HEAVY DUTY LAUNDRY DETERGENT

Abstract

A laundry detergent formulation is provided that is formed as an aqueous blend of surfactants, enzymes, builders, and soil release polymers to inhibit soil re-deposition back onto other clothing or elements of the washing machine. The detergent formulation also contains additives with properties that impart a treatment to fabrics that inhibits future soil deposition onto the clothing with continued use. The detergent formulation provides cleaning of heavy duty grease and automotive soils from clothing surfaces that is superior to current detergent products.

Claims

1. A process for cleaning clothing having soil thereon in a washing machine comprising: applying a pre-spotter formulation to a spot or a stain to be removed from an article of clothing prior to insertion into the washing machine, the pre-spotter formulation comprising: one or more builders; one or more enzymes; one or more surfactants; a biocide; a soil release polymer of a nonionic oligoester_present from 0.6 to 5.5 total weight percent; and allowing sufficient time for the pre-spotter formulation to clean the clothing during operation of the washing machine without redeposition of the soil back onto the clothing or the washing machine once the soil is removed from the clothing.

2. The process of claim 1 wherein the formulation is monophasic for at least 4 months storage at 20° Celsius as measured by a change of less than one pH unit.

3. The process of claim 1 wherein the one or more builders further comprises sodium citrate.

4. The process of claim 1 wherein said one or more builders further comprises at least one of borax or ethanolamine.

5. The process of claim 1 wherein said one or more enzymes comprises cellulase.

6. The process of claim 1 wherein said one or more surfactants comprises at least one of alkylbenzene sulfonate, alkyldiphenyl disulfonate, or linear alcohol ethoxylate.

7. The process of claim 1 wherein said solvent further comprises an ester solvent.

8. The process of claim 1 wherein said solvent further comprises a mixture of nonionic esters.

9. The process of claim 1 wherein the applied formulation further comprises a fragrance.

10. The process of claim 1 wherein the applied formulation further comprises a rheology agent.

11. The process of claim 1 wherein said soil release polymer further comprises a condensation products of at least two of: dimethyl terephthalate, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, and polyalkylene glycols.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] The present invention is further detailed with respect to the following drawings that are intended to show certain aspects of the present invention, but should not be construed as a limit on the practice of the present invention.

[0011] FIG. 1 are photographs of cotton stained swatch and polyester/cotton stained swatch used in performance testing of embodiments of the inventive detergent versus a leading competitor; and

[0012] FIG. 2 shows hand stained monitors on cotton and polyester used in performance testing of embodiments of the inventive detergent versus a leading competitor.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] The present invention has utility as laundry detergent formulations formed as an aqueous blend of surfactants, enzymes, builders, and specialty additives to impart anti soil re-deposition properties so that soil does not deposit back onto other clothing or elements of the washing machine itself once soil is removed from the clothing. Embodiments of the inventive detergent formulation also contain additives with properties that impart a treatment to fabrics that inhibits future soil deposition onto the clothing with continued use. Embodiments of the inventive detergent formulation provide cleaning of heavy duty grease and automotive soils from clothing surfaces that is superior to current detergent products.

[0014] An illustrative listing of the formulary components of embodiments of the inventive heavy duty laundry detergent is provided in Table 1 with a range of concentration percentages provided.

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Inventive Exemplary Laundry Detergent Formula, where percentages are total weight percentages of additive component inclusive of carriers and inerts, with active component percentage provided in parentheses. Concentration (total weight %) Component Nominal water Proposed Function Low Remainder High (e.g. Methylisothiazolinone Biocide (total of all 0.01 0.1 1.5 (80%)/Quaternium 15 biocides) Sodium Citrate Builder 0.1 1.8 6.0 Borax Builder 0.1 0.9 3.2 Ethanolamine Builder 0.1 0.5 2.0 Linear alcohol ethoxylate Surfactant 3.0 16.0 22.0 Alkylbenzene-Sulfonic Acid Surfactant 2.0 10.0 18.0 Sodium dodecyl Surfactant 1.8 7.0 15.5 diphenyl oxide disulfonate Oligoesters Soil release polymers 0.6 2.9 7.5 Cellulase (0.001%) Enzyme 0.05 0.3 1.5 Mannase, amylase, proteases Enzyme 0 0.5 2 (0.001% each) Blend of nonionic esters ester solvent 0 0.9 7 D-Limonene Fragrance/biocide 0 1.4 5 Polysorbate 80 Rheological agent 0 1.2 3 Propylene Glycol Solvent 0 4.5 6 Citric Acid pH stabilizer 0 0.5 8 Fatty alcohol (C.sub.9-C.sub.15) Surfactant 0 3.5 14 alkoxylate polyglucoside Surfactant/hydrotrope 0 2.0 9

[0015] Biocides active in the present invention are provided to enhance shelf life of the formulation and limit bacterial and fungal growth. Biocides operative herein illustratively include methylisothiazolinone triclosan, triclocarbon, hydrogen peroxide, other oxygen bleach, para-chloro-meta-xylenol, iodine/iodophors, selected alcohols, quaternium 15 (hexamethylenetetramine chloroallyl chloride), chlorhexidine, phenols, phospholipids, thymol, eugeniol, geraniol, oil of lemon grass, and combinations thereof. Certain quaternary surfactants may also show biocidal action and may be included as a secondary biocide agent, exemplary of these are monoalkl and dialkyl imidazolines as detailed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,838,419; alone or in combination to secondary biocides; additionally, such compounds serve as soil release compounds. Typically, a biocide or a combination of biocides are present from 0.01 to 1.5 total weight percent in an inventive formulation.

[0016] Builders in the inventive detergent formulation illustratively include inorganics of: alkali metal carbonates, borates, phosphates, bicarbonates and silicates. Specific examples of such salts include borax, acid salts, sodium and potassium tetraborates, bicarbonates, carbonates, orthophosphates, pyrophosphates, tripolyphosphates and metaphosphates; and organics of: (1) water-soluble amino carboxylates and aminopolyacetates, for example, nitrilotriacetates, glycinates, ethylenediaminetetraacetates, N-(2-hydroxyethyl)nitrilo diacetates and diethylenetriamine pentaacetates; (2) water-soluble salts of phytic acid, for example, sodium and potassium phytates; (3) water-soluble polyphosphonates, including sodium, potassium, and lithium salts of ethane-1-hydroxy-1,1-diphosphonic acid; sodium, potassium, and lithium salts of ethylene diphosphonic acid; and the like; (4) water-soluble polycarboxylates such as the salts of lactic acid, succinic acid, malonic acid, maleic acid, citric acid (e.g. sodium citrate), oxydisuccinic acid, carboxymethyloxysuccinic acid, 2-oxa-1,1,3-propane tricarboxylic acid, 1,1,2,2-ethane tetracarboxylic acid, mellitic acid and pyromellitic acid; (5) water-soluble polyacetals as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,144,266 and 4,246,495; and (6) the water-soluble aminated alcohols such as 2-ethanolamine. Typically, a builder or a combination of builders are present from 0.3 to 11.2 total weight percent in an inventive formulation.

[0017] Enzymes in the inventive detergent formulation illustratively include enzymes for stain removal solutions that degrade a variety of common and stubborn protein, starch, mannan, pectin and grease stains, such enzymes illustratively include cellulase, mannanase, gluconase, amylase, and proteases; an enzymatic whitening solution that prevents fabric graying and maintains whiteness by disabling soil deposition on clothes and cleaving off damaged microfibrils to release trapped dirt particles that includes enzymes such as cellulase. Enzymes are individually incorporated in the detergent compositions of the present invention a level of from 0.0000005% to 0.01%, as a percentage of enzyme itself or a combination of enzymes, exclusive of carrier weight.

[0018] A solvent operative herein illustratively includes C.sub.4-C.sub.14 ethers and diethers, glycols, alkoxylated glycols, C.sub.3-C.sub.10 glycol ethers, alkoxylated aromatic alcohols, aromatic alcohols, aliphatic branched alcohols, alkoxylated aliphatic branched alcohols, alkoxylated linear C.sub.1-C5 alcohols, linear C.sub.1-C.sub.5 alcohols, amines, C.sub.8-Ci.sub.4 alkyl and cycloalkyl hydrocarbons and halohydrocarbons, and mixtures thereof. An ester solvent illustratively includes benzyl acetate, acetate, 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, isopropyl stearate and diethyl malonate. Ether solvents include, for example, butyl phenyl ether, amyl phenyl ether and diphenyl ether. Ketone solvents include, for example, acetophenone. Typically, a solvent or a combination of solvents present from 0 to 7 total weight percent in an inventive formulation.

[0019] A fragrance may be added to embodiments of the inventive detergent illustratively including D-Limonene which is the major component of the oil extracted from citrus rind or other aromatic plant extracts. Typically, a fragrance is present from 0 to 5 total weight percent in an inventive formulation. It is appreciated that a fragrance may also have secondary solvent or biocide properties.

[0020] A rheological agent operative herein illustratively includes polysorbate 80, methylcellulose, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, xanthan gum, guar gum and hydroxypropyl guar gum, succinoglycan, and trihydroxystearin. Typically, a rheological agent is present from 0 to 3 total weight percent in an inventive formulation.

[0021] A pH stabilizer may be added to embodiments of the inventive detergent and illustratively include citric acid, mineral acids, and combinations thereof. Typically, a pH stabilizer is present from 0 to 8 total weight percent in an inventive formulation.

[0022] Surfactants that may be added to embodiments of the inventive detergent illustratively include alkylbenzene sulfonates, (C.sub.12 (Branched) Sodium Diphenyl Oxide Disulfonate), alcohol ethoxylates, alkyl polyglycoside, alcohol ethoxylates based on a C.sub.9-11 synthetic alcohol), and combinations thereof.

[0023] Embodiments of the inventive detergent may also use sulfonic acid as part of the formulation, where sulfonic acids are often soluble in water or exhibit detergent-like properties.

[0024] It has been surprisingly found that the inclusion of a soil release polymer in embodiments of the inventive detergent impart anti soil re-deposition properties so that soil does not deposit back onto other clothing or elements of the washing unit itself once soil is removed from the clothing. A soil release polymer operative herein is a non-ionic soil release/antistatic agent for the treatment of 100% polyester fabrics and polyester rich blends. The soil release polymers operative herein are oligoesters. These oligoesters are condensation products of at least two of: dimethyl terephthalate, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, polyalkylene glycols, and combinations thereof alone or with other monomers. As a consequence of a molar excess of the alcohol component, these oligoesters contain terminal OH groups which may, wholly or in part, be terminated by alkoxy groups (end-caps). Oligoesters are further detailed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,116,885; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,210,417. An inventive soil release polymer imparts hydrophilic/oleophobic effect to fibers such as polyester and acts to lower soil redeposition.

[0025] Without intended to be bound to a particular theory, an inventive soil release polymer surrounds the polyester fiber with an envelope which alters the hydrophobic nature of the fiber surface. The altered fiber is able to absorb water between the fiber and the inventive soil release polymer layer, and interfacial tension between oil and fiber is increased, making oil more easily removable. After treatment, treated fibers exhibit higher conductivity, and the tendency to build-up static electricity is reduced. The generally more oleophobic nature of the inventive soil release polymer treated fiber makes it easier to remove oily and/or particulate contamination by washing.

[0026] Embodiments of an inventive detergent formulation have the property of storage stability for at least 4 months. pH storage stability is defined as a change in composition pH as measured at standard temperature and pressure that deviates less than one pH unit when the composition is stored at standard temperature and pressure. In an embodiment standard temperature is defined as 20° Celsius.

[0027] The present invention achieves storage stability while maintaining conventional cleaning properties with respect to heavy duty grease and automotive soils. Through selection of specific additives, an inventive cleaning composition is readily formulated for heavy duty grease and automotive soils to impart anti soil re-deposition properties so that soil does not deposit back onto other clothing or elements of the washing unit itself once soil is removed from the clothing.

[0028] The present invention is further detailed with respect to the following nonlimiting examples. Unless otherwise specified, the percentages detailed herein are total weight percent of the inventive formulation.

EXAMPLE 1

[0029] A blind comparison was performed in accordance with ASTM D4265-14 Standard Guide for Evaluating Stain Removal Performance in Home Laundering by an independent testing lab of the nominal formulation of Table 1 versus a leading detergent available on the market in the form of laundry detergent samples. Tests results confirmed comparable performance between an embodiment of the inventive detergent formulation and the leading detergent. [0030] Two (each) 5 cm×5 cm Pre-Stained Cotton and Polyester/Cotton Swatches on Cotton and Polyester/Cotton monitors as shown in FIG. 1, respectively, were used (see stain descriptions below) to evaluate the stain removal performance of the submitted liquid laundry detergents. [0031] Color measurement(s) of the unstained fabric area were taken prior to cleaning using a spectrophotometer, measuring on the L*a*b* color scale. [0032] The stained monitors (1 per load/detergent) were washed with ballast fabric (100% cotton and 50:50 Polyester:Cotton) to simulate consumer use—a large or “full wash load.” [0033] Color measurement(s) of each stained swatch were then evaluated after each cleaning cycle using a spectrophotometer, measuring on the L*a*b* color scale. [0034] Residual Stain Index (RSI) was then calculated using the following formula:

[00001]$\mathrm{RSI}=100-\Delta .Math..Math.E_{\left(\mathrm{WS}-\mathrm{UF}\right)}^{*}$$\Delta .Math..Math.E^{*}=\sqrt{\Delta .Math..Math.L^{*2}+\Delta .Math..Math.a^{*2}+\Delta .Math..Math.b^{*2}}$$\mathrm{RSI}=\mathrm{Residual}.Math..Math.\mathrm{Stain}.Math..Math.\mathrm{Index}$$\mathrm{UF}=\mathrm{Unwashed}\left(\mathrm{unstained}\right).Math.\mathrm{fabric}.Math..Math.\mathrm{area}$$\mathrm{WS}=\mathrm{Washed}.Math..Math.\mathrm{Stain}.Math..Math.\mathrm{area}$$\Delta .Math..Math.E_{\left(\mathrm{WS}-\mathrm{UF}\right)}^{*}=\mathrm{Color}.Math..Math.\mathrm{difference}.Math..Math..Math.\mathrm{between}.Math..Math.\mathrm{the}.Math..Math.\mathrm{washsed}.Math..Math.\mathrm{stain}.Math..Math.\mathrm{and}$$\mathrm{the}.Math..Math.\mathrm{unwashed}.Math..Math.\mathrm{fabric}$ [0035] This process was repeated two (2) additional times for a total of three (3) replicates per product per fabric type.

[0036] Manual Cleaning Performance Test: [0037] 1. Test Conditions: [0038] Test Swatches.sup.1—Soil(s): 100% Cotton Stained Swatches on 100% Cotton Monitor [0039] 50:50 Polyester:Cotton Stained Swatches on [0040] 50:50 Polyester:Cotton Polyester Monitor [0041] Ballast Fabric(s): 100% Cotton Standard Ballast Sheets [0042] 50:50 Polyester:Cotton Standard Ballast Sheets [0043] Fabric Load: 2.7 kg of fresh ballast per wash cycle (replicate) [0044] Detergent Concentration: As per the instruction of the client the following detergent amounts were used for testing: [0045] 60 mL of Laundry Detergent A—Invention [0046] 60 mL of Laundry Detergent B—Comparative of Table 2 [0047] Water Hardness: 120 ppm [0048] Water Temperature: 82±2° F. (Warm Cycle) [0049] Ambient Rinse [0050] Washer Type: Top loading washer [0051] Washer Settings: Normal/Casual cycle [0052] Dryer Settings: Normal Setting (160±10° F. or 71.1±6° C.) for 45 minutes [0053] .sup.1 All test swatches were stored in the dark prior to use and after removal from dryer until the final evaluation was performed.

[0054] The following tables summarize the test results:

TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Total Average Residual Stain Index (RSI) Laundry Detergent A Laundry Detergent B Detergent P44-12-19-14-1A P44-12-19-14-1B Fabric Cotton Polyester/Cotton Cotton Polyester/Cotton Total Average RSI 88.83 90.11 87.24 89.58

[0055]

EXAMPLE 2

[0056] A blind comparison was performed in accordance with ASTM D4265-14 Standard Guide for Evaluating Stain Removal Performance in Home Laundering by an independent testing lab of the nominal formulation of Table 1 versus a leading detergent available on the market in the form of laundry detergent samples and pre-spotter samples with hand applied dirty motor oil as shown in FIG. 2. The conventional detergent lacks an oligoester of the present invention and includes the following ingredients.

TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 5 Comparative conventional stain release detergent formulation lacking an oligoester. Ingredient Purpose Water Process aid Sodium alcoholethoxy sulfate Surfactant Linear alkylbenzene sulfonate, Surfactant sodium/MEA salts MEA citrate Captures soil Propylene glycol Process aid Polyethyleneimine ethoxylate Polymer Ethanol Process aid Diethylene glycol Process aid Polyethyleneimine propoxyethoxylate Polymer Sodium fatty acids Surfactant Protease Enzyme Borax Captures soil Sodium cumene sulfonate Process aid DTPA (diethylene triamine pentaacetic Captures soil acid-chelant) Fragrance Scent Amylase Enzyme Disodium diaminostilbene disulfonate Brightener Calcium formate Process aid Sodium formate Process aid Gluconase Enzyme Dimethicone Process aid Liquitint Blue Colorant Mannanase Enzyme

[0057] Tests results confirmed comparable performance between inventive detergent formulation and the leading detergent. [0058] Five (each) hand-applied dirty motor oil stains (0.5 mL of 50:50 dirty motor oil:tetradecane was deposited in the center of a 1.75″ diameter staining ring on the fabric) on Cotton, Polyester, Polyester/Cotton, and *Nylon Blend monitors were used to evaluate the stain removal performance of the submitted pre-spotters. [0059] *Nylon Blend—90:10 Nylon:Spandex [0060] Color measurements of the unstained fabrics were taken using a spectrophotometer, measuring on the L*a*b* scale. [0061] One mL of prespotter was applied to each stain and allowed to absorb for five minutes prior to washing. [0062] The stained monitors (1 per load/detergent) were washed with ballast fabric (100% Cotton, 100% Polyester, 50:50 Polyester:Cotton, and a mixed (5:1) ballast load of Polyester:Nylon Blend* to simulate consumer use—a large or “full wash load.” [0063] The stained monitors were washed with 50 g of AATCC Standard Detergent without Optical Brighteners. [0064] Color measurement(s) of each stain were then evaluated after each cleaning cycle using a spectrophotometer, measuring on the L*a*b* color scale. [0065] Residual Stain Index (RSI) was then calculated using the following formula:

[00002]$\mathrm{RSI}=100-\Delta .Math..Math.E_{\left(\mathrm{WS}-\mathrm{UF}\right)}^{*}$$\Delta .Math..Math.E^{*}=\sqrt{\Delta .Math..Math.L^{*2}+\Delta .Math..Math.a^{*2}+\Delta .Math..Math.b^{*2}}$$\mathrm{RSI}=\mathrm{Residual}.Math..Math.\mathrm{Stain}.Math..Math.\mathrm{Index}$$\mathrm{UF}=\mathrm{Unwashed}\left(\mathrm{unstained}\right).Math.\mathrm{fabric}.Math..Math.\mathrm{area}$$\mathrm{WS}=\mathrm{Washed}.Math..Math.\mathrm{Stain}.Math..Math.\mathrm{area}$$\Delta .Math..Math.E_{\left(\mathrm{WS}-\mathrm{UF}\right)}^{*}=\mathrm{Color}.Math..Math.\mathrm{difference}.Math..Math..Math.\mathrm{between}.Math..Math.\mathrm{the}.Math..Math.\mathrm{washsed}.Math..Math.\mathrm{stain}.Math..Math.\mathrm{and}$$\mathrm{the}.Math..Math.\mathrm{unwashed}.Math..Math.\mathrm{fabric}$ [0066] This process was repeated two (2) additional times for a total of three (3) replicates per product perfabric type.

[0067] Manual Cleaning Performance Test: [0068] 2. Test Conditions: [0069] Test Swatches—100% Cotton Monitor [0070] Soil(s): 100% Polyester Monitor [0071] 50:50 Polyester/Cotton Monitor [0072] Nylon Blend (90:10 Nylon:Spandex) Monitor [0073] Ballast Fabric(s): 100% Cotton Standard Ballast Sheets [0074] 100% Polyester Standard Ballast Sheets [0075] 50:50 Polyester:Cotton Standard Ballast Sheets [0076] Mixed Ballast Load—5:1 100% Polyester Standard Ballast [0077] Sheets:Nylon Blend (90:10 Nylon:Spandex) Ballast Sheets [0078] Fabric Load: 2.7 kg of fresh ballast per wash cycle (replicate) [0079] Prespotter [0080] Concentration: 1 mL of Pre-Spotter A P44-12-19-14-2A per stain—Invention [0081] 1 mL of Pre-Spotter B P44-12-19-14-2B per stain—Competitor [0082] Detergent [0083] Concentration: 50 g of AATCC Standard Detergent without Optical Brighteners [0084] Water Hardness: 120 ppm [0085] Water Temperature: 82±2° F. (Warm Cycle) [0086] Ambient Rinse [0087] Washer Type: Top loading washer [0088] Washer Settings: Normal/Casual cycle [0089] Dryer Settings: Normal Setting (160±10° F. or 71.1±6° C.) for 45 minutes [0090] .sup.1 All test swatches were stored in the dark prior to use and after removal from dryer until the final evaluation was performed.

[0091] The following tables summarize the test results:

TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 6 Test Results: Total Average Residual Stain Index (RSI) Pre-Spotter A P44-12-19-14-2A Pre-Spotter B P44-12-19-14-2B Polyester/ Nylon Polyester/ Nylon Cotton Polyester Cotton Blend Cotton Polyester Cotton Blend 95.59 99.15 97.08 89.73 93.67 98.58 97.58 90.48 \\

[0092]

[0093] Patent documents and publications mentioned in the specification are indicative of the levels of those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains. These documents and publications are incorporated herein by reference to the same extent as if each individual document or publication was specifically and individually incorporated herein by reference.

[0094] The foregoing description is illustrative of particular embodiments of the invention, but is not meant to be a limitation upon the practice thereof. The following claims, including all equivalents thereof, are intended to define the scope of the invention.