WO2021032818A1

WO2021032818A1 - Detergent solid composition

Info

Publication number: WO2021032818A1
Application number: PCT/EP2020/073281
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hélène Julie Marie ARLABOSSE; Liam Edward DAVIES; Alexandre François BOUX DE CASSON; Robert Jan MOLL
Original assignee: Unilever Ip Holdings B.V.; Unilever Global Ip Limited; Conopco, Inc., D/B/A Unilever
Priority date: 2019-08-21
Filing date: 2020-08-20
Publication date: 2021-02-25
Also published as: EP4017955B1; CN114286854A; ES2942916T3; CN114269889A; WO2021032833A1; EP4017956A1; WO2021032816A1; EP4017954B1; EP4017953B1; ES2943127T3; CN114341325A; WO2021032817A1; EP4017952A1; EP4017953A1; ES2943558T3; CN114302947A; EP4017956B1; EP4017952B1; EP4017957B1; EP4017957A1

Abstract

A solid detergent composition comprising: a) from 25 to 88 wt. % free acid equivalent of non-crystalline chiral aminopolycarboxylate; and b) from 10 to 60 wt. % free acid equivalent of non-crystalline organic acid different from aminopolycarboxylate; and c) from 0.01 to 20 wt. % of surfactant; and d) from 0.7 to 25 wt. % of water; wherein the organic acid has an average molecular mass of at most 500 Dalton, the molecular mass being based on the free acid equivalent; and wherein the ingredients a), b) c) and d) are molecularly distributed throughout the solid.

Description

DETERGENT SOLID COMPOSITION.

Field of the invention The present invention relates to a solid composition comprising aminopolycarboxylate, organic acid, surfactant and water. The invention further relates to a process for the manufacture of the solid composition.

Background of the invention Detergent products typically contain several different active components, including builders, surfactants, enzymes and bleaching agents. Surfactants are employed to remove stains and soil and to disperse the released components into the cleaning liquid. Enzymes help to remove stubborn stains of proteins, starch and lipids by hydrolyzing these components. Bleach is used to remove stains by oxidizing the components that make up these stains. In order to reduce the negative effects of in particular calcium and magnesium ions on stain/soil removal so called 'builders' (complexing agents) are commonly applied in detergent products.

Phosphorus- containing builder components are generally considered to be "high- performance" builders. The use of phosphorous based builders in detergent products has however led to environmental problems such as eutrophication. As such there has been a need for more environmentally friendly alternative builders, which have on-par effectiveness and which are also cost-effective. Examples of such alternative builders are based on aminopolycarboxylates.

Surfactants are commonly included in detergent products to remove fatty soils. Surfactants with low melting points are generally preferred in view of their improved dissolution properties. Incorporating surfactants homogenously into solid detergent compositions (e.g. compacted powder or powder) is problematic in industrial scale processes. In general, surfactants are added as a (heated) liquid or as a solid and mixed with the other detergent solid parts. This however does not lead to a solid composition wherein the surfactants is distributed with the other solid parts on a molecular level. For example mixing a surfactant liquid with other detergent particles provides at most a coating of such particles with surfactants but not to a particle having the surfactant finely distributed throughout the particle itself (e.g. inside the particle).

It is an object of the present invention to provide a solid detergent composition which comprises aminopolycarboxylate and molecularly dispersed surfactant. It is a further object to provide a process to manufacture such a detergent solid, which is simple and energy efficient and which can omit mixing particles and spray-drying.

Summary of the invention

One or more of the above objectives is achieved, in a first aspect of the invention, by a solid detergent composition comprising: a) from 25 to 88 wt. % free acid equivalent of non-crystalline chiral aminopolycarboxylate; and b) from 10 to 60 wt. % free acid equivalent of non-crystalline organic acid different from aminopolycarboxylate; and c) from 0.01 to 20 wt. % of surfactant; and d) from 0.7 to 25 wt. % of water, wherein the organic acid has an average molecular mass of at most 500 Dalton, the molecular mass being based on the free acid equivalent; and wherein the ingredients a), b) c) and d) are molecularly distributed throughout the solid.

It was surprisingly found that the resulting solid comprised high amounts of non crystalline chiral aminopolycarboxylate and non-crystalline organic acid. This is surprising given that the free-water content of the resulting solid is very low. It is also highly advantageous to improve visual appeal as the solid can be translucent and even transparent.

The solid composition of the invention comprises non-crystalline chiral polycarboxylate, organic acid, as may be measured by WAXS using the method set-out in the Examples. Surprisingly such a solid composition could be made using only known detergent actives. The composition also has reduced hygroscopicity (e.g. compared to a solid based on aminopolycarboxylates as such), which improves (storage) stability. In the solid composition according to the invention, the organic acid is homogenously mixed with the chiral aminopolycarboxylate and the surfactant. Without wishing to be bound by theory it is believed the components molecularly interact to provide a solid having a low amount of free water, wherein substantial crystallization is avoided and to form a glass-like matrix.

The solid composition of the invention can be used as detergent product as such or be part of a heterogenous detergent product comprising further parts. The solid composition preferably is only made of detergent actives.

The solid according to the invention can surprisingly be made with the following process, which relates to the second aspect of the invention: Process for the manufacture of the solid according to the invention comprising the consecutive steps of:

I. providing an aqueous solution comprising: a) free acid equivalent of non-crystalline chiral aminopolycarboxylate; and b) free acid equivalent of non-crystalline organic acid different from a); and c) surfactant, wherein the weight ratio of a):b) is from 1:2 to 8.8:1; and

II. removing water from the aqueous solution by evaporation at a temperature of at least 50°C to produce a liquid desiccated mixture having a water content of from 0.7 to 25 wt. %; and

III. reducing the temperature of the desiccated mixture to obtain a solid according to the invention.

It was surprisingly found that the process of the invention can provide solid pieces of detergent material comprising surfactant, chiral aminoplycarboxylate and organic acid mixed on a molecular level. The solid has thermoplastic properties and hence can be easily shaped as desired. The desiccated liquid that is formed by reducing the water content of the solution to 25 wt. % or less is in a viscous (or rubbery) state. By cooling the desiccated liquid, the viscosity increases to a level where the material becomes solid. In case the desiccated liquid is cooled to a temperature lower than its glass transition temperature, a hard(er) solid can be obtained. This process offers the advantage that it allows for the production of the solid composition in the form of (shaped) pieces. Furthermore, the process can be used to coat a solid substrate with the solid composition by coating the substrate with the hot liquid desiccated mixture and allowing the hot mixture to cool down when in contact with the substrate. It was found that the solid composition of the present invention has thermoplastic behaviour which can suitably be used in the preparation of a detergent product and which also makes it more suitable for extrusion.

Detailed description

Definitions

Weight percentage (wt. %) is based on the total weight of the solid or the detergent product as indicated, unless otherwise stated. It will be appreciated that the total weight amount of ingredients will not exceed 100 wt. %. Amounts expressed in wt. % parts can exceed a total of 100%. Whenever an amount or concentration of a component is quantified herein, unless indicated otherwise, the quantified amount or quantified concentration relates to said component per se, even though it may be common practice to add such a component in the form of a solution or of a blend with one or more other ingredients. It is furthermore to be understood that the verb "to comprise" and its conjugations is used in its non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are included, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. Finally, reference to an element by the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the elements is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be one and only one of the elements. The indefinite article "a" or "an" thus usually means "at least one". Unless otherwise specified all measurements are taken at standard conditions. Whenever a parameter, such as a concentration or a ratio, is said to be less than a certain upper limit it should be understood that in the absence of a specified lower limit the lower limit for said parameter is 0.

The term ‘distinctive’ or ‘distinct’ as used herein in means to visually distinguishable by the untrained human eye. The term ‘solid’ according to the invention is according to its commonplace usage. For example, a wineglass is considered a solid in common place usage although in a strict physical sense it is an extremely viscous liquid. The solid according to the invention is preferably not in the form of a (fine) powder. However is in a fine powder it is a powder wherein the ingredients a), b), c) and d) are distributed throughput each particle on a molecular level.

The term ‘aminopolycarboxylate’ includes its partial or full acids unless otherwise specified. The salts, rather than the acids, of the aminopolycarboxylates are more preferred, and particularly preferred are the alkali salts thereof. The term ‘organic acid’ includes partial or full alkali salts thereof unless otherwise specified.

Concentrations expressed in ‘free acid equivalent’ refer to the concentration of an aminopolycarboxylate or an acid assuming that the aminopolycarboxylate of acid is exclusively present in fully protonated from. The following table shows how the free acid equivalent concentrations can be calculated for some (anhydrous) aminopolycarboxylates and (anhydrous) acid salts.

The term ‘translucency’ is used as meaning the ability of light in the visible spectrum to pass through the solid at least in part. To quantify, preferably it is evaluated based on a path-length of 0.5 cm through the solid, measuring the amount of light passing through. The solid is deemed to be translucent if under the aforementioned measurement conditions within the wavelength range of 400 to 700 nm it has a maximum Transmittance of at least 5%. The solid is deemed to be transparent if within the aforementioned wavelength range it has a maximum Transmittance of at least 20%. Here the Transmittance is defined as the ratio between the light intensity measured after the light has passed through the sample of solid and the light intensity measured when the sample has been removed.

It is particularly desirable that the solid composition is capable of parallel Light transmittance, meaning the transmitting of Light without appreciable Light scattering. Preferably the degree of Light scattering is less than 40%, 30%, 20%, 10%, 5%, 3%, 1%. “Scattering” as used herein preferably refers to both wide angle scattering and small angle scattering. Wide angle scattering causes what is referred to as haze or loss of contrast, whereas small/narrow angle scattering reduces the see-through quality or clarity. Hence it is preferable that haze is minimized and clarity maximized by minimal narrow and wide angle scattering. The total Light transmittance, wide angle scattering and small angle scattering can be measured using a Haze-Gard I - Transparency Meter (SHBG4775), and according to Supplier instructions.

Non-crystalline chiral aminopolycarboxylate

Aminopolycarboxylates (chiral or non-chiral) are well known in the detergent industry and sometimes referred to as aminocarboxylate chelants. They are generally appreciated as being strong builders. Chirality is a geometric property of molecules induced by the molecules having at least one chiral centre. A chiral molecule is non- superimposable on its mirror image. The chiral aminopolycarboxylate as used in the invention can comprise all its molecular mirror images.

Chiral and preferred aminopolycarboxylates are glutamic acid N,N-diacetic acid (GLDA), methylglycinediacetic acid (MGDA), ethylenediaminedisuccinic acid (EDDS), iminodisuccinic acid (IDS), iminodimalic acid (I DM) or a mixture thereof, more preferred are GLDA, MGDA, EDDS or a mixture thereof and even more preferred are GLDA and MGDA or a mixture thereof. In case of GLDA preferably is it predominantly (i.e. for more than 80 molar %) present in one of its chiral forms.

Examples of non-chiral aminopolycarboxylates are ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA), iminodiacetic acid (IDA), diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA), hydroxyethyliminodiacetic acid (HEIDA) aspartic acid diethoxysuccinic acid (AES) aspartic acid-N,N-diacetic acid (ASDA) , hydroxyethylene-diaminetetraacetic acid (HEDTA), hydroxyethylethylene- diaminetriacetic acid (HEEDTA) , iminodifumaric (IDF), iminoditartaric acid (IDT), iminodimaleic acid (IDMAL), ethylenediaminedifumaric acid (EDDF), ethylenediaminedimalic acid (EDDM), ethylenediamineditartaric acid (EDDT), ethylenediaminedimaleic acid and (EDDMAL), dipicolinic acid. None-chiral aminopolycarboxylates are preferably present in an amount of at most 10 wt. %, more preferably at most 5 wt. % and even more preferably essentially absent from the solid of the invention.

The solid of the invention comprises from 25 to 88 wt. % free acid equivalent of chiral aminopolycarboxylates. A particularly preferred amount of chiral aminopolycarboxylate is from 30 to 70 wt. % and more preferably from 35 to 60 wt. %. The weight of the chiral aminopolycarboxylates is measured as based on the free acid equivalent.

Preferably, the solid of the invention contains at least 50 wt. %, more preferably at least 75 wt. % free acid equivalent of GLDA, MGDA, EDDS, IDS, I DM or a mixture thereof, based on the total weight of free acid equivalent of chiral aminopolycarboxylate. More preferably, the solid contains at least 50 wt. %, more preferably at least 75 wt. % free acid equivalent of GLDA, MGDA, EDDS or mixtures thereof, based on the total weight of free acid equivalent of chiral aminopolycarboxylate. Even more preferably the free acid equivalent of aminopolycarboxylate essentially consists of free acid equivalent of GLDA, MGDA, EDDS or a mixture thereof. GLDA in general is most appreciated as it can be made from bio-based materials (e.g. monosodium glutamate, which itself can be made as by-product from corn fermentation). Also GLDA is highly biodegradable.

Non-crystalline organic acid

The solid according to the invention comprises organic acid, said acid not being an aminopolycarboxylate. The organic acid used in the solid according to the invention can otherwise be any organic acid. Particularly good results were achieved with organic acids being polyacids (i.e. acids having more than one carboxylic acid group), and more particularly with di- or tricarboxylic organic acids. The organic acids used in the invention have an average molecular mass of at most 500 Dalton, preferably of at most 400 Dalton and more preferably of at most 300 Dalton, the molecular mass being based on the free acid equivalent. The organic acid employed in accordance with the invention preferably comprises 3 to 25 carbon atoms, more preferably 4 to 15 carbon atoms.

In view of consumer acceptance, the organic acids preferably are those which are also found naturally occurring, such as in plants. As such, organic acids of note are acetic acid, citric acid, aspartic acid, lactic acid, adipic acid, succinic acid, glutaric acid, malic acid, tartaric acid, maleic acid, fumaric acid, saccharic acids, their salts, or mixtures thereof. Of these, of particular interest are citric acid, aspartic acid, acetic acid, lactic acid, succinic acid, glutaric acid, adipic acid, gluconic acid, their salts, or mixtures thereof. Citric acid, lactic acid, acetic acid and aspartic acid are even more preferred. Citric acid and/or its salt are especially beneficial as, besides acting as builder are also highly biodegradable. As such it is advantageous that the solid contains at least 10, more preferably at least 15, even more preferably at least 20, most preferably at least 25 wt. % free acid equivalent of citric acid.

The solid of the invention comprises from 10 to 60 wt. % of the organic acid, the weight being based on the equivalent free acid. Preferred is a total amount of organic acid of from 15 to 55 wt. %, more preferably of from 25 to 50 wt. %, based on the weight of the free acid equivalents.

Better results were achieved with certain weight ratios of a):b). Therefore it is preferred that the weight ratio of a):b) is from 1:2 to 1:0.15, preferably from 1:1.5 to 1:0.4, more preferably from 1:1.4 to 1: 0.5, based on the weight of the free acid equivalents.

Surfactants in the solid composition

The solid of the invention comprises 0.01 to 20 wt. % of molecularly distributed surfactant, preferably from 0.1 to 10 wt. %, more preferably from 0.2 to 6 wt. %, even more preferably from 0.5 to 4.0 wt.% and still even more preferably from 1.0 to 3.5 wt. %. Within these ranges an optimal balance is obtained between hardness, thermoplasticity, translucency and light scattering. Besides said amounts of molecularly distributed surfactant further non-molecularly distributed surfactant (e.g. as a further coating) may be present. Advantageously, at least 40 wt. %, 50 wt. %, 60 wt. %, 70 wt. %, 80 wt. %, 90 wt. % and preferably essentially all of the total surfactant of the solid composition is molecular distributed throughout the solid composition.

Preferably the solid composition of the invention comprises low melting surfactant. Unless otherwise specified or made clear from the context, as used throughout this specification ‘low melting surfactant’ refers to a surfactant which is liquid at a temperature of 60 degrees Celsius. The liquid state of a surfactant at a temperature of 60 degrees Celsius can be easily determined by eye. For example, in a liquid state the surfactant can be poured. Of course, surfactants which are liquid at lower temperatures are also considered to be liquid at 60 degrees Celsius.

The low melting surfactant can be anionic, cationic, non-ionic, zwitterionic or a combination thereof. Preferably the low melting surfactant is however anionic, non-ionic or a combination thereof and more preferably is a non-ionic. Preferred non-ionics are modified alcohol polyglycol ethers, more preferably those which are alkoxylated, even more preferably ethoxylated and still even more preferably those which are ethoxyated. The preferred average degree of ethoxylation is from 5 to 30, more preferably from 10 to 25. Such non-ionics are commercially available such as from Clariant.

Preferably the low melting surfactant is liquid at a temperature of 50, 45, 40, 35 and more at 30 degrees Celsius. Preferably the low melting surfactant is solid at a temperature of -5, 0, 5, 10 and more preferably 15 degrees Celsius.

Preferably the total amount of surfactant in the solid detergent composition comprises at least 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 wt. % of low melting surfactant, bases on the total weight of the surfactant present in the solid detergent composition. Even more preferably substantially all the surfactant in the solid composition of the invention is low melting surfactant. Water

The solid according to the invention comprises from 0.7 to 25 wt. % of water. It was surprisingly found that use of such a water content provided a solid with a good balance of hardness and plasticity. Depending on the water level the solid can be a harder solid with water levels in the lower range of from 0.7 to 25 wt. %. The general plasticity and thermoplastic properties offer the significant practical advantage that the solid can be (machine) worked with a low chance of breakage or of forming cracks. Also, not unimportantly, it can provide an improved sensory experience when handled by the consumer.

Better results were achieved with amounts of water having a lower-end of the range of preferably of at least 1.0, 1.2, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 2.0, 2.5 and even more preferably 3.0 wt.

%; combined with an upper-end of the range of at most 20, 18, 17, 15, 13, 11, 10 and even more preferably 8 wt. %. The lower-ends and upper-ends can be readily combined, such as an amount of water of from preferably 1.0 to 20 wt. %, more preferably of from 1.4 to 15 wt. % even more preferably of from 1.5 to 8 wt. %. The latter ranges provide a further optimum between suitable hardness, reduced brittleness especially when including sulfonated polymer and/or polycarboxylate polymer (as described below). The water-activity a_w of the solid according to the invention can be 0.7 or lower. Preferred is a water-activity a_w of at most 0.6, and further preferred of at most 0.5. The preferred lower limit of water activity a_wmay be 0.15.

Advantageously the total amount of non-crystalline chiral aminopolycarboxylate, non crystalline organic acid, surfactant and water is from 60 to 100 wt. % based on the total weight of the solid according to the invention, preferably from 70 to 100 wt. %, more preferably from 80 to 100 wt. %, even more preferably from 90 to 100 wt. % and still even more preferably from 95 to 100 wt. % of the total weight of the solid according to the invention. As such highly preferred solid composition according to the invention comprises: a) from 30 to 70 wt. % free acid equivalent of non-crystalline chiral aminopolycarboxylate; and b) from 15 to 55 wt. % free acid equivalent of non-crystalline organic acid different from aminopolycarboxylate; and c) from 0.01 to 4.5 wt. % of surfactant; and d) from 0.7 to 15 wt. % of water; wherein a), b), c) and d) form from 70 to 100 wt. % of the total weight of the solid composition.

Given the above even more preferred solid composition according to the invention comprises: a) from 35 to 60 wt. % free acid equivalent of non-crystalline chiral aminopolycarboxylate; and b) from 25 to 50 wt. % free acid equivalent of non-crystalline organic acid different from aminopolycarboxylate; and c) from 0.5 to 4.0 wt. % of surfactant; and d) from 1.0 to 10 wt. % of water; wherein a), b), c) and d) form from 80 to 100 wt. % of the total weight of the solid composition.

Given the above of course, even still more preferred solid composition according to the invention comprises: a) from 35 to 60 wt. % free acid equivalent of non-crystalline chiral aminopolycarboxylate; and b) from 25 to 50 wt. % free acid equivalent of non-crystalline organic acid different from aminopolycarboxylate; and c) from 1.0 to 3.5 wt. % of low melting nonionic surfactant; and d) from 2.0 to 8 wt. % of water; wherein a), b), c) and d) form from 90 to 100 wt. % of the total weight of the solid composition. pH profile

Highly advantageously the solid of the invention preferably has the following pH profile: the pH of a solution of the solid made by dissolving the solid in water in a 1:1 weight ratio is at most 10.0, as measured at 25 degrees Celsius. Such a pH profile improves stability of the solid. Particularly good results were achieved for said pH profile being at most 9.0, more preferably at most 8.0. Many detergents products are overall alkaline. As such, for practical reasons and to increase formulation freedom, preferably the pH of a solution made by dissolving 1 wt. % of the solid in water is at least 5.0 and more preferably at least 6.0 and more preferably at least 6.5 as measured at 25 degrees Celsius.

Further ingredients

The solid of the invention may comprise further ingredients, such as further detergent active components.

The solid of the invention preferably comprises sulfonated polymer, polycarboxylate polymer or a combination thereof in a total amount of from 0.3 to 50 wt. %, more preferably from 0.6 to 25 wt. %, even more preferably from 2 to 15 wt. % and still even more preferably from 3 to 12 wt. %, as based on the free acid equivalent of the polymer.

Inclusion of such polymers was found to reduce hygroscopicity, increase hardness, plasticity and improve glass transition temperature. The improved plasticity is beneficial as it makes the solids easier to (mechanically) work (i.e. at raised temperatures) and makes it easier to manufacture detergent product comprising the solid. A higher glass transition temperature is beneficial as it aids stability of the solid during storage and handling, in particular in view of temperature stresses. That being said a glass transition temperature which is not too high will aid quick dissolution of the product in warm water as it helps to liquefy the solid during use by increasing surface area. Preferably, the glass transition temperature (T_g) of the solid is less than 80 degrees Celsius, more preferably from 10 to 60 degrees Celsius, even more preferably from 15 to 50 degrees Celsius and most preferably from 20 to 40 degrees Celsius. The reduction in hygroscopicity was more pronounced if the polymer (in particular the carboxylate polymer) used has a lower average molecular weight maximum. Sulfonated polymer

The sulfonated polymer that is employed in accordance with the present invention can be a copolymer or a homopolymer. Preferably the sulfonated polymer is a copolymer. Suitable sulfonated polymers preferably have a mass averaged molecular mass of 3,000 to 50,000, more preferably from 4,500 to 35,000.

In a preferred embodiment, the solid composition comprises sulfonated polymer comprising polymerized units of one or more unsaturated sulfonate monomers selected from 2-acrylamido methyl-1 -propanesulfonic acid, 2-methacrylicamido-2-methyl-1- propanesulphonic acid, 3-methacrylamido-2-hydroxy-propanesulphonic acid, allylsulphonic acid, methallylsulphonic acid, allyloxybenzenesulphonic acid methallyloxybenzenesulphonic acid, 2-hydroxy-3-(2-propenyloxy)propanesulphonic acid, 2-methyl-2-propene-1-sulphonic acid, styrene sulphonic acid, vinylsulphonic acid, 3-sulphopropyl acrylate, 3-sulphopropyl methacrylate, sulphomethylacrylamide, sulphomethylmethacrylamide.

In accordance with another preferred embodiment, the solid composition comprises sulfonated polymer comprising polymerized units of one or more unsaturated sulfonate monomers represented by the following formula:

CH₂=CR¹-CR²R³-0-C₄H₃R⁴-S03X

Wherein

R\R², R³, R⁴ independently represent C1-C6 alkyl or hydrogen;

X represents hydrogen or alkali.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the sulfonated polymer is a copolymer comprising polymerized units of monoethylenically unsaturated C3-C6 monocarboxylic acid. More preferably, the sulfonated copolymer comprises the following monomers in polymerised form: · 50-90 wt.% of one or more monoethylenically unsaturated C3-C6 monocarboxylic acid;

• 10-50 wt.% of unsaturated sulfonate monomers as defined herein before. According to another preferred embodiment, the monoethylenically unsaturated C3-C6 monocarboxylic acid in the sulfonated copolymer are selected from acrylic acid, meth(acrylic) acid and combinations thereof.

As such highly preferred for use in the solid of invention are sulfonated copolymers having the following combined properties:

• present in an amount of from 2 to 15 wt. %, based on the free acid equivalent; and

• which are partially or fully neutralized; and

• which have an average molar mass (Mw) of from 3,000 to 50,000

• which comprised the following monomers in polymerised form: 50-90 wt.% of one or more monoethylenically unsaturated C3-C6 monocarboxylic acid; and 10-50 wt.% of unsaturated sulfonate monomers selected from 2-acrylamido methyl-1 - propanesulfonic acid, 2-methacrylicamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulphonic acid, 3- methacrylamido-2-hydroxy-propanesulphonic acid.

Polycarboxylate polymer

The term “polycarboxylate polymer” here is used to also cover the acid form and is different from the acid that is present in the solid.

Suitable polycarboxylate polymers have an average molar mass Mw of from 500 to 500.000. They may be modified or unmodified, but preferably are unmodified. Also they can be co-polymers or homopolymers, although homopolymers are considered more beneficial.

Polycarboxylate polymers having an average molar mass (Mw) of from 900 to 100.000, more preferably 1100 to 10.000 gave better results in terms of further improving the benefits described of adding polymer.

Preferably the solid comprises polycarboxylate polymer selected from polyacrylate, copolymers of polyacrylate, polymaleate, copolymers of polymaleate, polymethacrylate, copolymers of polymethacrylate, polymethyl-methacrylate, copolymers of polymethyl methacrylate, polyaspartate, copolymers of polyaspartate, polylactate, copolymers of polylactate, polyitaconates, copolymers of polyitaconates and combinations thereof. Highly preferred polycarboxylate polymers are polyacrylates. Suitable polyacrylates are commercially available, such as from BASF under the tradename Sokalan PA 13 PN, Solakan PA 15, Sokalan PA 20 PN, Sokalan PA 20, Sokalan PA 25 PN, Sokalan PA 30, Sokalan 30 CL, Sokalan PA 40, Sokalan PA 50, Sokalan PA 70 PN, Sokalan PA 80

S and Sokalan PA 110 S.

Preferred are polyacrylates which are partially or fully neutralized. As such highly preferred for use in the solid of invention are polyacrylates having the following combined properties:

• which are partially or fully neutralized; and · which have an average molar mass (Mw) of from 900 to 100.000; and

• which are homopolymers.

Of the polycarboxylate polymers and the sulfonated polymers the polycarboxylate polymers are the more preferred.

Dyes in the solid

The solid of the invention may, depending on the aminopolycarboxylate and acid used, be colored and for example have a yellowish tinge. The translucency of such solid can be further improved by adding an opposing colorant of the color wheel, which is preferably a dye. For example, yellow opposes blue on the color wheel, and violet opposes green. This will render the solid in essence to be more colorless, which can be preferred. It is noted that typical dyes need be added in relatively small amounts to be effective. Hence their level is suggested not to be above 0.5 wt. % and preferably is at most 0.2 wt. %.

The solid composition preferably contains not more than 30 wt. % of ingredients other than aminopolycarboxylate, zinc, bismuth, organic acid, polyacrylate, colorants and water, more preferably no more than 20 wt. %, still even more preferably no more than 10 wt. %, still even more preferably no more than 5 wt. %, still even more preferably no more than 2 wt. % and still even more preferably essentially no further ingredients are present. If further ingredients are present in the solid composition these are preferably water-soluble non-crystalline ingredients.

Form of the solid

The solid composition of the invention can have any suitable shape and size. The solid composition may be in any form but is not a (fine) powder. The latter is since, when in a (fine) powder, the improved translucency of the solid composition will be difficult to appreciate due to the inherent light scattering properties of (fine) powders).

When used, as part of a detergent product or otherwise, it is preferably present in at least one continuous volume of from 0.2 to 15 cm³, even more preferably from 0.4 to 10 cm³, most preferably from 0.5 to 5 cm³. Said preferred volumes allows the solid of the invention to be easily visible to the naked eye, allowing it to be better appreciated for its visual appeal. The solid may be present in any suitable shape.

When used, as part of a detergent product or otherwise, it is preferably has at least one continuous, preferably overall flat, surface area of 0.5 to 25 cm², even more preferably from 1.0 to 10 cm², most preferably from 2.0 to 5 cm². Said preferred sizes allows it to be better appreciated for its visual appeal by the untrained human eye.

The solid preferably has a maximum Transmittance within the wavelength range of 400 to 700 nm of at least 5%, more preferably of at least 10%, even more preferably of at least 20%, yet more preferably of at least 25% and most preferably of least 30%. According to another preference, the solid has an average Transmittance in the wavelength range of 400 to 700 nm of at least 5%, more preferably of at least 10%, even more preferably of at least 20% and most preferably of at least 25%.

Detergent product

The solid composition may form a detergent product by itself or form part of a detergent product. If part of a detergent product, the detergent product comprises the solid according to the first aspect of the invention in an amount of from 1 to 90 wt. %, preferably in an amount of from 2 to 85 wt. %, more preferably of from 5 to 70 wt. %.

In case of machine dish wash detergent products, the particularly preferred amount of the solid of the invention is from 5 to 60 wt. %, more preferably 10 to 50 wt. % and even more preferably 15 to 40 wt. %.

In case of toilet bowl rim detergent products, the particularly preferred amount of the solid of the invention is from 10 to 85 wt. %, more preferably 20 to 80 wt. % and even more preferably 40 to 70 wt. %.

In case of laundry detergent products, the particularly preferred amount of the solid of the invention is from 1 to 60, more preferably 2 to 50 wt. %, and even more preferably,

5 to 35 wt. %.

Beneficially, at least part of the solid is visually distinct from the remainder of the detergent product part(s). The visual distinctiveness of the solid of the invention, is preferably based on the solid having (a higher) translucency compared to the other detergent product solid part(s). The distinctiveness of the solid can be further enhanced by a suitable distinctive colouring. This can be by making it of more intense or of less intense colour (e.g. colourless). Preferably of course when colouring is applied, the translucency is maintained to an appreciable extent. Generally, colourants, such as dyes and/or pigments are effective in low amounts and as such this is typically not problematic In any case, it is particularly envisioned that the solid of the invention is used to provide a detergent product with enhanced visual appeal.

The solid can be present in any suitable shape or shapes, such as in one or more layers, lines (e.g. rods, beams), spherical or cuboid shapes or combinations thereof. Preferred shapes are the following: cuboid, cylinder, sphere, bar, X-bar, pyramid, prism, cone, dome and (circular) tube. Of these more preferred shapes are bar, X-bar, cylinder, cuboid, (circular) tube and sphere. Whatever the geometric arrangement of the solid of the invention (within the overall detergent product), it is preferred that at least part the solid forms part of the surface of the detergent product. More preferably, at least 10%, 20%, 30%, 40% more preferably at least 50% of the surface area of the detergent product is formed by the solid. Preferably at most 95%, 90% and more preferably at most 85% of the surface area of the detergent product is formed by the solid.

The solid of the invention in the detergent product may act as a matrix and hold part, or the whole, of the further ingredients in the detergent product. In this sense, the solid of the invention may be used to form a (partial) skin. Advantageously the solid acts as a translucent matrix holding one or more distinct bodies, which can be visible in the matrix. The bodies being preferably in the shape of spheres or cubes. The bodies being preferably coloured.

In general, the skilled person is endowed with the capability to use the solid of the invention to his advantage when making more appealing detergent products. As described above, ways of using the solid in a detergent product in which the solid remains distinctly visible, can be appreciated for it translucent and/or glossy nature are highly preferred.

The detergent product according to the invention comprises the solid according to the invention. As such the detergent product (as a whole) will comprise chiral aminopolycarboxylate, organic acid, surfactant, and water by virtue of this. The detergent product in addition preferably comprises, but preferably in the other part(s) than that of the solid of the invention, at least one further detergent active, and preferably one or more of enzymes, enzyme stabilizers, bleaching agents, bleach activator, bleach catalyst, bleach scavengers, drying aids, silicates, metal care agents, colorants, perfumes, lime soap dispersants, anti-foam, anti-tarnish, anti-corrosion agents, surfactants and further builders.

Further builders

Further builder materials may be selected from 1) calcium sequestrant materials, 2) precipitating materials, 3) calcium ion-exchange materials and 4) mixtures thereof. Examples of calcium sequestrant builder materials include alkali metal polyphosphates, such as sodium tripolyphosphate and organic sequestrants, such as ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid. Examples of precipitating builder materials include sodium orthophosphate and sodium carbonate. Preferably, the detergent product comprises sodium carbonate in the range from 5 to 50 wt%, most preferably 10 to 35 wt%. Examples of calcium ion-exchange builder materials include the various types of water- insoluble crystalline or amorphous aluminosilicates, of which zeolites are the best known representatives, e.g. zeolite A, zeolite B (also known as zeolite P), zeolite C, zeolite X, zeolite Y and also the zeolite P-type as described in EP-A-0,384,070.

The detergent product may also contain 0-65 % of a builder or complexing agent such as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, diethylenetriamine-pentaacetic acid, alkyl- or alkenylsuccinic acid, nitrilotriacetic acid or the other builders mentioned below. Many builders are also bleach-stabilising agents by virtue of their ability to complex metal ions. Zeolite and carbonate (carbonate (including bicarbonate and sesquicarbonate) are preferred further builders.

The builder may be crystalline aluminosilicate, preferably an alkali metal aluminosilicate, more preferably a sodium aluminosilicate. This is typically present at a level of less than 15wt. %. Aluminosilicates are materials having the general formula: 0.8-1.5 M2O. AI2O3. 0.8-6 S1O2, where M is a monovalent cation, preferably sodium. These materials contain some bound water and are required to have a calcium ion exchange capacity of at least 50 mg CaO/g. The preferred sodium aluminosilicates contain 1.5-3.5 S1O2 units in the formula above. They can be prepared readily by reaction between sodium silicate and sodium aluminate, as amply described in the literature. The ratio of surfactants to alumuminosilicate (where present) is preferably greater than 5:2, more preferably greater than 3:1.

Alternatively, or additionally to the aluminosilicate builders, phosphate builders may be used. In this invention the term ’phosphate’ embraces diphosphate, triphosphate, and phosphonate species. Other forms of builder include silicates, such as soluble silicates, metasilicates, layered silicates (e.g. SKS-6 from Hoechst). However, preferably the detergent product is a non-phosphate built detergent product, i.e., contains less than 1 wt% of phosphate and preferably essentially no phosphate. In view of the environmental concerns associated with the use of high levels of phosphorous based builders in detergent compositions it is preferred that the detergent product according to the invention comprises at most 5 wt. %, more preferably at most 1 wt. % and particularly essentially no phosphorous based builders. Examples of phosphorous based builders are 1-hydroxyethane-1,1-diphosphonic acid (HEDP), diethylenetriamine-penta (methylenephosphonic acid) (DTPMP), ethylenediaminetetra- methylenephosphonate (EDTMP), tripolyphosphate, pyrophosphate. Alkali carbonate is appreciated in view of its double-function as builder and buffer and is preferably present in the detergent product. If present the preferred amount of alkali carbonate in the detergent product is from 2 to 75 wt.%, more preferably from 3 to 50 wt.% and even more preferably from 5 to 20 wt.%. Such level of alkali carbonate provides good Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ ion scavenging for most types of water hardness levels, as well as other builder effects, such as providing good buffering capacity. The preferred alkali carbonates are sodium- and/or potassium carbonate of which sodium carbonate is particularly preferred. The alkali carbonate present in the detergent product of the invention can be present as such or as part of a more complex ingredient (e.g. sodium carbonate in sodium percarbonate).

Surfactant

It is preferred that the detergent product of the invention (i.e. as a whole) with further detergent parts being present comprises 0.5 to 70 wt. % of surfactant, more preferably 2 to 50 wt. %. The surfactants types described here can also be suitably molecularly distributed in the solid composition. The surfactant can be non-ionic or anionic.

In case of machine dish wash detergent products, the particularly preferred amount of surfactant is from 0.5 to 25 wt.%, preferably 2 to 15 wt. %. In case of toilet bowl rim detergent products, the particularly preferred amount of surfactant is from 0.5 to 55, preferably 10 to 40 wt. %. In case of laundry detergent products, the particular preferred amount of surfactant is from 2 to 70, preferably 10 to 35 wt. %. The nonionic and anionic surfactants of the surfactant system may be chosen from the surfactants described "Surface Active Agents" Vol. 1, by Schwartz & Perry,

Interscience 1949, Vol. 2 by Schwartz, Perry & Berch, Interscience 1958, in the current edition of "McCutcheon’s Emulsifiers and Detergents" published by Manufacturing Confectioners Company or in "Tenside-Taschenbuch", H. Stache, 2nd Edn., Carl Hauser Verlag, 1981. Preferably the surfactants used are saturated.

Non-ionic surfactants

Suitable non-ionic surfactants which may be used include, in particular, the reaction products of compounds having a hydrophobic group and a reactive hydrogen atom, for example, aliphatic alcohols, acids, amides or alkyl phenols with alkylene oxides, especially ethylene oxide either alone or with propylene oxide.

Preferably low-foaming nonionic surfactants are used particularly from the group of alkoxylated alcohols. Alkoxylated, advantageously ethoxylated, in particular primary alcohols with preferably 8 to 18 C atoms and on average 1 to 12 mol of ethylene oxide (EO) per mol of alcohol, in which the alcohol residue may be linear or preferably methyl-branched in position 2 or may contain linear and methyl-branched residues in the mixture, as are usually present in oxo alcohol residues, are preferably used as nonionic surfactants. In particular, however, alcohol ethoxylates with linear residues prepared from alcohols of natural origin with 12 to 18 C atoms, for example from coconut, palm, tallow fat or oleyl alcohol, and on average 2 to 8 mol of EO per mol of alcohol are preferred. The preferred ethoxylated alcohols include for example C12-14 alcohols with 3 EO to 4 EO, C9-12 alcohol with 7 EO, C13-15 alcohols with 3 EO, 5 EO, 7 EO or 8 EO, C12-18 alcohols with 3 EO, 5 EO or 7 EO and mixtures of these, such as mixtures of C12-14 alcohol with 3 EO and C12-19 alcohol with 5 EO. Preferred tallow fatty alcohols with more than 12 EO have from 60 to 100 EO, and more preferably from 70 to 90 EO. Particularly preferred tallow fatty alcohols with more than 12 EO are tallow fatty alcohols with 80 EO.

Nonionic surfactants from the group of alkoxylated alcohols, particularly preferably from the group of mixed alkoxylated alcohols and in particular from the group of EO-AO-EO nonionic surfactants, are likewise particularly preferentially used. Preferably used nonionic surfactants originate from the groups comprising alkoxylated nonionic surfactants, in particular ethoxylated primary alcohols and mixtures of these surfactants with structurally complex surfactants such as polyoxypropylene/ polyoxyethylene/ polyoxypropylene (PO/EO/PO). Such (PO/EO/PO) nonionic surfactants are furthermore distinguished by good foam control.

The most preferred nonionic surfactants are according to the formula:

wherein n is from 0 to 5 and m from 10 to 50, more preferably wherein n is from 0 to 3 and m is from 15 to 40, and even more preferably wherein n is 0 and m is from 18 to 25. Surfactants according to this formula were particularly useful in reducing spotting of dishware treated in a machine dish washer. Preferably at least 50 wt. % of the nonionic surfactant comprised by the detergent product of the invention is nonionic surfactant according to this formula. Such nonionic surfactants are commercially available, e.g. under the tradename Dehypon WET (Supplier: BASF) and Genapol EC50 (Supplier Clariant). The detergent product preferably comprises from 0.5 to 15 wt. % of nonionic surfactant. The more preferred total amount of nonionic surfactants is from 2.0 to 8 wt. % and even more preferred is an amount of from 2.5 to 5.0 wt.%. The nonionic surfactant used in the detergent product can be a single nonionic surfactant or a mixture of two or more non-ionic surfactants. The nonionic surfactant is preferably present in amounts of 25 to 90 wt. % based on the total weight of the surfactant system. Anionic surfactants can be present for example in amounts in the range from 5 to 40 wt. % of the surfactant system.

Anionic surfactants

Suitable anionic surfactants which may be used are preferably water-soluble alkali metal salts of organic sulphates and sulphonates having alkyl radicals containing from about 8 to about 22 carbon atoms, the term alkyl being used to include the alkyl portion of higher acyl radicals. Examples of suitable synthetic anionic surfactants are sodium and potassium alkyl sulphates, especially those obtained by sulphating higher C8 to C18 alcohols, produced for example from tallow or coconut oil, sodium and potassium alkyl C9 to C20 benzene sulphonates, particularly sodium linear secondary alkyl C10 to C15 benzene sulphonates; and sodium alkyl glyceryl ether sulphates, especially those ethers of the higher alcohols derived from tallow or coconut oil and synthetic alcohols derived from petroleum. The preferred anionic surfactants are sodium C11 to C15 alkyl benzene sulphonates and sodium C12 to C18 alkyl sulphates. Also applicable are surfactants such as those described in EP-A-328 177 (Unilever), which show resistance to salting-out, the alkyl polyglycoside surfactants described in EP-A-070 074, and alkyl monoglycosides.

Bleaching system

It is preferred that the detergent product according to the invention comprises at least 5 wt. %, more preferably at least 8 wt. % and even more preferably at least 10 wt. % of bleaching agent by total weight of the product. The bleaching agent preferably comprises a chlorine-, or bromine-releasing agent or a peroxygen compound. Preferably, the bleaching agent is selected from peroxides (including peroxide salts such as sodium percarbonate), organic peracids, salts of organic peracids and combinations thereof. More preferably, the bleaching agent is a peroxide. Most preferably, the bleaching agent is a percarbonate.

The detergent product of the invention may contain one or more bleach activators such as peroxyacid bleach precursors. Peroxyacid bleach precursors are well known in the art. As non-limiting examples can be named N,N,N',N'-tetraacetyl ethylene diamine (TAED), sodium nonanoyloxybenzene sulphonate (SNOBS), sodium benzoyloxybenzene sulphonate (SBOBS) and the cationic peroxyacid precursor (SPCC) as described in US-A-4,751,015.

Preferably the detergent product comprises a bleach catalyst. Particularly preferred is a bleach catalyst which is a manganese complex, such as Mn-Me TACN, as described in EP-A-0458397, and/or the sulphonimines of US-A- 5,041,232 and US-A-5,047,163. It is advantageous that the bleach catalyst is physically separated in the detergent product from the bleach (to avoid premature bleach activation). Cobalt or iron catalysts can also be used.

Enzymes

The detergent product of the invention preferably comprises one or more enzymes chosen from proteases, alpha-amylases, cellulases, lipases, peroxidases/ oxidases, pectate lyases, and mannanases. Particularly preferred is protease, amylase or a combination thereof. If present the level of each enzyme is from 0.0001 to 1.0 wt.%, more preferably 0.001 to 0.8 wt. %.

Silicates

Silicates are known detergent ingredients, and often included to provide dish wash care benefits, and reduce corrosion of dishware. Particularly preferred silicates are sodium disilicate, sodium metasilicate and crystalline phyllosilicates or mixtures thereof. If present the total amount of silicates preferably is from 1 to 15 wt. %, more preferably form 2 to 10 wt. % and even more preferably from 2.5 to 5.0 wt. % by weight of the detergent product.

Perfume

Preferably the detergent product of the invention comprises one or more colorants, perfumes or a mixture thereof in an amount of from 0.0001 to 8 wt. %, more preferably from 0.001 to 4 wt. % and even more preferably from 0.001 to 1.5 wt. %.

Perfume is preferably present in the range from 0.1 to 1 wt. %. Many suitable examples of perfumes are provided in the CTFA (Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association) 1992 International Buyers Guide, published by CFTA Publications and OPD 1993 Chemicals Buyers Directory 80th Annual Edition, published by Schnell Publishing Co.

In perfume mixtures preferably 15 to 25 wt. % are top notes. Top notes are defined by Poucher (Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Chemists 6(2):80 [1955]). Preferred top- notes are selected from citrus oils, linalool, linalyl acetate, lavender, dihydromyrcenol, rose oxide and cis-3-hexanol.

Shading dyes

In particular for laundry detergent products according to the invention it is preferred that these comprise shading dye. Shading dyes are for example added to laundry detergent formulations to enhance the whiteness of fabrics. Shading dyes are preferably blue or violet dyes which are substantive to fabric. A mixture of shading dyes may be used and indeed are preferred for treating mixed fiber textiles. The preferred amount of shading dyes is from 0.00001 to 1.0 wt. %, preferably 0.0001 to 0.1 wt. % and particularly an amount of 0.001 to 0.01 wt. % is preferred. Shading dyes are discussed in W02005/003274, W02006/032327, W02006/032397, W02006/045275, W02006/027086, W002008/017570, WO 2008/141880, W02009/132870, W02009/141173, WO 2010/099997, WO 2010/102861, WO2010/148624, W02008/087497 and WO2011/011799.

Form of the detergent product

The detergent product of the invention may be in any suitable form. Due to the presence of the solid of the invention it at least contains a solid part. The remainder of the detergent product can also be non-solid, such as in the form of a liquid, but preferably contains at least one further non-powder non-liquid solid part, such as and preferably is a compacted powder (which is no longer considered a powder as such).

The detergent product is preferably provided as a water-soluble or water-dispersible unit dose. Particularly preferred unit doses are in the form of pouches, which comprise at least one further non-shape stable ingredient, such as a liquid and/or powder; or in the form of tablets. For ease of use, the unit dose is sized and shaped as to fit in the detergent cup of a conventional house-hold machine dishwasher, laundry machine or toilet-rim holder, as is known in the art. In a preferred embodiment, the unit-dose detergent product has a unit weight of 5 to 50 grams, more preferably a unit weight of 10 to 30 grams, even more preferably a unit weight of 12 to 25 grams.

Advantageous unit dose pouches preferably have more than one compartment.

Advantageous unit dose tablets are those which have more than one visually distinct tablet region. Such regions can be formed by e.g. two distinct (colored) layers or a tablet having a main body and a distinct insert, such as forming a nested-egg. However oriented, one benefit of using multi-compartmental pouches/ multi-region tablets is that it can be used to reduce/prevent undesired chemical reactions between two or more ingredients during storage by physical segregation.

Especially in case the detergent product is a machine dish wash detergent product, the more preferred unit dose is a tablet.

Preferably the unit dose detergent product is wrapped to improve hygiene and consumer safety. The wrapper advantageously is based on water-soluble film which preferably a polyvinylalcohol (PVA) based film. Such wrapping prevents direct contact of the detergent product with the skin of the consumer when placing the unit dose in the detergent cup/holder of a e.g. machine dishwasher. A further benefit of course is that the consumer also does not need to remove a water-soluble wrapping before use. Wrapping of the detergent product further improves the detergent product stability.

The detergent products according to the invention can be made using known methods and equipment in the field of detergent product manufacturing. The detergent product according to the invention can be made by combining the solid of the invention together with the remainder of the detergent ingredients. In view of making tablets, a particularly preferred way of combining is by pressing the solid onto (or into) the remainder of the tablet ingredients and/or by adding the solid in heated (liquid) form.

Preferred detergent product formulations

A highly preferred general detergent product formulation is as follows:

In case of a machine dish wash detergent product the product is preferably a unit-dose tablet with the following composition:

In case of a toilet rim detergent product the product is preferably is a solid block composition, e.g. without comprising liquid parts and/or powder/granular parts and even more preferably having the following composition:

In case of a laundry detergent products these advantageously have the following composition:

Process to manufacture the solid

The process to manufacture the solid composition according of the invention, has the benefit of being both simple, economical and omits the need for adding further crystal formation inhibitors.

Step I. of the process according to the invention is to provide an aqueous solution comprising: a) free acid equivalent of non-crystalline chiral aminopolycarboxylate; and b) free acid equivalent of non-crystalline organic acid different from a); and c) surfactant, wherein the weight ratio of a):b) is from 1:2 to 8.8:1.

The combining of the ingredients at Step I. can be done in any order. The amount of water to be used in providing the aqueous solution beneficially is sufficient to fully dissolve the ingredients a), b) and c) at boiling temperature to simplify processing. Both the chiral aminopolycarboxylate and the organic acid may be added as a separate pre made aqueous solutions, which is preferred to further simplify processing.

Heat may be applied to (more quickly) dissolve the ingredients a), b) and c). Applying heat at Step I. is preferred as it not only reduces the time to dissolve (if necessary) the ingredients a) and b), but it may also reduce the amount of water needed to provide the solution, saving costs. Also having less water in the solution provided at Step I. can save time for completing Step II. of the process. Preferably at Step I. an aqueous solution is provided having a temperature of at least 50, more preferably of at least 70, even more preferably of at least 90, and still even more preferably of at least 100 degrees Celsius.

The aqueous solution at Step I. should be homogenous at least in respects of the chiral aminopolycarboxylate, the organic acid, the surfactant and the water. As such it is particularly preferred that the aqueous solution of Step I. is subjected to physical mixing. The aqueous solution provided at Step I. may be viscous. Preferably the aqueous solution provided at Step I comprises from 40 to 95 wt. % of water, preferably from 45 to 85 wt. %.

The final solid is preferably characterised by a highly preferred pH profile of at most 10.0, based on a solution of the solid in water in a 1:1 weight ratio, as measured at 25 degrees Celsius. This can be easily achieved by suitably adjusting the pH of the aqueous solution accordingly, such as and preferably at Step I, using conventional means. For example, a balanced use of acid or (partially) neutralized salts forms of the ingredients a) and b) and c) can be applied.

In Step II. of the process water is removed from the aqueous solution provided at Step I. by evaporation at a temperature of at least 50 degrees Celsius, to provide a water content of from 1 to 25 wt. %. Preferably, water is removed from the aqueous solution by evaporation at a temperature of at least 70 degrees Celsius, more preferably at least 90 degrees Celsius and most preferably at least 100 degrees Celsius.

The preferred way of removing water at Step II. is by applying sufficient heat to bring the aqueous solution provided at Step I. to a boil. This allows fast water removal which is advantageous to obtain the benefits of the solid according to the invention. As such the water removal may be done by any suitable means but preferably is such that the water removal is on-par with boiling at otherwise standard ambient conditions, or faster.

It is preferred that Step II. does not involve spray-drying. In particular spray-drying can promote crystal formation and thus to reduce the translucency of the resulting solid. In Step III. the temperature is of the desiccated mixture is preferably reduced to less than 45°C to obtain a solid. More preferably the temperature is reduced to less than 40, 35, 30 degrees Celsius even more preferably to from 15 to 25 degrees Celsius and still even more preferably to from 20 to 25 degrees Celsius to obtain a solid. Step III. can be performed use passive or active cooling. Active cooling may be done using any conventional means such as by refrigeration.

In a particularly preferred Step III., the cooling of the desiccated mixture is achieved by heat exchange with the remainder of the (cooler) detergent product parts. In this sense, it is particularly preferred that the ‘solid’ is applied in liquid/viscous form having an elevated temperature, onto the remainder of the detergent product and allowed to solidify in situ.

Preferably the solid according to the invention is obtainable by the process according to the invention. Solids made according to the process of the invention were shown to be highly beneficial in view of the previously indicated attributes.

Unless otherwise indicated, preferred aspects in the context of the one aspect of the invention (e.g. the solid) are also applicable as preferred aspects in the context of one of the other aspects of the invention mutatis mutandis.

The invention is now illustrated by the following non-limiting examples.

Examples

Analytical Methods X-ray diffraction (XRD)

XRD is used to detect presence of crystalline material in the solid using to the Wide- Angle X-ray Scattering technique (WAXS). XRD is carried out using a D8 Discover X- Ray Diffractometer from Bruker AXS (activa number: 114175). The XRD measurements is performed using the following settings:

Differential Scanning Calorimetry

Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) is used to measure the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the solid. The equipment used of the DSC analysis was a Perkin Elmer power compensated DSC8000 equipped with an Intracooler III as cooling means. The stainless-steel sample pan is used which is provided with the equipment by the Supplier and filled according to Supplier instructions with material to be analyzed. The amount of material added to the sample pan (sample weight) is from 10 to 40 mg. The following settings are to be used in running the measurement:

The Tg of the samples is measured with the second heating (i.e. the last heating step in the DSC temperature regime). Examples

Solid compositions according to the invention were made starting from an aqueous solution having a composition as set out in the following Table A.

Table A. Composition of aqueous solutions, amounts are given in wt. % parts.

¹GLDA: Dissolvine GL-47-S (Supplier: Akzo Nobel) is a 47 % solution of GLDA containing 50 % water. The amount given in Table A is the amount of GLDA.

²Citric Acid: used as a 50 % solution. The amount given in Table A is the amount citric acid.

³Polyacrylate: Sokalan PA 25 CL (Supplier BASF), supplied as granules comprising 80% polyacrylate. Average molar mass Mw is 4000. The amount in Table A is the amount of polyacrylate.

⁴non-ionic surfactant (modified alcohol polyglycol ether; Supplier Clariant)

⁵Anionic surfactant (neutralized linear alkylbenzene sulfonate)

The aqueous solutions were heated to boiling in a jacketed vessel. Next, the pourable material was poured onto a plate and allowed to cool and solidify. The solid compositions according were subsequently analyzed. First, the translucency was evaluated by eye. All the compositions were transparent/translucent, glossy, thermoplastic and with the surfactant molecularly distributed throughout.

Claims

1 . A solid detergent composition comprising: a) from 25 to 88 wt. % free acid equivalent of non-crystalline chiral aminopolycarboxylate; and b) from 10 to 60 wt. % free acid equivalent of non-crystalline organic acid different from aminopolycarboxylate; and c) from 0.01 to 20 wt. % of surfactant; and d) from 0.7 to 25 wt. % of water; wherein the organic acid has an average molecular mass of at most 500 Dalton, the molecular mass being based on the free acid equivalent; and wherein the ingredients a), b) c) and d) are molecularly distributed throughout the solid.

2. A solid according to claim 1 , wherein the amount of the surfactant is from 0.01 to 4.5, preferably from 0.5 to 4.0 and more preferably from 1.0 to 3.5 wt. %.

3. A solid according to any preceding claim, wherein the surfactant is a non-ionic, anionic or a combination thereof, preferably is a non-ionic, more preferably is a modified alcohol polyglycol ether and even more preferably is alkoxylated.

4. A solid according to any preceding claim, wherein the surfactant comprises at least 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 wt. % of low melting surfactant, bases on the total weight of the surfactant present in the solid detergent composition, even more preferably substantially all the surfactant in the solid detergent composition is low melting surfactant

5. A solid according to any preceding claim, wherein the amount of the chiral aminopolycarboxylate is from 30 to 70 wt. % and more preferably from 35 to 60 wt. %, the weight as based on the free acid equivalent.

6. A solid according to any preceding claim, wherein the amount of the organic acid is from 15 to 55 wt. %, preferably from 25 to 50 wt. %, the weight as based on the free acid equivalents.

7. A solid according to any preceding claim, wherein the chiral aminopolycarboxylate comprises glutamic acid N,N-diacetic acid (GLDA), methylglycinediacetic acid (MGDA), ethylenediaminedisuccinic acid (EPPS) or a mixture thereof and preferably wherein the chiral aminopolycarboxylate is glutamic acid N,N-diacetic acid (GLDA), methylglycinediacetic acid (MGDA) or a mixture thereof.

8. A solid according to any preceding claim, wherein the organic acid comprises acetic acid, citric acid, adipic acid, succinic acid, glutaric acid, malic acid, tartaric acid, maleic acid, fumaric acid, saccharic acid, their salt, or a mixture thereof, preferably wherein the organic acid comprises citric acid, lactic acid, acetic acid or mixtures thereof, and more preferably wherein the organic acid comprises citric acid.

9. A solid according to any preceding claim, wherein the amount of water is from 1.0 to 20 wt. %, preferably from 1.4 to 15 wt. % and more preferably from 1.5 to 8 wt. %.

10. A solid according to any preceding claim, wherein a), b), c) and d) form from 60 to 100 wt. %, preferably from 70 to 100 wt. %, more preferably from 80 to 100 wt. %, even more preferably from 90 to 100 wt. % and still even more preferably from 95 to 100 wt. % of the total weight of the solid composition.

11. A solid according to any preceding claim, wherein the pH of a solution made by dissolving the solid in water in a 1:1 weight ratio is at most 10.0, preferably at most 9.0 and more preferably at most 8.0, as measured at 25 degrees Celsius.

12. A solid according to any preceding claim, wherein the solid comprises from 1 to 50 wt. %, preferably 2 to 25 wt. % and more preferably 3 to 15 wt. % of free acid equivalent of polycarboxylate polymer.

13. A solid composition according to any preceding claim, wherein the solid composition is translucent and preferably is transparent, as evaluated based on a path- length of 0.5 cm through the solid, measuring the amount of light passing through, wherein the solid is translucent if it has a maximum Transmittance of at least 5% within the wavelength range of 400 to 700, and wherein the solid is deemed transparent if it has a maximum Transmittance of at least 20% within the wavelength range of 400 to 700 nm.

14. A unit dose detergent product comprising the solid composition according to any preceding claim in an amount of from 1 to 90 wt. %, preferably in an amount of from 2 to 85 wt. % and more preferably of from 5 to 70 wt. %, the unit dose detergent product preferably being a machine dish wash detergent product comprising 5 to 60 wt. % of surfactant.

15. Use of the solid composition according to any one of claims 1 to 12 to provide a solid composition comprising molecularly distributed surfactant throughout the solid composition.