FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to liquid laundry detergent products which are nonaqueous
in nature and which are in the form of stable dispersions of particulate material
such as bleaching agents and/or other detergent composition adjuvants.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Liquid detergent products are often considered to be more convenient to use than
are dry powdered or particulate detergent products. Liquid detergents have therefore
found substantial favor with consumers. Such liquid detergent products are readily
measurable, speedily dissolved in the wash water, capable of being easily applied
in concentrated solutions or dispersions to soiled areas on garments to be laundered
and are non-dusting. They also usually occupy less storage space than granular products.
Additionally, liquid detergents may have incorporated in their formulations materials
which could not withstand drying operations without deterioration, which operations
are often employed in the manufacture of particulate or granular detergent products.
[0003] Although liquid detergents have a number of advantages over granular detergent products,
they also inherently possess several disadvantages. In particular, detergent composition
components which may be compatible with each other in granular products may tend to
interact or react with each other in a liquid, and especially in an aqueous liquid,
environment. Thus such components as enzymes, surfactants, perfumes, brighteners,
solvents and especially bleaches and bleach activators can be especially difficult
to incorporate into liquid detergent products which have an acceptable degree of chemical
stability.
[0004] One approach for enhancing the chemical compatibility of detergent composition components
in liquid detergent products has been to formulate nonaqueous (or anhydrous) liquid
detergent compositions. In such nonaqueous products, at least some of the normally
solid detergent composition components tend to remain insoluble in the liquid product
and hence are less reactive with each other than if they had been dissolved in the
liquid matrix. Nonaqueous liquid detergent compositions, including those which contain
reactive materials such as peroxygen bleaching agents, have been disclosed for example,
in Hepworth et al., U.S. Patent 4,615,820, Issued October 17, 1986; Schultz et al.,
U.S. Patent 4,929,380, Issued May 29, 1990; Schultz et al., U.S. Patent 5,008,031,
Issued April 16, 1991; Elder et al., EP-A-030,096, Published June 10, 1981; Hall et
al., WO 92/09678, Published June 11, 1992 and Sanderson et al., EP-A-565,017, Published
October 13, 1993.
[0005] WO92/02610 describes stable, substantially non-aqueous washing agents which contain
nonionic surfactants, at least 8% by weight of anionic surfactants and a peroxy bleach
in wich the weight ratio of nonionic to anionic surfactants is 4:1 to 1:2,5 and which
are obtained by the wet-grinding of a mixture of these ingredients.
[0006] Even though chemical compatibility of components may be enhanced in nonaqueous liquid
detergent compositions, physical stability of such compositions may become a problem.
This is because there is a tendency for such products to phase separate as dispersed
insoluble solid particulate material drops from suspension and settles at the bottom
of the container holding the liquid detergent product. As one consequence of this
type of problem, there can also be difficulties associated with incorporating enough
of the right types and amounts of surfactant materials into nonaqueous liquid detergent
products. Surfactant materials must, of course, be selected such that they are suitable
for imparting acceptable fabric cleaning performance to such compositions but utilization
of such materials must not lead to an unacceptable degree of composition phase separation.
Phase stabilizers such as thickeners or viscosity control agents can be added to such
products to enhance the physical stability thereof. Such materials, however, can add
cost and bulk to the product without contributing to the laundering/cleaning performance
of such detergent compositions.
[0007] It is also possible to select surfactant systems for such liquid laundry detergent
products which can actually impart a structure to the liquid phase of the product
and thereby promote suspension of particulate components dispersed within such a structured
liquid phase. An example of such a product with a structured surfactant system is
found in van der Hoeven et al.; U.S. Patent 5,389,284; Issued February 14, 1995, which
utilizes a structured surfactant system based on relatively high concentrations of
alcohol alkoxylate nonionic surfactants and anionic defloculating agents. In products
which employ a structured surfactant system, the structured liquid phase must be viscous
enough to prevent settling and phase separation of the suspended particulate material,
but not so viscous that the pourability and dispensability of the detergent product
is adversely affected.
[0008] Given the foregoing, there is clearly a continuing need to identify and provide liquid,
particulate-containing detergent compositions in the form of nonaqueous liquid products
that have a high degree of chemical, e.g., bleach and enzyme, stability along with
commercially acceptable phase stability, pourability and detergent composition laundering,
cleaning or bleaching performance. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention
to provide nonaqueous, particulate-containing liquid detergent products which have
such especially desirable chemical and physical stability characteristics as well
as outstanding pourability and fabric laundering/bleaching performance characteristics.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The present invention provides nonaqueous liquid detergent compositions comprising
a stable suspension of solid, substantially insoluble particulate material dispersed
throughout a structured, surfactant-containing liquid phase. Such compositions comprise
A) from 35% to 99% by weight of the composition of a nonaqueous liquid phase; and
B) from 1% to 65% by weight of the composition of one or more types of particulate
materials.
[0010] The nonaqueous liquid phase itself comprises from 30% to 65% by weight of this liquid
phase of a certain type of dissolved anionic surfactant. This anionic surfactant component
comprises a material selected from the alkali metal salts of C
10-C
16 alkylbenzene sulfonic acids.
[0011] In addition to the anionic surfactant component, the nonaqueous liquid phase of the
compositions herein also comprises from 35% to 70% by weight of the liquid phase of
a nonaqueous liquid diluent. Such a diluent comprises both i) alcohol alkoxylates
of the formula R
1(OC
mH
2m)
nOH wherein R
1 is a C
8-C
16 alkyl group, m is from 2 to 4, and n is from about 2 to 12; and ii) a nonaqueous,
low-polarity organic solvent selected from (1) mono, di, tri, tetra C
2-C
3 alkylene glycol mono C
2-C
6 alkyl ethers and (2) non-vicinal alkylene glycols containing from 4 to 8 carbon atoms.
These components are present in the nonaqueous liquid diluent in an alcohol alkoxylate
to organic solvent weight ratio of from 50:1 to 1:50.
[0012] The particulate material suspended in the nonaqueous liquid phase of the compositions
herein ranges in size from 0.1 to 1500 microns and is substantially insoluble in the
nonaqueous compositions herein. This insoluble particulate material preferably comprises
a peroxygen bleaching agent, but may also comprise bleach activators, ancillary anionic
surfactants, organic detergent builders, inorganic alkalinity sources and combinations
of these particulate material types.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0013] The nonaqueous liquid detergent compositions of this invention comprise a surfactant
- and low-polarity solvent-containing liquid phase having dispersed therein as a solid
phase certain types of particulate materials. The essential and optional components
of the liquid and solid phases of the detergent compositions herein, as well as composition
form, preparation and use, are described in greater detail as follows: (All concentrations
and ratios are on a weight basis unless otherwise specified.)
LIQUID PHASE
[0014] The liquid phase will generally comprise from 35% to 99% by weight of the detergent
compositions herein. More preferably, the liquid phase will comprise from 50% to 95%
by weight of the compositions. Most preferably, the liquid phase will comprise from
45% to 75% by weight of the compositions herein. The liquid phase of the detergent
compositions herein essentially contains relatively high concentrations of a certain
type anionic surfactant combined with a certain type of nonaqueous, liquid diluent.
(A) Essential Anionic Surfactant
[0015] The anionic surfactant essentially utilized as an essential component of the nonaqueous
liquid phase is one selected from the alkali metal salts of alkylbenzene sulfonic
acids in which the all group contains from about 10 to 16 carbon atoms, in straight
chain or branched chain configuration. (See U.S. Patents 2,220,099 and 2,477,383,
incorporated herein by reference.) Especially preferred are the sodium and potassium
linear straight chain alkylbenzene sutfonates (LAS) in which the average number of
carbon atoms in the alkyl group is from about 11 to 14. Sodum C
11-C
14 LAS is especially preferred.
[0016] The alkylbenzene sulfonate anionic surfactant will be dissolved in the nonaqueous
liquid diluent which makes up the second essential component of the nonaqueous phase.
To form the structured liquid phase required for suitable phase stability and acceptable
rheology, the alkylbenzene sulfonate anionic surfactant is generally present to the
extent of from 30% to 65% by weight of the liquid phase. More preferably, the alkylbenzene
sulfonate anionic surfactant will comprise from 35% to 50% by weight of the nonaqueous
liquid phase of the compostions herein. Utilization of this anionic surfactant in
these concentrations corresponds to an anionic surfactant concentration in the total
composition of from 15% to 60% by weight, more preferably from 20% to 40% by weight,
of the composition.
(B) Nonaqueous Liquid Diluent
[0017] To form the liquid phase of the detergent compositions, the hereinbefore described
alkylbenzene sulfonate anionic surfactant is combined with a nonaqueous liquid diluent
which contains two essential components. These two components are a liquid alcohol
alkoxylate materiat and a nonaqueous, low-polarity organic solvent.
i) Alcohol Alkoxylates
[0018] One essential component of the liquid diluent used to form the compositions herein
comprises an alkoxylated fatty alcohol material. Such materials are themselves also
nonionic surfactants. Such materials correspond to the general formula:
R
1(C
mH
2mO)
nOH
wherein R
1 is a C
8 - C
16 alkyl group, m is from 2 to 4, and n ranges from about 2 to 12. Preferably R
1 is an alkyl group, which may be primary or secondary, that contains from 9 to 15
carbon atoms, more preferably from 10 to 14 carbon atoms. Preferably also the alkoxylated
fatty alcohols will be ethoxylated matesiats that contain from 2 to 12 ethylene oxide
moieties per molecule, more preferably from 3 to 10 ethylene oxide moieties per molecule.
[0019] The alkoxylated fatty alcohol component of the liquid diluent will frequently have
a hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) which ranges from 3 to 17. More preferably,
the HLB of this material will range from 6 to 15, most preferably from 8 to 15.
[0020] Examples of fatty alcohol alkoxylates useful as one of the essential components of
the nonaqueous liquid diluent in the compositions herein will include those which
are made from alcohols of 12 to 15 carbon atoms and which contain 7 moles of ethylene
oxide. Such materials have been commercially marketed under the trade names Neodol
25-7 and Neodol 23-6.5 by Shell Chemical Company. Other useful Neodols include Neodol
1-5, an ethoxylated fatty alcohol averaging 11 carbon atoms in its alkyl chain with
about 5 moles of ethylene oxide; Neodol 23-9, an ethoxylated primary C
12 - C
13 alcohol having 9 moles of ethylene oxide and Neodol 91-10, an ethoxylated C
9 - C
11 primary alcohol having about 10 moles of ethylene oxide. Alcohol ethoxylates of this
type have also been marketed by Shell Chemical Company under the Dobanol tradename.
Dobanol 91-5 is an ethoxylated C
9-C
11 fatty alcohol with an average of 5 moles ethylene oxide and Dobanol 25-7 is an ethoxylated
C
12-C
15 fatty alcohol with an average of 7 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of fatty alcohol.
[0021] Other examples of suitable ethoxylated alcohols include Tergitol 15-S-7 and Tergitol
15-S-9 both of which are linear secondary alcohol ethoxylates that have been commercially
marketed by Union Carbide Corporation. The former is a mixed ethoxylation product
of C
11 to C
15 linear secondary alkanol with 7 moles of ethylene oxide and the latter is a similar
product but with 9 moles of ethylene oxide being reacted.
[0022] Other types of alcohol ethoxylates useful in the present compositions are higher
molecular weight nonionics, such as Neodol 45-11, which are similar ethylene oxide
condensation products of higher fatty alcohols, with the higher fatty alcohol being
of 14-15 carbon atoms and the number of ethylene oxide groups per mole being 11. Such
products have also been commercially marketed by Shell Chemical Company.
[0023] The alcohol alkoxylate component which is essentially utilized as part of the liquid
diluent in the nonaqueous compositions herein will generally be present to the extent
of from 1% to 60% of the liquid phase composition. More preferably, the alcohol alkoxylate
component will comprise 5% to 40% of the liquid phase. Most preferably, the essentially
utilized alcohol alkoxylate component will comprise from 5% to 30% of the detergent
composition liquid phase. Utilization of alcohol alkoxytate in these concentrations
in the liquid phase corresponds to an alcohol alkoxylate concentration in the total
composition of from 1% to 60% by weight, more preferably from 2% to 40% by weight,
and most preferably from 5% to 25% by weight, of the composition.
ii) Nonaqueous Low-Polarity Organic Solvent
[0024] A second essential component of the liquid diluent which forms part of the liquid
phase of the detergent compositions herein comprises nonaqueous, low-polarity organic
solvent(s). The term "solvent" is used herein to connote the non-surface active carrier
or diluent portion of the liquid phase of the composition. While some of the essential
and/or optional components of the compositions herein may actually dissolve in the
"solvent"-containing liquid phase, other components will be present as particulate
material dispersed within the "solvent"-containing liquid phase. Thus the term "solvent"
is not meant to require that the solvent material be capable of actually dissolving
all of the detergent composition components added thereto.
[0025] The nonaqueous organic materials which are employed as solvents herein are those
which are liquids of low polarity. For purposes of this invention, "low-polarity"
liquids are those which have little, if any, tendency to dissolve one of the preferred
types of particulate material used in the compositions herein, i.e., the peroxygen
bleaching agents, sodium perborate or sodium percarbonate. Thus relatively polar solvents
such as ethanol should not be utilized. Suitable types of low-polarity solvents useful
in the nonaqueous liquid detergent compositions herein do are include the non-vicinal
C
4-C
8 branched or straight chain alkylene glycols. Materials of this type include hexylene
glycol (4-methyl-2,4-pentanediol), 1,6-hexanediol, 1,3-butylene glycol and 1,4-butylene
glycol. Hexylene glycol is the most preferred.
[0026] Also included are the mono-, di-, tri-, or tetra- C
2-C
3 alkylene glycol mono C
2-C
6 alkyl ethers. The specific examples of such compounds include diethytene glycol monobutyl
ether, tetraethylene glycol monobutyl ether, dipropolyene glycol monoethyl ether,
and dipropylene glycol monobutyl ether. Diethylene glycol monobutyl ether and dipropylene
glycol monobutyl ether are especially preferred. Compounds of the type have been commercially
marketed under the tradenames Dowanol, Carbitol, and Cellosolve.
[0027] The nonaqueous, low-polarity organic solvent(s) employed should, of course, be compatible
and non-reactive with other composition components, e.g., bleach and/or activators,
used in the liquid detergent compositions herein. Such a solvent component will generally
be utilized in an amount of from 1% to 70% by weight of the liquid phase. More preferably,
the nonaqueous, low-polarity organic solvent will comprise from 10% to 60% by weight
of the liquid phase, most preferably from 20% to 50% by weight, of the liquid phase
of the composition. Utilization of this organic solvent in these concentrations in
the liquid phase corresponds to a solvent concentration in the total composition of
from 1% to 50% by weight, more preferably from 5% to 40% by weight, and most preferably
from 10% to 30% by weight, of the composition.
iii) Alcohol Alkoxylate To Solvent Ratio
[0028] The ratio of alcohol alkoxylate to organic solvent within the liquid diluent can
be used to vary the theological properties of the detergent compositions eventually
formed. Generally, the weight ratio of alcohol alkoxylate to organic solvent will
range from 50:1 to 1:50. More preferably, this ratio will range from 3:1 to 1:3.
iv) Liquid Diluent Concentration
[0029] As with the concentration of the alkylbenzene sulfonate anionic surfactant mixture,
the amount of total liquid diluent in the nonaqueous liquid phase herein will be determined
by the type and amounts of other composition components and by the desired composition
properties. Generally, the liquid diluent will comprise from 35% to 70% of the nonaqueous
liquid phase of the compositions herein. More preferably, the liquid diluent will
comprise from 50% to 65%
of the nonaqueous liquid phase. This corresponds to a nonaqueous liquid diluent concentration
in the total composition of from 15% to 70% by weight, more preferably from 20% to
50% by weight, of the composition.
SOLID PHASE
[0030] The nonaqueous detergent compositions herein also essentially comprise from 1% to
65% by weight, more preferably from 5% to 50% by weight, of a solid phase of particuste
material which is dispersed and suspended within the liquid phase. Generally such
particulate material will range in size from 0.1 to 1500 microns. More preferably
such material will range in size from 5 to 200 microns.
[0031] The particulate material utilized herein can comprise one or more types of detergent
composition components which in particulate form are substantially insoluble in the
nonaqueous liquid phase of the composition. The types of particulate materials which
can be utilized are described in detail as follows:
(A) Peroxygen Bleaching Agent With Optional Bleach Activators
[0032] The most preferred type of paniculate material useful for forming the solid phase
of the detergent compositions herein comprises particles of a peroxygen bleaching
agent. Such peroxygen bleaching agents may be organic or inorganic in nature. Inorganic
peroxygen bleaching agents are frequently utilized in combination with a bleach activator.
[0033] Useful organic peroxygen bleaching agents include percarboxylic acid bleaching agents
and salts thereof. Suitable examples of this class of agents include magnesium monoperoxyphthalate
hexahydrate, the magnesium salt of metachloro perbenzoic acid, 4-nonylamino-4-oxoperoxybutyric
acid and diperoxydodecanedioic acid. Such bleaching agents are disclosed in U.S. Patent
4,483,781, Hartman, Issued November 20, 1984; European Patent Application EP-A-133,354,
Banks et al., Published February 20, 1985; and U.S. Patent 4,412,934, Chung et al.,
Issued November 1, 1983. Highly preferred bleaching agents also include 6-nonylamino-6-oxoperoxycaproic
acid (NAPAA) as described in U.S. Patent 4,634,551, Issued January 6, 1987 to Bums
et al.
[0034] Inorganic peroxygen bleaching agents may also be used in particulate form in the
detergent compositions herein. Inorganic bleaching agents are in fact preferred. Such
inorganic peroxygen compounds include alkali metal perborate and percarbonate materials,
most preferably the percarbonates. For example, sodium perborate (e.g. mono- or tetra-hydrate)
can be used. Suitable inorganic bleaching agents can also include sodium or potassium
carbonate peroxyhydrate and equivalent "percarbonate" bleaches, sodium pyrophosphate
peroxyhydrate, urea peroxyhydrate, and sodium peroxide. Persulfate bleach (e.g., OXONE,
manufactured commercially by DuPont) can also be used. Frequently inorganic peroxygen
bleaches will be coated with silicate, borate, sulfate or water-soluble surfactants.
For example, coated percarbonate particles are available from various commercial sources
such as FMC, Solvay Interox, Tokai Denka and Degussa.
[0035] Inorganic peroxygen bleaching agents, e.g., the perborates, the percarbonates, etc.,
are preferably combined with bleach activators, which lead to the
in situ production in aqueous solution (i.e., during use of the compositions herein for fabric
laundering/bleaching) of the peroxy acid corresponding to the bleach activator. Various
non-limiting examples of activators are disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,915,854, Issued
April 10, 1990 to Mao et al.; and U.S. Patent 4,412,934 Issued November 1, 1983 to
Chung et al. The nonanoyloxybenzene sulfonate (NOBS) and tetraacetyl ethylene diamine
(TAED) activators are typical. Mixtures thereof can also be used. See also the hereinbefore
referenced U.S. 4,634,551 for other typical bleaches and activators useful herein.
[0036] Other useful amido-derived bleach activators are those of the formulae:
R
1N(R
5)C(O)R
2C(O)L
or
R
1C(O)N(R
5)R
2C(O)L
wherein R
1 is an alkyl group containing from about 6 to about 12 carbon atoms, R
2 is an alkylene containing from 1 to about 6 carbon atoms, R
5 is H or alkyl, aryl, or alkaryl containing from about 1 to about 10 carbon atoms,
and L is any suitable leaving group. A leaving group is any group that is displaced
from the bleach activator as a consequence of the nucleophilic attack on the bleach
activator by the perhydrolysis anion. A preferred leaving group is phenol sulfonate.
[0037] Preferred examples of bleach activators of the above formulae include (6-octanamido-caproyl)oxybenzenesulfonate,
(6-nonanamidocaproyl) oxybenzenesulfonate, (6-decanamido-caproyl)oxybenzenesulfonate
and mixtures thereof as described in the hereinbefore referenced U.S. Patent 4,634,551.
Such mixtures are characterized herein as (6-C
8-C
10 alkamido-caproyl)oxybenzenesulfonate.
[0038] Another class of useful bleach activators comprises the benzoxazin-type activators
disclosed by Hodge et al. in U.S. Patent 4,966, 723, Issued October 30, 1990, incorporated
herein by reference. A highly preferred activator of the benzoxazin-type is:

[0039] Still another class of useful bleach activators indudes the acyl lactam activators,
especially acyl caprolactams and acyl valerolactams of the formulae:

wherein R
6 is H or an alkyl, aryl, alkoxyaryl, or alkaryl group containing from 1 to about 12
carbon atoms. Highly preferred lactam activators include benzoyl caprolactam, octanoyl
caprolactam, 3,5,5-trimethylhexanoyl caprolactam, nonanoyl caprolactam, decanoyl caprolactam,
undecenoyl caprolactam, benzoyl valerolactam, octanoyl valerolactam, decanoyl valerolactam,
undecenoyl valerolactam, 3,5,5-trimethylhexanoyl valerolactam and mixtures thereof.
See also U.S. Patent 4,545,784, Issued to Sanderson, October 8, 1985, incorporated
herein by reference, which discloses acyl caprolactams, including benzoyl caprolactam,
adsorbed into sodium perborate.
[0040] If peroxygen bleaching agents are used as all or part of the essentially present
particulate material, they will generally comprise from 1% to 30% by weight of the
composition. More preferably, peroxygen bleaching agent will comprise from 1% to 20%
by weight of the composition. Most preferably, peroxygen bleaching agent will be present
to the extent of from 3% to 15% by weight of the composition. If utilized, bleach
activators can comprise from 0.5% to 20%, more preferably from 1% to 10%, by weight
of the composition. Frequently, activators are employed such that the molar ratio
of bleaching agent to activator ranges from 1:1 to 10:1, more preferably from 1.5:1
to 5:1.
In addition, it has been found that bleach activators, when agglomerated with certain
acids such as citric acid, are more chemically stable.
(B) Ancillary Anionic Surfactants
[0041] Another possible type of particulate material which can be suspended in the nonaqueous
liquid detergent compositions herein includes ancillary anionic surfactants which
are fully or partially insoluble in the nonaqueous liquid phase. The most common type
of anionic surfactant with such solubility properties comprises primary or secondary alkyl sulfate
anionic surfactants. Such surfactants are those produced by the sulfation of higher
C
8-C
20 fatty alcohols.
[0042] Conventional primary alkyl sutfate surfactants have the general formula
ROSO
3-M
+
wherein R is typically a linear C
8 - C
20 hydrocarbyl group, which may be straight chain or branched chain, and M is a water-solubilizing
cation. Preferably R is a C
10 - C
14 alkyl, and M is alkali metal. Most preferably R is about C
12 and M is sodium.
[0043] Conventional secondary alkyl sulfates may also be utilized as the essential anionic
surfactant component of the solid phase of the compositions herein. Conventional secondary
alkyl sulfate surfactants are those materials which have the sulfate moiety distributed
randomly along the hydrocarbyl "backbone" of the molecule. Such materials may be depicted
by the structure:
CH
3(CH
2)
n(CHOSO
3-M
+) (CH
2)
mCH
3
wherein m and n are integers of 2 or greater and the sum of m + n is typically about
9 to 15, and M is a water-solubilizing cation.
[0044] If utilized as all or part of the requisite particulate material, ancillary anionic
surfactants such as alkyl sulfates will generally comprise from 1% to 10% by weight
of the composition, more preferably from 1% to 5% by weight of the composition. Alkyl
sulfate used as all or part of the particulate material is prepared and added to the
compositions herein separately from the unalkoxylated alkyl sulfate material which
may form part of the alkyl ether sulfate surfactant component essentially utilized
as part of the liquid phase herein.
(C) Organic Builder Material
[0045] Another possible type of paniculate material which can be suspended in the nonaqueous
liquid detergent compositions herein comprises an organic detergent builder material
which serves to counteract the effects of calcium, or other ion, water hardness encountered
during laundering/bleaching use of the compositions herein. Examples of such rnataials
include the alkali metal, citrates, succinates, malonates, fatty acids, carboxymethyl
succinates, carboxylates, polycarboxylates and polyacetyl carboxylates. Specific examples
include sodium, potassium and lithium salts of oxydisuccinic acid, mellitic acid,
benzene polycarboxylic acids and citric acid. Other examples of organic phosphonate
type seguestering agents such as those which have been sold by Monsanto under the
Dequest tradename and alkanehydroxy phosphonates. Citrate salts are highly preferred.
[0046] Other suitable organic builders include the higher molecular weight polymers and
copolymers known to have builder properties. For example, such materials include appropriate
polyacrylic acid, polymaleic acid, and polyacrylic/polymaleic acid copolymers and
their salts, such as those sold by BASF under the Sokalan trademark.
[0047] Another suitable type of organic builder comprises the water-soluble salts of higher
fatty
acids,
i.e., "
soaps".
These include alkali metal soaps such as the sodium, potassium, ammonium, and alkylolammonium
salts of higher fatty adds containing from about 8 to about 24 carbon atoms, and preferably
from about 12 to about 18 carbon atoms. Soaps can be made by direct saponification
of fats and oils or by the neutralization of free fatty acids. Particularly useful
are the sodium and potassium salts of the mixtures of fatty acids derived from coconut
oil and tallow, i.e., sodium or potassium tallow and coconut soap.
[0048] If utilized as all or part of the requisite particulate material, insoluble organic
detergent builders can generally comprise from 2% to 20% by weight of the compositions
herein. More preferably, such builder material can comprise from about 4% to 10% by
weight of the composition.
(D) Inorganic Alkalinity Sources
[0049] Another possible type of particulate material which can be suspended in the nonaqueous
liquid detergent compositions herein can comprise a material which serves to render
aqueous washing solutions formed from such compositions generally alkaline in nature.
Such materials may or may not also act as detergent builders, i.e., as materials which
counteract the adverse effect of water hardness on detergency performance.
[0050] Examples of suitable alkalinity sources include water-soluble alkali metal carbonates,
bicarbonates, borates, silicates and metasilicates. Although not preferred for ecological
reasons, water-soluble phosphate salts may also be utilized as alkalinity sources.
These include alkali metal pyrophosphates, orthophosphates, potyphosphates and phosphonates.
Of all of these alkalinity sources, alkali metal carbonates such as sodium carbonate
are the most preferred.
[0051] The alkalinity source, if in the form of a hydratable salt, may also serve as a desiccant
in the nonaqueous liquid detergent compositions herein. The presence of an alkalinity
source which is also a desiccant may provide benefits in terms of chemically stabilizing
those composition components such as the peroxygen bleaching agent which may be susceptible
to deactivation by water.
[0052] If utilized as all or part of the particulate material component, the alkalinity
source will generally comprise from 1% to 25% by weight of the compositions herein.
More preferably, the alkalinity source can comprise from about 2% to 15% by weight
of the composition. Such materials, while water-soluble, will generally be insoluble
in the nonaqueous detergent compositions herein. Thus such materials will generally
be dispersed in the nonaqueous liquid phase in the form of discrete particles.
OPTIONAL COMPOSITION COMPONENTS
[0053] In addition to the essential composition liquid and solid phase components as hereinbefore
described, the detergent compositions herein can, and preferably will, contain various
optional components. Such optional components may be in either liquid or solid form.
The optional components may either dissolve in the liquid phase or may be dispersed
within the liquid phase in the form of fine particles or droplets. Some of the materials
which may optionally be utilized in the compositions herein are described in greater
detail as follows:
(a) Optional Surfactants
[0054] Besides the essentially utilized alkylbenzene sulfonate surfactant materials and
the alcohol alkoxylate component of the liquid diluent, the detergent compositions
herein may, in addition to the optional alkyl sulfates hereinbefore described, also
contain other types of surfactant materials. Such additional optional surfactants
must, of course, be compatible with other composition components and must not substantially
adversely affect composition rheology, stability or performance. Optional surfactants
can be of the anionic, nonionic, cationic, and/or amphoteric type. If employed, optional
surfactants will generally comprise from 1% to 20% by weight of the compositions herein,
more preferably from 5% to 10% by weight of the compositions herein.
[0055] One common type of anionic surfactant material which may be optionally added to the
detergent compositions herein comprises the alkyl polyalkoxylate sulfates. Alkyl polyalkoxylate
sulfates are also known as alkoxylated alkyl sulfates or alkyl ether sulfates. Such
materials are those which correspond to the formula
R
2-O-(C
mH
2mO)
n-SO
3M
wherein R
2 is a C
10-C
22 alkyl group, m is from 2 to 4, n is from about 1 to 15, and M is a salt-forming cation.
Preferably, R
2 is a C
12-C
18 alkyl, m is 2, n is from about 1 to 10, and M is sodium, potassium, ammonium, alkylammonium
or alkanolammonium. Most preferably, R
2 is a C
12-C
16, m is 2, n is from about 1 to 6, and M is sodium. Ammonium, alkylammonium and alkanolammonium
counterions are preferably avoided when the solid phase materials used in the compositions
herein include a peroxygen bleaching agent.
[0056] Another common type of anionic surfactant material which may be optionally added
to the detergent compositions herein comprises carboxylate-type anionics. Carboxylate-type
anionics include the C
10-C
18 alkyl alkoxy carboxylates (especially the EO 1 to 5 ethoxycarboxylates) and the C
10-C
18 sarcosinates, especially oleoyl sarcosinate. Another common type of anionic surfactant
material which may be optionally employed comprises other sulfonated anionic surfactants
such as the C
8-C
18 paraffin sulfonates and the C
8-C
18 olefin sulfonates.
[0057] A preferred type of optional nonionic surfactant comprises surfactants which are
ethylene oxide (EO) - propylene oxide (PO) block polymers. Materials of this type
are well known nonionic surfactants which have been marketed under the tradename Pluronic.
These materials are formed by adding blocks of ethylene oxide moieties to the ends
of polypropylene glycol chains to adjust the surface active properties of the resulting
block polymers. EO-PO block polymer nonionics of this type are described in greater
detail in Davidsohn and Milwidsky;
Synthetic Detergents, 7th Ed.; Longman Scientific and Technical (1987) at pp. 34-36 and pp. 189-191 and in U.S.
Patents 2,674,619 and 2,677,700. All of these publications are incorporated herein
by reference. These Pluronic type nonionic surfactants are believed to function as
effective suspending agents for the particulate material which is dispersed in the
liquid phase of the detergent compositions herein.
[0058] Another preferred type of optional nonionic surfactant for use in the compositions
herein comprises polyhydroxy fatty acid amide surfactants. Materials of this type
of nonionic surfactant are those which conform to the formula:

wherein R is a C
9-17 alkyl or alkenyl, p is from 1 to 6, and Z is glycityl derived from a reduced sugar
or alkoxylated derivative thereof. Such materials include the C
12-C
18 N-methyl glucamides. Examples are N-methyl N-1-deoxyglucityl cocoamide and N-methyl
N-1-deoxyglucityl oleamide. Processes for making polyhydroxy fatty acid, amides are
know and can be found, for example, in Wilson, U.S. Patent 2,965,576 and Schwartz,
U.S. Patent 2,703,798, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.
The materials themselves and their preparation are also described in greater detail
in Honsa, U.S. Patent 5,174,937, Issued December 26, 1992, which patent is also incorporated
herein by reference.
(b) Optional Inorganic Detergent Builders
[0059] The detergent compositions herein may also optionally contain one or more types of
inorganic detergent builders beyond those listed hereinbefore that also function as
alkalinity sources. Such optional inorganic builders can include, for example, aluminosilicates
such as zeolites. Aluminosilicate zeolites, and their use as detergent builders are
more fully discussed in Corkill et al., U.S. Patent No. 4,605,509; Issued August 12,
1986, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Also crystalline
layered silicates, such as those discussed in this '509 U.S. patent, are also suitable
for use in the detergent compositions herein. If utilized, optional inorganic detergent
builders can comprise from 2% to 15% by weight of the compositions herein.
(c) Optional Enzymes
[0060] The detergent compositions herein may also optionally contain one or more types of
detergent enzymes. Such enzymes can include proteases, amylases, cellulases and lipases.
Such materials are known in the art and are commercially available. They may be incorporated
into the nonaqueous liquid detergent compositions herein in the form of suspensions,
"marumes" or "prills". Another suitable type of enzyme comprises those in the form
of slurries of enzymes in nonionic surfactants, e.g., the enzymes marketed by Novo
Nordisk under the tradename "SL" or the microencapsulated enzymes marketed by Novo
Nordisk under the tradename "LDP."
[0061] Enzymes added to the compositions herein in the form of conventional enzyme prills
are especially preferred for use herein. Such prills will generally range in size
from 100 to 1,000 m-6 (microns), more preferably from 200 to 800 m-6 (microns) and
will be suspended throughout the nonaqueous liquid phase of the composition. Prills
in the compositions of the present invention have been found, in comparison with other
enzyme forms, to exhibit especially desirable enzyme stability in terms of retention
of enzymatic activity over time. Thus, compositions which utilize enzyme prills need
not contain conventional enzyme stabilizing such as must frequently be used when enzymes
are incorporated into aqueous liquid detergents.
[0062] If employed, enzymes will normally be incorporated into the nonaqueous liquid compositions
herein at levels sufficient to provide up to about 10 mg by weight, more typically
from about 0.01 mg to about 5 mg, of active enzyme per gram of the composition. Stated
otherwise, the nonaqueous liquid detergent compositions herein will typically comprise
from 0.001% to 5%, preferably from 0.01% to 1% by weight, of a commercial enzyme preparation.
Protease enzymes, for example, are usually present in such commercial preparations
at levels sufficient to provide from 0.005 to 0.1 Anson units (AU) of activity per
gram of composition.
(d) Optional Chelating Agents
[0063] The detergent compositions herein may also optionally contain a chelating agent which
serves to chelate metal ions, e.g., iron and/or manganese, within the nonaqueous detergent
compositions herein. Such chelating agents thus serve to form complexes with metal
impurities in the composition which would otherwise tend to deactivate composition
components such as the peroxygen bleaching agent. Useful chelating agents can include
amino carboxylates, phosphonates, amino phosphonates, polyfunctionally-substiuted
aromatic chelating agents and mixtures thereof.
[0064] Amino carboxylates useful as optional chelating agents include ethylenediaminetetraacetates,
N-hydroxyethyl-ethylenediaminetriacetates, nitrilotriacetates, ethylene-diamine tetrapropionates,
triethylenetetraaminehexacetates, diethylenetriaminepentaacetates, ethylenediaminedisucci-nates
and ethanoldiglycines. The alkali metal salts of these materials are preferred.
[0065] Amino phosphonates are also suitable for use as chelating agents in the compositions
of this invention when at least low levels of total phosphorus are permitted in detergent
compositions, and include ethylenediaminetetrakis (methylene-phosphonates) as DEQUEST.
Preferably, these amino phosphonates do not contain alkyl or alkenyl groups with more
than about 6 carbon atoms.
[0066] Preferred chelating agents include hydroxy-ethyldiphosphonic acid (HEDP), diethylene
triamine penta acetic acid (DTPA), ethylenediamine disuccinic acid (EDDS) and dipicolinic
acid (DPA) and salts thereof. The chelating agent may, of course, also act as a detergent
builder during use of the compositions herein for fabric laundering/bleaching. The
chelating agent, if employed, can comprise from 0.1% to 4% by weight of the compositions
herein. More preferably, the chelating agent will comprise from 0.2% to 2% by weight
of the detergent compositions herein.
(e) Optional Thickening, Viscosity Control and/or Dispersing Agents
[0067] The detergent compositions herein may also optionally contain a polymeric material
which serves to enhance the ability of the composition to maintain its solid particulate
components in suspension. Such materials may thus act as thickeners, viscosity control
agents and/or dispersing agents. Such materials are frequently polymeric polycarboxylates
but can include other polymeric materials such as polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP).
[0068] Polymeric polycarboxylate materials can be prepared by polymerizing or copolymerizing
suitable unsaturated monomers, preferably in their acid form. Unsaturated monomeric
acids that can be polymerized to form suitable polymeric polycarboxylates include
acrylic acid, maleic acid (or maleic anhydride), fumaric acid, itaconic acid, aconitic
acid, mesaconic acid, citraconic acid and methylenemalonic acid. The presence in the
polymeric polycarboxylates herein of monomeric segments, containing no carboxylate
radicals such as vinylmethyl ether, styrene, ethylene, etc. is suitable provided that
such segments do not constitute more than about 40% by weight of the polymer.
[0069] Particularly suitable polymeric polyearboxylates can be derived from acrylic acid.
Such acrylic acid-based polymers which are useful herein are the water-soluble salts
of polymerized acrylic acid. The average molecular weight of such polymers in the
acid form preferably ranges from about 2,000 to 10,000, more preferably from about
4,000 to 7,000, and most preferably from about 4,000 to 5,000. Water-soluble salts
of such acrylic acid polymers can include, for example, the alkali metal, salts. Soluble
polymers of this type are known materials. Use of polyacrylates of this type in detergent
compositions has been disclosed, for example, Diehl, U.S. Patent 3,308,067, issued
March 7, 1967. Such materials may also perform a builder function.
[0070] If utilized, the optional thickening, viscosity control and/or dispersing agents
should be present in the compositions herein to the extent of from about 0.1% to 4%
by weight. More preferably, such materials can comprise from about 0.5% to 2% by weight
of the detergents compositions herein.
(f) Optional Liquid Bleach Activators
[0071] The detergent compositions herein may also optionally contain bleach activators which
are liquid in form at room temperature and which can be added as liquids to the nonaqueous
liquid phase of the detergent compositions herein. One such liquid bleach activator
is acetyl triethyl citrate (ATC). Other examples include glycerol triacetate and nonanoyl
valerolactam. Liquid bleach activators can be dissolved in the nonaqueous liquid phase
of the compositions herein.
(g) Optional Brighteners, Suds Suppressors, Dyes and/or Perfumes
[0072] The detergent compositions herein may also optionally contain conventional brighteners,
suds suppressors, silicone oils, bleach catalysts, dyes and/or perfume materials.
Such brighteners, suds suppressors, silicone oils, bleach catalysts, dyes and perfumes
must, of course, be compatible and non-reactive with the other composition components
in a nonaqueous environment. If present, brighteners suds suppressors, dyes and/or
perfumes will typically comprise from 0.0001% to 2% by weight of the compositions
herein. Suitable bleach catalysts include the manganese based complexes disclosed
in US 5,246,621, US 5,244,594, US 5,114,606 and US 5,114,611.
COMPOSITION FORM
[0073] As indicated, the nonaqueous liquid detergent compositions herein are in the form
of bleaching agent and/or other materials in particulate form as a solid phase suspended
in and dispersed throughout a nonaqueous liquid phase. Generally, the nonaqueous liquid
phase will comprise from 35% to 99%, more preferably from 50% to 95%, by weight of
the composition with the dispersed solid phase comprising from 1% to 65%, more preferably
from 5% to 50%, by weight of the composition.
[0074] The particulate-containing liquid detergent compositions of this invention are substantially
nonaqueous (or anhydrous) in character. While very small amounts of water may be incorporated
into such compositions as an impurity in the essential or optional components, the
amount of water should in no event exceed 5% by weight of the compositions herein.
More preferably, water content of the nonaqueous detergent compositions herein will
comprise less than 1% by weight.
[0075] The particulate-containing nonaqueous liquid detergent compositions herein will be
relatively viscous and phase stable under conditions of commercial marketing and use
of such compositions Frequently the viscosity of the compositions herein will range
from about 300 to 5,000 mPa/s (cps), more preferably from 500 to 3,000 mPa/s (cps).
For purposes of this invention, viscosity is measured with a Brookfield Viscometer
using a RV #5 spindle at 50 rpm.
COMPOSITION PREPARATION AND USE
[0076] The nonaqueous liquid detergent compositions herein can be prepared by combining
the essential and optional components thereof in any convenient order and by mixing,
e.g., agitating, the resulting component combination to form the phase stable compositions
herein. In a typical process for preparing such compositions, essential and certain
preferred optional components will be combined in a particular order and under certain
conditions.
[0077] In the first step of such a typical preparation process, an admixture of the alkylbenzene
sulfonate anionic surfactant and the two essential components of the nonaqueous diluent
is formed by heating a combination of these materials to a temperature from 30°C to
100°C.
[0078] In a second process step, the heated admixture formed as hereinbefore described is
maintained under shear agitation at a temperature from 40°C to 100°C for a period
of from 2 minutes to 20 hours. Optionally, a vaccuum can be applied to the admixture
at this point. This second process step serves to completely dissolve the anionic
surfactant in the nonaqueous liquid phase.
[0079] In a third process step, this liquid phase combination of materials is cooled to
a temperature of from 0°C to 35°C. This cooling step serves to form a structured,
surfactant-containing liquid base into which the particulate material of the detergent
compositions herein can be added and dispersed.
[0080] Particulate material is added in a fourth process step by combining the particulate
material with the liquid base which is maintained under conditions of shear agitation.
When more than one type of particulate material is to be added, it is preferred that
a certain order of addition be observed. For example, while shear agitation is maintained,
essentially all of any optional surfactants in solid particulate form can be added
in the form of particles ranging in size from 0.2 to 1,000 10
-6 m (microns). After addition of any optional surfactant partides, particles of substantially
all of an organic builder, e.g., citrate and/or fatty acid, and/or an alkalinity source,
e.g., sodium carbonate, can be added while continuing to maintain this admixture of
composition components under shear agitation. Other solid form optional ingredients
can then be added to the composition at this point. Agitation of the mixture is continued,
and if necessary, can be increased at this point to form a uniform dispersion of insoluble
solid phase particulates within the liquid phase.
[0081] After some or all of the foregoing solid materials have been added to this agitated
mixture, the particles of the highly preferred peroxygen bleaching agent can be added
to the composition, again while the mixture is maintained under shear agitation. By
adding the peroxygen bleaching agent material last, or after all or most of the other
components, and especially after alkalinity source particles, have been added, desirable
stability benefits for the peroxygen bleach can be realized. If enzyme prills are
incorporated, they are preferably added to the nonaqueous liquid matrix last.
[0082] As a final process step, after addition of all of the particulate material, agitation
of the mixture is continued for a period of time sufficient to form compositions having
the requisite viscosity and phase stability characteristics. Frequently this will
involve agitation for a period of from 1 to 30 minutes.
[0083] As a variation of the composition preparation procedure hereinbefore described, one
or more of the solid components may be added to the agitated mixture as a slurry of
particles premixed with a minor portion of one or more of the liquid components. Thus
a premix of a small fraction of the alcohol alkoxylate and/or nonaqueous, low-polarity
solvent with particles of the organic builder material and/or the particles of the
inorganic alkalinity source and/or particles of a bleach activator may be separately
formed and added as a slurry to the agitated mixture of composition components. Addition
of such slurry premixes should precede addition of peroxygen bleaching agent and/or
enzyme particles which may themselves be part of a premix slurry formed in analogous
fashion.
[0084] The compositions of this invention, prepared as hereinbefore described, can be used
to form aqueous washing solutions for use in the laundering and bleaching of fabrics.
Generally, an effective amount of such compositions is added to water, preferably
in a conventional fabric laundering automatic washing machine, to form such aqueous
laundering/bleaching solutions. The aqueous washing/bleaching solution so formed is
then contacted, preferably under agitation, with the fabrics to be laundered and bleached
therewith.
[0085] An effective amount of the liquid detergent compositions herein added to water to
form aqueous laundering/bleaching solutions can comprise amounts sufficient to form
from 500 to 7,000 ppm of composition in aqueous solution. More preferably, from 800
to 3,000 ppm of the detergent compositions herein will be provided in aqueous washing/bleaching
solution.
EXAMPLE
[0086] The following example illustrates the compositions of the present invention, but
are not necessarily meant to limit or otherwise define the scope of the invention
herein.
[0087] A bleach-containing nonaqueous liquid laundry detergent is prepared having the composition
as set forth in Table I.
Table I
| Component |
Wt. % |
| Liquid Phase |
| Na C12 Linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS) |
27.3 |
| C12-14, EO=5 alcohol ethoxylate |
13.6 |
| Hexylene glycol |
27.3 |
| Perfume |
0.4 |
| |
| Solids |
| Protease enzyme |
0.4 |
| Na3 Citrate, anhydrous |
4.3 |
| Sodium perborate |
3.4 |
| Sodium nonanoyloxybenzene sulfonate (NOBS) |
8.0 |
| Sodium carbonate |
13.9 |
| Diethyl triamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA) |
0.9 |
| Brightener |
0.4 |
| Suds Suppressor |
0.1 |
| Minors |
0.4 |
| |

|
[0088] Such a composition is prepared by mixing the LAS, hexylene glycol and alcohol ethoxylate
together at 54°C (130°F) for 1/2 hour. This mixture is then cooled to 29°C (85°F)
whereupon the remaining components are added. The resulting composition is then stirred
at 29°C (85°F) for another 1/2 hour.
[0089] The resulting composition is a stable anhydrous heavy duty liquid laundry detergent
which provides excellent stain and soil removal performance when used in normal fabric
laundering operations.
1. A nonaqueous, liquid heavy-duty detergent composition in the form of a suspension
of a solid, substantially insoluble particulate material dispersed throughout a structured,
surfactant-containing liquid phase, said composition being further
characterized in that it comprises:
A) from 35% to 99% by weight of the composition of a nonaqueous liquid phase which
comprises:
i) from 30% to 65% by weight of said nonaqueous liquid phase of a dissolved anionic
surfactant selected from alkali metal salts of C10-C16 alkylbenzene sulfonic acid; and
ii) from 35% to 70% by wieght of said nonaqueous liquid phase of a nonaqueous liquid
diluent which comprises:
a) alcohol alkoxylates of the formula R1(OCmH2m)nOH wherein R1 is a C8-C16 alkyl group, m is from 2 to 4 and n is from 2 to 12; and
b) a nonaqueous organic solvent which is selected from:
i) mono, di, tri, tetra C2-C3 alkylene glycol mono C2-C6 alkyl ethers; and
ii) non-vicinal alkylene glycols containing from 4 to 8 carbon atoms;
in an alcohol alkoxylate to organic solvent weight ratio of from 50:1 to 1:50; and
B) from 1% to 65% by weight of the composition of particulate material which ranges
in size from 0.1 to 1,500 µm (microns), which is substantially insoluble in said nonaqueous
liquid phase and which is selected from peroxygen bleaching agents, bleach activators,
ancillary anionic surfactants, organic detergent builders, inorganic alkalinity sources
and combinations of said particulate material types.
2. A composition according to Claim 1 wherein
(A) the alkyl group of said alkylbenzene sulfonic acid is linear and contains from
11 to 14 carbon atoms;
(B) said alcohol alkoxylate component comprises ethoxylated materials containing from
8 to 15 carbon atoms in the alkyl group and having from 3 to 10 ethylene oxide moieties
per molecule;
and
(C) said particulate material comprises peroxygen bleaching agents selected from percarboxylic
acids and salts thereof and alkali metal perborates and percarbonates.
3. A composition according to Claim 2 wherein
(A) said alkylbenzene sulfonic anionic surfactant comprises from 15% to 60% by weight
of the composition;
(B) said nonaqueous liquid diluent comprises from 15% to 70% by weight of the composition
and has an alcohol ethoxylate to organic solvent ratio of from 3:1 to 1:3; and
(C) said particulate material comprises from 5% to 50% by weight of the composition.
4. A composition according to Claim 3 wherein
(A) said peroxygen bleaching agent is selected from alkali metal perborates and percarbonates
and comprises from 1% to 30% by weight of the composition; and
(B) said particulate material also comprises from 0.5% to 20% by weight of the composition
of particles of a bleach activator which can react with said peroxygen bleaching agent
to form a peroxy acid.
5. A composition according to Claim 4 which also contains from 1% to 20% by weight of
the composition of an additional nonionic surfactant comprising ethylene oxide-propylene
oxide block polymers.
6. A composition according to Claim 4 wherein said particulate material also comprises
from 2% to 20% by weight of the composition of an organic detergent builder selected
from alkali metal citrates, succinates, malonates, carboxymethylsuccinates, carboxylates,
polycarboxylates, polyacetylcarboxylates and fatty acid soaps.
7. A composition according to Claim 6 wherein said organic detergent builder is sodium
citrate.
8. A composition according to Claim 4 wherein said particulate material also comprises
from 1% to 25% by weight of the composition of an alkalinity source selected from
water-soluble alkali metal carbonates, bicarbonates, borates, silicates and metasilicates.
9. A composition according to Claim 8 wherein said alkalinity source is sodium carbonate.
10. A composition according to Claim 4 which additionally contains from 0.1% to 4% by
weight of the composition of a chelating agent selected from amino carboxylates, phosphonates,
amino phosphonates, polyfunctional substituted aromatic chelating agents and combinations
of these chelating agents.
11. A composition according to Claim 10 wherein said chelating agent is selected from
diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid, ethylene diamine disuccinic acid, dipicolinic
acid and hydroxyethyldiphosphonic acid and the salts of these chelating agents.
12. A composition according to Claim 4 which additionally contains from 0,001% to 5% by
weight of the composition of enzyme prills wherein said prills range in size from
about 100 to 1,000 µm (microns), and wherein said enzyme is selected from proteases,
amylases, cellulases, and lipases.
13. A composition according to Claim 4 which additionally contains
(A) from 0.1% to 4% by weight of the composition of a thickening, viscosity control
and/or dispersing agent selected from acrylic acid-based polymers having a molecular
weight ranging from 2,000 to 10,000; and/or
(B) from 0.0001% to 2% by weight of a compatible brightener; suds suppressor, silicone
oil, bleach catalyst, dye and/or perfume.
14. A nonaqueous liquid heavy-duty detergent composition in the form of a suspension of
solid, substantially insoluble particulate peroxygen bleaching agent material dispersed
throughout a structured, surfactant-containing liquid phase having a viscosity of
from 300 to 5,000 mPa/s (cps), said composition being further
characterized in that it comprises:
(A) from 15% to 60% by weight of the composition of an alkali metal C11-C14 linear alkyl benzene sulfonate surfactant;
(B) from 15% to 70% by weight of the composition of a nonaqueous liquid diluent which
comprises:
i) an alcohol ethoxylate component comprising C10-C14 alcohols containing from 3 to 10 moles of ethylene oxide; and
ii) a nonaqueous organic solvent selected from diethylene glycol monobutyl ether,
dipropylene glycol monobutyl ether and hexylene glycol; in an alcohol ethoxylate to
organic solvent weight ratio of from 3:1 to 1:3; and
(C) from 1% to 20% by weight of the composition of particles of a peroxygen bleaching
agent selected from sodium and potassium perborates and percarbonates, said particles
ranging in size from 5 to 200 µm (microns).
15. A composition according to Claim 14 wherein said composition further comprises from
1% to 10% by weight of the composition of particles of a bleach activator which can
react with said peroxygen bleaching agent to form a peroxy acid.
16. A composition according to Claim 15 which additionally contains from 4% to 10% by
weight of the composition or an organic detergent builder selected from alkali metal
citrates, succinates, malonates, carboxymethylsuccinates, carboxylates, polycarboxylates,
polyacetylcarboxylates and fatty acid soaps.
17. A composition according to Claim 16 which additionally contains from 2% to 15% by
weight of an alkalinity source selected from water-soluble alkali metal carbonates,
bicarbonates, borates, silicates and metasilicates.
18. A nonaqueous, bleach-containing liquid heavy-duty detergent composition which comprises:
(A) from 20% to 40% by weight of the composition of a sodium C11-14 linear alkylbenzene sulfonate anionic surfactant;
(B) from about 5% to 25% by weight of the composition of a C10-C14, 1-3 EO alcohol ethoxylate;
(C) from 10% to 30% by weight of the composition of hexylene glycol or dipropylene
glycol monobutyl ether,
(D) from 1% to 20% by weight of the composition of particles of a peroxygen bleaching
agent selected from sodium and potassium perborates and percarbonates;
(E) from 1% to 10% by weight of the composition of particles of a bleach activator
selected from nonanoyloxybenzene sulfonate, (6-C8-C10 alkamidocaproyl) oxybenzene sulfonate and tetraacetyl ethylene diamine; and
(F) from 2% to 15% by weight of the composition of particles of alkali metal carbonate;
and
wherein said composition is in the form of a suspension of particulate material comprising
said particles, dispersed throughout said liquid detergent composition with said particulate
material ranging in size from 0.1 to 1500 µm (microns).
19. A composition according to Claim 18 which has from 50% to 95% by weight of the composition
of a liquid phase and from 5% to 50% by weight of the composition of a solid particulate
phase.
20. A composition according to Claim 19 which has a viscosity of from 500 to 3,000 mPa/s
(cps).
1. Nichtwäßrige, flüssige Universalwaschmittelzusammensetzung in Form eines Suspension
eines festen, im wesentlichen unlöslichen Teilchenmaterials, disperglert in einer
strukturierten tensidhaltigen, flüssigen Phase, wobei die Zusammensetzung weiterhin
dadurch gekennzeichnet ist, daß sie umfaßt:
A) 35 bis 99 Gew.-% der Zusammensetzung einer nichtwäßrigen flüssigen Phase, welche
umfaßt:
1) 30 bis 65 Gew.-% der nichtwäßrigen flüssigen Phase eines gelösten, anionischen
Tensids, gewählt aus Alkalimetallsalzen von C10-C16-Alkylbenzolsulfonsäure;
ii) 35 bis 70 Gew.-% der nichtwäßrigen flüssigen Phase eines nichtwäßrigen flüssigen
Verdünnungsmittels, welches umfaßt:
a) Alkoholalkoxylate der Formel R1(OCmH2m)nOH, worin R1 eine C8-C16-Alkylgruppe ist, m 2 bis 4 ist und n 2 bis 12 ist; und
b) ein nichtwäßriges organisches Lösungsmittel, welches gewählt ist aus:
1) Mono-, Di-, Tri-, Tetra-C2-C3-Alkylenglykolmono-C2-C6-alkylethern; und
ii) nichtvicinalen Akylenglykolen enthaltend 4 bis 8 Kohlenstoffatome;
in einem Gewichtsverhältnis von Alkoholalkoxylat zu organischem Lösungsmittel von
50:1 bis 1.50; und
B) 1 bis 65 Gew.-% der Zusammensetzung eines Teilchenmaterials mit einer Größe im
Bereich von 0,1 bis 1500 µm (microns), das im wesentlichen in der nichtwäßrigen flüssigen
Phase unlöslich ist, und das gewählt ist aus Persauerstoff-Bleichmitteln, Bleichaktivatoren,
zusätzlichen anionischen Tensiden, organischen Detergensbuildern, anorganischen Alkalinitätsquellen
und Kombinationen dieser Teilchen-Materialtypen.
2. Zusammensetzung nach Anspruch 1, wobei
(A) die Alkylgruppe der Alkylbenzolsulfonsäure linear ist und 11 bis 14 Kohlenstoffatome
enthält;
(B) die Alkoholalkoxylatkomponente ethoxylierte Materialien umfaßt, enthaltend 8 bis
15 Kohlenstoffatome in der Alkylgruppe, und welche 3 bis 10 Ethylenoxideinheiten pro
Molekül aufweisen; und
(C) das Teilchenmaterial Persauerstoff-Bleichmittel umfaßt, gewählt aus Percarbonsäuren
und Salzen hiervon und Alkalimetallperboraten und -percarbonaten.
3. Zusammensetzung nach Anspruch 2, wobei
(A) das anionische Alkylbenzolsulfonsäure-Tensid 15 bis 60 Gew.-% der Zusammensetzung
ausmacht;
(B) das nichtwäßrige flüssige Verdünnungsmittel 15 bis 70 Gew.-% der Zusammensetzung
ausmacht und ein Verhältnis von Alkoholethoxylat zu organischem Lösungsmittel von
3:1 bis 1:3 aufweist; und
(C) das Teilchenmaterial 5 bis 50 Gew.-% der Zusammensetzung ausmacht.
4. Zusammensetzung nach Anspruch 3, wobei
(A) das Persauerstoff-Bleichmittel gewählt ist aus Alkallmetallperboraten und -percarbonaten
und 1 bis 30 Gew.-% der Zusammensetzung ausmacht; und
(B) das Teilchenmaterial ebenfalls 0,5 bis 20 Gew.-% der Zusammensetzung Teilchen
aus einem Bleichaktivator umfaßt, welche mit dem Persauerstoff-Bleichmittel reagieren
können, um eine Peroxysäure zu bil den.
5. Zusammensetzung nach Anspruch 4, welche ebenso 1 bis 20 Gew.-% der Zusammensetzung
eines zusätzlichen nichtionischen Tensids enthält, umfassend Ethylenoxid-Propylenoxid-Blockpolymere.
6. Zusammensetzung nach Anspruch 4, wobei das Teilchenmaterial ebenso 2 bis 20 Gew.-%
der Zusammensetzung eines organischen Detergensbuilders umfaßt, gewählt aus Alkalimetallcitraten,
Succinaten, Malonaten, Carboxymethylsuccinaten, Carboxylaten, Polycarboxylaten, Polyacetylcarboxylaten
und Fettsäureseifen.
7. Zusammensetzung nach Anspruch 6, wobei der organische Detergensbuilder Natriumcitrat
ist.
8. Zusammensetzung nach Anspruch 4, wobei das Teilchenmaterial ebenso 1 bis 25 Gew.-%
der Zusammensetzung einer Alkalinitätsquelle umfaßt, gewählt aus wasserlöslichen Alkalimetallcarbonaten,
-bicarbonaten, -boraten, -silicaten und -metasilicaten.
9. Zusammensetzung nach Anspruch 8, wobei die Alkalinitätsquelle Natriumcarbonat ist.
10. Zusammensetzung nach Anspruch 4, welche zusätzlich 0,1 bis 4 Gew.-% der Zusammensetzung
eines Komplexbildners enthält, gewählt aus Aminocarboxylaten, Phosphonaten, Aminophosphonaten,
polyfunktionellen substituierten aromatischen Komplexbildnern und Kombinationen dieser
Komplexbildner.
11. Zusammensetzung nach Anspruch 10, wobei der Komplexbildner gewählt ist aus Diethylentriaminpentaessigsäure.
Ethylendiamindibernsteinsäure, Dipicollnsäure und Hydroxyethyldiphosphonosäure und
den Salzen dieser Komplexbildner.
12. Zusammensetzung nach Anspruch 4, welche zusätzlich 0,001 bis 5 Gew.-% der Zusammensetzung
Enzymprills enthält, wobei diese Prills eine Größe im Bereich von etwa 100 bis 1000
µm (microns) aurwelsen, und wobei das Enzym aus Proteasen, Amylasen, Cellulasen und
Lipasen gewählt ist.
13. Zusammensetzung nach Anspruch 4, welche zusätzlich enthält
(A) 0,1 bis 4 Gew.-% der Zusammensetzung eines Verdickungs-, Viskositätskontroll-
und/oder Dispergiermittels, gewählt aus Polymeren auf Acrylsäurebasis mit einem Molekulargewichts
im Bereich von 2000 bis 10000; und/oder
(B) 0,0001 bis 2 Gew.-% eines kompatiblen Aufhellers, Schaumunterdrückers, Silikonöls.
Bleichkatalysators, Farbstoffs und/oder Parfüms.
14. Nichtwäßrige, flüssige, Universalwaschmittelzusammensetzung in Form einer Suspension
eines festen, im wesentlichen unlöslichen, teilchenförmigen Persauerstoff-Bleichmittelmaterials,
dispergiert in einer strukturierten, tensidhaltigen, flüssigen Phase mit einer Viskosität
von 300 bis 5000 mPa·s (cps), wobei die Zusammensetzung weiterhin
dadurch gekennzeichnet ist, daß sie umfaßt:
(A) 15 bis 60 Gew.-% der Zusammensetzung eines linearen Alkalimetall-C11-C14-Alkylbenzolsulfonat-Tensids;
(B) 15 bis 70 Gew.-% der Zusammensetzung eines nichtwäßrigen flüssigen Verdünnungsmittels,
welches umfaßt:
1) eine Alkoholethoxylatkomponente, umfassend C10-C14-Alkohole mit 3 bis 10 Molen Ethylenoxid; und
ii) ein nichtwäßriges organisches Lösungsmittel, gewählt aus Diethylenglykolmonobutylether,
Dipropylenglykolmonobutylether und Hexylenglykol;
in einem Gewichtsverhältnis von Alkoholethoxylat zu organischem Lösungsmittel von
3:1 bis 1:3; und
(C) 1 bis 20 Gew.-% der Zusammensetzung an Teilchen aus einem Persauerstoff-Bleichmittel,
gewählt aus Natrium- und Kaliumperboraten und -percarbonaten. wobei die Teilchen eine
Größe im Bereich von 5 bis 200 µm (microns) aufweisen.
15. Zusammensetzung nach Anspruch 14, wobei die Zusammensetzung weiterhin 1 bis 10 Gew.-%
der Zusammensetzung an Teilchen aus einem Bleichaktivator umfaßt, welche mit dem Persauerstoff-Bleichmittel
reagieren können, um eine Peroxysäure zu bilden.
16. Zusammensetzung nach Anspruch 15, welche zusätzlich 4 bis 10 Gew.-% der Zusammensetzung
eines organischen Detergensbuilders enthält, gewählt aus Alkalimetallcitraten, Succinaten,
Malonaten, Carboxymethylsuccinaten, Carboxylaten, Polycarboxylaten, Polyacetylcarboxylaten
und Fettsäureseifen.
17. Zusammensetzung nach Anspruch 16, welche zusätzlich 2 bis 15 Gew.-% einer Alkalinitätsquelle
enthält, gewählt aus wasserlöslichen Alkalimetallcarbonaten, -bicarbonaten, -boraten,
-silicaten und -metasilicaten.
18. Nichtwäßrige, bleichmittelhaltige, flüssige Universalwaschmittelzusammensetzung, welche
umfaßt:
(A) 20 bis 40 Gew.-% der Zusammensetzung eines anionischen linearen Natrium-C11-C14-Alkylbenzolsulfonat-Tensids;
(B) etwa 5 bis 25 Gew.-% der Zusammensetzung eines C10-C14, 1-3EO-Alkoholethoxylats;
(C) 10 bis 30 Gew.-% der Zusammensetzung Hexylenglykol oder Dipropylenglykolmonobutylether;
(D) 1 bis 20 Gew.-% der Zusammensetzung an Teilchen aus einem Persauerstoff-Bleichmittel,
gewählt aus Natrium- und Kaliumperboraten, und -percarbonaten;
(E) 1 bis 10 Gew.-% der Zusammensetzung an Teilchen aus einem Bleichaktivator, gewählt
aus Nonanoyloxybenzolsulfonat, (6-C8-C10-Alkamidocaproyl)oxybenzolsulfonat und Tetraacetylethylendiamin; und
(F) 2 bis 15 Gew.-% der Zusammensetzung an Teilchen aus Alkalimetallcarbonat; und
wobei die Zusammensetzung in Form einer Suspension aus teilchenförmigem Material
vorliegt, umfassend besagte Teilchen, dispergiert in einer flüssigen Waschmittelzusammensetzung,
wobei das teilchenförmige Material eine Größe im Bereich von 0,1 bis 1500 µm (microns)
aufweist.
19. Zusammensetzung nach Anspruch 18, bei der 50 bis 95 Gew.-% der Zusammensetzung eine
flüssige Phase sind und 5 bis 50 Gew.-% der Zusammensetzung eine feste, teilchenförmige
Phase sind.
20. Zusammensetzung nach Anspruch 19, welche eine Viskosität von 500 bis 3000 mPa·s (cps)
aufweist.
1. Composition détergente liquide, non aqueuse, pour gros lavage, sous forme d'une suspension
d'un matériau particulaire solide sensiblement insoluble, dispersé dans une phase
liquide structurée, contenant un tensioactif, ladite composition étant en outre
caractérisée en ce qu'elle comprend :
(A) 35% à 99% en poids de la composition d'une phase liquide non aqueuse qui comprend
:
i) 30% à 65%, en poids de ladite phase liquide non aqueuse, d'un tensioactif anionique
dissous choisi parmi des sels de métaux alcalins d'acide alkylbenzènesulfonique en
C10-C16 ; et
ii) 35% à 70%, en poids de ladite phase liquide non aqueuse, d'un diluant liquide
non aqueux qui comprend :
a) des alcools alcoxylés de formule R1(OCmH2m)nOH où R1 est un groupe alkyle en C8-C16, m vaut 2 à 4 et n vaut 2 à 12 ; et
b) un solvant organique non aqueux qui est choisi parmi :
i) des éthers monoalkyliques en C2-C6 de mono, di, tri, tétra-alkylèneglycols en C2-C3 ; et
ii) des alkylèneglycols non vicinaux contenant 4 à 8 atomes de carbone ;
dans un rapport en poids de l'alcool alcoxylé au solvant organique de 50 : 1 à 1
: 50 ; et
(B) 1% à 65%, en poids de la composition, d'un matériau particulaire qui est dans
la plage de taille de 0,1 à 1500 µm (microns), qui est sensiblement insoluble dans
ladite phase liquide non aqueuse et qui est choisi parmi des agents de blanchiment
peroxygénés, les activateurs de blanchiment, les tensioactifs auxiliaires anioniques,
les adjuvants de détergence organiques, des sources d'alcalinité minérales et les
combinaisons desdits types de matériau particulaire.
2. Composition selon la revendication 1, dans laquelle
(A) le groupe alkyle dudit acide alkylbenzènesulfonique est linéaire et contient 11
à 14 atomes de carbone ;
(B) ledit composant alcool alcoxylé comprend des matériaux éthoxylés contenant 8 à
15 atomes de carbone dans le groupe alkyle et ayant 3 à 10 groupements oxyde d'éthylène
par molécule ; et
(C) ledit matériau particulaire comprend des agents de blanchiment peroxygénés choisis
parmi les acides percarboxyliques et leurs sels et des perborates et des percarbonates
de métaux alcalins.
3. Composition selon la revendication 2, dans laquelle
(A) ledit tensioactif anionique alkylbenzènesulfonique constitue 15% à 60% en poids
de la composition ;
(B) ledit diluant liquide non aqueux constitue 15% à 70% en poids de la composition
et présente un rapport de l'alcool éthoxylé au solvant organique de 3 : 1 à 1 : 3
; et
(C) ledit matériau particulaire constitue 5% à 50% en poids de la composition.
4. Composition selon la revendication 3, dans laquelle
(A) ledit agent de blanchiment peroxygéné est choisi parmi les perborates et les percarbonates
de métaux alcalins et constitue 1% à 30% en poids de la composition ; et
(B) ledit matériau particulaire comprend également 0,5% à 20%, en poids de la composition,
de particules d'un activateur de blanchiment qui peut réagir avec ledit agent de blanchiment
peroxygéné pour former un peroxyacide.
5. Composition selon la revendication 4 qui contient également 1% à 20%, en poids de
la composition, d'un tensioactif non ionique additionnel comprenant des polymères
séquencés oxyde d'éthylène-oxyde de propylène.
6. Composition selon la revendication 4, dans laquelle ledit matériau particulaire comprend
également 2% à 20%, en poids de la composition, d'un adjuvant de détergence organique
choisi parmi des citrates, des succinates, des malonates, des carboxyméthylsuccinates,
des carboxylates, des polycarboxylates, des polyacétylcarboxylates et des savons d'acides
gras de métaux alcalins.
7. Composition selon la revendication 6, dans laquelle ledit adjuvant de détergence organique
est le citrate de sodium.
8. Composition selon la revendication 4, dans laquelle ledit matériau particulaire comprend
également 1% à 25%, en poids de la composition; d'une source d'alcalinité choisie
parmi les carbonates, bicarbonates, borates, silicates et métasilicates de métaux
alcalins hydrosolubles.
9. Composition selon la revendication 8, dans laquelle ladite source d'alcalinité est
le carbonate de sodium.
10. Composition selon la revendication 4 qui comprend en outre 0,1% à 4%, en poids de
la composition, d'un agent chélatant choisi parmi les amino-carboxylates, les phosphonates,
les amino-phosphonates, les agents chélatants aromatiques polyfonctionnels substitués
et les combinaisons de ces agents chélatants.
11. Composition selon la revendication 10, dans laquelle ledit agent chélatant est choisi
parmi l'acide diéthylènetriaminepentaacétique, l'acide éthylènediaminedisuccinique,
l'acide dipicolinique et l'acide hydroxyéthyldiphosphonique et les sels de ces agents
chélatants.
12. Composition selon la revendication 4 qui comprend en outre 0,001% à 5%, en poids de
la composition, de pépites d'enzyme dans laquelle lesdites pépites ont une taille
dans la plage d'environ 100 à 1000 µm (microns) et dans laquelle ladite enzyme est
choisie parmi les protéases, les amylases, les cellulases, et les lipases.
13. Composition selon la revendication 4 qui contient en outre
(A) 0,1% à 4%, en poids de la composition, d'un agent épaississant, de réglage de
la viscosité et/ou de dispersion choisi parmi les polymères à base d'acide acrylique
ayant une masse moléculaire dans la plage de 2000 à 10 000 ; et/ou
(B) 0,0001% à 2%, en poids d'un azurant compatible, d'un suppresseur de mousse, d'une
huile de silicone, d'un catalyseur de blanchiment, d'un colorant et/ou d'un parfum.
14. Composition détergente liquide non aqueuse pour gros lavage sous forme d'une suspension
d'un matériau d'agent de blanchiment peroxygéné particulaire sensiblement insoluble,
solide, dispersé dans une phase liquide structurée contenant un tensioactif ayant
une viscosité de 300 à 5000 mPa.s (cP) , ladite composition étant en outre
caractérisée en ce qu'elle comprend :
(A) 15% à 60%, en poids de la composition, d'un tensioactif alkylbenzènesulfonate
linéaire en C11-C14 de métal alcalin;
(B) 15% à 70%, en poids de la composition, d'un diluant liquide non aqueux qui comprend
:
i) un composant alcool éthoxylé comprenant des alcools en C10-C14 contenant 3 à 10 moles d'oxyde d'éthylène ; et
ii) un solvant organique non aqueux choisi parmi l'éther monobutylique de diéthylèneglycol,
l'éther monobutylique de dipropylèneglycol et l'hexylèneglycol ;
dans un rapport en poids de l'alcool éthoxylé au solvant organique de 3 : 1 à 1 :
3 ; et
(C) 1% à 20%, en poids de la composition, de particules d'un agent de blanchiment
peroxygéné choisi parmi les perborates et les percarbonates de sodium et de potassium,
lesdites particules ayant une taille dans la plage de 5 à 200 µm (microns).
15. Composition selon la revendication 14, dans laquelle ladite composition comprend en
outre 1% à 10%, en poids de la composition, de particules d'un activateur de blanchiment
qui peut réagir avec ledit agent de blanchiment peroxygéné pour former un peroxyacide.
16. Composition selon la revendication 15 qui contient en outre 4% à 10% en poids de la
composition d'un adjuvant de détergence organique choisi parmi les citrates, les succinates,
les malonates, les carboxyméthylsuccinates, les carboxylates, les polycarboxylates,
les polyacétylcarboxylates et les savons d'acide gras de métaux alcalins.
17. Composition selon la revendication 16 qui contient en outre 2% à 15% en poids d'une
source d'alcalinité choisie parmi les carbonates, les bicarbonates, les borates, les
silicates et les métasilicates de métaux alcalins hydrosolubles.
18. Composition détergente liquide non aqueuse, contenant un agent de blanchiment, pour
gros lavage qui comprend :
(A) 20% à 40%, en poids de la composition, d'un tensioactif anionique alkylbenzènesulfonate
linéaire en C11-14 de sodium ;
(B) environ 5% à 25%, en poids de la composition, d'un alcool éthoxylé à 1-3 OE en
C10-C14;
(C) 10% à 30%, en poids de la composition, d'hexylèneglycol ou d'éther monobutylique
de dipropylèneglycol ;
(D) 1% à 20%, en poids de la composition, de particules d'un agent de blanchiment
peroxygéné choisi parmi les perborates et les percarbonates de sodium et de potassium
;
(E) 1% à 10%, en poids de la composition, de particules d'un activateur de blanchiment
choisi parmi le nonanoyloxybenzènesulfonate, le (6-alcamido en C8-C10 caproyl)oxybenzène-sulfonate et la tétraacétyléthylènediamine ; et
(F) 2% à 15%, en poids de la composition, de particules de carbonate de métal alcalin
; et
dans laquelle ladite composition est sous forme d'une suspension d'un matériau particulaire
comprenant lesdites particules, dispersées dans ladite composition détergente liquide,
avec ledit matériau particulaire dans une plage de taille de 0,1 à 1500 µm (microns)
.
19. Composition selon la revendication 18 qui a 50% à 95%, en poids de la composition,
d'une phase liquide et 5% à 50%, en poids de la composition, d'une phase particulaire
solide.
20. Composition selon la revendication 19 qui présente une viscosité de 500 à 3000 mPa.s
(cP).