FR2883572A3 - Detergent tablet (packed in a water-soluble film), useful in e.g. household dishwasher, comprises a first solid phase (comprising surface-active agents) and a second solid phase - Google Patents

Abstract

Detergent tablet (I), comprises a first solid phase and a second solid phase, where (I) is packed in a water-soluble film.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

  The present invention relates to multiphase detergent tablets, particularly for use in a household dishwashing machine.

  BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The detergent compositions are known. In recent years, many compositions for laundry and machine dishwashing are in the form of tablets. These are easy to handle and provide reliable dose levels.

  Many of the commercially available tablets include a plurality of layers. These layers usually have a different color and each layer may comprise different ingredients that are active in the sequential washing steps.

  For machine dishwashing tablets are known which comprise two layers and a third composition in the form of an insert which is contained within a cavity which is perforated in the upper surface of the tablet. The insert has a characteristic color and is thus easily recognized by consumers.

  US 2003/119707 discloses that there are several disadvantages associated with this type of tablet. The protruding ball can easily be damaged and there is also the need to accurately place the ball in the cavity during manufacture. We have discovered that under conditions of use, the protruding ball is easily detached from the cavity. This may be due to friction during transport. This can also happen when a consumer - 2 opens the package surrounding the commercial tablets without paying attention to carefully avoid scraping and / or bumping the ball when the package is open.

  US 2003/119707 examines this problem and provides a multiphase detergent tablet comprising a first phase having a planar or generally planar top surface, and a second phase adhered to and partially covering the top surface.

  This product and its method of preparation require a new production process and are therefore not preferred.

  In addition, US 2003/0050206 discloses a composition for use in a dishwasher in tablet form, comprising at least two small portions which can be placed in the tablet, thus being surrounded by a first detergent composition which constitutes the main part of the tablet. It is a complicated production process. An additional disadvantage of these products is the lack of visible net index since the particles are on the inner side of the tablet and therefore invisible.

  Also, sometimes the gluing process to put two parts together may be imperfect, so even if a consumer is careful in the opening of the package, an insert can still come off.

  As a result, it is necessary to provide multi-phase tablets that include an insert that does not come off easily. -3 -

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION We have discovered that the incorporation of a tablet, comprising a first phase and a separate second phase, in a water-soluble package, provides a tablet that is stable and is still attractive to the consumer.

  Accordingly, the present invention relates to a detergent tablet comprising a first solid phase and a second solid phase, wherein the tablet is packaged in a water-soluble film.

  In another aspect, the present invention relates to the use of this tablet in a machine dishwashing process. DETAILED DESCRIPTION In the context of the present invention, the terms "package" and "film" are used interchangeably.

  The tablets according to the present invention are suitable for use in any application such as laundry washing or machine dishwashing processes. It has been found that the present invention is particularly suitable for application in a machine dishwashing process as this method greatly benefits from the possibility of including agents for the rinse cycle in a second phase.

  The tablet according to the present invention comprises at least two phases. Both phases are solid phases. Optionally, the tablet includes additional phases that can be solid, soft, gel-like or liquid. - 4 -

  The first solid phase is also called the tablet body. The body of the tablet according to the present invention is a solid which can, for example, be prepared by compression or melting. Preferably the tablet body is a compacted particulate composition.

  The body of the solid tablet is preferably a single discrete portion of the tablet but may also consist of a limited number (for example 1 to 5) of solid parts, such as separate layers in the tablet. Preferably, each of these solid parts has a weight of at least 2 g. If reference is made to the composition or weight of the solid tablet body, it should be understood that this relates to the total weight and the total composition of these solid parts.

  The body of the tablet preferably comprises ingredients such as detergency builders, a surfactant and optionally a bleaching agent (activators), enzymes, chelating agents, anti-wash agents for dishwashing, brighteners for laundry, antifoam granules, tablet disintegrating aids such as swellable particles or highly water-soluble salts, perfumes, dyes or colored microbeads.

  Some of these ingredients are described in more detail below.

  The first phase may be of any shape provided that a second phase can be adhered thereto, preferably so that the second phase forms a protuberance from a surface of the first phase. . In a preferred embodiment, the first phase is rectangular, triangular, ellipsoidal, drop, circular or square with a cavity in a portion of the surface.

  The second phase is preferably an insert which is at least partially placed in a mold in the surface of the first phase.

  Examples of such tablets are well known, for example commercial tablets which contain a small ball which is placed in a mold in the surface of a first tablet solid phase. Such tablets are for example described in US 6,730,646. This document discloses tablets having a single substantially spherical cavity, in which is housed a single substantially spherical particle, whose outer diameter is smaller than the internal diameter of the cavity. These tablets having a substantially spherical second phase are particularly suitable for application in the present invention.

  The second phase is preferably in the form of a particle. Preferably, this particle is partially surrounded by a cavity in the surface of the first phase.

  In a preferred embodiment, the second phase has a ball-like shape and forms a protuberance from a cavity in the surface of the tablet body.

  Preferably, the weight ratio of the tablet body to the second phase is 40 to 1 to 1: 1, more preferably 25 to 1 to about 5 to 1.

  The total weight of the tablet comprising the first and the second phase and optionally an additional phase is preferably from 10 to 30 g.

  In a preferred embodiment, the second phase forms a protuberance from the first phase. Preferably, the protuberance of the second phase from the first phase has a diameter of 2 to 50 mm.

  The second phase is a solid phase. The second phase preferably comprises components that perform their function very early in the washing process before the tablet body disintegrates and dissolves, or alternatively late in the washing process, such as primarily in the rinse cycle. 'a dishwashing process in the machine.

  A machine dishwashing process typically includes the pre-rinse, main wash, intermediate rinse, clear rinse steps. It is preferable that the second phase comprises components that perform their function mainly during or after the intermediate rinsing step.

  The whole tablet is packaged in a water-soluble package. It is particularly preferable that the package is at least partially transparent so that the contents can be seen. In this way, the consumer does not miss the visible mark provided by the preferred protruding portion of the tablet. Preferably, the entire film is transparent. Eventually, there are impressions on the film, for example pictures or sentences. - 7

  The packaging is preferably a flexible package, unlike solid, self-supporting packaging. The flexible package preferably surrounds the tablet so that there is little room for a second phase adjusted without tightening to move.

  In a preferred embodiment, the volume of the package is at least 110%, more preferably 150% to 300%, even more preferably 150% to 250% of the tablet volume. The packaging should not be too loose because it can then lose its function of maintaining the second phase in place adhering to the first phase.

  In a most preferred embodiment, the package is like a bag with a volume of about two times the volume of the tablet. More preferably, the package is tightly fitted around the tablet.

  It should be understood that the volume of the packaging must be such that it does not interfere with its placement in the dispenser of a washing apparatus.

  The volume of the package is easily determined by filling the empty package with a liquid and measuring the volume of liquid that can be put into the package.

  Preferably, the film material is a substantially uniform material. Such film materials can be produced, for example, by blowing or casting. For the purpose of the present invention, uniform means that the film has essentially the same composition when comparing a piece of the film and another piece of the film at a distance from the first piece. However, the film itself can consist of more than one layer.

  The film is formed of a water-soluble film material. A water-soluble material has the recognized advantage that the multi-phase tablet can be used directly in the wash. The desired degree of solubilization and resistance can be achieved by adapting the type of material and its thickness so that the desired solubilization time is achieved while maintaining the desired strength. More preferably, the film material is deformable with heating.

  Water-soluble materials that can be used to form the water-soluble films are widely described in the literature and include, for example, polyesteramides, polyvinyl alcohol, copolymers of vinyl alcohol and methacrylate, poly (oxide) ethylene), alginates, cellulose ethers such as carboxymethylcellulose and methylcellulose, starches and starch derivatives, gelatin and any combination thereof. The use of polyvinyl alcohol is particularly preferred. .

  The water-soluble material is preferably composed mainly of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) or a copolymer of polyvinyl alcohol and poly (methyl acrylate) (PVAPMA). The term polyvinyl alcohol in the present invention also includes partially hydrolysed polyvinyl acetate. The water-soluble film may optionally also contain minor amounts of plasticizers, antifoaming agents, antioxidants, surfactants, perfumes and the like.

  Preferably, the thickness of the film is from 10 to 120 micrometers, more preferably from 15 to 100 micrometers, most preferably from 20 to 90 micrometers.

  In a preferred embodiment, the second phase is attached to the first phase with an adhesive. Alternatively, or in addition, a mechanical fixation is used. Optionally, for fixation, compounds that melt or dissolve during the washing process are selected.

  The composition of the second phase is preferably such as to function essentially in the clear rinse cycle of a machine dishwashing process. Optionally, the second phase is entirely surrounded by an envelope or coating that releases its contents only during or after the intermediate rinse cycle. In a preferred embodiment, such an envelope or such a coating comprises at least one compound which is not or only slightly soluble at higher pH but whose solubility increases with a reduction in the concentration of OH- ion and thus with a decrease in the pH of the washing medium. In a typical dishwashing machine process, the pH changes during the process, from a high pH of 10 to 11 at a lower pH during the clear rinse cycle of 8 to 9.

  Suitable shell or coating materials are for example described in US-A-6,730,646.

  The second phase preferably comprises at least one compound selected from the group consisting of surfactants, antibacterial compositions, silver protection agents, perfumes, bleaching agents, disinfectants, odor masking agents, anti-corrosion agents, anti-film-forming agents and enzymes. These ingredients are optionally also present in the first solid phase.

  The materials that can be used in the tablets of the present invention are now described in more detail. SURFACTANT An anionic surfactant may generally be present in tissue wash tablets in an amount of from 0.5% to 50% by weight, preferably from 4% to 30% or 40% by total weight of surfactant anionic relative to the total weight of the composition of the tablet. It may be accompanied by a nonionic surfactant in a proportion of 3% to 20% by total weight of nonionic surfactant relative to the total weight of the composition of the tablet.

  In a machine dishwashing composition, the surfactant is generally capable of constituting 0.5% to 8% by weight, more likely 0.5% to 6% by weight relative to the total weight of the composition of the composition. compressed, and it is likely to be composed of nonionic surfactant, alone or combined with an anionic surfactant.

  In a preferred embodiment, the first phase comprises a surfactant and the amount of surfactant is at most 10% by weight based on the total weight of the first phase.

  Synthetic anionic surfactants (ie without soap) are well known to those skilled in the art. Preferred examples include alkylbenzene sulfonates, particularly linear sodium alkylbenzene sulfonates having an alkyl chain length of Cg-C15; olefin sulfonates; alkane sulfonates; dialkyl sulfosuccinates; fatty acid ester sulfonates and primary alkyl sulfates having an alkyl chain length of C8-18E It may also be desirable to include one or more fatty acid soaps. These are preferably sodium soaps derived from naturally occurring fatty acids, for example the fatty acids of coconut oil, bovine tallow, sunflower or hardened rapeseed oil.

  Suitable nonionic surfactant compounds which can be used include, in particular, the reaction products of compounds having a hydrophobic group and a reactive hydrogen atom, for example aliphatic alcohols, acids, amides or alkyls. phenols, with alkylene oxides, in particular ethylene oxide.

  Specific nonionic surface-active compounds are (C 8 -C 22) -alkyl phenol-ethylene condensates, condensation products of primary or secondary C 8-20 aliphatic linear or branched alcohols with ethylene oxide; and products made by condensation of ethylene oxide with the reaction products of propylene oxide and ethylenediamine.

  Particularly preferred are the primary and secondary alcohol ethoxylates, especially the C 9 -C 11 and C 12 -C 15 primary and secondary alcohols ethoxylated with an average of 5 to 20 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol.

  Preferred nonionic surfactants for use in machine dishwashing tablets are low foaming non-foaming nonionic surfactants containing ethylene oxide and / or propylene oxide residues. Examples of suitable low foaming or non-foaming straight chain ethoxylated alcohols which are preferred nonionic surfactants in machine dishwashing are Plurafac LF Series from BASF, Synperonic Series from ICI; the Lutensol LF series from BASF, and the Triton DF series from Rohm & Haas. The ethoxylated end-capped alcohols available as SLF 18B series from BASF are also of interest.

  DETERGENT ADJUVANTS Tablets according to the present invention or its domains may contain a so-called adjuvant which serves to remove or complex calcium and / or magnesium ions in water.

  When a water softening detergency builder is present, the amount thereof is generally in the range of 5% to 80% by weight, more likely 15% to 80% by weight total of adjuvant detergency relative to the total weight of the composition of the tablet.

  Water-soluble, non-phosphorus water softening additives may be organic or inorganic. Inorganic compounds that may be present include zeolites, phyllosilicates, alkali metal carbonates (generally sodium); whereas the organic compounds include polycarboxylate polymers such as polyacrylates, acrylic / maleic copolymers and acrylic phosphonates, monomeric polycarboxylates such as citrates, gluconates, oxydisuccinates, mono-, di- and tri-succinates of glycerol, carboxymethyloxysuccinates, amino polycarboxylic compounds (such as MGDAs (methylglycinediacetic acid carboxymethyloxymalonates)), dipicolinates, nitrilotriacetates and hydroxyethyliminodiacetates.

  The tablet compositions preferably comprise polycarboxylate polymers, more particularly polyacrylates and acrylic / maleic copolymers which have a softener function and which also inhibit unwanted deposition on fabric from the laundry liquor or on a glass from a machine dishwashing liquor.

  The class of water-soluble phosphorus adjuvants includes orthophosphates, methaphosphates, pyrophosphates and alkali metal polyphosphates. Specific examples of inorganic phosphate detergent builders include tripolyphosphates, sodium and potassium orthophosphates and hexametaphosphates. Sodium tripolyphosphate is a preferred phosphorus adjuvant for machine dishwashing tablets.

  It exists in hydrated, anhydrous or partially hydrated form, and mixtures of these forms can be used to regulate the rate of disintegration and dissolution of the tablet.

  ADDITIONAL POTENTIAL INGREDIENTS

WHITENING ACTIVATORS

  Tablets according to the present invention may contain bleach activators, also known as bleach precursors. Preferred examples include peracetic acid precursors, for example tetraacetylethylene diamine (TAED), and perbenzoic acid precursors. The quaternary ammonium and phosphonium bleach activators disclosed in US 4751015 and US 4818426 (Lever Brothers Company) are also of interest. Another type of bleach activator that can be used, but which is not a bleach precursor, is a transition metal catalyst as described in EP-A-458397, EP-A-458398. and EP-A-549272.

bleaching

  Preferred tablets include a source of hydrogen peroxide such as perborate or percarbonate, the latter being preferred. In a preferred embodiment, the film is mainly composed of polyvinyl alcohol) and the second and / or first phase comprises a bleaching composition which is substantially free of sodium perborate.

ENZYMES

  Tablets according to the present invention may contain one of the detergency enzymes well known in the art for their ability to degrade and facilitate the removal of various soils and stains.

  Tissue-appropriate enzymes include the various proteases, cellulases, lipases, amylases and mixtures thereof which are intended to eliminate a variety of soils and stains of the tissues. Examples of suitable proteases are Maxatase (trademark), supplied by Genencor, and Alcalase (registered trademark), and Savinase (registered trademark), supplied by Novo Industri A / S, Copenhagen, Denmark.

  Preferred enzymes for dishwashing are lipases, amylases and proteases. The most commonly used enzymes in machine dishwashing compositions are amylolytic enzymes. Preferably, the composition also contains a protease.

  The detergency enzymes are usually used in the form of granules or marbles, optionally with a protective coating, in an amount generally ranging from 0.1% to 5.0% by total weight of enzyme relative to the total weight of the composition of the tablet.

  CHELATING AGENT A metal ion chelating agent (often referred to as a metal ion sequestering or complexing agent) may be present in the composition. If necessary, it is preferable that the amount of chelating agent is from 0.5% to 3% by total weight of chelating agent relative to the total weight of the composition of the tablet. It may be a function of stabilizing the bleaching agent against premature decomposition catalyzed by transition metals and / or to inhibit scale formation.

  Preferred chelating agents include organic phosphonates, aminocarboxylates, polyfunctionally substituted compounds, and mixtures thereof.

  Particularly preferred chelating agents are the organic phosphonates such as alpha-hydroxy-2-phenylethyl diphosphonate, ethylene diphosphonate, hydroxyl-1,1-hexylidene, vinylidene-1, diphosphonate, 1, 1,2-dihydroxyethane 1-diphosphonate and 1,1-hydroxyethylphosphonate. Hydroxyethyl 1,1-diphosphonate, 2-phosphono-1,2,4-butanetricarboxylic acid or their salts are particularly preferred.

  Other ingredients which may optionally be used include anti-tarnish agents for dishwashing, brighteners for laundry, antifoam granules, tablet disintegrating aids such as inflatable particles or salts. highly water-soluble, colored perfumes, dyes or microbeads. Tissue wash tablets may include fabric softeners and / or antiredeposition agents such as sodium linear carboxymethylcellulose, straight chain polyvinylpyrrolidone and cellulose ethers such as methylcellulose and ethylhydroxyethylcellulose.

  Machine dishwashing tablets may include polymers for inhibiting scale formation and polymers for inhibiting stain formation on glass objects.

  The tablets packaged according to the present invention are preferably sold accompanied by instructions not to remove the package from the tablet before use in a washing machine.

  METHOD OF MANUFACTURE Any suitable method may be used. Preferably, the tablet phase is manufactured according to conventional compression methods, fixing the second phase to the first phase, and then incorporating into a film material for example by means of the tubular packaging technique. The second phase is for example manufactured by compression or according to methods such as those described in US 6730646.

EXAMPLES

EXAMPLE 1

  A rectangular tablet, as described with the composition below, weighing 19.6 g is prepared by pressing. The pressing mold is intended to produce a hemispherical recess 14 mm in diameter in the middle of one side of the tablet.

  2883572 - 18 - COMPOSITION AND PREPARATION OF THE TABLET Ingredient% by Weight Sodium Tripolyphosphate 49 Sodium Carbonate 12.4 Sodium Percarbonate 9.4 Polyethylene Glycol 6000 8.0 Sodium Disilicate 6.5 Protease 3.0 Nonionic Surfactant 3 , Amylase 2,5 TAED 2,7 Water & minor components Complement up to 100% INSERT COMPOSITION AND PREPARATION Ingredient% by weight Nonionic surfactant 45,0 Polyethylene glycol 20000 45,0 pH sensitive polymer 4, Polyvinyl alcohol 4.0 Water and minor components 2.0 A spherical insert approximately 12 mm in diameter and weighing about 0.9 g is prepared by first forming a spherical core comprising an equal mixture by weight of nonionic surfactant and polyethylene glycol with a molecular weight of 20,000. Poly (vinyl alcohol) applied in the form of an aqueous solution is deposited on this sphere, and then an aqueous solution of a polymer whose solubility is sensitive at pH. The process is analogous to that disclosed in US 6,730,646.

  - 19 - ASSEMBLY OF THE TABLET AND TUBULAR PACKAGING A drop of glue (for example molten polyethylene glycol) is placed in the hemispherical cavity of the tablet, prepared as described above, and the spherical insert is placed in the cavity and left at rest until the insert is attached to the tablet. The spherical insert forms a slight protuberance above the flat face of the tablet.

  The tablet is then packaged in a clear water-soluble film composed of polyvinyl alcohol using a conventional tubular packaging technique which is well known in the art.

EXAMPLE 2

  COMPOSITION AND PREPARATION OF THE TABLET Ingredient% by Weight Sodium Tripolyphosphate 49 Sodium Carbonate 12.4 Sodium Percarbonate 9.4 Polyethylene Glycol 6000 8.0 Sodium Disilicate 6.5 Protease 3.0 Nonionic Surfactant 3.0 Amylase 2, 5 TAED 2.7 Water & minor components Supplement A pressing tablet is prepared as a rectangular tablet, as described with the above composition, weighing 20.7 g. The pressing mold is intended to produce a cylindrical cavity 21 mm in diameter and 8 mm deep in the middle of one of the faces of the tablet.

  - 20 - COMPOSITION AND PREPARATION OF THE INSERT Ingredient% by weight Sodium tripolyphosphate 50.0 Polyethylene glycol 5.0 Sodium carbonate 20.0 Polymers 10.0 Water and minor components 15.0 A cylindrical insert of approx. mm in diameter, 7 mm high and weighing about 2.4 g by pressing the composition described above.

  ASSEMBLY OF THE TABLET AND TUBULAR PACKAGING: A drop of glue (for example molten polyethylene glycol) is placed in the cylindrical cavity of the tablet, prepared as described above, and the cylindrical insert is placed in the cavity and left at rest until the insert is attached to the tablet. The insert is flat to the surface of the tablet or slightly below. The tablet is then packaged in a water soluble film composed of polyvinyl alcohol using a conventional tubular packaging technique which is well known in the art.

2883572 - 21 -

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 3

  COMPOSITION AND PREPARATION OF THE TABLET Ingredient% by Weight Sodium Tripolyphosphate 49 Sodium Carbonate 12.4 Sodium Percarbonate 9.4 Polyethylene Glycol 6000 8.0 Sodium Disilicate 6.5 Protease 3.0 Nonionic Surfactant 3.0 Amylase 2 5. TAED 2.7 Water & minor components Complement A rectangular tablet, as described with the above composition, weighing 20.7 g is prepared by pressing. The pressing mold is intended to produce a cylindrical cavity 21 mm in diameter and 8 mm deep in the middle of one of the faces of the tablet.

- 22 -

Claims (7)

R E V E N D I C A T IO N S   A detergent tablet comprising a first solid phase and a second solid phase, characterized in that the tablet is packaged in a water-soluble film.   The detergent tablet according to claim 1, wherein the water-soluble film is at least partially transparent.   The detergent tablet according to any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein the first solid phase comprises a cavity and wherein the second solid phase is a particle which is partially surrounded by the cavity.   The detergent tablet according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the second phase is attached to the first phase with an adhesive.   A detergent tablet according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first phase comprises a surfactant and the amount of surfactant is at most 10% by weight of the total weight of the first phase.   The detergent tablet according to claim 5, wherein the second phase comprises substances which perform their main function during the rinsing cycle of a dishwasher.   The detergent tablet according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the film is predominantly composed of polyvinyl alcohol and wherein the second and / or first phase comprises a bleaching composition which is substantially free of sodium perborate. sodium.