MXPA06008732A - A composition for use in the laundering or treatment of fabrics - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an auxiliary composition in particulate form for the laundering or treatment of fabrics, the auxiliary composition comprises a co-particulate admix of:(i) clay;and (ii) silicone;and (iii) optionally, a charged polymeric fabric-softening boosting component;and (iv) optionally one or more adjunct components;wherein the auxiliary composition has a Flowability Index (FI) of from 0.5 to 21, wherein FI=P x R, wherein P=the weight average primary particle size of the clay expressed in micrometers, and R=the weight ratio of silicone to clay.

Description

A COMPOSITION TO BE USED IN THE WASHING OR TREATMENT OF FABRICS TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a composition for use in the washing or treatment of fabrics. More specifically, the present invention relates to a laundry detergent composition that has the ability to both clean and soften it during the washing process.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Laundry detergent compositions are known which have the ability to both clean and soften fabrics during the washing process; These have been created and sold for many years by laundry detergent manufacturers. Usually, these laundry detergent compositions contain components that have the ability to impart the benefit of the softening to the washed fabrics; These fabric softening components include clays and silicones. The incorporation of clay in the laundry detergent compositions in order to impart to the washing fabrics the benefit of the softening thereof is described in the following references. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,062,647 (from Storm, TD and Nirschl, JP; The Procter &Gamble Company) discloses a prepared laundry detergent composition, granulated, containing a smectite-like clay that has the ability to both clean and soften fabrics during the washing process. In GB 2 138 037 (from Alien, E., Coutureau, M., and Dillarstone, A., Colgate-Palmolive Company) a heavy-duty fabric softening detergent containing agglomerated bentonite is disclosed. In the U.S. patent no. 4,885,101 (Tai, H.T .: Lever Brothers Company) laundry detergent compositions are described which contain fabric softening clays with sizes between 150 and 2,000 microns. The fabric softening performance of laundry detergent compositions containing clay improves when a flocculation aid is incorporated into said detergent compositions. For example, EP 0 299 575 (by Raemdonck, H., and Busch, A.; The Procter &Gamble Company) discloses a detergent composition containing a smectite-like clay and a clay flocculating polymeric agent. It is also known to use silicones in order to provide the fabric that is being washed with the benefit of fabric softening during the washing process. No. 4,585,563 (to Busch, A., and Kosmas, S., The Procter &Gamble Company) discloses that certain organofunctional polydialkylsiloxanes can advantageously be incorporated into granular detergents to offer remarkable benefits including smoothing. the fabric during washing, as well as additional improvements in the handling of textile articles. The US patent UU no. 5,277,968 (de Canivenc, E., Rhone-Poulenc Chemie) describes a process for conditioning textile substrates to allegedly impart a pleasant touch and adequate hydrophobicity; the process comprises treating the textile articles with an effective conditioning amount of a specific polydiorganosiloxane. Detergent manufacturers have tried to incorporate both clay and silicone in the same laundry detergent composition. For example, silicone-based compositions have been incorporated into compositions containing clay to, it is claimed, improve the ease with which they are dispensed. U.S. Pat. no. 4, 419, 250 (by Alien, E., Dillarstone, R., and Reul, JA; Colgate-Palmolive Company) describes agglomerated bentonite particles containing a salt of a lower alkylsiliconic acid and / or one or more products of the invention. polymerization thereof. U.S. Pat. no. 4, 421, 657 (from Alien, E., Dillarstone, R., and Reul, J.A., Colgate-Palmolive Company) discloses a particulate composition for laundry and heavy-duty textile softening containing bentonite clay and a siliconate. The US patent UU no. 4, 482, 477 (from Alien, E., Dillarstone, R., and Reul, J. A.; Colgate-Palmolive Company) describes a synthetic organic detergent composition prepared in particulate form that includes a certain proportion that aids the dispensing of a siliconate and, as a fabric softening agent, preferably includes bentonite. In another example, EP 0 163 352 (from York, DW; The Procter &Gamble Company) discloses the incorporation of silicone in a laundry detergent composition containing clay in an attempt to control the excessive foaming which during the washing process generates laundry detergent composition containing clay. EP 0 381 487 (by Biggin, I.S., and Cartwright P.S., BP Chemicals Limited) discloses a water-based liquid detergent formulation comprising clay, which receives a pretreatment with a barrier material, such as a polysiloxane. Detergent manufacturers have also tried to incorporate silicone, clay and a flocculant into a laundry detergent composition. For example, a composition for the treatment of fabrics comprising substituted polysiloxanes, softening clay and a clay flocculant is described in WO 92/07927 (by Marteleur, CAAVJ, and Convenis, A. C; The Procter &Gamble Company ). More recently, some fabric care compositions comprising an organophilic clay and oil with functional groups are described in U.S. Pat. 6,656, 901 B2 (by Moorfield, D., and Whilton, N., Unilever Home &Personal Care USA, Division of Conopeo, Inc.). WO 02/092748 (Instone, T. et al., Unilever PLC) discloses a granular composition comprising an intimate mixture of a non-ionic surfactant, a water-insoluble liquid that can be a silicone, and a carrier material granulated that can be a clay. WO 03/055966 (by Cocardo, DM, et al., Hindustain Lever Limited) discloses a fabric care composition comprising a solid carrier, which may be a clay, and an anti-wrinkle agent, which may be a silicone However, despite all previous attempts, any improvement in fabric softening performance that detergent manufacturers have been able to achieve in a laundry detergent has been at the expense of their fabric cleaning performance, as well as their ease of use. prosecution. Therefore, there is still a need to improve the fabric softening performance of a laundry detergent composition without excessively affecting its fabric cleaning performance or its ease of processing in a negative sense.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention solves the aforementioned problem by offering an auxiliary composition in particulate form for the washing or treatment of fabrics comprising a coparticulate mixture of: (i) clay, and (ii) silicone, and (iii) optionally, a polymeric component with filler that increases the softening of the fabric, and (iv) optionally one or more auxiliary components, wherein the auxiliary composition has a flow index (Fl, for its acronym in English) between 0.5 and 21, where Fl = P x R, where P = the weighted average primary particle size of the clay expressed in micrometers, and R = the weighted proportion of silicone to clay.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Clay Clay is usually a fabric softening clay, such as a smectite-like clay. The preferred smectite clays are beidelite, hectorite, laponite, montmorillonite, nontronite, saponite and mixtures thereof. Preferably, the smectite-type clay is a dioctahedral smectite, more preferably a montmorillonite. The dioctahedral smectite clays usually have one of the following two general formulas: Formula (I) NaxAI2.xMgxSi4O10 (OH) 2 Formula (II) CaxAI2.xMgxSi4O10 (OH) 2 where x is a number between 0.1 and 0.5, preferably between 0.2 and 0.4. Preferred clays are montmorillonite clays with low loading levels (also known as sodium montmorillonites or Wyoming montmorillonite clays) having a general formula corresponding to the above Formula (I). The preferred clays are also montmorillonite clays with a high level of charge (also known as calcitic montmorillonites or montmorillonitic clays of the Queto type), which have a general formula corresponding to the above Formula (II). The preferred clays are supplied under the trade names of: Fulasoft 1 of Activated Andine Clays; White Bentonite STP by Fordamin; and Detercal P7 from Laviosa Chemica Mineraria SPA. The clay can be a hectorite. A typical hectoritic clay has the following general formula: Formula (lll) [(Mg3.xLix) Si4.yMelllyO10 (OH2.zFz)] - (x + y) ((x + y) / n) Mn + where y = 0 to 0.4, if y = > 0, then Me '"is Al, Fe or B, preferably y = 0; Mp + is a monovalent (n = 1) or divalent metal ion (n = 2), preferably selected from Na, K, Mg, Ca and Mr. x is a number between 0.1 and 0.5, preferably between 0.2 and 0.4, more preferably between 0.25 and 0.35, z is a number between 0 and 2. The value of (x + y) is the layer load of the clay, preferably, the value of (x + y) is in the range of 0.1 to 0.5, preferably, 0.2 to 0.4, more preferably, of 0.25 to 0.35 A preferred hectorite clay is that supplied by Rheox under the tradename Bentone HC Other hectoritic clays that are preferred to be used herein are those hectorites that are supplied by CSM Materials under the tradename of Hectorite U and Hectorite R. The clay may also be selected from the group consisting of: clays allophan; chlorite clays, among which amesite, baileycloro, chamosite, clinochlore, cookeite, corundophyte, daphnite, delessita, gonyerita, nimita, odinita, ortochamosita, pennantita, penninita, ripidolita, sudoita and thuringita; clay litas; interbedded clays; iron oxyhydroxide clays, among which hematite, goethite, lepidocrite and ferrihydrite are preferred; kaolin clays, among which kaolinite, halloysite, dickite, nacrite and hisingerite are preferred; smectite clays; Vermiculite clays and mixtures thereof. The clay may also be a light-colored crystalline clay mineral, preferably with a minimum reflectance value of 60, more preferably at least 70 or 80 at a wavelength of 460 nm. The preferred lightly colored crystalline clay minerals are Chinese clay, halloysite, dioctahedral clays, such as kaolinite, trioctad rich as antigorite and amesite, smectite clays and hormite such as bentonite (montmorillonite), beidilite, nontronite, hectorite, attapulguite, pimelite, mica, muscovite and vermiculite as well as clays pyrophyllite / talc, willemseite and Minnesota. The slightly colored crystalline clay minerals are described in GB2357523A and WO01 / 44425. Preferred clays have a cation exchange capacity of at least 70 meq / 100 g. The cation exchange capacity of the clays can be measured using the method described in Grimshaw, The Chemistry and Physics of Clays, Interscience Publishers, Inc., pgs. 264-265 (1971). Preferably, the clay has a weighted average primary particle size, which is typically greater than 20 microns, preferably greater than 23 microns, and more preferably greater than 25 microns; or in ascending order of preference is within the following ranges: between 21 and 60 micrometers; between 22 and 50 micrometers; between 23 and 40 micrometers; between 24 and 30 micrometers; and between 25 and 28 micrometers. Clays that have these primary weighted average particle sizes provide an even better fabric softening benefit. The method for determining the weighted average particle size of the clay is described below in greater detail. Method for determining the primary weighted average particle size of the clay: The primary weighted average particle size of the clay is usually determined using the following method: 12 g of clay are placed in a beaker containing 250 mL of distilled water and stir vigorously for 5 minutes to form a clay solution. The clay is not sonicated or microfluidized in a high-pressure microfluidization processor, but is added to the raw (ie, raw) beaker water. Using a micropipette, 1 mL of the clay solution is added to the receptacle of an Accusizer 780, an apparatus for the optical determination of the size of a single particle or SPOS (for its acronym in English). The clay solution added to the SPOS Accusizer 780 receptacle is diluted with more distilled water to form a diluted clay solution; This dilution is made in the SPOS Accusizer 780 receptacle and is an automated process controlled by the SPOS Accusizer 780, which determines the optimal concentration of the diluted clay solution for the determination of the weighted average particle size of the clay particles. in the diluted clay solution. The diluted clay solution is left for 3 minutes in the receptacle of the SPOS Accusizer 780. The clay solution is stirred vigorously for the entire time it remains in the receptacle of the SPOS Accusizer 780. Then the diluted clay solution is sucked and passes by the SPOS Accusizer 780 sensors. This is an automated process controlled by the SPOS Accusizer 780, which determines the optimal flow rate of the diluted clay solution that passes through the sensors to determine the weighted average particle size of the clay particles in the diluted clay solution. All steps of this method are carried out at a temperature of 20 ° C. This method is carried out in triplicate and the average of the results is calculated. Silicone Silicone is preferably a fabric softener silicone. The silicone normally has the following general formula: Formula (IV) wherein, each R1 and R2 of each repeating unit, - (Si ^ XR ^ O) -, are independently selected from C10 alkyl or alkenyl, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched, substituted or unsubstituted phenyl replace, or units of - [- R1R2Si-O -] -; x is a number between 50 and 300,000, preferably between 100 and 100,000, more preferably between 200 and 50,000; wherein the alkyl, alkenyl or substituted phenyl are normally substituted with halogen, amino, hydroxyl groups, quaternary ammonium groups, polyalkoxy groups, carboxyl groups or nitro groups; and, where, the polymer ends in a hydroxyl group, hydrogen or -SiR3, where, R3 is hydroxyl, hydrogen, methyl or a functional group. Suitable silicones include: aminosilicones, such as those described in EP 150872, WO 92/01773 and U.S. Pat. no. 4800026; quaternary silicones, such as those described in U.S. Pat. no. 4448810 and EP 459821; high viscosity silicones, such as those described in WO 00/71806 and WO 00/71807; modified polydimethylsiloxane; polydimethylsiloxane with functional groups, such as those described in U.S. Pat. no. 5668102. Preferably, the silicone is a polydimethylsiloxane. The silicone may preferably be a mixture of silicones of two or more different types of silicones. Preferred silicone blends are those that contain: a high viscosity silicone and a low viscosity silicone; a silicone with functional groups and a silicone without functional groups; or an unfilled silicone polymer and a cationic silicone polymer. Silicone usually has a viscosity of 5 Pa.s (5,000 cp) at 5,000 Pa.s (5,000,000 cp), or more than 10 Pa.s (10,000 cp) at 1,000 Pa.s (1,000,000 cp) , or from 10 Pa.s (10,000 cp) to 600 Pa.s (600,000 cp), more preferably from 50 Pa.s (50,000 cp) to 400 Pa.s (400,000 cp), and more preferably 80 Pa. .s (80,000 cp) to 200 Pa.s (200,000 cp) when measured at a cut-off speed of 20 s "1 and at ambient conditions (20 ° C and 101 kPa (1 atmosphere).) Silicone is normally in the form liquid or liquefiable, especially when mixed with clay.Silicone is usually a polymeric silicone containing more than 3, preferably more than 5 and even more than 10 monomeric siloxane units.The silicone is in the form of emulsion, especially when mixed with the clay, the emulsion is preferably in the form of a water-in-oil emulsion, where the silicone forms at least a part, preferably all, of the continuous phase and the water forms at least part, preferably, the whole, of the discontinuous phase. The emulsion generally has an average primary droplet volumetric size of 0.1 micrometers to 5,000 micrometers, preferably 0.1 micrometers to 50 micrometers and, most preferably, 0.1 micrometers to 5 micrometers. The average primary volumetric particle size is usually measured using a Coulter Multisizer ™ or by the method described in detail below. Commercially available silicone oils that are suitable for use herein are DC200 ™ (from 12,500 cp (12.5 Pa.s) to 600,000 cp (600 Pa.s)), supplied by Dow Corning or the Silicones of the Baysilone Fluid M series supplied by GE Silicone. Alternatively, the use of preformed silicone emulsions is equally suitable. These emulsions may contain water and / or other solvents in an amount effective to aid emulsification of the silicone. Method for determining the average volumetric droplet size of the silicone: The volumetric average droplet size of the emulsion is usually determined using the following method: The emulsion is applied to a microscope slide and covered with the coverslip by placing it with smoothness. The emulsion is observed under the microscope with magnifications of 400X and 1, 000X, the average droplet size of the emulsion is calculated by comparison with a standard platen micrometer. Polymer component with load that increases fabric softening The polymeric component with load that increases fabric softening, preferably, is cationic. Preferably, the charged polymer component that increases fabric softening is a cationic guar gum. The charged polymeric component that increases fabric softening may be a cationic polymer containing: (i) monomeric acrylamide units, (ii) other cationic monomer units and (iii) optionally, other monomer units. The load-bearing polymer component that increases fabric softening may be a polyacrylamide with cationic modification or a copolymer thereof, any cationic modification may be used in these polyacrylamides. The load-bearing polymeric components which increase the softening of the fabric and which are most preferred to be used are the copolymers of acrylamide and a quaternary salt of methyl chloride of dimethylaminoethyl acrylate (DMA3-MeCI), for example, such as those supplied by BASF , Ludwigshafern, Germany, under the trade name of Sedipur CL343. The general structure of the DMA3MeCI is: Formula (V) The general structure of acrylamide is: Formula (VI) Preferred cationic polymers have the following general structure: CH2K (C? 3) 3C1 Formula (VII) where n and m are, independently, numbers that are in the range of 100 to 100,000, preferably, 800 to 3400. The molar ratio of n: m is preferably in the range from 4: 1 to 3: 7, preferably from 3: 2 to 2: 3. The polymeric components under load that increase fabric softening are described in greater detail in DE 10027634, DE 10027636, DE 10027638, US Pat. num. 6111056 and 6147183, WO 98/17762, WO 98/21301, WO 01/05872 and WO 01/05874, in addition to which they can be synthesized in accordance with the methods described therein. The polymer component with filler that increases fabric softening preferably has an average degree of cation substitution of 1% to 70%, preferably greater than 10% up to 70%, more preferably 10% to 60%. If the charged polymer component that increases fabric softening is a cationic guar gum, then its preferred degree of cation substitution is 10% to 15%. However, if the polymeric component with load increasing fabric softening is a polymer having a general structure in accordance with the above Formula VII, then its degree of cationic substitution is preferably between 40% and 60%. The average degree of cationic substitution generally refers to the molar percentage of monomers in the cationic polymer having a cationic substitution. The average degree of cationic substitution can be determined using any known methods, such as colloidal titration. One of these colloidal titration methods is described in detail by Horn, D., in Prog. Colloid & Polymer Sci., 1978, 8, pgs. 243-265. The polymeric component with charge that increases fabric softening preferably has a charge density of 0.2 meq / g to 1.5 meq / g. The charge density is usually defined in terms of the number of charges the polymer has, expressed in milliequivalents / gram. An equivalent is the weight of material needed to provide one mole of charge; therefore, a milliequivalent is one thousandth of it. Preferably, the load-bearing polymer component that increases fabric softening has a weight average molecular weight greater than 0.166 g (100,000 Da) to below 16.6 g (10,000,000 Da), preferably 0.83 g (500,000 Da) a 3.32 ag (2,000,000 Da) and preferably from 1.66 ag (1,000,000 Da) to 3.32 ag (2,000,000). To determine the weighted average molecular weight of a polymer, in this case the polymeric component with charge that increases the fabric softening, any of the known methods of determination by gel permeation chromatography or GPC can be used. English. The GPC determinations are described in more detail in Polymer Analysis by Stuart, B. H., pgs. 108-112, published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd, UK, © 2002. The following is a typical GPC method for determining the weighted average molecular weight of the polymer component with charge that increases fabric softening: Method to determine the weighted average molecular weight of the polymeric component with charge that increases the softening of the fabric: 1. Dissolve 1.5 g of the polymer in 1 liter of deionized water. 2. Filter the mixture obtained in the previous step 1, using a Sartorius Minisart RC25 filter. 3. In accordance with the manufacturer's instructions, inject 100 liters of the mixture obtained in step 2 into a GPC device that is equipped with a Suprema MAX column (8 mm by 30 cm), which operates at 35 ° C, and in an ERC7510 detector, with an aqueous solution of 0.2 M acetic acid and potassium chloride solution, used as an elution solvent at a flow rate of 0.8 mL / min. 4. The weighted average molecular weight is obtained by analyzing the GPC data, in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. Flocculation adjuvant Flocculation adjuvant has the ability to flocculate clay. Normally, the flocculation aid is polymeric. Preferably, the flocculation aid is a polymer containing monomer units selected from the group consisting of ethylene oxide, acrylamide, acrylic acid and mixtures thereof. Preferably, the flocculation aid is a polyethylene oxide. Typically, the flocculation adjuvant has a molecular weight of at least 0.16 g (100,000 Da), preferably from 0.25 g (150,000 Da) to 8.3 g (5,000,000 Da) and most preferably from 0.332 g (200,000 Da) to 1.16 g. ag (700,000 Da.) Auxiliary Components The auxiliary composition and / or the laundry detergent composition may, optionally, contain one or more auxiliary components. These auxiliary components are usually selected from the group consisting of detergent surfactants, additives, polymeric co-additives, bleach, chelants, enzymes, antiredeposition polymers, dirt-releasing polymers, polymeric agents that disperse and / or suspend dirt, transfer inhibitors. of dye, fabric integrity agents, brighteners, suds suppressors, fabric softeners, flocculants and combinations thereof. Coparticulate Mixture The coparticulate Mixture comprises the clay, silicone and, optionally, a charged polymeric component that increases the softening of the fabric. Optionally, the coparticulate mixture comprises one or more auxiliary components. The coparticulate mixture is preferably obtained or obtainable by a process which includes the steps of contacting the silicone, preferably in liquid or liquefiable form and, most preferably in emulsified form, with the clay and, optionally, the component polymer with filler which increases the softening of the fabric to form a mixture and then agglomerates the mixture in a high shear mixer and / or a low shear mixing mixture followed, optionally, by a drying step to form a coparticulate mixture. Preferably, the coparticulate mixture is in agglomerated form, although the coparticulate mixture could be in the form of granules, flakes, extruded product, noodles, needles or agglomerate. Auxiliary composition The auxiliary composition is to be used in the washing or treatment of fabrics and typically, or forms part of a fully formulated laundry detergent composition or is an additive composition, suitable for adding to a fully formulated laundry detergent composition. Preferably, the auxiliary composition forms part of a fully formulated laundry detergent composition. The auxiliary composition contains a mixture of clay and a silicone. Typically, the auxiliary composition further comprises a charged polymeric component that increases fabric softening and, optionally, one or more auxiliary components. Preferably, the charged polymer component that increases fabric softening is present in the auxiliary composition in the form of a mixture with the clay and the silicone; this means that, as a rule, the polymeric component with charge that increases fabric softening is present in the same particle as clay and silicone. Preferably, the weight ratio of the silicone to the emulsifier, when present, in the auxiliary composition is from 3: 1 to 20: 1.

The auxiliary composition has a flow index (Fl) between 0.5 to 21, preferably from more than 5 to less than 10, or between 6 and 9, and even between 7 and 8, or from more than 10 to less than 20, or between 11 and 19, or between 11 and 16, or even between 11 and 12. The auxiliary composition having a preferred melt index provides a good fabric softener benefit and at the same time a good processing characteristic and can be easily processed, for example by having good properties of powdered materials, such as flowability and resistance to lumping. The flow index (Fl) = P x R, where P = the weighted average primary particle size of the clay expressed in micrometers, and R = the weight ratio of the silicone to clay. Preferably, the weight ratio of the silicone to clay, present in the auxiliary composition is from 0.05 to 0.3, preferably from 0.1 to 0.2. The auxiliary composition has good flow properties, in general it has a Silo Peschel degree of greater than 3, preferably, greater than 5 and more preferably, greater than 7. The auxiliary composition preferably has a greater degree of baggage Peschel Bag of 5 and, preferably greater than 7. The methods for determining the degree of flowability Silo Peschel and the degree of flowability Bag Peschel are described below: Method for determining the degree of flowability Silo Peschel of the auxiliary composition. A 50 g sample of the auxiliary composition is poured into a shear cell and leveled. The shear force cell is then covered and the auxiliary composition undergoes a preconsolidation step, prior to the test, placing a weight of 7,500 g on the powder. The shear force cell is then placed on an automatic rotary shear tester Peschel RO 200, where it undergoes the consolidation stage under a load of 250 g / cm2 to orient the particles in the sample towards a constant resistance to horizontal movement ( shear strength). Once the machine detects this continuous resistance, a load of 250 g / cm2 is applied and the force required to restart the horizontal movement is measured. This last stage is repeated with 4 different additional charges of 200 g / cm2, 150 g / cm2, 100 g / cm2 and 50 g / cm2. The relative fluidity is calculated from the specific volume gravity / absolute fluidity of the product. The flow values are derived from a graph of the shear stress compared to the vertical load that is used to determine a deformation site from which the shear circles are formed.

Mohr. From these, the relative fluidity is calculated. The degree of fluidity Silo Peschel is relative fluidity. Method to determine the degree of Baq Peschel fluidity of the auxiliary composition. A 50 g sample of the auxiliary composition is poured into a shear cell and leveled. The shear stress cell is then covered and the auxiliary composition undergoes a preconsolidation stage prior to the test by placing a weight of 1.500 g on the powder. The shear force cell is then placed on an automatic rotary shear tester Peschel RO 200, where it undergoes the consolidation stage under a load of 50 g / cm2 to orient the particles in the sample towards a constant resistance to horizontal movement ( shear strength). Once the machine detects this continuous resistance, a load of 50 g / cm2 is applied and the force required to restart the horizontal movement is measured. This last step is repeated with 4 different additional loads of 40 g / cm2, 30 g / cm2, 20 g / cm2 and 10 g / cm2. The relative fluidity is calculated from the specific volume gravity / absolute fluidity of the product. The flow values are derived from a graph of the shear stress compared to the vertical load that is used to determine a deformation site from which the shear circles are formed.

Mohr. From these, the relative fluidity is calculated. The degree of fluidity Bag Peschel is relative fluidity. The auxiliary composition preferably has the form of agglomerate or extruded form, but preferably agglomerate form.

Preferably, the auxiliary composition is in the form of agglomerate, preferably with a weighted average particle size of 400 micrometers to 800 micrometers and, preferably, wherein not more than 20% by weight of the agglomerates have a particle size of less than 125 micrometers and, preferably, where no more than 20% by weight of the agglomerates have a particle size 1180 micrometers or more. The auxiliary composition is, in general, in particulate form and is suitable for washing or treating fabrics and typically comprises a coparticulate mixture of: (i) clay, (i) silicone, (iii) optionally, a component polymeric with filler that increases fabric softening, and (iv) optionally, one or more auxiliary components; wherein the clay has a weighted average primary particle size of 10 to 60 micrometers, preferably 10 to 40 micrometers, and even 20 to 30 micrometers, and wherein the ratio of clay to silicone is 0.05 to 0.3, preference from 0.1 to 0.2. Laundry Detergent Composition The laundry detergent composition contains: the auxiliary composition; a detergent surfactant; optionally, a flocculation adjuvant; optionally, an additive; and optionally, a bleach. The laundry detergent composition optionally comprises one or more auxiliary components. The laundry detergent composition is preferably in a particulate form, preferably in a fluid particulate form, ie free-flowing, although the composition may also be in liquid or solid form. The composition in solid form can be in the form of agglomerate, granules, flakes, extruded product, stick, tablet or any combination thereof. The solid composition can be prepared using methods such as: dry mixing, agglomeration, compaction, spray drying, tray granulation, spherization or any combination thereof. The solid composition preferably has a bulk density of 300 g / L to 1,500 g / L, preferably 500 g / L to 1,000 g / L. The composition may also be in liquid, gel, paste, dispersion form, preferably, colloidal dispersion or any combination thereof. Liquid compositions typically have a viscosity of 500 cps (0.5 Pa.s) at 3,000 cps (3 Pa.s), when measured at a cutting speed of 20 s "1 under ambient conditions (20 ° C and 101 ° C). kPa (1 atmosphere)) and has, as a rule, a density of 800 g / L to 1300 g / L. If the composition is in the form of a dispersion, then it will normally have an average particle size of 1 micrometer. to 5,000 micrometers, preferably from 1 micrometer to 50 micrometers.The particles that form the dispersion are usually clay and, if present, silicone.To measure the volumetric average particle size of a dispersion, it is usually uses a Coulter Multisizer The composition may include, in its unit dose form, not only tablets, but also unit dose envelopes, wherein the composition is enclosed or contained, at least partially, but preferably fully contained, for a movie, for example a polyvinyl alcohol film. The composition has the ability to both clean and soften the fabric during the washing process. In general, the composition is formulated for use in an automatic washing machine, although it can also be formulated for use in a hand washing process. The following auxiliary components and their levels, when incorporated into a laundry detergent composition of the present invention, additionally improves the fabric softening performance and the fabric cleaning performance of the laundry detergent composition: at least 10% by weight of the laundry detergent composition. the composition of an alkylbenzene sulfonate detergent surfactant; at least 0.5%, or at least 1%, or even at least 2% by weight of the composition of a cationic quaternary ammonium detergent surfactant; at least 1% by weight of the composition of an alkoxylated alkyl sulfate detergent surfactant, preferably, an ethoxylated alkyl sulfate detergent surfactant; less than 12% or even less than 6%, or even 0%, by weight of the composition, of a zeolite additive; and any combination thereof. Preferably, the laundry detergent composition comprises at least 6%, or at least 8% or 12%, or even at least 18%, by weight of the laundry detergent composition of the auxiliary composition. Preferably, the composition contains at least 0.3% by weight of the composition of a flocculation aid. The weight ratio of the clay to the flocculation aid in the laundry detergent composition is preferably in the range of from 10: 1 to 200: 1, preferably from 14: 1 to 160: 1, more preferably from 20: 1 to 100: 1 and, more preferably, from 50: 1 to 80: 1.

Process The process for manufacturing the auxiliary composition comprises the steps of: (i) contacting a silicone with water and, optionally, with an emulsifier, to form a silicone in emulsified form; and (ii) thereafter, contacting the silicone, in emulsified form, with a clay to form a mixture of clay and a silicone. Preferably, the silicone is in liquid or liquefiable form when it is contacted with the clay in ehpaso (ii). Preferably, the emulsion formed in step (i) is a water-in-oil emulsion, where the silicone forms at least part, preferably all, of the continuous phase of the emulsion, and the water forms at least part of the emulsion. , preferably the whole, of the discontinuous phase of the emulsion. Preferably, the clay is subjected to a grinding step before step (ii), preferably the clay is milled to have a primary particle size between 10 and 40 microns, preferably between 20 and 30 microns. Preferably, a charged polymeric component that increases fabric softening is brought into contact with the clay and silicone in step (ii). The intimate mixing of the polymeric component with filler which increases the softening of the fabric with the clay and the silicone further improves the performance of the fabric softening benefit of the resulting auxiliary composition. Step (i) can be carried out at room temperature (eg, at 20 ° C), however, it is possibly preferred to carry out step (i) at an elevated temperature, such as a temperature within the range of 30 ° C. at 60 ° C. If an emulsifier is used in the process, then the emulsifier is preferably contacted with the water to form an emulsifier-water mixture; after that the emulsifier-water mixture is contacted with the silicone. For continuous processes, step (i) is normally carried out in a static mixer in line or in a dynamic mixer (cutting) in line. For non-continuous processes, step (i) is normally performed in a batch or batch mixer, such as a Z-blade mixer, an anchor mixer or a paddle mixer. The mixture of clay and silicone is preferably subsequently agglomerated in a high shear mixer. Suitable high shear mixers include: CB mixers from Loedige, Schugi mixers, Littleford or Drais mixers and laboratory mixers such as Braun mixers. Preferably, the high shear mixer is a tine or spike mixer, such as a CB mixer from Loedige, a Littleford mixer or a Drais mixer. High shear mixers operate normally at high speed; preferably at a tip speed of 30 ms "1 to 35 ms" 1. Preferably, water is added to the high shear mixer. The clay-silicone mixture is usually then subjected to a conditioning step in a low shear mixer. Suitable low shear mixers include plow blade mixers, such as the KM from Loedige. Preferably, the low shear mixer has a tip speed of 5 ms "1 to 10 ms" 1. Optionally, fine particles, such as zeolite and / or clay particles, have, usually , an average particle size of 1 micrometer to 40 micrometers, even from 1 micrometer to 10 micrometers are introduced into the low shear mixer This spray step improves the ability of the resulting particles to flow or slide by reducing their adhesion and controlling its growth.The clay-silicone mixture is usually subjected to a size separation step, wherein the particles having a particle size greater than 500 mm are removed from the mixture. Larger sizes are removed from the mixture by sieving.The mixture of clay and silicone is preferably exposed to hot air, which has a temperature higher than 50 ° C, even higher than 100 ° C. The mixture of clay and silicone is dried at high temperature (for example, at a temperature higher than 50 ° C, or even higher than 100 ° C); preferably, the mixture is dried in a low shear apparatus, such as a fluidized bed dryer. After this preferred drying step, the clay-silicone mixture is subsequently exposed, preferably, to cold air having a temperature below 15 ° C, preferably from 1 ° C to 10 ° C. This cooling step is preferably carried out in a fluidized bed cooler.

The clay-silicone mixture is preferably subjected to a second size separation step, where the particles having a particle size of less than 250 microns are removed from the mixture. These small particles are removed from the mixture by sieving and / or elutriation. If elutriation is used, then the second step of size separation is preferably carried out in a fluidized bed such as the dryer and / or fluidized bed cooler in case it is used in the process. The clay-silicone mixture is preferably subjected to a third size separation step, where the particles having a particle size of greater than 1.400 microns are removed from the mixture. The sifted mixture The large particles, which are optionally removed from the mixture during the first and / or third size separation steps, are normally recycled back to the high shear mixer and / or to the dryer or cooler Fluidised bed in the event that they are used in the process.Older, these large particles are subjected to a grinding step prior to their introduction to the high shear mixer and / or the fluidized bed dryer or cooler. small, which are optionally removed from the mix during the second size separation step, are normally recycled back to the high shear mixer and / or mixed r of low shear stress in case it is used in the process.

Examples Example 1: A process for preparing a silicone emulsion is added to a beaker 81.9 g of silicone (polydimethylsiloxane) having a viscosity of 100 Pa.s (100,000 cp). Next, 8.2 g of 30% by weight aqueous solution of alkylbenzenesulfonate (LAS) of C are added to the beaker. C13, and the silicone, LAS and water are perfectly mixed by hand for 2 minutes with a flat spatula to form an emulsion.

Example 2: a process for preparing a clay / silicone agglomerate 601.2 g of bentonite clay is added to a grinder and crushed until the weighted average primary particle size of the clay is 22 microns. The clay is added to a Braun mixer and 7.7 g of cationic guar gum was also added to the Braun mixer. To the Braun mixer are added 90.1 g of the emulsion of Example 1 and all the ingredients of the mixer were mixed for 10 seconds at 115 rad / s (1100 rpm) (speed level 8). The speed of the Braun mixer is then increased to 209 rad / s (2,000 rpm) (speed level 14) and, slowly, 50 g of water are added to the Braun mixer. The mixer is maintained at 209 rad / sec (2,000 rpm) for 30 seconds so that wet agglomerates are formed. The wet agglomerates are transferred to a drying fluidized bed and dried for 4 minutes at 137 ° C to form dry agglomerates. The dry agglomerates are screened to remove agglomerates having a particle size greater than 1.400 microns and agglomerates having a particle size of less than 250 microns.

Example 3: a clay / silicone agglomerate A clay / silicone agglomerate suitable for use in the present invention is prepared according to the method of Example 2, but the clay is crushed to have a weighted average primary particle size. 25 micrometers, and the agglomerate comprises: 80.3% by weight of bentonite clay, 1.0% by weight of cationic guar gum, 10.9% by weight of silicone (polydimethylsiloxane), 0.3% by weight of alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS) of C? C13 and 7.5% by weight of water.

Example 4: a clay / silicone agglomerate A clay / silicone agglomerate suitable for use in the present invention is prepared according to the method of Example 2, but the clay is crushed to have a weighted average primary particle size of 30. micrometers; and the agglomerate comprises: 72.8% by weight of bentonite clay, 0.7% by weight of cationic guar gum, 15.9% by weight of silicone (polydimethylsiloxane), 0.5% by weight of alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS) of C? C13 and 10.1% by weight of water.

Example 5: A Laundry Detergent Composition A laundry detergent composition suitable for use in the present invention comprises: 15% by weight clay / silicone agglomerates of any of the foregoing Examples 3 or 4; 0.2% by weight of polyethylene oxide having a weight average molecular weight of 0.5 Pa.s (300,000 Da); 11% by weight of the linear alkylbenzenesulfonate detergent surfactant of C11-13; 0.3% by weight of C12-14 alkyl sulfate detergent surfactant; 1% by weight of a C12-C14 quaternary alkyl, dimethyl, quaternary etoxammonium detergent surfactant; 4% by weight of crystalline sodium silicate stratified; 12% by weight of zeolite A; 2.5% by weight of citric acid; 20% by weight of sodium carbonate; 0.1% by weight of sodium silicate; 0.8% by weight of hydrophobically modified cellulose; 0.2% by weight of protease; 0.1% by weight of amylase; 1.5% by weight of tetraacetylethylenediamine; 6.5% by weight of percarbonate; 0.1% by weight of ethylenediamine-N'N-disuccinic acid, isomer (S, S) in the form of a sodium salt; 1.2% by weight of 1, 1-hydroxyethane diphosphonic acid; 0.1% by weight of magnesium sulfate; 0.7% by weight of perfume; 18% by weight of sulfate; 4.7% by weight of miscellaneous compounds / water.

Example 6: A Laundry Detergent Composition A laundry detergent composition suitable for use in the present invention comprises: 12.5% by weight of arcylate / silicone agglomerates of any of the foregoing Examples 3 or 4; 0. 3% by weight of polyethylene oxide with a weight average molecular weight of 0.5 g (300,000 Da); 11% by weight of the linear alkylbenzenesulfonate detergent surfactant of C11-13; 2.5% by weight of the detergent surfactant of alkyl, dimethyl, quaternary etoxammonium of C12-C14; 4% by weight of crystalline sodium silicate stratified; 12% by weight of zeolite A; 20% by weight of sodium carbonate; 1.5% by weight of tetraacetylethylenediamine; 6.5% by weight of percarbonate; 1.0% by weight of perfume; 18% by weight of sulfate; 10.7% by weight of miscellaneous compounds / water.

Example 7: A Laundry Detergent Composition A laundry detergent composition suitable for use in the present invention comprises: 12.5% by weight clay / silicone agglomerates of any of the foregoing Examples 3 or 4; 0.6% by weight of clay; 0.3 weight polyethylene oxide with a weight average molecular weight of 0.5 g (300,000 Da); 10% by weight of the linear alkylbenzenesulfonate detergent surfactant of C, ^; 1% by weight of the condensed detergent surfactant with an average of 7 moles of ethylene oxide; 4% by weight of crystalline sodium silicate stratified; 18% by weight of zeolite A; 20% by weight of sodium carbonate; 1.5% by weight of tetraacetylethylenediamine; 6.5% by weight of percarbonate; 1.0% by weight of perfume; 15% by weight of sulfate; 4.2% by weight of miscellaneous compounds / water.

Claims (23)

NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION CLAIMS

1. An auxiliary composition in particulate form for washing or treating fabrics; the auxiliary composition comprises a coparticulate mixture of: (i) clay, (ii) silicone, (iii) optionally, a charged polymer component that increases fabric softening, and (iv) optionally one or more auxiliary components; wherein the auxiliary composition has a flow index (Fl) between 0.5 and 21, where Fl = P x R where P = the weighted average primary particle size of the clay expressed in microns, and R = the proportion by weight from silicone to clay.

2. The auxiliary composition according to claim 1, further characterized in that the silicone is a polymeric silicone having a viscosity from 10,000 cp (110 Pa.s) to 600,000 cp (600 Pa.s) at a cutting speed of 20.

The auxiliary composition according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that the silicone is a polydimethylsiloxane

4. The auxiliary composition according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that the clay is a softening clay. of fabrics.

5. The auxiliary composition according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that the clay is a montmorillonite clay.

6. The auxiliary composition according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that the auxiliary composition has a Fl of 6 to 9.

The auxiliary composition according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that the auxiliary composition has a Fl from 11 to 19.

The auxiliary composition according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that the weighted average primary particle size of the clay is 20 to 30 microns.

9. The auxiliary composition according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that the weight ratio of the silicone to clay is 0.05 to 0.3.

10. The auxiliary composition according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that the weight ratio of the hydrophobic component to clay is 0.1 to 0.2.

11. The auxiliary composition according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that the auxiliary composition has a Silo Peschel degree of greater than 3.

12. The auxiliary composition according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that the auxiliary composition has a Bag Peschel degree of fluid greater than 5.

The auxiliary composition according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that the auxiliary composition is in the form of agglomerate having optionally an average primary particle size weighted between 400 and 800 microns and, optionally, wherein not more than 20% of the agglomerates have a particle size of less than 125 microns and, optionally, where not more than 20 microns. % of the agglomerates have a particle size of 1180 microns or greater.

The auxiliary composition according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that the auxiliary composition comprises a polymeric component with filler which increases the softening of the fabric.

15. The auxiliary composition according to claim 14, further characterized in that the load-bearing polymer component that increases fabric softening has a charge density of 0.2 meq / g to 1.5 meq / g.

16. The auxiliary composition according to the claims 14 to 15, further characterized in that the polymeric component with charge that increases fabric softening has a weighted average molecular weight of 1.66 g (1, 000,000 Da) at 3.32 g (2,000,000 Da).

17. The auxiliary composition according to claims 14 to 16, further characterized in that the polymeric component with charge that increases the softening of the fabric is cationic.

18. The auxiliary composition according to claims 14 to 17, further characterized in that the polymeric component with charge that increases the fabric softening is cationic guar gum.

19. A laundry detergent composition comprising: (i) An auxiliary composition according to any of the preceding claims; (ii) a surfactant, (iii) optionally, a flocculation adjuvant, (iv) optionally, an additive; and (v) optionally, a bleach; and (vi) optionally, one or more auxiliary laundry detergent components.

20. The composition according to claim 19, further characterized in that the composition comprises a flocculation adjuvant.

The auxiliary composition according to claims 19 and 20, further characterized in that the flocculation aid is a polyethylene oxide which, optionally, has a weight average molecular weight of 0.332 g (200,000) Da at 1.16 g (700,000 g) .

22. The composition according to claims 19 to 21, further characterized in that the composition is in the form of free-flowing particulate material.

23. An auxiliary composition in particulate form for washing or treating fabrics; the composition comprises a coparticulate mixture of: (i) clay, (ii) silicone, (iii) optionally, a charged polymer component that increases fabric softening, and (iv) optionally one or more auxiliary components; wherein the clay has a weighted average primary particle size of 10 to 40 microns, and wherein the weight ratio of the silicone to clay is 0.05 to 0.3.