Non-aqueous gel

Abstract

The present invention relates to a non-aqueous gel comprising at least one bleaching agent, wherein the at least one bleaching agent comprises coated sodium percarbonate particles; wherein the non-aqueous gel comprises at least one builder compound, such as citrate; and wherein the non-aqueous gel is substantially free, preferably completely free of water.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a non-aqueous gel comprising at least one bleaching agent.

[0002] The invention also relates to a water-soluble container for dishwashing, preferably automatic dishwashing, and to a self-filling automatic dishwashing system. Background Art

[0003] Automatic dishwashing detergent gel compositions having pleasing aesthetic characteristics (i.e., having a smooth, continuous visual appearance) are significantly more attractive to consumers than compositions in pure granular, powder, or tablet form. Gel compositions are often used in multi-compartment products, where the gel composition is present in one compartment and one or more powders, tablets, or granules are present in one or more additional compartments. Detergent gel compositions in gel form often contain a thickener in an attempt to provide a detergent gel composition that will be aesthetically pleasing to consumers and contain the desired dissolution and ingredient release properties. Suitable thickeners should provide favorable stability characteristics so that the detergent gel composition exhibits good phase stability during storage, primarily by having a high phase separation temperature. Phase separation of a previously uniform gel upon aging or storage at room temperature can convey to consumers that the detergent gel composition has decreased activity, decomposed, or is a poor quality product. Therefore, it is very important to maintain the visual appearance of the detergent gel composition.

[0004] For more than one hundred years, detergents used for household care cleaning (laundry and dish care, laundry additives, hard surface cleaning products, etc.) have included bleach as an active ingredient.

[0005] However, oxidizing agents such as perborates and more recently percarbonates remain difficult to formulate due to their inherent reactivity and incompatibility with other common detergent ingredients (e.g. dyes, enzymes).

[0006] A recent review article, "Bleaching systems in domestic laundry detergents: a review; GOBianchetti, CLDevlin, KRSeddon, RSC Adv. 2015, 5, 65365–65384" states:

[0007] “Hydrogen peroxide is kinetically stable in the absence of catalysts or other accelerating factors (e.g., light, heat), and stringent storage conditions (generally involving free radical scavengers, minimization of transition metal ion sources, and acidic pH) can minimize decomposition. However, even low levels of decomposition can generate oxygen, which can pressurize sealed equipment and create “oxygen enrichment” in the headspace of the container. […] Solid sources of hydrogen peroxide have proven more suitable for inclusion in detergent products…”.

[0008] Therefore, most current automatic dishwashing detergents utilize granular bleach in a solid powder phase.

[0009] Although bleach-containing gels are generally known for use in automatic dishwashing processes, these gels typically employ chlorine-based bleaches and therefore contain no enzymes, thereby achieving generally poor washing performance.

[0010] Purpose of the Invention

[0011] In view of the prior art, it was therefore an object of the present invention to provide a non-aqueous gel which should contain a bleaching agent but which does not exhibit the above-mentioned disadvantages of the known chlorine-based gels.

[0012] Furthermore, it is a particular object of the present invention to provide a non-aqueous gel which should contain bleach suitable for use as a single dose detergent product and as a detergent gel for self-filling automatic dishwashing processes.

[0013] In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide a non-aqueous gel which should be able to maintain the active oxygen level throughout storage, ideally under neutral or alkaline conditions, while ensuring compatibility with other ingredients. Summary of the invention

[0014] These objects and other objects which are not explicitly stated but which can be immediately derived or discerned from the connections discussed herein by way of introduction are achieved by a non-aqueous gel having all the features of claim 1. Suitable modifications of the non-aqueous gel of the invention are protected in the dependent claims 2 to 9. Furthermore, claim 10 relates to a water-soluble container for dishwashing, preferably automatic dishwashing, while claims 11 and 12 are suitable modifications thereof. Claim 13 relates to an automatic dishwashing system with automatic loading, while claims 14 and 15 are suitable modifications thereof.

[0015] The present invention therefore provides a non-aqueous gel comprising at least one bleaching agent, characterised in that the at least one bleaching agent comprises coated sodium percarbonate particles; wherein the non-aqueous gel comprises at least one builder compound, such as citrate; and wherein the non-aqueous gel is substantially free of, preferably completely free of, water.

[0016] Thus, in an unforeseeable manner, it is possible to provide a non-aqueous gel comprising a bleaching agent which does not exhibit the above-mentioned disadvantages of the known chlorine-based gels.

[0017] Additionally, a non-aqueous gel comprising a bleaching agent is provided, wherein the non-aqueous gel is suitable for use as a single dose detergent product and as a detergent gel for a self-filling automatic dishwashing process.

[0018] In addition, the non-aqueous gel of the present invention maintains active oxygen levels throughout storage, even under neutral or alkaline conditions, while ensuring compatibility with other ingredients. This provides the additional advantage of being able to combine bleaching agents with enzymes in the gel without significant undesirable interactions between them.

[0019] Brief description of the form

[0020] The objects, features and advantages of the present invention will also become apparent from the following description read in conjunction with the tables, in which:

[0021] Table 1 shows a comparison of formulations containing sodium percarbonate in either a solid powder compartment (comparative example) or a gel compartment (inventive example).

[0022] Table 2 shows the comparison of the gel compartment of the comparative formulation with the respective gel compartments of two different formulations of the invention.

[0023] Table 3 shows the experimental results of the storage stability of the gel of the present invention.

[0024] Table 4 shows the visual ratings of the storage experiments of Table 3.

[0025] Table 5 shows the cleaning performance test conditions for the experiments shown in Table 6.

[0026] Table 6 shows the cleaning performance test experiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] A gel is generally defined as a non-fluid colloidal network or polymer network expanded throughout its volume by a fluid, wherein a hydrogel has water as a swelling agent or swelling agent. In this article, the term gel is not limited to a strict colloidal composition, and for the purposes of the present invention, the term gel may also be considered a thickened liquid. The term "gel-like" may refer to a combination of a liquid and a solid, or a suspension of a solid in a liquid, which has the appearance and / or consistency of a gel.

[0028] In a preferred embodiment, the gel of the present invention has a viscosity higher than that of a classical liquid or a pure aqueous solution, preferably at 25°C in 0.1s -1 above 2500cP and at 25°C for 300s -1Below is higher than 1000cP.

[0029] Viscosity was measured using a research rheometer (DHR10, TA Instruments) equipped with a Brookfield V73 blade in a small concentric cylinder system, 12.67 mm blade diameter, 25.3 mm blade length, and 15.43 mm cylinder diameter.

[0030] In the context of the present invention, the expression "substantially free" means a concentration of less than 5% by weight, preferably less than 3% by weight, more preferably less than 0.5% by weight.

[0031] As used herein, the term "water-soluble container" refers to a container that at least partially dissolves or disperses in water within 10 minutes at 20°C to allow the contents of the package to flow into the surrounding water.

[0032] By "single dose" it is meant that the product contains the amount of one or more compositions required for a single wash cycle of a machine dishwasher.

[0033] Thermoformed water-soluble films comprising poly(vinyl alcohol) can be rigid or flexible at room temperature.

[0034] Preferably, the poly(vinyl alcohol) film may be partially or completely alcoholized or hydrolyzed, for example, it may be a polyvinyl acetate film that is 40 to 100%, preferably 70 to 92%, most preferably about 85% to about 92% alcoholized or hydrolyzed. The degree of hydrolysis is known to affect the temperature at which the PVOH begins to dissolve in water. 88% hydrolysis corresponds to a film that is soluble in cold (i.e., room temperature 20°C) water, while 92% hydrolysis corresponds to a film that is soluble in warm water. The film may be cast, blown or extruded. It may also be unoriented, uniaxially oriented or biaxially oriented.

[0035] In one embodiment, the non-aqueous gel comprises at least a bleach activator, such as tetraacetylethylenediamine (TAED); and / or a bleach catalyst, such as a manganese complex comprising 1,4,7-triazacyclononane (TACN) or any derivative of the TACN ligand, such as 1,4,7-trimethyl-TACN, or manganese oxalate, manganese acetate or a binuclear manganese complex, such as a binuclear manganese complex comprising TACN or any derivative of the TACN ligand, such as 1,4,7-trimethyl-TACN.

[0036] In one embodiment, the non-aqueous gel does not additionally comprise any other bleaching agent besides the coated sodium percarbonate particles.

[0037] In one embodiment, the non-aqueous gel is substantially free, preferably completely free, of enzymes, such as proteases and amylases; and substantially free, preferably completely free of bleach activators, such as TAED.

[0038] In one embodiment, the non-aqueous gel comprises 5 to 40 wt%, preferably 10 to 30 wt%, more preferably 15 to 25 wt% of at least one builder compound, such as citrate.

[0039] In a preferred embodiment thereof, at least one builder compound is selected from the group consisting of hydroxycarboxylates (e.g. citrates, e.g. trisodium citrate, which may be anhydrous), aminocarboxylates (e.g. methylglycine diacetic acid (MGDA) or N,N-dicarboxymethylglutamic acid (GLDA)), dicarboxylic acid amines (e.g. iminodisuccinic acid (IDS)) and / or phosphates (e.g. tripolyphosphates), or salts thereof.

[0040] The gels according to the invention may comprise a secondary builder (co-builder), for example a phosphonate or a polymer.

[0041] The gel of the present invention may comprise at least one polymer, preferably at least one polycarboxylate. The term "polycarboxylate" refers to any polymeric substance comprising carboxylic acid or carboxylate groups which can be used for chelation. The polycarboxylate polymer may be a homopolymer and / or a copolymer and / or a terpolymer.

[0042] The polymer may be a polycarboxylate polymer comprising an acrylic acid homopolymer. The molecular weight of the homopolymer may be from about 2,000 to about 10,000, from about 3,000 to about 9,000, or from about 4,000 to about 8,000.

[0043] At least one polycarboxylate may include sulfonic acid monomers. The sulfonic acid monomers may be present in an amount of about 4 to about 14 weight percent, about 5 to about 13 weight percent, about 6 to about 12 weight percent, or about 7 to about 11 weight percent, based on the total weight of the at least one polycarboxylate.

[0044] Preferred monomers containing sulfonic acid groups are those of the formula:

[0045] R 1 (R 2 )C=C(R 3 )-X-SO3H

[0046] Where R 1 To R 3 independently of one another -CH3, a linear or branched saturated alkyl residue having 2 to 12 carbon atoms, a linear or branched monounsaturated or polyunsaturated alkenyl residue having 2 to 12 carbon atoms, an alkyl or alkenyl residue substituted with -NH2, -OH or -COOH, or -COOH or -COOR 4 , R 4is a saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched hydrocarbon residue having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, and X represents an optionally present spacer group selected from -(CH2)n- (wherein n=0 to 4), -COO-(CH2)k- (wherein k=1 to 6), -C(O)-NH-C(CH3)2- and CH(CH2CH3)-.

[0047] Preferred monomers of the above formula include, for example, those of the following formula:

[0048] H2C=CH-X-SO3H

[0049] H2C=C(CH3)-X-SO3H

[0050] HO3S-X-(R 5 )C=C(R 6 )-X-SO3H

[0051] Where R 5 and R 6 are independently selected from -H, -CH3, -CH2CH3, -CH2CH2CH3, -CH(CH3)2, and X represents an optionally present spacer group selected from -(CH2)n- (wherein n=0 to 4), -COO-(CH2)k (wherein k=1 to 6), -C(O)-NH-C(CH3)2- and -C(O)-NH-CH(CH2CH3)-.

[0052] Preferred monomers containing sulfonic acid groups are 1-acrylamido-1-propanesulfonic acid, 2-acrylamido-2-propanesulfonic acid, 2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid, 2-methacrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid, 3-methacrylamido-2-hydroxypropanesulfonic acid, allylsulfonic acid, methallylsulfonic acid, allyloxybenzenesulfonic acid, methallyloxybenzenesulfonic acid, 2-hydroxy-3-(2-propenyloxy)propanesulfonic acid, 2-methyl-2-propene-1-sulfonic acid, styrenesulfonic acid, vinylsulfonic acid, 3-sulfopropyl acrylate, 3-sulfopropyl methacrylate, sulfomethacrylamide, sulfomethylmethacrylamide and mixtures of the acids or their water-soluble salts. Particularly preferred is 2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid.

[0053] The sulfonic acid groups may be present in the polymer in all or partly neutralized form, i.e. the acidic hydrogen atoms of the sulfonic acid groups may be replaced in some or all of the sulfonic acid groups by metal ions, preferably alkali metal ions, in particular sodium ions. According to the invention, preference is given to using copolymers containing partially or completely neutralized sulfonic acid groups.

[0054] The polymer may include polyepoxysuccinic acid (PESA) or a derivative thereof. Polyepoxysuccinic acid is also known as epoxysuccinic acid homopolymer, polyoxypropylene 2,3-dicarboxylic acid, 2,3-oxypropylene dicarboxylic acid homopolymer, or poly (1-oxypropylene-2,3-dicarboxylic acid); and has the following general structure:

[0055]

[0056] And its derivatives have the following general structure:

[0057]

[0058] Where R can be hydrogen or any organic chain (but preferably an ester, such as C 1-4 alkyl), and wherein M can be any cation (preferably Na + , H + , K + and / or NH4 + ).

[0059] Unless otherwise stated, all references to PESA hereinafter should be construed to refer to polyepoxysuccinic acid or its derivatives.

[0060] The molecular weight (Mw) of PESA may be from about 100 to about 10,000 gmol -1 , about 400 to about 2000 gmol -1 , about 1000 to about 1800 g mol -1 The PESA can have from about 2 to about 100 repeating monomer units, such as from about 2 to about 50, from about 2 to about 45, from about 2 to about 20, or from about 2 to about 10 repeating monomer units.

[0061] The gel of the present invention may contain silver and / or copper corrosion inhibitors as preservatives. Preferred silver / copper corrosion inhibitors are benzotriazole (BTA) or bisbenzotriazole and substituted derivatives thereof. Other suitable inhibitors are organic, preferably nitrogen-containing heterocycles; and / or inorganic redox-active substances and paraffin oils. Benzotriazole derivatives are those compounds in which the available substitution sites on the aromatic ring are partially or completely substituted. Suitable substituents are linear or branched C1-20 alkyl groups and hydroxyl, mercapto, phenyl or halogen (e.g. fluorine, chlorine, bromine and iodine). A preferred substituted benzotriazole is tolyltriazole.

[0062] In one embodiment, the non-aqueous gel comprises at least two different nonionic surfactants; wherein the total amount of all nonionic surfactants is 6 to 60 wt%, preferably 25 to 50 wt%, more preferably 35 to 45 wt%.

[0063] The nonionic surfactant can be an alkyl alkoxylate that is optionally end-capped. A preferred class of nonionic surfactants is ethoxylated nonionic surfactants, which are prepared by the reaction of monohydroxy alkanols or alkylphenols with 6 to 20 carbon atoms. Particularly preferred nonionic surfactants are nonionic surfactants from straight chain fatty alcohols with 10 to 20 carbon atoms and at least 5 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol. The nonionic surfactant can include propylene oxide (PO) units in the molecule. The PO unit can account for up to 40 weight %, 35 weight %, 30 weight %, 25 weight %, 20 weight % or up to 15 weight % of the total molecular weight of the nonionic surfactant.

[0064] In one embodiment, the total amount of the coated sodium percarbonate particles is 5 to 40 wt %, preferably 10 to 30 wt %, more preferably 15 to 25 wt %.

[0065] In one embodiment, the solids content of the gel of the present invention is from 5 to 65% by weight, preferably from 10 to 55% by weight, more preferably from 15 to 45% by weight.

[0066] The solids content comprises at least builder (synonymous terms for building agent and builder compound) and co-builder (synonymous terms for co-building agent and co-builder compound).

[0067] In one embodiment, the active oxygen content of the coated sodium percarbonate particles is 5 to 25% by weight, preferably 11 to 18% by weight, more preferably 12 to 15% by weight.

[0068] In one embodiment, at least 90%, preferably at least 96%, more preferably at least 98% of the coated sodium percarbonate particles have a particle size of 150 to 1600 microns.

[0069] In one embodiment, at least 86%, preferably at least 88%, more preferably at least 94% of the coated sodium percarbonate particles have a particle size of 150 to 1400 microns.

[0070] In one embodiment, the coated sodium percarbonate particles have a sodium percarbonate content of 80 to 95% by weight, preferably 82 to 91% by weight, more preferably 84 to 88% by weight.

[0071] In one embodiment, the non-aqueous gel further comprises at least two nonionic surfactants; wherein the amount of all nonionic surfactants is 8 to 40 wt%, preferably 10 to 30 wt%, more preferably 15 to 25 wt%, based on the total composition of all powders and gel compartments.

[0072] In another embodiment, the non-aqueous gel further comprises at least two nonionic surfactants; wherein the amount of all nonionic surfactants in all gel compartments is 8 to 40 wt %, preferably 10 to 30 wt %, more preferably 15 to 25 wt %, based on the total composition of all powders and gel compartments.

[0073] In another embodiment, the non-aqueous gel further comprises at least two nonionic surfactants; wherein the amount of all nonionic surfactants in all powder compartments is 8 to 40 wt%, preferably 10 to 30 wt%, more preferably 15 to 25 wt%, based on the total composition of all powder and gel compartments.

[0074] In a preferred embodiment, these nonionic surfactants can be alkyl polyethylene glycol ethers made from linear saturated fatty alcohols.

[0075] Typical thickeners used in conventional dishwashing detergent gel compositions are polyalkylene glycols, such as polyalkylene glycols having a 4:1 ratio of ethylene oxide to propylene oxide. Polyalkylene glycols of this type are expensive to manufacture and contribute little to the cleaning performance characteristics (including release characteristics) and shine performance characteristics of the detergent gel composition. Conventional detergent gel compositions containing polyalkylene glycols may exhibit phase separation at room temperature.

[0076] Furthermore, the objects of the present invention are solved by a water-soluble container for dishwashing, preferably automatic dishwashing, characterized in that the water-soluble container is made of a thermoformed water-soluble film comprising poly(vinyl alcohol); wherein the water-soluble container comprises at least a first compartment and at least a second compartment; wherein the at least first compartment is separated from the at least second compartment; wherein the at least first compartment is at least partially filled with a non-aqueous gel as claimed in any one of the preceding claims; and wherein the at least second compartment is at least partially filled with dishwashing powder, wherein the dishwashing powder comprises at least one bleaching agent and at least one builder compound, such as citrate; and wherein the at least one bleaching agent of the dishwashing powder preferably comprises coated sodium percarbonate particles.

[0077] Surprisingly, it has been found that the gel of the invention in the first compartment of the water-soluble container is stable against pressure build-up which would normally occur in such a closed compartment due to the decomposition of the bleaching agent. The storage stability of the gel of the invention in the first compartment is improved, so that such a vent is not required. Therefore, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, the water-soluble container does not contain any micropores.

[0078] In a preferred embodiment thereof, the total amount of at least one builder compound in all compartments at least partially filled with such an inventive nonaqueous gel is from 2.5 to 35% by weight, preferably from 3.5 to 20% by weight, more preferably from 5 to 10% by weight, based on the total amount of nonaqueous gel and dishwashing powder in all compartments;

[0079] and wherein the total amount of at least one builder compound in all compartments at least partially filled with dishwashing powder is from 2.5 to 35 wt.-%, preferably from 3.5 to 20 wt.-%, more preferably from 5 to 10 wt.-%, based on the total amount of non-aqueous gel and dishwashing powder in all compartments.

[0080] In another preferred embodiment thereof, the total amount of coated sodium percarbonate particles in all compartments at least partially filled with such a non-aqueous gel of the invention is from 0.1 to 20% by weight, preferably from 2.5 to 17.5% by weight, more preferably from 5 to 15% by weight, based on the total amount of non-aqueous gel and dishwashing powder in all compartments;

[0081] And wherein preferably the total amount of coated sodium percarbonate particles in all compartments at least partially filled with dishwashing powder is from 0.1 to 20 wt.-%, preferably from 2.5 to 17.5 wt.-%, more preferably from 5 to 15 wt.-%, based on the total amount of non-aqueous gel and dishwashing powder in all compartments.

[0082] Furthermore, the objects of the present invention are solved by an automatic dishwashing system with automatic loading, wherein the automatic dishwashing system with automatic loading comprises at least a first cartridge and at least a second cartridge arranged separately from each other inside the dishwashing apparatus, wherein the at least first cartridge is at least partially filled with such a non-aqueous gel according to the present invention; and wherein the second cartridge is at least partially filled with a dishwashing powder, the dishwashing powder comprising at least one bleaching agent and at least one builder compound, such as a citrate; and wherein the at least one bleaching agent of the dishwashing powder preferably comprises coated sodium percarbonate particles;

[0083] Or alternatively, wherein the automatic loading automatic dishwashing system comprises a cartridge comprising at least a first cartridge compartment and at least a second cartridge compartment separated from each other inside the cartridge, wherein the first cartridge compartment is at least partially filled with such a non-aqueous gel of the present invention; and wherein the second cartridge compartment is at least partially filled with a dishwashing powder, the dishwashing powder comprising at least one bleaching agent and at least one builder compound, such as a citrate; and wherein the at least one bleaching agent of the dishwashing powder preferably comprises coated sodium percarbonate particles.

[0084] In a preferred embodiment thereof, the total amount of at least one builder compound in all cartridges or cartridge compartments at least partially filled with such a non-aqueous gel according to the invention is from 2.5 to 35% by weight, preferably from 3.5 to 20% by weight, more preferably from 5 to 10% by weight, based on the total amount of non-aqueous gel and dishwashing powder in all cartridges or cartridge compartments;

[0085] and wherein the total amount of at least one builder compound in all cartridges or cartridge compartments at least partially filled with dishwashing powder is from 2.5 to 35 wt.-%, preferably from 3.5 to 20 wt.-%, more preferably from 5 to 10 wt.-%, based on the total amount of non-aqueous gel and dishwashing powder in all cartridges or cartridge compartments.

[0086] In another preferred embodiment thereof, the total amount of coated sodium percarbonate particles in all cartridges or cartridge compartments at least partially filled with such a non-aqueous gel according to the invention is from 0.1 to 20% by weight, preferably from 2.5 to 17.5% by weight, more preferably from 5 to 15% by weight, based on the total amount of non-aqueous gel and dishwashing powder in all cartridges or cartridge compartments;

[0087] And wherein preferably the total amount of coated sodium percarbonate particles in all cartridges or cartridge compartments at least partially filled with dishwashing powder is 0.1 to 20 wt.-%, preferably 2.5 to 17.5 wt.-%, more preferably 5 to 15 wt.-%, based on the total amount of non-aqueous gel and dishwashing powder in all cartridges or cartridge compartments.

[0088] The following non-limiting examples are provided to illustrate embodiments of the present invention and to aid in the understanding of the present invention, but are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, which is defined by the appended claims.

[0089] In this context, an automatic dishwashing water-soluble container made of a thermoformed water-soluble film comprising poly(vinyl alcohol) has been used. The water-soluble container comprises a first compartment and at least a second compartment; wherein the first compartment is separated from the second compartment; wherein the first compartment is filled with such a non-aqueous gel of the present invention (two present invention examples) or a comparative gel (comparative example). The second compartment is filled with a dishwashing powder, wherein the dishwashing powder comprises at least one bleaching agent and at least one builder compound; wherein for the comparative example, the at least one bleaching agent of the dishwashing powder comprises coated sodium percarbonate particles, while the two present invention examples do not comprise coated sodium percarbonate particles in their respective second compartments (powders). For all examples (comparative example and two present invention examples), the water-soluble container further comprises a third compartment filled with the same liquid. This is also the reason why the sum of the weight percentages of the comparative example and the two present invention examples given in Table 1 is not equal to 100%.

[0090] Turning now to the table, Table 1 shows a comparison of a comparative formulation comprising coated sodium percarbonate particles in the second compartment (powder) and two different formulations of the invention comprising coated sodium percarbonate particles in the first compartment (gel) according to an embodiment of the invention. In this article, the weight percentage given for each individual ingredient is the corresponding total sum of the corresponding individual ingredients in the first and second compartments.

[0091] Table 2 shows a comparison of the respective first compartments (gels) of the comparative formulations and the respective first compartments (gels) of two different formulations of the invention according to embodiments of the invention. In this article, the weight percentages given for each individual ingredient are the respective total amounts of the respective individual ingredients in the first compartment.

[0092] Table 1 : Comparison of formulations containing sodium percarbonate in a solid powder compartment (comparative example) or a gel compartment (inventive example).

[0093]

[0094] Table 2: Comparison of the gel compartment of the comparative formulation with the respective gel compartments of two different formulations of the invention.

[0095]

[0096] All gels were prepared by standard routine work, i.e. all ingredients were mixed together at elevated temperature until a homogeneous mixture was achieved. Afterwards, the storage stability of these gel compartments was tested to determine their respective residual active oxygen levels. The results are given in Table 3 below.

[0097] Table 3: Residual reactive oxygen species after storage.

[0098]

[0099] For this purpose, a residual active oxygen level of greater than 70% after 6 weeks of storage at 40°C / 75% is considered successful. All experiments at 3 and 6 weeks were performed on individual samples. For cases where the residual oxygen did not change, all results are given using an upper limit of 100%.

[0100] Additionally, a visual evaluation of the gel compartment was performed and the ratings were compared with a commercial finished detergent formulation as another comparative example (Table 4).

[0101] Table 4: Visual rating after storage: "5 - no change in sample" to "1 - unacceptable".

[0102]

[0103] In this article, compared with the comparative formulations containing coated sodium percarbonate particles only in the powder compartment, two kinds of preparations of the present invention comprising coated sodium percarbonate particles in the gel compartment do not show degraded aesthetic properties after storage. It is worth noting that all water-soluble containers remain intact during the entire storage process. Visual evaluation provides the average score of multiple indicators (such as compartment expansion, bag wetness (pouchsogginess) etc.). The colorant contained in the gel compartment is at least partially degraded. However, the visual rating given in Table 4 does not take into account the visual appearance changes caused by this degradation.

[0104] Next, the cleaning performance of the inventive gel compartment and the comparative gel compartment was evaluated, as shown in Tables 5 and 6 below.

[0105] Table 5: Cleaning performance test conditions

[0106]

[0107] Table 6: Cleaning performance test experiment

[0108]

[0109] 10 = best, 1 = worst, differences of at least 1 are considered significant. It is noteworthy that the cleaning performance on bleachable stains (tea, tea with milk) is at least comparable to the comparative formulation.

[0110] The present invention therefore solves the problem of providing a non-aqueous gel comprising a specific bleaching agent, wherein the gel can be used in single dose detergent products as well as in self-loading automatic dishwashing processes.

[0111] It should be understood that the embodiments described herein are merely exemplary, and those skilled in the art may make many changes and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. All such changes and modifications (including those discussed above) are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A non-aqueous gel comprising at least one bleaching agent, characterized in that The at least one bleaching agent comprises coated sodium percarbonate particles; wherein the non-aqueous gel comprises at least one builder compound, such as citrate; and wherein the non-aqueous gel is substantially free, preferably completely free, of water.

2. The non-aqueous gel according to claim 1, characterized in that The non-aqueous gel is substantially free, preferably completely free, of enzymes, such as proteases and amylases; and substantially free, preferably completely free of bleach activators, such as TAED.

3. The non-aqueous gel according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The non-aqueous gel comprises 5 to 40 wt%, preferably 10 to 30 wt%, more preferably 15 to 25 wt% of the at least one builder compound, such as citrate.

4. The non-aqueous gel according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The non-aqueous gel comprises at least two different nonionic surfactants; wherein the total amount of all nonionic surfactants is 6 wt % to 60 wt %, preferably 25 wt % to 50 wt %, more preferably 35 wt % to 45 wt %.

5. The non-aqueous gel according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The total amount of the coated sodium percarbonate particles is 5 to 40 wt %, preferably 10 to 30 wt %, more preferably 15 to 25 wt %.

6. The non-aqueous gel according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The active oxygen content of the coated sodium percarbonate particles is 5 to 25% by weight, preferably 11 to 18% by weight, more preferably 12 to 15% by weight.

7. The non-aqueous gel according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that At least 90%, preferably at least 96%, more preferably at least 98% of the coated sodium percarbonate particles have a particle size of 150 to 1600 microns.

8. The non-aqueous gel according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that At least 86%, preferably at least 88%, more preferably at least 94% of the coated sodium percarbonate particles have a particle size of 150 microns to 1400 microns.

9. The non-aqueous gel according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The coated sodium percarbonate particles have a sodium percarbonate content of 80 to 95% by weight, preferably 82 to 91% by weight, more preferably 84 to 88% by weight.

10. A water-soluble container for dishwashing, preferably automatic dishwashing, characterized in that The water-soluble container is made of a thermoformed water-soluble film comprising poly(vinyl alcohol); wherein the water-soluble container comprises at least a first compartment and at least a second compartment; wherein the at least first compartment is separated from the at least second compartment; wherein the at least first compartment is at least partially filled with a non-aqueous gel as claimed in any one of the preceding claims; and wherein the at least second compartment is at least partially filled with a dishwashing powder, wherein the dishwashing powder comprises at least one bleaching agent and at least one builder compound, such as a citrate; and wherein the at least one bleaching agent of the dishwashing powder preferably comprises coated sodium percarbonate particles.

11. A water-soluble container for dishwashing, preferably automatic dishwashing, according to claim 10, characterised in that the total amount of the at least one builder compound in all compartments at least partially filled with the non-aqueous gel of any one of the preceding claims 1 to 9 is from 2.5% to 35% by weight, preferably from 3.5% to 20% by weight, more preferably from 5% to 10% by weight, based on the total amount of the non-aqueous gel and the dishwashing powder of all compartments; and wherein the total amount of said at least one builder compound in all compartments at least partially filled with dishwashing powder is from 2.5 to 35 wt.-%, preferably from 3.5 to 20 wt.-%, more preferably from 5 to 10 wt.-%, based on the total amount of said non-aqueous gel and said dishwashing powder of all compartments.

12. A water-soluble container for dishwashing, preferably automatic dishwashing, according to claim 10 or 11, characterised in that the total amount of the coated sodium percarbonate particles in all compartments at least partially filled with the non-aqueous gel of any one of the preceding claims 1 to 9 is from 0.1 wt.% to 20 wt.%, preferably from 2.5 wt.% to 17.5 wt.%, more preferably from 5 wt.% to 15 wt.%, based on the total amount of the non-aqueous gel and the dishwashing powder in all compartments; And wherein preferably, the total amount of said coated sodium percarbonate particles in all compartments at least partially filled with dishwashing powder is from 0.1 wt.% to 20 wt.%, preferably from 2.5 wt.% to 17.5 wt.%, more preferably from 5 wt.% to 15 wt.%, based on the total amount of said non-aqueous gel and said dishwashing powder in all compartments.

13. An automatic feeding and automatic dishwashing system, characterized in that: The automatic loading automatic dishwashing system comprises at least a first cartridge and at least a second cartridge arranged separately from each other inside the dishwashing apparatus, wherein the at least first cartridge is at least partially filled with a non-aqueous gel according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 9; and wherein the second cartridge is at least partially filled with a dishwashing powder, the dishwashing powder comprising at least one bleaching agent and at least one builder compound, such as a citrate; and wherein the at least one bleaching agent of the dishwashing powder preferably comprises coated sodium percarbonate particles; Alternatively, it is characterized in that the automatic loading automatic dishwashing system comprises a cartridge, the cartridge comprising at least a first cartridge compartment and at least a second cartridge compartment separated from each other inside the cartridge, wherein the first cartridge compartment is at least partially filled with the non-aqueous gel of any one of the preceding claims 1 to 9; and wherein the second cartridge compartment is at least partially filled with dishwashing powder, the dishwashing powder comprising at least one bleaching agent and at least one builder compound, such as citrate; and wherein the at least one bleaching agent of the dishwashing powder preferably comprises coated sodium percarbonate particles.

14. The automatic feeding automatic dishwashing system according to claim 13, characterized in that: the total amount of the at least one builder compound in all cartridges or cartridge compartments at least partially filled with the non-aqueous gel of any of the preceding claims 1 to 9 is from 2.5 to 35 wt.-%, preferably from 3.5 to 20 wt.-%, more preferably from 5 to 10 wt.-%, based on the total amount of the non-aqueous gel and the dishwashing powder of all cartridges or cartridge compartments; and wherein the total amount of said at least one builder compound in all cartridges or cartridge compartments at least partially filled with dishwashing powder is from 2.5 to 35 wt.-%, preferably from 3.5 to 20 wt.-%, more preferably from 5 to 10 wt.-%, based on the total amount of said non-aqueous gel and said dishwashing powder of all cartridges or cartridge compartments.

15. The automatic feeding automatic dishwashing system according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that: the total amount of the coated sodium percarbonate particles in all cartridges or cartridge compartments at least partially filled with the non-aqueous gel of any of the preceding claims 1 to 9 is 0.1 to 20 wt. %, preferably 2.5 to 17.5 wt. %, more preferably 5 to 15 wt. %, based on the total amount of the non-aqueous gel and the dishwashing powder of all cartridges or cartridge compartments; And wherein preferably, the total amount of said coated sodium percarbonate particles in all cartridges or cartridge compartments at least partially filled with dishwashing powder is 0.1 to 20 wt.-%, preferably 2.5 to 17.5 wt.-%, more preferably 5 to 15 wt.-%, based on the total amount of said non-aqueous gel and said dishwashing powder in all cartridges or cartridge compartments.

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