POWDER LAUNDRY DETERGENT FORMULATION

Abstract

A powder laundry detergent formulation is provided having a detergent surfactant; a builder; a polyethylene oxide having a weight average molecular weight, Mw, of 750,000 Daltons to 10,000,000; and a poly(acrylic acid) having a weight average molecular weight, Mw, of 1,000 to 20,000.

Claims

1. A powder laundry detergent formulation, comprising: 5 to 50 wt % of a detergent surfactant; 25 to 80 wt % of a builder; 0.01 to 1 wt % of a polyethylene oxide having a weight average molecular weight, Mw, of 750,000 Daltons to 10,000,000; and 0.01 to 5 wt % of a poly(acrylic acid) having a weight average molecular weight, Mw, of 1,000 to 20,000.

2. The powder laundry detergent formulation of claim 1, containing 0.05 to 0.5 wt % of the polyethylene oxide having a weight average molecular weight, Mw, of 2,000,000 to 8,000,000 Daltons.

3. The powder laundry detergent formulation of claim 2, containing 0.05 to 0.5 wt % of the polyethylene oxide having a weight average molecular weight, Mw, of 4,000,000 to 6,000,000.

4. The powder laundry detergent formulation of claim 1, containing 0.1 to 4 wt % of the poly(acrylic acid) having a weight average molecular weight, Mw, of 2,500 to 6,000.

5. The powder laundry detergent formulation of claim 4, containing 0.1 to 4 wt % of the poly(acrylic acid) having a weight average molecular weight, Mw, of 2,500 to 6,000.

6. The powder laundry detergent formulation of claim 5, wherein the detergent surfactant is a linear alkylbenzenesulfonate.

7. The powder laundry detergent formulation of claim 6, wherein the detergent surfactant is a linear C.sub.10-20 alkylbenzenesulfonate.

8. A method of cleaning a textile, comprising: providing a textile; providing a wash water; providing a rinse water; providing a powder laundry detergent according to claim 1; mixing the powder laundry detergent and the wash water to form a laundry liquor; treating the textile with the laundry liquor; and rinsing the textile with the rinse water.

9. The method of cleaning a textile of claim 8, wherein the textile is treated with the laundry liquor by hand-washing.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the powder laundry detergent is mixed with the wash water at a weight ratio of 1:100 to 1:1,000.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0008] We have now found that a powder laundry detergent formulation including a blend of a polyethylene oxide having a weight average molecular weight, Mw, of 750,000 to 10,000,000 Daltons and a poly(acrylic acid having a weight average molecular weight, Mw, of 1,000 to 20,000 Daltons has improved foam volume and stability.

[0009] Unless otherwise indicated, ratios, percentages, parts, and the like are by weight.

[0010] As used herein, unless otherwise indicated, the phrase molecular weight or Mw refers to the weight average molecular weight as measured in a conventional manner with gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and poly(ethylene oxide) standards. GPC techniques are discussed in detail in Modem Size Exclusion Chromatography, W. W. Yau, J. J. Kirkland, D. D. Bly; Wiley-lnterscience, 1979, and in A Guide to Materials Characterization and Chemical Analysis, J. P. Sibilia; VCH, 1988, p. 81-84. Molecular weights are reported herein in units of Daltons.

[0011] Operations described herein were performed at room temperature (20-25 C.), unless specified otherwise.

[0012] Preferably, the powder laundry detergent formulation of the present invention, comprises: 5 to 50 wt % (preferably, 7.5 to 30 wt %; more preferably, 10 to 25 wt %; most preferably, 14 to 20 wt %) of a detergent surfactant; 25 to 80 wt % (preferably, 30 to 75 wt %; more preferably, 35 to 70; most preferably, 40 to 65 wt %) of a builder; 0.01 to 1 wt % (preferably, 0.05 wt %; more preferably, 0.07 wt %; still more preferably, 0.09 wt %; preferably, 0.8 wt %; more preferably, 0.6 wt %; most preferably, 0.5 wt %) of a polyethylene oxide having a weight average molecular weight, Mw, of 750,000 Daltons to 10,000,000 (preferably, 1,000,000; more preferably, 2,000,000; still more preferably, 4,000,000; preferably, 8,000,000; more preferably, 7,000,000; most preferably, 6,000,000); and 0.01 to 5 wt % (preferably, 0.1 wt %; more preferably, 0.5 wt %; still more preferably, 0.75 wt %; preferably, 4 wt %; more preferably, 3 wt %; still more preferably, 2 wt %; most preferably, 1.5 wt %) of a poly(acrylic acid) having a weight average molecular weight, Mw, of 1,000 to 20,000 (preferably, 1,500; more preferably, 2,500; still more preferably, 3,000; preferably, 15,000; more preferably, 10,000; still more preferably, 7,000; most preferably, 6,000).

[0013] Preferably, the powder laundry detergent formulation of the present invention comprises 5 to 50 wt % of a detergent surfactant. More preferably, the powder laundry detergent formulation of the present invention, comprises 7.5 to 30 wt % of a detergent surfactant. Still more preferably, the powder laundry detergent formulation of the present invention comprises 10 to 25 wt % of a detergent surfactant. Most preferably, the powder laundry detergent formulation of the present invention comprises 14 to 20 wt % of a detergent surfactant.

[0014] Preferable, the powder laundry detergent formulation of the present invention comprises 5 wt % (preferably, 7.5 wt %; more preferably, 10 wt %; most preferably, 14 wt %) of a detergent surfactant.

[0015] Preferably, the powder laundry detergent formulation of the present invention comprises 50 wt % (preferably, 30 wt %; more preferably, 25 wt %; most preferably, 20 wt %) of a detergent surfactant.

[0016] Preferably, the detergent surfactant used in the powder laundry detergent formulation of the present invention is selected from the group consisting of anionic surfactants, nonionic surfactants, zwitterionic surfactants, ampholytic surfactants, cationic surfactants and mixtures thereof. More preferably, the detergent surfactant used in the powder laundry detergent formulation of the present invention includes a surfactant selected from the group consisting of an alkylbenzenesulfonate, an alcohol sulfate, an alcohol ethoxylate. Most preferably, the detergent surfactant used in the powder laundry detergent formulation of the present invention includes an anionic surfactant. Preferably, the anionic surfactant is selected from the group consisting of an alkylbenzenesulfonate, a fatty alcohol ether sulfate and mixtures thereof. Preferably, the anionic surfactant includes an alkylbenzenesulfonate. More preferably, the anionic surfactant includes a linear alkylbenzenesulfonate. Most preferably, the anionic surfactant includes a linear C.sub.10-20 alkylbenzenesulfonate.

[0017] Preferably, the powder laundry detergent formulation of the present invention comprises 25 to 80 wt % of a builder. More preferably, the powder laundry detergent formulation of the present invention, comprises 30 to 75 wt % of a builder. Still more preferably, the powder laundry detergent formulation of the present invention comprises 35 to 70 wt % of a builder. Most preferably, the powder laundry detergent formulation of the present invention comprises 40 to 65 wt % of a builder.

[0018] Preferably, the powder laundry detergent formulation of the present invention comprises 25 wt % (preferably, 30 wt %; more preferably, 35 wt %; most preferably, 40 wt %) of a builder.

[0019] Preferably, the powder laundry detergent formulation of the present invention comprises 80 wt % (preferably, 75 wt %; more preferably, 70 wt %; most preferably, 65 wt %) of a builder.

[0020] Preferably, the builder used in the powder laundry detergent formulation of the present invention is selected from organic and inorganic materials conventionally used as builders in powder laundry detergents. Preferably, the builder used in the powder laundry detergent formulation of the present invention is selected from the group consisting of hydratable alkali metal phosphates, alkali metal carbonates (including carbonates and bicarbonates), zeolites, ethylenediaminetetraacetate, nitrilotriacetate and mixtures thereof. More preferably, the builder used in the powder laundry detergent formulation of the present invention includes at least one of zeolite, sodium triphosphate, sodium tripolyphosphate, sodium citrate, sodium silicate, sodium carbonate, calcium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate and calcium bicarbonate. Most preferably, the builder used in the powder laundry detergent formulation of the present invention includes at least one of zeolite, sodium tripolyphosphate, sodium carbonate and calcium carbonate.

[0021] Preferably, the powder laundry detergent formulation of the present invention comprises 0.01 to 1 wt % of a polyethylene oxide having a weight average molecular weight, Mw, of 750,000 Daltons to 10,000,000 (preferably, 1,000,000; more preferably, 2,000,000; still more preferably, 4,000,000; preferably, 8,000,000; more preferably, 7,000,000; most preferably, 6,000,000).

[0022] Preferably, the powder laundry detergent formulation of the present invention comprises 0.01 wt % (preferably, 0.05 wt %; more preferably, 0.07 wt %; most preferably, 0.09 wt %) of a polyethylene oxide having a weight average molecular weight, Mw, of 750,000 Daltons to 10,000,000 (preferably, 1,000,000; more preferably, 2,000,000; still more preferably, 4,000,000; preferably, 8,000,000; more preferably, 7,000,000; most preferably, 6,000,000).

[0023] Preferably, the powder laundry detergent formulation of the present invention comprises 1 wt % (preferably, 0.8 wt %; more preferably, 0.6 wt %; most preferably, 0.5 wt %) of a polyethylene oxide.

[0024] Preferably, the polyethylene oxide used in the powder laundry detergent formulation of the present invention has a weight average molecular weight, Mw, of 750,000 (preferably, 1,000,000; more preferably, 2,000,000; still more preferably, 4,000,000) Daltons.

[0025] Preferably, the polyethylene oxide used in the powder laundry detergent formulation of the present invention has a weight average molecular weight, Mw, of 10,000,000 (preferably, 8,000,000; more preferably, 7,000,000; most preferably, 6,000,000) Daltons.

[0026] Preferably, the powder laundry detergent formulation of the present invention comprises 0.01 to 5 wt % of a poly(acrylic acid) having a weight average molecular weight, Mw, of 1,000 to 20,000 (preferably, 1,500; more preferably, 2,500; still more preferably, 3,000; preferably, 15,000; more preferably, 10,000; still more preferably, 7,000; most preferably, 6,000).

[0027] Preferably, the powder laundry detergent formulation of the present invention comprises 0.01 wt % (preferably, 0.1 wt %; more preferably, 0.5 wt %; most preferably, 0.75 wt %) of a poly(acrylic acid) having a weight average molecular weight,Mw, of 1,000 to 20,000 (preferably, 1,500; more preferably, 2,500; still more preferably, 3,000; preferably, 15,000; more preferably, 10,000; still more preferably, 7,000; most preferably, 6,000).

[0028] Preferably, the powder laundry detergent formulation of the present invention comprises 5 wt % (preferably, 4 wt %; more preferably, 3 wt %; still more preferably, 2 wt %; most preferably, 1.5 wt %) of a poly(acrylic acid) having a weight average molecular weight, Mw, of 1,000 to 20,000 (preferably, 1,500; more preferably, 2,500; still more preferably, 3,000; preferably, 15,000; more preferably, 10,000; still more preferably, 7,000; most preferably, 6,000).

[0029] Preferably, the poly(acrylic acid) used in the powder laundry detergent formulation of the present invention has a weight average molecular weight, Mw, of 1,000 (preferably, 1,500; more preferably, 2,500; most preferably, 3,000) Daltons.

[0030] Preferably, the poly(acrylic acid) used in the powder laundry detergent formulation of the present invention has a weight average molecular weight, Mw, of 20,000 (preferably, 15,000; more preferably, 10,000; still more preferably, 7,000; most preferably, 6,000) Daltons.

[0031] Preferably, the powder laundry detergent formulation of the present invention, further comprises one or more optional ingredients selected from the group consisting of bleaching agents, bleach activators, antiredeposition agents, stabilizers, foam regulators, enzymes, optical brighteners, fillers, processing aids and fragrances.

[0032] Preferably, the powder laundry detergent formulation of the present invention, further comprises 0 to 10 wt % of a bleaching agent. Preferred bleaching agents include, for example, sodium perborate and sodium percarbonate.

[0033] Preferably, the powder laundry detergent formulation of the present invention, further comprises 0 to 10 wt % of a bleach activator. Preferred bleach activators include, for example, tetra acetyl ethylene diamine (TAED) and sodium nonanoyloxybenzene sulfonate (NOBS).

[0034] Preferably, the powder laundry detergent formulation of the present invention, further comprises 0 to 2 wt % of an antiredeposition agent. Preferred antiredeposition agents include, for example, carboxymethylcellulose and cellulose ether.

[0035] Preferably, the powder laundry detergent formulation of the present invention, further comprises 0 to 1 wt % of a stabilizer. Preferred stabilizers include, for example, phosphonates.

[0036] Preferably, the powder laundry detergent formulation of the present invention, further comprises 0 to 2 wt % of an enzyme. Preferred enzymes include, for example, protease, cellulase, amylase and lipase.

[0037] Preferably, the powder laundry detergent formulation of the present invention, further comprises 0 to 0.3 wt % of an optical brightener. Preferred optical brighteners include, for example, fluorescent whitening agents.

[0038] Preferably, the powder laundry detergent formulation of the present invention, further comprises 0 to 50 wt % (preferably, 5 to 40 wt %; more preferably, 10 to 35 wt %; 20 to 35 wt %) of a filler. Preferred fillers include, for example, sodium sulfate and sodium chloride.

[0039] Preferably, the powder laundry detergent formulation of the present invention may be produced by well known manufacturing methods. For example, the powder detergent formulation of the present invention may be produced using techniques including spray drying of various combinations of the components.

[0040] Preferably, the method of cleaning a textile of the present invention, comprises: providing a textile; providing a wash water; providing a rinse water; providing a powder laundry detergent of the present invention; mixing the powder laundry detergent and the wash water to form a laundry liquor; treating the textile with the laundry liquor; and rinsing the textile with the rinse water.

[0041] Preferably, in the method of cleaning a textile of the present invention, the textile is treated with the laundry liquor by using well known hand washing techniques. Preferably, the powder laundry detergent is mixed with the wash water at a weight ratio of powder laundry detergent to wash water of 1:100 to 1:1,000.

[0042] Some embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail in the following Examples.

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Base Detergent Composition Ingredient (wt %) Linear alkyl benzene sulfonate 14-20 Sodium tripolyphosphate 7-10 Soda Ash Light (Sod Carbonate) 25-35 Whitening agent.sup.1 0.07 Speckle-Soda-Orange 0.5 Speckle-Soda-Ultra Marine Coated 0.5 Zeolite 7-10 Sodium Sulphate 5-10 Perfume Rose and Jasmine 0.6 Folcal U-Ppt. Calcium carbonate 2-8 Dolomite 2-6 NaCl Balance

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLES C1-C4 and EXAMPLES 1-2

Laundry Detergent Composition

[0043] Powder laundry detergent formulations were prepared in each of Comparative Examples C1-C4 and Examples 1-2 having the composition set forth in TABLE 2.

TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 (wt %) Ingredient C1 C2 C3 C4 1 2 Base Detergent Composition 100 99 99 99 99 99.7 Poly(acrylic acid).sup.2 0.9 0.9 0.9 0.27 Polyethylene oxide.sup.3 0.1 0.1 0.03 Polyethylene oxide.sup.4 0.1 Polyethylene oxide.sup.5 0.1 Dispersant polymer.sup.6 0.9 .sup.1 Tinopal CBSX fluorescent whitening agent .sup.2Acusol 445G poly(acrylic acid) homopolymer having a weight average molecular weight, M.sub.W, of 4,500 Daltons available from The Dow Chemical Company .sup.3Polyox WSR coagulant polyethylene oxide having a weight average molecular weight, M.sub.W, of 5,000,000 Daltons available from The Dow Chemical Company .sup.4PEG 400 polyethylene glycol having a number average molecular weight, M.sub.N, of 400 Daltons available from Sigma-Aldrich .sup.5Polyox WSR N-10 polyethylene oxide having a weight average molecular weight of 100,000 Daltons available from The Dow Chemical Company .sup.6Acusol 588G sulfonated dispersant polymer available from The Dow Chemical Company

Detergent Testing

[0044] Foam test protocol: [0045] Prepare test solution containing 0.3 wt % of the laundry detergent composition in water [0046] Transfer 50 mL of the test solution to a 250 mL graduated glass cylinder with a lid [0047] Shake the cylinder in foam measuring apparatus with 360 degree rotation for 30 seconds at 30 rpm then place cylinder on a flat surface [0048] Wait 30 seconds for aqueous layer to separate [0049] Turn cylinder upside down once to even out the foam level [0050] Immediately measure foam height in cylinder (in mm)this is the Initial Foam volume at time=0 minutes [0051] Measure the foam height again at t=5 mins, 10 mins, 15 mins and 20 mins

[0052] The results of the foam test protocol for the laundry detergent compositions for Comparative Examples C1-C4 and Examples 1-2 are reported in TABLE 3.

TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 Foam height (mm) at time Detergent Composition 0 min 5 min 10 min 15 min 20 min Comparative Example C1 160 155 145 135 130 Comparative Example C2 150 140 130 125 120 Comparative Example C3 155 150 145 130 130 Comparative Example C4 185 180 175 170 170 Example 1 190 185 185 180 180 Example 2 180 175 170 165 165