Classifications

• • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
  • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
  • D06F39/00—Details of washing machines not specific to a single type of machines covered by groups D06F9/00 - D06F27/00 
  • D06F39/02—Devices for adding soap or other washing agents
  • D06F39/022—Devices for adding soap or other washing agents in a liquid state
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B08—CLEANING
  • B08B—CLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL
  • B08B3/00—Cleaning by methods involving the use or presence of liquid or steam
  • B08B3/04—Cleaning involving contact with liquid
• • 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
• • 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
  • C11D17/046—Insoluble free body dispenser
• • 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
  • C11D3/16—Organic compounds
  • C11D3/37—Polymers
  • C11D3/3703—Macromolecular compounds obtained otherwise than by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds
  • C11D3/3715—Polyesters or polycarbonates
• • 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
  • C11D3/16—Organic compounds
  • C11D3/37—Polymers
  • C11D3/3703—Macromolecular compounds obtained otherwise than by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds
  • C11D3/3719—Polyamides or polyimides
• • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
  • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • D06L—DRY-CLEANING, WASHING OR BLEACHING FIBRES, FILAMENTS, THREADS, YARNS, FABRICS, FEATHERS OR MADE-UP FIBROUS GOODS; BLEACHING LEATHER OR FURS
  • D06L1/00—Dry-cleaning or washing fibres, filaments, threads, yarns, fabrics, feathers or made-up fibrous goods
  • D06L1/12—Dry-cleaning or washing fibres, filaments, threads, yarns, fabrics, feathers or made-up fibrous goods using aqueous solvents
  • D06L1/16—Multi-step processes
• • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
  • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • D06L—DRY-CLEANING, WASHING OR BLEACHING FIBRES, FILAMENTS, THREADS, YARNS, FABRICS, FEATHERS OR MADE-UP FIBROUS GOODS; BLEACHING LEATHER OR FURS
  • D06L1/00—Dry-cleaning or washing fibres, filaments, threads, yarns, fabrics, feathers or made-up fibrous goods
  • D06L1/12—Dry-cleaning or washing fibres, filaments, threads, yarns, fabrics, feathers or made-up fibrous goods using aqueous solvents
  • D06L1/20—Dry-cleaning or washing fibres, filaments, threads, yarns, fabrics, feathers or made-up fibrous goods using aqueous solvents combined with mechanical means
• • 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
  • C11D2111/00—Cleaning compositions characterised by the objects to be cleaned; Cleaning compositions characterised by non-standard cleaning or washing processes
  • C11D2111/10—Objects to be cleaned
  • C11D2111/12—Soft surfaces, e.g. textile
• • 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
  • C11D2111/00—Cleaning compositions characterised by the objects to be cleaned; Cleaning compositions characterised by non-standard cleaning or washing processes
  • C11D2111/10—Objects to be cleaned
  • C11D2111/14—Hard surfaces
  • C11D2111/18—Glass; Plastics

Definitions

• the present invention relates a detergent dispensing cartridge for use with a washing machine.
• a detergent dispensing cartridge for use in a washing machine.
• washing machine any vessel / machine (whether manually operated or fully / partially automated) which is capable of being used in a washing operation is intended.
• the washing machine is preferably an automatic clothes washing machine.
• Most preferably the washing machine is one which has been modified such that it operates using the technology of one or more of the co-pending patent applications WO2007/128962, GB 090261 9.6, GB 0907943.5, GB 0916249.6, GB 0916250.4, GB 0920565.9, GB 1002245.7, and GB 1006076.2 ; the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference.
• a detergent dispensing cartridge for use in a washing machine, wherein the washing machine is for cleaning a soiled substrate, comprising the treatment of the moistened substrate with a formulation comprising a multiplicity of polymeric particles,.
• a detergent dispensing cartridge for use in a washing machine, wherein the washing machine is for cleaning a soiled substrate, comprising the treatment of the moistened substrate with a formulation comprising a multiplicity of polymeric particles, wherein said formulation is free of organic solvents .
• the ratio of beads to substrate is generally in the range of from 30: 1 to 0.1 : 1 w/w, preferably in the region of from 10: 1 to 1 : 1 w/w, with particularly favourable results being achieved with a ratio of between 5 : 1 and 1 : 1 w/w, and most particularly at around 2 : 1 w/w.
• 10 g of polymeric particles would be employed
• the polymeric particles are of such a shape and size as to allow for good flowability and intimate contact with the textile fibre.
• a variety of shapes of particles can be used, such as cylindrical, spherical or cuboid ; appropriate cross -sectional shapes can be employed including, for example, annular ring, dog-bone and circular.
• the particles may have smooth or irregular surface structures and can be of solid or hoi- low construction.
• Particles are preferably of such a size as to have an average mass in the region of 5 to 100 mg, preferably from 10 to 30 mg.
• the preferred average particle diameter is in the region of from 0.5 to 6.0 mm, more preferably from 1 .0 to 5.0 mm, most preferably from 2.5 to 4.5 mm, and the length of the beads is preferably in the range from 0.5 to 6.0 mm, more preferably from 1 .5 to 4.5 mm, and is most preferably in the region of 2.0 to 3.0 mm.
• Said polymeric particles may comprise any of a wide range of different polymers. Specifically, there may be mentioned polyalkenes such as polyethylene and polypropylene, polyesters and polyurethanes, which may be foamed or unfoamed. Preferably, however, said polymeric particles comprise polyamide or polyester particles, most particularly particles of nylon, polyethylene terephthalate or polybutylene terephthalate, most preferably in the form of beads. Said polyamides and polyesters are found to be particularly effective for aqueous stain/soil removal, whilst polyalkenes are especially useful for the removal of oil-based stains. Optionally, copolymers of the above polymeric materials may be employed.
• nylon or polyester homo- or co-polymers may be used including, but not limited to, Nylon 6, Nylon 6,6, polyethylene terephthalate and polybutylene terephthalate.
• the nylon comprises Nylon 6,6 homopolymer having a molecular weight in the region of from 5000 to 30000 Daltons, preferably from 10000 to 20000 Daltons, most preferably from 15000 to 16000 Daltons.
• the polyester will typically have a molecular weight corresponding to an intrinsic viscosity meas- urement in the range of from 0.3-1 .5 dl/g, as measured by a solution technique such as ASTM D-4603.
• the polymeric particles comprise nylon chips, e.g. Nylon 6 or Nylon 6,6.
• each compartment may be activated separately such that the contents of each compartment may be released separately / sequentially.
• Each compartment may be designed such that it holds a bespoke complete detergent formulation or a formulation that focuses upon a single active component of a detergent formulation. It is preferred that each compartment may be activated separately; either in completely individual activation or in a "program" that activates one or more compartments at pre-defined portions of a wash cycle so that a portion of the compartment content may be released . In this way it has been found that the detergent release can be tailored to suit a particular wash load in terms of its size, compositions and type of staining present thereon.
• a particular compartment may be activated once, not at all or a plurality of occasions in a wash cycle.
• Separate containment and release has been found to be useful for many reasons including storage stability of compartment components, particularly for antagonistic components.
• the antagonist interaction between bleach and enzyme may be obviated .
• a further example is the reduction / elimination of components that have opposite ionic charges.
• most dye fixatives / dye transfer inhibitors e.g. such as PVP, PVP-VI , PVNO based compounds or deri- vates thereof
• DTIs dye fixatives / dye transfer inhibitors
• DTIs dye fixatives / dye transfer inhibitors
• anionic surfactants which are typically employed in detergents (especially laundry detergents to provide cleaning function) .
• the dye fixatives / DTIs and the anionic surfactants "couple" together because of their opposing charges, compromising their respective functions.
• One way to avoid this problem is to replace the anionic surfactants with nonionic surfactants which avoids the coupling effect however typically nonionic surfactants provide a poorer cleaning function that anionic surfactants.
• the coupling problem may be obviated .
• the temperature / heating of the wash liquor may be tailored such that it is optimized to work with the contents of the compartment being released at that juncture.
• a bleach / bleach activator composition is released heating of the wash liquor (e.g. to around 40-60°C) may be appropriate to ensure that optimal functioning of the bleach / bleach activator composition occurs.
• I n contrast many of the other detergent components require no wash liquor heating to achieve their optimal function. I n this aspect it is to be understood that the entire wash liquor or a portion thereof may be heated. Where only a portion of the wash liquor is heated the portion may be a portion of the wash liquor which is passing through r adjacent to the cartridge or the portion passing through or adjacent to any wash liquor circulation system.
• the containment / release in separate compartments allows the pH of the wash liquor may be tailored such that it is optimized to work with the contents of the compartment being released at that juncture.
• a bleach / bleach activator composition is released raising of the pH of the wash liquor (e.g. to an alkaline pH by release of a suitable pH modifying agent) may be appropriate to ensure that optimal functioning of the bleach / bleach activator composition occurs.
• many of the other detergent components require no pH adjustment to achieve their optimal function.
• release of individual detergent actives may be tailored such that it is optimized to work with the system of WO2007/128962.
• one preferred release profile is in the following order: - a) Release of an enzyme containing formulation;
• Composition (a) and / or (b) and / or (c) may also contain a surfactant.
• the oxidising formulation may contain a bleach and / or a bleach activator / catalyst.
• the polymeric particles used may be present throughout the entire laundry washing cycle or only for a portion thereof. Where the polymeric particles are only present for a portion of the washing cycle it is preferred that the polymeric particles are removed form the washing area of the washing machine at a rinse cycle (preferably a final rinse cycle) of the washing machine operation.
• the cartridge may comprise compartments for release of some detersive components in a pre-wash cycle (which may be before the beads are added to the machine) of the washing machine operation. This has been found to be beneficial with certain detergent components, the activity of which may be compromised by adsorption on the polymeric particles.
• the cartridge may comprise compartments for release of some detersive components in a rinse cycle (preferably a final rinse cycle) of the washing machine operation. This has been found to be beneficial with certain detergent components, the activity of which may be compromised by adsorption on the polymeric particles.
• Preferred examples of detersive components for release at this stage (and for which there is preferably a compartment in the cartridge) are optical brighteners and fragrances.
• the cartridge compartments may be modular, e.g. one or more compartments of the cartridge may be replaceable without replacing the entire ca rtridge. Equally it is preferred that a consumer may select which compartments are most suitable for their kind of typical washing so that a complete cartridge may be constructed using the compartments that they are most like to require in their washing.
• Each compartment may have a volume of from 1 to 5000 cc, more preferably from 10 to 900 cc, more preferably from 20 to 600 cc, more preferably from 20 to 400 cc, more preferably from 20 to 300 cc, more preferably from 20 to 200 cc and most preferably from 20 to T OO cc.
• the positioning of the cartridge in the washing machine is flexible. Clearly it is preferred that the cartridge is positioned such that the cartridge contents can be dispensed into the area of washing of the washing machine.
• a conduit may be present to connect the cartridge output to the washing area.
• the cartridge may be positioned such that its output is adjacent to or connected to fresh incoming wash fluid (e.g. water) .
• the cartridge may be positioned / the washing machine may be designed such that fresh incoming wash fluid / wash liquor flows over / around the device .
• the cartridge compartment activation may be operated by one or more of a number of mechanisms . Different activation mechanisms may be used for different compartments of the cartridge.
• Preferred operation mechanisms may be manual or non-manual mechanisms.
• Preferred non-manual operation mechanisms include physical and chemical activation triggers associated with changes within the washing cycle) .
• Preferred examples include time, temperature / temperature changes, smell/ odour, humidity / water presence (or some other associated property of the cleaning liquor, e.g. such as ionic strength or pH) , drum rotation / centrifugal force or other force.
• Other operation mechanisms may arise from a result of a conduit from the cartridge to the washing machine (particularly the washing machine operating schematics) such that the operation of the washing machine, triggered by the schematics of the washing machine, influences or causes operation of one or more of the compartments or the cartridge at one or more time points within the washing cycle. In this way different washing cycles may triggers different activation / operation of the cartridge / compartments thereof. Additionally different wash loads / conditions may trigger a differential degree of operation of one or more compartments.
• the cartridge may also have a manual override which can be accessed by a consumer.
• This manual override may overcome any normal dispense activity of the cartridge and influence the dispensing such that the release of one or more compartments is increased / reduced and / or the timing of the release is affected.
• the entire contents of a compartment may be discharged in a single wash cycle, either in one part of a single wash cycle or at multiple parts thereof. More preferably the contents of a compartment may be released over a plurality of wash cycles, e.g. over 10-30 wash cycles (such as about 20 wash cycles) for added convenience to a consumer. In this case the cartridge contents may still be released at multiple points over a plurality of cycles.
• the cartridge and / or one or each compartment thereof may have an "end-of-life" indicator to make sure that a consumer is aware that the contents of one or more compartment has been exhausted and needs to be replenished .
• the end-of-life" indicator may be triggered by or arise through liaison with the schematics of the washing machine
• the cartridge is intended for a single washing cycle.
• Compartment release operation may be by one or more of a number of mechanisms.
• Preferred compartment release mechanisms include manual release (e.g. opening, squeezing), gravitational release, active release (e.g. by a motor / pump, such as a powered motor, wax motor, piezo, injection or spray) and passive release driven by a flow or wash liquor / polymeric particles through or adjacent to a compartment drawing the contents of the compartment (or a portion thereof) there from.
• the release may be combination of active and passive mechanisms , e.g. an access means to a compartment may be opened under a certain condition to allow release of an active from a compartment.
• a preferred example of such an activating mechanism is a bimetallic driven opening means such that the opening means is acti- vated at a certain predetermined temperature to allow release (by whatever mecha nism) to occur.
• detersive components (and associated compartments) which make up a smaller portion of the entire detersive formulation e.g. fragrances, optical brighteners
• more active dispensing methods e.g. spraying
• more passive dispensing methods may be preferred.
• compartment contents may be in any suitable physical form.
• Preferred forms include liquids (dispersions, suspensions, pastes, solutions and emulsions, gels) and solids Solidified gels, powders, tablets) .
• the content of differing compartments may be in differing physical forms.
• the compartment contents may be contained in a secondary packaging, e.g. such as an encapsulation means, pouch or sachet .
• the compartment contents may be refillable.
• the refill contents may be in the form of granules, powders, or liquids / gel dependent on the chemical / physical nature of the nature of the composition for the / each compartment .
• the refill composition may be in the form of a "unit-dose" composition, e.g. a compressed / solidified / moulded tablet or the refill may be package in a film pouch where in the film may be entirely water soluble / dispersible or have a water soluble potion or pierce-able section to allow release of the pouch contents.
• the film pouch may comprise a metallic foil or a plastics material, e.g.
• unit dose composition will be sized to fit the respective compartment and allow ease of refilling without exposing a consumer to any harmful chemicals.
• a plurality of unit-dose entities may fit in one compartment; such an arrangement may have a separate support frame associated therewith.
• the cartridge may contain one or more actives directed to increasing the activity of the polymeric particles.
• one preferred active is a plasticiser for the polymeric particles. It is postulated that with the use of such a plasticiser the Tg of the polymeric particles would be lowered such that the polymeric particles would be more active at lower temperatures.
• the formulation may include sacrificial agents that are absorbed onto sites on the polymeric particles, wherein these sites would otherwise cause detrimental adsorption of one or more detersive active.
• the cartridge may include a compartment which contains (supplementary) polymeric particles. These particles may be purely polymer or may have been physical or chemically altered to affect their activity. Preferred means of chemical alteration include polymeric particles into which a cfetersive active has been reversibly / irreversibly adsorbed (e.g. enzyme, bleach catalyst) or upon which a detersive active has been coated.
• a cfetersive active e.g. enzyme, bleach catalyst
• the overall detersive formulation may be altered because of the presence of the polymeric particles.
• One example of an alteration is that the overall amount of detergent required per wash cycle is considera- bly lower. Indeed in this regard it has been found that the amount of detergent required may be as low as 50%, 40%, 30%, 20% or even 10% of the amount that would ordinarily be expected for a clothes washing operation in an automatic laundry washing machine .
• an equivalent washing standard can be achieved for a 5kg load of laundry in an automatic laundry washing machine using as little as 1 5g of a liquid detergent formulation (whereas in a conventional washing process in an automatic laundry washing machine 150g of the same liquid formulation would be required) .
• the washing cycle temperature is from 0°C to 90°C, more preferably between 5°C and 90°C, more preferably between 5°C and 70°C, more preferably between 1 5°C and 40°C r e.g . about 30°C.
• the washing cycle time is preferably between 1 5 and 150 minutes, more preferably between 15 and 120 minutes, and most preferably between 20 and 40 minutes.
• the rinsing proportion of the cycle is preferably up to 50% of the entire cycle time, more preferably up to 40%, more preferably up to 20%, more preferably up to 10%.
• the final spin may be around 5% of the entire cycle time. I ntermediate spins (e.g. between parts of the cycle) may be (individually or collectively) around 1 -2% of the entire cycle time.
• the amount of washing water used in a wash cycle is preferably around 6 litres per kilo of wash load ; with around 3 liters for the washing stage(s) and 3 litres for the rinsing stage(s) .
• the amount of water can be lower, e.g. preferably between 2.5 : 1 and 0.1 : 1 litres per kilo of wash load; more preferably, the ratio is between 2.0: 1 and 0.8: 1 litres per kilo of wash load, with particularly favourable results having been achieved at ratios such as 1 .5 : 1 , 1 .2 : 1 and 1 .1 : 1 litres per kilo of wash load.
• the cartridge may be designed to be placed at a suitable locus in or on the washing machine, e.g. in the drum / drawer.
• the cartridge may operate with a suitable cartridge receiving means within or associated with the washing machine .
• the cartridge receiving means may be entirely mechanical.
• the cartridge receiving means may include an electronic component with associates with a portion of the cartridge (and optionally drives operation of a portion of the cartridge) .
• the cartridge receiving means may include a mechanism that identifies the presence of a cartridge (and / or individual compartments thereof), e.g. such as a radio -frequency identification (RFID) mechanism, e.g. such as a bar code on the cartridge.
• RFID radio -frequency identification
• the cartridge preferably comprises a plastics material, e.g. polypropylene, polyethylene , ABS, PET, polyamides, PMMA or PC.
• the ca rtridge / compartment material may be coated, e.g. with a barrier layer. Such a layer may be used to allow more aggressive chemical inclusion (e.g. to aid the prevention of polymer stress cracking) .
• a plurality of separate cartridges may be used simultaneously in a washing machine / washing machine cycle. Each cartridge may be disposed in a different part of the washing machine or the same part of the washing machine.
• Each cartridge may contain the same or a complementary detergent composition or compositions (e.g. in a number of compartments) .
• a bead cleaning process may be carried out typically every 5-6 washes, allows the surface of the beads to remain highly active in the washing process.
• bead cleaning is carried out by adding individual doses of surfactants (non-ionic and/or anionic and/or cati- onic) , and optionally other more aggressive chemicals, selected from, for example, sodium/potassium hydroxide, hypochlorates, hypochlorites or the other bleaches and activators previously recited, to an amount of water, such that the ratio of water to beads is preferably in the region of 0.5-3 litres water/kg of beads.
• the bead cleaning process may be facilitated by release of a suitable cleaning composition from the cartridge.
• surface active agents include anionic, non-ionic, cationic, amphoteric cr zwitterionic surface active agent or mixture thereof.
• anionic surfactants are straight -chained or branched alkyl sulfates and alkyl polyaikoxylated sulfates, also known as alkyl ether sulfates. Such surfactants may be produced by the sulfation of higher C8-C20 fatty alcohols.
• primary alkyi sulfate surfactants are those of formula :
• R is C10-C16 alkyi, for example C 12 -C14, and M is alkali metal such as lithium, sodium or potassium.
• secondary alkyi sulfate surfactants are those which have the sulfate moiety on a "backbone" of the molecule, for example those of formula:
• Especially preferred secondary alkyi sulfates are the (2,3) alkyi sulfate surfactants of formulae :
• M is cation, such as an alkali metal, for example lithium, sodium or potassium .
• alkoxylated alkyl sulfates are ethoxylated alkyl sulfates of the formula:
• R is a C8-C20 alkyl group, preferably C10-C18 such as a C12-C-16, n is at least 1 , for example from 1 to 20, preferably 1 to 15, especially 1 to 6, and M is a salt -forming cation such as lithium, sodium, potassium, ammonium, alkylammonium or a!kanolammonium .
• R is a C8-C20 alkyl group, preferably C10-C18 such as a C12-C-16
• n is at least 1 , for example from 1 to 20, preferably 1 to 15, especially 1 to 6
• M is a salt -forming cation such as lithium, sodium, potassium, ammonium, alkylammonium or a!kanolammonium .
• alkyl sulfates and alkyl ether sulfates will generally be used in the form of mixtures comprising varying alkyl chain lengths and, if present, varying degrees of alkoxylation.
• anionic surfactants which may be employed are salts of fatty acids, for example Ca-Cis fatty acids, especially the sodium potassium or alkanolammonium salts, and alkyl, for example (1 ⁇ 4- ⁇ 8, benzene sulfonates.
• nonionic surfactants are fatty acid alkoxylates.
• the ethoxylated and propoxylated nonionic surfactants are preferred.
• Preferred alkoxylated surfactants can be selected from the classes of the nonionic condensates of alkyl phenols, nonionic ethoxylated alcohols. nonionic ethoxylated/ propoxylated fatty alcohols, nonionic ethoxylate/ propoxylated condensates with propylene glycol, and the nonionic ethoxylate condensation products with propylene oxide/ethylene diamine adducts.
• Preferred fatty acid ethoxylates are especially those of formula :
• R is a straight or branched Ce-C-te alkyl group, preferably a Cg- Ci 5, for example C10-C14 , or Gj 2-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 nonionic surfactant will frequently have a hydrophific-fipophilic balance (HLB) which ranges from 3 to 1 7, more preferably from 6 to 15, most preferably from 10 to 1 5.
• HLB hydrophific-fipophilic balance
• fatty alcohol ethoxylates are those made from alcohols of 12 to 15 carbon atoms and which contain about 7 moles of ethylene oxide. Such materials are commercially marketed under the trademarks Neodol 25-7 and Neodol 23-6.5 by Shell Chemical Company.
• Other useful IMeodols include Neodol 1 -5, an ethoxylated fatty alcohol averaging 1 1 carbon atoms in its alkyl chain with about 5 moles of ethylene oxide; Neodol 23-9, an ethoxylated primary C12-C13 alcohol having about 9 moles of ethylene oxide; and Neodol 91 -10, an ethoxylated C9-C11 primary alcohol having about 10 moles of ethylene oxide.
• Dobanol 91 -5 is an ethoxylated (1 ⁇ 4-C-n fatty alcohol with an average of 5 moles ethylene oxide
• Dobanol 25-7 is an ethoxylated C12-C15 fatty alcohol with an average of 7 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of fatty alcohol.
• Neodol 45- 1 1 is a similar ethylene oxide condensation products of a fatty alcohol having 14-1 5 carbon atoms and the number of ethylene oxide groups per mole being about 1 1 .
• Such products are also available from Shell Chemical Company.
• Nonionic surfactants are, for example, Cio-Cis alkyl polyglyco- sides, such s C12-C16 alkyl polyglycosides, especially the polygluco- sides. These are especially useful when high foaming is desired.
• Further surfactants are polyhydroxy fatty acid amides, such as C10-C18 N- (3-methoxypropyl) glycamides and ethylene oxide-propylene oxide block polymers of the Pluronic type.
• cationic surfactants are those of the quaternary ammonium type.
• Preferred quaternary ammonium compounds have the formula (1) or (l a), or include a mixture thereof; [R'-(CO)-0-R-N + (-R")(-(RO) n H) (-R-0-(CO)-R')]X ⁇ (I )
• R is an alkylene or alkenylene group having 2 to 4 carbon atoms
• R' is an alkyi or alkenyl group having 8 to 22 carbon atoms
• n is an integer having a value of 1 to 4.
• R" is an alkyi group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms
• R 1 is an alkyi group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms or hydrogen
• X " is a softener-compatible anion .
• softener-compatible anions (X " ) include chloride, formate, ritrate, sulfate or Ci -4 alkyi sulfate, preferably methyl sulfate.
• the alkyi or alkenyl R' ideally must contain at least 10 carbon atoms, preferably at least 1 4 carbon atoms, more preferably at least 1 6 carbon atoms.
• the group may be straight or branched.
• quaternary ammonium compound is di-(tallow carboxyethy hydroxyethylmethyl ammonium X " .
• a cationic fabric co-softener may be present,
• amphoteric surfactants are Cio-C-is amine oxides and the C12-C18 betaines and sulfobetaines.
• Suitable builders are alkali metal or ammonium phosphates, polyphosphates, phosphonates, polyphosphonates, carbonates, bicarbonates, borates, pol hydroxysulfonates, polyacetates, carboxylates such as citrates and other polycarboxylates / polyacetyl carboxylates such as succinate, malonate, carboxymethyl succinate.
• Ion exchange agents - such agents include alkali metal (preferably sodium) aluminosiiicates either crystalline, amorphous or a mixture of the two.
• alkali metal preferably sodium
• aluminosiiicates generally have a calcium ion exchange capacity of at least 50 mg CaO per gram of aluminosilicate, comply with a genera! formula :
• sodium aluminosiiicates within the above formula contain 1 .5-3.0 S1O2 units. Both amorphous and crystalline aluminosiiicates can be prepared by reaction between sodium silicate and sodium aluminate, as amply described in the literature.
• Suitable crystalline sodium aluminosilicate ion-exchange detergency builders are described, for example, in GB 1 429143 (Procter & Gamble) .
• the preferred sodium aluminosiiicates of this type are the well known commercially available zeolites A and X, and mixtures thereof.
• zeolite P described in EP 384070 (Unilever) .
• Another class of compounds are the layered sodium silicate builders, such as are disclosed in US-A-4464839 and US-A-4820439 and also referred to in EP-A-551375.
• M denotes sodium or hydrogen
• x is from 1 .9 to 4 and y is from 0 to 20.
• Ion capture agents - agents which prevent metal ions from forming insoluble salts or reacting with surfactants, such as polyphosphate, monomeric polycarboxylates, such as citric acid or salts thereof, poly- carboxylate polymers, such as polyacrylates, acrylic/maleic copolymers, and acrylic phosphonates, EDTA, algins, alginates.
• surfactants such as polyphosphate, monomeric polycarboxylates, such as citric acid or salts thereof, poly- carboxylate polymers, such as polyacrylates, acrylic/maleic copolymers, and acrylic phosphonates, EDTA, algins, alginates.
• Anti-nucleating agents - agents that prevent seed crystal growth such as polycarboxylate polymers, such as polyacrylates, acrylic/maleic copolymers, and acrylic phosphonates, and sulfonates.
• Such polymers may also act as ion capture agents as well.
• Preferred organic water-soluble water softening agents which may be present include polycarboxylate polymers, such as polyacrylates, acrylic/maleic copolymers, and acrylic phosphonates, monomeric poly- carboxylates such as citrates, gluconates, oxydisuccinates, glycero l mono- di- and trisuccinates, carboxymethyloxysuccinates, carboxy- methyloxymalonates, dipicolinates, hydroxyethyliminodiacetates, phosphonates, iminodisuccinates, polyaspartic acids, BHT, phospho- nate stabilisers such as, diethylenetriaminepenta (methylene phos- phonic acid and its corresponding pentasodium salt) available under the trade names Dequest 2060 and Dequest 2066 Monsanto Chemical Co) , DTPMP and DTPMA (Dequest 2010) and HEDP.
• polycarboxylate polymers such as polyacrylates, acrylic/maleic copo
• the water-soluble water softening agent is a neutralised or partially neutralised carboxylic acid, such as citric acid, succinic acid or maleic acid, and/or a neutralised or partially neutralised polycarboxylic acid, such as a polyacrylate of Mw: 4000-8000 (such as Acusol 445N (Rohm & Haas) CAS REG Nr. 66019 -1 8-9 or Sokalan from BASF) .
• a neutralised or partially neutralised carboxylic acid such as citric acid, succinic acid or maleic acid
• a neutralised or partially neutralised polycarboxylic acid such as a polyacrylate of Mw: 4000-8000 (such as Acusol 445N (Rohm & Haas) CAS REG Nr. 66019 -1 8-9 or Sokalan from BASF) .
• Such suitable polymers include polymers based on an unsaturated sulphonic acid monomer.
• the unsaturated sulphonic acid monomer is preferably one of the following : 2-acrylamido methyl - 1 -propanesultonic acid, 2-methacrylamido-2-methyl-1 - propanesulphonic acid, 3-methacrylamido-2-hydroxypropanesulphonic acid, allysulphonic acid, methallysulphonic acid, allyloxybenzenesul- phonic acid, methallyloxybenzensulphonic acid, 2-hydroxy-3-(2- propenyloxy)propanesulphonic acid, 2-methyI -2-propene-1 -sulphonic acid, styrene sulphonic acid, vinylsulphonic acid, 3-sulphopropyl acry- !ate, 3-sulphopropyl methacrylate, sulphomethylacrylamid, sul- phomethylmethacrylamide, and water soluble salts thereof
• the unsaturated sulphonic acid monomer is most preferably 2- acrylamido-2-propanesulphonic acid (AMPS) .
• Suitable enzymes include peroxidises, proteases, lipases, amylases and cellulase enzymes.
• Such enzymes are commercially available and sold, for example, under the registered trade marks Esperase, Alca- lase, Savinase, Termamyl, Lipolase and Celluzyme by Nova IMordisk A/S.
• Esperase Alca- lase
• Savinase Termamyl
• Lipolase and Celluzyme by Nova IMordisk A/S.
• the enzymes are present (as a proportion of the cartridge contents) in an amount of from 0.5 to 3 wt , especially 1 to 2 wt% .
• a thickening agent or gelling agent may be used.
• Suitable thickeners are polyacrylate polymers such as those sold under the trade mark CARBOPOL, or the trade mark ACUSOL by Rohm and Hass Company.
• Other suitable thickeners are xanthan gums.
• the thickener if present, is generally present in an amount of from 0.2 to 4 wt%, especially 0.2 to 2 wt%.
• One or more additional ingredients may optionally be comprised.
• These include conventional detergent 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, anti microbial / anti -bacterial agents, phosphates such as sodium tripoly- phosphate or potassium tripolyphosphate, 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%, the total weight of the cartridge contents.
• 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% the total weight of the cartridge contents.
• Example Materials which serve as phase stabilizers and/or co-solvents may be used.
• Example are C1 -C3 alcohols or diols such as methanol, ethanol, propanol and 1, 2-propanediol.
• Q -C3 alkanolamines such as mono-, di- and triethanolamines and monoisopropanolamine can also be used, by themselves or in combination with the alcohols.
• the detersive components may be anhydrous, or, for example, contain up to 5 wt% water.
• the aqueous substances contain more than 10 wt%, 15 wt%, 20 wt%, 25 wt% or 30 wt% water, but desirably less than 80 wt% water, more desirably less than 70 wt%, 60 wt%, 50 wt% or 40 wt% water. They may, for example, contai n from 30 to 65 wt% water.
• pH adjusting agents are NaOH and citric acid.
• the pH of the cartridge contents / wash liquor may be from, for example, 1 to 1 3.
• the detergent components were: surfactant - ulan 200S supplied by Christeyns; hydrogen peroxide - the oxidising component - ACE B supplied by Procter & Gamble; tetraacetylethylenediamine (TAED) - the oxidising component activator - supplied by Warwick Chemicals; optical brightener - Leucophor BMB supplied by Clariant; and perfume - Amour Japonais supplied by Symrise ® AG. Stains were added to the wash load to stress the detergent - 6 off WFK PCMS-55_05-05x05 Standard I ndustry /Commercial Laundry Stain Monitors, plus 12 off WFK SBL2004 simulated sebum grease stain sheets. The latter were used to generate sebum levels of ⁇ 8 g/kg of wash load, and thereby stress the detergent used.
• the level of cleaning was assessed using colour measurement.
• Reflectance values of the WFK stain monitors were measured using a Data- color Spectraflash SF600 spectrophotmeter interfaced to a personal computer, employing a 10° standard observer, under illuminant 3 ⁇ 4, with the UV component included and specular component excluded ; a 3 cm viewing aperture was used.
• the CI E L* colour co-ordinate was taken for each stain on the stain monitors, and these values were then averaged for each stain type. Note that higher L* values show better cleaning .
• Table 2 The results are shown in Table 2.
• the Xeros Plus Multi Dose cycle gives overwhelmingly superior cleaning to the Xeros Plus Single Dose cycle.
• 10 show superior cleaning with Xeros Plus Multi Dose
• 1 shows parity cleaning for both cycles
• only 2 show superior cleaning with Xeros Plus Single Dose.
• the background whiteness of the backing material of the stain monitors was improved with the Xeros Plus Multi Dose cycle. This is an effect of the late addition of the optical bright - ener in the final rinse (see Table 1 ) .
• the K/S va lues for the 420 - 480 nm range are improved, thereby giving the material a bluer hue (this being the blue end of the visible spectrum), and users typically see this as a considerable performance enhancement. It obviously also indicates that there is scope to reduce the level of optical brightener by using a multicomponent dosing approach to detergency, versus a single dose.
• a visual assessment test was also carried out, with 6 volunteers assessing this effect. All coding was covered on the test stain monitors to prevent bias, and all 6 volunteers " indicated a superior background whiteness for the backing material of the stain monitors when washed using the Xeros Plus Multi Dose cycle.
• Example 2 The same washing conditions as Example 1 were used to test performance of different beads with respect to different dyes. The results were assessed using a spectrometer (as above) .
• Example 2 The same washing conditions as Example 1 were used to test performance of different beads with respect to different dyes. A visual assessment test was also carried out, with 6 volunteers assessing this effect Dye Class Dye Nr. Type of Dye Fabric

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