GB2428683A - Water soluble cleaning sachet of reduced mass - Google Patents

Abstract

A water soluble / dispersible cleaning sachet for use in a washing operation have a mass of between 1g and 15g. This unit dose may be used singularly or with one or more other like sachets depending upon a required washing performance. Preferably the sachets are used in a dishwashing operation.

Description

11672P4 GB2 1

ARTICLE AND METHOD

The present invention relates to cleaning sachets, includ- ing dishwashing sachets, laundry cleaning sachets and Wa- ter softening sachets used in cleaning methods. The in- vention further relates to cleaning methods using such sa- chets.

It is known to provide cleaning compositions in various io forms for use in ware washing machines such as dish and clothes washing machines.

One of the most common forms in which laundry and dish waBher detergents are used consists of powder or granules in which the average particle size ranges between 0.1 and 2mm in diameter. In use, such powder or granules are placed in a chamber from which they are washed out during the washing cycle. Because of the hygroscopic nature of the powder or granules lumps occasionally form as a result of which the detergent may not be correctly delivered into the washing chamber of a dishwasher or washing machine.

It is known to use additives to alleviate this effect, but these may not always be effective.

Accordingly, as an alternative to powders or granules it is known to use detergents in larger form such as tablets or water soluble sachets. These larger forms are usually manufactured from the same ingredients as the known pow- ders or granules. The problems with the formation of lumps which are known with powders and granules are avoided by such forms. The larger forms also have the ad- vantage that they avoid the need to measure out powder or 11672P4 GB2 2 granules which can sometimes be somewhat complicated and tiresome.

However, such forms have a disadvantage compared to the use of powder or granules which is that they reduce the flexibility in measuring out the required quantity of dc- tergent. Instead, it is usual for the same amount of de- tergent to be added to every washing cycle, which is de- termined by the size of the tablet, irrespective of whether the crockery or laundry to be cleaned is heavily or lightly soiled and/or whether the machine being oper- ated has a full or reduced load.

Known detergent tablets / sachets may comprise a detergent composition together with other cleaning aid compositions.

EP-A-414462 discloses sachets comprising detergent for use in a washing machine. The sachets comprise at least 23g of a mixture of a bleaching component and a detergent coin- position. Each sachet is used as a half-dose so that a full dose of detergent composition is at least 46g.

For example, known multi-benefit automatic dishwasher tab- lets / sachets comprise three major components: a deter- gent composition, a water softening ("dishwasher salt function") composition and a rinse aid function. These components may be provided in separate conjoined layers of the product and arranged to dissolve into the wash water during different stages of the washing operation.

It is typical for such an automatic dishwasher product comprising a detergent, dishwasher salt function and rinse aid function to weigh between 20 and 25g. For example, l].672P4 GB2 3 such a tablet may comprise around lOg of detergent compo- sition, around lOg of water softening function composition and around ig to 2g of rinse aid function. In order to clean crockery using a domestic dishwasher a single tablet will be added regardless of the amount of crockery or ex- tent of the soiling of the crockery which is to be washed in the dishwasher.

The provision of dishwasher detergent in the form of io smaller tablets is known from EP 0 318 204 Al. However, this document relates to difficulties associated with in- compatible components. In this case it is necessary to use a combination of at least two types of tablet with in- compatible components being distributed among the tablet types in such a way that substantially only compatible in- gredients are formulated in the same tablet type.

The different types can either be offered separately and mixed in the correct proportions by the user or provided as a pre-mixed product. However, both cases have their own difficulties. In the first case, the difficulty arises of maintaining the correct proportions between the various tablet types when measuring out the amount re- quired. In the second case, problems occur if the tablet types become unevenly distributed in the mixture or if they are separated during transport or storage.

GB-A-2,305,93]. discloses water soluble containers having a size sufficiently small to allow flexibility of use with regards to dosing for laundry compositions. EP-A-700989 discloses water soluble packages for use in machine dish- washing Compositions comprising preferably between 25g and 35g of detergent. US 4,115,292 discloses water soluble 11672P4 GB2 4 packages containing from preferably about Sg to about 25g of detergent for use in automatic dishwashing.

Accordingly, there remains a need to provide a detergent composition in a form which allows for variable dosage in a simple manner which is convenient for the consumer and/or which avoids wastage of detergent composition.

Accordingly, the present invention aims to address at least one disadvantage associated with the prior art whether discussed herein or otherwise.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a water soluble / dispersible cleaning sachet for use in a washing operation, characterised in that the sachet has a mass of between ig and 15g such that it can be used singularly or with one or more other like sachets depending upon a required washing performance.

The sachet may, for example, be formed of a film. The film may be a single film, or a laminated film as dis- closed in GB-A-2,244,258.

The thickness of the film may be up to 2mm, more prefera- bly up to 1mm, more preferably 40 to 3OOtm, more prefera- bly 60 to 200jim, especially 60 to l6Om, more especially to 150JLm and most especially 60 to l50m.

The film may be produced by any process, for example by extrusion and blowing or by casting. The film may be un- oriented, monoaxially oriented or biaxially oriented. If the layers in the film are oriented, they usually have the 11672P4 G22 5 same orientation, although their planes of orientation may be different if desired.

The layers in a laminate may be the same or different.

Thus they may each comprise the same polymer or a differ- ent polymer.

Examples of water-soluble polymers which may be used in a single layer film or in one or more layers of a laminate or which may be used for injection moulding or blow mould- ing are poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVOH), cellulose derivatives such as hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC) and gelatin.

An example of a preferred PVOH is ethoxylated PVOH. The PVOH may be partially or fully alcoholised or hydrolysed.

For example it may be from 40 to 100%, preferably from 70 to 92%, more preferably about 88% or about 92%, alcohol- ised or hydrolysed. The degree of hydrolysis is known to influence the temperature at which the PVOH starts to dis- solve in water. 88% hydrolysis corresponds to a film soluble in cold (i.e. room temperature) water, whereas 92% hydrolysis corresponds to a film soluble in warm water.

The sachet may be formed by, for example, vacuum forming or thermoforming. For example, in a thermoforming process the film may be drawn down or blown down into a mould.

Thus, for example, the film is heated to the thermoforming temperature using a thermoforming heater plate assembly, and then drawn down under vacuum or blown down under pres- sure into the mould. Plug-assisted thermoforming and pre- stretching the film, for example by blowing the film away from the mould before thermoforming, may, if desired, be used. One skilled in the art can choose an appropriate temperature, pressure or vacuum and dwell time to achieve 11672P4 GB2 6 an appropriate sachet. The amount of vacuum or pressure and the thermoforming temperature used depend on the thickness and porosity of the film and on the polymer or mixture of polymers being used. Thermoforming of PVOH films is known and described in, for example, WO 00/55045.

A suitable forming temperature for PVOH or ethoxylated PVOH is, for example, from 90 to 130 C, especially 90 to 120 C. A suitable forming pressure is, for example, 69 to l38kPa (10 to 20 p.s.i.), especially 83 to 117 kPa (12 to 17 p.s.i.). A suitable forming vacuum is 0 to 4 kPa (0 to mbar), especially 0 to 2 kPa (0 to 20 mbar). A suit- able dwell time is, for example, 0.4 to 2.5 seconds, espe- cially 2 to 2.5 seconds.

While desirably conditions chosen within the above ranges, it is possible to use one or more of these parameters out- side the above ranges, although it may be necessary to compensate by changing the values of the other two parame- ters.

The sachet may be in the form of a solid body. That is to say the sachet is not in the form of a walled container but instead a shape, which is substantially solid (option- ally with pores / apertures). The solid preferably com- prises a matrix. The matrix may be formed of the material used for the film of the sachet or alternatively the ma- trix may comprise a second material. Preferred matrix forming materials include gelatin, especially in an admix- ture with glycerine, optionally with water. A further preferred matrix forming material is polyethylene glycol (PEG) having a molecular mass of 3000 or above, e.g. such as 6000, 8000, 20000, 35000 or 8 million.

11672P4 GB2 7 Generally the sachet has the dimensions of between 5 and 50mm.

Preferably the sachet has a mass of no more than 14g. more preferably no more than 13g, more preferably no more than 12g, more preferably no more than hg, still more prefera- bly no more than lOg. The sachet may have a mass of no more than 9g, for example of no more than 8g, 7g, 6g, or 5g.

Preferably, the sachet has a mass of at least 2g, more preferably at least 3g. The sachet may have a mass of at least 4g, for example at least 5g, 6g, 7g or 8g.

Suitably, the cleaning sachet comprises a cleaning compo- sition. Alternatively or in addition, the cleaning sachet may comprise a water-softening sachet which comprises a cleaning composition comprising a water-softening composi- tion.

The cleaning composition may be in the form of a solid (powders, granulates, tablets) or a liquid (including gels) or an admixture of both. The cleaning composition may be made up of two or more separate compositions. In this case the sachet generally has separate compartments, with each compartment containing a composition.

Suitably, the cleaning sachet comprises a sachet for use in an automatic ware washing machine.

Preferably, the cleaning sachet comprises a sachet for use in an automatic dishwashing machine. Suitably, the deter- 11672P4 GB2 8 gent sachet may be arranged to be used in combination with a separate supply of dishwasher salt and/or rinse aid.

Thus, the sachet may be substantially free from rinse aid function and/or dishwasher salt function.

The term "cleaning composition" is understood in the broad sense in the present application, namely as comprising all those substances and mixtures of substances which can be used in connection with cleaning processes. These include not only the compositions which are actually active in cleaning, such as detergents, for example dishwasher detergents, and washing substances, but all compositions which support cleaning functions concerned, such as water softeners, or which have the effect of providing protec- tive care, such as fabric treaters or final rinses.

Included in the term "cleaning composition" are mixtures of ingredients selected from: surfactant, builder, filler, bleach (optionally containing also bleach activator and/or a bleach catalyst), water-softening composition and en- zymes. The cleaning composition may contain other minor ingredients such as dye, fragrance and optical bright- eners.

By use of the term "water-softening composition" we mean a mixture of a water-softening active(s) with other com- pounds selected from those mentioned in the previous para-

graph, or elsewhere in this specification.

Suitably, the cleaning composition comprises a detergent composition. The cleaning composition may comprise a de- tergent composition together with other components which support a cleaning function. Alternatively, the cleaning 11672P4 GB2 9 composition may consist essentially of a detergent compo- sition.

As used herein the term "detergent composition" is under- S stood to comprise all those substances and mixtures of substances which are active in cleaning, such as deter- gents and washing substances.

Included in the term "detergent composition" are mixtures of ingredients selected from: surfactant, builder, filler, bleach (optionally containing also bleach activator and/or a bleach catalyst) and enzymes.

The detergent composition may be substantially free of components which support cleaning functions, such as Wa- ter-softeners, or which have the effect of providing pro- tective care, such as fabric softeners or final rinses (rinse aids).

Suitably, the sachet comprises a detergent composition in an amount of from ig to 12g, preferably an amount of from 2g to 8g, for example an amount of from 3g to 6g.

Suitably, the sachet comprises detergent composition in an amount of no more than 12g, preferably no more than hg, more preferably no more than log, for example no more than 9g, 8g, 7g, 6g, 5g. 4g, 3g or 2g.

Suitably, the sachet comprises a detergent composition in an amount of at least ig, preferably at least 2g, for ex- ample at least 3g, 4g, 5g, 6g, 7g or 8g.

11672P4 GB2 10 The sachet may comprise a mono-benef it" sachet. The sachet may comprise a single-function sachet for use in an automatic dish washer. Thus, at least 90% by weight of the cleaning composition may comprise detergent composi- tion and the cleaning composition may preferably consist essentially of a detergent composition, which may suitably comprise fillers in addition to the active components.

Suitably the sachet has a mass of between ig and 7g, pref- erably of between 2g and 6g, more preferably between 3g and Sg, for example around 4g.

Suitably, the sachet has a mass of between 5g and 13g, preferably between 7g and hg, more preferably between 8g and lOg, for example around 9g.

Suitably, the cleaning composition comprises detergent composition which comprises a substantially complete f or- mulation for its respective use. Accordingly, it is suitably not necessary to employ a number of sachets ac- cording to the present invention comprising different com- positions. Difficulties associated with a consumer having to count out a selection of different sachets may thus be avoided.

Suitably, the sachet is free from phosphorus-containing compounds.

The cleaning sachets of the present invention may have a number of advantages compared to known larger sachets.

As the sachet is smaller than known sachets it comprises less detergent and thus if a single sachet is used in a 11672P4 GB2 ii wash cycle of an automatic dishwashing machine there will be less release of detergent composition into the water- ways. The use of a single sachet in a ware washing ma- chine of the floor standing type may be appropriate to wash a small load or if the load is lightly soiled and thus the use of sachets accordingly to the present inven- tion may provide significant environmental benefits.

Sachets according to the present invention may also be "multi-dosed". For example, for a small load one sachet could be used with the environmental advantage as de- scribed above. For a larger load then two sachets may be used. For a particularly heavily soiled load three sa- chets may be used. Thus, a consumer may be provided with the flexibility to vary the amount of detergent used in an automatic dishwashing machine, particularly in a machine of the floor standing type, without having to expend the time and energy associated with using powder or granular detergents.

The use of two like sachets of the present invention may be more effective than the use of a known sachet having the same formulation as the sachets of the present inven- tion and a weight equal to the combined weight of said two sachets of the present invention.

Accordingly, it may for example be possible to achieve the same cleaning effect provided by a known 20g sachet by us- ing two 9g sachets, each having the same composition as the known sachet. Accordingly, it may be possible to use around 10% less detergent to achieve the same cleaning effect. The environmental benefits associated with the use 11672P4 GB2 12 of sachets accordingly to the present invention will thus be readily apparent.

Whilst having advantages over known eachets, the sachets according to the present invention may. also retain the benefits that those known sachets have over powder or granular detergent compositions.

Sachets according to the present invention may be less io susceptible to breakage / rupture and may be more easily removed from a machine chamber and distributed in a dish washing machine than known sachets.

The starting material for the cleaning sachets of the in-.

vention may be formulated in the same way as conventional powders, granules or sachets. A suitable formulation for a sachet composition may therefore comprise a large number of different ingredients, which may include any of the following: builders, surfactants, enzymes, bleaches, bleach activators, sources of alkalinity, dyes, perfumes, disintegrants, dispersants for lime soaps, organic poly- mers, including polymers to inhibit colour transfer, crys- tal growth inhibitors, complexing agents for heavy metal ions, salts, enzyme stabilisers, corrosion inhibitors, solvents, fabric softeners, optical brighteners, hydro- tropic agents, etc. In addition, the sachet composition may contain suitable fillers, such as suiphates and chlorides.

The sachets may also contain a scattering agent or effer- vescent system, such as a combination of bicarbonate of soda and citric acid, in order to support the rapid disso- 11672P4 GB2 13 lutiori of the sachets, especially when poorly soluble in- gredients are included.

If the sachet is for use in laundry washing, it may typi- cally comprise, for example, a bleach, stain remover, wa- ter-softener, enzyme or fabric conditioner, in addition to the cleaning composition. The sachet may be designed to release components at different times during the laundry wash. For example, a bleach or fabric conditioner is gen- erally released at the end of a wash, and a water-softener is generally released at the start of a wash. An enzyme may be released at the start or the end of a wash.

If the sachet is for use in dishwashing it may comprise, for example, a water-softener, salt, enzyme, rinse aid, bleach or bleach activator. The sachet may be designed to release the components at different times during the wash cycle. For example, a rinse aid, bleach or bleach activa- tor is generally released at the end of a wash, and a Wa- ter-softener, salt or enzyme is generally released at the start of a wash.

Examples of water-softening particulates which may be used in sachets according to the present invention include: A) homo or co polymers of the following monomeric units or salts thereof - acrylic acids, maleic acids, sulfonic ac- ids or phosphonics acid; and/or B) citrate salts, for example alkali metal citrates, and especially sodium citrate.

11672P4 GB2 14 preferably a compound of class A) and a compound of class B) are both present in a water-softening composition.

Additional beneficial compounds in a water-softening corn- position include one or more of: (1) ion exchange agents, including alkali metal (pref- erably 8odium) aluminosilicates, either crystal- line, amorphous or a mixture of the two; (2) ion capture agents - agents which prevent metal ions from forming insoluble salts or reacting with surfactants, such as polyphosphate, monomeric polycarbonates, such as citric acid or salts thereof, EDTA, algins, alginates; and (3) anti-nucleating agents - agents which prevent seed crystal growth, such as polycarbonate polymers, such as polyacrylates, acrylic/maleic copolymers, and acrylic phosphonates, and sulfonates.

The components of a cleaning sachet depend on its intended use. Generally, the sachet may contain surface active agents such as an anionic, nonionic, cationic, amphoteric or zwitterionic surface active agents or mixtures thereof.

Examples of anionic surfactants are straight-chained or branched alkyl sulfates and alkyl polyalkoxylated sul- fates, also known as alkyl ether sulfates. Such surfac- tants may be produced by the reaction of sulfates with higher (e.g.C8-C20) fatty alcohols.

11672P4 GB2 15 Examples of primary alkyl sulfate surfactants are those of formula: ROSO3M wherein R is a linear C9-C20 hydrocarbyl group and M is a water-solubilising cation. Preferably R is C10-C16 alkyl, for example CiCi4, and M is alkali metal such as lithium, sodium or potassium.

Examples of secondary alkyl sulfate surfactants are those which have the sulfate moiety on a "backbone" of the mole- cule, for example those of formula: CH2 (CH2) (CHOSO3M) (CH2) mCH3 wherein in and n are independently 2 or more, the sum of m+n typically being 6 to 20, for example 9 to 15, and M is a water-solubilisirig cation such as lithium, sodium or potassium.

Especially preferred secondary alkyl sulfates are the (2,3) alkyl sulfate surfactants of formulae: CH2(CH2)(CHOSO3M)CH3 and CH3 (CH2) (CHQSO3M) CH2CH3 for the 2-sulfate and 3-sulfate, respectively. In these formulae x is at least 4, for example 6 to 20, preferably to 16. M is cation, such as an alkali metal, for exam- ple lithium, sodium or potassium.

11672P4 GB2 16 Examples of alkoxylated alkyl sulfates are ethoxylated a].kyl sulfates of the formula: RO (C2H40) SO3M wherein R is a C8-C2o alkyl group, preferably C10-C18 such as a C12-C16, n is at least 1, for example from 1 to 20, preferably 1 to 15, especially 1 to 6, and M is a saltforming cation such as lithium, sodium, potassium, ammo- nium, alkylammonium or alkanolarnmonium. These compounds can provide especially desirable fabric cleaning perform- ance benefits when used in combination with alky]. sul- fates.

The alkyl sulfates and alkyl ether sulfates will generally be used in the form of mixtures comprising varying alkyl chain lengths and, if present, varying degrees of alkoxy- lation.

Other anionic surfactants which may be employed are salts of fatty acids, for example C8-C18 fatty acids, especially the sodium or potassium salts, and alkyl, for example C8- C18, benzene su].fonates.

Examples of non-ionic surfactants are fatty acid alkoxy- lates, such as fatty acid ethoxylates, especially those of formula: R(C2H4O)OH wherein R is a straight or branched C8-C16 alkyl group, preferably a C9-C15, for example C1o-C14, alkyl group and n 11672P4 GB2 17 is at least 1, for example from 1 to 16, preferably 2 to 12, more preferably 3 to 10.

The alkoxylated fatty alcohol non-ionic surfactant will frequently have a hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) which ranges from 3 to 17, more preferably from 6 to 15, most preferably from 10 to 15.

Examples of fatty alcohol ethoxylates are those made from io alcohols of 12 to 15 carbon atoms and which contain about 7 moles of ethylene oxide. Such materials are comzner- cially marketed under the trademarks NEODOL 25-7 and NEODOL 23-6.5 by Shell Chemical Company. Other useful compounds of this type include NEODOL 1-5, an ethoxylated fatty alcohol averaging 11 carbon atoms in its alkyl chain with about 5 moles of ethylene oxide; NEODOL 23-9, an eth- oxylated primary C12-C13 alcohol having about 9 moles of ethylene oxide; and NEODOL 91-10, an ethoxylated C9-C11 primary alcohol having about 10 moles of ethylene oxide.

Alcohol ethoxylates of this type have also been marketed by Shell Chemical Company under the DOBANOL trademark.

DOBANOL 91-5 is an ethoxylated C9-C11 fatty alcohol with an average of 5 moles ethylene oxide and DOBANOL 25-7 is an ethoxylated C12-C15 fatty alcohol with an average of 7 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of fatty alcohol.

Other examples of suitable ethoxylated alcohol non-ionic surfactants include TERGITOL 15-S-7 and TERGITOL 15-S-9, both of which are linear secondary alcohol ethoxylates available from Union Carbide Corporation. TERGITOL 15-3-7 is a mixed ethoxylated product of a C11-C15 linear secon11672P4 GB2 18 dary alkanol with 7 moles of ethylene oxide and TERGITOL 15-S-9 is the same but with 9 moles of ethylene oxide.

Other suitable alcohol ethoxylated non-ionic eurfactants are NEODOL 45-11, which is a similar ethylene oxide con- densation products of a fatty alcohol having 14-15 carbon atoms and the number of ethylene oxide groups per mole be- ing about 11. Such products are also available from Shell Chemical Company.

Further non-ionic surfactants are, for example,. C0-C18 al- kyl polyglycosides, such as C12-C16 alkyl polyglycosides.

These are especially useful when high foaming compositions are desired. Further surfactants are polyhydroxy fatty acid amides, such as C.o-Ci8 N(3-methoxypropyl) glycamides and ethylene oxide-propylene oxide block polymers of the Pluronic type.

Examples of cationic surfactants are those of the quater- nary amrnoniuin type.

The total content of surfactants in the sachet is desira- bly 60 to 95 wt%, especially 75 to 90 wt%. Desirably an anionic surfactant is present in an amount of 50 to 75 wt%, the nonionic surfactant is present in an amount of 5 to 50 wt%, and/or the cationic surfactant is present in an amount of from 0 to 20 wt%, by weight of sachet.

The sachets, particularly when used as laundry washing or dishwashing sachets, may also independently comprise en- zymes, such as protease, lipase, amylase, cellulase and peroxidase enzymes. Such enzymes are commercially avail- able and sold, for example, under the registered trade 11672P4 GB2 19 marks ESPERASE, ALCALASE and SAVINASE by Nova Industries A/S and MAXATASE by International Biosynthetice, Inc. Desirably the enzymes are independently present in the sa- chets in an amount of from 0.5 to 3 wt%, especially 1 to 2 wt%, when added as commercial preparations they are not pure and this represents an equivalent amount of 0.005 to 0.5 wt% of pure enzyme. As mentioned above they can be incorporated after extrusion if wished.

The sachets may, if desired, comprise a thickening agent or gelling agent. Suitable thickeners are p1yacrylate polymers such as those sold under the trade mark CARBOPOL, or the trade mark ACUSOL by Rohm and Haas Company. Other suitable thickeners are xanthan gums. The thickener, if is present, is generally present in an amount of from 0.2 to 4 wt%, especially 0.5 to 2 wt%.

Sachets used in dishwashing independently usually comprise a detergency builder. The builders counteract the effects of calcium, or other ion, water hardness. Examples of such materials are citrate, succinate, malonate, carboxy- methyl succinate, carboxylate, polycarboxylate and polya- cetyl carboxylate salts, for example with alkali metal or alkaline earth metal cations, or the corresponding free acids. Specific examples are sodium, potassium and lith- ium salts of oxydisuccinic acid, mellitic acid, benzene polycarboxylic acids, Cio-C22 fatty acids and citric acid.

Other examples are organic phosphonate type sequestering agents such as those sold by Monsanto under the trade mark DEQUEST and alkyihydroxy phosphonates. Citrate salts and C12-C10 fatty acid soaps are preferred. Further builders are: phosphates such as sodium, potassium or ammonium salts of mono-, di- or tri-poly or oligo-phosphates; zeo- 11672P4 GB2 20 lites; silicates, amorphous or structured, such as sodium, potassium or ammonium salts.

Other suitable builders are polymers and copolymers known to have builder properties. For example, such materials include appropriate polyacrylic acid, po].ymaleic acid, and polyacrylic/polyTnaleiC and copolyrners and their salts, such as those sold by BASF under the trade mark SOKALAN. The builder is desirably present in an amount of up to 90 wt%, preferably

15 to 90 wt%, more preferably 15 to 75 wt%, relative to the total weight of the sachet. Further details of suitable components are given in, for example, EP-A-694,059, EP-A-518,720 and WO 99/06522.

The sachets can also optionally comprise one or more addi- tional ingredients. These include conventional cleaning composition components such as further surf actants, bleaches, bleach enhancing agents, builders, suds boosters or suds suppressors, anti-tarnish and anti-corrosion agents, organic solvents, co-solvents, phase stabilisers, emulsifying agents, preservatives, soil suspending agents, soil release agents, germicides, pH adjusting agents or buffers, non-builder alkalinity sources, chelating agents, clays such as smectite clays, enzyme stabilizers, anti- limescale agents, colourants, dyes, hydrotropes, dye transfer inhibiting agents, brighteners, and perfumes. If used, such optional ingredients will generally constitute no more than 10 wt%, for example from 1 to 6 wt%, of the total weight of the sachets.

Sachets which comprise an enzyme may optionally contain materials which maintain the stability of the enzyme.

Such enzyme stabilizers include, for example, polyols such 11672P4 GB2 21 as propylene glycol, boric acid and borax. Combinations of these enzyme stabilizers may also be employed. If utilized, the enzyme stabilizers generally congtitute from 0.1 to 1 wt% of the sachets.

preferred dishwashing sachets are adapted to be used in automatic dish washing machines. Due to their specific re- quirements specialised formulation is required and these are illustrated below.

Amounts of the ingredients can vary within wide ranges, however preferred automatic dishwashing cleaning composi- tion sachets herein (which typically have a 1% aqueous so- lution pH of above 8, more preferably from 9,5 to 12, most is preferably from 9.5 to 10.5) are those wherein there is present: from 5% to 90%, preferably from 5% to 75%, of builder; from 0.1% to 40%, preferably from 0.5% to 30%, of bleaching agent; from 0.1% to 15%, preferably from 0.2% to 10%, of the surfactant system; from 0.0001% to 1%, pref- erably from 0.001% to 0.05%, of a metal-containing bleach catalyst; and from 0.1% to 40%, preferably from 0.1% to 20% of a water-soluble silicate. Such fully-formulated em- bodiments typically further comprise from 0.1% to 15% of a polymeric dispersant, from 0.01% to 10% of a chelant, and from 0.00001% to 10% of a detersive enzyme, though further additional or adjunct ingredients may be present.

Non-ionic surfactants useful in ADW (Automatic Dish Wash- ing) sachets of the present invention desirably include surfactant(s) at levels of from 1% to 10% of the composi- tion. In general, bleach-stable surfactants are preferred.

Non-ionic surfactants generally are well known, being de- scribed in more detail in Kirk Othmer's Encyclopedia of 11672P4 GB2 22 Chemical Technology, 3rd Ed., Vol. 22, pp. 360-379, "Sur- factants and Detersive Systems", incorporated by reference herein.

s preferably an ADW sachet comprises at least one non-ionic surfactant. One class of non-ionics are ethoxylated non- ionic surfactants prepared by the reaction of a monohy- droxy alkanol or alkyiphenol with 6 to 20 carbon atoms with preferably at least 12 moles, particularly preferably at least 16 moles, and still more preferably at least 20 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol or alkyiphe- nol.

particularly preferred non-ionic surf actants are formed from a linear chain fatty alcohol with 16-20 carbon atoms and at least 12 moles, particularly preferably at least 16 moles, and still more preferably at least 20 moles, of ethylene oxide, per mole of alcohol.

The non-ionic surfactant may additionally comprise propy].- erie oxide (P0) units in the molecule. Preferably the P0 units constitute up to 25% by weight, preferably up to 20% by weight and still more preferably up to 15% by weight of the overall molecular weight of the non- ionic surfactant.

particularly preferred surfactants are ethoxylated mono- hydroxy alkanols or alkyiphenols, which additionally com- prises polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylefle block copolymer units. The alcohol or alkylphenol portion of such surf ac- tants constitutes more than 30%, preferably more than 50%, more preferably more than 70% by weight of the overall mo- lecular weight of the non-ionic surfactant.

11672P4 GB2 23 Another class of non-ionic surfactants includes reverse block copolymers of polyoxyethylene and polyoxypropylene and block copolyrners of polyoxyethylene and polyoxypropyl- ene initiated with trimethyloipropane.

Another preferred non-ionic surfactant can be described by the formula: R10 (CH2CH (CH3) 0] x (CH2CH2O] [CH2CH (OH) R21 wherein R1 represents a linear or branched chain aliphatic hydrocarbon group with 4-18 carbon atoms or mixtures thereof, R2 represents a linear or branched chain auphatic hydrocarbon rest with 2-26 carbon atoms or mixtures thereof, x ha5 a value between 0.5 and 1.5 and y has a value of at least 15.

Another group of preferred nonionic surfactants are the end-capped polyoxyalkylated non-ionics of formula: R'O [CH2CH (R3) 0) x (CH2] kCH (OH) (CH2] jOR2 wherein R1 and R2 represent linear or branched chain, saturated or unsaturated, aliphatic or aromatic hydrocar- bon groups with 1-30 carbon atoms, R3 represents a hydro- gen atom or a methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, iso-propy]., n- butyl, 2-butyl or 2-methyl-2-butyl group, x has a value between 1 and 30 and, k and j have values between 1 and 12, preferably between 1 and 5. When the value of x is >2 each R3 in the formula above can be different. R1 and R2 are preferably linear or branched chain, saturated or un- saturated, aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbon groups with 6-22 carbon atoms, where groups with 8 to 18 carbon atoms 1].672P4 GB2 24 are particularly preferred. For the group R3 H, methyl or ethyl are particularly preferred. Particularly preferred values for x are from 1 and 20, preferably from 6 to 15.

As described above, when x >2, each R3 in the formula can be different. For example, when x=3, the group R3 could be chosen to build ethylene oxide (R3=H) or propylene oxide (R3=methyl) units which can be used in every single order for example (PC) (EO) (EO), (EO) (P0) (E0), (E0) (EO) (P0), (EC) (E0) (E0), (P0) (E0) (P0), (P0) (P0) (E0) and (P0) (P0) (P0).

The value 3 for x is only an example and bigger values can be chosen whereby a higher number of variations of (E0) or (P0) units would arise.

is Particularly preferred end-capped polyoxyalkylated alco- hols of the above formula are those where k=l and j=1 originating molecules of simplified formula: R'O (CH2CH (R3) 0] xCH2CH (OH) CH3OR2 The use of mixtures of different non-ionic surfactants is particularly preferred in ADW formulations for example mixtures of alkoxylated alcohols and hydroxy group con- taining alkoxylated alcohols.

A sachet disintegrant could be present in the sachets, for example a water-swellable cellulosic compound.

A cleaning sachet of the invention may be used in a van- ety of ways. By way of example, we may refer to use as a dishwasher detergent, as a final rinse in dishwashers, as a detergent in a washing machine or for a hand wash, as a water softener or fabric softening rinse in a washing mal].672P4 GB2 25 chine, or as a descalIng agent. Other fields of use in the detergent sector are conceivable and possible, such as use as a detergent composition for dissolution in water, for cleaning hard surfaces, such as floors.

Suitably, the sachet is arranged such that N sachets can be employed in a washing method to wash a load which sub- stantially corresponds to a full load of a ware washing machine, and which load has a normal level of soiling, io wherein N is 1, 2, 3 or 4. Preferably N is 2 for an automatic dishwasher of the floor standing type. Suitably the sachet is arranged such that the number of sachets em- ployed in the washing method can be adjusted as detailed in the second aspect which follows.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of performing a washing opera- tion characterised in that the method employs one or more sachets according to the first aspect and a quantity of water.

Here it has been found that as the sachets of the present invention are much smaller than conventional commercial detergent sachets they can be accommodated much more eas- ily in a sachet dispenser. This has been found to be of particular significance when a high amount of cleaning agent (i.e. a high number of cleaning sachets is re- quired). A suggested reason for this effect is that a large number of small sachet may be accommodated much more easily in a sachet dispenser than one larger sachet due to flexibility in positioning. For example it has been found to be easier to accommodate three sachets of weight 9g than one large sachet of weight 27g.

].1672P4 GB2 26 This benefit may seem insignificant as the larger sachet could simply be placed in side the operating part of the machine. However, some automatic washing machines (such as dishwashers) operate a pre-wash cycle in which it is not advantageous to dispense any cleaning formulation.

The accommodation of the sachets in the dispenser (which typically does not operate until a main wash cycle) over- comes this disadvantage.

Suitably, the sachets comprise a detergent composition.

Suitably, where the method employs a plurality of sachets the sachets are substantially identical.

preferably, the method comprises washing articles in an automatic ware washing machine. More preferably the method comprises washing articles, for example crockery, within an automatic dishwashing machine.

preferably, the method comprises the step of determining whether one or more sachets are required depending on the level of soiling and the quantity of articles to be washed.

Suitably, for a load having a normal level of soiling and which load substantially corresponds to a full load of a ware washing machine, the method will use N sachets.

Suitably, N = 1 to 4. Suitably for a domestic dish washer of the floor standing type, N = 2, 3 or 4, preferably 2.

11672P4 GB2 27 Suitably, for a load having a heavy level of soiling and which load substantially corresponds to a full load of the ware washing machine the method will use N + A sachets.

SuitablY, A 0 to 2. Suitably, A is >0 and = (N - 1).

Suitably, for a domestic dish washer of the floor standing type A = 1 or 2, preferably 1.

Suitably, for a load having a light level of soiling and io which load substantially corresponds to a full load of the ware washing machine the method will use N -. B sachets.

Suitably, B = 0 to 2. Suitably, B is > 0 and = (N - 1).

Suitably, for a domestic dishwasher of the floor standing type B = 1 or 2, preferably 1.

Suitably, for a load having a normal level of soiling and which load substantially corresponds to a half load of the ware washing machine the method will use N - C sachets.

Suitably, C = 0 to 2. Suitably, C is > 0 and = (N - 1).

Suitably, for a domestic dishwasher of the floor standing type C = 1 or 2, preferably 1.

Suitably, for a given ware washing machine and sachet com- bination N, A, B and C have fixed values. Suitably, for a domestic dishwasher of the floor standing type A, B and C have the same value. Thus variation of the "dose" of sa- chets may thus be simple for a user to perform.

For a domestic dish washer of the table top type N may be 1 or 2, suitably 1. In this case suitably B and C are 0.

In this case A may also be 0. Whilst it may thus not be 11672P4 GB2 28 possible to vary the "dose" in the same manner this may not be problematic since such a dishwasher is, for exam- ple, less likely to be operated part loaded.

S The terms "normal level of soiling", "heavy level of soil- ing" and "light level of soiling" as well as "full* load" and "half load" are somewhat subjective and will, to a de- gree, be a matter of judgement for a user. Their judge- ment may depend in part on the efficiency of their machine and on the water characteristics. However, it will be ap- parent to a user which situation is most likely to apply in any given case and a user can thus make the determina- tion outlined above and calculate the number of sachets to use according to the basic criteria given above.

Suitably, the determination step comprises a user noting the extent of soiling of the articles to be washed, noting the extent to which a machine is loaded and determining whether N sachets should be used or if an adjustment needs to be made. Suitably, a value for N will be provided with the sachets. Suitably, if an adjustment is required a user will use a value for A, B or C provided with the sa- chets.

Claims (17)

11672P4 GB2 29 Claims 1. A water soluble / dispersible cleaning sachet for

use in a washing operation, characterised in that the sachet has a mass of between ig and 15g such that it can be used singularly or with one or more other like sachets depending upon a required wash- ing performance.

2. A sachet according to claim 1, comprising a deter- gent composition.

3. A sachet according to Claim 1 or 2, comprising a water-softening composition.

4. A sachet according to any preceding claim, wherein the sachet is for a ware washing machine.

5. A sachet according to claim 4, wherein the sachet is for an automatic dish washing machine.

6. A sachet according to claim 5, except when depend- ent on claim 3, wherein the sachet comprises a sin- gle function detergent sachet which comprises a de- tergent composition and is substantially free from dishwasher salt or rinse aid.

7. A sachet according to Claim 6, wherein the sachet has a mass of between lg and no more than 14g.

8. A sachet according to claim 7, wherein the sachet has a mass of between 5g and 13g.

11672P4 G82 30

9. A method of performing a washing operation charactensed in that the method employs one or more sa- chets according to any of the preceding claims and a quantity of water.

10. A method according to Claim 9, wherein the method comprises the step of determining whether one or more sachets are required depending on the level of soiling and the quantity of articles to be washed.

11. A method according to Claim 9, wherein, the method comprises the step of determining whether one or more sachets are required depending on the level of water hardness.

12. A method according to Claim 9, 10 or 11, wherein the method comprises washing articles in an auto- matic ware washing machine.

13. A method according to Claim 12, wherein the sachets comprise detergent composition and the method com- prises washing articles in an automatic dishwashing machine.

14. A method according to Claim 13, wherein the dish- washing machine comprises a domestic dishwasher of the floor standing type, and for a load having a normal level of soiling and which load substan- tially corresponds to a full load of the dishwash- ing machine the method uses N sachets where N = 2, 3, or 4.

11672P4 G32 31

15. A method according to Claim 14, wherein the dishwashing machine comprises a domestic dishwasher of the floor standing type, and for a load having a heavy level of soiling and which load substantially corresponds to a full load of the dishwashing ma- chine the method uses N + A sachets where N =2, 3, or 4 and A is > 0 and = (N - 1).

16. A method according to Claim 11 or 12, wherein the dishwashing machine comprises a domestic dishwasher of the floor standing type, and for a iQad having a light level of soiling and which load substantially corresponds to a full load of the dishwashing ma- chine the method uses N - B sachets where N = 2, 3, or4andBis>Oafld = (N- i).

17. A method according to Claim 11 or 12, wherein the dishwashing machine comprises a domestic dishwasher of the floor standing type, and for a load having a normal level of soiling and which load substan- tially corresponds to a half load of the dishwash- ing machine the method uses N - C sachet a where N = 2, 3, or 4 and C is > 0 and = (N - 1).