Patent Application
20240060015
Solid dissolvable compositions (SDC) comprising a mesh microstructure formed from dry sodium fatty acid carboxylate formulations, which dissolve at different times over a range of washer conditions, such as temperature.
The formulation of effective solid dissolvable compositions presents a considerable challenge. The compositions need to be physically stable, temperature resistant and humidity resistant, yet still be able to perform the desired function by dissolving in solution and leaving little or no material behind. Solid dissolvable compositions are well known in the art and have been used in several roles, such as detergents, oral and body medications, disinfectants, and cleaning compositions.
Attempts to optimize the performance of tablet technology have primarily been directed towards modification of the dissolution profile of tablets. This is deemed especially important for those tablets that are placed in the machine, such that they encounter a water spray at the very beginning of the wash process. EP-A-264,701 describes machine dish washing tablets comprising anhydrous and hydrated metasilicates, anhydrous triphosphate, active chlorine compounds and a tableting aid consisting of a mixture of sodium acetate and spray-dried sodium zeolite.
In recent years, tablets for oral consumption have been produced by subjecting tablet components to compressive shaping under high pressure in a dry state. This is because tablets are essentially intended to be disintegrated in the gastrointestinal tract to cause drug absorption and must be physically and chemically stable from completion of tableting to reach to the gastrointestinal tract, so that the tablet components must be strongly bound together by a compressive pressure. In early times, wet tablets were available, which were molded and shaped into tablets while in a wet state, followed by drying. However, such tablets were not rapidly soluble in the oral cavity because they were intended to be disintegrated in the gastrointestinal tract. Also, these tablets are not strongly compressed mechanically and lack shape retention and are not practically applicable to modern use.
Tablets formed by compression under low compression force also dissolve more rapidly than tablets formed by high compression force. However, tablets produced by these processes have a high degree of friability. Crumbling and breakage of tablets prior to ingestion may lead to uncertainty as to the dosage of active ingredient per tablet. Furthermore, high friability also causes tablet breakage leading to waste during factory handling.
Another form of solid dissolvable compositions are sheet-like articles, for example shect-like laundry detergent articles that are completely or substantially soluble in water have been known in the art. Unlike liquid laundry detergent these laundry detergent sheets contain little or no water. They are chemically and physically stable during shipment and storage and have a significantly smaller physical and environmental footprint. In recent years, these sheet-like laundry detergent articles have made significant progress in various aspects, including increased surfactant contents by employing polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) as the main film former and improved processing efficiency by employing a rotating drum drying process. Consequently, they have become more and more commercially available and popular among consumers.
However, such sheet-like laundry detergent articles still suffer from significant limitation on the types of surfactants that can be used, because only a handful of surfactants (such as alkyl sulfates) can be processed to form sheets on a rotating drum dryer. When other surfactants are incorporated into the sheet-like laundry detergent articles, the resulting articles may exhibit undesirable attributes (e.g., slow dissolution and undesired caking). Such limited choice of surfactants that can be used in the sheet-like laundry detergent articles in turn leads to poor cleaning performances, especially in regions where fabrics or garments are exposed to a variety of soils that can only be effectively removed by different surfactants with complementary cleaning powers.
The chain length distributions used in soap bars are balanced to achieve both firmness (i.e., solid) and lathering. Chain lengths from vegetable-based oils contain both saturated C12 and C14 fatty acids and also often a plurality of unsaturated C18:1 and C18:2 fatty acids. By themselves, these compositions lather (which is not good for use in laundry washing machines) and result in liquid, soft or compositions which do not hold a shape, especially in the presence of water in excess of 5 wt. %. C14 and unsaturated chain length fatty acids are generally considered insoluble or softening. and to be avoided in solid dissolvable compositions described herein. Fatty acid chain lengths from animal-based oils that contain saturated C16 and C18 fatty acids are blended with vegetable-based oils to create firm bars. However, these longer chain length fatty acids are generally considered insoluble.
Traditional soap bar compositions are solid, and generally blend a wide variety of sodium fatty carboxylates with different counter ions, to achieved properties associated with good-performing soap bars. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,540,852 describes a mild lathering soap bar containing 50 wt. %-80 wt. % combined NaC14, NaC16, and NaC18 and fraction of magnesium counter ion soap. The presence of both the very long chain length fatty acids and magnesium ions results in compositions that have plate structures (i.e., no longer fibers) and do not dissolve completely in a wash cycle GB 2243615 A describes a beta-phase soap bar containing long chain length (e.g., large titer) and unsaturated (e.g., large IV value) sodium fatty acid carboxylates resulting in compositions do not efficiently crystallize and which do not dissolve completely U.S. Pat. No. 3,926,828 describes transparent bar soaps containing long chain length sodium soap including NaC14, NaC16 and NaC18, triethanolamine counter ions and branched-chain fatty acid, providing compositions which have non-fiber morphologies that do not efficiently form crystals.
US 2004/0097387 A1 describes an anti-bacterial soap bar comprising C8 and C10 soap. but substantially free of C12 soap having a substantial amount of hydridic solvent—or water-soluble organic solvent such as propylene glycol, and free, un-neutralized fatty acid. The presence of hydridic solvents and un-neutralized fatty acid are known to change the morphology of fatty acid carboxylate salts. The altered crystal morphology adversely affects the dissolution properties of any resulting microstructure of the crystal mass. Further, hydridic solvents are hygroscopic. Any crystal masses which incorporate them will thus readily absorb moisture from the air making them inherently susceptible to supply chain instabilities by making the compositions tacky and sticky, both of which are undesirable.
Traditional laundry compositions blend a wide variety of sodium fatty carboxylates to achieve properties associated with good-performing laundry bars. In WO 2022/122878 Al a laundry soap bar composition, has substantial amounts (85-90 wt. %) of C14 or greater chain length of soap. high levels of water and about one-half fatty acid (i.e. un-neutralized). leading to acid-soap crystals which are non-fiberous and compositions that do not dissolve completely. US 2007/0293412 A1 describes a powder soap composition containing combinations of NaC12, NaC14, and NaC16 sodium fatty acid carboxylate and potassium counterions, the very long chain fatty acids result in compositions that do not dissolve completely in a wash cycle and potassium ions result in crystallizing agents which have plate structures (i.e., no longer fibers).
Further, U.S. Pat. No. 11,499,123 B2 and US 2023/0037154 A1 describe various water-soluble pellets comprising vegetable soap (e.g., coconut soap), freshness actives and other ingredient to facilitate preparation through an extruder process. Dominant microstructures present in Example 1, for example, from both specifications are primarily lamella sheets and lamellar-like vesicle structures (
Finally, there are compositions that are designed to be stable in the presence of significant amounts of water. For example. US 2021/0315783 A1 describes a composition having NaC14, NaC16 and NaC18 fatty acid carboxylates such that the crystallizing agents form a network that express water when compressed. US 2002/0160088 A1 describes C6-C30 aliphatic metal carboxylates that form fiber networks in the presence of water and seawater, to soak up oil. (US 2021/0315784 A1) describes the use of long chain (C13-C20) sodium carboxylate fatty acid to prepare compositions that squeeze out water when compressed. These compositions require the use of longer chain length fatty acids (i.e., not water-soluble).
What is needed is a solid composition that overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art and can easily dissolve in an aqueous environment.
A solid dissolvable composition (SDC) is provided that comprises crystallizing agent; water; and active agent; wherein the crystallizing agent is the sodium salt of saturated fatty acids having from 8 to about 12 methylene groups.
A solid dissolvable composition (SDC) comprising crystallizing agent and active agent; wherein, the composition and microstructure enables dissolution rate greater than 5% at (1 min) at solubility temperature at 37° C. and more preferably dissolution rate greater than 5% at (1 min) at solubility temperature at 25° C. by the DISSOLUTION TEST METHOD for desired dissolution profiles under wash conditions. Solid dissolvable compositions, have low packing density and are porous, to enhance dissolution, and result in enhanced very-light product for e-commerce. The compositions are also composed of natural, available, relatively inexpensive, and sustainable materials, resistant to humidity and elevated temperature to enhance stability in the supply chain.
An inventive solid dissolvable composition is provided that comprises crystallizing agent, water, and an active agent. The crystallizing agent primarily comprises sodium salt of saturated fatty acids having from 8 to 12 methylene groups, where the sodium counter ion enables formation of fiber crystal mesh (counter ions other than sodium result in non-fiber crystals) in the composition and where an intentional blend of 8 to 12 methylene groups enables dissolution at different times over a range of washer conditions, including temperature, to maximize the consumer benefit. The water composition is preferably less than about 10 wt. % of the SDC and more preferably less than 5 wt. %. The fiber crystals incorporate about 3-5 wt. % water into the crystal structure, which has the significant benefits including that the SDC are quite firm, resistant to microbial growth, resistant to water loss in the supply chain. Excess water results in liquid or soft compositions. The active agent is used to treat fabrics and is added during making (Mixing) or after preparation of the composition (Drying), where preferred active agents include neat perfumes and encapsulated perfumes.
A method of producing a solid dissolvable composition is provided that comprises mixing, by solubilizing the crystallizing agent in water; forming, by converting and maintaining the composition into the desire shape and size by at least one of crystallization, partial drying, salt addition or viscosity build from liquid crystal formation; and drying, by removing water to produce the final solid dissolvable composition.
Active agent capsules can be added to the mixtures when cool (i.e., Mixing) and without the application of compressive and shear stresses, that otherwise break the walls of capsules, thus releasing the active agents. Active agents can be optionally added by emulsification in the mixing stage prior to formation of the fiber microstructure of the first-formed rheological solid or can be optionally added after the drying stage and formation of the solid dissolvable composition, to seep evenly into the fiber microstructure.
While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter that is regarded as the present disclosure, it is believed that the disclosure will be more fully understood from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Some of the figures may have been simplified by the omission of selected elements for the purpose of more clearly showing other elements. Such omissions of elements in some figures are not necessarily indicative of the presence or absence of elements in any of the exemplary embodiments, except as may be explicitly delineated in the corresponding written description. None of the drawings are necessarily to scale.
The present invention includes a solid dissolvable composition comprising a crystalline mesh. The crystalline mesh (“mesh”) comprises a relatively rigid, three-dimensional, interlocking crystalline skeleton framework of fiber-like crystalline particles formed from crystallizing agents. The solid dissolvable compositions of the present invention have crystallizing agent(s), a low water content, active agent(s), and are easily dissolvable in water at or above/below room temperature.
While not being limited to theory it is believed that counter ions in the fatty acid compositions of the present invention help to provide the unique performance characteristics of the disclosed compositions and are explained in more detail below. Sodium counter ions result in fiber crystals of the fatty acid carboxylates that form a mesh microstructure. This mesh microstructure ensures rapid dissolution and provides an added advantage of a low-density composition which is advantageous for lowering shipping costs. With other counter ions such as potassium, magnesium and triethanolamine, fatty acid carboxylates form plate-like crystals, that make dry compositions comprising them either crumbly or difficult to dissolve. Counter ions for non-performing solid dissolvable compositions can be introduced either through the use of a strong alkali agent other than sodium hydroxide (e.g. potassium hydroxide) or introduced separately as an added salt, such as potassium chloride or magnesium chloride. Use of counterions other than sodium, generally do not generate a mesh structure that provides the performance characteristics of the disclosed compositions.
The disclosed inventive solid dissolvable compositions comprise lower chain length (C8-C12) sodium fatty acid carboxylates.
The present invention may be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description of illustrative compositions. It should be understood that the scope of the claims is not limited to the specific products, methods, conditions, devices, or parameters described herein, and that the terminology used herein is not intended to be limiting of the claimed invention.
“Solid Dissolvable Composition” (SDC), as used herein comprises crystallizing agents of sodium fatty acid carboxylate which, when processed as described in the specification, form an interconnected crystalline mesh of fibers that readily dissolve at target wash temperatures, optional active agent, such as a freshness benefit agent, and 10 wt % or less of the water. SDC is in a solid form, such as a powder, a particle, an agglomerate, a flake, a granule, a pellet, a tablet, a lozenge, a puck, a briquette, a brick, a solid block, a unit dose, or other solid form known to those of skill in the art. Herein, a ‘bead’ is a particular solid form, having a hemi-spherical shape with about a 2.5 mm radius.
“Solid Dissolvable Composition Mixture” (SDCM), as used herein comprises the components of a solid dissolvable composition prior to water removal (for example, during the mixture stage or crystallization stage). The SDCM comprises an aqueous phase, further comprising an aqueous carrier. The aqueous carrier may be distilled, deionized, or tap water. The aqueous carrier may be present in an amount of about 65 wt % to 99.5 wt %, alternatively about 65 wt % to about 90 wt %, alternatively about 70 wt % to about 85 wt %, alternatively about 75 wt %, by weight of the SDCM.
“Rheological Solid Composition” (RSC), as used herein describes the solid form of the SDCM after the crystallization (crystallization stage) before water removal to give an SDC, wherein the RSC comprises greater than about 65 wt % water, and the solid form is from the ‘structured’ mesh of interlocking (mesh microstructure), fiber-like crystalline particles from the crystallizing agent.
“Freshness benefit agent”, as used herein and further described below, includes material added to an SDCM, RSC, or SDC to impart freshness benefits to fabric through a wash. In embodiments, a freshness benefit agent may be a neat perfume; a freshness benefit agent may be an encapsulated perfume (perfume capsule); a freshness benefit agent may be a mixture of perfume and/or perfume capsules.
“Crystallization Temperature”, as used herein to describe the temperature at which a crystallizing agent (or combination of crystallizing agents) are completely solubilized in the SDCM; alternatively, herein to describe the temperature at which a crystallizing agent (or combination of crystallizing agents) show any crystallization in the SDCM.
“Dissolution Temperature”, as used herein to describe the temperature at which an SDC is completely solubilized in water under normal wash conditions.
“Stability Temperature”, as used herein is the temperature at which most (or all) of the SDC material completely melts, such that a composition no longer exhibits a stable solid structure and may be considered a liquid or paste, and the solid dissolvable composition no longer functions as intended. The stability temperature is the lowest temperature thermal transition, as determined by the THERMAL STABILITY TEST METHOD. In embodiments of the present invention the stability temperature may be greater than about 40° C., more preferably greater than about 50° C., more preferably greater than about 60 ºC, and most preferably greater than about 70° C., to ensure stability in the supply chain. One skilled in the art understands how to measure the lowest thermal transition with a Differential Scanning calorimetry (DSC) instrument.
“Humidity Stability”, as used herein is the relative humidity at which the low water composition spontaneously absorbs more than 5wt % of the original mass in water from the humidity from the surrounding environment, at 25° C. Absorbing low amounts of water when exposed to humid environments enables more sustainable packaging. Absorbing high amounts of water risks softening or liquifying the composition, such that it no longer functions as intended. In embodiments of the present invention the humidity stability may be above 70% RH, more preferably above 80% RH, more preferably above 90% RH, the most preferably above 95% RH. One skilled in the art understands how to measure 5% weight gain with a Dynamic Vapor Sorption (DVS) instrument, further described in the HUMIDITY TEST METHOD.
“Cleaning composition”, as used berein includes, unless otherwise indicated, granular or powder-form all-purpose or “heavy-duty” washing agents, especially cleaning detergents; liquid, gel or paste-form all-purpose washing agents, especially the so-called heavy-duty liquid types; liquid fine-fabric detergents; hand dishwashing agents or light duty dishwashing agents, especially those of the high-foaming type; machine dishwashing agents, including the various pouches, tablet. granular, liquid and rinse-aid types for household and institutional use; liquid cleaning and disinfecting agents, including antibacterial hand-wash types, cleaning bars, mouthwashes, denture cleaners, dentifrice, car or carpet shampoos, bathroom cleaners; hair shampoos and hair-rinses; shower gels and foam baths and metal cleaners; as well as cleaning auxiliaries such as bleach additives and “stain-stick” or pre-treat types, substrate-laden products such as dryer added sheets, dry and wetted wipes and pads, nonwoven substrates, and sponges; as well as sprays and mists.
“Dissolve during normal use”, as used herein means that the solid dissolvable composition completely or substantially dissolves during use in an aqueous environment, such as wash cycles. Suitable compositions and microstructures enable dissolution rates greater than MA>5% at solubility temperature at 37° C. and more preferably dissolution rates greater than MA>5% solubility temperature at 25° C. by the DISSOLUTION TEST METHOD for desired dissolution profiles under wash conditions.
As used herein, the term “bio-based” material refers to a renewable material.
As used herein, the term “renewable material” refers to a material that is produced from a renewable resource. As used herein, the term “renewable resource” refers to a resource that is produced via a natural process at a rate comparable to its rate of consumption (e.g., within a 100-year time frame). The resource can be replenished naturally, or via agricultural techniques. Non-limiting examples of renewable resources include plants (e.g., sugar cane, beets, corn, potatoes, citrus fruit, woody plants, lignocellulose, hemicellulose, cellulosic waste), animals, fish, bacteria, fungi, and forestry products. These resources can be naturally occurring, hybrids, or genetically engineered organisms. Natural resources, such as crude oil, coal, natural gas, and peat, which take longer than 100 years to form, are not considered renewable resources. Because at least part of the material of the invention is derived from a renewable resource, which can sequester carbon dioxide, use of the material can reduce global warming potential and fossil fuel consumption.
As used herein, the term “bio-based content” refers to the amount of carbon from a renewable resource in a material as a percent of the weight (mass) of the total organic carbon in the material, as determined by ASTM D6866-10 Method B.
The term “solid” refers to the physical state of the composition under the expected conditions of storage and use of the solid dissolvable composition.
As used herein, the articles including “a” and “an” when used in a claim, are understood to mean one or more of what is claimed or described.
As used herein, the terms “include”, “includes” and “including” are meant to be non-limiting.
Unless otherwise noted, all component or composition levels are in reference to the active portion of that component or composition, and are exclusive of impurities, for example, residual solvents or by-products, which may be present in commercially available sources of such components or compositions.
All percentages and ratios are calculated by weight unless otherwise indicated. All percentages and ratios are calculated based on the total composition unless otherwise indicated.
It should be understood that every maximum numerical limitation given throughout this specification includes every lower numerical limitation, as if such lower numerical limitations were expressly written herein. Every minimum numerical limitation given throughout this specification will include every higher numerical limitation, as if such higher numerical limitations were expressly written herein. Every numerical range given throughout this specification will include every narrower numerical range that falls within such broader numerical range, as if such narrower numerical ranges were all expressly written berein.
The solid dissolvable compositions (SDC) comprise fibrous interlocking crystals (
It is surprising that it is possible to prepare SDC that have high dissolution rates, low water content, humidity resistance, and thermal stability. Sodium salts of long chain length fatty acids (i.e., sodium myristate (NaC14) to sodium stearate (NaC18) can form fibrous crystals. It is generally understood that the crystal growth patterns leading to a fibrous crystal habit reflect the hydrophilic (head group) and hydrophobic (hydrocarbon chain) balance of the NaC14-NaC18 molecules. As disclosed in this application, while the crystallizing agents used have the same hydrophilic contribution, they have extraordinarily different hydrophobic character owing to the shorter hydrocarbon chains of the employed sodium fatty acid carboxylates. In fact, carbon chains are about one-half the length of those previous disclosed (US2021/0315783A1). Further, one skilled in the art recognizes that many surfactants such as ethoxylated alcohols are subject to significant uptake of humidity and subject to significant temperature induced changes, having the same chains but different head groups. The select group of crystallizing agents in this invention enables all these useful properties.
The method of producing a solid dissolvable composition offers several advantages over other approaches. First—as previously noted, making similar compositions through compression (e.g., tablet making) and potentially extrusion has a deleterious effect on dispersed perfume capsules. The process of making tablets compresses the solid materials and—not wishing to be bound be theory, results in significant local strains in the material, which break the perfume capsules and releases the enclosed perfumes (
Current commercial water-soluble polymers present limitations to the use of perfume capsules, as a scent booster delivery system. Perfume capsules are delivered in a water-based slurry, and the slurry is limited to 20-30 wt % maximum of encapsulated perfumes, limiting the total amount of encapsulated perfume to about 1.2 wt %. Use of perfume capsules levels above these levels is limited by the active levels in the perfume capsule slurry that also bring in water that prevents the water-soluble carrier from solidifying, thereby limiting perfume capsule delivery. The result is that consumers generally underdose the desired amount of freshness just due to limitations on what they can add into the wash. The dissolvable solid compositions of the present invention can structure up to more than 15 wt % perfume capsules and yield about 10× freshness delivery, as compared to current water-soluble polymers. Such high delivery is at least partially enabled by the low water content of the present compositions, which allows a user a significant freshness upgrade versus current commercial fabric freshness beads (
The improved performance of the present inventive compositions as compared to current solid dissolvable compositions, such as freshness laundry beads is thought to be linked to the dissolution rate of the compositions' matrix. Without being limited to theory it is believed if the composition dissolves later in the wash cycle, the perfume capsules are more likely to deposit and deposit intact on fabrics through-the-wash (TTW) to enhance freshness performance. Optimization of performance is compounded by the wide variety of wash conditions around the globe. For example, Japan uses cool water 4° C., North America uses 25° C. and Russia use 37° C. Further, North America can use top loading machines with lots of water; much of the world used high efficiency machines much less water, so that absolute dissolution can a problem. Current water-soluble polymers used in commercial fabric freshness beads have limited dissolution rates, set by the limited molecular weight range of the polyethylene glycol (PEG) used as a dissolution matrix. Consequently, one single bead of PEG must function under a range of machine and wash conditions, limiting performance. The dissolution rate of the present compositions can be tuned for a range of machine and wash conditions by adjusting the ratio of the composition components (e.g., sodium laurate (NaL): sodium decanoate (NaD) ratio). (
Controlling water migration in mixed bead compositions (e.g., low-water and high-water content beads) is difficult with the current water-soluble polymers used, as water migrates to the surface of high-water content beads. Since the beads are often packaged in an enclosed package that minimizes moisture transmission into and out of the package, trapped moisture on the surface of high-water content beads contacts with the surface of low-water content beads, leading to bead clumping and product dispensing issues. In contrast, the structure of the dissolvable solid compositions prevents water migration out of the SDC, and therefore enables use of materials that are sensitive to water uptake (e.g., cationic polymers, bleaches).
As discussed previously current bead formulations that use PEG (and other structuring materials), are susceptible to degradation when exposed to heat and/or humidity during transit. To mitigate against such degradation special shipping conditions and/or packaging are often thus required. The SDC of the present invention comprises a crystalline structure that is stable in a range of temperature and humidity conditions. In preferred embodiments, the SDCs show essentially no melting transitions below 50° C. and in most preferred embodiment, the SDC show essentially no melting transitions below 40° C. as determined by the THERMAL STABILITY TEST METHOD (
Not wishing to be limited to theory, it is believed that the high dissolution rate of the solid dissolvable composition is provided at least in part by the mesh microstructure. This is believed to be important, as it is this porous structure that provides both ‘lightness’ to the product, and its ability to dissolve rapidly relative to compressed tablets, which allows ready delivery of actives during use. It is believed to be important that a single crystallizing agent (or in combination with other crystallizing agents) forms fibers in the solid dissolvable composition making process. The formation of fibers allows solid dissolvable compositions that can retain actives without need for compression, which can break microencapsulates.
In embodiments fibrous crystals may have a minimum length of 10 um and thickness of 2 um as determined by the FIBER TEST METHOD.
In embodiments, active agents, such as freshness benefit agents may be in the form of particles which may be: a) evenly dispersed within the mesh microstructure; b) applied onto the surface of the mesh microstructure; or c) some fraction of the particles being dispersed within the mesh microstructure and some fraction of the particles being applied to the surface of the mesh microstructure. In embodiments, freshness benefit agents may be: a) in the form of a soluble film on a top surface of the mesh microstructure; b) in the form of a soluble film on a bottom surface of the mesh microstructure; c) or in the form of a soluble film on both bottom and top surfaces of the mesh. Actives may be present as a combination of soluble films and particles.
The crystallizing agents are selected from the small group sodium fatty acid carboxylates having saturated chains and with chain lengths ranging from C8 - C12. In this compositional range and with the described method of preparation, such sodium fatty acid carboxylates provide a fibrous mesh microstructure, ideal solubilization temperature for making and dissolution in use, and, by suitable blending, the resulting solid dissolvable compositions have tunability in these properties for varied uses and conditions.
Crystallizing agents may be present in Solid Dissolvable Composition Mixtures in an amount of from about between about 5 wt % to about 50 wt %, between about 10 wt % to about 35 wt %, between about 15 wt % to about 35 wt %. Crystallizing agents may be present in the Solid Dissolvable Composition in an amount of from about 50 wt % to about 99 wt %, between about 60 wt % to about 95 wt %, and between about 70 wt % to about 90 wt %.
Suitable crystallizing agents include sodium octanoate (NaC8), sodium decanoate (NaC10), sodium dodecanoate or sodium laurate (NaC12) and combinations thereof.
The aqueous phase present in the Solid Dissolvable Composition Mixtures and the Solid Dissolvable Compositions, is composed of an aqueous carrier of water and optionally other minors including sodium chloride salt. The aqueous phase should contain minimal amounts of salts with other (non-sodium) cations or hydric solvents.
The aqueous phase may be present in the Solid Dissolvable Composition Mixtures in an amount of from about 65 wt % to about 95 wt %, about 65 wt % to about 90 wt %, about 65 wt % to about 85 wt %, by weight of a rheological solid that is formed as an intermediate composition after crystallization of the Solid Dissolvable Composition Mixture.
Sodium chloride in aqueous phase Solid Dissolvable Composition Mixtures may be present between 0 wt % to about 10 wt %, between 0 wt % to about 5 wt %, and between 0 wt % to about 1 wt %. Most preferred embodiments contain less than 2 wt % sodium chloride, to ensure best humidity stability.
Other components can be optionally dissolved in the aqueous phase of the SDC. Combined, these components are referred to as active agents. Such active agents include, but are not limited to, freshness benefit agents (as described previously), fabric care actives, catalysts, activators, peroxides, enzymes, antimicrobial agents, preservatives, sodium chloride, surfactants and polyols. The crystallizing agent and insoluble active agents may be dispersed in the aqueous phase.
In embodiments active agent can comprise one or more fabric care active agents (actives) that are at least one of fabric softener active, cationic polymer, dye transfer inhibitor, malodor control agent, and mixtures thereof. The fabric care active agent can be plant derived. A solid dissolvable composition can comprise from about 1% to about 50% by weight fabric care active agent, or even from about 1% to about 40%, or even from about 1% to about 25%, by weight fabric care active agent. Similarly, a solid dissolvable composition can comprise from about 2% to about 50% by weight fabric care active agent, optionally from about 3% to about 30%, further optionally from about 5% to about 25%, by weight fabric care active agent.
The fabric care active agent can be a fabric softener active. The fabric softener can be a polysiloxane, a fabric softening clay, a cationic polymer, or mixture thereof. For example, the fabric softener active can be polydimethylsiloxane.
A solid dissolvable composition can comprise a quaternary ammonium compound so that a solid dissolvable composition can provide a softening benefit to laundered fabrics through the wash, and in particular during the wash sub-cycle of a washer having wash and rinse sub-cycles. The quaternary ammonium compound (quat) can be an ester quaternary ammonium compound. Suitable quaternary ammonium compounds include but are not limited to, materials selected from the group consisting of or selected from or selected from at least one of ester quats, amide quats, imidazoline quats, alkyl quats, amidoester quats and combinations thereof. Suitable ester quats include but are not limited to, materials that are at least one of monoester quats, diester quats, triester quats or combinations thereof.
A solid dissolvable composition can comprise about 5% to about 45% by weight of a solid dissolvable composition a quaternary ammonium compound. The quaternary ammonium compound can optionally have an Iodine Value from about 18 to about 60, optionally about 18 to about 56, optionally about 20 to about 60, optionally about 20 to about 56, optionally about 20 to about 42, and any whole numbers within the aforesaid ranges. Optionally a solid dissolvable composition can comprise about 10% to about 40% by weight of a solid dissolvable composition a quaternary ammonium compound, further optionally having any of the aforesaid ranges of Iodine Value. Optionally a solid dissolvable composition can comprise about 20% to about 40% by weight of a solid dissolvable composition a quaternary ammonium compound, further optionally having the aforesaid ranges of Iodine Value.
The quaternary ammonium compound can be at least one of esters of bis-(2-hydroxypropyl)-dimethylammonium methylsulfate, isomers of esters of bis-(2-hydroxypropyl)-dimethylammonium methylsulfate and fatty acid, N.N-bis-(stearoyl-2-hydroxypropyl)-N,N-dimethylammonium methylsulfate, esters of bis-(2-hydroxypropyl)-dimethylammonium methylsulfate, isomers of esters of bis-(2-hydroxypropyl)-dimethylammonium methylsulfate, esters of N,N-bis(hydroxyethyl)-N,N-dimethyl ammonium chloride, N,N-bis(stearoyl-oxy-ethyl)-N,N-dimethyl ammonium chloride, esters of N,N,N-tri(2-hydroxyethyl)-N-methyl ammonium methylsulfate, N,N-bis-(palmitoyl-2-hydroxypropyl)-N,N-dimethylammonium methylsulfate, N,N-bis-(stearoyl-2-hydroxypropyl)-N,N-dimethylammonium chloride, 1,2-di-(stearoyl-oxy)-3-trimethyl ammoniumpropane chloride, dicanoladimethylammonium chloride, di(hard)tallowdimethylammonium chloride, dicanoladimethylammonium methylsulfate, 1-methyl-1-stearoylamidoethyl-2-stearoylimidazolinium methylsulfate, imidazoline quat (no longer used by P&G): 1-tallowylamidoethyl-2-tallowylimidazoline, dipalmitoylmethyl hydroxyethylammonium methylsulfate, dipalmylmethyl hydroxyethylammoinum methylsulfate, 1,2-di(acyloxy)-3-trimethylammoniopropane chloride, or mixtures thereof.
A quaternary ammonium compound can comprise compounds of the formula:
{R24-m—N+—[X—Y—R1]m}A— (1)
The quaternary ammonium compound can comprise compounds of the formula:
[R3N+CH2CH(YR1)(CH2YR1)]X—
wherein each Y, R, R1, and X— have the same meanings as before. Such compounds include those having the formula:
[CH3]3 N(+)[CH2CH(CH2O(O)CR1)O(O)CR1]C1(—) (2)
wherein each R is a methyl or ethyl group and preferably each R1 is in the range of C15 to C19.
As used herein, when the diester is specified, it can include the monoester that is present.
An example of a preferred DEQA (2) is the “propyl” ester quaternary ammonium fabric softener active having the formula 1,2-di(acyloxy)-3-trimethylammoniopropane chloride. A third type of preferred fabric softening active has the formula:
wherein each R, R1, and A— have the definitions given above; each R2 is a C1-6 alkylene group, preferably an ethylene group; and G is an oxygen atom or an —NR— group;
The quaternary ammonium compound can comprise compounds of the formula:
wherein R1, R2 and G are defined as above.
The quaternary ammonium compound can comprise compounds that are condensation reaction products of fatty acids with dialkylenetriamines in, e.g., a molecular ratio of about 2:1, said reaction products containing compounds of the formula:
R1—C(O)—NH—R2—NH—R3—NH—C(O)—R1 (5)
wherein R1, R2 are defined as above, and each R3 is a C1-6 alkylene group, optionally an ethylene group and wherein the reaction products may optionally be quaternized by the additional of an alkylating agent such as dimethyl sulfate.
The quaternary ammonium compound can comprise compounds of the formula:
[R1—C(O)—NR—R2—N(R)2—R3—NR—C(O)—R1]+A— (6)
wherein R, R1, R2, R3 and A— are defined as above;
The quaternary ammonium compound can comprise compounds that are reaction products of fatty acid with hydroxyalkylalkylenediamines in a molecular ratio of about 2:1, said reaction products containing compounds of the formula:
R1—C(O)—NH—R2—N(R3OH)—C(O)—R1 (7)
wherein R1, R2 and R3 are defined as above;
A eighth type of preferred fabric softening active has the formula:
wherein R, R1, R2, and A— are defined as above.
Non-limiting examples of compound (1) are N,N-bis(stearoyl-oxy-ethyl) N,N-dimethyl ammonium chloride, N,N-bis(tallowoyl-oxy-ethyl) N,N-dimethyl ammonium chloride, N,N-bis(stearoyl-oxy-ethyl) N-(2 hydroxyethyl) N-methyl ammonium methylsulfate.
Non-limiting examples of compound (2) is 1,2 di (stearoyl-oxy) 3 trimethyl ammoniumpropane chloride.
A non-limiting example of Compound (3) is 1-methyl-1-stearoylamidoethyl-2-stearoylimidazolinium methylsulfate wherein R1 is an acyclic aliphatic C15-C17 hydrocarbon group, R2 is an ethylene group, G is a NH group, R5 is a methyl group and A - is a methyl sulfate anion, available commercially from the Witco Corporation under the trade name VARISOFT.
A non-limiting example of Compound (4) is 1-tallowylamidoethyl-2-tallowylimidazoline wherein R1 is an acyclic aliphatic C15-C17 hydrocarbon group, R2 is an ethylene group, and G is a NH group.
A non-limiting example of Compound (5) is the reaction products of fatty acids with diethylenetriamine in a molecular ratio of about 2:1, said reaction product mixture containing N,N″-dialkyldiethylenetriamine with the formula:
R1—C(O)—NH—CH2CH2—NH—CH2CH2—NH—C(O)—R1
wherein R1—C(O) is an alkyl group of a commercially available fatty acid derived from a vegetable or animal source, such as EMERSOL 223LL or EMERSOL 7021, available from Henkel Corporation, and R2 and R3 are divalent ethylene groups.
A non-limiting example of Compound (6) is a di-fatty amidoamine based softener having the formula:
[R1—C(O)—NH—CH2CH2—N(CH3) (CH2CH2OH)—CH2CH2—NH—C(O)—R1]+CH3SO4—
wherein R1—C(O) is an alkyl group, available commercially from the Witco Corporation e.g. under the trade name VARISOFT 222LT.
An example of Compound (7) is the reaction products of fatty acids with N-2-hydroxyethylethylenediamine in a molecular ratio of about 2:1, said reaction product mixture containing a compound of the formula:
R1—C(O)—NH—CH2CH2—N(CH2CH2OH)—C(O)—R1
wherein R1—C(O) is an alkyl group of a commercially available fatty acid derived from a vegetable or animal source, such as EMERSOL 223LL or EMERSOL 7021, available from Henkel Corporation.
An example of Compound (8) is the diquaternary compound having the formula:
wherein R1 is derived from fatty acid, and the compound is available from Witco Company.
The quaternary ammonium compound can be di-(tallowoyloxyethyl)-N,N-methylhydroxyethylammonium methyl sulfate.
It will be understood that combinations of quaternary ammonium compounds disclosed above are suitable for use in this invention.
In the cationic nitrogenous salts herein, the anion A—, which is any softener compatible anion, provides electrical neutrality. Most often, the anion used to provide electrical neutrality in these salts is from a strong acid, especially a halide, such as chloride, bromide, or iodide. However, other anions can be used, such as methylsulfate, ethylsulfate, acetate, formate, sulfate, carbonate, and the like. Chloride and methylsulfate can be the anion A. The anion can also carry a double charge in which case A— represents half a group.
A solid dissolvable composition can comprise from about 10 to about 40% by weight quaternary compound.
The iodine value of a quaternary ammonium compound is the iodine value of the parent fatty acid from which the compound is formed and is defined as the number of grams of iodine which react with 100 grams of parent fatty acid from which the compound is formed.
First, the quaternary ammonium compound is hydrolysed according to the following protocol: 25 g of quaternary ammonium compound is mixed with 50 mL of water and 0.3 mL of sodium hydroxide (50% activity). This mixture is boiled for at least an hour on a hotplate while avoiding that the mixture dries out. After an hour, the mixture is allowed to cool down and the pH is adjusted to neutral (pH between 6 and 8) with sulfuric acid 25% using pH strips or a calibrated pH electrode.
Next the fatty acid is extracted from the mixture via acidified liquid-liquid extraction with hexane or petroleum ether: the sample mixture is diluted with water/ethanol (1:1) to 160 mL in an extraction cylinder, 5 grams of sodium chloride, 0.3 mL of sulfuric acid (25% activity) and 50 mL of hexane are added. The cylinder is stoppered and shaken for at least 1 minute. Next, the cylinder is left to rest until 2 layers are formed. The top layer containing the fatty acid in hexane is transferred to another recipient. The hexane is then evaporated using a hotplate leaving behind the extracted fatty acid.
Next, the iodine value of the parent fatty acid from which the fabric softening active is formed is determined following ISO3961:2013. The method for calculating the iodine value of a parent fatty acid comprises dissolving a prescribed amount (from 0.1-3g) into 15mL of chloroform. The dissolved parent fatty acid is then reacted with 25 mL of iodine monochloride in acetic acid solution (0.1M). To this, 20 mL of 10% potassium iodide solution and 150 mL deionised water is added.
After the addition of the halogen has taken place, the excess of iodine monochloride is determined by titration with sodium thiosulphate solution (0.1M) in the presence of a blue starch indicator powder. At the same time a blank is determined with the same quantity of reagents and under the same conditions. The difference between the volume of sodium thiosulphate used in the blank and that used in the reaction with the parent fatty acid enables the iodine value to be calculated.
The quaternary ammonium compound can be that used as part of BOUNCE dryer sheets available from The Procter & Gamble Company, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA. The quaternary ammonium compound can be the reaction product of triethanolamine and partially hydrogenated tallow fatty acids quaternized with dimethyl sulfate.
The fabric softening active can be plant derived. For example, the fabric softening active can be selected from the group consisting of or selected from or selected from at least one of aloe, coconut oil, glycerin, and mixtures thereof.
A solid dissolvable composition can comprise from about 0.1% to about 50%, optionally from about 0.1% to about 40%, optionally from about 0.1% to about 20%, optionally from about 0.1% to about 15%, optionally from about 0.1% to about 12%, optionally from about 1% to about 15%, optionally from about 2% to about 20%, optionally from about 8% to about 10% by weight fabric softening active.
The fabric care active agent can be cationic polymer. Cationic polymers can provide the benefit of a deposition aid that helps to deposit onto the fabric quaternary ammonium compound and possibly some other benefit agents that are contained in a solid dissolvable composition.
A solid dissolvable composition can comprise about 0.5% to about 10% by weight of a solid dissolvable composition cationic polymer. Optionally, a solid dissolvable composition can comprise about 0.5% to about 5% by weight of a solid dissolvable composition cationic polymer, or even about 1% to about 5% by weight of a solid dissolvable composition, or even about 2% to about 4% by weight of a solid dissolvable composition cationic polymer, or even about 3% by weight of a solid dissolvable composition cationic polymer. Without being bound by theory, it is thought that the cleaning performance of laundry detergent in the wash decreases with increasing levels of cationic polymer in a solid dissolvable composition and acceptable cleaning performance of the detergent can be maintained within the aforesaid ranges.
The cationic polymer can have a cationic charge density more than about 0.05 meq/g (meq meaning milliequivalents), to 23 meq/g . preferably from about 0.1 meq/g to about 4 meq/g. even more preferably from about 0.1 meq/g to about 2 meq/g and most preferably from 0.1meq/g to about 1 meq/g.
The above referenced cationic charge densities can be at the pH of intended use, which can be a pH from about 3 to about 9, optionally about 4 to about 9. Cationic charge density of a polymer refers to the ratio of the number of positive charges on the polymer to the molecular weight of the polymer. Charge density is calculated by dividing the number of net charges per repeating unit by the molecular weight of the repeating unit. The positive charges may be located on the backbone of the polymers and/or the side chains of polymers. The average molecular weight of such suitable cationic polymers can generally be between about 10,000 and about 10 million, or even between about 50,000 and about 5 million, or even between about 100,000 and about 3 million.
Non-limiting examples of cationic polymers are cationic or amphoteric, polysaccharides, proteins and synthetic polymers. Cationic polysaccharides include cationic cellulose derivatives, cationic guar gum derivatives, chitosan and its derivatives and cationic starches. Cationic polysaccharides have a molecular weight from about 1,000 to about 2 million, preferably from about 100,000 to about 800,000. Suitable cationic polysaccharides include cationic cellulose ethers, particularly cationic hydroxyethylcellulose and cationic hydroxypropylcellulose. Particularly preferred are cationic cellulosic polymers with substituted anhydroglucose units that correspond to the general Structural Formula as follows:
Wherein R1, R2, R3 are each independently selected from H, CH3, C8-24 alkyl (linear or branched),
or mixtures thereof;
R4 is H,
n is from about 1 to about 10;
Rx is seclected from the group consisting of H, CH3, C8-24 alkyl (linear or branched),
or mixtures thereof, wherein Z is a water soluble anion, preferably a chlorine ion and/or a bromine ion; R5 is H, CH3, CH2CH3, or mixtures thereof; R7 is CH3, CH2CH3, a phenyl group, a C8-24 alkyl group (linear or branched), or mixture thereof; and
R8 and R9 are each independently CH3, CH2CH3, phenyl, or mixtures thereof:
With the provisio that at least one of R1, R2, R3 groups per anhydroglucose unit is
and each polymer has at least one
group.
The charge density of the cationic celluloses herein (as defined by the number of cationic charges per 100 anhydroglucose units) is preferably from about 0.5% to about 60%, more preferably from about 1% to about 20%, and most preferably from about 2% to about 10%.
Alkyl substitution on the anhydroglucose rings of the polymer ranges from about 0.01% to 5% per glucose unit, more preferably from about 0.05% to 2% per glucose unit, of the polymeric material.
The cationic cellulose may lightly cross-linked with a dialdehyde such as glyoxyl to prevent forming lumps, nodules or other agglomerations when added to water at ambient temperatures.
Examples of cationic hydroxyalkyl cellulose include those with the INCI name Polyquaternium10 such as those sold under the trade names UCARE POLYMER JR 30M, JR 400, JR 125, LR 400 and LK 400, POLYMER PK polymers; Polyquaternium 67 such as those sold under the trade name SOFTCAT SK TM, all of which are marketed by Dow Chemicals, Midland MI, and Polyquaternium 4 such as those sold under the trade name CELQUAT H200 and CELQUAT L-200 available from National Starch and Chemical Company, Bridgewater, NJ. Other suitable polysaccharides include Hydroxyethyl cellulose or hydoxypropylcellulose quaternized with glycidyl C12-C22 alkyl dimethyl ammonium chloride. Examples of such polysaccharides include the polymers with the INCI names Polyquaternium 24, such as those sold under the trade name QUATERNIUM LM 200 by Dow Chemicals of Midland, MI. Cationic starches refer to starch that has been chemically modified to provide the starch with a net positive charge in aqueous solution at pH 3. This chemical modification includes, but is not limited to, the addition of amino and/or ammonium group(s) into the starch molecules. Non-limiting examples of these ammonium groups may include substituents such as trimethylhydroxypropyl ammonium chloride, dimethylstearylhydroxypropyl ammonium chloride, or dimethyldodecylhydroxypropyl ammonium chloride. The source of starch before chemical modification can be chosen from a variety of sources including tubers, legumes, cereal, and grains. Non-limiting examples of this source of starch may include corn starch, wheat starch, rice starch, waxy corn starch, oat starch, cassaya starch, waxy barley, waxy rice starch, glutenous rice starch, sweet rice starch, amioca, potato starch, tapioca starch, oat starch, sago starch, sweet rice, or mixtures thereof. Nonlimiting examples of cationic starches include cationic maize starch, cationic tapioca, cationic potato starch, or mixtures thereof. The cationic starches may comprise amylase, amylopectin, or maltodextrin.
The cationic starch may comprise one or more additional modifications. For example, these modifications may include cross-linking, stabilization reactions, phophorylations, hydrolyzations, cross-linking. Stabilization reactions may include alkylation and esterification. Suitable cationic starches for use in the present compositions are commercially-available from Cerestar under the trade name C*BOND® and from National Starch and Chemical Company under the trade name CATO 2A. Cationic galactomannans include cationic guar gums or cationic locust bean gum. An example of a cationic guar gum is a quaternary ammonium derivative of Hydroxypropyl Guar such as those sold under the trade name JAGUAR C13 and JAGUAR EXCEL available from Rhodia, Inc of Cranbury NJ and N-HANCE by Aqualon, Wilmington, DE
Other suitable cationic polymers for use in a solid dissolvable composition include polysaccharide polymers, cationic guar gum derivatives, quaternary nitrogen-containing cellulose ethers, synthetic polymers, copolymers of etherified cellulose, guar and starch. When used, the cationic polymers herein are either soluble in the composition used to form a solid dissolvable composition or are soluble in a complex coacervate phase in the composition from which a solid dissolvable composition are formed. Suitable cationic polymers are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,962,418; 3,958,581; and U.S. Publication No. 2007/0207109A1.
One group of suitable cationic polymers includes those produced by polymerization of ethylenically unsaturated monomers using a suitable initiator or catalyst, such as those disclosed in WO 00/56849 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,642,200. Suitable cationic polymers may be selected from the group consisting synthetic polymers made by polymerizing one or more cationic monomers selected from the group consisting of or selected from or selected from at least one of N,N-dialkylaminoalkyl acrylate, N,N-dialkylaminoalkyl methacrylate, N,N-dialkylaminoalkyl acrylamide, N,N-dialkylaminoalkylmethacrylamide, quaternized N, N dialkylaminoalkyl acrylate quaternized N,N-dialkylaminoalkyl methacrylate, quaternized N,N-dialkylaminoalkyl acrylamide, quaternized N,N-dialkylaminoalkylmethacrylamide, Methacryloamidopropyl-pentamethyl-1,3-propylene-2-ol-ammonium dichloride, N.N,N,N′,N′,N″,N″-heptamethyl-N″-3-(1-oxo-2-methyl-2-propenyl)aminopropyl-9- oxo-8-azo-decane-1,4,10-triammonium trichloride, vinylamine and its derivatives, allylamine and its derivatives, vinyl imidazole, quaternized vinyl imidazole and diallyl dialkyl ammonium chloride and combinations thereof, and optionally a second monomer selected from the group consisting of or selected from or selected from at least one of acrylamide, N,N-dialkyl acrylamide, methacrylamide, N,N-dialkylmethacrylamide, C1-C12 alkyl acrylate, C1-C12 hydroxyalkyl acrylate, polyalkylene glyol acrylate, C1-C12 alkyl methacrylate, C1-C12 hydroxyalkyl methacrylate, polyalkylene glycol methacrylate, vinyl acetate, vinyl alcohol, vinyl formamide, vinyl acetamide, vinyl alkyl ether, vinyl pyridine, vinyl pyrrolidone, vinyl imidazole, vinyl caprolactam, and derivatives, acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, maleic acid, vinyl sulfonic acid, styrene sulfonic acid, acrylamidopropylmethane sulfonic acid (AMPS) and their salts. The polymer may optionally be branched or cross-linked by using branching and crosslinking monomers. Branching and crosslinking monomers include ethylene glycoldiacrylate divinylbenzene, and butadiene. A suitable polyethyleneinine useful herein is that sold under the tradename LUPASOL by BASF, AG, Lugwigschaefen, Germany
In another aspect, the cationic polymer may be at least one of cationic polysaccharide, polyethylene iminc and its derivatives, poly(acrylamide-co-diallyldimethylammonium chloride), poly(acrylamide-methacrylamidopropyltrimethyl ammonium chloride), poly(acrylamide-co-N,N-dimethyl aminoethyl acrylate) and its quaternized derivatives, poly(acrylamide-co-N,N-dimethyl aminoethyl methacrylate) and its quaternized derivative, poly(hydroxyethylacrylate-co-dimethyl aminoethyl methacrylate), poly(hydroxpropylacrylate-co-dimethyl aminocthyl methacrylate), poly(hydroxpropylacrylate-co-methacrylamidopropyltrimethylammonium chloride), poly(acrylamide-co-diallyldimethylammonium chloride-co-acrylic acid), poly(acrylamide-methacrylamidopropyltrimethyl ammonium chloride-co-acrylic acid), poly(diallyldimethyl ammonium chloride), poly(vinylpyrrolidone-co-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate), poly(ethyl methacrylate-co-quaternized dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate), poly(ethyl methacrylate-co-oleyl methacrylate-co-dicthylaminocthyl methacrylate), poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride-co-acrylic acid), poly(vinyl pyrrolidone-co-quaternized vinyl imidazole) and poly(acrylamide-co-Methacryloamidopropyl-pentamethyl-1,3-propylene-2-ol-ammonium dichloride), Suitable cationic polymers include Polyquaternium-1, Polyquaternium-5, Polyquaternium-6, Polyquaternium-7, Polyquaternium-8, Polyquaternium-10, Polyquaternium-11, Polyquaternium-14, Polyquaternium-22, Polyquaternium-28, Polyquaternium-30, or Polyquaternium-32 and Polyquaternium-33, as named under the International Nomenclature for Cosmetic Ingredients.
In another aspect, the cationic polymer may comprise polyethyleneimine or a polyethyleneimine derivative. In another aspect, the cationic polymer may comprise a cationic acrylic based polymer.
In a further aspect, the cationic polymer may comprise a cationic polyacrylamide. In another aspect, the cationic polymer may comprise a polymer comprising polyacrylamide and polymethacrylamidoproply trimethylammonium cation. In another aspect, the cationic polymer may comprise poly(acrylamide-N-dimethyl aminoethyl acrylate) and its quaternized derivatives.
In this aspect, the cationic polymer may be that sold under the tradename SEDIPUR, available from BTC Specialty Chemicals, a BASF Group, Florham Park, N.J. In a yet further aspect, the cationic polymer may comprise poly(acrylamide-co-methacrylamidopropyltrimethyl ammonium chloride). In another aspect, the cationic polymer may comprise a non-acrylamide based polymer, such as that sold under the tradename RHEOVIS CDE, available from Ciba Specialty Chemicals, a BASF group, Florham Park, N.J., or as disclosed in US Patent Publication 2006/0252668.
In another aspect, the cationic polymer may be selected from the group consisting of or selected from or selected from at least one of cationic polysaccharides. In one aspect, the cationic polymer may be selected from the group consisting of or selected from or selected from at least one of cationic cellulose ethers, cationic galactomanan, cationic guar gum, cationic starch, and combinations thereof
Another group of suitable cationic polymers may include alkylamine-epichlorohydrin polymers which are reaction products of amines and oligoamines with epicholorohydrin. Examples include dimethylamine-epichlorohydrin-ethylenediamine, available under the trade name CARTAFIX CB. CARTAFIX TSF, available from Clariant, Basle, Switzerland.
Another group of suitable synthetic cationic polymers may include polyamidoamine-epichlorohydrin (PAE) resins of polyalkylenepolyamine with polycarboxylic acid. The most common PAE resins are the condensation products of diethylenetriamine with adipic acid followed by a subsequent reaction with epichlorohydrin. They are available from Hercules Inc. of Wilmington DE under the trade name KYMENE from BASF AG (Ludwigshafen, Germany) under the trade name LURESIN.
The cationic polymers may contain charge neutralizing anions such that the overall polymer is neutral under ambient conditions. Non-limiting examples of suitable counter ions (in addition to anionic species generated during use) include chloride, bromide, sulfate, methylsulfate, sulfonate, methylsulfonate, carbonate, bicarbonate, formate, acetate, citrate, nitrate, and mixtures thereof.
The weight-average molecular weight of the cationic polymer may be from about 500 to about 5,000,000, or from about 1,000 to about 2,000,000, or from about 5000 to about 1,000,000 Daltons, as determined by size exclusion chromatography relative to polyethyleneoxide standards with RI detection. In one aspect, the weight-average molecular weight of the cationic polymer may be from about 100,000 to about 800,000 Daltons.
The cationic polymer can be a plant based cationic polymer. For example, the cationic polymer can be at least one of cationic cyclodextrin, cationic cellulose, cationic gelatin, cationic dextran, cationic chitosan, or mixtures thereof.
The cationic polymer can be provided in a powder form. The cationic polymer can be provided in an anhydrous state.
A solid dissolvable composition can comprise cationic polymer from about 0.1% to about 50%, optionally from about 0.1% to about 40%, optionally from about 0.1% to about 20%, optionally about 1% to about 20%, optionally from about 0.1% to about 15%, optionally from about 0.1% to about 12%, optionally from about 1% to about 15%, optionally from about 2% to about 20%, optionally from about 8% to about 10% by weight of solid dissolvable composition.
A solid dissolvable composition can comprise a dye transfer inhibitor.
The dye transfer inhibitor can be a graft copolymer.
The graft copolymer can comprise: (a) a polyalkylene oxide which has a number average molecular weight of from about 1000 to about 20000 Da and is based on ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, or butylene oxide; and (b) a vinyl ester derived from a saturated monocarboxylic acid containing from 1 to 6 carbon atoms; wherein (a) and (b) are present at a weight ratio of (a):(b) of from about 1:0.1 to about 1:2. The polyalkylene oxide can be based on ethylene oxide. The vinyl ester can be derived from a saturated monocarboxylic acid containing from 1 to 3 carbon atoms. The vinyl ester is vinyl acetate or a derivative thereof. (a) and (b) can be present at a weight ratio of (a):(b) of from about 1:0.1 to about 1:1.7. From about 1mol % to about 60mol % of (b) can be hydrolyzed. The graft copolymer can be a graft copolymer VAc-gPEG4000 available from BASF, Ludwigshafen, Germany. Synthesis of graft copolymer VAc-gPEG4000 is described in WO 01/05874.
The graft copolymer can comprise (a) a polyalkylene oxide which has a number average molecular weight of from about 1000 to about 20000 Da and is based on ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, or butylene oxide; (b) N-vinylpyrrolidone; and (c) vinyl ester derived from a saturated monocarboxylic acid containing from 1 to 6 carbon atoms; wherein (a) and (b) are present at a weight ratio of (a):(b) of from about 1:0.1 to about 1:1; wherein by weight, (a) is present in an amount greater than (c); wherein order of addition of (b) and (c) in graft polymerization is immaterial. The polyalkylene oxide can be based on ethylene oxide. The vinyl ester is derived from a saturated monocarboxylic acid containing from 1 to 3 carbon atoms. The vinyl ester can be vinyl acetate or a derivative thereof. (a) and (b) can be present at a weight ratio of (a):(b) of from about 1:0.2 to about 1:0.7. (a) and (c) can be present at a weight ratio of (a):(c) of from about 1:0.1 to about 1:0.8. (b) and (c) can be present at a weight ratio of (b):(c) of from about 1:0.1 to about 1:4. From about 1mol % to about 60mol % of (c) can be hydrolyzed.
A solid dissolvable composition can comprise dye transfer inhibitor from about 0.1% to about 50%, optionally from about 0.1% to about 40%, optionally from about 0.1% to about 20%, optionally about 1% to about 20%, optionally from about 0.1% to about 15%, optionally from about 0.1% to about 12%, optionally from about 1% to about 15%, optionally from about 2% to about 20%, optionally from about 8% to about 10% by weight of solid dissolvable composition.
The fabric care active agent can be a malodor control agent. The malodor control agent can be any material capable of absorbing, suppressing, neutralizing, and or eliminating malodors. The malodor control agent can be at least one of host-guest compound, malodor binding material, malodor neutralizing material, or combinations thereof. The malodor control agent can be at least one of α-cyclodextrin, α-cyclodextrin derivatives, β-cyclodextrin, β-cyclodextrin derivatives, γ-cyclodextrin, γ-cyclodextrin derivatives, δ-cyclodextrin, δ-cyclodextrin derivatives, zinc salts of C16-C18 fatty acids, or mixtures thereof.
A solid dissolvable composition can comprise malodor control agent from about 0.1% to about 20%, optionally from about 0.1% to about 15%, optionally from about 0.1% to about 12%, optionally from about 1% to about 15%, optionally from about 2% to about 20% by weight of solid dissolvable composition.
In embodiments, soluble active agents can include one or more metal catalysts. In embodiments, the metal catalyst can include one or more of dichloro-1,4-diethyl-1,4,8,11-tetraaazabicyclo[6.6.2]hexadecane manganese(II); and dichloro-1,4-dimethyl-1,4,8,11-tetraaazabicyclo[6.6.2]hexadecane manganese(II). In embodiments, the non-metal catalyst can include one or more of 2-[3-[(2-hexyldodecyl)oxy]-2-(sulfooxy)propyl]-3,4-dihydroisoquinolinium, inner salt; 3,4-dihydro-2-[3-[(2-pentylundecyl)oxy]-2-(sulfooxy)propyl]isoquinolinium, inner salt; 2-[3-[(2-butyldecyl)oxy]-2-(sulfooxy)propyl]-3,4- dihydroisoquinolinium, inner salt; 3,4-dihydro-2-[3-(octadecyloxy)-2-(sulfooxy)propyl]isoquinolinium, inner salt; 2-[3-(hexadecyloxy)-2-(sulfooxy)propyl]-3,4-dihydroisoquinolinium, inner salt; 3,4-dihydro-2-[2-(sulfooxy)-3-(tetradecyloxy)propyl]isoquinolinium, inner salt; 2-[3-(dodecyloxy)-2-(sulfooxy)propyl]-3,4-dihydroisoquinolinium, inner salt; 2-[3-[(3-hexyldecyl)oxy]-2-(sulfooxy)propyl]-3,4-dihydroisoquinolinium, inner salt; 3,4-dihydro-2-[3-[(2-pentylnonyl)oxy]-2-(sulfooxy)propyl]isoquinolinium, inner salt; 3,4-dihydro-2-[3-[(2-propylheptyl)oxy]-2- (sulfooxy)propyl]isoquinolinium, inner salt; 2-[3-[(2-butyloctyl)oxy]-2-(sulfooxy)propyl]-3,4-dihydroisoquinolinium, inner salt; 2-[3-(decyloxy)-2-(sulfooxy)propyl]-3,4-dihydroisoquinolinium, inner salt; 3,4-dihydro-2-[3-(octyloxy)-2-(sulfooxy)propyl]isoquinolinium, inner salt; and 2-[3-[(2-ethylhexyl)oxy]-2-(sulfooxy)propyl]-3,4-dihydroisoquinolinium, inner salt.
In embodiments, soluble active agent can include one or more activators. In embodiments, the activator can include one or more of tetraacetyl ethylene diamine (TAED); benzoylcaprolactam (BzCL); 4-nitrobenzoylcaprolactam; 3-chlorobenzoylcaprolactam; benzoyloxybenzenesulphonate (BOBS); nonanoyloxybenzene-sulphonate (NOBS); phenyl benzoate (PhBz); decanoyloxybenzenesulphonate (C10-OBS); benzoylvalerolactam (BZVL); octanoyloxybenzenesulphonate (C8-OBS); perhydrolyzable esters; 4-[N-(nonaoyl) amino hexanoyloxy]-benzene sulfonate sodium salt (NACA-OBS); dodecanoyloxybenzenesulphonate (LOBS or C12-OBS); 10-undecenoyloxybenzenesulfonate (UDOBS or Ch-OBS with unsaturation in the 10 position); decanoyloxybenzoic acid (DOBA); (6-oclanamidocaproyl)oxybenzenesulfonate; (6-nonanamidocaproyl) oxybenzenesulfonate; and (6-decanamidocaproyl)oxybenzenesulfonate.
In embodiments, soluble active agent can include one or more preformed peroxy carboxylic acids. In embodiments, the peroxy carboxylic acids can include one or more of peroxymonosulfuric acids; perimidic acids; percabonic acids; percarboxilic acids and salts of said acids; phthalimidoperoxyhexanoic acid; amidoperoxyacids; 1,12-diperoxydodecanedioic acid; and monoperoxyphthalic acid (magnesium salt hexahydrate), wherein said amidoperoxyacids may include ‘N,N’-terephthaloyl-di(6-aminocaproic acid), a monononylamide of either peroxysuccinic acid (NAPSA) or of peroxyadipic acid (NAPAA), or N-nonanoylaminoperoxycaproic acid (NAPCA).
In embodiments, water-based and/or water soluble benefit agent can include one or more diacyl peroxide. In embodiments, the diacyl peroxide can include one or more of dinonanoyl peroxide, didecanoyl peroxide, diundecanoyl peroxide, dilauroyl peroxide, and dibenzoyl peroxide, di-(3,5,5-trimethyl hexanoyl) peroxide, wherein said diacyl peroxide can be clatharated.
In embodiments, soluble active agent can include one or more hydrogen peroxide. In embodiments, hydrogen peroxide source can include one or more of a perborate, a percarbonate a peroxyhydrate. a peroxide, a persulfate and mixtures thereof, in one aspect said hydrogen peroxide source may comprise sodium perborate, in one aspect said sodium perborate may comprise a mono- or tetra-hydrate, sodium pyrophosphate peroxyhydrate, urea peroxyhydrate, trisodium phosphate peroxyhydrate, and sodium peroxide.
In embodiments, soluble active agent can include one or more enzymes. In embodiment, the enzyme can include one or more of peroxidases, proteases, lipases, phospholipases, cellulases, cellobiohydrolases, cellobiose dehydrogenases, esterases, cutinases, pectinases, mannanases, pectate lyases, keratinases, reductases, oxidases, phenoloxidases, lipoxygenases, ligninases, pullulanases, tannases, pentosanases, glucanases, arabinosidases, hyaluronidase, chondroitinase, laccases, amylases, and dnases.
In embodiments, soluble active agent can include one or more components that provide a sensory benefit, often called a sensate. Sensates can have sensory attributes such as a warming, tingling, or cooling sensation. Suitable sensates include, for example, menthol, menthyl lactate, leaf alcohol, camphor, clove bud oil, eucalyptus oil, anethole, methyl salicylate, eucalyptol, cassia, 1-8 menthyl acetate, eugenol, oxanone, alpha-irisone, propenyl guaethol, thymol, linalool, benzaldehyde, cinnamaldehyde glycerol acetal known as CGA. Winsense WS-5 supplied by Renessenz-Symrise. Vanillyl butyl ether known as VBE, and mixtures thereof.
In certain embodiments, the sensate comprises a coolant. The coolant can be any of a wide variety of materials. Included among such materials are carboxamides, menthol, ketals, diols, and mixtures thereof. Some examples of carboxamide coolants include, for example, paramenthan carboxyamide agents such as N-ethyl-p-menthan-3-carboxamide, known commercially as “WS-3”, N,2,3-trimethyl-2-isopropylbutanamide, known as “WS-23,” and N-(4-cyanomethylphenyl)-p-menthanecarboxamide, known as G-180 and supplied by Givaudan. G-180 generally comes as a 7.5% solution in a flavor oil, such as spearmint oil or peppermint oil. Examples of menthol coolants include, for example, menthol; 3-1-menthoxypropane-1,2-diol known as TK-10, manufactured by Takasago; menthone glycerol acetal known as MGA manufactured by Symrise; and menthyl lactate known as Frescolat@ manufactured by Symrise. The terms menthol and menthyl as used herein include dextro- and levorotatory isomers of these compounds and racemic mixtures thereof.
In certain embodiments, the sensate comprises a coolant selected from the group consisting of menthol; 3-1-menthoxypropane-1,2-diol. menthyl lactate; N,2,3-trimethyl-2-isopropylbutanamide; N-ethyl-p-menthan-3-carboxamide; N-(4-cyanomethylphenyl)-p-menthanecarboxamide, and combinations thereof. In further embodiments, the sensate comprises menthol; N,2,3-trimethyl-2-isopropylbutanamide.
Detersive Surfactant: Suitable detersive surfactants include anionic detersive surfactants, non-ionic detersive surfactant, cationic detersive surfactants, zwitterionic detersive surfactants and amphoteric detersive surfactants and mixtures thereof. Suitable detersive surfactants may be linear or branched, substituted or un-substituted, and may be derived from petrochemical material or biomaterial. Preferred surfactant systems comprise both anionic and nonionic surfactant, preferably in weight ratios from 90:1 to 1:90. In some instances a weight ratio of anionic to nonionic surfactant of at least 1:1 is preferred. However, a ratio below 10:1 may be preferred. When present, the total surfactant level is preferably from 0.1% to 60%, from 1% to 50% or even from 5% to 40% by weight of the subject composition.
Anionic detersive surfactant: Anionic surfactants include, but are not limited to, those surface-active compounds that contain an organic hydrophobic group containing generally 8 to 22 carbon atoms or generally 8 to 18 carbon atoms in their molecular structure and at least one water-solubilizing group preferably selected from sulfonate, sulfate, and carboxylate so as to form a water-soluble compound. Usually, the hydrophobic group will comprise a C8-C22 alkyl, or acyl group. Such surfactants are employed in the form of water-soluble salts and the salt-forming cation usually is selected from sodium, potassium, ammonium, magnesium and triethanol amine, with the sodium cation being the usual one chosen.
Anionic surfactants of the present invention and adjunct anionic cosurfactants, may exist in an acid form, and said acid form may be neutralized to form a surfactant salt which is desirable for use in the present compositions. Typical agents for neutralization include the metal counterion base such as hydroxides, e.g., NaOH or KOH. Further preferred agents for neutralizing anionic surfactants of the present invention and adjunct anionic surfactants or cosurfactants in their acid forms include ammonia, amines, oligamines, or alkanolamines. Alkanolamines are preferred. Suitable non-limiting examples including monoethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine, and other linear or branched alkanolamines known in the art; for example, highly preferred alkanolamines include 2-amino-1-propanol, 1-aminopropanol, monoisopropanolamine, or 1-amino-3-propanol. Amine neutralization may be done to a full or partial extent, e.g. part of the anionic surfactant mix may be neutralized with sodium or potassium and part of the anionic surfactant mix may be neutralized with amines or alkanolamines.
Suitable sulphonate detersive surfactants include methyl ester sulphonates, alpha olefin sulphonates, alkyl benzene sulphonates, especially alkyl benzene sulphonates, preferably C10-13 alkyl benzene sulphonate. Suitable alkyl benzene sulphonate (LAS) is obtainable, preferably obtained, by sulphonating commercially available linear alkyl benzene (LAB). Suitable LAB includes low 2-phenyl LAB, such as those supplied by Sasol under the tradename Isochem® or those supplied by Petresa under the tradename Petrelab®, other suitable LAB include high 2-phenyl LAB, such as those supplied by Sasol under the tradename Hyblene®. A suitable anionic detersive surfactant is alkyl benzene sulphonate that is obtained by DETAL catalyzed process, although other synthesis routes, such as HF, may also be suitable. In one aspect a magnesium salt of LAS is used
Suitable sulphate detersive surfactants include alkyl sulphate, preferably C8-18 alkyl sulphate, or predominantly C12 alkyl sulphate.
A preferred sulphate detersive surfactant is alkyl alkoxylated sulphate, preferably alkyl ethoxylated sulphate, preferably a C8-18 alkyl alkoxylated sulphate, preferably a C8-18 alkyl ethoxylated sulphate, preferably the alkyl alkoxylated sulphate has an average degree of alkoxylation of from 0.5 to 20, preferably from 0.5 to 10, preferably the alkyl alkoxylated sulphate is a C8-18 alkyl ethoxylated sulphate having an average degree of ethoxylation of from 0.5 to 10, preferably from 0.5 to 5, more preferably from 0.5 to 3. The alkyl alkoxylated sulfate may have a broad alkoxy distribution or a peaked alkoxy distribution.
The alkyl sulphate, alkyl alkoxylated sulphate and alkyl benzene sulphonates may be linear or branched, including 2 alkyl substituted or mid chain branched type, substituted or un-substituted, and may be derived from petrochemical material or biomaterial. Preferably, the branching group is an alkyl. Typically, the alkyl is selected from methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, cyclic alkyl groups and mixtures thereof. Single or multiple alkyl branches could be present on the main hydrocarbyl chain of the starting alcohol(s) used to produce the sulfated anionic surfactant used in the compositions of the invention. Most preferably the branched sulfated anionic surfactant is selected from alkyl sulfates, alkyl ethoxy sulfates, and mixtures thereof.
Alkyl sulfates and alkyl alkoxy sulfates are commercially available with a variety of chain lengths, ethoxylation and branching degrees. Commercially available sulfates include those based on Neodol alcohols ex the Shell company, Lial—Isalchem and Safol ex the Sasol company, natural alcohols ex The Procter & Gamble Chemicals company.
Other suitable anionic detersive surfactants include alkyl ether carboxylates.
Non-ionic detersive surfactant: Suitable non-ionic detersive surfactants are selected from the group consisting of: C8-18 alkyl ethoxylates, such as, NEODOL® non-ionic surfactants from Shell; C6-C12 alkyl phenol alkoxylates wherein preferably the alkoxylate units are ethyleneoxy units, propyleneoxy units or a mixture thereof; C12-C18 alcohol and C6-C12 alkyl phenol condensates with ethylene oxide/propylene oxide block polymers such as Pluronic® from BASF; alkylpolysaccharides, preferably alkylpolyglycosides; methyl ester ethoxylates; polyhydroxy fatty acid amides; ether capped poly(oxyalkylated) alcohol surfactants; and mixtures thereof.
Suitable non-ionic detersive surfactants are alkylpolyglucoside and/or an alkyl alkoxylated alcohol.
Suitable non-ionic detersive surfactants include alkyl alkoxylated alcohols, preferably C8-18 alkyl alkoxylated alcohol, preferably a C8-18 alkyl ethoxylated alcohol, preferably the alkyl alkoxylated alcohol has an average degree of alkoxylation of from 1 to 50, preferably from 1 to 30, or from 1 to 20, or from 1 to 10, preferably the alkyl alkoxylated alcohol is a C8-18 alkyl ethoxylated alcohol having an average degree of ethoxylation of from 1 to 10, preferably from 1 to 7, more preferably from 1 to 5 and most preferably from 3 to 7. The alkyl alkoxylated alcohol can be linear or branched, and substituted or un-substituted. Suitable nonionic surfactants include those with the trade name Lutensol® from BASF.
Cationic detersive surfactant: Suitable cationic detersive surfactants include alkyl pyridinium compounds, alkyl quaternary ammonium compounds, alkyl quaternary phosphonium compounds, alkyl ternary sulphonium compounds, and mixtures thereof.
Preferred cationic detersive surfactants are quaternary ammonium compounds having the general formula:
(R)(R1)(R2)(R3)N+X−
wherein, R is a linear or branched, substituted or unsubstituted C6-18 alkyl or alkenyl moiety, R1 and R2 are independently selected from methyl or ethyl moieties, R3 is a hydroxyl, hydroxymethyl or a hydroxyethyl moiety, X is an anion which provides charge neutrality, preferred anions include: halides, preferably chloride; sulphate; and sulphonate.
Amphoteric and Zwitterionic detersive surfactant: Suitable amphoteric or zwitterionic detersive surfactants include amine oxides, and/or betaines. Preferred amine oxides are alkyl dimethyl amine oxide or alkyl amido propyl dimethyl amine oxide, more preferably alkyl dimethyl amine oxide and especially coco dimethyl amino oxide. Amine oxide may have a linear or mid-branched alkyl moiety. Typical linear amine oxides include water-soluble amine oxides containing one R1 C8-18 alkyl moiety and 2 R2 and R3 moieties selected from the group consisting of C1-3 alkyl groups and C1-3 hydroxyalkyl groups. Preferably amine oxide is characterized by the formula R1 —N(R2)(R3) O wherein R1 is a C8-18 alkyl and R2 and R3 are selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, 2-hydroxethyl, 2-hydroxypropyl and 3-hydroxypropyl. The linear amine oxide surfactants in particular may include linear C10-C18 alkyl dimethyl amine oxides and linear C8-C12 alkoxy ethyl dihydroxy ethyl amine oxides.
Other suitable surfactants include betaines, such as alkyl betaines, alkylamidobetaine, amidazoliniumbetaine, sulfobetaine (INCI Sultaines) as well as Phosphobetaines
In embodiments, soluble active agent can include an effective amount of a compound for reducing the number of viable microbes in the air or on inanimate surfaces. Antimicrobial compounds are effective on gram negative or gram positive bacteria or fungi typically found on indoor surfaces that have contacted human skin or pets such as couches, pillows, pet bedding, and carpets. Such microbial species include Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, Aspergillus niger, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Steptococcus pyogenes, Salmonella choleraesuis, Escherichia coli, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The antimicrobial compounds may also be effective at reducing the number of viable viruses such H1-N1, Rhinovirus, Respiratory Syncytial, Poliovirus Type 1, Rotavirus, Influenza A, Herpes simplex types 1 & 2, Hepatitis A, and Human Coronavirus.
Antimicrobial compounds suitable in the rheological solid composition can be any organic material which will not cause damage to fabric appearance (e.g., discoloration, coloration such as yellowing, bleaching). Water-soluble antimicrobial compounds include organic sulfur compounds, halogenated compounds, cyclic organic nitrogen compounds, low molecular weight aldehydes, quaternary compounds, dehydroacetic acid, phenyl and phenoxy compounds, or mixtures thereof.
A quaternary compound may be used. Examples of commercially available quaternary compounds suitable for use in the rheological solid composition are Barquat available from Lonza Corporation; and decyl dimethyl ammonium chloride quat under the trade name Bardac® 2250 from Lonza Corporation.
The antimicrobial compound may be present in an amount from about 500 ppm to about 7000 ppm, alternatively about 1000 ppm to about 5000 ppm, alternatively about 1000 ppm to about 3000 ppm, alternatively about 1400 ppm to about 2500 ppm, by weight of the rheological solid composition.
In embodiments, soluble active agent can include a preservative. The preservative may be present in an amount sufficient to prevent spoilage or prevent growth of inadvertently added microorganisms for a specific period of time, but not sufficient enough to contribute to the odor neutralizing performance of the rheological solid composition. In other words, the preservative is not being used as the antimicrobial compound to kill microorganisms on the surface onto which the rheological solid composition is deposited in order to eliminate odors produced by microorganisms. Instead, it is being used to prevent spoilage of the rheological solid composition in order to increase the shelf-life of the rheological solid composition.
The preservative can be any organic preservative material which will not cause damage to fabric appearance, e.g., discoloration, coloration, bleaching. Suitable water-soluble preservatives include organic sulfur compounds, halogenated compounds, cyclic organic nitrogen compounds, low molecular weight aldehydes, parabens, propane diol materials, isothiazolinones, quaternary compounds, benzoates, low molecular weight alcohols, dehydroacetic acid, phenyl and phenoxy compounds, or mixtures thereof.
Non-limiting examples of commercially available water-soluble preservatives include a mixture of about 77% 5-chloro-2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one and about 23% 2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one, a broad spectrum preservative available as a 1.5% aqueous solution under the trade name Kathon® CG by Rohm and Haas Co.; 5-bromo-5-nitro-1,3-dioxane, available under the tradename Bronidox L® from Henkel; 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol, available under the trade name Bronopol® from Inolex; ′1,1′-hexamethylene bis(5-(p-chlorophenyl)biguanide), commonly known as chlorhexidine, and its salts, e.g., with acetic and digluconic acids; a 95:5 mixture of 1,3-bis(hydroxymethyl)-5,5-dimethyl-2.4-imidazolidinedione and 3-butyl-2-iodopropynyl carbamate, available under the trade name Glydant Plus® from Lonza; N-[1,3-bis(hydroxymethyl)2,5-dioxo-4-imidazolidinyl]-′N,N′-bis(hydroxy-methyl) urea, commonly known as diazolidinyl urea, available under the trade name Germall® II from Sutton Laboratories, Inc.; ″N,N″-methylenebis{N′-[1-(hydroxymethyl)-2,5-dioxo-4-imidazolidinyl]urea}, commonly known as imidazolidinyl urea, available, e.g., under the trade name Abiol® from 3V-Sigma, Unicide U-13® from Induchem, Germall 115® from Sutton Laboratories, Inc .; polymethoxy bicyclic oxazolidine, available under the trade name Nuosept® C from Hüls America; formaldehyde; glutaraldehyde; polyaminopropyl biguanide, available under the trade name Cosmocil CQ® from ICI Americas, Inc., or under the trade name Mikrokill® from Brooks, Inc; dehydroacetic acid; and benzsiothiazolinone available under the trade name Koralone™ B-119 from Rohm and Hass Corporation; 1,2-Benzisothiazolin-3-one; Acticide MBS.
Suitable levels of preservative are from about 0.0001 wt. % to about 0.5 wt. %, alternatively from about 0.0002 wt. % to about 0.2 wt. %, alternatively from about 0.0003 wt. % to about 0.1 wt. %, by weight of the rheological solid composition.
Adjuvants can be added to the rheological solid composition herein for their known purposes. Such adjuvants include, but are not limited to, water soluble metallic salts, including zinc salts, copper salts, and mixtures thereof; antistatic agents; insect and moth repelling agents; colorants; antioxidants; aromatherapy agents and mixtures thereof.
The compositions of the present invention can also comprise any additive usually used in the field under consideration. For example, non-encapsulated pigments, film forming agents, dispersants, antioxidants, essential oils, preserving agents, fragrances, liposoluble polymers that are dispersible in the medium, fillers, neutralizing agents, silicone elastomers, cosmetic and dermatological oil-soluble active agents such as, for example, emollients, moisturizers, vitamins, anti-wrinkle agents, essential fatty acids, sunscreens, and mixtures thereof can be added.
The composition can contain a solvent. Non-limiting examples of solvents can include ethanol, glycerol, propylene glycol, polyethylene glycol 400, polyethylene glycol 200, and mixtures thereof. In one example the composition comprises from about 0.5% to about 15% solvent, in another example from about 1.0% to about 10% solvent, and in another example from about 1.0% to about 8.0% solvent, and in another example from about 1% solvent to about 5% solvent.
As used herein, “xanthine compound” means one or more xanthines, derivatives thereof, and mixtures thereof. Xanthine Compounds that can be useful herein include, but are not limited to, caffeine, xanthine. 1-methyl xanthine, theophylline, theobromine, derivatives thereof, and mixtures thereof. Among these compounds, caffeine is preferred in view of its solubility in the composition. The composition can contain from about 0.05%, preferably from about 2.0%, more preferably from about 0.1%, still more preferably from about 1.0%, and to about 0.2%, preferably to about 1.0%, more preferably to about 0.3% by weight of a xanthine compound
As used herein, “vitamin B3 compound” means a one or more compounds having the formula:
wherein R is —CONH2 (i.e., niacinamide), —COOH (i.e., nicotinic acid) or —CH2OH (i.e., nicotinyl alcohol); derivatives thereof; mixtures thereof; and salts of any of the foregoing.
Exemplary derivatives of the foregoing vitamin B3 compounds include nicotinic acid esters, including non-vasodilating esters of nicotinic acid (e.g, tocopherol nicotinate, and myristyl nicotinate), nicotinyl amino acids, nicotinyl alcohol esters of carboxylic acids, nicotinic acid N-oxide and niacinamide N-oxide. The composition can contain from about 0.05%, preferably from about 2.0%, more preferably from about 0.1%, still more preferably from about 1.0%, and to about 0.1%, preferably to about 0.5%, more preferably to about 0.3% by weight of a vitamin B3 compound
As used herein, the term “panthenol compound” is broad enough to include panthenol, one or more pantothenic acid derivatives, and mixtures thereof, panthenol and its derivatives can include D-panthenol ([R]-2,4-dihydroxy-N-[3-hydroxypropyl)]-3,3-dimethylbutamide). DL panthenol. pantothenic acids and their salts, preferably the calcium salt, panthenyl triacetate, royal jelly, panthetine, pantotheine, panthenyl ethyl ether, pangamic acid, pantoyl lactose, vitamin B complex, or mixtures thereof. The composition can contain from about 0.01%, preferably from about 0.02%, more preferably from about 0.05%, and to about 3%, preferably to about 1%, more preferably to about 0.5% by weight of a panthenol compound.
Sodium chloride (and other sodium salts) is a particular useful additive to the aqueous phase to adjust the thermal stability of compositions but must be added into the composition with particular care (Example 3). Not wishing to be bound by theory, sodium chloride is thought to ‘salt out’ inventive crystallizing agents decreasing their solubility. This has the effect of increasing the thermal stability temperature of the rheological solid composition as measured by the THERMAL STABILITY TEST METHOD. For example, Optimal Chain Length crystallizing agents can have the thermal stability temperatures increased as much as 15° C. with sodium chloride addition. This is particularly valuable as the addition of other ingredients into the aqueous phase often lower the thermal stability temperature in the absence of sodium chloride. Surprisingly, adding sodium chloride can lead to adverse effects in the preparation of the rheological solid compositions. It is preferable in most making processes, to add sodium chloride into the hot crystallizing agent aqueous phase before cooling to form the mesh. However, adding too much may cause ‘curding’ of the crystallizing agents and absolutely horrid compositions. The sodium chloride may also be added after the formation of the mesh, to provide the benefit of raising the thermal stability temperature at higher levels without curding. Finally, while the thermal stability temperature is increased with addition of sodium chloride, the addition of other non-sodium salts changes the fibrous nature of the crystals formed from the crystallizing agents, to form plates or platelet crystals, which are not rheological solids.
A capsule may include a wall material that encapsulates an active agent (as described below), such as a freshness benefit agent (active agent delivery capsule or just “capsule”). Freshness benefit agent may be referred herein as a “benefit agent” or an “encapsulated benefit agent”. The encapsulated active agent is encapsulated in the core. A benefit agent may be at least one of: a perfume mixture or a malodor counteractant, or combinations thereof. A benefit agent may include materials selected from the group consisting of perfume raw materials such as 3-(4-1-butylphenyl)-2-methyl propanal, 3-(4-1-butylphenyl)-propanal, 3-(4-isopropylphenyl)-2-methylpropanal, 3-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)-2-methylpropanal, and 2,6-dimethyl-5-heptenal, alpha-damascone, beta-damascone, gamma-damascone, beta-damascenone, 6,7-dihydro-1,1,2,3,3-pentamethyl-4(5H)-indanonc, methyl-7,3-dihydro-2H-1,5-benzodioxepine-3-one, 2-[2-(4-methyl-3-cyclohexenyl-1-yl)propyl]cyclopentan-2-one, 2-scc-butylcyclohexanone, and beta-dihydro ionone, linalool, ethyllinalool, tetrahydrolinalool, and dihydromyrcenol; silicone oils, waxes such as polyethylene waxes; essential oils such as fish oils, jasmine, camphor, lavender; skin coolants such as menthol, methyl lactate; vitamins such as Vitamin A and E; sunscreens; glycerin; catalysts such as manganese catalysts or bleach catalysts; bleach particles such as perborates; silicon dioxide particles; antiperspirant actives; cationic polymers and mixtures thereof. Suitable benefit agents can be obtained from Givaudan Corp. of Mount Olive, New Jersey, USA, International Flavors & Fragrances Corp. of South Brunswick, New Jersey, USA, or Firmenich Company of Geneva, Switzerland or Encapsys Company of Appleton, Wisconsin (USA). As used herein, a “perfume raw material” refers to one or more of the following ingredients: fragrant essential oils; aroma compounds; materials supplied with the fragrant essential oils, aroma compounds, stabilizers, diluents, processing agents, and contaminants; and any material that commonly accompanies fragrant essential oils, aroma compounds.
The wall (or shell) material of the active agent delivery capsule may comprise: melamine, polyacrylamide, silicones, silica, polystyrene, polyurea, polyurethanes, polyacrylate based materials, polyacrylate esters based materials, gelatin, styrene malic anhydride, polyamides, aromatic alcohols, polyvinyl alcohol and mixtures thereof. The melamine wall material may comprise melamine crosslinked with formaldehyde, melamine-dimethoxyethanol crosslinked with formaldehyde, and mixtures thereof. The polystyrene wall material may comprise polyestyrene cross-linked with divinylbenzene. The polyurea wall material may comprise urea crosslinked with formaldehyde, urea crosslinked with gluteraldehyde, polyisocyanate reacted with a polyamine, a polyamine reacted with an aldehyde and mixtures thereof. The polyacrylate based wall materials may comprise polyacrylate formed from methylmethacrylate/dimethylaminomethyl methacrylate, polyacrylate formed from amine acrylate and/or methacrylate and strong acid, polyacrylate formed from carboxylic acid acrylate and/or methacrylate monomer and strong base, polyacrylate formed from an amine acrylate and/or methacrylate monomer and a carboxylic acid acrylate and/or carboxylic acid methacrylate monomer, and mixtures thereof.
The composition may comprise from about 0.05% to about 20%, or from about 0.05% to about 10%, or from about 0.1% to about 5%, or from about 0.2% to about 2%, by weight of the composition, of active agent delivery capsules. The composition may comprise a sufficient amount of active agent delivery capsules to provide from about 0.05% to about 10%, or from about 0.1% to about 5%, or from about 0.1% to about 2%, by weight of the composition, of the encapsulated active agent, which may preferably be perfume raw materials, to the composition. When discussing herein the amount or weight percentage of the active agent delivery capsules, it is meant the sum of the wall material and the core material.
The active agent delivery capsules according to the present disclosure may be characterized by a volume-weighted median particle size from about 1 to about 100 microns, preferably from about 10 to about 100 microns, preferably from about 15 to about 50 microns, more preferably from about 20 to about 40 microns, even more preferably from about 20 to about 30 microns. Different particle sizes are obtainable by controlling droplet size during emulsification.
The active agent delivery capsules may be characterized by a ratio of core to shell up to 99:1, or even 99.5:1, on the basis of weight.
The polyacrylate ester-based wall materials may comprise polyacrylate esters formed by alkyl and/or glycidyl esters of acrylic acid and/or methacrylic acid, acrylic acid esters and/or methacrylic acid esters which carry hydroxyl and/or carboxy groups, and allylgluconamide, and mixtures thereof.
The aromatic alcohol-based wall material may comprise aryloxyalkanols, arylalkanols and oligoalkanolarylethers. It may also comprise aromatic compounds with at least one free hydroxyl-group, especially preferred at least two free hydroxy groups that are directly aromatically coupled, wherein it is especially preferred if at least two free hydroxy-groups are coupled directly to an aromatic ring, and more especially preferred, positioned relative to each other in meta position. It is preferred that the aromatic alcohols are selected from phenols, cresols (o-, m-, and p-cresol), naphthols (alpha and beta -naphthol) and thymol, as well as ethylphenols, propylphenols, fluorphenols and methoxyphenols.
The polyurea based wall material may comprise a polyisocyanate.
The polyvinyl alcohol-based wall material may comprise a crosslinked, hydrophobically modified polyvinyl alcohol, which comprises a crosslinking agent comprising i) a first dextran aldehyde having a molecular weight of from 2,000 to 50,000 Da; and ii) a second dextran aldehyde having a molecular weight of from greater than 50,000 to 2,000,000 Da.
The core of the active agent delivery capsules of the present disclosure may comprise a partitioning modifier, which may facilitate more robust shell formation. The partitioning modifier may be combined with the core's perfume oil material prior to incorporation of the wall-forming monomers. The partitioning modifier may be present in the core at a level of from about 5% to about 55%, preferably from about 10% to about 50%, more preferably from about 25% to about 50%, by weight of the core.
The partitioning modifier may comprise a material selected from the group consisting of vegetable oil, modified vegetable oil, mono-, di-, and tri-esters of C4-C24 fatty acids, isopropyl myristate, dodecanophenone, lauryl laurate, methyl behenate, methyl laurate, methyl palmitate, methyl stearate, and mixtures thereof. The partitioning modifier may preferably comprise or even consist of isopropyl myristate. The modified vegetable oil may be esterified and/or brominated. The modified vegetable oil may preferably comprise castor oil and/or soy bean oil. US Patent Application Publication 20110268802, incorporated herein by reference, describes other partitioning modifiers that may be useful in the presently described active agent delivery capsules.
The active agent capsule may be coated with a deposition aid, a cationic polymer, a non-ionic polymer, an anionic polymer, or mixtures thereof. Suitable polymers may be selected from the group consisting of: polyvinylformaldehyde, partially hydroxylated polyvinylformaldehyde, polyvinylamine, polyethyleneimine, ethoxylated polyethyleneimine, polyvinylalcohol, polyacrylates, and combinations thereof. The freshening composition may include one or more types of active agent delivery capsules, for example two active agent delivery capsule types, wherein one of the first or second active agent delivery capsules (a) has a wall made of a different wall material than the other; (b) has a wall that includes a different amount of wall material or monomer than the other; or (c) contains a different amount perfume oil ingredient than the other; (d) contains a different perfume oil; (e) has a wall that is cured at a different temperature; (f) contains a perfume oil having a different cLogP value; (g) contains a perfume oil having a different volatility; (h) contains a perfume oil having a different boiling point; (i) has a wall made with a different weight ratio of wall materials; (j) has a wall that is cured for different cure time; and (k) has a wall that is heated at a different rate.
Preferably, the active agent capsule has a wall material comprising a polymer of acrylic acid or derivatives thereof and a benefit agent comprising a perfume mixture.
The solid dissolvable composition may include unencapsulated perfume comprising one or more perfume raw materials that solely provide a hedonic benefit (i.e., that do not neutralize malodors yet provide a pleasant fragrance). Suitable perfumes are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,248,135. For example, the solid dissolvable composition may include a mixture of volatile aldehydes for neutralizing a malodor and hedonic perfume aldehydes.
Where perfumes, other than the volatile aldehydes in the malodor control component, are formulated into the solid dissolvable composition.
In embodiments, the SDC may be a consumer product comprising a plurality of particles used to refresh laundry, comprising a solid dissolvable composition having one or more benefit agents (e.g., perfume capsule, neat perfume) dispersed throughout the particles. In one embodiment, the freshness benefit agent is perfume capsule; in another embodiment, the freshness benefit agent is neat perfume; in another embodiment, the freshness benefit agent is neat perfume in the form of dispersed drops; in another embodiment, the freshness benefit agent is neat perfume distributed throughout a fibrous microstructure; in another embodiment, one freshness benefit agent is perfume capsule, and a second freshness benefit agent is a neat perfume.
In embodiments, the consumer product comprises SDC is in the solid form of beads, that are all the same solid dissolvable composition; in another embodiment, the solid form in the consumer product are of one or more solid dissolvable compositions (e.g., some solid dissolvable compositions with PMC and some solid dissolvable compositions with perfume). The solid form of the SDC may be a powder, a particle, an agglomerate, a flake, a granule, a pellet, a tablet, a lozenge, a puck, a briquette, a brick, a solid block, a unit dose, or other solid form known to those of skill in the art.
In one embodiment, SDC contain less than about 13 wt %; in another embodiment, SDC contain less than about 10 wt % and 1 wt % active agent; in another embodiment SDC contain less than about 8 wt % and 2 wt % active agent.
In one embodiment, SDC contain less than about 18 wt % active agent capsules; in another embodiment SDC contain between about 0.01 wt % to about 15 wt % active agent capsules, preferably between about 0.1 wt % to about 15% wt % active agent capsules, more preferably between about 1 wt % to about 15 wt % active agent capsules, most preferably between about 5 wt % to about 15 wt % active agent capsules, based on the total weight of the solid dissolvable composition.
The aqueous phase may be present in the Solid Dissolvable Composition in an amount of 0 wt % to about 10 wt %, 0 wt % to about 9 wt %, 0 wt % to about 8 wt %, about 5 wt %, by weight of the intermediate rheological solid.
In one embodiment, the consumer product is added directly into the wash drum, at the start of the wash; in another embodiment, the consumer product is added to the fabric enhancer cup in the washer; in another embodiment, the consumer product is added at the start of the wash; in another embodiment, the consumer product is added during the wash.
In one embodiment, the consumer product is sold in paper packaging, in one embodiment, the consumer product is sold in unit dose packaging; in one embodiment, the consumer product is sold with different colored particles; in one embodiment, the consumer product is sold in a sachet; in one embodiment, the consumer product is sold with different colored particles; in one embodiment, the consumer product is sold in a recyclable container.
All samples and procedures are maintained at room temperature (25±3° C.) prior to testing and are placed in a dessicant chamber (0% RH) for 24 hours, or until they come to a constant weight.
All dissolution measurements are done at a controlled temperature and a constant stir rate. A 600-mL jacketed beaker (Cole-Palmer, item # UX-03773-30, or equivalent) is attached and cooled to temperature by circulation of water through the jacketed beaker using a water circulator set to a desired temperature (Fisherbrand Isotemp 4100, or equivalent). The jacketed beaker is centered on the stirring element of a VWR Multi-Position Stirrer (VWR North American, West Chester, Pa., U.S.A. Cat. No. 12621-046). 100 mL of deionized water (MODEL 18 MΩ, or equivalent) and stirring bar (VWR, Spinbar, Cat. No. 58947-106, or equivalent) is added to a second 150-mL beaker (VWR North American, West Chester, Pa., U.S.A. Cat. No. 58948-138, or equivalent). The second beaker is placed into the jacketed beaker. Enough Millipore water is added to the jacketed beaker to be above the level of the water in the second beaker, with great care so that the water in the jacket beaker does not mix with the water in the second beaker. The speed of the stir bar is set to 200 RPM, enough to create a gentle vortex. The temperature is set in the second beaker using the flow from the water circulator to reach 25° C. or 37° C., with relevant temperature reported in the examples. The temperature in the second beaker is measured with a thermometer before doing a dissolution experiment.
All samples were sealed in a desiccator prepared with fresh desiccant (VWR, Desiccant-Anhydrous Indicating Drierite, stock no. 23001, or equivalent) until reaching a constant weight. All tested samples have a mass less than 15 mg.
A single dissolution experiment is done by removing a single sample from the desiccator. The sample is weighed within one minute after removing it from the desiccator to measure an initial mass (MI). The sample is dropped into the second beaker with stirring. The sample is allowed to dissolve for 1 minute. At the end of the minute, the sample is carefully removed from the deionized water. The sample is placed again in the desiccator until reaching a constant final mass (MF). The percentage of mass loss for the sample in the single experiment is calculated as ML=100* (MI−MF)/MI.
Nine additional dissolution experiments are done, by first replacing the 100 ml of water with a new charge of deionized water, adding a new sample from the desiccator for each experiment and repeating the dissolution experiment described in the previous paragraph.
The average percent of mass loss (MA) for the Test is calculated as the average percent of mass loss for the ten experiments and the average standard deviation of mass loss (SDA) is the standard deviation of the mean percent of mass loss for the ten experiments.
The method returns three values: 1) the average mass of the sample (MS), 2) the temperature at which the samples are dissolved (T), and 3) the average percent of mass loss (MA). The method returns ‘NM’ for all values if the method was not performed on the sample. The average percent of mass loss (MA) and the average standard deviation of the mean percent of mass loss (SDA) are used to draw the dissolutions curves shared in
All samples and procedures are maintained at room temperature (25±3° C.) prior to testing. The Humidity Test Method is used to determine the amount of water vapor sorption that occurs in a raw material or composition between being dried down at 0% RH and various RH at 25° C. In this method, 10 to 60 mg of sample are weighed, and the mass change associated with being conditioned with differing environmental states is captured in a dynamic vapor sorption instrument.
The resulting mass gain is expressed as % change in mass per dried sample mass recorded at 0% RH.
This method makes use of a SPSx Vapor Sorption Analyzer with 1 ug resolution (ProUmid GmbH & Co. KG, Ulm, Germany), or equivalent dynamic vapor sorption (DVS) instrument capable of controlling percent relative humidity (% RH) to within ±3%, temperature to within ±2° C., and measuring mass to a precision of ±0.001 mg.
A 10-60 mg specimen of raw material or composition is dispersed evenly into a tared 1″ diameter Al pan. The Al pan on which raw material or composition specimen has been dispersed is placed in the DVS instrument with the DVS instrument set to 25° C. and 0% RH at which point masses are recorded ˜every 15 minutes to a precision of 0.001 mg or better. After the specimen is in the DVS for a minimum of 12 hours at this environmental setting and constant weight has been achieved, the mass ma of the specimen is recorded to a precision of 0.01 mg or better. Upon completion of this step, the instrument is advanced in 10% RH increments up to 90% RH. The specimen is held in the DVS at each step for a minimum of 12 hours and until constant weight has been achieved, the mass mn of the specimen is recorded to a precision of 0.001 mg or better at each step.
For a particular specimen, constant weight can be defined as change in mass consecutive weighing that does not differ by more than 0.004%. For a particular specimen, % Change in mass per dried sample mass (% dm) is defined as
The % Change in mass per dried sample mass is reported in units of % to the nearest 0.01%
All samples and procedures are maintained at room temperature (25±3° C.) prior to testing, and at a relative humidity of 40±10% for 24 hours prior to testing.
In the Thermal Stability Test Method, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) is performed on a 20 mg±10 mg specimen of sample composition. A simple scan is performed between 25° C. and 90° C., and the temperature at which the largest peak is observed to occur is reported as the Stability Temperature to the nearest ° C.
The sample is loaded into a DSC pan. All measurements are done in a high-volume-stainless-steel pan set (TA part # 900825.902). The pan, lid and gasket are weighed and tared on a Mettler Toledo MT5 analytical microbalance (or equivalent; Mettler Toledo, LLC., Columbus, OH). The sample is loaded into the pan with a target weight of 20 mg (+/−10mg) in accordance with manufacturer's specifications, taking care to ensure that the sample is in contact with the bottom of the pan. The pan is then sealed with a TA High Volume Die Set (TA part # 901608.905). The final assembly is measured to obtain the sample weight. The sample is loaded into TA Q Series DSC (TA Instruments, New Castle, DE) in accordance with the manufacture instructions. The DSC procedure uses the following settings: 1) equilibrate at 25° C.; 2) mark end of cycle 1; 3) ramp 1.00° C./min to 90.00° C.; 4) mark end of cycle 3; then 5) end of method; Hit run.
All samples and procedures are maintained at room temperature (25±3° C.) prior to testing, and at a relative humidity of 40±10% for 24 hours prior to testing.
The Moisture Test Method is used to quantify the weight percent of water in a composition. In this method, a Karl Fischer (KF) titration is performed on each of three like specimens of a sample composition. Titration is done using a volumetric KF titration apparatus and using a one-component solvent system. Specimens are 0.3±0.05 g in mass and are allowed to dissolve in the titration vessel for 2.5 minutes prior to titration. The average (arithmetic mean) moisture content of the three specimen replicates is reported to the nearest 0.1 wt. % of the sample composition.
Sample composition is conditioned at at 25±3° C. and at 40±10.0% RH for at least 24 hours prior to measurement. One suitable example of an apparatus and specific procedure is as follows.
To measure the moisture content of the sample, measurements are made using a Mettler Toledo V30S Volumetric KF Titrator. The instrument uses Honeywell Fluka Hydranal Solvent (cat. # 34800-1L-US) to dissolve the sample, Honeywell Fluka Hydranal Titrant-5 (cat.# 34801-1L-US) to titrate the sample and is equipped with three drying tubes (Titrant Bottle, Solvent Bottle, and Waste Bottle) packed with Honeywell Fluka Hydranal Molecular sieve 3nm (cat.# 34241-250g) to preserve the efficacy of the anhydrous materials.
The method used to measure the sample is Type “KF vol”, ID “U8000”, and Title “KFVol 2-comp 5”, and has eight lines which are each method functions.
The Line 1, Title has the following things selected: the Type is set to Karl Fischer titration Vol .; Compatible with is set to be V10S/V20S/V30S/T5/T7/T9; ID is set as U8000; Title is set as KFVol 2-comp 5; Author is set as Administrator; the Date/Time along with the Modified on and Modified by were defined by when the method was created; Protect is set to no; and SOP is set to None.
The Line 2, Sample has two options, Sample and Concentration. When the Sample option is chosen, the following fields are defined as: Number of IDs is set as 1; ID 1 is set as --; Entry type is selected to be Weight; Lower limit is set as 0.0 g; the Upper limit is set as 5.0 g; Density is set as 1.0 g/mL; Correction factor is set as 1.0; Temperature is set to 25.0° C.; Autostart is selected; and Entry is set to After addition. When the Concentration option is chosen, the following fields are defined as: Titrant is selected as KF 2-comp 5; Nominal conc. is set as 5mg/mL; Standard is selected to be Water-Standard 10.0; Entry type is selected to be Weight; Lower limit is set as 0.0 g; Upper limit is set as 2.0 g; Temperature is set as 25.0° C.; Mix time is set as 10 s; Autostart is selected; Entry is selected to be After addition; Conc. lower limit is set to be 4.5 mg/mL; and Conc. upper limit is set to be 5.6 mg/mL.
The Line 3. Titration stand (KF stand) has the following fields defined as: Type is set to KF stand; Titration stand is selected to be KF stand; Source for drift is selected to be Online; Max. start drift is set to be 25.0 μg/min.
The Line 4, Mix time has the following fields defined as: Duration is set to be 150 s.
The Line 5, Titration (KF Vol) [1] has six options, Titrant, Sensor, Stir, Predispense, Control, and Termination. When the Titrant option is chosen, the following fields are defined as: Titrant is selected to be KF 2-comp 5; Nominal conc. is set to be 5 mg/mL; and Reagent type is set as 2-comp. When the Sensor option is chosen, the following fields are defined as: Type is set to Polarized; Sensor is selected as DM143-SC; Unit is set as mV; Indication is set as Voltametric; and Ipol is set as 24.0 μA. When the Stir option is chosen, the following fields are defined as: Speed is set as 50%. When the Pre-dispense option is chosen, the following fields are defined as: Mode is selected to be None; Wait time is set to be Os. When the Control option is chosen, the following fields are defined as: End Point is set to 100.00 mV; Control band is set to be 400.00 mV; Dosing rate (max) is set to be 3 mL/min; Dosing rate (min) is set to be 100 μL/min; and Start is selected to be Normal. When the Termination option is chosen, the following fields are defined as: Type is selected as Drift stop relative; Drift is set to 15.0 μg/min; At Vmax 15 mL; Min. time is set as 0 s; and Max. time is set as ∞s.
The Line 6, Calculation has the following fields defined as: Result type is selected to be Predefined; Result is set as Content; Result unit is set as %; Formula is set as R1=(VEQ*CONC-TIME*D . . . ); Constant C=is set as 0.1; Decimal places is set as 2; Result limits is not selected; Record statistics is selected; Extra statistical functions is not selected.
The Line 7, Record has the following fields defined as: Summary is selected to be Per sample; Results is selected to be No; Raw results is selected to be No; TABLE of meas. values is selected to be No; Sample data is selected to be No; Resource data is selected to be No; E-V is selected to be No; E-t is selected to be No; V-t is selected to be No; H20-t is selected to be No; Drift-t is selected to be No; H20-t & Drift-t is selected to be no; V-t & Drift-t is selected to be No; Method is selected to be No; and Series data is selected to be No.
The Line 8, End of Sample has the following fields defined as: Open series is selected.
Once the method is selected, press Start, the following fields are defined as: Type is set as Method; Method ID is set as U8000; Number of samples is set as 1; ID 1 is set as --; and Sample size is set as 0 g. The Start option is the pressed again. The instrument will measure the Max Drift, and once it reaches a steady state will allow the user to select Add sample, at which point the user will add the Three-hole adapter and stoppers are removed, the sample is loaded into the Titration beaker, the Three-hole adapter and stoppers are replaced, and the mass, g, of the sample is entered into the
Touchscreen. The reported value will be the weight percent of water in the sample. This measure is repeated in triplicate for each sample, and the average of the three measures is reported.
The Fiber Test Method is used to determine whether a solid dissolved composition crystallizes under process conditions and contains fiber crystals. A simple definition of a fiber is “a thread or a structure or an object resembling a thread”. Fibers have a long length in just one direction (e.g.,
A sample measuring about 4 mm in diameter is mounted on an SEM specimen shuttle and stub (Quorum Technologies, AL200077B and E7406) with a slit precoated comprising a 1:1 mixture of Scigen Tissue Plus optimal cutting temperature (OCT) compound (Scigen 4586) compound and colloidal graphite (agar scientific G303E). The mounted sample is plunge-frozen in a liquid nitrogen-slush bath. Next, the frozen sample is inserted to a Quorum PP3010Tcryo-prep chamber (Quorum Technologies PP3010T), or equivalent and allowed to equilibrate to −120° C. prior to freeze-fracturing. Freeze fracturing is performed by using a cold built-in knife in the cryo-prep chamber to break off the top of the vitreous sample. Additional sublimation is performed at −90° C. for 5 mins to eliminate residual ice on the surface of the sample. The sample is cooled further to −150° C. and sputter-coated with a layer of Pt residing in the cryo-prep chamber for 60 s to mitigate charging.
High resolution imaging is performed in a Hitachi Ethos NX5000 FIB-SEM (Hitachi NX5000), or equivalent.
To determine the fiber morphology of a sample, imaging is done at 20,000× magnification. At this magnification, individual crystals of the crystallizing agent may be observed. The magnification may be slightly adjusted to lower or higher values until individual crystals are observed. One skilled in the art can assess the longest dimension of the representative crystals in the image. If this longest dimension is about 10× or greater than the other orthogonal dimensions of the crystals, these crystals are considered fibers and in scope for the invention.
The invention is a solid dissolvable composition (SDC) comprising a mesh microstructure formed from dry sodium fatty acid carboxylate formulations containing high levels of active agent, such as freshness benefit agents, which dissolve during normal use to deliver extraordinary freshness to fabrics.
The EXAMPLES show inventive compositions that they can load high levels of freshness benefit agents including perfume capsules and neat perfumes, often more than currently marketed products.
In summary, EXAMPLE 1 shows inventive compositions with different levels of perfume capsules, EXAMPLE 2 shows inventive compositions with different levels of perfume, EXAMPLE 3 shows inventive compositions with different combinations of crystallizing agents, EXAMPLE 4 shows comparative compositions with long chain length crystallizing agents, EXAMPLE 5 shows inventive compositions with blends of perfume capsules and neat perfumes and EXAMPLE 6 shows inventive compositions that use sodium chloride as a process aid for crystallization in the Forming Stage of the process. EXAMPLE 7 shows inventive compositions prepared at pilot plant scale that enable higher levels of crystallizing agent in the forming process, where the crystallizing agent is sourced as fatty acid and neutralized during making. Finally,
EXAMPLE 8 shows inventive compositions with perfume capsule with different capsule architectures.
All EXAMPLES are prepared in three making steps:
Active agents are generally added to the SDC during the Mixing step or after the Drying step.
The data in TABLE 1-TABLE 16, provide examples of the composition and performance parameters for inventive and comparative SDC.
SDCM—top section, provides all the amounts of materials used to create the Solid Dissolvable Composition Mixture (SDCM) in Mixing. Other entries are calculated: ‘% CA’ is the weight percentage of all crystallizing agents in the SDCM.
SDC—middle section, provides weights corresponding to the amounts in the final Solid Dissolvable Composition (SDC) with all non-bounded water removed. Other entries are calculated: ‘% CA’ is the percentage of all crystallizing agents in the SDC; ‘% Slow CA’ is the percentage of the slower-dissolving crystallizing agent (i.e., longer chain length), if the sample contains a mixture of crystallizing agents; ‘Perfume capsules’ is the percentage of perfume capsules in the SDC, after the Drying; ‘Perfume’ is the percentage of neat perfume in the SDC, after Drying; ‘AA’ is the total amount of perfume capsules and neat perfume, when both are present.
Dissolution Performance—bottom section, where ‘MS’, ‘T’ and ‘MA’ are outputs of the DISSOLUTION TEST METHOD. A value of ‘NM’ means the performance was not measured.
(1) Water: Millipore, Burlington, MA (18 m-ohm resistance)
(2) Sodium caprylic (sodium octanoate, NaC8): TCI Chemicals, Cat # 00034
(3) Sodium caprate (sodium decanoate, NaC10): TCI Chemicals, Cat # D0024
(4) Sodium laurate (sodium dodecanoate, NaC12): TCI Chemicals, Cat # L0016
(5) Sodium myristate (sodium tetradecanoate, NaC14): TCI Chemicals, Cat. # M0483
(6) Sodium palmitate (sodium hexadecanoate, NaC16): TCI Chemicals, Cat. # P00007
(7) Sodium stearate (sodium octadecanoate, NaC18): TCI Chemicals, Cat. # S0031
(8) Perfume capsule slurry: Encapsys, Encapsulated Perfume #1 , melamine formaldehyde wall architecture, (31% activity)
(9) Neat perfume: International Flavors and Fragrances, Neat Perfume Oil
(10) Sodium chloride: VWR BDH Chemical, Cat. no. BDH9286-500 g
(11) Fatty Acid Blend: C810L, Procter & Gamble Chemicals, Sample Code: SR26399
(12) Lauric Acid: Peter Cremer, Cat. # FA-1299 Lauric Acid
(13) Sodium Hydroxide (50 wt. % solution): Fisher Scientific, Cat. # SS254-4
(14) Perfume Capsule Slurry: Encapsys, Encapsulated Perfume #2, polyacrylate wall chemistry, 21 wt. % active
(15) Perfume Capsule Slurry: Encapsys, Encapsulated Perfume #3, Polyacrylate wall chemistry with high perfume to wall ratio , 21 wt. % active
(16) Perfume Capsule Slurry: Encapsys, Encapsulated Perfume #4 with polyurea wall chemistry, 32 wt. % active
(17) Perfume Capsule Slurry: Encapsulated Perfume #5 with silica based wall chemistry, 6.2 wt. % active
EXAMPLE 1 shows inventive compositions with different levels of perfume capsules, with all the perfume capsules added during Mixing. Such combinations offer consumers extraordinary dry fabric freshness.
Samples AA-AL show inventive compositions that form fiber mesh microstructure with two combinations of sodium fatty acid carboxylate crystallizing agents. Sample AA-Sample AD (TABLE 1) were prepared with a ratio of 70:30 NaL:NaD containing more slow-dissolving crystallizing agent in the composition and more suitable for warmer temperature washes and/or releasing perfume capsules later in the wash cycle. They contain 25 wt. % crystallizing agent in the SDCM between 85.0-97.25 wt. % in the final SDC composition. Sample AE-Sample AL (TABLE 2, TABLE 3) were prepared with a ratio of 60:40 NaL:NaD containing less slow-dissolving crystallizing agent in the composition and more suitable for warm temperature washes or releasing perfume capsules earlier in the wash cycle than those in TABLE 1 (
The compositions were prepared in the following fashion.
(Mixing) A 250-ml stainless steel beaker (Thermo Fischer Scientific, Waltham, MA.) was placed on a hot plate (VWR, Radnor, PA, 7x7 CER Hotplate, cat. no. NO97042-690). Water (Milli-Q
Academic) and crystallizing agents were added to the beaker. A temperature probe was placed into composition. A mixing device comprising an overhead mixer (IKA Works Inc, Wilmington, NC, model RW20 DMZ) and a three-blade impeller design was assembled, with the impeller placed into the composition. The heater was set at 80° C., the impeller was set to rotate at 250 rpm and the composition was heated to 80° C. until all the crystallizing agent was solubilized and the composition was clear. The composition was then poured into a Max 100 Mid Cup, capped, and allowed to cool to 25° C. Perfume capsules were added to the cooled solution and homogenized into the composition using a Speedmixer (Flack Tek. Inc. Landrum, SC, model DAC 150.1 FVZ-K) at a rate of 3000 rpm for 3 minutes. The composition was transferred to polymer mold containing a pattern of 5 mm diameter hemispheres, evenly dispersed using a rubber baking spatula, and excess materials was scraped from the top of the mold.
(Forming) The mold was placed in a refrigerator (VWR Door Solid Lock F Refrigerator 115V, 76300-508, or equivalent) equilibrated to 4° C. for 24 hours allowing the crystallizing agent to crystallize.
(Drying) If the preparation crystallizes, the molds were placed in a convection oven (Yamato, DKN400, or equivalent) set to 25° C. with air circulating for another 24 hours. The beads were then removed from the mold and collected. The beads were less than 5 wt. % water, as measured by MOISTURE TEST METHOD.
EXAMPLE 2 shows fast-dissolving inventive compositions with different levels of neat perfume. Such combinations offer consumers extraordinary wet fabric freshness. The example offers several approaches of adding neat perfumes to increase perfume loading.
Samples BA-BG (TABLE 4, TABLE 5) show inventive compositions that form mesh microstructure when emulsifying neat perfume in the Mixing step. Samples BA-BF are prepared by Forming through crystallizing the crystallizing agent. Unexpectedly, Sample BG (TABLE 5) is prepared by Forming by partial drying of the composition as it does not crystallize at 4° C. when emulsifying over about 12.7 wt. % perfume. Sample BH-BK (TABLE 6) show the compositions are prepared by Forming through crystallization in the absence of emulsified neat perfume, and further prepared by Drying where perfume can be post-added to create a viable SDC, even at levels much greater than 15 wt. % perfume. The samples contain between 25-30 wt. % crystallizing agent in the SDCM and between about 29.0 wt. % and 99.0 wt. % in the final SDC composition.
Sample BA-BG were prepared in the following fashion (TABLES 4-5).
(Mixing) A 250-ml stainless steel beaker (Thermo Fischer Scientific, Waltham, MA.) was placed on a hot plate (VWR, Radnor, PA, 7×7 CER Hotplate, cat. no. NO97042-690). Water (Milli-Q Academic) and crystallizing agents were added to the beaker. A temperature probe was placed into composition. A mixing device comprising an overhead mixer (IKA Works Inc, Wilmington, NC. model RW20 DMZ) and a three-blade impeller design was assembled, with the impeller placed in the composition. The heater was set at 80° C., the impeller was set to rotate at 250 rpm and the composition was heated to 80° C. until all the crystallizing agent was solubilized and the composition was clear. The composition was then poured into a Max 100 Mid Cup, capped, and allowed to cool to 25° C. Neat perfume was added to the cooled solution and homogenized into the composition using a Speedmixer (Flack Tek. Inc, Landrum, SC, model DAC 150.1 FVZ-K) at a rate of 3000 rpm for 3 minutes. The composition was transferred to polymer mold containing a pattern of 5 mm diameter hemispheres, evenly dispersed using a rubber baking spatula, and excess materials was scraped from the top of the mold.
(Forming) The mold was placed in a refrigerator (VWR Door Solid Lock F Refrigerator 115V, 76300-508, or equivalent) equilibrated to 4° C. for 24 hours allowing the crystallizing agent to crystallize. If the composition did not crystallize, it must be partially dried until crystallization occured.
(Drying) If the preparation crystallizes, the molds were placed in a convection oven (Yamato, DKN400, or equivalent) set to 25° C. with air circulating for another 24 hours. The SDC were then removed from the mold and collected. The beads were less than 5 wt. % water, as measured by MOISTURE TEST METHOD.
Sample BH-BK were prepared with the same procedure, except the neat perfume is omitted during the mixture stage of the preparation, being added instead after the drying stage and resulting SDC were removed from the mold and collected. In these non-limiting cases, Sample BH was prepared by adding small drops of neat perfume three different times to the flat side of the form.
Sample BI was prepared by adding small drops of neat perfume three different times to the round side of the form. Sample BJ was prepared by spraying/spritzing small amounts of perfume on the form. Finally. Sample BK was prepared by brushing small drops of neat perfume two different times to the round side of the form.
EXAMPLE 3 shows inventive compositions (TABLE 7-TABLE 11) with different combinations of crystallizing agents. Such combinations offer consumers compositions that dissolve at different times in the wash cycle, to optimize the fabric freshness performance. The perfume and perfume capsule active agents were added after Drying.
Samples CA-CD (TABLE 7) were created from only one single chain length of crystallizing agent. While these four samples are all created through Mixing the crystallizing agent in water. Forming in CB-CD was done by crystallization in the refrigerator at 4° C. and Sample CA was done by partial drying and then Forming Samples in the refrigerator at 4° C. These compositions demonstrate a wide range of different dissolution with time and temperature, to enable active release at different times in the wash cycle and different wash conditions. The samples contain between 20 wt. % and 35 wt. % crystallizing agent in the SDCM.
Samples CE-CO (TABLE 8, TABLE 9, TABLE 10) were created from blends of C10 and C12 chain length crystallizing agent, over a much large range than in EXAMPLE 1 and EXAMPLE 2. Forming in all composition except CO were done by crystallization at 4° C. Forming in Sample CO was done by partial drying followed by crystallization at 4° C. These samples demonstrate that careful blending of the chain length of the crystallizing agent achieved very different dissolution of between 18.4% and 86.0% as determined by the DISSOLUTION TEST METHOD. The samples contain between 7.0 wt. % and 35 wt. % crystallizing agent in the SDCM.
Samples CQ-CR (Table 11) were created from blends of C8 and C12 chain length crystallizing agent, also over a much large range than in EXAMPLE 1 and EXAMPLE 2. Forming in Sample CQ and Sample CR was done by crystallization at 4° C. Forming in Sample CS and sample CT was done by partial drying followed by crystallization at 4° C. Careful blending of the chain length of the crystallizing agent achieved very different dissolution of between 29.4% and 45.3% as determined by the DISSOLUTION TEST METHOD. The samples contain between 15 wt. % and 35 wt. % crystallizing agent in the SDCM.
The compositions were prepared in the following fashion.
(Mixing) A 250-ml stainless steel beaker (Thermo Fischer Scientific, Waltham, MA.) was placed on a hot plate (VWR, Radnor, PA, 7×7 CER Hotplate, cat. No. NO97042-690). Water (Milli-Q Academic) and crystallizing agents were added to the beaker. A temperature probe was placed into composition. A mixing device comprising an overhead mixer (IKA Works Inc, Wilmington, NC, model RW20 DMZ) and a three-blade impeller design was assembled, with the impeller placed in the composition. The heater was set at 80° C., the impeller was set to rotate at 250 rpm and the composition was heated to 80° C. until all the crystallizing agent was solubilized and the composition was clear. The composition was then poured into a Max 100 Mid Cup, capped, and allowed to cool to 25° C. The composition was transferred to polymer mold containing a pattern of 5 mm diameter hemispheres, evenly dispersed using a rubber baking spatula, and excess materials was scraped from the top of the mold.
(Forming) The mold was placed in a refrigerator (VWR Door Solid Lock F Refrigerator 115V, 76300-508, or equivalent) equilibrated to 4° C. for 24 hours allowing the crystallizing agent to crystallize. If the composition did not crystallize, they were partially dried by blowing air over the compositions to remove some water and then crystallizing at 4° C.
(Drying) If the preparation crystallizes, the molds were placed in a convection oven (Yamato, DKN400, or equivalent) for another 24 hours. The beads were then removed from the mold and collected. The beads were less than 5 wt. % water, as measured by MOISTURE TEST METHOD.
EXAMPLE 4 shows comparative compositions with long chain length crystallizing agents. The perfume and perfume capsule active agents were added after Drying. Such compositions do not dissolve completely in a wash cycle.
Samples DA-DC (TABLE 12) contain comparative composition containing long chain length sodium fatty acid carboxylate crystallizing agents. Sample DA contains C14, Sample DB contains C16, and Sample DC contains C18. Forming in all these composition was done by crystallization at 4° C. In these compositions, the active agents would be added after Drying.
All the samples have very low dissolution rate as measured by the DISSOLUTION TEST METHOD. In fact, no average percent of mass loss was measured at 25° C. The measurements were repeated and reported at 37° C.—more favorable to temperature to increase the dissolution rate, which only showed an average percent of mass loss less than 5% in each case. Net, even under the most favorable was conditions for solubilization, these combinations are not viable for complete dissolution during a wash cycle. In fact, washer test done with these compositions resulted in hundreds of insolubilized particulate compositions scattered throughout the washer.
The compositions were prepared in the following fashion.
(Mixing) A 250-ml stainless steel beaker (Thermo Fischer Scientific, Waltham, MA.) was placed on a hot plate (VWR, Radnor, PA, 7x7 CER Hotplate, cat. No. NO97042-690). Water (Milli-Q Academic) and crystallizing agents were added to the beaker. A temperature probe was placed into composition. A mixing device comprising an overhead mixer (IKA Works Inc, Wilmington, NC, model RW20 DMZ) and a three-blade impeller design was assembled, with the impeller placed in the composition. The heater was set at 80° C., the impeller was set to rotate at 250 rpm and the composition was heated to 80° C. until all the crystallizing agent was solubilized and the composition was clear. The composition was then poured into a Max 100 Mid Cup, capped and allowed to cool to 25° C. The composition was transferred to polymer mold containing a pattern of 5 mm diameter hemispheres, evenly dispersed using a rubber baking spatula, and excess materials was scraped from the top of the mold.
(Forming) The mold was placed in a refrigerator (VWR Door Solid Lock F Refrigerator 115V, 76300-508, or equivalent) equilibrated to 4° C. for 24 hours allowing the crystallizing agent to crystallize.
(Drying) The molds were placed in a convection oven (Yamato, DKN400, or equivalent) for another 24 hours. The beads were then removed from the mold and collected. The beads were less than 5 wt. % water, as measured by MOISTURE TEST METHOD.
EXAMPLE 5 shows non-limiting inventive samples with blends of perfume capsules and neat perfumes at various levels. Such combinations offer consumers a holistic freshness opportunity -with both dry and wet fabric freshness, within a single SDC composition.
Sample EA has a low level of both perfume and perfume capsules. Sample EB has high level of perfume and low level of perfume capsules to enhance wet fabric freshness. Sample EC has low level of perfume and high level of perfume capsules to enhance long term fabric freshness. Sample ED has a high level of both perfume and perfume capsules to accommodate scent-seeking consumers that seek strong freshness products. The samples contain about 25 wt. % crystallizing agent in the SDCM.
The compositions were prepared in the following fashion.
(Mixing) A 250-ml stainless steel beaker (Thermo Fischer Scientific, Waltham, MA.) was placed on a hot plate (VWR, Radnor, PA, 7x7 CER Hotplate, cat. No. NO97042-690). Water (Milli-Q Academic) and crystallizing agents were added to the beaker. A temperature probe was placed into composition. A mixing device comprising an overhead mixer (IKA Works Inc, Wilmington, NC, model RW20 DMZ) and a three-blade impeller design was assembled, with the impeller placed in the composition. The heater was set at 80° C., the impeller was set to rotate at 250 rpm and the composition was heated to 80° C. until all the crystallizing agent was solubilized and the composition was clear. The composition was then poured into a Max 100 Mid Cup, capped and allowed to cool to 25° C. Perfume capsules and neat perfume were added to the cooled solution and homogenized into the composition using a Speedmixer (Flack Tek. Inc, Landrum, SC, model DAC 150.1 FVZ-K) at a rate of 2700 rpm for 3 minutes. The composition was transferred to polymer mold containing a pattern of 5 mm diameter hemispheres, evenly dispersed using a rubber baking spatula, and excess materials was scraped from the top of the mold.
(Forming) The mold was placed in a refrigerator (VWR Door Solid Lock F Refrigerator 115V, 76300-508, or equivalent) equilibrated to 4° C. for 24 hours allowing the crystallizing agent to crystallize.
(Drying) The molds were placed in a convection oven (Yamato, DKN400, or equivalent) for another 24 hours. The beads were then removed from the mold and collected. The beads were less than 5 wt. % water, as measured by MOISTURE TEST METHOD.
EXAMPLE 6 shows inventive compositions with different crystallizing agents, where the addition of sodium chloride was used in the Forming of the SDC. In these compositions, the perfume and perfume capsule active agents were added after Drying.
Sample FA contains only C8 chain length which is too short a chain length for Forming by crystallization at 4° C., and instead the composition is partially dried and then Forming was done by crystallizing at 4° C. Sample FB demonstrates that the same composition can be Forming directly by crystallization at 4° C. after adding sodium chloride to the composition. Sample FC and Sample FD demonstrated the same behavior, where the SDC is composed of C10 and of C10 and sodium chloride respectively.
The compositions were prepared in the following fashion.
(Mixing) A 250-ml stainless steel beaker (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Waltham, MA.) was placed on a hot plate (VWR, Radnor, PA, 7×7 CER Hotplate, cat. no. NO97042-690). Water (Milli-Q Academic) and crystallizing agents were added to the beaker. A temperature probe was placed into composition. A mixing device comprising an overhead mixer (IKA Works Inc, Wilmington, NC, model RW20 DMZ) and a three-blade impeller design was assembled, with the impeller placed in the composition. The heater was set at 80° C., the impeller was set to rotate at 250 rpm and the composition was heated to 80° C. until all the crystallizing agent was solubilized and the composition was clear. The composition was then poured into a Max 100 Mid Cup, capped and allowed to cool to 25° C. Perfume capsules were added to the cooled solution and homogenized into the composition using a Speedmixer (Flack Tek. Inc, Landrum, SC, model DAC 150.1 FVZ-K) at a rate of 2700 rpm for 3 minutes. The composition was transferred to polymer mold containing a pattern of 5 mm diameter hemispheres, evenly dispersed using a rubber baking spatula, and excess materials was scraped from the top of the mold.
(Forming) Forming by crystallization was done in mold which was placed in a refrigerator (VWR Door Solid Lock F Refrigerator 115V, 76300-508, or equivalent) equilibrated to 4° C. for 8 hours allowing the crystallizing agent to crystallize. Forming by partial drying and then by crystallization was done in mold on which blown air to remove some water, and then crystallized in the refrigerator.
(Drying) If the preparation crystallizes, the molds were placed in a convection oven (Yamato, DKN400, or equivalent) for another 8 hours. The beads were then removed from the mold and collected. The beads were less than 5 wt. % water, as measured by MOISTURE TEST METHOD.
EXAMPLE 7 shows inventive compositions prepared at pilot plant scale that enable higher levels of crystallizing agent in Forming, and where the crystallizing agent was sourced as fatty acid and neutralized with sodium hydroxide during Mixing.
Sample FE shows an inventive composition prepared in a single batch tank by Mixing fatty acid, sodium hydroxide and perfume capsules, Forming a single stream through crystallization, and
Drying at ambient conditions. Sample FF shows an inventive composition preparation by Mixing by combined a stream from a fatty acid melt tank and a stream from a sodium hydroxide stream, then combining with a stream of perfume capsules slurry, Forming the final single stream through crystallization, and Drying at ambient conditions. Sample FG shows an inventive composition prepared by the same process of Sample FF, but at 38.5 wt. % crystallizing agent where Forming is achieved by viscosity build. Active agents are added after Drying. Sample FH shows an inventive composition prepared by the same process of Sample FF, but at 50.5 wt. % crystallizing agent where Forming is achieved by viscosity build Active agents are added after Drying. The samples contain between about 26 wt. % and 50 wt. % crystallizing agent in the SDCM.
In these samples, the C8 and C10 come from the fatty acid raw material (11).
EXAMPLE 8 shows inventive compositions with perfume capsule with different capsule architectures. The ability to prepare inventive compositions with different wall architectures, enable consumer a wider variety of freshness character.
Sample FI is prepared with perfume capsule with a polyacrylate wall chemistry architecture. Sample FJ is prepared with perfume capsule with an polyacrylate wall chemistry architecture with a high core to wall ratio . Sample FK is prepared with perfume capsule with a polyurea wall chemistry architecture. Sample FL is prepared with perfume capsule with a silica wall chemistry architecture.
The compositions were prepared in the following fashion.
(Mixing) A 250-ml stainless steel beaker (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Waltham, MA.) was placed on a hot plate (VWR, Radnor, PA, 7×7 CER Hotplate, cat. no. NO97042-690). Water (Milli-Q Academic) and crystallizing agents were added to the beaker. A temperature probe was placed into a composition. A mixing device comprising an overhead mixer (IKA Works Inc, Wilmington, NC, model RW20 DMZ) and a three-blade impeller design was assembled, with the impeller placed in the composition. The heater was set at 45° C., the impeller was set to rotate at 250 rpm and the composition was heated to 45° C. until all the crystallizing agent was solubilized and the composition was clear. The composition was then poured into a Max 100 Mid Cup, capped and allowed to cool to 25° C. Perfume capsules were added to the cooled solution and homogenized into the composition using a Speedmixer (Flack Tek. Inc, Landrum, SC, model DAC 150.1 FVZ-K) at a rate of 2700 rpm for 3 minutes. The composition was transferred to polymer mold containing a pattern of 5 mm diameter hemispheres, evenly dispersed using a rubber baking spatula, and excess materials was scraped from the top of the mold.
(Forming) Forming by crystallization was done in mold which was placed in a refrigerator (VWR Door Solid Lock F Refrigerator 115V, 76300-508, or equivalent) equilibrated to 4° C. for 8 hours allowing the crystallizing agent to crystallize. Forming by partial drying and then by crystallization was done in mold on which blown air to remove some water, and then crystallized in the refrigerator.
(Drying) If the preparation crystallizes, the molds were placed in a convection oven (Yamato, DKN400, or equivalent) for another 8 hours. The beads were then removed from the mold and collected.
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.”
Every document cited herein, including any cross referenced or related patent or application and any patent application or patent to which this application claims priority or benefit thereof, is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety unless expressly excluded or otherwise limited. The citation of any document is not an admission that it is prior art with respect to any invention disclosed or claimed herein or that it alone, or in any combination with any other reference or references, teaches, suggests or discloses any such invention. Further, to the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to that term in this document shall govern.
While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63397409 | Aug 2022 | US |
