Laundry composition

Abstract

The present invention relates to a composition comprising a plurality of particles, wherein the particles comprise: 30 to 95 wt.% of polyethylene glycol, wherein the polyethylene glycol has a weight average molecular weight of 4000 to 12000; 0.1 to 60 wt.% of a secondary carrier, wherein the secondary carrier is provided in the form of particles, wherein the particles have a volume average particle size of 35 to 75 μm; and 0.1 to 30 wt.% of a fragrance material. The present invention also relates to a method for producing the particles and the use of the particles.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention is in the field of perfume particles for laundry use. Background Art

[0002] Fragrance is an important aspect of the laundry process. Consumers often associate fragrance with cleanliness or simply like the smell; therefore, many laundry products contain fragrance. However, the amount of fragrance required varies from consumer to consumer. Therefore, fragrance particles have been developed to allow consumers to customize their fragrance experience based on their personal preferences.

[0003] There are various prior art disclosures in the field of flavor particles, including:

[0004] WO 2011 / 056938 discloses a composition consisting essentially of: (a) about 80% to about 91% by weight of the composition of polyethylene glycol, wherein the polyethylene glycol has a molecular weight of about 5,000 to about 11,000; (b) about 2% to about 12% by weight of the composition of fragrance; and (c) about 2% to about 12% by weight of the composition of breakable fragrance microcapsules, wherein the fragrance microcapsules contain encapsulated fragrance; wherein the composition is formed into a tablet having a mass of about 0.95 mg to about 2 g.

[0005] WO 2016 / 099852 discloses a composition of a plurality of uniform structured particles. The particles comprise polyethylene glycol, flavors and starch particles, and each has a mass of about 0.95 mg to about 5 grams.

[0006] However, there remains a need for improvements in such particles. In particular, there is a need for particles with improved processing characteristics which result in particles that are acceptable to consumers. Summary of the invention

[0007] A first aspect of the present invention is a composition comprising a plurality of particles, wherein the particles comprise:

[0008] a. 30 to 95 wt.% of polyethylene glycol, wherein the polyethylene glycol has a weight average molecular weight of 4000 to 12000;

[0009] b. to 60 wt.% of a secondary carrier, wherein the secondary carrier is provided in the form of particles having a volume average particle size of 35 to 75 μm; and

[0010] c. to 30 wt. % of fragrance materials.

[0011] A second aspect of the present invention is a method for forming particles, wherein polyethylene glycol is melted, and a secondary carrier in the form of particles having a volume average particle diameter of 35 to 75 μm is dispersed therein, and then the melt is formed into particles.

[0012] A third aspect of the present invention is the use of a composition as described herein for imparting perfume to laundered fabrics.

[0013] It has been surprisingly found that the use of secondary carrier particles having a specific particle size range provides suitable processing viscosity with sufficient structuring to form good quality particle formation. In addition, the secondary carrier of the specific particle size as described herein does not precipitate in the product. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] By reading the following detailed description and the appended claims, these and other aspects, features and advantages will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. For the avoidance of doubt, the word "comprising" is intended to mean "including", but not necessarily "consisting of" or "composed of". In other words, the steps or options listed do not need to be exhaustive. It should be noted that the examples given in the following description are intended to illustrate the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention to those embodiments themselves. Similarly, unless otherwise indicated, all percentages are weight / weight percentages. Except in the operating examples and comparative examples, or in the case of otherwise clearly indicated, all numbers representing the amount of material or reaction conditions, the physical properties of the material and / or the use in this specification should be understood to be modified by the word "about". Numerical ranges expressed in the format of "x to y" should be understood to include x and y. When multiple preferred ranges are described in the form of "x to y" for a particular feature, it should be understood that all ranges combining different endpoints are also considered.

[0015] Polyethylene glycol

[0016] The particles of the present invention comprise polyethylene glycol (PEG). Polyethylene glycol exists in various weight average molecular weights. Suitable weight average molecular weights of PEG for the purposes of the present invention include 4,000 to 12,000, preferably 5,000 to 11,000, more preferably 6,000 to 10,000, and most preferably 7,000 to 9,000. Non-limiting examples of suitable PEG are: Polyglycol 8000 from Clariant and Pluriol 8000 from BASF.

[0017] The particles of the present invention contain greater than 30 wt.% PEG, preferably greater than 40 wt.% PEG, more preferably greater than 50 wt.% PEG, and most preferably greater than 60 wt.% PEG. The particles of the present invention contain less than 95 wt.% PEG, preferably less than 85 wt.% PEG, more preferably less than 75 wt.% PEG, and most preferably less than 70 wt.% PEG. Suitably, the particles contain 30 to 95 wt.% PEG, preferably 40 to 85 wt.% PEG, and more preferably 50 to 75 wt.% PEG.

[0018] Polyethylene glycol is considered to be the main carrier material.

[0019] Secondary carrier

[0020] The laundry particles of the present invention comprise a secondary carrier material. In addition to the polyethylene glycol considered as the primary carrier material, a secondary carrier material is also present. The secondary carrier material can provide various benefits, such as stability benefits. The secondary carrier material is provided in the form of particles. The particles have a particle size of 35 to 75 μm, preferably 40 to 70 μm, 40 to 60 μm. The particle size is the average (mode) particle size by volume. This can be measured by laser diffraction in a particle size analyzer device with dry powder dispersibility. For example, by using the RODOS dry dispersion system from Sympatec or the Mastersizer 3000 from Malvern. Suitable particle size can be achieved by dry grinding of suitable materials. The secondary carrier material particle size refers to the particle size when added to the manufacturing process. Particles with this average particle size provide suitable viscosity for processing without being too large to damage the structuring or deposition in the laundry particles.

[0021] The laundry particles of the present invention comprise greater than 0.1 wt.% of secondary carriers, preferably greater than 10 wt.% of secondary carriers, most preferably greater than 20 wt.% of secondary carriers. The laundry particles of the present invention comprise less than 60 wt.% of secondary carriers, preferably less than 50 wt.% of secondary carriers, most preferably less than 40 wt.% of secondary carriers. Suitably, the laundry particles of the present invention comprise from 0.1 to 60 wt.% of secondary carriers, preferably from 10 to 50 wt.% of secondary carriers, most preferably from 20 to 40 wt.% of secondary carriers.

[0022] The secondary carrier material can be selected from: polymers (e.g., polyethylene glycol, ethylene oxide / propylene oxide block copolymers, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetate and its derivatives), proteins (e.g., gelatin, albumin, casein), sugars (e.g., dextrose, fructose, galactose, glucose, isoglucose, sucrose), polysaccharides (e.g., starch, xanthan gum, cellulose or its derivatives), water-soluble or water-dispersible fillers (e.g., sodium chloride, sodium sulfate, sodium carbonate / bicarbonate, zeolite, silica, clay), and combinations thereof.

[0023] Examples of suitable secondary carrier materials include: water-soluble organic alkali metal salts, water-soluble inorganic alkaline earth metal salts, water-soluble organic alkaline earth metal salts, water-soluble carbohydrates, water-soluble silicates, water-soluble urea, starch, xanthan gum, dextrose, clays, water-insoluble silicates, carboxymethylcellulose citrate, fatty acids, fatty alcohols, diglycerides of hydrogenated tallow, glycerol, polyvinyl alcohol, and combinations thereof.

[0024] Preferred secondary carrier materials can be selected from polysaccharides (e.g., starch, xanthan gum, cellulose or derivatives thereof), sugars (e.g., dextrose, fructose, galactose, glucose, isoglucose, sucrose) and water-soluble or water-dispersible fillers (e.g., sodium chloride, sodium sulfate, sodium carbonate / bicarbonate, zeolites, silica, clays), and combinations thereof.

[0025] More preferably, the secondary carrier is selected from sugars and polysaccharides, most preferably, the secondary carrier is selected from sugars.

[0026] Suitable polysaccharides may be selected from starch, glycogen, glucose, chitin, gum arabic and xanthan gum.

[0027] Sugars are molecular compounds containing carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. For the purposes of the present invention, sugars are defined as containing 1 to 10 monosaccharide units and mixtures thereof. In other words, monosaccharides or oligosaccharides or mixtures thereof. Oligosaccharides are short sugar polymers, generally considered in the art to contain 2 to 10 monosaccharide units. Preferably the sugar contains 1 to 5 monosaccharide units, more preferably 1 to 4 monosaccharide units, and most preferably the sugar contains monosaccharides, disaccharides or mixtures thereof. Disaccharides are the reaction product between two monosaccharides. They can be formed from two identical monosaccharides or two different monosaccharides. Examples of disaccharides include: sucrose, maltose, lactose. Monosaccharides are sugars having the general formula (CH2O) n Simple sugar units. Typically n is 3, 5 or 6. Thus, monosaccharides can be classified by the number n, for example: trioses (e.g., glyceraldehyde), pentoses (e.g., ribose) and hexoses (e.g., fructose, glucose and galactose). Some monosaccharides can be substituted with additional functional groups, such as glucosamine, and other monosaccharides can undergo deoxygenation and lose oxygen atoms, such as deoxyribose. Thus, the chemical formula can vary slightly depending on the monosaccharide.

[0028] The preferred monosaccharide of the present invention is a hexose molecule (n=6). The hexose molecules all have the same molecular formula, however, have different structural formulas, i.e., are structural isomers. Preferably, hexoses contain a 6-membered ring as opposed to a 5-membered ring. Glucose and galactose have a 6-membered ring. In a preferred embodiment, the hexose monosaccharide is glucose. Glucose is a chiral molecule, having a mixture of D and L stereoisomers. Particularly preferably, the glucose of the present invention is the D isomer of glucose, also known as dextrose.

[0029] Preferably, the sugar material used in the present invention is anhydrous, i.e. does not contain any water. For example, dextrose monohydrate contains one molecule of water, while anhydrous dextrose does not.

[0030] Non-limiting examples of sugars suitable for use in the present invention are: C*Dex from Cargill, Treha from Cargill, anhydrous dextrose from FoodChem.

[0031] When sugar is used in the present invention, it may be preferred to include a bitter material, such as Bitrex from Johnson Matthey Fine Chemicals, due to the sweet taste of sugar.

[0032] spices

[0033] The particles of the present invention comprise 0.1 to 30 w.t.% of perfume material, i.e. free perfume and / or perfume microcapsules. As known in the art, free perfume and perfume microcapsules provide perfume hits to the consumer at different points during the wash cycle. It is particularly preferred that the particles of the present invention comprise a combination of both free perfume and perfume microcapsules.

[0034] Preferably, the granules of the present invention comprise from 0.5 to 20 w.t.% perfume material, more preferably from 1 to 15 w.t.% perfume material, most preferably from 2 to 10 w.t.% perfume material.

[0035] Useful flavor components may include materials of natural and synthetic origin. They include single compounds and mixtures. Specific examples of such components can be found in existing literature, such as Fenaroli's Handbook of Flavor Ingredients, 1975, CRC Press; Synthetic Food Adjuncts, 1947, edited by MB Jacobs, Van Nostrand; or Perfume and Flavor Chemicals by S. Arctander 1969, Montclair, NJ (USA). These substances are well known to those skilled in the art of flavoring, seasoning and / or aromatizing consumer products.

[0036] Free Fragrance:

[0037] The granules of the present invention preferably comprise from 0.1 to 15 w.t. % free perfume, more preferably from 0.5 to 8 w.t. % free perfume.

[0038] Particularly preferred fragrance components are blooming fragrance components and substantive fragrance components. Blooming fragrance components are defined by a boiling point below 250°C and a LogP greater than 2.5. Substantive fragrance components are defined by a boiling point above 250°C and a LogP greater than 2.5. Boiling points are measured at standard pressure (760 mm Hg). Preferably, the fragrance composition will contain a mixture of blooming and substantive fragrance components. The fragrance composition may contain other fragrance components.

[0039] It is common for multiple flavor components to be present in free oil flavor compositions. In the compositions used in the present invention, it is envisaged that three or more, preferably four or more, more preferably five or more, most preferably six or more different flavor components will be present. An upper limit of 300 flavor components may be used.

[0040] Microcapsules of spices:

[0041] The particles of the present invention preferably comprise from 0.1 to 15 w.t.% perfume microcapsules, more preferably from 0.5 to 8 w.t.% perfume microcapsules. The weight of microcapsules is the weight of the material as supplied.

[0042] When the perfume component is encapsulated, suitable encapsulating materials may include, but are not limited to, amino plastics, proteins, polyurethanes, polyacrylates, polymethacrylates, polysaccharides, polyamides, polyolefins, gums, silicones, lipids, modified celluloses, polyphosphates, polystyrenes, polyesters or combinations thereof. Particularly preferred materials are amino plastic microcapsules, such as melamine formaldehyde or urea formaldehyde microcapsules.

[0043] The fragrance microcapsules of the present invention may be breakable microcapsules and / or moisture-activated microcapsules. Breakable means that the fragrance microcapsules will break when force is applied. Moisture-activated means that the fragrance is released in the presence of water. The particles of the present invention preferably contain breakable microcapsules. Moisture-activated microcapsules may be present in addition. Examples of microcapsules that may be breakable include aminoplast microcapsules.

[0044] The fragrance component contained in the microcapsules may comprise odoriferous materials and / or pro-fragrance materials.

[0045] Particularly preferred perfume components contained in the microcapsules are fragrance-releasing perfume components and direct perfume components. Fragrance-releasing perfume components are defined by a boiling point below 250°C and a LogP greater than 2.5. Direct perfume components are defined by a boiling point above 250°C and a LogP greater than 2.5. Boiling points are measured at standard pressure (760 mm Hg). Preferably, the perfume composition will contain a mixture of fragrance-releasing and direct perfume components. The perfume composition may contain other perfume components.

[0046] It is common for a plurality of perfume components to be present in the microcapsules. In the compositions used in the present invention, it is envisaged that three or more, preferably four or more, more preferably five or more, and most preferably six or more different perfume components are present in the microcapsules. An upper limit of 300 perfume components may be used.

[0047] The microcapsules may contain perfume components and a carrier for the perfume ingredient, such as zeolite or cyclodextrin.

[0048] Colorants

[0049] The particles of the present invention preferably contain a colorant. The colorant may be a dye or a pigment or a mixture thereof. The colorant has the purpose of imparting color to the particles and is not intended to be a hueing dye or to impart color to washed fabrics. A single colorant or a mixture of colorants may be used.

[0050] Preferably, the colorant is a dye, more preferably a polymeric dye. Non-limiting examples of suitable dyes include the LIQUITINET series of dyes from Milliken Chemical.

[0051] Preferably, the particles of the present invention comprise 0.001 to 2 wt.%, more preferably 0.005 to 1 wt.%, most preferably 0.01 to 0.6 wt.%.

[0052] Other beneficial agents

[0053] The particles of the present invention contain perfume as the primary benefit agent. However, it may be desirable that the particles of the present invention deliver more than one benefit agent to the washed fabric. Other benefit agents may be free in the carrier material (i.e., PEG), or they may be encapsulated. Suitable encapsulating materials are listed above with respect to perfume.

[0054] a) malodour agents, for example: uncomplexed cyclodextrins; odour blockers; reactive aldehydes; flavonoids; zeolites; activated carbon; and mixtures thereof;

[0055] b) dye transfer inhibitors;

[0056] c) hueing dyes;

[0057] d) silicone oils, resins and modifications thereof, such as linear and cyclic polydimethylsiloxanes, amino-modified alkyl, aryl and alkylaryl silicone oils, which preferably have a viscosity greater than 50,000 cst;

[0058] e) Insect repellents;

[0059] f) organic sunscreen actives, such as octyl methoxycinnamate;

[0060] g) antimicrobial agents, for example 2-hydroxy-4,2,4-trichlorodiphenyl ether;

[0061] h) ester solvents, for example isopropyl myristate;

[0062] i) lipids and lipid-like substances, such as cholesterol;

[0063] j) hydrocarbons, such as paraffin, petrolatum and mineral oil;

[0064] k) Fish oil and vegetable oil;

[0065] 1) hydrophobic plant extracts;

[0066] m) wax;

[0067] n) Pigments comprising inorganic compounds having a hydrophobically modified surface and / or dispersed in oil or a hydrophobic liquid, and

[0068] o) Sugar esters, such as sucrose polyester (SPE).

[0069] Laundry active substances

[0070] The particles of the present invention have the purpose of providing fragrance and the main function is not softening or cleaning. The particles of the present invention are preferably substantially free of laundry and softening active substances. Substantially free refers to 0 to 3 wt.%, preferably 0 to 2 wt.%, more preferably 0 to 1 wt.% of softening or cleaning active substances of the granular composition. Softeners and cleaning agents are well known in the art, and examples thereof include: detergent surfactants, detergent builders, bleaching agents, enzymes and quaternary ammonium compounds. Low levels of non-detergent surfactants may be present in perfumes and / or benefit agent compositions, which may be present in the particles of the present invention.

[0071] Granular form

[0072] The particles of the present invention may be in any solid form, for example: powder, pellets, tablets, spherical particles, pastilles or extrudates. Preferably, the particles are in the form of pastilles. Pastilles can, for example, be produced using a ROTOFORMER granulation system from Sandvick Materials.

[0073] One aspect of the present invention is a method for forming particles, wherein polyethylene glycol is melted, a secondary carrier in the form of particles having a volume average particle size of 35 to 75 μm is dispersed therein, and the melt is then formed into particles.

[0074] Preferably, the polyethylene glycol is 30 to 95 wt.% of the final composition, and preferably, the polyethylene glycol has a weight average molecular weight of 4,000 to 12,000.

[0075] Preferably, the secondary carrier is from 0.1 to 60 wt. % of the final composition.

[0076] The perfume is preferably added to the molten polyethylene glycol before or after the secondary carrier particles. Preferably after the secondary carrier particles. Preferably 0.1 to 30 wt.% of the final composition.

[0077] The polyethylene glycol suitably melts at a temperature above the melting point of the polyethylene glycol, preferably at least 2° C. above the melting point of the polyethylene glycol, more preferably at least 5° C. above the melting point of the polyethylene glycol. The melting point is the average melting point of the polyethylene glycol used in a particular composition.

[0078] The particles of the invention are formed from a melt. The particles can be formed into particles, for example, by pastillation (eg using a ROTOFORMER from Sandvick Materials), extrusion, pelletization, by using a die, casting a melt and cutting to size or spraying a melt.

[0079] Secondary carrier particles having an average particle size of 35 to 75 μm as described herein aid in the processing and formation of laundry particles. They provide optimum viscosity at processing temperatures of 40 to 70°C and impart structure to the laundry particles. Particles of 35 to 75 μm are also small enough not to settle in the final product laundry particles.

[0080] The particles of the present invention are preferably uniformly structured. Uniform means that there is a continuous phase throughout the particle. There is no core and shell structure. Secondary carrier particles and other materials (such as fragrance microcapsules) will be distributed in the continuous phase. The continuous phase is mainly provided by polyethylene glycol.

[0081] The particles can be any shape or size suitable for dissolving in the laundry process. Preferably, the mass of each single particle is 0.95mg to 5 grams, more preferably 0.01 to 1 gram, and most preferably 0.02 to 0.5 grams. Preferably, the maximum linear dimension of each single particle in any direction is 10mm, more preferably 1-8mm, and most preferably the maximum linear dimension is 4-6mm. The shape of the particles can be selected from, for example, spherical, hemispherical, compressed hemispherical, lentil-shaped, elliptical or flat shapes such as petal shapes. The preferred shape of the particles is hemispherical, i.e. dome-shaped, wherein the height of the dome is less than the radius of the base. When the particles are pressed into a hemispherical shape, the diameter of the preferably substantially flat base provides the maximum linear dimension, and the height of the particles is 1-5mm, more preferably 2-3mm. The size of the particles of the present invention can be measured using a caliper.

[0082] How to use

[0083] The particles of the present invention are used in laundry processes. They can be added during the wash phase, second phase, or rinse phase of a wash cycle using a washing machine. Alternatively, the particles can be used for hand washing of fabrics. The particles can be used in addition to other laundry products, or can be used as a stand-alone product.

[0084] The particles of the present invention are preferably fed in an amount of 1 g to 50 g, more preferably 10 g to 45 g, most preferably 15 g to 40 g.

[0085] Uses of granules

[0086] The main use of the particles of the present invention is to impart fragrance to washed fabrics. The fragrance is imparted during the laundry process. The particles can also be used to deliver additional benefit agents to fabrics during the laundry process.

[0087] Example

[0088] preparation:

[0089]

[0090] PEG 8000 1 -Polyethylene glycol 8000 from Clariant

[0091] Dextrose 2 - Dextrose anhydrous C*Dex from Cargill

[0092] starch 3 - Tapioca C* Creamgel 7001 from Cargill

[0093] Blue Dye 4 -Milliken Liquid Blue HP

[0094] Fragrance microcapsules 5 -Weight as supplied

[0095] experiment:

[0096] The examples and comparative formulations were prepared as follows:

[0097] Dextrose granules were dry milled to average particle sizes of 80, 40 and 17 μm. Polyethylene glycol was heated to 60-80°C and the milled dextrose was dispersed therein. Processing viscosity was assessed before flavoring was added.

[0098]

[0099] In summary, when the secondary carrier particle size was in the range of 35 μm to 75 μm, a slurry of suitable viscosity for processing was produced and improved fragrance particles were obtained.

Claims

1. A composition comprising a plurality of particles, wherein the particles comprise: a. 30 to 85 wt.% of polyethylene glycol, wherein the polyethylene glycol has a weight average molecular weight of 4000 to 12000; b. 10 to 50 wt.% of a secondary carrier, wherein the secondary carrier is provided in the form of particles, the secondary carrier particles having a volume average particle size of 35 to 75 μm, wherein the secondary carrier is selected from sugars and polysaccharides, wherein the sugar is defined as containing 1 to 10 monosaccharide units and mixtures thereof; and c. 0.1 to 30 wt.% of fragrance materials.

2. The composition of claim 1, wherein the secondary carrier is a sugar.

3. The composition of claim 1 or 2, wherein the secondary carrier is dextrose.

4. A composition according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the composition comprises 0.1 to 15 wt.% of free fragrance.

5. The composition according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the composition comprises 0.1 to 15 w.% of particulate fragrance microcapsules.

6. The composition of claim 1 or 2, wherein the fragrance material comprises both free fragrance and fragrance microcapsules.

7. The composition of claim 1 or 2, wherein the fragrance microcapsules comprise breakable fragrance microcapsules.

8. The composition of claim 1 or 2, wherein the granules are lozenges.

9. The composition of claim 1 or 2, wherein the particles have a maximum dimension of less than 10 mm.

10. The composition of claim 1 or 2, wherein the particles further comprise 0.001 to 2 wt.% of a colorant.

11. The composition of claim 1 or 2, wherein the particles are homogeneously structured, wherein the continuous phase comprises the polyethylene glycol.

12. A method for forming particles, wherein polyethylene glycol is melted and a secondary carrier in the form of particles having a volume average particle size of 35 μm to 75 μm is dispersed therein, The melt is then formed into particles, wherein the particles formed are the composition according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the melt is formed into particles by granulation.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the melt is formed into particles by ingoting, extrusion, use of a die, melt casting and cutting to size, or spraying the melt.

15. Use of a composition according to any one of claims 1 to 11 for imparting fragrance to laundered fabrics.

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