JPH0481640B2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

Field of the Invention This invention relates to aqueous hypochlorite bleaching products containing optical brighteners and methods of making the same. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Sodium hypochlorite is a highly effective bleaching agent that has long been used in combination with soaps and detergents to remove stains and other types of soils in textile laundering. To be sold for household use, it is usually formulated in water at a concentration of about 4-8%, and sodium hypochlorite as a laundry bleach.
It is typically diluted to a concentration of 200 ppm. Optical brighteners are dyes that are adsorbed by the fibers and impart increased increments of whiteness/brightness to the fibers by their ability to absorb invisible ultraviolet radiation and re-emit it as visible radiation. . Optical brighteners have been included as ingredients in laundry products for many years. Optical brighteners are exposed to chemical attack by hypochlorite in solution and their brightening effect is significantly reduced when used in combination with hypochlorite during textile laundering. However, several optical brighteners have been developed that are highly resistant to hypochlorite attack. It is desirable to formulate concentrated (typically 4-8%) sodium hypochlorite solutions containing bleach-stable optical brighteners. Therefore, if a homemaker uses bleach in combination with a detergent that contains brighteners that are not stable to hypochlorous acid, the brighteners present in the bleach may
The effect of imparting fiber luster will still be obtained. Optical brighteners are usually insoluble in concentrated hypochlorous acid and tend to quickly settle to the bottom of aqueous hypochlorous acid products. Therefore, simply adding an optical brightener to concentrated aqueous hypochlorous acid results in a product that requires vigorous shaking each time before use. Because of the tendency for rapid precipitation, vigorous shaking before each use does not always result in a uniform composition of brightener and hypochlorite at each use. U.S. Patent No. 3,393,153 to Zimmerer (issued July 16, 1968)
solved the above problem by including in the composition a particulate material, such as colloidal silica or particulate colloidal polymeric resin, which holds the optical brightener in suspension in the aqueous hypochlorite. gave. The object of the present invention is to create an aqueous composition containing hypochlorite and a finely suspended optical brightener without using the addition of particulate colloidal substances to obtain a brightener suspension. That's true. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to the formulation of aqueous sodium hypochlorite compositions containing finely divided dispersions of bleach-stable optical brighteners. Its composition is about 3%
~About 8% sodium hypochlorite, approximately 0.025%~
Approximately 0.2% optical brightener, i.e. 4,4'-bis(4
-Phenyl-2H-1,2,3-triazole-
2-yl)-2,2'-stilbenedisulfonate, about 0.02% to about 2% of certain alkylaryl sulfonate surfactants, and water. The optical brightener is present in the composition in the form of a dispersion of fibrous particles from about 0.01 to about 1.5 microns in diameter. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention the bleach stable optical brightener 4,4'-
Bis(4-phenyl-2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)-2,2'-stilbendisulfonic acid (or its alkali metal salt) is dissolved in a concentrated aqueous sodium hypochlorite solution. The brightener can be formulated in such a way that it transforms into fibrous particles with a density close to that of the aqueous phase. These fibrous particles, in which the fibers have a diameter of about 0.01 to about 1.5 microns, settle out very slowly. When precipitation occurs, the precipitated layer of particles is very loose and occupies most of the volume of the composition. A precipitated layer of particles can be easily redispersed in the composition by gently shaking the bottle or other container in which the composition is dispensed. The compositions of the present invention include (a) about 3% to about 8% hypochlorite, (b) about 0.025% to about 0.2% optical brightener, and (c) about 0.05% to about 2% of the following: a surfactant selected from the group consisting of alkylaryl sulfonates having the formula;

[Formula] and In the formula, R ₁ is a C ₈ to C ₂₀ alkyl group, R ₂ and R ₃
is a C ₆ to C ₁₆ alkyl group, M is an alkali metal,
n is 0 or 1; (d) comprises at least about 80% water, and the brightener is present in the composition from about 0.01 to about
It is present in the form of fibrous particles with a fiber diameter of 1.5 microns. All percentages herein are percentages by weight unless otherwise specified. Fibrous particles can be formed by coprecipitating ("salting out") brighteners and surfactants in aqueous hypochlorite. This can be accomplished by dissolving the brightener and surfactant in water and then adding aqueous sodium hypochlorite to form the desired fibrous particles. Sodium Hypochlorite Typically, sodium hypochlorite is commercially available in the form of an aqueous solution having a concentration of about 5% to about 15%. These solutions typically contain equimolar amounts of sodium chloride. In making the compositions of the present invention, sodium hypochlorite is added to the brightener/surfactant solution such that the volume of the sodium hypochlorite is from about 0.4 to about 8 times the volume of the brightener/surfactant solution. It is usually desirable to add such a volume. Accordingly, the aqueous sodium hypochlorite source chosen to make the compositions of the present invention includes an aqueous brightener/surfactant solution and the desired amounts of sodium hypochlorite, brightener and surface in the final product. It is necessary that the concentration of sodium hypochlorite be such that the activator can be mixed within the volume proportions produced. Sodium hypochlorite is present in the compositions of the present invention at a level of about 3% to about 8%, preferably about 4% to about 6%. Brightener The brightener used in the composition of the present invention is 4,
4'-bis(4-phenyl-2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)-2,2'-stilbendisulfonic acid, or an alkali metal (ie, sodium or potassium) salt thereof. The structure of the sodium salt is as follows. This optical brightener is a subsidiary of Bayer AG
Product name from Mobay Chemical Corporation
Available as Phoruite CNA. Optical brighteners may be present in the compositions of the present invention in amounts ranging from about 0.025% to
It is present at a level of about 0.2%, preferably about 0.05% to 0.2%, and most preferably about 0.05% to about 0.075%. Surfactant The surfactant used in the present invention is selected from the group consisting of alkylaryl sulfonates having the formula: In the formula, R ₁ is an alkyl group of 8 to 20 (preferably 11 to 13) carbon atoms, R ₂ and R ₃ are an alkyl group of 6 to 16 (preferably 10 to 12) carbon atoms, and M is an alkali metal. , for example sodium or potassium, n is 0 or 1. The surfactants of formula 1 are called alkylbenzene sulfonates and are available under various trade names, e.g. Calsoft ^R
Pilot as L-60, F-90 and L-40
from Chemical Company, and Naccanol ^R 35SL,
Available from Stepan Chemical Company as 90F. The surfactant of formula 2 is an alkyl diphenyl oxide sulfonate, available under the trade name Dowfax ^R.
Available from Dow Chemical Company. The surfactant may be present in the compositions of the present invention in amounts ranging from about 0.05% to
It is present at a level of about 2.0%, preferably about 0.2% to about 1.0%. It has been found that the presence of a surfactant in the compositions of the present invention is essential to create the desired fibrous particles of brightener. When no surfactant is used, the brightener precipitates as larger sized flocs having a size of about 100 microns to about 300 microns. These larger particles have sufficient buoyancy to give the brightener dispersion precipitated in the hypochlorite solution, but have a curdled appearance which reduces the appeal of the product from an aesthetic standpoint. The presence of a surfactant also tends to increase the chemical stability of the precipitated brightener against attack by hypochlorous acid during storage of the composition. Fragrance: 0% to about 0.5%, 0% to about 0.5%,
Perfume may be present, preferably at a level of about 0.05% to about 0.3%. The flavoring substances used must of course have a high degree of chemical stability towards sodium hypochlorite. Some preferred materials used as perfume ingredients in the compositions of the present invention are patch lily oil, cyclopentadecanolide, p-tertiarybutylcyclohexyl acetate, tetrahydromycenol, tetrahydrolinalool, dimethyl phenyl acetaldehyde. Acetals, methyl-phenyl carbinols, and mixtures thereof. Some of the perfume materials were known to act as antifoaming agents for the compositions of the present invention, facilitating the handling and high speed filling of the compositions. Examples of such flavoring substances are 2,6-dimethyloctan-2-ol, 3,7-dimethyloctan-3-ol, 2,6-dimethylheptan-2-ol, 2,4,4-trimethylpentane -2-ol, 2,4,4,6,6-pentamethylheptane-
2-ol, 1-methyl-4-isopropylcyclohexan-8-ol, 4-tertiarybutylcyclohexyl acetate, 4-tertiarypentylcyclohexyl acetate, diethyl phthalate, phenyl acetaldehyde dimethyl acetal, and mixtures thereof The fragrance composition of the present invention When used in objects,
Preferably, they are mixed into a solution of brightener and surfactant prior to adding the aqueous sodium hypochlorite to the solution. The use of fragrance is within the usage range (i.e. 0.3% to 0.5
%), it is common to use an amount of surfactant at the higher end of the surfactant use range disclosed above from 0.05% to 2%. The presence of perfume tends to improve the dispersion of fibrous particles in hypochlorite. That is, the dispersion tends to have better physical stability when a perfume is present. Organic oils other than those mentioned in the perfumery examples can also be used to mask chlorine odors. Preferred organic oils are linear alkylbenzenes (LAB) with alkyl chains of 10 to 14 carbon atoms. Pigments, such as Ultramarine Blue, can also be added to the composition if desired. Preparation of Composition The composition of the present invention can be prepared in the following steps. (1) About 0.05% to about 0.4% brightener and about 0.1% to about 4
% of surfactant. (2) about 3% to about 8% sodium hypochlorite, approx.
Aqueous sodium hypochlorite in an amount sufficient to yield a final composition comprising 0.025% to about 0.2% brightener and about 0.05% to about 2% surfactant as described in Step 1 above. Add gentle, low-shear mixing to the solution. If perfume is used in the composition, it is added to the aqueous brightener and surfactant solution (Step 1) at a level of about 1% or less. The aqueous brightener solution (Step 1) is preferably prepared in deionized water. This causes heavy metal ions, which tend to cause decomposition of sodium hypochlorite.
Minimize the existence of This also minimizes the presence of ions such as Ca ²⁺ , Mg ²⁺ that tend to precipitate the brightener before the brightener solution is mixed with the hypochlorite. Depending on the brightener level used, heating the solution may be required to get all of the brightener into solution. If perfume is used, it is added after the surfactant is added. Very high perfume levels usually require the use of surfactants at the upper end of the above concentration range. When adding concentrated sodium hypochlorite to the aqueous brightener/surfactant solution in step 1 (which may or may not contain specific fragrances), the hypochlorite should slowly and slowly dissolve. must be added while mixing. Despite the gentle mixing, the rate of addition must be slow enough to maintain a substantially uniform distribution of hypochlorite throughout the solution. Fibrous particles of brightener will form rapidly as the hypochlorite is added. This particle formation is likely to be fully completed before all of the sodium hypochlorite has been added. Throughout the addition of hypochlorite,
Must be mixed slowly. High shear mixing or other forms of mixing that result in high speed agitation should be avoided. The reason is that they are
This is because it will result in the formation of larger particles that are less suspensible in solution and are more difficult to redisperse after settling to the bottom of the composition.
The dispersions of the present invention can best be described as being made up of a network of hair-like (i.e., fibrous particles) consisting primarily of brightener, as evidenced by fluorescence microscopy studies. The fibrous particles may also contain a surfactant, since both the brightener and the surfactant are co-precipitated ("co-salting out"). Chemical characterization reveals that brighteners and surfactants (and fragrances and pigments, if present) are almost entirely present in the dispersed phase - while the continuous phase is aqueous sodium hypochlorite. It was shown that there is. In compositions made in accordance with the present invention, the brightener particles will typically remain more or less uniformly suspended in the composition for several days. Even after the composition eventually becomes non-uniform, most of the particles do not settle to the bottom of the composition, but remain suspended at the bottom of 1/3 to 2/3 of the volume of the composition. By very slight agitation (for example, by inverting the bottle and returning it to its correct position), uniform dispersion of the particles throughout the entire volume of the composition is rapidly restored. Thus, the present invention provides a composition that facilitates uniform application of a combination of sodium hypochlorite and optical brightener in a concentrated aqueous medium. For maximum chemical stability, the compositions of the present invention need to have a PH of about 12, preferably about 12.5. It is necessary to test the PH of the composition after completion of dispensing. If necessary, adjust the pH with acid,
Or it can be done with a base (eg HCl or NaOH). Contrary to the compositions of US Pat. No. 3,393,153 to Zimmerer, the compositions of the present invention can be substantially free of undissolved particles other than precipitated brighteners and surfactants. The invention is illustrated by the following examples. Example 1 Addition of hypochlorite to brightener vs. addition of brightener to hypochlorite This example demonstrates how hypochlorite was added to the brightener solution in preparing the composition of the present invention. This explains why it is more important to add sodium chlorate solution than vice versa. 0.1% Phorwite ^R CNA and 1.0
A brightener solution (500 ml) containing 50% surfactant (Calsoft ^R F-90) was placed in a 2 liter beaker on a magnetic stirrer and mixed at medium speed. Sodium hypochlorite concentrate (440
ml, 12.6% AvCl ₂ , 13.2% NaOCl) was diluted to 500 ml with deionized water and added to the stirring brightener solution at a metered rate over 15 minutes. When about 20% of the bleach solution was added, a fine lemon yellow precipitate dispersion was formed. 5 under environmental conditions
After storage for days, the dispersion still occupied 50% of the solution volume and was easily redispersed by inverting the container and returning it to its correct position. (Product composition-
(NaOCl 5.8%, brightener 0.05%, surfactant 0.5%) reverse method of addition, i.e. NaOCl mixed with brightener
Larger particles are formed when added to a solution, and these particles settle out more rapidly - after 4 hours, for example, the dispersed particles occupy only 25% of the total volume - causing them to redisperse. is more difficult (typically requires shaking for uniform redispersion). Adding hypochlorite solution very rapidly to a moderately stirred or rapidly stirred solution will result in
This also produces larger particles that precipitate rapidly. EXAMPLE Influence of Some Mixing Variables A series of products were made with mixing conditions as the primary variable. The brightener solution had the same composition in all examples, with 0.1% Phorwite ^R CNA and 0.5% surfactant (Calsoft ^R F-90), and in one example 0.3% fragrance.
% of the solution.
Hypochlorite concentrate (500ml, NaOCl11.5%),
Brightener solution in a 2 liter beaker being stirred with a Lightnin Mixer ^R equipped with a 6-blade turbine stirrer rotating at a specific revolutions per minute (rpm) with baffles at controlled high speeds. I planned it out. The table below records the observations.

[Table] Volume of objects
** Flavored These experiments demonstrate that the formation of stable, fine dispersions requires the following: (1) sufficient agitation during precipitation to uniformly mix the hypochlorite solution into the brightener solution; and (2) faster addition of bleach once precipitation is almost complete. Mixing at high speeds does not destabilize the system (3) During precipitation, mixing at high speeds can destabilize the system. This is brought about by creating additional agglomeration of particles which will cause more rapid precipitation. Additional experiments using various known methods (e.g., homogenizers, high shear mixers, etc.) in the art of forming dispersions, emulsions and microemulsions have been carried out on Brighteners in Hypochlorite Dispersions. was studied to prepare. In all cases, these techniques resulted in flocs or aggregates that were very unstable. That is, rapid sedimentation was observed. EXAMPLE This example describes the preparation of 35 gallons (132 liters) of the composition of the invention containing fragrance. Variable speed air-driven mixers (Eastern Mixers)
The steel shaft and folding 2-inch (5 cm) blade on the Co., Ltd., Catalog # 5200, Model BA-3) were replaced with a sodium hypochlorite-resistant titanium replica. The agitation motor was then transferred to the top of a 55 gallon (208 liter) polyethylene closed-head drum through two 2-inch (55 gallons) at the top of the drum.
cm) A titanium shaft and blade were installed through one of the threaded buttress holes and the opening was sealed with a threaded fit that supported the stirring motor and shaft. In this position, the blades will be approximately 5 inches (12.7 cm) from the bottom of the drum while in motion.
approximately 2 inches (5 inches) from the side of the drum.
cm). The drum and agitator assembly was placed on a floor scale and 75 pounds (34 Kg) of tap water at 148°C (64°C) was added to the drum through the second buttress hole using a polyethylene tube. Approximately 3 gallons (11.4 liters) of 148〓 (64℃)
In a tap water polyethylene bucket, 79.38 g of optical brightener (Phorwite ^R CNA) was added to the hot water in the bucket and stirred with a large spatula to form a fine dispersion of brightener. This dispersed material is then poured into 148 〓 (64℃) water using a large funnel.
It was poured into a drum containing 75 pounds (34Kg). To dissolve the brightener, the contents of the drum were agitated by an air-driven motor with air pressure adjusted to 25 psi (1759 g/cm ² ). An additional 184㎓ (64°C) of water was added so that the total weight of material in the drum was approximately 115 pounds (52Kg). After stirring for about 5 minutes under the above conditions, 441.0 g of Calsoft ^R F-90
(90% active) Powdered linear sodium alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS) was added to the drum through a funnel. After stirring for an additional 5 minutes, 75° (24°C) of tap water was added so that the total weight of material in the drum was approximately 175 pounds (74.9 Kg). At this point, 238.21g of perfume was added to the drum. An additional 75㎓ (24°C) of tap water was added so that the total weight of the solution in the drum was 198.5 pounds (90Kg). The PH of the drum contents was measured and determined to be 8.7. The PH was adjusted to 11.6 by adding a small amount of 50% aqueous sodium hypochlorite. 25〓 containing 13.7% sodium hypochlorite
A concentrated bleach solution at (-3.9° C.) was added to the brightener/surfactant/perfume solution in a drum (stored at a low concentration to keep the high hypochlorite concentration stable). This was done using a magnetically driven centrifugal pump (Fisher Scientific Model MD-15T) wrapped in polyethylene and polyethylene tubing. Hypochlorite addition at a constant rate of 2 lbs (0.85 Kg) per minute uses a PVC needle valve to add 25 lbs (11.3 Kg) of hypochlorite solution to the stirring drum. It was maintained until it was put away. Additionally, after adding the first 25 lbs (11.3 Kg), the amount of hypochlorite remaining
151.5 pounds (68.7Kg) at 4 pounds (1.8Kg) per minute
was added at a rate of Hypochlorite addition was stopped when the total contents of the drum reached a weight of 350 pounds (158.8 Kg). The PH of the product mixture was then adjusted to PH 12.5 with additional sodium hydroxide. The product temperature was 77°C (25°C). The composition of the product was as follows. namely, 5.9% sodium hypochlorite (plus the equimolar amount of sodium chloride present in the hypochlorite solution), 0.05% optical brightener, 0.28% LAS, 0.15% fragrance, and the balance water. A uniform sample was taken out from the drum and observed.
These samples contained a homogeneous dispersion of very small particles that were barely discernible upon close inspection, giving the product the appearance of a continuous fluid. some of these samples
They were stored under ambient conditions in sealed amber glass jars at a height of 10 cm. After 5 days, the volume is reduced to approximately 98%.
A uniform, opaque dispersion of brightener and surfactant precipitated. Approximately 2% of the volume was the top transparent layer. Thus, most of the compositions retained a uniform opaque appearance. EXAMPLE This example describes the preparation of a 400 gallon (1514 liter) batch of a composition of the invention containing perfume and ultramarine blue pigment.
A Utensco Series CC, model XCC-500, vertical cylindrical rotationally molded high density linear polyethylene tank was used as the batch process manufacturing vessel. Tanks must be at least 5/16 inches (0.79 cm) thick and 45 inches (114.3
cm) diameter, 72 inches (182.9 cm) with straight sides, an opening with a flat tip and a conical bottom. The 500 gallon (1892.5 liter) capacity tank was equipped with four equally spaced baffles to provide adequate flow. The tank was supported on heavy duty carbon steel stands. The stand is center-mounted on a pair of 4-inch (10.2 cm) steel channels, not tank-aligned.
mounted) top entering
It was instructed to hold the stirrer. Agitation was described for open tank operation
A Lightnin ^R Series XL, model XLQ-150B, top-entering, heavy-duty, fixed-mount agitator was used. The above unit is
It had a fully enclosed electric motor suitable for operation at 460 volts and 60 cycles of current at 1.5 HP and 1750 RPM. The lower mixer shaft was attached to the drive shaft by a rigid coupling below the agitator mounting surface. The module base assembly was provided with a mounting plate for mounting onto the tank support structure. The lower mixer shaft is 2 inches (5.1
cm) in diameter and 78 inches (198.1 cm) long as measured from the agitator mounting surface. The lower shaft has a single 30" (76.2cm) Lightnin ^R
310, a three-blade axial flow impeller of bolted construction. Stabilizing fins were provided to ensure safe operation. The impeller was attached to the shaft by a keyway and a safety hook key device. The keyway was 18 inches (45.7 cm) long with stops at 1 inch (2.5 cm) intervals. All wet parts are made of 316 stainless steel.
All non-wet parts were manufactured to the manufacturer's standard factory finish. Assemble the mixer shaft, axial flow impeller, stabilizing fins, and all wetted parts and coat with Kynar - sodium hypochlorite resistant material.
coated by successive applications. parametric
Equipped with AC variable frequency motor speed controller. The speed control unit was equipped with a 1.5HP Parajust E power unit in a NEMA4 enclosure. The power unit was equipped with a remote motion station for three functions: a start/stop speed conversion controller. A heavy-duty reducer with two reduction helical gears was installed to provide a maximum output speed of 153 RPM. Operating speeds ranging from 15 to 153 RPM were provided using a speed controller unit. Preparation Add 150 gallons (568 liters) of tap water at 148°C (64°C) through a water channel through the top of the tank.
Recirculation was discontinued through the heat exchanger until the temperature reached 155°C (68°C), and 1.82 pounds (0.83Kg) of optical brightener (Phorwite ^R CNA) was added to the hot water from the top of the tank. The tank contents were agitated with a 30 inch (76 cm) impeller at 64 RPM to disperse the brightener. (The 64 RPM instructions remained unchanged throughout the entire mixing cycle.) After 5 minutes of stirring, the Calsoft ^R F-
10.11 pounds (4.6 Kg) of 90 powder C ₁₂ linear sodium alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS) was added to the top of the tank from a plastic bucket. After an additional 5 minutes of stirring, 75° (24°C) tap water was added through the water line at the top of the tank until the entire volume of 250 gallons (946 liters) was in the tank. At this point, a magnetically driven centrifugal pump (FASCO model MDR-80T-GO7) wrapped in polypropylene and a 1/4
Inner diameter 1/2 inch (0.64cm) PVC pipe connected to
5.46 pounds (2.48 Kg) of fragrance was added using 4 inch (0.64 cm) polyethylene tubing. 5 fragrances
The mixture was added over a period of minutes and directed to the periphery of the impeller for optimal mixing. 40〓 containing 13.7% sodium hypochlorite
A concentrated bleach solution at (4.4°C) was added to the brightener, surfactant/perfume solution in the tank. (High concentrations of hypochlorite were stored at low temperatures to maintain stability). Bleach addition is done using an air-driven drum pump (GAST model IUP-NCC-13) and a 1/2-inch (1.3 cm)
It was carried out using polyethylene piping with an inner diameter of 1/2 (1.3 cm) connected to a PVC pipe. Bleach is
2.0 gallons per minute of hypochlorite solution from a 55 gallon (208 liter) polyethylene drum until 300 pounds (136.4 Kg) of hypochlorite solution has been added to the agitated tank around the impeller. (7.6 liters) was pumped at a constant speed. After adding the first fraction of bleach, the remaining 152 pounds (694.5Kg) of hypochlorite solution is added at 4.0 kg per minute.
Added at a rate of gallons (15.1 liters). The PH of the product mixture was adjusted to 12.8 with 50% sodium hydroxide solution while maintaining a stirring speed of 64 RPM. Gifford 10% suspension of Ultramarine Blue pigment (0.49Kg pigment/4.45Kg tap water at 24°C)
Wood homogenizer mixer (Model1−
LV) for 30 minutes. The ultramarine blue pigment suspension was added using the same delivery system used for perfume addition. After all of the suspension had been pumped, an additional 5 minutes of mixing was performed. The composition of the final product was as follows. namely, sodium hypochlorite 5.75% (plus the equimolar amount of sodium chloride present in the hypochlorite solution), optical brightener 0.05%, LAS 0.25
%, fragrance 0.15%, ultramarine blue pigment
0.03%, and the balance was water. A homogeneous sample was removed from the tank and observed. These samples contain a homogeneous dispersion made up of very small particles that are almost indistinguishable upon close inspection, giving the product the appearance of a continuous fluid. Some of these samples were stored under ambient conditions in coated glass graduated cylinders 37 cm high. Approximately 99 of the volume after 5 days
% was a homogeneous, opaque dispersion of precipitated brightener, surfactant, and ultramarine blue pigment.
Approximately 1% of the volume was the top clear layer. In this way, the majority of the composition retained a uniform, opaque appearance. Analysis revealed no discernible loss in sodium hypochlorite or brightener activity (as measured by composition fluorescence).

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. Contains the following (a), (b), (c) and (d): (a) about 3% to about 8% sodium hypochlorite; (b) about 0.025% ~0.2% of an optical brightener having the formula: or an alkali metal salt thereof, (c) from about 0.05% to about 2% of a surfactant selected from the group consisting of alkylaryl sulfonates having the formula: In the formula, R ₁ is a C ₈ to C ₂₀ alkyl group, R ₂ and R ₃
is a C ₆ to C ₁₆ alkyl group, M is an alkali metal,
n is 0 or 1. (d) At least about 80% water. An aqueous composition characterized in that the brightener is present in the composition in the form of fibrous particles having a fiber diameter of about 0.01 to about 1.5 microns. 2. The composition of claim 1 further comprising up to about 0.5% of a flavoring material that is stable against chemical attack by sodium hypochlorite. 3. The composition of claim 1, wherein the amount of sodium hypochlorite in the final composition is from about 4% to about 6%. 4 The amount of optical brightener in the final composition is approximately 0.05%
Claim 1 or 2 which is about 0.2%
Compositions as described in Section. 5 The amount of surfactant in the final composition is from about 0.2% to
3. A composition according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the composition is about 1%. 6 Contains the following (a), (b), (c) and (d): (a) about 3% to about 8% sodium hypochlorite; (b) about 0.025% to about 0.2% of the following formula: optical brightener with or an alkali metal salt thereof (c) from about 0.05% to about 2% of a surfactant selected from the group consisting of alkylaryl sulfonates having the formula: In the formula, R ₁ is a C ₈ to C ₂₀ alkyl group, R ₂ and R ₃
is a C ₆ to C ₁₆ alkyl group, M is an alkali metal,
n is 0 or 1. (d) At least about 80% water. 1. A method for producing an aqueous composition, which comprises producing a composition in which a brightener exists in the form of fibrous particles by a process including the following steps (1) and (2). (1) About 0.05% to about 0.2% optical brightener and about 0.1%
(2) Adding about 3% to about 8% hypochlorous acid to the solution from step (1) above by slow and low shear mixing; sodium,
about 0.025% to about 0.2% optical brightener and about 0.05%
Adding sufficient aqueous sodium hypochlorite to produce a final composition containing % to about 2% surfactant. 7. The flavoring material is added to the aqueous solution of step (1) above after the surfactant has been added, so as to further contain up to about 0.5% of the flavoring material which is stable against chemical attack by sodium hypochlorite. 7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that it is added to. 8. The method of claim 6, wherein the amount of sodium hypochlorite in the final composition is from about 4% to about 6%. 9 The amount of optical brightener in the final composition is approximately 0.05%
7. The method of claim 6, wherein the amount is about 0.075%. 10 The amount of optical brightener in the final composition is approximately 0.05
% to about 0.2%. 11 The amount of surfactant in the final composition is approximately 0.2%
7. The method of claim 6, wherein the amount is about 1%.