Water-soluble unit dose article comprising a phosphonate-free chelating agent

Abstract

A water-soluble unit dose detergent article comprising a water-soluble film and a detergent composition, wherein the detergent composition comprises a non-soap surfactant system and tropolone and / or a tropolone derivative.

Description

[0001] WATER-SOLUBLE UNIT DOSE ARTICLE COMPRISING A PHOSPHONATE-FREE

[0002] CHELATING AGENT

[0003] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0004] Water-soluble unit dose article comprising a detergent composition comprising a surfactant system and a phosphonate-free chelating agent.

[0005] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0006] Water-soluble unit dose detergent articles are liked by consumers as they are convenient and efficient to use. Such water-soluble unit dose articles comprise detergent compositions enveloped by a water-soluble film. When the water-soluble unit dose detergent article is added to water, the film dissolves / disintegrates releasing the detergent into the surrounding water to create a cleaning liquor.

[0007] Chelating agents play a significant role in detergents, especially in helping stain removal from surfaces including fabrics. HEDP (1 -hydroxy ethylidene-l,l-diphosphonic acid) has been traditionally used as chelating agent in detergents. There is a desire to find alternative phosphonate-free chelating agents. It can be challenging to introduce new actives in water-soluble unit dose detergent articles because they can impact on the dissolution of the article.

[0008] The objective of the present invention is to provide a water-soluble unit dose article comprising a new chelating agent that does not negatively impact on the dissolution of the water- soluble unit dose article or even improves the dissolution.

[0009] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] According to the first aspect of the invention there is provided a water-soluble unit dose detergent article. The water-soluble unit dose detergent article comprises a water-soluble film and a detergent composition. The detergent composition comprises: i) a non-soap surfactant system, the system preferably comprises anionic non-soap surfactant and nonionic surfactant; and ii) from 0.1% to 8% by weight of the composition of a tropolone and / or a tropolone derivative, preferably hinokitiol.

[0011] The water-soluble film preferably comprises from 50% to 95% by weight of the film of a polymer, preferably the polymer comprises polyvinylalcohol, and from 5% to 50% by weight of the film of a plasticizer. The water-soluble film preferably comprises: i) from 55% to 90%, more preferably from 60% to 80% by weight of the water soluble film of a polymer, preferably the polymer comprises polyvinylalcohol,; ii) from 10% to 40%, preferably from 20% to 30% by weight of the water soluble film of a plasticizer; and optionally iii) at least 4%, more preferably from 4% to 15%, even more preferably of from 5% to 10% by weight of the water-soluble film of water.

[0012] According to the second aspect of the invention, there is provided the use of tropolonc and / or a tropolone derivative, preferably hinokitiol to improve the dissolution of a water-soluble unit dose detergent article comprising a water-soluble film and a detergent composition, preferably a liquid laundry detergent composition comprising a non-soap surfactant system.

[0013] The elements of the first aspect of the invention apply mutatis mutandis to the second aspect of the invention.

[0014] The detergent article provides good cleaning a good dissolution.

[0015] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] All numeric values arc herein assumed to be modified by the term “about,” whether or not explicitly indicated. The term “about” generally refers to a range of numbers that one of skill in the art would consider equivalent to the recited value (for example, having the same function or result). In many instances, the term “about” may include numbers that are rounded to the nearest significant figure.

[0017] In everyday usage, indefinite articles (like “a” or “an”) precede countable nouns and noncountable nouns almost never take indefinite articles. It must be noted, therefore, that, as used in this specification and in the claims that follow, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a support” includes a plurality of supports. Particularly when a single countable noun is listed as an element in a claim, this specification will generally use a phrase such as “a single.” For example, “a single support.”

[0018] Unless otherwise specified, all percentages indicating the amount of a component in a composition represent a percent by weight of the component based on the total weight of the composition. The term “mol percent” or “mole percent” generally refers to the percentage that the moles of a particular component are of the total moles that are in a mixture. The sum of the mole fractions for each component in a solution is equal to 1. “Standard temperature and pressure” generally refer to 25°C and 1 atmosphere. Standard temperature and pressure may also be referred to as “ambient conditions.” Unless indicated otherwise, parts arc by weight, temperature is in °C, and pressure is at or near atmospheric. The terms “elevated temperatures” or “high-temperatures” generally refer to temperatures of at least 100°C.

[0019] Water-soluble unit dose article

[0020] The present invention discloses a water-soluble unit dose article comprising a water-soluble film and a detergent composition, preferably a liquid composition, preferably a laundry composition, more preferably a liquid laundry detergent composition. The water-soluble film and the detergent composition are described in more detail below.

[0021] The water-soluble unit dose detergent article comprises the water-soluble film shaped such that the unit-dose article comprises at least one internal compartment surrounded by the water- soluble film, fhe unit dose article may comprise a first water-soluble film and a second water- soluble film sealed to one another such to define the internal compartment. The water-soluble unit dose article is constructed such that the detergent composition does not leak out of the compartment during storage. However, upon addition of the water-soluble unit dose article to water, the water- soluble film dissolves and releases the contents of the internal compartment into the wash liquor.

[0022] The compartment should be understood as meaning a closed internal space within the unit dose article, which holds the detergent composition. During manufacture, a first water-soluble film may be shaped to comprise an open compartment into which the detergent composition is added. A second water-soluble film is then laid over the first film in such an orientation as to close the opening of the compartment. The first and second films are then sealed together along a seal region.

[0023] The unit dose article may comprise more than one compartment, even at least two compartments, or even at least three compartments, or even at least four compartments. The compartments may be arranged in superposed orientation, i.e. one positioned on top of the other. In such an orientation the unit dose article will comprise at least three films, top, one or more middle, and bottom. Alternatively, the compartments may be positioned in a side-by-side orientation, i.e. one orientated next to the other. The compartments may even be orientated in a ‘tyre and rim’ arrangement, i.e. a first compartment is positioned next to a second compartment, but the first compartment at least partially surrounds the second compartment but does not completely enclose the second compartment. Alternatively, one compartment may be completely enclosed within another compartment. Wherein the unit dose article comprises at least two compartments, one of the compartments may be smaller than the other compartment. Wherein the unit dose article comprises at least three compartments, two of the compartments may be smaller than the third compartment, and preferably the smaller compartments are superposed on the larger compartment. The superposed compartments preferably are orientated side-by-side. The unit dose article may comprise at least four compartments, three of the compartments may be smaller than the fourth compartment, and preferably the smaller compartments are superposed on the larger compartment. The superposed compartments preferably are orientated side-by-side.

[0024] In a multi-compartment orientation, the detergent composition according to the present invention may be comprised in at least one of the compartments. It may for example be comprised in just one compartment, or may be comprised in two compartments, or even in three compartments, or even in four compartments. Alternatively, the detergent composition according to the invention may be split over different compartments, such that the individual components get combined in the wash solution upon use.

[0025] Each compartment may comprise the same or different compositions. The different compositions could all be in the same form, or they may be in different forms.

[0026] The water-soluble unit dose article may comprise at least two internal compartments, wherein the laundry detergent composition is comprised in at least one of the compartments, preferably wherein the unit dose article comprises at least three compartments, wherein the detergent composition is comprised in at least one of the compartments.

[0027] The water-soluble unit dose article may comprise from 1 gram up to 60 gram, preferably from 5 gram up to 50 gram, more preferably from 10 gram up to 40 gram, most preferably from 12 gram up to 25 gram alternatively from 30 gram to 40 gram of the laundry detergent composition. The water-soluble unit dose article may comprise from 1 ml up to 60 ml, preferably from 5 ml up to 50 ml, more preferably from 10 ml up to 40 ml, most preferably from 12 ml up to 25 ml, alternatively from 30 ml to 40ml of the liquid laundry detergent composition.

[0028] Water-soluble film

[0029] The film of the present invention is soluble or dispersible in water. The water-soluble film preferably has a thickness of from 20 to 150 micron, preferably 35 to 125 micron, even more preferably 50 to 110 micron, most preferably about 76 micron.

[0030] Preferably, the film has a water-solubility of at least 50%, preferably at least 75% or even at least 95%, as measured by the method set out here after using a glass-filter with a maximum pore size of 20 microns: 5 grams ± 0.1 gram of film material is added in a pre-weighed 3L beaker and 2L ± 5ml of distilled water is added. This is stirred vigorously on a magnetic stirrer, Labline model No. 1250 or equivalent and 5 cm magnetic stirrer, set at 600 rpm, for 30 minutes at 30°C. Then, the mixture is filtered through a folded qualitative sintered-glass filter with a pore size as defined above (max. 20 micron). The water is dried off from the collected filtrate by any conventional method, and the weight of the remaining material is determined (which is the dissolved or dispersed fraction). Then, the percentage solubility or dispersability can be calculated.

[0031] Preferred film materials are preferably polymeric materials. The film material can, for example, be obtained by casting, blow-moulding, extrusion or blown extrusion of the polymeric material, as known in the art.

[0032] Preferred polymers, copolymers or derivatives thereof suitable for use as pouch material are selected from polyvinyl alcohols, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, polyalkylene oxides, acrylamide, acrylic acid, cellulose, cellulose ethers, cellulose esters, cellulose amides, polyvinyl acetates, polycarboxylic acids and salts, polyaminoacids or peptides, polyamides, polyacrylamide, copolymers of maleic / acrylic acids, polysaccharides including starch and gelatine, natural gums such as xanthum and carragum. More preferred polymers are selected from polyacrylates and water-soluble acrylate copolymers, methylcellulose, carboxymethylcellulose sodium, dextrin, ethylcellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, maltodextrin, polymethacrylates, and most preferably selected from polyvinyl alcohols, polyvinyl alcohol copolymers and hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC), and combinations thereof. Preferably, the level of polymer in the pouch material, for example a PVA polymer, is at least 60%. The polymer can have any weight average molecular weight, preferably from about 1000 to 1,000,000, more preferably from about 10,000 to 300,000 yet more preferably from about 20,000 to 1 0,000.

[0033] Preferably, the water-soluble film comprises polyvinylalcohol polymer, preferably wherein the polyvinylalcohol polymer comprises polyvinyl alcohol homopolymer or polyvinyl alcohol copolymer, or a mixture thereof, preferably a blend of polyvinylalcohol homopolymers and / or polyvinylalcohol copolymers, preferably wherein the polyvinylalcohol copolymers are selected from sulphonated and carboxylated anionic polyvinylalcohol copolymers especially carboxylated anionic polyvinylalcohol copolymers, most preferably wherein the polyvinylalcohol polymer comprises a blend of a polyvinylalcohol homopolymer and a carboxylated anionic polyvinylalcohol copolymer or a blend of polyvinylalcohol homopolymers. Alternatively, the water-soluble film may comprise a single polyvinylacohol polymer, preferably a carboxylated anionic polyvinylalcohol copolymer. Preferred films exhibit good dissolution in cold water, meaning unheated distilled water. Preferably such films exhibit good dissolution at temperatures of 24°C, even more preferably at 10°C. By good dissolution it is meant that the film exhibits water- solubility of at least 50%, preferably at least 75% or even at least 95%, as measured by the method set out here after using a glass-filter with a maximum pore size of 20 microns, described above.

[0034] Preferred films are those supplied by Monosol under the trade references M8630, M8900, M8779, M8310.

[0035] Preferably the plasticiser in the water-soluble film is selected from polyols, sugar alcohols, or a mixture thereof, preferably wherein the polyols include polyols selected from the group consisting of glycerol, diglycerin, ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethyleneglycol, tetraethylene glycol, polyethylene glycols up to 400 MW, neopentyl glycol, 1 ,2-propylene glycol, 1,3-propancdiol, dipropylcnc glycol, polypropylene glycol, 2-mcthyl-l,3-propancdiol, trimethylolpropane and polyether polyols, or a mixture thereof, wherein sugar alcohols include sugar alcohols selected from the group consisting of isomalt, maltitol, sorbitol, xylitol, erythritol, adonitol, dulcitol, pentaerythritol and mannitol, or a mixture thereof. Most preferably the plasticizer is selected from the group consisting of sorbitol, glycerol, dipropyleneglycol, and mixtures thereof.

[0036] The film may be opaque, transparent or translucent. The film may comprise a printed area. The area of print may be achieved using standard techniques, such as flexographic printing or inkjet printing.

[0037] The film may comprise an aversive agent, for example a bittering agent. Suitable bittering agents include, but are not limited to, naringin, sucrose octaacetate, quinine hydrochloride, denatonium benzoate, or mixtures thereof. Any suitable level of aversive agent may be used in the film. Suitable levels include, but are not limited to, 1 to 5000ppm, or even 100 to 2500ppm, or even 250 to 2000ppm.

[0038] Preferably, the water-soluble film or water-soluble unit dose article or both are coaled in a lubricating agent, preferably, wherein the lubricating agent is selected from talc, zinc oxide, silicas, siloxanes, zeolites, silicic acid, alumina, sodium sulphate, potassium sulphate, calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate, sodium citrate, sodium tripolyphosphate, potassium citrate, potassium tripolyphosphate, calcium stearate, zinc stearate, magnesium stearate, starch, modified starches, clay, kaolin, gypsum, cyclodextrins or mixtures thereof. The water-soluble unit dose article comprises a detergent composition, the composition can be any cleaning or treatment composition such as a hard surface cleaning composition, an automatic dishwashing cleaning composition, a laundry composition, etc. Preferably the composition is a laundry detergent composition, more preferable a laundry liquid detergent composition. The term ‘liquid laundry detergent composition’ refers to any laundry detergent composition comprising a liquid capable of wetting and treating a fabric, and includes, but is not limited to, liquids, gels, pastes, dispersions and the like. The liquid composition can include solids or gases in suitably subdivided form, but the liquid composition excludes forms which are nonfluid overall, such as tablets or granules.

[0039] The laundry detergent composition can be used in a fabric hand wash operation or may be used in an automatic machine fabric wash operation.

[0040] The laundry detergent composition comprises a non-soap surfactant system and a tropolonc and / or tropololone derivative, preferably hinokitiol. The non-soap surfactant system and the tropolone and tropolone derivative-are described in more detail below.

[0041] Chelating agent

[0042] It has unexpectedly been discovered that tropolone and tropolone derivatives are able to match or to exceed HEDP performance in stain removal while improving the dissolution of the water-soluble unit dose article.

[0043] Chelation is a type of bonding of ligand molecules to metal ions. It involves the formation or presence of two or more separate bonds between electron pairs of a ligand and a metal cation. Without being bound by theory, the stain removal effectiveness of a composition comprising one or more chelating agents may depend at least in part on the ability of the chelating agent(s) to bind to iron, which may be present in some stains, such as fruit or beverage stains. Several factors may impact a chelating agent’s ability to bind to iron. These factors may include the pKa of the chelating agent compared to the wash pH, the sterical availability and relative position of free electron pairs, and the affinity of the chelating agent to bind with other metals, materials, or compositions in the wash.

[0044] Various embodiments may provide or employ a composition that comprises one or more chelating agents exhibiting specific binding efficiencies with specific materials. The binding efficiencies may be expressed as a binding constant. A binding constant (also called formation constant or stability constant) is an equilibrium constant for the formation of a complex in solution. It is a measure of the strength of the interaction between the reagents that come together to form the complex. As an example, various stains may comprise catechins as shown in Formula 1. (1)

[0045] Such catechins may have a binding efficiency of about 3.5 with calcium and of about 19.2 with iron, and are in competition with chelating agents to bind to these materials. The chelating agent(s) may, therefore, be selected to ensure a lower binding efficiency with calcium and a higher binding efficiency with iron at the wash pH in order to be effective cleaning agents.

[0046] Tropolones (including tropolone and tropolone derivatives) have been found to be suitable chelating agents, e.g. demonstrating a strong stain removal performance while also positively impacting water-soluble film dissolution. Tropolones reversibly bind metal ions (i.e. Zn2+, Fe2+, Cu2+, Co2+, Mn2+, Ag2+,. . .) and form complex salts. They are considered as a broad-spectrum metallophore, especially efficient iron-chelating agents.

[0047] As shown in Figure 2, tropolone (2-hydroxy-2,4,6-cycloheptatrien-l-one) is an aromatic seven member ring compound with a hydroxyl group in the 2-position to its ketone functional group.

[0048] As shown in Figure 3, tropolone derivatives can have further substituting groups (R) beyond the hydroxyl and the ketone group of tropolone itself. The tropolone can have one, two, three, four or five groups present. Preferred tropolone derivatives for use herein have one substituting group. This substituting group can be present at any remaining position of the tropolone, preferably in the alfa, beta or gamma position relative to the tropolone hydroxyl group, preferably at the beta position. Preferably the R group(s) are independently selected from hydroxyl groups, carboxyl groups or linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated Cl to C6 alkyl groups such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, tert-butyl, pentyl and hexyl groups. More preferably the R group is selected of a Cl to C6 alkyl group, even more preferably R is an isopropyl group (e.g. thujaplicin), most preferably wherein the isopropyl group is in the beta position (e.g. hinokitiol, also known as 2-Hydroxy-6-(propan-2-yl)cyclohcpta-2,4,6-tricn-l-onc, P-thujaplicin or 4- Isopropyltropolone), as shown in Figure 4. Hinokitiol is preferred for use in the detergent article of the invention.

[0049] Further examples of suitable tropolones according to Figure 3 include gamma-thujaplicin (Figure 5), nootkatin (Figure 6), and puberulic acid (Figure 7).

[0050] Preferably the tropolone and / or tropolone derivative are present in an amount of from

[0051] 0.1% to 8% preferably from 0.5% to about 6%, preferably of from 1% to 5%, more preferably of from 1% to 3% by weight of the detergent composition. Preferably the tropolone derivative is selected from the group consisting of C1-C6 linear or branched, saturated or unsatureated alkyl tropolone, more preferably the tropolone derivative is a thujaplicin, preferably the thujaplicin is hinokitiol.

[0052] The non-soap surfactant:

[0053] The non-soap surfactant is preferably selected from non-soap anionic surfactant, non-ionic surfactant, or a mixture thereof. Preferably, the detergent composition comprises between 10% and 65%, alternatively between 20% and 55%, alternatively between 30% and 65% by weight of the detergent composition of the non-soap surfactant. Preferably, the composition is a laundry composition. Preferably, the composition is a liquid composition and more preferably the composition is liquid laundry detergent composition. Example weight ratio of non-soap anionic surfactant to nonionic surfactant are from 1:2 to 10:1, preferably from 1: 1 to 5:1, more preferably from 1.5 : 1 to 4: 1. For surfactant weight % or weight ratio calculation the weight of the neutralizing counterion in the case of anionic surfactants is not taken into account, e.g. for soap or non-soap anionic surfactants solely the weight of the surfactant anion is considered when calculating the soap or non-soap anionic surfactant weight % or soap or non-soap anionic surfactant to nonionic surfactant weight ratio.

[0054] Preferably, the anionic non-soap surfactant comprises linear alkylbenzene sulphonate, alkyl sulphate, alkoxylated alkyl sulphate or a mixture thereof. Preferably, the alkoxylated alkyl sulphate is an ethoxylated alkyl sulphate.

[0055] Preferably, the composition comprises between 5% and 60%, preferably between 15% and 55%, more preferably between 25% and 50%, most preferably between 30% and 45% by weight of the composition of the non-soap anionic surfactant.

[0056] Preferably, the non-soap anionic surfactant comprises linear alkylbenzene sulphonate and alkoxylated alkyl sulphate, wherein the ratio of linear alkylbenzene sulphonate to alkoxylated alkyl sulphate preferably the weight ratio of linear alkylbenzene sulphonate to ethoxylated alkyl sulphate is from 1 :2 to 9: 1, preferably from 1 : 1 to 7: 1, more preferably from 1 : 1 to 5: 1, even more preferably from 1 : 1 to 4: 1. Alternatively the non-soap anionic surfactant can consist of linear alkylbenzene sulphonate. Alternatively, the non-soap anionic surfactant can comprise unalkoxylated alkyl sulphate and linear alkylbenzene sulphonate. The alkoxylated or unalkoxylated alkyl sulphate can be derived from a synthetic alcohol or a natural alcohol, or from a blend thereof, pending the desired average alkyl carbon chain length and average degree of branching. Preferably, the synthetic alcohol is made following the Ziegler process, OXO-process, modified OXO-process, the Fischer Tropsch process, Guerbet process or a mixture thereof. Preferably, the naturally derived alcohol is derived from natural oils, preferably coconut oil, palm kernel oil or a mixture thereof.

[0057] Preferably, the detergent composition comprises between 1% and 30%, preferably between 2% and 25%, most preferably between 3% and 20% by weight of the detergent composition of a non-ionic surfactant. The non-ionic surfactant is preferably selected from alcohol alkoxylate, Ziegler-synthesized alcohol alkoxylate, an oxo-synthesized alcohol alkoxylate, Guerbet alcohol alkoxylates, alkyl phenol alcohol alkoxylates, or a mixture thereof.

[0058] Preferably, the detergent composition comprises between 0.5% and 20%, preferably between 1.5% and 20%, more preferably between 2% and 15%, even more preferably between 3% and 10%, most preferably between 4% and 8% by weight of the composition of soap, preferably a fatty acid salt, more preferably an amine neutralized fatty acid salt, wherein preferably the amine is an alkanolamine more preferably selected from monoethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine, mono-isopropylamine, di-isopropylamine, tri-isopropylamine, or a mixture thereof, more preferably monocthanolaminc.

[0059] The detergent comprises up to 15% by weight of the composition of water, preferably between 5% and 15%, more preferably between 7% and 15% by weight of the detergent composition of water.

[0060] Preferably, the detergent composition comprises between 5% and 30%, preferably between 10% and 30% by weight of the laundry detergent composition of a non-aqueous organic solvent, preferably wherein the non-aqueous organic solvent is selected from 1,2-propanediol, dipropylene glycol, tripropyleneglycol, glycerol, sorbitol, polyethylene glycol, ethoxylated glycerin or a mixture thereof. Preferably the non-aqueous organic solvent comprises 1,2-propanediol and glycerol, more preferably wherein the 1,2-propanediol and glycerol arc in a weight ratio of from 1 : 3 to 12 : 1 , preferably of from 1 : 2 to 9 : 1 , more preferably from 1 : 1 to 6 : 1. The laundry composition preferably comprises less than 1% preferably less than 0.5% by weight of the composition of ethanol, most preferably the laundry composition is free of ethanol.

[0061] Preferably, the detergent composition comprises an adjunct ingredient selected from the group comprising builders, perfumes, enzymes, citrate, bleach, bleach catalyst, dye, hueing dye, brightener, cleaning polymers including alkoxylated polyamines and polyethyleneimines, soil release polymer, fabric care polymers including cationic hydroxyethyl celluloses, cationic guar gums and cationic polyglucans, surfactant, solvent, dye transfer inhibitors, chelant, encapsulated perfume, polycarboxylates, structurant, pH trimming agents, anti-oxidants including Ralox 35, anti-foam agent, and mixtures thereof.

[0062] Preferably, the detergent composition comprises an enzyme selected from the group comprising hemicellulases, peroxidases, proteases, cellulases, xylanases, lipases, phospholipases, esterases, cutinases, pectinases, keratanases, reductases, oxidases, phenoloxidases, lipoxygenases, ligninases, pullulanases, tannases, pentosanases, malanases, B-glucanases, arabinosidases, hyaluronidase, chondroitinase, laccase, xyloglucanases, mannanases and amylases, nuclease, pectate lyases, hexosaminidase, or mixtures thereof, preferably a further enzyme selected from the group comprising proteases, amylase, cellulase, lipases, xyloglucanases, mannanases, nucleases, pectate lyases, hexosaminidase, and mixtures thereof

[0063] In a preferred embodiment, the water-soluble unit dose detergent article comprises two or more compartments and at least a lipase, preferably the lipase and the compound according to formula 1 are located in different compartments. Preferably, the detergent composition has a pH between 5 and 10, more preferably between 6 and 8.9, most preferably between 7 and 8, wherein the pH of the detergent composition is measured as a 10% weight product concentration in demineralized water at 20°C.

[0064] When liquid, the liquid detergent composition, preferably a liquid laundry detergent, may be Newtonian or non-Newtonian. Preferably, the laundry detergent composition is nonNewtonian. Without wishing to be bound by theory, a non-Newtonian liquid has properties that differ from those of a Newtonian liquid, more specifically, the viscosity of non-Newtonian liquids is dependent on shear rate, while a Newtonian liquid has a constant viscosity independent of the applied shear rate. The decreased viscosity upon shear application for non-Newtonian liquids is thought to further facilitate liquid detergent dissolution. The liquid laundry detergent composition described herein can have any suitable viscosity depending on factors such as formulated ingredients and purpose of the composition.

[0065] Process of making

[0066] Those skilled in the art will be aware of standard techniques to make the laundry detergent composition and the water-soluble unit dose article according to the present invention. Those skilled in the art will also be aware of standard techniques and methods to make the ingredients of the detergent composition of the present invention.

[0067] Process of use

[0068] A further aspect of the present invention is a process of laundering fabrics comprising the steps of diluting between 200 and 3000 fold, preferably between 300 and 2000 fold, the water- soluble unit dose article according to the present invention with water to make a wash liquor, contacting fabrics to be treated with the wash liquor.

[0069] Preferably the wash liquor comprises between 5L and 75L, preferably between 7L and 40L, more preferably between 10L and 20L of water. Alternatively, the wash liquor may comprise between 35L and 65L of water. Preferably, the wash liquor is at a temperature of between 5°C and 90°C, preferably between 10°C and 60°C, more preferably between 12°C and 45 °C, most preferably between 15°C and 40°C. Preferably, washing the fabrics in the wash liquor takes between 5 minutes and 60 minutes, preferably between 5 minutes and 40 minutes, more preferably between 5 minutes and 30 minutes, even more preferably between 5 minutes and 20 minutes, most preferably between 6 minutes and 18 minutes to complete. Alternatively, washing the fabrics in the wash liquor may take between 30 minutes and 60 minutes. Preferably, the wash liquor comprises between 1kg and 20 kg, preferably between 3kg and 15kg, most preferably between 5 and 10 kg of fabrics. The wash liquor may comprise water of any hardness preferably varying between 0 gpg to 40gpg.

[0070] EXAMPLES

[0071] The dissolution of four water-soluble unit dose detergent articles was studied by measuring the film residue left after the wash. The four unit dose detergent articles differed as follows: Comparative composition 1 is free of chelating agent, Comparative composition 2 comprises 2.21% by weight of the composition of HEDP (1 -hydroxy ethylidene-l,l-diphosphonic acid), Inventive composition 1 comprises 2.21 % by weight of the composition of hinokitiol and Inventive composition 2 comprises 2.21 % by weight of the composition of tropolone. As it can be seen in Table 1, the article comprising HEDP (Comparative composition 2) left more residues than the article free of chelating agent (Comparative composition 1). The articles comprising hinokitiol (Inventive composition 1) or tropolone (Inventive composition 2) left the least amount of residue. These conclusions have been supported by statistical analysis.

[0072] Test method

[0073] Water-soluble unit dose article dissolution - film residue.

[0074] This test method describes a water-soluble unit dose article dissolution test, in which the amount of undissolved water-soluble film residues is assessed. More particularly, this method is designed to assess the relative dissolution properties of laundry water-soluble unit dose articles under stressed washing machine conditions. For this method Electrolux Programmable Washing machines type W565H comprising a ballast load with a mix of Cotton and Polycotton pieces (from Calderon Textiles, LLC 6131 W 80th Street Indianapolis, IN 46278) were used. Ballast loads are comprised of cotton and polycotton knit, double-ply swatches approximately 50x50cm in size. Orange fabric enclosing unit-dose articles (pouches)

[0075] Orange fabric is purchased from the Lubrizol-Equest company and must be desized before use by adding 25 items into a front loading Miele washing machine and running 1 short cotton cycle at 60°C (approximate duration of lh30) with 50g of Ariel sensitive powder and a water hardness of 15gpg, followed by running 1 more short cotton cycles at 60°C (approximate duration of lh30) with no detergent and a water hardness of 15gpg, followed by tumble drying.

[0076] The orange fabrics are then cut into 48X48cm pieces, folded in half, cut in half and sawn to the sides into 4 equivalent pouches of 22X22cm with the top side open. 1 test product of a preconditioned water-soluble unit dose article is placed at the bottom right corner of the orange pouch, and the pouch is stitched closed. The water-soluble unit dose article must be pre-conditioned for a minimum of 2 weeks at 23°C, 50%rH before testing.

[0077] Load: 4 loads of 3 kg of mixed cotton (13 pieces) and polycotton (10 pieces) were dc-sizcd before use by washing in a short cotton cycle at 60°C with 79g of Ariel Professional detergent at a water hardness of 15gpg, followed by another short cotton cycle at 60°C without any detergent at a water hardness of 15gpg, and finally tumble-dried. Each load of 3.0kg is pre-treated 2 times by washing with 4 Ariel pods in the “prewet” cycle, followed by a wash without detergent in the “dissolution program” described below, and finally tumble-dried.

[0078] The Electrolux W565 programmable washing machines were programmed with 2 programs. The first program was designed to equally wet the load (pre-wet program). The second program (dissolution program) was utilized to simulate 15min of a Western Europe stressed cycle setting, followed by pumping out the water and starting a spin of 3min at 1 lOOipm.

[0079] A load consisting of 13 pieces of 50X50cm of cotton and 10 pieces of 27X27cm of polycotton (weighed at 3.0 + / - 0.15kg) was evenly introduced in the Electrolux W565 washing machine and the pre- wet program was run 2 times.

[0080] After the pre- wet program, the wet ballast was taken out of the drum and 4 orange pouches containing each a different test leg water soluble unit dose article were aligned at the bottom of the drum, hence 4 different test products are tested at once in the same washing machine in order to render the testing environment as reproducible as possible across the test legs. 10g of suds suppressor (Dowsil GP-4314 silicone suds suppressor, commercially available from the Dow Corning company) was added in the dispenser, and the wet load was placed on top of the orange pouches, without allowing the drum to move. The dissolution program was initiated. At the end of the full program, the orange pouches were transferred to a grading room (equipped with D65 lighting conditions) to be assessed for residues by expert graders.

[0081] The orange pouches are cut and graded visually, within 30min after the end of each run, according to a scale of 0 to 7 (0= No film residue, 7=Full pouch residue). The final score is calculated as the average of 4 external replicates, i.e. 4 different washing machine runs, and repeated 2 times (average of 8 scores). An index score is subsequently calculated by comparing the film residue score of a chelant comprising detergent article versus the nil chelant reference article which is indexed at a value of 100.

[0082] 'fable 1 : Detergent compositions

[0083] *Nuclease enzyme is as claimed in European application 19219568.3

[0084] **Lutensol FP620 ex BASF - ethoxylated polyethyleneimine (PEI600 EO20)

[0085] ***polyethylene glycol graft polymer comprising a polyethylene glycol backbone (Pluriol

[0086] E6000) and hydrophobic vinyl acetate side chains, comprising 40% by weight of the polymer system of a polyethylene glycol backbone polymer and 60% by weight of the polymer system of the grafted vinyl acetate side chains **** Lutensit Z96 (zwitterionic polyamine ex BASF - zwitterionic hexamethylene diamine, 100% quatemized and about 40% of the polyethoxy (EO24) groups are sulfonated), preferably having a structure below).

[0087] ***** Texcare SRA300 ex Clariant

[0088] The test compositions described in Table 1 were prepared through mixing of the individual materials in a batch type process. A superposed unit dose article resembling the commercialized Ariel All-in-One unit dose product, as available in the UK in July 2024 and manufactured by the Procter & Gamble company, comprising one larger bottom compartment comprising 20.5 mL of the respective test formulations, and 2 small superposed top compartments each comprising 1.6 mL of the same respective test formulation as the bottom compartment, was made using a thermoforming - vacuum forming process. The unit dose article comprised a bottom and top outer water-soluble film comprising a blend of a polyvinylalcohol homopolymer and a carboxylated anionic polyvinylalcohol copolymer, and a middle film comprising a blend of polyvinyl alcohol homopolymers, e.g. the same films as present in above Ariel All in One product and provided by the MonoSol company.

[0089] The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as “40 mm” is intended to mean “about 40 mm.”

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A water-soluble unit dose detergent article comprising a water-soluble film and a detergent composition, wherein the detergent composition comprises a non-soap surfactant system and from 0.1% to 8% by weight of the composition of tropolone and / or a tropolone derivative and wherein the film preferably comprises from 50% to 95% by weight of the film of a polymer and from 5% to 50% by weight of the film of a plasticizer.

2. The detergent article according to claim 1 wherein the detergent composition comprises a tropolone derivative selected from the group consisting of C1-C6 linear or branched alkyl derivative thereof, preferably wherein the tropolone derivative is a thujaplicin, more preferably wherein the thujaplicin is hinokitiol,3. The detergent article according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the film comprises from 55% to 90%, preferably from 60% to 80% by weight of the film of a polymer and from 10% to 40%, preferably from 20% to 30% by weight of the film of a plasticizer and preferably from 4% to 15%, preferably from 5% to 10% by weight of the film of water.

4. The detergent article according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the polymer comprises polyvinylalcohol.

5. The detergent article according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the detergent composition comprises from 30% to 65% by weight of the composition of the non-soap surfactant system.

6. The detergent article according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the non-soap surfactant system comprises anionic non-soap surfactant and nonionic surfactant.

7. The detergent article according to the preceding claim, wherein the anionic non-soap surfactant is selected from the group consisting of linear alkyl benzene sulphonate, alkyl ether sulphate, alkyl sulphate, and a mixture thereof.

8. The detergent article according to any of claims 6 or 7, wherein the nonionic surfactant is selected from the group consisting of primary alcohol ethoxylate nonionic surfactant, secondary alcohol ethoxylate nonionic surfactant, and a mixture thereof.

9. The detergent article according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the detergent composition comprises from 5% to 30% by weight of the composition of organic solvent and wherein the organic solvent is preferably selected from the group consisting of 1,2- propanediol, dipropylene glycol, tripropyleneglycol, glycerol, sorbitol, polyethylene glycol, ethoxylated glycerine, and a mixture thereof.

10. The detergent article according to any of claims 6 to 8, wherein the weight ratio of non-soap anionic surfactant to non-ionic surfactant is from 1:2 to 10:1, preferably from 1 :1 to 5:1.

11. The detergent article according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the detergent composition further comprises a fatty acid, preferably the detergent composition comprises between 0.5% and 20% by weight of the composition of the fatty acid.

12. The detergent article according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the detergent composition further comprises an enzyme selected from the group consisting of proteases, amylase, cellulase, lipases, xyloglucanases, mannanases, nucleases, pectate lyases, hexosaminidase, and a mixture thereof.

13. The detergent article according to any of the preceding claims wherein the article comprises at least two compartments, preferably the at least two compartments are in superposed configuration.

14. The detergent article according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the detergent composition further comprises an alkanolamine selected from the group consisting of monoethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine, mono-isopropylamine, di- isopropylamine, tri-isopropylamine, and a mixture thereof, preferably the detergent composition comprises monoethanolamine.

15. The detergent article according to any of the preceding claims wherein the detergent composition has a pH of from 5 to 10 as measured in a 10% by weight demineralized water solution at 20°C.

16. The detergent article according to any of the preceding claims wherein the detergent composition comprises a perfume comprising at least 5% by weight of the perfume of an aldehyde.

17. Use of tropolone or a tropolone derivative to improve dissolution of a water-soluble unit dose detergent article comprising a water-soluble film and a detergent composition, preferably a liquid laundry detergent composition, wherein the detergent composition comprises a nonsoap surfactant system.

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