Field of the Invention
[0001] This invention relates to unit dose products which deliver liquid fabric treatment
compositions. In particular, this invention relates to single compartment, pouched,
non-aqueous compositions providing fabric cleaning and fabric softening benefits delivered
through an easy to handle unit dose system.
Background to the Invention
[0002] Fabric cleaning/softening products come in a number of forms, such as granules, liquids,
tablets, and pouches. Each form has its own advantages and disadvantages.
[0003] Recently, water-soluble pouches containing fabric cleaning or softening actives have
become popular. In general, the pouches comprise a non-aqueous liquid composition
surrounded by a water-soluble film, such as a polyvinyl alcohol film. These products
have the advantage that they are convenient to dose, easy to handle and cause little
mess in comparison with traditional composition forms. EP 339 707 (Unilever) discloses
a non-aqueous detergent composition contained in a PVA film. WO 01/81 520 (Colgate)
discloses a wash-cycle single compartment unit dose softener composition.
[0004] However, none of these two executions provide both cleaning and softening benefits
at the same time. WO 01/85 888 discloses a unit-dose composition delivering fabric
softening benefits and comprising up to 5% wt. or less of surfactants. The disadvantage
of this system is the low cleaning performance due to the low surfactant content.
[0005] The prior art also provides unit dose systems, which provide fabric cleaning and
fabric softening benefits at the same time. However, due to compatibility problems
of the cleaning system comprising an anionic surfactant, and of the fabric softening
system, comprising a cationic fabric softening active, the execution of WO 02/08 380
(P&G) involves dual compartment pouches, in which the first compartment contains a
detergent composition and in which the second compartment contains a fabric softening
composition.
[0006] It is well known in the art that dual compartment unit dose systems are not easy
to manufacture, and especially not in an economical way. It is therefore an object
of the present invention to provide single compartment unit dose non-aqueous liquid
fabric treatment compositions that impart superior performance, in terms of cleaning
and fabric softening benefits.
[0007] In order to achieve this objective, it is necessary to overcome the incompatibility
problem of anionic surfactants and fabric softening actives, especially when the fabric
softening active is a cationic fabric softening active. The present invention provides
a solution of this problem by utilizing non-cationic fabric softening actives which
can be combined with anionic surfactants and do not cause incompatibility problems.
[0008] Another problem associated with the incorporation of cationic fabric softeners into
water-soluble films is the interaction of the cationic softener with the typically
negatively charged surface of polyvinyl-alcohol containing films. This difficulty
has also been overcome by utilizing non-cationic fabric softening actives which can
be combined with negatively charged film surfaces and do not cause incompatibility
problems.
[0009] Furthermore, prior art unit dose products have shortcomings with respect to dissolving
quickly and completely upon contact with water. Hence, it is another object of the
present invention to provide pouched compositions which are able to disintegrate quickly
and completely without excessive residue being left in the drawer, in the wash drum,
or on laundered clothing.
[0010] It has now surprisingly been found that the pouched compositions of the present invention
demonstrate very good cleaning performance and very good fabric softening, especially
fabric softening performance. Additionally, it has been found that the pouched compositions
of the present invention demonstrate better solubility and/or lower residues formation.
Summary of the Invention
[0011] The present invention relates to unit dose products in form of liquid fabric treatment
compositions contained in single compartment water-soluble pouches. The inner space
of each pouch comprises
(A) a cleaning system comprising more than 5% by weight of the fabric treatment composition
of at least one anionic surfactant; and
(B) a fabric softening system comprising at least one non-cationic fabric softening
active selected from the group consisting of fabric softening clays, fabric softening
silicones, and mixtures thereof.
wherein the fabric softening clay is added as a premix comprising the clay and
a solvent; wherein the fabric softening silicone is added as a premix comprising the
silicone and a solvent or wherein the fabric softening silicone is added as pure compound
without any solvent.
[0012] The water-soluble pouches are typically in direct contact with the compositions.
[0013] A method of producing unit dose products according to the present invention and the
use of unit dose products according to the present invention to treat fabrics and
to thereby impart fabric-cleaning and fabric-softening benefits via single compartment
water-soluble pouches are also subjects of the present invention. The method of producing
the unit dose products herein involves separate preparation of the fabric cleaning
system and of the fabric softening system, and thereinafter combining the two systems.
Detailed Description of the Invention
[0014] The pouch herein is typically a closed structure, made of materials described herein,
enclosing a volume space. The pouch contains a fabric treatment composition, which
can be in any suitable form, provided the composition is at least partly liquid. The
composition must comprise a fabric cleaning system and a fabric softening system.
These elements will be described in more detail below.
[0015] The pouch and volume space thereof, can be of any form, shape and material which
is suitable to hold the composition, e.g. without allowing the release of the composition
from the pouch prior to contact of the pouch with water during laundering. The exact
execution will depend on, for example, the type and amount of the composition in the
pouch, the characteristics required from the pouch to hold, protect and deliver or
release the compositions, provided that the pouch is a single compartment water-soluble
pouch. Preferably, the pouch has a spheroid shape.
[0016] The pouch may be of such a size that it conveniently contains either a unit dose
amount of the composition herein, suitable for the required operation, for example
one wash, or only a partial dose, to allow the consumer greater flexibility to vary
the amount used, for example depending on the size and/ or degree of soiling of the
wash load.
1, Single compartment water-soluble pouch
[0017] The pouch is typically made from a water-soluble film. Preferred water-soluble films
are polymeric materials, preferably polymers which are formed into a film. The material
in the form of a film can for example be obtained by casting, blow-moulding, extrusion
or blow extrusion of the polymer material, as known in the art.
[0018] The water-soluble films for use herein typically have a solubility of at least 50%,
preferably at least 75% or even at least 95%, as measured by the method set out hereinafter
using a glass-filter with a maximum pore size of 50 microns, namely:
Gravimetric method for determining water-solubility of the material of the compartment
and/or pouch:
50 g ±0.1 g of material is added in a 400 ml beaker, whereof the weight has been determined,
and 245 ml ±1 ml of distilled water is added. This is stirred vigorously on magnetic
stirrer set at 600 rpm, for 30 minutes. Then, the mixture is filtered through a folded
qualitative sintered-glass filter with the pore sizes as defined above (max. 50 µm).
The water is dried off from the collected filtrate by any conventional method, and
the weight of the remaining polymer is determined (which is the dissolved or dispersed
fraction). Then, the percentage solubility or dispersability can be calculated.
[0019] It may be preferred that the water-soluble film and preferably the pouch as a whole
is stretched during formation and/or closing of the pouch, such that the resulting
pouch is at least partially stretched. This is to reduce the amount of film required
to enclose the volume space of the pouch. When the film is stretched the film thickness
decreases. The degree of stretching indicates the amount of stretching of the film
by the reduction in the thickness of the film. For example, if by stretching the film,
the thickness of the film is exactly halved then the stretch degree of the stretched
film is 100%. Also, if the film is stretched so that the film thickness of the stretched
film is exactly a quarter of the thickness of the unstretched film then the stretch
degree is exactly 200%. Typically and preferably, the thickness and hence the degree
of stretching is non-uniform over the pouch, due to the formation and closing process.
[0020] Another advantage of stretching the pouch, is that the stretching action, when forming
the shape of the pouch and/or when closing the pouch, stretches the pouch non-uniformly,
which results in a pouch which has a non-uniform thickness. This allows control of
the dissolution of water-soluble pouches herein.
[0021] Preferably, the pouch is stretched such that the thickness variation in the pouch
formed of the stretched water-soluble film is from 10 to 1000%, preferably 20% to
600%, or even 40% to 500% or even 60% to 400%. This can be measured by any method,
for example by use of an appropriate micrometer. Preferably the pouch is made from
a water-soluble film that is stretched, and wherein the film has a stretch degree
of from 40% to 500%, preferably from 40% to 200%.
[0022] The film preferably has a thickness of from 1 µm to 200 µm, more preferably from
15 µm to 150 µm, even more preferably from 30 µm to 100 µm.
[0023] Preferably, the fabric treatment composition is a composition to be delivered to
water and thus, the pouch and the compartment thereof are designed such that its contents
are released at, or very shortly after, the time of placing the pouch in water. Thus
it is preferred that the pouch with is compartment is formed from a material which
is water-soluble. In one preferred embodiment, the component is delivered to the water
within 3 minute, preferably even within 2 minutes or even within 1 minute after contacting
the pouched composition with water.
[0024] In general, the pouch can be made from any material suitable for use in conventional
unit dose laundry products. However, it has been found that certain polymer and/or
copolymers and/or derivatives thereof are preferred. Preferred polymer and/or copolymers
and/or derivatives thereof are selected from polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polyvinyl pyrrolidone,
polyalkylene oxides, acrylamide, acrylic acid, cellulose, cellulose ethers, cellulose
esters, cellulose amides, polyvinyl acetates, polycarboxylic acids and salts, polyaminoacids
or peptides, polyamides, polyacrylamide, copolymers of maleic/acrylic acids, polysaccharides
including starch and gelatine, natural gums such as xanthum and carragum; and mixtures
thereof. More preferably the polymer is selected from polyacrylates and water-soluble
acrylate copolymers, methylcellulose, carboxymethylcellulose sodium, dextrin, ethylcellulose,
hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, maltodextrin, polymethacrylates,
and mixtures thereof, most preferably polyvinyl alcohols, polyvinyl alcohol copolymers,
hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC), and mixtures thereof. Preferably, the level
of polymer in the film, for example a PVA polymer, is at least 60%.
[0025] The polymer can have any weight average molecular weight, preferably from 1000 to
1,000,000, or even from 10,000 to 300,000 or even from 15,000 to 200,000 or even from
20,000 to 150,000.
[0026] Mixtures of polymers can also be used. This may in particular be beneficial to control
the mechanical and/or dissolution properties of the compartment or pouch, depending
on the application thereof and the required needs. For example, it may be preferred
that a mixture of polymers is present in the material of the pouch compartment, whereby
one polymer material has a higher water-solubility than another polymer material,
and/or one polymer material has a higher mechanical strength than another polymer
material. It may be preferred that a mixture of polymers is used, having different
weight average molecular weights, for example a mixture of PVA or a copolymer thereof
of a weight average molecular weight of 10,000 to 40,000, preferably around 20,000,
and of PVA or copolymer thereof, with a weight average molecular weight of 100,000
to 300,000, preferably around 150,000.
[0027] Also useful are polymer blend compositions, for example comprising hydrolytically
degradable and water-soluble polymer blend such as polylactide and polyvinyl alcohol,
achieved by the mixing of polylactide and polyvinyl alcohol, typically comprising
1% to 60% by weight polylactide and approximately from 40% to 99% by weight polyvinyl
alcohol.
[0028] It may be preferred that the polymer present in the film is from 60% to 98% hydrolysed,
preferably from 80% to 90%, to improve the dissolution of the film.
[0029] Most preferred films are films which comprise a PVA polymer with similar properties
to the film which comprises a PVA polymer and is known under the trade reference M8630,
as sold by Monosol LLC of Gary, Indiana, US. Another preferred film is known under
the trade reference PT-75, sold by Aicello Chemical Europe GmbH, Carl-Zeiss-Strasse
43, 47445 Moers, DE.
[0030] The film herein may comprise other additive ingredients besides the polymer or polymer
material. For example, it may be beneficial to add plasticisers, for example glycerol,
ethylene glycol, diethyleneglycol, propylene glycol, sorbitol and mixtures thereof,
additional water, disintegrating aids. It may be useful when the composition herein
is a detergent composition, that the film itself comprises a detergent additive to
be delivered to the wash water, for example, organic polymeric soil release agents,
dispersants, dye transfer inhibitors.
[0031] The pouch herein comprises a fabric treatment composition, and typically the composition
is contained in the volume space of the pouch.
2, Fabric treatment composition
[0032] Unless stated otherwise all percentages herein are weight percent of the final composition
excluding the pouch film forming material.
[0033] The pouch contains a liquid fabric treatment composition. By the term "liquid" it
is meant that the composition needs to have a fluid viscosity as to be pourable. The
fabric treatment composition can be in the form of a conventional liquid, or a gel.
[0034] The fabric treatment composition must contain a fabric cleaning system, comprising
more than 5% by weight of the fabric treatment composition of at least one anionic
surfactant, and a fabric softening system comprising at least one non-cationic fabric
softening active selected from the group consisting of fabric softening clays, fabric
softening silicones, and mixtures thereof.
2.1, Fabric cleaning system
[0035] One essential element of the compositions used in the present invention is a fabric
cleaning system. Generally, the surfactant is present at levels above 5%, preferably
between 10% to 80% and more preferably from 20% to 60% by weight of the fabric treatment
composition. Such a fabric cleaning system comprises at least one anionic surfactant.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the cleaning system further comprises
a detersive surfactant selected from the group consisting of nonionic, cationic, zwitterionic,
and amphoteric surfactants, and mixtures thereof and described in detail hereinafter.
In an even more preferred embodiment of the present invention, at least 75% wt. of
total surfactant in the cleaning system comprises non-alkoxylated anionic surfactants
and less than 25% wt. of total surfactants in the cleaning system comprises alkoxylated
surfactants. In the most preferred embodiment of the present invention, a cleaning
system surfactant system with at least 75% wt. of all surfactants being a non-alkoylated
surfactant and less than 25% wt. of all surfactants being an alkoxylated surfactant
is used in combination with the fabric softening system of the present invention.
(a) Anionic Surfactants -
[0036] In principle, any anionic surfactant is suitable for the purpose of the present invention.
However, certain anionic surfactants as described hereinafter are more preferred.
[0037] Preferably, at least an anionic surfactant is present, preferably at least an sulfonic
acid surfactant, such as a linear alkyl benzene sulfonic acid, but salt forms may
also be used. Preferably, at least an anionic surfactant and an nonionic surfactant
are present in the fabric cleaning system.
[0038] The anionic surfactant(s), are preferably present at levels of at least 7.5% by weight
of the fabric treatment composition. More preferably anionic surfactant is present
at levels of from 10% or even at least 15%, or even from 22.5% by weight of the fabric
treatment composition.
[0039] Anionic sulfonate or sulfonic acid surfactants suitable for use herein include the
acid and salt forms of a C5-C20, more preferably a C10-C16, more preferably a C11-C13
alkylbenzene sulfonates, alkyl ester sulfonates, C6-C22 primary or secondary alkane
sulfonates, sulfonated polycarboxylic acids, and any mixtures thereof, but preferably
C11-C13 alkylbenzene sulfonates.
[0040] Anionic sulfate salts or acids surfactants suitable for use in the cleaning system
of the compositions of the invention include the primary and secondary alkyl sulfates,
having a linear or branched C9-C22 alkyl or alkenyl moiety or more preferably C12-C18
alkyl.
[0041] Highly preferred are beta-branched alkyl sulfate surfactants or mixtures of commercial
available materials, having a weight average (of the surfactant or the mixture) branching
degree of at least 50% or even at least 60% or even at least 80% or even at least
95%. It has been found that these branched sulfate surfactants provide a much better
viscosity profile, when clays are present, particular when 5% or more clay is present.
[0042] It may be preferred that the only sulfate surfactant is such a highly branched alkyl
sulfate surfactant, namely referred may be that only one type of commercially available
branched alkyl sulfate surfactant is present, whereby the weight average branching
degree is at least 50%, preferably at least 60% or even at least 80%, or even at least
90%. Preferred is for example Isalchem, as available form Condea.
[0043] Mid-chain branched alkyl sulfates or sulfonates are also suitable anionic surfactants
for use in the cleaning systems of the present invention. Preferred are the mid-chain
branched alkyl sulfates. Preferred mid-chain branched primary alkyl sulfate surfactants
are of the formula
[0044] These surfactants have a linear primary alkyl sulfate chain backbone (i.e., the longest
linear carbon chain which includes the sulfated carbon atom), which preferably comprises
from 12 to 19 carbon atoms and their branched primary alkyl moieties comprise preferably
a total of at least 14 and preferably no more than 20, carbon atoms. In compositions
or components thereof of the invention comprising more than one of these sulfate surfactants,
the average total number of carbon atoms for the branched primary alkyl moieties is
preferably within the range of from greater than 14.5 to 17.5. Thus, the cleaning
system preferably comprises at least one branched primary alkyl sulfate surfactant
compound having a longest linear carbon chain of not less than 12 carbon atoms or
not more than 19 carbon atoms, and the total number of carbon atoms including branching
must be at least 14, and further the average total number of carbon atoms for the
branched primary alkyl moiety is within the range of greater than 14.5 to 17.5.
[0045] Preferred mono-methyl branched primary alkyl sulfates are selected from the group
consisting of: 3-methyl pentadecanol sulfate, 4-methyl pentadecanol sulfate, 5-methyl
pentadecanol sulfate, 6-methyl pentadecanol sulfate, 7-methyl pentadecanol sulfate,
8-methyl pentadecanol sulfate, 9-methyl pentadecanol sulfate, 10-methyl pentadecanol
sulfate, 11-methyl pentadecanol sulfate, 12-methyl pentadecanol sulfate, 13-methyl
pentadecanol sulfate, 3-methyl hexadecanol sulfate, 4-methyl hexadecanol sulfate,
5-methyl hexadecanol sulfate, 6-methyl hexadecanol sulfate, 7-methyl hexadecanol sulfate,
8-methyl hexadecanol sulfate, 9-methyl hexadecanol sulfate, 10-methyl hexadecanol
sulfate, 11-methyl hexadecanol sulfate, 12-methyl hexadecanol sulfate, 13-methyl hexadecanol
sulfate, 14-methyl hexadecanol sulfate, and mixtures thereof.
[0046] Preferred di-methyl branched primary alkyl sulfates are selected from the group consisting
of: 2,3-methyl tetradecanol sulfate, 2,4-methyl tetradecanol sulfate, 2,5-methyl tetradecanol
sulfate, 2,6-methyl tetradecanol sulfate, 2,7-methyl tetradecanol sulfate, 2,8-methyl
tetradecanol sulfate, 2,9-methyl tetradecanol sulfate, 2,10-methyl tetradecanol sulfate,
2,11-methyl tetradecanol sulfate, 2,12-methyl tetradecanol sulfate, 2,3-methyl pentadecanol
sulfate, 2,4-methyl pentadecanol sulfate, 2,5-methyl pentadecanol sulfate, 2,6-methyl
pentadecanol sulfate, 2,7-methyl pentadecanol sulfate, 2,8-methyl pentadecanol sulfate,
2,9-methyl pentadecanol sulfate, 2,10-methyl pentadecanol sulfate, 2,11-methyl pentadecanol
sulfate, 2,12-methyl pentadecanol sulfate, 2,13-methyl pentadecanol sulfate, and mixtures
thereof.
[0047] It is preferred that the anionic surfactants herein are present in the form of sodium
salts.
(b) Nonionic Surfactants -
[0048] In principle, any nonionic surfactant is suitable for use in the cleaning system
of the present invention. However, certain nonionic surfactants as described herein
after are more preferred.
[0049] Essentially any alkoxylated nonionic surfactants can be comprised by the composition
herein. 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, and mixtures thereof.
[0050] Highly preferred are nonionic alkoxylated alcohol surfactants, being the condensation
products of aliphatic alcohols with from 1 to 75 moles of alkylene oxide, in particular
50 or from 1 to 15 moles, preferably to 11 moles, particularly ethylene oxide and/or
propylene oxide, are highly preferred nonionic surfactants. The alkyl chain of the
aliphatic alcohol can either be straight or branched, primary or secondary, and generally
contains from 6 to 22 carbon atoms. Particularly preferred are the condensation products
of alcohols having an alkyl group containing from 8 to 20 carbon atoms with from 2
to 9 moles and in particular 5 or 7 moles, of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol.
[0051] Polyhydroxy fatty acid amides are highly preferred nonionic surfactant comprised
by the composition, in particular those having the structural formula R
2CONR
1Z wherein: R
1 is H, C
1-18, preferably C
1-C
4 hydrocarbyl, 2-hydroxy ethyl, 2-hydroxy propyl, ethoxy, propoxy, or a mixture thereof,
preferable C
1-C
4 alkyl, more preferably C
1 or C
2 alkyl, most preferably C
1 alkyl (i.e., methyl); and R
2 is a C
5-C
31 hydrocarbyl, preferably straight-chain C
5-C
19 or C
7-C
19 alkyl or alkenyl, more preferably straight-chain C
9-C
17 alkyl or alkenyl, most preferably straight-chain C
11-C
17 alkyl or alkenyl, or mixture thereof; and Z is a polyhydroxyhydrocarbyl having a
linear hydrocarbyl chain with at least 3 hydroxyls directly connected to the chain,
or an alkoxylated derivative (preferably ethoxylated or propoxylated) thereof. Z preferably
will be derived from a reducing sugar in a reductive amination reaction; more preferably
Z is a glycityl.
(c) Cationic Surfactants -
[0052] In principle, any cationic detersive, preferably non-softening, surfactant is suitable
for use in the cleaning system of the present invention. However, certain cationic
surfactants as described herein after are more preferred.
[0053] Preferred are cationic alkoxylated surfactants, and in particular, mono- and bis-alkoxylated
quaternary amine surfactants with a C
6-C
18 N-alkyl chain, such as of the general formula I:
wherein R
1 is an alkyl or alkenyl moiety containing from 6 to 18 carbon atoms, preferably 6
to 16 carbon atoms, most preferably from 6 to 14 carbon atoms; R
2 and R
3 are each independently alkyl groups containing from one to three carbon atoms, preferably
methyl, most preferably both R
2 and R
3 are methyl groups; R
4 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen (preferred), methyl, ethyl, and
mixtures thereof; X
- is an anion such as chloride, bromide, methylsulfate, sulfate, and mixtures thereof,
to provide electrical neutrality; A is a alkoxy group, especially a ethoxy, propoxy,
butoxy group, and mixtures thereof; and p is from 0 to 30, preferably 2 to 15, most
preferably 2 to 8.
[0054] The cationic bis-alkoxylated amine surfactant preferably has the general formula
II:
wherein R
1 is an alkyl or alkenyl moiety containing from 8 to 18 carbon atoms, preferably 10
to 16 carbon atoms, most preferably from 10 to 14 carbon atoms; R
2 is an alkyl group containing from one to three carbon atoms, preferably methyl; R
3 and R
4 can vary independently and are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen (preferred),
methyl, ethyl, and mixtures thereof; X
- is an anion such as chloride, bromide, methylsulfate, sulfate, and mixtures thereof,
sufficient to provide electrical neutrality. A and A' can vary independently and are
each selected from the group consisting of C1-C4 alkoxy, especially ethoxy, (i.e.,
-CH
2CH
2O-), propoxy, butoxy, and mixtures thereof; p is from 1 to 30, preferably 1 to 4 and
q is from 1 to 30, preferably 1 to 4, and most preferably both p and q are 1.
[0055] Another suitable group of cationic surfactants which can be used in the cleaning
systems herein are cationic ester surfactants. Suitable cationic ester surfactants,
including choline ester surfactants, have for example been disclosed in US Patents
No.s 4,228,042, 4,239,660 and 4,260,529.
(d) Amphoteric and zwitterionic surfactant -
[0056] Suitable amphoteric or zwitterionic detersive surfactants for use in the cleaning
system herein include those which are known for use in hair softening or other personal
softening cleansing. Concentration of such amphoteric detersive surfactants preferably
ranges from 0.0% to 20%, preferably from 0.5% to 5% bu weight of the fabric treatment
composition. Non-limiting examples of suitable zwitterionic or amphoteric surfactants
are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,104,646 (Bolich Jr. et al.), 5,106,609 (Bolich Jr.
et al.).
[0057] Amphoteric detersive surfactants suitable for use in the cleaning system of the present
invention are well known in the art, and include those surfactants broadly described
as derivatives of aliphatic secondary and tertiary amines in which the aliphatic radical
can be straight or branched chain and wherein one of the aliphatic substituents contains
from 8 to 18 carbon atoms and one contains an anionic group such as carboxy, sulfonate,
sulfate, phosphate, or phosphonate. Suitable amphoteric detersive surfactants for
use in the present invention include cocoamphoacetate, cocoamphodiacetate, lauroamphoacetate,
lauroamphodiacetate, and mixtures thereof.
[0058] Zwitterionic detersive surfactants suitable for use in the cleaning systems of the
present invention are well known in the art, and include those surfactants broadly
described as derivatives of aliphatic quaternary ammonium, phosphonium, and sulfonium
compounds, in which the aliphatic radicals can be straight or branched chain, and
wherein one of the aliphatic substituents contains from 8 to 18 carbon atoms and one
contains an anionic group such as carboxy, sulfonate, sulfate, phosphate or phosphonate.
Zwitterionics such as betaines are suitable for this invention.
[0059] Furthermore, amine oxide surfactants having the formula: R(EO)
x(PO)
y(BO)
zN(O)(CH
2R')
2.qH
2O (I) are also suitable for incorporation within the compositions of the present invention.
R is a relatively long-chain hydrocarbyl moiety which can be saturated or unsaturated,
linear or branched, and can contain from 8 to 20, preferably from 10 to 16 carbon
atoms, and is more preferably C12-C16 primary alkyl. R' is a short-chain moiety preferably
selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, methyl, -CH
2OH, and mixtures thereof. When x+y+z is different from 0, EO is ethyleneoxy, PO is
propyleneneoxy and BO is butyleneoxy. Amine oxide surfactants are illustrated by C
12-14 alkyldimethyl amine oxide.
[0060] Non-limiting examples of other anionic, zwitterionic, amphoteric or optional additional
surfactants suitable for use in the compositions are described in McCutcheon's, Emulsifiers
and Detergents, 1989 Annual, published by M. C. Publishing Co., and U.S. Pat. Nos.
3,929,678; 2,658,072; 2,438,091; and 2,528,378.
(e) Mixtures thereof: Mixtures of the above components can be made in any proportion.
2.2, Fabric softening system
[0061] The second essential element of the fabric treatment compositions used in the present
invention is a fabric softening system. Preferably, the fabric softening system is
present at levels of between 0.1 % to 20%, more preferably between 1% to 15%, and
most preferably between 1.5% to 10% by weight of the fabric treatment composition.
Such a fabric softening system comprises at least one non-cationic fabric softening
active selected from the group consisting of fabric softening clays, fabric softening
silicones, and mixtures thereof.
(1) Fabric softening clay -
[0062] Clays can be present in the fabric softening system of the present invention. Preferred
clays are of the smectite type.
[0063] Smectite type clays are widely used as fabric softening ingredients in detergent
compositions. Most of these clays have a cation exchange capacity of at least 50 meq/100g.
[0064] Smectite clays can be described as three-layer expandable materials, consisting of
alumino-silicates or magnesium silicates.
[0065] There are two distinct classes of smectite-type clays; in the first, aluminium oxide
is present in the silicate crystal lattice, in the second class of smectites, magnesium
oxide is present in the silicate crystal lattice.
[0066] The general formulas of these smectites are Al
2(Si
2O
5)
2(OH)
2 and Mg
3(Si
2O
5)(OH)
2, for the aluminium and magnesium oxide type clay, respectively. The range of the
water of hydration can vary with the processing to which the clay has been subjected.
Furthermore, atom substitution by iron and magnesium can occur within the crystal
lattice of the smectites, while metal cations such as Na
+, Ca
2+, as well as H
+ can be co-present in the water of hydration to provide electrical neutrality.
[0067] It is customary to distinguish between clays on the basis of one cation predominantly
or exclusively absorbed. For example, a sodium clay is one in which the absorbed cation
is predominately sodium. Such absorbed cations can become involved in equilibrium
exchange reactions with cations present in aqueous solutions. In such equilibrium
reactions, one equivalent weight of solution cation replaces an equivalent of sodium,
for example, and it is customary to measure clay cation exchange capacity in terms
of milliequivalents per 100g of clay (meq/100g).
[0068] The cation exchange capacity of clays can be measured in several ways, including
electrodialysis, by exchange with ammonium ion followed by titration, or by a methylene
blue procedure, all as set forth in Grimshaw, The Chemistry and Physics of Clays,
Interscience Publisher, Inc. pp.264 - 265 (1971). The cation exchange capacity of
a clay mineral relates to such factors as the expandable properties of the clay, the
charge of the clay, which in turn is determinated at least in part by the lattice
structure. The ion exchange capacity of clays varies widely in the range from 2 meq/100g
for kaolinites to 150 meq/100g and greater for certain clays of the montmorillonite
variety. Illite clays have an ion exchange capacity somewhere in the lower portion
of the range, c. 26 mew/100g for an average illite clay.
[0069] It has been determined that illite and kaolinite clays, with their relatively low
ion exchange capability, are not useful in the fabric softening system of the fabric
treatment compositions of the present invention. Indeed such illite and kaolinite
clays constitute a major component of clay soils. However, smectites, such as nontronite
having an ion exchange capacity of approximately 50 meq/100g; saponite, which has
an ion exchange capacity greater than 70 meq/100g, have been found to be useful fabric
softening actives in the fabric softening system of the present invention.
[0070] The smectite clays commonly used for this purpose herein are all commercially available.
Such clays include, for example, montmorillonite, volchonskoite, nontronite, hectorite,
paonite, sauconite, and vermiculite. The clays herein are available under commercial
names such as "fooler clay" (clay found in a relatively thin vein above the main bentonite
or monmorillonite veins in the Black Hills) and various tradenames such as Thixogel
#1 (also, "Thixo-Jell") and Gelwhite GP from Georgia Kaolin Co. Elizabeth, New Jersey;
Volclay BC and Volclay #325, from American Colloid Co., Skokie, Illinois; Black Hills
Bentonite BH 450, from International Minerals and Chemicals; and Veegum Pro and Veegum
F, from R.T. Vanderbuilt. It is to be recognized that such smectite-type minerals
obtained under the foregoing commercial and tradenames can comprise mixtures of the
various discrete mineral entitites. Such mixtures of the smecite minerals are suitable
for use herein.
[0071] Preferred for use herein are the montmorrillonite clays having an ion exchange capacity
of 50 to 100 meq/10g which corresponds to ca. 0.2 to 0.6 layer charge.
[0072] Quite suitable are hectorites of natural origin, in the form of particles having
the general formula:
[(Mg
3-xLi
x)Si
4-yMe
IIIyO
10(OH
2-zF
z)]
-(x+y)(x+y)/n M
n+
wherein Me
III is Al, Fe, or B; or y=o; M
n+ is a monovalent (n=1) or divalent (n=2) metal ion, for example selected from the
group consisting of Na, K, Mg, Ca, Sr, and mixtures thereof. In the above formula,
the value of (x+y) is the layer charge of the hectorite clay. Such hectorite clays
are preferably selected on the basis of their layer charge properties, i.e. at least
50% is in the range of from 0.23 to 0.31. More suitable are hectorite clays of natural
origin having a layer charge distribution such that at least 65% is in the range of
from 0.23 to 0.31.
[0073] The hectorite clays suitable in the present composition should preferably be sodium
clays, for better softening activity.
[0074] Sodium clays are either naturally occurring, or are naturally-occuring calcium-clays
which have been treated so as to convert them to sodium-clays. If calcium-clays are
used in the present compositions, a salt of sodium can be added to the compositions
in order to convert the calcium clay to a sodium clay. Preferably, such a salt is
sodium carbonate, typically added at levels of up to 5% of the total amount of clay.
[0075] Examples of hectorite clays suitable for the present compositions include Bentone
EW and Macaliod, from NL Chemicals, NJ, US, and hectorites from Industrial Mineral
Ventures.
[0076] Another preferred clay is an organophilic clay, preferably a smectite clay, whereby
at least 30% or even at least 40% or preferably at least 50% or even at least 60%
of the exchangeable cations is replaced by a, preferably long-chain, organic cations.
Such clays are also referred to as hydrophobic clays.
[0077] Whilst the organophilic smectite clay provides excellent softening benefit, they
can increase the viscosity of the liquid compositions. Therefore, it will depend on
the viscosity requirements of the composition, how much of these organophlic clays
can be used.
[0078] These organophilic clays are formed prior to incorporation into the detergent composition.
Thus for example, the cations, or part thereof, of the normal smectite clays are replaced
by the long-chain organic cations to form the organophilic smectite clays herein,
prior to further processing of the material to form the detergents of the invention.
[0079] The organophilic clay is preferably in the form of a platelet or lath-shaped particle.
Preferably the ratio of the width to the length of such a platelet is at least 1:2,
preferably at least 1:4 or even at least 1:6 or even at least 1:8.
[0080] When used herein, a long-chain organic cation can be any compound which comprises
at least one chain having at least 6 carbon atoms, but typically at least 10 carbon
atoms, preferably at least 12 carbon atoms, or in certain embodiments of the invention,
at least 16 or even at least 18 carbon atoms. Preferred long-chain organic cations
are described hereinafter.
[0081] Preferred organophilic clays herein clay are smectite clays, preferably hectorite
clays and/ or montmorillonite clays containing one or more organic cations of formulae:
where R
1 represents an organic radical selected from the group consisting of R
7, R
7-CO-O-(CH
2)
n, R
7-CO-NR
8-, and mixtures thereof, in which R
7 is an alkyl, alkenyl or alkylaryl group with 12 to 22 carbon atoms, whereby R
8 is hydrogen, C
1-C
4 alkyl, alkenyl or hydroxyalkyl, preferably -CH
3 or -C
2H
5 or -H ; n is an integer, preferably equal to 2 or 3; R
2 represents an organic radical selected from the group consisting of R
1 or C
1-C
4 alkyl, alkenyl or hydroxyalkyl, preferably -CH
3 or -CH
2CH
2OH, and mixtures thereof; R
3 and R
4 are organic radicals selected from the group consisting of C
1-C
4 alkyl-aryl, C
1-C
4 alkyl, alkenyl or hydroxyalkyl, preferably -CH
3, -CH
2CH
2OH, or benzyl group, and mixtures thereof; R
5 is an alkyl or alkenyl group with 12-22 carbon atoms, and mixtures thereof; R
6 is preferably -OH, -NHCO-R
7, -OCO-R
7, and mixtures thereof.
[0082] Highly preferred cations are quaternary ammonium cations having two C
16-C
28 or even C
16-C
24 alkyl chains. Highly preferred are one or more organic cations which have one or
preferably two alkyl groups derived from natural fatty alcohols, the cations preferably
being selected from the group consisting of dicocoyl methyl benzyl ammonium, dicocoyl
ethyl benzyl ammonium, dicocoyl dimethyl ammonium, dicocoyl diethyl ammonium, and
mixtures thereof; more preferably ditallow diethyl ammonium, ditallow ethyl benzyl
ammonium, and mixtures thereof; most preferably ditallow dimethyl ammonium, ditallow
methyl benzyl ammonium, and mixtures thereof. It may be highly preferred that mixtures
of organic cations are present.
[0083] Highly preferred are organophilic clays as available from Rheox/Elementis, such as
Bentone SD-1 and Bentone SD-3, which are registered trademarks of Rheox/Elementis.
[0084] Clays are well known in the art for their fabric softening performance. In general,
clays are usually processed as aqueous suspensions. However, the use of aqueous suspensions
of fabric softening clays is not acceptable when the final composition is surrounded
by a water-soluble pouch, because the water content present would lead at least partly
to an early and therefore unwanted dissolution of the pouch material, i.e. before
the consumer places the pouch in the washing machine, and therefore resulting in loss
of treatment composition available for the laundry cycle and/or causing a mess in
the consumers home. In order to overcome this technical problem, the present invention
suggests adding clays as premixes. These premixes comprise the clay and a solvent,
preferably a non-aqueous solvent. Due to the dissolution profile of most clays, the
premix is most likely a slurry or dispersion or suspension or emulsion of the clay
in the solvent. The solvent is more preferably an organic solvent, and even more preferably
an organic solvent selected from the group consisting of C1-C20 linear, branched,
cyclic, saturated or unsaturated alcohols with one or more free hydroxy groups; amines,
alkanolamines; and mixtures thereof. Most preferred solvents include monoalcohols,
diols, monoamine derivatives, glycerols, glycols, and mixtures thereof, such as ethanol,
propanol, propandiol, monoethanolamin, glycerol, sorbitol, alkylene glycols, polyalkylene
glycols, and mixtures thereof. By utilizing premixes of fabric softening clays and
solvents, process problems in terms of proper dispersion or dissolution of all ingredients
throughout the composition have been overcome as well.
(b) Fabric softening silicone - Fabric softening silicones can be present in the fabric softening system of the present
invention.
[0085] Specific examples of silicone polymers are disclosed in "Silicone Surfactants, Editor:
R. M. Hill, Surfactant Science Series, Vol. 86, Marcel Dekker, Inc., 1999".
[0086] Preferably, the silicone polymer is selected from the group consisting of nonionic
nitrogen-free silicone polymers having the formulae (I) to (III):
R
2―(R
1)
2SiO―[(R
1)
2SiO]
a―[(R
1)(R
2)SiO]
b―Si(R
1)
2―R
2 (II);
and mixtures thereof,
wherein each R
1 is independently selected from the group consisting of linear, branched or cyclic
substituted or unsubstituted alkyl groups having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms; linear,
branched or cyclic substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl groups having from 2 to 20
carbon atoms; substituted or unsubstituted aryl groups having from 6 to 20 carbon
atoms; substituted or unsubstituted alkylaryl, substituted or unsubstituted arylalkyl
and substituted or unsubstituted arylalkenyl groups having from 7 to 20 carbon atoms,
and mixtures thereof; each R
2 is independently selected from the group consisting of linear, branched or cyclic
substituted or unsubstituted alkyl groups having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms; linear,
branched or cyclic substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl groups having from 2 to 20
carbon atoms; substituted or unsubstituted aryl groups having from 6 to 20 carbon
atoms; substituted or unsubstituted alkylaryl groups, substituted or unsubstituted
arylalkyl, substituted or unsubstituted arylalkenyl groups having from 7 to 20 carbon
atoms and from a poly(ethyleneoxide/propyleneoxide) copolymer group having the general
formula (IV):
-(CH
2)
nO(C
2H
4O)
c(C
3H
6O)
dR
3 (IV)
with at least one R
2 being a poly(ethyleneoxy/propyleneoxy) copolymer group, and each R
3 is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, an alkyl having
1 to 4 carbon atoms, an acetyl group, and mixtures thereof, wherein the index w has
the value as such that the viscosity of the nitrogen-free silicone polymer of formulae
(I) and (III) is between 2 · 10
-6 m
2/s (2 centistokes) and 1 m
2/s (1,000,000 centistokes); wherein a is from 1 to 50; b is from 1 to 50; n is 1 to
50; total c (for all polyalkyleneoxy side groups) has a value of from 1 to 100; total
d is from 0 to 14; total c+d has a value of from 5 to 150.
[0087] More preferably, the nitrogen-free silicone polymer is selected from the group consisting
of linear nonionic nitrogen-free silicone polymers having the formulae (II) to (III)
as above, wherein R
1 is selected from the group consisting of methyl, phenyl, and phenylalkyl; wherein
R
2 is selected from the group consisting of methyl, phenyl, phenylalkyl and from the
group having the general formula (IV), defined as above; wherein R
3 is defined as above and wherein the index w has the value as such that the viscosity
of the nitrogen-free silicone polymer of formula (III) is between 0.01 m
2/s (10,000 centistokes) and 0.8 m
2/s (800,000 centistokes); a is from 1 to 30, b is from 1 to 30, n is from 3 to 5,
total c is from 6 to 100, total d is from 0 to 3, and total c + d is from 7 to 100.
[0088] Most preferably, the nitrogen-free silicone polymer is selected from the group consisting
of linear nonionic nitrogen-free silicone polymers having the formula (III) as above,
wherein R
1 is methyl and wherein the index w has the value as such that the viscosity of the
nitrogen-free silicone polymer of formula (III) is between 0.06 m
2/s (60,000 centistokes) and 0.7 m
2/s (700,000 centistokes) and more preferably between 0.1 m
2/s (100,000 centistokes) and 0.48 m
2/s (480,000 centistokes), and mixtures thereof.
[0089] The term "unsubstituted" means that R contains the elements carbon and hydrogen only.
The term "substituted" means that R comprises carbon and hydrogen and one or more
heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of halogen (fluoro, chloro, bromo,
iodo), oxygen, sulfur, phosphor, and/or one or more functional groups such as alkyl
ethers, carboxylgrops, carboxylalkyl groups, hydroxy groups, hydroxyalkyl groups;
and combinations thereof.
[0090] Silicones are well known in the art for their fabric softening performance. Usually,
these silicones are added as emulsions in water. As states above for the fabric softening
clays, the use of aqueous emulsions of fabric softening silicones is not acceptable
when the final composition is to be placed in water-soluble pouches. The fabric softening
silicones suitable for use in the present invention are either added as a premix comprising
the silicone and a solvent, or the silicones are added as pure compounds without any
solvent. When the fabric softening silicones are added as a premix, the premix is
most likely a slurry or dispersion or suspension or emulsion of the silicone in the
solvent. The solvent is preferably non-aqueous solvent, more preferably an organic
solvent, and even more preferably selected from the group consisting of C1-C20 linear,
branched, cyclic, saturated and/or unsaturated alcohols with one or more free hydroxy
groups; amines, alkanolamines, and mixtures thereof. Preferred solvents are monoalcohols,
diols, monoamine derivatives, glycerols, glycols, and mixtures thereof, such as ethanol,
propanol, propandiol, monoethanolamin, glycerol, sorbitol, alkylene glycols, polyalkylene
glycols, and mixtures thereof. Most preferred solvents are selected from the group
consisting of 1,2-propandiol, 1.3-propandiol, glycerol, ethylene glycol, diethyleneglycol,
and mixtures thereof. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, premixes
comprising fabric softening silicones and solvents are utilized in order to overcome
process problems in terms of proper dispersion or dissolution of all ingredients throughout
the composition.
[0091] Non-limiting examples of nitrogen-free silicone polymers of fomula (II) are the Silwet®
compounds which are available from OSI Specialties Inc., a Division of Witco, Danbury,
Connecticut. Non-limiting examples of nitrogen-free silicone polymers of fomula (I)
and (III) are the Silicone 200 Fluid®-series from Dow Corning.
(c) Mixtures thereof - Mixtures of the above components can be made in any proportion.
Preferred Embodiments
[0092] Preferably the fabric treatment composition of the present invention is contained
in the inner volume space of the pouch.
[0093] The liquid fabric treatment composition is generally non-aqueous. For the purpose
of the present invention, the composition is non-aqueous if it contains less than
15% wt., preferably between 2% to 10% wt., more preferably between 3% and 8% wt.,
and most preferably between 3.5% and 6% by weight of the fabric treatment composition,
of water. This is on basis of total water by weight of the total fabric treatment
composition.
[0094] The liquid composition can made by any method and can have any viscosity, typically
depending on its ingredients. The liquid composition preferably has a viscosity of
0.0001 m
2/s (100 centipoises) to 0.1 m
2/s (100,000 centipoises), as measured at a rate of 20 s
-1, more preferably from 0.0002 m
2/s (200 centipoises) to 0.05 m
2/s (50,000 centipoises), even more preferably from 0.00025 m
2/s (250 centipoises) to 0.01 m
2/s (10,000 centipoises), and most preferably from 0.003 m
2/s (300 centipoises) to 0.001 m
2/s (1,000 centipoises). The liquid compositions herein can be Newtonian or non-Newtonian.
[0095] The liquid composition preferably has a density of 0.8kg/l to 1.3kg/l, preferably
around 1.0 to 1.1 kg/l.
[0096] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, at least one builder is present.
More preferably, at least one water-soluble builder is present, and even more preferably
at least one fatty acid builder is present. The most preferred builder suitable for
incorporation in the compositions of the present invention is citric acid.
[0097] Preferred is also the presence of enzymes and preferred may also be to incorporate
a bleaching agent, such as a preformed peroxyacid.
[0098] The liquid composition comprises preferably a colorant or dye and/ or pearlescence
agent.
[0099] Highly preferred are also perfume, brightener, buffering agents (to maintain the
pH preferably from 5.5 to 9, more preferably 6 to 8), and suds suppressors, anti-wrinkling
agent.
[0100] Highly preferred in all above compositions is the presence of an additional solvent,
which is preferably an organic solvent, more preferably selected from the group consisting
of C1-C20 linear, branched, cyclic, saturated and/or unsaturated alcohols with one
or more free hydroxy groups; amines, alkanolamines, and mixtures thereof. Even more
preferred solvents are monoalcohols, diols, monoamine derivatives, glycerols, glycols,
and mixtures thereof, such as ethanol, propanol, propandiol, monoethanolamin, glycerol,
sorbitol, alkylene glycols, polyalkylene glycols, and mixtures thereof, and most preferred
solvents are selected from 1,2-propandiol, 1.3-propandiol, glycerol, ethylene glycol,
diethyleneglycol, and mixtures thereof.
[0101] The compositions used in the present invention comprise solvents at levels of from
0.1 % to 90%, preferably of from 10% to 70%, more preferably of from 12% to 40% and
most preferably of from 15% to 30% by weight of the fabric treatment composition.
Adjuncts ingredients
(a) Builder compounds
[0102] The compositions in accordance with the present invention preferably contain a water-soluble
builder compound, typically present in detergent compositions at levels of from 1
% to 60% by weight, preferably from 3% to 40% by weight, most preferably from 5% to
25% by weight of the composition.
[0103] Suitable water-soluble builder compounds include the water soluble monomeric carboxylates,
or their acid forms, or homo or copolymeric polycarboxylic acids or their salts in
which the polycarboxylic acid comprises at least two carboxylic radicals separated
from each other by not more that two carbon atoms, and mixtures of any of the foregoing.
[0104] Preferred builder compounds include citrate, tartrate, succinates, oxydissuccinates,
carboxymethyloxysuccinate, nitrilotriacetate, and mixtures thereof.
[0105] Highly preferred maybe that one or more fatty acids and/ or optionally salts thereof
(and then preferably sodium salts) are present in the detergent composition. It has
been found that this can provide further improved softening and cleaning of the fabrics.
Preferably, the compositions comprise from 2% to 40%, more preferably from 5% to 30%,
and most preferably 10% to 25% by weight of the composition of a fatty acid or salt
thereof. Preferred are in particular C
12-C
18 saturated and/or unsaturated, linear and/or branched, fatty acids, but preferably
mixtures of such fatty acids. Highly preferred have been found mixtures of saturated
and unsaturated fatty acids, for example preferred is a mixture of rape seed-derived
fatty acid and C
16-C
18 topped whole cut fatty acids, or a mixture of rape seed-derived fatty acid and a
tallow alcohol derived fatty acid, palmitic, oleic, fatty alkylsuccinic acids, and
mixtures thereof.
[0106] The compositions of the invention may comprise phosphate-containing builder material.
Preferably present at levels of from 2% to 40%, more preferably from 5% to 30%, more
preferably from 10% to 25%. Suitable examples of water-soluble phosphate builders
are the alkali metal tripolyphosphates, sodium, potassium and ammonium pyrophosphate,
sodium and potassium and ammonium pyrophosphate, sodium and potassium orthophosphate,
sodium polymeta/phosphate in which the degree of polymerization ranges from 6 to 21,
and salts of phytic acid.
[0107] The compositions in accord with the present invention may contain a partially soluble
or insoluble builder compound, typically present in detergent compositions at levels
of from 0.5% to 60% by weight, preferably from 5% to 50% by weight, most preferably
from 8% to 40% weight of the composition.
[0108] Preferred are aluminosilicates and/ or crystalline layered silicates such as SKS-6,
available from Clariant.
[0109] However, from a formulation point of view it may be preferred not to include such
builders in the liquid composition, because it will lead to too much dispersed or
precipitate material in the liquid, or it requires too much process or dispersion
aids.
(b) Structuring Agent
[0110] The compositions in accordance with the present invention preferably contain a structuring
agent, typically present of from 0.1 % to 20%, preferably from 0.15% to 15%, more
preferably from 0.2% to 5% by weight of the fabric treatment composition. The structuring
agent serves to stabilize the fabric care compositions herein and to prevent the fabric
treatment compositions herein from coagulating and/or creaming.
[0111] Preferably the structuring agent is a crystalline, hydroxyl-containing structuring
agent, more preferably still, a trihydroxystearin, hydrogenated oil or a variation
thereof.
[0112] Without intending to be limited by theory, the crystalline, hydroxyl-containing stabilizing
agent is a nonlimiting example of an agent which forms a "thread-like structuring
system." "Thread-like Structuring System" as used herein means a system comprising
one or more agents that are capable of providing a chemical network that reduces the
tendency of materials with which they are combined to coalesce and/or phase split.
Examples of the one or more agents include crystalline, hydroxyl- containing stabilizing
agents and/or hydrogenated jojoba. Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed
that the thread-like structuring system forms a fibrous or entangled threadlike network
in-situ on cooling of the matrix. The thread-like structuring system has an average
aspect ratio of from 1.5:1, preferably from at least 10:1, to 200:1.
[0113] The thread-like structuring system can be made to have a viscosity of 2000 cstks
or less at an intermediate shear range (5 s
-1 to 50 s
-1) which allows for the pouring of the composition out of a standard bottle, while
the low shear viscosity of the product at 0.1 s
-1 can be at least 2000 cstks but more preferably greater than 20,000 cstks. A process
for the preparation of a thread-like structuring system is disclosed in WO 02/18528.
[0114] Crystalline, hydroxyl-containing stabilizing agents can be fatty acid, fatty ester
or fatty soap water-insoluble wax-like substance.
[0115] The crystalline, hydroxyl-containing stabilizing agents in accordance with the present
invention are preferably derivatives of castor oil, especially hydrogenated castor
oil derivatives. For example, castor wax.
[0116] The crystalline, hydroxyl-containing agent typically is selected from the group consisting
of:
wherein R
1 is -C(O)R
4, R
2 is R
1 or H, R
3 is R
1 or H, and R
4 is independently C
10-C
22 alkyl or alkenyl comprising at least one hydroxyl group;
wherein:
R
7 is
R
4 is as defined above in i);
M is Na
+, K
+, Mg
++ or Al
3+, or H; and
iii) mixtures thereof.
[0117] Alternatively, the crystalline, hydroxyl-containing stabilizing agent may have the
formula:
wherein:
(x + a) is from between 11 and 17; (y + b) is from between 11 and 17; and
(z + c) is from between 11 and 17. Preferably, wherein x = y = z =10 and/or
wherein a = b = c = 5.
Commercially available crystalline, hydroxyl-containing stabilizing agents include
THIXCIN® from Rheox, Inc.
(c) Perfume
[0118] Highly preferred are perfume components, preferably at least one component comprising
a coating agent and/ or carrier material, preferably organic polymer carrying the
perfume or alumniosilicate carrying the perfume, or an encapsulate enclosing the perfume,
for example starch or other cellulosic material encapsulate. The inventors have found
that the perfumes are more efficiently deposited onto the fabric in the compositions
of the invention.
[0119] Preferably the pouch compositions of the present invention comprise from 0.01% to
4% of perfume, more preferably from 0.1 % to 2%.
(d) Bleaching agent
[0120] The compositions herein may also optionally comprise from 0.005% to 10% by weight
of a bleaching agent. The bleaching agent may be present as a perhydrate bleach, such
as salts of percarbonates, particularly the sodium salts, and/ or organic peroxyacid
bleach precursor, and/or transition metal bleach catalysts, especially those comprising
Mn or Fe. It has been found that when the pouch or compartment is formed from a material
with free hydroxy groups, such as PVA, the preferred bleaching agent comprises a percarbonate
salt and is preferably free form any perborate salts or borate salts. It has been
found that borates and perborates interact with these hydroxy-containing materials
and reduce the dissolution of the materials and also result in reduced performance.
[0121] Inorganic perhydrate salts are a preferred source of peroxide. Examples of inorganic
perhydrate salts include percarbonate, perphosphate, persulfate and persilicate salts.
The inorganic perhydrate salts are normally the alkali metal salts. Alkali metal percarbonates,
particularly sodium percarbonate are preferred perhydrates herein.
[0122] The composition herein preferably comprises a peroxy acid or a precursor therefor
(bleach activator), preferably comprising an organic peroxyacid bleach precursor.
It may be preferred that the composition comprises at least two peroxy acid bleach
precursors, preferably at least one hydrophobic peroxyacid bleach precursor and at
least one hydrophilic peroxy acid bleach precursor, as defined herein. The production
of the organic peroxyacid occurs then by an in-situ reaction of the precursor with
a source of hydrogen peroxide. The hydrophobic peroxy acid bleach precursor preferably
comprises a compound having a oxy-benzene sulphonate group, preferably NOBS, DOBS,
LOBS and/ or NACA-OBS. The hydrophilic peroxy acid bleach precursor preferably comprises
TAED.
[0123] Amide substituted alkyl peroxyacid precursor compounds can be used herein. Suitable
amide substituted bleach activator compounds are described in EP-A-0 170 386.
[0124] The composition may contain a pre-formed organic peroxyacid. A preferred class of
organic peroxyacid compounds is described in EP-A-170 386. Other organic peroxyacids
include diacyl and tetraacylperoxides, especially diperoxydodecanedioc acid, diperoxytetradecanedioc
acid and diperoxyhexadecanedioc acid. Mono- and diperazelaic acid, mono- and diperbrassylic
acid and N-phthaloylaminoperoxicaproic acid are also suitable herein.
(e) Suds suppressing system
[0125] The composition may comprise a suds suppresser at levels of less than 10%, preferably
0.001% to 10%, preferably from 0.01% to 8%, most preferably from 0.05% to 5%, by weight
of the composition. Preferably the suds suppresser is either a soap, paraffin, wax,
or any combination thereof. If the suds suppresser is a suds suppressing silicone,
then the composition preferably comprises from 0.005% to 0.5% by weight a suds suppressing
silicone. Suitable suds suppressing systems for use herein may comprise essentially
any known antifoam compound, including for example silicone antifoam compounds and
2-alkyl alcanol antifoam compounds.
[0126] Other suitable antifoam compounds include the monocarboxylic fatty acids and soluble
salts thereof, as also described as builders above. These materials are described
in US Patent 2,954,347, issued September 27, 1960 to Wayne St. John. The monocarboxylic
fatty acids, and salts thereof, for use as suds suppressor typically have hydrocarbyl
chains of 10 to 24 carbon atoms, preferably 12 to 18 carbon atoms. Suitable salts
include the alkali metal salts such as in particular sodium but also potassium salts.
(f) Enzymes
[0127] Another preferred ingredient useful in the compositions herein is one or more enzymes.
[0128] Suitable enzymes include enzymes selected from the group consisting of peroxidases,
proteases, gluco-amylases, amylases, xylanases, cellulases, lipases, phospholipases,
esterases, cutinases, pectinases, keratanases, reductases, oxidases, phenoloxidases,
lipoxygenases, ligninases, pullulanases, tannases, pentosanases, malanases, β-glucanases,
arabinosidases, hyaluronidase, chondroitinase, dextranase, transferase, laccase, mannanase,
xyloglucanases, or mixtures thereof. Detergent compositions generally comprise a cocktail
of conventional applicable enzymes like protease, amylase, cellulase, lipase.
[0129] Enzymes are generally incorporated in detergent compositions at levels of from 0.0001
% to 2%, preferably from 0.001 % to 0.2%, more preferably from 0.005% to 0.1% pure
enzyme by weight of the composition.
[0130] The above-mentioned enzymes may be of any suitable origin, such as vegetable, animal,
bacterial, fungal and yeast origin. Origin can further be mesophilic or extremophilic
(psychrophilic, psychrotrophic, thermophilic, barophilic, alkalophilic, acidophilic,
halophilic, etc.). Purified or non-purified forms of these enzymes may be used. Nowadays,
it is common practice to modify wild-type enzymes via protein / genetic engineering
techniques in order to optimize their performance efficiency in the detergent compositions
of the invention. For example, the variants may be designed such that the compatibility
of the enzyme to commonly encountered ingredients of such compositions is increased.
Alternatively, the variant may be designed such that the optimal pH, bleach or chelant
stability, catalytic activity and the like, of the enzyme variant is tailored to suit
the particular cleaning application. In regard of enzyme stability in liquid detergents,
attention should be focused on amino acids sensitive to oxidation in the case of bleach
stability and on surface charges for the surfactant compatibility. The isoelectric
point of such enzymes may be modified by the substitution of some charged amino acids.
The stability of the enzymes may be further enhanced by the creation of e.g. additional
salt bridges and enforcing metal binding sites to increase chelant stability. Furthermore,
enzymes might be chemically or enzymatically modified, e.g. PEG-ylation, cross-linking
and/or can be immobilized, i.e. enzymes attached to a carrier can be applied.
[0131] The enzyme to be incorporated in a detergent composition can be in any suitable form,
e.g. liquid, encapsulate, prill, granulate or any other form according to the current
state of the art.
(g) Organic Polymeric Compounds
[0132] The compositions herein may also optionally comprise from 0.005% to 10% by weight
of organic polymeric compounds. Useful additional non-alkoxylated organic polymeric
compounds for inclusion in the compositions herein include the water soluble organic
homo- or co-polymeric polycarboxylic acids or their salts in which the polycarboxylic
acid comprises at least two carboxyl radicals separated from each other by not more
than two carbon atoms. Polymers of the latter type are disclosed in GB-A-1,596,756.
Examples of such salts are polyacrylates of MWt 1000-5000 and their copolymers with
maleic anhydride, such copolymers having a molecular weight of from 2000 to 100,000,
especially 40,000 to 80,000.
[0133] Other organic polymeric compounds suitable for incorporation in the compositions
herein include cellulose derivatives.
(h) Dye-Transfer Inhibitors
[0134] The compositions herein may also comprise from 0.01% to 10 %, preferably from 0.05%
to 0.5% by weight of polymeric dye transfer inhibiting agents. The polymeric dye transfer
inhibiting agents are preferably selected from the group consisting of polyamine N-oxide
polymers, copolymers of N-vinylpyrrolidone and N-vinylimidazole, polyvinylpyrrolidonepolymers
and combinations thereof, whereby these polymers can be cross-linked polymers.
(i) Brighteners
[0135] The compositions herein may also optionally comprise from 0.005% to 5% by weight
of optical brighteners.
[0136] Preferred brighteners include 4,4',-bis[(4-anilino-6-(N-2-bis-hydroxyethyl)-s-triazine-2-yl)amino]-2,2'-stilbenedisulfonic
acid and disodium salt, commercially marketed under the tradename Tinopal-UNPA-GX
by Ciba-Geigy Corporation; 4,4'-bis[(4-anilino-6-(N-2-hydroxyethyl-N-methylamino)-s-triazine-2-yl)amino]2,2'-stilbene
disulfonic acid disodium salt, commercially marketed under the tradename Tinopal 5BM-GX
by Ciba-Geigy Corporation; 4,4'-bis[(4-anilino-6-morphilino-s-triazine-2-yl)amino]2,2'-stilbene-disulfonic
acid, sodium salt, commercially marketed under the tradename Tinopal-DMS-X and Tinopal
AMS-GX by Ciba Geigy Corporation.
(j) Alkoxylated amine, imine, amide, imide compound
[0137] The composition may optionally comprise one or more alkoxylated compounds having
at least two alkoxylated amine, imine, amide or imide groups. Preferred are compounds
having at least two alkoxylated amine groups.
[0138] The alkoxylation group may have one or more alkoxylates, typically more than one,
thus forming a chain of alkoxylates, or polyalkoxylation group.
[0139] The compound may have two alkoxylation groups or chain, preferably at least 4 or
even at least 7 or even at least 10 or even at least 16. Preferred is that the alkoxylation
groups are polyalkoxylation groups, (each independently) having an average alkoxylation
degree of at least 5, more preferably at least 8, preferably at least 12, up to preferably
80 or even to 50 or even to 25.
[0140] The (poly)alkoxylation is preferably a (poly)ethoxylation and/ or (poly)propoxylation.
Thus, preferred is that the alkoxylation group is a polyethoxylation group or polypropoxylation
group, or a (poly)ethoxylation/ (poly)propoxyltion group.
[0141] Preferred may be that these compounds are polymers having such groups. When used
herein a polymer is a compound having 2 or more repeating monomer units forming a
backbone. The alkoxylated polymer herein is preferably such that the alkoxylation
groups are not part of the backbone of the polymer, but are alkoxylation groups of
the amine, imine, amide or imide in the units forming the backbone, or are alkoxylation
groups of other side-groups chemically bound to the backbone.
[0142] Said alkoxylated compound is preferably a polyamide, polyimide or more preferably
a polyamine or polyime compound, whereby these amide, imide, amine or imine units
are present as backbone of the polymer, forming the chain of repeating units. Preferably,
these polymers have at least 3 or even 4 or even 5 amide, imide, amine or imine units.
Hereby, it may be preferred that only some of the amine or imine are alkoxylated.
[0143] It may be preferred that the backbone has also side-chains containing amide, imide,
amine or imine groups, which may be alkoxylated.
[0144] Preferred are compounds having a weight average molecular weight of 200 to 50,000,
preferably to 20,000 or even to 10,000, or even from 350 to 5000 or even to 2000 or
even to 1000.
[0145] Preferably the composition herein (described in more detail hereinafter) comprises
(by weight of the composition) from 0.5% to 15%, more preferably from 0.8% to 10%,
more preferably form 1.5% to 8%, more preferably from 2.0% or even 2.5% or even 3%
to 6% of said alkoxylated compound. The composition herein may comprise preferably
mixtures of the specified compounds.
[0146] Highly preferred are ethoxylated poly(ethyleneimine), preferably having an average
ethoxylationd degree per ethoxylation chain of 15 to 25, and a molecular weight of
1000-2000 dalton. Also highly preferred are ethoxylated tetraethylene pentaimines.
(k) Chelating agents
[0147] The composition herein can comprise a chelating agent, for example, having two or
more phosphonic acid or phosphonate groups, or two or more carboxylic acid or carboxylate
groups, or mixtures thereof. By chelating agent it is meant herein components which
act to preferentially sequester (chelate) heavy metal ions, but these components may
also have calcium and magnesium chelation capacity.
[0148] Chelating agents are generally present at levels of from 1%, preferably from 2.5%
from 3.5% or even 5.0% or even 7% and preferably up to 20% or even 15% or even 10%
by weight of the composition herein.
[0149] Highly suitable organic phosphonates herein are amino alkylene poly (alkylene phosphonates),
alkali metal ethane 1-hydroxy bisphosphonates and nitrilo trimethylene
[0150] phosphonates. Preferred among the above species are diethylene triamine penta (methylene
phosphonate), ethylene diamine tri (methylene phosphonate) hexamethylene diamine tetra
(methylene phosphonate) and hydroxy-ethylene 1,1 diphosphonate.
[0151] Other suitable chelating agents for use herein include nitrilotriacetic acid and
polyaminocarboxylic acids such as ethylenediaminotetracetic acid, ethylenetriamine
pentacetic acid, ethylenediamine disuccinic acid, ethylenediamine diglutaric acid,
2-hydroxypropylenediamine disuccinic acid or any salts thereof. Especially preferred
is ethylenediamine-N,N'-disuccinic acid (EDDS) or the alkali metal, alkaline earth
metal, ammonium, or substituted ammonium salts thereof, or mixtures thereof. Glycinamide-N,N'-disuccinic
acid (GADS), ethylenediamine-N-N'-diglutaric acid (EDDG) and 2-hydroxypropylenediamine-N-N'-disuccinic
acid (HPDDS) are also suitable.
[0152] Suitable chelating agents with two or more carboxylates or carboxylic acid groups
include the acid or salt forms of succinic acid, malonic acid, (ethylenedioxy) diacetic
acid, maleic acid, diglycolic acid, tartaric acid, tartronic acid and fumaric acid,
as well as the ether carboxylates and the sulfinyl carboxylates. Chelants containing
three carboxy groups include, in particular, the acids or salt forms of citrates,
aconitrates and citraconates as well as succinate derivatives. Preferred carboxylate
chelants are hydroxycarboxylates containing up to three carboxy groups per molecule,
more particularly citrates and citric acids.
[0153] Chelating agents containing four carboxy groups include the salts and acid forms
of oxydisuccinates, 1,1,2,2-ethane tetracarboxylates, 1,1,3,3-propane tetracarboxylates
and 1,1,2,3-propane tetracarboxylates, sulfosuccinate derivatives.
[0154] Highly preferred it that at least one organo phosphonate or phosphonic acid and also
at least one di- or tri-carboxylate or carboxylic acid is present. Highly preferred
is that at least fumaric acid (or salt) and citric acid (or salt) and one or more
phosphonates are present. Preferred salts are sodium salts.
[0155] Highly preferred is that the composition comprises, in addition to water, a plasticiser
for the water-soluble pouch material, for example one of the plasticisers described
above, for example glycerol. Such plasticisers can have the dual purpose of being
a solvent for the other ingredients of the composition and a plasticiser for the pouch
material.
(I) Hydrotropes
[0156] Another highly preferred optional ingredient is a hydrotrope. It has been found that
the inclusion of a hydrotrope in the present pouch compositions can further improve
dissolution. A hydrotrope is a substance with the ability to increase the solubility
of certain slightly soluble organic compounds. A description of hydrotropes for use
herein can be found in Surfactant Science, Vol. 67 "Liquid Detergents", 1997 in Chapter
2 entitled "Hydrotropy".
[0157] Preferably the compositions herein comprise from 0.01% to 15%, more preferably from
0.1% to 10%, even more preferably from 0.25% to 7%, even more preferably still from
0.5% to 5%, by weight of composition, of hydrotrope.
[0158] Preferred hydrotropes are selected from the group consisting of sodium cumene sulphonate,
sodium xylene sulphonate, sodium naphthalene sulphonate, sodium p-toluene sulphonate,
and mixtures thereof. Especially preferred is sodium cumene sulphonate. While the
sodium form of the hydrotrope is preferred, the potassium, ammonium, alkanolammonium,
and/or C
2-C
4 alkyl substituted ammonium forms can also be used.
Other optional ingredients
[0159] Other optional ingredients suitable for inclusion in the composition herein include
colours, opacifiers, anti-oxidants, bactericides, neutralizing agents, buffering agents,
phase regulants, tickeners and filler salts, with sodium sulfate being a preferred
filler salt.
Use of the unit dose products
[0160] The unit dose products of the present invention are used for cleaning and for softening
of laundry. Typically, the unit dose product is added to the dispensing drawer, or
alternatively to the drum, of an automatic washing machine. Preferably, the pouch
dissolves or disintegrates in water to deliver the detergent ingredients to the washing
cycle.
[0161] Preferably, the unit dose products comprises all of the detergent ingredients of
fabric cleaning system and all of the fabric softening ingredients used in the fabric
treatment application during the wash cycle. Although it may be preferred that some
detergent ingredients are not included within the pouch and are added to the washing
cycle separately. In addition, one or more fabric treatment compositions other than
the compositions held by the pouch can be used during the laundering process, such
that said composition is used as a pre-treatment, main-treatment, post-treatment or
a combination thereof during such a laundering process.
[0162] The unit dose products of the present invention provide fabric treatment compositions
suitable for low and high wash temperatures (e.g., 5°C to below 40°C for low temperatures
and from 40°C to 95°C for high temperatures), low and high water levels (e.g., as
in crease cycles for low water levels and as in wool cycles for high water levels),
short and long washing times (e.g., 5 min. to below 50 min. for short washing times,
and from 50 min. to 180 min. for long washing times) and the presence of small and
large amounts of laundry (for example when the washing machine is "stuffed" with laundry).
Process for preparing the fabric treatment composition
[0163] The fabric treatment compositions used in the present invention can be prepared in
any suitable manner and can, in general, involve any order of mixing or addition.
However, there is a preferred way to make such compositions.
[0164] The first step involves the preparation of the fabric cleaning system by combining
all fabric cleaning ingredients in any suitable manner. The second step involves the
preparation of the fabric softening system by combining all fabric softening ingredients
in any suitable manner. The third step involves the combination of the fabric softening
system and of the fabric cleaning system. In case the fabric softening system comprises
clay as fabric softening active, the fabric softening system is added to the fabric
cleaning premix or vice versa as a premix comprising the clay and a solvent. In case
the fabric softening system comprises a non-cationic silicone as fabric softening
active, the fabric softening system can be added to the fabric cleaning premix or
vice versa either as a premix comprising the silicone and a solvent or the silicone
can be added without any solvent as pure component.
[0165] This process for preparing the fabric treatment composition of the present invention
is preferably carried out using conventional high-shear mixing means. This ensures
proper dispersion or dissolution of all ingredients throughout the final composition.
[0166] Liquid compositions, especially liquid detergent compositions in accordance with
the invention preferably comprise a stabilizer, especially preferred being trihydroxystearin
or hydrogenated castor oil, for example the type commercially available as Thixcin®.
When a stabilizer is to be added to the present compositions, it is preferably introduced
as a separate stabilizer premix with one or more of the adjuncts, or non-silicone
components, of the composition. When such a stabilizer premix is used, it is preferably
added into the composition after the non-cationic silicone polymer (if present) has
already been introduced and dispersed in the composition.
[0167] The pouches can be made and filled in any conventional manner as disclosed in , for
example, WO 02 / 08380 A1; WO 01 / 85 898 1; WO 02 / 08 376 A1; WO 01 / 79 417 A1;
and WO 01 / 83 661 A1.
Benefits
[0168] It has been found that the unit dose products of the present invention demonstrate
very good cleaning performance and very good fabric softening performance. Additionally,
it has been found that the unit dose products of the present invention demonstrate
better solubility and/or lower residues formation.
[0169] Without being bound by theory, it is believed that the incompatibility of ingredient
problem of previous liquid fabric detergent compositions has arisen due to an interaction
of the anionic surfactant with a cationic fabric softening active. By utilizing a
non-cationic fabric softening agent as suggested by the present invention, this interaction
is reduced and/or eliminated in this invention so that the fabric treatment compositions
of the present invention provide both a fabric cleaning benefit and a fabric softening
benefit. The fabric cleaning benefits is provided through the cleaning system, e.g.
through the anionic surfactant present and additionally also through additional further
surfactants present, e.g. nonionic, cationic, zwitterionic and amphoteric surfactants.
The fabric softening benefit is provided through the fabric softening system comprising
at least one non-cationic fabric softening active.
[0170] It should also be noted that the prior art incompatibility problem between any cationic
species, e.g. from either the fabric cleaning system and/or from the fabric softening
system, with the negatively charged surface of a polyvinyl-alcohol containing film
has been solved. Without being bound by theory, it is believed that the interaction
between these two groups of components has been reduced and/or eliminated by utilizing
non-cationic fabric softening actives.
Examples
[0171] The following non-limiting examples are illustrative of the present invention. Percentages
are by weight unless otherwise specified.
Example I
[0172] A piece of plastic is placed in a mould to act as a false bottom. The mould consists
of a cylindrical shape and has a diameter of 45mm and a depth of 25mm. A 1mm thick
layer of rubber is present around the edges of the mould. The mould has some holes
in the mould material to allow a vacuum to be applied. With the false bottom in place
the depth of the mould is 12mm. A piece of Monosol M-8630 film is placed on top of
this mould and fixed in place. A vacuum is applied to pull the film into the mould
and pull the film flush with the inner surface of the mould and the false bottom.
50ml of the liquid fabric treatment composition is poured into the mould. Next, a
second piece of Monosol M-8630 film is placed over the top of the mould with the liquid
component and sealed to the first piece of film by applying an annular piece of flat
metal of an inner diameter of 46mm and heating that metal under moderate pressure
onto the ring of rubber at the edge of the mould to heat-seal the two pieces of film
together to form a compartment comprising the liquid component. The metal ring is
typically heated to a temperature of from 135°C to 150°C and applied for up to 5 seconds.
Examples II-V
[0173] Pouches are made by the process described in Example I and in enclosed volume of
each pouch one of the following compositions is placed:
|
II % wt. |
III wt% |
IV % wt. |
V % wt. |
Fabric cleaning system |
Dodecylbenzene sulphonic acid |
29.0 |
27.8 |
31.0 |
32.4 |
C13-C15 alcohol, ethoxylated 7 times |
3.6 |
5.4 |
3.6 |
- |
C12-C18 alkyl fatty acid |
20.6 |
22.3 |
18.4 |
21.6 |
Citric acid |
2.0 |
- |
0.8 |
2.0 |
Phosphonate chelant |
0.9 |
- |
0.9 |
0.9 |
Protease / amylase enzymes |
1.3 |
1.3 |
1.3 |
1.30 |
Fabric whitening agent |
0.26 |
- |
0.26 |
0.26 |
Ethoxylated polyethyleneimine |
- |
1.5 |
2.0 |
- |
Fabric softening system: |
Montmorillonite clay(1) |
6.1 |
- |
- |
4.3 |
Polydimethylsiloxane (2) |
- |
4.2 |
2.7 |
1.5 |
Propandiol |
10.2 |
5.5 |
7.0 |
8.5 |
Monoethanolamine |
5.0 |
3.8 |
2.4 |
4.2 |
Solvents and minors: |
Propandiol |
6.0 |
14.0 |
11.0 |
9.0 |
Water |
4.5 |
3.5 |
5.0 |
2.5 |
Monoethanolamine |
7.9 |
8.0 |
10.0 |
10.0 |
Trihydroxystearin |
0.2 |
0.15 |
0.1 |
0.15 |
Perfumes, dyes, minors |
to 100 |
to 100 |
to 100 |
to 100 |
(1): Gelwhite GP from Georgia Kaolin Co. Elizabeth, New Jersey; |
(2): Polydimethylsiloxane with viscosities of 0.1 m2/s (100,000 centistokes), Silicone 200 Fluid® series from Dow Corning; |
[0174] The unit dose products of Example II to V all provide excellent fabric cleaning and
fabric softening performance when added to the drum of an automatic washing machine
wherein fabric are there and thereinafter laundered in conventional manner.