MXPA98007971A - An assembly of self-sustained bags - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a shipping unit comprising more than one flexible bag and a secondary packaging, each flexible bag being filled with a granular laundry detergent, the secondary package containing the full bags of the shipping unit and holding together the full bags in the boarding unit, the secondary packaging is closed in such a way that it avoids the exit of any of the filled bags before opening the boarding unit, where the secondary packaging is flexible and not resistant to the compressive force when the boarding unit is stacked with other shipping units in an assembly, and the granular laundry detergent contained in each flexible bag has a lumber strength of less than or equal to 200 g / c

Description

AN ASSEMBLY OF SELF-SUSTAINED BAGS FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an assembly of flexible self-supporting bags wherein the bags contain granular or powdered products.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A large variety of packages have been described which are suitable for packing granular or liquid detergents. A constant concern of detergent manufacturers is to provide packaged items that are convenient to handle and in particular to store. This requirement includes the possibility of stacking packages in such a way as to occupy minimum floor space. It is known that granular laundry detergents are packaged in flexible bags. Flexible bags are such that they are not able to withstand any load on an assembly when flexible bags are placed indi- vidually or grouped one on top of the other in the assembly during storage and transport of the flexible bags. The load of the stacked assembly is immediately transferred to the contained detergent. It has now been found that certain types of packaged granular or powder detergents are not able to withstand the load and sustain the weight of another granular detergent or packaged powder when the packaged detergents are stacked in an assembly. In fact, it is known that certain types of granular detergents "become lumpy". "Stuck" means in the following that the granular or pulsed detergent adheres or adds to each other forming lumps when placed under a compressive force »as a top load. The lumpiness may be such that the detergent is added to an insoluble block. The "lumping" of a detergent can adversely affect the washing properties of the same detergent. The so-called "lump resistance" is a measure of the density of a granular or powder detergent. "Lump resistance" is defined as the force necessary to break up a lumpy detergent. This means that a lower lump resistance results in less detergent lump. For example »a lump resistance of Og / cma» means that the detergent does not form a lump. The lump strength of a granular or powder detergent varies with the composition or method of making the same detergent. Therefore »especially when the bags are filled with granular or powdery detergent susceptible to lumpiness» it is important to take care that the weight or load of the side assembly is not supported by the detergent. To avoid the lumpiness of the granular or powder detergent, usually the filled flexible bags are combined in a boarding unit that is formed by an external box of high resistance. This outer box is capable of supporting the stacking of several shipping units in one assembly. This also means that only the outer box "and not the packed bags combined in these outer boxes" supports the weight or compression force of the stacked assembly. This is really a way to avoid the lumpiness of granular or powder detergent. However, the manufacturing cost of such a packaging assembly is relatively high. In addition, the use of the external boxes mentioned above increases the waste packaging materials. Actually, external boxes are usually not safe after storage and transport of flexible bags. Therefore »the manufacturers of the detergent compositions have the need to reduce packaging costs and reduce the waste packaging materials needed to handle» store and transport the full detergent into the flexible bags. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a flexible bag loading unit, the latter being filled with granular or powdered detergent less susceptible to lumping when other flexible bags are stacked on top of each other and without the need to combine these filled flexible bags into outer boxes that support the compressive force of the stacked assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention is a boarding unit comprising one or more flexible bags and a secondary packaging. Each flexible bag is filled with a granular laundry detergent. The second package contains the full bags of the boarding unit and keeps the filled bags together in the boarding unit. The secondary package is closed in such a way that it prevents the salt from any of the filled bags before opening the boarding unit. Secondary packaging is flexible and not resistant to compressive force when the shipping unit is stacked with other shipping units in an assembly, and the granular laundry detergent contained in each flexible bag has a lump strength of less than or equal to equal to »200 g / cm52. The present invention also provides an assembly of boarding units that form a stretcher unit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a perspective view of part of the packaging machine showing the method for assembling filled packages together in a secondary package according to the present invention. Figure 2 illustrates the method for measuring the lump strength of a granular or powder detergent.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION As understood herein, a bag or a secondary package that is "flexible and not resistant to compression force". means that the bag or secondary package is such that they are not capable of supporting any load on an assembly when individual bags or bags grouped in a secondary package are stacked one on top of the other in the assembly during storage and transport of the bags. The load of the stacked assembly is immediately transferred to the contents of the bags. The bag according to the present invention is flexible and not resistant to the compressive force. The flexible bag is preferably made of a material selected from the group consisting of: fabric »thin sheet metal, paper» plastic materials and a combination thereof. Polyolefins such as polyethylene can be used as plastic materials or < = PE) »or polyethylene terephthalate (oriented), or polypropylene (oriented)» or a combination thereof. When the flexible bag is made of a multilayer material, the intermediate layers may comprise a perfume barrier layer, a gas barrier layer, an oxygen barrier layer, a moisture barrier layer, or a combination thereof. the same. Preferably the intermediate layer is made of a material selected from the group consisting of thin aluminum foil, copolymer lacquer of ethyl ethyl alcohol copolymer (= EVOH), and a combination thereof. Possible lacquer coatings are »for example» Flexplastol ** 2KB-Lacquer 9A 919 920, or Flexoplast® * 2KB-Lacquer 9A 919920 »commercially available from BASF LacKe + Farben AG, Stuttgart» Germany. The flexible bag comprising multiple layers can be obtained by laminating or extruding the layers together. The lamination of the layers means that different layers are bonded together in a solid state ie the different layer is not fused together as in the extrusion process. In the rolling process, lower temperatures are used with respect to extrusion. As a preferred option, a tie layer can be used on at least one side of the intermediate layers to reinforce the bond between the intermediate layers and the other layers. Said mooring layer is preferably made of rubber. A preferred gum is a polyurethane-based adhesive. By polyurethane-based adhesives is meant all polyurethane-based adhesives known to the person skilled in the art. In particular, solvent-based (including water) and solvent-free adhesive systems comprising polyurethane are usable for the purposes of the present invention. This tie layer can also be applied on both sides of said intermediate layer and / or the other layers. Preferably, the flexible bag according to the present invention is a straight or self-supporting bag.

This flexible straight bag can be formed in different possible ways. One possibility is a bag provided with a gusset. Such bags are described, for example, in EP-A-S20 15S »DE-A-2 520 084, DE-A-3 92S 728 and US-3 659 775, which are incorporated herein by way of further reference. These documents also describe the process of forming and filling these bags. Another possibility is a bag having a widened lower base as described for example in EP-A-O 62S 319 and / or EP-A-0 681970, which are also incorporated in 1 to present for further reference. The same documents also describe the corresponding processes of formation and filling of these bags. Preferably, the straight bag according to the present invention has an air-free portion. This means that the bags are not completely filled with the granular or powdered detergent and the remaining part of the volume of the bag is under a partial or substantially complete vacuum. This vacuum is maintained starting from a flat unfilled bag during the filling and sealing operation. The free portion of air is preferably bent to create an almost flat surface. This almost flat surface is large enough to support the base of another stacked bag. The free portion of air bent to an almost flat surface is preferably held by suitable means. These fastening means can be selected, for example, from the group consisting of: ligatures »adhesive tapes» s belts »plastic film bands, shrinkable plastic film bands and any combination thereof. These fastening means are placed partially or completely around the bag keeping the free portion of air on a nearly flat bent surface, thus preventing this almost flat surface from unfolding. The fold of the air portion and the fastener means is further described and illustrated in EP-A-0 S81 970 »which is incorporated herein by additional reference. The straight flexible bags according to the present invention are filled with granular or powder detergent having a lump strength of less than or equal to 200 g / cm2. Specifically, the lump resistance of the granular or powdered detergent has a density of up to 6O0 g / 1"and is not greater than 200 g / cm52. The lump resistance of the granular or powder detergent has a density higher than 600 g / 1. it is preferably up to 100 g / c ß "preferably less than 90 g / cm.sub.5", preferably less than 80 g / cm.sub.5, preferably less than 60 g / cm.sup.5, and less than 50 g / cm.sup.25 is preferred. As mentioned before, lump resistance is the resistance necessary to break up a lumpy detergent. The lump resistance of a granular or powder detergent is measured and determined in the following manner. The apparatus for measuring lump strength is shown in Figure 2, and comprises a cylinder (110), a sleeve (111), a lid (112) »a locking bolt (114), a weight (115) and a force gauge (not shown). The cylinder further comprises a hole (118) into which the locking bolt can be inserted. The cylinder rests on its closed base (119) »whereby the cylinder is filled with detergent through the open upper end which is opposite (120). First, the closing bolt (114) is inserted into the hole (118) and then the sleeve (111) slides on the outermost surface of the cylinder until the sleeve is supported on the locking bolt. With it »the upper end (121) of the sleeve remains higher than the upper end (120) of the cylinder. The open volume between the upper end of the cylinder and the upper end of the sleeve has the following dimensions: diameter 6.35 cm and height 3 cm. This volume is filled with a detergent to the upper end of the sleeve and is flush with the upper end of the sleeve. The lid (112) is now placed on top of the sleeve (111). Preferably, the lid is made of a very light material but strong enough to withstand a load and allow the compression of the detergent. A preferred material is Perspex® (from 1C1). The weight (115) is now placed on top of the lid. The total weight of the lid (112) together with the weight (115) is 5 kg. Then »the lid is attached to the sleeve to prevent the lid from moving. The fastening of the lid to the sleeve is achieved according to the present method »by stretching an elastic band IO around appropriate fins (122) on the cap and the cylinder. Once the weight is placed on top of the lid »the locking bolt (114) is removed from the hole (118). In this way, the weight compresses the detergent located between the lid 112 and the upper end (120) of the cylinder. The weight is left according to the measurement standard of the present invention, for 2 minutes. Then »the weight is removed from the top of the lid. All elastic bands are also removed. The sleeve (111) now smoothly slides down to the closed end (119). Consequently, the detergent located between the lid (112) and the upper end (120) of the cylinder is not confined by any side wall. In principle »this detergent is free to flow away from this region. However, the free flow of the detergent located in this region depends on the lumpiness experienced by this detergent during compression of the weight (115). Actually »a partial flooding of the detergent in this region can prevent a free flow of detergent. It has been found that by applying a force on the detergent located in this region, the detergent which may have become lumpy, disintegrates in such a way that the detergent can flow freely again. The force required to observe this detergent flow in this region is the lump resistance according to the present measurement method. The lump resistance is measured by a force gauge that is applied to the center of the lid (112). By increasingly pressing the force gauge onto the lid, an increasing amount of force is applied to the detergent. The force at which the detergent collapses and flows easily away from the region between the cap and the open end of the cylinder is considered to be the detergent lump resistance. These measurements of lump resistance are made at approximately 20 ° and at approximately 45 ° and 70 ?. of relative humidity.

The detergent composition The term "detergent composition" is understood herein as laundry detergent compositions. as well as compositions for automatic dishwashing and additive laundry compositions. The present compositions are characterized by their lump strength which is less than 100 g / cm 5 *.

Ammonium tensides In the preferred embodiment herein when the detergent compositions are a laundry detergent composition, the compositions of the present invention usually contain one or more anionic surfactants as described below.

Alkyl Sulfate Surfactants The alkyl sulfate surfactants herein are water soluble salts or acids of the formula ROSO, M, wherein R is preferably a hydrocarbyl of 10-Ca- », preferably an alkyl or hydroxyalkyl having an alkyl component of C ^ Q- ^ C, most preferably an alkyl or hydroxyalkyl of C12S-C? a »and M is H or a cation» eg an alkali metal cation (e.g. » sodium »potassium, lithium)» or ammonium or substituted ammonium (eg, methyl- »dimethyl- and trimethylammonium cations and quaternary ammonium cations such as tetramethyl ammonium cations and Ipiperidinium dimethyl cations, and quaternary ammonium cations derived from alkylamines such as ethylamino »diethiyl» triethylamine and mixtures thereof and the like). Typically, the Cyan-Ciß alkyl chains are preferred for lower wash temperatures (e.g. below about 50 ° C) and the Ciß-iß alkyl chains are preferred for higher wash temperatures (e.g. approximately 50 ° 0.

Ethoxylated Alkyl Sulfate Surfactants The ethoxylated alkyl sulfate surfactants herein are water soluble salts or acids of the formula R0 (A), nS03M "wherein R is an alkyl or hydroxyalkyl unsubstituted group having an alkyl component of C x 3 -CSS, preferably an alkyl or hydroxy alkyl of Cise-Cao »very preferably alkyl or hydroxyalkyl of C12-CAβ» A is an ethoxy or propoxy unit. m is greater than zero, typically between about 0.5 and about 6, preferably between about O.5 and about 5, and M is H or a cation which may be, eg, a metal cation (eg, sodium, potassium) lithium »calcium, magnesium, etc.) or an ammonium or substituted ammonium cation. The ethoxylated alkyl sulphates "as well as the propox alkylsulfates" are also contemplated herein. Specific examples of substituted ammonium cations include methyl-, dimethyl-, and trimethylammonium cations, and quaternary ammonium cations such as tetramethyl ammonium and di-ethylpiperidinium cations, and those derived from alkylamines such as ethylane, diethylane » triethylamine »mixtures thereof and the like. Exemplary surfactants are polyethoxylated alkyl sulfate (1.0) of C12-Clß (C ^ -C ^ E (1.0) M), to the polyoxylated sulfate (2.25) of C ^ s-C3_ (CxaI-C1ßE (2.25) ) M), alkylsulfate polyethoxide side (3.0) of CiSS-C3Lß ícxa ~ c? ßE. { 3'0) M) 'and polyethoxylated alkyl sulphate (4.0) of CA5S-Cia <; C ^ -C ^ E (4.0)) »in which M is conveniently selected from sodium and potassium.

Other anionic surfactants Other anionic surfactants useful for detersive purposes may also be included in the cleaning compositions of the present invention, with or without the species described above. These may include salts (including, for example, sodium, potassium, ammonium and substituted ammonium salts such as mono-, di- and triethanolamine salts) of soap, primary or secondary alkanesulfonates of Cm ~ Ca.s: olefinsulfonates of Cß-C2 ^ »sulfonated polycarboxylic acids prepared by the sulfonation of the pyrolized product of alkaline earth metal citrates» eg as described in the description of British Patent No. 1 »082.179, to which the polysulfonates of Cß -C2_ ^ (containing up to 10 moles of ethylene oxide) »alkyl glyols sulfonates, to which 1 gl fatty sulpholsulfonates» ethylene oxide alkyl ether sulphates »paraffinsulfonates, alkyl phosphates» isethionates »such as aci 1 isethionates» N-ac 1 aurates »alkylsuccinates and sulfosuccinates, monoesters of sulfosuccinates (especially saturated and unsaturated C ^^ - C ^ a monoesters) and sulfosuccinate diesters (especially Cß-C diesters 12 saturated and unsaturated) »acyl sarcosinates» sulfates of alkylpol iscarides such as the sulphates of alkylpolylocoside (the non-sulfated nonionic compounds are described below), branched primary alkyl sulphates and alkylpolyethoxycarboxylates such as those of the formula R0 (CHSfCHs , 0) k-CH2! C00 ~ M + »where R is a C-C22 alkyl? K is an integer from 0 to 10 »and M is a soluble salt-forming cation. Resin acids and hydrogenated resin acids are also suitable »such as rosin» hydrogenated rosin and rosin acids »as well as hydrogenated rosin acids present in, or derived from» tallow oil. Additional examples are described in "Surface Active Agents and Detergents" (Vol. I and II of Schwartz »Perry and Berch). A variety of such surfactants are also generally described in the US patent. No. 3,929,678"issued December 30, 1975 to Laughlin et al., In Column 23, line 58 to Column 29» line 23 (incorporated herein). The surfactants for use in the compositions herein are the alkylsulfates "alkoxylated alkylsulfates" and mixtures thereof. When included, the laundry detergent compositions of the present invention typically comprise from about VA to about 40 4, preferably from about 354 to about 205 weight percent of these anionic surfactants.

Nonionic Surfactants The present laundry detergent compositions also preferably comprise a nonionic surfactant. Although any nonionic surfactant may be employed in the present invention, it has been found that two families of nonionic surfactants are particularly useful. These are nonionic surfactants based on alkoxylated alcohols (especially ethoxylated) and those nonionic surfactants based on imidation products of fatty acid esters and N-alky 1-pol ihydroxy ina. The ation products of the esters and the amines are generally referred to herein as polyhydroxy fatty acid amides. Particularly useful in the present invention are mixtures comprising two or more nonionic surfactants wherein at least one nonionic surfactant is selected from each of the groups of alkoxyl alcohols and the polyhydroxyl fatty acid amides. Suitable nonionic surfactants include compounds produced by the condensation of alkylene oxide groups (hydrophilic in nature) with an organic hydrophobic compound, which may be aliphatic or alkylatoic in nature. The length of the polyoxyalkylene group that is condensed with any particular hydrophobic group can be easily adjusted to produce a water-soluble compound that has the desired degree of balance between hydrophilic and hydrophobic elements. Particularly preferred for use in the present invention are nonionic surfactants such as polyethylene oxide condensates of alkylphenol, for example, the condensation products of alkylphenols having an alkyl group having from about 6 to 16 carbon atoms. »Either straight chain or branched chain configuration» with approximately 4 to 25 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alkylphenol. The preferred nonionic surfactants are the water-soluble condensation products of aliphatic alcohols containing from 3 to 22 carbon atoms "either in straight or branched chain configuration" with an average of up to 25 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol. Particularly preferred are condensation compounds of alcohols having an alkyl group containing about 9 to 15 carbon atoms with about 2 to 10 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol; and the condensation products of propylene glycol with ethylene oxide. The condensation products of alcohols having an alkyl group containing about 12 to 15 carbon atoms with an average of about 3 to 7 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol, preferably 3 to 5, are preferred. The nonionic surfactant herein may also include an amide hydroxyl fatty acid amide component. The polydihydroxylic acid fatty acid amides can be produced by reacting a fatty acid ester and an N-alkylpolyhydroxyamine. The preferred amine for use in the present mixture is I1- (R1) -CH2 (CH20H) 4-CH2-0H, and the preferred ester is a methyl ester of C12-C20 fatty acid. The reaction product of N-methyl Iglucamine with C12-C20 fatty acid methyl ester is preferred. Methods of making polydihydroxylic acid fatty acid amides have been described in WO 92 6073, published April 16, 1992. This application describes the preparation of polydihydroxylic acid amides in the presence of solvents. In a highly preferred embodiment of the invention, the N-methylglucamine is reacted with a C12-C20 methyl ester. It is also said that the for ulator of granular detergent compositions may find it convenient to carry out the amidation reaction in the presence of solvents comprising alkoxylated alcohols "especially ethoxylated (3-8 EO) C12-C14 (page 15» lines 22-27) . This directly produces nonionic surfactant systems which are preferred in the present invention, such as those comprising N-methylglucamide and C12-C14 alcohols with an average of 3 ethoxylate groups per molecule. The nonionic surfactant systems and the granular detergents made from these systems are described in WO 926160 published on April 16, 1992. This application describes (example 15) a granular detergent composition prepared by fine dispersion mixing in an Erich mixer. RV02 »comprising N-meti Igluca ida (10%)» non-ionic surfactant (105-). These two patent applications describe nonionic surfactant systems together with manufacturing process suitable for their synthesis which have been found suitable for use in the present invention. The polydihydroxy fatty acid amide may be present in the composition compositions of the present invention at a level of from 054 to 5054 by weight of the detergent component or composition, preferably from 554 to 4054 by weight, preferably from 1054 to 3054 by weight. weight. Also useful as the nonionic surfactant of the surfactant systems of the present invention are the alkylpol isaccharides described in the U.S.A. No. 4,565,647 »Filling» issued January 21, 1986, having a hydrophobic group containing from about 6 to about 30 carbon atoms, preferably from about 10 to about 16 carbon atoms, and a polysaccharide. A polyglucose is a hydrophilic group containing from about 1.3 to about 10. preferably from about 1.3 to about 3, most preferably from about 1.3 to about 2.7 units of saccharide. Any reducing saccharide containing 5 or 6 carbon atoms can be used, eg, the glucose, galactose and galactosyl moieties can replace the glucosyl moieties (optionally the hydrophobic moiety is attached at the 2-3- positions, 4-, etc. »thus giving a glucose or galactose as opposed to a glucoside or galactoside). Intersaccharide links can be »v.gr. »Between the position one of the additional saccharide units and positions 2-» 3-, 4- and / or 6- of the preceding saccharide units. Preferred alkyl polyglycosides have the formula R = 0 (Ct_, Hse "0> (glycosyl) M wherein R 2 is selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, and mixtures thereof, in which the groups alkyl contain from about 10 to about 18, preferably from about 12 to about 14, carbon atoms, preferably 2 or 3, preferably from 0 to about 10, preferably 0, and x is from about 1.3 to about 10, preferably about 1.3 to about 3%, most preferably from about 1.3 to about 2.7, glycosyl is derived preferentially from glucose.To prepare these compounds, the alcohol or alcohol alkylpolytoxy first side is formed and then it is reacted with glucose or a glucose source to form the glucoside (linkage at position 1.) The additional glycosyl units can then be linked between its position 1 and the preceding glycosyl units in the position 2- »3-, 4- and / or 6-, preferably predominantly in position 2.

Other Surfactants The laundry detergent compositions of the present invention may also contain cationic, ampholytic, zwitterionic and zwitterionic surfactants as well as other nonionic surfactants other than those already described herein including non-ionic amine oxides. semipolar described later.

The cationic detersive surfactants suitable for use in the laundry detergent compositions of the present invention are those having a long chain hydrocarbyl group. Examples of such cationic surfactants include ammonium surfactants such as alkyl trimethylammonium halides and surfactants having the formula: CR 2 (0R 3) y 3 CR - * (0R 3) y 3 -RβN + X- wherein R 2 is an alkyl or alk 1 benzyl group having from about 8 to about 18 carbon atoms in the alkyl chain "each R a selected from the group consisting of -CH2CH2-, -CH2CH (CH3) -, -CH2CH (CH20H) -, -CHs = CHa.CH, z- »and mixtures thereof» each R ** is selected from the group consisting of alkyl of benzyl ring structures formed by joining the two groups R- -CH2CH0H-, -CH0HC0R < 3CH0HCHS! 0H, where R "is any hexose or hexose polymer having a molecular weight less than about 1000" and hydrogen when and is not O »Rβ is the same as ** or is an alkyl chain in which the number total of carbon atoms of R2 plus Rβ is not more than approximately 18"each y is from 0 to approximately 10 and the sum of the values of y is from 0 to approximately 15" and X is any compatible anion. Other cationic surfactants useful herein are also described in the U.S.A. No. 4,228, 044, Cambre "issued October 14, 1980" incorporated herein by reference. When included herein, the laundry detergent compositions of the present invention typically comprise from 054 to about 2554, preferably from about 354 to about 1554, by weight of said cationic surfactants. The ampholytic surfactants are also suitable for use in the detergent compositions of the present invention. These surfactants can be broadly described as aliphatic derivatives of secondary or tertiary amines, or as aliphatic derivatives of heterocyclic secondary or tertiary amines in which the aliphatic radical can be a straight or branched chain. One of the aliphatic substituents contains at least about 8 carbon atoms, typically from about 8 to about 18 carbon atoms, and at least one contains an anionic water solubilization group, e.g., carboxy, sulfate, sulfonate . See the patent of E.U.A. No. 3"_. 29, S78 by Laughlin et al., Issued December 30, 1975, column 19, lines 18-35 (incorporated here by reference) "for examples of ampholytic surfactants. When included, the detergent compositions of the present invention typically comprise from 054 to about 15%, preferably from about 154 to about 1054 by weight of said ampholytic surfactants. Zwitterionic surfactants are also suitable for use in laundry detergent compositions. These surfactants can be broadly described as derivatives of secondary and tertiary amines »derived from heterocyclic secondary and tertiary amines or derivatives of quaternary ammonium compounds» quaternary phosphonium or tertiary sulfonium, see the patent of E.U.A. No. 3 »929» 678 of Laughlin et al. »Issued December 30, 1975» in column 19 line 38 »to column 22 line 48 (incorporated herein by reference), for examples of zwitterionic surfactants. When included, the cleaning compositions of the present invention typically comprise from 054 to about 155 I. preferably about 154 to about 1054 by weight of said zwitterionic surfactants. The nonionic surfactants are ipolar are a special category of nonionic surfactants that include water-soluble amine oxides containing an alkyl portion of about 10 to about 18 carbon atoms and 2 portions selected from the group consisting of alkyl groups and hydroxyalkyl groups containing from about 1 to about 3 carbon atoms; water-soluble phosphine oxides containing an alkyl portion of about 10 to about 18 carbon atoms and two portions selected from the group consisting of alkyl groups and hydroxyalkyl groups containing from about 1 to about 3 carbon atoms. Semi-polar nonionic surfactants include the amine oxide surfactants having the formula: O Ra (0R - *) xN (R _____ Detergency builder Laundry detergent compositions and automatic washing compositions herein contain a builder preferably "phosphate-free builders" although phosphate-containing species are not excluded in the context of the present invention. These may include but are not restricted to carbonates, bicarbonates, silicates, aluminosilicates, alkali metal carboxylates and mixtures of any of the foregoing. The builder system is present in an amount of a to 8054 by weight of the composition, preferably typically from 2054 to 605 by weight in the granular laundry detergent compositions herein, and from 154 to 30% in liquid detergent compositions of laundry of the present. Suitable silicates are those having an SiO2: Na2O ratio in the range from 1S to 3.4, with the so-called amorphous silicates of Si02: Na20 ratios of 2.0 to 2.8 being preferred. Within the class of silos »the most preferred materials are the crystalline layered sodium silicates which have in the general formula: NaMSi ^ Q ^ + l. ^ H-aO where M is sodium or hydrogen "x is a number from 1.9 to 4 e and is a number from 0 to 20. Crystallised stratified sodium silicates of this type are described in EP-A-0164514 and the methods for their preparation are desc iben in DE-A-341749 and DE-A-3742043. For the purpose of the present invention, x in the above general formula has a value of 2 »3 or 4» and is preferably 2. Preferably ñ is sodium and "y" is O "and the preferred example comprises the form of These materials are available from Hoechst AG FRG respectively as NaSKS-5, NaSKS-7, ASKS-11 and NaSKS-6. The preferred one is NaSKS-6. The crystalline layered silicates are incorporated as dry mixed solids or solid components of agglomerates with other components. Although a variety of 2S materials can be used ion exchange aluminosil cato, the preferred zeolites of alum inosyl icato sodium have the formula of unit cell: a ^ CAlOs, ,, .. (S 02) y_l.xHa; 0 wherein z and "y" are at least about 6. The molar ratio of z to y is from about 1.0 to about 0.4 and z is from about 10 to about 264. The amorphous hydrous aluminosilicate materials useful herein have the empirical formula: wherein M is sodium »potassium» ammonium or substituted ammonium »z is from about 0.5 to about 2 and y is" said material "has a magnesium ion exchange capacity of at least about 50 thousand grams equivalents of Hardness of CaCO3 per gram of alu lys anhydrous cato. Sodium zeolite A hydrated with a particle size of about 0.01 to 10 microns is preferred. The ionic exchange-enhancing builder materials of the present invention are in the hydrated form and contain about 10% to about 28% water by weight if crystalline and potently even greater amounts of water if amorphous. The highly preferred crystalline aluminosilica ion exchange materials contain approximately 22% water in their crystal matrix. The crystalline alumina ion exchange materials are further characterized by a particle size diameter of about 0.1 microns to about 10 microns. Amorphous materials are often smaller, for example to less than approximately O.01 microns. Preferred ion exchange materials have a particle size diameter of about 0.2 microns to about 4 microns. The term "particle size diameter" herein represents the average particle size diameter of a given ion exchange material, determined by conventional analytical techniques such as for example microscopic determination using an electronic scanning microscope. The aluminosilicate ion exchange materials useful in the practice of this invention are available commercially. The aluminosil cates useful in this invention may be crystalline or amorphous in structure and may be aluminosilicates of natural origin or synthetically derived. A method for producing aluminosilicate ion exchange materials is discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 3, 985,669, Krummel et al., Issued October 12, 1976, incorporated herein by reference. Preferred synthetic crystalline ionic ion exchange materials, useful herein, are available under the designations Zeolite A "Zeolite X" P and MAP "and these latter species are disclosed in EPA 384 070. In one embodiment especially preferred, the crystalline ion exchange material of aluminosis 1 cato is a Zeolite A having the formula NaiS? C (Al Oz) i¡z (Si 02) 12]. XHZ0 wherein x is from about 20 to about 30"especially about 27 and has a particle size usually less than about 5 microns. Suitable carboxylate builders containing a carboxyl group include lactic acid, glycolic acid and ether derivatives thereof as described in Belgian Patents Nos. 831,368, 821,369 and 821,370. Polycarboxylates containing two carboxylic groups include the water-soluble salts of succinic acid »alonic acid» acid (eti lendiox) diacetic acid, maleic acid »diglycolic acid» tartaric acid »tartronic acid and fumaric acid» and also ether carboxylate described in Offenlegungschrift 2,446,686 and 2,446,687 and the US patent 3 »935» 257 »and the sulfini 1 carboxylates described in the Belgian patent No. 840,623. Polycarboxylates containing three carboxyl groups include, in particular, water-soluble citrates. aconi rates and the raconates "as well as succinate derivatives such as the carboxy eti loxysuccinates described in British Patent No. 1» 379 »241» lactooxysuccinates described in the Netherlands Solvent 7205873 »and the materials of or ipolicarboxy such as 2-oxa-1 »3-propanecarboxylates described in British Patent No. 1,387,447. Polycarboxylates containing four carboxyl groups include the oxydisuccinates described in British Patent No. 1 »261» 829 »1» 2 »2» ethane tetracarboxylates »l» l »3» 3-propanotetracarbixlates and l »1.2» 3- propanotetra-carbox latos. The polycarbonates containing sulfo substituents include the sulcauccinate derivatives described in British Patent Nos. 1,398,421 and 1,398,422 and in US Pat. No. 3,936,448 and the sulfonated pyrolyses described in British Patent No. 1,439,000. The carboxylic and heterocyclic polycarboxylates include cyclopentane-cis »cis» cis-tetracarboxylates »cyclo-pentadiene-pentacarboxylates» 2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-ran-cis.cis.cis-tetracarboxylates »2» 5-tetrahydrofuran- cis-dicarboxy 1ates »2» 2 »5,5-tetrahydrofuran-tetracarboxylates 1» 2 »3,4» 5 »6-hexane-hexacarboxylate derivatives and carbo-imethyl of polyhydric alcohols such as sorbitol» mannitol. and xylitol. Aromatic polycarboxylates include mellitic acid. pyromellitic acid and the phthalic acid derivatives described in British Patent No. 1 »425» 343.

Chelating Agents The detergent compositions herein may also optionally contain one or more iron and manganese chelating agents as an additive builder material. Such chelating agents can be selected from the group consisting of * aminocarboxylates »amy ofosphonates» optionally substituted polyacrylative chelating agents and mixtures thereof all as defined below. Without intending to be limited to theory, it is believed that the benefit of these materials is due in part to their exceptional ability to remove iron and manganese ions from wash solutions by chelating soluble chelates. The am? O-carboxy latos useful as optional chelator agents include eti lendiaminotetracetatos »N- hidroxietiletil endiaminotriacetatos' or tri 1 otriacetatos» eti lendiamonotetraproprionatos »trieti lentetraaminohexacetatos» diet lentriaminopentaacetatos and etanoldigl icinas "alkali metal" ammonium and substituted ammonium herein and in mixtures I presented. The aminophosphonates are also suitable for use as chelating agents in the compositions of the invention when at least two levels of total phosphorus are allowed in detergent compositions and include tetrakismethylene phosphonates such as DEQUEST.

Preferably, these aminophosphonates do not contain alkyl or alkenyl groups with more than about 6 carbon atoms. Optionally substituted polyalkyl aromatic chelating agents are also useful in the compositions herein. See U.S.A. 3 Patent, 812 »044 issued May 21, 1974» by Connor et al. Preferred compounds of this type in the form of an acid are dihydroxydisines, such as 1,2-dihydroxy-3'-di-di-1-benzene. A preferred biodegradable chelator for use herein is etadia inadisuccinate ("EDDS"), especially the ES.S-I isomer as described in the US patent. No. 4 »704» 233 »of November 3, 197 for Hartman and Perkins. If used, these chelating agents will generally comprise from about 0.1% to about 10% by weight of the detergent compositions herein. Very preferably the chelating agents will comprise from about 0.1% to about 3.0% by weight of said compositions. Of the above »preferred polycarboxylates are hydroxycarboxylates containing up to 3 carboxyl groups per molecule» more particularly citrates. The granular detergent compositions and the automatic dishwashing compositions herein have a pH above 8.5"preferably on a scale of 9 to 11. The present granular laundry compositions are preferably in a compact form" having a bulk density of at least 650 g / 1"preferably at least 750 g / 1 but may also be in a conventional form with densities on a scale of 200 g / 1 to 700 g / 1. In another embodiment of the invention, automatic dishwashing compositions are provided: the automatic dishwashing compositions typically contain "in addition to the percarbonate a builder such as described above, a source of alkalinity" such as silicate or carbonate » those ingredients reaching up to 70% of the formulation. Optional ingredients include polymers and enzymes. In another embodiment of the invention, additive laundry compositions are provided: these compositions typically contain the bleaching agent at levels of 15 to 80% by weight.

Optional Ingredients Other ingredients known for their use in detergent compositions may also be used as optional ingredients in the various embodiments of the present invention such as bleach activators, bleach catalysts, other bleaching agents, polymers, enzymes, suppressive agents. of foams »fabric softening agents» in particular fabric softening clays »as well as dyes» fillers »optical brighteners pH-hiding agents» alkalinity bridges without detergency builder »enzyme stabilizing agents» hydrotropes »solvents» perfumes.

The Percarbonate Particles The compositions hercontain from 1% to 40% »preferably from 3% to 30% by weight» d preferably from 5% to 25% by weight of an alkali metal percarbonate bleach; in the form of particles having an average size of 250 to 900 microns, preferably 500 to 700 microns. When the compositions herare in laundry additives, the percarbonate level is from 20% to 80% by weight. The alkali metal percarbonate bleach is usually in the form of the sodium salt. Sodium percarbonate is an addition compound having a formula corresponding to S a ^ CO ^, 3H202. To improve the stability of the percarbonate bleach acetone, it can be coated with an additional mixed salt of an alkali metal sulfate and carbonate. These coatings together with coating processes »have been described previously in TB-1,466.99» granted to Interox on March 9, 1977. The weight ratio of the mixed salt coating material to the percarbonate is in the scale of 1 : 99 to 1: 9 »preferably from 1:49 to 1:19, preferably, the mixed salt is sodium sulfate and sodium carbonate having the general formula Na2S04.n.i \ 2C03» where n is from Ol to 3 », preferably n is from 0.3 to 1.0, and preferably n is from 0.2 to 0.5. Other suitable coating materials are sodium silicate with an Si02: Na20 ratio of 1.6: 1 to 2.8: 1 and magnesium silicate. Commercially available carbonate / sulfate-coated percarbonate bleach can be included at a low level of a heavy metal sequestrant such as EDTA »1-hydroxyethyl 1-idene-1-diphosphonic acid (HEDP) or an amososphonate that is incorporated during the process of manufacture.

Bleach Activators The present compositions, especially the granular laundry detergent compositions and laundry additives described above, preferably contain from 1% to 20% by weight of the composition, preferably from 2% to 15% by weight, preferably from 3% to 10% by weight of a peroxyacid bleach activator, in addition to the percarbonate bleaching agent described above. The peroxyacid bleach activators (bleach precursors) as additional bleaching components according to the invention can be selected from a wide range and are preferably those which contain one or more N- or O-acyl groups. Suitable classes include anhydrides, esters, amides, and acid derivatives of imidazoles and orames, and examples of useful materials within these classes are described in GB-A-1 586789. Preferred classes are esters such as those described in GB-A-836988 »864» 798, 1 147 871 and 2 143 231, and amides such as those described in GB-A-855 735 and 1 246338. Particularly preferred bleach activating compounds as additional bleaching components according to the invention are the N-> NrN tetra-acetylated compounds of the formula 0 0 II II: H-3C CCH \ / N- (CH.?V) x-N / \ CH_C CCH3 II II 0 0 I where x can be 0 »or an integer between l and 6. Examples include tetraacetylmethylenediamine (TAMD) in which x = l »tetraaceti leti lendia ina (TAED) in which x = 2 and tetraaceti Ihexi lendiamina (TAHD) in which x = 6. These and analogous compounds are disclosed in BG-A-907 356. The preferred peroxyacid bleach activator as an additional bleach component is TAED.

Another preferred class of peroxyacid bleach compounds are the substituted amide compounds of the following general formulas: - C - - N - R2 - - C - - L or Rl - - N - C - - R2 - - C II | II 1 II II 0 R 0 0 R 0 0 0 wherein R is an aryl or alkaryl group with about 1 to about 14 carbon atoms. R 2 is an alkylene-arylene group and alkarylene containing approximately 1 to about 14 carbon atoms, and R 5 is H or an aryl or alkaryl alkyl group containing 1 to 10 carbon atoms and L may be essentially any leaving group. Rx preferably contains about 6 to 12 carbon atoms. R2 preferably contains about 4 to 8 carbon atoms. R * can be straight or branched chain alkyl or substituted alkaryl which contains branching or substitution or both may be derived from synthetic sources or natural sources including for example tallow fat. Analogous structural variations for R2 are permissible. The substitution may include alkyl »aryl» halogen »nitrogen» sulfur and other typical substituent groups or organic compounds. Rs is preferably H or met lo. and RB must not contain more than IB carbon atoms in total. Amide-substituted bleach activating compounds of this type are described in EP-A-0170386. Another class of bleach activators for use in combination with percarbonate comprises (6-octanamidocaproyl) ox benzensulfonate of Ca »Cß and / or CAO» 2-fem "l- (4H) 3» l-benzoxaxyl-4-one »benzoyl lactam »Preferably benzoyl caprolactam and nonanoi 1 lactam» preferably nonanoi 1caprolactam.

Bleaching agents Granular laundry detergent and automatic dishwashing detergent compositions or laundry additives herein may contain an additional bleaching agent in addition to percarbonate. The additional bleaching agent "if used" is either an inorganic persalt such as perborate »persulfate or a preformed organic peracid or perimidic acid» such as N-N-phthaloi-laminoperoxycaproic acid »2-carboxy-phthaloylaminoperoxycaproic acid» N »N acid »Phthaloi the peroxyvalentic acid» peroxyadipic acid nonyl amide »1,12-diperoxydecanedoic acid» peroxybenzoic acid and substituted peroxy-enzoic acid in the ring, monoperoxyphthalic acid (magnesium salt »hexhydrate)» diperoxybrassilic acid co.

Polymers Various organic polymers are also useful, some of which can also function as builders. Included among these polymers may be mentioned carboxyalkyl, lower sodium celluloses, lower sodium alkyl celluloses and lower sodium hydroxyalkyl celluloses such as sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, sodium methyl cellulose and sodium hydroxypropyl cellulose, polyvinyl alcohols (which often also include some polyvinyl acetate). ) »Polyalkylamides» polyacrylates and various copolymers such as those of maleic and acrylic acids. The molecular weights for these polymers can vary widely but most are within the range of 2,000 to 100,000. Also useful are terpolymers of maleic acid / acrylic and vinyl alcohol having a molecular weight ranging from 3,000 to 70,000. Polycarboxylate polymer builders are indicated in U.S. Patent No. 3,308,067, Diehi. Issued on March 07, 1967. These materials include the water-soluble salts of homo- and con-polys of aliphatic carboxylic acids such as maleic acid »itaconic acid, mesaconic acid, fumaric acid» nicotinic acid »citraconic acid and methylated acid Lennonic Dispersing agents of polyaspartate and polyglutamate can be used, especially with zeolite improvers. Dispersing agents such as polyaspartate preferably have a molecular weight of about 10 ° C. Other useful polymers include species known as "soil release polymers" as described in EPA 185427 and EPA 311 342. Other polymers suitable for use herein include dye transfer inhibition polymers such as poly-ilpyrrole dona »N pol-vii oxide or Ipyridine »N-vinylpyrrolidone» N-imidazole »pol i vini loxozol idona or pol i ini 1 imidazol.

Enzymes Enzymatic materials may be incorporated in the detergent compositions herein. Suitable proteases are »nipases» cellulases »peroxidases» amylases and mixtures thereof, a suitable fasa enzyme is manufactured and sold by Novo Industries A / S (Denmark). under the Lipolase trademark and mentioned together with other suitable raisins in EP-A-0258068 (Novo NordisK). Suitable cellulases are described for example in WO-91/17243 and WO 91/17244 (Novo NordisK). Preferred commercially available protease enzymes include those sold under the trade names Alcalase and Savinaße from Novo Industries A / S (Denmark) and Maxatase from International Bio-Synthetics. Inc. (Holland). Other proteases include protease A (see European Patent Application 130 756. published January 9, 1985) and protease B (see European Patent Application Series No. B7303761.8 »filed on April 28, 1987» and the application of European Patent 130 756 et al »published on January 9, 1985). The peroxidase enzymes are used in combination with oxygen sources »for example percarbonate, perborate persulfate» hydrogen peroxide »etc. They are used for "solution bleaching", that is, to avoid the transfer of dyes or pigments removed from the substrates during washing operations to other substrates in the washing solution. Peroxidase enzymes are known in the art and include »for example, horseradish peroxidase» lig 'nase and haloperoxidase such as chloro-h-bro-peroxidase. Peroxidase-containing detergent compositions are described, for example, in the PCT International Patent Application WO 89/099813 and in WO 91/05839. Amylases include »for example» bacterial amylases obtained from a special strain of B. licheniforms »described in greater detail in GB-1» 296 »839 (Novo). Commercially available amylases which are preferred include, for example, Rapidase »from International Bio-Synt etics Inc. and Termamyl» from Novo Nordisk A / S. Fungal ridyl amylases such as Fungamyl® amylase can also be used. sold by Novo Nordisk. Preferred process for producing the laundry detergent composition of the present invention. In a preferred process for producing the laundry detergent compositions of the present invention, particularly when a high overall density is desired, part or all of the surfactant contained in the finished composition is incorporated in the form of separate particles. have the form of flakes »small balls» arumas »noodles» laths, but preferably have the form of granules. The preferred way of treating the particles is by agglomeration of powders (such as for example 1 icate, carbonate) with highly active surfactant pastes and controlling the particle size of the resulting agglomerates within specified limits. Said process includes mixing an effective amount of powder with a highly active surfactant paste in one or more agglomerates such as a pan agglomerator, a Z-blade mixer or preferably an in-line mixer such as those manufactured by Schugi (Holland) BV, 29 Chroomstraat 8211 AS, Lelystad, Holland and Gebrueder Lodige Masch nenbau GmbH, D-4790 Paderborn 1 »Elsenerstrasse 7-9» Postfach 205O »Germany. Preferably a high shear mixer such as a Lodige CB (Trade Name) is used. A surfactant paste of higher activity is used which comprises 50 wt% to 95 wt%, preferably 70 wt% to 85 wt% of surfactant. The surfactant system can comprise any of the groups of anionic »nonionic» cationic »amphoteric and zwitterionic surfactants or mixtures thereof. The pulp can be pumped into the agglomerator at a sufficiently high temperature to maintain a pumpable but sufficiently low viscosity to avoid degradation of the ammonium surfactants used. A pulp operating temperature of 50 ° to 80 ° is typical. A particularly suitable process for producing surface-active particles from surfactant pastes of higher activity is described more fully in EP 510 746 »published on October 28, 1992. The free-flowing surface-active particles made by the process described above are then mixed with Other detergent components such as the particles containing the alkali metal percarbonate to produce a finished detergent composition. This mixing can take place in any suitable piece of equipment. Liquid detergents such as the nonionic surfactant and the perfume can be sprayed on the surface of one or more of the constituent granules or on the finished composition.

Boarding unit Several of these flexible bags are preferably grouped together in a boarding unit. Preferably, the boarding unit is made rectangular. In this way »the barque unit is suitable to be stacked with other similar loading units for storage and transport. A complete assembly or stack is obtained by stacking several of these shipping units. Preferably, the boarding unit can be formed by packing several flexible bags in a secondary package. The primary package is hereinafter understood to be the same flexible bag containing the detergent. The secondary packaging according to the present invention is flexible and not resistant to compression. The secondary packaging may be preferably made from a wrapping film. Preferably, the wrapping film can be made of films based on polyethylene or paper. A paper-based film is preferably a film made from a layer of a plastic film laminated to a paper layer. Preferably, the polyethylene films have a thickness in the range of approximately 20μm to 200μm, preferably in the range of approximately 50μm to 100μm. The paper-based films preferably have a weight on the scale of about 50 g / m2 to 200 g / m2. For example, a paper-based film of a polyethylene layer having a thickness of 50 μm and a layer made of paper having a weight of 80 g / m2 is made. Preferentially »the procedure of packing the filled bags with the detergent in the secondary packing» is achieved with a conventional vertical packing machine »called Vertical Form Fill Seal (= VFFS). A partial perspective view of this vertical packaging machine is shown in Figure 1. These vertical packaging machines include among other things at least 1 forming shoulder (10). The method for producing the secondary package with the VFFS is an intermittent continuous process. The film (1) is magnetized to the VFFS machine in a flat configuration. This film is taken to the forming shoulder (IO) which is also the filling head (11). The film is pulled around the forming shoulder (10) which extends into a vertical tube. By pulling the plastic film around the forming shoulder, the plastic film is formed into a tubular configuration with vertical edges (2) of overlap. "Vertical" in the sense that these edges are parallel to the filling direction of the VFFS machine. To maintain the tubular configuration of the plastic film »the vertical edges (2) of overlap of the film are sealed together partially or completely. Preferably, the vertical edges are sealed together only partially, that is, the seal is interrupted in at least one region along the vertical edges 2. The interruption in the seal gives free access to the interior of the secondary packaging. The dimension of this interrupted seal is such that it allows a user to insert at least one finger in the interrupted region "but not large enough to allow the exit of filled primary packages (15). Preferably »the dimension of the interrupted region is such that it allows the insertion of a hand. Allowing the user to insert at least one finger or hand in the interrupted region facilitates the opening of the secondary package by breaking the partial seal along the vertical edges (2). Preferably. more than one interrupted region is achieved with a partial seal along the vertical edges (2). For example, if the vertical edge (2) is 80 cm long, a 2 cm long stamp is interrupted by 11 cm before the next 2 cm stamp. This is repeated along the vertical edge up to 80 cm. The same can be done up to a vertical edge (2) 50 cm long. The tubular film is then sealed on the opposite end of the filler head, in such a way as to form a lower seal (3) with the cross seal located inside the external clamps (14). The bag formed in this manner is a secondary packaging (20) according to the present invention »having an open end towards the formatting shoulder filler head. This secondary packing can now be filled with several primary packing filled through the filling head and the open end. The filled primary packages (15) are lowered through the filling head (11) into the secondary package (20) through the open end of the secondary package. The filled primary packages are stacked from the lower seal (3) of the secondary package. Preferably, the filled primary packages descend into the secondary packaging in such a way that the filled primary packages are not flipped in the secondary package during descent into this secondary bag. This is especially important when the shape of the filled primary packing allows a minimum packing space in a specific direction "and not in a different direction that could force the secondary packing to require an increased packing space. Actually »for full rectangular primary packaging» for example »the length of the secondary packaging can be reduced by aligning the filled primary packaging along the width and not the length or height of the primary packaging. This is achieved preferably by designing the dimension of the secondary packaging with the dimensions of the filled primary packages. As an example »the secondary packaging has a rectangular shape and the following dimensions: length approximately 38 cm» width approximately 14.5 cm and height approximately 14.5 cm. Consequently »four flexible bags having the dimensions of approximately 9.2 cm in length, 14.5 cm in width and 14.0 cm in height can be packed in this secondary package described above. Preferably »the filled primary packages that must enter a secondary package are first grouped. The grouping of filled primary packages is also achieved without using any means of fastening »such as tape wrapping» for example. Therefore »grouped full primary packages are lowered as a full grouped bundle in the secondary package. It has been found that this grouping of filled primary packages further ensures that filled bags do not turn up or down or in any direction during their descent into the secondary package. Preferably, the external clamps (14) of VFFS support the secondary packing around the lower seal during filling of the secondary package. External clamps are commonly used to hold the film while sealing or cutting the film. In fact, usually the film is fixed between the two halves of the external clamps before sealing and / or cutting. In this case »the film around the lower seal is first fixed between the two halves of the outer clamp during filling with the filled primary packages to support the rest of the filled primary packing in the secondary packing. This is to prevent the secondary packaging film from stretching to break during the rest and stacking of the filled primary packaging. It has been found that the total weight that can be stopped in this way through the filling head in the secondary packaging "without any danger to the external clamps" is up to 25 kg. However, the VFFS can be provided with an additional support means to sustain the rest of full primary packages that can carry a higher load. Preferably »once the secondary packaging is filled with several filled primary packages and the lower seal (3) has cooled sufficiently» the outer clamps (14) are opened and the secondary packaging with the packages filled primary advances to a holding medium (16). The supporting medium preferably holds the secondary packing filled with the primary packages during the advance of the secondary packaging until all the filled primary packages contained in the secondary package are under the cross seal. This support system is preferably located below the clamps (14) and is made of a movable plane preferably in a division parallel to the filling of the secondary packaging with the primary packages. The secondary filled packing that is held with the supporting means reduces the stress on the secondary packing film which reduces the possibility of rupture of this film. The support means also helps to adjust the height of the upper seal on the secondary package with respect to the height of the filled primary packages inside the secondary package. Consequently, the holding means ensures that the upper seal tightly closes the upper end of the secondary packing around the filled bags. Preferably, the fastening system is also capable of lifting the secondary packing filled with the primary packing to the cross seal to correct the position of the upper seal on the secondary packing. Consequently, the filled primary packages within the secondary package are preferably wrapped in a substantially hermetic manner such that the primary packages have less space to move around, up or down inside the secondary package. This means that the secondary packaging filled with the filled primary packages preferably forms a compact bundle. However, the same or secondary packaging does not exert any tension force on the filled packages contained. Therefore, secondary packaging prevents primary filled packages, especially when filled flexible bags, from being deformed by the secondary packaging. Actually »the flexible filled rectangular bags can deform into a round shape when the filled bags are tied together in a stretch film wrapper» for example. The round shape of filled flexible pouches is inconvenient when they are stacked bundled with filled flexible pouches one above the other because the stability of the pouches is inferior to the stacked rectangular pouches. As a preferred option "before sealing the upper end opposite the lower seal of the secondary package" the external clamps are preferably substantially closed again and the film advancement system of the film in the VFFS is returned. In this way »the secondary packing is pulled again until the plain primary packages are pressed at least partially against the outer clamps. In reality, the external clamps are substantially so that the filled primary packages can not pass through the external clamps. Preferably, the external clamps are closed more than 50%, preferably approximately 80%. This reduces the length of the film used for a secondary package. Consequently, the primary filled packages of the secondary packaging are preferably wrapped in a substantially ethical manner so that the primary packages have less room to move around up or down inside the secondary package. This means that the secondary packing filled with the filled primary packing. preferably forms a compact bundle. It has been found that the wrapping of the primary package ll can not be further improved with the secondary packing "if this return of the film advancement system in the VFFS" is combined with the fastening system "as described above. In addition »the full secondary packaging that is held by the fastening means, reduces the tension on the secondary packaging film which reduces the possibility of rupture of this film. To make a superior seal (4) the external clamps are completely closed. Once the clamps are completely closed, an upper seal (4) opposite the lower seal is made by completely closing the secondary packing with the primary packing full. In addition »this closed secondary packaging is cut above the upper seal. Once the upper seal is cooled »the closed and finished secondary packing is released from the external clamps. This packing system described above preferably uses a sufficiently tight film wrap to make a bundle of primary packages without deforming the primary packages. In fact, filled primary packages are not under substantial stress within the secondary packaging »according to the present invention» as compared to a stretched film »for example. However, the primary packaging is tightly sealed, in such a way that the primary packages are impeded from substantial movements within the secondary packaging. Preferably, the lower seal (3) and / or the upper seal (4) are interrupted seals and not continuous seals. Usually, the vertical overlap edges (2) along the lower seal and upper seal are completely sealed to the lower and upper seal. However, this does not allow the exit of a full primary package located at a secondary packing end near the lower or upper seal. In fact, only around the middle part of the secondary package, the opening of the vertical overlap edges is large enough to allow the filled primary packing to come out of the secondary packing. A full primary package that is at one end may only exit from the secondary package if the filled primary packages located in the middle portion of the secondary package are first removed from the interior of the secondary package. Consequently, only when the filled primary packages located at one end can approximately take the middle portion of the secondary package, can these filled primary packages be removed out of the secondary package. On the contrary, it has been found that if the vertical overlap edges (2) are not sealed or only partially sealed to the lower or upper seal of the secondary packaging, at least in the region (2a) of overlap of the vertical edges to along the top and / or bottom seal »all filled primary packages can be removed out of the secondary packaging more easily and frequently without the full procedure as described above. In fact, the part not sealed or partially sealed from the vertical edges of overlap allows a sufficient widening of the opening between the vertical edges also near the lower and / or upper seal. Consequently, a primary package filled at the end of a secondary package can be extracted directly out of the secondary package more easily and frequently without first emptying the secondary package. To ensure that the vertical overlap edges (2) are not sealed or are only partially sealed to the lower seal (3) and / or the upper seal (4) the c seal comprises an interruption in the sealing area corresponding to all or part of the seal. of the vertical edges of overlap. This interruption in the sealing area prevents the vertical overlap edges from being sealed completely together with the lower seal and / or the upper seal of the secondary seal. The partial seal of the vertical overlapping edges with the lower and / or upper seal also prevents the vertical overlap edges from loosening or hanging to the sides. Actually, this can be an impediment to the handling of secondary packaging. The packing of the primary packages according to the present invention as described above also allows to reduce the packing costs necessary for handling, storage and transport of the filled primary packages. In addition »the packing of the primary packages in the secondary packages according to the present invention» is relatively easy »which also reduces manufacturing costs. Preferably, the closed and finished secondary package descends on a feeding section carrying the closed secondary package containing the filled bags to a site in which the secondary packages can be stacked on top of each other forming a stretcher. It has been found that the granular or powdered detergent according to the present invention contained in the bags and stacked and on top of each other within the secondary packing as described above, does not form a lump, so that the detergent does not stick nor add in an insoluble block. Preferably »mooring sheets are placed between the stacked shipping units. Lashing sheets increase friction between stacked shipping units. Consequently »the tie-down sheets substantially prevent any slippage of the shipping units when they are stacked one on top of the other increasing the stability of the stretcher. Another possibility to substantially prevent any slippage of the shipping units when stacked one on top of the other is to apply a gum or adhesive to part of the outermost surface of the secondary packaging or to make the secondary packing out of an embossed film. The gum or adhesive may be sprayed on at least part of the outermost surface of the secondary package. The embossed film is preferably made of anti-curling dimples enhanced at least over certain areas of the secondary packaging film before carrying the film to the forming shoulder of the VFFS machine. For additional improved stability of the stretcher. the embossed film can be combined with the lashing sheets described above. Additionally. the entire stretcher can be stabilized additionally »especially for transport» with a stretchable film »for example by wrapping the stretcher. The stretcher made as described above allows to eliminate any additional external box that carries the compression force of the stacked assembly. This results in a substantial cost savings in the total amount of packaging material used to make stretchers suitable for storage and transportation. In addition »waste is also substantially reduced. In reality, external boxes are usually not reused but simply discarded. It has been found that the stretcher according to the present invention can reduce waste by at least 50%. preferably at least 80% compared to stretchers using corrugated cardboard as external boxes.

EXAMPLE The following granular laundry detergent composition was prepared:% by weight Agglomerated ammonium surfactant .. 30 Stratified silicate compacted granule (provided by Hoechst under the trade name 18 SKS-6) Percarbonate * "* 25 TAED agglomerate 9 Foam suppressor agglomerate 2 Encapsulated perfume 0. 2 Granular dense sodium carbonate 8.4 Granular copolymer acrylic ico- 3. 2 maleic Enzymes 3.6 Granular granular polymer of 0.6 suc age 100 * Anionic surfactant agglomerates made from an active 78% surfactant paste comprising C45AS / C35AE3S (alkylsulfate / alkylethoxysulfate) in a ratio of 80:20. was agglomerated with a mixture of powders according to the procedure described in EPA 510 746. The resulting anionic surfactant granule had a composition of 30% C45AS »7.5% C35AE3S» 24% zeolite »20% carbonate, 2.5% CMC, 12% acrylic copolymer copolymer, and remaining moisture. * •> Percarbonate coated with 2.5% carbonate / sulfate with average particle size of 500 microns. The granular ingredients listed above were placed inside a 140-liter rotating drum operating 23 rpm. While the drum is in operation, a mixture of nonionic surfactant (C24E3) and a 20% aqueous solution of optical brightener at a ratio of 14: 1 was sprayed onto the granular mixture at a level of 7% by weight of the granular components. The spray time was approximately 1 to 2 minutes. Immediately afterwards »perfume was sprayed at a level of 0.5% by weight of the granular components, while the drum rotated. After »without stopping the rotation of the drum, a flow aid was added slowly to the mixer taking approximately 30 seconds. The type of flow aid used in the example was zeoli to A partially hydrolyzed (6% moisture) and the addition level was 8%. Once the addition of the flow aid was completed, the mixer was allowed to spin for approximately 1 minute and then stopped. The finished product was removed after the rotating drum. The finished product had a lump strength of less than 50 g / cm2 at about 20 g / cm2. This finished product was filled into a flexible bag and the flexible bags were grouped together in a shipping unit within a secondary package according to the present invention. This boarding unit was then stacked in an assembly forming a field. It has been found that the stretcher was sufficiently stable during storage and transport. Furthermore, it has been found that the detergent composition inside the flexible bags substantially does not form lump. This was true wherever the detergent composition was located in the stacked sample. It has been found that even the detergent composition located in the lowest position of the stacked assembly »where all the weight of the rest of the stretcher is substantially supported does not form lump.

Claims (10)

1. NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION
3. A boarding unit comprising more than one flexible bag and a secondary packet, each flexible bag being filled with a granular laundry detergent, the secondary package containing the full bags of the boarding unit and holding the plain bags together the boarding unit; the secondary packaging is closed in such a way that it avoids the exit of any of the filled bags before opening the shipping unit »where the secondary packaging is flexible and not resistant to the compressive force when the shipping unit is stacked with other shipping units in an assembly »and the granular laundry detergent contained in each flexible bag has a lumber strength of less than or equal to» 200 g / cm2. 2.- A boarding unit in accordance with the rei indication 1 »characterized in that the granular laundry detergent contained in each flexible bag has a lumber strength of less than 100 g / cm2» and the density of the granular laundry detergent is higher of 600 g / 1. 3. A boarding unit according to claim 1, characterized in that each flexible bag of the boarding unit is substantially free of upper space when the bag is filled and sealed.
4. 4. - A boarding unit according to claim 1 »characterized in that filled bags that enter a secondary package are first tied together.
5. 5. A shipping unit according to the indication 1 »characterized in that the secondary packaging is made of film casing applied in such a way that the filled bags are not under substantial tension within the secondary packaging» in such a way that the filled bags are not substantially deformed by the secondary packing.
6. 6. A boarding unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the boarding unit weighs up to 50 kg.
7. 7. A boarding unit in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the secondary packaging is made of a film. enhanced to increase friction between secondary gaskets.
8. 8.- An assembly of boarding units or a field unit in which the boarding units are stacked one on top of the other "and the boarding unit is in accordance with claim 1.
9. 9.- An assembly of according to claim 8 »characterized in that mooring sheets are placed in the assembly between the stacked shipping units.
10. 10. An assembly according to claim 8, characterized in that the assembly is wrapped with a stretchable film.