Cleaning compositions for solid surfaces – auxiliary compositions – Cleaning compositions or processes of preparing – Clay or inorganic aluminosilicate salt component
Reexamination Certificate
2000-07-10
2002-11-05
Gupta, Yogendra N. (Department: 1751)
Cleaning compositions for solid surfaces, auxiliary compositions
Cleaning compositions or processes of preparing
Clay or inorganic aluminosilicate salt component
C510S320000, C510S323000, C510S351000, C510S356000, C510S357000, C510S361000, C510S511000, C510S300000, C510S347000, C510S509000, C510S324000, C510S360000, C510S392000, C510S421000, C510S426000, C510S434000, C510S466000, C510S475000, C510S478000, C510S532000, C510S533000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06475982
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a free flowing granular cleaning composition for use in fabric care, wherein the composition contains a nonionic surfactant and a MAP type, zeolite having a particle size of 2.0 to 4.2 microns, which is an agglomeration of crystallites having pore diameters of 300 to 4000 nanometers and a porosity of at least 1.1 cc/gram.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In recent years the use of zeolite in fabric cleaning compositions as a replacement for phosphate as a detergent builder has increased because of the ability of the zeolite (crystalline alkali metal aluminosilicate) to sequester calcium ions from the aqueous wash solution.
More recently the use of the traditional Zeolite A has been replaced by the use of zeolite MAP (maximum aluminum zeolite P which has a silicon to aluminum ratio of less than 1.33).
Zeolite MAP has been previously disclosed in the literature. EP384070A discloses the use of zeolite MAP in a cleaning composition. EP044829A, EP0502675A, EP0533392B1 and EP0695341B1 teaches the use of zeolite MAP in combination with a bleach system for use in cleaning compositions. PCT WO97/34979 also teaches the use of zeolite MAP in combination with a bleaching system. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,238,594; 5,259,981; 5,259,982 and 5,498,342 are also directed to cleaning compositions containing Zeolite MAP.
PCT WO94/28109, EP0714432B1 and U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,490,954 and 5,518,649 teach cleaning compositions using zeolite MAP in combination with high levels of anionic surfactant as well as salts of fatty acids.
The aforementioned patents fail to provide a bleach free cleaning composition which has a low foam profile of less than 4 inches such that the cleaning composition can be used in either a front or top load washing machine.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a free flowing granular, low foaming fabric cleaning composition which comprises a MAP type zeolite having a particle size of 2.0 to 4.2 microns as measured on a sedigraph, which is an agglomeration of crystallites having pore diameters of 300 to 4000 nanometers and a porosity of at least 1.1 cc/gram, a nonionic surfactant, less than 10.0 wt. % of an anionic surfactant, a polyacrylate polymer, at least one nonphosphate supplemental builder which is not a zeolite and enzymes.
An object of the instant invention is to provide a free flowing granular, low foaming fabric cleaning composition which has a foam height at the end of the wash cycle in a top load washing machine at a dose level of 92 ml of less than 4 inches.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The present invention relates to a free flowing granular, low foaming fabric cleaning composition having a bulk density of 0.4 to 0.85, more preferably 0.60 to 0.68 grams/cc which comprises approximately by weight:
(a) 5% to 20%, more preferably 7% to 11% of an ethoxylated nonionic surfactant;
(b) 2.5% to 30%, more preferably 12% to 18% of a zeolite on active basis or express as anhydrosis MAP zeolite having a silicon to aluminum weight ratio of less than 1.33 and having a particle size of 2.0 to 4.2 microns (sedigraph), which is an agglomeration of crystallites having a pore diameter of 300 to 4000 nanometers and a porosity of at least 1.1 cc/gram;
(c) 20% to 40%, preferably 32% to 38% of a supplemental detergent builder salt such as an alkali metal carbonate such as sodium carbonate;
(d) 0 to 10%, more preferably 0.5% to 6% of a sulfate or sulfonate anionic surfactant;
(e) 0.5% to 5.0%, more preferably 1.0% to 3.0% of a polyacrylate type polymer which functions as an agglomerating aid as well as a chelating agent for calcium and/or magnesium ions as well as an antiredeposition agent;
(f) 0.5% to 35%, more preferably 15% to 25% of sodium sulfate;
(g) 0.5% to 7%, more preferably 1% to 6% of an alkali metal silicate such as sodium silicate or potassium silicate; and
(h) 0 to 3%, more preferably 0.05% to 1.5% of at least one enzyme.
The present invention also relates to a composition particle having a size of 325 to 475 microns and having a bulk density of 0.72 to 0.85, more preferably 0.75 to 0.81 grams/cc comprising approximately by weight:
(a) 5% to 60%, more preferably 10% to 45% of a MAP zeolite having a silicon to aluminum ratio of less than 1.33 and having a particle size of 2.5 to 3.2 microns and a pore size of 350 to 600 nanometers and a porosity of at least 1.75 cc/grams;
(b) 0 to 55%, more preferably 5% to 50% of an alkali metal carbonate;
(c) 0 to 10%, more preferably 0.1% to 6% of a polyacrylate type polymer;
(d) 0 to 2%, more preferably 0.1% to 1% of an optical brightener;
(e) 0 to 10% of an anionic surfactant; and
(f) 10% to 40% of an ethoxylated nonionic surfactant, wherein said ethoxylated nonionic surfactant is adsorbed on said MAP zeolite and said alkali metal carbonate and the agglomerate composition has a minimum of 60% relative flowability.
Excluded from the instant compositions are single crystal zeolites, zeolites having a three-dimensional pore system, zeolites have a 12 ring structure such as zeolite X and zeolite Y, zeolites having circular pore openings, hydroxy sodalites, zeolites belonging to the LTA group such as zeolite A and zeolite B or zeolite P belong to the GIS group and having a Si:AI ratio of greater than 1.4, and a calcium binding capacity of less than 150 mg C
a
CO
3
/g and a surface area as measured by N
2
absorption of less than 20 square meters/grams of zeolite. Also excluded from the instant compositions are: defloculatory polymers having a weight average molecular weight of above 3,000 up to and including 10,000 and containing polymer chains of the structure P-SR, wherein P represents a polymer chain segment of a hydrophile polymer and SR represents a mercapto end-cap group, R being an organic hydrophobic radical containing from about 4 to 28 carbon atoms and also excluded from the instant compositions are percarbonate bleach compounds.
The formulas referenced in this application and examples were made by mixing the appropriate components with the defined agglomerate compositions. Components could be added singularly or in part of whole in another pre-made composition. One method of combining a part or whole of the non-agglomerated components is through preparation of a spray dried base. A spray dried base can be made and added to the agglomeration composition. Additional components such as fragrance, enzymes, etc. were then added to this new mixed formulation.
The spray dried base referenced above was made via conventional methods. Materials were mixed in proper proportions, conditional, then dried to appropriate physical form. Conditions were controlled to yield a powder of appropriate chemistry, color, size, density, flow, etc. Chemical compositions of the dried composition comprising approximately by weight:
(a) 1.0% to 50% sodium sulfate;
(b) 1.0% to 70% sodium carbonate;
(c) 0.2% to 20%, preferably 0.2 to 10% of a sulfate or sulfonate anionic surfactant;
(d) 1.0% to 20% sodium silicate;
(e) 0.1% to 20% of a brightener;
(f) 0.5% to 10%, more preferably 1.0 to 5.0% of a polyacrylate type polymer;
(g) 0.1% to 5.0% moisture.
Bulk density could range from 0.30 to 0.75, more preferably 0.35 to 0.60 grams/cc.
Suitable anionic surfactants used in the instant compositions at less than 10 wt. % include the water-soluble alkali metal salts having alkyl radicals containing from about 8 to about 22 carbon atoms, the term alkyl being used to include the alkyl portion of higher acyl radicals. Examples of suitable synthetic anionic detergent compounds are sodium and potassium alkyl sulphates, especially those obtained by sulphating higher (C
8
-C
18
) alcohols produced, for example, from tallow or coconut oil; sodium and potassium alkyl (C
9
-C
20
) benzene sulfonates, particularly sodium linear secondary alkyl (C
10
-C
15
) benzene sulfonates; sodium alkyl glycerol ether sulfates, especially those ethers of the higher alcohols derived from tallow or coconut oil and synthetic alcohols derived from petroleum; sodium coconut oil fatty monoglyceride sulfates and sulfonates; sodium
Adams Richard
Beagle Charles
Beck David
Colgate - Palmolive Company
Mruk Brian P.
Nanfeldt Richard E.
LandOfFree
Fabric cleaning composition containing zeolite does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Fabric cleaning composition containing zeolite, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Fabric cleaning composition containing zeolite will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2976783