Detergent compositions

Details Detergent compositions Detergent compositions

2003-03-12

2004-05-04

Boyer, Charles (Department: 1751)

Cleaning compositions for solid surfaces, auxiliary compositions

Cleaning compositions or processes of preparing

Clay or inorganic aluminosilicate salt component

C510S276000, C510S287000, C510S334000, C510S444000, C510S445000, C510S470000, C510S471000, C510S485000, C510S515000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06730656

ABSTRACT:

TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to solid fabric or cleaning compositions, especially laundry detergent compositions that provide fabric softening benefits during the washing process.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
There is a consumer demand for solid laundry detergents that provide fabric softening benefits during the washing process. To meet this demand, the laundry industry typically adds a softening agent to solid detergent products. These softening agents do not always efficiently deposit onto fabric, they do not disperse well or do not deposit evenly on to the fabric surface, and are removed from the wash liquor during the washing cycle, hence the softening benefit they provide during the washing cycle still needs to be improved. Currently, the laundry industry typically adds flocculating aids to solid detergent compositions comprising clay, to improve clay deposition onto fabric. However, there is still a need to further improve the efficiency of clay deposition onto fabric in such a manner that an improved fabric softening benefit is achieved.
The Inventors have surprisingly found that by using a combination of specific clays, these clays provide an improved fabric softening benefit over several washing cycles, compared to when the same amount of a single clay type is used.
Moreover, it is believed that a combination of specific types of clay, acts in such a manner as to disperse better and more readily deposit onto fabric in such a manner so that the fabric softening benefit over several washing cycles is improved, compared to when only one clay type is used.
Furthermore, the Inventors have found that when the two clay types are present in a solid detergent composition in the form of an agglomerate, then the fabric softening benefit provided by the solid detergent composition during the washing cycle is further improved. The Inventors have also found that when the two clay types are present in the same agglomerate, then the fabric softening benefit provided is further improved, compared to two separate clay agglomerates being used.
The Inventors have also found that adding a hydrophobically modified cellulosic based polymer to a solid detergent composition comprising specific types of clay, further improves the fabric softening benefit provided and also provides a fabric anti-wrinkling benefit, over several washing cycles.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In a first embodiment of the present invention, a solid detergent composition is provided which comprises hectorite clay and dioctahedral smectite clay, wherein the weight ratio of said hectorite clay to said dioctahedral smectite clay is less than 1:1.
In a second embodiment of the present invention, the use of a solid detergent composition comprising hectorite clay and dioctahedral smectite clay, wherein the weight ratio of said hectorite clay to said dioctahedral smectite clay is less than 1:1, to provide fabric softening benefits to fabric, is provided.
In a third embodiment of the present invention, the use of a solid detergent composition comprising hectorite clay, dioctahedral smectite clay and a hydrophobically modified cellulosic based polymer, wherein the weight ratio of said hectorite clay to said dioctahedral smectite clay is less than 1:1, to provide fabric softening benefits and fabric anti-wrinkling benefits to fabric, is provided.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hectorite Clay
The composition herein comprises hectorite clay. Typical hectorite clay for use herein has the general formula
[(Mg
3−x
Li
x
)Si
4−y
Me
III
y
O
10
(OH
2−z
F
z
)]
−(x+y)
((x+y)
)M
n+
  (I)
wherein y=0 to 0.4, if y=>0 then Me
III
is Al, Fe or B, preferably y=0; M
n+
is a monovalent (n=1) or a divalent (n=2) metal ion, preferably selected from Na, K, Mg, Ca and Sr. x is a number from 0.1 to 0.5, preferably from 0.2 to 0.4, more preferably from 0.25 to 0.35. z is a number from 0 to 2. The value of (x+y) is the layer charge of said first clay, preferably the value of (x+y) is in the range of from 0.1 to 0.5, preferably from 0.2 to 0.4, more preferably from 0.25 to 0.35.
The Inventors have found that a specific volume weight mean particle size of hectorite clay, typically from 5 micrometers to 20 micrometers, further improves the fabric softening benefit provided. Therefore, the hectorite clay for use herein preferably has a volume weight mean particle size of from 5 micrometers to 20 micrometers, preferably from 7 micrometers to 19 micrometers, more preferably from 10 micrometers to 18 micrometers, more preferably from 12 micrometers to 17 micrometers, more preferably from 14 micrometers to 16 micrometers. The method for determining said volume weight mean particle size of said first clay is described in more detail hereinafter
Also, the inventors have found that when the hectorite clay has a lathe-like primary platelet shape, typically defined by an aspect ratio of greater than 3:1, then the fabric softening benefit provided is further improved. Therefore the hectorite clay, especially the primary platelets of said hectorite clay, has an aspect ratio of greater than 3:1, more preferably greater than 5:1, more preferably greater then 7:1, or preferably from 7:1 to 15:1. The aspect ratio of the primary platelets is typically defined as the ratio of the average length of the primary platelets to the average width of the primary platelets. It is believed that the small particles of the hectorite clay which have primary platelets that are more elongated in structure, more easily fit into the crevices of the fabric and give an improved softening benefit during the washing process.
Preferred hectorite clays for use herein are those having a cationic exchange capacity of at least 90 meq/100 g. The cationic exchange capacity of clays can be measured using the method described in Grimshaw, The Chemistry and Physics of Clays, Interscience Publishers, Inc., pp. 264-265 (1971).
An especially preferred hectorite clay is that supplied by Rheox under the trade name Bentone HC. Other preferred hectorite clays for use herein are those hectorite clays supplied by CSM Materials under the trade name Hectorite U and Hectorite R, respectively.
Dioctahedral Smectite Clay
The composition herein comprises a dioctahedral smectite clay. Any dioctahedral smectite clay can be used herein, preferred dioctahedral smectite clays for use herein are montmorillonite clays.
Dioctahedral smectite clays for use herein typically have the general formula
Na
x
Al
2−x
Mg
x
Si
4
O
10
(OH)
2
  (II)
or
Ca
x
Al
2−x
Mg
x
Si
4
O
10
(OH)
2
  (III)
wherein x is a number from 0.1 to 0.5, preferably from 0.2 to 0.4.
Preferred dioctahedral smectite clays are low charge montmorillonite clays (also known as a sodium montmorillonite clay or Wyoming type montmorillonite clay) which have a general formula corresponding to formula (II) above, or high charge montmorillonite clays (also known as a calcium montmorillonite clay or Cheto type montmorillonite clay) which have a general formula corresponding to formula (III).
The Inventors have found that when the dioctahedral smectite clay has a specific volume weight mean particle size, typically of more than 20 micrometers, then the fabric softening benefit provided is further improved. Therefore, preferably the dioctahedral smectite clay has a volume weight mean particle size of more than 20 micrometers, preferably more than 23 micrometers, preferably more than 25 micrometers, or preferably from 21 micrometers to 60 micrometers, more preferably from 22 micrometers to 50 micrometers, more preferably from 23 micrometers to 40 micrometers, more preferably from 24 micrometers to 30 micrometers, more preferably from 25 micrometers to 28 micrometers. The method for determining said volume weight mean particle size of said second clay is described in more detail hereinafter.
Method for Determining the Volume Weight Mean Particle Size of the First Clay and Second Clay
The volume weight mean par

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