ES2374594T3 - COLADA DETERGENT WITH PRETREATMENT ADDITIVE AND ITS USE. - Google Patents

Abstract

A granular, laundry detergent composition, comprising 0.1 to 10% by weight of soluble colored lamellar visual indications made of a soluble film, each soluble colored lamellar visual indication having a flat cross-sectional area of 5 mm 2 to 100 mm 2, the relative density of the film being 0.2 to 0.8 kg / l and the film comprising 10 to 90% by weight of the surfactant.

Description

Laundry detergent with pretreatment additive and its use

This invention relates to granulated laundry detergent compositions containing pretreatment additives for intensive treatment of the fabric during washing and to a process for the use of the composition during hand washing of the laundry.

BACKGROUND

10 It is known to include particles that visually contrast in granular, laundry detergent compositions. The particles can administer a functional ingredient and / or provide a visual indication.

In US 4082682, a smaller proportion of elongated colored soap particles, of

15 way to contrast a detergent powder. The particles comprise a non-substantive and fluorescent dye. The powder comprises a detergency forming compound. Soap particles contribute to the detergency of the composition and reduce foaming. Because the soap particles could sink on the fabric, it is an indicated advantage of the particles that do not cause staining of the fabric with which they come into contact.

In order to improve the visibility and weight efficiency of a visual indication, it is proposed in GB2358403A to form the contrast particle of a film, for example, a colored water soluble polymer film. Said particles have a significantly larger average particle size in at least one dimension than the average particle size of the powdered particles. The examples describe colored, 5 mm diameter star or circular polymer film particles mixed dry in a powder

A detergent formed comprising a linear sodium alkylbenzene sulphonate anionic surfactant.

In WO2006 / 079416, it is described that the polymer film particles used in GB2358403A may not be suitable for use in some detergent powder applications, due to poor solubility. WO2006 / 079416 proposes a visual indication based on a high film

30 solubility It is suggested that it is possible to include functional ingredients within the film, for example, surface active agents, perfume, antioxidant, antifoam. The visual indications are preferably formed of gum arabic and have a triangular or "spiny" shape.

US4176079 describes a detergent powder composition comprising a polymer film

35 soluble in water. An enzyme is incorporated into a film, which is then cut into squares, rectangles or strips and added to the detergent powder. Typical film compositions are 48.7% polyvinyl alcohol and 43.8% non-ionic surfactant (water and enzyme moiety). The pieces of functional film cut have a surface area of approximately 300 mm2 per side. No dye or other additive is added to the film to make it stand out from detergent powder. The film may be plasticized and aerated.

40 Particularly for handwashing compositions there are several problems.

A problem is the pretreatment of fabrics. Frequently the stains are difficult to remove during a conventional wash and the consumer needs to previously treat the stains by applying a

45 composition in the localized area of the stain. This requires buying several products, which is expensive and annoying for the consumer, or the consumer uses more dust, which is uneconomical.

Another problem is to make an indication that adds functionality, so that its weight efficiency is improved, especially when added to water.

50 Another problem is the effectiveness of visual indications to reinforce and transport perfume attributes to the user.

Another problem is to make a visual indication that persists long enough to give the desired indication to the user and

55 still dissolves well enough so that it is not a concern for the user, especially at low temperatures and in hand wash conditions.

DEFINITIONS

60 Visual indication

It means a point perceptible by the consumer of differentiation in a detergent composition. This could be a characteristic of the bulk composition: for example, color; viscosity, granule size, or could be achieved at 2

have visually distinct particles included in the composition, in a smaller amount.

Visual indication particle

It means a colored speck, film particle or other visually contrasting solid particle added to a detergent composition in a smaller amount to function as a visual indication.

Visual lamellar indication (or lamellae)

Means visual indication particles in the form of flat film material made with shapes. The shapes can be cut from a film sheet or can be molded directly. Such lamellae are also called "film particles".

Flower-shaped (or similar to flower)

It means flat film shapes (or lamellae) that have the contour in the shape of a flower with petals. Especially a stereotypical flower that has a generally circular central area with several, preferably six, "petals" symmetrically dispersed in a rotational manner that radiate from it.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, a granulated laundry detergent composition is provided, comprising surfactant and soluble lamellar colored visual indications of 0.1 to 10% by weight made from a soluble film, in which the visual indications have a cross-sectional area of 5 mm2 to 100 mm2, characterized in that the film comprises 10 to 90% by weight of surfactant and allows the pretreatment of fabric and that the film has a relative density of 0.2 to 0.8 kg / l which ensures that visual indications float on water. Advantageously, the cross-sectional area of the visual indications allows them to be picked up by a human hand.

The inclusion of the surfactant in the visual indication provides cleaning functionality. The low relative density and color additionally provide a functional visual indication, which is clearly visible during the early phases of a hand wash due to its size and color, and the fact that it floats. These attributes allow the consumer to collect at least one visual indication of the surface of the washing solution and rub it on a cloth stain to previously treat the stained area. With standard specks, this is physically impossible since they are too small and sink. Thus, according to a second aspect of the invention, a method is provided for using the composition comprising adding it to the water and collecting at least one visual indication on the surface of the water and then rubbing it on an area of fabric that requires treatment. prior, for example, a spotted area.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Detergent formulation

Visual indications can be added to a major proportion of granulated laundry detergent composition, which visually contrasts.

The precise content of the granulated laundry detergent composition is not critical for putting the invention into practice. The only restriction is that the granular composition does not unduly affect the ability of the visual indications to separate them in order to form a very visible, separate floating portion, when the detergent composition is added to the water.

The granulated laundry detergent composition may be shaped or not shaped, be low or high foamed, and contain any suitable type of detersive surfactant. However, it is preferred for hand wash applications that are high foamed compositions comprising anionic surfactant. Phosphate and / or carbonate formers are preferred. It is especially beneficial if the powder surfactant system has synergistic compatibility with the anionic surfactant in the visual indication. Such combinations of surfactants are well known in the field.

The granular composition can be manufactured by any of the known methods, such as spray drying, dry mixing and combinations thereof. It can be formed by using auxiliary granules. It is desirable that the visual indications be dosed subsequently to the composition, preferably using a low shear mixer to ensure uniform distribution of the visual indications throughout the granular composition. The film particles are included in the total composition in a percentage by weight in the 3 10

range of 0.01 to 10% by weight, preferably 0.03 to 2% by weight, most preferably 0.1 to 1% by weight.

The compositions may suitably contain 10 to 80%, preferably 15 to 70% by weight, of detergency builder. Preferably, the amount of the former is in the range of 15 to 50% by weight.

Frequently, granular detergents used for hand wash include inorganic phosphates, more especially sodium tripolyphosphate. Other possible phosphate formers are orthophosphate and sodium pyrophosphate.

The sodium tripolyphosphate is preferably present in an amount of 10 to 40% by weight, more preferably 15 to 35% by weight, most preferably 20 to 30% by weight.

Alternative inorganic formers that can be used instead of or in addition to phosphates are sodium carbonate, stratified silicates, amorphous aluminosilicates.

Alternatively or additionally, the detergent compositions of the invention may contain as a formator a crystalline alkali metal (preferably sodium) alkali metal aluminosilicate (zeolite). Preferred zeolites are zeolite A (zeolite 4A) and zeolite MAP as described and claimed in EP 384 070B.

Organic formers that can be used include polycarboxylate polymers, such as polyacrylates and acrylic / maleic copolymers; polyaspartates; monomeric polycarboxylates, such as citrates, gluconates, oxydisuccinates, glycerol mono-, di- and trisuccinates, carboxymethyloxysuccinates, carboxymethylximalonates, dipicolinates, hydroxyethyl iminodiacetates, alkyl and alkenyl succinates; and salts of sulfonated fatty acids.

Especially preferred organic formers are citrates, suitably used in amounts of 5 to 30% by weight, preferably 10 to 25% by weight; and acrylic polymers, more specifically acrylic / maleic copolymers, suitably used in amounts of 0.5 to 15% by weight, preferably 1 to 10% by weight. Formers, both inorganic and organic, are preferably present in the form of alkali metal salt, especially sodium salt.

Other ingredients that are beneficially contained within a granular detergent composition include any of those conventionally employed in such compositions. Especially preferred are ingredients conventionally used in hand wash compositions. Therefore, sodium sulfate, fluorescent enzymes, dye transfer inhibitors, anti-redeposition agents, matting dye and enzymes are desirably included. Although it is possible to include bleach, this is less preferred for hand wash compositions.

The use of a green granule in the composition is advantageous if used with film colors that are associated with flowers. The visual indication effect due to this selection of flower color is further amplified by the color contrast of the "stem" Green in the granular composition. This is especially important for use with perfumes that evoke nature, such as floral perfumes.

The film particle

a) Composition of visual indications

Visual indications are made of colored film. The essential components of the film are water soluble polymer, surfactant and a non-substantive fabric dye. Additional optional ingredients are: auxiliaries to aid in the manufacture of the film, for example release agents, other functional ingredients and water. In addition to its effect of controlling the relative humidity of the film, water also helps plasticize the film and regulates its solubility.

The polymer can be selected from water-soluble film-forming polymers, especially those used in the formulation of detergent powders. Preferred polymers include polymers, which dissolve and disperse completely in water in 30 minutes with stirring at a temperature anywhere in the range of 20 to 60 ° C.

Preferred water soluble polymers are those capable of being molded into a solid film or mass, for example, as described in Davidson and Sittig, Water-Soluble Resins, Van Nostrand Reinhold Company, New York (1968). Preferred water-soluble resins include polyvinyl alcohol, cellulose ethers, polyethylene oxide, starch, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, polyacrylamide, polyvinyl methyl ether maleic anhydride, polyamide anhydride, styrene maleic anhydride, hydroxyethylcellulose, polyethylene carboxymethylcellulose, carboxymethylcellulose, carboxylic acid methylcellulose, carboxylic acid methylcellulose , alginates, acrylamide copolymers, guar gum, casein, ethylene resin series4 10

maleic anhydride, polyethyleneimine, ethyl hydroxycellulose, ethyl methylcellulose, hydroxyethyl methylcellulose, sugars. Water-soluble polyvinyl alcohol film-forming resins of lower molecular weight are preferred.

Preferred polyvinyl alcohols for use therein have an average molecular weight anywhere between 1,000 and 1,000,000, preferably between 5,000 and 250,000, for example, between 15,000 and 150,000. Hydrolysis or alcohololysis is defined as the percentage of completion of the reaction in which the acetate groups in the resin are substituted with hydroxyl groups, -OH. A hydrolysis range of 60-99% polyvinyl alcohol film-forming resin is preferred, while a hydrolysis range of approximately 7090% is more preferred for water-soluble polyvinyl alcohol film-forming resins. The most preferred range of hydrolysis is 80-89%. As used in this application, the expression "polyvinyl alcohol" It includes polyvinyl acetate compounds with hydrolysis levels described herein.

Another suitable polymer is a polyvinyl alcohol film, made of a polyvinyl alcohol copolymer having a comonomer having a carboxylate function.

The preferred grade of PVA only collects water in an RH well above that of the granulated detergent compositions. Therefore, it protects the other film ingredients from decomposition by water and soluble bleeding dyes. The fluorescent may be included in the film to increase the effect of the visual indication. A low level of properly colored dye can also be included to counteract any yellowish hue. Matte dye and Aloe Vera can also be included in the film.

The visual indication film particle may comprise 10 to 80% polymer or polymer mixture.

The indication must contain surfactant to remove persistent stains. In particular, the visual indication needs to have a minimum of 10% surfactant, but preferably> 20%. Although any surfactant or surfactant system can be used. The surfactant is preferably an anionic surfactant, especially if the granulated composition comprises a former. Preferably at least 10% by weight of anionic surfactant is included in the film.

Suitable anionic surfactants included are well known to those skilled in the art. Examples of high foamed sulfate or sulphonate surfactants include alkyl benzene sulphonates, in particular linear alkyl benzene sulphonates having a C8-C15 alkyl chain length, primary and secondary alkyl sulfates, particularly C8-C15 primary alkyl sulfates; olefin sulfonates; alkyl xylene sulfonates; dialkyl sulfosuccinates; and fatty acid esters sulfonates. Sodium salts are generally preferred.

Additional information is provided in the open bibliography, for example, in " Surface-Active Agents and Detergents ", volumes I and II, by Schwartz, Perry and Berch.

Preferred anionic surfactants are alkylbenzene sulphonates, more especially linear alkyl benzene sulfonate (LAS), which is preferably present in an amount of 12 to 24% by weight, more preferably 12 to 22% by weight and especially 15 to 22% in weight. weight.

Even more preferred are primary alcohol sulfates (PAS), in particular C8-C18, preferably C12-C15, primary alcohol sulfates. A particularly preferred surfactant is primary alcohol sulfate (PAS) with a carbon chain length of 12. Visual indication film particles containing up to 50% PAS may be used.

The film may additionally include a second surfactant. The second surfactant is preferably selected from amphoteric surfactants, zwitterionic surfactants, nonionic surfactants and ethoxylated anionic surfactants.

The second preferred amphoteric surfactants are amine oxides. The most preferred amine oxide is coconut dimethylamine oxide.

The second preferred zwitterionic surfactants are betaines, and especially amidobetaines, for example, coco amidopropyl betaine.

Preferred second non-ionic surfactants include primary and secondary alcohol ethoxylates, especially ethoxylated C8-C20 aliphatic alcohols with an average of 1 to 20 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol, and more especially C10 primary and secondary aliphatic alcohols. -C15 ethoxylates with an average of 1 to 10 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol.

5 10

The second preferred ethoxylated anionic surfactants include alkyl ether sulfates (sulfates of ethoxylated alcohols).

Also suitable for use as second surfactants in the visual indications of the present invention are C8-C18 alkyl monoethanolamides, for example, coconut monoethanolamide.

The second surfactant system used in the film particle may additionally comprise less amounts, for example, less than 5% of the film, of cationic surfactant.

The surfactant, or surfactant system, performs two functions in the film. It improves the solubility of the film and provides detersive action to allow the film to be used directly on wet spots. The surfactant can be included at a level of up to 90% by weight, preferably up to 75% by weight, most preferably up to 60% by weight in the film.

The visual indication needs to be easily visible in the wash liquor as well as against the bottom of the detergent formulation, therefore, it needs to be colored. Non-substantive fabric dyes are included in the film composition at a level of 0.05% to 0.5% by weight, preferably 0.1 to 0.3% by weight, most preferably 0.15 to 0, 25% by weight.

Suitable colorants include any that are used to color powders or detergent liquids. The colors yellow, blue, violet, lilac, purple, red, orange, green, pink are preferred colors. The white color can also be used if the rest of the detergent composition is of sufficient contrast. However, white is not preferred because it has very low visibility on the water surface.

Preferably, the film is the same color as the detergent variant. The "color" of the variant is the predominant color of the packaging and marketing material used to represent that variant. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to have visual indication film particles of different colors for different types of pretreatment, all included in a composition in a package. Once added to the water, a color or a mixture of colored indications can be easily selected and collected for use separately or in combination.

The yellow indications did not have a high visual contrast of a white powder before the film indications. Now, with the enhanced contrast due to the greater cross-sectional area, they can be used as natural floral indications along with the preferred floral colors.

b) Size and shape of the visual indication film particles

In order to achieve the required level of visibility to function as a visual indication in the composition and to be easily seen when floating on the surface of the water, the film particles need not be significantly larger than the average particles of detergent powder. The particle size of the granules in the detergent composition normally ranges from 0.1 to 2 mm. The film particles also advantageously have a different shape from the generally spherical granules in the detergent composition. The particle size of film in two dimensions is preferably at least 3 mm, more preferably at least 4 mm. In the third dimension, the film particle is the thickness of the film, which is at most 1 mm, preferably 0.4 mm, more preferably 0.25 mm, much more preferably 0.2 mm thick.

Being this a flat shape, it also helps the film particles float.

Each particle of visual indication film has a cross-sectional area of between 5 mm2 and 100 mm2. Preferably, the number of particles to be dosed in each wash is in the range of 20 to 200. The preferred cross-sectional area of a film particle is 10 to 30 mm2, preferably 15 to 20 mm, so the size The film particle allows it to be easily collected in a human hand from the wash liquor. It is preferred that if the composition is a granular laundry detergent composition formed, then the visual indications should have a maximum diameter of at least twice that of the detergent granules.

The invention also provides a conformed visual indication, which is not segregated during mixing, handling or transport, but is segregated in use. The indications can be shaped in the form of petals, hexagons, squares, circles, stars.

Preferably, the visual indication is shaped like a petal and the petal is the same color as the detergent variant.

To maximize the impact of the film particle as a visual indication for perfume, the film is cut 6

in the form of something natural and normally associated with a smell, for example, a petal, flower, floret, etc. Ideally the shape and also, very ideally, the color of the film particle is linked to the perfume. It has been found that size is less important for the indication of perfume than shape or color.

In a modification of the shape of the film particle, it is formed to resemble a petal with a central point or hole so that it looks more similar to a real flower. In addition, the latter further reduces the weight.

The film can be used flat or it can be formed in a three-dimensional form, for example, by making larger bubbles from two sheets of film laminated together around its edges, or in some other more complex configuration, such as a "bubble wrap" ;. The buoyancy provided is maintained, the cavities can be filled with other ingredients that help in the pretreatment of the fabrics. These can be liquids, pastes or solids. Said ingredients may be included additionally or alternatively in the film itself.

c) Relative density of film particles

The used film should float in water. To achieve this for a sufficient time, while the visual indication dissolves, it has been found that it should have a density of between 200 and 800 g / l, preferably between 230 and 500 g / l, most preferably 250 to 400 g / l . Surprisingly, it has been found that film particles of this density and having the preferred particle dimensions set forth below, are not unduly segregated from a detergent powder during manufacturing or during storage and transport. This is advantageous because it means that the particles provide a uniform level of visibility on the surface of the container during use and also helps to ensure that approximately the same number of particles are found in the wash and thus ensuring that the capacity of the Pretreatment with floating particles is not prevented by their separation in the container.

The low relative density ensures that the film particles float on the surface of an aqueous wash liquor. This is achieved by a combination of used chemicals and the degree of aeration applied to the film during its manufacture. Air bubbles also diffuse light, which has the effect of improving the visibility and quality of distinction of the film, especially when it is floating on the surface of the water. It is also believed that bubbles improve the dissolution of the film.

The film can be made of low density by including porosity in the manufacturing stage. This can be by means of large gas bubbles, light diffusers, beaten in the mixture during the production of the film or can be achieved by gas emitted from the film ingredients (for example, citric acid and carbonate). The bubbles can be nano-bubbles. The film with capillaries can also be used. Also ribbed films that form open capillaries meshes or films with low weight and active ingredients in their " pores ".

Method of using the detergent composition with pre-treatment

The composition is added to the water. This can be done before or after clothing. Immediately, the pre-treatment film particles float and appear to separate from the rest of the composition. The consumer is confident to see that the bright colored particles do not come into direct contact with the clothing (although there would be no harm if they did). The film particles dissolve slowly on the surface for a period of 5 minutes to 30 minutes. The powder or liquid dissolves in the water faster and administers the former to the water; If it is a formed composition.

If pretreatment is needed, the consumer can collect film particles off the water surface using his hand and use these particles to pre-treat the fabric. 3 to 10 particles can be easily collected at a time, depending on the level of treatment desired. Therefore, the consumer will have control of the surfactant dosage to be used for the previous treatment.

Additionally, the use of the indication in this manner, together with a lay liquor, to provide formation or some other improvement of the detergency of the indication provides an improved detergency in relation to the use of the indications themselves.

An additional advantage of the floating visual indication is that it avoids the problems of variable dispersion and / or dissolution rate that can occur if the particle is embedded in the clothing at the bottom of the wash liquor. This is a particular problem for hand washing processes.

Still an additional advantage of the floating visual indication during the early stages of washing is that the film particles are highly visible to the consumer. This means that they continue to effectively communicate the benefit of the enhanced fragrance or other benefit for which they are designed to indicate. By 7

For example, when selecting indications in the shape and color of small florets, it has been shown that the consumer perceives a more hedonistically floral perfume and expresses clear preference for a formulation containing the perfume and indications on one without indications or with an indication that does not It looks so much like a floret (that is, a hexagonal indication of equivalent area). To communicate the benefits of perfume or fabric care

5 During washing, indications floating on sinking indications are also preferred by potential consumers.

Examples

10 Under static conditions the forms need to dissolve no faster than 10 minutes and not slower than 30 minutes, preferably between 15 and 25 minutes.

Previous treatment

A granular, laundry detergent formulation of white carbonate formation, comprising a floral perfume and a primary alcohol sulfate as the main surfactant, was combined with 0.5% by weight yellow film indications comprising polyvinyl alcohol 47% by weight, primary alcohol sulfate 48% by weight, non-substantive yellow dye and water. The relative density of the film was approximately 0.3. The yellow film was just below 0.2 mm thick on average and had been cut in the form of florets with a

20 maximum diameter of approximately 5 mm in the other two dimensions.

A conventional dosage of the composition that includes visual indications to the water at 35 ° C was added and immediately the visual indication floats floated and dispersed on the surface of the water in the washing vessel and contributed to a perception of a given pleasant foral perfume by the wash liquor. A bunch of florets was easily collected using the fingers as a kind of strainer and the wet florets rubbed with the fingertips on a piece of cotton cloth stained with tomato oil. The stain was easily removed in a few seconds. As a control experiment, at the same time an identical stain was wet with the wash liquor and rubbed with the fingertip and the stain was still visible for longer than the previous treatment with the visual indication florets containing surfactant

30 anionic

Claims (9)

1. A granular, laundry detergent composition, comprising 0.1 to 10% by weight of soluble colored lamellar visual indications made of a soluble film, each lamellar visual indication colored 5 a flat cross-sectional area of 5 mm2 to 100 mm2 is soluble, the relative density of the film being 0.2 to 0.8 kg / l and the film comprising 10 to 90% by weight of the surfactant. 2. A composition according to claim 1, wherein the film comprises at least 10% by weight of anionic surfactant. 10 3. A granular laundry detergent composition formed in accordance with claim 2, comprising soluble colored lamellar visual indications having a maximum diameter of at least twice that of the detergent granules. A detergent composition according to any preceding claim, wherein the film has a relative density of less than 0.5, preferably less than 0.4. 5. A composition according to any preceding claim, wherein the film comprises a polymer of polyvinyl alcohol twenty 6. A composition according to any preceding claim, wherein the film comprises a primary alkyl sulfate or an alkyl ether sulfate surfactant.

7.

 A composition according to any preceding claim, which is a composition formed. 25

8. A composition according to any claim 7, wherein the former is selected from the group comprising sodium tripolyphosphate, sodium carbonate and mixtures thereof.

9.

 A composition according to any preceding claim, wherein the film is lilac, pink, yellow, violet, blue, red, purple, green or orange.

10. A composition according to any preceding claim, wherein the film has a flower-like shape. A method of using the composition according to any preceding claim for the treatment of fabrics comprising adding the composition to water and collecting at least one visual indication of the water surface and then rubbing the wet visual indication over an area of the fabric that requires pretreatment, for example, a stained area.