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EP 0 462 643 B1 |
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EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION |
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Mention of the grant of the patent: |
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26.10.1994 Bulletin 1994/43 |
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Date of filing: 07.06.1991 |
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Lavatory cleansing block
Toilettenreinigungsblock
Bloc de nettoyage pour cabinets d'aisance
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Designated Contracting States: |
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CH DE ES FR GB IT LI NL SE |
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Priority: |
18.06.1990 GB 9013539
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Date of publication of application: |
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27.12.1991 Bulletin 1991/52 |
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Proprietors: |
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- UNILEVER N.V.
3013 AL Rotterdam (NL) Designated Contracting States: CH DE ES FR IT LI NL SE
- UNILEVER PLC
London EC4P 4BQ (GB) Designated Contracting States: GB
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Inventors: |
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- Joy, Brian Stuart
Bebington,
Wirral,
Merseyside L63 3JW (GB)
- Rennie, George Kerr
Bebington,
Wirral,
Merseyside L63 3JW (GB)
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Representative: Elliott, Peter William et al |
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Unilever plc
Patent Division
Colworth House
Sharnbrook Bedford MK44 1LQ Bedford MK44 1LQ (GB) |
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References cited: :
EP-A- 0 014 979 EP-A- 0 167 210
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EP-A- 0 101 402 EP-A- 0 341 836
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Note: Within nine months from the publication of the mention of the grant of the European
patent, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to
the European patent
granted. Notice of opposition shall be filed in a written reasoned statement. It shall
not be deemed to
have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent
Convention).
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[0001] The present invention is concerned with lavatory cleansing blocks and a process for
making them. More in particular, it relates to cleansing blocks which are intended
for use as a cleansing, sanitizing and deodorizing block contained in a device which
is hung below the rim of toilet bowls. The block is thereby activated by the flush
water and effects its cleaning and sanitizing action each time the bowl is flushed
with flush water from the cistern. These so-called lavatory rim blocks are not in
constant contact with water, as distinct from the so-called in-cistern type of cleansing
blocks which are constantly immersed in the flush water cistern of lavatory bowls.
It will be evident that such blocks will have completely different requirements as
to structure, rate of wear, cracking, mushing and swelling properties, foam properties
and perfume generation.
[0002] Such lavatory rim blocks are known in the art.For instance, the European patent application
167,210 discloses an extruded lavatory rim block which is free from para-dichloro
benzene, comprising 40 to 90 % by weight of an anionic surfactant, 5 to 55 % by weight
of an inert or electrolyte filler, and 5 to 15 % by weight of an oily liquid perfume,
the weight ratio between the anionic surfactant and the filler, if electrolytic, being
greater than 2.
[0003] Whereas such blocks have good cleansing properties, they have a very limited sanitizing
effect on the microorganisms which are always present in the toilet bowl.
[0004] EP-A-341836 (JEYES) discloses an extruded lavatory cleansing block with a good sanitising
and cleansing effect, which block comprises an anionic surfactant and a chlorinated
cyanuric acid derivative. However, this block also comprises a third essential component
being a source of specified metal ions, such as barium chloride, cadmium sulphate
and calcium chloride, which component may be environmentally less acceptable. Furthermore,
this block is especially designed to be used in the cistern of a lavatory.
[0005] It is an object of the present invention to provide a lavatory rim block which possesses
a good cleansing, sanitizing and perfume generating activity. Moreover, the blocks
must be stable for a prolonged period under the humid conditions of a toilet bowl.
[0006] It has now been found that these and other objects may be achieved by means of the
lavatory rim blocks according to the invention, which comprise: 30 to 80% by weight
of an anionic surfactant; 0 to 50% by weight of an inert or electrolyte filler; 5
to 50% by weight of a water-soluble, active chlorine, bleaching agent; 5 to 15% by
weight of a hydrophobic oily liquid perfume as a structurant. The weight ratio between
the anionic surfactant and the filler, if electrolytic, is thereby preferably greater
than 2.
[0007] Surprisingly, the stability of the water-soluble, active chlorine, bleaching agent
inside the lavatory block proved to be very good, while at the same time the delivery
of bleaching agent to the flush water was more than satisfactory and constant over
a prolonged period.
[0008] Examples of water-soluble, active chlorine, bleaching agents used in accordance with
the invention are alkali metal salts of dichloro cyanuric acid. The preferred bleaching
agent is potassium dichlorocyanurate. The bleaching agent is preferably present in
an amount of 10 to 25% by weight.
[0009] The blocks comprise 5-15% by weight of the perfume as structurant. This is preferably
the liquid oily perfume of the kind described in the European patent application 167,210.
It will be understood that the liquid oily perfume must be stable in the presence
of the water-soluble, active chlorine, bleaching agent. Suitable oily perfumes can
be easily selected by testing them in combination with the water-soluble, active chlorine,
bleaching agent. Examples of suitable bleach-stable perfumes are Verdeo 898, Bonanza
048 and Ponderosa 431 all ex IFF, and LB 132 ex Quest.
[0010] The anionic surfactants which may be used in the present invention include for example
alkali metal salts of alkyl substituted benzene sulphonates, alkali metal long chain
alkyl sulphates, alkali metal ether sulphates derived from long chain alcohols and
alkyl phenols, alkali metal alkane sulphonates, alkali metal olefin sulphonates and
alkali metal sulphosuccinates, whereby the sodium salts are generally preferred. Most
favoured are sodium alkyl benzene sulphonates.
[0011] Desirably, the anionic surfactant used in the block should have a relatively low
perfume solubility and should only absorb water to optimize the ratio of oily liquid
and lamellar phases to solid and inverted hexagonal phases.
[0012] Preferred anionic surfactants are sodium C₉-C₁₄ alkyl benzene sulphonates, sodium
C₁₁-C₂₀ olefin sulphonates, sodium C₁₁-C₂₀ alkane sulphonates and sodium long chain
C₁₀-C₁₄ alkyl sulphates or mixtures thereof, sodium alkyl benzene sulphonates being
particularly preferred as the main surfactant component.
[0013] In addition, other types of surfactants, such as nonionic surfactants such as the
ethoxylated fatty alcohol nonionics, fatty acid alkanolamides and amine oxides, may
be incorporated as desired. However, they should not be present in amounts exceeding
20 % by weight, preferably 10 % by weight, because they could easily adversely affect
the foaming properties and the rate of wear of the blocks.
[0014] The filler used in the lavatory rim blocks of the present invention can be an electrolyte,
such as sodium sulphate, sodium carbonate and a phosphorous containing sodium salt,
e.g. sodium triphosphate, hexametaphosphate, pyrophosphate, and orthophosphate. The
filer may also be an inert material such as calcite, clay or urea.
[0015] It was found that a high electrolyte content tends to suppress the solubility of
the block to such an extent that there is insufficient active present in the bowl
after flushing to generate a stable foam. Hence, if an electrolyte is used as the
filler, it is desirable to have a high ratio of surfactant to filler levels in the
block, i.e. a high proportion of surfactant and a low proportion of electrolyte. It
was found that the anionic surfactant/electrolyte filler weight ratio should be greater
than about 2 in order to avoid excessive swelling in use and to provide adequate foam
generation and stability. If an inert filler is used, the ratio of surfactant to filler
proved to be not critical.
[0016] The blocks according to the invention can be made by mixing the ingredients to form
a dough of suitable consistency which can then be extruded and cut into lengths to
form blocks having the desired properties.
[0017] The extrusion process can be suitably carried out using simple conventional extrusion
equipment such as normally used for manufacturing soap bars.
[0018] The lavatory rim blocks formed in accordance with the invention may also comprise
non-surfactant nonionic polymeric materials such as polyethylene glycols, and minor
ingredients such as dyes, germicides, fungicides and opacifiers, whereby the compatibility
of such ingredients with the water-soluble bleaching agent must be observed.
[0019] The invention will now be illustrated by means of the following examples.
EXAMPLES 1-3
[0020] Lavatory rim blocks were prepared from the ingredients listed in the following Table,
wherein the amounts are given as % by weight. The ingredients were mixed to form a
dough which was subsequently extruded in a conventional soap-extrusion apparatus and
finally cut into lengths of approximately 8 cm. The obtained blocks had a weight of
about 50 g.
TABLE
Example |
1 |
2 |
3 |
NansaR HS 30 ¹) |
60 |
60 |
60 |
Calcite |
13.5 |
11 |
8.5 |
Sodium sulphate |
13.5 |
11 |
8.5 |
KDCCA |
5 |
10 |
15 |
Verdeo IFF 898 ²) |
-- |
-- |
8 |
C₁₂ fatty alcohol |
8 |
8 |
-- |
1) Nansa HS 85 is sodium C₉-C₁₃ alkyl benzene sulphonate having a mean molecular weight
235, ex Marchon Company (contains 10-15 % Na₂SO₄ as impurity). |
2) Verdeo IFF 898 is a perfume obtainable from IFF. |
[0021] The stability of the bleaching agent in the rim blocks was tested by placing them
in a conventional rim block cage inside a lavatory bowl and flushing the toilet according
to a standard pattern, whereafter the concentration of bleaching agent in the flush
water was determined as well as the concentration of remaining bleaching agent in
the block. It was found that the bleaching agent remained stable inside the blocks
for some weeks, and that they continued to deliver KDCCA to the flush water for at
least three weeks.
1. A lavatory rim cleansing block comprising:
30 to 80% by weight of an anionic surfactant;
0 to 50% by weight of an inert or electrolyte filler;
5 to 50% by weight of a water-soluble, active chlorine, bleaching agent, and
5 to 15% by weight of a hydrophobic liquid oily perfume structurant.
2. A lavatory cleansing block according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein the
weight ratio between the anionic surfactant and the filler, if electrolytic, is greater
than 2.
3. A lavatory cleansing block according to any one of the preceding Claims comprising
10 to 25% by weight of the water-soluble, active chlorine, bleaching agent.
4. A lavatory cleansing block according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein the
water-soluble, active chlorine, bleaching agent is an alkali metal salt of dichloro
cyanuric acid, preferably potassium dichloro cyanurate.
5. A lavatory cleansing block according to any one of the preceding Claims comprising
50 to 80% by weight of an anionic surfactant.
6. A lavatory cleansing block according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein the
anionic surfactant comprises C₉-C₁₄ alkylbenzene sulphonate.
7. A lavatory cleansing block according to any one of the preceding Claims further comprising
a nonionic surfactant in an amount of less than 10% by weight.
8. A lavatory cleansing block according to any one of the preceding Claims comprising
10 to 45% by weight of an inert or electrolyte filler.
9. A lavatory cleansing block according to any one of the preceding Claims comprising
7 to 12% by weight of the oily liquid perfume.
10. Process for preparing a lavatory block according to any one of the preceding Claims,
whereby the ingredients are mixed to form a dough, which is then extruded and cut
into blocks of suitable lengths.
1. Toilettenrandreinigungsblock, enthaltend
30 bis 80 Gew.% eines anionischen Tensids;
0 bis 50 Gew.% eines inerten oder Elektrolytfüllmittels;
5 bis 50 Gew.% eines wasserlöslichen, chloraktiven Bleichmittels; und
5 bis 15 Gew.% eines hydrophoben, flüssigen, öligen Parfümstrukturierungsmittels.
2. Toilettenreinigungsblock nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, worin das Gewichtsverhältnis
zwischen dem anionischen Tensid und dem Füllmittel, falls es elektrolytisch ist, größer
als 2 ist.
3. Toilettenreinigungsblock nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, enthaltend 10 bis
25 Gew.% des wasserlöslichen, chloraktiven Bleichmittels.
4. Toilettenreinigungsblock nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, worin das wasserlösliche,
chloraktive Bleichmittel ein Alkalimetallsalz von Dichlorcyanursäure, vorzugsweise
Kalium-dichlorcyanurat, ist.
5. Toilettenreinigungsblock nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, enthaltend 50 bis
80 Gew.% eines anionischen Tensids.
6. Toilettenreinigungsblock nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, worin das anionische
Tensid C₉-C₁₄-alkylbenzolsulfonat enthält.
7. Toilettenreinigungsblock nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, enthaltend außerdem
ein nichtionisches Tensid in einer Menge von weniger als 10 Gew.%.
8. Toilettenreinigungsblock nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, enthaltend 10 bis
45 Gew.% eines inerten oder Elektrolytfüllmittels.
9. Toilettenreinigungsblock nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, enthaltend 7 bis
12 Gew.% des öligen, flüssigen Parfüms.
10. Verfahren zur Herstellung eines Toilettenblocks nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche,
worin die Bestandteile unter Bildung eines Teiges vermischt werden, der dann extrudiert
und in Blöcke geeigneter Länge geschnitten wird.
1. Un bloc de nettoyage de rebord pour cabinets d'aisance comprenant :
30 à 80 % en masse d'un agent tensioactif anionique ;
0 à 50 % en masse d'une charge inerte ou d'électrolyte ;
5 à 50 % en masse d'un agent de blanchiment à chlore actif soluble dans l'eau,
et
5 à 15 % en masse d'un structurant de parfum huileux liquide hydrophobe.
2. Un bloc de nettoyage de rebord pour cabinets d'aisance selon la Revendication précédente,
dans lequel le rapport de masse entre l'agent tensioactif anionique et la charge,
s'il s'agit d'un agent électrolytique, est supérieur à 2.
3. Un bloc de nettoyage de rebord pour cabinets d'aisance selon l'une quelconque des
Revendications précédentes, comprenant 10 à 25 % en masse de l'agent de blanchiment
à chlore actif soluble dans l'eau.
4. Un bloc de nettoyage de rebord pour cabinets d'aisance selon l'une quelconque des
Revendications précédentes, dans lequel l'agent de blanchiment à chlore actif soluble
dans l'eau est un sel de métal alcalin d'acide dichlorocyanurique, de préférence du
dichlorocyanurate de potassium.
5. Un bloc de nettoyage de rebord pour cabinets d'aisance selon l'une quelconque des
Revendications précédentes, comprenant 50 à 80 % en masse d'un agent tensioactif anionique.
6. Un bloc de nettoyage de rebord pour cabinets d'aisance selon l'une quelconque des
Revendications précédentes, dans lequel l'agent tensioactif anionique contient de
l'alkylbenzène sulfonate en C₉-C₁₄.
7. Un bloc de nettoyage de rebord pour cabinets d'aisance selon l'une quelconque des
Revendications précédentes, comprenant en outre un agent tensioactif non-ionique dans
une proportion inférieure à 10 % en masse.
8. Un bloc de nettoyage de rebord pour cabinets d'aisance selon l'une quelconque des
Revendications précédentes, comprenant 10 à 45 % en masse d'une charge inerte ou d'électrolyte.
9. Un bloc de nettoyage de rebord pour cabinets d'aisance selon l'une quelconque des
Revendications précédentes, comprenant 7 à 12 % en masse du parfum liquide huileux.
10. Un procédé de préparation d'un bloc pour cabinets d'aisance selon l'une quelconque
des Revendications précédentes, selon lequel les ingrédients sont mélangés pour donner
une pâte, qui est ensuite extrudée et découpée en blocs de longueurs appropriées.