| (19) |
 |
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(11) |
EP 1 104 805 A3 |
| (12) |
EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
| (88) |
Date of publication A3: |
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13.06.2001 Bulletin 2001/24 |
| (43) |
Date of publication A2: |
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06.06.2001 Bulletin 2001/23 |
| (22) |
Date of filing: 07.07.1999 |
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| (51) |
International Patent Classification (IPC)7: C11D 17/00 |
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| (84) |
Designated Contracting States: |
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AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE |
| (30) |
Priority: |
17.07.1998 GB 9815525
17.05.1999 GB 9911268
|
| (62) |
Application number of the earlier application in accordance with Art. 76 EPC: |
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99305386.7 / 0979865 |
| (71) |
Applicant: THE PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY |
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Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 (US) |
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| (72) |
Inventors: |
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- Ricci, Patrizio
1780 Wemmel (BE)
- Bennie, Brenda Frances
Cramlington, Northumberland NE23 9FS (GB)
- Binder, Christopher James
North Shields, Tyne & Wear NE30 4HG (GB)
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| (74) |
Representative: Brooks, Maxim Courtney et al |
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Procter & Gamble Technical Centres Limited, Whitley Road, Longbenton
Newcastle upon Tyne NE12 9TS
Newcastle upon Tyne NE12 9TS (GB) |
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(57) 1. A multi-phase detergent tablet for use in a washing machine, the tablet comprising:
- a) a first phase in the form of a shaped body having at least one mould therein; and
- b) a second phase in the form of a compressed body adhesively contained within said
mould, wherein the tablet composition comprises one or more detergent actives which
is predominantly concentrated in the second phase, and wherein the second phase additionally
comprises a binder. The multi-phase tablets provide improved dissolution and cleaning
characteristics together with excellent tablet integrity and strength.