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(11) | EP 0 066 915 A2 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | Detergent composition containing performance additive and copolymeric compatibilizing agent therefor |
| (57) Detergent compositions containing surface-active agents, builders, performance additives
and a narrowly defined class of carboxylic copolymers are disclosed. Preferred copolymers
contain maleic acid and (meth)-acrylic acid monomers. Preferred detergent additives
are hydrocarbon detergent suds regulants, photoactivators. amine or oxidized amine
soil release agents, silicone detergent suds regulants and bleach activatorsiperacids. |
[0001] This invention relates to the detergent utilization of certain copolymeric ingredients in a compatibilizing functionality in conjunction with performance additives. The copolymeric ingredient is prepared from an ethylenicly unsaturated carboxylic acid and an ethylenicly unsaturated dicarboxylic acid. Preferred monomers are acrylic and methacrylic acids on one hand and maleic and citraconic acids on the other hand. The copolymeric agent was found to be especially suitable for enhancing the compatibility of detergent additives which are known to be sensitive to various conditions inclusive of prolonged storage, temperature, alkalinity, and/or laundry conditions. In more detail, the copolymeric compatibilizing agent is capable of procuring, in contradistinction to their art-established functionality, unexpected transfer properties in relation to specific detergent additives. These transfer properties go against the prevailing opinion according to which comparable copolymeric adjuvants serve as deposition inhibitors, and consequently diminish the physical contact between detergent ingredients and. e.g. the fiber.
[0002] The use of low levels of (co)polymeric additives for detergent application has been known for a long time and has found application in commercial detergent products. European Patent Application 0009171, BASF AG, published April 2, 1980 relates to the incorporation of polymaleic acid as a builder ingredient and/or as an incrustation inhibitor in detergents. European Patent Application 0025551, BASF AG, published March 25, 1981 discloses the utilization of (meth)-acrylic acid - maleic acid copolymeric ingredients as incrustation inhibitors in detergent compositions. The copolymer comprises a large majority of the (meth)-acrylic acid monomer. French Patent Application '78-11917, The Procter & Gamble Company, published November 17, 1978, pertains to detergent compositions containing surface-active agents, builders and a binary system based on not more than 4% of a polyphosphonate and not more than 4% of a polymeric ingredient which can be represented by the copolymers obtained from the polymerization of (meth)-acrylic acid and maleic anhydride.
[0003] German Patent Application DOS 19 59 272, Procter & Gamble European Technical Center, published July 23, 1970, relates to solid oxygen-bleach detergent compositions containing a copolymeric ingredient based on vinyl methylether and maleic anhydride. The copolymeric ingredient is claimed to provide effective active oxygen regulation.
[0004] It has now been discovered that the particular copolymeric ingredient of the invention herein can be used beneficially with a view to secure very desirable performance benefits upon use in combination with particular detergent additives with the proviso that the copolymeric ingredient is preferably used in excess levels in relation to a given performance additive.
[0005] It is an object of this invention to formulate detergent compositions having desirable performance characteristics containing specific detergent additives.
[0006] It is a further object of this invention to formulate laundry products capable of providing superior overall performance in presence of specific additives.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0007] It has now been discovered that markedly improved detergent compositions can be formulated containing a conventional detergent matrix in combination with detergent performance additives and a copolymeric ingredient. The performance additives are normally present in an amount from 0.002% to 5% by weight. The copolymeric ingredient is prepared from an ethylenicly unsaturated carboxylic acid monomer and from an ethylenicly unsaturated dicarboxylic acid monomer, whereby these monomers are copolymerized in a molar proportion of 1:4 to 4:1. Preferably, the weight ratio of the copolymeric ingredient to the performance additives is from 500:1 to 1:5. Preferred additives for use in combination with the copolymeric ingredients include water-soluble photoactivators such as mixtures of sulfonated metal phthalocyanines; composite detergent suds regulants containing water-insoluble solid hydrocarbons, liquid hydrocarbons and hydrophobic silicium dioxyde; silicone detergent suds regulants as such or in combination with a laundry releasable carrier ingredient, e.g., a polyphosphate salt; renewable soil release agents such as substituted and/or oxidized.polyamines and monoamines; and/or organic bleaches or the precursors therefore.
- DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The invention herein comprises at least three major parameters, namely: a=conventional detergent matrix comprising surface-active agents, and/or water-soluble or water-insoluble builders and/or sequestrants; a detergent performance additive; and a specific copolymeric ingredient. The major parameters of the invention are described in more detail hereinafter.
[0009] Unless indicated to the contrary,' the "percent" indications represent "percent by weight" indications.
[0010] The detergent matrix comprises frequently a surface-active agent and/or a builder ingredient.
[0011] Qualitatively and quantitatively suitable surface-active agents for use herein are.disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,192,761, column 3, line 49 to column 5, line 42, this passage being incorporated herein by reference. Qualitatively and quantitatively suitable detergent builder materials can also be taken from U.S. Patent 4,192,761, column 8, line 56 to column 9, .line 68, this passage being also incorporated herein by reference.
[0012] It goes without saying that the detergent matrix of the compositions of this invention can also contain other major components according to the particular needs and/or the physical state of the invention. In this respect, the compositions herein can be solid, pasty or liquid. Major amounts of pH regulants, inert fillers like sodium sulfate, water and/or organic solvents like hydrocarbons and/or lower alcohols can be applied as is well-known in the art. The detergent matrix can also contain major levels of bleaching agents, for example, oxygen bleach agents such as perborate, percarbonate, perpyrophosphate, persilicate or, more in general, all oxygen-bleach agents which are known to be suitable for use in detergent compositions in the established levels.
[0013] The copolymeric ingredient consists of an ethylenicly unsaturated monocarboxylic acid monomer having not more than 5, preferably 3 or 4, carbon atoms, and an ethylenicly unsaturated dicarboxylic acid monomer having not more than 6, preferably 4 carbon atoms, whereby the molar ratio of the monomers is in the range from 1:4 to 4:1 (i.e., monocarboxylic acididicarboxylic acid).' Suitable examples of the monocarboxylic acid monomer are : acrylic acid, methacrylic acid and vinyl acetic acid. Acrylic and methacrylic acids are preferred..Suitable examples of the dicarboxylic acid monomers are : maleic acid; fumaric acid; citraconic acid; and mesaconic acid. Preferred dicarboxylic acids are maleic acid and citraconic acid.
[0014] The copolymeric ingredient can be further defined with the aid of the calcium sequestration value. These values can be measured by nephelometric titration methods (as described in literature
- S. Chaberek and A.E. Martell, Organic Sequestering Agents, Wiley, New York, 1959;
- R.L. Smith, The Sequestration of Metals, Chapman and Hall, London, 1959):
a calcium nitrate solution is added to a solution containing sequestrant and sodium oxalate until turbidity is produced; the titration is being carried out at constant pH = 10 and room temperature.
[0016] The calcium sequestration value of the copolymeric ingredient is preferably in the range from 300-900 mgCaCO3/g.
[0017] The performance additives herein are frequently present in an amount from 0.002% to 5%. Depending upon the particular functionality of the additive and the planned use of the final detergent composition, the preferred usage ranges for the individual additives vary from additive to additive.
[0018] The term performance additive as. used herein is meant to express that the specific ingredient is added either to cure a deficiency of the general detergent matrix and/or to provide special laundry and cleaning benefits. A class of preferred additives for use herein is represented by the suds regulant systems of U.S. Patent 4,192,761, said reference being incorporated herein by reference. The use of the suds regulant in conjunction with the copolymeric ingredient was found to procure uniform regulant activity and stabilize this suds regulant during the laundry operation at temperatures up to 60°C or up to the boil. While not being bound as to an explanation of the peculiar benefits it is thought that the copolymeric ingredient promotes and enhances the adjacency and efficacy of the suds regulant to sensitive interfaces in this respect.
[0019] As an example the suds regulant of U.S. Patent 4.192.761 can be present in an amount from 0.01% to 2% and it is represented by a suds regulant agglomerate consisting of a water-insoluble liquid, at room temperature and atmospheric pressure, hydrocarbon; a water-insoluble solid hydrocarbon having a melting point in the range from 35°C to 110°C; and a hydrophobic silica, and is present in combination with the copolymer such that the weight ratio of copolymer to performance additive is in the range from 3:1 to 10:1.
[0020] Another detergent additive that can be utilized beneficially in combination with the copolymeric agent is represented by a photoactivator, also frequently termed a photosensitizer. The photoactivator can be a porphine as described in the European Patent Application 0003149, The Procter & Gamble Company, published on July 25, 1979 incorporated herein by reference. Preferred metal-ions for the photoactivator are zinc and aluminum. The photoactivator is frequently used in low levels, e.g., in the level from about 20 ppm to 2000 ppm. In solid detergent compositions, the photoactivator is generally used in combination with a carrier material such as polyphosphates, sulfates, a.s.o. Generally,' the level of such photoactivator particles (containing a carrier material)-represents from 0.1% to 1% of the detergent composition. The photoactivator is believed to exhibit its activity in the direct environment of the fiber possibly in combination with perborate. The copolymeric ingredient favors this transfer of photoactivator to the fiber in presence of the other components in the laundry liquor at the applicable temperatures, e.g., laundry temperatures in the range from up to about 60°C or up to the boil.
[0021] As an example, a water-soluble photoactivator used in the specified levels can be represented by the porphine activators of European Patent Application 0003149, namely: a porphine or a mono-, di-, tri-, or tetraaza porphine solubilized with anionic, nonionic, and/or cationic substituent groups and metal free or metallated with Zn(II), Ca(II), Cd(II), Mg(II), Sc(III), Al (III), or Sn(IV). The weight ratio of copolymer to photoactivator performance additive is frequently in the range from 500:1 to 7:1.
[0022] The copolymeric ingredient was also found to be effective in combination with additive levels of renewable soil release agents as described in British Patent Applications 80-19680, filed June 17, 1980 and 80-38306, filed November 28, 1980, these documents being incorporated herein by reference. The copolymeric ingredient enhances and contributes to a more quantitative deposition of the renewable soil release agent, specifically the polyamines oxidized or not and/or the oxidized monoamines.
[0023] The renewable soil release agent which frequently is used in levels from 0.1% to 1.5% can be represented by polyamines having the formula :
wherein R is an alkyl or alkenylgroup having 10 to 22 carbon atoms, the R1's, which are identical or different, are ethylene oxide or propylene oxide, R2 is hydrogen, C1-4 alkyl or (R1)y, where x, y, and z are numbers such that the sum (x+y+z) is in the range from 2 to 25, n is a number from 1 to 6 and m is a number from 1 to 9; or amine oxides having the formula:
wherein R is an alkyl or alkenylgroup having 10 to 22 carbon atoms, the R3's which are identical or different are selected from C1-4 alkyl, ethylene oxide and propylene oxide, k is an integer from 1 to 6, 1 is an integer from 0 to 6, p is 0 or 1, u, v, and w are each 1 for alkylsubstituents, and integers in the range from 1 to 10 for ethylene oxide or propylene oxide substituents such.that the sum of (u+v+w) is not greater than 25, .with the proviso that a 1% aqueous solution of the detergent composition has an alkaline pH (20°C).
[0024] A preferred polyamine for use herein is N-hydrogenated tallow C16-C18-N,N',N'-tri-(2-hydroxyethyl)-propylene-1,3-diamine. Preferred amine oxide species are N-C12-14- coconutalkyl-N,N-dimethyl N-amine oxide; N-tallow C16-18- alkyl-N,N',N-tri-(2-hydroxyethyl)-propylene-1,3-diamine-N,N'- dioxide; N-C12-14-alkyl-N,N',N'-tri-(2-hydroxyethyl)-propylene-1,3-diamine-N,N'-dioxide; N-C16-18-tallow-alkyl-N, N-dimethyl-N-amine oxide; N-C12-14-coconut alkyl-N,N-di-(2-hydroxyethyl)-N-amine oxide; or N-C16-18-tallowalkyl-N,N-di-(2-hydroxyethyl)-N-amine oxide. The weight ratio of copolymer to soil release additive is preferably in the range from 10:1 to 1:1.
[0025] Another detergent additive that can be used advantageously together with the copolymeric agent is represented by a silicone detergent suds regulant. Suitable detergent silicones are well-known in the art and are, for example, described in German Patent Application DOS 23 38 468 to The Procter & Gamble Company, incorporated herein by reference. Preferred silicone suds regulants for use in solid detergent compositions are comprised of a suds control amount, preferably between 0.01% and 0..8% of a poly-dimethyl siloxane (fluid) or a mixture of a silicone and a hydrophobic silica. The preferred silicone suds controlling agents are frequently releasably incorporated in a water-soluble or water- dispersihle,. substantially non-surface-active, detergent- impermeable carrier as described in DOS 23 38 468, incorporated herein by reference. Preferred silicone suds regulants for use in non-solid detergent compositions are frequently oil in water emulsions comprising e.g. from 4% to 15% of poly-dimethyl siloxane, from 0.5 to 3% of amorphous hydrophobic silica, from 3 to 10% of CI0-C20 fatty acid ethoxylated with from 3 to 11 moles of ethylene oxide and balance to 100% water. The copolymeric agent is used in a weight ratio of copolymer:performance additive of from 50:1 to 3:1.
[0026] The copolymeric ingredient enhances and facilitates the built up of effective silicone regulant concentrations, during use, at the suds-generating interface.
[0027] Still another detergent additive that can be utilized beneficially in combination with the copolymeric ingredient is represented by peroxygenbleaches frequently termed peracid bleaches. Suitable species include all those which have found application and/or are known to be suitable for use in detergent technology. These peracids are usually organic in nature. Well-known detergent peracids are aliphatic diperoxyacids having from 8 to 16 carbon atoms as disclosed in European Patent Application 0000970, The Procter & Gamble Company, published March 7, 1979, said reference being incorporated herein by reference. Di-peroxydodecanedioic acid is an example of the like aliphatic diperoxyacids. The peracids can also be formed in situ with the aid of a suitable peroxygen bleach activator. The source of active oxygen is a current oxygen bleach agent such as perborate percarbonate and so on. Suitable peractivators --peracid precursors-are eminently well-known in this domain of technology. Mechanistically the like activators are frequently organic molecules which carry acyl groups which acyl groups will undergo convertion to peracids. The peracids subsequently are capable of providing the bleaching power. A well-known peractivator species is tetraacetylethylenediamine, TAED. It goes without saying that in lieu of the acetyl groups other short-chain acyl groups such as isopropyl, butyl and pentyl can be utilized. The selection of activator for use in detergents is well-known and consequently routine practice.
[0028] The peracids are frequently used in normal bleach levels, i.e., in between 1% and 20%. If the peracid is formed in situ, however, then the precursor can possibly be used repeatedly, i.e., generate more than 1 molecule of peracid per mole of activator. Accordingly, the precursor is frequently used in submolar proportions in relation to the perbleach, i.e., in the range from 0.5% to 5%. The weight ratio of the copolymer to the precursor is preferably in the range from 4:1 to 1:5.
[0029] In addition to the essential components described hereinbefore, the compositions of this invention can comprise a series of supplementary components to perfect and complement the performance advantages derived from the compositions. These additional components include brighteners, dyes, perfumes, bactericides, and antioxidants, processing aids, corrosion inhibitors, enzymes and so on. These further ingredients are used for their known functionality in the art established levels, i.e., frequently in the range from 0.1% to 5%.
[0032] The following granular detergent compositions are prepared by conventional spray-drying of a slurry of individual ingredients and subsequent dry-mixing of this base powder with spray-drying sensitive ingredients.
[0037] A composition suitable for impregnation on to a substrate is made by mixing together the following ingredients in the proportions specified (parts by weight):-
The fatty alcohol ethyoxylate and polyethlene glycol are mixed, together and heated to 80°C to form a melt after which the remaining materials are added and the mixture stirrred to form a homogeneous dispersion. The dispersion is then applied to a flexible non woven apertured sheet of 100% non bleached rayon fibre bonded with ethyl acrylate builder (70% fibre 30% binder) of basis weight 25 grs/sq. metre and dimensions 25 cmby30 cm. The application is controlled so as to apply approximately 19 g of composition to the sheet.
[0038] The quaternary ammonium salt can be replaced by any of the salts specified in U.S. Patent no. 4,220,562 column 7 lines 46-68 and column 8 lines 1-8 with satisfactory results. Similarly satisfactory compositions are obtained if the EDTMP is replaced by the ethylene triamine penta methylene phosphonic acid (DETPMP).
1. A detergent composition with a conventional matrix on basis of surface-active agents,
builders and a copolymeric ingredient, characterized in, that a performance additive
is present in an amount from 0.002% to 5% by weight, the copolymeric ingredient consists
of an ethylenicly unsaturated monocarboxylic acid monomer having not more than 5,
preferably 3 or 4, carbon atoms, and an ethylenicly unsaturated dicarboxylic acid
monomer having not more than 6, preferably '4, carbon atoms, whereby the molar ratio
of the monomers is in the range from 1:4 to 4:1; and whereby the weight ratio of the
copolymer to the performance additive is in the range of from 500:1 to 1:5.
2. The detergent composition in accordance with Claim 1 wherein the copolymeric ingredient
is comprised of (meth)-acrylic acid and maleic acid monomers.
3. The detergent composition in accordance with Claim 1 wherein the performance additive,
present in an amount from 0.01% to 2% by weight, is a suds regulant agglomerate consisting
of a water-insoluble liquid, at room temperature and atmospheric pressure, hydrocarbon;
a water-insoluble solid hydrocarbon having a melting point in the range from 35°C
to 110°C; and a hydrophobic silica; and wherein the weight ratio of copolymer to performance
additive is in the range from 3:1 to 10:1.
4. The detergent composition in accordance with Claim 1 wherein the performance additive,
present in an amount from 20 ppm to 2000 ppm, is a water-soluble photoactivator from
the group of porphine or mono-, di-, tri-, or tetraaza pcrphine solubilized with anionic,
nonionic, and/or cationic substituent groups and metal free or metallated with Zn(II),
Ca(II), Cd(I.I), Mg (II), Sc (III), Al (III) or Sn(IV); and wherein the weight ratio
of copolymer to performance additive is in the range from 500:1 to 7:1.
5. The detergent composition in accordance with Claim 1 wherein the performance additive, present in an amount from 0.1% to 1.5% by weight,
is a polyamine having the formula:
wherein R is an alkyl or alkenylgroup having 10 to 22 carbon atoms, the R1's, which are identical or different, are ethylene oxide or propylene oxide, R2 is hydrogen, C1-4 alkyl or (R1)y, where x, y, and z are numbers such that the sum (x+y+z) is in the range from 2 to 25, n is a number from 1 to 6 and m is a number from 1 to about 9; or an amine oxide having the formula:
wherein R is an alkyl or alkepylgroup having 10 to 22 carbon atoms, the R3's which are identical or different are selected from C1-4 alkyl, ethylene oxide and propylene oxide, k is an integer from 1 to about 6, 1 is an integer from 0 to 6, p is 0. or 1, u, v, and w are each 1 for alkylsubstituents, and integers in the range from 1 to 10 for ethylene oxide or propylene oxide substituents such that the sum of (u+v+w) is not greater than 25, whereby a 1% aqueous solution of the detergent compcsition has an alkaline pH (20°C) and wherein the weight ratio of copolymer to performance additive is in the range from 10:1 to 1:1.
wherein R is an alkyl or alkenylgroup having 10 to 22 carbon atoms, the R1's, which are identical or different, are ethylene oxide or propylene oxide, R2 is hydrogen, C1-4 alkyl or (R1)y, where x, y, and z are numbers such that the sum (x+y+z) is in the range from 2 to 25, n is a number from 1 to 6 and m is a number from 1 to about 9; or an amine oxide having the formula:
wherein R is an alkyl or alkepylgroup having 10 to 22 carbon atoms, the R3's which are identical or different are selected from C1-4 alkyl, ethylene oxide and propylene oxide, k is an integer from 1 to about 6, 1 is an integer from 0 to 6, p is 0. or 1, u, v, and w are each 1 for alkylsubstituents, and integers in the range from 1 to 10 for ethylene oxide or propylene oxide substituents such that the sum of (u+v+w) is not greater than 25, whereby a 1% aqueous solution of the detergent compcsition has an alkaline pH (20°C) and wherein the weight ratio of copolymer to performance additive is in the range from 10:1 to 1:1.
6. The detergent composition in accordance with Claim 1 wherein the performance additive,
present in an amount from 0.01% to 0.8% by weight, is a silicone, preferably in admixture
with a hydrophobic silica, and wherein the weight ratio of copolymer to performance
additive is in the range from 50:1 to 3:1.
7. The detergent composition in accordance with Claim 1 wherein the performance additive,
present in an amount from 0.5% to 5% by weight, is represented by a detergent peracid
precursor, and wherein the weight ratio of copolymer to performance additive is in
the range from 4:1 to 1:5.