a C 1 -C 8 alkyl group and n is a number with an average value of 1-6. 12. Composition according to claim 11, characterized in that the alkylene glycol ether is diethylene glycol monobutyl ether. Composition according to claims 1-12, characterized in that the non-aqueous liquid constitutes 30-70% by weight of the composition and the suspended solid particles make up 30-70% by weight of the composition. 14. A composition according to claim 13, characterized in that the non-aqueous liquid constitutes 40-65% by weight of the composition and the suspended solid particles make up 60-35% by weight of the composition. Composition according to claims 1-14, characterized by 30 - 50% alkoxylated fatty alcohol as a nonionic surfactant, 0 - 20% alkylene glycol ether as a viscosity regulating and gel-inhi-30 biting agent, 15 - 50% detergent builder particles, 0 - 50% of one or more optional detergent additives selected from enzymes, enzyme inhibitors, corrosion inhibitors, anti-foaming agents, suds suppressants, soil suspending agents, anti-yellowing agents, colorants, perfumes, optical brighteners, blues. 880 1792 - 30 - agents, pH modifiers, pH buffers, bleaches, bleach stabilizers and segregating agents, and 0.01 - 10% low density hollow microspheres, based on the weight of the composition prior to the addition of the microspheres. 5 cups. 16. Heavy duty liquid thickened non-aqueous laundry detergent composition, characterized by 30-40% of a liquid nonionic surfactant material being a mixed ethylene oxide-propylene oxide condensation product of a fatty alcohol of 12-18 carbon atoms, 25-40% alkali metal phosphate as detergent build-up salt, 5-12% of an alkylene glycol ether solvent as a viscosity control and gel inhibitor, 2-20% of a peroxide bleach, 0.1-8% bleach activator, up to 2% enzymes, up to 10% soil suspending agent, anti-redeposition agent and anti-yellowing agent, up to 5% high complexing power sequestrant and 20 to 2% each of one or more colorants, perfumes and optical brighteners, wherein the solid components of the composition have an average particle size of 2 - Have 10 µm and no more than 10% of the particles have a particle size of more than 10 µm, which solid components are stably suspended in the liquid components of the composition by the addition of 0.05 - 6% inorganic or organic filler material particles with a density of 0.01 - 0.50 g / cm3 and an average particle size of 20 - 80 µm, which composition after the addition of the filler material particles have a viscosity of 500-5000 centipoise. Laundry detergent composition according to claim 16, characterized in that the filler material particles consist of hollow microspheres of sodium borosilicate glass. 18. Method for cleaning dirty fabrics, characterized in that the dirty fabrics are brought into contact in an aqueous washing bath. With a composition according to any one of claims 1-17. Method according to claim 18, characterized in that the cleaning is carried out in an automatic washing machine. 20. A method of stabilizing against dispersion of the dispersed particulate particulate phase of a suspension of the solid particles in a liquid phase, which solid particles have densities greater than the density of the liquid phase, characterized in that the suspension of the solid particles an amount of finely divided filler material is added, which filler material has a density which is less than the density of the liquid phase, such that the density of the dispersed solid particles together with the filler material becomes equal to or approximately equal to the density of the liquid phase. .8801792