Field of the invention
[0001] The present invention relates to process of stabilising a pigment in a hypochlorite-containing
bleaching composition. The present invention also relates to a hypochlorite-containing
composition comprising an encapsulated pigment.
Background of the invention
[0002] Bleaching compositions are well-known in the art. Amongst the different bleaching
compositions available, those relying on bleaching by hypohalite bleaches such as
hypochlorite are often preferred, mainly for performance reasons.
[0003] An objective of the beach manufacturer is to achieve a bleach product that is stable,
both chemically and physically over time, for example over periods of storage. This
has been a constant challenge often owing to the aggressive nature of hypohalite bleaches.
[0004] Coloured bleaching compositions are particularly preferred often because the distinct
appearance of the composition facilitates it's recognition by a consumer, thereby
reducing potential misuse or consumption of a potentially irritant or even poisonous
composition. However formulating a coloured bleaching composition can present a variety
of stability related problems. The principal problems include, the settling of pigment
to the bottom of the container and oxidation of dyes and pigments by the hypohalite
bleach.
[0005] It is the object of the present invention to provide a hypohalite-containing composition
comprising a pigment and in which the pigment is chemically stable in the presence
of hypochlorite, even upon storage.
[0006] Thickened bleaching compositions are also preferred herein as the higher viscosity
of the composition can aid suspension of the pigment. Thus, in a preferred embodiment
of the invention, it is an objective to improve the physical stability of the pigment.
[0007] Another advantage of the compositions of the present invention is that they deliver
effective bleaching performance, more particularly effective whiteness performance
when used in any laundry application, as well as effective stain removal performance
on various stains, even upon storage of the composition.
[0008] Advantageously the compositions of the invention are suitable for the bleaching of
different types of surfaces including hard-surfaces like floors, walls, tills, glass,
kitchen surfaces, bathrooms surfaces, toilet bowls and/or dishes and the like as well
as fabrics. More particularly, the compositions of the present invention are suitable
for bleaching any type of fabrics including natural fabrics (e.g., fabrics made of
cotton, viscose, linen, silk and wool), synthetic fabrics such as those made of polymeric
fibers of synthetic origin as well as those made of both natural and synthetic fibers.
[0009] A further advantage of the liquid bleaching compositions of the present invention
is that said bleaching compositions are suitable for various laundry bleaching applications
both when used in diluted conditions, e.g. as a detergent additive or a fully formulated
laundry detergent composition, and when used in neat condition, e.g. as a liquid pretreater
(spotter).
Summary of the invention
[0010] According to the present invention there is provided a process for stabilising an
insoluble pigment in the presence of hypochlorite by combining the pigment with silica
or a salt thereof. According to another aspect of the present invention the combination
of pigment and silica or a salt thereof is present as a component of a hypochlorite-containing
composition.
[0011] According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a bleaching
composition comprising hypochlorite and an insoluble pigment wherein the pigment is
coated with silica.
Detailed description of the invention
Process of stabilisation
[0012] The present invention relates to a process of stabilising a pigment in the presence
of hypochlorite and more preferably in a hypochlorite-containing bleaching composition.
As is discussed above, bleaching compositions have from time to time in the past be
designed to comprise a colouring agent, for example a pigment or dye. However selecting
a colouring agent that could withstand the aggressive nature of the bleaching agent
and remain both chemically and physically stable over time has still proved problematic.
[0013] Colouring agents are available on the market that are specifically designed to be
bleach and pH resistant. One of the most commonly used colouring agents having this
characteristic is a pigment known as ultramarine blue. However the applicants have
found that this pigment, although initially chemically stable to bleach, looses colour
over time. The inability of the pigment to withstand chemical deterioration, for example
via oxidation by the bleach, over time is believed to be due to the disruption of
the structure of the pigment.
[0014] The Applicants have found that stabilisation is achieved by combining the pigment
with silica or a salt thereof, and hence loss of colour through chemical instability
can be decreased.
[0015] By "chemically stable", it is meant that the hypochlorite in the compositions of
the present invention does not undergo more than 25% loss of available chlorine after
5 days of storage at 50°C ± 0.5°C, preferably not more than 20%. The % loss of available
chlorine may be measured using the method described, for instance, in "Analyses des
Eaux et Extraits de Javel" by "La chambre syndicale nationale de L'eau de Javel et
des produits connexes", pages 9-10 (1984). Said method consists in measuring the available
chlorine in the fresh compositions, i.e. just after they are made, and in the same
compositions after 5 days at 50°C.
[0016] By "chemically stable", it is also meant that the pigment is stable to hypohalite
bleach as determined according to the following test method:
[0017] Given K is the % of pigment in the composition, prepare the following 6 standards,
agitating continually until comparison.
Sample |
0 |
Distilled water |
1 |
0.2 x K % Pigment + Balance Water |
2 |
0.4 x K % Pigment + Balance Water |
3 |
0.6 x K% Pigment + Balance Water |
4 |
0.8 x K% Pigment + Balance Water |
5 |
K% Pigment + Balance Water |
[0018] The hypochlorite composition comprising pigment and silica or salt thereof in study
is prepared and stored for 10 days at 40°C and then stirred. The composition is then
compared with the 6 reference samples as described above. Four expert panelists will
grade the color intensity of the hypochlorite composition by comparison of the colour
intensity of the composition with the 6 reference samples (above) assigning to the
composition a color intensity grade equal to the number of the standard sample which
is most similar. If the average color intensity grade is equal or higher than 1 then
the pigment is stable to hypohalite. More preferably, the average color intensity
grade is higher than 2 and even more preferably higher than 3.
Hypohalite bleach
[0019] An essential component of the invention is a hypohalite bleach. Hypohalite bleaches
may be provided by a variety of sources, including bleaches that are oxidative bleaches
and subsequently lead to the formation of positive halide ions as well as bleaches
that are organic based sources of halides such as chloroisocyanurates.
[0020] Suitable hypohalite bleaches for use herein include the alkali metal and alkaline
earth metal hypochlorites, hypobromites, hypoiodites, chlorinated trisodium phosphate
dodecahydrates, potassium and sodium dichloroisocyanurates, potassium and sodium trichlorocyanurates,
N-chloroimides, N-chloroamides, N-chloroamines and chlorohydantoins.
[0021] For the liquid compositions herein, the preferred hypohalite bleaches among the above
described are the alkali metal and/or alkaline earth metal hypochlorites selected
from the group consisting of sodium, potassium, magnesium, lithium and calcium hypochlorites,
and mixtures thereof, more preferably the alkali metal sodium hypochlorite.
[0022] Preferably, the liquid compositions according to the present invention comprise said
hypohalite bleach or mixture thereof such that the content of active halide in the
composition is from 0.1% to 20% by weight, more preferably from 0.25% to 8% by weight,
most preferably from 0.5% to 6% by weight of the composition.
Pigment
[0023] The process of the present invention involves the stabilisation of a substantially
water insoluble pigment. Such pigments are preferably selected from the Ultramarine
class of pigments. is another essential component for the coloured thickened compositions
of the present invention. The Ultramarine class of pigments include polysulfide, polytellurium
and polyseleniums of aluminosilicate compounds in which the counterion is selected
from sodium, potassium, lithium and silver. Such pigments reflect a number of different
colours for example blue, green, red, violet and pink.
[0024] The most preferred pigments are those of the class known as Ultramarine Blue. Ultramarine
Blue as listed in the colour index as "C.I. Pigment Blue 29; C.l. 77007" and is a
blue pigment occurring naturally as the mineral lapis lazulli. It is made by igniting
a mixture of kaolin, Na
2CO
3 (or Na
2SO
4), S and carbon and believed to have the general formula Na
7Al
6Si
6O
24S
2.
[0025] Ultramarine blue pigments are available as insoluble particles. Preferred pigments
have average particle size of less than 5 microns, more preferably less than 4 microns,
even more preferably less than 3 microns and most preferably between 1 and 3 microns.
[0026] In order to stably suspend the pigment over long periods of storage it is preferred
according to the present invention to incorporate a thickening system into the hypochlorite-containing
composition. In this way even pigment particles having density greater than the hypochlorite-containing
composition can be stably suspended.
[0027] The pigment or a mixture thereof is present in the compositions of the present invention
at levels of from 0.0001% to 0.5%, preferably from 0.0002% to 0.1%, more preferably
from 0.003% to 0.1% and most preferably from 0.006% to 0.05%.
Silica and salt thereof
[0028] The pigments of the present invention are stabilised from chemical attach by hypochlorite
bleach by combining them with silica or a salt thereof. The Applicants have found
that such stabilisation can be achieved by any of at least three alternative approaches.
The first approach is coating the pigment with silica. Such coating is achieved industrially
by the silica coated manufacturers. Silica coated ultramarine blue pigment can be
commercially obtained from Hollyday Pigments under the tradename Ultramarine Blue
54 and Ultramarine Blue 17.
[0029] Alternatively, the pigment can be combined with a liquid silica salt (or silicate)-containing
composition to form a pigment/silica salt premix. This premix is then combined with
the hypochlorite-containing composition. The weight ratio of silicate to pigment in
the premix is at least 0.5:1, more preferably at least 0.75:1, most preferably greater
than 1:1 silicate expresssed as SiO2).
[0030] In a third approach, the silica salt and pigment can be directly combined with the
hypochlorite-containing composition without forming a premix. Where this third approach
is used the silicate is preferably present in the hypochlorite-containing composition
at a level of at least 50 ppm, more preferably greater than 100ppm, even more preferably
greater than 200ppm. Pigment is added to the composition at a level as defined above.
The ratio of silicate to pigment in this third embodiment is again preferably at least
0.5:1, more preferably 0.75:1, most preferably greater than 1:1 (silicate expressed
as SiO2).
Bleaching compositions:
[0031] Where the process of the present invention involves a bleaching composition, the
composition may be in any form, but are preferably in liquid form. Preferably, the
compositions of the invention are in liquid aqueous form. More preferably, they comprise
water in an amount of from 60% to 98% by weight, more preferably of from 80% to 97%
and most preferably of from 85% to 97% by weight of the total aqueous liquid bleaching
composition.
[0032] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the composition
is thickened. More preferably the composition is thickened to a viscosity of from
10 cps to 2000 cps, more preferably from 20 cps to 1500 cps, and most preferably from
25 cps to 1000 cps.. Viscosity according to the present invention is measured using
a Carri-med CSL2-100® rheometer, at the following viscosity parameters : angle 158',
gap 60 µm, diameter 4.0 cm, inner 63.60 dynexcmxs
2, temperature of 25C and a shear rate of 30 sec-1.
[0033] Any known thickening system can be used for the purposes as required herein. Examples
of such thickening systems include those based on polymers, in particular polycarboxylic
polymers and even more in particular cross linked polyacrylates such as those marketed
by BF Goodrich under the tradename Carbopol. A preferred thickening system comprises
an alkyloxylated sulfate or alkyl sulfate surfactant or mixtures thereof, preferably
having an alkyl chain of greater than 12 carbon atoms, more preferably from 1 4 to
20 carbon atoms and most preferably from 14 to 16 carbon atoms.
[0034] An alternative and particularly preferred thickening system comprises a combination
of an amphoteric and/or zwitterionic surfactant and a counterion. Preferred surfactants
for use therein are selected from the group consisting of amine oxide, betaine, sulphobetaines
and mixtures thereof as described in more detail below. Preferred surfactants of the
thickening system comprise at least one hydrocarbon chain having 12 to 18 carbon atoms.
The most preferred surfactants for use as an ingredient of this thickening system
are hexadecyl dimethyl amine oxide and hexadecyl betaine. The counterion of the thickening
system is preferably selected from the group consisting of aryl and C
2-6 carboxylates, aryl and C
2-6 sulphonates, sulfated aryl alcohols and mixtures thereof. Aryl compounds may be preferably
based on benzene or naphthalene compounds and may be substituted. Preferred substituents
include alkyl or alkoxy groups of 1-4 carbons, halogens and nitro groups. The counterions
may be added in their acid forms and then converted to the salt form in situ or may
be directly used in the salt form. Where present the substituent may be located at
any position on the ring structure of benzene or naphthalene. However positions 3
and 4 of the benzene ring are preferred. Preferred counterions are sulphonates and
more preferably are selected from the group consisting of cumene, toluene, xylene
sulphonate and mixtures thereof. The weight ratio of surfactant to counterion is preferably
between 4:1 to 1:2, more preferably between 3:1 to 1:2 and most preferably 2:1. The
thickening system is added to the hypochlorite-containing composition is sufficient
quantities in order to achieve the desired viscosity. In a preferred embodiment the
thickening system is added to the composition at a level of from 0.1% to 2.5%, more
preferably from 0.2% to 1% and most preferably from 0.2% to 0.5% by weight of the
composition.
[0035] By "physically stable", it is meant that no visually noticeable pigment settling
occurs after 1 month storage at 25°C.
Surfactants
[0036] The compositions of the present invention may in an especially preferred aspect,
further comprise a surfactant or a mixture thereof as a desirable optional ingredient
to provide cleaning and regulate the viscosity of the compositions herein as a thickening
system or a component thereof.
[0037] Typically, where the compositions according to the present invention comprise surfactant,
it is present in amounts of from 0.01% to 10% by weight of the total composition,
preferably of from 0.05% to 5% and more preferably of from 0.05% to 1%. Where present
the surfactant may be selected from anionic, nonionic, zwitterionic, amphoteric and
mixtures thereof. In a more preferred embodiment of the present invention the surfactant
is selected from amphoteric, zwitterionic surfactants and mixtures thereof. In an
even more preferred embodiment of the present invention, the surfactant is selected
from amine oxide, betaine, sulphobetaine and mixtures thereof.
[0038] Suitable anionic surfactants for use herein include alkyl sulphates. Suitable alkyl
sulphates for use herein include water-soluble salts or acids of the formula ROSO
3M wherein R is a C
6-C
24 linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated alkyl group, preferably a C
8-C
20 alkyl group, more preferably a C
8-C
16 alkyl group and most preferably a C
10-C14 alkyl group, and M is H or a cation or ammonium or substituted ammonium. As discussed
above, where the surfactant is used as a means of thickening the composition, preferred
alkyl sulphates include those having an alkyl chain length of greater than 10 carbon
atoms, more preferably from 12 to 20carbon atoms and most preferably from 12 to 18
carbon atoms. Examples of preferred sulphate surfactants include sodium dodecyl sulphate,
sodium tetradecyl sulphate, sodium hexadecyl sulphate.
[0039] Suitable anionic surfactants for use herein further include alkoxylated sulphate
surfactants. Suitable alkoxylated sulphate surfactants for use herein are according
to the formula RO(A)
mSO
3M wherein R is an unsubstituted C
6-C
24 alkyl, hydroxyalkyl or alkyl aryl group, having a linear or branched C
6-C
24 alkyl component, preferably a C
12-C
20 alkyl or hydroxyalkyl, more preferably C
12-C
18 alkyl or hydroxyalkyl, A is an ethoxy or propoxy or butoxy unit or a mixture thereof,
m is greater than zero, typically between 0.5 and 6, more preferably between 0.5 and
3, and M is H or a cation which can be, for example, a metal cation (e.g., sodium,
potassium, lithium, calcium, magnesium, etc.), ammonium or substituted-ammonium cation.
Alkyl ethoxylated sulphates, alkyl butoxylated sulphates as well as alkyl propoxylated
sulphates are contemplated herein. Exemplary surfactants are C
12-C
18 alkyl polyethoxylate (1.0) sulphate (C
12-C
18E(1.0)SM), C
12-C
18 alkyl polyethoxylate (2.25) sulphate (C
12-C
18E(2.25)SM), C
12-C
18 alkyl polyethoxylate (3.0) sulphate (C
12-C
18E(3.0)SM), and C
12-C
18 alkyl polyethoxylate (4.0) sulphate (C
12-C
18E(4.0)SM), wherein M is conveniently selected from sodium and potassium. As discussed
above, where the surfactant is used as a means of thickening the composition, preferred
alkoxylated sulphates include those having an alkyl chain length of greater than 12
carbon atoms, more preferably from 14 to 20 carbon atoms and most preferably from
14 to 16 carbon atoms and from 1 to 20 moles of alkoxy groups, more preferably from
1 to 5 alkoxy groups, more preferably ethoxy groups. Suitable ethoxy sulphate surfactants
include sodium dodecyl ethoxy sulphate (ethoxylation degree around 3), sodium tetradecyl
ethoxy sulphate (ethoxylation degreee around 3), sodium hexadecyl ethoxy sulphate
(ethoxylation degree around 4).
[0040] Suitable anionic surfactants for use herein further include alkyl aryl sulphates.
Suitable alkyl aryl sulphates for use herein include water-soluble salts or acids
of the formula ROSO
3M wherein R is an aryl, preferably a benzyl, substituted by a C
6-C
24 linear or branched saturated or unsaturated alkyl group, preferably a C
8-C20 alkyl group and more preferably a C
10-C
16 alkyl group and M is H or a cation, or ammonium or substituted ammonium.
[0041] Suitable anionic surfactants for use herein further include alkyl sulphonates. Suitable
alkyl sulphonates for use herein include water-soluble salts or acids of the formula
RSO
3M wherein R is a C
6-C
20 linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated alkyl group, preferably a C
8-C
18 alkyl group and more preferably a C
14-C
17 alkyl group, and M is H or a cation, e.g., an alkali metal cation or ammonium or
substituted ammonium.
[0042] Suitable anionic surfactants for use herein further include alkyl aryl sulphonates.
Suitable alkyl aryl sulphonates for use herein include water-soluble salts or acids
of the formula RSO
3M wherein R is an aryl, preferably a benzyl, substituted by a C
6-C
20 linear or branched saturated or unsaturated alkyl group, preferably a C
8-C
18 alkyl group and more preferably a C
9-C
14 alkyl group, and M is H or a cation, or ammonium or substituted ammonium.
[0043] Suitable anionic surfactants for use herein further include alkoxylated sulphonate
surfactants. Suitable alkoxylated sulphonate surfactants for use herein are according
to the formula R(A)
mSO
3M wherein R is an unsubstituted C
6-C
20 alkyl, hydroxyalkyl or alkyl aryl group, having a linear or branched C
6-C
20 alkyl component, preferably a C
12-C
20 alkyl or hydroxyalkyl, more preferably C
12-C
18 alkyl or hydroxyalkyl, A is an ethoxy or propoxy or butoxy unit, m is greater than
zero, typically between 0.5 and 6, more preferably between 0.5 and 3, and M is H or
a cation, ammonium or substituted-ammonium cation. Alkyl ethoxylated sulphonates,
alkyl butoxylated sulphonates as well as alkyl propoxylated sulphonates are contemplated
herein.
[0044] Suitable anionic surfactants for use herein further include C
6-C
20 alkyl alkoxylated linear or branched diphenyl oxide disulphonate surfactants. Suitable
C
6-C
20 alkyl alkoxylated linear or branched diphenyl oxide disulphonate surfactants for
use herein are according to the following formula:

wherein R is a C
6-C
20 linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated alkyl group, preferably a C
6-C
18 alkyl group and more preferably a C
6-C
14 alkyl group, and X+ is H or a cation,
[0045] Other suitable anionic surfactants for use herein include alkyl-carboxylates. Other
anionic surfactants can include salts (including, for example, sodium, potassium,
ammonium, and substituted ammonium salts such as mono-, di- and triethanolamine salts)
of soap, C
8-C
24 olefinsulfonates, sulfonated polycarboxylic acids prepared by sulfonation of the
pyrolyzed product of alkaline earth metal citrates, e.g., as described in British
patent specification No. 1,082,179; acyl glycerol sulfonates, fatty oleyl glycerol
sulfates, alkyl phenol ethylene oxide ether sulfates, alkyl phosphates, isethionates
such as the acyl isethionates, N-acyl taurates, alkyl succinamates and sulfosuccinates,
monoesters of sulfosuccinate (especially saturated and unsaturated C
12-C
18 monoesters) diesters of sulfosuccinate (especially saturated and unsaturated C
6-C
14 diesters), acyl sarcosinates, sulfates of alkylpolysaccharides such as the sulfates
of alkylpolyglucoside (the nonionic nonsulfated compounds being described below),
branched primary alkyl sulfates, alkyl polyethoxy carboxylates such as those of the
formula RO(CH
2CH
2O)
kCH
2COO-M
+ wherein R is a C
8-C
22 alkyl, k is an integer from 0 to 10, and M is a soluble salt-forming cation. Resin
acids and hydrogenated resin acids are also suitable, such as rosin, hydrogenated
rosin, and resin acids and hydrogenated resin acids present in or derived from tall
oil. Further examples are given in "Surface Active Agents and Detergents" (Vol. I
and II by Schwartz, Perry and Berch). A variety of such surfactants are also generally
disclosed in U.S. Patent 3,929,678, issued December 30, 1975 to Laughlin, et al. at
Column 23, line 58 through Column 29, line 23.
[0046] Suitable nonionic surfactants for use herein are fatty alcohol ethoxylates and/or
propoxylates which are commercially available with a variety of fatty alcohol chain
lengths and a variety of ethoxylation degrees. Indeed, the HLB values of such alkoxylated
nonionic surfactants depend essentially on the chain length of the fatty alcohol,
the nature of the alkoxylation and the degree of alkoxylation. Surfactant catalogues
are available which list a number of surfactants, including nonionics, together with
their respective HLB values. The preferred nonionic surfactants are capped i.e. those
where, instead of an H at the end of the chain there is an R group, preferably a methyl
group. Such surfactants are for example marketed by BASF in the Plurafac range, for
example Plurafac LF231.
[0047] Suitable amphoteric surfactants for use herein include amine oxides having the following
formula R
1R
2R
3NO wherein each of R1, R2 and R3 is independently a saturated substituted or unsubstituted,
linear or branched hydrocarbon chains of from 1 to 30 carbon atoms. Preferred amine
oxide surfactants to be used according to the present invention are amine oxides having
the following formula R
1R
2R
3NO wherein R1 is an hydrocarbon chain comprising from 1 to 30 carbon atoms, preferably
from 6 to 20, more preferably from 12 to 18, even more preferably from 14 to 16, and
wherein R2 and R3 are independently substituted or unsubstituted, linear or branched
hydrocarbon chains comprising from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, preferably from 1 to 3 carbon
atoms, and most preferably are methyl groups. R1 may be a saturated substituted or
unsubstituted linear or branched hydrocarbon chain. R1 is most preferably C16 alkyl
group. Such amine oxides are commercially available from Hoechst and Clariant.
[0048] Suitable zwitterionic surfactants for use herein contain both cationic and anionic
hydrophilic groups on the same molecule at a relatively wide range of pH's. The typical
cationic group is a quaternary ammonium group, although other positively charged groups
like phosphonium, imidazolium and sulfonium groups can be used. The typical anionic
hydrophilic groups are carboxylates and sulfonates, although other groups like sulfates,
phosphonates, and the like can be used. A generic formula for some zwitterionic surfactants
to be used herein is
R
1-N
+(R
2)(R
3)R
4X
-
wherein R
1 is a hydrophobic group; R
2 and R
3 are each C
1-C
4 alkyl, hydroxy alkyl or other substituted alkyl group which can also be joined to
form ring structures with the N; R
4 is a moiety joining the cationic nitrogen atom to the hydrophilic group and is typically
an alkylene, hydroxy alkylene, or polyalkoxy group containing from 1 to 10 carbon
atoms; and X is the hydrophilic group which is preferably a carboxylate or sulfonate
group. Preferred hydrophobic groups R
1 are alkyl groups containing from 1 to 24, preferably from 12 to 18, more preferably
14 to 16 carbon atoms. The hydrophobic group can contain unsaturation and/or substituents
and/or linking groups such as aryl groups, amido groups, ester groups and the like.
In general, the simple alkyl groups are preferred for cost and stability reasons.
[0049] Highly preferred zwitterionic surfactants include betaine and sulphobetaine surfactants,
functionalized betaines such as acyl betaines, alkyl imidazoline alanine betaines,
glycine betaines, derivatives thereof and mixtures thereof. Said betaine or sulphobetaine
surfactants are preferred herein as they help disinfection by increasing the permeability
of the bacterial cell wall, thus allowing other active ingredients to enter the cell.
[0050] Suitable betaine and sulphobetaine surfactants for use herein are the betaine/sulphobetaine
and betaine-like detergents wherein the molecule contains both basic and acidic groups
which form an inner salt giving the molecule both cationic and anionic hydrophilic
groups over a broad range of pH values. Some common examples of these detergents are
described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,082,275, 2,702,279 and 2,255,082, incorporated herein
by reference. Preferred betaine and sulphobetaine surfactants herein are according
to the formula

wherein R1 is a hydrocarbon chain containing from 1 to 24 carbon atoms, preferably
from 12 to 18, more preferably from 14 to 16, wherein R2 and R3 are hydrocarbon chains
containing from 1 to 3 carbon atoms, preferably 1 carbon atom, wherein n is an integer
from 1 to 10, preferably from 1 to 6, more preferably is 1, Y is selected from the
group consisting of carboxyl and sulfonyl radicals and wherein the sum of R1, R2 and
R3 hydrocarbon chains is from 14 to 24 carbon atoms, or mixtures thereof.
[0051] Examples of particularly suitable betaine surfactants include C12-C18 alkyl dimethyl
betaine such as coconut-betaine and C10-C16 alkyl dimethyl betaine such as laurylbetaine.
Coconutbetaine is commercially available from Seppic under the trade name of Amonyl
265®. Laurylbetaine is commercially available from Albright & Wilson under the trade
name Empigen BB/L®.
[0052] Other specific zwitterionic surfactants have the generic formulas:
R
1-C(O)-N(R
2)-(C(R
3)
2)
n-N(R
2)
2(+)-(C(R
3)
2)
n-SO
3(-)
or
R
1-C(O)-N(R
2)-(C(R
3)
2)
n-N(R
2)
2(+)-(C(R
3)
2)
n-COO
(-)
wherein each R
1 is a hydrocarbon, e.g. an alkyl group containing from 8 up to 20, preferably up to
18, more preferably up to 16 carbon atoms, each R
2 is either a hydrogen (when attached to the amido nitrogen), short chain alkyl or
substituted alkyl containing from one to 4 carbon atoms, preferably groups selected
from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, propyl, hydroxy substituted ethyl or propyl
and mixtures thereof, preferably methyl, each R
3 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and hydroxy groups and each n is
a number from 1 to 4, preferably from 2 to 3, more preferably 3, with no more than
one hydroxy group in any (C(R
3)
2) moiety. The R
1 groups can be branched and/or unsaturated. The R
2 groups can also be connected to form ring structures. A surfactant of this type is
a C
10-C
14 fatty acylamidopropylene(hydroxypropylene)sulfobetaine that is available from the
Sherex Company under the trade name "Varion CAS sulfobetaine"®.
pH
[0053] The pH of the liquid compositions according to the present invention, as is, is typically
from 10 to 14, more preferably from 12 to 14 measured at 25°C. The liquid compositions
of the invention have a pH of from 7.5 to 13, preferably from 8 to 12, more preferably
from 8.5 to 11.5, when diluted into 1 to 500 times its weight of water. It is in this
alkaline range that the optimum stability and performance of the hypohalite as well
as fabric whiteness and/or safety are obtained. The pH range is suitably provided
by the hypohalite bleach mentioned hereinbefore, which are alkalis and optionally
by the pH buffering component if present. However, in addition to these components,
a strong source of alkalinity may also optionally be used.
[0054] Suitable sources of alkalinity are the caustic alkalis such as sodium hydroxide,
potassium hydroxide and/or lithium hydroxide, and/or the alkali metal oxides such
as sodium and/or potassium oxide. A preferred strong source of alkalinity is a caustic
alkali, more preferably sodium hydroxide and/or potassium hydroxide. Typical levels
of such caustic alkalis, when present, are of from 0.1% to 1.5% by weight, preferably
from 0.5% to 1.5% by weight of the composition.
[0055] The composition according to the invention may comprise other optional components
such as pH buffering components, stabilizing agents, other bleach-stable surfactants,
builders, thickening agents, polymers, dyes, solvents, perfumes, brighteners, and
mixtures thereof.
Optional pH buffering components
[0056] The compositions according to the present invention may optionally comprise a pH
buffering component or mixture thereof. Such a pH buffering component is a highly
preferred optional ingredient for the compositions of the invention.
[0057] The pH buffering component ensures that the pH of the composition is buffered to
a pH value ranging from 7.5 to 13, preferably from 8 to 12, more preferably from 8.5
to 11.5 after the composition has been diluted into 1 to 500 times its weight of water.
[0058] Suitable pH buffering components for use herein are selected from the group consisting
of alkali metal salts of carbonates, polycarbonates, sesquicarbonates, silicates,
polysilicates, boron salts, phosphates, stannates, alluminates and mixtures thereof.
The preferred alkali metal salts for use herein are sodium and potassium.
[0059] Suitable boron salts or mixtures thereof for use herein include alkali metal salts
of borates and alkyl borates and mixtures thereof. Examples of boron salts include
boric acid, alkali metal salts of metaborate, tetraborate, octoborate, pentaborate,
dodecaboron, borontrifluoride and alkyl borate containing from 1 to 12 carbon atoms,
preferably from 1 to 4. Suitable alkyl borate includes methyl borate, ethyl borate
and propyl borate. Particularly preferred boron salts herein are the alkali metal
salts of metaborate, such as sodium metaborate, potassium metaborate, and the alkali
metal salts of borate, such as sodium borate, or mixtures thereof. Boron salts like
sodium metaborate and sodium tetraborate are commercially available from Borax and
Societa Chimica Larderello under the name sodium metaborate and Borax®.
[0060] Particularly preferred pH buffering components are selected from the group consisting
of sodium carbonate, sodium silicate, sodium borate, sodium metaborate and mixtures
thereof.
[0061] The raw materials involved in the preparation of hypohalite bleaches usually contain
by-products, e.g calcium carbonate resulting in an amount of up to 0.4% by weight
of by-product within the hypohalite composition. However, at such amount, the by-product
will not have the buffering action defined above.
[0062] Liquid bleaching compositions herein preferably contain an amount of pH buffering
component of from 0.5% to 9% by weight, preferably from 0.5% to 5% by weight, and
more preferably in an amount of from 0.6% to 3% by weight of the composition.
[0063] The presence of such a pH buffering component in the bleaching compositions of the
present invention contributes to the effective whiteness performance of said compositions
as well as to the fabric safety of these compositions.
Radical Scavenger
[0064] Suitable radical scavengers for use herein include aromatic radical scavengers comprising
an unsaturated ring system of from 3 to 20 carbon atoms, preferably of from 3 to 18
and more preferably of from 5 to 14 and having a double bond set comprising a total
of 4n+2 electrons, wherein n is an integer of from 0 to 4, preferably of from 1 to
3. Indeed said aromatic radical scavengers include benzene derivatives, naphthalene
derivatives, annulene derivatives, cyclopentadiene derivatives, cyclopropene derivatives
and the like, especially aryl carboxylates and/or aryl sulfonates.
[0065] Particularly suitable radical scavengers (aryl carboxylates, aryl sulphonate and
derivatives thereof) for use in the present invention have one of the following formulas:

wherein each X, Y, and Z are -H, -COO-M
+, -Cl, -Br, -SO
3-M
+, -NO
2, -OCH
3, or a C
1 to C
10 primary and secondary alkyl groups and M is H or an alkali metal, or mixtures thereof.
Examples of these components include pyromellitic acid, i.e. where X, Y and Z are
-COO-H
+; hemimellitic acid, trimellitic acid, i.e. where X and Y are -COO-H
+ and Z is H. Preferred to be used in the present invention as radical scavengers are
phthalic acid; sulfophthalic acid; other mono-substituted phthalic acids; di-substituted
benzoic acids; alkyl-, chloro-, bromo-, sulfo-, nitro- and alkoxy- benzoic acids,
i.e. where Y and Z are -H and X is a C
1 to C
10 primary and secondary alkyl groups, -Cl, -Br, -SO
3-H
+, -NO
2 or -OCH
3 (anisic acid) respectively and substituted sulfonic acids. Highly preferred examples
of the radical scavengers useful in the present invention are benzoic acid, toluic
acid, 4-toluene sulfonic acid, 3-nitro benzoic acid, 2 n-octyl benzoic acid, 2 n-octyl
sulfonic acid, anisic acid or mixtures thereof. Most preferred herein, mono and poly
methoxy benzoic acids .
[0066] Also preferred are radical scavengers of the above general formulae having instead
of 1, 2 or 3 substituent groups, having 4, 5, or 6 substituents, where possible. Also
included within the set of preferred radical scavengers are those where the above
structures are present in polymeric form. These compounds are described in more detail
in the Applicants copending European patent application number 98870247.8.
[0067] All the radical scavengers described above are the acidic form of the species, i.e.
M is H. It is intended that the present invention also covers the salt derivatives
of these species, i.e. M is an alkali metal, preferably sodium or potassium. In fact,
since the pH of the compositions of the present invention is in the alkaline range,
the radical scavengers of the present invention exist primarily as the ionized salt
in the aqueous composition herein. The anhydrous derivatives of certain species described
herein above can also be used in the present invention, e.g. pyromellitic dianhydride,
phthalic anhydride, sulphthalic anhydride and the like.
[0068] Typically, the compositions according to the present invention may comprise from
0.01 % to 10% by weight of the total composition of a radical scavenger, or mixtures
thereof, preferably from 0.01% to 8% by weight, more preferably from 0.1% to 5%, and
most preferably from 0.2% to 3%.
Brighteners
[0069] The compositions according to the present invention may optionally also comprise
a brightener or a mixture thereof as an optional ingredient. Naturally, for the purpose
of the invention, the brightener has to be stable to the hypohalite bleach. The brighteners
may be desired herein to further enhance the whiteness performance of the compositions
herein.
[0070] Brighteners are compounds which have the ability to fluorescent by absorbing ultraviolet
wave-lengths of light and re-emitting visible light. Brighteners, also referred to
as fluorescent whitening agent (FWA), have been extensively described in the art,
see for instance EP-A-0 265 041, EP-A-0 322 564, EP-A-0 317 979 or "Fluorescent whitening
agents" by A.K. Sarkar, published by MERROW, especially page 71-72.
[0071] Commercial optical brighteners which may be useful in the present invention can be
classified into subgroups, which include, but are not necessarily limited to, derivatives
of stilbene, pyrazoline, coumarin, carboxylic acid, methinecyanines, dibenzothiophene-5,5-dioxide,
azoles, 5- and 6-membered-ring heterocycles, and other miscellaneous agents. Examples
of such brighteners are disclosed in "The Production and Application of Fluorescent
Brightening Agents", M. Zahradnik, Published by John Wiley & Sons, New York (1982).
Further optical brighteners which may also be used in the present invention include
naphthlimide, benzoxazole, benzofuran, benzimidazole and any mixtures thereof.
[0072] Examples of optical brighteners which are useful in the present compositions are
those identified in U.S. Patent 4,790,856. These brighteners include the PHORWHITE®
series of brighteners from Verona. Other brighteners disclosed in this reference include:
Tinopal-UNPA®, Tinopal CBS® and Tinopal 5BM® available from Ciba-Geigy; Artic White
CC® and Artic White CWD®; the 2-(4-styryl-phenyl)-2H-naptho[1,2-d]triazoles; 4,4'-bis(1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)-stilbenes;
4,4'-bis(styryl)bisphenyls; and the aminocoumarins.
[0073] Specific examples of brighteners useful herein include 4-methyl-7-diethylamino coumarin;
1,2-bis(-benzimidazol-2-yl)ethylene; 1,3-diphenyl-pyrazolines; 2,5-bis(benzoxazol-2-yl)thiophene;
2-styryl-naptho-[1,2-d]oxazole; 2-(stilbene-4-yl)-2H-naphtho[1,2-d]triazole, 3-phenyl-7-(isoindolinyl)
coumarin; 3-methyl-7-(isoindolinyl) coumarin; 3-chloro-7-(isoindolinyl) coumarin;
4-(isoindolinyl)-4'-methylstilbene; 4-(isoindolinyl)-4'-methoxystilbene; sodium 4-(isoindolinyl)-4'-stilbenesulfonate;
4-(isoindolinyl)-4'-phenylstilbene; 4-(isoindolinyl)-3-methoxy-4'-methylstilbene;
4-(2-chloroisoindolinyl)-4'-(2-methylisoindolinyl)-2,2'-stilbenedisosulfonic acid;
disodium 4,4'-diisoindolinyl-2,2'-stilbene disulfonate; 4,4'-diisoindolinyl-2,2'-stilbenedisulfonamide;
disodium 4,4'-(7,8-dichloro-1-isoindolinyl)2,2-stilbenedisulfonate; disodium 4,4'-(7-chloro-1-isoindolinyl)2,2-stilbenedisulfonate;
disodium 4,4'-(6-lsopropoxy-1-isoindolinyl)2,2-stilbenedisulfonate; disodium 4,4'-(7,8-diisopropyl-1-isoindolinyl)2,2-stilbenedisulfonate;
disodium 4,4'-(7-butoxy-1-isoindolinyl)2,2-stilbenedisulfonate; disodium 4,4'-(6-trifluoromethyl-1-isoindolinyl)2,2-stilbenedisulfonate;
disodium 4,4'-[6-(1,4,7-trioxanonyl)-1-isoindolinyl)]2,2-stilbenedisulfonate; disodium
4,4'-(7-methoxymethyl-1-isoindolinyl)2,2-stilbenedisulfonate; disodium 4,4'-(6-phenyl-1-isoindolinyl)2,2-stilbenedisulfonate;
disodium 4,4'-(6-naphthyl-1-isoindolinyl)2,2-stilbenedisulfonate; disodium 4,4'-(6-methylsulfonyl-1-isoindolinyl)2,2-stilbenedisulfonate;
disodium 4,4'-(7-cyano-1-isoindolinyl)2,2-stilbenedisulfonate; and disodium 4,4'-[7-(1,2,3-trihydroxypropyl)-1-isoindolinyl)]2,2-stilbenedisulfonate;
disodium 4-isoindolinyl-4'-ethoxy-2,2'-stilbenedisulfonate; disodium 4-isoindolinyl-4'-methoxy-2,2'-stilbenedisulfonate;
disodium 4-isoindolinyl-4'-ethoxy-2,2'-stilbenedisulfonamide; disodium 4-isoindolinyl-4'-methyl-2,2'-stilbenedisulfonamide;
4,4'-bis(4-phenyl-2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)-2,2'-stilbenedisulfonic acid and mixture
thereof. See also U.S. Patent 3,646,015, U.S. Patent 3,346,502 and U.S. Patent 3,393,153
for further examples of brighteners useful herein.
[0074] Indeed one of the functionally equivalent derivative salts of 4,4'-bis(4-phenyl-2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)-2,2'-stilbenedisulfonic
acid, namely its sodium salt is available from Mobay Chemical Corporation, a subsidiary
of Bayer AG under the name Phorwite® CAN. The amine salt is available from Molay under
the name Phorwite® CL solution. The potassium salt is available under the name Phorwite®
BHC 766.
[0075] Other specific examples of optical brighteners useful in the present invention are
those having the structural formula:

wherein R
1 is selected from anilino, N-2-bis-hydroxyethyl and NH-2-hydroxyethyl; R
2 is selected from N-2-bis-hydroxyethyl, N-2-hydroxyethyl-N-methylamino, morphilino,
chloro and amino; and M is a salt-forming cation such as sodium or potassium.
[0076] When in the above formula, R
1 is anilino, R
2 is N-2-bis-hydroxyethyl and M is a cation such as sodium, the brightener is 4,4',-bis[(4-anilino-6-(N-2-bis-hydroxyethyl)-s-triazine-2-yl)amino]-2,2'-stilbenedisulfonic
acid and disodium salt. This particular brightener species is commercially marketed
under the tradename Tinopal-UNPA-GX by Ciba-Geigy Corporation. Tinopal-UNPA-GX is
the preferred hydrophilic optical brightener useful in the detergent compositions
herein.
[0077] When in the above formula, R
1 is anilino, R
2 is N-2-hydroxyethyl-N-2-methylamino and M is a cation such as sodium, the brightener
is 4,4'-bis[(4-anilino-6-(N-2-hydroxyethyl-N-methylamino)-s-triazine-2-yl)amino]2,2'-stilbenedisulfonic
acid disodium salt. This particular brightener species is commercially marketed under
the tradename Tinopal 5BM-GX by Ciba-Geigy Corporation.
[0078] When in the above formula, R
1 is anilino, R
2 is morphilino and M is a cation such as sodium, the brightener is 4,4'-bis[(4-anilino-6-morphilino-s-triazine-2-yl)amino]2,2'-stilbenedisulfonic
acid, sodium salt. This particular brightener species is commercially marketed under
the tradename Tinopal AMS-GX by Ciba Geigy Corporation.
[0079] Other substituted stilbene 2,2'-disulfonic acid derivatives also include 4-4'-bis
(2-2' styryl sulfonate) biphenyl, commercially available from Ciba-Geigy under the
trade name Brightener 49® or other hydrophilic brighteners like for example Brightener
3® or Brightener 47®, also commercially available from Ciba-Geigy.
[0080] Further specific examples of brighteners useful in the present invention include
the polycyclic oxazole derivatives such as benzo-oxazole derivatives, or mixtures
thereof and particularly preferred herein the benzo-oxazole derivatives. An example
of such a brightener is benzoxazole,2,2'-(thiophenaldyl)bis having the following formula
C18H10N2O2S, commercially available from Ciba-Geigy under the trade name Tinopal SOP®.
This brightener is almost insoluble in water, i.e. it has a solubility being lower
than 1 gram per liter. Another example of such a brightener is bis(sulfobenzofuranyl)biphenyl,
commercially available from Ciba-Geigy under the trade name Tinopal PLC®.
[0081] Typically the compositions according to the present invention comprise up to 1.0%
by weight of the total composition of a brightener or a mixture thereof, preferably
from 0.005% to 0.5%, more preferably from 0.005% to 0.3% and most preferably from
0.008% to 0.1 %.
Builder
[0082] A further optional ingredient of the present composition is a builder. Highly preferred
builder compounds for use in the present invention are water-soluble phosphate builders.
Specific examples of water-soluble phosphate builders are the alkali metal tripolyphosphates,
sodium, potassium and ammonium pyrophosphate, sodium and potassium and ammonium pyrophosphate,
sodium and potassium orthophosphate, sodium polymeta/phosphate in which the degree
of polymerisation ranges from 6 to 21, and salts of phytic acid.
[0083] Specific examples of water-soluble phosphate builders are the alkali metal tripolyphosphates,
sodium, potassium and ammonium pyrophosphate, sodium and potassium and ammonium pyrophosphate,
sodium and potassium orthophosphate, sodium polymeta/phosphate in which the degree
of polymerization ranges from 6 to 21, and salts of phytic acid.
Process of bleaching surfaces:
[0084] In the present invention, the bleaching composition can be used to treat surfaces.
By "surfaces", it is meant herein any inanimate surface. These inanimate surfaces
include, but are not limited to, hard-surfaces typically found in houses like kitchens,
bathrooms, or in car interiors, e.g., tiles, walls, floors, chrome, glass, smooth
vinyl, any plastic, plastified wood, table top, sinks, cooker tops, dishes, sanitary
fittings such as sinks, showers, shower curtains, wash basins, WCs and the like, as
well as fabrics including clothes, curtains, drapes, bed linens, bath linens, table
cloths, sleeping bags, tents, upholstered furniture and the like, and carpets. Inanimate
surfaces also include household appliances including, but not limited to, refrigerators,
freezers, washing machines, automatic dryers, ovens, microwave ovens, dishwashers
and so on.
[0085] By "treating a surface", it is meant herein bleaching and/or disinfecting said surfaces
as the compositions of the present invention comprise a hypohalite bleach and cleaning,
i.e. removing various types of stains from the surfaces.
[0086] Thus, the present invention also encompasses a process of treating (e.g. bleaching)
a fabric, as the inanimate surface. In such a process a fabric is contacted with a
composition according to the present.
[0087] This can be done either in a so-called "pretreatment mode", where a liquid bleaching
composition, as defined herein, is applied neat onto said fabrics before the fabrics
are rinsed, or washed then rinsed, or in a "soaking mode" where a liquid bleaching
composition, as defined herein, is first diluted in an aqueous bath and the fabrics
are immersed and soaked in the bath, before they are rinsed, or in a "through the
wash mode", where a liquid bleaching composition, as defined herein, is added on top
of a wash liquor formed by dissolution or dispersion of a typical laundry detergent.
It is also essential in both cases, that the fabrics be rinsed after they have been
contacted with said composition, before said composition has completely dried off.
[0088] The processes of treating surfaces fabrics according to the present invention, especially
fabrics, delivers effective whiteness performance and/or effective stain removal performance
upon ageing of the compositions.
[0089] The compositions according to the present invention are preferably contacted to fabrics
in a liquid form. Indeed, by "in a liquid form", it is meant herein the liquid compositions
according to the present invention per se in neat or diluted form.
[0090] The compositions according to the present invention are typically used in diluted
form in a laundry operation. By "in diluted form", it is meant herein that the compositions
for the bleaching of fabrics according to the present invention may be diluted by
the user, preferably with water. Such dilution may occur for instance in hand laundry
applications as well as by other means such as in a washing machine. Said compositions
can be diluted up to 500 times, preferably from 5 to 200 times and more preferably
from 10 to 80 times.
[0091] More specifically, the process of bleaching fabrics according to the present invention
comprises the steps of first contacting said fabrics with a bleaching composition
according to the present invention, in its diluted form, then allowing said fabrics
to remain in contact with said composition, for a period of time sufficient to bleach
said fabrics, typically 1 to 60 minutes, preferably 5 to 30 minutes, then rinsing
said fabrics with water. If said fabrics are to be washed, i.e., with a conventional
composition comprising at least one surface active agent, said washing may be conducted
together with the bleaching of said fabrics by contacting said fabrics at the same
time with a bleaching composition according to the present invention and said detergent
composition, or said washing may be conducted before or after that said fabrics have
been bleached. Accordingly, said process according to the present invention allows
to bleach fabrics and optionally to wash fabrics with a detergent composition comprising
at least one surface active agent before the step of contacting said fabrics with
said bleaching composition and/or in the step where said fabrics are contacted with
said bleaching composition and/or after the step where said fabrics are contacted
with the bleaching composition and before the rinsing step and/or after the rinsing
step.
[0092] In another embodiment of the present invention the process of bleaching fabrics comprises
the step of contacting fabrics with a liquid bleaching composition according to the
present invention, in its neat form, of allowing said fabrics to remain in contact
with said bleaching composition for a period of time sufficient to bleach said fabrics,
typically 5 seconds to 30 minutes, preferably 1 minute to 10 minutes and then rinsing
said fabrics with water. If said fabrics are to be washed, i.e., with a conventional
composition comprising at least one surface active agent, said washing may be conducted
before or after said fabrics have been bleached. In the embodiment of the present
invention wherein the fabric is contacted with a bleaching composition of the present
invention in its neat form, it is preferred that the level of hypohalite bleach, is
from 0.01% to 5%, preferably from 0.1% to 3.5%, more preferably from 0.2% to 2% and
most preferably from 0.2% to 1%. Advantageously, the present invention provides liquid
hypohalite bleach-containing compositions that may be applied neat onto a fabric to
bleach, despite a standing prejudice against using hypochlorite-containing compositions
neat on fabrics.
[0093] It is preferred to perform the bleaching process herein before said fabrics are washed.
Indeed, it has been observed that bleaching said fabrics with the compositions according
to the present invention (diluted and/or neat bleaching processes) prior to washing
them with a detergent composition provides superior whiteness and stain removal with
less energy and detergent than if said fabrics are washed first, then bleached.
[0094] Alternatively instead of following the neat bleaching process as described herein
above (pretreater application) by a rinsing step with water and/or a conventional
washing step with a liquid or powder conventional detergent, the bleaching pre-treatment
operation may also be followed by the diluted bleaching process as described herein
before either in bucket (hand operation) or in a washing machine.
[0095] In another embodiment the present invention also encompasses a process of treating
a hard-surface, as the inanimate surface. In such a process a composition, as defined
herein, is contacted with the hard-surfaces to be treated. Thus, the present invention
also encompasses a process of treating a hard-surface with a composition, as defined
herein, wherein said process comprises the step of applying said composition to said
hard-surface, preferably only soiled portions thereof, and optionally rinsing said
hard-surface.
[0096] In the process of treating hard-surfaces according to the present invention the composition,
as defined herein, may be applied to the surface to be treated in its neat form or
in its diluted form typically up to 200 times their weight of water, preferably into
80 to 2 times their weight of water, and more preferably 60 to 2 times.
[0097] When used as hard surfaces bleaching/disinfecting compositions the compositions of
the present invention are easy to rinse and provide good shine characteristics on
the treated surfaces.
[0098] By "hard-surfaces", it is understood any hard-surfaces as mentioned herein before
as well as dishes.
Examples
[0099] The invention is illustrated in the following non-limiting examples, in which all
percentages are on a weight basis unless otherwise stated.
Example 1
[0100] 10 g of Ultramarine Blue FRX from Hallyday pigments were mixed with 150g of a sodium
silicate solution (14% silicate) so to have a weight ratio SiO2/Ultramarine blue of
2/1. We will call this "premix 1".
[0101] With this premix 1 the following formulation are made:
Sodium Hypochlorite |
5% |
Sodium carbonate |
2% |
Sodium Hydroxide |
1% |
C16 Betaine |
0.3% |
Sodium Toluene sulfonate |
0.5% |
Premix 1 |
0.16% |
Example 2a
[0102] In example 2a and 2b the components of the composition are mixed in the given quantities.
The pigments Ultramarine 54 and Ultramarine 17 are silica coated.
Sodium Hypochlorite |
5% |
Sodium carbonate |
2% |
Sodium Hydroxide |
1% |
C16 Amine oxide |
0.3% |
Sodium Toluene sulfonate |
1% |
Ultramarine Blue 54 |
0.02% |
Example 2b
[0103]
Sodium Hypochlorite |
5% |
Sodium carbonate |
2% |
Sodium Hydroxide |
1% |
C16 Betaine |
0.3% |
Sodium Toluene sulfonate |
1% |
Ultramarine Blue 17 |
0.015% |
Example 3
[0104] The components of the composition are mixed in the given quantities.
Sodium Hypochlorite |
5% |
Sodium carbonate |
2% |
Sodium Hydroxide |
1% |
C16 Amineoxide |
0.3% |
Sodium Toluene sulfonate |
1% |
Ultramarine Blue FRX |
0.015% |
Sodium silicate (as SiO2) |
0.05% |