CA2250293A1 - Machine dishwashing composition - Google Patents

Abstract

There is provided a detergent composition comprising a builder system comprising a phosphate builder and an amino tricarboxylic acid or its salts or complexes.

Description

CA 022~0293 1998-09-28 W O 97/36990 PCTrUS97/04953 MAC~INE DISHWASHING COMPOSITION

Technical Field The present invention relates to a detergent composition adapted for use in a cleaning method exhibiting improved soil removal.

B~ k~round to the Invention Compositions designed for use in cleaning, particularly in automatic dishwashing and laundry methods are well known and a consistent effort has been made by detergent manufacturers to improve the cle~ning and/or rinsing efficiency of said compositions as reflected by many patent publications.

Builder components are traditionally added to detergent compositions to chelate cations (Ca2+ and Mg2+) that are the cause of water hardness.
Water hardness ions that are not chelated may form insoluble complexes with anionic species or form inorganic white phosphate, carbonate or silicate deposits on the articles in the wash that are unacceptable to the consumer.
.
A further problem believed to result from the presence of water hardness ions in the solution relates to the removal of hydrophilic soils from soiled ~ . .

CA 022~0293 1998-09-28 W O 97/36990 PCT~US97/04953 dishware. It is believed that water hardness ions adhere to the surface of dishware by way of ionic attractions between the negatively charged groups of the dishware and the positively charged hard water ions. It is further believed that said hard water ions attract negatively charged hydrophilic soils. Chemical interactions (calcium bridges) between the hard water ions and the hydrophilic soils mal~e the soils harder to remove. Examples of hydrophilic soils include tea, coffee and red wine soils.

It has been found that the formation of insoluble white calcium phosphate complexes can be reduced by the addition of an amino tricarboxylic acid (ATCA) to the builder systems. It has also been found that enhanced removal of soils, particularly hydrophilic soils from the surface of dishware can also be achieved by the addition of an amino tricarboxylic acid (ATCA) to the builder systems. It is believed that ATCA chelates cations from the wash solution thus minimi.~ing their availability to forrn calcium bridges between the surface of the dishware and the hydrophilic soil.

S-lmm~ry of the Invention According to the present invention there is provided a detergent composition comprising (a) a builder system comprising phosphate builder; and (b) an amino tricarboxylic acid or salt thereof wherein said amino tricarboxylic acid has the general formula:

Ho-c-R1\\ X O
N-CH~(R3)n-C-OH
O

where Rl, R2 and R3 are alkyl groups or substituted alkyl groups of chain length C1 to C4; n is O or l; and X is an organic substituent group.

.

CA 022~0293 1998-09-28 W 097/36990 PCTrUS97/04953 Detailed Description of the Invention The present invention relates to a detergent composition adapted for use in a cleaning method, exhibiting improved soil removal.

Builder system The detergent composition described herein has as an essential component a builder system comprising a phosphate builder. The phosphate builder compound can be present at a level of from 1% to 80% by weight, preferably from 10% to 70% by weight, most preferably from 20% to 60%
by weight of the detergent composition.

Specific examples of phosphate builder compounds include alkali metal tripolyphosphates, sodium, potassium and ammonium pyrophosphate, sodium and potassium and ammonium pyrophosphate, sodium and potassium orthophosphate, sodium polymeta/phosphate in which the degree of polymerisation ranges from about 6 to 21, and salts of phytic acid.

Amino Tricarboxyliç Acid (ATCA) The amino tricarboxylic acid (ATCA) is selected from the group having the general formula as shown below.

HO-C-R1~ X O
N - CH--(R3)n C - OH
O
HO-C-R2 ' CA 022~0293 1998-09-28 W O 97/36990 PCT~US97/04953 where R1, R2 and R3 are alkyl groups or substituted alkyl groups of chain length C1 to C4; n is 0 or 1; and X is an organic substituent group.

where Rl, R2 and R3 are an alkyl group or substituted alkyl group of chain length C1 to C4, and n is 0 or 1. X is an organic substitutent group, that is a substituent typically encountered in organic compounds, but excluding X
being a hydrogen substituent. X can thus for example be an alkyl, aryl, alkenyl or alkaryl group optionally substituted by any functionality including for example, amino, hydroxyl, amide and ether functionalities. X
may also be an organic functional group including for example an amine, hydroxyl, amide, ester or ether group. X is preferably an alkyl group, most preferably a methyl or ethyl group. ATCA is most preferably methyl glycine diacetic acid, that is where R1 = R2 = a -CH2- group, n is 0 and X = CH3.

ATCA can be present at levels of greater than 0.0001% by weight, preferably from 0.001 % to 40% by weight, most preferably from 0.1% to 15% by weight of the detergent composition.

ATCA acts as a cation complexing chelant. ATCA forms water-soluble chelates with calcium, m~FnPsium, lead, copper, zinc, cadmium, mercury, m~ng~n~se, iron, aluminium and other cationic polyvalent ions. The stability constant (measured as log K MeZ) of ATCA-calcium chelate is greater than 5.0, preferably greater then 6Ø The stability constant of the preferred ATCA compound, methyl glycine diacetic acid (MGDA) is 7Ø
The stability constant, log K MeZ is measured in a solution of ionic strength of 0.1, at a temperature of 25~C. The figure of > 5.0 for logKMez indicates that the ratio of the concentration of the undissociated [CaATCA-] to the dissociated complex [Ca2+][ATCA3~~, is > 105:1 A preferred aspect of the present invention is a detergent composition wherein the weight ratio of builder system to ATCA is from 5:1 to 25:1, preferably 8:1 to 20:1, most preferably 10:1 to 15:1.

CA 022~0293 1998-09-28 W 097/36990 PCTAUS97tO4953 Another preferred aspect of the present invention is a detergent composition cont~ining an organo diphosphonic acid crystal growth inhibitor component wherein the weight ratio of the organo diphosphonic acid to ATCA is from 1 :2 to 1 :20, preferably 1 :2.5 to 1 :8, most preferably 1 :3 to 1 :6.

Optional Deter~ent Components The detergent composition may optionally contain various components including surfactants, bleaching agents, ~lk~inity sources, water-soluble builder compounds, lime soap dispersants, organic polymeric compounds including polymeric dye transfer inhibiting agents, crystal growth inhibitors, heavy metal ion sequestrants, enzymes and enzyme stabilisers, corrosion inhibitors, suds suppressors, solvents, fabric softening agents, optical brighteners and hydrotropes.

Surfactant A highly preferred component of the compositions used in this invention is a surfactant system comprising surfactant selected from anionic, cationic, nonionic ampholytic and zwitterionic surfactants and mixtures thereof.
Automatic dishwashing machine products should be low foaming in character and thus the fo~ming of the surfactant system must be suppressed or more preferably be low fo~rning, typically nonionic in character. The surfactant system is typically present at a level of from 0.2~ to 30% by weight, more preferably from 0.5~ to 10% by weight, most preferably from 1 ~ to 5 % by weight of the compositions.

A typical listing of anionic, nonionic, ampholytic and zwitterionic classes, and species of these surfactants, is given in U.S.P. 3,929,678 issued to Laughlin and Heuring on December, 30, 1975. A list of suitable cationic surfactants is given in U.S.P. 4,259,217 issued to Murphy on March -31,1981. A listing of surfactants typically included in automatic dishwashing detergent compositions is given for example, in EP-A-0414 549 and PCT Applications Nos. WO 93/08876 and WO 93/08874.

CA 022~0293 1998-09-28 W O 97/36990 PCTrUS97/04953 Nonionic surfactant Essentially any nonionic surfactants useful for detersive purposes can be included in the compositions. Preferred, non-limiting classes of useful nonionic surfactants are listed below.

Nonionic ethoxylated alcohol surfactant The alkyl ethoxylate condensation products of aliphatic alcohols with from about 1 to about 25 moles of ethylene oxide are suitable for use herein. The alkyl chain of the aliphatic alcohol can either be straight or branched, primary or secondary, and generally contains from 6 to 22 carbon atoms.
Particularly preferred are the condensation products of alcohols having an alkyl group cont~inin~ from 8 to 20 carbon atoms with from about 2 to about 10 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol.

Nonionic ethoxylated/propoxylated fatty alcohol surfactant The ethoxylated C6-C1g fatty alcohols and C6-C1g mixed ethoxylated/propoxylated fatty alcohols are suitable surfactants for use herein, particularly where water soluble. Preferably the ethoxylated fatty alcohols are the Clo-C1g ethoxylated fatty alcohols with a degree of ethoxylation of from 3 to 50, most preferably these are the C12-C1g ethoxylated fatty alcohols with a degree of ethoxylation from 3 to 40.
Preferably the mixed ethoxylated/propoxylated fatty alcohols have an alkyl chain length of from 10 to 18 carbon atoms, a degree of ethoxylation of from 3 to 30 and a degree of propoxylation of from 1 to 10.

Nonionic EO/PO condensates with propvlene ~Iycol The condensation products of ethylene oxide with a hydrophobic base formed by the condensation of propylene oxide with propylene glycol are suitable for use herein. The hydrophobic portion of these compounds CA 022~0293 1998-09-28 W O 97/36990 PCT~US97/04953 preferably has a molecular weight of from about 1500 to about 1800 and exhibits water insolubility. Examples of compounds of this type include certain of the commercially-available PluronicTM surfactants, marketed by BASF.

Nonionic EO condensation products with propylene oxide/ethylene diamine adducts The condensation products of ethylene oxide with the product resulting from the reaction of propylene oxide and ethylene~i~mine are suitable for use herein. The hydrophobic moiety of these products consists of the reaction product of ethylene~ mine and excess propylene oxide, and generally has a molecular weight of from about 2500 to about 3000.
Examples of this type of nonionic surfactant include certain of the commercially available TetronicTM compounds, marketed by BASF.

Anionic surfactant Essentially any anionic surfactants useful for detersive purposes are suitable. These can include salts (including, for example, sodium, potassium, ammonium, and substituted ammonium salts such as mono-, di-and triethanol~min~ salts) of the anionic sulfate, sulfonate, carboxylate and sarcosinate surfactants. Anionic sulfate surfactants are preferred.

Other anionic surfactants include the isethionates such as the acyl isethionates, N-acyl taurates, fatty acid amides of methyl tauride, alkyl succinates and sulfosuccinates, monoesters of sulfosuccinate (especially saturated and lln~tnrated C12-C18 monoesters) diesters of sulfosuccinate (especially saturated and nnc~ rated C6-C14 diesters), N-acyl sarcosinates.
Resin acids and hydrogenated resin acids are also suitable, such as rosin, hydrogenated rosin~ and resin acids and hydrogenated resin acids present in or derived from tallow oil.

... .
. _ ... .

CA 022~0293 1998-09-28 W O 97/36990 PCTnJS97~04953 Anionic sulfate surfactant Anionic sulfate surfactants suitable for use herein include the linear and branched primary and secondary alkyl sulfates, alkyl ethoxysulfates, fatty oleoyl glycerol sulfates, alkyl phenol ethylene oxide ether sulfates, the Cs-C17 acyl-N-(Cl-C4 alkyl) and -N-(Cl-C2 hydroxyalkyl) glucamine sulfates, and sulfates of alkylpolysaccharides such as the sulfates of alkylpolyglucoside (the nonionic nonsulfated compounds being described herein).

Alkyl sulfate surfactants are preferably selected from the linear and branched primary C10-cl8 alkyl sulfates, more preferably the C11-C1s branched chain alkyl sulfates and the C12-C14 linear chain alkyl sulfates.

Alkyl ethoxysulfate surfactants are preferably selected from the group consisting of the Clo-C1g alkyl sulfates which have been ethoxylated with from 0.5 to 20 moles of ethylene oxide per molecule. More preferably, the alkyl ethoxysulfate surfactant is a C 1 1 -C 1 8, most preferably C 1 1 -C 15 alkyl sulfate which has been ethoxylated with from 0.5 to 7, preferably from 1 to 5, moles of ethylene oxide per molecule.

A particularly preferred aspect of the invention employs mixtures of the preferred alkyl sulfate and alkyl ethoxysulfate surfactants. Such mixtures have been disclosed in PCT Patent Application No. WO 93/18124.

Anionic sulfonate surfactant Anionic sulfonate surfactants suitable for use herein include the salts of Cs-C20 linear alkylbenzene sulfonates, alkyl ester sulfonates, C6-C22 primary or secondary alkane sulfonates, C6-C24 olefin sulfonates, sulfonated polycarboxylic acids, alkyl glycerol sulfonates, fatty acyl glycerol sulfonates, fatty oleyl glycerol sulfonates, and any mixtures thereof.

CA 022~0293 1998-09-28 W 097/36990 PCTrUS97/049~3 Anionic carboxylate surfactant Suitable anionic carboxylate surfactants include the alkyl ethoxy carboxylates, the alkyl polyethoxy polycarboxylate surfactants and the soaps ('alkyl carboxyls'), especially certain secondary soaps as described herem.

Suitable alkyl ethoxy carboxylates include those with the formula RO(CH2CH20)X CH2C00-M+ wherein R is a C6 to C1g alkyl group, x ranges from O to 10, and the ethoxylate distribution is such that, on a weight basis, the amount of material where x is 0 is less than 20 % and M
is a cation. Suitable alkyl polyethoxy polycarboxylate surfactants include those having the formula RO-(CHR1-CHR2-O)-R3 wherein R is a C6 to C1g alkyl group, x is from 1 to 25, R1 and R2 are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, methyl acid radical, succinic acid radical, hydroxysuccinic acid radical, and mixtures thereof, and R3 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbon having between 1 and 8 carbon atoms, and mixtures thereof.

Suitable soap surf~ct~nt.s include the secondary soap surfactants which contain a carboxyl unit connected to a secondary carbon. Preferred secondary soap surf~ct~ntc for use herein are water-soluble members selected from the group consisting of the water-soluble salts of 2-meehyl-1-lln-lec~noic acid, 2-ethyl-1-decanoic acid, 2-propyl-1-nonanoic acid, 2-butyl-1-octanoic acid and 2-pentyl-1-heptanoic acid. Certain soaps may also be included as suds suppressors.

Alkali metal sarcosinate surfactant Other suitable anionic surfactants are the alkali metal sarcosinates of formula R-CON (R1) CH2 COOM, wherein R is a Cs-C17 linear or branched alkyl or all~enyl group, R1 is a Cl-C4 alkyl group and M is an alkali metal ion. Preferred examples are the myristyl and oleoyl methyl sarcosinates in the form of their sodium salts.

~ . . .

CA 022~0293 1998-09-28 ~O

Oxy~en-releasin~ bleachin~ system An optional component of the detergent composition is an oxygen-releasing bleaching system. In one preferred aspect the bleaching system contains a hydrogen peroxide source and an organic peroxyacid bleach precursor compound. The production of the organic peroxyacid occurs by an in situ reaction of the precursor with a source of hydrogen peroxide. Preferred sources of hydrogen peroxide include inorganic perhydrate bleaches. In an alternative preferred aspect a preforrned organic peroxyacid is incorporated directly into the composition. Compositions cont~inin~ mixtures of a hydrogen peroxide source and organic peroxyacid precursor in combination with a preformed organic peroxyacid are also envisaged.

Inor~anic perhydrate bleaches The compositions in accord with the invention preferably include a hydrogen peroxide source, as an oxygen-releasing bleach. Suitable hydrogen peroxide sources include the inorganic perhydrate salts.

The inorganic perhydrate salts are normally incorporated in the form of the sodium salt at a level of from 1 % to 40 % by weight, more preferably from 2 % to 30% by weight and most preferably from 5 % to 25 ~ by weight of the compositions.

Examples of inorganic perhydrate salts include perborate, percarbonate,perphosphate, persulfate and persilicate salts. The inorganic perhydrate salts are normally the alkali metal salts. The inorganic perhydrate salt may be included as the crystalllne solid without additional protection. For certain perhydrate salts however, the preferred executions of such granular compositions utilize a coated form of the material which provides better storage stability for the perhydrate salt in the granular product.

Sodium perborate can be in the form of the monohydrate of nominal formula NaBO2H202 or the tetrahydrate NaBO2H202.3H20.

CA 022~0293 1998-09-28 W O 97/36990 PCTrUS97104953 Alkali metal percarbonates, particularly sodium percarbonate are preferred perhydrates for inclusion in compositions in accordance with the invention.
Sodium percarbonate is an addition compound having a formula corresponding to 2Na2CO3.3H2O2, and is available commercially as a crystalline solid. Sodium percarbonate, being a hydrogen peroxide addition compound tends on dissolution to release the hydrogen peroxide quite rapidly which can increase the tendency for localised high bleach concentrations to arise. The percarbonate is most preferably incorporated into such compositions in a coated form which provides in-product stability.

A suitable coating material providing in product stability comprises mixed salt of a water soluble alkali metal sulphate and carbonate. Such coatings together with coating processes have previously been described in GB-1,466,799, granted to Interox on 9th March 1977. The weight ratio of the mixed salt coating material to percarbonate lies in the range from 1: 200 to 1: 4, more preferably from 1: 99 to 1: 9, and most preferably from 1:
49 to 1: 19. Preferably, the mixed salt is of sodium sulphate and sodium carbonate which has the general forrnula Na2SO4.n.Na2CO3 wherein n is from 0.1 to 3, preferably n is from 0.3 to 1.0 and most preferably n is from 0.2 to 0.5.

Other coatings which contain silicate (alone or with borate salts or boric acids or other inorganics), waxes, oils, fatty soaps can also be used advantageously within the present invention.

Potassium peroxymonopersulfate is another inorganic perhydrate salt of utility in the compositions herein.

Peroxyacid bleach precursor Peroxyacid bleach precursors are compounds which react with hydrogen peroxide in a perhydrolysis reaction to produce a peroxyacid. Generally peroxyacid bleach precursors may be represented as ... .. .

CA 022~0293 1998-09-28 W O 97136990 PCT~US97/04953 o X C-L

where L is a leaving group and X is essentially any functionality, such that on perhydrolysis the structure of the peroxyacid produced is o X-C-OOH

Peroxyacid bleach precursor compounds are preferably incorporated at a level of from 0.5~ to 20~ by weight, more preferably from 1 % to 10%
by weight, most preferably from 1.5 % to 5 % by weight of the compositions.

Suitable peroxyacid bleach precursor compounds typically contain one ormore N- or O-acyl groups, which precursors can be selected from a wide range of classes. Suitable classes include anhydrides, esters, imides, lactams and acylated derivatives of imidazoles and oximes. Examples of useful materials within these classes are disclosed in GB-A-1586789.
Suitable esters are disclosed in GB-A-836988, 864798, 1147871, 2143231 and EP-A-0170386.

Leavlng groups The leaving group, hereinafter L group, must be sufficiently reactive for the perhydrolysis reaction to occur within the optimum time frame (e.g., a wash cycle). However, if L is too reactive, this activator will be difficult to stabilize for use in a bleaching composition.

Preferred L groups are selected from the group consisting of:

W O 97/36990 PCTrUS97/04953 0~ O~Y and --~~

--N--C--R1 _N N --N--C--CH--R4 R3 ~ R3 Y

-O--CH=C--CH=CH2 --O--CH--C--CH=CH2 O y O

-~C--R1 --N~C NR4 --N /NR4 Il 11 O O

--O--C=CHR4 , and I lv--CH--R4 R3 o and mixtures thereof, wherein R1 is an alkyl, aryl, or alkaryl group cont~inin,e~ from 1 to 14 carbon atoms, R is an alkyl chain cont~inin~ from 1 to 8 carbon atoms, R4 is H or R3, and Y is H or a solubilizing group.
Any of R1, R3 and R4 may be substituted by essentially any functional group including, for example alkyl, hydroxy, alkoxy, halogen, amine, nitrosyl, amide and ammonium or alkyl ammonium groups.

The preferred solubilizing groups are -S03-M+, -C02-M+, -S04-M+, -N+(R3)~X- and O < --N(R3)3 and most preferably -S03-M + and -C02-M wherein R3 is an alkyl chain cont~ining from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, M is a cation which provides solubility to the bleach activator and X
is an anion which provides solubility to the bleach activator. Preferably, M
is an alkali metal, ammonium or substituted ammonium cation, with sodium and potassium being most preferred, and X is a halide, hydroxide, methylsulfate or acetate anion.

Perbenzoic acid precursor Perbenzoic acid precursor compounds provide perbenzoic acid on perhydrolysis.

Suitable O-acylated perbenzoic acid precursor compounds include the substituted and unsubstituted benzoyl oxybenzene sulfonates, including for example benzoyl oxybenzene sulfonate:
o ~o~SO3-Also suitable are the benzoylation products of sorbitol, glucose, and allsaccharides with benzoylating agents, including for example:

OAc AcO~o ) ~,OAc OAc OBz Ac = COCH3; Bz = Benzoyl Perbenzoic acid precursor compounds of the imide type include N-benzoyl succinimide, tetrabenzoyl ethylene ~i~min~ and the N-benzoyl substituted - ureas. Suitable imidazole type perbenzoic acid precursors include N-benzoyl imidazole and N-benzoyl benzimidazole and other useful N-acyl W O 97/36990 PCT~US97/04953 group-cont~ining perbenzoic acid precursors include N-benzoyl pyrrolidone, dibenzoyl taurine and benzoyl pyroglutamic acid.

Other perbenzoic acid precursors include the benzoyl diacyl peroxides, the benzoyl tetraacyl peroxides, and the compound having the forrnula:
O O

~0 O~COOH

Phthalic anhydride is another suitable perbenzoic acid precursor compound hereln:

~0 Suitable N-acylated l~ct~m perbenzoic acid precursors have the formula:

--CH2~cH2 ]n wherein n is from 0 to 8, preferably from 0 to 2, and R6 is a benzoyl group.

.. .. _, -- , . ~

CA 022~0293 1998-09-28 W O 97/36990 PCTrUS97/04953 Perbenzoic acid derivative precursors Perbenzoic acid derivative precursors provide substituted perbenzoic acids on perhydrolysis.

Suitable substituted perbenzoic acid derivative precursors include any of the herein disclosed perbenzoic precursors in which the benzoyl group is substituted by essentially any non-positively charged (i.e.; non-cationic) functional group including, for example alkyl, hydroxy, alkoxy, halogen, amine, nitrosyl and amide groups.

A preferred class of substituted perbenzoic acid precursor compounds are the amide substituted compounds of the following general formulae:

O R5 O or R5 O o wherein Rl is an aryl or alkaryl group with from 1 to 14 carbon atoms, R2 is an arylene, or alkarylene group cont~inin~ from 1 to 14 carbon atoms, and R5 is H or an alkyl, aryl, or alkaryl group cont~inin~ 1 to 10 carbon atoms and L can be essentially any leaving group. Rl preferably contains from 6 to 12 carbon atoms. R2 preferably contains from 4 to 8 carbon atoms. Rl may be aryl, substituted aryl or alkylaryl cont~inin~ branching, substitution, or both and may be sourced from either synthetic sources or natural sources including for example, tallow fat. Analogous structural variations are permissible for R2. The substitution can include alkyl, aryl, halogen, nitrogen, sulphur and other typical substituent groups or organic compounds. R5 is preferably H or methyl. Rl and R5 should not contain more than 18 carbon atoms in total. Amide substituted bleach activator compounds of this type are described in EP-A-0170386.

- Cationic peroxyacid precursors Cationic peroxyacid precursor compounds produce cationic peroxyacids on perhydrolysis.

CA 022~0293 1998-09-28 Typically, cationic peroxyacid precursors are formed by substituting the peroxyacid part of a suitable peroxyacid precursor compound with a positively charged f~mctional group, such as an ammonium or alkyl ammonium group, preferably an ethyl or methyl ammonium group.
Cationic peroxyacid precursors are typically present in the compositions as a salt with a suitable anion, such as for example a halide ion or a methylsulfate ion.

The peroxyacid precursor compound to be so cationically substituted maybe a perbenzoic acid, or substituted derivative thereof, precursor compound as described hereinbefore. Alternatively, the peroxyacid precursor compound may be an alkyl percarboxylic acid precursor compound or an amide substituted alkyl peroxyacid precursor as described hereinafter Cationic peroxyacid precursors are described in U.S. Patents 4,904,406;4,751,015; 4,988,451; 4,397,757; 5,269,962; 5,127,852; 5,093,022;
5,106,528; U.K. 1,382,594; EP 475,512, 458,396 and 284,292; and in JP
87-318,332.

Suitable cationic peroxyacid precursors include any of the ammonium or alkyl ammonium substituted alkyl or benzoyl oxybenzene sulfonates, N-acylated caprolactams, and monobenzoyltetraacetyl glucose benzoyl peroxides.

A preferred cationically substitllte~1 benzoyl oxybenzene sulfonate is the 4-(trimethyl amrnonium) methyl derivative of benzoyl oxybenzene sulfonate:

~SO3-/ ~

A preferred cationically substituted alkyl oxybenzene sulfonate has theformula:

,,~ SO

,; ~,,- ', - "o '~ /

Preferred cationic peroxyacid precursors of the N-acylated caprolactam class include the trialkyl ammonium methylene benzoyl caprolactams, particularly trimethyl ammonium methylene benzoyl caprolactam:

o o ,-',~ ~' - - ~ - N

Other preferred cationic peroxyacid precursors of the N-acylated caprolactam class include the trialkyl arnmonium methylene alkyl caprolactams:
O o N ~ '~
, N+ ~ ( 2) where n is from 0 to 12, particularly from 1 to 5.

Another preferred cationic peroxyacid precursor is 2-(N,N,N-trimethyl arnmonium) ethyl sodium 4-sulphophenyl carbonate chloride.

Alkyl percarboxylic acid bleach precursors Alkyl percarboxylic acid bleach precursors form percarboxylic acids on perhydrolysis. Preferred precursors of this type provide peracetic acid on perhydrolysis.

CA 022~0293 1998-09-28 WO 97t36990 PCTrUS97/04953 ~;

Preferred alkyl percarboxylic precursor compounds of the imide type include the N-,N,N1N1 tetra acetylated alkylene diamines wherein the alkylene group contains from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, particularly those compounds in which the alkylene group contains 1, 2 and 6 carbon atoms.
Tetraacetyl ethylene ~ mine (TAED) is particularly preferred.

Other preferred alkyl percarboxylic acid precursors include sodium 3,5,5-tri-methyl hexanoyloxybenzene sulfonate (iso-NOBS), sodium nonanoyloxybenzene sulfonate (NOBS), sodium acetoxybenzene sulfonate (ABS) and penta acetyl glucose.

Amide substituted alkyl peroxyacid precursors Amide substituted alkyl peroxyacid precursor compounds are also suitable, including those of the following general formulae:

O R5 0 or R5 0 0 wherein Rl is an alkyl group with from 1 to 14 carbon atoms, R2 is an alkylene group cont~intng from 1 to 14 carbon atoms, and R5 is H or an alkyl group cont~inin~ 1 to 10 carbon atoms and L can be essentially any leaving group. Rl preferably contains from 6 to 12 carbon atoms. R2 preferably contains from 4 to 8 carbon atoms. Rl may be straight chain or branched alkyl cont~ining branching, substitution, or both and may be sourced from either synthetic sources or natural sources including for example, tallow fat. Analogous s~ructural variations are permissible for R2. The substitution can include alkyl, halogen, nitrogen, sulphur and other typical substituent groups or organic compounds. R5 is preferably H
or methyl. Rl and R5 should not contain more than 18 carbon atoms in total. Amide substituted bleach activator compounds of this type are described in EP-A-0170386.

.

CA 022F,0293 1998-09-28 WO 97/36990 PCT/US97tO4953 Benzoxazin or~anic peroxvacid precursors Also suitable are precursor compounds of the benzoxazin-type, as disclosed for example in EP-A-332,294 and EP-A-482,807, particularly those having the formula:

C

[~N"C R1 including the substituted benzoxazins of the type R3~N~~--R, wherein R1 is H, alkyl, alkaryl, aryl, arylalkyl, and wherein R2, R3, R4, and R5 may be the same or different substituents selected from H, halogen, alkyl, alkenyl, aryl, hydroxyl, alkoxyl, amino, alkyl amino, COOR6 (wherein R6 is H or an alkyl group) and carbonyl functions.

An especially preferred precursor of the benzoxazin-type is:

[~N' ~

CA 022~0293 1998-09-28 W O 9713699~ PCTrUS97/04953 ,~/

Preformed organic peroxyacid The organic peroxyacid bleaching system may contain, in addition to, oras an alternative to, an organic peroxyacid bleach precursor compound, a preformed organic peroxyacid, typically at a level of from 0.5% to 25~
by weight, more preferably from 1% to 10% by weight of the composition.

A preferred class of organic peroxyacid compounds are the amide substituted compounds of the following general formulae:

R1 -C--N---R2-- C--OOH R1 N~C~ R2 C--OOH
O R5 O or R5 O O

wherein Rl is an allcyl, aryl or alkaryl group with from 1 to 14 carbon atoms, R2 is an alkylene, arylene, and alkarylene group con~inin~ from 1 to 14 carbon atoms, and R5 is H or an alkyl, aryl, or alkaryl group con~inin~ 1 to 10 carbon atoms. R1 preferably contains from 6 to 12 carbon atoms. R2 preferably contains from 4 to 8 carbon atoms. Rl may be straight chain or branched alkyl, substituted aryl or alkylaryl cont~ining branching, substitution, or both and may be sourced from either synthetic sources or natural sources including for example, tallow fat. Analogous structural variations are permissible for R2. The substitution can include alkyl, aryl, halogen, nitrogen, sulphur and other typical substituent groups or organic compounds. R5 is preferably H or methyl. Rl and R5 should not contain more than 18 carbon atoms in total. Amide substituted organic peroxyacid compounds of this type are described in EP-A-0170386.

Other organic peroxyacids include diacyl and tetraacylperoxides, especially diperoxydo~lec~nP~ioc acid, diperoxytetradecanedioc acid, and diperoxyhexadecanedioc acid. Dibenzoyl peroxide is a preferred organic peroxyacid herein. Mono- and diperazelaic acid, mono- and diperbrassylic acid, and N-phthaloyl~minoperoxicaproic acid are also suitable herein.

CA 022~0293 1998-09-28 W 097t36990 PCTrUS97/04953 Water-soluble builder compound The compositions used in accord with this invention may optionally contain an additional builder compound. Suitable water-soluble builder compounds include the water soluble monomeric polycarboxylates, or their acid forms, homo or copolymeric polycarboxylic acids or their salts in which the polycarboxylic acid comprises at least two carboxylic radicals separated from each other by not more that two carbon atoms, carbonates, bicarbonates, borates, phosphates, and mixtures thereof.

The carboxylate or polycarboxylate builder can be monomeric or oligomeric in type although monomeric polycarboxylates are generally preferred for reasons of cost and performance.

Suitable carboxylates cont~inin~ one carboxy group include the water soluble salts of lactic acid, glycolic acid and ether derivatives thereof.
Polycarboxylates cont~inin~ two carboxy groups include the water-soluble salts of succinic acid, malonic acid, (ethylenedioxy) diacetic acid, maleic acid, diglycolic acid, tartaric acid, tartronic acid and fumaric acid, as ~vell as the ether carboxylates and the sulfinyl carboxylates. Polycarboxylates cont~ining three carboxy groups include, in particular, water-soluble citrates, aconitrates and citraconates as well as succinate derivatives such as the carboxymethyloxysuccinates described in British Patent No. 1,379,241, lactoxysuccinates described in British Patent No. 1,389,732, and aminosuccinates described in Netherlands Application 7205873, and the oxypolycarboxylate materials such as 2-oxa-1,1,3-propane tricarboxylates described in British Patent No. 1,387,447.

Polycarboxylates cont~inin~; four carboxy groups include oxydisuccinates disclosed in British Patent No. 1,261,829, 1,1,2,2-ethane tetracarboxylates, 1,1,3,3-propane tetracarboxylates and 1,1,2,3-propane tetracarboxylates.
Polycarboxylates cont~ining sulfo substituents include the sulfosuccinate - derivatives disclosed in British Patent Nos. 1,398,421 and 1,398,422 and in U.S. Patent No. 3,936,448, and the sulfonated pyrolysed citrates described in British Patent No. 1,439,000.

CA 022~0293 1998-09-28 W O 97/36990 PCTrUS97/04953 Alicyclic and heterocyclic polycarboxylates include cyclopentane-cis,cis,cis-tetracarboxylates, cyclopentadienide pentacarboxylates, 2,3,4,5-tetrahydrofuran - cis, cis, cis-tetracarboxylates, 2,5-tetrahydrofuran - cis -dicarboxylates, 2,2,5,5-tetrahydrofuran - tetracarboxylates, 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexane - hexacarboxylates and carboxymethyl derivatives of polyhydric alcohols such as sorbitol, mannitol and xylitol. Aromatic polycarboxylates include mellitic acid, pyromellitic acid and the phthalic acid derivatives disclosed in British Patent No. 1,425,343.

Of the above, the preferred polycarboxylates are hydroxycarboxylates cont~ining Up to three carboxy groups per molecule, more particularly citrates.

The parent acids of the monomeric or oligomeric polycarboxylate chelating agents or mixtures thereof with their salts, e.g. citric acid or citrate/citric acid mixtures are also contemplated as useful builder components.

Borate builders, as well as builders cont~inin~ borate-forming materials that can produce borate under detergent storage or wash conditions can also be used but are not preferred at wash conditions less that about 50~C, especially less than about 40~C.

Examples of carbonate builders are the ~lk~lin~ earth and alkali metal carbonates, including sodium carbonate and sesqui-carbonate and mixtures thereof with ultra-fine calcium carbonate as disclosed in German Patent Application No. 2,321,001 published on November 15, 1973.

Partially soluble or insoluble builder compound The detergent compositions of the present invention may contain a partially soluble or insoluble builder compound, typically present at a level of from 1% to 80% by weight, preferably from 10% to 70% by weight, most preferably from 20% to 60% weight of the composition.
-CA 022~0293 1998-09-28 W O 97/36990 pcTrus97lo4953 o2y ., Examples of largely water insoluble builders include the sodium aluminosilicates .

Suitable aluminosilicate zeolites have the unit cell formula Naz[(AlO2)z(SiO2)y]. xH2O wherein z and y are at least 6; the molar ratio of z to y is from 1.0 to 0.5 and x is at least 5, preferably from 7.5 to 276, more preferably from 10 to 264. The aluminosilicate material are in hydrated form and are preferably crystalline, Cont~ining from 10% to 28%, more preferably from 18% to 22% water in bound form.

The aluminosilicate zeolites can be naturally occurring materials, but are preferably synthetically derived. Synthetic crystalline aluminosilicate ion exchange materials are available under the designations Zeolite A, Zeolite B, Zeolite P, Zeolite X, Zeolite HS and mixtures thereof. Zeolite A has the formula Na 12 [Al~2) 12 (sio2)l2]. xH2O

wherein x is from 20 to 30, especially 27. Zeolite X has the formula Na86 [(A1~2)86(Si~2)106]- 276 H2O. Zeolite MAP, as disclosed in P-B-384,070 is a preferred zeolite builder herein.

Water-soluble bismuth compound The compositions used in this invention may contain a water-soluble bi~ml-t~l compound, preferably present at a level of from 0.005% to 20%, more preferably from 0.01% to 5%, most preferably from 0.1 % to 1 % by weight of the compositions.

The water-soluble bismuth compound may be essentially any salt or complex of bismuth with essentially any inorganic or organic counter anion. Preferred inorganic bismuth salts are selected from the bicmut~
trihalides, bismuth nitrate and bismuth phosphate. Bismuth acetate and citrate are preferred salts with an organic counter anion.

CA 022~0293 1998-09-28 W O 97/36990 PCTrUS97tO49~3 ~S
Water-soluble sulfate salt The compositions may optionally contain a water-soluble sulfate salt, preferably present at a level of from 0.1 % to 40%, more preferably from 1 % to 30%, most preferably from 5 % to 25 % by weight of the compositions.

The water-soluble sulfate salt may be essentially any salt of sulfate with any counter cation. Preferred salts are selected from the sulfates of the alkali and alkaline earth metals, particularly sodium sulfate.

Corrosion inhibitor compound The compositions may contain corrosion inhibitors preferably selected from organic silver coating agents, particularly paraffin, nitrogen-cont~ining corrosion inhibitor compounds and Mn(II) compounds, particularly Mn(II) salts of organic ligands.

Organic silver coating agents are described in PCT Publication No.
WO94/16047 and copending UK Application No. UK 9413729.6.
Nitrogen-cont~inin~ corrosion inhibitor compounds are disclosed in copending European Application no. EP 93202095.1. Mn(II) compounds for use in corrosion inhibition are described in copending UK Application No. 9418567.5.

Organic silver coating agents Organic silver coating agent may be incorporated in automatic dishwashing compositions herein at a level of from 0.05% to 10%, preferably from 0.1 % to 5 % by weight of the total composition.

The functional role of the silver coating agent is to form 'in use' a protective coating layer on any silverware components of the washload to which the compositions of the invention are being applied. The silver coating agent should hence have a high affinity for attachment to solid CA 022~0293 1998-09-28 W O 97/36990 PCT~US97/04953 ~G
silver surfaces, particularly when present in as a component of an agueous washing and bleaching solution with which the solid silver surfaces are being treated.

Suitable organic silver coating agents herein include fatty esters of mono-or polyhydric alcohols having from 1 to about 40 carbon atoms in the hydrocarbon chain.

The fatty acid portion of the fatty ester can be obtained from mono- or poly-carboxylic acids having from 1 to about 40 carbon atoms in the hydrocarbon chain. Suitable examples of monocarboxylic fatty acids include behenic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, palmitic acid, myristic acid, lauric acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, isobutyric acid, Valerie acid, lactic acid, glycolic acid and ~"B'- dihydroxyisobutyric acid.
Examples of suitable polycarboxylic acids include: n-butyl-malonic acid, isocitric acid, citric acid, maleic acid, malic acid and succinic acid.

The fatty alcohol radical in the fatty ester can be represented by mono- or polyhydric alcohols having from 1 to 40 carbon atoms in the hydrocarbon chain. Examples of suitable fatty alcohols include; behenyl, arachidyl, cocoyl, oleyl and lauryl alcohol, ethylene glycol, glycerol, ethanol, isopropanol, vinyl alcohol, diglycerol, xylitol, sucrose, erythritol, pentaerythritolt sorbitol or sorbitan.

Preferably, the fatty acid and/or ~atty alcohol group of the fatty ester adjunct material have from 1 to 24 carbon atoms in the alkyl chain.

Preferred fatty esters herein are ethylene glycol, glycerol and sorbitan esters wherein the fatty acid portion of the ester normally comprises a species selected from behenic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, palmitic acid or myristic acid.

The glycerol esters are also highly preferred. These are the mono-, di- or tri-esters of glycerol and the fatty acids as defined above.

.

CA 022~0293 1998-09-28 Specific examples of fatty alcohol esters for use herein include: stearyl acetate, palmityl di-lactate, cocoyl isobutyrate, oleyl maleate, oleyl dimaleate, and tallowyl proprionate. Fatty acid esters useful herein include: xylitol monopalmitate, pentaerythritol monostearate? sucrose monostearate, glycerol monostearate, ethylene glycol monostearate, sorbitan esters. Suitable sorbitan esters include sorbitan monostearate, sorbitan palmitate, sorbitan monolaurate, sorbitan monomyristate, sorbitan monobehenate, sorbitan mono-oleate, sorbitan dilaurate, sorbitan distearate, sorbitan dibehenate, sorbitan dioleate, and also mixed tallowalkyl sorbitan mono- and di-esters.

Glycerol monostearate, glycerol mono-oleate, glycerol monopalmitate, glycerol monobehenate, and glycerol distearate are preferred glycerol esters herein.

Suitable organic silver coating agents include triglycerides, mono or diglycerides, and wholly or partially hydrogenated derivatives thereof, and any mixtures thereof. Suitable sources of fatty acid esters include vegetable and fish oils and ~nim~l fats. Suitable vegetable oils include soy bean oil, cotton seed oil, castor oil, olive oil, peanut oil, safflower oil, sunflower oil, rapeseed oil, grapeseed oil, palm oil and corn oil.

Waxes, including microcrystalline waxes are suitable organic silver coating agents herein. Preferred waxes have a melting point in the range from about 35~C to about 110~C and comprise generally from 12 to 70 carbon atoms. Preferred are petroleum waxes of the paraffin and microcrystalline type which are composed of long-chain saturated hydrocarbon compounds.

Alginates and gelatin are suitable organic silver coating agents herein.

Dialkyl amine oxides such as C12-C20 methyl~mine oxide, and dialkyl quaternary ammonium compounds and salts, such as the C12-C20 methylammonium halides are also suitable.

CA 022~0293 1998-09-28 W O 97136990 PCTrUS97/04953 Other suitable organic silver coating agents include certain polymeric materials. Polyvinylpyrrolidones with an average molecular weight of from ~2,000 to 700,000, polyethylene glycols (PEG) with an average molecular weight of from 600 to 10,000, polyamine N-oxide polymers, copolymers of N-vinylpyrrolidone and N-vinylimidazole, and cellulose derivatives such as methylcellulose, carboxymethylcellulose and hydroxyethylcellulose are examples of such polymeric materials.

Certain perfume materials, particularly those demonstrating a high substantivity for metallic surfaces, are also useful as the organic silver coating agents herein.

Soil release agent Polymeric soil release agents can also be used as an organic silver coating agent. Such soil release agents are also preferred ingredients of laundry detergent compositions herein, for their soil release capability.

Suitable polymeric soil release agents include those soil release agents having: (a) one or more nonionic hydrophile components consisting essentially of (i) polyoxyethylene segments with a degree of polymerization of at least 2, or (ii) oxypropylene or polyoxypropylene segments with a degree of polymerization of from 2 to 10, wherein said hydrophile segment does not encompass any oxypropylene unit unless it is bonded to adjacent moieties at each end by ether linkages, or (iii) a mixture of oxyalkylene units comprising oxyethylene and from 1 to about 30 oxypropylene units, said hydrophile segments preferably comprising at least about 25 %
oxyethylene units and more preferably, especially for such components having about 20 to 30 oxypropylene units, at least about 50 % oxyethylene units; or (b) one or more hydrophobe components comprising (i) C3 oxyalkylene terephth~l~te segments, wherein, if said hydrophobe components also comprise oxyethylene terephth~l~te, the ratio of oxyethylene terephthalate:C3 oxyalkylene terephth~l~te units is about 2:1 or lower, (ii) C4-C6 alkylene or oxy C4-C6 alkylene segments, or mixtures therein, (iii) poly (vinyl ester) segments, preferably polyvinyl acetate, CA 022~0293 1998-09-28 ~q having a degree of polymerization of at least 2, or (iv) C1-C4 alkyl ether or C4 hydroxyalkyl ether substituents, or mixtures therein, wherein said substituents are present in the form of Cl-C4 alkyl ether or C4 hydroxyalkyl ether cellulose derivatives, or mixtures therein, or a combination of (a) and (b).

Typically, the polyoxyethylene segments of (a)(i) will have a degree ofpolymerization of from about 200, although higher levels can be used, preferably from 3 to about 150, more preferably from 6 to about 100.
Suitable oxy C4-C6 alkylene hydrophobe segments include, but are not limited to, end-caps of polymeric soil release agents such as M03S(CH2)nOC~I2CH20-, where M is sodium and n is an integer from 4-6, as disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,721,580, issued January 26, 1988 to Gosselink.

Polymeric soil release agents useful herein also include cellulosic derivatives such as hydroxyether cellulosic polymers, copolymeric blocks of ethylene terephth~l~te or propylene terephth~l~te with polyethylene oxide or polypropylene oxide terephth~l~te, and the like. Such agents are commercially available and include hydroxyethers of cellulose such as METHOCEL (Dow). Cellulosic soil release agents for use herein also include those selected from the group consisting of C1-C4 alkyl and C4 hydroxyalkyl cellulose; see U.S. Patent 4,000,093, issued December 28, 1976 to Nicol, et al.

Soil release agents characterized by poly(vinyl ester) hydrophobe segments include graft copolymers of poly(vinyl ester), e.g., C1-C6 vinyl esters, preferably poly(vinyl acetate) grafted onto polyalkylene oxide backbones, such as polyethylene oxide backbones. See European Patent Application 0 219 048, published April 22, 1987 by Kud, et al.

Another suitable soil release agent is a copolymer having random blocks of ethylene terephthalate and polyethylene oxide (PEO) terephth~l~te. The molecular weight of this polymeric soil release agent is in the range of from W 097/36990 PCT~US97/~4953 '~0 about 25,000 to about 55,000. See U.S. Patent 3,959,230 to Hays, issued May 25, 1976 and U.S. Patent 3,893,929 to Basadur issued July 8, 1975.

Another suitable polymeric soil release agent is a polyester with repeat units of ethylene terephth~l~te units contains 10-15 % by weight of ethylene terephthalate units together with 90-80% by weight of polyoxyethylene terephthalate units, derived from a polyoxyethylene glycol of average molecular weight 300-5,000.

Another suitable polymeric soil release agent is a sulfonated product of a subst~nri~lly linear ester oligomer comprised of an oligomeric ester backbone of terephthaloyl and oxyalkyleneoxy repeat units and terminal moieties covalently attached to the backbone. These soil release agents are described fully in U.S. Patent 4,968,451, issued November 6, 1990 to J.J.
Scheibel and E.P. Gosselink. Other suitable polymeric soil release agents include the terephth~l~te polyesters of U.S. Patent 4,711,730, issued December 8~ 1987 to Gosselink et al, the anionic end-capped oligomeric esters of U.S. Patent 4,721,580, issued January 26, 1988 to Gosselink, and the block polyester oligomeric compounds of U.S. Patent 4,702,857, issued October 27, 1987 to Gosselink. Other polymeric soil release agents also include the soil release agents of U.S. Patent 4,877,896, issued October 31, 1989 to Maldonado et al, which discloses anionic, especially sul-foarolyl, end-capped terephth~l~te esters.

Another soil release agent is an oligomer with repeat units of terephthaloyl units, sulfoisoterephthaloyl units, oxyethyleneoxy and oxy-1,2-propylene units. The repeat units form the backbone of the oligomer and are preferably termin~t~ocl with modified isethionate end-caps. A particularly preferred soil release agent of this type comprises about one sulfoisophthaloyl unit, S terephthaloyl units, oxyethyleneoxy and oxy-1,2-propyleneoxy units in a ratio of from about 1.7 to about 1.8, and two end-cap units of sodium 2-(2-hydroxyethoxy)-ethanesulfonate.

A preferred organic silver coating agent is a paraffin oil, typically a predomin~ntly branched aliphatic hydrocarbon having a number of carbon CA 022~0293 1998-09-28 W O 97/36990 PCTrUS97/04953 ~/
atoms in the range of from 20 to 50; preferred paraffin oil selected from predominantly branched C2s 45 species with a ratio of cyclic to noncyclic hydrocarbons of from 1: 10 to 2: 1, preferably from 1:5 to 1: 1 . A paraffin oil meeting these characteristics, having a ratio of cyclic to noncyclic hydrocarbons of about 32:68, is sold by Wintershall, Salzbergen, Germany, under the trade name WINOG 70.

Nitrogen-cont~inin~ corrosion inhibitor compounds Suitable nitrogen-cont~inin~ corrosion inhibitor compounds include imidazole and derivatives thereof such as benzimidazole, 2-heptadecyl imidazole and those imidazole derivatives described in Czech Patent No.
139, 279 and British Patent GB-A-1,137,741, which also discloses a method for m~king imidazole compounds.

Also suitable as nitrogen-cont~ining corrosion inhibitor compounds are pyrazole compounds and their derivatives, particularly those where the pyrazole is substituted in any of the 1, 3, 4 or 5 positions by substituents Rl, R3, R4 and Rs where Rl is any of H, CH20H, CONH3, or COCH3, R3 and Rs are any of Cl-C20 alkyl or hydroxyl, and R4 is any of H, NH2 or NO2.

Other suitable nitrogen-cont~ining corrosion inhibitor compounds include benzotriazole, 2-mercaptobenzothiazole, 1-phenyl-5-mercapto-1,2,3,4-tetrazole, thionalide, morpholine, mel~min~, distearyl~mine, stearoyl stearamide, cyanuric acid, aminotriazole, aminotetrazole and indazole.

Nitrogen-cont~ining compounds such as amines, especially distearylamine and ammonium compounds such as ammonium chloride, ammonium bromide, ammonium sulphate or (li~mmonium hydrogen citrate are also suitable.

.

CA 022~0293 1998-09-28 Mn(II) corrosion inhibitor compounds The compositions may contain an Mn(II) corrosion inhibitor compound.
The Mn(II) compound is preferably incorporated at a level of from 0.005%
to 5 ~ by weight, more preferably from 0.01 ~ to 1 %, most preferably from 0.02% to 0.4~ by weight of the compositions. Preferably, the Mn(II) compound is incorporated at a level to provide from 0.1 ppm to 250 ppm, more preferably from 0.5 ppm to 50 ppm, most preferably from 1 ppm to 20 ppm by weight of Mn(II) ions in any bleaching solution.

The Mn (II) compound may be an inorganic salt in anhydrous, or any hydrated forms. Suitable salts include m~n~nese sulphate, manganese carbonate, m~n~nese phosphate, m~n~nese nitrate, m~n~nese acetate and m~n~nese chloride. The Mn(II) compound may be a sall or complex of an organic fatty acid such as manganese acetate or manganese stearate.

The Mn(II) compound may be a salt or complex of an organic ligand. In one preferred aspect the organic ligand is a heavy metal ion sequestrant. In another preferred aspect the organic ligand is a crystal growth inhibitor.

Other corrosion inhibitor compounds .

Other suitable additional corrosion inhibitor compounds include, mercaptans and diols, especially mercaptans with 4 to 20 carbon atoms including lauryl mercaptan, thiophenol, thionapthol, thionalide and thioanthranol. Also suitable are saturated or ~ n.c~ rated C lo-C20 fatty acids, or their salts, especially aluminium tristearate. The C12-C20 hydroxy fatty acids, or their salts, are also suitable. Phosphonated octa-rlec~ne and other anti-oxidants such as betahydroxytoluene (BHT) are also suitable.

Copolymers of butadiene and maleic acid, particularly those supplied under the trade reference no. 07787 by Polysciences Inc have been found to be of particular utility as corrosion inhibitor compounds.

CA 022~0293 1998-09-28 W O 97/36990 PCTrUS97/04953 '~

Total Available Oxygen (AvO) Level It has been found that, for optimal anti-silver tarni~hin~ performance, the level of available oxygen in the present compositions, measured in units of % available oxygen by weight of the composition, is preferably controlled;
the level of available oxygen should hence preferably be in the range from 0.3 % to 2.5 %, preferably from 0.5 % to 1.7 %, more preferably from 0.6%
to 1.5%, most preferably from 0.7% to 1.2%, measured according to the method described hereunder.

Rate of Release of AvO

The rate of release of available oxygen is preferably also controlled; the rate of release of available oxygen from the compositions herein preferably should be such that, when using the method described hereinafter, the available oxygen is not completely released from the composition until after 3.5 minutes, preferably the available oxygen is released in a time interval of from 3.5 minlltes to 10.0 minutes, more preferably from 4.0 min~ltes to 9.0 minlltes, most preferably from 5.0 minlltes to 8.5 minlltes.

Method for Measuring Level of Total Available Oxv~en (AvO) and Rate of Release of AvO in a Deter~ent Composition Method 1. A beaker of water (typically 2L) is placed on a stirrer Hotplate, and the stirrer speed is selected to ensure that the product is evenly dispersed through the solution.

2. The detergent composition (typically 8g of product which has been sampled down from a bulk supply using a Pascal sampler), is added and simultaneously a stop clock is started.

CA 022~0293 1998-09-28 W O 97/369gO PCTrUS97/04953 3. The temperanlre control should be adjusted so as to m~int~in a constant temperature of 20~C throughout the experiment.

4. Samples are taken from the detergent solution at 2 minllte time intervals for 20 minlltes, starting after 1 minllte, and are titrated by the "titration procedure" described below to determine the level of available oxygen at each point.

Titration Procedure 1. An aliquot from the detergent solution (above) and 2ml sulphuric acid are added into a stirred beaker 2. Approximately 0.2g arnmonium molybdate catalyst (tetra hydrate form) are added 3. 3mls of 10% sodium iodide solution are added 4. Titration with sodium thiosulphate is conducted until the end point.
The end point can be seen using either of two procedures. First procedure consists simply in seeing the yellow iodine colour fading to clear. The second and preferred procedure consists of ~ldin~ soluble starch when the yellow colour is becoming faint, turning the solution blue. More thiosulphate is added until the end point is reached (blue starch complex is decolourised).

The level of AvO, measured in units of ~ available oxygen by weight, for the sample at each time interval corresponds to the amount of titre according to the following equation Vol S203(ml) x Molarity (S203) x 8 Sample mass (g) CA 022~0293 1998-09-28 W 097/36990 PCT~US97/04953 ~vO level is plotted versus time to determine the maximum level of AvO, and the rate of release of AvO

Controlled rate of release - means A means may be provided for controlling the rate of release of oxygen bleach to the wash solution.

Means for controlling the rate of release of the bleach may provide for controlled release of peroxide species to the wash solution. Such means could, for example, include controlling the release of any inorganic perhydrate salt, acting as a hydrogen peroxide source, to the wash solution.

Suitable controlled release means can include coating any suitable component with a coating designed to provide the controlled release. The coating may therefore, for example, comprise a poorly water soluble material, or be a coating of sufficient thickness that the kinetics of dissolution of the thick coating provide the controlled rate of release.

The coating material may be applied using various methods. Any coatingmaterial is typically present at a weight ratio of coating material to bleach of from 1:99 to 1:2, preferably from 1:49 to 1:9.

Suitable coating materials include triglycerides (e.g. partially) hydrogenated vegetable oil, soy bean oil, cotton seed oil) mono or diglycerides, microcrystalline waxes, gelatin, cellulose, fatty acids and any mixtures thereof.

Other suitable coating materials can comprise the alkali and ~lk~lin~ earth metal sulphates, silicates and carbonates, including calcium carbonate and silicas.

CA 022~0293 1998-09-28 W 097136990 PCTrUS97/04953 ;;~3 6 A preferred coating material, particularly for an inorganic perhydrate salt bleach source, comprises sodium silicate of SiO2: ~a2O ratio from 1.8: 1 to 3.0: 1, preferably 1.8:1 to 2.4:1, and/or sodium metasilicate, preferably applied at a level of from 2~ to 10%, (normally from 35~O to 5%) of SiO2 by weight of the inorganic perhydrate salt. Magnesium silicate can also be included in the coating.

Any inorganic salt coating materials may be combined with organic binder materials to provide composite inorganic salt/organic binder coatings.
Suitable binders include the C10-c2o alcohol ethoxylates con~ining from 5 - 100 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol and more preferably the C1s-C20 primary alcohol ethoxylates cont~inin$ from 20 - 100 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol.

Other preferred binders include certain polymeric materials.
Polyvinylpyrrolidones with an average molecular weight of from 12,000 to 700,000 and polyethylene glycols (PEG) with an average molecular weight of from 600 to 5 x 106 preferably 1000 to 400,000 most preferably 1000 to 10,000 are examples of such polymeric materials. Copolymers of maleic anhydride with ethylene, methylvinyl ether or methacrylic acid, the maleic anhydride constituting at least 20 mole percent of the polymer are further examples of polymeric materials useful as binder agents. These polymeric materials may be used as such or in combination with solvents such as water, propylene glycol and the above mentioned C1o-C20 alcohol ethoxylates cons~ining from 5 - 100 moles of ethylene oxide per mole.
Further examples of binders include the C1o-C20 mono- and diglycerol ethers and also the C1o-C20 fatty acids.

Cellulose derivatives such as methylcellulose, carboxymethylcellulose and hydroxyethylcellulose, and homo- or co-polymeric polycarboxylic acids or their salts are other examples of binders suitable for use herein.

- One method for applying the coating material involves agglomeration.
Preferred agglomeration processes include the use of any of the organic binder materials described hereinabove. Any conventional .

CA 022~0293 1998-09-28 W O 97/36990 PCTrUS97/04953 agglomerator/mixer may be used including, but not limited to pan, rotary drum and vertical blender types. Molten coating compositions may also be applied either by being poured onto, or spray atomized onto a moving bed of bleaching agent.

Other means of providing the re~uired controlled release include mechanical means for altering the physical characteristics of the bleach to control its solubility and rate of release. Suitable protocols could include compaction, mechanical injection, manual injection, and adjustment of the solubility of the bleach compound by selection of particle size of any particulate component.

Whilst the choice of particle size will depend both on the composition of the particulate component, and the desire to meet the desired controlled release kinetics, it is desirable that the particle size should be more than 500 micrometers, preferably having an average particle diameter of from 800 to 1200 micrometers.

Additional protocols for providing the means of controlled release include the suitable choice of any other components of the detergent composition matrix such that when the composition is introduced to the wash solution the ionic strength environrnent therein provided enables the required controlled release kinetics to be achieved.

Alk~linity system The compositions preferably contain an ~Ik~linity system cont~ining sodium silicate having an SiO2: Na2O ratio of from 1.8 to 3.0, preferably from 1.8 to 2.4, most preferably 2.0, present preferably at a level of less than 20%, preferably from 1% to 15~, most preferably from 3% to 12% by weight of SiO2. The alkali metal silicate may be in the form of either the anhydrous salt or a hydrated salt.

The ~lk~linity system also preferably contains sodium metasilicate, present at a level of at least 0.4 % SiO2 by weight. Sodium metasilicate has a CA 022~0293 1998-09-28 W 097/36990 PCT~US97/04953 ,~

nominal SiO2: Na2O ratio of 1Ø The weight ratio of said sodium silicate to said sodium metasilicate, measured as SiO2, is preferably from 50:1 to 5:4, more preferably from 15:1 to 2:1, most preferably from 10:1 to 5:2.

Heavy metal ion sequestrant The detergent compositions of the invention preferably contain as an optional component a heavy metal ion sequestrant. By heavy metal ion sequestrant it is meant herein components which act to sequester (chelate) heavy metal ions. These components may also have calcium and magnesium chelation capacity, but preferentially they show selectivity to binding heavy metal ions such as iron, manganese and copper.

Heavy metal ion sequestrants are generally present at a level of from 0.005% to 20%, preferably from 0.1% to 10%, more preferably from 0.25 % to 7.5 % and most preferably from 0.5 % to 5 % by weight of the compositions. The weight ratio of heavy metal ion sequestrant to ATCA is preferably from 1:20 to 20:1, more preferably from 1:10 to 10:1, most preferably from 5 :1 to 1:5.

Heavy metal ion sequestrants, which are acidic in nature, having for example phosphonic acid or carboxylic acid functionalities, may be present either in their acid form or as a complex/salt with a suitable counter cation such as an alkali or ~lk~lin~ metal ion, ammonium, or substituted ammonium ion, or any mixtures thereof. Preferably any salts/complexes are water soluble. The molar ratio of said counter cation to the heavy metal ion sequestrant is preferably at least 1:1.

Suitable heavy metal ion sequestrants for use herein include organic phosphonates, such as the amino alkylene poly (alkylene phosphonates), alkali metal ethane 1-hydroxy disphosphonates and nitrilo trimethylene phosphonates. Preferred among the above species are diethylene triamine penta (methylene phosphonate), ethylene ~ mine tri (methylene phosphonate) hexamethylene ~ mine tetra (methylene phosphonate) and hydroxy-ethylene 1,1 diphosphonate.

.

CA 022~0293 1998-09-28 W O 97/36990 PCTrUS97/04953 Other suitable heavy metal ion sequestrant for use herein include nitrilotriacetic acid and polyaminocarboxylic acids such as ethylenediaminotetracetic acid, ethylenetriamine pentacetic acid, ethylenecli~mine disuccinic acid, ethylene~ mine diglutaric acid, 2-hydroxypropylene~ mine disuccinic acid or any salts thereof.

Especially preferred is ethylene~ mine-N,N'-disuccinic acid (EDDS) or the alkali metal, ~lk~line earth metal, ammonium, or substituted ammonium salts thereof, or mixtures thereof. Preferred EDDS compounds are the free acid form and the sodium or magnesium salt or complex thereof.

Crvstal growth inhibitor component The detergent compositions preferably contain a crystal growth inhibitor component, preferably an organodiphosphonic acid component, incorporated preferably at a level of from 0.01% to 5%, more preferably from 0.1 % to 2% by weight of the compositions.

By organo diphosphonic acid it is meant herein an organo diphosphonic acid which does not contain nitrogen as part of its chemical structure. This definition therefore excludes the organo aminophosphonates, which however may be included in compositions of the invention as heavy metal ion sequestrant components.

The organo diphosphonic acid is preferably a C1-C4 diphosphonic acid, more preferably a C2 diphosphonic acid, such as ethylene diphosphonic acid, or most preferably ethane 1-hydroxy-1, 1-diphosphonic acid (HEDP) and may be present in partially or fully ionized form, particularly as a salt or complex.

CA 022~0293 1998-09-28 W O 97/36990 PCT~US97/049~3 ~f G
Enzyme Another optional ingredient useful in the compositions is one or more enzymes. Preferred enzymatic materials include the commercially available lipases, amylases, neutral and ~lk~line proteases, esterases, cellulases, pectinases, lactases and peroxidases conventionally incorporated into detergent compositions. Suitable enzymes are discussed in US Patents 3,519,570 and 3,533,139.

Preferred commercially available protease enzymes include those sold under the tradenames Alcalase, Savinase, Primase, Durazym, and Esperase by Novo Industries A/S (Denmark), those sold under the tradename Maxatase, Maxacal and Maxapem by Gist-Brocades, those sold by Genencor International, and those sold under the tradename Opticlean and Optimase by Solvay Enzymes. Protease enzyme may be incorporated into the compositions in accordance with the invention at a level of from 0.0001% to 4% active enzyme by weight of the composition.

Preferred amylases include, for example, a-amylases obtained from a special strain of B licheniformis, described in more detail in GB-1,269,839 (Novo). Preferred commercially available amylases include for example, those sold under the tradename Rapidase by Gist-Brocades, and those sold under the tradename Termamyl and BAN by Novo Industries A/S.
Amylase enzyme may be incorporated into the composition in accordance with the invention at a level of from 0.0001% to 2% active enzyme by weight of the composition.

Lipolytic enzyme (lipase) may be present at levels of active lipolytic enzyme of from 0.0001% to 2 % by weight, preferably 0.001 % to 1 % by weight, most preferably from 0.001 % to 0.5 % by weight of the compositions. The lipase may be fungal or bacterial in origin. Lipase from chemically or genetically modified mutants of these strains are also useful - herein. A preferred lipase is described in Granted European Patent, EP-B-0218272.

CA 022~0293 1998-09-28 ~/ .

An especially preferred lipase herein is obtained by cloning the gene from Humicola lanuginosa and expressing the gene in Asper~illus orvza, as host, as described in European Patent Application, EP-A-0258 068, which is commercially available from Novo Industries A/S, Bagsvaerd, Denmark, under the trade name Lipolase. This lipase is also described in U.S. Patent 4,810,414, Huge-Jensen et al, issued March 7, 1989.

Enzyme Stabilizin~ System Preferred enzyme-cont~ining compositions herein may comprise from about 0.001~ to about 10%, preferably from about 0.005% to about 8%, most preferably from about 0.01% to about 6%, by weight of an enzyme stabilizing system. The enzyme stabilizing system can be any stabilizing system which is compatible with the detersive enzyme. Such stabilizing systems can comprise calcium ion, boric acid, propylene glycol, short chain carboxylic acid, boronic acid, chlorine bleach scavengers and mixtures thereof. Such stabilizing systems can also comprise reversible enzyme inhibitors, such as reversible protease inhibitors.

Organic polymeric compound Organic polymeric compounds may be added as preferred components of the compositions in accord with the invention. By organic polymeric compound it is meant essentially any polymeric organic compound commonly used as dispersants, and anti-redeposition and soil suspension agents in detergent compositions. Organic polymer compounds, however, have not been previously described as soil release agents in dishwashing.

Organic polymeric compound is typically incorporated in the de~ergent compositions of the invention at a level of from 0.1 % to 30%, preferably from 0.5% to 15%, most preferably from 1% to 10% by weight of the compositlons.

. .

CA 022~0293 1998-09-28 W 097136990 PCTrUS97/049~3 Examples of organic polymeric compounds include the water soluble organic homo- or co-polymeric polycarboxylic acids or their salts in which the polycarboxylic acid comprises at least two carboxyl radicals separated from each other by not more than two carbon atoms. Polymers of the latter type are disclosed in GB-A-1,596,756. Examples of such salts are polyacrylates of molecular weight 2000-10000 and their copolymers with any suitable other monomer units including modified acrylic, fumaric, maleic, itaconic, aconitic, mesaconic, citraconic and methylenemalonic acid or their salts, maleic anhydride, acrylamide, alkylene, vinylmethyl ether, styrene and any mixnlres thereof. Preferred are the copolymers of acrylic acid and maleic anhydride having a molecular weight of from 20,000 to 100,000.

Preferred commercially available acrylic acid cont~ining polymers having a molecular weight below 15,000 include those sold under the tradename Sokalan PA30, PA20, PA15, PA10 and Sokalan CP10 by BASF GmbH, and those sold under the tradename Acusol 45N by Rohm and Haas.

Preferred acrylic acid cont~ining copolymers include those which contain as monomer units: a) from 90% to 10~, preferably from 80~ to 20% by weight acrylic acid or its salts and b) from 10% to 90%, preferably from 20% to 80% by weight of a substituted acrylic monomer or its salts having the general formula -[CR2-CR1(CO-O-R3)]- wherein at least one of the substituents Rl, R2 or R3, preferably Rl or R2 is a 1 to 4 carbon alkyl or hydroxyalkyl group~ R~ or R2 can be a hydrogen and R3 can be a hydrogen or alkali metal salt. Most preferred is a substituted acrylic monomer wherein R1 is methyl, R2 is hydrogen (i.e. a methacrylic acid monomer). The most preferred copolymer of this type has a molecular weight of 3500 and contains 60~ to 80~ by weight of acrylic acid and 40 % to 20 % by weight of methacrylic acid.

The polyamino compounds are useful herein including those derived from aspartic acid such as those disclosed in EP-A-305282, EP-A-305283 and EP-A-35 1629.

CA 022~0293 1998-09-28 Clay softening system The detergent compositions where formulated for laundry usage may contain a clay softening system comprising a clay mineral compound and optionally a clay flocculating agent.

The clay mineral compound is preferably a smectite clay compound.
Smectite clays are disclosed in the US Patents Nos. 3~862,058, 3,948,790, 3,954,632 and 4,062,647. European Patents Nos. EP-A-299,575 and EP-A-313,146 in the name of the Procter and Gamble Company describe suitable organic polymeric clay flocc~ ting agents.

Lime soap dispersant compound The compositions of the invention may contain a lime soap dispersant compound, preferably present at a level of from 0.1 ~ to 40~ by weight, more preferably 1 % to 20% by weight, most preferably from 2% to 10%
by weight of the compositions.

A lime soap dispersant is a material that prevents the precipitation of alkali metal, ammonium or amine salts of fatty acids by calcium or m~gnesium ions. Preferred lime soap dispersant compounds are disclosed in PCT
Application No. W093/08877.

Suds suppressing system The compositions of the invention, when formulated for use in machine washing compositions, preferably comprise a suds suppressing system present at a level of from 0.01 % to 15 ~, preferably from 0.05 % to 10~, most pre~erably from 0.1 % to 5 % by weight of the composition.

Suitable suds suppressing systems for use herein may comprise essentially any known antifoam compound, including, for example silicone antifoam compounds, 2-alkyl and alcanol antifoam compounds. Preferred suds CA 022~0293 1998-09-28 W O 97t36990 PCTrUS97tO4953 Y~ ,.
suppressing systems and antifoam compounds are disclosed in PCT
Application No. W093/08876 and copending European Application No.
93870132.3.

Polymeric dye transfer inhibitin~ a~ents The compositions herein may also comprise from 0.01% to 10 %, preferably from 0.05~ to 0.5% by weight of polymeric dye transfer inhibiting agents.

The polymeric dye transfer inhibiting agents are preferably selected from polyamine N-oxide polymers, copolymers of N-vinylpyrrolidone and N-vinylimidazole, polyvinylpyrrolidonepolymers or combinations thereof.

a) Polyamine N-oxide polymers Polyamine N-oxide polymers suitable for use herein contain units havingthe following structure forrnula:

Ax wherein P is a polymerisable unit, and O O O

A is NC, CO, C,--O -, --S--, --N--; x is O or l;

R are aliphatic, ethoxylated aliphatics, aromatic, heterocyclic or alicyclic groups or any combination thereof whereto the nitrogen of the N-0 group can be attached or wherein the nitrogen of the N-0 group is part of these groups.

CA 022~0293 1998-09-28 The N-O group can be represented by the following general structures:
o (R1)X --N---(R2)y (R~)z or =N (R1)X

wherein Rl, R2 and R3 are aliphatic groups, aromatic, heterocyclic or alicyclic groups or combinations thereof, x or/and y or/and z is 0 or 1 and wherein the nitrogen of the N-O group can be attached or wherein the nitrogen of the N-O group forms part of these groups. The N-O group can be part of the polymerisable unit (P) or can be attached to the polymeric backbone or a combination of both.

Suitable polyamine N-oxides wherein the N-O group forms part of the polymerisable unit comprise polyamine N-oxides wherein R is selected from aliphatic, aromatic, alicyclic or heterocyclic groups. One class of said polyamine N-oxides comprises the group of polyamine N-oxides wherein the nitrogen of the N-O group forms part of the R-group.
Preferred polyamine N-oxides are those wherein R is a heterocyclic group such as pyrridine, pyrrole, imidazole, pyrrolidine, piperidine, quinoline, acridine and derivatives thereof.

Other suitable polyamine N-oxides are the polyamine oxides whereto the N-O group is attached to the polymerisable unit. A preferred class of these polyamine N-oxides comprises the polyamine N-oxides having the general formula (I) wherein R is an aromatic, heterocyclic or alicyclic groups wherein the nitrogen of the N-O functional group is part of said R group.
Examples of these classes are polyamine oxides wherein R is a heterocyclic compound such as pyrridine, pyrrole, imidazole and derivatives thereof.

The polyamine N-oxides can be obtained in almost any degree of polymerisation. The degree of polymerisation is not critical provided the CA 022~0293 1998-09-28 W 097/36990 PCT~US97/04953 ~' material has the desired water-solubility and dye-suspending power.
Typically, the average molecular weight is within the range of 500 to 1,000,000.
b) Copolymers of N-vinylpyrrolidone and N-vinylimidazole Suitable herein are copolymers of N-vinylimidazole and N-vinylpyrrolidone having an average molecular weight range of from 5,000 to 50,000. The preferred copolymers have a molar ratio of N-vinylimidazole to N-vinylpyrrolidone from 1 to 0.2.
c) Polyvinylpyrrolidone The detergent compositions herein may also utilize polyvinylpyrrolidone("PVP") having an average molecular weight of from 2,500 to 400,000.
Suitable polyvinylpyrrolidones are commercially available from ISP
Corporation, New York, NY and Montreal, Canada under the product names PVP K-15 (viscosity molecular weight of 10,000), PVP K-30 (average molecular weight of 40,000), PVP K-60 (average molecular weight of 160,000), and PVP K-90 (average molecular weight of 360,000).
PVP K-15 is also available from ISP Corporation. Other suitable polyvinylpyrrolidones which are commercially available from BASF
Corporation include Sokalan HP 165 and Sokalan HP 12.
d) Polyvinyloxazolidone The detergent compositions herein may also utilize polyvinyloxazolidones as polymeric dye transfer inhibiting agents. Said polyvinyloxazolidones have an average molecular weight of from 2,500 to 400,000.

e) Polyvinylimidazole CA 022~0293 1998-09-28 ~j9 The detergent compositions herein may also utilize polyvinylimidazole as polymeric dye transfer inhibiting agent. Said polyvinylimidazoles preferably have an average molecular weight of from 2,500 to 400,000.

Optical brightener The detergent compositions herein particularly where formulated for laundry usage also optionally contain from about 0.005% to 5~ by weight of certain types of hydrophilic optical brighteners.

Hydrophilic optical brighteners useful herein include those having the structural formula:

~ N H ~C=C~ I ~I'o~2 R2 SO3M SO3M R~

wherein R1 is selected from anilino, N-2-bis-hydroxyethyl and NH-2-hydroxyethyl; R2 is selected from N-2-bis-hydroxyethyl, N-2-hydroxyethyl-N-methylamino, morphilino, chloro and amino; and M is a salt-forming cation such as sodium or potassium.

When in the above formula, R1 is ~nilino, R2 is N-2-bis-hydroxyethyl and M is a cation such as sodium, the brightener is 4,4',-bis[(4-~nilino-6-(N-2-bis-hydroxyethyl)-s-triazine-2-yl)amino]-2,2'-stilbenedisulfonic acid and disodium salt. This particular brightener species is commercially marketed under the tradename Tinopal-UNPA-GX by Ciba-Geigy Corporation.
Tinopal-UNPA-GX is the preferred hydrophilic optical brightener useful in the detergent compositions herein.

When in the above forrnula, R1 is anilino, R2 is N-2-hydroxyethyl-N-2-methylamino and M is a cation such as sodium, the brightener is 4,4'-bis[(4-anilino-6-(N-2-hydroxyethyl-N-methylamino)-s-triazine-2-CA 022~0293 1998-09-28 W 097/36990 PCTrUS97/04953 Y~ , yl)amino]2,2'-stilbenedisulfonic acid disodium salt. This particular brightener species is commercially marketed under the tradename Tinopal SBM-GX by Ciba-Geigy Corporation.

When in the above formula, R1 is anilino, R2 is morphilino and M is a cation such as sodium, the brightener is 4,4'-bis[(4-anilino-6-morphilino-s-triazine-2-yl)amino]2,2'-stilbenedisulfonic acid, sodium salt. This particular brightener species is commercially marketed under the tradename Tinopal AMS-GX by Ciba Geigy Corporation.

Cationic fabric softening agents Cationic fabric softening agents can also be incorporated into compositions in accordance with the present invention. Suitable cationic fabric softening agents include the water insoluble tertiary amines or dilong chain amide materials as disclosed in GB-A-1 514 276 and EP-B-0 011 340.

Cationic fabric softening agents are typically incorporated at total levels of from 0.5% to 15~ by weight, normally from 1% to 55~ by weight.

Other optional ingredients Other optional ingredients suitable for inclusion in the compositions of the invention include perfumes, colours and ~Iller salts, with sodium sulfate being a preferred filler salt.

pH of the compositions The detergent compositions used in the present invention are preferably not form~ te-l to have an unduly high pH, in preference having a pH measured as a 1% solution in distilled water of from 8.0 to 12.5, more preferably from 9.0 to 11.8, most preferably from 9.5 to 11.5.

CA 022~0293 1998-09-28 Form of the compositions The detergent compositions used in this invention can be formulated in any desirable form such as powders, granulates, pastes, liquids, gels, bars and tablets, granular and tablet forms being preferred.

The bulk density of the granular detergent compositions in accordance with the present invention is typically of at least 650 g/litre, more usually at least 700 g/litre and more preferably from 800 g/litre to 1200 g/litre.

The particle size of the components of granular compositions in accordance with the invention should preferably be such that no more that 5 % of particles are greater than 1 .4mm in diameter and not more than 5 % of particles are less than 0.15mm in diameter.

Compacted solids may be manufactured using any suitable compacting process, such as tabletting, briqlletting or extrusion, preferably tabletting.
Preferably tablets are manufactured using a standard rotary tabletting press using compression forces of from S to 13 KN/cm2, more preferably from 5 to 11KN/cm2 so that the compacted solid has a minimum hardness of 176N
to 275N, preferably from l95N to 245N, measured by a C100 hardness test as supplied by I. Holland instruments. This process may be used tO prepare homogeneous or layered tablets of any size or shape. Preferably tablets are symmetrical to ensure the uniform dissolution of the tablet in the wash solution.

According to the present invention the compacted solid form detergent composition may find utility in all types of automatic dish and laundry washing machines including industrial and domestic machines.

Generally, if the compositions are in liquid form the liquid should be thixotropic (ie; exhibit high viscosity when subjected to low stress and l~wer viscosity when subjected to high stress), or at least have very high viscosity, for example, of from 1,000 to 10,000,000 centipoise.

CA 022~0293 1998-09-28 5-o Machine dishwashing method Any suitable methods for machine washing or cle~nin~ soiled tableware, particularly soiled silverware are envisaged.

A preferred machine dishwashing method comprises treating soiled articles selected from crockery, glassware, hollowware, silverware and cutlery and mixtures thereof, with an aqueous liquid having dissolved or dispensed therein an effective amount of a machine dishwashing composition in accord with the invention. By an effective amount of the machine dishwashing composition it is meant from 8g to 60g of product dissolved or dispersed in a wash solution of volume from 3 to 10 litres, as are typical product dosages and wash solution volumes commonly employed in conventional machine dishwashing methods.

T ~untlry washing method Machine laundry methods herein typically comprise treating soiled laundry with an aqueous wash solution in a washing m~chinP having dissolved or dispensed therein an effective amount of a machine laundry detergent composition in accord with the invention. By an effective amount of the detergent composition it is meant from 40g to 300g of product dissolved or dispersed in a wash solution of volume from 5 to 65 litres, as are typical product dosages and wash solution volumes commonly employed in conventional m~chin~ laundry methods.

In a preferred use aspect a dispensing device is employed in the washing method. The dispensing device is charged with the detergent product, and is used to introduce the product directly into the drum of the washing machine before the commencement of the wash cycle. Its volume capacity should be such as to be able to contain sufficient detergent product as would normally be used in the washing method.

Once the washing machine has been loaded with laundry the dispensing device cont~inin~ the detergent product is placed inside the drum. At the CA 022~0293 1998-09-28 ~i commencement of the wash cycle of the washing machine water is introduced into the drum and the drum periodically rotates. The design of the dispensing device should be such that it permits cont~inment of the dry detergent product but then allows release of this product during the wash cycle in response to its agitation as the drum rotates and also as a result of its contact with the wash water.

To allow for release of the detergent product during the wash the device may possess a number of openings through which the product may pass.
Alternatively, the device may be made of a material which is perrneable to liquid but impermeable to the solid product, which will allow release of dissolved product. Preferably, the detergent product will be rapidly released at the start of the wash cycle thereby providing transient localised high concentrations of product in the drum of the washing machine at this stage of the wash cycle.

Preferred dispensing devices are reusable and are designed in such a way that container integrity is m~int~ined in both the dry state and during the wash cycle. Especially preferred dispensing devices for use with the composition of the invention have been described in the following patents;
GB-B-2, 157, 717, GB-B-2, 157, 718, EP-A-0201376, EP-A-0288345 and EP-A-0288346. An article by J.Bland published in Manufacturing Chemist, November 1989, pages 41-46 also describes especially preferred dispensing devices for use with granular laundry products which are of a type commonly know as the l'granulette". Another preferred dispensing device for use with the compositions of this invention is disclosed in PCT
Patent Application No. WO94/11562.

Especially preferred dispensing devices are disclosed in European Patent Application Publication Nos. 0343069 & 0343070. The latter Application discloses a device comprising a flexible sheath in the form of a bag extending from a support ring defining an orifice, the orifice being adapted to admit to the bag sufficient product for one washing cycle in a washing process. A portion of the washing medium flows through the orifice into the bag, dissolves the product, and the solution then passes outwardly CA 022~0293 1998-09-28 W O 97/36990 PCTrUS97104953 ~',',~Z

through the orifice into the washing medium. The support ring is provided with a masking arrangement to prevent egress of wetted, undissolved, product, this arrangement typically comprising radially extending walls extending from a central boss in a spoked wheel configuration, or a similar structure in which the walls have a helical form.

Alternatively, the dispensing device may be a flexible container, such as a bag or pouch. The bag may be of fibrous construction coated with a water impermeable protective material so as to retain the contents, such as is disclosed in European published Patent Application No. 0018678.
Alternatively it may be formed of a water-insoluble synthetic polymeric material provided with an edge seal or closure designed to rupture in aqueous media as disclosed in European published Patent Application Nos.
0011500, 0011501, 0011502, and 0011968. A convenient forrn of water frangible closure comprises a water soluble adhesive disposed along and sealing one edge of a pouch formed of a water impermeable polymeric film such as polyethylene or polypropylene.

Examples Abbreviations used in Examples In the detergent compositions, the abbreviated component identifications have the following me~ning~:

LAS : Sodium linear C12 alkyl benzene sulfonate TAS : Sodium tallow alkyl sulfate C45AS : Sodium C14-C1s linear alkyl sulfate CxyEzS : Sodium Clx-Cly branched alkyl sulfate condensed with z moles of ethylene oxide C45E7 : A C14 15 predomin~ntly linear primary alcohol condensed with an average of 7 moles - of ethylene oxide C25E3 : A C14 15 ~ranched primary alcohol condensed with an average of 3 moles of ethylene oxide CA 022~0293 1998-09-28 W 097/36990 PCTrUS97/04953 C25E5 : A C12 15 branched primary alcohol condensed with an average of 5 moles of ethylene oxide CEQ : R 1 COOCH2CH2 . N + (CH3)3 with R 1 = C 1 1-QAS : R2.N+(CH3)2(C2H4OH with R2 = C12-C14 Soap : Sodium linear alkyl carboxylate derived from an 80/20 mixture of tallow and coconut oils TFAA : C 1 6-C 1 8 alkyl N-methy~ glucamide TPKFA : C12-C14 topped whole cut fatty acids Zeolite A : Hydrated Sodium Aluminosilicate of formula Na12(A102SiO2)12.27H2O having a primary particle size in the range from 0.1 to 10 micrometers Zeolite MAP : Hydrated sodium aluminosilicate MAP having a silicon to aluminium ratio of 1.07:1.
NaSKS-6 : Cryst~lline layered silicate of formula ~-Na2Si205 Citric Acid : Anhydrous citric acid Bicarbonate : Anhydrous sodium bicarbonate with a particle size distribution between 400 ~m and 1200 ~m MA/AA : Copolymer of 1:4 maleic/acrylic acid, average molecular weight about 70,000 CMC : Sodium carboxymethyl cellulose Alcalase : Proteolytic enzyme of activity 3AU/g sold by NOVO INdustries A/S
Cellulase : Cellulytic enzyme of activity 1000 CEVU/g sold by NOVO Industries A/S under the tradename Carezyme Lipase : Lipolytic enzyme of activity 100kLU/g sold by NOVO Industries A/S under the tradename Lipolase Endolase : Endoglucase enzyme of activity 3000 cEVU/g sold by NOVO Industries A/S
Photoactivated bleach : Sulfonated Zinc Phythlocyanine encapsulated in dextrin soluble polymer CA 022~0293 1998-09-28 W O 97/36990 PCT~US97tO4953 Brightener 1 : Disodium 4,4'-bis(2-sulphostyryl)biphenyl Brightener2 : Disodium 4,4'-bis (4-anilino-6-morpholino-1 . 3 . 5-triazin-2-yl)amino) stilbene-2 :2 ' -disulfonate PVNO : Polyvinylpyridine N-oxide PVPVI : Copolymer of polyvinylpyrolidone and vinylimidazole SRP 1 : Sulfobenzoyl end capped esters with oxyethylene oxy and terephtaloyl backbone SRP 2 : Diethoxylated poly (1, 2 propylene terephtlate) short block polymer Silicone antifoam : Polydimethylsiloxane foam controller with siloxane-oxyalkylene copolymer as dispersing agent with a ratio of said form controller to said dispersing agent of 10:1 to 100:1 NOBS : Nonanoyloxybenzene sulfonate in the form of the sodium salt STPP : Sodium tripolyphosphate MGDA : Methyl Glycine Diacetic acid Citrate : Tri-sodium citrate dihydrate Carbonate : Anhydrous sodium carbonate Silicate : Amorphous Sodium Silicate (SiO2:Na2O ratio = 2.0) Metasilicate : Sodium metasilicate (SiO2:Na2O ratio = 1.0) PB1 : Anhydrous sodium perborate monohydrate PB4 : Sodium perborate tetrahydrate of nominal formula NaBO2.3H2O.H2O2 Percarbonate : Anhydrous sodium percarbonate of nominal formula 2 . Na2co3 . 3H2~2 Nonionic : C13-C1s mixed ethoxylated/propoxylated fatty alcohol with an average degree of ethoxylation of 3.8 and an average degree of propoxylation - of 4.~ sold under the tradename Plurafac LF404 by BASF GmbH (low fo~ming) TAED : Tetraacetyl ethylene ~ mine CA 022~0293 1998-09-28 W O 97/36990 PCTrUS97/049~3 HEDP : Ethane l-hydroxy-1,1-diphosphonic acid DETPMP : Diethyltriamine penta (methylene) phosphonate, marketed by monsanto under the tradename Dequest 2060 PAAC : Pent~mine acetate cobalt (III) salt BzP : Benzoyl Peroxide Paraffin : Paraffln oil sold under the tradename Winog 70 by Wintershall.
Protease : Proteolytic enzyme of activity 4KNPU/g sold under the tradename Savinase by Novo Industries A/S
Amylase : Amylolytic enzyme of activity 60KNU/g sold under tradename Termamyl 60T by Novo Industries A/S
BTA : Benzotriazole Bismuth nitrate : Bismuth nitrate salt PA30 : Polyacrylic acid of average molecular weight approximately 8,000 Terpolymer : Terpolymer of avera~e molecular weight approx. 7,000, comprising acrylic:maleic:ethylacrylic acid monomer units at a weight ratio of 60:20:20 480N : Random copolymer of 3:7 acrylic/methacrylic acid, average molecular weight about 3,500 Sulphate : Anhydrous sodium sulphate.
NaDCC : Sodium dichloroisocyanurate KOH : 100% active solution of Potassium Hydroxide BSA : Amylotic enzyme sold under the tradename LE17 by Novo Industries A/S (approx 1%
enzyme activity) pH : Measured as a 1% solution in distilled water at 20~C

....... . .. .. .

CA 022~0293 1998-09-28 W 097/36990 PCTrUS97/04953 In the following examples all levels are ~uoted as % by weight of the composltlon:

Example 1 The following compact high density (0.96Kg/l) dishwashing detergent compositions A to F were prepared. Composition A is a comparative composition. Compositions B to F are in accord with the invention:

A B C D E F
STPP 24.80 24.80 25.00 28.39 28.50 20.00 Citrate - - - - 10.00 10.00 Carbona~e - - 17.50 17.50 MGDA - 2.50 2.00 2.00 3.00 2.00 Silicate 20.36 20.36 14.81 14.81 14.81 Metasilicate 2.50 2.50 2.50 PBl 7.79 7.79 9.74 14.28 9.74 Percarbonate - - - - - 6.70 Non-ionic 1.50 1.50 2.00 1.50 2.00 2.60 TAED 2.39 2.39 2.39 - - 4.00 HEDP 0.46 0.46 1.00 - 0.83 DETPMP - - 0.65 PAAC - - - 0.20 BzP - 4 44 Paraffin 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 - 0.20 Protease 2.20 2.20 2.20 2.20 2.00 0.50 Amylase 1.50 1.50 1.20 1.50 1.00 1.10 BTA 0.30 0.30 0.30 0.30 Bismuth Nitrate - - 0.30 - Terpolymer - - - 4.00 480N 2.77 2.77 6.00 - 6.67 Sulphate 8.44 8.44 20.77 - 23.24 1.00 CA 022~0293 1998-09-28 W O 97/36990 PCT~U~97/04953 Misc inc moisture to balance pH (1% solution) 10.90 10.90 11.00 10.80 10.90 9.60 Comparative testin~ - Improved builder performance The stain and soil removal of Composition B, in accord with the invention was compared to that of comparative Composition A using the following test procedure.

1) A representative hydrophilic tea st~inin~ solution was prepared by stewing 15 grams PG tips (tradename) loose leaf tea in 2.5 Iitres of distilled water at water hardness 20 grains per gallon (equivalent to 2.86 mmol Ca2 + /litre) .

2) The dishware test samples (100 tea cups of rim diameter 8 cm) were stained by pouring lOOml of the representative tea st~ining solution into said test samples and placing them in a standard oven at 100~C for 1 hour.
At the end of this period the test samples were removed from the oven, emptied of their contents of representative tea st~inin~ solution and returned to the oven for 2 hours to dry.

3) Twenty of the stained test samples were then placed in the upper rack of each of five Bosch siemens SMS 6032 (tradename) machine dishwashers.
In addition, 70 g of DIN soil (comprising Breakfast oats, PG (tradename) loose leaf tea, frozen spinach, UHT full cream milk, butter, Tyne brand mince (tradename) and onions in gravy, 12 eggs in 4 litres of water) was added to the machine dishwasher. The stained test samples were washed in 20g of detergent added by way of a standard dispenser mech~ni.cm. The wash programme selected comprised washing and rinsing steps at a temperature of between 50 and 60~C. The feed water hardness was 2.86 mmol Ca2+/litre.

CA 022~0293 1998-09-28 W O 97136990 PCTrUS97/04953 4) At the end of the wash the test samples were removed from the machine dishwasher and graded. Grading was through visual inspection of the washed test samples according to a scale of 1 to 10, wherein a score of 1 indicates no tea stain removal and a score of 10 indicates all tea stain removed.

Results were as follows: (average of the 4 gradings from the panellists) Composition A Composition B
4.8 9.0 The improved builder performance profile of Compositions B is seen to be better than that of related comparative Composition A, as measured by the graded removal of tea stain from the test samples.

Example 2 The following granular dishwashing detergent compositions examples G
to L of bulk density 1.02Kg/L were prepared in accord with the invention:

G H I J K L
STPP 30.00 30.00 30.00 27.90 34.50 26.70 Carbonate 30.50 23.50 30.50 23.00 30.50 2.80 MGDA - 2.00 2.00 5.00 5.00 2.00 Silicate 7.40 7.40 7.40 12.00 8.00 18.34 PB1 4.40 4.40 4.40 - 4.40 NaDCC - - - 2.00 - 1.50 Nonionic 0.75 0.75 0.75 1.90 1.20 0.50 TAED 1.00 1.00 - - 1.00 BzP - 1.40 Paraffin 0.25 0.25 0.25 Protease 1.10 1.10 1.10 - 2.20 Amylase 0.38 0.38 0.38 - 0.80 -BTA 0.15 - 0.15 W 097/36990 PCTrUS97104953 S-~
Sulphate 23.90 21.90 21.90 26.40 12.40 Misc inc moisture to balance pH (1% solution) 10.80 10.80 10.80 10.70 10.70 12.30 Example 3 The following detergent composition tablets in accord with the present invention of 25g weight were prepared by compression of a granular dishwashing detergent composition at a pressure of 13KN/cm2 using a standard 12 head rotary press:

M N O
STPP 45.00 38.80 32.50 Citrate - - 15.00 Carbonate - 5.00 MGDA 2.00 4.00 2.00 Silicate 26.40 14.80 25.00 Protease 1.76 2.20 0.60 Amylase 1.20 - 0.60 PB1 1.56 7.79 PB4 6.92 - 11.40 Nonionic 1.20 2.00 1.10 TAED 4.33 2.39 0.80 HEDP 0.67 0.67 DETPMP 0.6 Paraffln 0.42 0.50 BTA 0.24 0.30 PA30 3.2 Sulphate 25.05 12.70 1.20 Misc inc moisture to balance pH (1% solution) 10.60 10.60 11.00 W O 97/36990 PCTrUS97/04953 Example 4 The following liquid detergent compositions in accord with the present invention P to Q, of density 1.40Kg/L were prepared:

P Q
STPP 31.30 18.00 Carbonate 2.70 2.00 MGDA 2.00 2.00 Silicate - 4.40 NaDCC 1.10 1.15 Nonionic 2.50 1.0() Paraffin 2.20 Protease 0.60 0.50 Amylase 0.80 0.40 480N 0.50 4.00 KOH - 6.00 Sulphate 1.60 Misc inc moisture to balance pH (1% solution) 9.10 10.00 Example 5 The following granular laundry detergent compositions A' to C' of bulk density 750 g/litre were prepared in accord with the invention:

A' B' C' LAS 5.25 5.61 4.76 TAS 1.25 1.86 1.57 C45AS - 2.24 3.89 C25AE3S - 0. 76 1.1 8 W O 97/36990 PCTrUS97/04953 C45E7 3.25 - 5.0 C25E3 - 5.5 CEQ 0.8 2.0 2.0 STPP 19.7 19.5 19.5 MGDA 0.2 0.3 10.0 Zeolite A - - 19.5 Zeolite MAP - 19 . 5 NaSKS-6/citric acid - 10.6 10.6 (79:21) Carbonate 6.1 21.4 21.4 Bicarbonate - 2.0 2.0 Silicate 6 . 8 Sodium sulfate 39.8 - 14.3 PB4 5.0 12.7 TAED 0. 5 3 . 1 DETPMP 0.25 0.2 0.2 Protease 0.26 0.85 0.85 W O 97/36990 PCTrUS97/04953 Lipase 0.15 0.15 0.15 Cellulase 0.28 0.28 0.28 Amylase 0.1 0.1 0.1 M A/A A 0.8 1.6 1.6 C M C 0.2 0.4 0.4 Photoactivated bleach 15 ppm 27 pp m 27 pp m (ppm) Brightener 1 0.08 0.19 0.19 Brightener 2 - 0.04 0.04 Perfume 0.3 0-3 0-3 Silicone antifoam 0.5 2.4 2.4 Minors/misc to 100%

Example 6 The following detelgellt formulations, according to the present invention were prepared:

D' E' F' Blown Powder STPP 24.0 - 24.0 ~ Zeolite A - 24.0 M G D A 0.1 0.5 2.0 C45AS 9.0 6.0 13.0 CA 022~0293 1998-09-28 W O 97t36990 PCT~US97/04953 MA/AA 2.0 4.0 2.0 LAS 6.0 8.0 11.0 TAS 2.0 - -Silicate 7.0 3.0 3.0 CMC 1.0 1.0 0.5 Brightener 2 0.2 0.2 0.2 Soap 1.0 1.0 1.0 DTPMP 0.4 0.4 0.2 Spray On C45E7 2.5 2.5 2.0 C25E3 2.5 2.5 2.0 Silicone antifoam 0.3 0.3 0.3 Perfume 0.3 0.3 0.3 Dry additives Carbonate 6.0 13 .0 15.0 PB4 18.0 18.0 10.0 PB1 4.0 4.0 0 TAED 3.0 3.0 1.0 Photoactivated bleach 0.02 0.02 0.02 Protease 1.0 1.0 1.0 Lipase 0.4 0.4 0.4 Amylase 0.25 0.30 0.15 Dry mixed sodium 3.0 3.0 5.0 sulfate B~l~nre (Moisture & 100.0 100.0 100.0 Miscellaneous) Density (g/litre) 630 670 670 Example 7 The following nil bleach-cont~ining detergent formulations of particular use in the washing of colored clothing, according to the present invention were prepared:

G' H' Blown Powder STPP 15.0 15.0 MGDA 0.2 2.0 Sodium sulfate 0.0 5.0 LAS 3.0 3.0 DTPMP 0.4 0.5 CMC 0.4 0.4 MA/AA 4.0 4.0 Agglomerates LAS 6.0 5.0 TAS 3.0 2.0 Silicate 4.0 4.0 Zeolite A 10.0 15.0 CMC
MA!AA - -Carbonate 9.0 7.0 Spray On Perfume 0.3 0.3 C45E7 4.0 4.0 C25E3 2.0 2.0 Dry additives MA/AA
NaSKS-6 Citrate 10.0 Bicarbonate 7.0 3.0 Carbonate 8.0 5.0 PVPVI/PVNO 0.5 0.5 Alcalase 0.5 0.3 CA 022~0293 1998-09-28 W O 97/36990 PCTrUS97/04953 Lipase 0.4 0.4 Amylase 0. 6 0. 6 Cellulase 0.6 0.6 Silicone antifoam 5.0 5.0 Dry additives Sodium sulfate 0.0 9.0 Balance (Moisture and 100.0 100.0 Miscellaneous) Density (g/litre) 700 700 Example 8 The following detergent formulations, according to the present invention were prepared:

I' J' K' L' LAS 20.0 14.0 24.0 22.0 QAS 0.7 1.0 - 0.7 TFAA - 1.0 C25E5/C45E7 - 2.0 - 0.5 C45E3S - 2.5 - -STPP 30.0 18.0 30.0 22.0 Silicate 9.0 5.0 10.0 8.0 Carbonate 13.0 7.5 - 5.0 MGDA 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0 Bicarbonate - 7.5 DTPMP 0.7 1.0 SRP 1 0.3 0.2 - 0.1 MA/AA 2.0 1.5 2.0 1.0 CMC 0.8 0.4 0.4 0.2 Protease 0.8 1.0 0.5 0.5 Amylase 0.8 0.4 - 0.25 - Lipase 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.1 Cellulase 0.15 0.05 - -W 097/36990 PCTrUS97/04953 ~6 Photoactivated 70ppm 45ppm - 10ppm bleach (ppm) Brightener 1 0.2 0.2 0.08 0.2 PBl 6.0 2.0 NOBS 2.0 1.0 Balance 100 100 100 100 (Moisture and Miscellaneous) Example 9 The following detergent formulations, according to the present invention were prepared:

M' N' O' Blown Powder STPP 30.0 22.0 6.0 M G D A 2.0 2.0 2.0 Sodium sulfate 19.0 5.0 7.0 M A/A A 3.0 3.0 6.0 L A S 14.0 12.0 22.0 C45A S 8.0 7.0 7.0 Silicate - 1.0 5.0 Soap - - 2.0 Brightener 1 0.2 0.2 0.2 Carbonate 8.0 16.0 20.0 D TP M P - 0.4 0.4 Spray On C45E7 1.0 1.0 1.0 Dry additives PVPVI/PVNO 0.5 0.5 0.5 Protease 1.0 1.0 1.0 - Lipase 0.4 0.4 0 4 Amylase 0.1 0.1 0.1 Cellulase 0.1 0.1 0.1 NOBS - 6.1 4.5 CA 022~0293 1998-09-28 W 097/36990 PCT~US97/04953 G~
PB1 1.0 5.0 6.0 Sodium sulfate - 6.0 Balance (Moisture 100 100 100 and Miscellaneous) Example 10 The following high density and bleach-cont~ining detergent formulations, according to the present invention were prepared:

P Q' R' Blown Powder STPP 15.0 15.0 15.0 - MGDA 2.0 2.0 2.0 Sodium sulfate 0.0 5.0 0.0 LAS 3.0 3.0 3.0 QAS - 1.5 1.5 DTPMP 0.4 0.4 0.4 CMC 0.4 0.4 0.4 MA/AA 4.0 2.0 2.0 Agglomerates LAS 5.0 5.0 5.0 TAS 2.0 2.0 1.0 Silicate 3.0 3.0 4.0 Zeolite A 8.0 8.0 8.0 Carbonate 8.0 8.0 4.0 Spray On Perfume 0.3 0.3 0.3 C45E7 2.0 2.0 2.0 C25E3 2.0 - -Dry additives Citrate 5.0 - 2.0 - Bicarbonate - 3.0 Carbonate 8.0 15.0 10.0 TAED 6.0 2.0 5.0 W O 97/36990 PCT~US97/04953 Co PB1 14.0 7.0 10.0 Polyethylene oxide of MW - - 0.2 5,000,000 Bentonite clay - - 10.0 Protease l.0 1.0 1.0 Lipase 0.4 0.4 0.4 Amylase 0.6 0.6 0.6 Cellulase 0.6 0.6 0.6 Silicone antifoam 5.0 5.0 5.0 Dry additives Sodium sulfate 0.0 3.0 0.0 Balance (Moisture and 100.0 100.0 100.0 Miscellaneous) Density (g/litre) 850 850 850

Claims (12)

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A detergent composition comprising (a) a phosphate builder system; and (b) an amino tricarboxylic acid or salt thereof wherein said amino tricarboxylic acid has the general formula:

where R1, R2 and R3 are alkyl groups or substituted alkyl groups of chain length C1 to C4; n is 0 or 1; and X is an organic substituent group.

2. A detergent composition according to claim 1 wherein said detergent composition additionally comprises a polycarboxylate builder.

3. A detergent composition according to either of claims 1 or 2 wherein the detergent composition additionally comprises a carbonate builder.

4. A detergent composition according to any of claims 1 to 3 wherein said amino tricarboxylic acid is methyl glycine diacetic acid.

5. A detergent composition according to any of claims 1 to 4 wherein the amino tricarboxylic acid is present at a level of greater than 0.1% by weight of detergent composition.

6. A detergent composition according to any of claims 1 to 5 wherein the preferred amino tricarboxylic acid salt is a sodium or potassium salt thereof.

7. A detergent composition according to any of claims 1 to 6 wherein the weight ratio of said builder system to ATCA is between 5:1 and 25:1.

8. A detergent composition according to any of claims 1 to 7 wherein the weight ratio of organo phosphonate ATCA is between 1:2 and 1:10.

9. A detergent composition according to any of claims 1 to 8 wherein the detergent composition additionally comprises an oxygen-releasing bleaching system.

10. A detergent composition according to any of claims 1 to 9 wherein the detergent composition is in the form of a tablet.

11. Use of the detergent composition according to any of claims 1 to 10 in a machine dishwashing method.

12. Use of the detergent composition according to any of Claims 1 to 10 in a laundry washing method.