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
  • C11D17/0091—Dishwashing tablets
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D77/00—Packages formed by enclosing articles or materials in preformed containers, e.g. boxes, cartons, sacks or bags
  • B65D77/02—Wrapped articles enclosed in rigid or semi-rigid containers
• • 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
• • 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
  • C11D17/04—Detergent materials or soaps characterised by their shape or physical properties combined with or containing other objects
  • C11D17/041—Compositions releasably affixed on a substrate or incorporated into a dispensing means

Definitions

• the present invention relates to cleaning tablets, including dishwashing tablets, laundry cleaning tablets and water softening tablets used in cleaning methods.
• the invention further relates to cleaning methods using such tablets.
• detergents in tablet form. These tablets are usually manufactured from the same ingredients as the known powders or granules, with the addition of tabletting aids. The problems with the formation of lumps which are known with powders and granules are avoided by such tablets.
• the known detergent tablets also have the advantage that they avoid the need to measure out powder or granules which can sometimes be somewhat complicated and tiresome.
• Known detergent tablets may comprise a detergent composition together with other cleaning aid compositions.
• known multi-function automatic dishwasher tablets comprise three major components: a detergent composition, a water softening function ("salt function”) and a rinse aid function. These components- may be provided in separate conjoined layers of the tablet and arranged to dissolve into the wash water during different stages of the washing operation.
• Such an automatic dishwasher tablet comprising a detergent, dishwasher salt function and rinse aid function to weigh between 20 and 25g.
• a tablet may comprise around 1Og of detergent composition, around 1Og of water softening function composition and around Ig to 2g of rinse aid function.
• a single tablet will be added regardless of the amount of crockery or extent of the soiling of the crockery which is to be washed in the dishwasher.
• US6610643 discloses detergent tablet packaging in which a number of tablets are packaged together but relates to the provision of a detergent composition in separate or separable portions.
• the different types can either be offered separately and mixed in the correct proportions by the user or provided as a pre-mixed product.
• both cases have their own difficulties.
• the difficulty arises of maintaining the correct proportions between the various tablet types when measuring out the amount required.
• problems occur if the tablet types become unevenly distributed in the mixture or if they are separated during transport or storage.
• the present invention aims to address at least one disadvantage associated with the prior art whether discussed herein or otherwise.
• a product comprising a plurality of cleaning tablets for use in a washing operation, the tablets being arranged in a strip conjoined by wrapping material, characterised in that the tablet has a mass of between Ig and 15g such that it can be used singularly or with one or more other like tablets depending upon a required washing performance .
• the tablets may be arranged in individual groups (e.g. pairs, groups of three or more) along the strip.
• the product comprises N tablets / groups of tablets in a strip.
• N is two, three, four, five, six, ten or twelve.
• the strip comprises a plurality of substantially identical tablets.
• the strip only comprises substantially identical tablets.
• a product or a plurality of products may be disposed within a secondary packaging material .
• a packaged product comprising a product or products as herein described and secondary packaging.
• a secondary packaging such as a box
• the product may be much larger / longer such that the secondary package acts as a housing for the product.
• a consumer may detach as many tablets as are required from the product, leaving the remainder / un-used portion of the product in the secondary packaging.
• the secondary packaging may comprise a cutting means to aid the detachment of the requisite number of tablets from the remainder of the strip.
• a cutting mean may comprises a blade (e.g. a metal blade or a cardboard blade / serrated edge) .
• the housing may contain an aid for withdrawal of a portion of the product.
• Such an aid may comprise a hub around which the product may be spooled.
• the housing most preferably comprises an aperture for withdrawal of portions of the product.
• the product preferably comprises a detachment aid between tablets / groups of tablets.
• the detachment aid comprises a line of weakness.
• the line of weakness does not extend fully to the edge of the packaging material . In this way it has been found that whilst an adult can still detach a portion of the strip it is more difficult for a child to do so.
• line it will be appreciated that this term is not limited to a simple geometric line but encompasses other shapes (curves, zig-zag, etc.) of complete lines / perforations .
• the wrapping material comprises a water soluble / dispersible material (e.g. PVOH) and thus need not be removed from the tablet (s) before use.
• a water soluble / dispersible material e.g. PVOH
• the wrapping material comprises a water resilient material.
• the wrapping material adjacent each tablet / group of tablets has an opening means including a first line comprising a line of weakness or one or more cuts extending in a first direction and a second line comprising a line of weakness or one or more cuts extending from the first line towards the boundary line in a second direction.
• the wrapping material is opened by a user holding the second portion on the side of the first line of weakness or cut (s) opposed to the boundary line (the "outward side") and pulling the first and second portions in generally opposed directions to cause tears to develop at the end of the first line such that a part of the outward side of the second portion tears away from the remainder of the wrapper.
• said part of the outward side of the second portion is removed it prevents the parts of the second portion lying on opposed sides of the second line of weakness or cut (s) from being moved apart .
• a user can pull parts of the second portion lying on opposed sides of the second line in generally opposed directions such that a tear in the wrapper is caused to develop at the end of the second line lying closest to the boundary line.
• the parts of the second portion lying on opposed sides of the second line are pulled until the tear spreads from the end of the second line across the boundary line such that it breaches the seal closing the first portion of the wrapper.
• a tablet enclosed by the wrapper may be accessed.
• opening is suitably a two stage process requiring the packaging to first be pulled in opposed directions extending transverse to the boundary line and secondly to be pulled in opposed directions extending transverse to said directions of the first stage.
• This operation may be simple for an adult, even with wet hands, but difficult for a child thus decreasing the likelihood of a child accessing and digesting tablets contained in the packaging.
• boundary line it is meant any line, which is preferably unbroken, and which may be straight, curved or zig-zagged, which separates the first portion from the second portion.
• the boundary line may comprise a seal closing the first portion.
• the second portion comprises a seal closing the first portion and the boundary line comprises an edge of that seal.
• the boundary line forms an edge of the first portion.
• first line it is meant any line, which may be broken or unbroken, and which may be straight, curved or zigzagged.
• first line comprises a cut, preferably a single cut which may be substantially straight.
• second line it is meant any line, which may be broken or unbroken, and which may be straight, curved or zigzagged.
• the second line comprises a cut, preferably a single cut, which may be substantially straight.
• said first direction extends generally parallel to the boundary line.
• the first line of weakness or cut (s) may thus extend generally parallel to the boundary line.
• the first line of weakness or cut (s) lies generally equidistant from the boundary line.
• first direction extends generally parallel
• first direction which extends at an angle of +/- 30 degrees relative to the direction of the boundary line .
• the first direction extends at an angle of between +/-15 degrees relative to the direction of the boundary line.
• the first line preferably does not form an angle of greater than +/- 15 degrees with the boundary line.
• first direction it is meant the general end to end direction of the first line rather than the direction of the first line at any particular point thereof.
• direction of the boundary line it is meant the general end to end direction of the boundary line rather than the direction of the boundary line at any particular point thereof .
• said. second direction ' extends generally perpendicular to the boundary line.
• the second line of weakness or cut (s) may thus extend generally perpendicular to the boundary line.
• the second line of weakness or cut (s) lies generally equidistant from opposed sides of the wrapper.
• second direction extends generally perpendicular
• second direction which extends at an angle of between 30 and 150 degrees, more preferably 60 and 120 degrees relative to the direction of the boundary line.
• the second direction extends at an angle of between 75 and 105 degrees relative to the direction of the boundary line.
• second direction it is meant the general end to end direction of the second line rather than the direction of the second line at any particular point thereof.
• the second direction extends at an angle of between 30 and 150 degrees, more preferably 60 and 120 degrees, relative to the first direction, preferably at an angle of between 75 and 105 degrees.
• the second line may thus extend generally perpendicular relative to the first line .
• the wrapper comprises a front face, rear face, first and second opposed sides and first and second opposed ends .
• the second portion of the wrapper comprises one of said ends, preferably said first end.
• the boundary line extends in a side to side direction of the wrapper.
• the first line extends in a side ' to side direction of the wrapper.
• the second line extends in an end to end direction of the wrapper.
• the first and second lines form a "T" shape with the first line forming the arms of the "T” and the second line forming the stem of the "T” .
• the "T" is orientated such that the stem extends towards the boundary line.
• the opening means comprises cut lines.
• the opening means comprises a "T" shaped cut comprising the first and second lines.
• the second line may intersect the first line.
• The, second line may thus extend from the first line both towards the boundary line and the first edge of the wrapper.
• the wrapper may have an arrangement as described in GB patent application no. 0408840.7, the subject matter of which is incorporated by reference.
• the tablet has a mass of no more than 14g, more preferably no more than 13g, more preferably no more than 12g, more preferably no more than Hg, still more preferably no more than 1Og.
• the tablet may have a mass of no more than 9g, for example of no more than 8g, 7g, 6g, or 5g.
• the tablet has a mass of at least 2g, more preferably at least 3g.
• the tablet may have a mass of at least 4g, for example at least 5g, 6g, 7g or 8g.
• the cleaning tablet comprises a detergent composition.
• the cleaning tablet may comprise a water-softening tablet which comprises a cleaning composition comprising a water- softening composition.
• the cleaning tablet comprises a tablet for use in an automatic ware washing machine.
• the cleaning tablet comprises a tablet for use in an automatic dishwashing machine.
• the detergent tablet comprises a detergent composition together with a rinse aid function and/or dishwasher salt function.
• the detergent tablet may be arranged to be used in combination with a separate supply of dishwasher salt and/or rinse aid.
• the tablet may be substantially free from rinse aid and/or dishwasher salt functions.
• the detergent tablet may comprise a detergent composition suitable for washing crockery.
• cleaning composition is understood in the broad sense in the present application, namely as comprising all those substances and mixtures of substances which can be used in connection with cleaning processes. These include not only the compositions which are actually active in cleaning, such as detergents, for example dishwasher detergents, and washing substances, but all compositions which support cleaning functions concerned, such as water softeners, or which have the effect of providing protective care, such as fabric treaters or final rinses.
• cleaning composition are mixtures of ingredients selected from: surfactant, builder, filler, bleach (optionally containing also bleach activator and/or a bleach catalyst) , water-softening composition and enzymes.
• the cleaning composition may contain other minor ingredients such as dye, fragrance and optical brighteners .
• water-softening composition we mean a mixture of a water-softening active (s) with other compounds selected from those mentioned in the previous paragraph, or elsewhere in this specification.
• the cleaning composition comprises a detergent composition.
• the cleaning composition may comprise a detergent composition together with other components which support a cleaning function.
• the cleaning composition may consist essentially of a detergent composition.
• detergent composition is understood to comprise all those substances and mixtures of substances which are active in cleaning, such as detergents and washing substances.
• detergent composition mixtures of ingredients selected from: surfactant, builder, filler, bleach (optionally containing also bleach activator and/or a bleach catalyst) and enzymes.
• the detergent composition may be substantially free of components which support cleaning functions, such as water-softeners, or which have the effect of providing protective care, such as fabric softeners or final rinses
• the tablet comprises a detergent composition in an amount of from Ig to 12g, preferably an amount of from 2g to 8g, for example an amount of from 3g to 6g.
• the tablet comprises detergent composition in an amount of no more than 12g, preferably no more than Hg, more preferably no more than 1Og, for example no more than 9g, Sg, 7g, 6g, 5g, 4g, 3g or 2g.
• the tablet comprises a detergent composition in an amount of at least Ig, preferably at least 2g, for example at least 3g, 4g, ' 5g, 6g, 7g or 8g.
• the tablet may comprise a "mono-benefit" tablet.
• the tablet may comprise a single-function tablet for use in an automatic dish washer.
• at least 90% by weight of the cleaning composition may comprise detergent composition and the cleaning composition may preferably consist essentially of a detergent composition, which may suitably comprise fillers and/or tabletting aids in addition to the active components.
• the tablet has a mass of between Ig and 7g, preferably of between 2g and 6g, more preferably between 3g and 5g, for example around 4g.
• the tablet comprises a surface area of between 800mm 2 and 1500mm 2 , more preferably between 1000mm 2 and 1300mm 2 .
• the tablet may comprise a "multi-function" tablet.
• the tablet may comprise a multi-function tablet for use in an automatic dish washer.
• the tablet may comprise a detergent composition in combination with other compositions which perform a function during a washing operation.
• the tablet comprises ,a water- softening composition.
• the tablet comprises a rinse aid.
• a tablet according to the present invention may comprise a multi zone tablet, for example a multilayer tablet, with each zone having a distinct composition.
• the tablet has a mass of between 5g and 13g, preferably between 7g and Hg, more preferably between 8g and 1Og, for example around 9g.
• the tablet comprises a surface area of between 800mm 2 and 2500mm 2 , more preferably between 1800mm 2 and 2500mm 2 .
• the cleaning composition comprises detergent composition which comprises a substantially complete formulation for its respective use. Accordingly, it is suitably not necessary to employ a number of tablets according to the present invention comprising different compositions. Difficulties associated with a consumer having to count out a selection of different tablets may thus be avoided.
• the tablet has a surface area of at least 800mm 2 , more preferably at least 900mm 2 , more preferably at least 1000mm 2 , for example at least 1100mm 2 , 1200mm 2 , 1300mm 2 , 1400mm 2 2, 1500mm 2 , 1600mm 2 , 1700mm 2 , 1800mm 2 , 1900mm 2 , 2000mm 2 , 2100mm 2 , 2200mm 2 , 2300mm 2 , 2400mm 2 , 2500mm 2 .
• the tablet has a surface area of 2500mm 2 or less, for example of 2400mm 2 , 2300mm 2 , 2200mm 2 , 2100mm 2 , 2000mm 2 1900mm 2 , 1800mm 2 , 1700mm 2 , 1600mm 2 2, 1500mm 2 ,. 1400mm 2 , 1300mm 2 , 1200mm 2 , 1100mm 2 , 1000mm 2 or 900mm 2 or less .
• Arranging the tablet dimensions such that the volume (mm 3 ) : surface area (mm 2 ) ratio falls within the above selected ranges may provide a tablet having improved cleaning properties compared to one falling outside the given ranges.
• a detergent comprising tablet having a volume (mm 3 ) : surface area (mm 2 ) ratio in the range of 1.5:1 to 2.0:1 or 2.7:1 to 3.2:1 may have surprisingly advantageous cleaning performance.
• the tablet has a volume (mm 3 ) : surface area (mm 2 ) ratio of 3.1:1 or less, more preferably of 3:1 or less, for example of 2.9:1, 2.8:1, 2.7:1, 2.6:1, 2.5:1, 2.4:1, 2.3:1, 2.2:1, 2.1:1, 2:1, 1.9:1, 1.7:1 or 1.6:1 or less.
• the tablet has a volume (mm 3 ) : surface area (mm 2 ) ratio of at least 1.5:1, for example of at least 1.6:1, 1.7:1, 1.8:1, 1.9:1, 2.0:1, 2.1:1, 2.2:1, 2.3:1, 2.4:1, 2.5:1, 2.6:1; 2.7:1, 2.8:1, 2.9:1, or 3.0:1.
• the tablet is free from phosphorus-containing compounds .
• the cleaning tablets of the present invention may have a number of advantages compared to known larger tablets.
• the tablet As the tablet is smaller than known tablets it comprises less detergent and thus if a single tablet is used in a wash cycle of an automatic dishwashing machine there will be less release of detergent composition into the waterways.
• the use of a single tablet in a ware washing machine of the floor standing type may be appropriate to wash a small load or if the load is lightly soiled and thus the use of tablets accordingly to the present invention may provide significant environmental benefits.
• Tablets according to the present invention may also be "multi-dosed" .
• one tablet could be used with the environmental advantage as described above.
• two tablets may be used.
• For a particularly heavily soiled load three tablets may be used.
• a consumer may be provided with the flexibility to vary the amount of detergent used in an automatic dishwashing machine, particularly in a machine of the floor standing type, without having to expend the time and energy associated with using powder or granular detergents.
• the use of two like tablets of the present invention may be more effective than the use of a known tablet having the same formulation as the tablets of the present invention and a weight equal to the combined weight of said two tablets of the present invention.
• the tablets according to the present invention may also retain the benefits that those known tablets have over powder or granular detergent compositions.
• tablets according to the present invention may have a larger surface area per unit volume than known tablets, it may be possible to spray on more material or to apply it by means of other coating methods.
• Tablets according to the present invention suitably have a high surface-to- volume ratio they may be more rapidly soluble than known cleaning tablets.
• the tablets may thus comprise more poorly soluble substances (especially such as surfactants) , optionally employing an effervescent system in order to enhance solubility still further.
• Tablets according to the present invention may be less susceptible to breakage and may be more easily removed from a machine chamber and distributed in a dish washing machine than known tablets.
• a problem which occasionally occurs with known dishwasher detergent tablets, namely that the tablets become stuck between pieces of crockery and do not dissolved correctly as a result, may also be substantially avoided.
• the tablet is such that it need not be used in combination with other tablets of differing type.
• the starting material for the cleaning tablets of the invention may be formulated in the same way as conventional powders, granules or tablets.
• a suitable formulation for a tablet composition may therefore comprise a large number of different ingredients, which may include any of the following: builders, surfactants, enzymes, bleaches, bleach activators, sources of alkalinity, dyes, perfumes, disintegrants, dispersants for lime soaps, organic polymers, including polymers to inhibit colour transfer, crystal growth inhibitors, complexing agents for heavy metal ions, salts, enzyme stabilisers, corrosion inhibitors, solvents, fabric softeners, optical brighteners, hydrotropic agents, etc.
• the tablet composition may contain suitable fillers, such as sulphates and chlorides, and tabletting aids, such as polyethylene glycol, starch or starch derivatives, etc.
• the tablet may be provided with a water soluble coating, the nature of that coating being determined by the purpose for which it is intended. Any water-soluble polymer may be provided for a coating, for example, if the purpose of the coating is to provide greater stability during storage and handling and/or a certain delay in dissolution in the wash liquor. If the aim of the delay is, for example, for the ingredients to be released in a certain phase of the washing cycle, as is the case with formulations for the final rinse for machine rinsing in the form of the invention, pH-dependent coating materials can be used.
• the tablets may also contain a scattering agent or effervescent system, such as a combination of bicarbonate of soda and citric acid, in order to support the rapid dissolution of the tablets, especially when poorly soluble ingredients are included.
• a scattering agent or effervescent system such as a combination of bicarbonate of soda and citric acid
• the tablet may typically comprise, for example, a bleach, stain remover, water-softener, enzyme or fabric conditioner, in addition to the cleaning composition.
• the tablet may be designed to release components at different times during the laundry wash.
• a bleach or fabric conditioner is generally released at the end of a wash
• a water- softener is generally released at the start of a wash.
• An enzyme may be released at the start or the end of a wash.
• the tablet is for use in dishwashing it may comprise, for example, a water-softener, salt, enzyme, rinse aid, bleach or bleach activator.
• the tablet may be designed to release the components at different times during the wash cycle. For example, a rinse aid, bleach or bleach activator is generally released at the end of a wash, and a water-softener, salt or enzyme is generally released at the start of a wash.
• water-softening particulates which may be used in tablets according to the present invention include:
• citrate salts for example alkali metal citrates, and especially sodium citrate.
• a compound of class A) and a compound of class B) are both present in a water-softening composition.
• Additional beneficial compounds in a water-softening composition include one or more of:
• ion exchange agents including alkali metal (preferably sodium) aluminosilicates, either crystalline, amorphous or a mixture of the two;
• anionic surfactants are straight-chained or branched alkyl sulfates and alkyl polyalkoxylated sulfates, also known as alkyl ether sulfates. Such surfactants may be produced by the reaction of sulfates with higher (e.g. C 8 -C 2 O) fatty alcohols.
• Examples of primary alkyl sulfate surfactants are those of formula:
• R is a linear C 8 -C 2O hydrocarbyl group and M is a water-solubilising cation.
• R is Ci 0 -Ci 6 alkyl, for example C 12 -Ci 4
• M is alkali metal such as lithium, sodium or potassium.
• x is at least 4, for example 6 to 20, preferably 10 to 16.
• M is cation, such as an alkali metal, for example lithium, sodium or potassium.
• R is a straight or branched C 8 -Ci S alkyl group, preferably a C 9 -Ci 5 , for example Ci 0 -Ci 4 , alkyl group and n is at least 1, for example from 1 to 16, preferably 2 to 12, more preferably 3 to 10.
• the alkoxylated fatty alcohol non-ionic surfactant will frequently have a hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) which ranges from 3 to 17, more preferably from 6 to 15, most preferably from 10 to 15.
• HLB hydrophilic-lipophilic balance
• Suitable ethoxylated alcohol non-ionic surfactants include TERGITOL 15-S-7 and TERGITOL 15-S-9, both of which are linear secondary alcohol ethoxylates available from Union Carbide Corporation.
• TERGITOL 15-S-7 is a mixed ethoxylated product of a C 11 -C 15 linear secondary alkanol with 7 moles of ethylene oxide and TERGITOL 15-S-9 is the same but with 9 moles of ethylene oxide.
• non-ionic surfactants are, for example, C 10 -C 18 alkyl polyglycosides, such as C 12 -C 16 alkyl polyglycosides . These are especially useful when high foaming compositions are desired.
• Further surfactants are polyhydroxy fatty acid amides, such as C 10 -C 18 N- (3-methoxypropyl) glycamides and ethylene oxide-propylene oxide block polymers of the Pluronic type.
• cationic surfactants are those of the quaternary ammonium type .
• the tablets may also independently comprise enzymes, such as protease, lipase, amylase, cellulase and peroxidase enzymes.
• enzymes are commercially available and sold, for example, under the registered trade marks ESPERASE, ALCALASE and SAVINASE by Nova Industries A/S and MAXATASE by International Biosynthetics, Inc.
• the enzymes are independently present in the tablets in an amount of from 0.5 to 3 wt%, especially 1 to 2 wt%, when added as commercial preparations they are not pure and this represents an equivalent amount of 0.005 to 0.5 wt% of pure enzyme. As mentioned above they can be incorporated after extrusion if wished.
• Tablets used in dishwashing independently usually comprise a detergency builder.
• the builders counteract the effects of calcium, or other ion, water hardness.
• examples of such materials are citrate, succinate, malonate, carboxymethyl succinate, carboxylate, polycarboxylate and polyacetyl carboxylate salts, for example with alkali metal or alkaline earth metal cations, or the corresponding free acids.
• Specific examples are sodium, potassium and lithium salts of oxydisuccinic acid, mellitic acid, benzene polycarboxylic acids, Ci O -C 2 2 fatty acids and citric acid.
• Suitable builders are polymers and copolymers known to have builder properties.
• such materials include appropriate polyacrylic acid, polymaleic acid, and polyacrylic/polymaleic and copolymers and their salts, such as those sold by BASF under the trade mark SOKALAN.
• the builder is desirably present in an amount of up to 90 wt%, preferably 15 to 90 wt%, more preferably 15 to 75 wt%, relative to the total weight of the tablet. Further details of suitable components are given in, for example, EP-A-694,059, EP-A-518,720 and WO 99/06522.
• the tablets can also optionally comprise one or more additional ingredients.
• additional ingredients include conventional cleaning composition components such as further surfactants, bleaches, bleach enhancing agents, builders, suds boosters or suds suppressors, anti-tarnish and anti- corrosion agents, organic solvents, co-solvents, phase stabilisers, emulsifying agents, preservatives, soil suspending agents, soil release agents, germicides, pH adjusting agents- or buffers, non-builder alkalinity sources, chelating agents, clays such as smectite clays, enzyme stabilizers, anti-limescale agents, colourants, dyes, hydrotropes, . dye transfer inhibiting agents, brighteners, and perfumes. If used, such optional ingredients will generally constitute no more than 10 wt%, for example from 1 to 6 wt%, of the total weight of the tablets.
• Tablets which comprise an enzyme may optionally contain materials which maintain the stability of the enzyme.
• enzyme stabilizers include, for example, polyols such as propylene glycol, boric acid and borax. Combinations of these enzyme stabilizers may also be employed. If utilized, the enzyme stabilizers generally constitute from 0.1 to 1 wt% of the tablets.
• Preferred dishwashing tablets are adapted to be used in automatic dish washing machines. Due to their specific requirements specialised formulation is required and these are illustrated below.
• Amounts of the ingredients can vary within wide ranges, however preferred automatic dishwashing cleaning composition tablets herein (which typically have a 1% aqueous solution pH of above 8, more preferably from 9.5 to 12, most preferably from 9.5 to 10.5) are those wherein there is present: from 5% to 90%, preferably from 5% to 75%, of builder; from 0.1% to 40%, preferably from 0.5% to 30%, of bleaching agent; from 0.1% to 15%, preferably from 0.2% to 10%, of the surfactant system; from 0.0001% to 1%, preferably from 0.001% to 0.05%, of a metal-containing bleach catalyst; and from 0.1% to 40%, preferably from 0.1% to 20% of a water-soluble silicate.
• Non-ionic surfactants useful in ADW (Automatic Dish Washing) tablets of the present invention desirably include surfactant (s) at levels of from 1% to 10% of the composition.
• surfactant s
• bleach-stable surfactants are preferred.
• Non-ionic surfactants generally are well known, being described in more detail in Kirk Othmer ' s Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, 3rd Ed., Vol. 22, pp. 360-379, "Surfactants and Detersive Systems", incorporated by reference herein.
• an ADW tablet comprises at least one non-ionic surfactant.
• One class of non-ionics are ethoxylated non- ionic surfactants prepared by the reaction of a monohydroxy alkanol or alkylphenol with 6 to 20 carbon atoms with preferably at least 12 moles, particularly preferably at least 16 moles, and still more preferably at least 20 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol or alkylphenol .
• non-ionic surfactants are formed from a linear chain fatty alcohol with 16-20 carbon atoms and at least 12 moles, particularly preferably at least 16 moles, and still more preferably at least 20 moles, of ethylene oxide, per mole of alcohol.
• the non-ionic surfactant may additionally comprise propylene oxide (PO) units in the molecule.
• PO propylene oxide
• the PO units constitute up to 25% by weight, preferably up to 20% by weight and still more preferably up to 15% by weight of the overall molecular weight of the non-ionic surfactant.
• Particularly preferred surfactants are ethoxylated mono-hydroxy alkanols or alkylphenols, which additionally comprises polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene block copolymer units.
• the alcohol or alkylphenol portion of such surfactants constitutes more than 30%, preferably more than 50%, more preferably more than 70% by weight of the overall molecular weight of the non-ionic surfactant.
• Another preferred non-ionic surfactant can be described by the formula:
• nonionic surfactants are the end-capped polyoxyalkylated non-ionics of formula: R 1 O [CH 2 CH (R 3 ) O] x [CH 2 ] k CH (OH) [CH 2 ] jOR 2
• R 1 and R 2 represent linear or branched chain, saturated or unsaturated, aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbon groups with 1-30 carbon atoms
• R 3 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl, ethyl, n-prbpyl, iso-propyl, n- butyl, 2 -butyl or 2 -methyl-2 -butyl group
• x has a value between 1 and 30 and
• k and j have values between 1 and 12, preferably between 1 and 5.
• R 1 and R 2 are preferably linear or branched chain, saturated or unsaturated, aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbon groups with 6-22 carbon atoms, where groups with 8 to 18 carbon atoms are particularly preferred.
• group R 3 H methyl or ethyl are particularly preferred.
• Particularly preferred values for x are from 1 I and 20, preferably from 6 to 15.
• a tablet disintegrant could be present in the tablets, for example a water-swellable cellulosic compound.
• the cleaning tablets of the present invention can suitably be manufactured using a variety of processes; for example by pressing under pressure. Depending on the demands placed on the dissolution behaviour and stability in storage and transport, and depending on the nature of the ingredients, the appropriate pressing pressure can be set accordingly.
• a further preferred manufacturing process is compacting, which is understood in this application to mean pressing agglomeration without the use of binders, which is usually performed by rollers rotating in opposite directions and possessing grooves of the appropriate dimensions.
• binders which is usually performed by rollers rotating in opposite directions and possessing grooves of the appropriate dimensions.
• Tablets accordingly to the invention may be manufactured using procedures other than compacting (e.g. extrusion / injection-moulding) , and non-compacting methods may provide greater flexibility with regard to the manufacturing process.
• a cleaning tablet of the invention may be used in a variety of ways.
• Other fields of use in the detergent sector are conceivable and possible, such as use as a detergent composition for dissolution in water, for cleaning hard surfaces, such as floors.
• the tablet is arranged such that N tablets can be employed in a washing method to wash a load which substantially corresponds to a full load of a ware washing machine, and which load has a normal level of soiling, wherein N is 1, 2, 3 or 4.
• N is 2 for an automatic dishwasher of the floor standing type.
• the tablet is arranged such that the number of tablets employed in the washing method can be adjusted as detailed in the second aspect which follows.
• a packaged product comprising one or more products according to the first aspect and a secondary packaging.
• the housing contains an aid for withdrawal of a portion of the product and which aid comprises a hub around which the product may be spooled.
• the product comprises a detachment aid between tablets / groups of tablets.
• the packaged product comprises any feature as described in relation to the first aspect.
• a method of performing a washing operation characterised in that the method employs one or more tablets according to the first aspect and a quantity .of water.
• the method only employs substantially identical tablets according to the first aspect . It may thus not be necessary to use a combination of tablets having distinct formulations .
• the tablets comprise a detergent composition.
• the method employs a plurality of tablets the tablets are substantially identical.
• the ware washing machine may comprise a table-top ware washing machine or a floor standing type of ware washing machine .
• the method comprises the step of determining whether one or more tablets are required depending on the level of soiling and the quantity of articles to be washed.
• the method will use N tablets.
• N 1 to 4.
• N 2, 3 or 4, preferably 2.
• the method will use N + A tablets.
• A 0 to 2.
• A is > 0 and ⁇ (N - 1) .
• A I or 2 , preferably 1.
• a load having a light level of soiling and which load substantially corresponds to a full load of the ware washing machine the method will use N - B tablets.
• B 0 to 2.
• B is > 0 and ⁇ (N - 1) .
• B 1 or 2 , preferably 1.
• the method will use N - C tablets.
• C 0 to 2.
• C is > 0 and ⁇ (N - 1) .
• C 1 or 2 , preferably 1.
• the determination step comprises a user noting the extent of soiling of the articles to be washed, noting the extent to which a machine is loaded and determining whether N tablets should be used or if an adjustment needs to be made.
• a value for N will be provided with the tablets.
• a user will use a value for A, B or C provided with the tablets .

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

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• 2005
  • 2005-07-08 GB GBGB0513997.7A patent/GB0513997D0/en not_active Ceased
• 2006
  • 2006-06-29 WO PCT/GB2006/002404 patent/WO2007007034A1/en active Application Filing
  • 2006-06-29 GB GB0613021A patent/GB2428247A/en not_active Withdrawn
  • 2006-07-04 AT AT0113206A patent/AT502081A1/de not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 2006-07-05 LU LU91258A patent/LU91258B1/en active
  • 2006-07-06 DE DE202006010466U patent/DE202006010466U1/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2006-07-06 DE DE102006031313A patent/DE102006031313A1/de not_active Withdrawn

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