[0001] The present invention relates to an aqueous bleaching composition suitable for laundry
and general domestic bleaching and disinfecting purposes. More particularly, it relates
to an aqueous bleaching composition which also contains a synthetic detergent which
is soluble in the composition thereby to impart a foaming capacity to the composition.
The preferred bleaching agent is alkali metal hypochlorite.
[0002] Such an aqueous alkali metal hypochlorite composition comprising a foam-imparting
synthetic detergent is known in the art, e.g. from British Patent Specification 886,084.
This specification describes inter alia the use of betaine-type quaternary ammonium
detergent surfactants in aqueous alkali metal hypochlorite compositions. Another suitable
type of foam-imparting synthetic detergents are the trialkylamine oxides, containing
one C₁₂-C₁₈ alkyl group and two C₁-C₃ alkyl groups.
[0003] Such compositions, while having the required foaming characteristics, present a problem,
however, in that, during manufacture and packing of the composition the foaming of
the composition makes it difficult to fill the containers properly; the composition
foams out of the bottle, resulting in messy bottles which are not filled with the
proper filling weight.
[0004] We have now found that this problem can be overcome by adding a suitable foam-depressing
agent to the composition. We have found that if a foam-depressing agent is added which
is not stable in the aqueous bleaching composition, the foam produced during manufacture
and packing of the composition is significantly reduced. It may be reduced to an almost
negligible level. However, the foaming capacity of the composition is restored upon
storage of the packed composition owing to the instability of the foam-depressing
agent in the composition, thus resulting in a foaming composition after storage thereof.
[0005] The features of this invention can be stated in several ways. In a first aspect the
invention provides an aqueous bleaching composition alkali metal hypochlorite composition
comprising a foaming synthetic detergent with a controlled foaming behaviour, characterised
in that it has been obtained by the addition thereto of a foam-depressing agent which
is not stable in the composition.
[0006] In a second aspect the invention provides a process for the production of an aqueous
bleaching composition comprising an aqueous mixture of a bleaching agent and a foaming
synthetic detergent, characterised by including a foam-depressing agent which is not
stable in the mixture, packing the composition in containers while the foam-depressing
agent remains effective, and optionally then storing the containers.
[0007] In another aspect the invention provides a bleaching composition obtainable by including
a foam-depressing agent in an aqueous mixture of a bleaching agent and a foaming
synthetic detergent, which foam-depressing agent is not stable therein, packing the
composition in containers while the said foam-depressing agent remains effective,
and optionally then storing the containers.
[0008] The composition in the containers will change during storage. Initially it will be
temporarily low-foaming or non-foaming, with a latent foaming property. As time passes
the foam-depressing agent is replaced by products of its decomposition and the foaming
property will appear.
[0009] Thus in a yet further aspect this invention provides an aqueous bleaching composition
comprising a bleaching agent, a foaming synthetic detergent and an additional component
which is
(i) a foam-depressing agent or
(ii) decomposition products thereof or
(iii) a mixture of (i) and (ii).
[0010] The invention extends of course to containers of the bleaching composition. A preferred
feature made possible by this invention is that the containers are filled substantially
full with the composition.
[0011] The foam-depressing agent must be unstable in the composition. Foam-depressing agents
which have been found very effective are silicones (more correctly polysiloxanes).
These may be used in an amount which is at least 0.001% by weight of the composition.
Amounts greater than 0.01% by weight will normally not be necessary, although amounts
somewhat in excess of this may be used if desired, for instance up to 0.5% by weight
of the composition.
[0012] Polysiloxanes which can be employed as antifoam agents have the structure

wherein R and R′, which may be the same or different, are alkyl or aryl groups having
from 1 to 6 carbon atoms; and x is an integer of at least 20.
[0013] The preferred polysiloxanes are polydimethylsiloxanes where both R and R′ are methyl
groups. Usually the molecular weight is from 500 to 200 000.
[0014] Examples of suitable commercially available polydimethylsiloxanes are the "Silicone
200 Fluids", available from Dow Corning.
[0015] The composition will generally contain from 1 to 15% by weight of the bleaching agent.
As mentioned, the preferred bleaching agent is alkali metal hypochlorite, for example
sodium hypochlorite. Other bleaching agents may be used, for example hydrogen peroxide.
The time taken for the composition to regain its foaming properties will of course
depend on the rate of reaction between the bleaching agent and the silicone. Thus,
hydrogen peroxide would take somewhat longer than a like amount of hypochlorite to
degrade the silicone but this merely necessitates some increase in the time for which
the composition is stored after packing.
[0016] Various foam-imparting detergents are available. Synthetic detergents are described
in "Surface Active Agents" by Schwartz and Perry (Interscience 1949) and Volume II
by Schwartz, Perry and Berch (Interscience 1958).
[0017] The synthetic detergents preferably used in this invention are amine oxides, more
preferably trialkyl amine oxides in which one alkyl group has from 8 to 20 carbon
atoms while the other two have from 1 to 4 carbon atoms. An example is lauryl dimethyl
amine oxide.
[0018] The amount of surfactant included in the composition typically lies in the range
from 0.05 to 1.5% by weight of the composition. Amounts somewhat greater than 1.5%
by weight may be used if desired, for instance up to 5% by weight.
[0019] Usually the composition also contains free alkali to provide a required alkaline
pH. Other additives can be included, such as perfumes and colouring agents.
[0020] The following Example illustrates the invention.
Example
[0021] Four bleaching compositions as set out in the Table below were prepared. The proportions
stated in this Table are percentages by weight based on the whole composition as prepared.
[0022] The foaming characteristics of the compositions were assessed by shaking a quantity
of each composition in accordance with a standardised procedure and then observing
the height of foam generated. The compositions were analysed for residual bleaching
agent after a period of storage. These test results are included in the Table below.
Table
sodium hypochlorite |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
lauryl dimethyl amine oxide |
0.4 |
0.4 |
0.4 |
0.4 |
sodium hydroxide |
0.5 |
0.5 |
0.5 |
0.5 |
perfume |
0.06 |
0.06 |
0.06 |
0.06 |
silicone oil |
0.01 |
0.005 |
0.001 |
- |
water |
q.s |
q.s |
q.s |
q.s |
Foam height (initial) |
0 |
10 |
70 |
200 |
Foam height (after 1 week storage at room temperature) |
75 |
70 |
85 |
125 |
Foam height (after 2 weeks storage at room temperature) |
150 |
175 |
200 |
150 |
% sodium hypochlorite left after 8 weeks storage at 37°C |
68 |
68 |
68 |
70 |
[0023] This example shows that the initial foaming is significantly reduced, but that the
foaming characteristics reappear after 1-2 weeks storage, while there is no substantial
loss of bleaching agent.
1. A bleaching composition obtainable by including a foam-depressing agent in an aqueous
mixture of a bleaching agent and a foaming synthetic detergent, which foam-depressing
agent is not stable therein, packing the composition in containers and optionally
then storing the containers.
2. An aqueous bleaching composition comprising a bleaching agent, a foaming synthetic
detergent and an additional component which is
(i) a foam-depressing agent or
(ii) decomposition products thereof or
(iii) a mixture of (i) and (ii).
3. A bieaching composition according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the bleaching agent
is an alkali metal hypochlorite.
4. A bleaching composition according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the
foam-depressing agent is a silicone.
5. A bleaching composition according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the
synthetic detergent is a trialkyl amine oxide.
6. A bleaching composition according to any one of the preceding claims containing
from 1% to 15% by weight of the bleaching agent, 0.05 to 1.5% by weight of the synthetic
detergent and at least 0.001% of the foam-depressing agent.
7. A container of bleaching composition according to any one of the preceding claims.
8. A process for the production of an aqueous bleaching composition comprising an
aqueous mixture of a bleaching agent and a foaming synthetic detergent, characterised
by including a foam-depressing agent which is not stable in the mixture, and packing
the composition in containers while foaming is inhibited by the presence of the foam-depressing
agent.
9. A process according to claim 8 followed by storing the containers with the composition
therein.
10. A container of bleaching composition produced and packed by the process of claim
8 or claim 9.