WO1998047997A1 - Pastille detergente - Google Patents

Pastille detergente Download PDF

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Publication number
WO1998047997A1
WO1998047997A1 PCT/IB1998/000500 IB9800500W WO9847997A1 WO 1998047997 A1 WO1998047997 A1 WO 1998047997A1 IB 9800500 W IB9800500 W IB 9800500W WO 9847997 A1 WO9847997 A1 WO 9847997A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
detergent
detergent composition
acid
tablet
compositions
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IB1998/000500
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Joanne Louise Whitaker
Alasdair Duncan Mcgregor
Abdenor Bouhalassa
Didier Le Moing
Eric Farcy
Bernard Imbert
Original Assignee
The Procter & Gamble Company
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by The Procter & Gamble Company filed Critical The Procter & Gamble Company
Publication of WO1998047997A1 publication Critical patent/WO1998047997A1/fr

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Classifications

    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C11—ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE OILS, FATS, FATTY SUBSTANCES OR WAXES; FATTY ACIDS THEREFROM; DETERGENTS; CANDLES
    • C11D—DETERGENT COMPOSITIONS; USE OF SINGLE SUBSTANCES AS DETERGENTS; SOAP OR SOAP-MAKING; RESIN SOAPS; RECOVERY OF GLYCEROL
    • C11D17/00—Detergent materials or soaps characterised by their shape or physical properties
    • C11D17/0047—Detergents in the form of bars or tablets
    • C11D17/0065—Solid detergents containing builders
    • C11D17/0073—Tablets
    • C11D17/0078—Multilayered tablets
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B30—PRESSES
    • B30B—PRESSES IN GENERAL
    • B30B11/00—Presses specially adapted for forming shaped articles from material in particulate or plastic state, e.g. briquetting presses, tabletting presses
    • B30B11/02—Presses specially adapted for forming shaped articles from material in particulate or plastic state, e.g. briquetting presses, tabletting presses using a ram exerting pressure on the material in a moulding space
    • B30B11/08—Presses specially adapted for forming shaped articles from material in particulate or plastic state, e.g. briquetting presses, tabletting presses using a ram exerting pressure on the material in a moulding space co-operating with moulds carried by a turntable
    • B30B11/085—Presses specially adapted for forming shaped articles from material in particulate or plastic state, e.g. briquetting presses, tabletting presses using a ram exerting pressure on the material in a moulding space co-operating with moulds carried by a turntable for multi-layer articles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B30—PRESSES
    • B30B—PRESSES IN GENERAL
    • B30B15/00—Details of, or accessories for, presses; Auxiliary measures in connection with pressing
    • B30B15/30—Feeding material to presses
    • B30B15/302—Feeding material in particulate or plastic state to moulding presses
    • B30B15/304—Feeding material in particulate or plastic state to moulding presses by using feed frames or shoes with relative movement with regard to the mould or moulds
    • B30B15/306—Feeding material in particulate or plastic state to moulding presses by using feed frames or shoes with relative movement with regard to the mould or moulds for multi-layer articles
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C11—ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE OILS, FATS, FATTY SUBSTANCES OR WAXES; FATTY ACIDS THEREFROM; DETERGENTS; CANDLES
    • C11D—DETERGENT COMPOSITIONS; USE OF SINGLE SUBSTANCES AS DETERGENTS; SOAP OR SOAP-MAKING; RESIN SOAPS; RECOVERY OF GLYCEROL
    • C11D3/00—Other compounding ingredients of detergent compositions covered in group C11D1/00
    • C11D3/40—Dyes ; Pigments

Definitions

  • the present invention provides a multi-layer detergent tablet suitable for use in an automatic dishwasher or laundry washing machine.
  • Detergent compositions in tablet form are known in the art. It is understood that tabletted detergent compositions hold several advantages over paniculate detergent compositions, such as ease of handling, transportation and storage.
  • Tablets are most commonly prepared using a tablet press.
  • a tablet press compacts the components of the detergent composition into a tablet, thereby bringing the components of the detergent composition into close proximity with each other.
  • the close proximity, coupled with the exothermic compression of the components, can result in certain of the components reacting with each other, becoming unstable or inactive.
  • a solution to this problem has been to separate components of the detergent composition that are likely to chemically react when compressed to form a tablet. Separation of the components can be achieved by, for example preparing multi-layer tablets such that the reactive components are in different layers of the tablet.
  • An additional advantage in separating reactive components is the improvement in storage stability.
  • a further advantage of using a multilayer tablet is the performance benefits achived in being able to prepare the different layers so that the layers have different rates of dissolution. Such performance benefits are achieved by selectively delivering active components into the wash solution at different times.
  • Multiple layer tablets are prepared using a tablet press that uses multiple compression steps.
  • Detergent composition is delivered into the die cavity of the tablet press and compacted.
  • a second detergent composition is then delivered to the die cavity, on top of the first, already compressed layer.
  • the detergent composition is then compressed again. These steps are repeated depending on the number of tablet layers required.
  • Multi-layer tablets prepared using such machinery have disadvantages that are significant to the consumer. Layers of the tablet that are subjected to more than one compression step are, in effect, subjected to a cumulative and therefore greater overall compression pressure. An increase in compression pressure of the tabletting press is known to decrease the rate of dissolution of the tablet. The rate of dissolution of these layers is therefore reduced, with the effect that it is difficult to form a tablet that dissolves satisfactorily in use.
  • multi-layer tablets prepared using multiple compression steps are prone to fracture along the interface between the layers. Such fracturing can occur during transport or handling of the tablets and is therefore unacceptable to the consumer.
  • the multi- layer tablets of the present invention provide a solution to the dissolution and fracturing problems found with multi-layer tablets described in the prior art.
  • a multi-layer detergent tablet obtainable by a process comprising the steps of: i) delivering a dose of a first parti culate detergent composition into a predetermined die cavity of a tablet press; ii) delivering a dose of a second particulate detergent composition into said predetermined die cavity, and optionally delivering a dose of further particulate detergent composition into the predetermined die cavity, there being no compression step intermediate the first and second doses of particulate detergent composition; and iii) compressing said doses of first, second and optional further particulate detergent composition to form a tablet.
  • the detergent tablets of the present invention comprise multiple layers of detergent composition compressed to form multi-layer detergent tablets in a tablet press.
  • the tablets Preferably the tablets comprise two, three or four layers of detergent composition. Most preferably the tablets comprise two layers of detergent composition.
  • the layers of the tablets described herein comprise at least a first layer of a detergent composition and a second layer of a second detergent composition.
  • the tablets may optionally be prepared with additional layers comprised of further detergent composition(s).
  • the first and the second particulate detergent compositions are sequentially delivered to the tablet press such that the first detergent composition is delivered to the tablet press first, relative to the second detergent composition.
  • the invention also includes a multi-layer tablet having more than two layers wherein a detergent composition is delivered to the tablet press and may be compressed prior to or following delivery of the first and second detergent composition, there being no intermediate compression step between the delivery of first and second detergent compositions.
  • a detergent composition is delivered to the tablet press and may be compressed prior to or following delivery of the first and second detergent composition, there being no intermediate compression step between the delivery of first and second detergent compositions.
  • all of the detergent compositions which form these layers are delivered sequentially and the multi-layer tablet is subsequently formed with a single compression step.
  • the first, second and optional further detergent compositions comprise particulate detergent components commonly employed in detergent compositions.
  • Such particulate detergent components may be in powder or granule form prepared by any known method, for example conventional spray drying, granulation or agglomeration.
  • the layers of the tablet are formed from a first and second (and optionally further) detergent composition having substantially similar average particle size.
  • substantially similar average particle size we mean that the difference between the average particle size of the first and second detergent compositions is no greater than 20%, preferably no greater than 15%, more preferably no greater than 10% or even 5% of the smaller average particle size.
  • the average particle size of the particulate detergent composition used herein is calculated using a series of Tyler sieves.
  • the series consists of a number of sieves each having a different aperture size.
  • Samples of the detergent composition are sieved through the series of sieves (typically 5 sieves).
  • the weight of sample of detergent composition retained in the sieve is plotted against the aperture size of the sieve.
  • the average particle size of the detergent composition is defined as the aperture size through which 50%) by weight of the sample of detergent composition would pass.
  • the layers of the tablets have substantially similar density such that the difference between the density of the first and second (and optional additional) layers is within no greater than 20%, preferably no greater than 15%, more preferably no greater than 10% or even 5% of the smaller density.
  • Density of the particulate detergent composition can be measured by any known method suitable for measuring density of particulate material.
  • the density of the detergent composition is measured using a simple funnel and cup device consisting of a conical funnel moulded rigidly on a base and provided with a flap valve at its lower extremity to allow the contents of the funnel to be emptied into an axially aligned cylindrical cup disposed below the funnel.
  • the funnel is 130 mm high and has internal diameters of 130 mm and 40 mm at its respective upper and lower extremities. It is mounted so that the lower extremity is 140 mm above the upper surface of the base.
  • the cup has an overall height of 90 mm, an internal height of 87 mm and an internal diameter of 84 mm. Its nominal volume is 500 ml.
  • a density measurement is taken by hand pouring the powder into the funnel. Once the funnel is filled, the flap valve is opened and powder allowed to run through the funnel, overfilling the cup. The filled cup is removed from the frame and excess powder removed from the cup by passing a straight edged implement e.g. a knife, across its upper edge. The filled cup is then weighed and the value obtained for the weight of powder doubled to provide a bulk density in grams/litre. Replicate measurements are made as required. Multi-layer tablets prepared using detergent compositions wherein the average particle size of the first and second (and optionally further) detergent compositions are substantially different (i.e. where the average particle size of the first or second detergent compositions is greater than 20% of the smaller average particle size) are also envisaged.
  • the layers formed may have substantially different final density (i.e. where the density of the first or second detergent compositions is greater than 20% of the smaller density). This may be advantageous if the different layers are required to have different rates of dissolution.
  • the detergent compositions may comprise any conventional detergent component commonly used in detergents.
  • at least the first and second detergent compositions comprise at least one different detergent component.
  • the first and second (and optional further) detergent compositions comprise one or more detergent component selected from the group consisting of a builder, a surfactant, an enzyme and a bleaching agent. It has been found that it may be advantageous to separate particular components of the detergent composition, for example where the components tend to interact with one another either on compression in the tablet press or on storage. Examples of components that may interact include bleaching agents, bleach activators or catalyst and enzymes; bleaching agents and bleach catalysts or activators; bleaching agents and surfactants; alkaline sources and enzymes.
  • the detergent component may be a colourant.
  • colourant means any substance that absorbs specific wavelengths of light from the visible light spectrum. Such colourants when added to a detergent composition have the effect of changing the visible colour and thus the appearance of the detergent composition.
  • Colourants may be for example either dyes or pigments.
  • the first and second (and optional further) detergent compositions may contain a different colourant, different mixture of colourants, coloured particles or mixture of coloured particles such that the resulting layers have different visual appearances.
  • one of either the first or second detergent compositions contains a colourant.
  • the colourant may be incorporated into the detergent composition by any suitable method. Suitable methods include mixing the entire detergent composition or selected detergent components with the colourant in a drum or spraying the entire detergent composition or selected detergent components with the colourant in a rotating drum.
  • the colourant may be added to the tablet after the detergent composition is compressed.
  • Such post-compression addition of the colourant may be achieved by any suitable method for example spraying-on colourant, submerging in colourant or direct application of colourant with a cloth or brush.
  • suitable dyes include reactive dyes, direct dyes, azo dyes.
  • Preferred dyes include phthalocyanine dyes, anthraquinone dye, quinoline dyes, monoazo, disazo and polyazo. More preferred dyes include anthraquinone, quinoline and monoazo dyes.
  • Most preferably the dye is SANDOLAN E-HRL 180% (tradename) or SANDOLAN MILLING BLUE (tradename) both available from Clariant UK.
  • Colourant when present as a component of the detergent composition is present at a level of from 0.001 % to 1.5%, preferably from 0.01 % to 1.0%, most preferably from 0.1% to 0.3%.
  • a process for preparing a multi-layer detergent tablet comprising the steps of: i) delivering a dose of a first particulate detergent composition into a predetermined die cavity of a tablet press; ii) delivering a dose of a second particulate detergent compositions into said predetermined die cavity and optionally delivering doses of a further particulate detergent composition into the predetermined die cavity, there being no compression step intermediate the first and second doses of particulate detergent composition; and iii) compressing said doses of first, second and additional particulate detergent compositions to form a tablet.
  • the multi-layer detergent tablets described herein are prepared using any suitable tablet press that compresses the plurality of detergent compositions to form tablets in a single compression step.
  • Figure 1 illustrates an example of a two-dimensional partial cross-sectional view of a standard rotary tablet press for forming a single layer tablet around 360° known in the art, showing every second die between lines A to A.
  • Figure 2 illustrates an example of a two-dimensional partial cross-sectional view of the modified tablet press described herein, which is preferred for forming the multilayer tablet of the invention showing every second die between lines A to A.
  • Figure 3 illustrates an example of a two dimensional cross-sectional view of the modified draw-down cam, as shown in Figure 2, in more detail.
  • Figure 4 illustrates a plan view of the modified tablet press, schematically showing the modified recycling system (feed frame, upper dies and compression station not shown).
  • the black arrow represents the first detergent composition.
  • the white arrow represents the second detergent composition.
  • the multi-layer detergent tablets described herein are prepared using a standard single compression tablet press commonly used to prepare single layer tablets, that has been specifically modified to prepare multi-layer tablets (Figure 1).
  • the standard tablet press comprises a circular turntable (1) with die cavities spaced intermittently around the circumference (2), an upper cam (3), a lower cam comprising a draw-down section (4), a substantially horizontal, weight controlled section (5) and an ejection section (6) a feed-frame (7), a plurality of cooperating upper and lower dies (8 and 9) capable of synchronised vertical displacement toward the circular turntable, a compression station (10), an ejection station (11), a take-off chute (12), a take-off blade (13) and a particulate composition recycling system (20).
  • the turntable (1) and cam (3) and (4) to (6) rotate 360° around a vertical axis (22), rotation being driven by a motor.
  • the plurality of dies are stationary with respect to the turntable and cam.
  • the vertical positions of the upper (8) and lower (9) dies are determined by the oblique and horizontal sections of the cam as it rotates around
  • a modified tablet press which is the preferred apparatus for the process and for forming the tablets of the invention consists of essentially the same equipment as described above, with three modifications so as to manufacture a multi-layer tablet.
  • the modifications include a multi-channel feed-frame (14), capable of delivering a plurality of different detergent compositions to the die cavity; a modified draw-down cam comprising at least two oblique sections (17) and (19) interrupted by at least one intermediate substantially horizontal section (18) ( Figure 3); and a modified recycling system (Figure 4).
  • the multi-channel feed frame (14) consists of a number of separate channels designed to deliver different detergent compositions to a common die cavity filling area.
  • the number of channels comprising the feed-frame is linearly dependent on the number of layers of the tablet, i.e. the detergent composition delivered to the die cavity to form each layer is delivered via a separate channel of the feed-frame.
  • Each channel can be open, but is preferably closed in that it is essentially a hollowed tube. It is preferred that the detergent composition is substantially retained within the channel with minimal spillage or cross-contamination of different detergent compositions from separate channels.
  • the channels of the feed-frame may be of any suitable size, shape and orientation. It is preferred that the channels be of adequate size to meet the demand for detergent composition at the die cavity filling area.
  • the channels are preferably conical in shape to achieve maximum accuracy of delivery to the die cavity filling area.
  • the orientation of the channel is such that one end is maintained in a suitable position to receive detergent composition from the source (e.g. a big bag of detergent composition). The opposing end of the channel is maintained in a position corresponding to the location of the next die cavity to be filled. It is preferred that where a conical channel is employed, it is arranged such that the wider end is located substantially above the narrower end.
  • orientation or angle of the feed-frame is not significant and the delivery of detergent composition to the die cavity filling area is accelerated by means of pressure applied to the feed-frame channel at the end located to receive the detergent composition from the source.
  • the multi-channel feed-frame is preferably fitted with a detergent composition dosing system.
  • a suitable dosing system uses valves to control the flow rate of the detergent composition through the channel to the die cavity filling area.
  • each channel of the multi-channel feed-frame is equipped with a dosing system.
  • the multi-channel feed-frame may be manufactured from any suitable material and may be rigid or flexible. Preferably the multi-channel feed- frame is made from plastic or metal.
  • the modified rotary tablet press consists of a rotating circular turntable (1) having a plurality of die cavities (2) spaced intermittently around the circumference of the turntable. Located above and below the turntable are a plurality of co-operating dies (8) and (9) that are constantly engaged in the die cavities of the turntable. Located below the lower die is a rotating lower cam.
  • the lower cam consists of a drawdown section (4), a substantially horizontal, weight controlled section (5) and an ejection section (6).
  • the draw-down cam contains oblique sections and the ejection cam is oblique.
  • a compression station (10) is located at a point along the ejection cam.
  • the lower dies are in constant contact with the lower cam.
  • the apex of the die is flush with the turntable surface.
  • the preferred modified drawdown cam comprises at least two oblique sections (17) and (19) separated by at least one intermediate substantially horizontal section (18).
  • the number of oblique sections preferably equates to the number of tablet layers required.
  • the first channel (15) of the multi-channel feed-frame delivers a dose of a first detergent composition into the revealed portion of the die cavity.
  • a modified recycling system ( Figure 4) (20) prevents the contamination of the overspill first detergent composition delivered in the first dose with the second (or optional further) detergent composition delivered in the second (or subsequent doses).
  • the scraper (20) of the modified recycling device scrapes across the surface of the turntable and the apex of the die cavity. Scraping the latter has the effect of levelling and removing any excess of the first detergent composition from the die cavity. The overspill and excess detergent composition is retained and delivered to the next die cavity to be filled.
  • the modified recycling system may be an air extraction unit wherein the overspill or excess detergent composition is removed from the turntable of the tablet press by the movement of air across the surface of the turntable and into a recycling system.
  • Detergent composition extracted from the surface of the turntable in this way is fed back into the appropriate channel of the multi-channel feed frame.
  • the die is then lowered further as it contacts the second oblique section (19) of the draw-down cam. As the die is lowered further, more of the die cavity is revealed.
  • the second channel (16) of the multi-channel feed-frame then delivers a dose of a second detergent composition into the newly revealed portion of the die cavity.
  • the die then contacts an intermediate horizontal section. The above is repeated for each additional tablet layer that is required.
  • the apex of the die cavity is scraped by a second scraper (21) of the modified recycling system to effect levelling and removal of any excess second detergent composition.
  • the second scraper directs the detergent composition into a channel (23) on the turntable of the tablet press ( Figure 4).
  • the channel is preferably located at the proximal or distal edge of the turntable (represented as a proximal channel (23) in Figure 4).
  • Second detergent composition in the channel rotates around the tablet press on the rotating turntable until it reaches the die cavity filling area, wherein the detergent composition is delivered into the next die cavity to be filled.
  • the die Whilst a lower die is in contact with the horizontal, weight controlled section (5) of the lower cam, the die is maintained at the same height.
  • the die Whilst a lower die is in contact with the ejection section of the lower cam and the cam rotates, the die is raised at an angle equivalent to the angle of the oblique surface of the ejection section of the lower cam.
  • the upper dies as with the lower dies are in constant contact with a cam; in this case the upper cam.
  • the upper cam is shaped such that the upper dies are raised and lowered throughout the 360° rotation of the cam.
  • the upper dies are in their highest position at the die cavity filling area.
  • the width of the upper cam denotes the height of the upper die.
  • the width of the upper cam begins to increase at the point where the die cavity, created by the lowering of the corresponding lower die, has been filled with detergent composition. The widening of the upper cam has the effect of forcing the upper die downward, toward the turntable and co-operating lower die.
  • the upper die When the upper and lower dies reach the compression station (10) the upper die is forced downward and the lower die is forced upward compressing the detergent composition in the die cavity to form a tablet.
  • the pressure of the compression must be sufficient to produce a compressed solid detergent tablet.
  • the tablet has been compressed with sufficient pressure that it does not substantially disintegrate or crumble on storage or transportation.
  • the compression pressure is in the range of from 5 KN/cm ⁇ to 15 KN/crn ⁇ , most preferably from 6 KN/cm.2 to 13 KN/cn_ .
  • the die As the die is raised further by the increasing angle of the ejection cam, it also raises the detergent tablet.
  • the detergent tablet is effectively out of the die cavity.
  • the tablet is pushed off the turntable and down a take-off chute (12) by a take-off blade (13).
  • Suitable detergent compositions may include a variety of different ingredients including builder compounds, surfactants, enzymes, bleaching agents, alkalinity sources, lime soap dispersants, organic polymeric compounds including polymeric dye transfer inhibiting agents, crystal growth inhibitors, heavy metal ion sequestrants, metal ion salts, enzyme stabilisers, corrosion inhibitors, suds suppressors, solvents, fabric softening agents, optical brighteners and hydrotropes.
  • Highly preferred components of the detergent composition as described earlier include a builder compound, a surfactant, an enzyme and a bleaching agent.
  • the tablet compositions of the present invention preferably contain a builder compound, typically present at a level of from 1% to 80% by weight, preferably from 10% to 70% by weight, most preferably from 20% to 60% by weight of the composition.
  • Suitable water-soluble builder compounds include the water soluble monomeric polycarboxylates, or their acid forms, homo or copolymeric polycarboxylic acids or their salts in which the polycarboxylic acid comprises at least two carboxylic radicals separated from each other by not more that two carbon atoms, carbonates, bicarbonates, borates, phosphates, and mixtures of any of the foregoing.
  • the carboxylate or polycarboxylate builder can be monomeric or oligomeric in type although monomeric polycarboxylates are generally preferred for reasons of cost and performance.
  • Suitable carboxylates containing one carboxy group include the water soluble salts of lactic acid, glycolic acid and ether derivatives thereof.
  • Polycarboxylates containing two carboxy groups include the water-soluble salts of succinic acid, malonic acid, (ethylenedioxy) diacetic acid, maleic acid, diglycolic acid, tartaric acid, tartronic acid and fumaric acid, as well as the ether carboxylates and the sulfinyl carboxylates.
  • Polycarboxylates containing three carboxy groups include, in particular, water-soluble citrates, aconitrates and citraconates as well as succinate derivatives such as the carboxymethyloxysuccinates described in British Patent No.
  • Polycarboxylates containing four carboxy groups include oxydisuccinates disclosed in British Patent No. 1,261,829, 1,1,2,2-ethane tetracarboxylates, 1,1, 3, 3 -propane tetracarboxylates and 1,1,2,3-propane tetracarboxylates.
  • Polycarboxylates containing sulfo substituents include the sulfosuccinate derivatives disclosed in British Patent Nos. 1,398,421 and 1,398,422 and in U.S. Patent No. 3,936,448, and the sulfonated pyrolysed citrates described in British Patent No. 1,439,000.
  • Alicyclic and heterocyclic polycarboxylates include cyclopentane-cis,cis,cis- tetracarboxylates, cyclopentadienide pentacarboxylates, 2,3,4, 5-tetrahydrofuran - cis, cis, cis-tetracarboxylates, 2,5-tetrahydrofuran - cis - dicarboxylates, 2,2,5,5- tetrahydrofuran - tetracarboxylates, 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexane - hexacarboxylates and carboxymethyl derivatives of polyhydric alcohols such as sorbitol, mannitol and xylitol.
  • Aromatic polycarboxylates include mellitic acid, pyromellitic acid and the phthalic acid derivatives disclosed in British Patent No. 1,425,343.
  • the preferred polycarboxylates are hydroxycarboxylates containing up to three carboxy groups per molecule, more particularly citrates.
  • the parent acids of the monomeric or oligomeric polycarboxylate chelating agents or mixtures thereof with their salts e.g. citric acid or citrate/citric acid mixtures are also contemplated as useful builder components.
  • Borate builders, as well as builders containing borate-forming materials that can produce borate under detergent storage or wash conditions can also be used but are not preferred at wash conditions less that about 50°C, especially less than about 40°C.
  • carbonate builders are the alkaline earth and alkali metal carbonates, including sodium carbonate and sesqui-carbonate and mixtures thereof with ultra- fine calcium carbonate as disclosed in German Patent Application No. 2,321,001 published on November 15, 1973.
  • Highly preferred builder compounds for use in the present invention are water- soluble phosphate builders.
  • water-soluble phosphate builders are the alkali metal tripolyphosphates, sodium, potassium and ammonium pyrophosphate, sodium and potassium and ammonium pyrophosphate, sodium and potassium orthophosphate, sodium polymeta/phosphate in which the degree of polymerisation ranges from about 6 to 21, and salts of phytic acid.
  • water-soluble phosphate builders are the alkali metal tripolyphosphates, sodium, potassium and ammonium pyrophosphate, sodium and potassium and ammonium pyrophosphate, sodium and potassium orthophosphate, sodium polymeta/phosphate in which the degree of polymerization ranges from about 6 to 21, and salts of phytic acid.
  • Partially soluble or insoluble builder compound Partially soluble or insoluble builder compound
  • compositions of the present invention may contain a partially soluble or insoluble builder compound.
  • Partially soluble and insoluble builder compounds are particularly suitable for use in tablets prepared for use in laundry cleaning methods.
  • partially water soluble builders include the crystalline layered silicates as disclosed for example, in EP-A-0164514, DE-A-3417649 and DE-A-3742043. Preferred are the crystalline layered sodium silicates of general formula
  • Crystalline layered sodium silicates of this type preferably have a two dimensional 'sheet' structure, such as the so called ⁇ -layered structure, as described in EP 0 164514 and EP 0 293640. Methods for preparation of crystalline layered silicates of this type are disclosed in DE-A-3417649 and DE-A-3742043.
  • x in the general formula above has a value of 2,3 or 4 and is preferably 2.
  • the most preferred crystalline layered sodium silicate compound has the formula ⁇ - Na2Si2 ⁇ 5 , known as NaSKS-6 (trade name), available from Hoechst AG.
  • the crystalline layered sodium silicate material is preferably present in granular detergent compositions as a particulate in intimate admixture with a solid, water- soluble ionisable material as described in PCT Patent Application No. WO92/18594.
  • the solid, water-soluble ionisable material is selected from organic acids, organic and inorganic acid salts and mixtures thereof, with citric acid being preferred.
  • Examples of largely water insoluble builders include the sodium aluminosilicates.
  • Suitable aluminosilicates include the aluminosilicate zeolites having the unit cell formula Na z [(AlO2) z (SiO2)y]. XH2O wherein z and y are at least 6; the molar ratio of z to y is from 1.0 to 0.5 and x is at least 5, preferably from 7.5 to 276, more preferably from 10 to 264.
  • the aluminosilicate material are in hydrated form and are preferably crystalline, containing from 10% to 28%, more preferably from 18% to 22% water in bound form.
  • the aluminosilicate zeolites can be naturally occurring materials, but are preferably synthetically derived. Synthetic crystalline aluminosilicate ion exchange materials are available under the designations Zeolite A, Zeolite B, Zeolite P, Zeolite X, Zeolite HS and mixtures thereof.
  • a preferred method of synthesizing aluminosilicate zeolites is that described by Schoeman et al (published in Zeolite (1994) 14(2), 1 10-116), in which the author describes a method of preparing colloidal aluminosilicate zeolites.
  • the colloidal aluminosilicate zeolite particles should preferably be such that no more than 5% of the particles are of size greater than l ⁇ m in diameter and not more than 5% of particles are of size less then 0.05 ⁇ m in diameter.
  • the aluminosilicate zeolite particles have an average particle size diameter of between 0.0 l ⁇ m and l ⁇ m, more preferably between 0.05 ⁇ m and 0.9 ⁇ m, most preferably between 0.1 ⁇ m and 0.6 ⁇ m.
  • Zeolite A has the formula
  • Zeolite X has the formula Nagg [(AlO 2 )86( sio 2)l 06]- 276 H 2°- Zeolite MAP, as disclosed in EP-B-384,070 is a preferred zeolite builder herein.
  • Preferred aluminosilicate zeolites are the colloidal aluminosilicate zeolites.
  • colloidal aluminosilicate zeolites especially colloidal zeolite A, provide enhanced builder performance in terms of providing improved stain removal.
  • Enhanced builder performance is also seen in terms of reduced fabric encrustation and improved fabric whiteness maintenance; problems believed to be associated with poorly built detergent compositions.
  • mixed aluminosilicate zeolite detergent compositions comprising colloidal zeolite A and colloidal zeolite Y provide equal calcium ion sequestration performance versus an equal weight of commercially available zeolite A.
  • Another surprising finding is that mixed aluminosilicate zeolite detergent compositions, described above, provide improved magnesium ion sequestration performance versus an equal weight of commercially available zeolite A.
  • Surfactants are preferred components of the detergent compositions described herein. Suitable surfactants are selected from anionic, cationic, nonionic ampholytic and zwitterionic surfactants and mixtures thereof. Automatic dishwashing machine products should be low foaming in character and thus the foaming of the surfactant system for use in dishwashing methods must be suppressed or more preferably be low foaming, typically nonionic in character. Sudsing caused by surfactant systems used in laundry cleaning methods need not be suppressed to the same extent as is necessary for dishwashing.
  • the surfactant is typically present at a level of from 0.2% to 30% by weight, more preferably from 0.5% to 10% by weight, most preferably from 1% to 5% by weight of the compositions.
  • nonionic surfactants useful for detersive purposes can be included in the compositions.
  • Preferred, non-limiting classes of useful nonionic surfactants are listed below.
  • alkyl ethoxylate condensation products of aliphatic alcohols with from about 1 to about 25 moles of ethylene oxide are suitable for use herein.
  • the alkyl chain of the aliphatic alcohol can either be straight or branched, primary or secondary, and generally contains from 6 to 22 carbon atoms.
  • Particularly preferred are the condensation products of alcohols having an alkyl group containing from 8 to 20 carbon atoms with from about 2 to about 10 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol.
  • a suitable endcapped alkyl alkoxylate surfactant is the epoxy-capped poly(oxyalkylated) alcohols represented by the formula:
  • Ri is a linear or branched, aliphatic hydrocarbon radical having from about 4 to about 18 carbon atoms
  • R2 is a linear or branched aliphatic hydrocarbon radical having from about 2 to about 26 carbon atoms
  • x is an integer having an average value of from 0.5 to about 1.5, more preferably about 1
  • y is an integer having a value of at least about 15, more preferably at least about 20.
  • the surfactant of formula I at least about 10 carbon atoms in the terminal epoxide unit [CH2CH(OH)R2J.
  • Suitable surfactants of formula I, according to the present invention are Olin Corporation's POLY-TERGENT® SLF-18B nonionic surfactants, as described, for example, in WO 94/22800, published October 13, 1994 by Olin Corporation.
  • the ethoxylated Cg-Cj g fatty alcohols and Cg-Ci g mixed ethoxylated/propoxylated fatty alcohols are suitable surfactants for use herein, particularly where water soluble.
  • the ethoxylated fatty alcohols are the C ⁇ Q-C ⁇ g ethoxylated fatty alcohols with a degree of ethoxylation of from 3 to 50, most preferably these are the l2" l8 ethoxylated fatty alcohols with a degree of ethoxylation from 3 to 40.
  • the mixed ethoxylated/propoxylated fatty alcohols have an alkyl chain length of from 10 to 18 carbon atoms, a degree of ethoxylation of from 3 to 30 and a degree of propoxylation of from 1 to 10.
  • Nonionic EO/PO condensates with propylene glycol The condensation products of ethylene oxide with a hydrophobic base formed by the condensation of propylene oxide with propylene glycol are suitable for use herein.
  • the hydrophobic portion of these compounds preferably has a molecular weight of from about 1500 to about 1800 and exhibits water insolubility. Examples of compounds of this type include certain of the commercially-available PluronicTM surfactants, marketed by BASF.
  • condensation products of ethylene oxide with the product resulting from the reaction of propylene oxide and ethylenediamine are suitable for use herein.
  • the hydrophobic moiety of these products consists of the reaction product of ethylenediamine and excess propylene oxide, and generally has a molecular weight of from about 2500 to about 3000.
  • this type of nonionic surfactant include certain of the commercially available Tetronic compounds, marketed by BASF.
  • anionic surfactants useful for detersive purposes are suitable. These can include salts (including, for example, sodium, potassium, ammonium, and substituted ammonium salts such as mono-, di- and triethanolamine salts) of the anionic sulfate, sulfonate, carboxylate and sarcosinate surfactants. Anionic sulfate surfactants are preferred.
  • anionic surfactants include the isethionates such as the acyl isethionates, N- acyl taurates, fatty acid amides of methyl tauride, alkyl succinates and sulfosuccinates, monoesters of sulfosuccinate (especially saturated and unsaturated C, -C, r. monoesters) diesters of sulfosuccinate (especially saturated and unsaturated C ⁇ -C, . diesters), N-acyl sarcosinates.
  • Resin acids and hydrogenated resin acids are also suitable, such as rosin, hydrogenated rosin, and resin acids and hydrogenated resin acids present in or derived from tallow oil.
  • Anionic sulfate surfactants suitable for use herein include the linear and branched primary and secondary alkyl sulfates, alkyl ethoxysulfates, fatty oleoyl glycerol sulfates, alkyl phenol ethylene oxide ether sulfates, the C5-C17 acyl-N-(C ⁇ -C4 alkyl) and -N-(C ⁇ -C2 hydroxyalkyl) glucamine sulfates, and sulfates of alkylpolysaccharides such as the sulfates of alkylpolyglucoside (the nonionic nonsulfated compounds being described herein).
  • Alkyl sulfate surfactants are preferably selected from the linear and branched primary CjQ-Cig alkyl sulfates, more preferably the C ⁇ j -C15 branched chain alkyl sulfates and the C12-C14 linear chain alkyl sulfates.
  • Alkyl ethoxysulfate surfactants are preferably selected from the group consisting of the C1 Q-C I g alkyl sulfates which have been ethoxylated with from 0.5 to 20 moles of ethylene oxide per molecule. More preferably, the alkyl ethoxysulfate surfactant is a C ⁇ l-Cjg, most preferably C ⁇ J -C J 5 alkyl sulfate which has been ethoxylated with from 0.5 to 7, preferably from 1 to 5, moles of ethylene oxide per molecule.
  • a particularly preferred aspect of the invention employs mixtures of the preferred alkyl sulfate and alkyl ethoxysulfate surfactants. Such mixtures have been disclosed in PCT Patent Application No. WO 93/18124.
  • Anionic sulfonate surfactant Anionic sulfonate surfactant
  • Anionic sulfonate surfactants suitable for use herein include the salts of C5-C20 linear alkylbenzene sulfonates, alkyl ester sulfonates, C -C22 primary or secondary alkane sulfonates, Cg-C24 olefin sulfonates, sulfonated polycarboxylic acids, alkyl glycerol sulfonates, fatty acyl glycerol sulfonates, fatty oleyl glycerol sulfonates, and any mixtures thereof.
  • Suitable anionic carboxylate surfactants include the alkyl ethoxy carboxylates, the alkyl polyethoxy polycarboxylate surfactants and the soaps ('alkyl carboxyls'), especially certain secondary soaps as described herein.
  • Suitable alkyl ethoxy carboxylates include those with the formula RO(CH2CH2 ⁇ ) x CH2C00"M + wherein R is a Cg to C1 g alkyl group, x ranges from O to 10, and the ethoxylate distribution is such that, on a weight basis, the amount of material where x is 0 is less than 20 % and M is a cation.
  • Suitable alkyl polyethoxy polycarboxylate surfactants include those having the formula RO-(CHR ⁇ -CHR2-O)-R3 wherein R is a Cg to Ci g alkyl group, x is from 1 to 25, R ⁇ and R2 are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, methyl acid radical, succinic acid radical, hydroxysuccinic acid radical, and mixtures thereof, and R3 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbon having between 1 and 8 carbon atoms, and mixtures thereof.
  • Suitable soap surfactants include the secondary soap surfactants which contain a carboxyl unit connected to a secondary carbon.
  • Preferred secondary soap surfactants for use herein are water-soluble members selected from the group consisting of the water-soluble salts of 2-methyl-l-undecanoic acid, 2-ethyl-l-decanoic acid, 2- propyl-1-nonanoic acid, 2-butyl-l-octanoic acid and 2-pentyl-l-heptanoic acid. Certain soaps may also be included as suds suppressors.
  • alkali metal sarcosinates of formula R- CON (R!) CH2 COOM, wherein R is a C5-C17 linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl group, Rl is a C1 -C4 alkyl group and M is an alkali metal ion.
  • R is a C5-C17 linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl group
  • Rl is a C1 -C4 alkyl group
  • M is an alkali metal ion.
  • Suitable amphoteric surfactants for use herein include the amine oxide surfactants and the alkyl amphocarboxylic acids.
  • Suitable amine oxides include those compounds having the formula R3(OR4) ⁇ N ⁇ (R5)2 wherein R ⁇ is selected from an alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, acylamidopropoyl and alkyl phenyl group, or mixtures thereof, containing from 8 to 26 carbon atoms; R ⁇ is an alkylene or hydroxyalkylene group containing from 2 to 3 carbon atoms, or mixtures thereof; x is from 0 to 5, preferably from 0 to 3; and each R5 is an alkyl or hydroxyalkyl group containing from 1 to 3, or a polyethylene oxide group containing from 1 to 3 ethylene oxide groups.
  • Preferred are C Q- i alkyl dimethylamine oxide, and Ci Q-ig acylamido alkyl dimethylamine oxide.
  • a suitable example of an alkyl aphodicarboxylic acid is Miranol(TM) C2M Cone, manufactured by Miranol, Inc., Dayton, NJ. Zwitterionic surfactant
  • Zwitterionic surfactants can also be incorporated into the detergent compositions hereof. These surfactants can be broadly described as derivatives of secondary and tertiary amines, derivatives of heterocyclic secondary and tertiary amines, or derivatives of quaternary ammonium, quaternary phosphonium or tertiary sulfonium compounds. Betaine and sultaine surfactants are exemplary zwitterionic surfactants for use herein.
  • Suitable betaines are those compounds having the formula R(R')2N + R2COO " wherein R is a Cg-Ci g hydrocarbyl group, each R! is typically C1-C3 alkyl, and R 2 is a C1-C5 hydrocarbyl group.
  • Preferred betaines are C 12- 18 dimethyl-ammonio hexanoate and the CI Q-18 acylamidopropane (or ethane) dimethyl (or diethyl) betaines.
  • Complex betaine surfactants are also suitable for use herein.
  • Cationic ester surfactants used in this invention are preferably water dispersible compound having surfactant properties comprising at least one ester (i.e. -COO-) linkage and at least one cationically charged group.
  • Other suitable cationic ester surfactants, including choline ester surfactants, have for example been disclosed in US Patents No.s 4228042, 4239660 and 4260529.
  • Suitable cationic surfactants include the quaternary ammonium surfactants selected from mono Cg-Ci g, preferably Cg-Ci Q N-alkyl or alkenyl ammonium surfactants wherein the remaining N positions are substituted by methyl, hydroxyethyl or hydroxypropyl groups.
  • the detergent tablet compositions may comprise an enzyme.
  • Said enzymes include enzymes selected from cellulases, hemicellulases, peroxidases, proteases, gluco- amylases, amylases, xylanases, lipases, phospholipases, esterases, cutinases, pectinases, keratanases, reductases, oxidases, phenoloxidases, lipoxygenases, ligninases, pullulanases, tannases, pentosanases, malanases, ⁇ -glucanases, arabinosidases, hyaluronidase, chondroitinase, laccase or mixtures thereof.
  • a preferred combination is a cleaning composition having cocktail of conventional applicable enzymes like protease, amylase, lipase, cutinase and/or cellulase in conjunction with one or more plant cell wall degrading enzymes.
  • the cellulases usable in the present invention include both bacterial or fungal cellulase. Preferably, they will have a pH optimum of between 5 and 12 and an activity above 50 CEVU (Cellulose Viscosity Unit).
  • CEVU Cellulose Viscosity Unit
  • Suitable cellulases are disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,435,307, Barbesgoard et al, J61078384 and WO96/02653 which disclose fungal cellulases produced respectively from Humicola insolens, Trichoderma, Thielavia and Sporotrichum.
  • EP 739 982 describes cellulases isolated from novel Bacillus species. Suitable cellulases are also disclosed in GB-A- 2.075.028; GB-A-2.095.275; DE-OS-2.247.832 and WO95/26398.
  • cellulases examples include cellulases produced by a strain of Humicola insolens (Humicola grisea var. thermoidea), particularly the Humicola strain DSM 1800.
  • Other suitable cellulases are cellulases originated from Humicola insolens having a molecular weight of about 50KDa, an isoelectric point of 5.5 and containing 415 amino acids; and a ⁇ 43kD endoglucanase derived from Humicola insolens, DSM 1800, exhibiting cellulase activity; a prefe ⁇ -ed endoglucanase component has the amino acid sequence disclosed in PCT Patent Application No. WO 91/17243.
  • suitable cellulases are the EGIII cellulases from Trichoderma longibrachiatum described in WO94/21801, Genencor, published September 29, 1994. Especially suitable cellulases are the cellulases having color care benefits. Examples of such cellulases are cellulases described in European patent application No. 91202879.2, filed November 6, 1991 (Novo). Carezyme and Celluzyme (Novo Nordisk A/S) are especially useful. See also WO91/17244 and WO91/21801. Other suitable cellulases for fabric care and/or cleaning properties are described in WO96/34092, WO96/17994 and WO95/24471.
  • Said cellulases are normally incorporated in the detergent composition at levels from 0.0001% to 2% of active enzyme by weight of the detergent composition.
  • Peroxidase enzymes are used in combination with oxygen sources, e.g. percarbonate, perborate, persulfate, hydrogen peroxide, etc. They are used for "solution bleaching", i.e. 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 include, for example, horseradish peroxidase, ligninase and haloperoxidase such as chloro- and bromo-peroxidase.
  • Peroxidase-containing detergent compositions are disclosed, for example, in PCT International Application WO 89/099813, WO89/09813 and in European Patent application EP No. 91202882.6, filed on November 6, 1991 and EP No. 96870013.8, filed February 20, 1996. Also suitable is the laccase enzyme.
  • Preferred enhancers are substitued phenthiazine and phenoxasine 10- Phenothiazinepropionicacid (PPT), 10-ethylphenothiazine-4-carboxylic acid (EPC), 10-phenoxazinepropionic acid (POP) and 10-methylphenoxazine (described in WO 94/12621) and substitued syringates (C3-C5 substitued alkyl syringates) and phenols.
  • Sodium percarbonate or perborate are preferred sources of hydrogen peroxide.
  • Said cellulases and/or peroxidases are normally incorporated in the detergent composition at levels from 0.0001% to 2% of active enzyme by weight of the detergent composition.
  • Suitable lipase enzymes for detergent usage include those produced by microorganisms of the Pseudomonas group, such as Pseudomonas stutzeri ATCC 19.154, as disclosed in British Patent 1,372,034.
  • Suitable lipases include those which show a positive immunological cross-reaction with the antibody of the lipase, produced by the microorganism Pseudomonas fluorescent IAM 1057. This lipase is available from Amano Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Nagoya, Japan, under the trade name Lipase P "Amano,” hereinafter referred to as "Amano-P".
  • lipases include Amano-CES, lipases ex Chromobacter viscosum, e.g. Chromobacter viscosum var. lipolyticum NPvRLB 3673 from Toyo Jozo Co., Tagata, Japan; Chromobacter viscosum lipases from U.S. Biochemical Corp., U.S.A. and Disoynth Co., The Netherlands, and lipases ex Pseudomonas gladioli.
  • Chromobacter viscosum e.g. Chromobacter viscosum var. lipolyticum NPvRLB 3673 from Toyo Jozo Co., Tagata, Japan
  • Chromobacter viscosum lipases from U.S. Biochemical Corp., U.S.A. and Disoynth Co., The Netherlands
  • lipases ex Pseudomonas gladioli.
  • lipases such as Ml Lipase ⁇ - anc * Lipoma ⁇ R (Gist-Brocades) and Lipolase ⁇ - and Lipolase Ultra ⁇ (Novo) which have found to be very effective when used in combination with the compositions of the present invention.
  • lipolytic enzymes described in EP 258 068, WO 92/05249 and WO 95/22615 by Novo Nordisk and in WO 94/03578, WO 95/35381 and WO 96/00292 by Unilever.
  • cutinases [EC 3.1.1.50] which can be considered as a special kind of lipase, namely lipases which do not require interfacial activation.
  • the lipases and/or cutinases are normally incorporated in the detergent composition at levels from 0.0001% to 2% of active enzyme by weight of the detergent composition.
  • Suitable proteases are the subtilisins which are obtained from particular strains of B. subtilis and B. licheniformis (subtilisin BPN and BPN').
  • One suitable protease is obtained from a strain of Bacillus, having maximum activity throughout the pH range of 8-12, developed and sold as ESPERASE® by Novo Industries A/S of 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®, PROPERASE® and MAXAPEM® (protein engineered Maxacal) from Gist-Brocades.
  • Proteolytic enzymes also encompass modified bacterial serine proteases, such as those described in European Patent Application Serial Number 87 303761.8, filed April 28, 1987 (particularly pages 17, 24 and 98), and which is called herein "Protease B", and in European Patent Application 199,404, Venegas, published October 29, 1986, which refers to a modified bacterial serine protealytic enzyme which is called "Protease A” herein.
  • Protease C is a variant of an alkaline serine protease from Bacillus in which lysine replaced arginine at position 27, tyrosine replaced valine at position 104, serine replaced asparagine at position 123, and alanine replaced threonine at position 274.
  • Protease C is described in EP 90915958:4, corresponding to WO 91/06637, Published May 16, 1991. Genetically modified variants, particularly of Protease C, are also included herein.
  • a preferred protease referred to as "Protease D” is a carbonyl hydrolase variant having an amino acid sequence not found in nature, which is derived from a precursor carbonyl hydrolase by substituting a different amino acid for a plurality of amino acid residues at a position in said carbonyl hydrolase equivalent to position +76, preferably also in combination with one or more amino acid residue positions equivalent to those selected from the group consisting of +99, +101, +103, +104, +107, +123, +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 Bacillus amyloliquefaciens subtilisin, as described in WO95/10591 and in the patent application of C. Ghosh, et al, "Bleaching Compositions Comprising Protease Enzymes
  • proteases described in patent applications EP 251 446 and WO 91/06637, protease BLAP® described in WO91/02792 and their variants described in WO 95/23221.
  • protease from Bacillus sp. NCIMB 40338 described in WO 93/18140 A to Novo.
  • Enzymatic detergents comprising protease, one or more other enzymes, and a reversible protease inhibitor are described in WO 92/03529 A to Novo.
  • a protease having decreased adso ⁇ tion and increased hydrolysis is available as described in WO 95/07791 to Procter & Gamble.
  • a recombinant trypsin-like protease for detergents suitable herein is described in WO 94/25583 to Novo.
  • Other suitable proteases are described in EP 516 200 by Unilever.
  • the proteolytic enzymes are inco ⁇ orated in the detergent compositions of the present invention a level of from 0.0001% to 2%, preferably from 0.001% to 0.2%, more preferably from 0.005% to 0.1% pure enzyme by weight of the composition.
  • Amylases can be included for removal of carbohydrate-based stains.
  • WO94/02597 Novo Nordisk A S published February 03, 1994, describes cleaning compositions which inco ⁇ orate mutant amylases. See also WO95/10603, Novo Nordisk A/S, published April 20, 1995.
  • Other amylases known for use in cleaning compositions include both ⁇ - and ⁇ -amylases.
  • ⁇ -Amylases are known in the art and include those disclosed in US Pat. no. 5,003,257; EP 252,666; WO/91/00353; FR 2,676,456; EP 285,123; EP 525,610; EP 368,341; and British Patent specification no. 1,296,839 (Novo).
  • amylases are stability-enhanced amylases described in WO94/18314, published August 18, 1994 and WO96/05295, Genencor, published February 22, 1996 and amylase variants having additional modification in the immediate parent available from Novo Nordisk A/S, disclosed in WO 95/10603, published April 95.
  • Examples of commercial ⁇ -amylases 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 : ⁇ -amylases characterised by having a specific activity at least 25% higher than the specific activity of Termamyl® at a temperature range of 25 °C to 55°C and at a pH value in the range of 8 to 10, measured by the Phadebas® ⁇ -amylase activity assay. Suitable are variants of the above enzymes, described in WO96/23873 (Novo Nordisk). Other amylolytic enzymes with improved properties with respect to the activity level and the combination of thermostability and a higher activity level are described in WO95/35382.
  • amylolytic enzymes are inco ⁇ orated in the detergent compositions of the present invention a level of from 0.0001% to 2%, preferably from 0.00018% to 0.06%, more preferably from 0.00024% to 0.048% pure enzyme by weight of the composition.
  • the above-mentioned enzymes may be of any suitable origin, such as vegetable, animal, bacterial, fungal and yeast origin. Origin can further be mesophilic or extremophilic (psychrophilic, psychrotrophic, thermophilic, barophilic, alkalophihc, acidophilic, halophilic, etc.). Purified or non-purified forms of these enzymes may be used. Also included by definition, are mutants of native enzymes. Mutants can be obtained e.g. by protein and/or genetic engineering, chemical and/or physical modifications of native enzymes. Common practice as well is the expression of the enzyme via host organisms in which the genetic material responsible for the production of the enzyme has been cloned.
  • Said enzymes are normally inco ⁇ orated in the detergent composition at levels from 0.0001% to 2% of active enzyme by weight of the detergent composition.
  • the enzymes can be added as separate single ingredients (prills, granulates, stabilized liquids, etc... containing one enzyme ) or as mixtures of two or more enzymes ( e.g. cogranulates ).
  • enzyme oxidation scavengers which are described in Copending European Patent application 92870018.6 filed on January 31, 1992.
  • enzyme oxidation scavengers are ethoxylated tetraethylene polyamines.
  • a range of enzyme materials and means for their inco ⁇ oration into synthetic detergent compositions is also disclosed in WO 9307263 A and WO 9307260 A to Genencor International, WO 8908694 A to Novo, and U.S. 3,553,139, January 5, 1971 to McCarty et al. Enzymes are further disclosed in U.S. 4,101,457, Place et al, July 18, 1978, and in U.S. 4,507,219, Hughes, March 26, 1985.
  • Enzyme materials useful for liquid detergent formulations, and their inco ⁇ oration into such formulations, are disclosed in U.S. 4,261,868, Hora et al, April 14, 1981.
  • Enzymes for use in detergents can be stabilised by various techniques. Enzyme stabilisation techniques are disclosed and exemplified in U.S. 3,600,319, August 17, 1971, Gedge et al, EP 199,405 and EP 200,586, October 29, 1986, Venegas. Enzyme stabilisation systems are also described, for example, in U.S. 3,519,570.
  • a useful Bacillus, sp. AC13 giving proteases, xylanases and cellulases is described in WO 9401532 A to Novo.
  • a highly preferred component of the detergent composition is a bleaching agent.
  • Suitable bleaching agents include chlorine and oxygen-releasing bleaching agents.
  • the oxygen-releasing bleaching agent contains a hydrogen peroxide source and an organic peroxyacid bleach precursor compound.
  • the production of the organic peroxyacid occurs by an in situ reaction of the precursor with a source of hydrogen peroxide.
  • Preferred sources of hydrogen peroxide include inorganic perhydrate bleaches.
  • a preformed organic peroxyacid is inco ⁇ orated directly into the composition.
  • Compositions containing mixtures of a hydrogen peroxide source and organic peroxyacid precursor in combination with a preformed organic peroxyacid are also envisaged.
  • compositions in accord with the invention preferably include a hydrogen peroxide source, as an oxygen-releasing bleach.
  • Suitable hydrogen peroxide sources include the inorganic perhydrate salts.
  • the inorganic perhydrate salts are normally inco ⁇ orated in the form of the sodium salt at a level of from 1% to 40% by weight, more preferably from 2% to 30% by weight and most preferably from 5% to 25% by weight of the compositions.
  • inorganic perhydrate salts include perborate, percarbonate, pe ⁇ hosphate, persulfate and persilicate salts.
  • the inorganic perhydrate salts are normally the alkali metal salts.
  • the inorganic perhydrate salt may be included as the crystalline solid without additional protection.
  • the preferred executions of such granular compositions utilize a coated form of the material which provides better storage stability for the perhydrate salt in the granular product.
  • Sodium perborate can be in the form of the monohydrate of nominal formula NaB ⁇ 2H2 ⁇ 2 or the tetrahydrate NaB ⁇ 2H2 ⁇ 2-3H2 ⁇ .
  • Alkali metal percarbonates, particularly sodium percarbonate are preferred perhydrates for inclusion in compositions in accordance with the invention.
  • Sodium percarbonate is an addition compound having a formula corresponding to 2Na2CO3.3H2O2, and is available commercially as a crystalline solid.
  • Sodium percarbonate, being a hydrogen peroxide addition compound tends on dissolution to release the hydrogen peroxide quite rapidly which can increase the tendency for localised high bleach concentrations to arise.
  • the percarbonate is most preferably inco ⁇ orated into such compositions in a coated form which provides in-product stability.
  • a suitable coating material providing in product stability comprises mixed salt of a water soluble alkali metal sulphate and carbonate.
  • the weight ratio of the mixed salt coating material to percarbonate lies in the range from 1 : 200 to 1 : 4, more preferably from 1 : 99 to 1 : 9, and most preferably from 1 : 49 to 1 : 19.
  • the mixed salt is of sodium sulphate and sodium carbonate which has the general formula Na2SO4.n.Na2CO3 wherein n is from 0.1 to 3, preferably n is from 0.3 to 1.0 and most preferably n is from 0.2 to 0.5.
  • Another suitable coating material providing in product stability comprises sodium silicate of S1O2 : Na2 ⁇ ratio from 1.8 : 1 to 3.0 : 1, preferably 1.8:1 to 2.4:1, and/or sodium metasilicate, preferably applied at a level of from 2% to 10%, (normally from 3% to 5%) of Si ⁇ 2 by weight of the inorganic perhydrate salt.
  • Magnesium silicate can also be included in the coating. Coatings that contain silicate and borate salts or boric acids or other inorganics are also suitable.
  • Potassium peroxymonopersulfate is another inorganic perhydrate salt of utility in the compositions herein.
  • Peroxyacid bleach precursors are compounds which react with hydrogen peroxide in a perhydrolysis reaction to produce a peroxyacid.
  • peroxyacid bleach precursors may be represented as
  • L is a leaving group and X is essentially any functionality, such that on perhydrolysis the structure of the peroxyacid produced is
  • Peroxyacid bleach precursor compounds are preferably inco ⁇ orated at a level of from 0.5% to 20% by weight, more preferably from 1% to 10% by weight, most preferably from 1.5% to 5% by weight of the compositions.
  • Suitable peroxyacid bleach precursor compounds typically contain one or more N- or O-acyl groups, which precursors can be selected from a wide range of classes.
  • Suitable classes include anhydrides, esters, imides, lactams and acylated derivatives of imidazoles and oximes. Examples of useful materials within these classes are disclosed in GB-A-1586789. Suitable esters are disclosed in GB-A-836988, 864798, 1147871, 2143231 and EP-A-0170386. Leaving groups
  • L group The leaving group, hereinafter L group, must be sufficiently reactive for the perhydrolysis reaction to occur within the optimum time frame (e.g., a wash cycle). However, if L is too reactive, this activator will be difficult to stabilise for use in a bleaching composition.
  • Preferred L groups are selected from the group consisting of:
  • R is an alkyl, aryl, or alkaryl group containing from
  • R 3 is an alkyl chain containing from 1 to 8 carbon atoms
  • R 4 is H or R
  • R5 is an alkenyl chain containing from 1 to 8 carbon atoms
  • Y is H or a solubilizing group.
  • Any of R 1, R3 and R 4 may be substituted by essentially any functional group including, for example alkyl, hydroxy, alkoxy, halogen, amine, nitrosyl, amide and ammonium or alkyl ammonium groups.
  • M is a cation which provides solubility to the bleach activator
  • X is an anion which provides solubility to the bleach activator.
  • M is an alkali metal, ammonium or substituted ammonium cation, with sodium and potassium being most preferred
  • X is a halide, hydroxide, methylsulfate or acetate anion.
  • Perbenzoic acid precursor compounds provide perbenzoic acid on perhydrolysis.
  • Suitable O-acylated perbenzoic acid precursor compounds include the substituted and unsubstituted benzoyl oxybenzene sulfonates, including for example benzoyl oxybenzene sulfonate:
  • benzoylation products of sorbitol, glucose, and all saccharides with benzoylating agents including for example:
  • Benzoyl Perbenzoic acid precursor compounds of the imide type include N-benzoyl succinimide, tetrabenzoyl ethylene diamine and the N-benzoyl substituted ureas.
  • Suitable imidazole type perbenzoic acid precursors include N-benzoyl imidazole and N-benzoyl benzimidazole and other useful N-acyl group-containing perbenzoic acid precursors include N-benzoyl pyrrolidone, dibenzoyl taurine and benzoyl pyroglutamic acid.
  • perbenzoic acid precursors include the benzoyl diacyl peroxides, the benzoyl tetraacyl peroxides, and the compound having the formula:
  • Phthalic anhydride is another suitable perbenzoic acid precursor compound herein:
  • Suitable N-acylated lactam perbenzoic acid precursors have the formula:
  • n is from 0 to 8, preferably from 0 to 2
  • R is a benzoyl group.
  • Perbenzoic acid derivative precursors provide substituted perbenzoic acids on perhydrolysis.
  • Suitable substituted perbenzoic acid derivative precursors include any of the herein disclosed perbenzoic precursors in which the benzoyl group is substituted by essentially any non-positively charged (i.e.; non-cationic) functional group including, for example alkyl, hydroxy, alkoxy, halogen, amine, nitrosyl and amide groups.
  • a preferred class of substituted perbenzoic acid precursor compounds are the amide substituted compounds of the following general formulae:
  • R! is an aryl or alkaryl group with from 1 to 14 carbon atoms
  • R 2 is an arylene, or alkarylene group containing from 1 to 14 carbon atoms
  • R$ is H or an alkyl, aryl, or alkaryl group containing 1 to 10 carbon atoms and L can be essentially any leaving group.
  • R ⁇ preferably contains from 6 to 12 carbon atoms.
  • R 2 preferably contains from 4 to 8 carbon atoms.
  • R ⁇ may be aryl, substituted aryl or alkylaryl containing branching, substitution, or both and may be sourced from either synthetic sources or natural sources including for example, tallow fat. Analogous structural variations are permissible for R 2 .
  • substitution can include alkyl, aryl, halogen, nitrogen, sulphur and other typical substituent groups or organic compounds.
  • R ⁇ is preferably H or methyl.
  • Rl and R should not contain more than 18 carbon atoms in total.
  • Amide substituted bleach activator compounds of this type are described in EP-A-0170386.
  • Cationic peroxyacid precursor compounds produce cationic peroxyacids on perhydrolysis.
  • cationic peroxyacid precursors are formed by substituting the peroxyacid part of a suitable peroxyacid precursor compound with a positively charged functional group, such as an ammonium or alkyl ammonium group, preferably an ethyl or methyl ammonium group.
  • Cationic peroxyacid precursors are typically present in the compositions as a salt with a suitable anion, such as for example a halide ion or a methylsulfate ion.
  • the peroxyacid precursor compound to be so cationically substituted may be a perbenzoic acid, or substituted derivative thereof, precursor compound as described hereinbefore.
  • the peroxyacid precursor compound may be an alkyl percarboxylic acid precursor compound or an amide substituted alkyl peroxyacid precursor as described hereinafter
  • Cationic peroxyacid precursors are described in U.S. Patents 4,904,406; 4,751,015; 4,988,451; 4,397,757; 5,269,962; 5,127,852; 5,093,022; 5,106,528; U.K. 1,382,594; EP 475,512, 458,396 and 284,292; and in JP 87-318,332.
  • Suitable cationic peroxyacid precursors include any of the ammonium or alkyl ammonium substituted alkyl or benzoyl oxybenzene sulfonates, N-acylated caprolactams, and monobenzoyltetraacetyl glucose benzoyl peroxides.
  • a preferred cationically substituted benzoyl oxybenzene sulfonate is the 4-(trimethyl ammonium) methyl derivative of benzoyl oxybenzene sulfonate:
  • a preferred cationically substituted alkyl oxybenzene sulfonate has the formula:
  • Preferred cationic peroxyacid precursors of the N-acylated caprolactam class include the trialkyl ammonium methylene benzoyl caprolactams, particularly trimethyl ammonium methylene benzoyl caprolactam:
  • N-acylated caprolactam class examples include the trialkyl ammonium methylene alkyl caprolactams:
  • n is from 0 to 12, particularly from 1 to 5.
  • Another preferred cationic peroxyacid precursor is 2-(N,N,N-trimethyl ammonium) ethyl sodium 4-sulphophenyl carbonate chloride.
  • Alkyl percarboxylic acid bleach precursors form percarboxylic acids on perhydrolysis.
  • Preferred precursors of this type provide peracetic acid on perhydrolysis.
  • Preferred alkyl percarboxylic precursor compounds of the imide type include the N- ,N,N*Nl tetra acetylated alkylene diamines wherein the alkylene group contains from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, particularly those compounds in which the alkylene group contains 1 , 2 and 6 carbon atoms. Tetraacetyl ethylene diamine (TAED) is particularly preferred.
  • TAED Tetraacetyl ethylene diamine
  • alkyl percarboxylic acid precursors include sodium 3,5,5-tri-methyl hexanoyloxybenzene sulfonate (iso-NOBS), sodium nonanoyloxybenzene sulfonate (NOBS), sodium acetoxybenzene sulfonate (ABS) and penta acetyl glucose.
  • Amide substituted alkyl peroxyacid precursors are also suitable, including those of the following general formulae:
  • R* is an alkyl group with from 1 to 14 carbon atoms
  • R 2 is an alkylene group containing from 1 to 14 carbon atoms
  • R ⁇ is H or an alkyl group containing 1 to 10 carbon atoms and L can be essentially any leaving group.
  • R* preferably contains from 6 to 12 carbon atoms.
  • R 2 preferably contains from 4 to 8 carbon atoms.
  • R* may be straight chain or branched alkyl containing branching, substitution, or both and may be sourced from either synthetic sources or natural sources including for example, tallow fat. Analogous structural variations are permissible for R 2 .
  • the substitution can include alkyl, halogen, nitrogen, sulphur and other typical substituent groups or organic compounds.
  • R ⁇ is preferably H or methyl.
  • R ⁇ and R ⁇ should not contain more than 18 carbon atoms in total. Amide substituted bleach activator compounds of this type are described in EP-A-0170386.
  • precursor compounds of the benzoxazin-type as disclosed for example in EP-A-332,294 and EP-A-482,807, particularly those having the formula:
  • R. is H, alkyl, alkaryl, aryl, arylalkyl, and wherein R ⁇ , R.,, R, and Rr may be the same or different substituents selected from H, halogen, alkyl, alkenyl, aryl, hydroxyl, alkoxyl, amino, alkyl amino, COOR ⁇ - (wherein R fi is H or an alkyl group) and carbonyl functions.
  • An especially preferred precursor of the benzoxazin-type is:
  • the organic peroxyacid bleaching system may contain, in addition to, or as an alternative to, an organic peroxyacid bleach precursor compound, a preformed organic peroxyacid , typically at a level of from 0.5% to 25% by weight, more preferably from 1% to 10% by weight of the composition.
  • a preferred class of organic peroxyacid compounds are the amide substituted compounds of the following general formulae:
  • R ⁇ is an alkyl, aryl or alkaryl group with from 1 to 14 carbon atoms
  • R 2 is an alkylene, arylene, and alkarylene group containing from 1 to 14 carbon atoms
  • R ⁇ is H or an alkyl, aryl, or alkaryl group containing 1 to 10 carbon atoms
  • R! preferably contains from 6 to 12 carbon atoms.
  • R 2 preferably contains from 4 to 8 carbon atoms
  • R* may be straight chain or branched alkyl, substituted aryl or alkylaryl containing branching, substitution, or both and may be sourced from either synthetic sources or natural sources including for example, tallow fat. Analogous structural variations are permissible for R 2 .
  • substitution can include alkyl, aryl, halogen, nitrogen, sulphur and other typical substituent groups or organic compounds.
  • R ⁇ is preferably H or methyl.
  • Rl and R ⁇ should not contain more than 18 carbon atoms in total.
  • Amide substituted organic peroxyacid compounds of this type are described in EP-A-0170386.
  • organic peroxyacids include diacyl and tetraacylperoxides, especially diperoxydodecanedioc acid, diperoxytetradecanedioc acid, and diperoxyhexadecanedioc acid.
  • Dibenzoyl peroxide is a preferred organic peroxyacid herein.
  • Mono- and diperazelaic acid, mono- and diperbrassylic acid, and N- phthaloylaminoperoxicaproic acid are also suitable herein.
  • the bleach compositions described herein may additionally contain as a preferred component, a metal containing bleach catalyst.
  • a metal containing bleach catalyst is a transition metal containing bleach catalyst, more preferably a manganese or cobalt-containing bleach catalyst.
  • a suitable type of bleach catalyst is a catalyst comprising a heavy metal cation of defined bleach catalytic activity, such as copper, iron cations, an auxiliary metal cation having little or no bleach catalytic activity, such as zinc or aluminium cations, and a sequestrant having defined stability constants for the catalytic and auxiliary metal cations, particularly ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, ethylenediaminetetra(methylenephosphonic acid) and water-soluble salts thereof.
  • a heavy metal cation of defined bleach catalytic activity such as copper, iron cations
  • an auxiliary metal cation having little or no bleach catalytic activity such as zinc or aluminium cations
  • a sequestrant having defined stability constants for the catalytic and auxiliary metal cations, particularly ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, ethylenediaminetetra(methylenephosphonic acid) and water-soluble salts thereof.
  • Preferred types of bleach catalysts include the manganese-based complexes disclosed in U.S. Pat. 5,246,621 and U.S. Pat. 5,244,594. Preferred examples of these catalysts include Mnf ⁇ 2( u "0)3(l,4,7-trimethyl-l,4,7-triazacyclononane)2- (PFg)2, Mn III 2(u-O) ⁇ (u-OAc)2(l,4,7-trimethyl-l,4,7-triazacyclononane)2-(Cl ⁇ 4)2, Mn IV 4 (u-O)g( 1 ,4,7-triazacyclononane)4-(ClO )2, Mn m Mn IV (u-O) i (u-O Ac) 2 .
  • Still another type of bleach catalyst is a water- soluble complex of manganese (III), and/or (IV) with a ligand which is a non- carboxylate polyhydroxy compound having at least three consecutive C-OH groups.
  • Preferred ligands include sorbitol, iditol, dulsitol, mannitol, xylithol, arabitol, adonitol, meso-erythritol, meso-inositol, lactose, and mixtures thereof.
  • U.S. Pat. 5,114,611 teaches a bleach catalyst comprising a complex of transition metals, including Mn, Co, Fe, or Cu, with an non-(macro)-cyclic ligand.
  • Said ligands are of the formula:
  • Preferred ligands include pyridine, pyridazine, pyrimidine, pyrazine, imidazole, pyrazole, and triazole rings.
  • said rings may be substituted with substituents such as alkyl, aryl, alkoxy, halide, and nitro.
  • substituents such as alkyl, aryl, alkoxy, halide, and nitro.
  • Particularly preferred is the ligand 2,2'-bispyridylamine.
  • Preferred bleach catalysts include Co, Cu, Mn, Fe,-bispyridylmethane and - bispyridylamine complexes.
  • Highly preferred catalysts include Co(2,2'- bispyridylamine)Cl2, Di(isothiocyanato)bispyridylamine-cobalt (II), trisdipyridylamine-cobalt(II) perchlorate, Co(2,2-bispyridylamine)2 ⁇ 2Cl ⁇ 4, Bis- (2,2'-bispyridylamine) copper(II) perchlorate, tris(di-2-pyridylamine) iron(II) perchlorate, and mixtures thereof.
  • Preferred examples include binuclear Mn complexes with tetra-N-dentate and bi-N- dentate ligands, including O) 2 MnIVbip y2 ]-(Cl ⁇ 4)3.
  • the bleach-catalyzing manganese complexes of the present invention have not been elucidated, it may be speculated that they comprise chelates or other hydrated coordination complexes which result from the interaction of the carboxyl and nitrogen atoms of the ligand with the manganese cation.
  • the oxidation state of the manganese cation during the catalytic process is not known with certainty, and may be the (+11), (+III), (+IV) or (+V) valence state. Due to the ligands' possible six points of attachment to the manganese cation, it may be reasonably speculated that multi-nuclear species and/or "cage" structures may exist in the aqueous bleaching media. Whatever the form of the active Mn- ligand species which actually exists, it functions in an apparently catalytic manner to provide improved bleaching performances on stubborn stains such as tea, ketchup, coffee, wine, juice, and the like.
  • bleach catalysts are described, for example, in European patent application, publication no. 408,131 (cobalt complex catalysts), European patent applications, publication nos. 384,503, and 306,089 (metallo- po ⁇ hyrin catalysts), U.S. 4,728,455 (manganese/multidentate ligand catalyst), U.S. 4,711,748 and European patent application, publication no. 224,952, (absorbed manganese on aluminosilicate catalyst), U.S. 4,601,845 (aluminosilicate support with manganese and zinc or magnesium salt), U.S. 4,626,373 (manganese/ligand catalyst), U.S. 4,119,557 (ferric complex catalyst), German Pat.
  • Preferred cobalt catalysts of this type have the formula:
  • the preferred cobalt catalyst of this type useful herein are cobalt pentaamine chloride salts having the formula [Co(NH3)5Cl] Y y , and especially [Co(NH 3 ) 5 Cl]Cl2.
  • T are selected from the group consisting of chloride, iodide, I3", formate, nitrate, nitrite, sulfate, sulfite, citrate, acetate, carbonate, bromide, PFg “ , BF4", B(Ph)4 " , phosphate, phosphite, silicate, tosylate, methanesulfonate, and combinations thereof.
  • T can be protonated if more than one anionic group exists in T, e.g., HPO42-, HCO3 " , H2PO4", etc.
  • T may be selected from the group consisting of non-traditional inorganic anions such as anionic surfactants (e.g., linear alkylbenzene sulfonates (LAS), alkyl sulfates (AS), alkylethoxysulfonates (AES), etc.) and/or anionic polymers (e.g., polyacrylates, polymethacrylates, etc.).
  • anionic surfactants e.g., linear alkylbenzene sulfonates (LAS), alkyl sulfates (AS), alkylethoxysulfonates (AES), etc.
  • anionic polymers e.g., polyacrylates, polymethacrylates, etc.
  • the M moieties include, but are not limited to, for example, F ⁇ , SO4 ⁇ 2, NCS " , SCN-, S 2 O 3 -2, NH3, PO4 3 -, and carboxylates (which preferably are mono-carboxylates, but more than one carboxylate may be present in the moiety as long as the binding to the cobalt is by only one carboxylate per moiety, in which case the other carboxylate in the M moiety may be protonated or in its salt form).
  • carboxylates which preferably are mono-carboxylates, but more than one carboxylate may be present in the moiety as long as the binding to the cobalt is by only one carboxylate per moiety, in which case the other carboxylate in the M moiety may be protonated or in its salt form).
  • M can be protonated if more than one anionic group exists in M (e.g., HPO42-, HCO3", H2PO4", HOC(O)CH2C(O)O-, etc.)
  • Preferred M moieties are substituted and unsubstituted C1-C30 carboxy lie acids having the formulas:
  • R is preferably selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and C1-C30 (preferably Ci -Cj g) unsubstituted and substituted alkyl, Cg- C30 (preferably Cg-Ci g) unsubstituted and substituted aryl, and C3-C30 (preferably C5-C1 g) unsubstituted and substituted heteroaryl, wherein substituents are selected from the group consisting of -NR'3, -NR'4 + , - C(O)OR, -OR, -C(O)NR' 2 , wherein R is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and C1 -Cg moieties.
  • Such substituted R therefore include the moieties -(CH2) n OH and -(CH2) n NR'4 + , wherein n is an integer from 1 to about 16, preferably from about 2 to about 10, and most preferably from about 2 to about 5.
  • M are carboxylic acids having the formula above wherein R is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl, straight or branched C4-C12 alkyl, and benzyl. Most preferred R is methyl.
  • Preferred carboxylic acid M moieties include formic, benzoic, octanoic, nonanoic, decanoic, dodecanoic, malonic, maleic, succinic, adipic, phthalic, 2-ethylhexanoic, naphthenoic, oleic, palmitic, triflate, tartrate, stearic, butyric, citric, acrylic, aspartic, fumaric, lauric, linoleic, lactic, malic, and especially acetic acid.
  • the B moieties include carbonate, di- and higher carboxylates (e.g., oxalate, malonate, malic, succinate, maleate), picolinic acid, and alpha and beta amino acids (e.g., glycine, alanine, beta-alanine, phenylalanine).
  • carboxylates e.g., oxalate, malonate, malic, succinate, maleate
  • picolinic acid e.g., glycine, alanine, beta-alanine, phenylalanine.
  • Cobalt bleach catalysts useful herein are known, being described for example along with their base hydrolysis rates, in M. L. Tobe, "Base Hydrolysis of Transition-Metal Complexes", Adv. Inorg. Bioinorg. Mech., (1983), 2, pages 1-94.
  • cobalt pentaamine acetate salts having the formula [Co(NH3)5OAc] T y , wherein OAc represents an acetate moiety, and especially cobalt pentaamine acetate chloride, [Co(NH3)5OAc]Cl2; as well as [Co(NH3)5OAc](OAc)2; [Co(NH 3 ) 5 OAc](PFg)2; [Co(NH 3 ) 5 OAc](SO4); [Co- (NH 3 ) 5 OAc](BF4)2; and [Co(NH 3 ) 5 OAc](NO3) 2 (herein "PAC").
  • catalysts may be coprocessed with adjunct materials so as to reduce the color impact if desired for the aesthetics of the product, or to be included in enzyme-containing particles as exemplified hereinafter, or the compositions may be manufactured to contain catalyst "speckles".
  • the detergent tablet composition optionally contains a water-soluble sulfate salt.
  • the water-soluble sulfate salt is at the level of from 0.1% to 40%, more preferably from 1% to 30%, most preferably from 5% to 25% by weight of the compositions.
  • the water-soluble sulfate salt may be essentially any salt of sulfate with any counter cation.
  • Preferred salts are selected from the sulfates of the alkali and alkaline earth metals, particularly sodium sulfate.
  • a preferred component of the detergent composition is an alkali metal silicate.
  • a preferred alkali metal silicate is sodium silicate having an SiO2:Na2O ratio of from 1.8 to 3.0, preferably from 1.8 to 2.4, most preferably 2.0.
  • Sodium silicate is preferably present at a level of less than 20%, preferably from 1% to 15%, most preferably from 3% to 12% by weight of Si ⁇ 2-
  • the alkali metal silicate may be in the form of either the anhydrous salt or a hydrated salt.
  • Hydrocarbon oils Another preferred detergent component for use in the present invention is a hydrocarbon oil, typically a predominantly long chain, aliphatic hydrocarbons having a number of carbon atoms in the range of from 20 to 50; preferred hydrocarbons are saturated and/or branched; preferred hydrocarbon oil selected from predominantly branched C25.45 species with a ratio of cyclic to noncyclic hydrocarbons of from 1 : 10 to 2: 1 , preferably from 1 :5 to 1 :1.
  • a preferrred hydrocarbon oil is paraffin.
  • a paraffin oil meeting the characteristics as outlined above, having a ratio of cyclic to noncyclic hydrocarbons of about 32:68, is sold by Wintershall, Salzbergen, Germany, under the trade name WINOG 70.
  • compositions prepared by the process of the present invention suitable for use in dishwashing methods may contain a water-soluble bismuth compound, preferably present at a level of from 0.005% to 20%, more preferably from 0.01% to 5%, most preferably from 0.1% to 1% by weight of the compositions.
  • the water-soluble bismuth compound may be essentially any salt or complex of bismuth with essentially any inorganic or organic counter anion.
  • Preferred inorganic bismuth salts are selected from the bismuth trihalides, bismuth nitrate and bismuth phosphate.
  • Bismuth acetate and citrate are preferred salts with an organic counter anion.
  • compositions of the present invention and suitable for use in dishwashing methods may contain corrosion inhibitors preferably selected from organic silver coating agents, particularly paraffin, nitrogen-containing corrosion inhibitor compounds and Mn(II) compounds, particularly Mn(II) salts of organic ligands.
  • corrosion inhibitors preferably selected from organic silver coating agents, particularly paraffin, nitrogen-containing corrosion inhibitor compounds and Mn(II) compounds, particularly Mn(II) salts of organic ligands.
  • Organic silver coating agents are described in PCT Publication No. WO94/16047 and copending European application No. EP-A-690122. Nitrogen-containing corrosion inhibitor compounds are disclosed in copending European Application no. EP-A-634,478. Mn(II) compounds for use in corrosion inhibition are described in copending European Application No. EP-A-672 749. Organic silver coating agent may be inco ⁇ orated at a level of from 0.05% to 10%, preferably from 0.1% to 5% by weight of the total composition.
  • the functional role of the silver coating agent is to form 'in use' a protective coating layer on any silverware components of the washload to which the compositions of the invention are being applied.
  • the silver coating agent should hence have a high affinity for attachment to solid silver surfaces, particularly when present in as a component of an aqueous washing and bleaching solution with which the solid silver surfaces are being treated.
  • Suitable organic silver coating agents herein include fatty esters of mono- or polyhydric alcohols having from 1 to about 40 carbon atoms in the hydrocarbon chain.
  • the fatty acid portion of the fatty ester can be obtained from mono- or polycarboxylic acids having from 1 to about 40 carbon atoms in the hydrocarbon chain.
  • monocarboxylic fatty acids include behenic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, palmitic acid, myristic acid, lauric acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, isobutyric acid, Valerie acid, lactic acid, glycolic acid and ⁇ , ⁇ '- dihydroxyisobutyric acid.
  • suitable polycarboxylic acids include: n- butyl-malonic acid, isocitric acid, citric acid, maleic acid, malic acid and succinic acid.
  • the fatty alcohol radical in the fatty ester can be represented by mono- or polyhydric alcohols having from 1 to 40 carbon atoms in the hydrocarbon chain.
  • suitable fatty alcohols include; behenyl, arachidyl, cocoyl, oleyl and lauryl alcohol, ethylene glycol, glycerol, ethanol, isopropanol, vinyl alcohol, diglycerol, xylitol, sucrose, erythritol, pentaerythritol, sorbitol or sorbitan.
  • the fatty acid and/or fatty alcohol group of the fatty ester adjunct material have from 1 to 24 carbon atoms in the alkyl chain.
  • Preferred fatty esters herein are ethylene glycol, glycerol and sorbitan esters wherein the fatty acid portion of the ester normally comprises a species selected from behenic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, palmitic acid or myristic acid.
  • the glycerol esters are also highly preferred. These are the mono-, di- or tri-esters of glycerol and the fatty acids as defined above.
  • fatty alcohol esters for use herein include: stearyl acetate, palmityl di-lactate, cocoyl isobutyrate, oleyl maleate, oleyl dimaleate , and tallowyl proprionate.
  • Fatty acid esters useful herein include: xylitol monopalmitate, pentaerythritol monostearate, sucrose monostearate, glycerol monostearate, ethylene glycol monostearate, sorbitan esters.
  • Suitable sorbitan esters include sorbitan monostearate, sorbitan palmitate, sorbitan monolaurate, sorbitan monomyristate, sorbitan monobehenate, sorbitan mono-oleate, sorbitan dilaurate, sorbitan distearate, sorbitan dibehenate, sorbitan dioleate, and also mixed tallowalkyl sorbitan mono- and di-esters.
  • Glycerol monostearate glycerol mono-oleate, glycerol monopalmitate, glycerol monobehenate, and glycerol distearate are preferred glycerol esters herein.
  • Suitable organic silver coating agents include triglycerides, mono or diglycerides, and wholly or partially hydrogenated derivatives thereof, and any mixtures thereof.
  • Suitable sources of fatty acid esters include vegetable and fish oils and animal fats.
  • Suitable vegetable oils include soy bean oil, cotton seed oil, castor oil, olive oil, peanut oil, safflower oil, sunflower oil, rapeseed oil, grapeseed oil, palm oil and corn oil.
  • Waxes including microcrystalline waxes are suitable organic silver coating agents herein.
  • Preferred waxes have a melting point in the range from about 35°C to about 110°C and comprise generally from 12 to 70 carbon atoms.
  • Preferred are petroleum waxes of the paraffin and microcrystalline type which are composed of long-chain saturated hydrocarbon compounds.
  • Alginates and gelatin are suitable organic silver coating agents herein.
  • Dialkyl amine oxides such as Ci 2-C20 methylamine oxide, and dialkyl quaternary ammonium compounds and salts, such as the C12-C20 methylammonium halides are also suitable.
  • organic silver coating agents include certain polymeric materials.
  • Polyvinylpyrrolidones with an average molecular weight of from 12,000 to 700,000, polyethylene glycols (PEG) with an average molecular weight of from 600 to 10,000, polyamine N-oxide polymers, copolymers of N-vinylpyrrolidone and N- vinylimidazole, and cellulose derivatives such as methylcellulose, carboxymethylcellulose and hydroxyethylcellulose are examples of such polymeric materials.
  • perfume materials particularly those demonstrating a high substantivity for metallic surfaces, are also useful as the organic silver coating agents herein.
  • Polymeric soil release agents can also be used as an organic silver coating agent.
  • Suitable polymeric soil release agents include those soil release agents having: (a) one or more nonionic hydrophile components consisting essentially of (i) polyoxyethylene segments with a degree of polymerization of at least 2, or (ii) oxypropylene or polyoxypropylene segments with a degree of polymerization of from 2 to 10, wherein said hydrophile segment does not encompass any oxypropylene unit unless it is bonded to adjacent moieties at each end by ether linkages, or (iii) a mixture of oxyalkylene units comprising oxyethylene and from 1 to about 30 oxypropylene units, said hydrophile segments preferably comprising at least about 25% oxyethylene units and more preferably, especially for such components having about 20 to 30 oxypropylene units, at least about 50% oxyethylene units; or (b) one or more hydrophobe components comprising (i) C3 oxyalkylene terephthalate segments, wherein, if said hydrophobe components also comprise oxyethylene terephthalate, the ratio of
  • the polyoxyethylene segments of (a)(i) will have a degree of polymerization of from about 200, although higher levels can be used, preferably from 3 to about 150, more preferably from 6 to about 100.
  • Suitable oxy C4-C alkylene hydrophobe segments include, but are not limited to, end-caps of polymeric soil release agents such as M ⁇ 3S(CH2) n OCH2CH2 ⁇ -, where M is sodium and n is an integer from 4-6, as disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,721,580, issued January 26, 1988 to Gosselink.
  • Polymeric soil release agents useful herein also include cellulosic derivatives such as hydroxyether cellulosic polymers, copolymeric blocks of ethylene terephthalate or propylene terephthalate with polyethylene oxide or polypropylene oxide terephthalate, and the like. Such agents are commercially available and include hydroxyethers of cellulose such as METHOCEL (Dow). Cellulosic soil release agents for use herein also include those selected from the group consisting of Cj-C4 alkyl and C4 hydroxyalkyl cellulose; see U.S. Patent 4,000,093, issued December 28, 1976 to Nicol, et al.
  • Soil release agents characterized by poly(vinyl ester) hydrophobe segments include graft copolymers ofpoly(vinyl ester), e.g., Cj-Cg vinyl esters, preferably poly(vinyl acetate) grafted onto polyalkylene oxide backbones, such as polyethylene oxide backbones.
  • graft copolymers ofpoly(vinyl ester) e.g., Cj-Cg vinyl esters, preferably poly(vinyl acetate) grafted onto polyalkylene oxide backbones, such as polyethylene oxide backbones.
  • Another suitable soil release agent is a copolymer having random blocks of ethylene terephthalate and polyethylene oxide (PEO) terephthalate.
  • the molecular weight of this polymeric soil release agent is in the range of from about 25,000 to about 55,000. See U.S. Patent 3,959,230 to Hays, issued May 25, 1976 and U.S. Patent 3,893,929 to Basadur issued July 8, 1975.
  • Another suitable polymeric soil release agent is a polyester with repeat units of ethylene terephthalate units contains 10-15% by weight of ethylene terephthalate units together with 90-80% by weight of polyoxyethylene terephthalate units, derived from a polyoxyethylene glycol of average molecular weight 300-5,000.
  • Another suitable polymeric soil release agent is a sulfonated product of a substantially linear ester oligomer comprised of an oligomeric ester backbone of terephthaloyl and oxyalkyleneoxy repeat units and terminal moieties covalently attached to the backbone.
  • These soil release agents are described fully in U.S. Patent 4,968,451 , issued November 6, 1990 to J. J. Scheibel and E.P. Gosselink.
  • Other suitable polymeric soil release agents include the terephthalate polyesters of U.S. Patent 4,711,730, issued December 8, 1987 to Gosselink et al, the anionic end- capped oligomeric esters of U.S.
  • Patent 4,721,580 issued January 26, 1988 to Gosselink
  • block polyester oligomeric compounds of U.S. Patent 4,702,857 issued October 27, 1987 to Gosselink.
  • Other polymeric soil release agents also include the soil release agents of U.S. Patent 4,877,896, issued October 31, 1989 to Maldonado et al, which discloses anionic, especially sulfoarolyl, end-capped terephthalate esters.
  • Another soil release agent is an oligomer with repeat units of terephthaloyl units, sulfoisoterephthaloyl units, oxyethyleneoxy and oxy-1 ,2-propylene units.
  • the repeat units form the backbone of the oligomer and are preferably terminated with modified isethionate end-caps.
  • a particularly preferred soil release agent of this type comprises about one sulfoisophthaloyl unit, 5 terephthaloyl units, oxyethyleneoxy and oxy-l,2-propyleneoxy units in a ratio of from about 1.7 to about 1.8, and two end-cap units of sodium 2-(2-hydroxyethoxy)-ethanesulfonate.
  • a preferred organic silver coating agent is a paraffin oil, typically a predominantly branched aliphatic hydrocarbon having a number of carbon atoms in the range of from 20 to 50; preferred paraffin oil selected from predominantly branched C25.45 species with a ratio of cyclic to noncyclic hydrocarbons of from 1 : 10 to 2:1, preferably from 1 :5 to 1 :1.
  • Suitable nitrogen-containing corrosion inhibitor compounds include imidazole and derivatives thereof such as benzimidazole, 2-heptadecyl imidazole and those imidazole derivatives described in Czech Patent No. 139, 279 and British Patent GB-A-1,137,741, which also discloses a method for making imidazole compounds.
  • nitrogen-containing corrosion inhibitor compounds are pyrazole compounds and their derivatives, particularly those where the pyrazole is substituted in any of the 1, 3, 4 or 5 positions by substituents R1 , R3, R4 and R5 where R ⁇ is any of H, CH 2 OH, CONH3, or COCH3, R 3 and R5 are any of C ⁇ o alkyl or hydroxyl, and R4 is any of H, NH2 or NO2.
  • nitrogen-containing corrosion inhibitor compounds include benzotriazole, 2-mercaptobenzothiazole, l-phenyl-5-mercapto-l,2,3,4-tetrazole, thionalide, mo ⁇ holine, melamine, distearylamine, stearoyl stearamide, cyanuric acid, aminotriazole, aminotetrazole and indazole.
  • Nitrogen-containing compounds such as amines, especially distearylamine and ammonium compounds such as ammonium chloride, ammonium bromide, ammonium sulphate or diammonium hydrogen citrate are also suitable.
  • the compositions may contain an Mn(II) corrosion inhibitor compound.
  • the Mn(II) compound is preferably inco ⁇ orated at a level of from 0.005%> to 5% by weight, more preferably from 0.01% to 1%, most preferably from 0.02% to 0.4% by weight of the compositions.
  • the Mn(II) compound is inco ⁇ orated at a level to provide from 0.1 ppm to 250 ppm, more preferably from 0.5 ppm to 50 ppm, most preferably from 1 ppm to 20 ppm by weight of Mn(II) ions in any bleaching solution.
  • the Mn (II) compound may be an inorganic salt in anhydrous, or any hydrated forms. Suitable salts include manganese sulphate, manganese carbonate, manganese phosphate, manganese nitrate, manganese acetate and manganese chloride.
  • the Mn(II) compound may be a salt or complex of an organic fatty acid such as manganese acetate or manganese stearate.
  • the Mn(II) compound may be a salt or complex of an organic ligand.
  • the organic ligand is a heavy metal ion sequestrant.
  • the organic ligand is a crystal growth inhibitor.
  • additional corrosion inhibitor compounds include, mercaptans and diols, especially mercaptans with 4 to 20 carbon atoms including lauryl mercaptan, thiophenol, thionapthol, thionalide and thioanthranol. Also suitable are saturated or unsaturated C10-C20 fatty acids, or their salts, especially aluminium tristearate. The C12-C20 hydroxy fatty acids, or their salts, are also suitable. Phosphonated octa-decane and other anti-oxidants such as betahydroxytoluene (BHT) are also suitable. Copolymers of butadiene and maleic acid, particularly those supplied under the trade reference no. 07787 by Polysciences Inc have been found to be of particular utility as corrosion inhibitor compounds.
  • the level of available oxygen in the present compositions is preferably controlled; the level of available oxygen should hence preferably be in the range from 0.3% to 2.5%, preferably from 0.5% to 1.7%, more preferably from 0.6% to 1.5%, most preferably from 0.7% to 1.2%, measured according to the method described hereunder.
  • the rate of release of available oxygen is preferably also controlled; the rate of release of available oxygen from the compositions herein preferably should be such that, when using the method described hereinafter, the available oxygen is not completely released from the composition until after 3.5 minutes, preferably the available oxygen is released in a time interval of from 3.5 minutes to 10.0 minutes, more preferably from 4.0 minutes to 9.0 minutes, most preferably from 5.0 minutes to 8.5 minutes.
  • a beaker of water (typically 2L) is placed on a stirrer Hotplate, and the stirrer speed is selected to ensure that the product is evenly dispersed through the solution.
  • the detergent composition typically 8g of product which has been sampled down from a bulk supply using a Pascal sampler
  • the detergent composition is added and simultaneously a stop clock is started.
  • the level of AvO, measured in units of % available oxygen by weight, for the sample at each time interval corresponds to the amount of titre according to the following equation
  • AvO level is plotted versus time to determine the maximum level of AvO, and the rate of release of AvO
  • Controlled rate of release - means A means may be provided for controlling the rate of release of oxygen bleach to the wash solution.
  • Means for controlling the rate of release of the bleach may provide for controlled release of peroxide species to the wash solution.
  • Such means could, for example, include controlling the release of any inorganic perhydrate salt, acting as a hydrogen peroxide source, to the wash solution.
  • Suitable controlled release means can include coating any suitable component with a coating designed to provide the controlled release.
  • the coating may therefore, for example, comprise a poorly water soluble material, or be a coating of sufficient thickness that the kinetics of dissolution of the thick coating provide the controlled rate of release.
  • the coating material may be applied using various methods. Any coating material is typically present at a weight ratio of coating material to bleach of from 1 :99 to 1 :2, preferably from 1 :49 to 1 :9.
  • Suitable coating materials include triglycerides (e.g. partially) hydrogenated vegetable oil, soy bean oil, cotton seed oil) mono or diglycerides, microcrystalline waxes, gelatin, cellulose, fatty acids and any mixtures thereof.
  • suitable coating materials can comprise the alkali and alkaline earth metal sulphates, silicates and carbonates, including calcium carbonate and silicas.
  • a preferred coating material particularly for an inorganic perhydrate salt bleach source, comprises sodium silicate of Si ⁇ 2 : Na2 ⁇ ratio from 1.8 : 1 to 3.0 : 1, preferably 1.8:1 to 2.4:1, and/or sodium metasilicate, preferably applied at a level of from 2% to 10%, (normally from 3% to 5%) of Si ⁇ 2 by weight of the inorganic perhydrate salt.
  • Magnesium silicate can also be included in the coating.
  • Any inorganic salt coating materials may be combined with organic binder materials to provide composite inorganic salt/organic binder coatings.
  • Suitable binders include the C ⁇ 0-C20 alcohol ethoxylates containing from 5 - 100 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol and more preferably the C15-C20 primary alcohol ethoxylates containing from 20 - 100 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol.
  • Other preferred binders include certain polymeric materials. Polyvinylpyrrolidones with an average molecular weight of from 12,000 to 700,000 and polyethylene glycols (PEG) with an average molecular weight of from 600 to 5 x 10" preferably 1000 to 400,000 most preferably 1000 to 10,000 are examples of such polymeric materials.
  • Copolymers of maleic anhydride with ethylene, methylvinyl ether or methacrylic acid, the maleic anhydride constituting at least 20 mole percent of the polymer are further examples of polymeric materials useful as binder agents. These polymeric materials may be used as such or in combination with solvents such as water, propylene glycol and the above mentioned C ⁇ 0-C20 alcohol ethoxylates containing from 5 - 100 moles of ethylene oxide per mole. Further examples of binders include the C10-C20 mono- and diglycerol ethers and also the C10-C20 f tty acids.
  • Cellulose derivatives such as methylcellulose, carboxymethylcellulose and hydroxy ethylcellulose, and homo- or co-polymeric polycarboxylic acids or their salts are other examples of binders suitable for use herein.
  • One method for applying the coating material involves agglomeration.
  • Preferred agglomeration processes include the use of any of the organic binder materials described hereinabove. Any conventional agglomerator/mixer may be used including, but not limited to pan, rotary drum and vertical blender types. Molten coating compositions may also be applied either by being poured onto, or spray atomized onto a moving bed of bleaching agent.
  • Suitable means of providing the required controlled release include mechanical means for altering the physical characteristics of the bleach to control its solubility and rate of release. Suitable protocols could include compression, mechanical injection, manual injection, and adjustment of the solubility of the bleach compound by selection of particle size of any particulate component.
  • particle size Whilst the choice of particle size will depend both on the composition of the particulate component, and the desire to meet the desired controlled release kinetics, it is desirable that the particle size should be more than 500 micrometers, preferably having an average particle diameter of from 800 to 1200 micrometers.
  • Additional protocols for providing the means of controlled release include the suitable choice of any other components of the detergent composition matrix such that when the composition is introduced to the wash solution the ionic strength environment therein provided enables the required controlled release kinetics to be achieved.
  • compositions preferably contain an alkalinity system containing sodium silicate having an Si ⁇ 2 : Na2 ⁇ ratio of from 1.8 to 3.0, preferably from 1.8 to 2.4, most preferably 2.0, present preferably at a level of less than 20%, preferably from 1% to 15%, most preferably from 3% to 12% by weight of Si ⁇ 2-
  • the alkali metal silicate may be in the form of either the anhydrous salt or a hydrated salt.
  • the alkalinity system also preferably contains sodium metasilicate, present at a level of at least 0.4% Si ⁇ 2 by weight.
  • Sodium metasilicate has a nominal Si ⁇ 2 : Na2 ⁇ ratio of 1.0.
  • the weight ratio of said sodium silicate to said sodium metasilicate, measured as Si ⁇ 2, is preferably from 50:1 to 5:4, more preferably from 15:1 to 2:1, most preferably from 10:1 to 5:2.
  • the detergent compositions of the invention preferably contain as an optional component a heavy metal ion sequestrant.
  • heavy metal ion sequestrant it is meant herein components which act to sequester (chelate) heavy metal ions. These components may also have calcium and magnesium chelation capacity, but preferentially they show selectivity to binding heavy metal ions such as iron, manganese and copper.
  • Heavy metal ion sequestrants are generally present at a level of from 0.005% to 20%, preferably from 0.1% to 10%, more preferably from 0.25% to 7.5% and most preferably from 0.5% to 5% by weight of the compositions.
  • Heavy metal ion sequestrants which are acidic in nature, having for example phosphonic acid or carboxylic acid functionalities, may be present either in their acid form or as a complex/salt with a suitable counter cation such as an alkali or alkaline metal ion, ammonium, or substituted ammonium ion, or any mixtures thereof.
  • any salts/complexes are water soluble.
  • the molar ratio of said counter cation to the heavy metal ion sequestrant is preferably at least 1 :1.
  • Suitable heavy metal ion sequestrants for use herein include organic phosphonates, such as the amino alkylene poly (alkylene phosphonates), alkali metal ethane 1- hydroxy disphosphonates and nitrilo trimethylene phosphonates.
  • organic phosphonates such as the amino alkylene poly (alkylene phosphonates), alkali metal ethane 1- hydroxy disphosphonates and nitrilo trimethylene phosphonates.
  • Preferred among the above species are diethylene triamine penta (methylene phosphonate), ethylene diamine tri (methylene phosphonate) hexamethylene diamine tetra (methylene phosphonate) and hydroxy-ethylene 1,1 diphosphonate.
  • Suitable heavy metal ion sequestrant for use herein include nitrilotriacetic acid and polyaminocarboxylic acids such as ethylenediaminotetracetic acid, ethylenetriamine pentacetic acid, ethylenediamine disuccinic acid, ethylenediamine diglutaric acid, 2-hydroxypropylenediamine disuccinic acid or any salts thereof.
  • EDDS ethylenediamine-N,N'-disuccinic acid
  • alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, ammonium, or substituted ammonium salts thereof, or mixtures thereof Especially preferred is ethylenediamine-N,N'-disuccinic acid (EDDS) or the alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, ammonium, or substituted ammonium salts thereof, or mixtures thereof.
  • Preferred EDDS compounds are the free acid form and the sodium or magnesium salt or complex thereof.
  • the detergent compositions preferably contain a crystal growth inhibitor component, preferably an organodiphosphonic acid component, inco ⁇ orated preferably at a level of from 0.01% to 5%, more preferably from 0.1% to 2% by weight of the compositions.
  • a crystal growth inhibitor component preferably an organodiphosphonic acid component
  • organo diphosphonic acid it is meant herein an organo diphosphonic acid which does not contain nitrogen as part of its chemical structure. This definition therefore excludes the organo aminophosphonates, which however may be included in compositions of the invention as heavy metal ion sequestrant components.
  • the organo diphosphonic acid is preferably a Ci -C4 diphosphonic acid, more preferably a C2 diphosphonic acid, such as ethylene diphosphonic acid, or most preferably ethane 1 -hydroxy- 1,1 -diphosphonic acid (HEDP) and may be present in partially or fully ionized form, particularly as a salt or complex.
  • a Ci -C4 diphosphonic acid more preferably a C2 diphosphonic acid, such as ethylene diphosphonic acid, or most preferably ethane 1 -hydroxy- 1,1 -diphosphonic acid (HEDP) and may be present in partially or fully ionized form, particularly as a salt or complex.
  • Enzyme Stabilizing System Preferred enzyme-containing compositions herein may comprise from about 0.001% to about 10%, preferably from about 0.005% to about 8%, most preferably from about 0.01% to about 6%, by weight of an enzyme stabilizing system.
  • the enzyme stabilizing system can be any stabilizing system which is compatible with the detersive enzyme.
  • Such stabilizing systems can comprise calcium ion, boric acid, propylene glycol, short chain carboxylic acid, boronic acid, chlorine bleach scavengers and mixtures thereof.
  • Such stabilizing systems can also comprise reversible enzyme inhibitors, such as reversible protease inhibitors.
  • Organic polymeric compounds may be added as preferred components of the compositions in accord with the invention.
  • organic polymeric compound it is meant essentially any polymeric organic compound commonly used asdispersants, and anti-redeposition and soil suspension agents in detergent compositions.
  • Organic polymeric compound is typically inco ⁇ orated in the detergent compositions of the invention at a level of from 0.1% to 30%, preferably from 0.5% to 15%, most preferably from 1% to 10% by weight of the compositions.
  • organic polymeric compounds include the water soluble organic homo- or co-polymeric polycarboxylic acids or their salts in which the polycarboxylic acid comprises at least two carboxyl radicals separated from each other by not more than two carbon atoms.
  • Polymers of the latter type are disclosed in GB-A- 1,596,756.
  • salts are polyacrylates of molecular weight 2000-10000 and their copolymers with any suitable other monomer units including modified acrylic, fumaric, maleic, itaconic, aconitic, mesaconic, citraconic and methylenemalonic acid or their salts, maleic anhydride, acrylamide, alkylene, vinylmethyl ether, styrene and any mixtures thereof.
  • Preferred are the copolymers of acrylic acid and maleic anhydride having a molecular weight of from 20,000 to 100,000.
  • Preferred commercially available acrylic acid containing polymers having a molecular weight below 15,000 include those sold under the tradename Sokalan PA30, PA20, PA15, PA10 and Sokalan CP10 by BASF GmbH, and those sold under the tradename Acusol 45N by Rohm and Haas.
  • Preferred acrylic acid containing copolymers include those which contain as monomer units: a) from 90% to 10%, preferably from 80% to 20% by weight acrylic acid or its salts and b) from 10% to 90%, preferably from 20% to 80% by weight of a substituted acrylic monomer or its salts having the general formula -[CR2-CR](CO- O-R3)]- wherein at least one of the substituents R ⁇ , R2 or R3, preferably R ⁇ or R2 is a 1 to 4 carbon alkyl or hydroxyalkyl group, R ⁇ or R2 can be a hydrogen and R3 can be a hydrogen or alkali metal salt.
  • R ⁇ is methyl
  • R2 is hydrogen (i.e. a methacrylic acid monomer).
  • the most preferred copolymer of this type has a molecular weight of 3500 and contains 60% to 80% by weight of acrylic acid and 40% to 20% by weight of methacrylic acid.
  • polyamino compounds are useful herein including those derived from aspartic acid such as those disclosed in EP-A-305282, EP-A-305283 and EP-A-351629.
  • the detergent compositions may contain a clay softening system comprising a clay mineral compound and optionally a clay flocculating agent.
  • the clay mineral compound is preferably a smectite clay compound.
  • Smectite clays are disclosed in the US Patents No.s 3,862,058, 3,948,790, 3,954,632 and 4,062,647.
  • European Patents No.s EP-A-299,575 and EP-A-313,146 in the name of the Procter and Gamble Company describe suitable organic polymeric clay flocculating agents.
  • compositions of the invention may contain a lime soap dispersant compound, preferably present at a level of from 0.1% to 40% by weight, more preferably 1% to 20% by weight, most preferably from 2% to 10% by weight of the compositions.
  • a lime soap dispersant is a material that prevents the precipitation of alkali metal, ammonium or amine salts of fatty acids by calcium or magnesium ions.
  • Preferred lime soap disperant compounds are disclosed in PCT Application No. WO93/08877.
  • compositions of the invention when formulated for use in machine washing compositions, preferably comprise a suds suppressing system present at a level of from 0.01% to 15%, preferably from 0.05% to 10%, most preferably from 0.1% to 5% by weight of the composition.
  • Suitable suds suppressing systems for use herein may comprise essentially any known antifoam compound, including, for example silicone antifoam compounds, 2- alkyl and alcanol antifoam compounds.
  • Preferred suds suppressing systems and antifoam compounds are disclosed in PCT Application No. WO93/08876 and EP- A-705 324.
  • compositions herein may also comprise from 0.01% to 10 %, preferably from 0.05% to 0.5% by weight of polymeric dye transfer inhibiting agents.
  • the polymeric dye transfer inhibiting agents are preferably selected from polyamine N-oxide polymers, copolymers of N-vinylpyrrolidone and N-vinylimidazole, polyvinylpyrrolidonepolymers or combinations thereof.
  • the detergent compositions herein also optionally contain from about 0.005% to 5% by weight of certain types of hydrophilic optical brighteners.
  • Hydrophilic optical brighteners useful herein include those having the structural formula:
  • Rj is selected from anilino, N-2-bis-hydroxyethyl and NH-2-hydroxyethyl
  • R2 is selected from N-2-bis-hydroxyethyl, N-2-hydroxyethyl-N-methylamino, mo ⁇ hilino, chloro and amino
  • M is a salt-forming cation such as sodium or potassium.
  • R ⁇ is anilino
  • R2 is N-2-bis-hydroxyethyl and M is a cation such as sodium
  • the brightener is 4,4',-bis[(4-anilino-6-(N-2-bis- hydroxyethyl)-s-triazine-2-yl)amino]-2,2'-stilbenedisulfonic acid anddisodium salt.
  • This particular brightener species is commercially marketed under the tradename Tinopal-UNPA-GX by Ciba-Geigy Co ⁇ oration. Tinopal-UNPA-GX is the preferred hydrophilic optical brightener useful in the detergent compositions herein.
  • R ⁇ is anilino
  • R2 is N-2-hydroxyethyl-N-2-methylamino
  • M is a cation such as sodium
  • the brightener is 4,4'-bis[(4-anilino-6-(N-2- hydroxyethyl-N-methylamino)-s-triazine-2-yl)amino]2,2'-stilbenedisulfonic acid disodium salt.
  • This particular brightener species is commercially marketed under the tradename Tinopal 5BM-GX by Ciba-Geigy Co ⁇ oration.
  • R is anilino
  • R2 is mo ⁇ hilino
  • M is a cation such as sodium
  • the brightener is 4,4'-bis[(4-anilino-6-mo ⁇ hilino-s-triazine-2- yl)amino]2,2'-stilbenedisulfonic acid, sodium salt.
  • This particular brightener species is commercially marketed under the tradename Tinopal AMS-GX by Ciba Geigy Co ⁇ oration.
  • Cationic fabric softening agents can also be inco ⁇ orated into compositions in accordance with the present invention.
  • Suitable cationic fabric softening agents include the water insoluble tertiary amines or dilong chain amide materials as disclosed in GB-A-1 514 276 and EP-B-0 011 340.
  • Cationic fabric softening agents are typically inco ⁇ orated at total levels of from 0.5% to 15% by weight, normally from 1% to 5% by weight.
  • compositions of the invention include perfumes, colours and filler salts, with sodium sulfate being a preferred filler salt. pH of the compositions
  • the detergent compositions used in the present invention are preferably not formulated to have an unduly high pH, in preference having a pH measured as a 1 % solution in distilled water of from 8.0 to 12.5, more preferably from 9.0 to 1 1.8, most preferably from 9.5 to 11.5.
  • a preferred machine dishwashing method comprises treating soiled articles selected from crockery, glassware, hollowware, silverware and cutlery and mixtures thereof, with an aqueous liquid having dissolved or dispensed therein an effective amount of a detergent tablet composition in accord with the invention.
  • an effective amount of the detergent tablet composition it is meant from 8g to 60g of product dissolved or dispersed in a wash solution of volume from 3 to 10 litres, as are typical product dosages and wash solution volumes commonly employed in conventional machine dishwashing methods.
  • the detergent tablets are from 15g to 40g in weight, more preferably from 20g to 35g in weight.
  • Machine laundry methods herein typically comprise treating soiled laundry with an aqueous wash solution in a washing machine having dissolved or dispensed therein an effective amount of a machine laundry detergent tablet composition in accord with the invention.
  • an effective amount of the detergent tablet composition it is meant from 40g to 300g of product dissolved or dispersed in a wash solution of volume from 5 to 65 litres, as are typical product dosages and wash solution volumes commonly employed in conventional machine laundry methods.
  • a dispensing device is employed in the washing method.
  • the dispensing device is charged with the detergent product, and is used to introduce the product directly into the drum of the washing machine before the commencement of the wash cycle. Its volume capacity should be such as to be able to contain sufficient detergent product as would normally be used in the washing method.
  • the dispensing device containing the detergent product is placed inside the drum.
  • water is introduced into the drum and the drum periodically rotates.
  • the design of the dispensing device should be such that it permits containment of the dry detergent product but then allows release of this product during the wash cycle in response to its agitation as the drum rotates and also as a result of its contact with the wash water.
  • the device may possess a number of openings through which the product may pass.
  • the device may be made of a material which is permeable to liquid but impermeable to the solid product, which will allow release of dissolved product.
  • the detergent product will be rapidly released at the start of the wash cycle thereby providing transient localised high concentrations of product in the drum of the washing machine at this stage of the wash cycle.
  • Preferred dispensing devices are reusable and are designed in such a way that container integrity is maintained in both the dry state and during the wash cycle.
  • the dispensing device may be a flexible container, such as a bag or pouch.
  • the bag may be of fibrous construction coated with a water impermeable protective material so as to retain the contents, such as is disclosed in European published Patent Application No. 0018678.
  • it may be formed of a water-insoluble synthetic polymeric material provided with an edge seal or closure designed to rupture in aqueous media as disclosed in European published Patent Application Nos. 0011500, 0011501, 0011502, and 0011968.
  • a convenient form of water frangible closure comprises a water soluble adhesive disposed along and sealing one edge of a pouch formed of a water impermeable polymeric film such as polyethylene or polypropylene. Examples
  • STPP Sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP) wherein 63.2% by weight of the
  • STPP has particle size greater than
  • Silicate Amo ⁇ hous Sodium Silicate (SiO2:Na2O ratio 2.0)
  • Paraffin Paraffin oil sold under the tradename Winog 70 by Wintershall.
  • Example 1 The following two layer detergent tablets, examples A to C, were prepared in accord with the present invention .
  • composition #1 denotes the first detergent composition
  • composition #2 denotes the second detergent composition.
  • the average particle size and density of the detergent compositions is substantially similar.
  • the two layers of detergent compositions are compressed at a pressure of 13KN/cn_2 using a modified single compression tablet press, as described herein, to produce a tablet of 25g weight:
  • composition #1 denotes the first detergent composition
  • composition #2 denotes the second detergent composition.
  • a difference in density of detergent composition will mean that a detergent composition having a lower density will dissolve first relative to a second detergent composition having a higher realtive density.
  • the two layers of detergent compositions are compressed at a pressure of 13KN/cm2 using a modified single compression tablet press, as described herein, to produce a tablet of 25g weight:
  • composition #1 denotes the first detergent composition
  • composition #2 denotes the second detergent composition.
  • the average particle size and density of the detergent compositions is substantially similar.
  • the two layers of detergent compositions are compressed at a pressure of 13KN/cr_2 using a modified single compression tablet press, as described herein, to produce a tablet of 25g weight:
  • composition #1 denotes the firstdetergent composition
  • composition #2 denotes the second
  • composition #3 the third detergent composition.
  • the average particle size and density of the detergent compositions is substantially similar.
  • the three layers of detergent compositions are compressed at a pressure of 13KN/cn_2 using a modified single compression tablet press, as described herein, to produce a tablet of 25g weight:

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  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Oil, Petroleum & Natural Gas (AREA)
  • Wood Science & Technology (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Detergent Compositions (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention se rapporte à une pastille détergente à couches multiples et à un procédé de fabrication de cette pastille destinée à l'utilisation en lave-vaisselle ou lave-linge automatique.
PCT/IB1998/000500 1997-04-22 1998-04-06 Pastille detergente WO1998047997A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

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GB9708140A GB2324495A (en) 1997-04-22 1997-04-22 Multi-layer detergent tablet
GB9708140.0 1997-04-22

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WO2001038478A1 (fr) * 1999-11-26 2001-05-31 Unilever N.V. Compositions detergentes

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2340840A (en) * 1998-08-28 2000-03-01 Procter & Gamble Detergent tablet
EP0999261A1 (fr) * 1998-11-05 2000-05-10 The Procter & Gamble Company Tablette colorée
EP0999262A1 (fr) * 1998-11-05 2000-05-10 The Procter & Gamble Company Comprimés détergents multicouches
DE19854074A1 (de) * 1998-11-24 2000-05-25 Henkel Kgaa Verfahren zur Serienfertigung von Formkörpern mit geringer Härteschwankung
DE19854075A1 (de) * 1998-11-24 2000-05-25 Henkel Kgaa Verfahren zur Serienfertigung von Formkörpern mit geringer Härteschwankung
DE19855328A1 (de) * 1998-12-01 2000-06-08 Henkel Kgaa Tablettenpresse
DE19907411A1 (de) * 1999-02-20 2000-08-24 Henkel Kgaa Farbstabile Wasch- und Reinigungsmittelformkörper
GB0005785D0 (en) * 2000-03-11 2000-05-03 Mcbride Robert Ltd Detergent tablets
BR0115015A (pt) * 2000-10-31 2004-02-25 Procter & Gamble Método para a remistura de tabletes detergentes
GB0029095D0 (en) * 2000-11-29 2001-01-10 Reckitt Benckiser Nv Improvements in or relating to packaging
FR2838131B1 (fr) * 2002-04-08 2004-07-23 Eurotab Tablette detergente comprenant deux couches reactives en dissolution separees par une couche barriere
GB2419838A (en) * 2004-11-03 2006-05-10 Reckitt Benckiser Nv Making a tablet of three layers
US8097047B2 (en) 2008-04-02 2012-01-17 The Procter & Gamble Company Fabric color rejuvenation composition

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EP0481547A1 (fr) * 1990-10-17 1992-04-22 Unilever N.V. Comprimés détergents pour le lavage de la vaisselle en machine

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FR2271286A1 (fr) * 1974-05-15 1975-12-12 Colgate Palmolive Co
EP0481547A1 (fr) * 1990-10-17 1992-04-22 Unilever N.V. Comprimés détergents pour le lavage de la vaisselle en machine
EP0481793A1 (fr) * 1990-10-19 1992-04-22 Unilever Plc Compositions détergentes sous forme de tablettes

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